Skinship

Winter is coming...it's time for mama jackets

If you are pregnant or are babywearing your little one, you will love those mama-jackets and mama-ponchos. They can be used all the way through pregnancy and are very useful when you are wearing your baby or toddler in any kind of soft carrier (slings, poches, mei-tais, etc.). You can carry your baby in front or at the back.
We are using mama poncho all the time...while baby wearing and also while Jun is in the stroller where it turns into a comfortable and warm blanket.

For more details, photos and purchasing click here.

Soft-soled shoes

When chosing baby's shoes we have to be aware that babies' and children's feet should be left alone as much as possible. Accordingly, shoes should be chosen for protection, not correction.

I quote the Canadian Pediatric Society: "The Community Paediatrics Committee no longer accepts the old belief that a baby must wear shoes soon after birth. Keeping a baby out of shoes in warm, dry conditions is a good idea because walking barefoot develops good toe gripping and muscular strength. Indeed, there is increasing evidence to suggest that wearing shoes in early childhood may be detrimental to the development of a normal longitudinal arch. Until toddlers have been walking for at least a few months, the only purpose of footwear is to protect the child’s feet and to offer some grip on a smooth surface. For prewalkers, shoes are not necessary... Shoes must fit the foot properly at the heel and allow enough room for the toes, leaving about 1.25 cm between the longest toe and the tip of the shoe, measured standing up. This allows for sufficient movement of the toes and reasonable room for growth. Never buy shoes unless the child is present to try them on. Soft-sole footwear for protection and warmth is appropriate."

In line with the studies (see the list of references), we can conclude that when children can not be left bare feet, the soft-soled shoes are the best choice for young developing feet. Here are the most common and widely available brands that vary in shape and prices. However, they are all made from quality natural materials and have been extensively tested by my little boy or his friends :-)

• Robeez
• Platypaws
• ShooShoos (in Slovenia you can order them here)
• Cute Baby Shoes
• Starchild (in Slovenia you can order them here)

For more references about the benefits of being bare foot or in soft shoes look at Canadian Pediatrics Society. Pediatrics and Child Health 1998; 3(5): 373, Reference No. CP98-02

Co-sleepers

For all of you who are trying to find an appropriate crib that will allow you to co-sleep with your baby, here are some options:

Foppapedretti, the Italian brand that can be bought all around Italy and also in some other countries offers a wide array of cribs, that can be easity turned into a co-sleeper and safely attached to your bed. You will find them under "Lettini Divanetto" and they come in all different colours and sizes.

The original Arm's Reach co-sleeper is probably the most known brand and it can be bought all around the world. I didn't really like their design but recently they have introduced several new designs, including a wooden one.

I have just found out that Ikea's cribs can be now turned into co-sleepers.

There are also several other producers that offer the option of completely removing one side of the crib so it can be attached to parents' bed. Or you can even make it yourself if you have some do-it-yourself skills :-)

We have one of Foppapedretti's co-sleepers but we haven't really started using it. We allways end up sqeezing in our bed but the co-sleeper serves perfectly as an extension of our little kingdom...giving us some extra space on the side and also protecting Jun from rolling off the bed when he is not sleeping between the two of us.

Pouch

I've just received an email from my friend who is asking which type of babycarrier she should reccommend to her friends who are to become the first-time parents. Since mommy is in a wheelchair they  are looking for a baby carrier that is comfortable and easy to use.

After trying several types I would deffinitely reccomend a puch-style carrier because it is the easiest to use- you just put it on as a shirt. You can easily keep it on the whole day and put your baby in and out when needed. This style of carrier is very comfortable when you are sitting.

I especially liked the adjustable fleece pouch by Kangaroo Korner. It is extremely snug and cosy for both you and the baby. The size is adjustable and this puch is growing with your child. They also have a cotton version for warmer days but I haven't tried it yet.

Another great puch made of stretch cotton is by Hotslings. It is also very comfortable but you need to be careful whith the sizing. They have a special section that will help you choose the right size.

I wish you all the best with pregnancy and birth and let us know how babywearing works for you. I am sure your little one will enjoy it.

Family bikes

Do you love to bike? Would you like
your kids to enjoy the ride with you? Many years ago when I first came to Denmark as a student I got so excited about their family bikes that I promised myself to get one when I have kids. So, I think now is the time to get one. In the past days I've checked out the most common brands.

Here are two types of family bikes that you most often see in Copenhagen: Christiania bikes and Nihola bikes. And just recently a brand new design came from TrioBike.
 

Those bikes are safe and very stable with two wheels in front, they are easy to handle and provide a superbly comfortable ride for you and your children. You can easily transport two and with some models even more children and you will still have lots of load space for your grocery shopping and other stuff.

What I like the most is that the child seat is located in front and you can see your child during the ride. Both bikes come with many extra equipment, like for example rain covers, extra lights, lockers and even bar rack for the car transportation.

TrioBike has another great option- you can turn it into a normal bike and use the stroller part separately. The price is high, but if you consider it a substitute for a car it's definitely worth it. And its more healthy and environmentaly friendly. Not to mention the fantastic Danish design. With TrioBike you will definitely be noticed.I think I have to write to Santa to start saving up :-)

Enjoy the ride.

LIKEaBIKE

For those of you who have children between the age 2 to 5 here is a  unique toy vehicle for children. It was recommended by my friend Barbara (professor of physical education and founder of Fit Mami). She is mother of Luna (4) and Bono (1) and she deeply recommends this bike.

LIKEaBIKE is perfectly tailored to the mobility demands of children from the age of two. It enables them to playfully acquire co-ordination skills, foresight and agility. LIKEaBIKE kids will have no need for supporting wheels when learning to ride a proper bicycle.You can find more information at LIKEaBIKE EU web page. Even more ifno can be found on the US web page.

Like-a-bike can be bought in most of the countries. In Slovenia they are sold in Kokoska.

I wish you a great ride :-)

Cancer-causing chemicals in baby cosmetics

The results from an independent California chemical-testing laboratory found a probable human carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane (also known as paradioxane) in children’s shampoos. A hidden cancer-causing petrochemical has been found in dozens of children’s bath products such as Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, Huggies Baby, Johnson’s Baby Wash, Scooby-Doo Bubble Bath and Sesame Street Bubble Bath. The tests also found the carcinogen in Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo, Olay Complete Body Wash and many other personal care products. In some cases at levels that are more than twice the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s lenient recommended maximum.

It is very important to understand that the total of person's exposure to all the little amount of cancerous agents in the environment may be just as harmful as big doses of few well-known carcinogens. Our chances of getting cancer reflect the full amount of carcinogens we are exposed each day including those in the air, water and food pollution, not to mention contaminants in cleaners, cosmetics, clothing, furniture, tobacco smoke and many others.

And as Devra Davis says in her article from the Newsweek Magazine (5th March 2007, p.49) »chilfdren are not simply young adults. With their quick heartbeats, fast-growing organs and enviable metabolisms, the young absorbs proportionally more pollutants than those who are older«. Knowing this parents have to take the responsibility to protect them form an unnecessary exposure to dangerous chemicals. But how can we know if paradioxane and other contaminants are present in products we use?

1,4-Dioxane is a petroleum-derived contaminant considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a clear-cut animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. It is also on

California

’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or birth defects. Because it is a contaminant produced during manufacturing, the FDA does not require it to be listed as an ingredient on product labels.

Some information on how safe is our cosmetics can be found on “The campaign for safe cosmetics” web page.

A complete list of contaminated products can be found here.

It seems it's time to start making our own cosmetics, personal-care and household cleaners.

Baby wearing…how to start?

The other day my friend asked "How did you start wearing your baby?". She got her baby few weeks ago and she wanted to start wearing him. I had to think a little bit on how we got started…We got our first sling as a present few months before Jun was born. It came with Japanese instructions and you can imagine how much time it took us to figure out how to use it. Add to this the skills of first-time parents and a tiny little baby that you are afraid to even touch. So for the first three weeks we went for the proven method…holding him in arms or lying next to him. But we soon became enough experienced and self confident to try to put him in a sling. It was a discovery…finally our arms were free and Jun was peacefully sleeping or watching us. Since than the sling is a lifesaver for us.
What you need to know before you start babywearing:
• Select your carrier carefully. Things to consider: safety, health issues (consider the young spine development), comfort (for you and the baby), suitability for breastfeeding, softness and durability of the material, age of the baby, your lifestyle, who will mostly carry the baby, the ease of use and of course the price. There are many baby carriers on the market. You can find the widest selection with product reviews of different baby carriers on The Babywearer or Childcarriers. For my recommendation of carriers see previous post.
• Try the carrier before buying it. It is hard to find a carrier that would fill everyone. I advice you to try a carrier before buying it. You can borrow it from your friends. Many shops even offer “rent-a-sling” which is great idea. You can use a carrier for a week or so and than decide wich type fits you and your baby. If you live in Sloveniayou can rent a sling here.
• It is almost impossible to use the same carrier for all ages. Eventhough most producers promise that their carrier can be used from 0-36 months, this is not very good idea. There are so many trade-offs and you will probaby not find the one that fits-all stages optimally. I recommend you to choose one from 0-6 months and one from 6 months on. For the first period consider a sling or pouch style of carrier which enables you baby to lie in horizontal position (with flat back if possible) or cross-legged after 4 months. For the second period structured carriers that can be carried in front, hip and back position are probably the best.
• Make sure baby lies flat for the first 4 or even better 6 months. Read more about oxygen desaturation in previous post. A great carrier that allows this position is Zuco bed by Aprica. This year they introduced even new models, which all enable horizontal flat position for the first couple of months.
• When introducing a new carrier, do it slowly. Allow yourself and your baby to get used to a new carrier. Never put a crying or fussy baby in a carrier for the first time. Allways put a happy baby (usually after nursing) into the new carrier. Once he get used to a carrier and you both find the most comfortable position babywearing becomes the best pacifier in the world.
• Be careful. Before you master the art of babywearing you would probably use one or both hands to support your baby. It will make both of you more secure. Allways double check the carrier beofre you place your baby inside. Also be careful with sudden moves, when going through doorways or passing close to sharp objects. When bending allwys hold your baby firmly.
• Start babywearing as soon as possible. It enables you both to enjoy the benefits of baby wearing as early as possible. It also helps you to slowly build your muscles while your baby is getting heavier.
• Ignore “well-meaning” advice. When they are trying to convince you that babywering leads to spoiled kids, simply smile and ignore it. It will probably take too much of your time and energy to explain the evolutionary, emotional and scientific views of attachment parenting to someone who still believes that you can spoil a baby by being close to and responding to her needs.

You are very welcome to post comments describing your experience with babywearing, choosing the baby carrier or questions that you faced while getting used to carry your baby.

Rear-facing is best

Recently Jun's weight exceeded the limit for rear-facing infant car seat and we faced the dilemma whether we can turn our son to face forward in the car seat even before the age of one. It’s a common question parents face usually when your baby's legs can touch the vehicle seat. I did a thorough research of several sources and came to the conclusion that rear facing position it the safest for adults and children and we should keep our infants in rear facing position as long as possible but at least until 1 year old and weigh at least 9 kg (20 lb) to decrease the risk of cervical spine injury in the event of a crash. Infants who weigh 9 kg (20 lb) before 1 year of age should ride rear facing in a convertible seat or infant seat approved for higher weights until at least 1 year of age.

You can read more about why rear-facing is safest here. You will find a detailed explanation of reasons as well as the list of some car seats that enable extanded rear-facing. This and other useful reccommendations come from American Academy of Pediatrics and are more extensively poresented in their guidelines.

Many other safety tips for parents can be found here.

More results of scientific research on this topic can be found in:

• Weber K. (2002), Child passenger protection. In: Nahum AM, Melvin JW, eds. Accidental Injury: Biomechanics and Prevention. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag, pp. 523 –549 
• Weber K. (1995), Rear-facing restraint for small child passengers: a medical alert. UMTRI Res Rev.1995; 25, pp.12 –17.

Oxygen Desaturation

An allarming study by Joel L. Bass, MD (Harvard Medical School) and Marilyn Bull, MD (Indiana University School of Medicine) was published in Pediatrics Journal in 2002. However today most of the parents still use non-reclinable rear-facing car seats for young infants. Even more, many strollers have an option of adjusting such car seat to the stroller, which means that babies spend long periods of time in a reclined position that could be harmful ofr their health.

In the above mentioned study researchers monitored 50 term infants and documented that when properly positioned semireclined in rear-facing car safety seats, the mean oxygen saturation levels declined significantly after 60 minutes. In addition, the same report speculated that prolonged oxygen saturations while in a car seat may be associated with clinical consequences and in some cases even with long-term consequences on cognitive function. You can read more about the research here.

The research report suggests that:

• Infants born prematurely as well as term healthy newborns may experience oxygen desaturation when properly positioned upright in car safety seats. Until additional research on the potential significance of oxygen desaturation in car safety seats is available, consideration should be given to limiting the time spent in car safety seats to that necessary for transportation and ensuring children are not left unattended while in a car safety seat.
• Positioning young infants in upright position too early in devices such as swings, infant carriers, backpacks, or slings may have similar physiologic effects in susceptible infants to positioning semireclined in car safety seats.