Some of my favorite crib bedding from Serena & Lily- what will become of all the crib bumpers- new and used?

Not surprisingly, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced yesterday at their national meeting in Boston, that bumper pads should not be used in cribs. Rumors have been circulating that this announcement was imminent.  Why now?

Previously, the AAP had warned only against the use of “puffy bumpers”, buy now they suggest not using all kinds of bumper pads. Why? They have found that the pads don’t prevent injuries as previously thought, but can cause suffocation, strangulation and entrapment.

In addition, the AAP updated their list of recommendations to prevent SIDS.

• Put your baby to sleep in its back on a firm surface
• Don’t put your baby to sleep in the same bed as parents.
• Breastfeeding and pacifier use can reduce the risk of SIDs.  A pacifier may prevent a baby sleeping too deeply and therefore possibly prevent SIDS.
• Don’t use wedges or positioners (the FDA and Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned against sleep positioners, saying that there is a risk of suffocation)
• No loose bedding- pillows, blankets and bumper pads.
• Pregnant women should not smoke.
• Encourage daily tummy time.
• Don’t cover your baby’s head and avoid overheating

I wonder what this will do to all that lovely crib bedding out there, whether new or used? Will it no longer be manufactured? Can we repurpose the old into something else…room padding? pipe padding?!

A Child Grows, 2011. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: aap and bumpers, aap and crib bumpers, breathable bumpers, bumper pads, bumpers in cribs, crib bumpers not recommended, sids and bumpers

Since peanut butter is a food group at our house, I felt more betrayed than usual by the most recent recall:  Skippy peanut butter. Unilever recalled Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread in the 16.3-ounce plastic jars for possible salmonella contamination.

The company found the possible contamination during routine testing  and nobody has reported falling ill because of this issue yet. Recalled products were sold in sixteen states, including New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.

UPC codes for the recalled products, located on the side of the label below the bar code, are 048001006812 and 048001006782.  Stamped on the jar lid, the recalled products carry these best-if-used-by dates:
•    MAY1612LR1
•    MAY1712LR1
•    MAY1812LR1
•    MAY1912LR1
•    MAY2012LR1
•    MAY2112LR1

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should immediately discard the product and contact the company for a replacement coupon at 800-453-3432.

A Child Grows, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: march 2011, peanut butter, recall, skippy

November recall by McNeil

Can you believe we are facing another recall from McNeil? Remember the last one where more than 40 varieties of Children and Infant’s Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and Zyrtec were recalled? This time the recall is for 4 million packages of Children’s Benadryl allergy tablets, 800,000 bottles of junior-strength Motrin caplets,  and Rolaids Extra Strength Soft Chews. Is anyone doing quality control over there at McNeil?! WHAT is going on?

The children’s products – Benadryl Allergy FASTMELT Tablets, Cherry Flavor and Grape Flavor and Junior Strength Motrin Caplets, 24 count – were recalled because of “insufficiencies” in their manufacturing process. The company says the products are not dangerous and consumers can continue using the products. Mmm….maybe if they could tell us what the “insufficiencies” were, we could make that decision ourselves.

The Rolaids were recalled “as a precaution following consumer complaints of an uncharacteristic consistency or texture, traced to crystallized sugar in the product.” Again, the company says you can keep using the Rolaids if you have them. (Tums, anyone?)

Fortunately, these recalls are not being undertaken because someone was made ill by the products.  The company has had many problems this year.  The Benadryl and Motrin recalls were initiated after a review revealed insufficiencies in the development of the manufacturing process. A spokesperson for the company declined to elaborate on specific insufficienies.

Click here for information related to the recall of Children’s BENADRYL® Allergy FASTMELT® Tablets  (11/15/10)
Click here for information related to the recall of Junior Strength MOTRIN® Caplets (11/15/10)
Click here for information related to the recall of one lot of ROLAIDS® Extra Strength Softchews (11/15/10)

Consumers with questions should call the company at 888-222-6036.

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Post tags: benadryl recall, fast melt, fastmelt, mcneil recall, motrin recall, nov 15 2010, rolaids recall

Sleep positioner

When I read about the FDA stance on sleep positioners this morning, I was particularly troubled.  Because although it never really helped, I tried using the one below when my son was an infant  - the days when I would have tried anything to get him to sleep. The FDA and the Consumer Products Safety Commission  (CPSC)  have warned parents and caregivers against using the sleep positioners, as infants can get stuck in the positioner or between the positioner and the crib or bassinette side and suffocate.

You know what sleep positioners are –some are shaped like a wedge and some are flat mats but they have bolsters on the side to keep babies on their backs when they are sleeping.  The manufacturers have made claims stating that the sleep positioners can help infants avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as well as colic and reflux.

In the last 13 years, the FDA and CPSC have received reports of 12 suffocation deaths of infants from 1 – 4 months of age when using the sleep positioners.  The CPSC blog has more information if you want to read further. In the meantime, get rid of that sleep positioner, and, of course, remember to put your baby to sleep on his or her back.

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Post tags: hazard, infant, recall, reflux, sleep positioner, warning, wedge

The recalled Nap Nappy

I always hate to read these recalls- it means some baby or child has been hurt. And, sadly enough in this case it is being investigated that one infant has died and others entrapped by a product called The Nap Nanny.

The Nap Nanny ® is a portable recliner designed for sleeping, resting and playing. The recliner includes a foam base with an inclined indentation for the infant to sit in and a fitted fabric cover and a three point harness. Baby Matters recalled recliners due to entrapment, suffocation and fall hazards. The CPSC is investigating a report of a 4-month-old girl from Royal Oak, Mich. who died in a Nap Nanny® that was being used in a crib. According to preliminary reports, the infant was in her harness and found hanging over the side of the product, caught between the Nap Nanny® and the crib bumper. CPSC and Baby Matters are aware of one other incident in which an infant became entrapped when the Nap Nanny was used in a crib, contrary to the product instructions. In that incident, the infant fell over the side of the Nap Nanny®, despite being harnessed in, and was caught between the baby recliner and the side of the crib. The infant sustained a cut to the forehead. CPSC and the firm have received 22 reports of infants, primarily younger than 5-months-old, hanging or falling out over the side of the Nap Nanny® despite most of the infants being placed in the harness. One infant received a bruise as a result of hanging over the side of the product.
Infants can partially fall or hang over the side of the Nap Nanny® even while the harness is in use. This situation can be worse if the Velcro™ straps, located inside the Nap Nanny® cover are not properly attached to the “D”-rings located on the foam, or if consumers are using the first generation model Nap Nanny® that was sold without “D”-rings.

In addition, if the Nap Nanny® is placed inside a crib, play yard or other confined area, which is not a recommended use, the infant can fall or hang over of the side of the Nap Nanny® and become entrapped between the crib side and the Nap Nanny® and suffocate.

Likewise, if the Nap Nanny® is placed on a table, countertop, or other elevated surface and a child falls over the side, it poses a risk of serious head injury. Consumers should always use the Nap Nanny® on the floor away from any other products
The recalled Nap Nannys® were sold at toy and children’s retail stores nationwide and online, including at www.napnanny.com, from January 2009 through July 2010 for about $130.

The recalled product was manufactured in the United States and China.

Consumers with a first generation Nap Nanny® models, without “D”-rings, should stop using the recalled baby recliners immediately and contact the firm to receive an $80 coupon towards the purchase of a new Nap Nanny® with free shipping. Consumers with a second generation Nap Nanny® model, with “D”-rings, should immediately stop using the product until they are able to visit the firm’s website to obtain new product instructions and warnings. Consumers will also view an important instructional video to help consumers ensure the harness is properly fastened. Consumers who are unable to view the video or new instructions online, should contact the firm to receive free copies by mail. For more information, contact Baby Matters toll-free at (888) 240-4282 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.napnanny.com/recall

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Post tags: baby matters, cpsc, nap nanny and suffocation, nap nanny recall

Recalled Kellogg's cereals. Photo: CBS

I don’t buy them (though I love Apple Jacks!), but Jake and Jenn have been known to shake the babysitter down in the grocery store from time to time and suddenly there’s a box of Fruit Loops in the cabinet. Now the Kellogg Co. has recalled a few of our favorites, so go check your stash of sugar cereal.

28 million boxes of Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops and Honey Smacks have been recalled because of a substance in the package liners that puts out an uncharacteristic, “waxy” smell and taste. Hmm… doesn’t sound good at all.

Only products with the letters KN following the “better if used before date” are included in the recall. Below are the UPC numbers of the recalled products. Consumers with questions or recalled products should contact Kellogg at 888-801-4163.

Kellogg’s Apple Jacks

• UPC 3800039136 1: 17 ounce package with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 10 2011 and JUN 22 2011
• UPC 3800039132 3: 8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between JUN 03 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s Corn Pops

• UPC 3800039109 5: 12.5 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
• UPC 3800039111 8: 17.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
• UPC 3800039116 3: 9.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 05 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s Fruit Loops

• UPC 3800039118 7: 12.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
• UPC 3800039120 0: 17 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
• UPC 3800039125 5: 8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s Honey Smacks

• UPC 3800039103 3: 15.3 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

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Post tags: apple jacks, corn pops, fruit loops, honey smacks, kellog, kellogg cereal, recall, which cereals have been recalled

Recalled Crib: Models 012/014 Jenny Lind Crib

My daughter’s big-girl bed is being delivered today, and I have to say I’ll feel safer with her in a bed, given all the crib recalls lately. The US Consumer Product Safety Comission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall last week by seven manufacturers of more than 2 million cribs!  Per the press release, the recalling firms are providing consumers with free repair kits to immobilize the drop sides or other remedies. Do not attempt to fix these cribs with homemade remedies.

The drop-side and fixed-side cribs being recalled were manufactured between 2000 and 2009. You should contact the company directly to find the recommended remedy.

• Child Craft, (this firm is out of business): Fixed-Side | Drop-Side

• Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, N.Y.

• Evenflo, of Miamisburg, Ohio

• Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan

• LaJobi, of Cranbury, N.J.

• Million Dollar Baby, of Montebello, Calif.

• Simmons Juvenile Products Inc. (SJP), of New London, Wis.

The recall follows the CPSC’s warning last month of the dangers associated with drop-side cribs. Nine million drop-side cribs have been recalled over the past five years and CPSC staff has determined drop-side cribs are less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed sides.

And if your crib isn’t on this list and you’re still worried, you can go to the CPSC’s Crib Information Center for more information on Crib Safety and Recalls.

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Post tags: Child Craft, crib recall, crib safety, Delta, drop side, evenflo, fixed side, jenny lind crib, lajobi, recall, recalled cribs, repair kit, simmons

Though I might not readily admit it, I know there is a can of SpaghettiOs in my kitchen. And if there is one in yours, too, you should go check it. Campbell Soup Company voluntarily recalled three kinds of SpaghettiOs with Meatballs because of a possible problem at one of their factories in Texas.

Recalled products are:

• “SpaghettiOs” with Meatballs in 14.75-ounce cans;
• “SpaghettiOs” A to Z with Meatballs in 14.75-ounce cans; and
• “SpaghettiOs” Fun Shapes with Meatballs (Cars) in 14.75-ounce cans.

Any of these products bearing a “Use By” date between June 2010 and December 2011 with the plant code EST4K are affected by this recall. The products have the following individual codes on the bottom of the cans:

During a recent plant inspection, one of the cookers was found to be malfunctioning. The company recalled all the products potentially produced in this cooker, which is a final step in which the product is heated to ensure that any potential bacteria is destroyed.  There is no evidence that anybody has gotten sick because of the products, according to the USDA and the company.

Consumers can return the products to the place of purchase for a refund, or they also can call the Campbell’s Hotline 1-866-495-3774 for more information.

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Post tags: campbell recall, campbell soup recall, spagettio recall, spaghettios recall

Recalled Push Around Buggy

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Step2®, today announced a voluntary recall of 2.5 million buggies: The Step2® Push Around Buggy™ and Whisper Ride Buggy™.  You should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

So why is it being recalled? A pin attaching to the yellow knob on the handle of the buggy can loosen, causing the handle to detach from the buggy. This poses a serious risk of injury to young children.  The firm has received 28 reports of the handle detaching; two incidents required professional medical treatment and 26 resulted in minor scrapes and scratches.  The buggy comes in various colors; such as, orange, red, blue, pink and green. The buggies have a red “Step2” logo on the handle of the buggy.

Buggies that have a handle attached by a bolt with a plastic white or black head and nut are not included in this recall.

The buggies were sold at major retailers and specialty stores from August 1999 through March 2010 for between $29 and $59.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled buggy and contact Step2 for a free repair kit. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Step2 toll-free at (866) 860-1887 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.step2.com

Recalled Whisper Ride Buggy

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Post tags: buggy recall, kid car recall, push around buggy, step 2 recall, step2 recall, whisper ride buggy

Reuters reported the most recent update on the recalls. The word flying around blogs and listserves is that the recall is only for Tylenol and Motrin. The actual recall is for ALL liquid Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and Zyrtec medicines for children and infants.  This is due to a recall announced by McNeil Consumer Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ.N).

More from Reuters:

A full list of the over 40 affected products made by McNeil Consumer Healthcare is available at www.mcneilproductrecall.com

“We want to be certain that consumers discontinue using these products,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement.

“While the potential for serious health problems is remote, Americans deserve medications that are safe, effective and of the highest quality. We are investigating the products and facilities associated with this recall and will provide updates as we learn more,” she said.

McNeil said it was recalling the products in consultation with the FDA after discovering manufacturing deficiencies that could affect the quality, purity or potency of the medicines.

The FDA said some of the products may not meet required quality standards, and parents and caregivers should stop administering them to children and switch to generic brands, which are not affected by the recall.

They said consumers should not administer adult strength medicine to infants or children since that could result in serious harm.

Some of the products affected by the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than specified; others contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles, the FDA said.

The FDA said the chance of an adverse reaction was remote, but urged consumers to contact their doctors and the FDA if their children exhibited any symptoms.

McNeil Consumer said it was recalling all lots of the over-the-counter products. The medicines were manufactured in the United States and distributed in the United States, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Dubai, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Kuwait.

It said consumers with questions about the recall could contact the company at 1-800-222-6036 or the website. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Eric Beech)

A Child Grows, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 2010 tylenol recall, benadryl recall, childrens tylenol, infant tylenol, johnson and johnson, mcneil products, recall, tylenol and motrin recall, zyrtec recall