Category Archives: Before Baby Arrives

Unpopular Baby Names

Countless articles and books promote the most popular baby names in the world. Even if you aren’t pregnant or have a baby at home, you probably know that the names “Ava” and “Aiden” are much cooler than “Lizzeth” and “Zwin.” Still, it seems parents these days are constantly on the lookout for the next unusual name that will go mainstream. That’s where Pamela Redmond Satran’s book, “Beyond Ava and Aiden” comes in. The author recently scoured name statistics and found the 100 most unpopular baby names. Well, technically, Redmond Satran categorizes the baby names as “cool” and “uncommon,” but what … Continue reading →

Recent Recalls on Baby Items

Approximately 45,000 pacifiers have been recalled due to choking fears. Antonio Flores recalled its Karino pacifiers due to concerns that they didn’t meet federal safety standards. There are several problems with these pacifiers: the mouth guard isn’t large enough, it doesn’t have any ventilation holes, the handle is too long, and the nipple can easily separate from the base. All these problems can lead to the pacifiers being a choking hazard. Although no injuries have been reported, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wanted these items recalled before there was an incident. The 25 cent pacifiers were made in Mexico … Continue reading →

Hottest Baby Names of 2010

Not long ago, I blogged about the most popular boy and girl names of the past 100 years, based on social security records. Today, BabyNameWizard.com released the hottest baby names of 2010. BabyNameWizard tracks names search on the Internet. It issued a report of the fastest rising 2020 baby names so far. What peaked at #1 for the girls? The name Tenley, which makes me believe that some pregnant women were watching “The Bachelor” last season (Tenley Molzahn finished in second place). The second fastest rising name for girls was Harper. Have the moms been watching “Biggest Loser,” which features … Continue reading →

Baby Registry Essentials

Whether it is your first baby or your third, you will probably want to register somewhere. After all, this gives family and friends a place to go to get you exactly what you need. Putting what you want in a registry is easier now than ever, since most places allow you to do it online. But, what should you put on your registry? Although you may be tempted to put cutsie things o your registry, you do want to list things you really need. Here are a few registry essentials you may want to consider: Baby Bedding If you already … Continue reading →

Keep the Babies Out of the Car Seats?

Recent research by two orthopedic doctors at the Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital Medical Center suggests we should keep babies out of car seats. Well, at least when we are not actually IN the car. The study, which was published Pediatrics, claims that about 9,000 car seat accidents occur each year, but the baby in the car seat is outside the car. Injuries to the babies included head and neck. Injuries occurred while the baby was still in the car seat, but not strapped in and the car seat was set somewhere like a table, countertop, or shopping cart and then fell … Continue reading →

Popular Baby Names of the Last 100 Years

The other day, I was reading an article about how certain baby names are outlawed in certain countries. For example, in New Zealand, you can’t name your baby Adolph Hitler due to a law that states any name can be refused that “might cause offense to a reasonable person, is unreasonably long or without adequate justification.” Well, thank goodness for that law. Anyhow, Social Security Online listed the five most popular baby names for boys and girls by year from 1909 until 2008. Um, let me see…my real name is Mary Elizabeth…I wonder where I rank. Well, I can proudly … Continue reading →

Favorite Disposable Diapers

You probably all know by now that I’m a huge fan and advocate of cloth diapering. It’s what we do 99% of the time with our 11-month-old, and we love it. Still, there are times when, let’s face it, disposables are easier. When we’re flying to visit family and each checked bag costs $25, it’s not worth it to us to pack a suitcase full of diapers. This week, we’ve been using disposables every day. We’re moving Monday morning, and it seemed simpler to pack the cloth diapers away with the rest of our belongings and switch to ‘sposies. (If … Continue reading →

What’s In Your Diaper Bag?

On the rare occasions I’m able to go shopping at a department store, I often pause to reminisce about pre-baby days. “I used to be able to wear those kind of swim suits,” I sigh, thinking sadly about my now sagging stomach. “Oh, for the days when I could wear tube tops and halters. There’s no way a strapless bra is holding these milk jugs up any more,” I lament, picturing my nursing bras. When I walk past the purse section, it almost brings a tear to my eye. I study the leather, canvas, and variety of buckles. I mentally … Continue reading →

When Cloth Diapers Cause A Rash

There’s nothing more frustrating than deciding disposables aren’t a healthy choice for your baby but having to use them because your cloth diapers are giving her a rash. When our baby came down with thrush, we switched to disposables for about a month. We did this, because the cloth diapers we use can’t be used in combination with any diaper ointments or creams. We were thrilled when her thrush rash went away, and switched her back to our trusty bumGenius 3.0’s. I was dismayed when, a few diaper changes later, she developed a rash. I dug around on the internet, … Continue reading →

Pampers Dry Max: Does New Equal Improved?

As a mother of a child in diapers, I am very tuned in to baby product recalls and consumer complaints. A new product making headlines lately is Pampers’ newest version of disposable diapers: Pampers Dry Max. Parents are complaining that the new diapers, boasting a thinner design, are causing horrible rashes on their children. These rashes have been compared to chemical burns, and have been reported to blister, ooze, and bleed. The rash supposedly disappears when parents switch to a different diaper. Pampers has responded by saying they have found absolutely no evidence that the materials used in Pampers Dry … Continue reading →