ParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gifParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/A Little Time Apart Can Shield Toddlers from Mom's Depressionhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/15/mom-depression/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/15/mom-depression/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/15/mom-depression/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

child care

Credit: Getty Images

If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Fortunately, research has discovered a way to keep toddler's from getting caught in the fallout of their mother's depression: Stay the bleep out of her way.

It's true. WebMD reports just a few hours of child care can shield toddlers from the psychological radiation of an exploding mommy.

Mommies often lose their tempers because small children can drive them feather-plucking insane. Just a few hours apart acts as a pressure valve for both mother and child, lead researcher Lynne Giles of the University of Adelaide in South Australia tells WebMD.

"Modest amounts of formal child care in toddlerhood for the children of mothers with recurrent depressive symptoms can have enduring benefits for the emotional and behavioral state of the child around the time they transition to school," says Giles.

By "formal child care," Giles means day-care centers or paid caregivers such as a nannies. Informal child care, by contrast, is leaving with the kids with Grandma. No offense to Grandma, but the formal child care showed a more beneficial effect in the study.

Of the 438 moms in the study, 69 percent showed no signs of depression, 20 percent reported some depression and 11 were seriously bummed out. Formal day care seemed to help mostly moms with chronic depression.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>BabysitterChild CaredaycareToddlers Child Care Maternal Depression Respite Behavior AustralTom HendersonWed, 15 Jun 2011 14:30:00 ESTPlanning for Summer Child Carehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/13/planning-for-summer-child-care/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/13/planning-for-summer-child-care/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/13/planning-for-summer-child-care/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Summer Child Care

Summer will be here before you know it, and our little ones are counting down the days until school lets out. When that happens, families will have to fill anywhere from eight to 10 hours a day of child care. Summer isn't only a difficult time to plan and arrange child care, it's also the most expensive part of the year.

The average family can spend up $7,000 per child during the summer months. That's half of their annual child care budget! I asked our Care.com members if they planned on cutting back for the summer. In this economy, it wasn't surprising to see that 75 percent planned to find money-saving alternatives this year.

In the past, Ron (my husband) and I always put our boys into summer camps. But, this year, with the economic downturn, we've chatted about some other creative ways to cut costs while still making sure our 9-year-old son, Adam, enjoys his summer.

For example, Adam would love to go to a baseball camp, but that quickly gets pricey. Our local town camp is a great alternative since it's more economical and many of his school friends would be there, too. Of course, with the local camp, we'd have to figure out after-camp babysitting ... planning just never ends, does it?

If you're thinking about your child care plans for the summer, I've put together some ideas to keep the season fun for your little ones, while staying friendly to your family's budget.

Enlist Backup Babysitters
We ran another poll within the last few weeks asking Care.com members what kind of child care they'll need for the summer. The biggest response? A babysitter.

Before you hire a sitter, make sure you check the market rate. With college students looking for work, babysitting rates may be lower than other times of year. This handy salary calculator can keep you up-to-date on the local babysitting rates.

In the summertime, schedules can get crazy between work and the kids' activities, so prepare a backup list of caregivers. Sitters get sick (or take vacation), so you'll need extra help.

If you can, try using friends or relatives. Maybe they won't be your primary babysitters, but just using them as alternates can save money. You'll just have to help them out in return.

Share Sitters
Share the cost and split a summer sitter with a neighbor or two! This works great, especially if you're like my family and only have one child who needs a sitter. With the economy the way it is, most regular babysitters are used to these cost-saving arrangements, but you still want to be sure not to overload them with too many children. Try not to have them watch more than three kids under age 6, four kids under age 12, or more than five of any age.

Co-operation is key!
Care exchanges or swaps are great for setting up playdates and saving some money. They help parents connect with other families looking to share sitter services (for kids and pets). They're also an easy way to meet a family like yours and trade off babysitting shifts. However you set up an exchange, remember this--one day a week of free child care equals a 20 percent savings over the whole summer.

Summer Camp Savings
Many families are concerned about summer camp's cost. There are low-cost alternatives, though. Day camps can be great money-saving alternatives to overnight camps. And church or community camps often attract a wide range of local children, are usually pretty affordable and have a ton of activities for kids of all ages.

School's Out, Education Isn't
It's summer break for teachers, too, you know. Many of them spend their summers as a tutor to pay the bills. Instead of camp, why not hire one for a day each week to teach hobbies and skills? Make it fun for your kids so they don't think it's a chore -- pick a subject they're already interested in and create playdates by inviting friends. They'll enjoy themselves and their brains won't go to mush (which makes moms like me happy).

This article was originally published on PBS Parents by Sheila Marcelo. Sheila has always been passionate about business and family. After frequent struggles to find quality care providers not only for her two boys, but also following her father's quadruple bypass surgery in 2001, Sheila recognized the lack of resources available to help families address their constantly changing care needs. Thus, the idea for Care.com was born.

More From PBSParents.org:

Child Development Tracker

Expert Q&A

Activity Search

Kitchen Explorers

The Parent Show

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Babysitterbabysittingchild careSummer Child CaresummertimePBSParents.orgFri, 13 May 2011 11:00:00 ESTAre You Paying for Day Care or a Human TV Remote?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/04/day-care-tv/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/04/day-care-tv/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/04/day-care-tv/#commentsFiled under: , ,

daycare

This probably doesn't happen often -- your kids are more likely in front of the TV. Credit: Getty Images

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

It could be your kids while you're at work. Odds are, they spend more time with SpongeBob Squarepants than with that woman with the framed day care certificate on her wall.

No matter what it says on the certificate, it could be that the only childcare skill she's mastered is turning on the TV.

According to US News & World Report, two-thirds of day care centers have TVs, and nearly 60 percent of their operators ignore the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for television exposure in young children.

Maybe it's just an Ohio thing.

The numbers come from an Ohio study where researchers looked at 255 day care centers. According to the magazine, they found TVs in 69 percent of the centers, and children glued to the tube at least four times per month. Some 10 percent of the centers had the TV on constantly as background noise.

"The thing about television is that if it's developmentally appropriate, it's not evil, but it comes at the expense of interpersonal interaction, which is really how children achieve developmental goals," Rahil Briggs, director of the Healthy Steps program at Montefiore Medical Group in New York City, tells US News & World Report.

"When children are plopped in front of the TV, they can be missing out on what's more important for social and language development: social interaction," she adds.

Leaders of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend no TV at all for children younger than 2.

"The evidence around TV and children is that TV viewing is associated with obesity, which may be because it's replacing physical activity time, kids may be eating while they're watching TV, or because of exposure to food ads," Kristen Copeland, lead author of the Ohio study, tells US News & World Report.

"In children under 2, the concern is with learning and cognitive development. Learning occurs mostly through interaction with adults," adds Copeland, an assistant professor of pediatrics in the division of general and community pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Sometimes, Briggs tells the magazine, parents understandably use TV to entertain kids while they tend to household chores. Day care is another story.

"When parents put children in early childcare, they're expecting that it will be an early learning opportunity," she tells the magazine. "And if the TV is on in day care, it's taking up time that should be so much better used."

Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>day caredaycare providorkids and tvtvTom HendersonWed, 04 May 2011 14:30:00 ESTUse Online Tools to Find Baby Sitter Jobshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/25/babysitter-jobs/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/25/babysitter-jobs/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/25/babysitter-jobs/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mother's helper. Credit: Getty Images

Babysitting ain't what it used to be.

Once upon a time, you watched the neighborhood kids and got paid a few bucks for it. Now, it's more like a competitive sport. Preparation, skill and knowledge are at the core of getting and keeping business. Certificates in CPR, first aid and the Heimlich maneuver are de rigueur these days, all of which are easily acquired through neighborhood organizations such as your local Red Cross or YMCA.

And don't be surprised if your potential employer asks for your Social Security number in order to do a background check. That, too, has become par for the course.

A lot has changed in the past five to 10 years, due in part to the proliferation of the Internet. Genevieve Thiers, credited for creating a new industry when she launched Sittercity, in 2001, tells ParentDish the Internet is like the town employer, and says baby sitters seeking work would be remiss not to use it to their advantage.

There are numerous sites on which to advertise baby-sitting services, as well as find available jobs, including Sittercity.com, care.com and 4sitters.com.

It's wise to arrive at any interview armed with a list of questions. For starters, ask about the kids' likes and dislikes, any medical conditions or allergies and house rules, such as bedtime and TV or computer use. Sittercity has a comprehensive list of questions in its Baby-sitting Library.

Now, what to charge? That's a difficult subject for most people. Thiers tells ParentDish in a phone interview that it's good to have data before you disclose your rate. For example, what's the going rate in your neighborhood for someone your age and with similar experience?

Also, are you in or near a metro area? If so, that affects the rate, as well. A great resource is Sittercity's rate calculator, which asks for your ZIP code, number of children, age of the sitter and years of experience. Advanced features take additional factors into consideration, such as the age of the children, whether it's an overnight job or if a child has special needs.
Caregiver profiles on Sittercity start at age 18. If you're between the ages of 12 and 18, Thiers recommends you find work by talking to your parents' friends, as well as seeking out other personal networks such as church, synagogue or even your school's PTA. You can also create fliers and post them wherever local parents spend time: coffee shops, fitness centers, grocery stores, etc.

If you've never baby-sat before, you might want to start out as a mother's helper. Thiers describes it as a young sitter-in-training, where you watch the kids while the child's parent is also there.
If you have strong skills in a particular subject such as math or science, be sure to advertise them, as you can parlay them into a hybrid position of babysitter/tutor, which will enable you to charge a higher hourly rate.

Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Babysitterevergreennanniesnannysitterycity.comJulie Z. RosenbergFri, 25 Mar 2011 10:30:00 ESTWould You Ever Use a Nanny Cam?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/16/would-you-ever-used-a-nanny-cam/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/16/would-you-ever-used-a-nanny-cam/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/16/would-you-ever-used-a-nanny-cam/#commentsFiled under:

Some parents believe you can never be too careful. Credit: Getty Images

You may have heard the story about Anneliese Brucato, the nanny from Plainview, NY who was caught giving antihistamines to a 4-month-old girl. She has been arrested and charged with second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Patch.com reports.

After placing a nanny cam in her home, the baby's mom witnessed a live video of the incident that was streaming on her laptop.

Letting someone else take care of your children can be stressful, but it is a necessity for many working parents. This isn't the first time a nanny has been caught doing something illegal because of a hidden camera.

Those opposed to nanny cams argue that if you don't trust someone enough to take care of your kids without secretly filming them, you shouldn't let that person take care of your kids at all.

On the other hand, some parents believe you can never be too careful. Even if you are confident that the person you leave your children with is trustworthy, it's not unreasonable to be concerned about what goes on when you aren't around.

Have you ever used a nanny cam to spy on the person who is taking care of your children?

Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>chatterboxnannynannycamBrett SingerWed, 16 Feb 2011 10:30:00 ESTAdventures in Baby-Sitting: Employees Expected to Watch Boss's Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/15/adventures-in-baby-sitting-employees-expected-to-watch-bosss-k/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/15/adventures-in-baby-sitting-employees-expected-to-watch-bosss-k/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/15/adventures-in-baby-sitting-employees-expected-to-watch-bosss-k/#commentsFiled under: ,

In "The Devil Wears Prada," Anne Hathaway had to deal with Meryl Streep's coat. In real life, she'd have to babysit, too. Credit: Ashriber, 20th Century Fox

"Take Your Kid to Work Day" is bad enough when your boss brings in her whiny offspring and you get stuck in the boardroom coloring Excel sheets. But what if watching your manager's children was an unspoken-yet-expected part of your job description?

Seems the separation of cubicle and cradle is narrowing as a growing number of entry-level Manhattan women are finding that in order to get ahead in their careers (and to supplement ridiculously low wages), they better "volunteer" to babysit their boss' kids, according to the New York Post.

Take case in point: On one Friday afternoon at about 5:30 p.m., Maria, a 25-year-old marketing associate for a major fashion label, tells the Post that the vice president of marketing stopped her saying she needed a baby-sitter in less than one hour.

"She was screaming that she had tickets to the opera, but her baby-sitter just canceled," the reluctant nanny finder who prefers to be anonymous and keep her job tells the Post.

"The vice president opened the door and said, 'I can't believe I have to ask you this, but what are you doing tonight?' " Maria tells the Post.

Though Maria does babysit a couple other families for extra cash, she had plans that evening. But she was wary of leaving the head of her division stranded. Maria went into panic mode -- contacting friends, cousins and cousins of friends, desperately hunting down a replacement for a baby-sitting job that was technically not even hers to start with.

"Finally, my childhood friend who was sick said she'd do it and just hide her cough," Maria tells the newspaper.

This growing "baby-sit my kid or your fired," push is especially prevalent in New York City where every year young women fresh out of college vie for competitive positions in public relations, fashion and magazine publishing, the Post reports. Desperate to get ahead in their careers, they don't dare say no to their bosses. And most who are "asking" them to babysit are female bosses, the newspaper reports.

"I think when you're in publishing, you accept it as part of the reality," Dara Pettinelli, 29, tells the Post about women who baby-sit for their bosses. Pettinelli, who currently works as an associate editor at Babble.com, baby-sat twice a month for a senior coworker at More magazine while working there as an editorial assistant and then assistant editor from 2005 to 2008.

"I think anyone who is in that assistant role in publishing knows the drill. And the ones who don't, don't last long," she tells the Post.

Pleasing the boss aside, these gigs also bring in cash -- $15 to $25 an hour, which helps supplement entry-level jobs that pay about $25,000 annually and barely cover the rent in a walk-up studio, the newspaper says.

"It's an arrangement that's becoming more common, because finding a baby-sitter in the city is extremely difficult," says Leslie Venokur, 35, a mother of a 2-year-old girl, Sami tells the Post. Until this past spring, Venokur ran a Manhattan boutique where she often asked employees to baby-sit for her.

For some, the appropriateness of the arrangement depends on who initiates it. "I think that it's really inappropriate for the boss to ask," says Susan Heathfield, 61, a management consultant who writes the human resources section at About.com tells the Post.

"The problem is, no matter how the boss asks, there is always added pressure there because it is the boss," she tells the Post.

And, there's always the downside of a babysitting adventure gone bad, like what if the kids don't like you? Pettinelli tells the Post.

And as Venokur points out in the newspaper, "Your co-workers could view you as a teacher's pet."

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>babysittingMary Beth SammonsWed, 15 Dec 2010 09:28:00 ESTHow to Childproof Your Windowshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/how-to-childproof/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/how-to-childproof/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/how-to-childproof/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



Do you have a minute (OK, a minute and eight seconds?) Good. Now watch this video on window safety from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and then walk around your house and do what you need to do to childproof your windows. Got it? Great. Glad we had this talk.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>childproofingthe editors at ParentDishFri, 08 Oct 2010 12:42:00 ESTAre Tweens Really Ready to Babysit?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/05/tweens-babysit/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/05/tweens-babysit/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/05/tweens-babysit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

tween babysitting picture

Even if they have training, are tweens really ready to watch your baby? Credit: Getty Images

Thrilled that your neighbor's kid is finally old enough to babysit? Sorry to throw a monkey wrench into date night, but your tween babysitter actually may be putting your little one at risk.

Forty percent of younger babysitters report they had left children unattended while babysitting, and 20 percent say they opened the door to strangers, according to research presented this weekend at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference.

The good news? Nearly all (98 percent) of 11- to 13-year-old babysitters know who to contact in the event of an intruder or if a child is sick or injured (96 percent), and the vast majority know who to contact if a child is poisoned (85 percent).

Researchers surveyed 727 tweens who have cared for a younger infant or child as a babysitter, reporting their results in the study, "Babysitter Safety Training: Are Children Aged 11-13 Years Prepared to Deal with Emergencies While Caring for Younger Children?"

About half of the tweens interviewed had gone through some professional training: 51 percent had taken a first aid training class; 47 percent had taken a CPR class and 19 percent had taken the American Red Cross or other babysitter preparedness class, the researchers report.

In other findings, 92 percent of preteen babysitters were familiar with the location of first aid supplies and 64 percent knew where to find a fire extinguisher. Ten percent of the young babysitters reported having a personal experience with an emergency requiring a call to 911; 10 called 911 after a child sustained injuries from a significant fall, eight due to a house fire, six because a child had profuse bleeding from a laceration and six because of a significant head trauma.

The study provides a snapshot of preteen babysitter strengths and weaknesses, lead study author Dr. Nicole M. Hackman, of Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, reported at the conference.

"By identifying the unsafe behaviors, we have the opportunity to design specific educational programs to prepare preteen babysitters to safely respond to common emergency situations," she says.

For more information on babysitting preparedness, visit the American Red Cross website.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>babysitterbabysittingresearchtween babysittersTweenBabysittersHoney BerkTue, 05 Oct 2010 08:00:00 ESTWarning: Stop Using Infant Sleep Positioners Immediately or Risk Suffocation Deathshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/29/warning-stop-using-infant-sleep-positioners-immediately-or-risk/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/29/warning-stop-using-infant-sleep-positioners-immediately-or-risk/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/29/warning-stop-using-infant-sleep-positioners-immediately-or-risk/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Parents are warned to stop using infant sleep positioners immediately. Credit: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission


The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a consumer alert today to warn parents to stop using infant sleep positioners, citing reports of 12 infants -- ages 1 month to 4 months -- who suffocated to death after being placed in the devices.

Most of the infants suffocated after rolling from a side to a stomach position; some of the infants suffocated on the device itself, while others succumbed after being trapped between a sleep positioner and the side of a crib or bassinet, according to CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

In addition to the reported deaths, the CPSC has also received dozens of reports of infants who were placed on their back or sides in sleep positioners, only to be found later in potentially hazardous positions within or next to the devices.

"The deaths and dangerous situations resulting from the use of infant sleep positioners are a serious concern to CPSC," Tenenbaum said. "We urge parents and caregivers to take our warning seriously and stop using these sleep positioners, so that children can have a safer sleep."

The two main types of infant sleep positioners are flat mats with side bolsters or inclined (wedge) mats with side bolsters (see above).

Both types of sleep positioners typically claim to help keep infants on their backs, thereby reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There is, however, no evidence to support this claim, according to Dr. Rachel Moon, Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Task Force.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend any of the products that claim to protect against SIDS," Moon says, "Because, to our knowledge, none of these do actually protect against SIDS; there is no scientific evidence supporting these claims."

In addition, the FDA has never cleared an infant sleep positioner to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS. Over the years, the FDA has approved 18 sleep positioner devices -- all of which had made claims of helping to reduce gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and/or preventing plagiocephaly -- also known as "flat head syndrome."

At this point, however, it has become clear that the risks of using infant sleep positioners outweigh the benefits, says Moon, so consumers are warned to immediately stop using the devices.

The FDA, which has jurisdiction over consumer products making medical claims, has contacted the manufacturers of the 18 approved infant sleep positioners and asked them to stop making these devices; the agency will also be contacting retailers to ask them to stop selling the devices, according to Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner.

Sharfstein advised that today's public health message is seen as the quickest way to get the warning out the consumers, so that they immediately stop buying the fatality-causing products. However, in the future, the FDA may issue for products that have not voluntarily been removed from the market; the agency will also be investigating reports of other, unapproved sleep positioning devices, as well as any other devices out there that claim to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS.

The CPSC, FDA and AAP warn parents to:
  • Stop using sleep positioners. Using a positioner to hold an infant on his or her back or side for sleep is dangerous and unnecessary.
  • Never put pillows, infant sleep positioners, comforters, or quilts under a baby or in a crib.
  • Always place an infant on his or her back at night and during nap time. To reduce the risk of SIDS, the AAP recommends placing infants to sleep on their backs and not their sides.
Visit the CPSC's website for information about the agency's Safe Sleep initiative, which advises parents on how to help their kids sleep safely.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>aapalertcpscfdarecallsidsSudden Infant Death SyndromeSuddenInfantDeathSyndromeHoney BerkWed, 29 Sep 2010 15:46:00 ESTCircumcision: Is It Right for Your Baby Boy?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/circumcision-is-it-right-for-your-baby-boy/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/circumcision-is-it-right-for-your-baby-boy/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/circumcision-is-it-right-for-your-baby-boy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

baby boy

The decision to circumcise is up to parents. Credit: Nicole Hill, Getty Images


The debate over circumcision heated up when the Centers for Disease Control announced it may recommend circumcising all baby boys, but experts say the decision still rests with parents.

First of all, just what is circumcision? Dr. Rodolfo Sarmiento, a pediatrician on staff at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill., told ParentDish it's an elective procedure done to boys after birth, usually 24 hours after they are delivered. The prepuce, or overlying skin at the tip of the penis, is removed.

The procedure does cause the child pain, so doctors will administer a pain reliever such as Tylenol. Some physicians, Sarmiento says, prefer to give a newborn sugar or a local, topical anesthetic to help with pain control.

Not all parents choose to have their children circumcised, which is why the CDC's announcement caused such a stir. Officials are considering promoting the procedure in the U.S., according to The New York Times, because it may help reduce the spread of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS.

Continue reading Circumcision: Is It Right for Your Baby Boy?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>baby boysBabyBoyscircumcisedcircumcisionevergreenhealthpenisAmy HatchTue, 31 Aug 2010 16:40:00 ESTThe Knife Under the Bed and Other Pregnancy Superstitionshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/13/the-knife-under-the-bed-and-other-pregnancy-superstitions/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/13/the-knife-under-the-bed-and-other-pregnancy-superstitions/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/13/the-knife-under-the-bed-and-other-pregnancy-superstitions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Do pregnancy superstitions give you pause? Credit: Getty Images


If there's one thing a woman loses while pregnant (besides her waistline), it's any sense of control. Will it be a boy or a girl? Will my baby have 10 fingers and 10 toes? Will labor be easy or difficult? With so many unknowns out there, it's no wonder pregnancy and birth superstitions have proliferated for as long as they have.

Thanks to advancements in science and technology, some of these superstitions are losing their relevance. For example, moms-to-be no longer have to rely on dangling a wedding band over their bellies to determine their baby's sex. Sure, they may have had a 50/50 chance of being right, but ultrasound is much more accurate and DNA is, well, pretty hard to contest.

Did you know that one in 10 newborns are diagnosed with a vascular birthmark, those dark red or purplish marks more commonly known as strawberries, port-wine stains, stork bites or angel kisses? Before we had the science to explain that they are simply a mass of extra blood vessels in the skin, many cultures saw them as something sinister, referring to them as "the mark of the devil," while other societies explained away the unsightly marks by claiming the mother had indulged in red berries while pregnant.

Another medical phenomenon ancient cultures attempted to make sense of is the harelip, a colloquial name for cleft palate or cleft lip, which occur in approximately 1 per 500 to 700 births worldwide, according to Operation Smile. Ugandans believe if a pregnant woman sees an eclipse, her baby will have a harelip. In Mexico, harelips occur if she's out during a full moon and in China, if she eats rabbit.

Continue reading The Knife Under the Bed and Other Pregnancy Superstitions

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>birthbirthmarkbirthmarkscleft lipcleft palateCleftLipCleftPalatehareliphemangiomahemangiomaslabormythsMythsAndLegendspregnancystrawberriessuperstitionsuperstitionsvascularJulie Z. RosenbergFri, 13 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST'SpongeBob' and Other Names Our Child Wanted to Name the New Babyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/spongebob-and-other-names-our-child-wanted-to-name-the-new-bab/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/spongebob-and-other-names-our-child-wanted-to-name-the-new-bab/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/spongebob-and-other-names-our-child-wanted-to-name-the-new-bab/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

"SpongeBob" does have a nice ring to it... Credit: Nickelodeon / AP

Magician Penn Gillette and his wife named their baby daughter Moxie CrimeFighter.
That raises an interesting question: "What the $#@!?"

Moxie CrimeFighter sounds like a name another kid would come up with. Children can be extraordinarily clever when it comes to naming other children. And we're not just talking about colorful odor-based nicknames.

We asked contributors to Seed.com -- AOL's freelance website -- to share some of the names their children suggested for siblings. Here are some of the best responses.

"After my husband and I gave our daughter Sam the big job of helping us name our son, she immediately turned to us and very seriously stated 'SpongeBob.' I tried to explain that "SpongeBob" wasn't really a name. 'But Mom!' she exclaimed, 'SpongeBob is a cute name!' " -Melissa Vacca

"When our 4-year-old daughter was informed she would have a new baby brother or sister in a few months, and when asked what to name the said child, she replied, 'Let's name the baby after the dog!' Whom she also named: 'Peanut butter.'"

Continue reading 'SpongeBob' and Other Names Our Child Wanted to Name the New Baby

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>baby namesBabyNamesexpire-images:2011-6-30spongebobthe editors at ParentDishTue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:00 ESTCelebrate Baby's Arrival with Creative Birth Announcementshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/celebrate-babys-arrival-with-creative-birth-announcements/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/celebrate-babys-arrival-with-creative-birth-announcements/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/celebrate-babys-arrival-with-creative-birth-announcements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When designing birth announcements, new parents might consider using creative added elements, such as a band that wraps around a photo. Credit: Alee & Press

Looking for a creative way to introduce your new baby to friends and family? While an e-mail announcing your baby's birth might satisfy those wanting to get the word out quickly, others try to provide something more tangible.

With a few simple ideas, a traditional printed announcement can become a creative keepsake. Whether you choose to use your own printer and paper, buy something ready-made or hire a professional graphic designer to create custom announcements, there are a few things to keep in mind.

New York-based designer Liz Coulson Libré suggests parents first determine whether or not to use a photo. Libré, who founded Linda & Harriett in 2007, often incorporates a 3-inch by 3-inch photo within a 5-inch by 7-inch custom-designed letterpress card.

Libré tells ParentDish in a phone interview that anything a family decides "should be an extension of you and your personality."

Continue reading Celebrate Baby's Arrival with Creative Birth Announcements

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>announcementsbabybaby announcementbirth announcementevergreenElizabeth HumphreyTue, 27 Jul 2010 11:31:00 ESTThe New BYOB: Nursing Parties Help New Moms Breast-Feedhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/23/the-new-byob-nursing-parties-help-new-moms-breast-feed/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/23/the-new-byob-nursing-parties-help-new-moms-breast-feed/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/23/the-new-byob-nursing-parties-help-new-moms-breast-feed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This party is about boobs, not booze. Credit: Getty Images

It's not the BYOB party you're used to. In fact, there's no alcohol at all. BYOBoobz parties are designed to give nursing moms the support they need when navigating the often frustrating and difficult world of breast-feeding.

The nonprofit group "Best for Babes," the parties are launching this fall, AOL News reports. After that, home party kits, which are being developed with input from Facebook fans, will be available for new moms, lactation consultants and others.

Forbes says that her group wants to dispel the notion that breast-feeding is always easy.

"The truth is, it can be difficult and it's messy, and you're dealing with things like leaky boobs," Best for Babes co-founder Bettina Forbes tells AOL News. "But that's part of life, the way anything is. We want to make it real, not a Hallmark card. But not impossible either."

Check out the story on AOL News.

Related: Breast-Feeding Moms Protest Restaurant

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>breast-feedingBYOBoobzColleen EganFri, 23 Jul 2010 12:47:00 ESTBabies Facing Car Seat Injuries for Accidents Outside of the Car, Study Showshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/08/babies-facing-car-seat-injuries-for-accidents-outside-of-the-car/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/08/babies-facing-car-seat-injuries-for-accidents-outside-of-the-car/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/08/babies-facing-car-seat-injuries-for-accidents-outside-of-the-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Keep car seats in the car. Credit: Getty Images


You know the importance of buckling up your babies each time you load them up in the car, but car seats might not be safe everywhere. New research shows almost 9,000 infants are sent to the emergency room every year due to head and neck injuries resulting from car seat-related injuries that actually occurred outside the vehicle.

In a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, two doctors from the orthopedics division of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center looked at five years worth of data from a national U.S. surveillance system. They found a majority of the infants taken to the hospital for car seat injuries were hurt because they were no longer strapped in their car seats or because the seat was put on a table, counter or shopping cart and fell off.

The news comes as no surprise to Hal Runkel, a licensed family therapist and bestselling author of the book "ScreamFree Parenting."

Continue reading Babies Facing Car Seat Injuries for Accidents Outside of the Car, Study Shows

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>baby injuriesBabyInjuriescar seatsCarSeatsemergency roomEmergencyRoominfant injuriesInfantInjuriesIlyssa PanitzThu, 08 Jul 2010 13:30:00 ESTCalifornia County Speaks Out Against Co-Sleepinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/06/california-county-speaks-out-against-co-sleeping/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/06/california-county-speaks-out-against-co-sleeping/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/06/california-county-speaks-out-against-co-sleeping/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Is sleeping with your baby safe? Credit: Getty Images

Proponents say it promotes bonding and facilitates breast-feeding; those against it say it puts infants unnecessarily in danger. Now, health officials in Santa Clara County, Calif., are weighing in on the issue of co-sleeping, offering sobering local statistics and saying parents should never sleep in the same bed as their children.

The Santa Clara County Child Death Review showed that 15 babies in Santa Clara county died over the past five years when their parents rolled over on top of them, according to the Silicon Valley Mercury News. A total of 27 babies younger than age 1 died during that same period because of unsafe sleeping arrangements, which, in addition to co-sleeping, included sleeping alone on an adult bed, pillow or couch, the newspaper reports.

The issue is a difficult one for health care experts to navigate, as there are clear benefits to being in close proximity to newborns, as well as risks. Dr. Patrick Clyne, a pediatrician who chaired the county's review team, tells the Mercury News he recommends parents sleep in the same room with their babies, but not in the same bed.

Continue reading California County Speaks Out Against Co-Sleeping

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>breast feedingBreastFeedingco-sleepinginfant safetyinfant sleepingInfantSafetyInfantSleepingMonique El-FaizyTue, 06 Jul 2010 16:00:00 ESTJay Z Ain't Got Nuthin' on This New Dad State of Mindhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/02/jay-z-aint-got-nuthin-on-this-new-dad-state-of-mind/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/02/jay-z-aint-got-nuthin-on-this-new-dad-state-of-mind/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/02/jay-z-aint-got-nuthin-on-this-new-dad-state-of-mind/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,





As we head off into the holiday weekend, we salute all new parents, who lost their independence the day their children were born.

Welcome to the New Dad (and Mom) State of Mind. Give it time. You'll get used to it.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Susan AveryFri, 02 Jul 2010 18:14:00 ESTLittle Miss Smarty Pants Dances Her Way Into Our States and Heartshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/02/little-miss-smarty-pants-dances-her-way-into-our-states-and-hear/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/02/little-miss-smarty-pants-dances-her-way-into-our-states-and-hear/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/02/little-miss-smarty-pants-dances-her-way-into-our-states-and-hear/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,





When babies are cute as well as smart, we can't help but sit up and take notice.

Dad (who may be a social studies teacher, according to some comments on the video) calls out the states one by one and little Lola points to the right one on the map, followed by the Smarty Pants dance. We adore the way Lola celebrates herself at about :20 seconds, even without a prompt from Dad.

We are not going to chew over how this toddler manages to do it, but let's admit it: She's far better than most of us adults in finding Oregon. Nothing against that lovely north west state, mind you, but many are clueless about basic geography.

Enjoy the video and know that we'll be spending the rest of the day humming the Smarty Pants dance.

Related: Another Dancing Baby Makes the Rounds

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Ashwini BhatFri, 02 Jul 2010 10:05:00 ESTCelebrity Moms Better Not Hire Nannies if They Want Daryl Hannah's Approvalhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/30/celebrity-moms-better-not-hire-nannies-if-they-want-daryl-hannah/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/30/celebrity-moms-better-not-hire-nannies-if-they-want-daryl-hannah/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/30/celebrity-moms-better-not-hire-nannies-if-they-want-daryl-hannah/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Actress Daryl Hannah has expressed some very definite views lately on the subject of parenthood and adoption. Credit: X17online


This is just in: Daryl Hannah has an opinion.

In fact, the actress and environmental activist has a very definite opinion on ... well, darn near everything. This week, however, she has stern words for her fellow actresses who adopt babies.

And, if Hannah's approval is important to them, they better not hire a nanny.

"As for those actresses who adopt babies, I only approve of the ones who aren't employing someone else to raise them," she tells the London Daily Mail.

A busy acting schedule is no excuse, she tells the newspaper.

"I know how long it takes to make a movie," Hannah says. "If you look at their schedule, you can see how little time they spend at home. It comes down to priorities, and I believe there are times when you have to put your personal life first."

Hannah found fame in the '80s with roles in movies such as "Splash," "Blade Runner," "Roxanne" and "Steel Magnolias." Her highest profile role in recent years has been playing an assassin in the "Kill Bill" movies.

Continue reading Celebrity Moms Better Not Hire Nannies if They Want Daryl Hannah's Approval

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>adoptioncelebrity adoptionscelebrity parentingCelebrityAdoptionsCelebrityParentingdarryl hannahDarrylHannahexpire-images:2011-6-30parentingTom HendersonWed, 30 Jun 2010 18:00:00 ESTBaby Monitor Review: Angelcare Baby Movement and Sound Monitor Deluxe Plushttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/29/baby-monitor-review-angelcare-baby-movement-and-sound-monitor-d/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/29/baby-monitor-review-angelcare-baby-movement-and-sound-monitor-d/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/29/baby-monitor-review-angelcare-baby-movement-and-sound-monitor-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Remember to turn off the sensor after picking up your baby. Credit: Amazon


The Basics: Two parent units come with rechargeable batteries and AC adapters, two sensor pads and a nursery transmitter. Operates on both 927 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies to avoid interference. Has eight channels and 820-foot range.

The Lowdown: A sensor pad monitor that detects baby's even slightest movements and breaths, as well as sounds. The 15-page user manual and 13-step set-up (including installing the sensor pads) is daunting at first, but the instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

Any bell or whistle you can think of, the Angelcare has it -- audio alarms, vibrating alarms, thermometer to monitor the temperature in your little one's room, even a "ticking" noise that tells you the sensor is detecting movement and your baby is alive and well.

Continue reading Baby Monitor Review: Angelcare Baby Movement and Sound Monitor Deluxe Plus

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>baby monitorBabyMonitorSIDSAmber PorterTue, 29 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST