Penelope Leach may have some good advice but her new book does not have solid advice.  In her new book The Essential First Year Leach claims “cry-it-out sleep training” can cause brain damage. Oh Penelope! She made this claim with no backing. Take it away Strollerderby getting the truth straight!
http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2010/04/26/dont-believe-the-hype-the-cry-it-out-sleep-method-doesnt-harm-babies/

I just ran into an article that Canada Health advises to stop using the Amby Bed. www.ambybaby.com

“Health Canada also says the design of the sleeping surface is unstable because all support points are connected through a single joint above the hammock. Together, this “can lead to possible entrapment in a corner or side of the product,” the department said.”

I’m glad that it is finally said that the Amby Bed is a SIDS risk.  I used Amby beds with triplets and did not feel comfortable the way they slept in them.  For a safe bed that will help a reflux-er sleep more comfortable look into Fisher-Price Bouncer or even your Infant Car Seat. Personally I have found babies sleep so well in the car seats like no other product.

http://www.theprovince.com/life/Health+Canada+advises+parents+stop+using+hammock+babies/2316293/story.html

Tiny Love Recalls Wind Chime Toys

Britax Recalls Strollers

Another study is out: Infants who died of SIDS had low levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps the brainstem regulate breathing, temperature, sleeping, waking and other automatic functions.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-02-03-sids03_st_N.htm

So what can we parents and caregivers do?  As a reminder:

• Put baby to sleep on back.
• Place baby on a firm surface such as a safety-approved crib mattress.
• Keep soft objects such as toys and loose bedding out of the crib.
• Don’t smoke around the baby, whether in home or car.
• Don’t let baby get overheated; dress in light sleep clothing and consider circulating air with a fan in the room.
• Keep the baby close to you, but in a separate bed.
• Consider giving the baby a pacifier.
  .

Sources: CDC, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Do check out the the best muslin blankets for your new little one on the way. Aden & Anais   With the warm months approaching they are perfect, more breathable and light weight.

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-parentology30-2010jan30,0,468115.story

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An Egyptian mother of three gives birth to Septuplets!  They were born at 34 weeks, weighing 3.2 to 4  Never heard of such large babies with such higher order multiples.  My quints were on the large side being around 3 lbs but 4- Yikes!!  Amazing!  Read more!! and more.                                                    

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2008/10/sids_and_fan_use_for_weds_oct.html

There is nothing so immeasurably sad as the death of an infant. And when that death is attributed to SIDS – sudden infant death syndrome — the sadness is amplified by confusion and maddening uncertainty. For while doctors have given this syndrome a name for decades, and while it is listed as the leading cause of death among infants between one month and one year old, it’s still just a “diagnosis of exclusion” — the medical community can’t fully explain why it happens and can only offer educated guesses as to how parents might protect their children.

This week brought another potential factor to parents’ attention. A studyconducted by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research and published Monday in the October issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, found that infants sleeping in a room where air was ventilated with a fan had a 72 percent lower risk of SIDS than babies who slept without fans. The idea is that a fan circulates fresh air and lessens the extent to which the baby re-inhales its own exhaled breath…

Meredith F. Small is an anthropologist at Cornell University and is also the author of "Our Babies, Ourselves; How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent" just came out with a new article, Should Babies be put on a Schedule.  Check it out. 

The clearly study shows the benefit of a schedule is a well rested happy mother but yet she rebels to say that baby "neurologically unfinished" and need to be on top of Mom.  If the babies are "neurologically unfinished" as she says they need direction!  Oh, Ms. Small, direction of a schedule meets Mom and babies needs!

No multiples for sale but their lightly used items!  The consignment sale is September 27 at Juluis West Middle School in Rockville, MD. It is a great opportunity for members  and non-members of MCPOM.

http://www.mcpom.org/saleinstructions.php