Dear DMLI Readers,

Over 2 million cribs were recalled today (see list below).

Nearly half of these cribs were manufactured 10 years ago. This means that hundreds of thousands of kids slept in these cribs for a decade before they were finally recalled.

• Bonavita, Babi Italia and ISSI Drop-Side Cribs Recalled (about 306,000 units)
• Bexco Enterprises, Inc., d.b.a. Million Dollar Baby Cribs Recalled (about 156,000 units)
• Simmons Juvenile Products Cribs Recalled (about 50,000 units)
• Jardine Drop-Side Cribs Recalled (about 130,000 units)
• Evenflo Recalls Drop-Side Cribs (about 750,000 units)
• Delta Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs (about 747,000 units)
• Child Craft Brand Drop-Side Cribs Recalled (number unknown)
• Child Craft brand “Crib ‘N’ Double Bed” full size stationary-side cribs with dowel (about 40,000-50,000 units)

For more information, click here.

1 Comment | In: Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Toddler, Nursery, Safety | tags: Child Craft, cribs, Delta, Evenflo, Jardine, Million Dollar Baby, recall, Simmons. | #

After bringing my first son home from the hospital in the heat of summer I always worried about the temperature of his room.  Was it too cold or too hot?  The air and heat units in our apartment do not have thermometers on them so I would have to gage by my own comfort level.  Thankfully the next newborn experience will go a little different with the Gro-egg planted in his room.

Gro-egg is a color changing digital room thermometer brought to you by the makers of grobag baby sleeping bags.  All you have to do is plug it into a wall and voila the egg lights up in a color based on the temperature of the room.  There are four color changing options ranging from too cold to too hot.  Luckily, when the temperature is right a little smile face appears on the screen.  I enjoy seeing what the temperature is in my home.  In order to conserve energy I am trying to keep my apartment at a certain temperature.  This gadget has been a perfect reminder!

With Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) so prevalent I am thankful for products like Gro-egg to combat it.  I had no idea that a temperature between 61-67 degrees helps reduce the risk of SIDS.  I will now look for the color yellow on the egg when I walk in the room.  In addition to being a great safety item this egg makes for a great nightlight.  My son has loves calling out the color as he lays down for bed.

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Keen Distribution provided the Gro-egg, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

1 Comment | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Toddler, Safety | tags: gro-egg, keen distribution. | #

Recall on McNeil’s Products: Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and Zyrtec

Important:  Please click here for more information.

No Comments | In: Safety | tags: benadryl, children, infant, McNeil, motrin, recall, tylenol, zyrtec. | #

The government on Thursday announced a recall of some 1.2 million high chairs, saying they posed a fall hazard to children.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall of the high chairs made by Graco Children’s Products, Inc., of Atlanta, Ga.

“Screws holding the front legs of the high chair can loosen and fall out,” the regulatory agency said, adding that cracking plastic brackets could also cause the chair to “tip over unexpectedly.”

Read more here!

3 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Toddler, Feeding, Furniture, Safety | tags: graco, graco baby, high chair, recall, Safety. | #

CPSC to Warn of Deadly Baby Sling Dangers!  Read article here.

No Comments | In: Safety | tags: Baby Sling, CPSC, Dangers, warning. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!  CONGRATS, EMILY S., YOU ARE THE WINNER!

When selecting a car seat for an infant or toddler, the first thing a parent often considers is that of safety.  This was the obvious most important factor for me.  Other important factors were durability, comfort, and longevity.

All of these are included in the Complete Air Convertible Car Seat.  This seat is one of the safest on the market.  The car seat has side impact technology that is composed of side cushions by surrounding your baby’s head that lose air precisely after side impact (the most dangerous type of auto collision).

Aside from the wonderful safety features, perhaps the best part about this car seat is the fact that your child can use it until they are up to fifty pounds!.  The seat has two positions, one for rear-facing infancy and the next for a forward facing toddlers.  The one click latch system is so much more convenient than other child car seats I have used.  The construction of this car seat is also quite impressive using the highest quality nylons and plastics for maximum comfort and durability for your little one.

For parents who consider safety to be of the utmost of importance, I highly recommend the Air Protect Side Impact Technology Car Seat.

Safety 1st has offered a Complete Air Car Seat to one of our readers (a $220 value)!  To enter, simply visit Safety 1st and then leave a comment here on our site.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends March 31st, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above.  Safety 1st provided the product, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

252 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Safety, Travel | tags: car seat, convertible car seat, safety 1st, safety 1st carseat. | #

Another crib recall…  For more information, click here.

No Comments | In: Safety | tags: ChildESIGNS drop side crib, generation 2 Worldwide, recall. | #

Hey DMLI readers!

There is a major recall for Stork Craft Dropside Cribs.  More than 2.1 million Stork Craft cribs in the U.S. and Canada are recalled because problems with the drop sides can result in entrapment or suffocation.  For full story, please see here!

Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free replacement kit, with new mattress support brackets. You can reach them by calling (866) 361-3321 anytime to order the free replacement kit or by visiting their Website.

No Comments | In: Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Toddler, Nursery, Safety | tags: crib, dropside crib, largest in history, recall, stork Craft. | #

Hello DMLI readers!

Maclaren Strollers have been recalled.  The recall is to repair all stroller models. The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Please click here for more information!

No Comments | In: Safety | tags: maclaren strollers recall. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!  CONGRATS, KATHY B!  YOU ARE THE WINNER!

There are so many gadgets and accessories available to parents for their babies.  Many tend to be not worth the investment of time and money.  The Hugga-Bebe is one accessory I consider a necessity.

When my son was about 3 months old I wanted to put him in a jumper.   He was past the point of just laying flat and I wanted to expose him to more interesting surroundings.  I wanted him to explore in the jumpers!  It was difficult because his body wasn’t nearly robust enough to fill the seat.  I remember layering blankets behind his back just to keep him propped up.  Had I known about the Hugga-Bebe, I could have avoided this hassle!

Hugga-Bebe, created by mother Kimberely Davis, “is a unique wrap-around design that literally hugs your baby making those “one size fits all” seats really fit.”  Even now I can use it for the park bucket swings that are still a bit too spacious for my son.  You just simply wrap the Hugga-Bebe around your child (almost like a diaper) and place him in the object of choice and, just like that, a perfect fit! This truly is a great and simple solution to an annoying problem.

Kimberely Davis has offered one Hugga-Bebe to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit Hugga-Bebe and then leave a comment here on our site with your opinion!  For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends December 15th, 2009 Midnight EST.  Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

28 Comments | In: Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Safety | tags: hugga-bebe, kimberely davis. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATS, JEANNIE, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

As much as I love playing with my little rascal, there are moments when I just need some mommy time!  I wrestled with whether or not to get a baby gate and thankful that I did.  Lascal designed a streamlined, space efficient gate called Kiddy Guard.  This gate requires relatively easy installation and the “wall” portion “disappears” when not in use.  It makes a jarring noise when released, in order to alert the parent when unintentionally opened, though I don’t believe any baby or toddler can open this. To open it, you must press the button down and in, and then pull the opposite side of the gate out of the hinges and let it retract.  This can be somewhat tiring on a mother who is in a rush to get in and out.  I am willing to tolerate this one troublesome feature because it’s the only gate that all but disappears when not in use.

Mommy time is a bit more pleasant now that I don’t have to worry about my little one.  He can roam around his room freely as I watch him through the screened gate. This gate is perfect for the parent who is hesitant about purchasing a gate due to space.

Lascal has kindly offered a Kiddy Guard Gate to one of our readers! To enter, simply visit their site and leave a comment on this post.  For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK GROUP!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends August 10th, 2009 Midnight EST.

Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

5 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Contest, Safety | tags: kiddy guard gate, Lascal, retractable. | #

One of the toughest challenges for me while pregnant was abstaining from alcohol for a whole nine months!  I love wine but still limit my intake because I am still nursing my 9 month old daughter.  So imagine how pleased I was when I found Milkscreen, the home test for alcohol in breast milk.

From their website:  The AAP says an occasional alcoholic drink probably will not hurt baby, but a mother who chooses to have a drink should wait at least two hours before breastfeeding. Because everyone metabolizes alcohol differently, women may want more precise information about how their own bodies are processing alcohol, and how much is getting into their breast milk. Milkscreen is the only test that lets a woman know if there is alcohol in her breast milk.

I found this product very easy to use.  Packages are available in 3, 8, or 20 disposable strips per box.  It takes all of two minutes to detect for alcohol in breast milk… Letting you know pronto if you can still nurse your baby or if there’s a need to ‘pump and dump’.  If you do indulge in the occasional drink, do yourself and baby a favor and invest in a pack of Milkscreen.

Win a free 8-pack of Milkscreen, courtesy of UpSpring Baby! To enter, simply visit their site and leave a comment on this post.  For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK GROUP!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends August 13th, 2009 Midnight EST.

Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

No Comments | In: Breast Feeding, Safety | tags: alcohol, baby, breast milk, Milkscreen, testing, Upspring baby. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!  CONGRATS CINDI, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

Sometimes, I have a hard time deciphering between what medical supplies I should keep around and what not to.  Thankfully, Me4Kidz designed a kit that includes all the medical tools you would need or want for an injury. Called the  Medibag First Aid Kit the design of the product is geared towards kids, which can make it less intimidating.  They even have kid gloves so that your child can take part in mending little bumps and scrapes!  I am so thankful to have an organized medical kit around for the little ones!  The Medibag First Aid Kit by Me4Kidz includes everything you would need for a medical accident or emergency, including:

Assorted Kid-Friendly Bandages Instant Cold Pack

Junior Bandages

Kid Friendly Exam Gloves

Antiseptic Wipes Hypoallergenic Exam Gloves

Gauze Pads Disposable Tweezers

Application Swabs Knee & Elbow Bandages

Anti-Itch Ointment Antibiotic Ointments

Burn Gel Eye Wash     First Aid Guide and more!!

Me4Kidz is family owned and operated and all their products are made in the USA.  As an earth-friendly consumer, I was thankful to hear that they only use 100% recycled lead free plastic.  Parents concerned with latex can put their worries to rest because their products are also latex-free. What I love most is that the disabled assemble all their products so each product sold helps with rehabilitation.  Also, a portion of their revenue goes towards charity!

Me4Kidz is offering one of our readers a Medibuddy!  To enter simply, visit their site and  leave a comment.  For additional entries:

1) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

2) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? and then leave a comment stating you did so.

3) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet! (this is worth 3 enteries!!!)

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment back with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK GROUP!

This contest ends July 25TH, 2009 Midnight.

18 Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Safety | tags: hurt, kid-friendly, Medibag First Aid Kit by Me4Kidz. | #

Anytime I have a question about anything related to my child, I go to this site, www.keepkidshealthy.com.  It literally is a “pediatrician’s guide to your children’s health and safety.”  This is the “guru” site for anything related to your kid’s health and safety.  I love how on top of the page, there are tabs for different age groups.  This is a handy option for moms!  This site really emphasizes on the kid as a “whole” being and the better you take care of the health of your child, the safer he/she will be.  The navigation on this site is simple and makes finding answers to your questions really quickly.  Keepkidshealthy.com covers everything in full depth.  I had a question about “feeding solids” to my 5 month old at the time and went onto this site and found deep discussion on how to do it, how much to feed, how to begin, what you can feed, and etc.  It was so thoroughly explained that it built my confidence to start solids.  Also, this website has every topic covered relating to kids.  To name a few:  Immunizations, Feeding, Sickness, Safety, Nutrition, and Tips.  This is a “must have” site for all moms!

1 Comment | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Breast Feeding, Cleaning, Feeding, Food, Safety, Website Wednesday, Websites | tags: healthy, keepkidshealthy.com, Kids, nutrition, website. | #

Winter’s around the corner and it’s time to celebrate the holidays with warmth. For my little one, I have discovered a must have for this chilly season…it’s the Grobag baby sleeping bag. Popular in Europe for over 25 years now, baby sleeping bags keep my baby covered and warm all night long even though my baby is an active sleeper. Plus, the baby sleeping bags are a safer alternative to the traditional loose baby bedding. With SIDS on the rise, these “wearable blankets” bring peace of mind from loose blankets that might cause suffocation and thus, more sleep for me!

Grobag baby sleeping bags were created by Rob and Ouvrielle Holmes. They were inspired by their son, who was constantly kicking off his covers and waking up during the night. Thoroughly exhausted from lack of sleep so they ddecided to use a baby sleeping bag and discovered that their son slept through the night. Thus, the passion to develop their own line of premium baby sleeping bags emerged.

The Grobag brand was introduced in the UK with the assistance of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID). Now, Grobag baby sleeping bags are an important part of establishing a night-time routine for babies around the world. Grobag baby sleeping bags are available in a wide variety of sizes and designs to suit boys and girls, as well as unisex versions. Grobag baby sleeping bags come in a range of togs (European warmth rating) 1.0 (lightest) to 2.5 (warmest) to ensure that you can select the one that is right for each season or for different room temperatures. Another reason why I love these sleeping bags so much is that even the warmest is made with jersey and cotton. I have found that all of the other brands are made of fleece. I have a big problem with fleece–it’s not that warm and it’s very itchy.

Furthermore, these bags have won a variety of awards:

• Winner of the Mother & Baby Gold Award for Best Nursery Item for the third year in a row (2004/5, 2005/6, 2006/7)
• Kids Superbrand in 2006
• Tommy’s Parent Friendly award in 2005
• ‘Top Gear’ accolade by FQ Dads Magazine

3 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Toddler, Safety, Swaddling | tags: baby sleeping bags, grobag, sacks, SIDS, sleeping, spring, winter. | #

If you happen to be looking for a way to teach your children about strangers but don’t want to scare them to much, is your answer. This video,produced by John Walsh (America’s Most Wanted) and Julie Clark (creator of Baby Einstein.), will keep your child captivated. They will learn all about the “don’t knows” (people they don’t know) and the “kinda knows” (people they only kind of know), and make a list of “safe side adults” (people that their parents have said they can trust). teaches kids the do’s and dont’s of stranger safety while entertaining in such a way that the hard reality won’t be scary. In my opinion, every household with children should own this video. I give it the highest praise.

2 Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Dvd & Music, Safety | tags: The Safe Side- Stranger Safety. | #

With its backward and forward functionality, and overall general comfort for baby Britax Marathon Car Seat wins best all around. I absolutely love that I could use it for am infant all the way up to my 3 year old. This is one reason that I have two of them! They look great in my car and my children have never complained once of discomfort. I would buy this seat over and over again If I needed to. After 3 years of absolute boy-style wear and tare they still look brand new. What more could a mini-van momma ask for?

3 Comments | In: Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Safety, Toys | tags: Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat. | #