UltimateMama was recently shopping for a faucet and learned all about California’s requirements for low lead plumbing that went into effect January 2010. 

As of January 1, 2010 California law required all faucets, pipes, pipe fittings to be replaced with “lead free” alternatives.

Although your UltimateMama is a New Yorker, she took notice of this California law and recently purchased the Stainless Moen Low Lead Single Handel Pull Out Faucet called Extensa CA7560 which is at www.faucetdirect.com as one can never be too safe when it comes to their children!

Even though New York Governor David Paterson doesn’t seem to think it is a big enough deal to issue a warning, UltimateMama wants you to be aware of the link of sippy cups and baby bottles to tooth decay!

UltimateMama wants you to be aware that there is a follow-up recall of more children’s medicines by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.  These meds include certain Children’s Tylenol products as well as Motrin and Benadryl.  For more info, please see the following website:  http://www.tylenol.com/page2.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subp_tylenol_recall_3.inc

For refund information please click here:

https://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/replacement_coupon.inc

UltimateMama wants you to know that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that McDonald’s recalled its “Shrek Forever After 3D” Collectable Drinking Glasses” because the designs on the glasses contain cadmium which can pose adverse health effects.

UltimateMama wants you to know that Charlotte, N.C.-based Family Dollar Stores Inc. announced a voluntary recall of 1.8 million toy dart gun sets because of an aspiration hazard after two children died.

Plainfield, N.J.-based Henry Gordy International Inc., which imports the toy dart gun sets, refused to recall the toy sets. 

For more information check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Ironically, after Barron’s touted Johnson & Johnson Inc. on its cover this weekend, the company has egg in its face with a massive recall of children’s medicines.  Affected products include varieties of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl. 

UltimateMama wants you to know that McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson Inc (NSYE: JNJ), announced a voluntary recall of “all lots that have not yet expired of certain over-the-counter (OTC) Children’s and Infants’ liquid products manufactured in the United States and distributed in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Kuwait,” according to its website. This recall was after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In yesterday’s press release 4/30/10, the company stated that “some of these products may not meet required quality standards. This recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events. However, as a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children. Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles. While the potential for serious medical events is remote, the company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use”.

For more information please contact the company at 1-888-222-6036 and also at www.mcneilproductrecall.com.

UltimateMama will admit to all of you that she had a few of these “recalled products” in her bathroom. So, get off your tushie, look in your medicine cabinent, and get rid of all the recalled products now!!

 For a list of recalled products, click here:

http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/new_recall.inc

UltimateMama read yet another disturbing news report of a parent who was charged with shaking their baby. 

Never, never, never, never shake your baby or anyone else’s baby.  Pass that message along to your caregivers, family members, and friends.  Shaking a baby for any reason is CHILD ABUSE. Shaken baby syndrome is 100% preventable.

If your baby is crying and you are frustrated please take the following steps:

– Place the baby in a safe place such as a crib or pak n play and take a “parental time out” for 5, 10, 15, or however many minutes it takes you to calm down, drink a glass of water, and think clearly.

– Call your partner, a friend, a neighbor, your doctor, or a close family member and talk about your emotions.

– Call a friend or caregiver to come over and help you with your baby.

Dealing with a crying baby is not always easy, especially when you are sleep deprived. But, do not lose your cool.  When you calm down enough to go back to your baby (and NEVER LEAVE A BABY UNATTENDED or ALONE) and hold them try these solutions:

– Take care of their basic needs:  burp the baby, change their diaper, feed the baby, etc.

– Take the baby on a stroller ride:  fresh air will do both of you good.

– Put some music on or background noise for YOU and the baby.  Whether it is Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Usher, Moby, Steve Miller, Abba, or whoever, calm down to the music.

– Offer the baby a toy or book to play with.

For more information on Shaken Baby Syndrome read the following website from the American Academy of Pediatrics:  http://www.aap.org/publiced/br_shakenbaby.htm

Recently, your UltimateMama spent a week in Florida.  It is part of the NYC triangle – Manhattan, Hamptons, Florida – that most folks find themselves in during the year.  Anyhow, sunscreen was a big part of UltimateMama’s family vacation, even on cloudy days.  Every morning, after a wonderful Chef UltimateMama made breakfast of fruit, pancakes, turkey bacon, and eggs, the while family would spend fifteen minutes lathering up SPF 30 (or above) sunscreen.  Then, after swimming it would be reapplied.  It was a ritual for UltimateMama’s family.   

UltimateMama is always SHOCKED, STUNNED, MORTIFIED, and ANGERED when she comes across parents or caregivers who regularly fail to put sunscreen on their children. They argue that the kids complain about the sunscreen applications or get it in their eyes.  UltimateMama believes that once it is part of a “routine” your child will stop complaining.  It is like zipping up a jacket or brushing teeth.  You, as the parent, can get your child to accept it if you are consistent.  Consistency is key.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sun and covered with protective clothes. 

If you are worried about your child having an allergic reaction to sunscreen then start by applying a small amount or “patch” on their arm and observing their reaction for the next 24 hours.

Keeping your child’s skin healthy now will benefit them in the long run!

UltimateMama wants all of you to read the recently released Nursery Product Recall study by Kids In Danger, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on children’s safety.   

You will find a buffet of information on 2009 children’s product recalls.

Do it for your child!

UltimateMama hates germs.  Whenever her children get a new toy, book, puzzle, or stuffed animal she tries her best to disinfect the item.  After playdates, she has been known to wipe down all of the toys that the kids played with to rid them of germs.  Trust UltimateMama, wiping down toys is a lot more fun than wiping down a sick child's nose! 

Try to keep your child's toys clean. 

UltimateMama offers up few tips on safe ways to disinfect toys (remember, read all labels first!):

– Stuffed animals:  Read the labels first but many can be washed in the washing machine. Skip the dryer though and just air dry the object.

– Teething rings:  Many teething rings can be washed in the dishwasher on the top rack.  Make sure you read the labels first.

– Board books, wooden puzzles, blocks:  Ultimatemama either uses soap and hot water or disinfecting wipes to wash board books, wooden puzzles, blocks, and other plastic toys that of course do not have batteries.

*** Note:  Some parents swear by disinfecting with bleach. Once, UltimateMama tried to bleach a denim skirt and ended up destroying the skirt's material and her bathroom rug. Alas, UltimateMama has never used bleach again and probably never will! But, if it works for you then go for it!