In the news today there’s (unfortunately) yet another good reason to use natural, chemical-free products for children.

The FDA is warning women not to use or purchase Mommy’s Bliss nipple cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises, Inc., because it contains “potentially harmful” ingredients that may cause respiratory distress or vomiting and diarrhea in infants. Oh, and the warning signs? A decrease in an infant’s appetite, difficulty in awakening the child, limpness of extremities or a decrease in an infant’s strength of grip, and a change in skin color. The ingredients that cause this are a muscle relaxer (yeah, seriously) and a preservative- chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol.

From FDA.gov :

“Chlorphenesin relaxes skeletal muscle and can depress the central nervous system and cause respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing)in infants. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications. It also can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.”

Okay, scary stuff. And apparently when those ingredients interact with each other the potential risk for harm is increased and the effects are even worse. So, obviously, if you or someone you know has used this product, throw it out and contact your child’s pediatrician, or seek more immediate medical attention if you need to.

It’s advised that nursing moms contact a lactation consultant or other professional who can recommend an alternative.

I remember I was told to only use 100% natural lanolin when I was nursing. And since natural lanolin products are sold just a widely as this recalled cream (I bought mine at Target), it shouldn’t be hard to get your hands on a safe, natural, chemical-free product if you need one.

Infantino Lamb Grabby Rattles are being recalled because the plastic tail can detach and pose a choking hazard. There have been at least 8 reports of this happening.

The rattles are made in China and sold in the U.S. at many stores nationwide, including Wal-Mart and Babies “R” Us. The manufacturer says only one specific batch of these toys is defective- the ones with a date code of 0907 printed on them.

Infantino is asking parents who own these rattles to take them away from their children and contact the company for a replacement or another product of equal value.

Infantino: (888) 808-3111, or service.infantino.com

Detailed info at The Consumer Product Safety Commission

Technorati Tags: baby rattle recall, infantino rattle recall

The Food and Drug Administration is recalling the following baby food:

“Earth’s Best Organic Two Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast Baby Food” is
recalled because it could be contaminated with botulism.  Seriously….botulism….in your baby food….wow.

It is sold at all ToysRUs and BabiesRUs stores, as well as select Walmart stores, and many other places.

The baby food was sold in individual jars and also in variety packs of four. The affected products being recalled have the following UPC Codes:

2392320223 - Expiration Date Sept. 14, 2008

2392320295 - Expiration Date Sept. 13, 2008

2392320223 - Expiration Date Sept. 14, 2008

If you have these foods throw them away immediately.  Don’t feed them to kidlet.  Don’t even feed them to spouse, no matter what they did to deserve it.

Consumers who have questions can contact the manufacturer, Hain Celestial Group, at 1-800-434-4246.

Tags: baby+food+recall, earth’s+best+organic

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued yet another recall notice for excessive lead content in the paint. This time it’s the Tinkerbell novelty lamp, sold by home stores (including Lowe’s) between January and October of 2007.

If you suspect you might have one of these toxic ticking time bombs, visit the CPSC recall site to verify details and then contact the unfortunate manufacturer for a rebate. Sorry, Tink.

Little red wagons were a popular gift this Christmas, but for those of you who might have picked up one of these little ones made by Tricam, the recall has been announced for excessive levels of lead in the paint (surprise). If you suspect you own one, please check out of the official recall page for a full description of the wagon and contact information for Tricam Company to see what they are going to do to make it right.

By the way, is it just me or does it seem like with all the hullabaloo regarding toxic lead paint these days, that all toy manufacturers would be checking this kind of stuff out before it hits the shelves?