The Chatterbox

The Chatterbox

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May 26, 2010
Swimming Lessons for Babies?
Swimming lessons can start as young as age 1, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently said. This is a change from their old guidelines encouraging swimming lessons to start at age 4. Check out this article about the shift. What's with the policy change? Some studies have shown that a toddler might be less likely to drown if he's had some swimming lessons. But the AAP says not all kids are ready for swimming lessons when they're 1, so it's up to parents to decide the right time. The good news is that drowning deaths in children have declined in the past five years. The bad news is that...
Babies and Toddlers, Pool, Safety
May 19, 2010
Pampers Dry Max Rash Clash
The Pampers Dry Max rash debate is getting ugly. Some parents have claimed over the past month that Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with the new Dry Max feature have caused serious diaper rash and "chemical burns" in babies. Now Procter & Gamble, maker of Pampers, is facing two class-action lawsuits stating the company “knew or should have known that Pampers with Dry Max had the capacity to and, in many cases, did actually harm infants and toddlers by causing severe rashes, blisters, chemical burns, infections, and/or other ailments.” P&G dismissed the rash claims earlier this month...
Babies, Diapers, infants, Products
May 17, 2010
Monday's Health Tip: Are Cell Phones Bad for You?
It's no secret that everyone owns a cell phone these days. Moms, dads, young children, and older grandparents- chances are everyone you know owns, and uses, a portable phone. I know I do. I don't remember the last time I talked on a land line. My roommates and I do have one in our apartment, but I can honestly say it's never been used. In fact, we were talking the other day about how we should have it removed, since our main mode of communication is our cell phones. Long term use of cell phones, however, is one gray area that many experts aren't too sure about. The Interphone study was a...
Cell Phones; Brain Tumors, Health
May 12, 2010
The Science Behind a Marriage that Lasts
It's no wonder that this New York Times article on "The Science of a Happy Marriage" is the most popular on the paper's website right now! Between Tiger Woods' and Sandra Bullock's shattered marriages, cheating and divorce are all over the media these days. So is there an exact science to a happy marriage? The article explains the possible role of genes (maybe even a so-called 'fidelity gene') and some experiments in couples to identify trends in the minds of possible cheaters. But beyond psychology and genetics, it seems that good old hard work can go miles in saving a marriage. Get some...
Marriage, Media, Science
May 6, 2010
Keep It Simple for Mother's Day Weekend
Some moms end up doing a lot of the work on Mother's Day, right? But that's no reason not to celebrate yourself and all you do for your family! Just keep it simple and drop some hints to your spouse and kids. Check out our Mother's Day Weekend Planner for fun and quick ideas like these: Mother's Day Crafts Kids Can Make Printable Cards and Gifts (promise coupons, bookmarks, and other neat free stuff) Brunch Recipes Kids Can Help Cook (all of these have just 5-10 ingredients, and there's a good mix of sweet and savory dishes – because moms love sweet and salty stuff, right?!) Build...
Gifts, Mother's Day, Mother's Day Craft, Recipes