Safety reminder and recall

Some car seats have been recalled.  Click here for more information.

Check out recalled night lights here.
Excerpt about monitor cord strangulation:

"WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Summer Infant Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., is announcing the voluntary recall to provide new on product label and instructions for about 1.7 million video baby monitors with electrical cords. The cords can present a strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers if placed too close to a crib. Because of this serious strangulation risk, parents and caregivers should never place these and other corded cameras within three feet of a crib.

"In October 2010 CPSC issued a safety alert warning consumers that there had been six reports of strangulation in baby monitor cords since 2004. Since that alert the number of death reports has risen to seven. CPSC has revised the safety alert Infants Can Strangle in Baby Monitor Cords."

Go-crib

New product that looks like it could be very helpful for the family on the go. Click here for details.

Frugal Hint of the Day

Do you have a good idea that has helped you get through tough economic times? Or perhaps you just know a better way than what is already out there. Please share your creativity and post a comment.

Here's one I came across today: No-Sew Mei Tai-Style Carrier.
It's a perfect recycle item. You may already have an old or unused pair of sweat pants you can make this with. The pattern is detailed on her linking page here. If you make one of these, let us know how it turns out and/or post a photo.

Photo used with permission and published on Liz's public parenting blog, The Fur Mother

What's needed; what's not & a little humor...

You could easily get overwhelmed by the "New Parents' Checklist" at Babies R Us.  While raising a child is a big financial investment (with a wonderful return), there are ways to make it easier.  There will always be people ready to sell you something, especially with the emotional impact of "for the baby" wording.  We all want what's best for the baby, right?  But, sometimes what is really best can be reduced, money saved and sometimes no cost is involved at all.  What your child needs most is you - your love, your milk, your time and attention.

Of course each family has their own priorities so, with that in mind, what are some needs vs wants?  Some mothers have shared ideas.  Ameliorate - a blogger who shares her views of some rather silly and to her, "useless" products out there.  Don't miss it - so much fun!  I have to discourage the "Zaky hands" altogether since it is recommended babies be put to sleep on their backs; not their sides.

On the other hand, the stroller/car seat combo pictured above is probably on the needed list if you can manage it.  Click here to see where you can get a good price right now at Target with free shipping and read the reviews.  Car seats must be of good quality and made within the last six years (they come with a date), preferably new and not previously been in a car accident.  Strollers help you get out of the house without breaking your back and keeping your baby out of the unsafe grocery cart.  There are convertible systems that are a stroller frame that holds the car seat - nice to not have but not as versatile as the one shown (more expensive too). 

Read here for a few products you don't need for your newborn - these can at least wait a while.

Ask around to see what items your friends regretted buying because they found them to be a waste of money. Some items should be purchased after the baby is born.  Some babies don't like swings at all.  For others, they're life savers.  You can try them out with your baby at a baby store such as Babies R Us.

When buying large items, don't forget to think about storage space.  Baby gear requires lots of room, so if it's not really needed, it might just get in the way - kind of like that stationary bicycle that serves as a big clothes rack.

What is on your "must have" or "not needed" lists?  Please share in comments!