SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is one of the most horrible and heartbreaking losses a family can endure. Striking an otherwise healthy baby of between 1 month and one year old, SIDS is the diagnosis given when a child of this age dies suddenly and an exact cause can’t be found even after a full medical and legal investigation. And while amazing strides have been made in cutting the risk of SIDS, about 2,500 infants continue to die suddenly in the United States each year.

For these parents it is the worst kind of pain… a living nightmare you don’t wish on your worst enemy. It hurts every minute of every day of the rest of your life.

These parents can take some small comfort knowing that investigations into exactly what causes SIDS are moving forward. There is a lot of good work being done. Many experts are coming to believe the condition involves an underlying abnormality (like a brain defect that affects breathing) combined with sleeping in an unsafe position or being exposed to an environmental challenge during a key period of growth.

Other things we do know:

- SIDS is most common in babies 2 to 4 months old.

- 90% of SIDS cases happen in babies less than 6 months old.

- 20% of SIDS deaths happen in childcare settings.

- SIDS is more common in cold weather.

- SIDS happens more often during sleep, between the hours of 10:00 pm and 10:00 am

Researchers in California at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research found that babies who slept in a room with a fan running had a 72% lower risk of SIDS compared to those who slept without a fan. Opening a window, another way to circulate the air in the sleeping space, brought the risk of SIDS down 36%. The study appears in the October issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine and is the first to look for an association between better air circulation and reduced risk of SIDS.

Financed by the National Institutes of Health, this research involved data on 185 babies who died of SIDS from 1997 to 2000 in ten Northern California counties as well as Los Angeles County. The SIDS babies were compared to 312 infants who were a match in age, socio economic status and ethnic backgrounds in those same counties.

Dr. De-Kun Li, study senior author said, “The baby’s sleeping environment really matters. This seems to suggest that by improving room ventilation we can further reduce risk.”

The researchers noted that using a fan reduced the risk of SIDS most for babies in poor sleeping environments. Of course using a fan doesn’t mean you should stop doing all the other very easy, sensible things the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to prevent SIDS.

- Babies should always sleep on their backs.

- Firm mattresses should be the only sleeping surface — no waterbeds or air mattresses either.

- No thick quilts or comforters — being overheated during sleep puts your baby at risk.

- Pillows and stuffed toys should not be in the bed with babies.

- A dedicated sleeping space that’s free of drafts and is of a comfortable, steady temperature.

- Don’t smoke (or let anyone else smoke) around your baby.

More work is needed, but because the idea of circulating the air in a baby’s room is in line with some Sudden Infant Death Syndrome theories, it’s certainly worth a try. Fans are affordable, and offer another benefit, the sound offers a soothing setting for a baby to sleep, blocking out much of the other routine noise of the house. Good for you, perhaps life saving for your baby.

Over 14,000 people have joined Kirsten’s popular (and sometimes controversial) Daily Health Bulletin, so why not join them and stay up to date with the latest on avoiding sudden infant death risks and other health news daily. You also get 5 health reports free when you join - giving you all need to treat common ailments, lose weight, look younger & feel healthy

Kids toys seem to evolve with each generation, especially with the introduction of modern technology. This factor can influence the way that you choose your kids toys. If you want to avoid wasting your money on toys that your kids will ignore, do not automatically buy the toy that you liked the best when you were a kid.

If you do, chances are good that this replay of your childhood days may end in frustration or you may end up playing with the toy to show your kid how you used to have fun with the toy, which could turn into a lame situation quickly, depending on the toy. You will need either an ultra fantastic toy or a traditional favorite toy to pull this off successfully. Examples of such traditional toys include the ball, doll and miniature replica toys including vehicles and household items. The entertainment ante has been raised in the toys arena since the introduction of electronics.

Especially for children who regularly watch TV, there may be a greater desire for new fashioned toys instead of the traditional toys. Electronic toys, handheld games, video game systems and other interactive toys attract the attention of many children. It is not always the best thing to cater to such wants.

Before deciding on the best toy for any child, it is important to think about different factors. These factors will allow you to zero in on the type of toy that will best suit your child. To make a good choice in a kids toy, you will need to consider the child’s age, interests, skill level and their favorite things including color.

When you have considered the factors that will influence a child’s level of interest in the toy, you are ready to choose a toy that will have the greatest benefit for your child. The toys that are the best for your kids are toys that promote physical activity, are educational or have both qualities. You can then choose a toy that is played with one player, many players or teams.

If you want to add more physical activity to your child’s life through toys, you can do so. This is a healthier alternative to relying on sedentary forms of children’s entertainment. There are card games, board games, video games and activity games that will increase a child’s movement instead of hindering it.

Many kids toys are educational. The most fun educational kids toys are related to science, reading, math, art, music and crafts. These toys offer a hands on way of learning that is fun for different age groups. Educational toys can enhance a child’s hand and eye coordination while engaging the mind.

These types of toys can complement, enrich and expand on concepts being taught in the child’s school curriculum. Despite being educational, these toys can be truly enjoyable and engaging when the toy is appropriate for the child.

With some forethought, you can choose a great kids toy that will satisfy your desire for a toy that has real benefits for your child. A kids toy is best enjoyed when it is chosen because it appeals to a child personally in some way. Your kids toy has extra value when it is educational or promotes a physically active lifestyle.

Igloo Kids has a great selection of kids clothes and kids books for children of all ages.

Are you a nursing mother? Does having to cover up while nursing frustrate you and/or your baby? Do you get looks from people who are obviously offended by your not-so-discreet nursing in public? Are you wearing out the glider in your baby’s nursery and tired of staring at the same wall decor because you spend so much of your day (and night) nursing in there? If you answered YES to any or all of these questions, please read on.

I am the mother of two boys. I nursed my first son until he was 15-months old and am currently nursing my 6-month old. I know that many mothers are just fine with “letting it all hang out for the world to see”. What else could be more natural than nursing a baby, right? But I have seen how uncomfortable some people become, men in particular (my husband included), when nursing occurs within their proximity. I recall my brother-in-law telling me a story about when he walked in on a La Leche League meeting. He is not the modest type, but even he was flustered with all those exposed breasts under one roof, “I didn’t know where to look, so I ended up looking down at my feet and up at the ceiling. Um, is Sarah here?”

While I think it is somewhat humorous to watch people squirm while I nurse in front of them, I do try to be discreet and have actually figured out a way to do so and get the job done. But it was not always this way.

First, I tried removing myself from all people, but I found that to be impractical and frankly quite lonely. Even as cute as we had decorated our baby room, I was growing tired of looking at the same wall decorations. Who wants to miss out on all the action, not to mention meals with real adult conversation? And in the beginning, you have to nurse constantly. Believe me, the combination of solitude and post-partum hormones running wild makes for one unhappy new mom.

Next, I tried nursing covers. You know, those big, sheet-like cloths you drape around your neck and body so that you don’t expose anything. They sound good in theory, but those didn’t work with my little ones. Both my boys were so distracted by being under a cover that nursing was impossible to achieve, and we’d always end up with a grumpy, fidgety and hungry baby in the end. Back to the baby room I’d go, again to my rocker, and again looking at the same wall decorations.

Then, I tried official nursing clothes, but talk about expensive. I don’t know about you, but I need more than a couple shirts to wear in the course of a week. And these little numbers didn’t exactly make me feel attractive… worsening my post-partum gloom.

So, after trying out various outfit combinations from my closet and testing them out in public (even from the middle seat on an airplane), I hit upon the perfect solution: 2 layers. Be it a button down shirt and a sports bra, or a zippered hoodie and a tank top, with a two-layered outfit , you can nurse and no one will even suspect a thing. Another big plus is that no back-fat or side-fat will be exposed at all. Just quietly unbutton or unzip, lift up the under layer, and then slip your baby into position. It’s that easy. So, get out of the baby room, layer it up, hit the public scene, and nurse with confidence!

Stephanie Goins is co-creator of My Wonderful Walls.com, a premier source of information and products for decorating baby rooms and kids rooms. Visit our website and discover how easy we make it for you to have wonderful walls. Be sure to visit our newest section on decorating a girl’s room.

Potty training time can be very difficult for parents and their toddlers alike. While different children will always have different reactions to potty training, your child can experience apprehension, fear, and even anger at potty training time. There are many different studies on the subject of potty training. In this article you will learn the facts about potty training—the facts that are backed up by experts and researchers that have studied potty training methods and progress.

When you’re ready to start potty training your toddler, you need all the tools and resources you can get. Not having the proper resources can leave you lost and wondering.

In fact, that’s what happened to Sherry Clark. Sherry felt pressured by her in-laws to toilet train her daughter Cheyenne before she turned three years old. The problem was that Cheyenne didn’t display any signs of being ready to toilet train, and Sherry’s family sort of left her to make her own decisions. “I really felt like I was doing a terrible job as a parent, because Cheyenne didn’t want anything to do with potty training. In fact, I probably prolonged the process because I pushed her into training when she clearly wasn’t ready,” says Sherry. According to child specialist Theresa Cornwell, Sherry may be exactly right. “Toilet training depends on the parent and the child. Both have to be ready and prepared for the changes. Forcing a child to use the toilet may only stunt her progress.”

Sherry decided to simply wait and let Cheyenne come to terms with using the toilet before she tried to train her again. In just a few months, Sherry tried again and was successful. In fact, the actual training time went very quickly and with very few incidents.

Here are some of the best-known ways to toilet train your toddler.

Do Not Panic

Often, parents can think there is something wrong with their child because he or she is 3 or 4 years old and they aren’t potty trained. Children develop differently, and some children may simply be late bloomers. This is most definitely not a reason to believe there is something wrong with your child. The child’s gender may even have something to do with it. In fact, researchers have found that girls are easier to toilet train than boys are. There are many reasons that this is true, including the fact that girls comprehend language earlier than boys and may therefore understand your teachings more quickly than a boy would.

One of the biggest messages that experts try to get parents to understand is that you shouldn’t panic. If your child is a late bloomer, it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with him or her at all.

Use Consistency

One of the most important things a parent can do when toilet training their toddler is to be consistent. This is the fastest way to teach your child how to use the toilet. For example, as soon as your child wakes up in the morning, take them to the bathroom.

Offer a small prize for using the potty. One thing that many parents do is to place a clear jar in the bathroom with small treats and cheap toys. The child sees this and knows that if he or she successfully uses the toilet, they will get one. Continue this every morning without fail so that your child becomes accustomed to and familiar with the process.

Another way that you can use consistency is to inform other caretakers of the potty-training plan. If your child just loves spending time with Grandma and Grandpa, and does so frequently, let Grandma and Grandpa in on the plan. This way, even if you’re not there, the same process will be followed, which should put the child at ease. If each different caretaker uses different methods to help your child use the toilet, it can get very confusing. By simply discussing the methods you’re using with any other caretakers, you can speed up the training time and keep things consistent.

When is Your Child Ready?

Although each child develops differently, experts agree there are a few things to look for that will signal your child is ready to begin toilet training. Since they will not be able to learn how to use the toilet until the muscles of their bladder and bottom are fully developed, you will want to look for the following:

* Your child can go several hours without emptying his or her bladder.

* Your child goes all night without wetting his or her diaper.

* Your child is mature enough to listen and understand what you say, as well as to communicate with you. This way, they can communicate the fact that they need to use the bathroom.

* Your child is starting to notice that when he or she eliminates in his or her diaper, it is dirty. They may not like the fact that they are dirty.

Any or all of these signs may tell you that your child is ready to begin potty training, and there are a few other things you will want to keep in mind when you are toilet training your toddler. Praise is the best method, and experts agree that a child should never be scolded for accidents. This could make them develop a complex about using the potty.

In fact, a study was done in which the researchers asked parents to praise their children and speak of defecation in a positive way to them. This study was published in the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine. The researchers found that when parents spoke positively about defecation, the child was less likely to want to hide during the process and responded better to toilet training. It can be difficult to potty train your child, but with consistency and praise, you can soon say goodbye to diapers!

Jeff Dunbar is a father two and knows exactly what it takes to potty train his toddler. He currently writes for Gagazine.com - A parenting and pregnancy newsletter. Here are 7 more easy steps to potty train your child.

Can it be done?

Is it really possible for mothering to exist without nagging?

After parenting for over 27 years, my answer to this question is: (drum roll please)

It depends who you ask.

My children will tell you they’ve certainly experienced nagging in our home. And they’re right.

However, I can tell you that you can absolutely change the amount of nagging in your home. And in some cases, literally overnight.

The way to decrease parental nagging is to be aware of its causes. In a nutshell, here are two of the biggest culprits.

– Kids not obeying.

Nothing will fuel the fires of nagging faster than a child who is not obeying. Once a child grows beyond infancy and a personality begins to bloom, the issue of obedience will raise its head.

And rightly so.

We human beings are hard wired to develop into capable productive adults by learning how to steer our own ships. We do that most effectively when someone (our parents) first SHOWS us how to guide our ships and then, little by little, hand that responsibility over to us. That process takes a long time, usually about 20 years, give or take a few years.

If this process is interrupted, or worse, not even started, it can and does cause years of stressful family living. Trust me. Stressful family living equals LOTS of nagging.

It has been often noted that parenting does not come with a manual. Thankfully, there is no shortage of experience available to the conscientious mother. Parenting books and courses, mentoring from other moms who have been there, done that, and simply trying out different and sensible ideas can take us a long ways towards developing a stable, firm homelife for our precious kids.

A homelife where kids are eager to obey, overall, because they feel safe, secure and accepted.

– Daily life.

Daily life contributes greatly to a mom’s nagging. Your kids can be doing everything right, forget to do one thing, and BAM, Mom the Nag Machine swoops down and nails everyone.

From the child’s perspective, mom has lost it. He did his part. From mom’s perspective…

* the boss yelled at her that day.

* it’s 5.00 and she doesn’t know what’s for dinner (again).

* the car broke down on the way home.

* the house is a mess (again).

* a husband forgot an anniversary (again).

* the numbers on the scale went up, not down.

* an unexpected bill arrived in the mail.

* the baby cried all night and mom got very little sleep (again).

* one of many, many other scenarios that can rob a mother of calm.

Just pick one of the above and Mom can easily turn into a Nag. After all, she’s only human. In this scenario, it’s up to Mom the Parent to tame the regular, normal, everyday stresses that can come between her and her family.

There are many excellent ways to do this. From menu-planning and budget tools to mentoring and communication skills, an adult woman has all the resources she needs at her disposal to get her life off the chaotic track and instill peace into her daily life.

The result of finding effective solutions to both of these stresses is more enjoyable mothering and less overall nagging.

Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 27 years and helps other moms enjoy their families more at http://www.paintedgold.com . Visit her website and learn new effective mothering strategies you can use today.

Play and toys are a very important part of the development of your child. There are some things that parents can do to make sure that their child is getting the best possible use of their playtime to help them develop the skills that they will need in their later years.

The toys that parents choose for their child should be age appropriate. This is perhaps one of the most important factors to look for when you are shopping for toys. If you buy toys that are too young for your child, they will not learn anything from the toys that you are providing. Likewise, toys that are too far beyond your child can result in frustration on the part of your child and they will not play with them.

The safety of the toy is considered when you are choosing age appropriate toys. Children may be smart enough or developmentally further along than other children their age, but the toy should still be safe for use by someone that is their age. Pay attention to consumer information about toy recalls and the dangers that have been discovered about some of the toys that are on the market.

The toy should be fun for your child as well. If your child does not have any interest in the toy, they will simply not play with it. It may be the most advanced toy that promises to teach your child a great many skills, but if they do not play with it, you will have wasted your money. Watch your child and learn what kind of toys they enjoy playing with. Some children prefer puzzle toys while others need something that requires more active participation.

Don’t forget about imagination and pretend games for your child. Look for toys that will help them expand their imagination and develop their creativity. Toys that allow children to be creative will help them to think in ways that is bound only by their own imagination. Artistic toys and those that allow them to develop these skills are highly recommended for your child.

Many parents simply buy toys without regard for the special skills that they can teach their children. There is tremendous opportunity through play to help your child develop into creative and imaginative adults. While not every toy will provide skills, it is still important to pay attention to the things that your child is playing with.

Parents should take some time and get in on the playtime. Sit down with your child and play the games with them. It is a great chance for you to find out what the toy or game is providing to your child. You will be able to help them play and learn at the same time. It is also a great amount of fun for parents as well. Remember, that your child is learning every waking moment. You can take advantage of some of these times to teach your child about the world around them and what they are capable of doing.

Peter Geisheker is the CEO of The Geisheker Group marketing company. Peter develops and implements strategic marketing programs for businesses including educational learning toys and early childhood education.

It’s that time of year. Schools are opening, and children are traveling on school buses again. Over and over, students will hear the same admonitions: stay seated and talk quietly during your bus ride, don’t stand or play in the aisle, follow the bus driver’s instructions, and don’t throw things in the bus or out the window. These are all important rules of safety and civility that parents should discuss with their children. This year, however, you should consider spending extra time talking about those safety rules that are most likely to save your child’s life.

What is the most serious danger facing children who take a bus to school every day? It’s being struck by a motor vehicle, whether they are waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, or walking away from the bus after they get off. This danger isn’t simply limited to cars, trucks or motorcycles, a school bus can strike and kill a child just as easily.

When you talk about these safety issues with your child, start the discussion at home but continue the conversation at the bus stop. You need to assess the relative dangers your child will confront at his bus stop. You must ask yourself a number of questions about the location of the bus stop and the times of pick-up and drop-off. For instance, will your child be standing on a sidewalk in a well lit and safe area of your city or will your child be standing at the end of a dark, gravel driveway on a country road? In the fall and winter, will your child be picked up at dawn, dusk, or when it’s dark? Will your child be picked up at a bus stop that is on a long, straight street, or at a bus stop near a curve in the road? Is the bus stop located on a busy street that lots of trucks and buses occupy or on a quiet street that ends in a cul-de-sac?

What are some of the critical issues to keep in mind?

Visibility. You don’t want your child to stand close to the road itself because this will put him in a danger zone. Regardless where he stands, however, it is always a good idea for any child standing or walking near a road to wear clothing that makes it easy for passing motorists to see him. Bright yellow, orange, and white clothes are helpful. If your child stands at a bus stop early in the morning or late in the day, he should wear clothing made with at least some reflective material, be it a jacket with reflective stripes or shoes, book bags, and hats with reflective tape. The headlights of a vehicle will pick up reflective clothing and gear from as far away as 500 feet.

Your child must stand in one safe place you designate for him, and wait quietly for the bus. After looking carefully at your child’s particular bus stop, you must decide where it is safest for him to stand and wait for the bus. Usually, this will be about ten feet away from the road and the bus stop. In most school districts, the same bus driver will pick up your child every day. Talk to the driver and tell him where you would like your child to stand and wait. This way he will know where to look for your child when he approaches the bus stop. He can also share with you his experience and give you advice about the safest places children can wait for school buses.

Danger Zones. Your child is entering a danger zone when he approaches within ten feet of a school bus, from any direction.

Your child should stand back and allow the bus to come to a full stop, the door to open, and the driver to give the “OK” before he moves to step onto the bus.

Like trucks and cars, a school bus has blind spots or no zones where it is difficult for the driver to see vehicles or pedestrians approaching. A student should never walk behind a school bus for any reason and certainly should not cross the street there. The bus driver may back up suddenly.

Crossing the street is always dangerous, and a child should cross the street in front of the school bus. Immediately after descending from the bus, he should turn left, walk straight for at least ten to fifteen feet, and then make eye contact with the driver before he starts to cross the street in front of the school bus. Your child needs to understand that if he cannot see the bus driver, from his vantage point, the driver probably can’t see him. Most bus drivers will give your child a signal to begin crossing the street. Make sure your child knows to wait for this signal.

As he crosses the street, your child should look right for traffic approaching from the opposite direction, but he also needs to look left to make sure the school bus does not start to move forward while he crosses directly in front of it.

Motorists do disobey the law. Occasionally they pass a school bus on the left after the bus has turned on its flashing red lights and has stopped. Teach your child to look left just before he steps beyond the front of the school bus. Also, remind him that, although it only happens rarely, a motorist may pass the school bus on the right. Your child needs to take a look to his right, just before he steps off the school bus, to make sure the way is clear.

If your child has to walk to the bus stop on a roadway or shoulder where there is no sidewalk, he should always walk facing traffic.

If you meet your child at the bus stop, wait for him on the same side of the street as the bus stop, not across the street. As he gets off the bus, your child may be distracted when he sees you, and he may fail to watch for traffic as he crosses the street.

Explain to your child that he should never bend down near or under a school bus to pick up something. The driver may lose sight of him and start moving forward.

After you have asked yourself these questions - and others that occur to you when you stand at your child’s bus stop and observe the surroundings - do the following. Make a list of the specific dangers your child may face. Consider what actions your child can take to avoid the dangerous situations you have listed. Review the action plan with your child. Wait with him at the bus stop for at least the first few days to ensure he has understood your instructions (assuming your child is old enough to stand alone at a bus stop in the first place). Check on him every so often thereafter to make sure he continues to follow the rules you’ve established. Review with your child his school’s bus safety and behavior policy. Stress the importance of these rules and let your child know that you support, without reservation, his school’s safety regulations. However, the most important lesson you can teach your child is that he is the one who is ultimately responsible for his own safety. This is his job, and he cannot always count on someone else to look out for him.

Allen and Allen are experienced Richmond Virginia car crash lawyers and Richmond personal injury lawyers. They can be found online at: allenandallen.com