Fewer than 1/3 of parents begin brushing their baby’s teeth before age one, but most pediatricians urge parents to begin brushing as soon as your child’s tooth first appears (around four to six months).

Over 95 percent of Americans have cavities, and your baby can get them too.  Cavities occur when decay-causing bacteria collect in the sticky substance called plaque.  When your child eats a sweet or starchy food the bacteria release an acid that can cause a cavity.  The longer a tooth is in contact with that acid, the greater the chance that a cavity can form.  That is why brushing to remove the plaque needs to become an early habit.

According to The Baby Food Bible, to avoid cavities you should:

•  Clean your child’s teeth with gauze or an infant toothbrush twice a day one teeth emerge.
• Give only water before naptime or bedtime.  Milk, formula, juice, or soda all contain carbohydrate, the nutrient bacteria thrive on.  Liquids can be a particular problem because they bathe the whole tooth and even get in between teeth.
• When your child eats sticky foods, such as dried fruit, fruit leather, or gummy bears, brush her teeth or at the very least have her rinse.
• Avoid sugary snacks in favor of snacks with some protein, such as cheese, nuts, or a hard-boiled egg.
• Foods that require a lot of chewing, such as peppers, cucumbers, celery, and carrots are great choices.
• Popcorn, plain crackers, and rice cakes are also less likely to cause cavities than cookies, candy or granola bars.

It is not possible to feed your child a sugar free diet.  Sugars occur naturally in milk, bread, and fruit.  Do all you can to reduce added sugars, but even with the best of diets children still have to brush.

This excellent video give you specific advice from doctors on why and how to brush your child’s teeth.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) has released its 25th annual survey of toy safety.  The report lists safety guidelines for consumers when purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.

Here are some of the key findings and conclusions from this study:

Choking on small parts, small balls and balloons remains a leading cause of toy- related deaths and injuries.
Between 1990 and 2007, at least 196 children died after choking or asphyxiating on a toy or toy part; three children died in 2008 alone. The law bans small parts in toys for children under three and requires an explicit, prominent warning label on toys with small parts for children between the ages of three and six. In addition, balls with a diameter smaller than 1.75 inches are banned for children less than three years old.

Although most toys on store shelves are safe, this report still found some toys that may pose choking hazards. Specifically, their store visits found toys for children under three with small parts and toys with small parts for children under six without the required choke hazard warning label.

Lead in toys is still something to be aware of and concerned about.
Exposure to lead can affect almost every organ and system in the human body, especially the central nervous system. Lead is especially toxic to the brains of young children. Despite the fact that CPSC has recalled more than half a million toys or other children’s products for violations of the lead paint standard, some children’s toys and jewelry still contain unacceptable levels of lead.  
In their latest study, they found examples of costume or novelty jewelry, painted toys, and Some metal toys that exceed the CPSIA’s lead paint standards.

Toxic chemicals in children’s products can leach into hands and into their mouths.
Many consumer products contain harmful chemicals. We are only beginning to understand their health effects, especially to babies and young children who are more vulnerable to these effects because their systems are still developing.

Did you know that 3 out of 4 car seats are not installed or used properly? 

September isf Baby Safety Month, and A Room Of Their Own is sponsoring a seminar on Car Seat Safety.  This seminar will be held at our store on Monday, September 19 from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM, and will is being conducted in partnership with Safe Kids Cobb County, a member of Safe Kids Worldwide.  Our goal is to make sure that parents are aware of the ways to improve the safety of their child while travelling in a car.

September is Baby Safety Month.  This infant safety emphasis effort was initiated in 1983 by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of the safe use and selection of juvenile products. Since then, every September has seen an effort by the JPMA to raise awareness of safety efforts for infants.  In keeping with this tradition, A Room Of Their Own will offer safety tips throughout the month.  We invite you to follow our posts on Facebook or Twitter, in addition to our Helpful News blog.

Thanks to our good friends at Britax for their excellent webinar this past week on Car Seat Safety.  If you missed it, here are some of their key point:s.