The following article was released by KCTV5.com on November 18,2008

Harrisonville, MO - A Harrisonville couple said their baby suffered a blistering rash from something they never thought could hurt a child, and they want other parents to know the story behind it.

“She had this mysterious rash on her back,” said Liz Stolte, Reese Stolte’s mother. “We didn’t know what to do, you know, for her.”

They went to Children’s Mercy South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan., looking for answers.

“It was scary, because they were throwing out words like staph infection, cellulitus, you know different things,” said Ryan Stolte, Reece’s father. “They weren’t sure what exactly was going on as far as what was going on with the rash.”

After days in the hospital, they left with medicine, but the rash returned.

“Two nights at the hospital wondering what on earth was wrong with our baby, it was very, very scary,” Liz Stolte said.

They went online for help.

“When we saw that, we were relieved, but we were also just disgusted that there were other people out there going through this, you know,” she said.

They found several websites with warnings and pictures of babies with rashes on their upper backs, and they all wore the same clothing, tagless bodysuits, shirts and pajamas from kids clothing giant Carter’s.

“It was suprising to find that many other people who had the same problem, and even some that were more severe than Reese had,” Ryan Stolte said.

More than 400 families have contacted Carter’s with similar stories about the fall 2007 line.

In an e-mail, a Carter’s representative, Janell Cleveland wrote, “The labels don’t contain any skin irritants or abrasive chemicals, and that what we are seeing is a rare allergic reaction in some infants with highly sensitive skin.”

The clothes in question have a solid, stenciled and more pronounced ink label.

Carter’s sais it was a stylistic change that made them switch clothes made after fall 2007 to a smaller label.

Reese Stolte’s parents said she was done with tagless shirts.

“All I can think about was her laying on these blisters, and you know, she’s crying, but no one knew. To think what she must have gone through all that time,” Liz Stolte said.

The Stolte family said they were in talks with Carter’s about paying their medical bills. The company said other families are also forwarding them their bills.

Plus, the company is offering a no-questions return on the clothes.

For more information, please see the official statement from Carter’s at www.carters.com

Common advice to “nap when your baby naps” may not be the best for new moms battling fatigue and postpartum depression. The Annuals of Behavioral Medicine recently published a study that found a home-based exercise program can reduce physical and mental fatigue in postpartum depressed women.

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced during the postpartum period (4-38 weeks) with up to 67% of women reporting severe fatigue at 12 months post delivery. This rate is considerably higher than those reported in primary care (13.6%).

“Baby Boot Camp is known for our program’s ability to combat symptoms of postpartum depression,” says Jodie Vickers, Olathe, Kansas franchise owner and certified fitness instructor of the nation’s premier stroller-fitness program. “Over seven years of anecdotal evidence from our students has shown a significant increase in energy among moms attending Baby Boot Camp classes at least two times a week for 12 weeks.”

“The best part about Baby Boot Camp classes is learning simple new exercises we can do at home,” says Tori Hirner, Overland Park, KS. “My instructor has taught me how to complete kiss-the-baby push ups and partner plank at home with my baby.”

“My daughter was just 12 weeks old when I started attending Baby Boot Camp. The atmosphere was supportive of my insecurities about being a new mom. I met so many other women struggling with the same issues that I no longer felt anxious and alone,” says the long-time student and mom to now 14 month old Sophia.

The study was comprised of 88 postpartum women (4-38 weeks) who had significant symptoms of postpartum depression, including fatigue. The exercise group was assigned to a 12-week individualized home-based exercise program that required participants to perform 60-120 minutes per week of aerobic exercise within their target heart rate zone. The control group completed a questionnaire assessing their exercise participation once a month for three consecutive months.

Women in the exercise group showed significantly greater reduction in physical fatigue at post-treatment and 3 months post-treatment. In addition, reductions in mental fatigue with exercise were observed at post-treatment for women reporting lower physical fatigue during the initial interview.

About Baby Boot Camp

Baby Boot Camp was created in San Francisco in 2001 by fitness expert Kristen Horler. After the birth of her first child, Horler searched the San Francisco Bay Area for a postnatal fitness class. After extensive research, she was unable to find a challenging workout that didn’t require hiring a personal trainer and a babysitter or purchasing a gym membership. Utilizing her experience as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer, triathlete and mother, she developed the Baby Boot Camp program to balance the fitness needs of new moms with their desire to spend time with their baby. All Baby Boot Camp classes follow the guidelines set forth by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Council on Exercise. For more information visit www.babybootcamp.com

Due to competing sales in the marketplace this season, BabyCrazy has decided to offer a huge sale on products that are not currently in their catalog! The sale begins today, Friday, November 14th and will continue through the end of the year or until the items are sold out!

Don’t miss your chance to buy great gifts for the holidays at fantastic prices! These products will go quickly, so buy yours today by visiting the BabyCrazy online store at www.iambabycrazy.com

Isabooties eco-friendly baby shoes (link can be found on our baby stores page) has partnered with Belle Baby Carriers, Go Natural Baby, and Cariboo of New Zealand to offer the ultimate giveaway of eco-friendly products. These great products are not only hip, stylish and functional, but also healthy for our little ones and the earth!

The contest ends November 11th and the Grand Prize includes 3 pairs of IsaBooties soft-soled baby shoes, 1 Belle Baby Carrier, 1 Zah Organics Baby Kimono Outfit and matching blanket, and 1 handcrafted activity gym from Cariboo of New Zealand.

To enter the contest, visit http://isabooties.com/contest/eco.html

Because they want everyone to be a winner, they are offering a discount of 15% off all orders through November 11th… just use the coupon code ecofriendlyfall at checkout. (Please use THIS LINK for ordering, so that they will know that you were referred by Babybumps.net!)

College Nannies & Tutors has partnered with Natural Body Spa and Shoppe to put pampering and relaxation into finding top quality childcare. Moms are invited to sip wine, indulge in spa treatments and enter to win fabulous prizes, while mingling with the nannies available to provide role model care for their children.

The event will be held Thursday, November 13th from 7-9pm at the Natural Body & Spa Shoppe (4431 W. 119th Street in Leawood, KS). The cost is $15 per person.

According to Jennifer Schellhase, Franchise owner at College Nannies, ” We wanted to provide a venue for the Moms in our community to relax and enjoy a fun evening out while learning about our services. The moms will have the chance to “speed date” potential nannies while they enjoy some pampering.”

Founded in 2001 College Nannies & Tutors is the nation’s largest resource for customized nanny and tutoring services. For more information visit www.collegenannies.com

A SIGN OF SUCCESS will now be presenting one “baby sign” each month on the BabyBumps.net blog! Each post will include teaching tips that incorporate picture books and fun in the process. The signs are based on American Sign Language, but modified to fit the hand of a young child.

This month’s sign is for the word “Help”
By Anne Meeker Miller, Ph.D.

Teaching a young child to sign before he is able to speak is a wonderful tool for reducing frustration for both parent and child. Encourage your child to “use his words” - be they spoken or gestured - and in responding to his communication, your child will be delighted to discover that you understand what he wants and needs.

This is particularily true in a situation where your child needs your HELP. He may become accustomed to expressing frustration by crying or acting out. Begin to use the help sign frequently, and ask the child: “Do you need HELP? Use your words and tell me HELP.” The HELP sign is performed by placing your closed fist on the other flat hand and lifting both, as if one hand is “helping” to raise the other.

If the child does not sign or speak HELP, simply prompt them by shaping the HELP sign on the child’s hands using your own. Then tell him, “Good asking for HELP! Here’s the cup/toy/book you want.” Children who are walking often want to solve their own problems by crawling onto counters and tables to get what they are after. Make sure to intervene with the HELP sign before they take matters into their own hands. Thank your child for their HELP whenever they pick up their toys or hold your hand when you cross the street.

The child may modify the HELP sign by lifting one or both thumbs without the flat hand beneath. It is important that your child’s best attempt always be treated as language and acknowledged. (”I love it when you ask for HELP. You are such a big boy!”)

A great way to practice sign language vocabulary is by reading picture books to your child and signing key words in the text. Here are several books that are great for practicing HELP.

Lucy Wants Help by Thea Ross, New York: Parklane Publishing, 2003
Herman the Helper by Robert Kraus, London: Aladdin Books, 1987

For more information about the benefits of sign language and to learn more ways to incorporate music and play in your sign teaching visit www.babysingandsign.com.

BabyBumps.net would like to invite you to join us this Saturday, November 8th at the Shopping at the Shephard event! The event will be open from 10am-4pm at the Good Shepherd UMC (9555 North Oak Trafficway) in Kansas City. It will be a great opportunity to shop for unique and handmade gifts for the holidays, and all proceeds from vendor table fees and sales contributions will go to benefit the Hanhane Women’s Shelter in Mozambique, Africa!

Over 40 vendors will be at the event including:
Initial Outfitters, E.M. Henry Handbags and Knits, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Lia Sophia, Silpada, Cookie Lee, Usborne Books, Discovery Toys, Home Interiors, Send Out Cards, Relive-nutritional products, Young Living Essential Oils, Journey Leather, Weekenders Clothing, Beauticontrol, Arbonne, MaryKay, My Grandma’s Fudge, Baby Spits, BabyBumps.net, Integrity Cleaning, Maelene Cleaning Supplies, Chic Celebrations Party Planning, Thistles Soap Company, Uppercase Living, Baby Signs and many more.

A number of local artists and crafters will also be attenting to sell handmade items such as semi-precious jewelry, scrapbooking items, afghans, children’s bows, pottery, wood carvings, photography, beaded jewelry and much more.

We hope that you will join us for the fun, fantastic gift buying opportunities, to support local businesses and to benefit a wonderful charity in the process! See you there!!!

BabyBump.net is gearing up for our second charity event, the BabyBumps.net Winter Wonderland 2008! The event will be held December 6-7th at the VFW Post 7356 in Parkville, MO (10125 NW Highway 45). On Saturday, December 6th, the event will be open from noon until 6pm. Sunday the event will be open from 10am until 4pm. Adult admission is $5 and kids enter FREE!

Santa will be attending the event to meet with children and to provide a photo opportunity. Attendees will also be able to shop with over 30 local vendors from the BabyBumps.net website. It is an excellent opportunity to find unique gifts for the holidays while supporting Kansas City area small businesses, as well as many local home-based companies. Many activities are planned for the entire family including carnival games, concessions, face painting and more.

In honor of the holiday season, and as part of the Winter Wonderland event, the BabyBumps.net team has chosen to adopt a military family whose father is currently serving overseas. Our team will be contributing presents and a Christmas tree to the family. A local photographer from the BabyBumps.net website has donated a complimentary photo session and portraits to the family. In addition, all vendors participating in the event will be donating a gift from their business to help the family celebrate the holidays.

We hope to see you all there!

For a copy of the event flier click here!

Anne Meeker Miller believes children deserve to have rich musical lives from the start. That is why she is hosting her second annual Sing & Sign Jamboree - a “Sing-and-Sign-Along” style concert for families of young children. Join her Saturday, November 1st at Church of the Resurrection (13720 Roe, Leawood, KS) for a wonderful morning of music created especially for Kansas City’s youngest music lovers. Meeker Miller and the Konza Swamp Band will perform some of Miller’s “greatest hits”. The concert will include lots of group participation, and will be plenty of fun for children of all ages. Get ready to sing with your hands and voices - and have a foot stompin’, hand clappin’ great time! Baby Sing & Sign is teaming up with Harvesters, Kansas City’s Community Food Network. They invite families to bring a non-perishable food item to the Jamboree to help feed those in need. Ticket’s are $5 (Kids 2 years and under are free!) and can be purchased online at www.babysingandsign.com

Miller is a two-time winner of NAPPA (National Association of Parenting Publications) and Parents’ Choice awards for her music CDs, Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed and Rainbows, Railroads and Rhymes. Her latest book and music CD kit is entitled Mealtime and Bedtime Sing & Sign. It includes creative songs, fun play activities and instruction for 200 ASL signs. Miller also offers parenting wisdom specific to mealtime and bedtime struggles - and how sign language can help.

A SIGN OF SUCCESS will now be presenting one “baby sign” each month on the BabyBumps.net blog! Each post will include teaching tips that incorporate picture books and fun in the process. The signs are based on American Sign Language, but modified to fit the hand of a young child.

This month’s sign is for the word “Please”
By Anne Meeker Miller, Ph.D.

Focusing on manners from the start will help your child begin to master this essential life lesson. Start with basic words, such as PLEASE and THANK YOU, as soon as you observe your child directing his or own behavior – following directions, making choices, imitating sounds, gestures and motions, and interacting with others.

To perform the sign, rub your open hand on your upper chest in a circular motion. The child may modify this sign by patting or brushing his hand upwards instead. Parents can help their child make the PLEASE sign by rubbing his open-handed circle on his chest. It is important that the child’s best attempt always be treated as language and acknowledged. (“Thank you for telling me PLEASE. Here is the toy you wanted!”)

Children use the PLEASE sign to tell you they want more of something desirable, such as food, toys or affection. PLEASE is one of the best signs to help children grasp the relationship between their hand movements and getting what they want. They learn that you will consistently provide their desired object or action if they rub their chest, and realize that perhaps your other hand motions mean something as well.

Enlist the help of other caring adults in your child’s life to speak and sign with him. These exchanges also help your child understand how communication works: each person takes a turn, you look at and listen to one another, and you are making interesting faces as you make your sounds and signs.

A great way to practice sign language vocabulary is by reading picture books to your child and signing key words in the text. Here are several books that are great for practicing PLEASE.

Chicken Fingers, Mac and Cheese…
        Why Do You Always Have to Say Please? by Wendy Rosen
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle
Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee
Time to Say “Please!” by Mo Willems

 

For more information about the benefits of sign language and to learn more ways to incorporate music and play in your sign teaching visit www.babysingandsign.com.