Newborns and infants have an intact thirst reflex or a drive to drink. The thing they need most is breast milk or formula. What most of us parents don’t know is that giving them water in excess can be a bad thing. It can cause water intoxication. Water intoxication happens much quicker with newborns than it does with adolescents or adults because of their relative size and their underdeveloped kidneys. Emergency pediatric physicians admit it is a sneaky condition.

Babies’ kidneys aren’t yet mature, giving them excessive amounts of water causes their bodies to flush out sodium with excess water. Losing too much sodium can affect brain activity, so early symptoms of water intoxication can include irritability, drowsiness and other mental changes. Irritability and drowsiness? Could there be more elusive symptoms for a condition that affects babies? Other symptoms may include;

• fluttering eyelids,
• inconsolable crying (swelling of tissues causes a headache),
• difficulty breathing (fluid accumulates in the lungs),
• irregular heartbeat
• low body temperature (generally 97 degrees or less),
• puffiness or swelling in the face,
• seizures

Doctors and specialists agree that water, over-diluted formula and pediatric drinks containing electrolytes should be totally off limits for infants six months old and younger. It’s a fine line though, if your child is over-heated or is suffering from constipation a little water may help them but the best thing to do is check with the pediatrician before doing so.

Sited Links:
Reuters | Drinking Water Can Be Harmful for Small Babies
About.Com | Babies & Water Intoxication

   

This is a cool way to furnish that shady corner of the kids’ room and to have a fun way to show off their best artwork, too boot. Slip a drawing or photos between the double shades to create a one-of-a-kind lamp you can change on a whim.

(Via TheSpottedGoose.Com)

   

Here are some interesting statistics about grilling [compiled by the Underwriter's Laboratories]

• In 2002, gas and charcoal grills caused 900 structure fires and 3,500 outdoor fires in or on home properties, resulting in a combined direct property loss of $30 million.
• The popularity of gas-fueled grills nearly tripled between 1982 and 1993 (up 193 percent from 9.4 million to 27.5 million).
• Gas grills have a higher fire risk than charcoal grills; leaks and breaks are the leading cause, accounting for nearly half of gas grill fires.
• Gas-fueled grills caused an estimated 600 home structure fires and 3,200 home outdoor fires in 2002.
• Charcoal grills have a higher risk than gas grills of death due to fire or unvented carbon monoxide; most of these deaths do not involve fire.
• Charcoal-fueled or other solid-fueled grills caused an estimated 300 home structure fires and 300 home outdoor fires in 2002.
• Placing combustibles too close to heat, and leaving cooking unattended, are the two leading causes for charcoal grill home structure fires.
• Half of all gas grill and charcoal grill home structure fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch.
• Gas fuel is the leading item first ignited for home outdoor gas grill fires.
• Structural member or framing, wall coverings, exterior trim, and plants are the leading items first ignited in home structure or outdoor charcoal grill fires.

These grill safety tips come from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Propane Education & Research Council and Underwriters Laboratories Inc.: (more…)

   

It’s a compact, folding barbecue that’s designed to be taken anywhere. Here’s how it works: 1. Fold it out. 2. Fill it up. 3. Light it up. And that’s it.

No complex gas bottles, no heavy lifting and no rummaging around for those ‘instant’ types that you can use once and once only. Now the spirit of summer can join you wherever you are, or even sit permanently in the boot of your car, ready for action whenever the mood takes you.

(Via GadgetShop)

   

(Via Noddy @ BrickShelf.Com)

   

These fun quippy Personalized pacifiers™ are the perfect choice for your darling little one. They are made of non-toxic, hygienically formed, natural bite-resistant materials designed to form naturally in the mouth, satisfying babies’ need for supplemental sucking and providing parents with peace of mind, if only for a moment.

(Via PersonalizedPacifiers.Com)

   

Here’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time with the kids, perhaps learn something about how computers are built and save a few bucks in the process. You and your kid can design and custom build pc just for gaming for a fraction of what they cost in the stores. They include plain English (gosh, I hope so!) instructions with lots of illustrations and full manufacturer warranties.

You can also get upgrade kits to increase your ram or replace your CPU. All you need is a screwdriver and you can save $100’s. The basic kit comes with a 2.2G Core 2 Duo, 2G SDRAM and a graphics card option - that’s a pretty good start and it’s definitely a kit with room to grow.

   

I would like to think I am a relatively open and forward thinking guy when it comes to both parenting and fashion but I really struggle with the idea of a baby slung on daddy’s chest. I’ll just say outright to all the mom’s out there who think their husband would look “good” or “cute” with a baby sling, be careful.

Not every guy can pull that look off, dare I say most guys, most definitely - cannot. Sure maybe that’s my dish, but a lot of guys will agree with me. Maybe if you are a rockstar, and I don’t mean like a rock star dad (as in a really good dad), no, I mean you really are a bonified Rock Star, or maybe a hippie, or even a monk. Okay, and maybe if you are one of those rare birds that are actually comfortable with your metrosexual status, like a David Bowie-type or something, that will work.

I opt for the Baby Björn solution - I’m not sure why, maybe it is more “tailored/structured or maybe there is something about the design that feels more like you’re wearing a backpack backwards.

So if your husband fits one or more of the above categories or looks like one of the guys (see above) and they are cool with the idea, here are some great online stores that sell some really nice ones.

Related Links;
RockinBabySlings.Com
AttachedToBaby.Com