LilSugar

Would You Leave Your Baby in a "Parked" Stroller?

LilSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:16:00 PDT

It's common practice in Europe (the Finnish government even advocates outdoor naps year-round), but in much of the US, parents would shudder at the thought of "parking" their sleeping babes outside of a shop or cafe. Or so we thought . . . in the stroller-friendly neighborhood of Park Slope, Brooklyn, the practice of letting sleeping babies stay put appears to be on the rise. We've spotted several trusting moms asking friendly-looking strangers to keep an eye on their babies while picking up a quick cup of coffee or dropping off dry cleaning first hand.

What do you think? Would you let your lil one rest outside while you ran a quick errand, or is it worth disrupting a nap to ensure that they're safe and sound by your side?

Source: Flickr User BKLYN Guy

The New Parents' Guide to Babyproofing

LilSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:24:31 PDT

New dad Nick Cannon recently told Us Weekly that his twins with Mariah Carey are too smart for babyproofing: "They know how to take the knobs and the babyproof stuff off. They know what's babyproof, so they are like, 'We are not supposed to be touching that - so we are going to touch that!' It's crazy!"

While Cannon and Carey are certainly not the first parents to have to deal with super-savvy tots mastering the art of turning locks and levers, anyone with on-the-move crawlers and walkers will want to take precautions to babyproof their homes. Here, the hazardous spots around the house that you'll want to secure before your baby can get to them.

Babyproof: 3 Ways to Improve the Safety of Your Home Staircase Today

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:42:43 PDT

One of the first places eager parents try to babyproof is the staircase. And while stair-related injuries to kids dropped 11.6 percent from 1999 to 2008, a child is still treated for injuries that occur on or near their household stairs every six minutes. For infants, 25 percent of the injuries occur when mom and dad are carrying the tot down the stairs.

According to a new report in a March 12 article from Pediatrics, US homes are not designed with safety in mind, and parents - especially those with children under 5 years old, as they tend to spend more time at home - need to make some big changes and make them quickly. Keep reading to see the three most important things parents can do to make their home staircase more safe.

Source: Thinkstock

Do You Secure Your Furniture to the Wall?

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:04:44 PST

You've plugged up your outlets and covered the corners of your tables, but have you ensured that your TV is safe for your toddling tot? We're not talking about the programs you choose to show your kids, but the actual device itself.

Yesterday, a 13-month-old Chicago toddler was playing in his apartment when he "tagged" the TV as part of a game. Instantly, the TV fell off of its perch, crushing and killing the child. This was the fourth time in as many months that such an accident has occurred in the area, and it is part of a growing national trend of tipping furniture injuries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that "one child dies every two weeks when a TV, furniture, or an appliance falls on him." The solution is easy and inexpensive - tip-over straps and anchors can be purchased for as little as $15.

Rock Climbing With a Toddler on Your Back: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding Me?

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:21:11 PST

For Menna Pritchard, rock climbing, hiking, and surfing are a way of life -and she isn't going to let a lil thing like a baby get in her way of a great adventure. The single mama is at the center of a storm of controversy since turning to Facebook to post a photo of herself rock-climbing with her daughter Ffion, 2, strapped to her back. In the image, mama Menna is wearing a helmet for protection, but lil Ffion is not. When fellow moms questioned her decision, she told the BBC:

The route I was climbing with Ffion [at Three Cliffs], there was no risk of any rock fall. I knew 100 percent it was safe. The person below me was very competent, I had a mountain climbing instructor there too and I'm pretty confident of my own competence. I was top-roping (which prevents a climber from falling down the cliff surface), which is very safe.

The babywearing advocate spends a significant amount of time blogging on her personal blog, Per Ardua Ad Alta, about her adventures, many of which include having her daughter riding on her back.

What do you think?

Source: Per Ardua Ad Alta

Behind The Wheel: The Best Cars for Families

LilSugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:23:31 PST

As parents, we all want the safest, most secure way of transporting our families from point A to point B. If the car is good-looking, well that's just a bonus. So when U.S. News Best Cars released its 2012 Best Cars for Families Awards earlier today, we couldn't wait to share the results.

Check out the highlights, and let us know - how does your family get around? Do you agree with these rankings?

Old Dog, New Tricks: 8 Tips on Caring For Aging Pets

Sara Yoo — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:00:00 PST

As the parent of a 12-year-old Parson Russell Terrier, I've been fortunate to watch Lily age gracefully into her twilight years while maintaining much of her spunk and agility. But each day I encounter clear signals that she's achieved senior citizen status: the onset of cataracts makes her timid around now-blurry strangers, and bathroom breaks are a frequent necessity (or so our carpet has learned the hard way). We remember fondly the tiny creatures we welcomed into our homes years ago, but the reality is that their bodies and minds are changing, and so too must their lifestyles. Here are a few tips to help ensure that your geriatric animal pals stay healthy and happy.

Sit and be fit. You may notice that your furry friend is less active these days. Understand that - just like grandpa - your pet is feeling his age, but this development does not excuse him from exercise. For dogs, daily walks relieve stiffness and limber up arthritic joints, but be prepared to turn for home when he exhibits signs of fatigue. Keep his reflexes sharp with a game of fetch or catch-the-laser-pointer, but tailor sessions to his mobility and energy limits.

Read on for more tips.

6 Tips For Buying Safe Toys This Holiday Season

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:31:58 PST

There's more to picking a tot's holiday gift than meets the eye! Sure, we go into the store armed with lists of toys that will make our lil ones grin ear to ear, but smart mamas know there's still more work to be done. Before putting a toy in your cart and moving on, be sure it is safe for the intended recipient. From what to look for on the box to which toys to avoid, follow our tips to ensure you're bringing the safest gifts into your home!

4 Cyber Monday Safety Tips You Should Know

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:11:40 PST

Cyber Monday is almost here, and if you're sitting at your desk cruising the sales right now, beware: dangerous viruses abound. Now that you're in shopping mode, a few reminders can go a long way to keeping your identity and computers safe from virtual disaster.

Beware of unknown links - Just because something shows up in your inbox or on your Facebook wall doesn't mean it's not spam. If you don't know where the link came from (or it looks suspicious), don't click!
Don't give out user names or passwords - If you've been asked to enter your user name and password anywhere else than a legit online store, back away slowly.

Check out the rest of our tips after the jump.

Five Tips to Keeping Your Child Safe While Shopping

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:07:00 PST

Packed parking lots and crowded stores aren't playgrounds for kids, but most parents have to take their tykes shopping at some point. To ensure your children's safety during trips to the mall - especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season - check out these simple tips that provide peace of mind.