Am I alone, or is it shocking to anyone else that crib manufacturers can’t yet design safe cribs? Over 2 million cribs were recalled today (see list below) which makes me wonder, how hard could it possibly be to fuse four walls to a bottom base without creating a

deathtrap for children?

Nearly half of these cribs were manufactured 10 years ago. This means that hundreds of thousands of kids slept in these cribs for a decade before they were finally recalled.

• Bonavita, Babi Italia and ISSI Drop-Side Cribs Recalled (about 306,000 units)
• Bexco Enterprises, Inc., d.b.a. Million Dollar Baby Cribs Recalled (about 156,000 units)
• Simmons Juvenile Products Cribs Recalled (about 50,000 units)
• Jardine Drop-Side Cribs Recalled (about 130,000 units)
• Evenflo Recalls Drop-Side Cribs (about 750,000 units)
• Delta Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs (about 747,000 units)
• Child Craft Brand Drop-Side Cribs Recalled (number unknown)
• Child Craft brand “Crib ‘N’ Double Bed” full size stationary-side cribs with dowel (about 40,000-50,000 units)

I’ll admit that I’ve run out of useful things to say about this topic after covering recalls on millions of cribs through the years and would love to hear what you think. Are we sacrificing safety for style, or is this the result of a major product testing/certification problem? Some feel we need to ban drop-side cribs, but truth be told…we can’t even depend on stationary-side cribs (see today’s Child Craft recall). Thanks for visiting baby fans, and don’t forget to leave your comments in the text box below!

Have fun and stay healthy,

Dr.MOZ

Most of my recall notices are posted at Dr.MOZ’s Twitter page, but I wanted to supply an image for today’s warning because I know a lot of you are using Klean Kanteen products. In cooperation with the CPSC, Klean Kanteen announced a Sport Cap 2.0 recall which has

received six consumer reports relating to breaking or cracking after being dropped. This could pose a possible choking or ingestion hazard, so Klean Kanteen (manufacturer note) and the CPSC (official posting) ask that you stop using the affected spout and join their replacement program to receive a new spout.

As shown above, the Sport Cap 2.0 water bottle spouts are made of black plastic and have an attachment loop. “Klean Kanteen” is stamped into the side of the cap. Potentially dangerous spouts are “polished/shiny” (see above), but their replacement spouts which are safe to use are “matt/dull” and can be identified in stores by a round silver sticker on the packaging. Thanks to Klean Kanteen’s proactive response, no injuries have been reported.

Have fun and stay healthy,

Dr.MOZ

Two recall warnings were released by the CPSC today, so I wanted to help spread the word because the crib is responsible for three infant deaths. Please follow the links below to learn more if either product looks familiar.

• Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” drop side crib brands recalled (Three Infant Deaths Reported): Due to the fact that Generation 2 went out of business in 2005, CPSC has limited information about the cribs. Although CPSC does not know the total number of units distributed or the years of production, it is believed that there were more than 500,000 of these cribs sold to consumers. (see more)
• Innovage LLC recalls Discovery Kids lamps due to fire and burn hazards: A defect in the lamp’s printed circuit board can cause an electrical short, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. This recall involves the Discovery Kids(tm) Animated Marine Lamp with model number 1627121 or 1628626 and the Animated Safari Lamp with model number 1627124 or 1628626. (see more)

That’s it for today everyone. Please let me know if you have additional recall information from the last 48 hours by posting it in the comment box below.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

There was yet another stroller recall in today’s involved the Ruby, Onyx, and Topaz models of CYBEX umbrella strollers. The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is folding and unfolding the stroller.

Owners of these strollers in the US and Canada are urged to stop using the strollers and contact Regal Lager to receive a free hinge cover.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

Although I’d prefer to highlight quality baby products, the CPSC has released two major recalls in the last 24 hours which shouldn’t be overlooked including:

• Graco Recalls Strollers (1.5 million units, due to fingertip amputation and laceration hazards): The hinges on the stroller’s canopy pose a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is opening or closing the canopy. This recall involves Graco Passage™, Alano™, and Spree™ Strollers and Travel Systems with the following model numbers and specific hinge mechanisms (recalled models)
• Dorel Asia Cribs Recalled (635,000 units, due to strangulation and suffocation hazard): One infant death reported, 10 injuries to infant. The drop side hardware can fail causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches it creates a space in which an infant or toddler can become entrapped and suffocate or strangle.  (recalled models)

Be sure to check the model numbers if you use Graco strollers or Dorel Asia cribs because there were far too many recalled styles to fit into our graphic above.

Have fun and stay healthy,

Dr.MOZ

Two recalls were released by the CPSC today, so I wanted to give them a quick post because one covers 213,000 units sold in some of the largest retailers in the country. Today’s recall warnings include:

• Wooden Toys Recalled by Kendamaspot: Violation of lead paint ban -> 300 units sold through Kendamaspot’s website and cultural festivals in Washington state from July 08 – Apr 09.

• Safety 1st Disney Care Center™ Play Yard and Eddie Bauer Complete Care Play Yard by Dorel Juvenile group: Risk of suffocation or positional asphyxiation -> 213,000 units sold at Babies “R” Us, Kmart, Sears, Target and Walmart from Jan 07 through Oct 09 for $100 to $130.

There were far too many play yards to fit into the graphic, so please click on the links to view the entire list of products.

Have fun and stay healthy,

Dr.MOZ

Infant entrapment and suffocation prompted Stork Craft to recall over 2.1 million drop-side cribs including 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo this Monday, November 23rd.

According to the CPSC,

“The cribs’ drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

Major retailers in the United States and Canada sold the recalled cribs including BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400. “

This recall involves Stork Craft drop-side cribs and Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. This does not involve cribs with metal rod drop-side hardware. It involves only those cribs with plastic trigger and one-hand-system drop-side hardware.

Please stop using the recalled cribs immediately and contact Stork Craft toll-free at (877) 274-0277 for the free repair kit, or learn more online at www.storkcraft.com.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

> see official recall post at CPSC.gov

I hate to start the week out with a recall warning, but today’s Maclaren recall includes approximately one million units so I wanted to help get the word out. Maclaren has received 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States due to a hinge mechanism in the following models of single and double umbrella strollers sold from 1999 through November

2009 for $100-$360:

Maclaren Models

Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno, and Easy Traveller

Customers are asked to immediately stop using the mentioned strollers and contact Maclaren USA toll free at 877-688-2326 (Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm ET) or visit www.maclaren.us/recall.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

> also see: Maclaren Stroller Recall CPSC

I don’t normally post recalls for products with limited regional distribution, but technically this is a “CPSC warning” and not a standard recall. You are probably wondering what the difference is, and I’ll admit that I’m a little confused myself. Apparently, 16,500 “My Baby Soother” pacifiers distributed by T & L Trading Corp of Brooklyn, NY failed to meet federal

safety standards. The CPSC says that the nipples can easily separate from the base posing a choking hazard. When asked to recall the dangerous products T & L Trading Corp said “fugetaboutit“.

I kid you not…the distributor actually refused to recall the dangerous pacifiers sold throughout discount stores, grocery stores, and delis in Bronx, Brooklyn, Broadway, and Coney Island from August 2007 through July 2009 for around $1.00. The CPSC’s description and directions:

“The “My Baby Soother” pacifier has a ring-shaped handle and a blue, pink, red, white or yellow heart-shaped mouth guard with two ventilation holes. The nipple is made of either silicon or latex. The pacifier package has the words “My Baby Soother” printed on the top and a picture of an infant on the background.

Distributors and retailers who purchased the “My Baby Soother” pacifiers from T & L Trading should immediately stop distributing the pacifier and call CPSC at (800) 638-2772. Consumers should immediately take the recalled pacifiers away from infants and toddlers and discard them.“

It’s anyone’s guess what the distributors of these pacifiers are thinking, but I think it’s safe to say that their career in the baby business (and any other business) will soon be over.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

> see full warning on CPSC’s website

Plum Organics voluntarily recalled a small number of 4.22 oz Apple and Carrot Baby Food in Portable Pouches sold individually at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us locations nationwide.  Please return any package of Plum Organics Apple and Carrot baby food with the numbers “890180001221” located at the bottom of the package. A mixing error was

blamed for the recall (increasing the risk of botulism), but no illnesses were reported at the time this post was released.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

And now for the latest in baby events from product recalls to celebrity baby news!

- Children’s and Infants’ Tylenol Recalls: A variety of Children’s and Infants’ Tylenol products have been recalled due to ingredients not meeting quality standards. (full product/lot list here)

- Unplug and Speak to your Kids: Jane Brody explains the importance of speaking to

children during the early developmental years (more at NY Times)

- Baby Daisy: Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men, Duckie in Pretty in Pink) and wife Lisa Joyner adopt a baby girl “Daisy” born on August 11th. (more at Houston Chronicle)

- Don’t Babysit the Neighbors?: A Michigan woman received a letter from the state Department of Human Services warning her not to continue  babysitting her neighbors’ kids for free. (more at AP)

- Powder Formula Recalled: Nationwide voluntary product recall of Neocate Infant Specialized Formula (more at PR Newswire)

Let me know what you think about the recent baby news by clicking on the comments bubble to open the text box below!

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

This week in baby news!

• No Booties, No Service: A Burger King in Missouri asked a baby, mother, and grandmother to leave the restaurant because the six-month-old baby wasn’t wearing shoes. (more at CNN video)
• Mother Puts Baby Naming Rights on Ebay: A women expecting her seventh child puts the naming rights up for auction on eBay. At the time of this post, the bid was up to $2,700 (eBay link) with two more days remaining for…(more at NECN.com)

• Breastfeeding Doll Creates Debate: Although it’s not yet sold in the US, a doll called the Bebe Gloton which allows girls to simulate breastfeeding is causing a huge debate with parents…(more at Chicago Sun-Times)
• Colic Discovery: Researchers recently found a connection between colic and the  bacterium Klebsiella which could be causing…(more at US News and World Report)
• Product Recalls: Three additional products sold in Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart.com and other online retailers were recalled by the CPSC…(more on Twitter)
• Craigslist Baby Scam: A mother in Massachusetts learns that a picture of her baby was removed from the family blog and was used in an international adoption scam on Craigslist…(more at SFGate.com)

Did I miss anything that should have been included in this week’s baby news announcements? If so, share your baby scoop with the rest of us using the comment box below.

Have a great weekend!

Dr.MOZ