“Avery was taken to St. John’s Hospital-Lebanon late last week after appearing lethargic and displaying what his family said were signs of a stomach ache. He was later moved to St. John’s Hospital-Springfield, and preliminary tests showed that he had contracted a rare bacterial infection, Cronobacter sakazakii, the newspaper reported. He died Sunday after being removed from life support.”

You can read more about the news story here.  Even though Wal-Mart subsequently pulled the batch of the powdered formula from more than 3,000 of its stores nationwide, the story got me thinking about why we should choose to breastfeed our infants over formula feed.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Medical Association (AMA), American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) all recommend breastfeeding as the best choice for all infants.  These organizations say the first 6 months of an infant’s life they should be breastfed exclusively, and they encourage breastfeeding for at least 12 months or longer, if possible.  The decision to breastfeed and for how long to breastfeed is a very personal choice, and while there may be certain medical considerations that limit the ability of a mother to breastfeed her infant, here are some of the top advantages to breastfeeding over formula feeding.

1. Infection-fighting

A nursing mother has special antibodies that her body produces for the purpose of passing them on to her baby. These antibodies are important for the baby’s immune system and protect the baby from certain viruses and diseases. It is said that breastfed babies contract fewer illnesses and have fewer hospitalizations than formula fed babies.

2. Nutrition and ease of digestion

There are vital minerals and vitamins present in breast milk that a newborn requires for nutritional health.  The attempted duplication of the natural ingredients of breast milk is being done by baby formula manufacturers everywhere. But how can you trust that your baby is getting all their nutritional needs met when the more complex substances of breast milk are too difficult for manufacturing, or have not yet been identified? The components of a mother’s breast milk are lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat; which all run easily through the young digestive system of a newborn.  It is known that breast-fed babies have fewer instances of diarrhea and constipation.

3. Cost

Breast milk is the only food we can produce with our own bodies, as humans, so it is completely free.  Alternatively, the cost of baby formula certainly adds up.  In addition, with the many antibodies and vitamins that the breast fed baby gets, there will undoubtedly be fewer trips to the doctor which means fewer hospital bills, and less money spent on prescriptions and over the counter medications.

4. Taste

Breast milk will taste differently depending upon what the nursing mother has eaten.  This will allow the baby to be introduced to different flavors and tastes right from the start.  This could also deepen the connection between the mother and baby by allowing the mother to identify which foods she can eat that the baby likes and reacts positively to when nursing, and which foods the baby reacts negatively to that she can avoid.

5. Convenience

A nursing mother can be active and on the run without having to worry about preparing a bottle whenever her baby becomes hungry.  Breast milk is fresh and easily available whenever, wherever mom may be.

6. IQ

Studies suggest that children who were exclusively breastfed have higher IQs than children who were formula fed.

7. Contact

The skin-to-skin contact between a nursing mother and baby is like no other.  It is safe to say that an emotional connection is made during this special time in a baby’s life, and not to mention, the mother’s life.

8. Beneficial for Mom

In addition to the emotional satisfaction that breastfeeding brings the mother, studies show that breastfeeding helps lower the risk of diseases like breast cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.  It may also help decrease the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer in nursing mothers.

I absolutely love this first one, probably because it’s crazy, colorful and just plain fun. On the down side, I can easily see this baby, in less than a year, freaking out from a few of the creepy faces staring at him (her?)  while drifting off to sleep.

What little princess wouldn’t want to lay her head down in this spectacular crib that includes what appears to be storage and a changing table? I like the blocks on the wall, too, which might be clever cabinets to store baby books and toys, or simply delightful decor.

Too bad babies can’t really appreciate the splendor in which their parents place them for naps and night-night. The cradle below looks like pure steampunk to me. I’m a huge fan of the steampunk movement–crazy about the attire and the jewelry! Steampunk is a literary (think Jules Verne and H.G. Wells) and film subgenre of science fiction and fantasy that features advanced machines and other technology based on steampower of the 19th century and takes place in a recognizable historical period or fantasy world. This subgenre has inspired a subculture brimming with fashions, jewelry and gadgets as unique as anything you’ve ever seen.  Devotees often choose  steampunk for their wedding style, and when the time comes, this is the cradle I imagine those couples would choose.

Notice the retro simplicity of this next crib. I see it as a contemporary version of Cinderella’s ride to the ball, a magical pumpkin carriage conjured up by her fairy godmother. (I’m still waiting for my fairy godmother to show up…)

Here’s a crib for parents who like to cut corners. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) I wonder if there are any advantages, other than impressing people with your unique sense of style, to having a round crib.  At the very least, it’s got to be tough to find sheets for this beauty.

I picked this last one because of its style and functionality. It starts out as a bassinet, converts into a crib, and ends its shelf life as a youth bed.  I must say,  judging from the photo, that the young boy looks as if he would be a bit cramped in the bed, but it’s hard to tell.  Gotta go now. Time for my nap…

Rub-a-dub-dub, how’s this for a tub?

I like the sleek lines and the stand that lets you give baby a bath anywhere you want. It’s called Bato by Hoppop, and it comes in bright aqua and lime, too!

Updated Duckies!

A plain, yellow bathtub duckie apparently won’t cut it when it comes to an over-the-top tub. Fortunately, our beloved bath toy has gotten a top-to-bottom make-over. They actually look a little happier, don’t they?

The ducks you see here are by Bud by Design, and this is only a few of the colors and designs the company offers.

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Fashionable Flouncing and Bouncing…

Looks like a contemporary lounge chair you might find in one of those ultra-modern, upscale Park Avenue flats, but no. It’s just the nextgen bouncer where babies can expend their endless energy. Called the Coco Lounger, the bouncer is safe and comfy, and it comes in clear plexiglass, white wood, natural wood, dark wood and a variety of seat colors.

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Hi, Chair!

This high-fashion feeding station from Svan is environmentally friendly and ergonomic. As you can see from the photo, the chair can be adjusted as the child grows. Pretty nifty! The chair comes in several wood colors, and you can buy cushions for it in colors to match your decor!

Lighten Up and Brighten Up!

I love these! They’re called “Twist-Together” lamps by The Twist-Together Company, and you can arrange them in any number and color combination you’d like.  They’d be absolutely adorable in a nursery decorated in primary colors. In the photos I’ve seen, the light is diffused—providing just a small amount light when baby sleeps.

Even teens, college students and homeowners with a lively sense of style might find these illuminating fun! Like all the items I’ve included, the lamps are available online and at a number of stores.

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When the Going Gets Tough…

It’s nice to have a comfy chair to get going in. I was quite taken with the Potty Bench from Boon, Inc.  The toilet trainer has some cool features–the sturdy drawer slides out for fast, leak-free, easy clean-up.  Close the lid and the whole thing turns into a large step stool. It even comes with a built-in toilet paper holder and removable, soft deflector shield that flexes where it counts.

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Speaking of going, I must, because I have all kinds of baby stuff to check out before we meet again! Have fun until next time!

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Please Read On…

Kids who go to bed early and get up early are less likely to become obese than those who do not, according to an Australian study released Friday.

Children who went to bed late and got up late were 1.5 times more likely to become obese than those who went to bed early and got up early, researchers from the University of South Australia found.

Kids who stayed up late were also almost twice as likely to be physically inactive and 2.9 times more likely to sit in front of the TV or play video games for more hours than guidelines recommend.

It Makes Sense

The researchers concluded that mornings were more conducive to physical activity than nights, as kids were often distracted with prime-time TV and other sedentary activities in the evening. Sound familiar? If we’re going to turn this childhood-obesity problem around, we need parents to care enough about the well-being of their kids to step up their parenting when it comes to nutrition and physical activity.

Make It A Family Affair

“It” is healthy eating and exercise. You’re in control of what your kids (newborn to teens, at least) eat and, to a great extent, how they spend their time.  Involve your kids in meal preparation; let them help you find healthy recipes they think they’d like. Engage them in the kitchen and talk about good nutrition. Remind them of the consequences of poor eating habits (but not at the expense of others who are dealing with the problem), encourage them to try new, healthy options for snacks. Take walks as a family in the evenings. Hold games and relay races for kids in your neighborhood; get other parents to participate in organizing. Not only will you know what your kids are up to in the afternoons and evenings, you’ll also know the activity is good for them! Resistant kids? What a surprise. Just remind yourself who’s the parent…

Starting from Birth

In an earlier post, I offered this recommendation from recent British government studies:

For babies who can’t walk yet, the government says physical activity should be encouraged from birth, including infants playing on their stomach and swimming sessions with their parents.

That gets babies moving, and Corner Stork is here to help in the “sleep” department (not that newborns don’t get plenty of sleep!) You’ll find lots of adorable sleep-time layette sets among our Baby Clothes, including the ultra-adorable “Big Dreamzzz” Baby MD (a great Halloween costume, too!) Get your children into good sleeping, eating and exercise habits, and, throughout their lives, they’ll require fewer MD visits! Happy Hump Day!

Don’t you love the detail on Baby Pilot–the goggles on the retro pilot’s cap, the stripes on the sleeves, the wings on the front, and those snappy black boots? If the new parents are commercial or military pilots, aviation enthusiasts, flight attendants, frequent flyers, or simply a couple who appreciates the cutest in baby clothes, this is a “dreamzzz” come true!

Mais Oui, Mon Amie!

From the spectacular City of Lights, allow me to present Monsieur leSqueak and Blankie Fantastique! Monsieur leSqueak is a happily huggable plush mouse, and he’s holding a blanket designed to look like Swiss cheese.  Kudos to the visionary artists at Baby Aspen for continually coming up with extraordinary gift designs that make you want to be there when the parents open the gift,  so you can see the looks on their faces! You’ll know instantly how much they love your gift!

Inspired by Animal Planet?

Baby Aspen designers have always been wild about animals, and their fall launch maintains the tradition. (See mouse above.) From oceans to ponds, from jungles to forests, and everything in between, no animal escapes the keen eyes of those artists. Not long ago, they even made terry robe inspired by a toothy shark. (You’ll find “Let the Fin Begin” Hooded Terry Shark Robe in pink and blue on our site!) They just added the “sLEAPY Baby” Frog Snuggle Sack to their critter-cute collection of snuggle sacks. That’s it on the left.  Snuggle sacks are a super alternative to blankets for sleeping babies, and these cozy sacks let them snooze in style!

Did you catch the detail–a little pink tongue with elastic inside so it stretches! They really think of everything, don’t they! Just one more gift to show you–this one is for a tiny tot’s tootsies! It’s called “Safari Socks”, and the gift set has four pairs of animal-print baby socks. Like other Baby Aspen gifts, the socks are fashionable, fun and, best of all, affordable! Check them out in the photo below, and then go check them out on Corner Stork! Remember to have fun today!

Just for Mom

According to the hostess, when the baby comes, mommy’s life changes forever.  She’s no longer “Lisa”, but immediately becomes “Tyler’s Mom” for the rest of her life.  In just a few months, everything will be all about the baby, so a maternity tea is an opportunity to keep the focus on Mom–she is doing all the work by the way!  Nurturing the little one inside of her, doing everything she can to keep herself healthy and on track, and learning how to become a first-time Mom, she deserves to be celebrated.  It was a special time for us to rejoice with her over the pregnancy, and it was truly all about her!

What we did

Because it was a traditional ladies’ tea, we arrived to the home and the smell of fresh baked scones and muffins greeted us at the door.  The tables were dressed with an array of faux china, flowers and decorative touches.  Amidst the girl talk, we were served delightfully warm bread and dressed it with a fabulous selection of jams, spreads, lemon curd, Devonshire cream and more.  The one little girl in attendance reminded us to lift our pinkie finger when we drank our tea.  She knew this because this was her third tea party this year!  Everyone joined in on the fun as we enjoyed our next course of cucumber, salmon and chicken salad finger sandwiches followed by a round of fresh-baked tea cakes (or cookies).  Scrumptious!

Shower her with gifts

After the meal, we retired to the parlor where the honoree opened her gifts.  There were no baby booties, diapers or baby gifts in the bunch–only items just for her!  We oohed and aahed over the cute blue jean maternity skirts, pants and sassy tops she received from the guests.  She even got some cocoa butter to help with those pesky stretch marks.  Yes, we celebrated her in good fashion.  We were so happy to be with our first-time mom and share this special time with her.

Our take aways

Not only did we leave there feeling quite girly and giddy at the thought of such a special celebration, we also received goodie bags with pomegranate tea and mason jars filled with red velvet cake.  Yum!  Personalized with “Alexis’ Maternity Tea” and the date on the lid, it was the perfect end to a sweet beginning in her life.

Congratulations Alexis!  If you’d like to plan a Maternity Tea for your mommy to be, consider including one of these tea time favors.

Why the Lie?

Did Beyonce and Jay-Z think people wouldn’t be over-the-moon happy for them if they announced her pregnancy when she didn’t have much to show for it? Does drama have to be added to every celebrity’s life to keep them in the headlines? Wouldn’t the headline “Beyonce is Pregnant!” become overshadowed by the headline that reads, “Beyonce Fakes Baby Bump!”? In today’s world, when people–especially celebrities (including politicians)–are under a public microscope 24/7, why would you set yourself up for a fall (i.e. being caught in a lie, no matter how harmless)? The only reason I can muster is the old adage, “Bad publicity is better than no publicity at all.”

I Still Don’t Get It

Since when does Beyonce have trouble getting positive publicity? Even with no belly showing, her fans would have been thrilled to learn she’s going to be a mother.  For me, this whole charade reinforces the sad truth about today’s technology- and social media-driven world–we can no longer believe anything we see or hear in the media. Photoshop, film and TV technology (which produces some extraordinary movies for which we willingly suspend our disbelief), lie upon lie and audience manipulation from once-credible news agencies and, of course, the empty promises of politicians have created a world where nothing we see or hear can be trusted.

The Truth About Reality Shows

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I think you probably already know this. They’re scripted. The fights, the drama, all the issues–scripted for the most part.  Otherwise, you wouldn’t watch.  Even some of the drama on shows like “American Idol” and “Dancing With the Stars” is contrived to make “reality” more interesting to the viewers. Will that stop me from watching “American Idol” or “Dancing With the Stars”? Of course not.  I just ignore the drama and take the heartbreaking back stories for what I know they’re worth.

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Back to Beyonce

As with anything I see or hear in the media, I have no idea if the story of her bogus baby bump is true. And in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter to me one way or the other. We all believe what we want to believe, nothing more. Nothing less. Here’s something I do believe…

Beyonce and Jay-Z’’s baby will be a media darling. Even if she did attempt to fake us out, we’re tickled blue that she’s having a baby boy, and he’ll be showered with baby boy gifts! If you’re a fan and want to get “little Z” a gift, choose something sensational from The Corner Stork, one of the best online baby gift sites around! And that’s the truth!

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We’re thrilled to announce that the winner of our 6th Anniversary $66 Giveaway is Rita! Congratulations, Rita! I’ll be in touch with you today to tell you how to access your gift certificate! Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

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Let it now also be said, “The Mom that Writes the Blog Rules the Web.”

It’s true! As early as 2009, mom bloggers were one of the fastest growing, most powerful groups, both online and offline. Today, they dominate.  If you’re a mom who writes a blog, I tip my hat! If you’re a mom without a blog, here’s why you should start one:

• It’s a fabulous place to vent your feelings. You can pour your emotions into your writing–just take care not to throw your family and friends under the bus.
• Connect with other moms on an intellectual and supportive level–give and receive advice and good ideas about anything, like parenting, the environment, couponing, travel, food, fashion. It’s a way to express your personal passion!
• You realize you’re not alone in experiencing life’s ups and downs.
• It’s an opportunity to be creative.
• You have the potential to help thousands of other women with a single post.
• Your blog can become an additional income stream!

Oh, and it’s free!

As you can tell, I’m still reeling from the amazing weekend I had at the BlogHer ‘11 conference in San Diego! Mom bloggers seemed to be the biggest bunch, and I’m happy  to say, I met a lot of them. You’d be in awesome company! I found this page at EverythingMom.com (http://tinyurl.com/yab6v72) that will take you through the steps to start your own blog.

Lots of mom bloggers do product reviews, and here at Corner Stork, we have hundreds of products for you to review! And we do lots of giveaways on mom blog sites to help you give your readers an opportunity for free stuff!

If you’re a budding mom blogger, let me know, and I’ll either send you a product for review, provide a product for a giveaway and/or write a guest post for you about trends and new products on the market, among other things! Speaking of new products, Baby Aspen (our absolute favorite, unique baby gifts designer and manufacturer) will be launching some outstanding new sleeps sets, snuggle sacks and socks sets in September.  We can’t wait, and we promise–as soon as they launch, YOU will be the first to know—because I’ll be writing a blog post!  Here’s a hint about Baby Aspen’s new addition to their “Big Dreamzzz” PJs collection:

Zooooooooooooom!

You’ll just have to come back to see what’s cookin’!

A Giveaway for the Baby-Gift Gourmet!

To show our appreciation, we’re giving away a $66 gift certificate for anything on the Corner Stork web site! All you have to do is go to Corner Stork Baby Gifts, browse the site, find your absolute favorite baby gift, come back to our blog and tell us why you like it in the “Comment” section–you’ll find it at the end of the tag list at the bottom of the post.  Be sure to include your email address, so we can contact you if you win. We’re extending the contest! It now ends at midnight, August 31. We’ll announce the winner the following Monday. Feel free to spread the word, too!

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We Do It All For You!

You’re the reason we’re here. From the beginning, the Corner Stork has offered very best in affordable gifts, easy site navigation and stellar customer service because you deserve nothing less. On behalf of everyone here in the stork’s nest, I’d like to thank you for shopping with us and making Corner Stork one of the most popular baby gift sites on the ‘Net. Just one baby’s smile makes it all worthwhile!