Great Expectations: Baby’s First Year

Shopping online for baby products, toys, and clothes can be fun. It’s certainly convenient to have boxes delivered to your door like birthday presents, but you may want to compare product prices with local stores and especially the megastore chains. Sometimes online sales from big retailers with Web sites can be a great way to save on baby clothes and gear, but by the time you factor in the shipping costs, you may come out even or even a little ahead by buying things locally. It’s easy to impulse-shop late at night on the Internet, so pause and take time to consider whether you really need (or can afford) the product or adorable baby outfit before you push the “buy” button. Here are some important tips for safe Internet shopping:

• Check the site’s return policy. Make sure you know the order-cancellation and product-return policies of Internet retailers before ordering anything for your baby. If you can’t return the product within a reasonable amount of time, then you may end up stuck with a product you discover you don’t need.

• Don’t back-order. If the product isn’t available for immediate shipment, it’s possible that you could face a long delay in getting it, and that could translate into your baby outgrowing the need for it or your finding something more suitable before it finally arrives.

• Order from well-known sites. Businesses come and go rapidly on the Internet, and unless the company is well-established, you stand the risk of being ripped off if the site shuts down or isn’t reliable.

• Nix e-mail advertising. Watch carefully when you enter your ordering information: The site may ask if you’d like to receive “special offers,” which basically translates into a constant barrage of ads in the year ahead that only serve to junk up your mailbox. Chances are the “agree” box will already be checked to say “yes,” and you’ll have to manually uncheck it.

• Know model numbers and compare prices. A single manufacturer may offer a variety of products that go by the same brand name but with different model numbers. So even though you believe you’re buying the top-of-the line model, you may be shipped a stripped-down version that lacks the accessories you were expecting. Your best protection is to know the exact model number you’re seeking and to take the time to query the site through its “contact us” feature or its toll-free telephone number before making the purchase if you’re unsure about what you’re getting.

• Exercise caution when ordering used products. Although eBay and other resale outlets for used products can help you save a lot of money over what new products cost, there are risks involved in buying some used baby products. Sometimes flaws may be hard to detect from looking at a photo or reading vendors’ descriptions. A crib could be compromised by worn screw threads, loose side-release mechanisms, or loosened bars, all of which could be life threatening if the crib components fail. A car seat could have been in fender-bender and have invisible cracks in its frame or frayed seat belts that compromise its safety. A stroller may have a misaligned frame from being processed as airline baggage. For big-ticket items, it’s best to buy new, or to thoroughly inspect the products in person before purchasing them—something you can’t do online.

• Keep records. Print your order from the screen as soon as you place it, and also keep a copy of the receipt posted to your e-mail address. Write down the date of your order and the customer service telephone number before you exit the ordering process. Contact customer service by e-mail or by telephone if your order doesn’t arrive within a reasonable amount of time.

• Lower your credit card risks. Use a single card for all of your online charges to make it easier to spot unauthorized or fraudulent charges. Legitimate vendors don’t ask for credit card information via unprotected e-mail, so never respond to requests for your charge card numbers or other vital information, and report the spam to your Internet service provider.

• Don’t be scammed. If you do fall for a bogus request for your credit card number or other identifying information, you are at risk for having your identity stolen. Identity thieves work very quickly. Contact your credit card company immediately to request a new card, and also contact the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Response Center (877-382-4357) for information on protecting yourself and your rights.

• Manage junk mail. If you don’t want to be inundated with junk mail proffering everything from baby formula to infant life insurance, then exercise caution when giving away your e-mail address when you sign up to join online parenting “clubs,” and don’t give away your phone number unless you want dinnertime solicitation calls. Still, if putting down some personal information is the only way to start being interactive on bulletin boards and chat rooms, the extra hassle may be worth the cost. A good strategy is to maintain two (or more) separate e-mail addresses—one for your “real” email, and the other as a destination for solicitations that you periodically visit in order to weed out unwanted messages.

Sometimes sites close. The Internet listings and reviews below were current at the time our manuscript was completed. If you encounter a dead link, conduct a keyword search using your favorite search engine (Google, Yahoo, etc.). If we’ve missed any of your favorite sites, or you’re with an organization that would like to have its address listed here, please write us in care of our publisher and we will try to include your address in the next edition of our book.

Babies and Parents with Disabilities

NAME	DESCRIPTION	WEB ADDRESS
American Foundation for the Blind	Help for parents with visually handicapped babies, a great review of stimulating baby toys.	www.afb.org
American Lung Association	Helpful information on lung disorders in babies and children, including asthma and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).	www.lungusa.org
American Sickle Cell Anemia Association	Nonprofit organization that provides counseling, tracking, and support services for infants who screen positive for or have this inherited disorder.	www.ascaa.org
Association for Retarded Citizens	Offers a state-by-state resource guide on benefits, support, and services for families raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.	www.thearc.org
Autism Society of America	Information, over 700 links to other sites, resources, and local chapter listings for parents of autistic children.	www.autism-society.org
Center for the Study of Autism	Huge resource on autism and related disorders, including links to other sites.	www.autism.org
Cleft Palate Foundation	Offers research updates, support sources, and links for children and adults affected by facial birth defects.	www.cleftline.org
Disabled Parents Network (UK)	British network for disabled parents, offering support in pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.	www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk
Easter Seals	Focuses on disabilities with special advice for parents of babies with suspected developmental delays.	www.easterseals.com
The Fathers Network	Sources and support for fathers of babies and children with disabilities.	www.fathersnetwork.org
First Signs	A superb site for help with early identification and information on intervention for babies and children with developmental delays and disorders. Includes a developmental checklist, “red flags” to look for during infancy, and a list of useful articles.	www.firstsigns.org
4MyChild	Provides resources and information for parents caring for children with special needs.	www.4mychild.com
Genetic Alliance	Information about genetic conditions, with support organizations and helpful links.	www.geneticalliance.org
Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center	Information on identifying hearing loss and language and speech development delays.	www.hsdc.org
Karolinska Institutet	A Swedish site offering links for information on congenital, hereditary, and neonatal diseases and abnormalities.	www.mic.ki.se/Diseases/C16.html
KidSource Online	“Newborns: Disabilities” contains a huge list of links and articles for parents.	www.kidsource.com
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation	A not-for-profit organization offering information on prematurity and birth defects, as well as suggestions on newborn feeding and vaccinations. Accepts questions by e-mail.	www.marchofdimes.com
Marion Downs National Center for Infant Hearing	This site from a national organization to support parents of babies and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing contains informative articles, links, and a parent support group locator.	www.colorado.edu/slhs/mdnc
National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM)	Contains valuable information on screening for hearing loss in newborns and state-by-state resources for parents.	www.infanthearing.org
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities	An information and referral center for babies and children with disabilities. Includes a state-by-state listing of resources.	www.nichcy.org
National Down Syndrome Society	The organization’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and to provide support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.	www.ndss.org
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center	Help and information on how to connect with the early intervention services provided for babies and toddlers through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).	www.nectac.org
Paramom	Practical hints and sharing for disabled pregnant and new moms.	www.paramom.com
Parents with Disabilities Online	Web site offers information, support, and further sources of help.	www.disabledparents.net
Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN)	A federally-funded source for finding out about ongoing research into rare diseases in the United States.	http://rarediseasesnetwork.epi.usf.edu
Shriners Hospitals for Children	A listing of Shriners hospitals that provide free care for qualifying children who have severe burns, orthopedic problems, and spinal cord injury. Includes links to other sites for these injuries and disabilities.	www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/_Hospitals_for_Children
Spina Bifida Association	An outreach and advocacy association that provides helpful information for parents and others living with spina bifida.	www.sbaa.org
United Cerebral Palsy	A leading source of information on cerebral palsy, with a collection of informative articles about CP in infancy.	www.ucp.org
Working Families (UK)	A British group that produces a newsletter for working parents with disabled children.	workingfamilies.org.uk (Helpline 0 11 44 20 76283578)
Baby loss
Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support, Inc.	Provides support for expectant and new parents experiencing pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and newborn death.	www.nationalshareoffice.com

Baby Products

NAME	DESCRIPTION	WEB ADDRESS
The Baby Catalog of America	Site offers top-quality, namebrand child safety products and baby safety products.	http://baby-safety-products.babycatalog.com
Car Seat Compatability Database	Supplies detailed information on car seats for infants and toddlers, including important carseat links and a compatibility database to help you in deciding what seat to buy.	www.carseatdata.org
Consumer Federation of America	A not-for-profit consumers’ organization concerned with product safety.	www.consumerfed.org
Consumer Reports	Site for Consumers Union. Provides free articles on baby products and subscription-only access to baby product ratings.	www.consumerreports.org
Safe & Secure Baby	A carefully chosen set of baby products including car seats and babyproofing devices.	www.safeandsecurebaby.com
Safe Beginnings	Provides safety products as well as parenting books and videos.	www.safebeginnings.com
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.	The best source on the Internet for getting information on carseat safety. Take a look at the technical section.	www.carseat.org
SeatCheck	A free locator for children’s carseat inspection services.	www.seatcheck.org
Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA)	The professional organization of toy manufacturers with toy safety tips.	www.toy-tia.org
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission	The official federal agency Web site, with current information on product recalls. There’s a section especially for kids, and you can sign up to receive recall e-mail alerts.	www.cpsc.gov
Amazon.com	The premiere site for finding products of all descriptions, including baby books, gear, clothing, diapers, and even lullaby CDs.	www.amazon.com
Ashford.com	Luxury baby items, including silver cups and spoons.	www.ashford.com
Babies-R-Us	Wide selection of baby products from this mega baby-gear retailer. Occasional specials or free shipping offers.	www.babiesrus.com
Baby Age	Large selection of baby products from cribs and bedding to strollers and car seats.	www.babyage.com
Baby and Me Boutique	Collection of upscale baby strollers and other products.	www.babyandmeboutique.com
Baby Ant	Classic and cute baby clothes and a collection of upscale baby gear.	www.babyant.com
Baby Because	Environmentally friendly baby products, including reusable diapers.	www.babybecause.com
Baby Bedding Town	Over 3,500 baby bedding sets as well as strollers and other baby equipment.	www.babybeddingtown.com
Baby Browns	Great selection of upscale designer diaper bags.	www.babybrowns.com
Baby Catalog	Large selection of baby products, including bedding, diaper bags, breast pumps, and other gear.	www.babycatalog.com
Baby CZ by Carolina Zapf	Luxury baby wear in cashmere, velvet, and cotton.	www.babycz.com
Baby Geared	Urbane and very sophisticated (think: expensive) baby items, including imported baby wear, carriers and furniture.	www.babygear.com
Baby Goes Vintage	Charming wall hangings, onesies, and nursery accessories drawn from yesteryear.	www.babygoesvintage.com
The Baby Joint	Notable for its dad gear and huge selection of bassinets.	www.thebabyjoint.com
Baby Mine Store	Organic cotton baby clothes.	www.babyminestore.com
Baby Outlet	A baby gear department store online.	www.thebabyoutlet.com
Baby Style	A huge selection of baby clothes and upscale, pricey baby products.	www.babystyle.com
Baby Universe	An online department store for a wide variety of baby products.	www.babyuniverse.com
Baby Zone	An online resource for new parents. Information on local events near you. Check out the “free stuff” tab.	www.babyzone.com
Best Dressed Kids	Adorable and affordable boy and girl clothes for the diaper set.	www.bestdressedkids.com
Blueberry Babies	Pricey baby fashions, personalized bibs, silver rattles, and other great gifts.	www.blueberrybabies.com
Buy Buy Baby	An online baby product source with a wide selection of items.	www.buybuybaby.com
Buy Costumes	Cute costumes for baby’s first Halloween.	www.buycostumes.com
The Children’s Place	A specialty children’s retailer with quality merchandise and accessories at a great value.	www.childrensplace.com
Comfi Cozi	Imprinted, colorful baby T-shirts and onesies, including “I crawl the line” and “iPood.”	www.comficozi.com
Diaperbags.com	Huge selection of name-brand and designer bags.	www.diaperbags.com
Distinctive Nurseries	Large collection of baby bedding, diaper bags, and nursery accessories.	www.distinctivenurseries.com
Dr. Toy’s Online Guide	The site for Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, a child development expert who oversees an annual, national rating for the best toys for babies and children.	www.drtoy.com
Drugstore.com	Anything you can find in a drugstore, you can order here, including disposable diapers, diaperrash creams, and baby nail clippers.	www.drugstore.com
eBags	A large variety of diaper bags as well as adult bags.	www.eBags.com
Eddie Bauer	Strollers, car seats, and diaper bags.	www.eddiebauer.com
Elegant Baby	The last word in fashionable baby duds.	www.elegantbabygifts.com
Epinions	The place to visit before you buy for the candid reviews of baby products from other parents.	www.epinions.com
Fisher-Price	Provides parents with an ageappropriate guide to toys; plus, information on developmental stages and play tips.	www.fisher-price.com
Gap	This well-known brand of mall shops offers baby and kids clothing online. Great sales plus free shipping and paid postage for returns.	www.gap.com
Genius Babies	If you have a penchant for baby stim and aspire to enhance your baby’s I.Q., this is the online toy source for you.	www.geniusbabies.com
GEODONKA	Another site specializing in educational toys, some for babies.	www.geodonka.com
Grammie’s Attic	Vintage and retro baby clothes, including rompers, pinafores, and sailor suits.	www.grammies-attic.com
Growing Tree Toys	Large collection of toys for infants through 2-year-olds and children.	www.growingtreetoys.com
Gymboree	Baby and child specialty clothing retailer as well as a variety of mom-and-baby classes covering childhood development, fitness, arts, music, and more.	www.gymboree.com
Hanna Andersson	Swedish-inspired, cotton-knit baby clothes in colorful patterns.	www.hannaandersson.com
In Fashion Kids	Boy and girl baby looks and first Halloween costumes.	www.infashionkids.com
IQ Kids	Full line of educational toys for infants and toddlers.	http://iqkids.net
Janie and Jack	Baby girl, boy, and unisex fashions.	www.janieandjack.com
JCPenney	Baby clothes and furniture. Occasional sales.	www.jcpenney.com
Katie’s Kisses	Source for a variety of reusable diapers and covers.	www.katieskisses.com
Kid’s Décor	Upscale baby products and photos of themed nursery rooms.	www.kidsdecor.net
The Kids Window	Chic European baby clothes worth drooling over.	www.thekidswindow.com
La La Ling	It’s what Hollywood babies are wearing, plus over-the-top leather diaper bags.	www.lalaling.com
Lands’ End	Excellent diaper bags plus quality baby clothes and carriers.	www.landsend.com
Lifesize Kids	Grown-up looks, like fitted jeans and miniature leather jackets for the 1-year-old who wants to step out.	http://www.ronrobinsoninc.com/lifesizekids
Lil Diaper Depot	Organic cotton and eco-friendly products especially for mom and baby.	www.lildiaperdepot.com
Little Girl Dresses	Christening gowns in preemie and full-sizes.	www.littlegirldresses.com
Macy’s	Baby Phat, Tommy Hilfiger, and other upscale-brand baby clothes.	www.macys.com
Madison and Friends	Trendy statements for baby boys and girls in bright colors and denims from well-known fashion lines.	www.madisonandfriends.com
Magic Moments	Gorgeous, old-fashioned christening gowns, bonnets, boy outfits, and rompers withm atching shoes.	www.magicmomentschristening.com
Malina	Luxury cashmere, silk, and cotton baby clothes in Euro-styles. Great bargains when there’s a sale.	www.malinas.com
My Little Ducks	An all-boy clothing site from birth onward.	www.mylittleducks.com
The Natural Baby Catalog	Quality organic cotton baby wear and diapers, plus leather shoes.	www.naturalbabycatalog.com
Nordstrom	Mall store online carries clothes and diaper bags, including upscale baby duds from Ralph Lauren and Little Me.	www.store.nordstrom.com
Old Navy	Mall store online offers great deals on infant and toddler gear.	www.oldnavy.com
One of a Kind Kid	Great collection of designer baby clothes, furniture, bedding, room décor, baby gear, and baby gifts.	www.oneofakindkid.com
One Step Ahead	A catalog and online store of carefully chosen baby products with an emphasis on uniqueness and quality.	www.onestepahead.com
Organic Bebe	Organic cotton baby clothing.	www.organicbebe.com
OshKosh B’Gosh	Sturdy overalls and T-shirts for babies and kids. Great sale items.	www.oshkoshbgosh.com
Puppet Universe	Puppets of all kinds, including foot puppets for babies.	www.puppetuniverse.com
Rattle & Roll	A boutique of upscale baby products.	www.rattleroll.com
Robeez	Adorable baby leather shoes.	www.robeez.com
Shower Your Baby	Large selection of baby gear items, including cribs, car seats, strollers, and nursery accessories.	www.showeryourbaby.com
Smarter Kids	A great source for buying agespecific baby toys.	www.smarterkids.com
Sugar Baby	Rocker baby duds, including miniature leather jackets and boots and imprinted tees.	www.sugarbabyonsunset.com
Target	The online destination for this huge retail chain that offers trendy baby clothes, products, furniture, and accessories.	www.target.com
Toys To Grow On	A great site for developmental toys that also offers birthday gift ideas.	www.toystogrowon.com
tot shop	Trendy, colorful baby duds for both boys and girls.	www.totshop.com
The Trendy Bébé	Huge selection of baby clothes for full-sized and preemie babies.	www.thetrendybaby.com
Trendy Chic	As its name implies, these are fashion duds for babies that come with a fat price tag.	www.trendychic.com
Tuesday’s Child	Costly designer-label clothing for infants and children, including names like Armani and Petit Bateau.	www.tuesdayschild.com
Tutti Bella	Very pricey, very adorable baby clothes in numerous patterns and colors.	www.tuttibella.com
2 Little Monkeys	Unique diaper bags, cribs, bedding, and other baby products.	www.2littlemonkeys.com
Wal-Mart	The big-box discounter offers baby clothing, cribs, and other gear online in more variety than most of its brick-and mortar stores.	www.walmart.com

Parenting Information and Online Communities

NAME	DESCRIPTION	WEB ADDRESS
ABCs of Parenting	A comprehensive source: directory of pregnancy, parenting, and child-care articles and Web sites. Categories include: child care, education, health, fatherhood, finance, nutrition, organizations, safety issues, product recalls, infertility, and online shopping. Access chat rooms, discussion boards, support groups, and family home pages.	www.parenting.com
The Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, Inc.	Information on the legal issues surrounding child support.	www.childsupportaces.org
Baby Center	The largest and most active information resource for parenting babies and toddlers.	www.BabyCenter.com
Baby Place	A starting point for information on pregnancy, birth, and babies.	www.baby-place.com
ChildCareAware	Information on finding child care, with instant referral to local child-care resources using zip codes.	www.childcareaware.org
Center for Early Education and Development	Contains a series of excellent articles on baby development.	www.education.umn.edu/CEED
The Compleat Mother	Information on breastfeeding, childbirth, and parenting.	www.compleatmother.com
Dr. Greene	Provides helpful information about how to care for your baby.	www.drgreene.com
Family and Home Network	Organization to support parents who elect to stay home to care for their babies and children.	www.familyandhome.org
GoCityKids	This site offers great things to do with baby and you when traveling to major cities.	www.gocitykids.com
The Happiest Baby	Dr. Harvey Karp’s site offers information and products to soothe crying, fussy, and/or colicky babies.	www.thehappiestbaby.com
HUGGIES Baby Network	Sponsored by HUGGIES^®, this commercial site contains numerous articles on parenting babies as well as message boards.	www.huggiesbabynework.com
iParenting Media	Recalls, parenting news, chatboards, experts, and “iParenting University” with subscription courses in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and baby care. Sponsored by Pregnancy and Baby Years magazines. Also available in Spanish.	www.iparenting.com
Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute	Sells a series of informative minibooks covering all phases of baby development.	www.jjpi.com
Mocha Moms Online	A support group for stay-athome mothers of color. Members participate in weekly meetings, potluck dinners, and community service projects.	www.mochamoms.org
National Child Care Information Center	Provides useful technical information for parents about early care and education. NCCIC partners with the Child Care Bureau.	www.nccic.org
National Network for Child Care	Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension system, this site offers informative articles about babies, including discussions of child-care issues and options.	www.nncc.org
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care & Early Education	Licensing requirements for child-care centers, state-bystate.	http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/states.htm
Parent Help Line	A Canadian, bilingual parenting support site that includes numerous links to organizations and services.	www.parentsinfo.sympatico.ca
Parenthood.com	A commercial site with hundreds of articles on parenting.	www.parenthood.com
Parents Action for Children	Great site for practical articles about babies and how they learn.	www.iamyourchild.org
Parents Place	A commercial site that is a branch of iVillage. Includes a fully loaded parenting section featuring articles, charts, message boards, and a newsletter option.	www.parentsplace.com
Parents Without Partners	A national organization of single parents with a locator for chapters all across the United States.	www.parentswithoutpartners.org
Pregnancy and Baby	A sponsored site with numerous articles on parenting and baby care.	www.pregnancyandbaby.com
Stroller Strides	Fitness/support group to help moms get back into shape after baby. Perfect for the mom who doesn’t have time for the gym.	www.strollerstrides.com
UrbanBaby	Offers local Web sites for major cities that include bulletin boards, calendars of events, local resources, and shopping information.	www.urbanbaby.com
ZERO TO THREE	A not-for-profit organization to promote the healthy development of babies and toddlers by supporting and strengthening families, communities, and those who work on their behalf. Great infant development information.	www.zerotothree.org

FEDERAL AGENCIES

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

DESCRIPTION	ADDRESS	CONTACT INFORMATION
Branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that regulates baby food and baby skin-care products. Site offers brochures on baby feeding and health.	5600 Fishers Lane Rockville MD 20857-0001	www.fda.gov 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)

Healthfinder

A federal Web site offering links to organizations, libraries, dictionaries, journals, and government agencies that offer health information, including pregnancy and baby care.

Healthfinder National Health
Information Center
P.O. Box 1133
Washington, DC 20013-1133

www.healthfinder.gov
Help desk:
202-401-HELP
(202-401-4357)

Health Resources and Services Administration Information Center

Offers a series of free publications on topics such as newborn screening, lead poisoning, vaccinations, and breastfeeding while working.

U.S. Department of Health
& Human Services,
200 Independence
Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20201

http://ask.hrsa.gov/ConsumerPublications.cfm
888-ASK-HRSA
(888-275-4772)

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)

Offers information on developmental disabilities, jaundice, birth defects, and other child-care and parenting topics.

NCBDDD
4770 Buford Highway, NE
MS F-45
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724

www.cdc.gov/ncbddd
770-488-7160;
888-232-6789

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

DESCRIPTION	ADDRESS	CONTACT INFORMATION
Oversees the safety of car seats for babies and children. Lists recalls of car seats and offers buying guides, installation tips, and other pertinent car seat safety information. Some offerings in Spanish.	NHTSA 400 Seventh Street, SW Washington, DC 20590	www.nhtsa.dot.gov 888-327-4236

National Institute of Child health and human Development (NICHD)

Offers numerous articles on health, including medical conditions that affect babies before and after they are born.

NICHD Information & Resource Center
P.O. Box 3006
Rockville, MD 20847

www.nichd.nih.gov/
Information specialist:
800-370-2943

National Library of Medicine

Sponsors Medline, MedlinePlus, and PubMedlistings and abstracts of medical journals and research articles worldwide searchable by topic.

U.S. National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda,
MD 20894

www.nlm.nih.gov/
medlineplus and
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
entrez
888-346-3656

The National Women’s Health Information Center

A project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. Offers information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, quitting smoking, and other health-related topics.

Office on Women’s Health Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue Washington, DC 20201

www.WomensHealth.gov
(formerly www.4woman.gov)
800-994-9662

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

DESCRIPTION	ADDRESS	CONTACT INFORMATION
Health and safety primarily as it relates to federal regulations protectingworkers from exposure to hazardous and toxic substances.	Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210	www.osha.gov 800-321-OSHA (800-321-6742)

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The federal agency in charge of monitoring and regulating products, including those for babies and young children. It issues product recalls, and it accepts parents’ reports of unsafe products.

U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207

http://www.cpsc.gov
800-638-2772

Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor

Site offers searches of multiple sites for information of the Family Medical Leave Act and other pregnancy and work-related issues.

U.S. Department of Labor
Frances Perkins Building
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210

www.dol.gov/wb
866-4-USA-DOL
(866-487-2365)

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Federally funded by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.

Supplemental Food Program Division Food and Nutrition Serice

U.S. Department of Agriculture
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302

Check Web site for
number in your state.
www.fns.usda.gov/gov

Major Baby Product Manufacturers

This is a listing of the most well-known manufacturers of baby products. For more information on manufacturers, go to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association’s Web site: www.jpma.org.

NAME	TYPES OF PRODUCTS	CONTACT INFORMATION
Ansa Co., Inc.	Baby bottles and feeding supplies.	www.theansacompany.com 800-527-1096
Aprica U.S.A., Inc.	Strollers, high chairs, and baby carriers.	www.apricausa.com 877-8APRICA
Baby Björn	Soft carriers, potties, and diaper bags.	www.babybjorn.com 866-424-0200
Baby Jogger	Large-wheeled jogging strollers.	www.babyjogger.com 800-241-1848
Baby Trend	Strollers and play yards.	www.babytrend.com 800-328-7363
Beech-Nut	Baby food.	www.beech-nut.com 800-BEECHNUT
Britax Child USA	Imported car seats and strollers.	www.britaxusa.net 888-427-4829
Carnation “Good Start”	Baby formula.	www.verybestbaby.com 800-284-9488
Chicco USA, Inc.	Strollers, high chairs, soft carriers, playpens, and toys.	www.chiccousa.com 877-4CHICCO
Combi Infant Products, Inc.	Strollers and diaper bags.	www.combi-intl.com 800-992-6624
Crown Crafts	Baby bedding and soft carriers.	www.ccipinc.com 800-421-0526
Dorel Juvenile Group: Cosco & Safety 1st	Large variety of baby products, from car seats to strollers, high chairs, and play yards. Manufacturer of Eddie Bauer-brand baby products.	www.djgusa.com 800-457-5276
Discovery Toys	Developmental baby toys.	www.discoverytoysinc.com 800-341-8697
Delta Children’s Products	Cribs and baby furniture; strollers.	www.deltachildrenproducts.com 800-377-3777
Enfamil	Baby formula.	www.enfamil.com 800-baby123
Evenflo Co., Inc.	Wide variety of baby products, including strollers, high chairs, baby carriers, and the famous ExerSaucer^®.	www.evenflo.com 800-837-9201
The First Years	Safety products, baby toys, bathing accessories, safety gates.	www.thefirstyears.com 800-533-6708
Fisher-Price, Inc.	Baby toys, baby seats, high chairs, and strollers.	www.fisher-price.com 800-828-4000
Gerber Products Company	Baby clothing and feeding supplies.	www.gerber.com 800-4-GERBER
Graco Children’s Products	Wide variety of baby products, including moderately priced strollers, car seats, and play yards.	www.gracobaby.com 800-345-4109
H. J. Heinz	Baby food.	www.heinzbaby.com 800-872-2229
Hollister, Inc. (Ameda)	Hospital-grade, electric breast pumps.	www.hollister.com 877-99-AMEDA
HUGGIES^®	Disposable diapers and training pants.	www.huggiesbabynetwork.com 888-525-8388
Infantino	Baby toys and soft carriers.	www.infantino.com 800-365-8182
Inglesina USA, Inc.	Imported strollers.	www.inglesina.com 877-486-5112
InSTEP LLC	Strollers and bicycle trailers.	www.instep.net 800-242-6110
International Playthings, Inc.	Developmental toys.	www.intplay.com 800-631-1272
J. Mason Products	Wide range of baby products, including inexpensive and moderately priced strollers, high chairs, and play yards.	www.jmason.com 800-242-1922
Johnson & Johnson	Baby bathing supplies, including creams, soaps, shampoos, and baby formula.	www.jnj.com 800-526-3967
Kelty K.I.D.S.	Backpacks for wearing baby.	www.kelty.com 800-535-3589
KidCo, Inc.	Jogging strollers and bicycle trailers.	www.kidco.com 800-553-5529
Kids II, Inc.	Baby seats and toys.	www.kidsii.com 770-751-0442
Kolcraft	Wide variety of baby products, including strollers, high chairs, and play yards. Maker of “Jeep” baby products.	www.kolcraft.com 800-453-7673
Kool-Stop International, Inc.	Jogging strollers.	www.koolstop.com 800-247-9754
Learning Curve International	Toys for babies and children.	www.learningcurve.com 800-704-8697
LEGO /Lego Systems, Inc.	Toys for toddlers and children. www.lego.com	800-453-4652
Little Tikes	Children’s climbing and ride-on toys.	www.littletikes.com 888-832-3203
Maclaren USA, Inc.	Very expensive British strollers and carriages.	www.maclarenbaby.com 877-442-4622
Maya Group/Tiny Love	Innovative baby toys.	www.tinylove.com 888-TINY-LOVE
Medela	Breast pumps and nursing accessories.	www.medela.com 800-435-8316
Nestlé (Carnation “Good Start”)	Baby formula.	www.nestleusa.com www.verybestbaby.com 800-547-9400
North American Bear Co., Inc.	Baby soft toys and mobiles.	www.nabear.com 800-682-3427
Peg-Pérego USA, Inc.	Pricey Italian strollers and high chairs.	www.pegperego.com 800-671-1701
Prince Lionheart	Soft carriers, feeding devices, and safety products.	www.princelionheart.com 800-544-1132
Procter & Gamble (Pampers^®)	Disposable diapers.	www.pampers.com 800-285-6064
REI	Sporty backpacks for carrying tots.	www.rei.com 800-426-4840
Ross Products (a division of Abbott Laboratories)	Baby formula.	www.ross.com www.welcomeaddition.com 800-986-8510
Sassy, Inc.	Innovative baby toys, safety devices, and monitors.	www.sassybaby.com 800-323-6336
Tough Traveler	Framed carriers for porting baby.	www.toughtraveler.com 800-GO-TOUGH

NAME	DESCRIPTION	WEB ADDRESS
Acupuncture.com	A searchable source for articles on Chinese herbs and information on acupuncture for relaxation, wellness, and discomforts associated with childbirth and recovery.	www.acupuncture.com
Holistic Healing	Articles, links, resources, and practitioners of holistic medicine.	www.holisticmed.com
Make Way for Baby!	Offers techniques and infor mation on infant massage.	www.makewayforbaby.com/massage.htm

NAME	DESCRIPTION	WEB ADDRESS
Aimee J Keepsake Albums	A source for scrapbooks, keepsake boxes, and other keepsake materials.	www.aimeej.com
Anne Geddes	The source for those adorable, pudgy sleeping cherubs incorporated into cards.	www.annegeddes.com
Announcements and More	Printed birth, birthday, and shower announcements.	www.announcementsandmore.com
Baby Birth Announcements	Clever concepts for announcing your baby, including a baby driver’s license.	www.babybirthannouncements.com
Card Supply	Large selection of printed birth and first birthday cards.	www.cardsupply.com
Classic Card Company	Traditional birth announcement cards.	www.classiccard.com
Impressions in Print	Huge collection of imprinted baby announcements and firstbirthday invitations.	www.impressinprint.com
Invitation Box	Baby announcement cards for singletons and multiples, photo cards, and first-birthday cards.	www.invitationbox.com
Miracle Munchkins	Photo and nonphoto birth announcements, invitations, and baby mementos, such as handprint kits.	www.miraclemunchkins.com
Stork Avenue	Birth announcements, invitations, baby name suggestions, and local event information of interest to parents. Check out the “free stuff” tab.	www.storkavenue.com
Tiny Prints	Cute and very creative collection of designer cards and stationery for all baby occasions.	www.tinyprints.com

NAME	DESCRIPTION	WEB ADDRESS
Breastfeeding.com	Provides accessories, articles, books, and community support for breastfeeding moms.	www.breastfeeding.com
The Hospital for Sick Children—Motherisk	Provides information and guidance for pregnant or lactating mothers regarding drugs, infections, and other risks.	www.motherisk.org
International Lactation Consultant Association (ilca)	A professional organization of lactation consultants that offers referrals to consultants and information on evidence-based breastfeeding practice.	www.ilca.org
Kellymom Breastfeeding & Parenting	A huge resource for evidencebased information and practical hints on breastfeeding.	www.kellymom.com
La Leche League International	The premier, international organization providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Holds monthly living room meetings in many communities. Provides a hotline to answer questions and a Web site with publications and FAQs.	www.lalecheleague.org
Nursing Mother	Lots of articles on how to breastfeed; plus, nursing clothing and bras, and other breastfeeding products.	www.nursingmother.com
Nursing Mothers Counsel	Online pamphlets and articles on breastfeeding, including advice on handling problems. Good links to other sites.	www.nursingmothers.org
The Pump Station	An identity site for breastfeeding moms, with bras, pumps, baby clothes, and a lot more.	www.pumpstation.com

NAME	DESCRIPTION	WEB ADDRESS
American Academy of Pediatrics	Valuable information on immunizations, important health issues, and an annual “Family Safety Guide to Car Seats.”	www.aap.org
Child Welfare League of America	Offers parents useful information concerning the health and welfare of infants and toddlers.	www.cwla.org
The Jesse Cause	Information and education about Group B strep (GBS), a risk to newborns.	www.thejessecause.com
KidsHealth	Created by the medical experts at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and the Nemours Foundation, the site offers indepth information on pregnancy and newborns.	www.kidshealth.org
KinderStart	A giant source for parenting information with lots of links to information on common illnesses in children.	www.kinderstart.org.uk
Mother Risk	Sponsored by the Canadian Health Network, this site offers information on how to protect yourself and your baby from health risks, including research updates and discussions of occupational hazards, smoking, and substance abuse.	www.motherisk.org
Safe Kids Worldwide	A national not-for-profit organization for preventing unintentional childhood injuries, with more than 300 state and local coalitions, many of which offer safety seat inspections.	www.safekids.org
WebMD	A commercial site with useful health information, including a children’s height predictor and a symptom checker.	www.webmd.com

NAME	DESCRIPTION	WEB ADDRESS
Father Matters	A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping fathers be the best they can be by providing online mentoring and workshops.	www.fathermatters.com
The National Center for Fathering	Numerous articles on the art of fathering babies and children.	www.fathers.com
National Fatherhood Initiative	The Fatherhood Initiative: a federally sponsored program to support and strengthen the role of fathers.	www.fatherhood.org
Slowlane.com	An online resource for stay-athome dads, with lots of helpful postings and links.	www.slowlane.com

NAME	WEB ADDRESS
*American Baby*	www.americanbaby.com
*Baby Talk*	www.babytalk.com
*Child*	www.child.com
*The Compleat Mother*	www.compleatmother.com
*Cookie Magazine*	www.cookiemag.com
*FamilyFun*	www.familyfun.com
*Mothering Magazine*	www.mothering.com
*Parenting Magazine*	www.parenting.com
*Parents*	www.parents.com
*Vegetarian Baby & Child*	www.vegetarianbaby.com