If you’re looking for more information in a particular topic area, no matter the subject, you’ll be able to find words about it on the Internet. The big problem with online information, though, is that it’s not always easy to tell right away which sites are based on solid research from reliable sources, which might actually just be somebody’s ill-informed opinion, and which have an agenda to push. Some sites will also use scare tactics or inflammatory content just to get readers to return, which boosts page views and advertising revenue.
The following is a selection of sites that are reliable and generally offer balanced information (and, if they are trying to sell you something, are transparent about it). If we’ve missed any of your favorite sites, please write us in care of our publisher and we will try to include your resource in our next edition.
CHILD CARE
A Germany-based online database of au pairs
An online service that lets users search and post reviews for babysitters, nannies, tutors, and other in-home care providers
Child Care Aware
A service of the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies that helps parents find child care in their area. Also has a budgeting calculator to help families decide if child care is cost-effective
Doodle Days
List of child-care providers
4 Everything Nanny
Nanny referral service
HomeWork Solutions, Inc.
A national nanny payroll and tax-compliance service
InsureKidsNow.gov
www.insurekidsnow.gov/state/index.html
National database of pediatricians and dentists
KindyList
A national database of child-care centers
The Nanny Authority
A New York–based national nanny screening and placement service
The Nanny Network
A comprehensive directory of nanny placement and referral agencies
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Local accredited programs by city or zip code
US Au Pair
Au pair referral service that prescreens and offers J-1 exchange visitor visas
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/general/index.htm
The Child Care Bureau supports low-income working families through child-care financial assistance. Web site provides links to state child-care agencies
US Search
www.ussearch.com/consumer/background-check/
Background checks of potential babysitters or caregivers
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
Database for finding a pediatric dentist
American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatricians and information on child health, safety, and development
American Heart Association
Information on dietary recommendations and infant/child CPR
American Medical Association
America’s largest professional association for physicians, with a specialist locator
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Twenty-four-hour support and local referrals by trained professional counselors
Search for therapists in a limited number of states
Joint Commission (formerly Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)
Information on hospital admissions and health-care accreditation
Mayo Clinic
Health information, including searchable guides to symptoms, drugs, supplements, and healthy recipes
Medline Plus
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infantandtoddlerhealth.html
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health that lets visitors search a variety of medical information sources
Google Scholar
Internet search engine for scholarly literature, including theses, books, abstracts, and articles
Children’s Safety Association of Canada
http://www.safekid.org/plants.htm
Canadian list of poisonous houseplants and outdoor plants
NUTRITION
Little Stomaks
A blog of evidence-based toddler nutrition
The International Food Information Council Foundation
Food safety, nutrition, and healthful eating information for consumers
PARENTING STYLES
Attachment Parenting International
Nonprofit devoted to “heightening global awareness of the profound significance of secure attachment”
Rebel Dad
News, statistics, and links for and about at-home fathers
AtHomeDad
Resources, information connection, and community for at-home and involved dads
Mothers of Preschoolers
Christian nonprofit that organizes mothers’ groups nationwide
Kodak
Library-quality bound photo books
Shutterfly
Photo books available in a huge array of colors, patterns, sizes, and formats
PRODUCT SAFETY
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Information for families on disabilities
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Product recalls and product safety standards
Consumer Reports
www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/index.htm
Independent, nonprofit testing and information for consumers
Dr. Toy
Annual rating of best toys for babies and children
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Regulates baby formula and food, medicines, and cosmetics such as diaper rash creams
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
Information on Early Intervention by state
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)
State-by-state directory of services for children and adults
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Regulates and recalls children’s car seats and rates their installation instructions
SPECIAL NEEDS
American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM)
Education, research, and understanding of cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities
Autism Speaks
Science and advocacy organization for autism
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents
First Signs
Autism diagnosing advice and videos
TOYS, CLOTHES, AND GEAR
Beyond Play
Products for toddlers and young children with special needs
One Step Ahead / Leaps and Bounds
www.onestepahead.com; www.leapsandbounds.com
Pretested baby and toddler products, specializing in educational toys. One Step Ahead is for babies 0 to 3; Leaps and Bounds is for preschoolers 3 and older.
TWINS AND MULTIPLES
Mothers of Supertwins
National nonprofit provider of support, education, and research on higher-order multiples
National Organization of Mothers of Twins
Resources for mothers of multiples, including a searchable database of local parents-of-multiples clubs