After two babies suffocated to death because of faulty cribs, Delta recalled nearly 1.6 million cribs.

In light of this recent problem, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds parents to check their baby’s crib regularly:

• Tighten the crib’s hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy.
• If you use a drop-side crib, make sure moving parts operate smoothly.
• Consistently check all sides and corners of the crib to disengagement that could entrap a child.
• Never attempt to repair any side of the crib with tape, wire or rope.
• Make sure the mattress is firm and tight-fitting, so baby can’t get trapped between the mattress and the crib.
• Follow assembly instructions carefully and ensure that there are no missing, loose, broken or improperly installed hardware.
• In cribs that are assembled wrong or have broken slats, infants can strangle when their head and neck become entrapped.
• Crib slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart. Do not use a crib with cracked or missing slats.
• Crib corner posts should not exceed 1/16th inch. Baby’s clothing could get attached on a post.
• Headboards and footboards should be solid and free of cutouts, which could trap the baby’s head.

Parents have a responsibility to create a safe sleep environment for their baby. For more safety information, visit the CPSC website.

Read more: The safe nursery: Choosing a safe crib

Dr. Joseph Bocchini, pediatrics chairman at Louisiana State University and the head of the infectious diseases committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recently treated an infant for salmonella. The baby — who had to be hospitalized for four weeks — contracted the disease from the family’s pet iguana, which roamed freely in their home.

The AAP recently reported that young children should not keep certain nontraditional animals as pets, including hamsters, iguanas, baby chicks, and turtles. These particular pets carry dangerous — even deadly — germs that can harm children. Additionally, some of these pets may be more prone to bite or scratch — a particular threat to children under age 5, who may handle animals roughly.

Lizards, turtles and other reptiles are responsible for nearly 11% of salmonella illnesses in children. Hamsters and baby chicks also carry this germ. If a young child kisses the animal — or pets it then puts his hands in his mouth — he can easily contract salmonella. The result? Severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

Families with children 5 and under should avoid these pets altogether. In fact, the AAP reported this month that young children should even avoid contact with these animals in petting zoos or other public places. If your child is around pets or animals of any kind, then supervision and hand-washing are imperative.

The report’s author, Dr. Larry Pickering, is an infectious disease specialist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Many parents clearly don’t understand the risks from various infections” carried by such animals.

Households which already have nontraditional pets should consider finding new homes for the animals. Young children — who often put their hands in their mouth — are especially at risk of contracting diseases because of their developing immune systems.

The report warns that children not be allowed to keep hedgehogs as pets. Hedgehogs have quills that can penetrate a child’s skin and spread bacteria that cause fever, rash, and stomach pain. A spokesperson for the International Hedgehog Association doesn’t believe that hedgehogs should be singled out, but recommends that “no animal should be a pet for kids 5 and under.”

The AAP’s report appears in the October edition of Pediatrics.

What’s the most unusual pet you’ve ever owned?

Read more:

• Animal diseases can affect people
• Illnesses from pets

It’s truly amazing to think about just how much babies learn between birth and their first birthday. You watch with pride as your baby surpasses one milestone after another.

While every child is unique in his or her development, there are some guidelines to help parents and doctors know whether or not a baby is progressing normally.

The following are potential warning signs of a physical delay:

By the 4th month

• cannot support her head well
• doesn’t reach for or grasp toys
• isn’t bringing objects to her mouth
• doesn’t push down with her legs when her feet are placed on a firm surface

By the 6th month

• can’t sit with help
• reaches out with only one hand; keeps the other hand fisted

By the 7th month

• has poor head control when pulled to a sitting position
• is not reaching for objects
• doesn’t bear some weight on his legs

By the 12th month

• can’t sit independently
• crawls lopsided, using one hand and leg while dragging the opposite hand and leg
• can’t stand with support

Trust your instincts, too. If you’re worried, talk to your baby’s doctor. You know your baby better than anyone, so you can spot potential problems early.
Jot down your concerns before you meet with the doctor. Your pediatrician should be checking for developmental delays at each wellness checkup, with structured development screening at 9 months, 18 months and either 24 or 30 months.

If you’re worried about your baby’s development between regular appointments, don’t wait until the next one. Call the doctor and explain your concern.

Read Babies, toddlers and exercise for more information on developmental milestones.

As you eagerly await the arrival of your new baby, use this checklist to make sure you have everything your newborn will need:

Diapers
Newborns can dirty up to 10 diapers every day, so you’ll want to have two packs of disposable diapers or enough cloth diapers for at least two days.

Wipes
You’ll need at least one pack of disposable wipes (start with unscented/sensitive skin wipes) or 10 cloth wipes. You’ll find that you use them for more than just diaper changes.

Changing pad
Whether changing your baby on a changing table or your bed, be sure to protect the surface with a waterproof changing pad.

Baby washcloths
Buy about five of these and launder them in gentle detergent. Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off, you’ll be washing her with washcloths.

Bath supplies
Once your baby is ready for the baby tub, you’ll want to have a couple of hooded towels, some gentle baby wash (for skin and hair), baby oil or lotion, and a pair of baby nail clippers.

Clothes
This will depend on the weather — and how often you want to do laundry — but do stock up on onesies (a half-dozen or more), sleepers or nightgowns (again, about six), a cold weather sack, a pair of socks for every day of the week, and a newborn hat or two.

Bedding
Have at least four laundered fitted sheets on hand for baby’s bassinet, cradle or crib. You’ll want about 10 lightweight receiving blankets, and — depending on climate — a couple of heavier blankets, too.

Feeding
Whether feeding by breast or bottle, it’s a good idea to have a nursing pillow for comfort. Keep some burp cloths handy to protect your clothes from spit-up. If you’re bottle feeding, you’ll need about 8 washed bottles and formula, of course.

There are other things you may want — such as a digital thermometer, a baby monitor and fun clothes — but, for the most part, you’ll find that your new baby doesn’t need all that much.

What is your nursery “must-have”?

Visit Pregnancy & Baby to read Secondhand layette: Preparing for baby affordably.

Our first daughter arrived with the most unappealing head of hair we could imagine — dark, spiky, a few long wispy pieces on one side. No matter how we combed it, it just looked awful. It seemed so unfair that she’d have to go through life like this. Then, literally on the day of her first birthday, we noticed a few soft, shiny curls on the back of our daughter’s head. Before long, she looked like Shirley Temple. Today — 10 years later — she is blessed with luscious blond ringlets. 

By the sixth month, an unborn baby is covered all over with lanugo — soft, short, unpigmented hairs. Around the same time, a baby’s hair follicles and the oil glands within the follicles are fully formed. There are an estimated 100,000 hair follicles on the scalp. As a person gets older, many of these follicles no longer grow hair.

Some babies are completely bald when they’re born, while others arrive with a full head of thick hair. Human baby hair continues to be a medical wonder, but whether or not a baby has human hair by the first birthday may be determined by hormones and/or heredity. Some babies have slow hair growth patterns while others’ hair grows much faster. By age one, some little ones are still completely bald; some have long, thick hair. There’s no need to worry at this stage: the pattern of baby hair growth does not determine how long or thick a child’s hair will be as he or she grows.

And whether your baby has straight, wavy or curly hair is likely dictated by the shape of the hair follicle. Round follicles grow straight hair, while crescent-shaped follicles grow very curly hair.

Read more: Caring for your baby’s hair

No two babies are exactly alike — each develops at a unique pace. While most babies reach milestones at similar ages, even healthy, normal babies may fall behind in some areas or speed ahead in others.

According to the March of Dimes Foundation, here’s what you might expect by the end of baby’s first month:

• brings hands to face
• makes tight fists
• makes jerky arm movements
• moves from one cheek to another while lying on stomach
• focuses on objects about 12 inches away
• prefers looking at human faces, black-and-white, and high-contrast patterns
• hears well, and recognize parents’ voices

Milestones are based on your baby’s due date, not birthday. Babies born prematurely — before 37 weeks of pregnancy — will likely achieve milestones later than the above guidelines predict. If you have concerns that your baby’s progress is lagging, consult the doctor.

My personal favorite milestone is baby’s first laugh. Share your favorite…

Read more about baby behavior at Baby body language: The basics 

New research indicates that more and more families are using bassinets for their newborns. What research doesn’t show, however, is whether or not bassinets are safe for babies.

Oftentimes, bassinets are passed down as family heirlooms. It’s imperative that bassinets - epecially a hand-me-down one - be inspected carefully for potential hazards.

There are no federal government safety standards for bassinets, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers guidelines for bassinet construction. Here’s what the CPSC advises:

• Keep the bassinet in top shape - make sure it works well and has no broken slats.
• Make sure the bassinet has a sturdy bottom with a wide base to prevent tipping.
• Ensure that the bassinet has smooth surfaces - be on the lookout for sharp wicker or materials that could scratch or puncture baby’s skin.
• Remove any hardware that might be sticking out of the bassinet.
• Use a mattress that is firm and fits snugly.
• Do not put anything near the bassinet that could potentially lead to suffocation, such as a mobile or plastic sheeting.

Babies grow quickly, and their time in the bassinet is short - usually no more than a few months. Just be certain that sleeping safety is a top priority during those tender weeks.