Issue Date: March 16, 2008
Ditch diapers? The bottom line.
Trying it takes time and patience.
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Some parents are choosing to skip Baby's diaper. In fact, "diaper-free" babies has an allure that seems to have caught on. More than 4,000 parents have joined one social networking group dedicated to the pursuit, in which they try to read their baby's signals and race to the potty instead of relying on diapers. Says Melinda Rothstein of DiaperFreeBaby.org: "People know it's an option."
But not everyone supports the (pardon the pun) movement.
"I would hope that women have more to do with their time than guess when their babies need to use the potty," says pediatrician Laura Popper, noting that there are no serious side effects -- "medical or psychological -- of putting children in diapers."
What should you do? If you have the time and temperament to try so-called "elimination communication," including tolerating the potential accidents, give it a shot. But keep in mind that babies go through about 10 diapers a day. That's a lot of signals to pick up on while you're also feeding, bathing, comforting and playing with, not to mention working to support, your baby.
Parenting expert Ann Pleshette Murphy is a contributing editor.
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How to help a grandson
I'm at a loss as to how to help my grandson. I'm 72, and he's 5. His mother is a single parent. Do I help him out now or put money in an account for the future? I have less than $40,000.
Charlene Pello, Fort Wayne, Ind.
A: Talk to his mom to find out if there are immediate expenses for him that she can't pay. Keep funds for those bills in a high-yield savings or money market account in her name and yours, and agree on withdrawals -- for medical and dental bills, day care, and sports or camp fees, for instance.
Put the rest (at least half of your sum) into a 529 college savings account, where it will be investedin money market or stock and bond mutual funds, and will grow tax-free. You can put up to $60,000 over five years into a 529 plan without incurring the gift tax. Withdrawals for qualified college expenses, such as tuition and books, are tax-free. Plus, many states (including Indiana) allow residents a tax credit or deduction for 529 contributions.
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Safe toys, minus PVC
After the seemingly endless toy recalls last year, lead became the toybox boogey monster. Just as worrisome for parents: phthalates, which are added to vinyl to soften it, but have been linked to a variety of health problems. Use of phthalates in toys will be banned in California starting in 2009 and is already banned in the European Union and Japan.
What's a parent to do? According to the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups, you should avoid toys made of PVC plastic (which comes with phthalates) and choose unpainted wood and cloth toys. Search the database at HealthyToys.org to find PVC amounts in 1,200-plus toys.
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Try sweet potatoes for Easter dinner
High-antioxidant sweet potatoes are a must with Thanksgiving turkey, so why not enjoy them at Easter, too? This not-too-sweet casserole has a sure-to-please crunchy top, plus cinnamon to help control blood sugar.
Sweet Potatoes and Coconut
4-6 medium peeled sweet potatoes(about 2 pounds), baked or boiled
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbs. low-sugar orange marmalade
1/3 cup rum (or orange juice)
Dash of salt
2 Tbs. butter, melted
1/3 cup coarsely chopped almonds
1/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mash potatoes. Stir in cinnamon, marmalade, rum (or orange juice) and salt until thoroughly combined and spreadable (add more liquid if needed). Spread in a 9-by-9-inch baking dish. Combine butter, nuts and coconut; spread over potatoes. Sprinkle on marshmallows. Bake for 20 minutes or until browned.
Serves 8
Per serving: 198 calories, 29g carbohydrates, 3g protein, 6g fat (3g saturated), 8mg cholesterol, 4g fiber, 86mg sodium
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