FDA alert on dangerous nipple cream recall

 

 

Posted by Susan Markel, M.D. in Breastfeeding, Recalls | May 27th, 2008 | Trackback

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers not to use a cream sold to nursing mothers to help soothe dry and cracked nipples because it contains ingredients potentially harmful to babies.

Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream contains chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol, which can affect an infant’s central nervous system, causing respiratory depression, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Mothers and caregivers should watch for a decrease in an infant’s appetite. More serious signs would be difficulty in awakening the child, limpness of extremities or a decrease in an infant’s strength of grip and a change in skin color. You must seek  immediate medical attention if your child is showing these signs and symptoms. according to the FDA.

Although product labeling specifically states that there is no need for mothers to remove the cream prior to nursing, the ingredients contained in the product are harmful to nursing infants.

MOM Enterprises, the company marketing the product, is offering a full refund for returned cream and has issued a product bulletin.

Chlorphenesin relaxes skeletal muscle and can depress the central nervous system and cause respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing) in infants. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications. It may cause vomiting and diarrhea which can lead to dehydration in infants.

“The FDA is particularly concerned that nursing infants are being unwittingly exposed by their mothers to this product with dangerous side effects,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Additionally, these two ingredients may interact with one another to further compound and increase the risk of respiratory depression in nursing infants.”

Chlorphenesin can also harm the mother by causing dermatitis, a skin condition that can worsen the drying and cracking of nipple skin.

MOM Enterprises, Inc. is based in San Rafael, Calif. The company has stated that it has discontinued marketing the nipple cream with the potentially harmful ingredients. The FDA is advising consumers to discontinue use of Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream and to consult a health care professional if they experience problems or believe that their infant may have experienced problems due to this product. Nursing mothers with cracked, painful nipples, which is often a side effect of nursing, should speak with their health care professional or a certified lactation consultant if the problem is severe or for other treatment options.

It's loads of fun

Hi  everyone,  I'd like to invite all of you to join us at the Threshing Bee
this Saturday.  It's loads of fun.
            Threshing Bee
May 17, 2008 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
Admission is Free   
Tickets for booth events will be available for purchase at the event. 
This is a great family event
We are planning a fun day that will include:
Watching the horses harvest the winter wheat
Jump House            Food
Wagon rides                    Plowing
Games                            Wheat grinding
Apple Pie                        Snow Cones
Chuck Wagon                  Rope making 
Painting Bird Houses    Foam Crafts   
Sidewalk Chalk drawings  Sheep
Wool spinning and much more. 

We would love to see you there!   

Junell Lawrence
Nord Country School

 

Black Tie Fundraiser for the Red Cross in Chico

The American Red Cross Three Rivers Chapter is pleased to announce the selection of twelve local heroes who will be honored during the Chapter’s Black Tie Dinner May 16, 2008. 

As a community leader in emergency preparedness, prevention and response, the American Red Cross is honoring individuals whose extraordinary acts of courage and kindness make them someone's hero. “This is an opportunity for the community to say thank you,” said Martha Griese, CEO of the Three Rivers Chapter. 

 

Individuals being honored on May 16 are:

 

Law Enforcement Hero - Jeff McNulty (Oroville)

            Performed CPR to save the life of a victim of an explosion

Campus Hero - William Schierenbeck  (Oroville)

            Responded to a hostage situation at a local High School

Community Volunteer - Man - Darryl Spressard (Durham)

            Exceptional Volunteerism

Community Volunteer  - Woman - Sandra Sim  (Chico)

Exceptional Volunteerism

Animal Hero – “Please” (Chico)

            Search and Rescue K-9 for 12 years

Medical Hero - Garrett Needles (Oroville)

            Performed life saving CPR on a fellow firefighter

Spirit of the American Red Cross - Lezlie Morrow (Magalia)

            Exceptional Volunteerism with animal rescue and other community services

Good Samaritan - Woman - Roberta Kirshner (Durham)

            Running a Foundation for Wild Animals and Exceptional Volunteerism

Good Samaritan - Man -  Kenneth Ramey (Chico)

            Responded to a shooting in a local shopping center

Good Samaritan – Youth - Felicia Green (Oroville)

            Exceptional humanitarianism

Education Hero - Curtis "Shag" Welty (Chico)

            Performed life saving CPR to save a student’s life

Fire Rescue Hero - Joe Deal (Chico)

            Saved a woman from a house fire

 

 

 

 

This will be the second Black Tie Fundraiser for the Red Cross in Chico, and the first time for the event to incorporate honoring Local Heroes.  Reflecting the mission of the American Red Cross, which brings together ordinary people who donate their time, energy and expertise to help others in their community or around the world, the “Real Hero” event honors those who reflect the Red Cross slogan “Together We CAN Save a Life!”

 

The fundraising event will be held Friday, May 16 at the Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery from 6 – 11 p.m. and will include a silent auction, sit-down dinner, award presentation ceremony and dancing to live music by the Rockhounds.

 

TICKET SALES:  Tickets for the event are on sale now.   Call 891-0885 for more information.  Corporate Sponsorships and Table Sponsorships are still available.  Silent Auction donations are welcome!  Contact holly19@sbcglobal.net for details on how to donate.

 

 

Green Baby Expo

Chico residents save the planet, one green family and one green baby (expo) at a time

 

Green Baby Expo to highlight natural and eco-friendly ways to raise our children

CHICO, CA. April 1, 2008 – Now more than ever, people are concerned about the environment and want to find ways to live a greener lifestyle. Parents want the best for their children and seek out natural, healthy, organic, and gentle, products and services. A group of Chico businesses owners and concerned citizens got together to create the Green Baby Expo to educate families about all the wonderful green and natural products and programs available today.

 

The one day event will be held from 10am-5pm on Saturday, June 21st at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. There will be many vendors from the North Valley and all over the US exhibiting products and services that will appeal to all young families as well as everyone who is eco- minded. There will be entertainment and fun for the whole family with bounce houses, face painting, and animals. The website www.GreenBabyExpo.com provides even more information about this great event.

 

The cost is only $5 per family and each family will receive a reusable bag filled with valuable coupons and goodies. Attendees will also be entered into drawings for thousands of dollars worth of prizes.

After having her baby boy, Cyndi Pereira of Chico, founded www.BabiesinChico.com a website that supports attachment parenting, breastfeeding, babywearing, gentle birth choices and environmental responsibility. “Many parents were excited to see products and information that fit their lifestyle and many more were excited to learn about attachment parenting and green life with a baby- very new ideas to some people. The Green Baby Expo was born as a way to share these ideals with more families,” says Pereira.

Local homeschooling mom and Green Baby Expo committee member, Christy Barker comments, “Having a baby and raising a family can really open your eyes to the importance of teaching our children to take care of the earth so that their children can have a better place to live.”

Amy Evans, owner of Baby’s Boutique and expo committee member says, “I am committed to helping parents find practical methods to raise their families green minded. Small actions of many will have substantial impacts. The future our children inherit can be our greatest gift."

By focusing on babies, the expo will help families get off to a greener start and at the same time provide valuable insights to parents about raising children of all ages. "Everyone's welcome, Bring the whole family! Let’s grow together as we create a better world for us all.” Says Peter Melton, green activist and expo committee member.

 

The Green Baby Expo is sponsored by Fuzzi Bunz reusable cloth diapers, the diapers that makes going green easy, check them out at www.FuzziBunz.com. Other sponsors include: Santa Cruz Organics, Luna Bars, R.W. Knudsen, Moby Wrap, and Frog Mama Baby Carriers.

####