Thursday, April 30, 2009



MEDBASICS at LA Baby & Tween Celebration

Luke and I left for LA last Friday night. The tradeshow was Saturday and Sunday, we visited friends on Monday and flew back Tuesday. All in all it was a wonderful whirlwind of a trip. 

We had a lot of fun at the show. We met so many interesting people which was my favorite part of being there. I loved, loved, loved our "neighbors" at the tradeshow. To our left was eight3one- hippest, coolest infant/toddler clothes!  Oliver was the big winner as I came home with a bag full of cute shirts for him to wear this summer and next fall. On the other side of our booth was Marta Perrone. What an amazing lady. She matches nannies with families in the LA area and is an invaluable resource to all you girls in LA. Another favorite of mine was meeting Brandi Rouse, MSW with the cradle company. She is a dynamic woman who provides moms with pediatric sleep consultations, doula & nanny placements, childbirth education and mom & baby groups. Two other helpful women I met are Alicia Sexton and Samantha Marquis. Both of these women help expecting mothers plan and be ready for the birth of your baby. If you are a mom in the LA area, seriously look these women up- I promise your life will be better for it! I could go on because there really were so many exceptional women there but the last part of my story says I should say goodnight. We arrived back in NY to 2 sick boys. Nico with a sore throat and Ollie with a high temp. Very little sleep last night as Oliver had fever dreams and I can only expect the same tonight as his last temp reading was 103.5. So, I'll keep this short and try to grab a few zzz's before my night shift starts. Once a nurse, always a nurse but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

I'm leaving on a jet plane... (I have to admit there's a part of me that loves John Denver)

I've had that song stuck in my head all day... Getting ready for the LA Baby & Tween Celebration show this weekend so no 2 truths and a non truth this week. Isn't it amazing how much work goes into leaving town? Seriously, making sure the boys clothes are clean, groceries are ordered, diapers stocked.... My sister Lara, God love her is staying with Nico and Oliver while Luke and I are in LA. Short and sweet today as I'm off to complete a very long list of "even more things to do". Looking forward to the show- if anyone lives near LA and would like VIP tickets to the event, I have a few left over- email me at tara@babymedbasics.com and I'll send them your way!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009


Wednesday's results... 
which two are true and which is not?

1. Never apply ice, grease or butter to a burn.  TRUE
Never apply ice, grease or butter to a burn as they may cause more damage to the skin and 
increase the risk of infection.

2. Electrical burns don't need to be seen by a doctor unless you can see that your baby's skin has been burned.  FALSE
Evaluating the extent of an electrical burn can be difficult because internal damage can occur without visible injury to the skin. All electrical burns should be seen by a doctor.

3. Blisters that form on a burn should be left intact until seen by a doctor.  TRUE
Blisters provide a barrier to infection so leave them intact until seen by a doctor. 

know more. worry less. 

Tuesday, April 14, 2009



Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's topic is Burns (seriously, Mr. Burns was the best of the worst burn images on google image so I went with it...)
Which one of the following is not true?

1. Never apply ice, grease or butter to a burn.
2. Electrical burns don't need to be seen by a doctor unless you can see that your baby's skin has been burned.
3. Blisters that form on a burn should be left intact until seen by a doctor.

Do you know the answer? Post your guess or comment today and find out which two are true, which one is not and why... tomorrow.

Friday, April 10, 2009



MEDBASICS on Good Housekeeping TV Special

My family and I spent this week filming the Good Housekeeping Smart Solutions Mother's Day Special. SOOOOO much fun! One of my favorite parts was touring the actual facility and seeing the laboratories where products are tested before being given the Good Housekeeping seal of approval... they do some heavy duty testing let me tell you! Of course my "mini makeover" was fabulous too. I really learned so much about saving money and time when it comes to beauty products plus got some great tips on spring fashion that will help me transition from playdate/playground to networking/conferences (I'll share these tips after the show airs). Luke, Nico and Oliver were absolutely amazing and super sweet! Nico is a natural on tv. Looking forward to the show which airs sometime between May 8- June 8 on ABC. 

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Wednesday's answers to Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Here we go... bleeding

1. If your baby is bleeding below the elbow, you should apply a tourniquet above his/her elbow to stop the bleeding.   FALSE
Never ever use a tourniquet as it can cause damage to the tissue... direct pressure, direct pressure, direct pressure, no tourniquet needed (unless you're filming a 1940's war movie, then maybe but just for effect)

2. If you "check the bleeding" by lifting the bandage when holding pressure you can dislodge the clot and start the bleeding again.   TRUE
NO PEEKING! As tempting as it may be, don't release pressure. Whatever work your child's body has already done to form a clot will be undone by removing the bandage or cloth. Hold pressure for 5-10 minutes.

3. If your baby is bleeding the most important thing to remember is to apply firm pressure to the wound.   TRUE
Again, direct pressure, direct pressure, direct pressure for 5-10 minutes. If the bleeding continues after 10 minutes, call your doctor. 

know more. worry less.

Monday, April 6, 2009



Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's topic is BLEEDING
Which one of the following is not true?

1. If your baby is bleeding below the elbow, you should apply a tourniquet above his/her elbow to stop the bleeding.
2. If you "check the bleeding" by lifting the bandage when holding pressure you can dislodge the clot and start the bleeding again. 
3. If your baby is bleeding the most important thing to remember is to apply firm pressure to the wound.

Do you know the answer? Post your guess or comment today and find out which two are true, which one is not and why... tomorrow.




Wednesday, April 1, 2009


Okay, technically it is still Wednesday. I did taxes all day today and almost forgot to post the answers to Two Truths and a Non Truth. 

Here we go... Poison

1. Symptoms of poisoning may be subtle and may not develop for hours.  TRUE

Recognizing a poisoning when it occurs can be tricky. Immediately after a poisoning your baby may look fine. Monitor your baby for several hours watching specifically for the following:
sleepiness/lethargy
odd odors on breath
difficulty breathing
excessive drooling
nausea/vomiting
burns on lips/mouth
stains on clothing

2. The Poison Control Center receives the greatest number of calls in the late afternoons and evenings.  TRUE

According to the Poison Control Center the greatest number of calls do occur in the late afternoons and evenings. They don't offer specific reasons but as a mother I have a few guesses- How about... I'm tired or I'm cooking dinner or I'm helping a sibling? I don't know for sure but what I do know is that we can all take this information and use it to help prevent a potential poisoning by safe guarding our homes and being extra vigilant during those hours. 

3. You should immediately give syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal to your baby if you suspect he/she has been poisoned by something in your home.  FALSE

DO NOT give syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal unless instructed to do so by a physician or poison control center. In some cases treating with syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal can make the situation worse. On a similar note, DO NOT induce vomiting or give your baby any food or drink prior to calling the poison control center.  

Poison Control Center  1-800-222-1222

know more. worry less.