The Royal Family is looking forward to welcoming another prince or princess into the world.

Their rep confirmed to Fox News that Princess Kate and Prince William are expecting their first child.

“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby,” the rep said in a statement. “The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news.”

The rep also confirmed a bit of scary news, saying Princess Kate had been admitted to the hospital.

“The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum,” the rep said. “As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter.”

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is very acute morning sickness, which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients.

The rep would not say how far along she is, only that she has not yet reached the 12-week mark.

The confirmation of her pregnancy was greeted with congratulations.

Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter that he was “delighted by the news,” saying the royals “will make wonderful parents.”

As the first-born to William — who is second in line for the throne after his father, Prince Charles — the couple’s child stands an excellent chance of one day becoming monarch.

Whether boy or girl, the child will be next in line behind William in the line of succession to the throne, Cabinet Office officials have said.

Monday’s news comes weeks after a so-called ‘pal’ of the Princess, Jessica Hay, blabbed to a magazine that Kate was pregnant.

“They’re planning to make an announcement in December. William and Kate are focused on starting a family,” she tattled.

Courtesy of Fox News

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Christmas is still nearly four weeks away, but Jessica Simpson got her biggest — and totally unexpected! — present early: Another baby on the way! Seven months after giving birth to daughter Maxwell Drew Johnson, the star is once again expecting, the new issue of Us Weekly exclusively confirms.
PHOTOS: Maxwell’s first seven months

“It definitely wasn’t planned. But yes, Jessica is pregnant again,” a source reveals to Us. The surprise baby-to-be is the second for the singer and Fashion Star mentor, 32, and fiance Eric Johnson. (A rep for Simpson had no comment.)
Engaged for the past two years, Simpson and former NFL pro Johnson, 33, welcomed Maxwell — a whopping 9 pound, 13 ounce bundle of joy! — on May 1 of this year.

And while Simpson felt energized about her admirable 70-pound slimdown post-baby, her greatest inspiration is being a mom.
“Motherhood is a dream,” she told Katie Couric back in September. “It really is absolutely amazing.”

Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to her 5.7 million Twitter followers Nov. 22, she gushed: “I am so grateful for my new lil family!”

Notes the source of pregnancy number two: “She really is overjoyed!”

Source: Us Weekly

PORT ELIZABETH, N.J. – Today, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Inez Tenenbaum and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar announced at Port Elizabeth, N.J. that more than 2 million units of dangerous or violative toys and children’s products were seized in 2012 and were prevented from reaching the hands of children. CPSC investigators and CBP inspectors are working arm-in-arm at ports across the United States to keep families safe during this holiday toy shopping season.

A new report released by CPSC today estimated 193,200 toy-related, emergency department-treated injuries to children younger than 15 years of age occurred in 2011. Many of the incidents were associated with, but not necessarily caused by, a toy. For children younger than 15-years-old, non-motorized scooters continued to be the category of toys associated with the most injuries. Frequently, these injuries involved lacerations, contusions, and abrasions to the child’s face and head.

Here are some safety tips that consumers should keep in mind this holiday season:

• Balloons – Children can choke or suffocate on deflated or broken balloons. Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8-years-old. Discard broken balloons immediately.
• Small balls and other toys with small parts – For children younger than age 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
• Scooters and other riding toys – Riding toys, skateboards, and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn properly at all times, and they should be sized to fit.
• Magnets – High powered magnet sets are dangerous and should be kept away from children under 14. Building & play sets with small magnets should also be kept away from small children.

Once gifts are open:

• Immediately discard plastic wrapping or other toy packaging before they become dangerous play things.
• Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.
• Battery charging should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to young children. Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any mechanism to prevent overcharging. 

Original content published by CPSC

Sourcebooks has developed an app that will create customized picture books on the iPad. The Put Me in the Story book platform, which has a patent pending, personalizes interactive picture books for children by allowing consumers to insert a child’s name and photographed image into the app, thus fully integrating the child into the story line.

Put Me in the Story is officially launching on Tuesday, with three Sourcebooks titles: Marianne Richmond’s two books,The Night Night Book and If I Could Keep You Little, plus Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi. While the app makes the child front and center in If I Could Keep You Little and Night Night, he or she is embedded Dream Big Little Pig as Poppy’s best friend. A new book will be added to the Put Me in the Story line each month, with that number increasing to two “at some point.”

The app is free through Apple as is Sourcebooks’ first Put Me in the Story release, The Night Night Book. Additional books in the app will be priced at $4.99. Sourcebooks has also partnered with Ingram to print and fulfill the customized books for $29.99 each.

“There’s nothing more special than bedtime reading,” Sourcebooks founder Dominique Raccah told PW. “The question was, could we make that an even more creative experience? We took great stories people already love and added a magical element: you. It builds an amazing bond between parent and child.”

Not only can parents personalize the story by inserting the child’s name and photograph, but they can also manipulate background animation and sound effects through the app, which includes a daytime/nighttime sensor. And Put Me In the Story can be shared on Facebook and Twitter.

The app also includes two options: “Read to Me” or “Read by Myself,” which will enable early readers to proceed at their own pace.

Photo and content courtesy of Publisher’s Weekly.

From a CPSC press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously (3-0) to approve a new federal mandatory safety standard to improve the safety of infant swings to prevent injuries and deaths to children.

Infant swings are stationary juvenile products with a frame and powered mechanism that enables an infant to swing in a seated position. An infant swing is intended for use with infants from birth until a child is able to sit up unassisted. Cradle and travel swings are also included in the standard.

The new federal standard, which incorporates provisions in the voluntary standard ASTM F2088 – 12a, requires the following:

• a stronger, more explicit warning label to prevent slump-over deaths. The warning advises consumers to use a swing in the most reclined position until an infant is 4 months old and can hold up its head without help;
• a stability test that prevents the swing from tipping over;
• a test that prevents unintentional folding;
• tests on restraint systems, which are intended to prevent slippage and breakage of the restraints during use;
• the cradle swing surface to remain relatively flat, while in motion, and while at rest;
• electrically-powered swings to be designed to prevent battery leakage and overheating.;
• toy mobiles to be designed to ensure that toys do not detach when pulled;
• swings with seats angles greater than 50 degrees to have shoulder strap restraints; and
• dynamic and static load requirements to ensure that the infant swing can handle specified loads without breaking.

Between May 2011 and May 2012, CPSC received reports of 351 infant swing-related incidents that occurred between 2009 and 2012. Two of the 351 incidents resulted in fatalities, and 349 incidents were nonfatal; 24 of the nonfatal incidents resulted in injuries.

The effective date for the mandatory infant swing standard is May 7, 2013. The Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act, Section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, requires CPSC to issue safety standards for durable infant or toddler products, including infant swings. In addition to infant swings, CPSC has issued mandatory safety standards for full-size and non-full-size cribs, play yards, children’s bed rails, baby bath seats, baby walkers, and toddler beds.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing and speech impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov

On Thursday, millions will tune in via live streams, television or in person to Macy’s 2012 Thanksgiving Day Parade for its 86th annual celebration. Thousands will flood the streets of New York City to see the parade with its marching bands, performers, celebrities, giant helium balloons and ornate floats.

The 86th annual parade is a yearly extravaganza of floats taking place in New York City. For 2012, the parade will begin at 9 a.m. EST Thursday and continue until it reaches the end of its route at Macy’s around 12 p.m. EST.

This year, the parade will begin at 77th Street and Central Park West. It will continue down its 40-block route along 6th Avenue before ending at Macy’s in Herald Square. A map is available at Macy’s special parade landing page. The best places to view the parade in person amongst 3.5 million others are between 59th and 75th Streets along 6th Avenue and viewers should arrive by at least 6 a.m. EST.

The parade will be televised on Thursday beginning at 9 a.m. EST on CBS as well as the parade’s official broadcaster NBC. In addition to the tv broadcast set to be viewed by over 50 million people, Macy’s launched an official “Macy’s Parade” app on the iTunes store for viewers to get updates and facts about the parade.

A live stream to watch the parade online is available on NBC with eight different views of the parade including the ParadeCam, the StreetCam, the North View, the South View, the Crossroads, the Bird’s Eye View and the CrowdCam.

The lineup this year has balloons, floats, balloonicles, clowns, marching bands and performance groups. Balloons include a new updated Hello Kitty, Kermit the Frog, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Spongebob Squarepants, Julius, Spider-Man, Kung Fu Panda, Ronald McDonald, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Pikachu, Buzz Lightyear, Sailor Mickey Mouse and Sonic the Hedgehog.

“A great thing about the parade balloons is that they are the most recognizable characters in the world. Betty Boop or Felix the Cat — we might not all have been around when they were really popular, but we understand the pop culture significance of them,” parade spokesman Orlando Veras said in a statement.

Snoopy, who has been in 36 parades throughout the years, will not be present in the 2012 parade.

There will also be over 20 floats including the Big Apple, Gift of Freedom and 1-2-3 Sesame Street. Performers will have Spirit of American Dance, the NYPD Marching Band and Mannheim Steamroller.

Macy’s will release the official list of celebrity performances and appearances on Wednesday ahead of the parade. Last year included Mary J. Blige, Avril Lavigne, Cee Lo Green, Neil Diamond, and American Idol winner Scotty McCreery.

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was held in 1924, but wasn’t officially named until 1927. In 1924, a group of Macy’s employees organized the first parade with floats pulled by horses. The first helium balloons were introduced in 1927 with Felix the Cat and the Toy Soldier.

Article courtesy of International Business Times 

Photo courtesy of Macy’s

Babar, the beloved star of the classic children’s brand that has won over generations of families worldwide, is turning 80!  As as a kick-off to his 80^th anniversary celebration in the U.S., the iconic elephant character with the instantly recognizable signature green suit and gold crown is packing his trunk for America—and, from appearances at Saks Fifth Avenue to Books of Wonder and beyond, the U.S. is rolling out the green carpet for Babar’s arrival.

Babar at Saks Fifth Avenue

Throughout November, a dedicated Babar boutique will take center-stage within the children’s department in the flagship New York City location of Saks Fifth Avenue, and 21 other Saks locations nationwide.  The boutiques will feature a range of exclusive new high-end products that bring the charm of the original Babar books to life.  In addition, Babar will get a starring role in the retailer’s famous New York City holiday windows – to include a life-size Babar plush exclusively available at Saks – and a full-page presence in the annual Christmas catalog.

Babar at Books of Wonder

For those visiting in New York City throughout the holidays, be sure to make this a stop on your itinerary!

New York’s largest independent bookstore will be transformed into “Babar Central” this holiday season to celebrate Babar’s birthday in a variety of ways.  Just some of the planned festivities include special store windows dedicated to Babar and his 80^th birthday and an auction of rare Babar silkscreened prints with proceeds to benefit Reading Is Fundamental.

Babar (is Back!) at Retail

As part of all the 80^th birthday activity, the look and feel of the vintage Babar brand will be showcased in a range of new products set to launch at specialty toy and book stores nationwide this holiday season.  From top-quality board books and games to beautifully-designed puzzles, plush and pajamas, the upscale collection of Babar products will mark the beloved brand’s widespread reemergence at retail after more than ten years, paving the way for a whole new generation of fans and allowing those who grew up with Babar to share the magic of the regal yet relatable character and his imaginative adventures with their own young charges.

A Spanish toy company is facing fiery criticism today after releasing Breast Milk Baby on Friday in the U.S.

“Breast Milk Baby,” the latest doll from Berjuan Toys, comes with a halter top that has sensors sewn into the nipples. When the doll comes in contact with the sensors, which are covered by petal appliques, it begins to make suckling sounds. The doll burps and cries as well, but it doesn’t have to be in contact with the breast to make those sounds.

Berjaun Toys’ US representative Dennis Lewis doesn’t understand why the doll is failing to get placed on mainstream shelves more than a year after its release. Lewis said:

“We’ve had a lot of support from lots of breastfeeding organizations, lots of mothers, lots of educators. There also has been a lot of blowback from people who maybe haven’t thought to think about really why the doll is there and what its purpose is. Usually they are people that either have problems with breastfeeding in general, or they see it as something sexual.”

The six dolls, which come with different facial features and skin tones, originally cost $89 each. But after having difficulty selling them to retailers, Lewis has cut the price in half on their website in time for the holidays.

The Breast Milk Baby website explains the benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and the infant and says the doll will teach girls “the nurturing skills they’ll need to raise their own health babies.”

The problem isn’t that breastfeeding is wrong. Critics say the doll can over-sexualize young girls or force them to grow up too quickly.

On an episode of The O’Reilly Factor last year, Bill O’Reilly said, “I just want the kids to be kids. And this kind of stuff. We don’t need this.”

Author of The Complete Book of Breastfeeding Sally Wendkos Olds said, “I think it’s a very cute toy. I think it’s just crazy what Bill O’Reilly was saying that it’s sexualizing little girls. The whole point is that so many people in our society persist in sexualizing breastfeeding, where in so many other countries around the world they don’t think anything of it.”

Lewis said the doll is much less sexualized than a Barbie or Bratz doll and blamed the lack of US sales on a phobia of breastfeeding.

Content published at Examiner.com

Preterm births, the largest cause of death for newborns in the U.S., declined to the lowest level in a decade as part of a campaign to reduce the number of early deliveries, a report showed.

The number of U.S. babies born before the 37th complete week of pregnancy fell to 11.7 percent in 2011 after peaking at 12.8 percent in 2006, the fifth straight year of declining numbers, the March of Dimes said today in its Birth Report Card.

The nonprofit advocacy group, Department of Health and Human Services and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in February announced “Strong Start,” building on a 2003 effort to encourage women and doctors to continue pregnancies to a full term before inducing labor or scheduling a cesarean section. Babies born at 39 weeks are less likely to have hearing and vision issues and have more time to gain weight, according to the March of Dimes. Those born prematurely cost the U.S. $26 billion in excess health spending a year, said Jennifer Howse, the group’s president.

“The U.S. is definitely on the right road now but we still have a ways to go,” Howse said in a Nov. 12 telephone interview. “The U.S. got a grade of ‘C’ on the March of Dimes’s report card, which is average, and that’s not good enough for the U.S. considering the high quality of health care and the level of financial investment we’ve made in health care in our country.”

By 2020, the March of Dimes hopes the U.S. has lowered its early birth rate to 9.6 percent, she said.

Anti-Smoking Programs

To help achieve the goal, more states also need to implement smoking cessation programs because about 23 percent of women of childbearing age smoke, Howse said. More women of childbearing age need health insurance so their pregnancy can be monitored and doctors need to use progesterone more often to prevent women from having early labor, she said.

In the report card, the White Plains, New York-based March of Dimes graded states by comparing their rate of preterm birth with the 2020 goal of 9.6 percent. In total, 45 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico improved their numbers in 2011 from 2009.

The group found that seven states and Washington lowered the percentage of women of childbearing age who were uninsured. Forty-three states, Washington and Puerto Rico reduced the number of babies born from 34 weeks to 36 weeks of pregnancy when many women and doctors schedule C-sections and inductions that aren’t medically necessary, according to the report.

State Grades

Vermont, Oregon, New Hampshire and Maine received ‘A’s on the report and had preterm birth rates of 9.6 percent or less, while Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Puerto Rico rated ‘F’s with preterm birth rates of 14.9 percent and higher.

Fifteen million babies are born early globally and more than 1 million die each year, according to the March of Dimes. A premature baby has medical costs that are 12 times higher than a baby born full term, Howse said.

In a report released in May, the U.S. ranked 131 of 184 countries in preterm birth, putting the country at the same level as Turkey, Somalia and Thailand, she said.

Still, Howse said, “the U.S. is one of four nations in the world where rates of preterm birth are dropping. You do have to look underneath that ranking.”

“Yes, it’s discouraging,” Howse said. “Yes, we need to do better, but we are on the right road,”

To contact the reporter on this story: Nicole Ostrow in New York at nostrow1@bloomberg.net

Story originally published by Bloomberg Businessweek

WAYNE, N.J., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Toys”R”Us, Inc. recently announced that it has entered a partnership with Thyme Maternity, Canada’s leading maternity fashion brand from Montreal-based Reitmans Canada Ltd., to bring a collection of maternity apparel and accessories exclusively to its Babies”R”Us^® customers in the U.S.  This marks the U.S. debut of Thyme Maternity, and further solidifies Babies”R”Us as THE destination for expectant moms. The collection is available now online at Babiesrus.com and will be featured in dedicated maternity boutiques in approximately 150 Babies”R”Us stores nationwide in the coming weeks.

“Part of what sets Babies”R”Us apart as a specialty retailer is our differentiated assortment of products not only for babies, but for new and expectant moms at every stage of their pregnancy and beyond,” said Richard Barry, Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys”R”Us, Inc. “We are proud to partner with Thyme Maternity, a market leader, to give U.S. moms-to-be an exciting new choice in maternity fashion.”

Thyme Maternity – Fashions for Every Occasion and Every Stage of Pregnancy
Thyme Maternity has decades of experience outfitting moms-to-be, and offers a full of life experience that includes valuable advice, fashion tips and product knowledge to help future moms on their journey through pregnancy and after the baby is born.

The Thyme Maternity collection at Babies”R”Us features a comprehensive assortment of maternity fashions to meet an expectant mom’s changing wardrobe needs, and is specifically designed to adapt to her body as her pregnancy progresses.  The collection includes a stylish Mix and Match assortment, long-sleeved cowl neck sweaters, belted cardigans and denim in a variety of fits.  Also included is work wear, such as dress pants in different fits and styles, blouses and tops, as well as a selection of dresses.

In addition, the collection features activewear for relaxing days at home or running errands, cozy sleepwear to ensure mom gets her rest before the baby arrives, as well as lingerie.  An array of nursing tops and nursing bras is also available for the post-natal mom.

Read more at PR Newswire.

Photo courtesy of Coupon Station