Baby and You

Today the US Consumer Product Safety Council is reporting two products that could be in the crib with your baby. Kids II Inc. is recalling 15,000 of its soothing seascape crib toys. The anchors of the toy can detach causing a choking hazard to young children.

The toy cribs are sold at discount department stores and on-line retailers nationwide. If you have a crib conatct kids two for a replacement.

The Heart and Car Sterling Silver Teethers from the company Elegant Baby and Baby Needs Inc. is being recalled.

About 200 teethers are being recalled because of a choking hazard as well.

The teethers are found at infact clothing stores around the county.

Contact Elegant Baby and Baby Needs for a refund.

Although Q didn't see any Armani or Little Marc at Principessa Children's Boutique, your little fashionista-in-training may leave looking as stylish as Suri, Violet or the newest celeb baby, Nicole Richie's daughter Harlow.

Principessa Children's Boutique, 453 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park, 847-926-0500, sells new (think Lili Gaufrette and Sister Sam) and gently used designer children's clothes (True Religion jeans and Juicy Couture).

toddler adidas shoes | Vintage Jewelry | Golf | Telescope The resale items range in price from $9.99 to $100. Q picked up a purple Lauren Celeste fleece toddler coat for less than $20. On our second trip, for a 5-month-old, we bought a Grain de Lune two-piece outfit with pink top and footed pink, green and ivory striped pants for $9.99. Owner Aimee Krupp said the best consignment sellers are anything by Flowers by Zoe and Juicy Couture. "They're at such a high price point [normally], but here . . . a $110 suit would cost $50 or less," she said.

Your average secondhand store. Although you won't find used clothes from large discount chains, Principessa even tries to avoid the Gap, Children's Place and Gymboree. "There may be one or two pieces [from Gap-like stores], but I tend to stay away from that," Krupp said. "I'm trying to distinguish myself as a different kind of consignment store."

Amid the mixture of used clothing and new designer threads, your child will gravitate not only toward the clothes but also to the wooden toys, puzzles, dolls and hair accessories. There's also a miniature table and chairs for your little shopper to rest while Mom or Dad peruses the goods.

If you can dress your kid in secondhand luxe threads for low prices, why not? Maybe the paparazzi will take a second glance your child's way-unless Suri's in town.

La Crosse County Health Department officials estimate that 85% of people in our area are not using their child's car seat properly.

A new government ratings system could help parents make the best choice for their kids, by choosing a seat that's easier to use.

Car seats used to be rated with letter grades, but now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is unveiling a five star rating system. The new ratings are based on how well the seat secures a child, and the ease for parents using the seat.

Before any car seat is sold in the United States is has to pass a crash test first. However, the NHTSA says seven in ten child seats are either the wrong size or are misused.

The new ratings for car seats had some surprises for health officials.

"I was surprised because I thought the more expensive seats would rate better than the more reasonably priced seats," said Paula Silha, a child passenger safety technician for La Crosse County. "I was surprised to know even the more expensive seats don't always rate better."

Here are the new ratings for some of the popular forward facing car seats used in the La Crosse area:

• Britaz Marathon and Britax Roundabout: Three Stars
• Cosco Scenera: Two Stars
• Evenflo Titan Elite and Evenflo Tribute: Two Stars
• Graco Comfort Sport: Three Stars

More...