The emergence of your baby's first teeth through his gums is called teething, a process that while perfectly natural, can be somewhat painful. Once you know what to expect and how to lessen your little one's discomfort, you'll be able to watch this phase of his development with ease.
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First, the good news: the number of Americans who smoke cigarettes has been declining for the past 25 years, with about one in five now saying they smoke¹. The bad news? Exposure to secondhand smoke can pose serious health risks to children, especially those under age two. If you or someone in your household smokes, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you quit. Babies who breathe secondhand smoke have higher risks of ear infections, upper respiratory infections, tooth decay and sudden baby death syndrome (SIDS)².

¹“U.S. Smoking Rate Still Coming Down,” by Lydia Saad, http://www.gallup.com/poll/109048/us-smoking-rate-still-coming-down.aspx, July 24, 2008.
² Parenting Corner Q&A: Secondhand Smoke, http://www.aap.org/publiced/ BR_SecondhandSmoke.htm, published online February 2007.

Arts and crafts activities are great ways to let your toddler express his creativity. To make sure his paints, crayons, clay and other supplies are safe, look for "Conforms to ASTMD 4236" labels. That means the products have been evaluated for long-term health hazards using American Society for Testing and Materials standards. You can also look for the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) Approved Product Seal. These products are nontoxic and pose no immediate or long-term health hazards.

Source: “Arts and Crafts Safety,” by Kara Corridan, http://www.parents.com,
http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/toy/arts-and-crafts-safety/