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I just find the whole experience to be massively unenjoyable, especially as a mom.

Beach photos are starting to litter my feed. Moms in their big-brimmed hats chasing toddlers with the sandy-bums into the waves. Kids building sand castles, body surfing, and eating sliced watermelon on miniature beach chairs. It looks pretty, trendy, and fun. The sun, the sand, #saltwater. God, it looks magical. And I wanna be a part of it — I really do. But the problem is that I actually don’t. Because I have a very unpopular and lame opinion that I am not proud of, and that is that the beach sucks.

I live in New England, where the beach season is short. I live relatively close to the beach so you would think it would be my thing. And maybe it’s because I’m neurotic. I mean, that is definitely part of it! But I just find the whole experience to be massively unenjoyable, especially as a mom. But before you write me off, hear me out.

First there is the packing. With four kids, I practically need a U-Haul to fit all my beach necessities. We’ve got towels, hats, sunscreen, extra clothes, goggles, umbrellas, chairs, coolers, and a tent. I look like I’m moving in for christ’s sake. Typically we have to park a decent hike away, leaving me to drag everything across a heat-soaked parking lot and basically completing a Tough Mudder just getting myself and the kids on the beach without losing anything or anyone.

And then there is the sand, which if I am being honest might be my biggest problem.

IT. GETS. EVERYWHERE.

On my feet, in my lunch, on my water bottle, in my bag. I have to fight the urge to sprint off the beach and to the nearest shower to rid myself and all my things of these teeny, tiny granulated rock the moment I arrive. I can’t even comprehend the people who willingly sit directly down onto it, wet bottomed. Or the kids who get buried. No, no, I would rather go have a simultaneous pap smear and root canal.

My setup typically includes two elevated beach chairs and kids towels placed in front of me. Each of my chairs has a hard-top cooler on either side, acting like a little table and ensuring that none of my food, drink, or other stuff need ever touch the ground.

Once we have settled in we gotta lather ourselves in goo. Do you know how many times you need to reapply sunscreen for a day at the beach to avoid a sunburn? Close to a million, I think. Even then, I mess it up and somehow one of my kids ends up with extra rosey shoulders showcasing my negligence for all to see. But even quick and easy applications lead to sticky hands — which bring me back to, you guessed it — the sand. Who is okay with rubbing gritty sunscreen all over themselves and having the residue left on their hands?! Apparently a lot of people. It blows my mind.

And how about all the safety hazards? I want whatever everyone on the beach is taking that allows them to sit calmly while their children wander around an immensely crowded place and swim in a massive body of wavy open water with unknown living things swimming and crawling below. Maybe it is because my high school boyfriend’s family watched Jaws on repeat for the three years we dated, but I can’t stop picturing my children as ocean predator lunch.

I go in the water for exactly the amount of time that it takes me to pee; honestly, probably a little less. It typically ends with a little running down my leg and a quick slash because even if you convinced me I wasn’t going to get eaten, it is still freezing as f*ck. Sadly, for me, there is not enough Ativan in my arsenal to give me any beach chill.

So, there it is, my sad, annoying, and very uncool summer truth. Of course, it doesn’t mean you won’t catch me on the beach a few times, because my kids adore it, and they make the rules, after all. So I will be there — head on a swivel, sunblock pre-applied, sitting closely to a lifeguard chair, wearing a pair of socks. Just kidding. Although maybe that’s not a bad idea…

Samm is an ex-lawyer and mom of four who swears a lot. Find her on Instagram @sammbdavidson.

So… how should I talk about it with my partner?

Welcome to Ask A MWLTF (Yes, that’s Mother Who Likes to F*ck.), a monthly anonymous advice column from Scary Mommy. Here we’ll dissect all your burning questions about motherhood, sex, romance, intimacy, and friendship with the help of our columnist, Penelope, a writer and mental health practitioner in training. She’ll dish out her most sound advice for parents on the delicate dance of raising kids without sacrificing other important relationships. Email her at askpenelope@scarymommy.com.

Dear Penelope,

I’m a married man in his early forties, and a few months ago I started taking an anti-depressant. I prefer not to go into all the specific reasons, though I’m guessing they’re common enough. The point is that I’d been finding life and myself unbearable, and the usual homemade remedies had failed to right me. I decided at last to take my doctor’s advice and lend mother nature a hand. Within three weeks, I was feeling happier and more energized than I had in years. I could think clearly and concentrate. I could keep my anxious thoughts in check. The only thing I couldn’t do, and unfortunately this seems like an important thing, is achieve an orgasm. It came as a shock to both me and my wife who have managed to keep up a healthy sex life despite the demands of work and children. What a strange feeling it was. Like going to reach for a jar in the cupboard and finding I had no arm. So, now what? Sex is not the most important thing to me, but it’s important. I’m not going to live without it for the rest of my life. At the same time, I don’t want to go back to the sad sack I felt I was becoming without meds. Is there some third option? And how can I talk about all this with my wife who has skin in the game, after all?

Signed,

Happy but not Horny

Dear Happy but Not Horny,

As a fellow medicated sad-sack myself, I feel your pain, as do the other 37 million Americans being treated with mood-regulating pharmaceuticals. And yet isn’t it interesting that as common as these medications have become, not all doctors talk openly and honestly with their patients about the common sexual side effects. Even the short-hand term itself “sexual side effects,” rings euphemistic. The first time I heard the term, an image came to mind of adult section of a hotel minibar with its little ramekins of condoms. Why not say it plainly? Many of these drugs will make you not want to have sex. Some will make you unable to come. It’s very possible that for a period of time, cobwebs will proliferate across your marital bed and your crotch will feel about as lively as a block of wood?

On the other hand, these drugs also save lives and change them for the better, as you yourself have seen. And while sexual health is important, untreated depression and anxiety can corrode even the most loving relationships. So where does that leave us? It seems to me you hit on something important in that you ask not “what should I do?” Or “how do I fix this,” but rather, “How do I talk about this?” Talking about it, openly, honestly, precisely, with your doctors, your therapist, and most of all, your partner, seems to me the vital component too often left out.

When we communicate with our doctor about the impact of medication on sexual intimacy, we open the door to the imperfect but essential process of trial and error. Some drugs have greater sexual side effects for certain patients than others. Sometimes doses and timing can be adjusted. The process is never perfect, but a good psychiatrist should work with you to find a regimen that offers you relief of symptoms with minimum impact on sexual function.

Furthermore, as important as it is to talk with your doctor about this too-often taboo subject, it’s equally important to talk with your partner. Even for couples with a thriving sex life, sexuality is not always to discuss. Too often, our culture tells us that sex should be spontaneous, easy, impulsive, and effortless, and if it’s not, it’s a sign that something is off with a relationship. The reality is that sex in a long-term relationship, even without the potential side-effects of psychopharmacology, is far more fluid and complicated. Kids, work, physical illness, a global pandemic — all these things can impact a couple’s sex life. And yet it’s so easy to personalize every rut. When communication is lacking, insecurity blossoms. On the other hand, being able to talk openly with a partner, and doing so with curiosity and empathy rather than criticism or blame, can ultimately make build intimacy and trust. My advice then would be to think of your wife as an ally in the long-game process of balancing your mental and sexual health. Relationship research often shows that couples grow closer when they work on a project together or toward a share goal. I can’t think of a better one to start with than a future where horniness and happiness are in balance.

Scott Wolf and Lacey Chabert are set to reunite as onscreen siblings in a new Hallmark Christmas movie titled ‘A Merry Scottish Christmas.’

Party of Five may have gone off the air 23 years ago, but that doesn’t mean the fandom for the show (and its cast) has wavered. It may have taken over two decades to get some kind of cast reunion in the works, but fans will be delighted to know that two alums from the hit series — Scott Wolf and Lacey Chabert — will soon be working together again on a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

The actors are set to reunite as onscreen siblings (just like on Party of Five!) in a new movie titled A Merry Scottish Christmas.

“Scott and I have talked for years about doing another project together,” Chabert, 40, said in a statement. “When we first read this story about these siblings at a crossroads, we both knew it was the perfect opportunity.”

Wolf, 55, added, “Working with Lacey on Party of Five was one of my favorite experiences ever. Reuniting after all of these years to tell such a beautiful story together is a dream that I’m so glad is coming true.”

According to a press release shared by Hallmark, the new movie will premiere on the network later this year during its annual “Countdown to Christmas” event.

This event is also where I lose hours of my life to deliciously corny but adorable Hallmark Christmas movies that suddenly give me the urge to decorate my house in wall-to-ceiling garland and make homemade cocoa.

Wolf and Chabert will play estranged siblings named Lindsay (Chabert) and Brad (Wolf) who travel to Scotland to reunite with their mother to celebrate Christmas. However, when they arrive, a big family secret is revealed.

Chabert and Wolf originally starred as on-screen siblings Claudia and Bailey Salinger on Party of Five, which aired for six seasons from 1994 to 2000.

During a recent appearance on the Hey Dude… The 90s Called! podcast, Chabert opened up about her experience as a teen star in the late ‘90s. The Mean Girls alum reflected on growing up alongside her character Claudia, who experienced many “firsts” before she did.

“It was a little bit of a different way of growing up and not everyone can relate to it,” she said.

“It was interesting because sometimes my character would go through things in life on the show that I had yet to actually go through in life. You know, like my first kiss and all of this kind of embarrassing stuff,” she added.

Chabert also revealed that she and her former costars maintain a relationship after all these years.

“So many of us are still very, very, very close,” she gushed. “They’re a part of my life now. And it’s been nice to grow up together and become parents … you know, go through different phases of life together.”

Though Chabert and Wolf may have remained buddies after their time on Party of Five, the Hallmark film will be their first on-screen reunion.

“We are so excited to reunite Lacey and Scott and know our viewers will fall in love with this movie,” Lisa Hamilton Daly, the Executive Vice President of Programming at Hallmark Media, said in a statement. “The nostalgia of seeing Lacey and Scott together again on screen is going to be a special holiday treat for our viewers.”

The Hallmark reunion will also be a treat for anyone who was 10 years old in 1999 and used to write fan letters to Scott Wolf — not that I know anyone like that…

With everything from baby probiotics to organic diaper cream to good old multivitamins, iHerb’s got you covered.

As parents, we’re always on the hunt for wellness products that are safe, effective, and budget-friendly. Whether it’s a supplement to give them that extra nutritional boost, or a super gentle lotion for their (literally) baby-soft skin, finding the right products is key to keeping your little ones healthy today while setting them up for a lifetime of feeling their best.

But it turns out that finding formulas that check the elusive “safe, effective, and budget-friendly” box isn’t always easy. When my daughter was little, she went through a phase (a long phase) where she would only eat white foods. Vegetables? Forget it. Fruits? Nothing but bananas. Let’s just say it was stressful — there’s nothing quite like worrying your kid isn’t getting enough nutrients. And after seeking out kid-friendly supplements and finding only vitamins as overpriced as they were chalky, I didn’t feel much better. Even now, sourcing wellness products we can count on — that keep our wallets intact — can feel like an impossible task.

That’s where iHerb comes in. With products like baby probiotics, supplements, organic diaper cream, and even tear-free shampoo, iHerb offers the highest quality, safest, and most effective wellness products on the market at prices that can’t be beat. Keep scrolling for our favorite budget-friendly products to keep your kids happy and healthy, all easily shoppable on iHerb.com.

Organic Diaper Balm

Irritation and redness caused by diapers can make an otherwise happy baby turn grumpy — fast. To avoid any rash-induced meltdowns, we love this rich balm made with organic calendula and chamomile. It’s free from harsh parabens, fragrances, and colorants, and the calming formula also contains organic beeswax and sunflower oil for an extra soothing effect.

Mild By Nature

Tear-Free Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

With a subtle peach scent, this tear-free hair and body combo is packed with natural oils and extracts that gently wash away the day without a hint of irritation. The star ingredient here is colloidal oatmeal, which has been a proven go-to for soothing sensitive skin since, well, forever.

Mild By Nature

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system, but many kids don’t get enough of it from food and sunlight alone. This liquid formula is designed for optimum absorption by infants and children. With a great-tasting natural berry flavor kids love, it provides 1,000 IU of Vitamin D per drop and can easily be added to food or drinks.

ChildLife Essentials

Pure DHA

DHA is a vital nutrient that powers the brain, and since they’re in a state of constant growth and learning, it’s key that kids get enough of it. These pure softgels provide concentrated DHA in a tasty, easy-to-use, naturally flavored form that can be chewed or swallowed.

ChildLife Essentials

Baby Probiotic

Every parent knows how quick colic, gas, and upset tummies can ruin a baby’s — and by association, a parent’s — day. Keep them comfy while you help them build a strong digestive system with a probiotic specially engineered for babies 6 months and older. This one contains seven probiotic strains and is USDA-certified organic and non-GMO verified.

Garden of Life

Animal Parade Kids Immune Booster

A healthy immune system is like an all-access pass for your kiddo to explore the great big world. This booster promotes natural immune strengthening powered by vitamins A, C, and E, a unique herbal blend, acidophilus for microbiome balance, and zinc. Kids will love the flavor and fun shapes of these chewables, and parents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they’re helping their little ones ward off sickness. Win-win!

NaturesPlus

Animal Parade Gold Children’s Chewable Multivitamin Supplement

Kids are too busy living their best kid-lives to care about vitamins and minerals, but hey, that’s what us parents are for! These supplements are fun, yummy, and slyly nutritious, so you can stop worrying about whether or not they finish every last bite on their plate. Each one is made with over 20 whole foods (like broccoli and spinach), and contains all the essential vitamins your child needs to thrive.

NaturesPlus

At the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like knowing we’re doing good for our children’s health and wellness. Well-made products are the key to helping them grow, thrive, and eventually, rule the world — and that’s a win for everybody!

During a recent show, singer Pink was left absolutely befuddled after a fan threw a baggie containing her mom’s ashes on stage.

Anyone who wants to argue that concert etiquette hasn’t totally gone out the window in a post-pandemic world needs to see this video immediately. During a recent show, singer Pink was left absolutely befuddled after a fan threw a baggie containing her mom’s ashes on stage.

The "So What?” singer totally took the moment in stride, cautiously picking up the bag and trying to remain calm during the bizarre moment.

“This is your mom?” Pink can be heard asking in a video as she picked up the bag. “I don’t know how I feel about this.”

The 43-year-old mom of two walked on the stage with the bag and set it down before continuing singing her hit 2001 song, "Just Like a Pill."

While the moment was totally strange and semi-boundary crossing (Pink didn’t consent to having literal human remains thrown at her…), the UK (where the concert was held) doesn’t have specific laws banning the spreading of human ashes, though it’s recommended to get the permission of the person who owns the land before doing anything with the remains of a loved one.

So, if anyone else is planning to douse Pink with some ashes this summer, maybe give her a heads up.

This viral moment is not the first shocking violation of concert etiquette this summer. Last week, Ava Max said an audience member stormed the stage and proceeded to slap her while she performing during a show in Los Angeles.

Pop singer Bebe Rexha was in the hospital earlier this month after an audience member threw a cell phone at her during a concert, leaving her with a black eye.

Several fans who attended Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour have complained about fans screeching in their ears for the entire show instead of just, y’know, enjoying the show and singing along like a normal person.

Those complaining about loud scream-singers have been met with mixed responses. Some agree that after spending a pretty penny to see Swift, fans who are screaming the entire show are the worst kind of person while others think anyone who has a ticket to the show has a right to “enjoy” the concert.

Several fans of the band Boy Genius — a supergroup put together by indie rock artist Phoebe Bridgers — have also complained about the lack of concert etiquette at their recent shows. One fan posted in the r/phoebebridgers subreddit, begging fans to act appropriately at shows.

“Last night I saw boygenius, and it was the worst concert I’ve ever been to because of the crowd,” she wrote.

Some have argued that — in the age of social media and viral moments —fans are a bit more unruly and willing to do literally anything to get their favorite artist’s attention. Even if that means chucking the charred remains of your mom on stage at a pop icon, but hey, here I am writing about it so it seems to be working!

Nintendo has announced new limited edition Super Mario Oreos that will feature 16 symbols from the popular gaming franchise.

Here we gooooo! Oreo has collaborated with Nintendo to make the perfect summer snack: a Super Mario-themed Oreo cookie.

Each package of Oreo cookies is filled with a random assortment of Double Stuf (the best kind, obvi) cookies embossed with 16 different Super Mario characters including Mario, Luigi, a Super Star, and villain characters such as Bowser and a Goomba.

If you’re wondering where the Princess Peach embossed cookie ran off to — that’s half the fun.

“Powering up the playful partnership, Princess Peach is missing, and OREO is calling on superfans to participate in a social challenge to stop trouble-making Bowser from taking over her castle!” the official press release reads.

Here’s how to play: On the rim of a glass of milk, stack as many Super Mario Oreo cookies as possible atop a Bowser cookie until he is defeated (a.k.a. the cookies fall into the milk.) Share a video of the delicious defeat on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or TikTok with the hashtag #SuperMarioOREO to see if you’re a top contender.

“We hope to unite cookie lovers and Super Mario enthusiasts alike with this playful mission, inspired by a storyline fans know all too well,” said Oreo senior brand manager Vishnu Nair in a statement. “We may even reveal a surprise as a thank you to those who successfully defeat Bowser and save the kingdom. … Fans will have to wait and see!”

The cookie collab comes on the heels of the wildly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which raked in a $1.3 billion worldwide gross (and climbing!).

Super Mario™ Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Limited Edition
OREO

The success should really come as no surprise considering Super Mario Bros. has been one of the most popular brands over the last 35 years. The characters have been featured in some of the greatest video games of all time like Super Mario World, Mario Party and the Mario Kart franchise.

The new, limited edition Oreos are currently available for pre-order at Oreo.com/SuperMario and will hit stores beginning July 10.

Congrats are in order for Chrissy Teigen and John Legend who just welcomed their fourth child into the world via surrogate.

Congrats are in order for Chrissy Teigen and John Legend who just welcomed their fourth child into the world.

The Cravings cookbook author, 37, and The Voice star, 44, have welcomed a new baby boy via surrogate. Teigen confirmed the news on Instagram on Wednesday in a vulnerable and touching post.

The couple’s son — Wren Alexander Stephens — was born on Monday, June 19.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted four children. As a little girl, 2 glow worms and 2 cabbage patch dolls were perpetually in my arms, helping me stir in my pretend kitchen, watching Alf with me,” she reminisced in a lengthy Instagram post.

“We’d sleep together nightly, each getting the same amount of kisses as to not make the others jealous. My mom always searched for the Pound Puppy with 4 pups in her pouch, having no qualms about opening and peeking inside before purchasing,” she added.

Teigen went on to explain that after her losing her baby, Jack, she didn’t think her body could take another pregnancy.

“I wouldn’t go through that pain and loss again,” she wrote.

So, in 2021, the couple reached out to a surrogate agency. Through IVF, Teigen and Legend welcomed their third child, Esti.

Teigen revealed that during the first trimester of her pregnancy with Esti, their potential surrogate also became pregnant on her second first attempt.

“Not wanting to rush the process, we took a breath and… were just patient. I laid around, enjoying the first trimester of my pregnancy, with of course a little bit of fear that isn’t any different from any other expecting couple,” Teigen wrote.

“As we crept toward the safe zone of my own pregnancy, we were overjoyed to learn Alexandra had become pregnant with a little boy. Our little boy.”

Soon enough, Alexandra and Teigen were thick as thieves, enjoying being pregnant together.

“We ate hot pot to celebrate, watched Vanderpump Rules with our growing bellies, our families blending into one for the past year. Just minutes before midnight on June 19th, I got to witness the most beautiful woman, my friend, our surrogate, give birth amidst a bit of chaos, but with strength and pure joy and love,” Teigen wrote.

“We want to say thank you for this incredible gift you have given us, Alexandra,” she said, referencing their "most incredible, loving, compassionate surrogate.”

“And we are so happy to tell the world he is here, with a name forever connected to you, Wren Alexander Stephens. Our hearts, and our home, are officially full. And to our Jack, we know both their angel kisses are from you."

The couple’s new arrival comes just five months after the family welcomed baby Esti.

After Esti was born, Teigen had to clap back at internet trolls who accused the TV personality of hiding that Esti was born via surrogate. As we know now, Teigen doesn’t really give a sh*t if you know she used a surrogate.

However, at the time, Teigen decided to upload a photo from her very real C-section procedure to her Instagram stories.

“Extremely realistic ‘moon bump,’" Teigen sarcastically wrote over a very intimate shot taken of her C-section. She also told People that she “loved surgery” and thought it was “so cool” to have her organs out of her body for a moment.

“The incision is a lot and you never know how your stomach’s going to come together,” she recalled. “I think your organs are on the table for a second, but that to me is so cool. I was taking pictures above the seat. I have the craziest pictures of the cord and everything.”

Regardless if Teigen and Legend used a surrogate or gave birth via C-section, beautiful happy babies are all that matters and now the dynamic couple has two of them! Congrats!

The Force is strong with Hasbro’s collection of toys inspired by its hit animated children’s series.

I love a baby dressed as Yoda as much as the next person — and there’s nothing cuter than a toddler losing their cool over a pair of Darth Vader shoes. But that’s always been where the Star Wars merchandise has ended for the youngest set of fans. When Disney+ unveiled Young Jedi Adventures, an animated series geared towards toddlers and preschoolers, parents of tales from a galaxy far, far away were pumped. They could finally share their favorite world, beloved characters, and lure with their youngest kids. The show did not disappoint, and neither has the near onslaught of new, little kid-friendly merchandise inspired by Young Jedi Adventures.

If you haven’t introduced your youngest kiddos to Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, now is the time. The animated series follows a small group of younglings living in the High Republic era, which is centuries before any of the events of the main Star Wars films. Along the way, they meet interesting new friends and foes and, yes, wield training lightsabers. But, perhaps most important for parents, the main characters also train to be Jedis.

As such, they’re learning the ways of the Force: self-discipline, compassion, teamwork, and patience. Those aren’t just qualities you want to see from your kids; they’re also vital elements needed to become a Jedi Knight. In other words, the bright and engaging series teaches kids how to be decent humans. Thank Yoda. While the series revolves around a core group of human-like characters (Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay & Nash Durango), it also features cute creatures and a droid (Yoda, Nubs, and RJ-83).

With any good, obsession-worthy series, you need equally good and obsession-worthy merch. And that, dear friends, is exactly what Hasbro is offering up. On the heels of the release of various plastic playsets that kids would no doubt love and parents would hate to step on comes a summer release bound to bring both cuddles and imaginative play.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Fuzzy Force Nubs

Everyone knows the way to your kid’s heart is with a huggable stuffy. Nubs ($34.99) comes in his undeniable bright blue fuzziness and stands a considerable 16.5 inches tall. He even comes with his own plush lightsaber.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Master Yoda Plush

Meanwhile, the Young Jedi Adventures version of Yoda ($29.99) is just over 13 inches and boasts both his unmistakable robe and, yes, a plush lightsaber. This is the way.

Young Jedi Adventures Training Lightsabers, $9.99

Perhaps most exciting for the young Padawans in your life is the release of the training lightsabers used by the young Jedis themselves. With brighter, more neon colors, they’re tailor-made to attract the attention of younger adventurers. They also extend in that oh-so-satisfying flick of the wrist. They come in three colors: Kai Brightstar’s yellow-green, Lys Solay’s purple-pink, and Nubs’ turquoise. Yes, there is an entire canon related to what the various colors of lightsabers mean — but let’s just let our kids pick their favorite colors or characters for now. We can worry about steering them towards various ambitions once they make it to second grade.

Welp. It’s only June, and you’ve already got the holidays just about sorted. Now… how about some Young Jedi Adventures underwear for the stocking?!

A new report is showing some of the most popular brands of baby food still contain heavy metals – arsenic, cadmium and lead.

A recent report coming from Consumer Reports shows some of the most popular brands of baby food still contain heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium and lead. This shocking discovery comes several years after a similar report that also showed concerning levels of the substances.

Consumer Reports (CR) published the results of the follow-up study showing brands including Earth’s Best Organic, Organics Happy Baby, Beechnut Naturals, Gerber and Baby Mum-Mum all containing amounts of the three metals.

Results showed that heavy metal levels increased in three products: Gerber’s Chicken Rice Dinner and Turkey Rice Dinner flavors, and Hot Kid Baby Mum-Mum Teething Wafers while levels stayed the same in one product — Beech-Nut baby food sweet potato flavor.

Three of the highest-risk foods from 2023 — which include purees from Gerber and Beech-Nut — all contained sweet potatoes.

In response to the CR test results, a spokesperson for Gerber said, “We work with our farmers to prioritize growing locations for optimal climate and soil conditions, approve fields before crops are planted based on soil testing and rotate crops.”

“Additionally, we’re continuing to invest in new research to help inform future improvements. For example, we’re working with public land-grant universities to conduct on-farm research to identify soil and varietal variables that may reduce uptake of heavy metals from the soil by carrots and sweet potatoes.”

The last time CR tested baby foods in 2018, 33 of the 50 foods were associated with potential health risks for kids due to combined exposures from those three heavy metals.

Since then, baby food manufacturers have taken some strides to make products safer, and the Food and Drug Administration announced plans meant to lower the levels of heavy metals in the food. However, the report said while some amounts have decreased over the past five years, the overall risk from the foods has only changed slightly.

So, what do the presence of heavy metals in baby food mean for kids and parents?

The CR report says “long-term intake of heavy metals may increase the risk of a variety of health and developmental problems in young children, including a lower IQ and behavioral issues, as well as ADHD, autism, and other issues.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that young children exposed to lead can suffer hampered development to their brain and nervous system. Around 2.5% of children under the age of five have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead.

As a result, they may have slowed growth, learning, behavior, hearing and speech issues.

In addition, arsenic, which was in several baby food products, is a carcinogen that raises the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancers. It has also been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and higher chances of infant mortality.

Despite some drops in metals for some foods, the increases in others evens the playing field when it comes to heavy metals in baby food. There is still much to be done about this though experts say parents should not panic.

“In some of the products, declines in certain heavy metals were offset by increases in others, so there was little change in the amount of the foods babies could eat. And we still found worrisome levels in foods that our last tests showed to be the most concerning, namely rice, sweet potatoes, and snack foods,” said James E. Rogers, PhD, CR’s director of food safety research and testing.

"While concerning, these results are no reason to panic," says Eric Boring, PhD, a CR chemist who oversaw the testing. "An occasional serving of even one of the foods with the highest levels is generally OK. Just remember to mix up what your kids eat."

Researchers recommend giving a child no more than one serving a day which is about one jar of baby food. However, when it comes to baby snack food, serving recommendations get a bit trickier.

The heavy metal content of baby snacks, like teething wafers and puffs, is concerning because children eat several helpings. For example, one serving of Happy Baby Organics Superfood Puffs, Apple & Broccoli is about 50 puffs.

So, what can parents do about this kind of information?

“To support child growth and development, we recommend parents and caregivers feed children a varied and nutrient-dense diet across and within the main food groups of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and protein foods,” Susan Mayne, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in the FDA’s new draft guidance.

“This approach helps your children get important nutrients and may reduce potential harmful effects from exposure to contaminants from foods that take up contaminants from the environment,” Mayne added.

There is no need to avoid sweet potatoes, rice, or carrots all together.

“These are nutritious foods, so you don’t have to eliminate them from your child’s diet,” says CR’s Keating. “Instead, serve them in rotation with many different vegetables and whole grains.”

If you have the bandwidth, rather than using packaged baby food products with rice, make your own rice and cook in a large amount of water. According to the FDA, this can reduce the arsenic content by 40 to 60%

Lastly, limit apple juice and grape juice intake, which CR’s tests in 2019 found contained higher levels of inorganic arsenic and lead in general than other fruit juices.

Read the entire Consumer Reports data here.