Most parents vigilantly keep medications out of the reach of children. So, understandably, one mom was shocked to learn that her 8-month-old son died of a lethal dose of a popular allergy medication. How did this happen? The child's babysitter allegedly administered him an adult serving of Benadryl ... because she wanted the small child to sleep.

Haddix James Mulkey died a completely avoidable death and now his mom, Katie, is sharing their nightmarish experience as a warning for other parents.

This story is horrifying on multiple levels. When you read something like this, your first thought is that the babysitter must've been a teenager who just wanted to get back to social media or watching TV. But this was no high school kid.

The sitter was actually a 43-year-old woman. Lori Conley was arrested last week and charged with child endangerment and murder. At the time of the child's death she reportedly told police that the boy had been fussy and she simply wanted him to sleep. But two adult tablets proved fatal for the tiny tot.

More from The Stir: Woman Pours Vodka into Little Boy's Face for Splashing in a Pool #WTF

Sadly, Conley isn't the first person to consider using medication to induce sleep in a child. Many times you'll hear parents admit to giving their son or daughter an over-the-counter drug to help them sleep on a flight or long car ride. You'd hope that if they were doing something like that, they'd at least use the right dosage and the children's version.

Still, drugging a child for a parent's convenience is never, ever a good idea, no matter how tempting it might be. Hopefully, parents who read this will abandon the practice completely.

Losing a child is any parent's worst nightmare. As the family wrote in the little boy's heartbreaking obituary:

In the 8 months we had him, our lives will forever be changed from the joy and love he provided.

Just devastating. But we applaud this mom for being willing to open up in the hopes of saving other kids from the same fate.

Image via iStock.com/ilterriorm

Want your daughter's name to embody romance, adventure, and possibly even the great outdoors? Should your son's name suggest that he's a legend in the making? Thankfully, Laura Wattenberg, founder of Baby Name Wizard, has some lovely, lyrical options that originate from Cornwall, Brittany, or the Isle of Man and evoke a spirit of whimsy and wonder.

Plenty of parents adore Celtic names, but it can be hard to find ones that aren't already super-popular. Pronunciations can proving challenging, but thankfully Wattenberg has included those as well. Take a look at these delightfully unique baby names and see if you recognize any.

Image PonomarenkoNataly/Shutterstock

How do you decide what baby products you actually need when everyone -- from your mom to your sister to your best friend to the old lady at the grocery store to the multibillion-dollar baby-care industry -- has a completely different list of “must-haves?” How do you wade through the pages of advice and aisles of gear and come out the other side not buried by piles of things you don’t actually need? We can help you narrow down the list so you can save money for stuff that really matters.

1. A changing table. As tempting as it may be to buy the complete set of matching nursery furniture, consider how useful a dedicated changing table will be when your baby is out of diapers in just a few years. (Hint: Not at all.) A regular dresser can do the same job and better. It provides more storage, you have more leeway to find something in your personal style, and it can stay in your child’s room for years and years as s/he grows from wearing onesies to rompers to soccer socks.

2. A diaper bag. Speaking of diapers (get used to it, new parents!), don’t let anyone tell you that you must have a special bag made especially for carrying diaper-changing supplies. It’s simply not true. Any bag will do, really, although for best results get one that’s waterproof (or at least washable) and that has lots of internal pockets to keep your supplies organized. Or get a portable, folded diaper-changing “pod” (typically a mat with some pockets built in) for diapers, wipes, and ointment, and toss that in any bag you like (or in the stroller basket).

3. A travel system. Some people love the idea of these sturdy all-in-one strollers with snap-in infant car seat, but if you don’t love hauling all that bulky equipment in and out of your car, you can get away with much less by starting out with a car seat that clicks into a set of lightweight stroller wheels. The money you save up front can then be put toward your next stroller once your baby outgrows the infant car seat and you decide what kind of stroller suits your family (standard, jogger, umbrella, double, etc.). Pro tip: The stroller wheels are genius for transporting carryon luggage through an airport, and because they’re strollers, you can check them at the gate!

4. Brand-new baby clothes. While buying teeny-tiny clothes is without question one of the most fun parts of having a baby, it’s not exactly necessary to gussy them up like they’re headed down a fashion runway. Hand-me-downs abound if you ask the right people, and consignment shops and thrift stores can be a trove of only-worn-once gems. If you want to be practical but still can’t fight the urge to shop for your little one, remember this: Family and friends are likely to shower you with enough outfits to get your baby through the first few months, so buy clothes your baby can wear when s/he’s bigger.

5. A white noise machine. Some parents swear by their white noise machines for peaceful(ish) nights with a baby, but that doesn’t mean you have to purchase a separate gadget to get the job done. Load a white noise app onto your phone, tablet, or laptop, or even go old-school with a fan that creates a soothing ambient sound.

6. A nursing cover. Sure, they have cute brand names and pretty patterns, but if you’re looking to cut down on the amount of equipment you have to lug around every time you leave the house, skip the single-use nursing cover and use a light muslin blanket instead. Buy the large size and you’ll get the coverage you need, plus you’ll have something to lay over your baby if it gets chilly, to spread under your baby if you need to put him or her down somewhere and to wipe up accidents when your baby (or you!) inevitably starts...leaking.

7. A diaper pail. (Yes, back to diapers.) I’m going to tell it to you straight: Once your baby starts eating solid food, their diaper is going to stink. You can wrap these foul messes in plastic and store them in a special bin in the baby’s room and tell yourself it’s all sunshine and roses, but when you get right down to it, you still have a can of poop inside your house, and that’s not cool. Keep a small container next to the diaper supplies for disposing of late-night changes, but otherwise, it’s better to get in the habit of taking that stinky puppy straight to the outside garbage ASAP. 

8.A sanitizer. Your great-grandmother raised seven kids in a one-bedroom house with nary a dishwasher in sight, yet we’re supposed to “sanitize” everything that comes into contact with our twenty-first-century babies? I don’t think so. Soap and water (or your dishwasher – which might even have a built-in sanitizing cycle, if you really want that) will get your baby’s bottles and pacifiers plenty clean.

9. A crib. That’s right, a crib. Younger babies can snooze safely in co-sleepers, bassinettes, and portable play yards, and toddlers can be moved to floor beds sooner than you think. (A floor bed is just what it sounds like -- a thin mattress on the floor in a completely child-proofed room.) No matter where your baby sleeps, make sure to keep the area free of hazards like fluffy bedding – see, there’s another expense you can avoid!

What items didn’t make your list of baby must-haves?

For more money-saving strategies, check out Allstate’s tips and tools for new parents.

Once you have a child, all you want to do is spend as much time with your newborn as possible. (And catch up on sleep, of course.) Sadly, most new moms who work outside the home don't have access to adequate parental leave, and as a result, they have to head back to the office sooner than later.

Thankfully, there are products out there for nursing mamas on the go that help make breastfeeding a reality. Here are some pumping-related accessories working moms will likely need.

More from CafeMom: 9 Parody Photos That Nail What Being a Breastfeeding Working Mom Is Really Like

Image via Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Once upon a time, before I had kids of my own, I made a living hanging out with other people's kids. I was a champion babysitter with a full roster of families and Friday nights that were booked months in advance. I babysat my way through high school and college, and let me tell you something: I knew A LOT about the families that I sat for.

When you think about it, babysitting is a surprisingly intimate experience. You're in someone's home for hours at a time, taking care of the smallest members of the family and seeing what goes on behind the scenes of their family.

It might seem like your babysitter isn't paying attention to much past the kids and her cell phone, but after talking to a group of teen and college-age babysitters, I was surprised at just how observant they really are and how much about the lives of the families they work for they know. Turns out little kids are REALLY willing to spill the beans to the 15-year-old from down the street.

Read on to find out what secrets babysitters know and what they wish they could tell parents. You might find yourself with a whole new level of respect for the person who makes your date night possible.

Image via Oksana Kuzmina/Shutterstock

Giving birth is no walk in the park. There's blood, sweat, and likely, a lot of tears. Moms go through the fire so we can hold our precious bundles of joy. Too bad once labor is over, the hardest part has only begun ...

Postpartum recovery is no joke -- and something many people don't really discuss. In addition to focusing your energy on your baby, it's also so important new moms to think about ourselves, so we can properly heal. We talked to experts to find some easy, natural ways new mothers can recover after childbirth. 

Image via iStock.com/Zurijata

It's a baby takeover in photographer Seth Casteel's photo book, Underwater Babies. In this project, Casteel captures energetic, curious, and just plain adorable babies spending a little time underwater. And while he completely covers the cute factor, there's also a message behind these uber-cute photos: water safety. 

"Through advocating water safety for pets, I became aware that water safety for children was also very serious issue," Casteel shares on his website. "After watching a few infant swim classes and learning of the associated benefits, I realized I could possibly help to bring awareness to this cause through a series of joyful images."

And that is exactly what he does. 

"By creating this book, I hope to encourage and inspire parents to consider swim lessons for their children, with the ultimate goal of preventing tragedies," further explains the photographer.  

From little mermaids to scuba divers, take a look at these enchanting babies in their underwater adventures!

Image courtesy of Underwater Babies by Seth Casteel/Little, Brown and Company 

Babies and toddler typically look like little angels when they're sleeping -- unless you're watching them through your video monitor. Those sneaky cameras often catch some hilarious happenings that include so much more than just the little ones getting some real shut-eye.

Check out these photos of babies and toddlers (and their parents and pets) caught on camera in some funny and unexpected poses. These are so good they'll make you want to put cameras on the whole family. 

Image via dajenster/Instagram

When babies finally (finally!) fall asleep, most parents use that naptime to catch up on emails or fold laundry (or maybe sneak in a little snooze of their own). Not so for the parents participating in the #CheerioChallenge, the latest silly Internet stunt involving food and cute kids to go viral. The premise is simple -- stack Cheerios on your sleeping kid -- and the results are adorable (and slightly bizarre!). 

The brainchild of Patrick Quinn, founder of dad-centric social network Life of Dad, the #CheerioChallenge is proof that parents (particularly dads!) never tire of finding ways to make the sometimes tedious tasks associated with raising kids a little more entertaining -- and to think, all you need is a box of cereal in the pantry to join the fun!

Well, that and a kid who's a heavy sleeper. Check out our slideshow for inspiration!

Image via Life of Dad/Facebook

Is there anything funnier than seeing a baby react to a new food? Whether it's sweet or sour, cold or hot, babies typically make some hilarious faces as they taste something for the very first time.

Take a look at these little guys. Even though it looks as if they're being tortured, you can't help but smile when you see their adorable grimacing and head-shaking. And, surprisingly, many go back for seconds!

This looks like a harmless cracker, so why is this little lady so skeptical?

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"I kind of hate this, but on second thought I'll have some more!"

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So dramatic!

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Don't you love how this little one looks into the camera as if to say, "What the heck was that?"

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It's okay, honey, pickles are an acquired taste.

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Dude, wait!! That's a lemon!

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He'll come around to avocado once he tries it as guacamole.

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This one is having none of it -- though based on those adorable arms, we'd say the baby is thriving!

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Well, good for these little guys for trying something new -- even if the initial reaction wasn't love at first bite!

Image via iStock.com/Jodi Jacobson

We see plenty of pics of this baby's big sister, so it's about time this tiny guy enjoyed the limelight for a change. Kim Kardashian West posted an adorable photo of her son, Saint, and he looks like a little angel in his pristine onesie.

While proud mama Kim shares lots of snaps of North, the sweet 6-month-old has been kept pretty much under wraps for most of his life. Speaking of Nori, Saint looks an awful lot like the little fashionista, doesn't he?

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�� on my snap chat

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jun 23, 2016 at 10:06pm PDT

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When your name is Saint, you've got to be pretty damn flawless, but fortunately, it looks like this babe pulls it out. That skin! Gorgeous! Looks like he's going to be tall, with those long fingers.

He's probably teething, which might explain his eagerness to get that hand in his mouth.

More from CafeMom: 21 Baby Names Voted 'The Worst' of 2016 ... So Far

We know Kim had a tough time conceiving and a rough pregnancy, so we're happy to see that baby Saint is thriving. It'll be interesting to see more of him as he gets bigger and tries to keep up with North and his Disick cousins!

One thing we know for sure: His wardrobe will be as heavenly as his name.

Image via Splash News

Anywhere between the ages of 3 months and 3 years, your baby's teeth will start coming in. And frankly we're not sure who teething is harder on: the baby, or the mom who doesn't know how to make her little one's sore gums feel better. What's more, the FDA recommends against using popular over-the-counter teething treatments that contain benzocaine, which can lead to life-threatening health problems.

So what's a mom with a baby in the throes of teething pain to do? Luckily there are plenty of natural treatments for teething pain in babies that can help nip it in the bud.

Image via iStock.com/blendcreations; iStock.com/YsaL    

After breastfeeding two babies, I know one thing for sure: Hungry babies do NOT CARE where they are or what their mama is doing. And if Mom happens to be busy with something as special as getting married? Well, better hope that dress is strapless!

We found some amazing photos of brides taking time out of their big day to nurse and, I can't lie, some of these pictures make me want to cry. I love a glowing mama and a happy baby! Click on for gorgeous brides and their most precious wedding guests. 

Image via iStock.com/Vagengeym_Elena

Last week, after months of teething, baby Kavya's first tooth finally erupted. It's really cute, half a tooth really, sitting primly on the bottom of her little smile.

And boy does she love to use it. To take a "bite," she snags her cookie or other random food on it, then pulls to tear. Or she gnaws on her carrot for half an hour, really working that little tooth like she's sharpening it for future use.

I know, now that the first tooth has arrived, the teething is only going to get worse. And given the wear-and-tear she's already giving the first one, I thought I should find out if there's anything in particular we should be doing to care for Kavi's tooth -- and future teeth, too.

So I checked in with a dentist.

Luckily, we've got an excellent one in the family.

"The best thing to do after new baby teeth erupt is to use a finger brush or a toddler brush to care for the teeth and gum tissue," says Dr. Neil Charaipotra, DDS, a partner at Northern Virginia Dental Associates in Springfield, Virginia. (And my cousin!) "It is usually recommended to use nothing on the brush, or a fluoride-free toothpaste. Orajel makes a baby toothpaste that is safe for little ones to swallow."

Fluoride, apparently, is usually plentiful in tap and some bottled waters, so babies, who need a minimal amount, get enough from those resources if they're already downing H2O.

"If you do not have fluoride in your local water supply, it is alright to use just a tiny smear of fluoride-containing toothpaste on the brush," says Dr. Charaipotra. "Quite simply, brush gently on the inside and outside surfaces of the teeth twice a day. Some even advocate a quick swipe of the tongue with the brush to minimize bacteria that causes bad breath."

More from CafeMom: 15 Natural Ways to Soothe Your Baby's Teething Pain

Voilà, that's it! Brushing your baby's little teeth and tongue will help them maintain that sweet baby breath that everyone loves so much.

Kavi's not super-fond of brushing so far (and she absolutely hates when we try to wipe her little nose), but she's getting used to it. And developing good tooth hygiene habits now will keep her adorable little smile healthy and bright later. Plus, she'll be ready for when Uncle Neil visits and inspects her gap-toothed grin!

Image via iStock.com/Tamilisa Miner

When my now-kindergartner was a baby, it seemed like he had diaper rash all the time. It didn’t take us long to figure out that the best way for us to deal with diaper rash was to prevent it from starting in the first place! Especially since stubborn rashes were often tricky to get rid of. Now that we have a second child in diapers, we’ve figured out better ways to help keep our baby’s skin healthy and rash-free.

What’s your preferred way to prevent diaper rash?

Image ©iStock.com/PeopleImages

Every parent of a baby or toddler will deal with a diaper rash at one point or another. Most heal in a few days if you use a hypoallergenic Diaper Rash Cream like the one from Aquaphor Baby and follow our tips on how to treat a Diaper Rash (link to article).  But what happens when the rash gets worse at every diaper change and does not go away? Here are five signs indicating you should call your child’s doctor:

1)    If your child has open sores, raised red bumps, or blisters in the diaper area.
2)    If the skin is oozing or bleeding.
3)    If the rash spreads beyond the diaper area to the arms or face.
4)    If your baby develops a fever, which can indicate an infection.
5)    If the rash does not start to improve in two to three days, but rather seems to be worsening.

Many parents are hesitant to call their pediatrician for “just a diaper rash,” but trust your gut. If your child is in pain or if you are concerned, a simple phone call can go a long way to allaying your fears and providing comfort to your child.

When have you had to call the doctor about diaper rash?

Diaper rash is an unpleasant reality for many moms and babies. Thankfully, there are ways to treat it so your little one can get relief fast. If your baby has red, irritated skin under her diapers, try these top tips to help clear the rash quickly.

1. Go diaper-free. Expose your baby’s bottom to air as often as possible. An easy way to promote healthy air circulation around your baby’s bottom is to simply strip off her diaper and let her spend some time wearing nothing at all. (This is adorable, of course, but it can also be messy, so be sure to put down a protective towel, blanket, or other absorbent mat on the floor first.)

2. Try a soothing soak. Instead of wiping and rubbing your baby’s diaper area clean, give her bottom a quick soak in warm water mixed with a gentle, fragrance-free wash like Aquaphor Baby Wash & Shampoo. Pat dry using a soft towel.  

3. Use fragrance-free over-the-counter remedies. Fragrances can further irritate your baby’s skin and make a diaper rash worse. Aquaphor Baby’s Diaper Rash Cream is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and the brand is recommended by Pediatricians. The Diaper Rash Cream contains zinc oxide to help soothe the irritated skin. It starts to work as soon as you apply it, so use at the first sign of redness.

4. Ask the doctor for help. During baby’s first year, you’ll be at the pediatrician’s office a lot – and they’re happy to give advice on just about anything (including treating diaper rash) whenever you need it, even if that means making a special visit to have your baby seen. Any diaper rash that doesn’t clear up in a few days, or gets worse, warrants a call to the doctor.

5. Prevention is the best treatment. Even better than treating diaper rash is preventing it from happening in the first place. At every diaper change, apply a layer of Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment as a protective barrier against moisture, which can help prevent rashes from starting in the first place. And since the ointment is clear, it won’t leave a white mess under your own nails!

What works for treating your baby’s diaper rash?

Just because breastfeeding is natural doesn't mean it's always easy! Luckily, there are some time-tested tricks of the trade to make dealing with challenges -- from pumping and storing milk, to dealing with engorgement and fussy feeders -- a whole lot easier. We've rounded up some of the most useful tips out there!

Whether you're a first-time mom just getting the hang of the whole nursing thing or a breastfeeding pro, you're sure to find something useful on our list. (Seriously, some of this advice is literally life-changing!) 

Image via iStock.com/Steve Debenport

There's nothing funny about teething -- especially when you're living through it. But it's also a time when parents could most use a laugh. We found some hilarious memes that sum up exactly how challenging surviving this phase can be. 

Take a look and see if you can relate to these scenarios. Or, if you have a newborn at home, maybe save this for a later date so you don't scare yourself silly.

Image via Imgur.com

Can you even imagine living in a world where you could breastfeed anywhere and that was totally cool and no one yelled at you or made you feel gross? God, we can't. Yet. But we do feel like we're getting closer to that kind of utopia and we really only have one group of people to thank: the moms who are out there (like OUT THERE out there) breastfeeding wherever they want without worrying if the world isn't ready to give them the okay.

These are the moms who are going to make a more breastfeeding-friendly world that we can all use, and we can't thank them enough. But we can gaze at their pretty faces and pretend we were as cool or as strong as them ... so that's what we'll do.

Image via iStock.com/Denis Moskvinov