Friday, October 26, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
SAFE SLEEP REDUCE THE RISK OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS)
Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Ten Ways to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
This article covers the following:
SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome. This term describes the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age. Some people call SIDS "crib death" because many babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs. But, cribs don't cause SIDS. What should I know about SIDS? Health care providers don't know exactly what causes SIDS, but they do know:
Here are 10 ways that you and others who care for your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS. Safe Sleep Top 10
1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night. The back sleep position is the safest, and every sleep time counts.
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
3. If you use a blanket, place the baby with feet at the end of the crib. The blanket should reach no higher than the baby's chest. Tuck the ends of the blanket under the crib mattress to ensure safety.Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area. Don't use pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins, and pillow-like crib bumpers in your baby's sleep area, and keep any other items away from your baby's face.
4. Do not allow smoking around your baby. Don't smoke before or after the birth of your baby, and don't let others smoke around your baby.
5. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair with adults or other children, but he or she can sleep in the same room as you. If you bring the baby into bed with you to breastfeed, put him or her back in a separate sleep area, such as a bassinet, crib, cradle, or a bedside cosleeper (infant bed that attaches to an adult bed) when finished.
6. Always place your baby on his or her Back to Sleep.Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep,
but don't force the baby to take it. (If you are breastfeeding your baby, wait until your child is 1 month old or is used to breastfeeding before using a pacifier.)
7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for effectiveness or safety.
9. Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you have questions about using monitors for other conditions talk to your health care provider.
10. Your baby needs Tummy Time! Place babies on their stomachs when they are awake and someone is watching. Tummy time helps your baby's head and neck muscles get stronger and helps to prevent flat spots on the head.
Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head: provide "Tummy Time" when your baby is awake and someone is watching; change the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next; and avoid too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncers.
Babies sleep safest on their backs.
One of the easiest ways to lower your baby's risk of SIDS is to put him or her on the back to sleep, for naps and at night. Health care providers used to think that babies should sleep on their stomachs, but research now shows that babies are less likely to die of SIDS when they sleep on their backs. Placing your baby on his or her back to sleep is the number one way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
But won't my baby choke if he or she sleeps on his or her back?
No. Healthy babies automatically swallow or cough up fluids. There has been no increase in choking or other problems for babies who sleep on their backs.
Spread the word! Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows the Safe Sleep Top 10!
Tell grandparents, babysitters, childcare providers, and other caregivers to always place your baby on his or her back to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but who are then placed on their stomachs, even for a nap, are at very high risk for SIDS—so every sleep time counts!
For more information on sleep position for babies and reducing the risk of SIDS,
contact the Back to Sleep campaign at: 1-800-505-CRIB (2742)
Article Source - U.S. Department of Health And Human Services
This article covers the following:
- What is SIDS?
- What should I know about SIDS?
- Fast Facts About SIDS
- What can I do to lower my baby's risk of SIDS?
- Safe Sleep Top 10
- Babies sleep safest on their backs.
- Spread the word!
SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome. This term describes the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age. Some people call SIDS "crib death" because many babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs. But, cribs don't cause SIDS. What should I know about SIDS? Health care providers don't know exactly what causes SIDS, but they do know:
- Babies sleep safer on their backs. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are much more likely to die of SIDS than babies who sleep on their backs.
- Sleep surface matters. Babies who sleep on or under soft bedding are more likely to die of SIDS.
- Every sleep time counts. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but who are then placed on their stomachs, like for a nap, are at very high risk for SIDS. So it's important for everyone who cares for your baby to use the back sleep position for naps and at night.
- SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age.
- Most SIDS deaths happen when babies are between 2 months and 4 months of age.
- African American babies are more than 2 times as likely to die of SIDS as white babies.
- American Indian/Alaskan Native babies are nearly 3 times as likely to die of SIDS as white babies.
Here are 10 ways that you and others who care for your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS. Safe Sleep Top 10
1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night. The back sleep position is the safest, and every sleep time counts.
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
3. If you use a blanket, place the baby with feet at the end of the crib. The blanket should reach no higher than the baby's chest. Tuck the ends of the blanket under the crib mattress to ensure safety.Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area. Don't use pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins, and pillow-like crib bumpers in your baby's sleep area, and keep any other items away from your baby's face.
4. Do not allow smoking around your baby. Don't smoke before or after the birth of your baby, and don't let others smoke around your baby.
5. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair with adults or other children, but he or she can sleep in the same room as you. If you bring the baby into bed with you to breastfeed, put him or her back in a separate sleep area, such as a bassinet, crib, cradle, or a bedside cosleeper (infant bed that attaches to an adult bed) when finished.
6. Always place your baby on his or her Back to Sleep.Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep,
but don't force the baby to take it. (If you are breastfeeding your baby, wait until your child is 1 month old or is used to breastfeeding before using a pacifier.)
7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for effectiveness or safety.
9. Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you have questions about using monitors for other conditions talk to your health care provider.
10. Your baby needs Tummy Time! Place babies on their stomachs when they are awake and someone is watching. Tummy time helps your baby's head and neck muscles get stronger and helps to prevent flat spots on the head.
Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head: provide "Tummy Time" when your baby is awake and someone is watching; change the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next; and avoid too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncers.
Babies sleep safest on their backs.
One of the easiest ways to lower your baby's risk of SIDS is to put him or her on the back to sleep, for naps and at night. Health care providers used to think that babies should sleep on their stomachs, but research now shows that babies are less likely to die of SIDS when they sleep on their backs. Placing your baby on his or her back to sleep is the number one way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
But won't my baby choke if he or she sleeps on his or her back?
No. Healthy babies automatically swallow or cough up fluids. There has been no increase in choking or other problems for babies who sleep on their backs.
Spread the word! Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows the Safe Sleep Top 10!
Tell grandparents, babysitters, childcare providers, and other caregivers to always place your baby on his or her back to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but who are then placed on their stomachs, even for a nap, are at very high risk for SIDS—so every sleep time counts!
For more information on sleep position for babies and reducing the risk of SIDS,
contact the Back to Sleep campaign at: 1-800-505-CRIB (2742)
Article Source - U.S. Department of Health And Human Services
Hold Still by Yo Gabba Gabba
Yo Gabba Gabba! Is a fun live action program for young children ages 1 and up
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Happy Life
Happy Baby + Happy Mommy = Happy Daddy... Life is Good
There is only one Happiness in Life, To Love and to be love... We love you Ezra
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”
Marcus Aurelius
Nutrition Health Guide
What your child eats is very important for his or her health.
Follow the nutrition guidelines below.
Guidelines for a Healthy Diet—0-2 Years Old
Breast milk is the best single food for infants from birth to 6 months of age. It provides good nutrition and protects against infection. Breast feeding should be continued for at least the first year, if possible. If breast feeding is not possible or not desired, iron-enriched formula (not cow's milk) should be used during the first 12 months of life. Whole cow's milk can be used to replace formula or breast milk after 12 months of age.
Breast-fed babies, particularly if dark-skinned, who do not get regular exposure to sunlight may need to receive Vitamin D supplements.
Begin suitable solid foods at 4-6 months of age. Most experts recommend iron-enriched infant rice cereal as the first food.
Start new foods one at a time to make it easier to identify problem foods. For example, wait 1 week before adding each new cereal, vegetable, or other food.
Use iron-rich foods, such as grains, iron-enriched cereals, and other grains and meats.
Do not give honey to infants during the first 12 months of life.
Do not limit fat during the first 2 years of life.
Guidelines for a Healthy Diet—2 Years and Older
Provide a variety of foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Use salt (sodium) and sugars in moderation.
Encourage a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Help your child maintain a healthy weight by providing proper foods and encouraging regular exercise.
Dental/Oral Health
Your child needs regular dental care starting at an early age. Talk with your dentist to schedule the first visit. Good oral health requires good daily care. Follow these guidelines.
For Babies
If most of your child's nutrition comes from breast feeding, or if you live in an area with too little fluoride in the drinking water (less than .3 ppm for children less than 2 years old, less than .7 ppm for children over 2 years old), your child may need fluoride drops or tablets. Ask your health care provider or local water department about the amount of fluoride in your water.
Don't use a baby bottle as a pacifier or put your child to sleep with a baby bottle. This can cause tooth decay and ear infections.
Keep your infant's teeth and gums clean by wiping with a moist cloth after feeding.
When multiple teeth appear, begin gently brushing your infant's teeth using a soft toothbrush and a very small (pea-sized) amount of toothpaste with fluoride.
For Older Children
Talk with your dentist about dental sealants. They can help prevent cavities in permanent teeth.
Use dental floss to help prevent gum disease. Talk with your dentist about when to start.
Do not permit your child to smoke or chew tobacco. Set a good example: don't use tobacco products yourself.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, rinse it gently and put it back into the socket or in a glass of cold milk or water. See a dentist immediately.
Follow the nutrition guidelines below.
Guidelines for a Healthy Diet—0-2 Years Old
Breast milk is the best single food for infants from birth to 6 months of age. It provides good nutrition and protects against infection. Breast feeding should be continued for at least the first year, if possible. If breast feeding is not possible or not desired, iron-enriched formula (not cow's milk) should be used during the first 12 months of life. Whole cow's milk can be used to replace formula or breast milk after 12 months of age.
Breast-fed babies, particularly if dark-skinned, who do not get regular exposure to sunlight may need to receive Vitamin D supplements.
Begin suitable solid foods at 4-6 months of age. Most experts recommend iron-enriched infant rice cereal as the first food.
Start new foods one at a time to make it easier to identify problem foods. For example, wait 1 week before adding each new cereal, vegetable, or other food.
Use iron-rich foods, such as grains, iron-enriched cereals, and other grains and meats.
Do not give honey to infants during the first 12 months of life.
Do not limit fat during the first 2 years of life.
Guidelines for a Healthy Diet—2 Years and Older
Provide a variety of foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Use salt (sodium) and sugars in moderation.
Encourage a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Help your child maintain a healthy weight by providing proper foods and encouraging regular exercise.
Dental/Oral Health
Your child needs regular dental care starting at an early age. Talk with your dentist to schedule the first visit. Good oral health requires good daily care. Follow these guidelines.
For Babies
If most of your child's nutrition comes from breast feeding, or if you live in an area with too little fluoride in the drinking water (less than .3 ppm for children less than 2 years old, less than .7 ppm for children over 2 years old), your child may need fluoride drops or tablets. Ask your health care provider or local water department about the amount of fluoride in your water.
Don't use a baby bottle as a pacifier or put your child to sleep with a baby bottle. This can cause tooth decay and ear infections.
Keep your infant's teeth and gums clean by wiping with a moist cloth after feeding.
When multiple teeth appear, begin gently brushing your infant's teeth using a soft toothbrush and a very small (pea-sized) amount of toothpaste with fluoride.
For Older Children
Talk with your dentist about dental sealants. They can help prevent cavities in permanent teeth.
Use dental floss to help prevent gum disease. Talk with your dentist about when to start.
Do not permit your child to smoke or chew tobacco. Set a good example: don't use tobacco products yourself.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, rinse it gently and put it back into the socket or in a glass of cold milk or water. See a dentist immediately.
PROTECT YOUR KIDS IN THE CAR!
The safest place for any child 12 years old and under is in the back seat.
Every child should be buckled in a child safety seat, a booster seat, or with a lap/shoulder belt, if it fits.
Riding with Babies
Infants up to about 20 pounds and up to 1 year old must ride in a rear-facing child seat. The child seat must be in the BACK seat and face the rear of the car, van, or truck.
Babies riding in a car must never face front. In a crash or sudden stop, the baby's neck can be hurt badly.
Infants in car seats must never ride in the front seat of a car with air bags. In a crash, the air bag can hit the car seat and hurt or kill the baby.
Never hold your baby in your lap when you are riding in the car. In a crash or sudden stop, your child can be hurt badly or killed.
Riding with Young Kids
Kids over 20 pounds and at least 1 year old should ride in a car seat that faces the front of the car, van, or truck.
It is best to keep kids in the foreward facing car seat for as long as they fit comfortably in it.
Older kids over 40 pounds should ride in a booster seat until the car's lap and shoulder belts fit right. The lap belt must fit low and snug on their hips. The shoulder belt must not cross their face or neck.
Never put the shoulder belt behind their back or under their arm.
Remember...
All kids are safest in the back seat, in a safety seat or seat belt.
Always read the child seat instructions and the car owner's manual. Test the child seat to ensure a snug fit by pulling the base to either side or toward the front of the car.
For additional information, please contact the NHTSA hotline at:
1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), or the NHTSA Web site.
U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
August 1997
Every child should be buckled in a child safety seat, a booster seat, or with a lap/shoulder belt, if it fits.
Riding with Babies
Infants up to about 20 pounds and up to 1 year old must ride in a rear-facing child seat. The child seat must be in the BACK seat and face the rear of the car, van, or truck.
Babies riding in a car must never face front. In a crash or sudden stop, the baby's neck can be hurt badly.
Infants in car seats must never ride in the front seat of a car with air bags. In a crash, the air bag can hit the car seat and hurt or kill the baby.
Never hold your baby in your lap when you are riding in the car. In a crash or sudden stop, your child can be hurt badly or killed.
Riding with Young Kids
Kids over 20 pounds and at least 1 year old should ride in a car seat that faces the front of the car, van, or truck.
It is best to keep kids in the foreward facing car seat for as long as they fit comfortably in it.
Older kids over 40 pounds should ride in a booster seat until the car's lap and shoulder belts fit right. The lap belt must fit low and snug on their hips. The shoulder belt must not cross their face or neck.
Never put the shoulder belt behind their back or under their arm.
Remember...
All kids are safest in the back seat, in a safety seat or seat belt.
Always read the child seat instructions and the car owner's manual. Test the child seat to ensure a snug fit by pulling the base to either side or toward the front of the car.
For additional information, please contact the NHTSA hotline at:
1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), or the NHTSA Web site.
U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
August 1997
PROTECT YOUR CHILD
According to the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission, each year more children die in home accidents than from all childhood diseases combined! We as adults, must watch and monitor our children as they play. There is no substitue for careful supervision if we want our children to grow up safe and sound.
Believe it or not, many injuries and deaths could be avoided with a little common sense. The U.S. Consumer Protection Commission offers the following advice for protecting your child.
SAFETY DANGERS IN THE HOME
Know where the "danger" items are- medicines, toxic bleaches, oven and drain cleaners, paint solvents, polishes, and waxes. Look for items packaged in CHILD-RESISTANT containers. Don't leave them under a sink or in plain view in a garage - lock them away in a secure place, out of your child's sight and reach.
Keep all thin plastic wrapping materials, such as dry cleaning, produce, or trash bags away from children. NEVER USE THIN PLASTIC MATERIAL TO COVER MATTRESSES OR PILLOWS - the plastic film can cling to a child's face causing suffocation.
Guard against electrical shocks. Cover unused outlets with safety caps. DISCONNECT electric rollers or hairdryers when not in use; some children have been electrocuted when hairdryers that were left plugged-in fell into bathroom sinks or tubs.
Keep children away from open windows to prevent falls. Don't depend on screens to keep the child from falling out of the window. They are designed to keep insects out, not children in. Avoid placing furniture near windows to keep children from climbing to a window seat or sill.
NURSERY EQUIPMENT
Many nursery products have a long life and may be stored in anticipation of future use. When choosing USED or NEW nursery equipment, check for sturdy construction and stability. Avoid exposed screws, bolts, or fasteners with sharp edges or points; avoid scissor-like mechanisms which could crush fingers; and avoid cutout designs that could entrap a child's head.
Safety straps on high chairs and strollers are a must. Look for straps that are easy to fasten and unfasten so that you will be sure to use them properly each time.
Mesh playpens and portable cribs SHOULD NEVER BE USED WITH A SIDE LEFT DOWN. They can pose a serious hazard to newborns and infants because the mesh forms a loose pocket into which an infant can roll and suffocate.
Use baby walkers only on smooth surfaces. Edges of carpets, throw rugs, or raised thresholds can cause a walker to tip over. Remove throw rugs when a walker is in use, and block the tops of stairways. Children have fallen down stairs in walkers.
If cribs or playpens are placed near a window, make sure there are no drapery or venetian blind cords hanging within your baby's reach. Don't hang objects with strings or elastics (toys or laundry bags, for example) around cribs or playpens where your child might become entangled and choke to death.
When children begin to climb and explore, they can become caught in small or narrow openings. Some have been strangled when they caught their heads or necks in the open "V" shapes atop expandable wooden gates or enclosures, or in decorative cutouts in cribs.
NEVER TIE PACIFIERS OR OTHER ITEMS AROUND YOUR BABY'S NECK. Cords and ribbons can become tightly twisted, or can catch on crib cornerposts or other protrusions, causing strangulation.
TOYS, TOY CHESTS AND LABELING
Keep small objects out of your child's reach. Tiny toys, and toys with small, removable parts can be swallowed or become lodged in a child's windpipe, ears, or nose. Check to see that toys have not broken or come apart at the seams, exposing small pellets that might be swallowed or inhaled. Even such common items as coins, pins, buttons, or small batteries can choke a child.
When choosing toys, look for labels that give age recommendations such as "Recommended for Children Tree to Five Years Old." Some toys or games which are safe for older children may contain small parts which are hazardous in a younger child's hands.
If a toy chest, trunk or other container for storing toys has a freefalling lid, REMOVE THE LID. A lid can drop on a child's head or neck, and some children have been killed or seriously injured. Look for a chest which has supports to hold the lid open an any position, or choose one with sliding panels or a lightweight, removable lid.
So, as you can see, many of the guidlines to children's safety are common sense items. Other items to consider are, although you may take precautions in your home, others may not take the same precautions. When you are visiting friends or relatives who do not have small children you must be extra cautious. How many grandparents actually have electrical outlet plugs in in their unused outlets? At Aunt Susan's house will there be safety latches on the cabinet doors under the sink where she stores bleach?
When visiting others you must supervise with a more watchful eye. People may tell you that you're being over-protective, or not to worry so much, but remember the risks! It only takes a toddler one second to get into trouble!!!
We leave you with one last bit of advice. When we prepared our home for our new baby we did one other thing. We got down on the floor and crawled around the house. We looked at the house through the "eyes" of our new baby. And by doing this, we became aware of danger spots that we overlooked when we baby-proofed our home. Sure, we felt silly crawling around, but we didn't mind being silly if it meant better protection for our child.
Believe it or not, many injuries and deaths could be avoided with a little common sense. The U.S. Consumer Protection Commission offers the following advice for protecting your child.
SAFETY DANGERS IN THE HOME
Know where the "danger" items are- medicines, toxic bleaches, oven and drain cleaners, paint solvents, polishes, and waxes. Look for items packaged in CHILD-RESISTANT containers. Don't leave them under a sink or in plain view in a garage - lock them away in a secure place, out of your child's sight and reach.
Keep all thin plastic wrapping materials, such as dry cleaning, produce, or trash bags away from children. NEVER USE THIN PLASTIC MATERIAL TO COVER MATTRESSES OR PILLOWS - the plastic film can cling to a child's face causing suffocation.
Guard against electrical shocks. Cover unused outlets with safety caps. DISCONNECT electric rollers or hairdryers when not in use; some children have been electrocuted when hairdryers that were left plugged-in fell into bathroom sinks or tubs.
Keep children away from open windows to prevent falls. Don't depend on screens to keep the child from falling out of the window. They are designed to keep insects out, not children in. Avoid placing furniture near windows to keep children from climbing to a window seat or sill.
NURSERY EQUIPMENT
Many nursery products have a long life and may be stored in anticipation of future use. When choosing USED or NEW nursery equipment, check for sturdy construction and stability. Avoid exposed screws, bolts, or fasteners with sharp edges or points; avoid scissor-like mechanisms which could crush fingers; and avoid cutout designs that could entrap a child's head.
Safety straps on high chairs and strollers are a must. Look for straps that are easy to fasten and unfasten so that you will be sure to use them properly each time.
Mesh playpens and portable cribs SHOULD NEVER BE USED WITH A SIDE LEFT DOWN. They can pose a serious hazard to newborns and infants because the mesh forms a loose pocket into which an infant can roll and suffocate.
Use baby walkers only on smooth surfaces. Edges of carpets, throw rugs, or raised thresholds can cause a walker to tip over. Remove throw rugs when a walker is in use, and block the tops of stairways. Children have fallen down stairs in walkers.
If cribs or playpens are placed near a window, make sure there are no drapery or venetian blind cords hanging within your baby's reach. Don't hang objects with strings or elastics (toys or laundry bags, for example) around cribs or playpens where your child might become entangled and choke to death.
When children begin to climb and explore, they can become caught in small or narrow openings. Some have been strangled when they caught their heads or necks in the open "V" shapes atop expandable wooden gates or enclosures, or in decorative cutouts in cribs.
NEVER TIE PACIFIERS OR OTHER ITEMS AROUND YOUR BABY'S NECK. Cords and ribbons can become tightly twisted, or can catch on crib cornerposts or other protrusions, causing strangulation.
TOYS, TOY CHESTS AND LABELING
Keep small objects out of your child's reach. Tiny toys, and toys with small, removable parts can be swallowed or become lodged in a child's windpipe, ears, or nose. Check to see that toys have not broken or come apart at the seams, exposing small pellets that might be swallowed or inhaled. Even such common items as coins, pins, buttons, or small batteries can choke a child.
When choosing toys, look for labels that give age recommendations such as "Recommended for Children Tree to Five Years Old." Some toys or games which are safe for older children may contain small parts which are hazardous in a younger child's hands.
If a toy chest, trunk or other container for storing toys has a freefalling lid, REMOVE THE LID. A lid can drop on a child's head or neck, and some children have been killed or seriously injured. Look for a chest which has supports to hold the lid open an any position, or choose one with sliding panels or a lightweight, removable lid.
So, as you can see, many of the guidlines to children's safety are common sense items. Other items to consider are, although you may take precautions in your home, others may not take the same precautions. When you are visiting friends or relatives who do not have small children you must be extra cautious. How many grandparents actually have electrical outlet plugs in in their unused outlets? At Aunt Susan's house will there be safety latches on the cabinet doors under the sink where she stores bleach?
When visiting others you must supervise with a more watchful eye. People may tell you that you're being over-protective, or not to worry so much, but remember the risks! It only takes a toddler one second to get into trouble!!!
We leave you with one last bit of advice. When we prepared our home for our new baby we did one other thing. We got down on the floor and crawled around the house. We looked at the house through the "eyes" of our new baby. And by doing this, we became aware of danger spots that we overlooked when we baby-proofed our home. Sure, we felt silly crawling around, but we didn't mind being silly if it meant better protection for our child.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Childproofing Your Home - 12 Safety Devices to Protect Your Children
About 2-1/2 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child safety devices on the market today.
Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough to prevent injury to your child, yet easy for you to use. It's important to follow installation instructions carefully. In addition, if you have older children in the house, be sure they re-secure safety devices. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined youngsters have been known to disable them.
You can childproof your home for a fraction of what it would cost to have a professional do it. And safety devices are easy to find. You can buy them at hardware stores, baby equipment shops, supermarkets, drug stores, home and linen stores, and through mail order catalogues.
Here are some child safety devices that can help prevent many injuries to young children.
1 Use Safety Latches and Locks for cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas to help prevent poisonings and other injuries. Safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers can help prevent children from gaining access to medicines and household cleaners, as well as knives and other sharp objects.
Look for safety latches and locks that adults can easily install and use, but are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children. Safety latches are not a guarantee of protection, but they can make it more difficult for children to reach dangerous substances. Even products with child-resistant packaging should be locked away, out of reach; this packaging is not childproof.
Typical cost of a safety latch or lock: less than $2.
2 Use Safety Gates to help prevent falls down stairs and to keep children away from dangerous areas. Safety gates can help keep children away from stairs or rooms that have hazards in them. Look for safety gates that children cannot dislodge easily, but that adults can open and close without difficulty. For the top of stairs, gates that screw to the wall are more secure than "pressure gates."
New safety gates that meet safety standards display a certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). If you have an older safety gate, be sure it doesn't have "V" shapes that are large enough for a child's head and neck to fit into.
Typical cost of a safety gate: $13 to $40.
3 Use Door Knob Covers and Door Locks to help prevent children from entering rooms and other areas with possible dangers. Door knob covers and door locks can help keep children away from places with hazards, including swimming pools.
Be sure the door knob cover is sturdy enough not to break, but allows a door to be opened quickly by an adult in case of emergency. By restricting access to potentially hazardous rooms in the home, door knob covers could help prevent many kinds of injuries. To prevent access to swimming pools, door locks should be placed high out of reach of young children. Locks should be used in addition to fences and door alarms. Sliding glass doors, with locks that must be re-secured after each use, are often not an effective barrier to pools.
Typical cost of a door knob cover: $1 and door lock: $5 and up.
4 Use Anti-Scald Devices for faucets and shower heads and set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns from hot water. Anti-scald devices for regulating water temperature can help prevent burns.
Consider using anti-scald devices for faucets and showerheads. A plumber may need to install these. In addition, if you live in your own home, set water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns from hot water.
Typical cost of an anti-scald device: $6 to $30.
5 Use Smoke Detectors on every level of your home and near bedrooms to alert you to fires. Smoke detectors are essential safety devices for protection against fire deaths and injuries.
Check smoke detectors once a month to make sure they're working.
If detectors are battery-operated, change batteries at least once a year or consider using 10-year batteries.
Typical cost of a smoke detector: less than $10.
6 Use Window Guards and Safety Netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings. Window guards and safety netting for balconies and decks can help prevent serious falls.
Check these safety devices frequently to make sure they are secure and properly installed and maintained. There should be no more than four inches between the bars of the window guard. If you have window guards, be sure at least one window in each room can be easily used for escape in a fire. Window screens are not effective for preventing children from falling out of windows.
Typical cost of a window guard or safety netting: $8 to $16.
7 Use Corner and Edge Bumpers to help prevent injuries from falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces. Corner and edge bumpers can be used with furniture and fireplace hearths to help prevent injuries from falls or to soften falls against sharp or rough edges.
Be sure to look for bumpers that stay securely on furniture or hearth edges.
Typical cost of a corner and edge bumper: $1 and up.
8 Use Outlet Covers and Outlet Plates to help prevent electrocution. Outlet covers and outlet plates can help protect children from electrical shock and possible electrocution.
Be sure the outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by children and are large enough so that children cannot choke on them.
Typical cost of an outlet cover: less than $2.
9 Use a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector outside bedrooms to help prevent CO poisoning. A carbon monoxide (CO) detector can help prevent CO poisoning. Consumers should install CO detectors near sleeping areas in their homes. Households that should use CO detectors include those with gas or oil heat or with attached garages.
Typical cost of a carbon monoxide (CO) detector: $30 to $70.
10 Cut Window Blind Cords and use Safety Tassels to help prevent children from strangling in blind cord loops. Window blind cord safety tassels on miniblinds and tension devices on vertical blinds and drapery cords can help prevent deaths and injuries from strangulation in the loops of cords.
For older miniblinds, cut the cord loop, remove the buckle, and put safety tassels on each cord. Be sure that older vertical blinds and drapery cords have tension or tie-down devices to hold the cords tight. When buying new miniblinds, verticals, and draperies, ask for safety features to prevent child strangulation.
You can get window blind cord safety tassels free by calling 1-800-506-4636.
11 UseDoor Stops and Door Holders to help prevent injuries to fingers and hands. Door stops and door holders on doors and door hinges can help prevent small fingers and hands from being pinched or crushed in doors and door hinges.
Be sure any safety device for doors is easy to use and is not likely to break into small parts, which could be a choking hazard for young children.
Typical cost of a door stop and door holder: less than $4.
12 Use a Cordless Phone to make it easier to continuously watch young children, especially when they're in bathtubs, swimming pools, or other potentially dangerous areas.
Cordless phones help you watch your child continuously, without leaving the vicinity to answer a phone call. Cordless phones are especially helpful when children are in or near water, whether it's the bathtub, the swimming pool, or the beach.
Typical cost of a cordless phone: $20 and up.
Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough to prevent injury to your child, yet easy for you to use. It's important to follow installation instructions carefully. In addition, if you have older children in the house, be sure they re-secure safety devices. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined youngsters have been known to disable them.
You can childproof your home for a fraction of what it would cost to have a professional do it. And safety devices are easy to find. You can buy them at hardware stores, baby equipment shops, supermarkets, drug stores, home and linen stores, and through mail order catalogues.
Here are some child safety devices that can help prevent many injuries to young children.
1 Use Safety Latches and Locks for cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas to help prevent poisonings and other injuries. Safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers can help prevent children from gaining access to medicines and household cleaners, as well as knives and other sharp objects.
Look for safety latches and locks that adults can easily install and use, but are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children. Safety latches are not a guarantee of protection, but they can make it more difficult for children to reach dangerous substances. Even products with child-resistant packaging should be locked away, out of reach; this packaging is not childproof.
Typical cost of a safety latch or lock: less than $2.
2 Use Safety Gates to help prevent falls down stairs and to keep children away from dangerous areas. Safety gates can help keep children away from stairs or rooms that have hazards in them. Look for safety gates that children cannot dislodge easily, but that adults can open and close without difficulty. For the top of stairs, gates that screw to the wall are more secure than "pressure gates."
New safety gates that meet safety standards display a certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). If you have an older safety gate, be sure it doesn't have "V" shapes that are large enough for a child's head and neck to fit into.
Typical cost of a safety gate: $13 to $40.
3 Use Door Knob Covers and Door Locks to help prevent children from entering rooms and other areas with possible dangers. Door knob covers and door locks can help keep children away from places with hazards, including swimming pools.
Be sure the door knob cover is sturdy enough not to break, but allows a door to be opened quickly by an adult in case of emergency. By restricting access to potentially hazardous rooms in the home, door knob covers could help prevent many kinds of injuries. To prevent access to swimming pools, door locks should be placed high out of reach of young children. Locks should be used in addition to fences and door alarms. Sliding glass doors, with locks that must be re-secured after each use, are often not an effective barrier to pools.
Typical cost of a door knob cover: $1 and door lock: $5 and up.
4 Use Anti-Scald Devices for faucets and shower heads and set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns from hot water. Anti-scald devices for regulating water temperature can help prevent burns.
Consider using anti-scald devices for faucets and showerheads. A plumber may need to install these. In addition, if you live in your own home, set water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns from hot water.
Typical cost of an anti-scald device: $6 to $30.
5 Use Smoke Detectors on every level of your home and near bedrooms to alert you to fires. Smoke detectors are essential safety devices for protection against fire deaths and injuries.
Check smoke detectors once a month to make sure they're working.
If detectors are battery-operated, change batteries at least once a year or consider using 10-year batteries.
Typical cost of a smoke detector: less than $10.
6 Use Window Guards and Safety Netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings. Window guards and safety netting for balconies and decks can help prevent serious falls.
Check these safety devices frequently to make sure they are secure and properly installed and maintained. There should be no more than four inches between the bars of the window guard. If you have window guards, be sure at least one window in each room can be easily used for escape in a fire. Window screens are not effective for preventing children from falling out of windows.
Typical cost of a window guard or safety netting: $8 to $16.
7 Use Corner and Edge Bumpers to help prevent injuries from falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces. Corner and edge bumpers can be used with furniture and fireplace hearths to help prevent injuries from falls or to soften falls against sharp or rough edges.
Be sure to look for bumpers that stay securely on furniture or hearth edges.
Typical cost of a corner and edge bumper: $1 and up.
8 Use Outlet Covers and Outlet Plates to help prevent electrocution. Outlet covers and outlet plates can help protect children from electrical shock and possible electrocution.
Be sure the outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by children and are large enough so that children cannot choke on them.
Typical cost of an outlet cover: less than $2.
9 Use a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector outside bedrooms to help prevent CO poisoning. A carbon monoxide (CO) detector can help prevent CO poisoning. Consumers should install CO detectors near sleeping areas in their homes. Households that should use CO detectors include those with gas or oil heat or with attached garages.
Typical cost of a carbon monoxide (CO) detector: $30 to $70.
10 Cut Window Blind Cords and use Safety Tassels to help prevent children from strangling in blind cord loops. Window blind cord safety tassels on miniblinds and tension devices on vertical blinds and drapery cords can help prevent deaths and injuries from strangulation in the loops of cords.
For older miniblinds, cut the cord loop, remove the buckle, and put safety tassels on each cord. Be sure that older vertical blinds and drapery cords have tension or tie-down devices to hold the cords tight. When buying new miniblinds, verticals, and draperies, ask for safety features to prevent child strangulation.
You can get window blind cord safety tassels free by calling 1-800-506-4636.
11 UseDoor Stops and Door Holders to help prevent injuries to fingers and hands. Door stops and door holders on doors and door hinges can help prevent small fingers and hands from being pinched or crushed in doors and door hinges.
Be sure any safety device for doors is easy to use and is not likely to break into small parts, which could be a choking hazard for young children.
Typical cost of a door stop and door holder: less than $4.
12 Use a Cordless Phone to make it easier to continuously watch young children, especially when they're in bathtubs, swimming pools, or other potentially dangerous areas.
Cordless phones help you watch your child continuously, without leaving the vicinity to answer a phone call. Cordless phones are especially helpful when children are in or near water, whether it's the bathtub, the swimming pool, or the beach.
Typical cost of a cordless phone: $20 and up.
YOU HAVE THE POWER - embrace it!
"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." Groucho Marx
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
YOUR HOME IS DANGEROUS
The following was extracted from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's document #6004. For the complete document contact the CPSC at 1-800-638-2772.
CRIBS--Up to 1,800 babies per year may have suffocated on soft bedding. And there are about 50 deaths each year due to cribs with missing hardware.
WINDOW CORDS--There have been 173 deaths between 1981 and September 1995 caused by strangulations with blind or curtain cords.
BATHROOM--Since 1992 there have been 42 deaths of children under age 5 from medicines or household chemicals. There about 34 deaths and 3,800 burn injuries each year from bath water which is too hot. Between January 1990 and March 1995, there have been 34 deaths of children under age 5 in toilets. More than 300 children drowned in bathtubs, basins, showers and jetted bathtubs between 1973 and 1991. From 1983 to present 26 children died in baby bath rings and seats.
KITCHEN--Highchair accidents result in an estimated 9,300 injuries to children under age 5 in 1994 and the annual death rate from such highchair accidents (1988-1992) is 4. Annually there are about 22,000 thermal burn injuries involving stoves, about one third to children. In 1992 there were 220 range/oven fire deaths and 4,670 injuries. In 1993 there were 16,000 injuries to children under age 5 caused by knives.
OTHER LIVING AREAS--From 1980 through 1987 there were about 15 suffocation deaths each year to children under age 5 caused by plastic bags. In 1992 there were about 10,200 fires, 120 fire deaths, and 870 fire injuries from children playing with matches. And since 1992 there have been 42 deaths of children under age 5 from medicines or household chemicals.
SMOKE DETECTORS--In 1992 there were 472,000 residential structural fires, with 3,765 residential structural fire deaths. Of the 3,765 deaths, about 30 percent were children under age 15.
BABY GATES--An estimated 1,200 injuries to children under age 5 were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 1994. No deaths.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS--In 1992 there were about 5,100 outlet or receptacle injuries--almost half of these were children under age 5.
SMALL PARTS CHOKING HAZARDS--From 1980 through 1991 there were about 15 deaths each year to children under age 10 that involved balloons or small parts from children's products. Balloons account for about 6 deaths a year.
CRIBS--Up to 1,800 babies per year may have suffocated on soft bedding. And there are about 50 deaths each year due to cribs with missing hardware.
WINDOW CORDS--There have been 173 deaths between 1981 and September 1995 caused by strangulations with blind or curtain cords.
BATHROOM--Since 1992 there have been 42 deaths of children under age 5 from medicines or household chemicals. There about 34 deaths and 3,800 burn injuries each year from bath water which is too hot. Between January 1990 and March 1995, there have been 34 deaths of children under age 5 in toilets. More than 300 children drowned in bathtubs, basins, showers and jetted bathtubs between 1973 and 1991. From 1983 to present 26 children died in baby bath rings and seats.
KITCHEN--Highchair accidents result in an estimated 9,300 injuries to children under age 5 in 1994 and the annual death rate from such highchair accidents (1988-1992) is 4. Annually there are about 22,000 thermal burn injuries involving stoves, about one third to children. In 1992 there were 220 range/oven fire deaths and 4,670 injuries. In 1993 there were 16,000 injuries to children under age 5 caused by knives.
OTHER LIVING AREAS--From 1980 through 1987 there were about 15 suffocation deaths each year to children under age 5 caused by plastic bags. In 1992 there were about 10,200 fires, 120 fire deaths, and 870 fire injuries from children playing with matches. And since 1992 there have been 42 deaths of children under age 5 from medicines or household chemicals.
SMOKE DETECTORS--In 1992 there were 472,000 residential structural fires, with 3,765 residential structural fire deaths. Of the 3,765 deaths, about 30 percent were children under age 15.
BABY GATES--An estimated 1,200 injuries to children under age 5 were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 1994. No deaths.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS--In 1992 there were about 5,100 outlet or receptacle injuries--almost half of these were children under age 5.
SMALL PARTS CHOKING HAZARDS--From 1980 through 1991 there were about 15 deaths each year to children under age 10 that involved balloons or small parts from children's products. Balloons account for about 6 deaths a year.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Alicia Keys Hits The Campaign Trail For Obama!!!
Join Women for Obama: http://OFA.BO/qK8apP Alicia Keys was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to help re-elect President Obama. She shares what’s at stake for women…
Breast Milk or Formula Making the Right Choice
New parents want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk.
More than two decades of research have established that breast milk is perfectly suited to nourish infants and protect them from illness. Breast-fed infants have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies.
"There are 4,000 species of mammals, and they all make a different milk. Human milk is made for human infants, and it meets all their specific nutrient needs," says Ruth Lawrence, M.D., professor of pediatrics and obstetrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, N.Y., and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Health experts say increased breast-feeding rates would save consumers money, spent both on infant formula and in health-care dollars. It could save lives as well.
"We've known for years that the death rates in Third World countries are lower among breast-fed babies," says Lawrence. "Breast-fed babies are healthier and have fewer infections than formula-fed babies."
Although breast-feeding is still the best nourishment for infants, infant formula is a close enough second that babies not only survive, but thrive!
Overview
Commercially prepared formulas are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The safety of commercially prepared formula is also ensured by the agency's nutrient requirements and by strict quality control procedures that require manufacturers to analyze each batch of formula for required nutrients, to test samples for stability during the shelf life of the product, to code containers to identify the batch, and to make all records available to FDA investigators.
The composition of infant formula is similar to breast milk, but it isn't a perfect match, because the exact chemical makeup of breast milk is still unknown.
Human milk is very complex, and scientists are still trying to unravel and understand what makes it such a good source of nutrition for rapidly growing and developing infants. However, John C. Wallingford, Ph.D., an infant nutrition specialist with FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, notes that "infant formula is increasingly close to breast milk."
More than half the calories in breast milk come from fat, and the same is true for today's infant formulas. This may be alarming to many American adults watching their intake of fat and cholesterol, especially when sources of saturated fats, such as coconut oil, are used in formulas. (In adults, high intakes of saturated fats tend to increase blood cholesterol levels more than other fats or oils.) But the low-fat diet recommended for adults doesn't apply to infants.
"Infants have a very high energy requirement, and they have a restricted volume of food that they can digest," says Wallingford. "The only way to get the energy density of a food up is to have a high amount of fat."
While greater knowledge about human milk has helped scientists improve infant formula, it has become "increasingly apparent that infant formula can never duplicate human milk," write John D. Benson, Ph.D, and Mark L. Masor, Ph.D., in the March 1994 issue of Endocrine Regulations. "Human milk contains living cells, hormones, active enzymes, immunoglobulins and compounds with unique structures that cannot be replicated in infant formula."
Benson and Masor, both of whom are pediatric nutrition researchers at infant formula manufacturer Abbott Laboratories, believe creating formula that duplicates human milk is impossible. "A better goal is to match the performance of the breastfed infant," they write. Performance is measured by the infant's growth, absorption of nutrients, gastrointestinal tolerance, and reactions in blood.
Wallingford agrees, explaining that while FDA's regulations on what goes into infant formula are to ensure there are enough nutrients, "that's just a starting point. What's really important is how infants thrive."
Human Milk for Human Infants
The primary benefit of breast milk is nutritional. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth.
Cow's milk contains a different type of protein than breast milk. This is good for calves, but human infants can have difficulty digesting it. Bottle-fed infants tend to be fatter than breast-fed infants, but not necessarily healthier.
Breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. About 80 percent of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Breast-fed babies are protected, in varying degrees, from a number of illnesses, including pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles. Furthermore, mothers produce antibodies to whatever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well.
A breast-fed baby's digestive tract contains large amounts of Lactobacillus bifidus, beneficial bacteria that prevent the growth of harmful organisms. Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can also lead to diarrhea in the infant.
Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula. No babies are allergic to their mother's milk, although they may have a reaction to something the mother eats. If she eliminates it from her diet, the problem resolves itself.
Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development as well. It's harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. The baby at the breast also can control the flow of milk by sucking and stopping. With a bottle, the baby must constantly suck or react to the pressure of the nipple placed in the mouth.
Nursing may have psychological benefits for the infant as well, creating an early attachment between mother and child. At birth, infants see only 12 to 15 inches, the distance between a nursing baby and its mother's face. Studies have found that infants as young as 1 week prefer the smell of their own mother's milk. When nursing pads soaked with breast milk are placed in their cribs, they turn their faces toward the one that smells familiar.
Many psychologists believe the nursing baby enjoys a sense of security from the warmth and presence of the mother, especially when there is skin-to-skin contact during feeding. Parents of bottle-fed babies may be tempted to prop bottles in the baby's mouth, with no human contact during feeding. But a nursing mother must cuddle her infant closely many times during the day. Nursing becomes more than a way to feed a baby; it's a source of warmth and comfort.
Benefits to Mothers
Breast-feeding is good for new mothers as well as for their babies. There are no bottles to sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix. It may be easier for a nursing mother to lose the pounds of pregnancy as well, since nursing uses up extra calories. Lactation also stimulates the uterus to contract back to its original size.
A nursing mother is forced to get needed rest. She must sit down, put her feet up, and relax every few hours to nurse. Nursing at night is easy as well. No one has to stumble to the refrigerator for a bottle and warm it while the baby cries. If she's lying down, a mother can doze while she nurses.
Nursing is also nature's contraceptive--although not a very reliable one. Frequent nursing suppresses ovulation, making it less likely for a nursing mother to menstruate, ovulate, or get pregnant. There are no guarantees, however. Mothers who don't want more children right away should use contraception even while nursing. Women who are breast-feeding can use barrier methods of birth control, such as condoms and diaphragms. Hormone-containing methods are not first choice. These include injections (such as Depo-Provera), implants (such as Norplant), and birth control pills. A woman who breast-feeds should consult her doctor about which type of contraception is appropriate for her until the baby is weaned.
Breast-feeding is economical also. Even though a nursing mother works up a big appetite and consumes extra calories, the extra food for her is less expensive than buying formula for the baby. Nursing saves money while providing the best nourishment possible.
When Formula Is Necessary
There are very few medical reasons why a mother shouldn't breast-feed, according to Lawrence.
Most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, skin infections, or diarrhea, cannot be passed through breast milk. In fact, if a mother has an illness, her breast milk will contain antibodies to it that will help protect her baby from those same illnesses.
A few viruses can pass through breast milk, however. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one of them. Women who are HIV positive should not breast-feed.
A few other illnesses--such as herpes, hepatitis, and beta streptococcus infections--can also be transmitted through breast milk. But that doesn't always mean a mother with those diseases shouldn't breast-feed, Lawrence says.
"Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis with the woman's doctor," she says.
Breast cancer is not passed through breast milk. Women who have had breast cancer can usually breast-feed from the unaffected breast. Studies have shown, however, that breast-feeding a child reduces a woman's chance of developing breast cancer later.
Silicone breast implants usually do not interfere with a woman's ability to nurse, but if the implants leak, there is some concern that the silicone may harm the baby. Some small studies have suggested a link between breast-feeding with implants and later development of problems with the child's esophagus. Further studies are needed in this area. But if a woman with implants wants to breast-feed, she should first discuss the potential benefits and risks with her child's doctor.
Tough but Worthwhile
For all its health benefits, breast-feeding isn't always easy. In the early weeks, it can be painful. A woman's nipples may become sore or cracked. She may experience engorgement more than a bottle-feeding mother, when the breasts become so full of milk they're hard and painful. Some nursing women also develop clogged milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the breast. While most nursing problems can be solved with home remedies, mastitis requires prompt medical care (see "Tips for Breast-Feeding Success").
Women who plan to go back to work soon after birth will have to plan carefully if they want to breast-feed. If her job allows, a new mother can pump her breast milk several times during the day and refrigerate or freeze it for the baby to take in a bottle later. Some women alternate nursing at night and on weekends with daytime bottles of formula.
In either case, a nursing mother is physically tied to her baby more than a bottle-feeding mother. The baby needs her for nourishment, and she needs to nurse regularly to avoid getting uncomfortably full breasts. But instead of feeling it's a chore, nursing mothers often cite this close relationship as one of the greatest joys of nursing.
If a woman is unsure whether she wants to nurse, she can try it for a few weeks and switch if she doesn't like it. It's very difficult to switch to breast-feeding after bottle-feeding is begun.
If she plans to breast-feed, a new mother should learn as much as possible about it before the baby is born. Obstetricians, pediatricians, childbirth instructors, nurses, and midwives can all offer information about nursing. But perhaps the best ongoing support for a nursing mother is someone who has successfully nursed a baby.
La Leche League, an international support organization for nursing mothers, has chapters in many cities that meet regularly to discuss breast-feeding problems and offer support.
Most La Leche League chapters allow women to come to a few meetings without charge. League leaders offer advice by phone as well. To find a convenient La Leche League chapter, call (1-800) LA-LECHE.
Formula Choices
If the mother cannot or chooses not to breast-feed, normal, full-term infants should get a conventional cow's-milk-based formula, according to John N. Udall Jr., M.D., chief of nutrition and gastroenterology at Children's Hospital of New Orleans. However, adverse reactions to the protein in cow's milk formula or symptoms of lactose intolerance (lactose is the carbohydrate in cow's milk) may require switching to another type of formula, he says.
Symptoms that may indicate an adverse reaction to cow's milk protein include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rash. With lactose intolerance, the most common symptoms are excessive gas, abdominal distension and pain, and diarrhea. Since some of the symptoms overlap, a stool test may be necessary to determine the culprit. Usually, lactose intolerance will produce acidic stools that contain glucose. If the protein is the problem, stools will be nonacidic and have flecks of blood.
The main alternative to cow's milk formula is soy formula.
The carbohydrates in most soy formulas are sucrose and corn syrup, which are easily digested and absorbed by infants. However, soy is not as good a protein source as cow's milk. Also, babies don't absorb some minerals, such as calcium, as efficiently from soy formulas. Therefore, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Healthy full-term infants should be given soy formula only when medically necessary."
For a child who can't tolerate cow's milk protein, William J. Klish, M.D., chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition recommends the use of hydrolyzed-protein formula. Although hydrolyzed-protein formulas are made from cow's milk, the protein has been broken up into its component parts. Essentially, it's been predigested, which decreases the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
Iron
The infant formulas currently available in the United States are either "iron-fortified"--with approximately 12 milligrams of iron per liter--or "low iron"--with approximately 2 milligrams of iron per liter.
"There should not be a low-iron formula on the market for the average child because a low-iron formula is a nutritionally deficient formula," says Klish. "It doesn't provide enough iron to maintain proper blood cell counts or proper hemoglobin." (Hemoglobin is a blood protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.)
In addition, studies have shown that school children who had good iron status as infants because they were fed iron-fortified formula performed better on standardized developmental tests than children with poor iron status. However, Wallingford says that "FDA has permitted marketing of low-iron formulas because some pediatricians prefer to use them, with the caveat that the physician would be monitoring iron status and prescribing iron supplements when appropriate."
Why is there low-iron formula on the market? "In the past there have been a lot of symptoms that have been attributed to iron, including abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, colic, and irritability," says Klish. "Also there was some concern about too much iron interfering with the immune system. All of those concerns and questions have been laid to rest with appropriate studies."
Another reason for originally producing low-iron formulas was that human milk contains low amounts of iron--less than a milligram per liter. However, it is now understood that an infant absorbs virtually 100 percent of the iron from human milk, but considerably less from infant formula.
Tips for Breast-Feeding Success
It's helpful for a woman who wants to breast-feed to learn as much about it as possible before delivery, while she is not exhausted from caring for an infant around-the-clock.
The following tips can help foster successful nursing:
Get an early start: Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery if possible, when the infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. Even though the mother won't be producing milk yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid that contains antibodies to disease.
Proper positioning: The baby's mouth should be wide open, with the nipple as far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for the mother. A nurse, midwife, or other knowledgeable person can help her find a comfortable nursing position.
Nurse on demand: Newborns need to nurse frequently, at least every two hours, and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the mother's breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable routine. But because breast milk is more easily digested than formula, breast-fed babies often eat more frequently than bottle-fed babies.
No supplements: Nursing babies don't need sugar water or formula supplements. These may interfere with their appetite for nursing, which can lead to a diminished milk supply. The more the baby nurses, the more milk the mother will produce.
Delay artificial nipples: It's best to wait a week or two before introducing a pacifier, so that the baby doesn't get confused. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle could also confuse some babies in the early days. They, too, are learning how to breast-feed.
Air dry: In the early postpartum period or until her nipples toughen, the mother should air dry them after each nursing to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If her nipples do crack, the mother can coat them with breast milk or other natural moisturizers to help them heal. Vitamin E oil and lanolin are commonly used, although some babies may have allergic reactions to them. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples. If the mother's very sore, the baby may not have the nipple far enough back in his or her mouth.
Watch for infection: Symptoms of breast infection include fever and painful lumps and redness in the breast. These require immediate medical attention.
Expect engorgement: A new mother usually produces lots of milk, making her breasts big, hard and painful for a few days. To relieve this engorgement, she should feed the baby frequently and on demand until her body adjusts and produces only what the baby needs. In the meantime, the mother can take over-the-counter pain relievers, apply warm, wet compresses to her breasts, and take warm baths to relieve the pain.
Eat right, get rest: To produce plenty of good milk, the nursing mother needs a balanced diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and six to eight glasses of fluid. She should also rest as much as possible to prevent breast infections, which are aggravated by fatigue.
Medicines and Nursing Mothers
Most medications have not been tested in nursing women, so no one knows exactly how a given drug will affect a breast-fed child. Since very few problems have been reported, however, most over-the-counter and prescription drugs, taken in moderation and only when necessary, are considered safe.
Even mothers who must take daily medication for conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, or high blood pressure can usually breast-feed. They should first check with the child's pediatrician, however. To minimize the baby's exposure, the mother can take the drug just after nursing or before the child sleeps.
In the January 1994 issue of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics included the following in a list of drugs that are usually compatible with breast-feeding:
acetaminophen
many antibiotics
anti-epileptics (although one, Primidone, should be given with caution)
most antihistamines
alcohol in moderation (large amounts of alcohol can cause drowsiness, weakness, and abnormal weight gain in an infant)
most antihypertensives
aspirin (should be used with caution)
caffeine (moderate amounts in drinks or food)
codeine
decongestants
ibuprofen
insulin
quinine
thyroid medications
Drugs That Are NOT Safe While Nursing
Some drugs can be taken by a nursing mother if she stops breast-feeding for a few days or weeks. She can pump her milk and discard it during this time to keep up her supply, while the baby drinks previously frozen milk or formula.
Radioactive drugs used for some diagnostic tests like Gallium-69, Iodine-125, Iodine-131, or Technetium-99m can be taken if the woman stops nursing temporarily.
Drugs that should never be taken while breast-feeding include:
Bromocriptine (Parlodel): A drug for Parkinson's disease, it also decreases a woman's milk supply.
Most Chemotherapy Drugs for Cancer: Since they kill cells in the mother's body, they may harm the baby as well.
Ergotamine (for migraine headaches): Causes vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions in infants.
Lithium (for manic-depressive illness): Excreted in human milk.
Methotrexate (for arthritis): Can suppress the baby's immune system.
Drugs of Abuse: Some drugs, such as cocaine and PCP, can intoxicate the baby. Others, such as amphetamines, heroin and marijuana, can cause a variety of symptoms, including irritability, poor sleeping patterns, tremors, and vomiting. Babies become addicted to these drugs.
Tobacco Smoke: Nursing mothers should avoid smoking. Nicotine can cause vomiting, diarrhea and restlessness for the baby, as well as decreased milk production for the mother. Maternal smoking or passive smoke may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and may increase respiratory and ear infections.
Whole Milk for First Birthday
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breast-fed for six to 12 months. The only acceptable alternative to breast milk is infant formula. Solid foods can be introduced when the baby is 4 to 6 months old, but a baby should drink breast milk or formula, not regular cow's milk, for a full year.
"There aren't any rules about when to stop breast-feeding," says Ruth Lawrence, M.D., professor of pediatrics and obstetrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, N.Y., and spokeswoman for the academy. "As long as the baby is eating age-appropriate solid foods, a mother may nurse a couple of years if she wishes. A baby needs breast milk for the first year of life, and then as long as desired after that."
Formula, however, should not be continued after the first birthday. That's the time to introduce milk. For all babies the milk, however, should be whole milk. Low-fat and skim milk do not have enough fat and calories to supply the nutritional needs of a 1-year-old, explains John Udall, chief of nutrition and gastroenterology at Children's Hospital of New Orleans. At that age, "the child is growing so quickly, and the fat is so important for brain and central nervous system development," he says. "The recommendation that our daily intake of fat should compose less than 30 percent of our caloric intake does not apply to children under 2 years of age."
New on the market are special toddler formulas that claim to be better than milk. The formulas are good nutritionally, says Udall, but they're not necessary. "A well-balanced diet with milk and juices would be just as good in a healthy, normally active, normally growing child," says Udall.
William Klish, chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition, says that if a child needs to take a vitamin supplement, the toddler formula, fortified with a full range of vitamins and minerals, including iron, can serve that purpose. In addition, the toddler formulas don't need refrigeration, making them a convenient choice for snacks away from home.
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