http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11558353?source=most_viewed
For only the 2nd time in US history, a mother has given birth to octuplets. Born in southern California the babies and the mother are all doing well despite the incredible odds against them. The babies will probably remain in the hospital for at least two months, and the mother should be cleared to go home in about a week.
Signaling a likely happy ending all around, the smallest child, nicknamed Baby E, who weighs 1 lb, 8 oz, no longer needs a ventilator. The mother checked into the hospital at 23 weeks of pregnancy and gave birth 7 weeks later. There are still concerns about the babies when it comes time to introduce them to feeding, but for now it's all looking very good for the new family.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Octuplets Born to Mother in Southern California
UK Mother Saves Her Baby's Life with CPR
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/4346412/Mother-saves-baby-sons-life-four-times-in-10-minutes.html
A mother in Bristol in the UK saved her baby boy's life 4 times in 10 minutes by administering resuscitation at the instruction of an emergency telephone operator. Cordelia Nolan had previously learned the techniques because the baby was born 10 weeks premature. Carefully administering 30 heart pumps for every 2 breaths she found she kept going even though she was afraid several times that she'd lost him.
A urine infection was found to be the cause of the baby's seizure. Only upon arriving at the hospital does Miss Nolan say she finally relaxed and was physically sick. Despite the harrowing ordeal she remains fairly upbeat and says that, "After his less than relaxed start to life, hopefully his journey can be a bit more chilled out. He is doing really well now - but he owes me one!"
Baby Calls 911, Gets Dad Busted for Growing Pot
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/575267
An 11 month old baby in British Columbia played with a phone and accidentally dialed 911. Police arrived on the scene and entered after multiple knocks produced no response. The gentleman who lived in the home was surprised and insisted he hadn't made any such call, and the baby was discovered with the phone still in hand.
The police proceeded to investigate the residence and found the father's 500 plant marijuana growing operation. The father was then arrested, the baby was taken away by social services and given to his mother, who does not live with the father.
Land of Nod Canopies Recalled
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09108.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Home Sweet Playhome Canopies
Units: About 2,400
Manufacturer: The Land of Nod, of Northbrook, Ill.
Hazard: A child’s head could get entrapped in the canopy’s window openings, posing entrapment and strangulation hazards.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of a child’s head becoming caught in the canopy’s window openings. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled canopies involve the “Home Sweet Playhome” model made of 100% cotton gingham fabric draped from a bamboo hoop which is suspended from the ceiling to create a cylindrical play space measuring 36 inches wide and 9 feet tall. The canopies have an open bottom, a “door” and three multi-paned “windows.” They were sold in blue and pink. “Home Sweet Playhome” canopies sold after October 2005 are not included in this recall. “The Land of Nod” is printed on a woven label on the canopy.
Sold at: The Land of Nod catalog, Web site www.landofnod.com, and at The Land of Nod stores in Illinois and Washington state from September 2003 through October 2005 for about $100 for the canopy and $139 for the canopy and cushion set.
Manufactured in: India
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the canopies and take them away from children. Contact the Land of Nod to receive a free replacement fabric portion of the canopy and a $15 gift card.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact The Land of Nod at (800) 933-9904 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.landofnod.com, or email the firm at recall@landofnod.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Preemie Meds Frequently Mixed With Other Chemicals
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7837024.stm
As if concerns over preemie babies weren't high enough already, a new study from British doctors at the University of Leicester shows that medicines given to preemies carry potentially harmful exposure to a variety of chemicals that get mixed in to help make it possible to give the medicine to such a delicate baby.
Part of the problem is trying to scale doses down to such tiny infants. Another problem is that some medicines come in pill form and have to be transformed to a liquid for preemies. Alcohol contents in these type of medicines can range rather high, equivalent to 1-7 units of alcohol. In still others there's a mix of other chemicals that get included.
Yet the fact still remains that many of the medicines given to these children carry benefits that outweigh any of these risks. The study authors simply think more attention should be paid to the risks associated with the chemicals the medicines have to get mixed with in order to be effectively administered.
Why Parents of Autistic Children Try Anything & Everything
http://autism.about.com/b/2009/01/20/why-parents-try-anything-and-everything-for-autism.htm
A recent article in the New York Times details the efforts of a particular family in trying almost anything and everything to help their autistic son. One breakthrough came when they removed dairy from his diet. With such a simple thing producing a dramatic improvement, it's easy to see how the family would be willing to keep experimenting with combinations of any and every treatment that they can think of.
The blog author above understands the thought process intimately and perfectly summarizes in the ending sentences of the last two paragraphs.
what if I chose to stop trying just at the point when the right treatment was at my fingertips?
it's stories like these that make it emotionally wrenching for parents to ever stop trying the next treatment... and the next.
List of 5 Potential Green-Living Concerns with Baby Formula
http://green.msn.com/Green-Living/Pregnancy-&-Parenting/5-Chemicals-That-Could-Contaminate-Baby-Formula/?gt1=45002
MSN's Green Living for Parents has created a list of 5 new concerns for parents using baby formula in the post-melamine saga days. Their list includes BPA, Water, MSG, Genetically Modified ingredients, and manufacturing by-products introduced accidentally. What's the best way to avoid these type of problems?
Breastfeeding helps to eliminate almost all of these concerns. Even though the mother's milk can be contaminated by things she's been exposed to, but the benefits still outweigh the risks in the minds of most experts.
Annual UNICEF Report Shows Maternal & Infant Mortality Rate Differences
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/15/AR2009011502354.html
An annual report released by UNICEF shows that a woman living in one of the world's poorest countries is a staggering 300 times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than women who live in more affluent nations. Those babies that make it past childbirth with their mothers still have a 14-fold higher chance of dying in their first month.
The disparity is easily shown with the numbers in a different way. Women in the developing world have a 1 in 76 lifetime risk of maternal death, while those in the developed world have a 1 in 8,000 risk.
Nazi Named Children Taken by Social Services
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6648877&page=1
A New Jersey family made headlines last month when a ShopRite supermarket in Greenwich, NJ refused to put Adolf Hitler Campbell's name on his 3-year birthday cake. Now the family is in the spotlight again, as the New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services has removed the 3-year old and his two younger sisters JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell, 1, and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell, 8 months.
The reason for the children having been removed allegedly has nothing to do with their names having Nazi connotations. A DYFS spokeswoman couldn't say what the reason was, or even acknowledge that there was a case. She did say, however, "we become involved when there is an allegation of abuse or neglect, and remove a child only if there is an imminent risk to the safety of child," she said. "We would never remove a child simply based on their name."
One neighbor of the family intimated that emotional abuse may have been the underlying cause. Lori Dilts is the daughter of the Campbell's landlord, and offered the following quote, "Those children look outwardly healthy, but they didn't have much freedom," she said. "Occasionally, the little boy would come over here and would hate having to go back to his house."
Infantino Rattle Recall Expanded
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09101.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Infantino Lion and Lamb Grabby Rattles™
Units: About 131,000 (20,000 units were previously recalled in March 2008)
Manufacturer: Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif.
Hazard: The tail-piece on the rattles can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: Infantino has received 10 reports of the tail piece on the rattle detaching since March 2008. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled Infantino Lamb and Lion Grabby Rattles™ are shaped like a lamb and lion respectively. Each has a ring-shaped body and an Infantino elliptical logo stamped on the front right foot of the animal. Rattles without tails on the animals and products with production codes of 0108 and 0508 are not affected by this recall. The production code is printed behind the ear in a dial format with the year (08) in the middle of a circle and an arrow pointing to the number on the circle (01 or 05) that indicates the month.
Sold at: Wal-Mart, Babies “R” Us and other specialty stores nationwide from May 2007 through September 2008 for between $3 and $4.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from young children and contact Infantino for a replacement rattle or a product of equal value.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Infantino toll-free at (888) 808-3111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com
Fisher-Price Rainforest Portable Play Yards Recalled
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09098.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Rainforest™ Portable Play Yards manufactured by Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc.
Units: About 200,000
Manufacturer: Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc., of Reading, Pa.
(Note: Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. have not responded to CPSC’s request to recall these products nor have they been responsive to consumer complaints recently received.)
Hazard: One or more rails can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall or entrapment hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: Due to Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. being unresponsive to consumers via their Hotline and Web site, a significant number of complaints were recently reported. There have been at least 1,350 reports of one or more rails collapsing. There were numerous reports of children receiving bumps and bruises when the side rail collapsed. There were five reports of injuries which included a broken nose, a broken wrist, a mild concussion, a cut to the hand which required stitches, and a chipped tooth.
Description: The recalled play yards are portable and were sold with a bassinet, changing table, and mobile features. The products have a Rainforest™ patterned fabric, Rainforest themed artwork and bear the “Fisher-Price” logo. The Simplicity Inc. model numbers are 5310 RNF, 5310RNFC, and 5310RNFW. The model number is located on a sticker on one of the legs underneath the play yard.
Sold at: Retailers and specialty children's stores nationwide from January 2007 through January 2009 for about $100.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the play yards immediately. Although it did not manufacture or sell the play yards, Fisher-Price has voluntarily agreed to assist consumers who own the products. Consumers who own one of the recalled play yards with the Fisher-Price logo should contact Fisher-Price to obtain assistance to replace their play yards.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at (800) 432-5437 anytime or visit the Web site at http://www.service.mattel.com
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2009 Infant Immunization Schedule Released
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/2009/09_0-6yrs_schedule_pr.pdf
The CDC has released its 2009 Infant Immunization Schedule. The link above is a printable PDF of the standard schedule. Full information, including a catch-up schedule, is available on their website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm.
Infant-related changes listed include:
Vicks Popular VapoRub May Worsen Airways in Hypersensitive Children
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28628924
Misusing Vicks VapoRub may worsen airway constriction in hypersensitive babies and toddlers by increasing the production of mucus and decreasing the speed of it being cleared, according to a new study at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina.
The popular salve uses menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil to trigger "cold" sensors and trick the brain into thinking that airways have been opened. In reality, the congestion is still present even though the flow may speed up.
Directions on the salve declare that it should never be used on children under 2 or near the nose and mouth, but over the past 103 years that warning has probably been little heeded by many. Even mothers who were informed of the new study results said they were unlikely to stop using the product for themselves and their children due to its long history of effectiveness.
Caesarian Deliveries Rising, Newborns at Increased Risk of Complications
http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20090107/early-planned-c-sections-put-baby-at-risk
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that Caesarian section births are up to nearly 1 in 3 births from 1 in 5 births in the 1990s. Repeat Caesarian section births accounted for 40% of the 1.3 million C-section deliveries performed in the U.S. More than 1/3 of planned C-section deliveries are performed before 39 weeks of gestation. Babies born before 39 weeks face higher risks of birth-related complications.
The study may even underestimate the rates of Caesarian births, because the study examined women who gave birth from 1999 - 2002, and C-section births have been steadily increasing each year. The study seems to indicate that the best time for a C-section delivery is the due date minus 7 days. Anything sooner substantially risks increasing the baby's chances of respiratory problems or sepsis, which is severe and can be life-threatening.
Reasons for the increase speculate that women want their own doctor to be involved in delivering their babies. Many obstetricians have thought little of pushing delivery dates back by a week or so, and are likely to be surprised by these new results. Perhaps it will even be enough to convince more doctors and women to opt for natural births.
Baby Girl Born to Deceased Mother
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7824462.stm
A woman in Oxford in the UK gave birth to a daughter at 25 weeks even though she had been dead from a brain haemorrhage two days earlier. Baby Aya's father is both grieved over the loss of his wife and joyful for the safe delivery of his daughter. Aya weighed just over 2 lbs when she was delivered via Caesarian section.
Although it is rare for babies to be born to deceased mothers, it occasionally happens as doctors continue to keep the mother's heart beating in order to protect the baby in the womb a little longer. Premature babies face a severe uphill battle for many years, so it's in the best interest of the baby to delay delivery as long as can be managed.
500,000 Cribs Recalled by Stork Craft
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09093.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Stork Craft Baby Cribs
Units: About 535,000
Manufacturer: Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada
Hazard: The metal support brackets used to support the crib mattress and mattress board can crack and break. When one or more support brackets break, the mattress can collapse and create a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib rails, in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of 10 incidents in which one or more mattress support brackets broke. In several incidents, the support bracket broke causing the mattress to collapse and create a gap between the mattress and crib rails. CPSC received a report of a toddler who sustained bruises to his forehead. In another incident a child reportedly became entrapped in the gap between the mattress and the drop side rail with no injury.
Description: This recall involves Stork Craft Baby cribs. All cribs with manufacturing and distribution dates between May 2000 and November 2008 are included in this recall. The cribs were sold in various styles and finishes. The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia “storkcraft baby” is inscribed on the drop side teething rail of some cribs.
Sold at: Major retailers including J.C. Penney, Kmart and Walmart stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com and Walmart.com from May 2000 through January 2009 for between $100 and $400.
Manufactured in: Canada, China and Indonesia
Remedy: CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free replacement kit, with new mattress support brackets.
Consumer Contact: Contact Stork Craft toll-free at (866) 361-3321 anytime to order the free replacement kit or log on to www.storkcraft.com
Flashing Pacifiers in LA Recalled
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09089.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today [January 13, 2008] announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Flashing Pacifiers
Units: About 38,000
Importer: Top Goods Trading, of Temple City, Calif.
Hazard: The flashing pacifiers do not comply with federal safety standards for pacifiers. Although the pacifiers are marketed to older children and adults, they could be given to babies and cause serious injury or death.
The pieces of the pacifier can separate, posing a choking hazard. The necklaces pose a strangulation hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled flashing pacifier has a yellow heart-shaped mouth guard and handle. There is a 15-inch cord attached to the handle. LED lights are activated by pushing the heart-shaped handle into the base of the pacifier.
Sold at: Retail stores in the Los Angeles area from November 2007 through November 2008 for about 50 cents.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pacifier away from children and contact Top Goods Trading for a refund or exchange.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Top Goods Trading collect at (213) 680-0388 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
Expanded Taggies Infant Clothes Recall
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09087.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today [January 12, 2009] announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Taggies™ Sleep'n Play Infant Garments
Units: About 16,000 (an additional 6,200 were recalled on July 1, 2008)
Importer: Rashti & Rashti, of New York, N.Y.
Hazard: The snaps on these garments can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The July 2008 recall involved two Taggies™ Sleep ‘n Play style infant garments: the Butterfly Applique' and the Fun Dog Print. Subsequent to the recall, two additional Taggies Sleep ‘n Play styles, manufactured before July 1, 2008, were identified as also having snap issues. The recall has now been expanded to involve the Dinosaur Applique' and the Pink Toss Print styles. The infant garments are one piece footed coveralls with snaps down the front. These garments were sold in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months. RN #27829 is printed on the care label sewn into the garment. Style numbers are printed on the hangtag of the garments. The complete list of style numbers are listed in the chart below:
Dinosaur Applique Sleep'n Play, Teal
Pink Toss Print Sleep'n Play, Pink and White
Sold at: Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby, Dillards, Nordstrom, and other specialty stores nationwide and Internet retailers from January 2007 through November 2008 for about $20.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these garments away from children and contact Rashti & Rashti to receive a refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rashti & Rashti at (888) 594-3730 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.rashtiandrashti.com
Expansion of Babies R Us Crib Recall
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09084.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today [January 6, 2009] announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Jardine Cribs
Units: About 56,450 (320,000 units were previously recalled in June 2008)
Manufacturer: Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan
Hazard: The wooden crib slats can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received 19 additional incidents of crib slats breaking. In nine of these incidents, consumers reported that their infant or toddler broke the slat while in the crib. In addition, a 22-month-old child fell through the gap between the crib slats when a slat broke. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves three models of Jardine wooden cribs with the date codes identified below. Cribs with other date codes are not affected by this recall. The date code and model number are printed on the label located on the inside of the bottom rail of the headboard or footboard.
Jardine Cribs included in this Expanded Recall
| Model # | Description | Date Code Between |
| DA715BC | Dark Pine Olympia Lifetime Crib | 2/04 - 1/07 |
| 0108L00 | Antique Walnut Capri Single Crib | 7/06 - 11/07 |
| 0308C00 | White Capri Lifetime Crib | 12/05 - 11/07 |
Sold at: KidsWorld, Geoffrey Stores, Toys “R” Us, and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide, and at babiesrus.com, from March 2004 through January 2009 for between $220 and $330.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Jardine to receive a full credit toward the purchase of a new crib. Jardine will provide consumers with detailed instructions for purchasing cribs in retail stores and online.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Jardine at (800) 646-4106 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET Saturday, or visit the firm's Web site at http://www.jardinecribrecall.com/
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Teen Births up in 2006, Mississippi Leads Increase
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iCx8KofiPcbq7LJsifC9YAvJ8j1QD95IH8AO0
A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that Mississippi has the highest rate of teen births. The CDC report also notes that the New England area continues to have the lowest teen birth rates. The report is based upon a review of birth certificates from 2006, and significant increases in teen births were noted in 26 states.
About 435,000 of the nation's 4.3 million births in 2006 were to mothers ages 15 through 19. That was about 21,000 more teen births than in 2005.
A variety of factors influence teen birth rates, including culture, poverty and racial demographics. For those and other reasons, kids in mostly white New England likely would delay child birth, said David Landry, a researcher at the Guttmacher Institute, a New York-based organization which supports abortion rights and gathers research on sexual and reproductive health.
"It's more costly for youth in the Northeast to have a teen birth than for youth in the South, in terms of opportunities they'll miss," he said.
Even Smoking Away From Baby Poses Risks
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7813124.stm
As if second-hand smoke wasn't enough to worry about, some groups are trying to raise awareness that "third-hand smoke" also poses a danger to pregnant women and babies. What's the difference? Second-hand smoke is when a pregnant woman or a baby is in the proximity of someone who is smoking. Third-hand smoke is when either the mother or baby comes into contact with someone who had previously been smoking somewhere else.
Some of the toxic particles that are released from smoking can linger on hair, clothing and other surfaces, and so they are transmitted unintentionally to children through proximity or through breastmilk if it's the mother who has smoked while away from the child.
Baby Girl Born on Board Airplane
http://www.startribune.com/local/36961234.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUl
At the end of December a cancer doctor from Minnesota helped to deliver a baby girl on board a flight from Amsterdam to Boston. While the flight was over Canada the call came for medical assistance, and Dr. Natarajan Raman responded and assisted the young woman who had begun having contractions. The baby was born after about 10 minutes, and despite not having delivered a baby in 20 years his memory was still bright and accurate.
About 90 minutes after the baby was born the plane landed and the new mother and daughter were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where both have been reported in good condition. The good doctor had been flying back to the US from his 25th medical school reunion in India.
Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner Welcome Baby Girl
http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/01/07/ben-affleck-and-jennifer-garner-must-need-our-help-naming-baby-2/
Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner have welcomed the birth of their 2nd daughter. The couple didn't release a name with the birth announcement, and MTV has taken it upon themselves to offer a few amusing suggestions. See the full page and decide for yourself whether their ideas are good or a bit too tongue-in-cheek.
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