Untrue Parenting Myths

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/family-parenting/articleparenting.aspx?cp-documentid=23262808&page=5

Many ideas about parenting have become so ingrained in our society, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. Below are some "bad parenting" tactics, and why they may not be so bad after all.

The word "bribery" sounds worse than it actually is. Giving kids an incentive in order to reach a specific behavioral goal, like toilet training, can be a positive thing. Just be careful how you use it, if you start bribing in order to get cooperation for simple things, you'll reach a point where your child won't do anything without the promise of a reward. First, try using positive, yet reward-free logic: "When you use the potty, you can wear big-boy underwear."

Many parents assume that arguing in front of our children is harmful to them. Children need good models for how to deal with angry feelings. "Arguing is a healthy part of any relationship," says Steve Tuber, Ph.D., professor of clinical psychology at the Graduate Center/City College, in New York City. "By being able to disagree in a loving way and not hiding it from your children, you're teaching them how to resolve conflicts in a healthy way." It's important that your children see you make up when the fight is over.

You don't always have to put your kids' needs before your own. Starting between 9 and 12 months, you can being to teach your child patience, and that other people have rights too. When your 9-month-old cries to be picked up, it's ok to tell him, "Mommy's just finishing the dishes, then I'll be right over."

Being fair to your kids doesn't always mean treating them equally. Giving an older child more responsibilities and privileges than a younger one is unequal treatment, but still fair. As is giving more time to a child who has special difficulties with paying attention or learning.

Many people think "quality time" with their kids means a scheduled time for talking about their day and their feelings. Experts agree that having unprogrammed, unscheduled time with your children can beget moments of connection, joy and even intimacy when you least expect it.

"Losing it" and screaming at your children does not make you a bad parent. "Its a universal experience for parents to 'lose it' from time to time," says Tuber. "All of their coping mechanisms evaporate, and they're left with tremendous frustration and anger." This is ok as long as you can later tell your children that you are sorry for yelling. It is important for your child to learn that everyone makes mistakes - even mommy and daddy.

Parenting is hard enough without buying into unrealistic expectations. You can bribe, be selfish or lose it once in a while and know that your kids will turn out alright.

Wisconsin Senate Bans BPA from Baby Bottles

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9DFK7IO4.htm

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin state Senate has passed a bill that would ban bisphenol A, a controversial chemical found in some plastic goods, from baby bottles and other cups for children under age 3.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said research shows cause for concern over the chemical's potential effect on children. The 6 major makers of baby bottles and infant feeding cups no longer use BPA in those products in the U.S.

Connecticut and Minnesota passed similar bans on BPA last year.

Manhattan Eatery Serving Baby Food

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/01/25/2010-01-25_oh_baby_lets_eat_village_restaurant_cooks_up_gourmet_goodies_catering_to_tiny_ta.html

Manhattan eateries have begun serving made-to-order organic baby food, in addition to their usual fare for adults. GustOrganics in Greenwich Village blends fresh ingredients for homemade baby food that babies seem to love.

Owner Alberto Gonzalez started serving baby food last year after seeing mothers in the restaurant dicing food into tiny pieces for their babies. He consulted a nutritionist and created recipes for organic baby. "We need to provide the babies food that is fresh, from scratch," he said, explaining that sea salt and agave sugar are included to "give more flavor". Food can be requested without these additives.

Almond in Gramercy park also serves baby food. Several others offer items for toddlers. GustOrganics has the most variety with 11 baby food recipes.

While a trip out to eat with your baby may be fun, it has it's downsides. At $8.95 per serving, the food is much more than expensive than buying from a grocery store. GustOrganics only has 3 highchairs, no changing table and no baby spoons. The gimmick is geared more toward to-go orders, since the eatery delivers baby food in Manhattan.

Couple Conceives Using iPhone Fertility App

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1245818/Britains-iPhone-baby-born-couple-tried-years-conceive.html

After 4 years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, a couple from Britain had almost given up hope of having a baby when they heard about a fertility app for the iPhone. Lena and Dudley Bryce tried the app called Free Menstrual Calendar, which required Lena to enter her body temperature daily. With that information, the app told her when she would be most fertile. After using the technology for only 2 months, she got pregnant.

Last Friday, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl on the exact date that the app had predicted. Lena and Dudley are very happy to have their new daughter and plan to use the app again in the future.

A new iPhone application called The Cry Translator, which claims to be able to tell parents what their baby's cries mean, was launched this month. The app "quickly identifies an infant's cry, based on one of five emotional or physiological states: hunger, fatigue, annoyance, stress or boredom," say the creators. Parents simply place the iPhone about a foot away from their crying baby and press the start button. The baby's cries are analyzed and identified within a 10-second window, with 96% accuracy.

BABIES the Movie

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810127231/details

"Everybody loves...BABIES", a new movie by Focus Features will be released on April 16th, 2010. The film will simultaneously follow 4 babies from different locations around the world, documenting their lives from first breath to first steps.

The children in this film are a girl in Namibia named Ponijao, a boy in Mongolia named Bayarjargal, a girl in Tokyo named Mari, and a girl in the United States named Hattie.

BABIES will chronicle the unique and exciting time that is the earliest stages of life from these 4 different perspectives. This movie is rated PG for cultural and maternal nudity throughout.

Infant's Death Linked to Mother's Gum Disease

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34979552/ns/health-pregnancy/

Expectant mother have long been warning that gum disease greatly increases the risk of their baby being born prematurely or too small. Now, for the first time, scientists have linked bacteria from a mother's gums to an infection in a baby that was full term, but stillborn, according to the study which was published Thursday in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Bacteria from the mouth can easily get into the bloodstream once a woman's gums are bleeding, explains Yiping Han, the study's lead author. "Once the bacteria are in the blood, they can go almost anywhere," said Han. "The placenta is an immuno-suppressed organ...and that makes it easy for the bacteria to colonize the placenta." The woman told researchers that she had experienced heavy bleeding from her gums - a sign of gum disease- during her pregnancy. However, bleeding gums are not unusual for pregnant women, because of hormonal changes. In this case, plaque samples from the woman's teeth were found to be positive for the exact same strain of the oral bacteria found in the dead baby's stomach and lungs.

Dr. Richard H. Beigi, an obstetric infectious disease specialist and assistant professor of reproductive science at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says that women shouldn't be overly alarmed by the new study. "This is just one case. Most pregnant women have bleeding gums and most don't have dead babies. This can happen, but it's rare. And this finding doesn't mean that it's increasing."

Wrong Medicine Kills Baby

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35013690/

The wrong choice of cold medicine killed a 7-month-old boy in Dayton Ohio last November. The Montgomery County Coroner's Office issued the ruling Thursday after toxicology tests revealed that there was too much medicine in the boy's body.

Coroner Dr. James Davis said that the death was a terrible accident that could happen to any parent if they are not careful. The baby had a cold, and it seems that those watching him got the wrong medication at the store. The baby was given pediatric dosing instead of infant dosing, meaning that the baby was given medicine meant for a child over the age of 2. There was too much of the drug in the baby's system, causing it to act like a poison and not a medication.

No one will be charged in the case because the death was ruled an accident. Officials warn that over-the-counter drugs for children are not all the same, and making the wrong choice could be deadly. "People just have to pay attention and stay focused," Davis said, adding that parents should look closely at all medication labels.

Unexplained Decrease in Average Birth Weight

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704423204575017471267586344.html

A new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women in the U.S. are giving birth to lighter babies. From 1990 to 2005 there was a decline of almost 2 ounces in the average birth weight of full-term babies in the U.S., bringing the average weight to 7 pounds, 7.54 ounces. Babies were also born an average of 2.5 days earlier in 2005 than in 1990.

The data showed a 1% increase in the number of the lowest-weight babies and suggested that the decline in weight did not stop in 2005. Emily Oken, an author of the paper and assistant professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School said, "We do need to keep a close eye on the babies that are the smallest babies to see if the proportion of those is increasing over time, because they may require extra resources and have extra health concerns."

The trend of lower birth weight could not be explained by common factors such as the amount of weight gained by the mother during pregnancy, how the baby was delivered, the amount of prenatal care, etc. The study was conducted only on babies born between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation, which is considered full term.

Babies that are too small or too large tend to have more health problems. The optimal size for a newborn is about 8.8 pounds. Babies born too small have a greater risk of high blood pressure and diabetes in the long run.

From the 1950s to the 1980s, birth weights climbed because of increases in mothers' weight and how much weight they gained during pregnancy, as well as reduced smoking and older maternal age. The decrease in birth weights that we are seeing now has yet to be explained.

600,000 Cribs Recalled After Baby's Death

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34941782/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

The death of a 6-month-old in Cedar Rapids, Iowa prompted the recall on Tuesday of about 635,000 cribs sold by Kmart, Sears, Wal-Mart and other retailers. The recalled cribs are 20 models of Dorel Asia cribs with both drop sides and fixed front rails.

Some of the cribs were recalled because the drop sides can detach, and a child can become trapped and suffocate or strangle. Other cribs were recalled because a child can be trapped if one of the slats is broken or damaged. This damage can occur while the crib is being used, or when it is being put together, taken apart or shipped.

The CPSC and Dorel Asia SRL have received 31 reports of incidents involving drop-side cribs, including 6 incidents of children being trapped between the mattress and the drop side. There have also been 36 reports of broken slats, including 2 reports of trapped children.

If you own a recalled crib, contact Dorel Asia at 866-762-2304 to receive a free repair kit. The company's website is http://www.dorel-asia.com.

Graco Recalls 1.5 Million Strollers

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34944008/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Graco Children's Products is recalling about 1.5 million strollers after reports of children's fingers being cut when the stroller's canopy is opening or closing. The recalled strollers are the Passage, Alano and Spree strollers and travel systems. These strollers were sold at Babies "R" Us, Toys "R" Us, Kmart, Fred Meyer, Sears, Target, Walmart, Meijers, AAFES, Navy Exchange, Burlington Coat Factory and other retailers.

The recall was announced Wednesday morning by the Consumer Product Safety Commission after Graco received 7 reports of children being injured when their fingers got caught in the canopy hinge as it was being opened or closed. There were 5 reports of children losing their fingertips.

The recalled strollers were manufactured between October 2004 and February 2008. The manufacture date and model number can be found on the lower inside portion of the rear frame, above the rear wheels. There are two styles of hinges made by Graco. The hinge on the recalled strollers is a plastic, jointed hinge with indented notches for positioning the canopy.

For a complete list of the recalled products, visit the CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/. Anyone with a recalled stroller should stop use, and contact Graco at 800-345-4109 to receive a free repair kit. Graco's website is http://www.gracobaby.com/.

Websites Help Parents Find Baby Sitters

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/22264098/detail.html

Several online services make the task of finding a baby-sitting a little easier for parents. Care.com and SitterCity.com offer parents the option of browsing caregivers by zip code. Both sites provide in-depth profiles, pictures and references for parents seeking a sitter.

SitterCity.com is free for sitters to join, while parents pay a monthly or annual membership fee. Care.com offers 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscriptions with free background checks.

The sites also connect those in need of senior care, tutors and dog walkers, among other services.

FDA Issues Guidelines For BPA

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-fda-bpa16-2010jan16,0,3811446.story

The Food and Drug Administration said Friday that Bisphenol-A, a controversial chemical found in some baby bottles, children's drinking cups and other food storage containers, needs to be studied further, but did not warrant immediate restrictions on it's use.

The FDA, the Department of Human Services and other health agencies have committed $30 million to studying the health effects of BPA and expect to have results in 18-24 months. In the meantime, the agency has issued guidelines for limiting the exposure of children and babies to the chemical. FDA Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein said that for the present, "the FDA does support the use of baby bottles with BPA."

In the human body, BPA mimics the hormone estrogen. Some studies have tied the compound to reproductive abnormalities and increased risks of cancer and diabetes. Infants and children are thought to be particularly vulnerable to any adverse effects because their reproductive organs and ability to metabolize chemicals are not fully formed.

The announcement is likely to cause confusion because it is in opposition to bans on BPA in plastics that have already been put in place by several state and local governments . Connecticut and Minnesota and the city if Chicago, among others have already placed restrictions on BPA, and Canada has banned the substance in baby bottles.

Abandoned Baby Sparks Debate Over Safe Haven Law

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/dennis-byrne-barbershop/2010/01/abandoned-baby.html

The abandonment of an 8-month-old girl at a police station in Illinois has sparked a debate over the state's Safe Haven law. Matisha Goens, 28, left her 8-month-old daughter at a South Side police station. Officers found the baby on New Year's Day.

The Safe Haven law allows parents to leave an infant up to 1 month old at a hospital, fire station or police station without fear of prosecution. This case has started a debate about whether that age limit should be raised and how the police should deal with situations like this one. Some wish for more discretion, others say that support, instead of legislation is a better way to handle the situation.

This is a tough decision for legislators. While no one wants to encourage the abandonment of children, rigid prosecution could encourage young parents in similar situations to abandon babies in garbage dumps or similar places.

Cord Blood Donations

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8459919.stm

Cord blood can help save the lives of people battling deadly diseases. Unfortunately, many hospitals in the UK don't have the ability to store it. A spokesman for the Anthony Nolan Trust said, "We want the Government to commit to funding a national cord blood collection program. We have many expectant mothers asking to donate the stem cells from their placenta but finding that their local maternity ward doesn't have the ability to do this."

Cord blood contains potent "stem cells", which can start producing healthy cells if placed into the bone marrow. There is no discomfort or risk to the donor.

A spokesperson from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said, "We support the call by the Anthony Nolan Trust for a national cord blood banking program...a national cord blood bank program that is regulated and open to all when the need arises is a good thing. Careful planning is needed so that the appropriate infrastructures are in place to provide this service."

FDA Issues Warning For Baby Food

http://www2.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/national/article/fda_issues_baby_food_warning/29945/

The Food and Drug Administration is issuing an warning over certain types of baby food. The warning covers all varieties of HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and certain varieties of HAPPYBABY Stage 1 and Stage 2 pouch products.

Some of the pouches are leaking or swollen which may indicate possible contamination by bacteria or that the packaging has been compromised. To find out if your pouches are part of the recall, check for the expiration date codes between October 2010 and January 2011.

Full list of items covered under the recall:

HAPPYTOT Green bean, pear & peas, NET WT. 4.22 OZ. (120g), UPC 8 52697 00127 9;

HAPPYTOT Sweet potato, carrot, apple & cinnamon, NET WT. 4.22 OZ. (120g), UPC 8 52697 00128 6;

HAPPYTOT Spinach, mango & pear, NET WT. 4.22 OZ. (120g), UPC 8 52697 00129 3;

HAPPYTOT Butternut squash & apple, NET WT. 4.22 OZ. (120g), UPC 8 52697 00130 9;

HAPPYTOT Banana, peach, coconut & prunes, NET WT. 4.22 OZ. (120g), UPC 8 52697 00131 6;

HAPPYTOT Banana, peach & mango, NET WT. 4.22 OZ. (120g), UPC 8 52697 00132 3;

HAPPYBABY Mango, NET WT. 3.5 OZ. (99g), UPC 8 52697 00134 7;

HAPPYBABY Spinach Mango Pear, NET WT. 3.5 OZ. (99g), UPC 8 52697 00139 2;

HAPPYBABY Apricot Sweet Potato, NET WT. 3.5 OZ. (99g), UPC 8 52697 00136 1;

For more information go here: http://www.happybabyfood.com/news/press-releases/186-voluntary-recall-of-new-pouch-products-due-to-packaging-defect

Preparing Your Pet For Your Baby

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/11/pets.new.baby/index.html?iref=allsearch

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 800,000 people are treated for dog bites every year. Most of them are children, with many incidents occurring in the home. Hundred of pets end up at the pound every year because they are angry and jealous when the new baby comes. There are steps you can take to avoid this kind of situation.

Stephanie Shain, a spokesperson for the Humane Society recommends that you start making changes 2 or 3 months before the baby comes, because animals don't like sudden change. Introduce pets to the baby's room. If you don't want them in there, let them see it, but make sure it is off-limits.

While pregnant, start giving the responsibilities of taking care of the pet to another person. Have your pet get used to baby noises, such as a baby swing or a rocking chair. If you don't want the pet in your lap with the baby, train it beforehand to stay on the floor. If you do this after the baby comes, the pet will connect the negative reinforcement with the baby. Discuss potential behavior problems and whether training might help with your veterinarian.

A rare disease called toxoplasmosis, caused by a parasite in cat feces, can be very dangerous to the fetus. It can cause serious birth defects, so when a woman is pregnant it is best the she doesn't change the cat litter or work in a garden where there might be cat feces.

Once the baby is born, reinforce good pet behavior around the baby with a treat. As your baby grows, teach him or her to respect the animal. Don't let the baby pull it's tail, or crowd it. Remember never to leave a small child and an animal alone together.

To Circumcise or Not?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34811764/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Over the past week, 2 respected medical journals published articles on male circumcision that came to completely different conclusions. Parents of newborn boys will have to make this decision on their own, without help from the medical community.

In Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Dr. Thomas Quinn and colleagues say that the American Academy of Pediatrics should revise it's circumcision policy to reflect recent and substantial evidence of circumcision's health benefits.

In the Annals of Family Medicine, Caryn Perera and colleagues argue that "current evidence fails to recommend widespread neonatal circumcision."

New data shows that circumcision reduces the risks of HIV infection and other viral STDs life herpes and HPV. There is some evidence that male circumcision reduces the risk of bacterial STDs too. It also prevents urinary tract infections, especially in boys younger than 1 year. These are possible benefits, they are not a sure thing.

"It is important to give parents information", said Dr. Michael T. Brady of Ohio State University. "Then they can make the decision they think is in the best interest of the child and (doctors) should be supportive of that."

High Rates of C-Sections Worldwide

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34826186/ns/health-pregnancy/

In many countries worldwide, the rates of women giving birth by c-section is the highest its ever been. In China, almost half of all births are delivered by cesarean section, the world's highest rate according to a survey by the World Health Organization, which warned that the rise in unnecessary surgeries is jeopardizing women's health. A quarter of the c-sections in China were unnecessary.

Reasons that women choose to have c-sections instead of natural birth vary globally. In Asia, some women want to choose their delivery day, others fear painful natural birth or worry that their vaginas may be stretched or damaged by natural birth. Some believe that the operation is less risky.

The study found that women undergoing c-sections that are not medically necessary are more likely to die or be admitted into intensive care units, require blood transfusions or encounter complications leading to hysterectomies.

Breastfeeding May Benefit Mental Health

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34826200/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

New research from Australia suggests that babies who are breastfed for longer than 6 months may be at a lower risk for mental health problems later in life.

The study involved 2,366 children born to women enrolled in the Western Australia Pregnancy Cohort Study. Each child's mental health was assessed at age 2, 5, 8, 10 and 14. Eleven percent were never breastfed, 38 percent were breastfed for less than 6 months, and just over half were breastfed for 6 months or longer.

Researchers found at each assessment that children who were breastfed for shorter amounts of time had worse behavior. Differences were seen in internalizing behavior, in which negativity is directed inwards, such as depression; and in externalizing behaviors, such as aggression. For each additional months that the child was breastfed, behavior improved.

After researchers adjusted for social, economic, and psychological factors and early life events, they found that breastfeeding for 6 months or longer was associated with positive mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.

New Study Finds 1 in 100 Kids Have Autism

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34480829/ns/health-mental_health/

According to the government's latest estimate released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 110 children have autism. Until recently, the CDC had been saying that about 1 in 150 children had the disorder. The increase may be due to better diagnosis and changes in how well records of it were kept in the study sites.

Doctors still don't know what causes autism. They are investigating possible genetic and environmental triggers, but are still years away from results. Autism is not diagnosed with biologic tests, the only diagnosis is making judgements about the child's behavior. Language and social impairments, and unusual, repetitious behavior can be signs of autism.

Health officials say the stepping up screening of children for autism is important because early therapy can improve how well children develop. Parents have often voiced concerns about a child's development before age 2, the average age of diagnosis is about 4 1/2.

50 Million Shades and Blinds Recalled

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34421715/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

All Roman shades and blinds in homes with small children have been recalled by government safety regulators and the window-covering industry. A child can easily become entangled in the cords and strangle to death. The CPSC announced that about 50 million window coverings need to be repaired to be safe for kids.

8 children have died and 16 were nearly strangled in window-covering cords since 2001. Strangulations can occur with Roman shades when a child places his or her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind, or when a child wraps the cord around his or her neck. With roll-up blinds a child's neck can become entangled in the lifting loop.

Some of the country's largest retailers are affected by this recall. These blinds and shades are sold at Wal-Mart, Pottery Barn, IKEA, and Target. Customers who have Roman or roll-up shades in their homes should contact the Window Covering Safety Council immediately at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling (800) 506-4636 anytime to receive a free repair kit to make the window coverings safe. In the meantime, the CPSC urges anyone with young children to remove any blinds or shades that have cords attached.

Blood Test Tells Gender as Early as 5 Weeks

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34471795/ns/health-pregnancy/

Expectant parents usually have to wait until nearly the end of the first trimester to find out the gender of their baby. A new technique done with a simple blood draw from the mother can reveal the gender of a developing fetus as early as five weeks into the pregnancy. The technique appears to be 100% accurate, according to Dutch researchers.

The dutch study took place from 2003 to 2009 and included 201 expectant mothers in the Netherlands. Of the 201 women tested, the researchers were able to issue a conclusion 189 times. They were correct every time.

Such testing may raise concerns over it's possible use to select a baby's gender based on parental preference, but it can be used to screen for serious medical conditions as well. X-linked disorders are gene-based diseases carried by the x-chromosome that almost always occur in males. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or CAH, is a condition in females that leads to the virilization of sex organs. CAH can be treated in utero if it's discovered.

This new technique eliminates the risks associated with invasive testing. University of Pennsylvania bioethicist Arthur Caplan, Ph.D., says that this way of testing is "fraught with ethical problems" because for most inherited disorders there are few therapies, meaning that "elective abortion is just about the only option in response to fetal testing." The increased availability of this type of testing, "puts physicians in the position of offering testing that may lead to abortions for non-medical reasons."

Breast Milk can be Stored for 4 Days

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34622602/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

A new study suggests that breast milk can refrigerated for up to 4 days without compromising it's nutritional value or allowing bacteria to build up. Most research on breast milk storage has focused on bacterial buildup, not the nutritional value of the milk.

For this study, researchers stored breast milk samples from 36 mothers in the refrigerators at 39 degrees F. The milk was tested after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Over that time, the researchers found either no or minimal changes to the breast milk's composition including bacterial levels, acidity, immune-system proteins from the mother, beneficial fatty acids and protein.

These results fit in with typical recommendations for refrigerating breast milk, it is best to use the milk within a few days, but storing it a little longer is probably safe. Experts suggest that when storing breast milk, use a clean dry container made of glass or BPA-free plastic. Each container should be labeling with a date and stored at the back of the refrigerator set at 39 degrees or cooler.