DHA and ARA Banned From Organic Baby Food

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/27/AR2010042704500.html

The Obama administration announced Tuesday that 2 synthetic additives will no longer be permitted in infant formula or baby foods certified as organic because the ingredients have not received legal approval for use in organic products.

The additives - omega-3 fatty acid DHA and omega-6 fatty acid ARA - are present in 90% of organic infant formula and are marketed as promoting brain and eye development.

Last July U.S. Department of Agriculture employees had concluded that the fatty acids violated federal standards and should be banned from products carrying the federal organic label. Their findings were overruled by a USDA program manager who had been heavily lobbied by the formula industry.

Organic-food advocates said the decision will help restore consumers' faith in the certification program. "This move will give consumers the assurance that the USDA is taking organics seriously and isn't allowing backroom deals," said Charlotte Vallaeys, a food policy analyst with the Cornucopia Institute, an organics advocacy group.

The USDA will now create guidelines for companies phasing out the additives. That process could take up to a year or longer. At the same time, the industry that produces the ARA and DHA additives will petition the standards board, asking that it recommend that the fatty acids be allowed into the organic food.

Benefits of Baby Swimming Lessons

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/04/everyone-in-the-pool-even-infants.html

Researchers from Norway and the United Kingdom have found that children who had taken baby swimming classes did better on tests involving gripping and reaching as well as balance, compared to children who had no experience swimming as babies.

The study involved 19 4-year-olds from Iceland who had participated in baby swimming lessons for 2 hours a week for at least 4 months when they were infants. They were compared to 19 Icelandic 4-year-olds who had not done any swimming as babies.

The 4-year-olds were tested for manual dexterity, ball skills and balance. While there were no overall differences in performance between the groups, researchers found that the swimming group did better on prehension (seizing or grasping objects) and static balance.

Although this was a small study, the authors believe that the results are encouraging enough to warrant further study to find what other benefits baby swimming and aquatic therapy could offer.

Recall of Graco Drop Side Cribs by LaJobi

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml10/10212.html

The U.S. CPSC, in cooperation with LaJobi Inc. of Cranbury, N.J., today announced a voluntary recall of about 217,000 Graco brand drop-side cribs. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The drop side hardware of these cribs can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. This creates a hazardous gap between the drop side and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing a risk of suffocation and strangulation. Children can also fall from the cribs when the drop side detaches or fails to lock.

The CPSC and LaJobi have received 99 reports of drop side incidents, including hardware breakage and drop side detachment. There were 2 incidents of children becoming entrapped in the gap created by the drop side. Both were freed by caregivers. There were 6 reports of children falling due to drop side failure.

The recall involves LaJobi-manufactured Graco wood cribs. The full size cribs were sold in cherry, espresso, natural and white finishes at children's product stores and other retailers nationwide from February 2007 to March 2010 for between $140 and $200. For a list of names and model numbers of cribs affected by this recall, visit the CPSC website.

Consumers should stop using the recalled cribs immediately and contact LaJobi to receive a free hardware retrofit kit that will immobilize the drop side. CPSC urges parents are caregivers to find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Recall of Simplicity Cribs

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml10/10211.html

The U.S. CPSC is announcing a recall of all Simplicity full-size cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames. This recall includes fixed-side and drop-side cribs. These cribs pose a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment, strangulation, suffocation and fall hazards to infants and toddlers.

The crib's tubular metal mattress-support frame can bend or detach, causing part of the mattress to collapse, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can become wedged, entrapped, or fall out of the crib.

The CPSC has received a report of one death due to suffocation, and several injuries involving the recalled cribs collapsing due to the metal mattress-support frame bending or detaching.

The CPSC is urging parents are caregivers not to try to fix these cribs, stop using these cribs immediately and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Because Simplicity and it's successor, SFCA Inc. are no longer in business, the CPSC has limited information about the number of cribs sold. Visit the CPSC for a list of names and known model numbers of the recalled cribs. This recall affects ALL Simplicity cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames regardless of model number.

The recalled cribs were sold at Walmart, Target, Babies R Us and other stores nationwide for between $150 and $300. Consumers should contact the store where the crib was purchased to receive a refund, replacement crib or store credit.

Health Care Law Supports Breastfeeding

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/09/breast.feeding.society/index.html?iref=allsearch

Women across America have felt uncomfortable in public situations when breastfeeding, or pumping milk. Many working women have to pump milk in a bathroom stall because there is no other space available.

Thanks to page 1239 of the health care bill that President Obama recently signed into law will give nursing mothers additional support. It requires employers to provide "a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk." Only companies with less than 50 employees can claim it's an undue hardship.

Ellen Galinsky, president and co-founder of the nonprofit research organization Families and Work Institute, said "It reflects both a shifting attitude, a shifting reality, and also the impact of research that shows that it's healthier for the kids, and therefore good for the company, good for the family."

Choking Concerns May Prevent Safe Sleeping

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/05/study-concerns-about-comfort-and-choking-prevent-some-moms-from-placing-babies-in-safest-sleeping-position/?iref=allsearch

A new study has found that the position a baby sleeps in is often determined by the quality and quantity of advice new moms get and whether they believe their child will be uncomfortable or choke.

Researchers interviewed 2300 mothers. 61% reported placing their babies on their backs to sleeps, which is the safest position. Nearly 40% of mothers did not do this, putting their babies at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome.

Isabelle Von Kohorn, the study's author, found that a mom's belief that her child was uncomfortable or more likely to choke if placed on his or her back was more of a driving force than any advice about the best position for a baby to sleep in. Doctors and nurses who take these beliefs into consideration may be able to better advise new moms about the best sleeping position.

Researchers found that only 56% of doctors and 44% of nurses are talking to moms about having their infants sleep only on their backs for the first year of life. 1 in 7 doctors and nurses were also giving out incorrect advice.

Researchers did learn that when moms were advised about the safest sleeping position - from their doctor, nurses, or the news media - they were more likely to follow the recommendations. "This is an important finding," said Von Kohorn. "Just getting the word out will save a life."

Dealing With Separation Anxiety

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/separation-anxiety/DS01173.html?iref=allsearch

Between 8 and 12 months, it is normal for children to experience separation anxiety. This may be frustrating, but it is actually an emotional milestone. Your child is beginning to understand that there is only one of you, and you still exist even when he or she can't see you.

Fussing and crying are the main symptoms of separation anxiety. Screaming and tantrums sometimes happen also. Your child may refuse to leave you side during the day, and wake up and cry for you during the night. It usually peaks between 10 and 18 months, and most children outgrow separation anxiety by 24 months old.

To ease your child's anxiety, leave your child with a trusted caregiver for short periods of time. This will help your child learn that he or she can count on you to return. If possible, leave when you child is fed and rested, as he or she may be more likely to have a fit when tired, hungry or restless. Talking to your child about something fun that will happen when your gone will give them something to look forward to.

When leaving your child, don't prolong your goodbye. If you are leaving them in a new environment, you can play with them for a few minutes, and remind them that you will return, then give them a gentle goodbye and go.

If your child's separation anxiety seems intense, interferes with school or other daily activities, or is accompanied by panic attacks, it could be a more serious condition known as separation anxiety disorder. If you think your child may be suffering from this, consult a doctor or mental health professional.

China's One-Child Rule May Be Eased

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36778339/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

For years, China has curbed it's population growth with a one-child limit that at it's peak led to forced abortions, sterilizations and even infanticide. Now the policy may be on it's way out, as some demographers say that China is facing the opposite problem: not enough babies.

The concern is not with the overall number of people. Rather, as the population shrinks, China may find itself with the wrong mix of people: too few young workers to support an aging population. This could slow or even reverse China's economic growth.

Another concern is the surplus of males. Although illegal, some parents who wanted a son aborted their baby is they learned it was a girl. Experts fear that, in the years to come, gender imbalance will create a frustrated generation of men unable to find spouses. That could fuel trafficking of women and girls to be sold as brides.

Susan Greenhalgh, an expert on the policy's history and anthropology professor at the University of California, believes the government will avoid dramatic change. "My view is that it will gradually be taken apart, piece by piece, over the next few years," she said, "until we all wake up and discover that, lo and behold, the one-child policy has been dismantled to the point that it's no longer a one-child policy."

Pre-term Babies May Have Lifetime Lung Problems

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36703301/ns/health/

Children born at 25 weeks or earlier are at risk for life-long lung trouble, including asthma, according to British researchers.

They found that very pre-term babies who lived to age 11 often had abnormal lung function and were twice as likely to be diagnosed with asthma as children born at a full 39 or 40 weeks. Janet Stocks of University College London, who led the study, said, "Many of these children may not be receiving appropriate treatment."

Researchers used data from a large study that tracked all babies born in Britain and Ireland at or before 25 weeks gestation between March and December 1995. The children were examined and their lung function and respiratory health checked when they were 2, 6, and 11. They were compared to children of the same age, sex, and ethnic origin.

More than half has abnormal spirometry results - a test of blowing into an instrument ti assess lung strength. 1 in 4 had asthma. 65% had not had any respiratory symptoms for the past 12 months. "As the lungs grow and airway caliber increase, such children will be far less prone to wheezing episodes and will appear to have 'grown out' of their symptoms," Stocks said in a statement. "However, there is concern that such symptoms may reappear in later life in the form of early onset chronic obstructive lung disease."

As medical technology allows more and more pre-term children to survive, this could become more of a problem, and something for healthcare planners to be aware of.

Teacher Quality Makes a Big Impact on Kids' Education

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36717876/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

A new study, comparing twins assigned to different classrooms, has found that genetics play the largest role in determining how quickly a child learns to read, but a good teacher can also make a big difference.

Researchers studied more than 550 first and second grade classrooms with at least one identical twin, and more than 1000 classes with at least one fraternal twin. There were significant differences in reading improvement during the year shown by 42 pairs out of 280 pairs of identical twins. In each case, teachers also had significantly different quality scores. Twins with similarly good teachers got similar scores.

Previous reading research on unrelated children could not show how much differences in achievement were associated with genes, home life or the classroom. This study has shown that teacher and classroom quality make a big difference in how quickly children learn to read.

Teen Parents in Life Support Dispute

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/teen-parents-battle-life-support-baby/story?id=10373536&page=1

Teen parents fighting over whether their baby should be removed from life support have taken their case to Ohio's courts and exposed a potential loophole in state law.

When police officers responded to a 911 call in early March, they found 6-month-old Jada Ruiz unresponsive and not breathing in the arms of 17-year-old father John Jones. Jada was diagnosed with broken bones, detached retinas, and brain damage consistent with shaken baby syndrome, child services authorities said. Doctors said her recovery is unlikely.

Jada's mother, 18-year-old Deja Ruiz, wants her daughter removed from life support. But Jones, who was charged with assault and child endangerment in the case and who could face murder charges if Jada dies, quickly filed court papers to keep his daughter on life support.

According to the police report, Jones was at Ruiz's home while she was at school. He told police that he found Jada limp and unresponsive when he went to change her diaper. He also told police that Jada and her twin sister were born 4 months premature and have a history of respiratory problems.

A loophole was created from a 2004 Ohio Supreme Court decision that ruled the very same probate court overstepped it's boundaries when it intervened in the case of another infant, Aiden Stein, by appointing a guardian to remove the child from life support against the wishes of the boy's parents. The decision was reversed and Aiden remains on life support to this day.

That left future cases, such as Jada's, open to question over which courts have the right to intervene in such cases involving a child. The probate court judge in this case is expected to make a decision on jurisdiction by the end of the week. However, this decision is only the beginning. Between the custody dispute, criminal proceedings and the life support battle, Jada's fate could hang in the balance for months, if not longer.

Exercise for Better Birth Weight

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/execise-during-pregnancy-lowers-babys-weight/?scp=19&sq=baby&st=cse

Regular exercise during pregnancy leads to a small reduction in the baby's weight, a new study shows. Larger birth size (babies weighing more than 8 pounds 12 ounces) is associated with higher risk for childhood obesity.

In a trial of 84 first-time mothers, participants were assigned to either an exercise or a control group. Exercisers rode stationary bikes for 40 minutes, 5 days a week. Other women just maintained their regular activity. The women began exercising in the 20th week of pregnancy and continued until at least week 36.

The exercise didn't make any difference in the mother's weight, but among the mothers who didn't exercise, their babies were an average of 5 ounces heavier than babies born to the women who exercised during pregnancy.

The study shows that moderate, regular aerobic exercise can have a meaningful effect on a baby's birth weight without putting the pregnancy or child at risk.

Difficulties in Adoption

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36630089/ns/health-kids_and_parenting//

When news broke 2 weeks ago about Torry Ann Hansen shipping her 7-year-old adopted son back to Russia on a plane, unaccompanied, with just a note to the authorities, it generated round-the-clock discussion on the cable networks, front-page coverage in many newspapers, and even something of an international incident, with reports that Russia was suspending all adoptions to the United States indefinitely.

It also struck an emotional chord with families across the country who have gone through the process of international adoption and know how difficult the adjustment can be. It raised questions about how much American adoption agencies know about the background of the children they are bringing in from foreign countries, and whether parents are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead of them.

"Most reputable agencies try to drum into the heads of prospective parents that they need to be prepared for risk and a wide range of possibilities, that they have to give some serious thought to this," said Kathy Legg, executive director of Spence-Chapin, a well-known adoption agency in New York. But services available after parents adopt are erratic - comprehensive in some places and nonexistent in others - and state budget cuts are eating away resources to fund them.

Some advocated for adoptive families say parents should feel less ashamed of considering the option of disruption. "Disruption should come out of the closet," said Susan L. Caughman, editor and publisher of the magazine Adoptive Families. "It's a horrible decision to have to make. But if you can't parent a child...don't struggle in silence."

March for Babies Raises $41,210

http://www.austindailyherald.com/news/2010/apr/19/march-babies-raises-41210/

The 2010 March of Dimes' March for Babies took place last Saturday morning in Austin, Texas. About 248 walkers participated in the 6.5-mile walk to raise money and awareness to help babies be born healthy.

A number of individuals and businesses donated money, raising a total of $41,210. The money is used to raise awareness and aid local organizations in helping families face issues like premature birth, birth defects and low birth weight.

Any donation to the March of Dimes helps. "Small amounts add up," said co-chair Peggy Young. Organizers will be looking for donations large and small for the 2011 March for Babies. "There's still work to be done, and there's no end in sight," Young said.

Breast-feeding Could Save Lives and Money

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iSqQIAfvagnz1Gvbnz2bzX8V7e8wD9ET27780

A cost analysis published in the journal Pediatrics, estimates that the lives of 900 babies per year would be saved, along with billions of dollars, if 90 percent of U.S. women fed their babies breast milk for the first 6 months of life.

The findings suggests that there are hundreds of deaths and costly illnesses each year from health problems that breast feeding may help prevent. These include stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, juvenile diabetes. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even childhood leukemia.

Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight infections, and can affect insulin levels in the blood, which may make breast-fed babies less likely to develop diabetes and obesity.

The analysis studied 10 common childhood illnesses, costs of treating those illnesses, including hospitalization, and the level of disease protection other studies have linked with breastfeeding. The $13 billion in estimated losses due to the low breast-feeding rate includes an economists' calculation partly based on lost potential lifetime wages - $10.56 million per death.