BABY/CHILD PROOFING YOUR HOME

By Nurse Diane

One of the first things expectant parents do when learning about their new bundle of joy is to prepare a room.  Careful thought and planning goes into a baby's nursery, with safety being the main concern.  From bumper pads around the crib, to flame retardant clothing to safe toys with no small parts that could cause choking.  Keeping your baby safe from harm is a huge task.  There are accidents waiting to happen around every corner.

Some parents wait to child proof when the baby becomes mobile.  By then it could be too late.  Babies grow and begin moving very quickly in that first year.  When my son was a baby I would place him on my bed for his afternoon nap.  I had a large queen bed and would lay him in the center.  He wasn't crawling at this time, so I assumed he would be safe. One day, I heard him wake up from his nap and went to my room to get him, but he wasn't on the bed.  I could hear him crying, and then I found him, he had crawled the length of the bed and fallen on the floor.  Luckily, he fell on carpet, and not a very far fall, and he was fine, however I was a wreck.  I never put him on my bed again and made sure he was in a safe environment.

Parents worry endlessly about how to protect their children from stranger abduction and violence, but many overlook one of the biggest threats to their children's safety and well-being — their own home. Experts say that children between the ages of 1 and 4 are more likely to be killed by fire, burns, drowning, choking, poisoning, or falls than by a stranger's violence.  About 2.3 million children are accidentally injured every year and more than 2,500 are killed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's why it's so important to carefully childproof your home.

There are many products available to secure drawers and cabinets, cover outlets and keep babies away from certain areas.  The best "gadgets" available are your own eyes and ears.  Experts say that one of the best ways to check for hidden dangers in your home is to get down on their level and look around to see the dangers your child sees. On thing some people fail to consider is visiting other's homes.  While your home may be secure and free from any possible harm, when you take the baby to grandmas, her home may not be as safe.

Accidents are going to happen, babies are curious and check out everything.  The important thing is to check your home before the baby gets there, prevent as many possible accidents as you can, then check back frequently the older the child gets.  It is a constant struggle trying to predict what your child can get into, so what every measure you take to baby proof your home.  The best safety measure will always be your supervision.

For other safety products, check out this site:  http://www.safebeginnings.com/

[Photos from Google]

Is your Biological Clock ticking?

By Nurse Diane

My husband loved the movie "My Cousin Vinny".  It is the story of two young men who are mistakenly arrested for the murder of a gas station owner, can call their New York lawyer cousin to come down south to represent them.   In one of my favorite scenes of this movie, Vinny's girlfriend is worried that their relationship isn't going anywhere and her biological clock is ticking!  To watch this scene, click here:  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7jsxe_my-cousin-vinny-biological-clock_fun

The biological clock she is referring to is the chance she will have to get pregnant, as she fears she is getting to old to reproduce.

Our biological clock is also known as circadian rhythm.  Not only does it control the times for ovulation, but it also works as an internal regulator responsible for various cyclical responses in living things. Both plants and animals show yearly, monthly, daily, and other rhythmic changes that appear to be genetically programmed.  According to howstuffworks.com, most cyclical responses occur at approximately the same time as changes in such external factors as light and temperature, suggesting that they are somehow caused by these external changes. Many of the seasonal changes in animals and plants are influenced by changes in day length. For instance, the decreasing amount of daylight in the fall triggers internal changes in some species of birds, causing them to migrate. Germination and flowering of plants generally occurs in the spring and summer when there is more daylight. However, experiments have shown that external factors are not always involved. For example, fiddler crabs in their natural habitat become darker in the morning, lighter in the evening. Yet when they are placed under constant environmental conditions (such as constant light) the daily rhythm of their color changes persist.

Scientists generally believe that various circadian rhythms are controlled by different mechanisms. For instance, many cycles respond to both external and internal stimuli, some cycles respond to external stimuli only, and a small number respond to internal stimuli alone.

There are many changes such as the ebb and flow of the tides, changing of locations, and personal habits such as work hours that affect the circadian rhythm.  When I worked nights at the hospital, my body had to adjust to the change of wake and sleep.  This was particularly hard when my work schedule changed from days to nights and back to days.  This is a common problem with people who work shift work, and it normally takes about two weeks for the body to adjust.  Another type of adjustment is traveling in different time zones, this is where the term, jet lag comes in.

Today is Biological Clock day.  The site worksmartlivesmart.com suggest these tips to help celebrate the day:

Maintain a healthy sleep-wake program by:

• Not napping if you find that it throws you off in the evening.
• Getting up at the same time every day.
• Being strict about your sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine.

Trying light therapy. This should only be done under a doctor’s care to ensure that you are not creating additional issues.

Avoiding night-light. When possible, avoid bright and outdoor light close to bedtime and keep your surroundings as dark as possible at night. Cover the lights of your alarm clock, so that you are not tempted to look at it or have its glow disrupt your sleep.

Avoid eating or exercising too close to bedtime. Also watch out for caffeine and nicotine, both of which are stimulants.

When traveling to different time zones – look for natural ways to align your new sleep-wake schedule with the time zone that you are in. Some strategies require you to start several days before you take off the ground, so plan ahead.

(All images from Google) 

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

(Google Image)

By Nurse Diane

There is nothing more thrilling for a couple trying to increase their family to learn that they are expecting.  The first thought that comes to mind is the desire for their baby to be healthy, 10 fingers, and 10 toes.  To most, the sex of the baby takes a back seat.  Many newly expectant mothers visit their doctors; take prenatal vitamins, and research all the proper care necessary to produce a healthy child. More do not.  According to the CDC, about one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Not all birth defects can be prevented. But a woman can take steps to increase her own chance of having a baby with the best health possible.

(Google Image)

Some causes of birth defects include:

Women who take certain drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol during pregnancy.
Women with certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or obesity before and during pregnancy.
Women who take certain medications that are known to cause birth defects, such as isotretinoin (a drug used to treat severe acne).
Women who have someone in their family with a birth defect. To learn more about your risk of having a baby with a birth defect, you can talk with a clinical geneticist or a genetic counselor.
Women over the age of 35 years.

(Google Image)

Some ways to help prevent birth defects include:

Take 400 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant.
Don’t drink alcohol, smoke, or use “street” drugs.
Talk to a health care provider about taking any medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary or herbal supplements. Also talk to a doctor before stopping any medications that are needed to treat health conditions.
Learn how to prevent infections during pregnancy.
If possible, be sure any medical conditions are under control, before becoming pregnant. Some conditions that increase the risk for birth defects include diabetes and obesity.

This month is National Birth Defects Prevention Month.  If you, or know someone who is pregnant, please encourage them to follow their Doctor's orders, have regular checkups, and do all they can to prevent any possible defect.  Not all birth defects are preventable, but there are simple measures one can take to prevent many of them.  For more information, visit Marchofdimes.com.

Teddy Bear Day - 2012 Update

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest

Oh baby let me be your lovin' teddy bear

Put a chain around my neck

And lead me anywhere

Oh let me be your lovin' teddy bear

I don't wanna be a tiger

'Cause tigers play too rough

I don't wanna be a lion'

Cause lions ain't the kind

you love enough

(Google Image) 

How could you   look at a cute little teddy bear and not imagine that they have been around forever?  Well in fact, they have only been around since the early 1900's.  They were invented as a result of a hunting trip here in Mississippi.  President Roosevelt, along with some other men, traveled to Mississippi to hunt bear.  One of Roosevelt's attendants had captured a bear cub and tied it so that the President could shoot it.  However, when Roosevelt saw this cub tied, he refused to shoot it, calling it unsportsman like.  News of this refusal hit the newspapers, and a cartoon was drawn, picturing the saving of the cub.  Morris Michtom saw the drawing of Roosevelt and the bear cub and was inspired to create a new toy. He created a little stuffed bear cub and put it in his shop window with a sign that read "Teddy's bear," after sending a bear to Roosevelt and receiving permission to use his name. The toys were an immediate success and Michtom founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Co. And that was the beginning of the Teddy Bear.

Today, teddy bears are common everywhere, in fact, I can't imagine a single child who never had one at some time in their life.  I have given them to all my grandchildren and to my son and husband too.  They come in all sizes and colors, and can be very comforting as well as entertaining.

(Google Image) 

My husband and I frequently wrote little notes to each other, and while going through my box of notes I found a ransom note.   Apparently during Christmas, my husband received a bag of chocolate kisses for his stocking.  I had of course run out of chocolate, but my husband still had his unopened bag.  When I asked him to share, he refused, so I did the next best thing.  I kidnapped his teddy bear and held him for ransom!  I only asked for a few of the candy kisses, but he offered me the entire bag for the safe return of "Baby Bear".  It was a win-win situation and ended on a happy note.

(Google Image) 

Teddy bears are still as popular today.  There are Build-a-Bear stores where you can create your own bear, there are talking bears, cartoon bears, stories about bears, and even a new movie about a bear who comes to life. Teddy bears are carried around by police officers to help calm and comfort a child, and also found in hospitals for comfort.

(Google Image) 

Today is Teddy Bear Day.  These bears bring comfort and protection to our lives as well and encourage playfulness and imagination.  Why don’t you respond with some of your favorite Teddy Bear Memories today.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month

(Google Image) 

By Nurse Diane

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a group of inherited diseases that cause muscle damage and weakness, which get worse over time and eventually lead to death.  This disease is mainly present at birth, but type II can be noticed anywhere from 6 months to 2 years of age.  Type III SMA can also be seen during adolescence, but types II and III are a milder form of the disease.

(Google Image) 

Infants born with SMA have very little muscle tone. Often is first felt in the shoulder and leg muscles. Weakness gets worse over time and eventually becomes severe.

(Google Image) 

Symptoms in an infant include:

• Breathing difficulty, leading to a lack of oxygen
• Feeding difficulty (food may go into the windpipe instead of the stomach)
• Floppy infant (poor muscle tone)
• Lack of head control
• Little movement
• Weakness that gets worse
• Symptoms in a child:
• Frequent, increasingly severe respiratory infections
• Nasal speech
• Posture that gets worse

There is no treatment yet for this disease.  Prognosis is usually about 2 or 3 years.  Death can occur from pneumonia or heart failure.

(Google Image) 

This month is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month.  To learn what you can do to promote this disease and show support, click on this site:  http://www.fsma.org/Fundraising/AwarenessMonth/

World Breastfeeding Week

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest, RN

Recently there was a picture of two military mother’s breastfeeding their children in uniform.  This picture stirred up alot of attention on the web.  The question was, should they be photographed in uniform breastfeeding?  There were many opinions floating about.  Some say breastfeeding is a natural thing, some say it wasn't proper to be photographed in uniform, and there are others who say, breastfeeding should be done in private, or covered up.  The one thing that most can agree on is that breastfeeding is best for the infant.  It provides the proper nutrients, antibodies, it’s at the proper temperature, and is always available.

(Google Image) 

This week is World Breastfeeding Week.  The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was formed in 1991 to act on the Innocent Declaration (1990) to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. As part of its action plan to facilitate and strengthen social mobilization for breastfeeding, WABA envisioned a global unifying breastfeeding promotion strategy. A day dedicated to breastfeeding was suggested to be marked in the calendar of international events. The idea of a day's celebration was later turned into a week.

(Google Image) 

The first World Breastfeeding Week campaign on the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched on 1 August 1992 to commemorate the adoption of the Innocent Declaration. WABA organizes WBW every year from 1 - 7 August as an opportunity for groups worldwide to take specific actions that will raise public awareness about breastfeeding and reap support for it.

(Google Image) 

This year celebrates 20 years since the start of WABA.  Some of the things that will be going on this week is looking back, to see how much the organization has grown and how much education they have provided to mothers and others to eliminate the stigma of breastfeeding.   They also want to continue education the public on the positive aspects of breastfeeding.  To learn what you can do and how you can help...visit this site:  http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

(Google Image) 

Baby and Child Proofing

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest

One of the first things expectant parents do when learning about their new bundle of joy is to prepare a room.  Careful thought and planning goes into a baby's nursery, with safety being the main concern.  From bumper pads around the crib, to flame retardant clothing to safe toys with no small parts that could cause choking.  Keeping your baby safe from harm is a huge task.  There are accidents waiting to happen around every corner.

(Google Image) 

Some parents wait to child proof when the baby becomes mobile.  By then it could be too late.  Babies grow and begin moving very quickly in that first year.  When my son was a baby I would place him on my bed for his afternoon nap.  I had a large queen bed and would lay him in the center.  He wasn't crawling at this time, so I assumed he would be safe. One day, I heard him wake up from his nap and went to my room to get him, but he wasn't on the bed.  I could hear him crying, and then I found him, he had crawled the length of the bed and fallen on the floor.  Luckily, he fell on carpet, and not a very far fall, and he was fine, however I was a wreck.  I never put him on my bed again and made sure he was in a safe environment.

(Google Image) 

Parents worry endlessly about how to protect their children from stranger abduction and violence, but many overlook one of the biggest threats to their children's safety and well-being — their own home. Experts say that children between the ages of 1 and 4 are more likely to be killed by fire, burns, drowning, choking, poisoning, or falls than by a stranger's violence.  About 2.3 million children are accidentally injured every year and more than 2,500 are killed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's why it's so important to carefully childproof your home.

(Google Image) 

There are many products available to secure drawers and cabinets, cover outlets and keep babies away from certain areas.  The best "gadgets" available are your own eyes and ears.  Experts say that one of the best ways to check for hidden dangers in your home is to get down on their level and look around to see the dangers your child sees. One thing some people fail to consider is visiting other's homes.  While your home may be secure and free from any possible harm, when you take the baby to grandmas, her home may not be as safe.

(Google Image) 

Accidents are going to happen, babies are curious and check out everything.  The important thing is to check your home before the baby gets there, prevent as many possible accidents as you can, then check back frequently the older the child gets.  It is a constant struggle trying to predict what your child can get into, so what every measures you take to baby proof your home.  The best safety measure will always be your supervision.

(Google Image) 

For other safety products, check out this site:  http://www.safebeginnings.com/