ParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gifParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Meant to Be: A Letter to My Daughter on Her Birthdayhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/meant-to-be-a-letter-to-my-daughter-on-her-birthday/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/meant-to-be-a-letter-to-my-daughter-on-her-birthday/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/meant-to-be-a-letter-to-my-daughter-on-her-birthday/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Long ago, before there was you, when Daddy was not yet Daddy and I was not yet Papa, he and I promised each other that someday we would be parents. We had a wedding and bought a house, but then let more than a decade pass while we waited to be "ready" for a child. (We didn't realize there is no ready, only willing.)

In the early fall of our 11th year together, Daddy's beloved Nana passed away, one week after deciding it was her time to go. But first, she'd called her children and their children to her bedside, sharing her love one last time and commanding us all to live full, happy lives.

When Nana died, Daddy and I both felt something stirring inside, a clear impulse that it was time to move forward with our plans to adopt a baby, adding a new life to the now smaller family. Many of the people who would become your relatives, godmothers and aunties were thrilled when we announced this decision.

But my own mother didn't think God approved of two men raising a child, an opinion also shared by the governor of our home state and some of the most prominent men in the land. The doubters didn't stop us: Our course was set.

It was almost spring when Daddy and I filled out the paperwork to start the adoption process. We were told it would take 18 months or even longer for us to become parents, and we believed that would be true -- until the first surprise of many came our way. Your birth mom picked us to be your dads a mere eight weeks later, just weeks before her due date.

Everyone involved was amazed; the process never happened that fast. Moreover, there was a coincidence we couldn't ignore: We learned that you had been conceived the week that Nana died. Destiny.

Then, to our great sadness, things fell through. The agency told us to try and forget it, to move on -- such a speedy match was a fluke, after all. But every night of the week we'd been told you were due, I went to bed imagining a baby out there somewhere, and thinking that maybe, just maybe, it would all still work out. I dreamed of you, not yet knowing who -- or if -- you were.

The next week, your birth mom called us from the hospital, still wanting us to be your dads, after all. We heard your voice for the first time, a distant cry that tethered you to us for good, even across the miles. In the thrill of our connection that morning, we almost missed an impossibly wonderful detail: arriving five days late, you had been born on Nana's birthday.

How could you be any child but ours? Even my mother, who had been praying to understand what God wanted, had to agree: It seemed miraculous. If her Creator was strong enough to command a universe into being, He could certainly have disrupted one small adoption, but had not chosen to. She changed her prayer, instead asking God to watch over us as we flew across the country to her new granddaughter.

There were a couple of twists still lying ahead in the road that brought us to you, but they fade in memory next to the sun-soaked summer morning I held you in my arms for the first time. So tiny, a fluttering thing, a bird. We passed you back and forth, terrified and in love, and began to earn the names you call us: Daddy and Papa. There are no words, written or spoken, for what that moment meant (and means) to me.

Today, you are 6. You are too young to care what so many politicians and pundits are still saying about families like ours, but I know someday you will hear and understand their callous words, the harsh proclamations they utter without regard for their effect on children like you. I am sure those comments will sting when they land, but when that happens, I want you to remember this story.

I am not a mystical person, but there was a kind of magic in the making of our family. Nana somehow knew this; in her last night on earth, she told the granddaughter at her side that a baby was coming, that there was a little girl on the way to the family. Nana was right, for here you are.

As you celebrate your birthday -- and hers -- you're exactly where you are meant to be.

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]]>adoptiongay parentingDavid Valdes GreenwoodWed, 01 Jun 2011 11:00:00 ESTHow to Treat Cradle Caphttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/16/how-to-treat-cradle-cap/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/16/how-to-treat-cradle-cap/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/16/how-to-treat-cradle-cap/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Watch Videos Related to Common Newborn Conditions
cradle cap

Use a toothbrush to scrub cradle cap. Credit: Getty Images

Skin cells are constantly being made, and we usually don't notice our old, dry skin cells falling off as the new cells replace them. However, sometimes in healthy infants, new cells grow faster on their scalps than the old cells can fall off, causing a buildup of flaky, crusty skin.

This condition is called cradle cap. Cradle cap is common and is not part of any serious illness, nor is it contagious. It also does not mean the baby is not being taken care of properly. Fortunately, this condition does not last longer than the infant's first year. Additionally, it is easily treated.

Cradle cap generally begins within the first three months of an infant's life. A possible cause has to do with the hormones from the mother that pass through the placenta right before birth. These hormones stimulate the baby's sebaceous glands in his or her skin, causing the glands to produce a greasy substance which makes the old skin cells stick to the scalp as the substance dries.

The symptoms of cradle cap are patchy scales and redness on the scalp. These scales can look cracked and greasy. Sometimes, the scales even appear to be weeping. Your pediatrician will be able to diagnose a case of cradle cap by physical examination.

If your baby does have cradle cap, wash his or her hair more frequently and use a soft brush (a toddler toothbrush works well) to loosen the scales to be brushed away. If you do not notice a decrease in the flaking and scaling, you can try massaging the scalp with oil. You can use baby oil, mineral oil or even olive oil. Healing Natural Oils makes a cradle cap treatment, Heal Cradle Cap, from natural essential oils. Whatever oil you try, you should rub it on your infant's head, brush the scales away with the soft brush and wash his or her hair with a gentle shampoo.

In some cases of cradle cap, the home remedies of oil massaging and shampooing do not always work. Your pediatrician can prescribe a medicated shampoo for you to use on your baby. This shampoo contains salicylic acid and sulfur, which are remedies for dandruff.

However, this shampoo can be rough on your baby's scalp and skin, so use it as directed by the doctor. The doctor also may prescribe hydrocortisone cream to soothe any redness and rash that occurs in severe cases. If your baby does have cradle cap, you will need to watch for further irritation of his or her skin because yeast infections can occur, especially in skin folds behind the ears, in the folds of the neck and under arms.

If you notice any of this irritation, the rash spreading, and/or your baby acting as if he or she is uncomfortable, your pediatrician can give you an anti-fungal cream which will kill the yeast infection.

While cradle cap may be stubborn to treat, it is a relatively harmless, common and temporary condition. If you suspect your infant has cradle cap, take him or her to your pediatrician for an official diagnosis before trying any home remedies.

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Worrying About Newborn Babies

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]]>cradle capcradle cap remediescradle cap symptomsevergreenhealing natural oilsSally WorshamMon, 16 May 2011 13:00:00 ESTMarital Discord Disrupts Baby's Sleep, Study Findshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/12/marital-discord-babys-sleep-study/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/12/marital-discord-babys-sleep-study/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/12/marital-discord-babys-sleep-study/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Marital Discord

Babies exposed to marital discord have more trouble sleeping. Credit: Getty Images

Talk about your vicious cycles.

Your infant has trouble sleeping, so you're up half the night. This makes you cranky, irritable and short-tempered with your spouse.

And guess what? Researchers say babies exposed to marital discord have more trouble sleeping.

Face it. You can't win. You may now whimper pitifully if you wish. Researchers at Oregon State University would understand.

They studied more than 350 families with adopted babies ages 9 to 18 months. They stuck with adopted babies to make sure parents and children didn't share any genetic behaviors or personality traits.

"Our findings suggest that the effects of marital instability on children's sleep problems emerge earlier in development than has been demonstrated previously," researcher Anne Mannering, an instructor of human development at Oregon State University, says in a press release. "Parents should be aware that marital stress may affect the well-being of their children even in the first year or two of life."

Researchers wanted to confirm that marital problems, such as parents thinking about divorce, affected children's sleep later in their infancy. They found parental bickering when a child is 9 months old can affect his or her sleep nine months later.

And Manning says problems can manifest themselves much later than that. They can "correlate with problems in school, inattention and behavioral issues," she says in the release.

Marital instability was measured with such survey questions as, "Has the thought of separating or getting a divorce crossed your mind?" (If the answer is yes, by the way, don't worry. That just means you're married.)

Researchers also found no link between sleepless infants and parents' relationship problems. Then again, they probably reached that conclusion after a good night's sleep.

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]]>baby sleepdivorceMarital Discordsleeping babiesTom HendersonThu, 12 May 2011 13:00:00 ESTDay Care Centers Cut Off Babies From Breast Milkhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/09/day-care-centers-breast-milk/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/09/day-care-centers-breast-milk/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/09/day-care-centers-breast-milk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Watch a videos on weening your child from breast-feeding.
day-care breast milk

A lot of day care centers don't provide overnight refrigerated storage. Credit: Getty Images

"No breast milk? What do you mean no breast milk? Come, Marjorie, we're leaving!"

Oh, if only your baby could talk. He or she would be appalled by a report on how few establishments offer breast milk. After all, babies are supposed to get breast milk for at least a year.

Yet, BusinessWeek reports a small study by researchers in Cincinnati suggests too few day care centers, at least in that city, are set up for moms to nurse their babies.

BusinessWeek reports doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found only 12 percent of infants enrolled in area centers received mother's milk, even though 96 percent of the center directors said they're comfortable allowing moms to nurse.

"We were surprised to find that despite the high staff comfort levels in feeding human milk, only a small percentage of infants were being fed human milk," lead researcher Kristen Copeland, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, tells BusinessWeek.

Of course, moms don't need to nurse their babies. They can pump their breast milk and refrigerate it for ... what's that? A lot of centers don't provide overnight refrigerated storage? That's a problem, Copeland says.

"We know that centers that allow pumped milk to be stored overnight make it easier for women to provide a constant supply of milk for their babies," Copeland tells BusinessWeek, "so if more centers offered overnight storage, it might increase the number of infants who are fed human milk."

According to the Ohio doctors, this is a big deal. About half the infants in the United States are in child care, and 18 percent are in centers.

Researchers called the directors of 167 day care centers, and asked them how many infants at the centers received pumped breast milk, how comfortable the centers' employees were with feeding pumped breast milk and if the center provided a refrigerator or freezer where moms could store pumped breast milk overnight.

Your odds of being able to provide your baby with breast milk increases in centers with the smallest proportion of babies receiving subsidized tuition. It also helps if the babies at the center are predominantly white.

Copeland tells BusinessWeek non-white mothers might not have the chance to pump their breast milk, especially at work.

"The findings speak to the tremendous challenges women face in being able to successfully breast-feed their babies," breast-feeding researcher Dr. Alison Stuebe, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, tells BusinessWeek.

Day care centers can help, she adds.

"For instance, there should also be a comfortable place where mothers can sit down and nurse their babies, either at lunchtime or when they come to pick them up at the end of the day," she tells BusinessWeek.

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How to Wean Your Child from Breast Feeding

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]]>breastfeedingbreastmilkday careday-care breast milkpumping at workTom HendersonMon, 09 May 2011 13:00:00 ESTA 5-Minute Test Could Identify Autism in Kids as Young as 1http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/28/autism-test-study/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/28/autism-test-study/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/28/autism-test-study/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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autism test for babies

A simple questionaire can diagnose your 1-year-old. Credit: Getty Images

A five minute, 24-question test could help determine if your child is at risk for autism at the age of 1.

Time reports a study released today in the Journal of Pediatrics finds a simple questionnaire that asks parents about their child's behavior could help pediatricians identify autism as early as the 1-year well-baby visit.

Researchers looked at questionnaires filled out by parents of 10,479 babies, the magazine says, and 1,318 were flagged as "failing."

After more testing by lead researcher Karen Pierce, professor of neuroscience at the Autism Center for Excellence at the University of California, San Diego, and her team, 184 children were then evaluated using autism-specific tests, and 32 cases of autism spectrum disorders were eventually found, Time reports.

The magazine says the test, introduced in 2002, was actually made to identify children at risk for language and communication delays.

"Our results show we may detect about half of autism cases at the first birthday, and get these babies into treatment," Pierce tells Time. "We don't know the impact of that treatment, but based on what we do know about early brain plasticity, and how the brain is wired in the first year, we really believe it helps kids to be in treatment when they are young."

Questions on the test, according to Time, include:
  • Do you know when your child is happy and when your child is upset?
  • When you are not paying attention to your child, does he/she try to get your attention?
  • Does your child point to objects?
  • Does your child use sounds or words to get attention or help?
  • Does your child show interest in playing with a variety of objects?
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]]>autismautism testbabiesLesley KennedyThu, 28 Apr 2011 15:00:00 ESTCrying as a Baby May Lead to Lifetime of Behavioral Problemshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/25/crying-baby-behavioral-problems/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/25/crying-baby-behavioral-problems/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/25/crying-baby-behavioral-problems/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Watch Video Related to Calming Crying Babies!
crying babies

Parents should help babies learn to soothe themselves. Credit: Getty Images

Singing "hush little baby, don't you cry" isn't just a sweet way to soothe a cranky newborn. It's a skill you better get down pat, or you may be in for a lifetime of behavioral woes.

New findings suggest that while crying and waking in the middle of the night may be a normal part of a newborn's life, regular wailing episodes that last beyond the first year could signal chronic depression, anxiety and other conduct disorders by the time they're ready for kindergarten, Time magazine reports.

Researchers in England looked at nearly two dozen studies on what developmental experts call regulatory problems, including sleeping, continuous crying and difficulty feeding, reporting their findings in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. They found that infants who consistently cry and wake up past the third month are nearly twice as likely to develop problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior or conduct disorders by the time they begin school.

What happens, the experts report, is that the babies never develop the ability to calm themselves down or act appropriately in different social situations, according to Time.

"We found a particularly strong relationship between regulatory problems in infancy and conduct disorders or ADHD, which are problems of under-control, in which children can't regulate their attention, or fly off the handle and can't control their behavior," Dieter Wolke, one of the study co-authors and a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Warwick in England tells Time.

It's not exactly certain what the link is to crying jags and a lifetime of fussy behavior, but there are several possible reasons, Wolke tells Time. What might happen, the experts tell the magazine, is that the babies never develop the ability to calm themselves down or act appropriately in different social situations.

Wolke tells Time the data doesn't support an obvious link between extended crying jags and picky eating during infancy and later behavioral problems, but there are several possibilities. One may be that crying and waking up at night are simply the first signs of behavioral problems involving a lack of self-control.

In addition, Wolke tells Time, some infants may be genetically susceptible to problems regulating their behavior; specifically, scientists have recently identified a version of a gene involved in dopamine function, which governs mood and emotions as well as motor function, that may make some infants more vulnerable to behavioral problems.

The findings suggest that parents should do what they can to help their babies learn to sooth themselves. Parents should learn to establish schedules and not run to pick up babies every time they cry, Wolke tells Time.

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]]>adhdbehaviorbehavorial problemscrying babiescrying babyMary Beth SammonsMon, 25 Apr 2011 13:00:00 ESTPeople Take Their Anger Over Economy Out on Babies, Study Showshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/14/child-abuse-economy/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/14/child-abuse-economy/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/14/child-abuse-economy/#commentsFiled under: ,

baby crying picture

The number of babies with non-accidental head injuries has gone up as the economy has gone down. Credit: Getty Images


Every now and again, you read a story that fills you with hope and restores your faith in humanity.

This isn't one of them.

People are taking their anger and frustration with the recession out on babies.

Researchers at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland have found the number of babies with non-accidental head injuries has gone up as the economy has gone down. By "non-accidental" they mean some dirt-bag has hurt a baby on purpose.

Non-accidental head trauma is also what used to be called shaken baby syndrome. That's when a person violently shakes a baby, causing injuries and sometimes death.

"The reasons for why this is happening are beyond the scope of our study, but it may be that more parents are stressed to the breaking point because of economic problems like unemployment and foreclosures," lead author Mary I. Huang, a fourth-year medical student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, tells US News & World Report.

"In many cases, when people are forced to leave their homes, they may be moving in with relatives who might not have as much of a vested interest in taking care of infants," Huang adds.

Huang presented her findings April 13 at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons' meeting in Denver. Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until it is published in a peer-reviewed journal.

However, according to US News & World Report, her findings confirm a 2010 study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. Researchers in that study looked at cases of non-accidental head injury among infants and young children from 2004 through 2009 in four urban children's hospitals.

The researchers found the cases doubled when the recession started in December 2007.

Huang and her fellow researchers saw similar numbers in their study.

"We really weren't expecting to see such a big increase," she tells the magazine. "It was pretty startling for all of us."

Robert Block, professor and chair of pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, tells US News the data wasn't all that startling to him.

"We know that times of increased stress may be more dangerous for babies, and so it makes sense that in a recession, where there are all kinds of very stressful situations, we would see an uptick in these kinds of injuries," he tells the magazine.

Block, who is president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics, adds that cuts to social services programs in recent years haven't helped.

"Cutting services that support children and families is a terribly wrong-headed move, because the babies who are affected, if they survive, will have lifelong consequences as a result of this violent abuse," he tells the magazine.

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]]>child abusenon-accidental head traumashaken baby syndromeTom HendersonThu, 14 Apr 2011 16:30:00 ESTLow Vitamin D Levels May Not Be Behind Unexplained Bone Fractures in Infantshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/13/vitamin-d-levels/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/13/vitamin-d-levels/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/13/vitamin-d-levels/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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vitamin d levels

Vitamin D is essential for building strong bones and teeth in infants. Credit: Getty Images


"I didn't bust the guy's jaw, your honor, honest. He must have them there, whaddya call 'em, vitamin D deficiencies. Yeah, that's it."

That line may not work if you deck another grown-up, but if you're accused of abusing a baby, who knows? The vitamin D defense has worked before.

That may not be true much longer. Reuters reports scientists are rethinking low vitamin D levels as a cause of unexplained bone fractures in children. Suspicious eyes may be returning to more inhumanly human factors.

Captain Kanagaroo was right. vitamin D is essential for building strong bones and teeth. Severe vitamin D deficiencies have been known to soften bones and leave children prey to rickets, as well as abnormalities such as bowed legs and severe spinal curvatures.

Some scientists believe low vitamin D levels produce many of the same conditions found in children thought to be abused.

Not really, researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia tell Reuters. They measured vitamin D levels in 108 babies and toddlers brought in for broken bones. Out of every 10 fractures, seven were because of accidents and three were because of abusive slimeballs.

According to Reuters, researchers found low vitamin D levels were common -- but no more common among the children thought to be victims of abuse.

"Our study indicates that a low vitamin D level should not discourage consideration of abuse when a child presents with unexplained fractures," lead researcher Samantha Schilling tells Reuters.

That doesn't mean all unexplained fractures are the result of abuse.

"I believe that not just vitamin D deficiency, but a number of other bone disorders, can cause fractures that can readily be misinterpreted as child abuse," Colin R. Paterson, a retired staff physician at the University of Dundee in Scotland, tells Reuters.

"It has often been assumed, that if parents are unable to provide an explanation for fractures, they must be lying about assaults inflicted by themselves or others," he adds.

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]]>Babies Bone FracturesChild Abusevitamin d deficiencyvitamin d levelsTom HendersonWed, 13 Apr 2011 15:00:00 ESTSweet Dreams for Baby Just a Click Awayhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/05/baby-sleep-study/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/05/baby-sleep-study/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/05/baby-sleep-study/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

baby sleep study

A new baby sleep study is opening eyes for parents -- while baby's eyes close. Credit: Getty Images

"Sleep, baby, sleep" is a mantra for many moms and dads who share one thing in common: They aren't getting any sleep, themselves.

If you've tried feedings on demand, pre-bed bath rituals, massages, two-hour drives around the neighborhood and the "crying it out" technique -- all to no avail -- you are not alone.

But take a tip from the nocturnal teen crowd and head to your laptop in the wee hours of the morning. You just may find the secret to sweet dreams for your baby -- and you.

A new study and online-based program is opening parents' eyes, and closing those of their babies, offering advice on getting infants and young children to sleep through the night, Time magazine reports.

Johnsonsbaby.com promises its three-step nightly routine is clinically tested to promote better sleep for babies and children, according to the Johnson & Johnson website.

The sleep intervention program is the brainchild of researchers in the United States and Israel who report in the journal Sleep that it can effectively reduce sleep disturbances in the 20 to 30 percent of infants and young children who are restless at night.

Based on research with almost 5,000 infants and toddlers, Jodi Mindell, associate director of the Sleep Center at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, and her colleagues created an interactive database of the children's sleeping habits. That information went into creating the Customized Sleep Profile used on the Johnson's site, which includes what parents and infants did in the minutes and hours before going to sleep, coupled with studies on the most effective practices for inducing sleep.

Here's how it works: Plug in our baby's name and age and you'll be guided through a series of questions about the child's sleeping habits. Do you rock the baby to sleep, or give her a bath? Read a book? Feed her or drive her around in the car trying to lull her to sleep?

In just a few seconds, a personalized, just-what-the-experts ordered customized program appears on your screen tailored to address specific sleep behaviors for you and your baby.

"One thing that I was astonished about, in just one week, we saw dramatic improvements," Mindell tells Time.

Previously fussy babies reduced the number of times they awoke at night and the length of time they were awake by up to 50 percent and also took less time to fall asleep, she adds.

"Whatever the parent inputs, the recommendations provided are based on that input," Mindell tells Time.

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]]>baby sleepbaby slingsjohnson controlssleeping babyMary Beth SammonsTue, 05 Apr 2011 14:30:00 ESTNursery Style Ideas That Don't Cost a Fortunehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/04/nursery-ideas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/04/nursery-ideas/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/04/nursery-ideas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

removable wall art

Removable wall art lends versatility to a nursery's decor. Credit: Kenziepoo, Flickr

Decorating a stylish nursery doesn't have to require dipping into your child's college tuition fund. To help keep costs low, but style high, ParentDish asked some design pros for a few secrets to create a contemporary look for your baby's room.

First, think about color, which has gotten more sophisticated in recent years. Pink and blue have been replaced by silvery greens, pale yellows, grayish lavenders and even straight gray tones.

"It used to be more cutesy or gender specific," says Esther Sadowsky, owner of Manhattan's Charm & Whimsy. "Now parents want things to go with the rest of the apartment."

Los Angeles designer Sarah Barnard says parents are more fashionable than ever before.

"They're probably not going to be satisfied with a cartoon theme," she says.

One way to jazz up the walls without making a long-term commitment is to use stick-on art such as Wall Pops. Designers, including Sadowsky, love this type of wall art because it can add instant interest and color to a wall and then be peeled right off in a couple of years when you or your child gets tired of it.

Check out craft stores like Michaels and even Home Depot for supplies. Wall Pops come in funky, vintage prints and bright colors that can be combined in many nursery-friendly ways.

When it comes to furniture, think long-term. As hard as it is to imagine, your baby will be out of diapers and moving from a crib to a bed before you know it.

"My opinion is that it's very expensive if you have to buy two rooms of furniture for the same child," says Northbrook, Ill.-based designer Jeff Smoler. "I try to do to it so all the furniture has a dual function."

He recommends a chest of drawers with a detachable changing table and a crib that converts to a youth bed.

Barnard says many parents now want their nursery to be environmentally friendly, too. She recommends second hand furniture, low VOC paints, natural bedding supplies (such as organic cotton sheets and blankets) and even natural latex crib mattresses for nurseries because she believes natural products are healthier for babies. She doesn't want anything that gives off that "new car smell" in a baby's room.

If you insist on buying new furniture, Barnard suggests spending a little extra and buying something well-made that can be passed down to a future generation.

Related: Making your child's room unique

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]]>baby styleBabyStyledecorevergreenideas for nurseryNurserynursery beddingnursery ideasNurseryDecorEllen Rooney MartinMon, 04 Apr 2011 11:30:00 ESTParents Can Help Babies Speak First Wordshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/29/babies-first-words/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/29/babies-first-words/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/29/babies-first-words/#commentsFiled under: , ,

babies first words

They'll be texting before you know it. Credit: Corbis.

Children typically say their first word at 9 or 10 months, but it's not uncommon for children to be closer to 1 before they start talking.

If you have concerns about the way your child's language is progressing, discuss it with your pediatrician, recommends Rebecca Resnik, a child psychologist in Chantilly, Va. Often, the doctor will find fluid in the child's ear or some other problem related to hearing, she tells ParentDish.

If the doctor has concerns, he or she will likely refer you to a specialist. Most communities have specialized professionals who offer early intervention services for kids before they start school, she says
.
"Getting kids early is so much better," Resnik says.

When evaluating your child, the doctor will consider more than whether he or she is speaking, Dr. Lisa Asta, a pediatrician from Walnut Creek, Calif., tells ParentDish.

Pediatricians look to see whether kids are understanding what's said to them, if they are trying to communicate non-verbally and what sounds they are making, she adds.

"If children don't point at things; don't try to get you involved," she tells ParentDish, "that's worrisome."

Asta says she usually advises parents to encourage talking by not anticipating their child's every need.

"Avoid meeting their needs before the children can identify it," she says.

Asta offers the following tips for helping kids talk:

  • Make children communicate with you when they want something. Do not serve them breakfast or put on their shoes until they communicate that they want those things -- either verbally or with pointing.
  • If your child always points at what he or she wants, pretend to misunderstand for 15 or 20 seconds. Then use the word of what the child wants in a sentence. Say something such as, "You want your teddy bear," and then hand over the bear.
  • Talk conversationally to your child, pausing to allow time for response.
  • Regularly read to your children.
  • Point to objects in books and name them.
  • Don't use baby talk.
  • Speak slowly and clearly to the child.
  • Talk to your child about what you are doing and use related vocabulary words.
  • Praise kids for attempts at speech. Smile and nod while they try and talk.
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]]>babies first wordsbaby talkingbabys first wordcommunicating with babyevergreenspeech-therapyMelissa Kossler DuttonTue, 29 Mar 2011 16:00:00 ESTThere's a Lot More Going on in Babies' Minds Than You Thinkhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/29/babies-minds-research/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/29/babies-minds-research/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/29/babies-minds-research/#commentsFiled under: , ,

babies minds

A little genius! Credit: Getty Images

Babies are smarter than you think.

Oh, they look like they just sit around all day sucking their thumbs and filling their diapers, but like little evil geniuses, they are taking careful mental notes.

They notice cause and effect and make shrewd calculations about probabilities and outcomes. Not to worry, however. They won't start plotting your destruction until they become teenagers.

Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reports, scientists are learning a lot about the secret intellectual lives of babies and preschoolers.

"We start with these newborn babies and by the time they're 4 years old, they have a lot of common sense knowledge about the world," Laura Schulz, an associate professor of cognitive sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, tells the Globe. "The way we get the world right is by making bets -- based on probabilities, given the evidence."

To illustrate how these little gamblers operate, Schulz and her colleagues built a complicated toy and presented it to small children at the Boston Children's Museum. The toy squeaked, lit up and played music. In some cases, adults showed children how it worked.

Other times, kids were left to figure it out on their own.

The kids who learned on their own actually played with the toy longer and discovered more functions than the kids who were "taught."

There's a moral to the story for parents and educators, Alison Gopnik, a professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley and the author of "The Philosophical Baby," tells the Globe.

"People on the front lines feel as if there's a tremendous pressure to make the environment for young children more and more academic -- less and less exploratory," Alison Gopnik tells the newspaper. "Even something that looks like random, exploratory play can help children to learn and, in some cases, help them to learn better."

Long before they encounter a teacher sternly writing equations on a chalkboard, Schulz tells the Globe children are intuitively studying math and weighing probabilities.

The newspaper reports researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have agreements with Boston Children's Museum and the Museum of Science to conduct learning experiments with children, provided the parents give their consent.

So, babies and preschoolers are constantly observing and making conclusions about the world around them while scientists observe and make conclusions about them.

Who knows who is watching the scientists?

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]]>babiesbaby brainschild developmentTom HendersonTue, 29 Mar 2011 14:30:00 ESTCool Baby Carriers Free Up Your Handshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/25/baby-carriers/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/25/baby-carriers/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/25/baby-carriers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

baby slings and carriers

Baby slings and carriers keep your hands free. Credit: Getty Images

It wasn't that long ago that parents were constantly lugging babies around in detachable car seats -- not any more. When you need to get something done and your new baby wants to be with you, try an infant carrier.

There are lots of cool options that can free up your hands, while keeping your baby safe and close to you.

"I use my Ergo when I go grocery shopping rather than a car seat in the cart, " says Jessica Morrison, a sales associate at Boston's Tadpole. "If I need my hands free to get my 3-year-old into preschool, or the baby wants to be with me while I'm cleaning or doing laundry, it's great."

Morrison tells ParentDish in a phone interview that she uses the Ergo for her 7-month-old and wishes she had it when her 3-year-old was a baby.

"I even used it when my son was 2 -- we went on a light hike," she says.

The Ergo has a waist strap, in addition to shoulder straps, and the weight of the baby is mainly on your hips, making it easier to carry the child longer, according to Morrison.The Ergo allows a baby to be held in front of you, on your hip and also on your back when they get older.

Of course, infant carriers aren't entirely new. The classic Baby Bjorn, which holds babies in front, has been a staple since 1961. But in recent years, parents have been offered a growing number of options from which to choose.

Some parents prefer fabric slings to hold their baby close and keep their hands free, Target spokesperson Jana O'Leary tells ParentDish in a phone interview. Hotslings and Munchkin's Jelly Bean are fabric slings that are top sellers in Target stores and can be found at reasonable prices, she says. The colors and prints, reversible on the Jelly Bean style, are fashion-based and appeal to busy parents.

"A lot of parents like to use the slings for newborns because they are in a reclining position, they're close to you and you can snuggle the baby as it curls into you," Morrison says.

She admits, as a nervous first-time mom, she was not as comfortable with some of the sling options, but says many people she knows have no reservations and love their slings.

Whatever you decide, be sure to do a test run in the store with your baby before you buy.

"Be aware the first time you try it, your baby will scream," Morrison says. "But I think persistence pays off. All of them feel a little awkward at first because you're not holding your baby."

She urges moms to keep an open mind, because the right infant carrier offers comfort, safety and, most importantly, freedom.


Related: An eco-friendly baby carrier

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]]>baby carriersbaby slingsBabyBjornergo backpackevergreeninfant carriersEllen Rooney MartinFri, 25 Mar 2011 16:30:00 ESTPrepare Big Brothers and Sisters for a New Siblinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/04/prepare-big-brothers-and-sisters-for-a-new-sibling/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/04/prepare-big-brothers-and-sisters-for-a-new-sibling/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/04/prepare-big-brothers-and-sisters-for-a-new-sibling/#commentsFiled under: , ,

prepare for new sibling

Credit: Getty Images


Preparing a child for the arrival of a sibling requires more than buying a "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" T-shirt.

It's necessary to explain the new baby's role in the family, says Laurie Kramer, a professor of applied family studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Describe the baby as "a new person in our family who we're going to love and who's going to love us," Kramer, who studies what makes successful sibling relationships, tells ParentDish. Let the child know the baby will have "its own set of needs and thoughts" and explain to a child that a sibling is a lifelong friend, Kramer adds.

She also recommends teaching the older child social skills that will help him or her get along with a new brother or sister.


"It's important that they've got all the tools they need to establish a good relationship with a younger sibling," Kramer says.

Children who know how to invite other children to play or are able to say that they want to play alone tend to have better relationships with their siblings, Kramer says. It's also helpful to teach kids to communicate a wide range of emotions so they can express their feelings about the new addition to the family. Problem-solving skills and the ability to empathize with another's feeling also are useful, Kramer explains.

It's important to have conversations with a child about what it means to be a big brother or big sister, says Deborah Schoch, the childbirth educator at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J. Parents should help their children start to see themselves as siblings, she tells ParentDish.

Schoch encourages children to express their feelings in pictures and stories. She also counsels parents to give kids practical advice about how babies eat, communicate and act.

"Give them an idea of what babies can and can't do," Schoch says. "Let them know they have to be gentle in the beginning."

Bringing youngsters on a tour of the hospital will help prepare them for the birth of the sibling. It's comforting for kids to see where Mom will go when she has the baby and to meet the people who will take care of her, Schoch says.

After the baby is born, moms should find some special activities they can do with the older siblings. Even simple things like sharing a snack or reading a story will help the older child feel important.

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]]>big brotherbig sisterevergreenhaving a babynew babynew siblingprepare for new siblingPrepareForNewSiblingMelissa Kossler DuttonFri, 04 Mar 2011 13:00:00 ESTWhy Breast Milk Sharing Is Booming Onlinehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/25/breast-milk-sharing/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/25/breast-milk-sharing/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/25/breast-milk-sharing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

breast milk sharing

Despite a widespread push to breast-feed, the FDA warns against sharing unregulated breast milk. Credit: Getty

Eats on Feets is a Facebook group created in July 2010 by an Arizona midwife as a place where women in need of breast milk for their babies can find breast milk to share. Since then it's gone global with 110 chapters in all 50 states and more than 20 countries. Not surprisingly, the Food and Drug Administration is not a fan.

Specifically, they warn against sharing unregulated breast milk, citing the obvious dangers of infectious diseases, illegal drugs and prescription drugs being passed on to the baby. It's unlikely that the donor has been screened for such. In addition, there are potential storage and handling issues.

Given that millions of healthy babies drink formula (a complete, proven source of infant nutrition), it's safe to say that any potential ill effects from the breast milk substitute are negligible. That said, it's hard to imagine today's safety-obsessed moms feeding their children another woman's milk without comprehensive knowledge of where it came from. Hard to imagine, that is, until you consider how women who can't breast-feed must feel when they log on to an all-knowing parenting website or engage in playground conversation with those who consider breast-feeding an indisputable mommy must.

Then there's the concerted effort by several organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization to push the "breast is best" concept. In fact, WHO actually recommends "raw" donor milk if a woman can't produce enough of her own. And with the advent of Eats on Feets, the Internet has been abuzz with parents (aptly nicknamed "lactivists") just dying for a chance to share their opinion on the subject.

"If you make a choice to formula feed out of convenience, then you do not deserve to have kids!" said one poster.

"Every baby deserves human milk," said another.

Needless to say, new moms are feeling squeezed.

"If we formula feed, we feel we are giving our amazing children 'second best' or handicapping them for life," said one mother who admitted to sobbing in the shower from shame and guilt when she gave up breast-feeding.

Has the breast milk brigade of pushy peers, organization endorsements and calculated campaigns gone too far when a mother feels like unscreened milk is her only option to raise a healthy baby?

It's not hard to see how a mother could feel compelled to go to unsafe lengths to be sure her child is receiving the magical milk responsible for illness-free childhoods and supposedly above-average intellects. Considering milk from one of the 10 human milk banks in the U.S. can cost anywhere from $24-$40 for an 8-ounce bottle, it's no surprise that desperate women have gone elsewhere.

As natural as nursing may seem, many women don't produce enough milk, produce none at all or have extreme difficulty with the latching process. Add that to the possibility of a clogged milk duct or infection and, well, breast-feeding doesn't sound quite as beautiful as the La Leche League literature implies. On the other hand, some new mothers' cups runneth over. Eats on Feets donors claim they want to share their excess with those who need it most -- and often free of charge.

After all, in addition to being cheap and convenient, breast milk composition changes as babies grow to provide exactly what's needed for each stage of development. And it's not as if breast milk sharing is a new concept; the practices of wet nursing and cross-nursing (i.e. nursing a friend's baby) have been around for ages, though at least in those cases the mother knew the milk source personally.

To be sure, the women providing milk for use by families in need are probably not the same bunch shooting heroin while their kids play in the other room, and home-pasteurization by flash heating has proven successful in killing disease-causing agents. As another Internet poster put it, "Isn't it a little weird that culturally we don't think twice about milk from an unknown cow, but get grossed out at the thought of actual human milk." Hmmm ...

If nothing else, the popularity of breast milk sharing on the Internet likely spurred the recent meeting of the FDA's pediatric advisory committee to discuss donor and banked human milk. They concluded that "the industry is doing a good job with screening, storing and distributing," but further research is needed on the risks and benefits of milk banking, according to an FDA spokesperson.

Breast milk is, without a doubt, a natural miracle, but with formula substitutes proven to nourish growing babies, women should renounce the guilt associated with using it -- and self-appointed mommy experts should stick to raising their own little angels. In the meantime, perhaps lactivists should devise a plan to accommodate the glaring need for more cost effective, regulated human milk banks. It would be a much more productive use of their time.

Blair Henley is a freelance writer based in Florida and a regular contributor to WorldTennisMagazine.com. Her non-tennis related work has been published in the Sacramento Bee, the Springfield News-Leader and on AOL News.

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]]>breast milkbreast milk sharingbreast-feedingBreastMilkBreastMilkSharingBlair HenleyTue, 25 Jan 2011 13:40:00 ESTDouble Strollers: What You Need to Know Before You Buyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/25/double-strollers/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/25/double-strollers/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/25/double-strollers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

double strollers

Choosing a stroller can be tricky. Credit: Getty Images

Whether you're expecting twins, or you have two stroller-sized children of different ages, a double stroller is a must for most parents. But, with so many styles on the market, shopping for a set of wheels for your kids can be a bit overwhelming. These strollers aren't cheap, so you better get one you love.

Here's a look at some popular options, and pros and cons of each.

Side-by-side:
  • Pros: They're pretty easy to maneuver, unless you have to go through narrow doorways. Kids sit next to each other, so older kids can play and won't fight over who gets to sit in the front (or back).
  • Cons: Most side-by-sides can't hold infant car seats, and if your children are prone to fighting, you might not want them sitting so close to each other. If your children are of different weights, it may be tougher to steer one of these. They also take up a bit more room when folded.
Front-to-back (tandem):
  • Pros: Getting through doorways is easier than with a side-by-side, and, when folded, they don't take up too much room. Many tandems hold two infants in car seats or an infant and a toddler. They also have stadium seating, so the child in the back can see over the other child's head.
  • Cons: They can be heavy, and turns aren't easy.
Jogger:
  • Pros: They're often lightweight and good for rougher surfaces. Also, as the name suggests, you can use it while running or jogging.
  • Cons: Many joggers aren't recommended for newborns, as they offer no head support, and they're a bit bulky for the mall or other crowded spots. You'll likely need a traditional stroller in addition to the jogging stroller.
Sit and stand:
  • Pros: Also called a Stand-On, these strollers allow a bigger child to sit or stand on the back step and are great if you have a newborn and an older child.
  • Cons: Your toddler might drive you crazy hopping on and off the back.

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]]>double strollersDoubleStrollersevergreenjogging strollerJoggingStrollerstrollerPatty BontekoeTue, 25 Jan 2011 10:00:00 ESTBabies Start Walking at Different Paceshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/24/babies-start-walking/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/24/babies-start-walking/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/24/babies-start-walking/#commentsFiled under: , ,

babies start walking

Baby's first steps. Credit: Getty Images

The timing of one of baby's most anticipated milestones -- the first step -- varies greatly from child to child.

The average age for babies to start walking is 12 months, says Dr. Irwin Kash, a pediatrician at Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, Fla. But it's not uncommon for babies to start walking as early as 9 months or as late as 15 months, he adds.

Whether a baby walks early or late typically doesn't signal anything about his or her development, says Amanda Wodzisz, a nurse and supervisor at the Primary Care Clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

"All kids are different," she says. "A lot of times parents are in a hurry. It's not a big concern."

And Kash tells parents not to worry if their babies initially walk with their feet pointed in or out.

"It's usually harmless," he says. "It usually fixes itself."

Doctors are more likely to worry if a baby does not start sitting up between 6 and 9 months, Wodzisz says.

If walking is an "isolated delay," rather than one of several delays, it's less of a concern, Kash says.

It's a good sign if a child is continuing to learn new skills such as rolling, crawling and pulling herself up, the experts say. Usually, children just need additional time to start taking steps.

There aren't any exercises or games that will help a child start walking sooner, Kash says.

However, when children start pulling themselves up, parents can hold them up or hold their hands and help them walk, Wodzisz says.

"Support them when they're standing on their feet," she says. "It helps leg muscles develop."

If a child is not walking at 17 months, Kash says, he would start looking for reasons why. Reasons vary from poor muscle tone to spinal cord issues, which, he says, are very rare.

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]]>babies walkingbabys first stepsevergreenfirst-stepslearning to walkvideoMelissa Kossler DuttonMon, 24 Jan 2011 12:00:00 ESTTips for Starting Your Baby on Solid Foodhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/20/baby-solid-food/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/20/baby-solid-food/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/20/baby-solid-food/#commentsFiled under: , ,

baby solid food

If you start feeding your baby solid foods too early, they won't know what to do with it in their mouths. Credit: Getty Images

Although many parents hope feeding babies solid foods will help them sleep through the night, doctors say not to rush it.


Babies need to be physiologically ready to swallow and digest foods, says Dr. Martin Sherman, a pediatrician with Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Meyers, Fla.

"Some babies who are hesitant are not developmentally ready," he says.

Typically, babies are able to handle solid foods between 4 and 6 months old, Sherman says.

"If you try too young, they can't figure out what to do with (the food) in their mouths," adds Amanda Wodzisz, a nurse and supervisor at the Primary Care Clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

If the baby seems uninterested in solid food, wait a few days or a week and try again.

Doctors used to tell parents to give babies cereal as their first food, but they're becoming less strict about that, Sherman says.

"There's very little reason to do that," he says, adding that it's OK to start with fruits or vegetables.

The more important thing is to offer one food for three or four days without introducing something new. Doing this helps parents detect whether their child has a food allergy, he says.

Give solid foods before breast-feeding or offering the child a bottle, Wodzisz says. She also suggests making sure the first foods are thin and that you always use a spoon. A typical first meal would be a few tablespoons of watery cereal, she says, and solid foods can be offered at any time of the day. As babies become used to eating a solid meal, you can offer one several times a day.

As the baby's food intake increases, his milk intake will decrease, Martin says. A baby's milk intake could decrease from about 32 ounces a day at 6 months to about 12 to 16 ounces at 1 year, he says.

And don't be discouraged if your baby starts to seem like a picky eater as he or she gets older, Wodzisz says.

"You have to introduce foods 10 to 15 times before they like it," she says. "It takes multiple exposures."

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]]>baby-foodevergreenfeedingfirst foodspicky-eaterssolid foodsMelissa Kossler DuttonThu, 20 Jan 2011 16:00:00 ESTA Good Book Helps Parents Bond With Newborns in NICUhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/11/a-good-book-helps-parents-bond-with-newborns-in-nicu/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/11/a-good-book-helps-parents-bond-with-newborns-in-nicu/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/11/a-good-book-helps-parents-bond-with-newborns-in-nicu/#commentsFiled under:

incubator picture

Experts say reading to babies in NICU can strengthen bonding. Credit: Getty Images




Once upon a time we learned about Mary and her little lamb, and how everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go. Well, parents intent on bonding with their babies can take a clue from the fairy tale heroine. Especially moms and dads whose newborns are whisked from their arms and admitted to the neonatal intensive care (NICU) units, where the separation between parent and child makes bonding more challenging.

It's been widely proven that holding, cuddling, nursing and whispering sweet nothings to baby facilitates and strengthens bonding, but experts say that adding a book to the diaper bag and reading to babies in NICU can breed the same intimacy, according Time's Healthland blog.

A study, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, says that a good fairy tale can make up for the abrupt halt that happens between new parents and babies when the baby is whisked away to intensive care. Reading the books also helps the parents develop the feelings of intimacy that are typically cultivated during the days and weeks after the birth, Healthland reports.

Researchers at The Montreal Children's Hospital studied 120 families and found that almost 70 percent of new parents indicated that reading helped them feel more attached to their babies. Reading them feels like "normal" parents and helped them feel more in control of the situation, says Time.

"Alyssia was in an incubator in the middle of the room, with tubes and all sorts of things going on around her," Mélissa Asselin, mother to the now 5-year-old who was born with pulmonary hypertension, tells Healthland. "Reading gave us a way to stay close. I couldn't talk to her or touch her, but she heard the sound of my voice. That simple activity helped me get through the situation, and I have beautiful memories of the experience."

The added bonding boost is that the reading carried over after the babies were healthy and home.

Parents who started reading to their hospitalized babies were three times more likely to continue at home, Jan Lariviere, the lead investigator and a NICU nurse at Montreal Children's tells Healthland. "Reading should become an essential tool in NICUs and follow-up clinics."

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]]>nicupreemiesMary Beth SammonsTue, 11 Jan 2011 17:10:00 ESTFacebook Apologizes to Iowa Birth Photographerhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/07/facebook-apologizes-to-iowa-birth-photographer/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/07/facebook-apologizes-to-iowa-birth-photographer/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/07/facebook-apologizes-to-iowa-birth-photographer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Iowa photographer picture

Facebook apologized to Eckert on Thursday, saying the company mistakenly disabled her account in December after saying pictures she posted did not comply with its policies prohibiting nudity. Credit: AP

SHUEYVILLE, Iowa (AP) - Facebook apologized Thursday for disabling the account of an Iowa birth photographer who posted pictures the company initially deemed inappropriate, including shots of a friend and her newborn moments after birth that partially showed her friend's breasts, but not her nipples.

Facebook wrote in an e-mail to Laura Eckert that it had restored her account and that its decision to deactivate it on Dec. 22 was "in error." The company also apologized for "the inconvenience" she experienced.

Eckert's photography business, New Creation Photography & Design, specializes in pictures of pregnant women and the first moments of a baby's life. She uses Facebook to communicate with clients and highlight her work. She said she was shocked when Facebook told her last month it had removed inappropriate photos from her page, saying she had carefully cropped pictures to comply with company policies.

Eckert, 33, said when she tried to log on to find out which photos were targeted, she found her account was disabled. She said she sent 30 or more e-mails to Facebook to inquire and try to be reactivated and didn't get a response until Thursday, a day after KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids reported on her plight.

Her supporters had formed a group on Facebook to lobby for her reinstatement, saying the company was hypocritical for targeting photos they considered beautiful art while routinely allowing pictures of teenage girls dressed provocatively and others they consider obscene.

"It's funny it happened after the media got involved. I sent many polite e-mails asking for information over the course of the last few weeks and got no response. None," she said in an interview Thursday afternoon at her home in Shueyville, a small town between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

Facebook spokesman Simon Axten said the company reviews thousands of pieces of content every day and takes action to ensure Facebook "remains a safe and trusted environment for everyone."

"Of course, we make an occasional mistake. This is an example," he said in an e-mail. "When this happens, and it's brought to our attention, we work quickly to resolve the issue."

While Facebook never told Eckert which photos were inappropriate, she said she believes the one or two at issue were pictures she took of her friend, Leslie Kung, after Kung gave birth in her bathtub in May. The pictures show the mother and baby embracing for the first time, and parts of Kung's breasts can be seen, but not her nipples.

Eckert said Facebook warned her that some of Kung's birth photos were inappropriate when she first posted them in May because they contained nudity. She said she carefully went through them, removing some and cropping others to make sure they did not contain nipples or genitalia so they complied with Facebook policies. She said that was the last she heard of it until Facebook disabled her personal profile, business page and a page she started to connect with other birth photographers.

Eckert said she was relieved to be able to log on to Facebook again, but that she's still unclear which birth photos the company allows. She sent another inquiry Thursday trying to find out.

"I need a little bit of clarity on what is a violation and what's not. I'm going to shoot another birth in a week or two and I'm going to want to share those photos," she said. "I see the miraculousness of it. Maybe that clouds my judgment a little bit."

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. This article was written by RYAN J. FOLEY, Associated Press.

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]]>facebookAssociated PressFri, 07 Jan 2011 10:03:00 EST