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/Baby Teething: Surefire Soothershttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/baby-teething/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/baby-teething/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/baby-teething/#commentsFiled under: , ,

baby teething

Teething symptoms generally start between 3 and 12 months. Credit: Getty Images

Just when new parents start getting the hang of having an infant, baby teething starts, sometimes throwing life with baby into a tailspin. Teething symptoms generally start between 3 and 12 months, and, while it will be about two years before all of a child's baby teeth come in, the discomfort of baby teething usually goes away when the tooth breaks the skin. Of course, with 20 baby teeth to grow in, pain from different baby teeth coming in can last several months. Baby teething is inevitable, and will likely mean a fussy child. Here are some tried-and-true methods of easing the pain:


Apply cold to the gums: An icy cold temperature is soothing on gums sore from baby teething. A moist frozen washcloth or even a popsicle (you can make them out of plain water if preferred) will work, but can be messy; the best bet is a freezable teether, such as the Munchkin Fun Ice Soothing Ring Teether ($3.99 from diapers.com). This teether is specially made for freezing, and stays soft, even when ice-cold. If you'd prefer a cold teether filled with purified water rather than non-toxic gel, the Natursutten Chill-it Teether ($11.99 from diapers.com) is water-filled to be chilled in the refrigerator.


Ask about topical teething gels: While mothers of older generations may insist that nothing is better for baby teething than a little whiskey on the gums, even a tiny amount of alcohol is not recommended for babies by experts. For temporary pain relief from baby teething, an over-the-counter topical oral anesthetic gives more of a numbing effect than alcohol, anyway. Consult your child's pediatrician first, and only use gels designed specifically for infants.


Massage the gums: No teething gel, or just want to take a break from using it when teething symptoms pop up? Wash your hands thoroughly and massage baby's gums gently with your finger. Do this while holding and rocking the baby to calm her further -- the "cuddle hormone" released when the baby has skin-to-skin contact with a parent is believed to physically minimize pain, at least to some extent.


Pain relief drops: Your child's pediatrician may recommend administering baby acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Motrin), especially if he has the baby teething symptom of a fever. These types of pain relievers can ease baby teething pain for a couple of hours. Never give a baby or child aspirin, however, and always check that any pain reliever, which comes in a dropper for infants, is specific to your child's age.


Baby teething symptoms usually don't require a visit to the pediatrician; as your baby gets closer to or begins teething, discuss recommended treatments during regular checkups. Call the doctor if teething symptoms are severe or last for several days, if baby teeth don't appear by 12 months or if you have other concerns.

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]]>Baby Teethingthe editors at ParentDishTue, 21 Jun 2011 10:00:00 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 ESTTry This: How Do You Go From a Crib to a Big-Kid Bed?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/01/try-this-how-to-go-from-a-crib-to-a-big-kid-bed/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/01/try-this-how-to-go-from-a-crib-to-a-big-kid-bed/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/01/try-this-how-to-go-from-a-crib-to-a-big-kid-bed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



To the child-free world, moving a toddler from crib to bed might seem like a small step, but these moms prove that it is really a giant leap for babykind.

And, when it comes to accepting or resisting the transistion, there is no typical behavior. Some babies use their monkey-like strength to climb out, while others cement themselves to their sheets and never want to leave.

Pediatric sleep disorders expert, Dr. Deborah Lin-Dyken, suggests waiting until the baby is about 3 years old to make the transition, although some will be ready at as young as 18 months.

One mom recounts her toddler climbing back into the crib when her baby brother arrived. If you can relate to the sibling struggle, Dr. Lin-Dyken recommends making the switch "at least six to eight weeks before you're due" so that your toddler does not feel like the new baby is taking over. However, if the older sibling is not ready for a big-kid bed, it might be better to borrow another crib instead of forcing the older child out, she warns.

What did you do to make the transfer? Did it work?

Looking for family meal ideas? Get tips from other parents at KitchenDaily.

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]]>AdvertiserTue, 01 Feb 2011 14:00:00 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 ESTAre Your Kids Getting Enough Pretend Play Time?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/06/are-your-kids-getting-enough-pretend-play-time/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/06/are-your-kids-getting-enough-pretend-play-time/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/06/are-your-kids-getting-enough-pretend-play-time/#commentsFiled under: , ,

kid playing blocks picture

Not all toys have to plug in. Credit: Getty Images


Back in the day, "play time" didn't mean "screen time," because there weren't that many screens available. Now, of course, children have so many electronic entertainment options that they may not be getting enough good old fashioned pretend play.

One mom, Sarah Wilson, decided to do something about that. The New York Times reports that Wilson brought back the balls and blocks in her house after she visited her local kindergarten and saw "a wall of computers and little desks" instead of a sandbox and toys.

What do you think? Are your kids getting enough pretend play time?

Got an idea for the Chatterbox? Talk to us!

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]]>chatterboxplayplay timePlayTimepretend playPretendPlaySandboxscreen timescreen time and playScreenTimeScreenTimeAndPlayBrett SingerThu, 06 Jan 2011 10:00:00 ESTHealthy Snacks: Tasty Ideas for Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/04/healthy-snacks/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/04/healthy-snacks/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/04/healthy-snacks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

healthy snacks

Healthy snacks are an important part of a kid's diet. Credit: Getty Images

As any plastic baggie-toting parent knows, healthy snacks are an important part of a child's diet.

Not only do snacks ensure that kids have enough energy to get through the day, but they also help kids get their daily nutritional requirements. That's why snacks should be as healthy as possible, says Mary Trotter, a dietitian with Nemours Health & Prevention Services in Newark, Del.

She encourages parents to prepare healthy snacks and serve them at the kitchen table.

"Snacks really should not be offered in front of the TV," she says. "It really is another meal -- a time to visit with parents or siblings."

If your children are reluctant to eat healthy snacks, tell them it will make a difference when they are playing soccer, tennis, baseball or whatever their interest is, says Elisa Zied, past spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

"Don't talk about it terms of health," says Zied, author of "Nutrition at Your Fingertips." "Tell them filling your body with a lot of foods that have beneficial things can help you perform better."

If your children have been in the habit of eating junk food, try offering them a similar -- but healthier -- alternative, says Trotter.

Substitute:
  • Granola bars for donuts
  • Popcorn for potato chips
  • Sorbet for ice cream
  • Dried cherries or mangos for Fruit Roll-Ups
  • Seltzer with a splash of juice for soda

Other healthy snacks ideas:
  • Fruit: Don't forget about canned, frozen and dried fruits with no added sugars. Try freezing grapes or buy frozen blueberries, strawberries, peaches, mangoes and melon. But be careful when offering fruit leather or snacks because some brands of fruit snacks are more like candy than fruit. You can also get kids to help make a fruit salad and use a variety of colored fruits to add to the appeal.
  • Vegetables: Serve with low-fat salad dressings, store-bought light dips, bean dips, guacamole, hummus, salsa or peanut butter. Also, try to make a salad or set out veggies like a salad bar and let the kids build their own salads.
  • Soy: Edamame are fun to eat and easy to serve. Heat frozen edamame in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Healthy grains: Though most kids eat plenty of grain products, too many of those grains are cookies, snack cakes, sugary cereals and other refined grains that are high in sugars or fat. Serving mostly whole grains is a good idea. It provides more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than refined grains.

Correction, January 5, 2011: The original article incorrectly stated that Eliza Zied is the spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. She is a past spokeswoman.

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]]>healthy snackhealthy snack foodhealthy snack ideashealthy snackinghealthy snackshealthy snacks for k...healthy snacks for kidsHealthySnackHealthySnackFoodHealthySnackIdeasHealthySnackingHealthySnacksHealthySnacksForK...HealthySnacksForKidsMelissa Kossler DuttonTue, 04 Jan 2011 13:30:00 ESTBaby Kicking Like Crazy? It's a Good Thinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/29/baby-kicking-like-crazy-its-a-good-thing/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/29/baby-kicking-like-crazy-its-a-good-thing/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/29/baby-kicking-like-crazy-its-a-good-thing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kicking baby

It's good when baby kicks. Credit: Getty Images

While a baby's kicking may cause some discomfort for expectant moms, health care providers see it as a good thing.

Movement is a sign of a "nice, healthy, active baby," says Dr. Melissa Goist, an obstetrician and assistant professor at The Ohio State University.

"As obstetricians, we are happy with that," she says. "There's no amount of kicking that's too excessive."

Kicking isn't associated with any health problems for Mom or baby, adds Cindy Farley, a nurse-midwife and teacher at the Midwifery Institute of Philadelphia University.

"I'm not aware of any disorder" associated with the issue, she says.

The real cause for alarm, the sources say, is when babies stop moving.

Many practitioners recommend women do fetal kick counts as a way to check on their babies' health. Most recommend eating a light snack or drinking some juice, and then sitting or lying in a comfortable position. While you're relaxing, count the number of times the baby moves. Women should typically feel eight to 10 movements in an hour, Goist says.

There's nothing that can be done medically to alleviate any discomfort from kicking. Applying counter pressure or switching positions might help, Farley says. Swimming also is a good way to feel better during pregnancy, she adds.

Although babies start moving their limbs around eight weeks, women typically feel the first kicks around 18 weeks, Farley says.

Complaints from expectant mothers tend to come later in the pregnancy when the baby is larger and stronger, Goist adds.

"It's especially noticeable while you're in your third trimester," she says. "There's less room for the baby, so its movements are more significant."

If you have a concern about the extent of your baby's movement, discuss it with your care provider, Farley says.

"You don't want to be out there worrying unnecessarily," she says.

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]]>baby kickingevergreenfetal kicksfetal-developmentfetal-kick-countsMelissa Kossler DuttonWed, 29 Dec 2010 20:20:00 ESTHow to Childproof Your Windowshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/how-to-childproof/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/how-to-childproof/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/08/how-to-childproof/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



Do you have a minute (OK, a minute and eight seconds?) Good. Now watch this video on window safety from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and then walk around your house and do what you need to do to childproof your windows. Got it? Great. Glad we had this talk.

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]]>childproofingthe editors at ParentDishFri, 08 Oct 2010 12:42:00 ESTWarning: Stop Using Infant Sleep Positioners Immediately or Risk Suffocation Deathshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/29/warning-stop-using-infant-sleep-positioners-immediately-or-risk/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/29/warning-stop-using-infant-sleep-positioners-immediately-or-risk/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/29/warning-stop-using-infant-sleep-positioners-immediately-or-risk/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Parents are warned to stop using infant sleep positioners immediately. Credit: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission


The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a consumer alert today to warn parents to stop using infant sleep positioners, citing reports of 12 infants -- ages 1 month to 4 months -- who suffocated to death after being placed in the devices.

Most of the infants suffocated after rolling from a side to a stomach position; some of the infants suffocated on the device itself, while others succumbed after being trapped between a sleep positioner and the side of a crib or bassinet, according to CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

In addition to the reported deaths, the CPSC has also received dozens of reports of infants who were placed on their back or sides in sleep positioners, only to be found later in potentially hazardous positions within or next to the devices.

"The deaths and dangerous situations resulting from the use of infant sleep positioners are a serious concern to CPSC," Tenenbaum said. "We urge parents and caregivers to take our warning seriously and stop using these sleep positioners, so that children can have a safer sleep."

The two main types of infant sleep positioners are flat mats with side bolsters or inclined (wedge) mats with side bolsters (see above).

Both types of sleep positioners typically claim to help keep infants on their backs, thereby reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There is, however, no evidence to support this claim, according to Dr. Rachel Moon, Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Task Force.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend any of the products that claim to protect against SIDS," Moon says, "Because, to our knowledge, none of these do actually protect against SIDS; there is no scientific evidence supporting these claims."

In addition, the FDA has never cleared an infant sleep positioner to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS. Over the years, the FDA has approved 18 sleep positioner devices -- all of which had made claims of helping to reduce gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and/or preventing plagiocephaly -- also known as "flat head syndrome."

At this point, however, it has become clear that the risks of using infant sleep positioners outweigh the benefits, says Moon, so consumers are warned to immediately stop using the devices.

The FDA, which has jurisdiction over consumer products making medical claims, has contacted the manufacturers of the 18 approved infant sleep positioners and asked them to stop making these devices; the agency will also be contacting retailers to ask them to stop selling the devices, according to Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner.

Sharfstein advised that today's public health message is seen as the quickest way to get the warning out the consumers, so that they immediately stop buying the fatality-causing products. However, in the future, the FDA may issue for products that have not voluntarily been removed from the market; the agency will also be investigating reports of other, unapproved sleep positioning devices, as well as any other devices out there that claim to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS.

The CPSC, FDA and AAP warn parents to:
  • Stop using sleep positioners. Using a positioner to hold an infant on his or her back or side for sleep is dangerous and unnecessary.
  • Never put pillows, infant sleep positioners, comforters, or quilts under a baby or in a crib.
  • Always place an infant on his or her back at night and during nap time. To reduce the risk of SIDS, the AAP recommends placing infants to sleep on their backs and not their sides.
Visit the CPSC's website for information about the agency's Safe Sleep initiative, which advises parents on how to help their kids sleep safely.

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]]>aapalertcpscfdarecallsidsSudden Infant Death SyndromeSuddenInfantDeathSyndromeHoney BerkWed, 29 Sep 2010 15:46:00 ESTTransitioning From Bottle-Feeding to Sippy Cuphttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/20/transitioning-from-bottle-feeding-to-sippy-cup/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/20/transitioning-from-bottle-feeding-to-sippy-cup/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/20/transitioning-from-bottle-feeding-to-sippy-cup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


bottle feeding

Is it time to get rid of the bottle? Credit: Getty


Whether you're breast-feeding or bottle-feeding your child, deciding when to transition to a sippy cup can be difficult. While the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages breast-feeding until your child is at least 12 months old, there are no set guidelines when it comes to how long to bottle-feed babies.

Suri Cruise was still drinking from a bottle nearly a week before her 4th birthday, leading experts to debate whether it was time for the celeb-u-tot to transition from the bottle to the sippy cup.

Dr. Jennifer Shu, pediatrician and co-author of "Food Fights," told Usmagazine.com last fall that Cruise should have been weaned off the bottle by her first birthday.

"By the time kids are 9 months old, they have the physical development and mouth coordination necessary to be able to drink out of a sippy cup or a cup with straw," she told the site. "That development comes pretty early."

While it's easy to criticize, transitioning bottle-feeding babies to a sippy cup isn't always as simple as it sounds. Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician and author of "The Happiest Toddler on the Block," told USmagazine.com that bottles "may serve as an emotional security device."

Continue reading Transitioning From Bottle-Feeding to Sippy Cup

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]]>bottlebottle feeding babiesparent-dishsippy cuptransition from bottleDebbie BookstaberMon, 20 Sep 2010 16:15:00 ESTPremature Babies Stand Better Chance at Specialized Hospitals, Study Showshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/premature-babies-stand-better-chance-at-specialized-hospitals-s/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/premature-babies-stand-better-chance-at-specialized-hospitals-s/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/premature-babies-stand-better-chance-at-specialized-hospitals-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

premature baby at new york university nicu

A preemie's chance of survival goes up 62 percent at Level III hospitals. Credit: Damon Dahlen, AOL


If your baby is born prematurely, the odds that he or she will survive increase dramatically if you can get to a specialized hospital. Here's hoping there's one in your area.

A report published in the Sept. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association draws a link between the death rate of premature infants over the past 30 years and the level of hospital care they received.

The numbers form a clear pattern, Dr. Howard Kilbride, section chief of neonatolgy at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo., tells ParentDish.

If mothers who go into premature labor can get to a Level III hospital (where highly specialized care is available), they dramatically increase the odds of their child's survival.

Continue reading Premature Babies Stand Better Chance at Specialized Hospitals, Study Shows

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]]>infantslevel III hospitalsLevelIiiHospitalspreemiespremature babiespremature birthPrematureBabiesPrematureBirthTom HendersonTue, 31 Aug 2010 17:00:00 ESTCircumcision: Is It Right for Your Baby Boy?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/circumcision-is-it-right-for-your-baby-boy/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/circumcision-is-it-right-for-your-baby-boy/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/31/circumcision-is-it-right-for-your-baby-boy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

baby boy

The decision to circumcise is up to parents. Credit: Nicole Hill, Getty Images


The debate over circumcision heated up when the Centers for Disease Control announced it may recommend circumcising all baby boys, but experts say the decision still rests with parents.

First of all, just what is circumcision? Dr. Rodolfo Sarmiento, a pediatrician on staff at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill., told ParentDish it's an elective procedure done to boys after birth, usually 24 hours after they are delivered. The prepuce, or overlying skin at the tip of the penis, is removed.

The procedure does cause the child pain, so doctors will administer a pain reliever such as Tylenol. Some physicians, Sarmiento says, prefer to give a newborn sugar or a local, topical anesthetic to help with pain control.

Not all parents choose to have their children circumcised, which is why the CDC's announcement caused such a stir. Officials are considering promoting the procedure in the U.S., according to The New York Times, because it may help reduce the spread of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS.

Continue reading Circumcision: Is It Right for Your Baby Boy?

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]]>baby boysBabyBoyscircumcisedcircumcisionevergreenhealthpenisAmy HatchTue, 31 Aug 2010 16:40:00 ESTMedical Mystery Surrounding Highly-Sensitive Kids ... Solved?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/25/medical-mystery-surrounding-highly-sensitive-kids-solved/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/25/medical-mystery-surrounding-highly-sensitive-kids-solved/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/25/medical-mystery-surrounding-highly-sensitive-kids-solved/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder book

This book could help in diagnosing your child's sensitivities. Courtesy of Sensory World


You have a gut feeling that something's wrong with your child: He's often cranky, confused, overwhelmed, fatigued. At times you suspect a rare illness -- maybe autism or ADD? But his pediatrician gives him a clean bill of health, and his teacher says those other labels don't quite fit. Neurodevelopment expert Roya Ostovar may have the answer.

Her book, "The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder," introduces the little-known developmental condition. Children with the disorder cannot properly process stimuli received through the senses. Because sensory processing disorder is just now gaining wider recognition outside specialized clinical circles, it can be difficult to diagnose and, therefore, treat. Not only does "The Ultimate Guide" thoroughly explain the condition and offer many real case examples, it lists detailed, situation-specific strategies for children and their families that can produce life-changing results.

Continue reading Medical Mystery Surrounding Highly-Sensitive Kids ... Solved?

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]]>autismAutism Spectrum Disorderbehavioral problemsdevelopmental disordermedical conditionoccupational therapyproperioceptive systempsychiatric disordersRoya Ostovarself-esteemsensory integration therapySPDMaureen ShellyWed, 25 Aug 2010 16:00:00 ESTThe Knife Under the Bed and Other Pregnancy Superstitionshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/13/the-knife-under-the-bed-and-other-pregnancy-superstitions/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/13/the-knife-under-the-bed-and-other-pregnancy-superstitions/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/13/the-knife-under-the-bed-and-other-pregnancy-superstitions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Do pregnancy superstitions give you pause? Credit: Getty Images


If there's one thing a woman loses while pregnant (besides her waistline), it's any sense of control. Will it be a boy or a girl? Will my baby have 10 fingers and 10 toes? Will labor be easy or difficult? With so many unknowns out there, it's no wonder pregnancy and birth superstitions have proliferated for as long as they have.

Thanks to advancements in science and technology, some of these superstitions are losing their relevance. For example, moms-to-be no longer have to rely on dangling a wedding band over their bellies to determine their baby's sex. Sure, they may have had a 50/50 chance of being right, but ultrasound is much more accurate and DNA is, well, pretty hard to contest.

Did you know that one in 10 newborns are diagnosed with a vascular birthmark, those dark red or purplish marks more commonly known as strawberries, port-wine stains, stork bites or angel kisses? Before we had the science to explain that they are simply a mass of extra blood vessels in the skin, many cultures saw them as something sinister, referring to them as "the mark of the devil," while other societies explained away the unsightly marks by claiming the mother had indulged in red berries while pregnant.

Another medical phenomenon ancient cultures attempted to make sense of is the harelip, a colloquial name for cleft palate or cleft lip, which occur in approximately 1 per 500 to 700 births worldwide, according to Operation Smile. Ugandans believe if a pregnant woman sees an eclipse, her baby will have a harelip. In Mexico, harelips occur if she's out during a full moon and in China, if she eats rabbit.

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]]>birthbirthmarkbirthmarkscleft lipcleft palateCleftLipCleftPalatehareliphemangiomahemangiomaslabormythsMythsAndLegendspregnancystrawberriessuperstitionsuperstitionsvascularJulie Z. RosenbergFri, 13 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST15 Old Wives' Tales Doctors Believehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/02/15-old-wives-tales-doctors-believe/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/02/15-old-wives-tales-doctors-believe/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/08/02/15-old-wives-tales-doctors-believe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

15 Old Wives' Tales Doctors Believe

Doctors say that tales are false. Credit: Getty Images


How many pediatricians believe old wives' tales?

When asked if 15 old wives' tales were true or false, only 17 percent of the board-certified pediatricians surveyed said all of them were indeed false.

That is the finding of a study of 1,000 board-certified American pediatricians in primary care practice that was conducted by Dr. Andrew Adesman of the Children's Medical Center of New York and author of "BabyFacts: The Truth About Your Child From Newborn Through Preschool." (Adesman sent the questionnaire to 5,000 pediatricians and 1,000 responded.)

The good news is that these are all relatively benign old wives' tales and won't actually harm a child. But holding fast to facts that are false won't help a child who really needs medical care. Adesman found that pediatricians who practiced in urban settings and never had children of their own were most likely to believe the old wives' tales.

All 15 of these old wives' tales are false. Did you think any of them were true?

o. 17 percent said vitamin C helps ward off colds.

o. 16 percent said eating carrots will improve a child's vision.

o. 15 percent said children should not swim until 30 minutes after eating.

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]]>old wives talesOldWivesTalespediatriciansthe editors at NetscapeMon, 02 Aug 2010 10:22:00 EST'SpongeBob' and Other Names Our Child Wanted to Name the New Babyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/spongebob-and-other-names-our-child-wanted-to-name-the-new-bab/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/spongebob-and-other-names-our-child-wanted-to-name-the-new-bab/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/spongebob-and-other-names-our-child-wanted-to-name-the-new-bab/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

"SpongeBob" does have a nice ring to it... Credit: Nickelodeon / AP

Magician Penn Gillette and his wife named their baby daughter Moxie CrimeFighter.
That raises an interesting question: "What the $#@!?"

Moxie CrimeFighter sounds like a name another kid would come up with. Children can be extraordinarily clever when it comes to naming other children. And we're not just talking about colorful odor-based nicknames.

We asked contributors to Seed.com -- AOL's freelance website -- to share some of the names their children suggested for siblings. Here are some of the best responses.

"After my husband and I gave our daughter Sam the big job of helping us name our son, she immediately turned to us and very seriously stated 'SpongeBob.' I tried to explain that "SpongeBob" wasn't really a name. 'But Mom!' she exclaimed, 'SpongeBob is a cute name!' " -Melissa Vacca

"When our 4-year-old daughter was informed she would have a new baby brother or sister in a few months, and when asked what to name the said child, she replied, 'Let's name the baby after the dog!' Whom she also named: 'Peanut butter.'"

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]]>baby namesBabyNamesexpire-images:2011-6-30spongebobthe editors at ParentDishTue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:00 ESTCelebrate Baby's Arrival with Creative Birth Announcementshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/celebrate-babys-arrival-with-creative-birth-announcements/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/celebrate-babys-arrival-with-creative-birth-announcements/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/27/celebrate-babys-arrival-with-creative-birth-announcements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When designing birth announcements, new parents might consider using creative added elements, such as a band that wraps around a photo. Credit: Alee & Press

Looking for a creative way to introduce your new baby to friends and family? While an e-mail announcing your baby's birth might satisfy those wanting to get the word out quickly, others try to provide something more tangible.

With a few simple ideas, a traditional printed announcement can become a creative keepsake. Whether you choose to use your own printer and paper, buy something ready-made or hire a professional graphic designer to create custom announcements, there are a few things to keep in mind.

New York-based designer Liz Coulson Libré suggests parents first determine whether or not to use a photo. Libré, who founded Linda & Harriett in 2007, often incorporates a 3-inch by 3-inch photo within a 5-inch by 7-inch custom-designed letterpress card.

Libré tells ParentDish in a phone interview that anything a family decides "should be an extension of you and your personality."

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]]>announcementsbabybaby announcementbirth announcementevergreenElizabeth HumphreyTue, 27 Jul 2010 11:31:00 ESTWho Loves Ya, Baby? Kids of Extra-Affectionate Moms Are Better Adjusted Adults, Study Sayshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/26/kids-of-extra-affectionate-moms-better-adjusted/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/26/kids-of-extra-affectionate-moms-better-adjusted/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/26/kids-of-extra-affectionate-moms-better-adjusted/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Baby love is good for your little one. Credit: Getty Images

A loved baby is a happy baby. Turns out, that makes for a happy adult, too.

People whose mothers showered them with affection as infants are better equipped to cope with the stresses of life when they are adults, according to an article in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

The findings are based on one of the few studies to track participants from childhood to adulthood. Psychologists appraised the quality of the interactions between nearly 500 mothers and their 8-month-old babies, rating the amount of affection each mother gave her child, from negative to extravagant. One in 10 interactions were characterized by a low level of maternal affection, 85 percent by normal levels of affection and 6 percent by high levels of affection.

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]]>adultanxietyhappinessmaternal affectionMaternalAffectionstudyMonique El-FaizyMon, 26 Jul 2010 14:53:00 ESTThe New BYOB: Nursing Parties Help New Moms Breast-Feedhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/23/the-new-byob-nursing-parties-help-new-moms-breast-feed/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/23/the-new-byob-nursing-parties-help-new-moms-breast-feed/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/23/the-new-byob-nursing-parties-help-new-moms-breast-feed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This party is about boobs, not booze. Credit: Getty Images

It's not the BYOB party you're used to. In fact, there's no alcohol at all. BYOBoobz parties are designed to give nursing moms the support they need when navigating the often frustrating and difficult world of breast-feeding.

The nonprofit group "Best for Babes," the parties are launching this fall, AOL News reports. After that, home party kits, which are being developed with input from Facebook fans, will be available for new moms, lactation consultants and others.

Forbes says that her group wants to dispel the notion that breast-feeding is always easy.

"The truth is, it can be difficult and it's messy, and you're dealing with things like leaky boobs," Best for Babes co-founder Bettina Forbes tells AOL News. "But that's part of life, the way anything is. We want to make it real, not a Hallmark card. But not impossible either."

Check out the story on AOL News.

Related: Breast-Feeding Moms Protest Restaurant

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]]>breast-feedingBYOBoobzColleen EganFri, 23 Jul 2010 12:47:00 EST