Free Herb eBook for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Moms
When I was pregnant I read as much about natural remedies as I could. I was a little rabid about it actually. When my daughters were babies I kept them away from all pharmaceutical baby medicines and instead used natural remedies when they were sick like rubbing garlic oil on the bottom of the feet, using Echinacea when they were sick, using tea tree oil when they got a rash, and juicing organic fruits (especially apples, oranges, and lemons) when they got first started getting the sniffles.
Earth Mama Baby Angel, a brand I trust and used when my girls were babies, has a free herb eBook on their site. Make sure to check it out. It has great information in it.
On the Net: www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/herbs-for-breastfeeding-ebook
Prematurity Awareness Day
I am a lucky woman. Both of my daughters were born full term and healthy. Sadly this isn’t the case for every baby. One in eight babies is born premature in the United States and those numbers soar when we start talking specifically about African-American babies.
Today, Prematurity Awareness Day, I want to take a moment to say a little prayer for all of those sweet babies who are fighting for their life right now in the NICU or have even been given the OK to go home. The are already facing so many challenges and it can’t be easy for their families.
Thankfully, the March of Dimes provides a wealth of information, advice, and support to families who are caring for a premature baby and for pregnant women who want to learn as much as possible about having a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery.
To donate, volunteer, learn more about having a healthy pregnancy or if you need resources to care for a premature baby, visit www.marchofdimes.com.
Preventing Premature Birth
Did you know there is a higher incidence of premature birth among African American babies than Caucasian babies? According to the March of Dimes, more than 18 percent of African American babies are born prematurely, compared to only 11.5 percent of Caucasian babies. Given your increased risk of delivering a premature baby, ask your doctor if you are a candidate for the fetal fibronectin (fFN) test, an FDA-approved test that can predict the likelihood of premature birth. While the consequences of premature birth can be devastating, there are measures doctors can take to ensure the best possible outcome. Learn more about your risk for premature birth and the fFN test at www.fullterm.net.
Children and Cholesterol Screening
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says children as young as two should get annual screenings for high cholesterol because the risk for heart disease can start in young bodies even if children are not overweight.
If a child has a family history of high cholesterol, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia recommends children undergo a cholesterol profile after overnight fasting.
“Although the most common reasons for high cholesterol are poor diet, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise, some apparently healthy children inherit high cholesterol levels from their parents,” said Julie Brothers, M.D., medical director of the Lipid Heart Clinic at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Overall, we’ve noticed an increase in children’s cholesterol levels the past several years and this is a disturbing trend.”
More physical activity coupled with a nutritious diet can lead to lower cholesterol levels in both children and adults. It is imperative to get any high cholesterol under control in order to avoid early heart disease and heart injury.
Harmful Baby Powders and Lotions
A new study published in the journal Pediatrics says baby products such as powders and lotions have harmful amounts of phthalates, chemicals suspected of impairing male reproductive function.
Phthalates, man-made chemicals used in lubricants and cosmetics, were found in all 163 infants whose urine was examined. Doctors say babies do not need powders and lotions on their skin because at this stage it is perfect. Avoiding these potentially harmful consumer products will lessen the likelihood that these chemicals will be found in youngsters’ bodies.
Black Infant Mortality Rates Unchanged Since Civil War
It’s a shocking fact: black infant mortality rates have not changed since the Civil War. But Dr. Jack Turman, an associate professor from the University of Southern California says it is indeed true. In fact, he says black babies have been dying at twice the rate of white babies since the 1860s.
“I am disgusted this has lasted for 150 years,” Turman said.
One of the reasons experts and researchers say black babies die so readily is because black women face a lot of stress and cannot adequately nurture healthy babies. “Black women have much higher levels of stress than women of other ethnic groups,” Turman said. “That high stress level has a negative effect on their babies once they become pregnant.”
(Source: Tallahassee Democrat)
Prematurity is a silent crisis in America. The March of Dimes
The EveryBaby Page
The March of Dimes is about all babies…those born healthy and those that need our help to survive. One out of eight babies is born prematurely in the United States, but there is something you can do to help. Visit The EveryBaby page.
Using the latest in web technology, tell your baby’s story in the timeless style of a scrapbook page. You can add text, video or pictures and invite friends to view, add comments or just browse our interactive Story Map. Plus your donations will help fund your local NICUs. With your help and support, we can make sure every baby’s story is a happy one. Every baby has a story, tell us yours. Visit The EveryBaby page.
New Vaccine for Babies Protects Against Meningococcal Disease
Infants and children are already given a series of immunizations to protect them against serious childhood diseases. Now, a British team of researchers has developed a vaccine that protects children against meningococcal disease, a disease that affects between 1400 -2000 babies each year in the United States.
The new vaccine was given to 421 healthy babies and produced immunity against four strains of meningococcal disease and was well tolerated by the babies’ bodies.
What do you think about this new vaccine?
Nadia Simone: Age 2 1/2 years
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