In America, unfortunately, there’s often no special person. The pregnant woman who needs a helping hand has to find her own help. Because American families are scattered, the support of nearby relatives is increasingly rare. Even when a loving grandmother is nearby, chances are she’s in the prime of her own career. And many of us have special needs resulting from our own careers. Finally, the trend of medical insurance is to make childbirth an outpatient experience.

In the early 90’s these conditions fostered the birth of more than one hundred doula organizations throughout the country, providing a variety of services including breastfeeding consultation, guidance in newborn care, sibling support and help with household responsibilities. Services usually are tailored to meet the needs of both new and experienced mothers as well as fulfilling special needs such as support for high-risk mothers and women in labor. Many services have since expanded to meet the changing needs of our metro families. There’s a rapidly growing industry dedicated specifically to sleep coaching and services related to sleep issues. While M&bM has expanded to include this specialty, we remain focused on the mother’s needs. Our doulas are mother/baby specialists vs. the developing field of newborn specialists who focus solely on the newborn.

In our fast-paced area, the need for a doula may be especially keen. Abbreviated maternity stays have become the rule rather than the exception, causing many women to feel their maternity leaves are too short for them to establish a comfortable new routine for family life. Result: the Washington nuclear family may find itself alone, overwhelmed and in desperate need of support.

In my experience as founder and president of a local doula service since 1991, I’ve learned that Washington’s “new mom” most often needs help caring for her baby. From fingernails to mottled skin, that new child can be a nervous-making unknown quantity for the most competent and level-headed woman. Even as a nurse myself, I felt exhausted and frazzled during my first baby’s early days. A doula can help with that first bath, emphasizing cord and circumcision care. On the doula’s next visit, the mother can do the bathing while she asks questions. Bath time can serve as the perfect opportunity to help the new mother learn how to get in touch with her baby – literally – with infant massage techniques. The doula also can help with breastfeeding and give advice about feeding times, fussy periods and provide some much needed rest for Mom.

Experienced mothers may need help mastering the delicate balancing act of sharing time between the new baby’s needs and the needs of older brothers or sisters. She can leave the baby with the doula while she reads to Jimmy or takes Sue to the park. Or she can snatch a few moments’ relaxation with the whole family while the doula helps with housework or prepares a meal.

In my article written more than 15 years ago, I quoted a Potomac father of two who said, “Having some help can mean the difference between getting your expanded family started on the right path or the wrong one. I guess there’s no way to prevent jealousy entirely, but you can surely head it off by planning your life so the first child is not constantly told to run along and play while you care for the baby.” He continued, “It’s probably best if you can have help from your own relatives, but, if you can’t, having a helper is the best treat I can think of for a family that has just added a new member.”

Treat yourself or the new mother in your life to the best help, Mother & baby Matters, because “mothering the new mother” IS what we do best. It may be every mother’s wish to have help during this overwhelming time. Whether it’s a simple phone consultation on planning for baby; speaking with a sleep specialist to address sleep issues; or perhaps needing comprehensive in-home day and overnight care, M&bM can help. We can even assist in meeting the special needs of preemies, multiples or babies experiencing colic or reflux.

In honor of this special day, M&bM is offering 10% off on all service plans for clients registering during the month of May. And remember, at anytime, all service plans over 20 hours include a complimentary one hour visit with one of our Board Certified Lactation Consultants.

Gerri Levrini is President and Founder of Mother & baby Matters, Inc. She lives in Reston with her husband, is the mother of two adult sons, and is a grandmother to a granddaughter and another granddaughter on the way.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Until next time,

Gerri

Gerri Levrini
RN, MSN, CNAA
President & Founder
Mother & baby Matters, Inc.
www.motherandbabymatters.com

Well, the truth is… preparing for baby does not mean you need to put your pet up for adoption.

Today, shelters are still visited by tearful mothers-to-be with cats in tow, having made their appointments after well-meaning relatives or old-school obstetricians have convinced them that keeping a cat risks the health and well-being of their unborn child. Don’t succumb to these old wives’ tales. Knowing the facts will help provide ways to safeguard both fetus and feline. And it doesn’t mean an eviction notice for your dog either.

What are the health risks?

The health risks are minimal, as long as your pet has had immunizations, is dewormed, and treated for fleas. The American Medical Association found that children in multiple-pet households had about 50% less risk of developing allergies as children without pets—all those dog and cat licks might provide healthy stimulation to the child’s immune system.

The parasitic infection toxoplasmosis is perhaps a pregnant cat-keeper’s greatest fear. It can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or such birth defects as blindness, deafness, hydrocephalus or epilepsy. Since cats can become infected with the parasite by eating small mammals or birds, it is best to keep your cat indoors. Now is not a good time to befriend strays, as they may already be infected.

Toxoplasmosis cysts are shed in the feces of infected animals. Since cats often use gardens as litter boxes, wear gloves when gardening and when you are washing raw vegetables and fruits, handling raw meat or scrubbing food prep surfaces. You should also avoid rubbing your eyes until your hands have been washed. And do not eat or feed your cat raw or undercooked meat. To prevent any cysts that are passed in the feces from becoming infectious, scoop fecal matter at least twice a day. Better yet, use your “delicate condition” to get your mate to handle the dirt detail.

Preparing Your Pet for Baby

Many dog and cat owners say of their pets, “’This is my first baby,’” says Vicki Mendiratta, MD, professor in the division of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. “Pregnancy is time to reflect that your life is changing, and most pet owners can’t focus the same amount of time on a pet when they have to take care of a child.”

A study of nearly 600 dog and cat owners, which was presented at the 2010 meeting of the American Sociological Association, confirms what most people believe to be true: Pet owners who have children spend less time with their pets. It is important to let your pet know that it still has a special place in your family, even though a baby is coming.

• Be sensitive to your pet’s needs. Your pet may realize that something is brewing when you begin accumulating baby paraphernalia and rearranging rooms in your home during your pregnancy.

• Let your pet get familiar with the baby’s room while you’re still pregnant, if you plan to allow it in your child’s bedroom.

• Set up safety gates or screen doors. This will allow an animal to see and hear what’s going on, which makes it feel less isolated. Give your dog time to adjust to baby gates, well in advance of the baby arriving.

• Prepare a comfortable confined area or crate for your dog in a relaxing and safe place.

• Create routines, such as going for walks at a certain time. Babies like routine and animals like routine. Building those up before the baby arrives will ensure the pet takes the transition much easier.

• Who will care for your pet when you’re in the hospital delivering your baby and during the first few exhausting days when you return home? Line up someone reliable ahead of time.

• Gradually help your pet get used to the idea that a baby is on the way. Before bringing your baby into your home for the first time, introduce her scent to your pet. A great way to do this is to have someone bring to your pet a blanket or item of clothing that your baby used in the hospital prior to your homecoming.

• Cat owners who don’t want their pets jumping into baby’s crib can train them with an adhesive deterrent product like Sticky Paws, Peterson says. Netting that covers a crib may also be effective.

Also consider that when your baby arrives, you will have less time for your dog. Make sure the time you spend with him or her is quality time. When you have a few spare moments after bringing the baby home, reassure your cat or dog that you still care. “You’ll be exhausted, but you can give your pet 10 minutes of attention when the baby is sleeping,” Mendiratta says. “Snuggle with the cat or play catch with the dog.”

Supervising Your Pet with Baby

Preparing your pet for the arrival of your newborn is crucial. But, it doesn’t stop there. No matter how well prepared, your pet will need to be supervised around your baby and toddler. The unbreakable rule of young children and pets is: Never leave them unsupervised. If things go wrong, particularly with a dog, tragedy can ensue. Cats don’t typically present a biting hazard, but they often like to jump into a baby’s crib or playpen to cuddle. It’s unlikely, but a cat could suffocate an infant who’s unable to push it away.

Rarely, a dog will mistake an infant for prey. Dr. Laurie Bergman, of the University of California Veterinary Medical Center in San Diego, helped clients turn around this potential disaster when their Jack Russell terrier was stalking their week-old baby. The couple was so terrified, they left the dog alone in the house and moved in with other family members. Dr. Bergman instructed the family to move back, keeping their dog outside for most of the day, so that it could get used to seeing the baby through the window. The dog was also allowed to go for walks on a leash with the baby in a stroller. By the time the son was a year old, the dog had accepted him as human, and they became happy playmates.

Owners must also convince the pet that the baby’s arrival is not the worst thing. Frequently owners make the mistake of only paying attention to the pet once the baby is down for a nap. The obvious conclusion in the pet’s mind is, “Baby gone, life good.” Dr. Marsha Reich, a Maryland veterinary behaviorist, says, “Try to find something that motivates the dog to couple with the baby. Throw the dog treats when you’re nursing.”

If pets are shunted aside, some may seek other ways to solicit attention. I recall reading about a cat, which had been ignored since the baby arrived, started limping dramatically on her hind leg. Many visits to the veterinarian later, the doctor remained unable to find a cause. Then one day the couple noticed that the cat only limped when it came upon the baby. Call it Munchausen’s syndrome by feline.

Animal behaviorists warn that the most difficult moments in pet-child relations occur when the child becomes mobile. The animal is now confronted with toddling terror, and a once docile dog may growl and snap. But what looks like aggression is often fear: The dog finds itself cornered by a squealing, poking, pulling human. And the child, too young to realize a raised lip and growl means, “Please step away from the dog,” continues to lunge.

Advice as your child grows
 
Veronica Sanchez is certified in animal behavior consulting by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She also has degrees in early childhood education and psychology. Veronica works for Cooperative Paws Training and Behavior Consulting helping families solve their dog’s behavior problems. Veronica recommends the following:

• Directly supervise your child’s interactions with your dog. Cooking in the kitchen while children and pets are in earshot in the living room is not sufficient. You need to literally watch and pay attention to both the child and the dog when they are together. If your child is a toddler, you need to be within touching distance of both at all times when they are together so you can quickly intervene. Toddlers lack self-control and language skills necessary to respond quickly to your instructions from a distance. It takes only seconds for a bite to happen.

• Give your dog breaks away from children. Just like people, dogs need quiet time. Crate Rover and give him a chew toy that keeps him engaged. Use a baby gate or other sturdy barrier to keep your dog and young child separated.

• Watch your dog for signs of stress, and remove him from the vicinity of children when he is stressed. Make sure he is always able to leave the room and is never “cornered” by your child.

• Keep all interactions between your dog and your child positive. Have your child give your dog treats, and make sure that your child does not push your dog’s limits. It is your job to protect your dog from unpleasant experiences with your child as well as to protect your child from being injured by your dog. One negative experience can have long-lasting ramifications.

• Never physically or verbally punish your dog in front of your child. Your child may mimic that behavior and could be bitten. Methods for training dogs that emphasize rewarding the dog with treats and/or toys are efficient and safer ways to control a dog.

• Put your dog away if you will have visiting children. You can use a crate and give your dog toys that engage him for long periods of time. Parties and gatherings with many children are overwhelming for most dogs.

• If your child will visit a home with a dog, ask many questions. Do not assume the dog is friendly with children just because the owners tell you it is. Ask if the dog will be left with the children and whether other adults will be present. Meet the dog yourself, and watch the dog’s behavior and body language when it is around children.

Peter Neville, animal behaviorist says: ‘If a cat or dog does react badly to the arrival of a baby, you must never punish the animal. All advice is useful, so ask around. Despite your best efforts, your pet may still have problems adapting to baby. And if you think you may have a problem looming, get help. Consider training for your dog. And if you do, it is important to be certain you find someone who is truly qualified to work with both your dog and your family. Screen carefully, and be sure the person uses methods that emphasize safety and rewarding the dog for desired behavior. Also, be sure to speak with your veterinarian about your dog’s behavior to rule out medical causes.

The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants has a listing of behavior consultants at www.iaabc.org.

Having another Baby…
 
Even if your pet adjusted well after the birth of your first child, it’s helpful to take the same steps every time you’re expecting an addition to the family. “Having another baby, whether it is the second, third or fourth, is going to be a change in the routine. Err on the side of needing to provide some kind of transition,” says Nancy Peterson, of the Humane Society of the United States, in Washington D.C. “You want the pet to associate good things with the baby.”

Planning to get a Puppy or Dog and already have a Baby or Toddler…

Think twice! Sanchez says if you are planning to get a new dog or puppy and you have an infant or toddler, please reconsider. Infants and toddlers lack self-control and like to explore the world using their hands. Their erratic behavior is extremely difficult for even the most patient dog to tolerate, and their height makes them vulnerable to a dangerous bite to the face. The responsibility of protecting the child from the dog — and the dog from the child — falls on the parents. It is extremely difficult to provide this level of supervision. Wait until your child is more mature before getting a dog. While some families are ready for a pet when children are in their mid-elementary school years, there is no “right age” to add a dog to the family. Every family situation is unique, and every child matures at a different rate. Remember, parental supervision is still a must even if your child is not a toddler.

Links for additional reading:

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/new-baby-cat-safety

http://pets.webmd.com/features/pets-and-new-baby?page=2

Until Next Time,

Gerri

Gerri Levrini, RN,MSN,CNAA
President & Founder
Mother & baby Matters, Inc.
www.motherandbabymatters.com

Our two sons, Chad and Garrett

Siblings’ early days together are the building blocks for a long-term bonding process. The more prepared the child is, the more likely you’ll achieve this goal. In Part 1 of Sibling Support and Adjustment the focus was on the preparation phase. In Part 2 the focus will be sibling adjustment once the new baby comes home. Every child will react differently.

There are many things that can contribute to a difficult adjustment. Research indicates that a child’s personality has the most significant effect on how they react to a new baby. Children with the closest relationships with their mothers show the most upset after the baby is born and children with a close relationship with their father seem to adjust better.

Your child’s developmental stage may affect how well they can share your attention. Often two-year-olds have lots of trouble getting used to a new baby, because their needs for time and closeness from their parents are still great.

I found the following analogy from the University of Michigan Development and Behavior Resources to be an interesting perspective on what your older child may be feeling and why the child may have trouble adjusting to having a baby sister or brother in the house. To get a sense of how your older child might feel about the addition of the new baby, imagine this:

Your partner puts an arm around you and says, “Honey, I love you so much, and you’re so wonderful that I’ve decided to have another wife (or husband or partner) just like you.” When the new wife (or husband or partner) finally arrives, you see that (s)he’s very young and kind of cute. When the three of you are out together, people say hello to you politely, but exclaim ecstatically over the newcomer. “Isn’t (s)he adorable! Hello sweetheart… You are precious!” Then they turn to you and ask, “How do you like the new wife (or husband or partner)?”

Happy Homecoming

So, here are some suggestions to help the older child adjust to the new baby. The goal is to have a Happy Homecoming!

•Set aside special time for your older child. Dr. Sears calls it “just being time”. Each parent should spend some one-on-one with the older child every day. It’s amazing how much even just 10 minutes of uninterrupted one-on-one time can mean to your child (and help their behavior!). Let your child choose the activity, and you follow their lead. Take time to let your toddler just be with you — on your lap, cuddling and talking — while the new baby naps. Even 15 minutes a day of holding can make a difference.

• Time-share. New babies require a lot of maintenance, and you don’t have two hundred percent of yourself to give. There are, however, easy ways to share with your toddler the time you spend caring for your baby. When feeding the baby, read a book to your toddler. Or place Baby in an infant seat on the floor to watch while you play with her big brother or sister. As your infant gets a bit older, encourage your toddler to entertain her: Making funny faces and noises is something both will love. Big toothless grins can be an incredible ego boost as your toddler thinks, “Hey, she likes me.”

• Daddy, daddy, daddy! You can do double duty, but in the end, you’ll still need to spend more time with the new baby. So it’s important that while the older child feels she has lost some of mom, she gets more of dad. This is also the stage when a toddler may feel that mommy is no fun anymore, since she is tired all the time. Enter Dad and outings to the park, the ice cream parlor, even the toy store. Reserve these one-on-one outings just for the older child. Remember that in children’s perception of love actions often speak louder than words.

• Talk FOR your baby. Parents can take advantage of the toddler’s natural fascination with babies by explaining what you imagine the baby is thinking, such as “When Baby grabs you and holds on tight, she is telling you how much she loves you.” These can make your toddler laugh and help him see his sibling as a real person.

• Spread the praise. With all the attention heaped on your new baby, your toddler may feel neglected. Try to extend any compliments to include your older child. When an admirer says, “What a beautiful baby,” add, “Now we have two beautiful children” or “And she has a beautiful big brother!”

• Highlight a talent. Recognize and celebrate each child’s individuality – all children at all ages have a special talent. Try to recognize it, frame it, and announce it. For example say, “Jimmy, you are a terrific ball player. When Bobby is bigger, you’ll be able to teach him how to hit a ball.”

• Double the gifts. Savvy visitors who have survived sibling rivalry themselves know to bring along a gift for the older child when visiting a new baby. But don’t count on all of your friends to have this foresight. Before birth, wrap a few small gifts and reserve them for your toddler when friends lavish gifts on the new baby. You can also let him be the one to unwrap the baby gifts before he “gives” the toy to his baby sister. Or, have the new baby and older child exchange gifts. Keep in mind that you are now encouraging your toddler to have a change in mindset – from being a taker to becoming a giver – a valuable lesson in life that even a 2-year-old can and should begin to learn.

• Remind visitors to pay attention to your older child and not just the baby.

• Make sure the older child has some special, private space, and things of their own that they don’t have to share with the baby.

• Help the sibling feel important. Assigning a task can be all it takes to help a toddler feel included: “Bring me a diaper, please,” or “Let’s dress and bathe Baby together.” Feeling needed helps many children relish the older sibling role. Give them special jobs that they can do to help the family and help with the baby’s care (but don’t overdo it—take your cue from your child on this).

Sibling Showdown

Even if you do everything just suggested, your child may still act out at times. These problems are a normal part of becoming an older sibling. Here’s how to tackle them:

• Get ready for regression. Many children go through the regressive “I want to be a baby, too!” stage. This is a normal reaction to the image of you holding and cuddling your newborn. When your older child regresses into baby talk and thumbsucking, allow her the luxury of being babied a bit, while at the same time focusing on the benefits of being an older child in the family. Try to talk about all the fun things big kids can do but babies can’t, such as “Big boys can eat ice cream, but babies can’t” and “Big girls can climb monkey bars, but babies can’t.” Your child will gradually realize that he doesn’t want to be a baby again.

• Listen—really listen—to how your child feels about the baby and the changes in your family. If they express negative feelings, acknowledge them. Help your child put their feelings into words. Never deny or discount your child’s feelings.

• Make sure it is very clear that absolutely no hurting is allowed. Give your child other ways to express bad or angry feelings they may have toward the baby. For example, they could draw an angry picture of the baby, or act out their wishes with dolls, or roar like a lion.

• Allow some frustration. Toddlers take it to heart when they don’t get equal time. Our job is not to keep our children free of frustrations, but to help them learn how to manage them. If your toddler becomes impatient, for example, set a time when you can give him your attention, “Jimmy, you’ll have to wait until I finish nursing Bobby, but then we can go to the park.”

• Be sympathetic. It’s natural that your child will have some negative feelings toward the baby. Encourage your child to express her negative, as well as positive, feelings. Give him an empathetic opener, such as: “Sometimes I imagine you like your baby sister and sometimes you don’t.” Don’t push, just be available. Your child may be more comfortable drawing what he or she feels.

With a little parental guidance, siblings can grow up to be close compadres. Friends come and go, but family is forever.

For more resource information on sibling adjustment for toddlers, preschoolers and school age children, please see the following links:

http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/newbaby.htm

http://www.parenting.com/article/introducing-baby-1-to-baby-2

Until Next Time,

Gerri

Gerri Levrini, RN,MSN,CNAA
President & Founder
Mother & baby Matters, Inc.
www.motherandbabymatters.com

When you think of what the average mother packs into 24 hours, it’s no wonder so many feel just one little wobbly, baby-step away from…total collapse!

Yet, many overworked moms and dads have trouble reaching out for help.  They think they’re supposed to manage all their family responsibilities on their own.  But, is that right…or a big lie?  When did having a doula or baby sitter become a sign of being soft and self-indulgent? When did it become taboo to ask for help?

In truth, all parents need support.  That’s why the ancient adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” has stuck over the years.  Whether you live in Turkey or Trinidad – caring for a child actually does take a village!

…About 50 years ago, our parent support team began to unravel putting moms and dads under increasing stress.  Increasingly, the neighbors are too busy working to help us, good baby-sitters are hard to find, and our families are spread far and wide.

Added to this burden, American moms have the unhappy distinction (along with moms in Liberia and New Guinea) of living in the only nations without mandatory paid maternity leave to allow them a protected time to nurture their newborns before heading back to the office or factory…

So, in order for families to thrive, parents need to reject the myth that asking for help is an extravagance or a sign of weakness.  Far from indicating failure, it’s actually a sign of courage and strength.

And, when parents ask others for help they actually give their community a chance to help itself because raising happy, healthy children strengthens the entire society…

So please, go ahead and ask for help.  Ask a friend to bring over a casserole or ask another mom to watch your tot when you have to work late (and offer to watch hers for a few hours in return).  You may be surprised at how willing friends and family are to pitch in.

And, when today’s hectic world has you feeling overwhelmed, slow down, and let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect.  Take a breath, laugh at how silly life is and don’t feel guilty if you need to buy your child’s birthday cake at a store rather than making it from scratch.  Take the time to focus on what is most important, your child’s needs…and your health and sanity!

And, most importantly, remember that no mom is an island unto herself.  Seeking help from your own personal village is not only fine, it’s one of the smartest things any mother can do.

For the full post, go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harvey-karp/parenting-support_b_1212911.html

From personal experience I can relate to this! I recall having my first baby – 21 hours of rough labor and coming so close to having a C/S. The words alone scared me into dilating and I was “complete” within minutes! Not really.  It was actually being turned on to my left side for an epidural in preparation for the C/S that helped me to “completely dilate”. My husband and I had insisted on no help from family, who lived 3,000 miles away anyway. We wanted to be alone with our baby and “bond”. Well, that was a BIG…no, HUGE mistake!!! I was run down for months, never feeling fully recovered for about a year. Then 4.5 years later I was talked into having another baby. I was finally feeling like a human being again, but I caved and 1 month later I was pregnant with our second. Determined NOT to make the same mistake twice, I had a midwife/doula for the delivery who guided me with relaxation breathing, proper positioning methods and the use of imagery. In FIVE hours I pushed out a healthy, 10lb baby boy, with only a slight tear! I also accepted postpartum help from family. The support during labor along with postpartum help made the world of difference. I was back in shape, working and “doing it all” in no time!

So, as Dr. Karp says, “No Mom is an Island”.  My message to the Modern Day Mom is to seek help from your own personal village. Don’t make the mistake I did and learn the hard way.

And for all you “super moms” to be…when you are planning for baby (whether or not family can help) THINK DOULA! Think Mother & baby Matters’ services for all your needs! Spend time with your baby and let a doula do the rest for you until you are ready to take over. A little bit of help goes a long, long way.

Until next time, 

Gerri

Gerri Levrini, RN,MSN,CNAA

President & Founder

Mother & baby Matters, Inc.

www.motherandbabymatters.com

For the last 20 years Mother & baby Matters’ (MbM) practice standards for newborn care have been based on the recommendations of the AAP. Staff are regularly updated on new standards as well as any revisions or changes made to current standards.  In October 2011, MbM updated our practice standard on “Back to Sleep/Tummy to Play” when HealthyChildren.org of the AAP released their updated recommendations on reducing the risk of SIDS.  These recommendations included bumper pads in the list of objects to be kept out of the crib because they could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation. The AAP’s position is that research has NOT shown us when it’s 100% safe to have these objects in the crib; however, most experts agree that after 12 months of age these objects pose little risk to healthy babies. The AAP also states that there is no evidence that the bumpers protect against injury.

In the Parenting Magazine article, the author, Marilyn Monroe Rosen draws attention to the latest guidelines released by the AAP on October 21, 2012, urging parents to keep cribs bumper-free as a result of the following:

Reports in the Chicago Tribune during the time frame of late 2010 and early 2011, alleging that federal regulators knew for years that crib bumpers posed a suffocation hazard but failed to warn parents. This coverage pushed the Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC) to take a closer look at the safety of crib bumpers, and local governments also have started to act. On Sept. 8, 2011,Chicago became the first U.S city to ban the sale of crib bumpers, and on Sept. 28, 2011, Maryland became the first state to propose a ban an the sale of crib bumpers.

Why Many Parents Are Still Using Bumpers

Why are bumpers still so popular despite building evidence that they aren’t safe? For starters, many parents believe bumpers prevent injury from a baby’s head hitting the sides of a crib, or from limbs getting stuck in the slats. And indeed, bumpers were first conceived to cover the space between crib slats so babies couldn’t fall out or get their heads, arms or legs stuck between the bars. But regulations changed in the 1970s and now mandate less space (just 2 3/8 inches—about the width of a soda can) between slats, making bumpers more of an aesthetic choice than a safety necessity.

As to the question of safety,  Rachael Moon, MD, FAAP, of the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, chairperson of the AAP SIDS task force and lead author of the new guidelines, explains that young babies (for whom bumpers are designed, given that many carry a warning suggesting that they be removed from the crib once a baby can pull himself to standing) don’t have the muscle strength or coordination to fling themselves across the crib hard enough to really injure themselves. Additionally, she adds, while it is possible for a baby to get an arm or a leg stuck between crib slats, it’s virtually impossible to break a limb by doing so—which means that at most, the experience will be uncomfortable and upsetting, but not life-threatening, until a caregiver arrives to help.

Parents also buy bumpers because they think they’re supposed to, given that they’re sold in crib bedding sets, and because they just plain look good, explains Dr. Moon. And there’s little question that modern nurseries tend to look cozier or more “finished” with bumpers, but Dr. Moon added that if parents stop buying bumpers and manufacturers stop making them, perhaps attention will ultimately be focused on other ways of making a nursery look cute.

Bumper Alternatives: Are They Safe?

As an alternative to traditional crib bumpers, some parents have turned to breathable, mesh bumpers or other bumper alternatives, but Dr. Moon said that the AAP does not suggest that parents buy them. “We’re, right now, recommending nothing in the crib, because again, we don’t see the point of it. So, why have something in the crib if it’s not there for a reason?”

Will Retailers Follow Suit?

The AAP now recommends that infants sleep on their backs, alone in a crib on a firm mattress, without any soft objects or loose bedding, which could also be hazardous, ideally in a room shared with a parent. Really, all that’s necessary when it comes to baby bedding is a fitted sheet.

Despite the fact that the AAP warned that crib bumpers could pose a serious safety risk to infants as early as 2008, little has changed when it comes to what expectant parents can find in their local baby super store—in part because baby bedding is big business. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) says that at least $50 million worth of infant bedding sets that include bumpers are sold each year, as well as more than 200,000 bumper pad sets.

Unfortunately for parents, it can be confusing to see bumpers on display in stores, not to mention challenging to find crib bedding sold without bumpers, since bedding is often sold in four-piece sets, including a sheet, crib skirt, bumper, and quilt (which doesn’t belong in a safe sleep environment for an infant anyway). But it’s not impossible; Carousel Designs, for example, offers a la carte options for purchasing coordinating fitted crib sheets and crib skirts,  and retailers like Babies”R”Us and Buy Buy Baby, as well as web sites like Amazon.com, offer standalone fitted crib sheets.

Dr. Moon said that she hopes retailers will stop selling crib bumpers in response to the AAP’s updated guidelines. “The problem is that a lot of parents don’t understand that the Consumer Products Safety Commission is not a proactive agency; it’s a reactive agency. So, it only recalls things if there’s a problem. It doesn’t approve products before they go on the market. And a lot of parents have this perception that it stores sell it, it must be safe—because if it wasn’t safe, why would people sell it? And that’s clearly not true. I think that it’s important that parents realize that these things are not safe for their babies.”

In the meantime, we can only heighten the awareness of new parents. MbM plans to include this information in our “planning for baby” packet for new clients provided by our doulas at the initial visit.

Read more of the article at  http://www.parenting.com/article/sids-prevention?page=0,0

Spread the word and until next time,

Gerri

Gerri Levrini, RN, MSN, CNAA

President & Founder

Mother & baby Matters, Inc.

There are so many baby products on the market today, as well as items on sale at garage sales and Craig’s list, and items passed down from friends and family.  How can you know which items are safe and which are not?

First, if you purchase an item for use with your baby (i.e. a crib, stroller, carseat, high chair, etc) make sure you fill out and return the product registration card. These cards are used to alert the consumer when a recall is issued, not for further marketing calls or emails. It is very important to return these registration cards, as this is the only way the manufacturer knows who to contact in case of a recall.

Secondly, you can check on-line for a specific product before purchasing it to see if there has been a safety recall for that item. Here are two good references for you:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/child.html
This link is to a section of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website which lists recalls for products relating to children.

http://wemakeitsafer.com/
This link is to the We Make It Safer website. This website includes a listing of recent recalls, a “search” feature for you to input the name of the item to see if there is a recall, and a free newsletter that you can subscribe to. There is also a section called “Items I Own” – a place to input the products you own so that you can be made aware of recalls.  Items I OwnTM checks your items against the last ten years of CPSC recalls at once.

Until next time, be safe!

Gerri

We found that these recommendations were surprising, and certainly worth sharing.

http://www.washingtonparent.com/articles/1201/car-seats.php

Until next time,
Gerri

Puj tub
Bathing an infant has never been this easy!  The Puj Tub was designed to make bath time quick and easy. The tubs revolutionary design allows you to bathe your infant in any standard bathroom sink.
• No more leaning over the bathtub stressing your knees, neck, and back.
• No more lining the bathroom sink with sponges and wet towels
• No more wondering where you are going to store that awkward plastic bathtub you used to use.
• Hangs and stores flat
• Safe & easy to use for infants 0-6 months
• Anti-fungal, anti-bacterial
• Supports & cradles baby at comfortable height for mom
• Revolutionary patent pending design
• Warm soft foam comforts baby
• Hypoallergenic
• Non-toxic
• Fits both pedestal and countertop sinks
• Works great even in very small bathrooms
Patent Pending design allows for easy set up, bathing, clean-up, and storage.
The Puj Tub simplifies your job as a parent allowing you more time with your precious bundle of joy!

Bath Luv
bathluve.com

Bath Luvē lays on the shoulders and goes around the neck, covering a baby’s chest, stomach and private area while allowing the arms and legs to move unobstructed. As one doctor who saw this said, “It’s brought the womb back to the bath, the crying stops and bathing time is a really special time.” Once the infant is older, it can be turned into a bath cape to keep the shoulders warm.

Just submerge Bath Luvē in water and drape over your infant. The natural design completely covers the baby’s torso and stays put to keep them feeling warm and secure. The premium, soft touch fabrics snuggle baby and are gentle on newborn’s skin.

Made from 100% cotton in three adorable designs (Duck, Fish & Frog).

Happy bathing!
Gerri

Swaddling helps the newborn feel secure and comfortable. Swaddling can also be soothing during fussy periods when the baby is experiencing colic and helps if baby is easily startled, has trouble sleeping, or seems distressed for no reason. Your baby can be swaddled up to about four months, and even longer, depending on how much the baby likes to be swaddled.  Newborns especially like to be swaddled for the first few months, because they are used to being “snug as a bug” in the confined space of the womb.

An American Academy of Pediatrics news brief dated 12/3/02 states the following:

The article, “Spontaneous Arousals in Supine Infants While Swaddled and Unswaddled During Rapid Eye Movement and Quiet Sleep” finds that infants sleep longer when swaddled. It also found that safe swaddling – where hip or chest movement is restricted and breaking free is limited – may help parents keep infants on their backs when sleeping. Keeping infants on their back to sleep reduces the risks associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The authors note that the Back to Sleep campaign, with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation of placing infants on their backs to sleep, has reduced SIDS deaths by nearly 50 percent since it was introduced.

Some hospitals and/or pediatricians are advising new parents against swaddling. This may be due to a possible risk associated with SIDS. Wrapping the blanket too tight may lead to suffocation and wrapping the blanket too loose can cause the blanket to come undone and suffocate the baby.    A swaddle blanket like the Miracle Blanket uses design technology that addresses these issues and is a better choice than a receiving blanket – even “Baby Houdini” will not be able to squirm out of it!  The American Academy of Pediatrics has not made a position statement or recommendation against swaddling.

Mother and baby Matters’ staff are able to keep parents informed of these risk factors and instruct the parents on the proper procedure for swaddling.

Visit our Mothers’ Market for more information regarding the Miracle Blanket, or to purchase one for yourself or a loved one.  http://www.motherandbabymatters.com/products.html

Until next time,

Gerri