New Study Reveals that Bedtime Battles May Lead to Behavior Issues

   


  Bedtime─ For many families, it’s almost like playing a constant game of tug-of-war.  Player number one in this ultimate battle of wills is a stubborn, yet adorable little girl who thinks that your bed is far better than her Cinderella bed, and refuses to go to sleep.  Player number two, an exhausted mom or dad who is about ready to throw in the towel and seek refuge in the comfy pink ruffles of an uncomfortable toddler bed.  This ongoing struggle with maintaining a steady bedtime may leave your little one (and, let’s face it, you too!) feeling tired and cranky during the day.  These patterns of inconsistencies at bedtime, according to the results of a new study published in the November edition of the medical journal Pediatrics, has the potential to lead your little ones down a road towards behavioral issues.   

     Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study, with bedtime data collected with children who were three, five and seven years old, respectively, as well as reviewed reports from the children’s mothers and teachers regarding behavioral issues.  The researchers found a distinct pattern as the children moved through their early childhood years without a regular bedtime in place, their behavioral scores deteriorated. However, children who were observed to have switched to a regular bedtime pattern showed remarkable improvements in their behavior.   The researchers, led by lead author, Yvonne Kelly, professor of lifecourse epidemiology at University College London, concluded that as the study shows that the effects of inconsistent bedtimes are reversible, pediatric specialists should attempt to inquire about their young patients sleep disruptions as a routine part of a well-child visit.

Pink Power Mom Program Looking for Nominating Submissions

In 2006, Kids II® , the developers of such leading infant product brands including Bright Starts, Taggies and Disney Baby Einstein created, The Pink Power Mom Program, to help join the fight against breast cancer through spotlighting and supporting eight women annually across the nation who have fought back against the disease and are now working to give back to others through charitable work in their local communities.  These Pink Power Moms are selected due to the inspiration that they give their families, friends and others battling breast cancer as well as for their resilient spirits and perseverance in the face of adversity.
      Each of the eight women selected as a Pink Power Mom receives $5,000 towards the breast cancer charity of her choice, as well as a weekend that will include an educational forum to bond and learn  how to enhance their community efforts.  Each winner also receives a legacy donation of $1,000 each year for the next four years.  Submissions are currently open and will be accepted through Sunday, June 30, 2013.  To nominate a deserving Pink Power Mom, please visit the following website:  www.pinkpowermom.com

American Academy of Pediatrics Announces Annual Art Contest for Children in Grades 3 through 12

 Calling all young artists everywhere!  Although school may be out for summer for many children across our nation, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is putting out a call for little ones to pick up their crayons, colored pencils and brushes to submit creations for their annual art contest.  The theme for this year's contest is, "A World Free from Tobacco and Secondhand Smoke" and children in grades 3 through 12 are invited to send in their original artwork for submission.  First-place winners in several age categories will receive a $500 cash prize and up to $1,000 in travel expenses for a trip to Orlando, Florida.  Entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2013.  For more information, please visit http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Launches-Childrens-Art-Contest.aspx

Thunderphobia---Tips on Helping Children Face Their Fears of the Weather

    Thunderphobia---or the fear of violent storms that are often accompanied by lightning, thunder, heavy rain, powerful winds and even tornado warnings (which, sadly, we've all seen so often across our country these days)--can be stressful for anyone, but severe weather can trigger much more anxiety among children.  Worries about the weather can lead to poor concentration in school; while for other children, they must routinely check the weather forecast on television prior to regularly leaving their home. 
     With anxiety disorders being one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health problems in children, experts led by Stephen Whiteside, PhD., affiliated with the Mayo Clinic Children's Center are helping to shine a spotlight on helping young children and teens to conquer their weather-related fears with some of the following tips:

*Tell children things like thunder won't hurt them.  Explain to them that storms are a normal, natural occurrence of nature. Some children may, at first, seem afraid of storms, but they are really interested in learning more about them.

*Help children face their fears of storms by reading about them, or watching videos of storms.

*Be calm and supportive.  This step is vital, as, according to Whiteside, "if you get anxious or seem frustrated, that's just going to make things worse.  Try to stay calm and help your child to gradually face their fears in a step-by-step fashion."

Immunity Against Pertussis Disappearing After Vaccine Dosage Completed?

   

      It's difficult to diagnose.  It's potentially lethal, and it's spreading.  An infectious disease that, until the introduction of the vaccine, was once the leading cause of childhood illness and death during the first half of the 20th century, is back---despite the high rates of children receiving the vaccine to prevent against the disease.
       Pertussis (more commonly referred to as Whooping Cough) is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis (or B. pertussis).  When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ-laden droplets are sprayed into the air and breathed into the lungs by anyone who happens to be nearby.  Once inside a person's airways, the bacteria multiply and produce toxins that interfere with the respiratory tract.  The bacteria causes inflammation that narrows the breathing tubes in the lungs, causing uncontrollable coughing.
      When a person becomes infected with pertussis, it takes an estimated three to 12 days for signs and symptoms of the disease to occur.  The symptoms are usually mild at first, and may resemble the symptoms of the common cold.  They can include:

*Runny nose
*Nasal congestion
*Red, watery eyes
*Mild fever
*Dry cough

     After a week or two, the signs and symptoms will become worse.  However, if pertussis is diagnosed early, it can be treated with antibiotics. 
     Before a vaccine was available, pertussis claimed the lives of between 5,000 and 10,000 people in the United States each year.  The first vaccine was developed in the 1930s and became widely used in the 1940s.  According to the March of Dimes, a new vaccine called Tdap was introduced in the early 1990s.  But, despite widespread vaccination, there seems to be an unfortunate incidence where immunity is waning.  A study published in the April 2013 edition of the medical journal Pediatrics  set out to determine how long immunity to pertussis lasts after children receive their fifth dosage of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTap) vaccine between the ages of four to six years-old.  Joint researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the public health offices in Oregon and Minnesota tracked the immunization records of children in both states and compared them with pertussis data.  Their results were startling, as researchers unveiled an increase in the incidence of pertussis in children in the six years after receiving their fifth dose of DTaP, and the incidence of the disease in children aged 7 to 10 years old in Minnesota increased more than sixfold from 2007 to 2010. 
     This study reveals that when matched with similar recent studies, immunity  begins to disappear after vaccination, which according to the researchers, "helps to explain the growing incidence of pertussis in 7 to 10 year-olds who previously had a low risk of disease, presumably due to vaccination with whole-cell vaccines rather than the acellular pertussis vaccine now in use."
     The authors maintain that while new vaccines will be introduced in the future, it's, "important to maintain high immunization rates with existing vaccines to protect vulnerable populations as more disease is circulating in the community."
    

Too Much of a Good Thing Too Soon--- Alarming New Trend in Introducing Solid Food Before Baby May Be Ready

 

 

 

     As your little one grows, introducing a new, wide variety of healthy foods at the proper time is so important for your baby's growth and development.  Starting good eating habits at this early stage will help to set healthy eating habits in your baby for life.  Normally, pediatricians recommend the introduction of solid foods when your baby is between the ages of four to six months-old.  Typical signs to be on the lookout for that your baby may be ready to move onto solid foods can include some of the following:

* He/She can sit up with your support and can hold his/her neck up well.
*Her/His weight from birth has doubled.
*She/He can keep food in their mouth rather than letting it dribble out of his/her mouth.

      However, a new study published in the March 25th online edition of the medical journal Pediatrics, has revealed that many moms are introducing their babies to solid foods earlier than recommended.  Researchers examined data taken from an estimated 1, 300 mothers who decided to introduce solid food to their infants during the first year, as well as collected their reasoning's as to why they introduced solid food.  According to the study, 40.4 percent of moms started their babies on solid foods before they turned four months-old, with the highest percentage found among formula-fed infants (52.7 percent).  The lowest percentage was found in breast-fed infants (24.3) percent. 
     Additionally, while the study's researchers mentioned that they were many factors that influenced a mother's belief about infant feeding--mothers who introduced sold food earlier than recommended were found to be more likely to, "be younger, unmarried, have a lower level of education, or be participating in the WIC (Woman, Infants and Children) program." 
     Pediatricians across the country are noticeably concerned over this new trend, as the researchers note that, "babies bodies are not yet prepared for these foods, and early introduction may increase the risk of some chronic diseases.  It can also mean that the many benefits of breastfeeding are cut short."
      Modest Momma lies on the side of caution--- always follow the advice of your baby's pediatrician before you try to introduce solids to your little ones! :

Simple Ways to Keep Your Hands Looking Healthy

     Although your face is probably the most important feature in determining your age, your hands come in a close second.  It is almost impossible for anyone to go through their day without using their hands.  From washing, driving, writing, gardening─ our hands are one of our most used body parts.  As with anything that is used on a frequent basis, the delicate skin on our hands tends to give off very visible signs of aging and distress.  Stop for a moment to take a good look at your hands?  Do they look or feel dry?  Is the skin thin, wrinkled, spotty or veiny? How can we at least attempt to offset the effects of stress and aging on our hands?  Fear not, as there are several simple ways to keep your hands looking radiant, youthful and healthy.

●Exfoliate and moisturize!─ As our hands build up layers of dead, flaky skin, the addition of an exfoliating cream in your daily skin care routine will gently slough off dead skin cells, and go a long way to keep the skin on your hands looking vibrant. There are several worthwhile products on the market that will go a long way to help keep the skin on your hands looking vibrant.  I have recently had the privilege of trying two very excellent products, each separately for a four week period to see how well they worked, and the results from both of these products were remarkable.

     Moroccanoil Hand Cream─ Filled with antioxidant rich argan oil, containing essential fatty acids and natural tocopherols (Vitamin E), Moroccanoil Hand Cream assists in hydrating and nourishing your hands.  As a librarian, my regular hand washing habit has wreaked havoc on my hands, leaving them red, chapped and raw.  I found that after using this product for a whole month, the cream quickly disappeared into my skin, without leaving a heavy oily feeling. Moroccanoil Hand Cream is available at Bluemercury and luxury spas nationwide.  For further information about the Moroccanoil line of products, please visit their website at: http://www.moroccanoil.com/usa/b_us_en/

     While it is marketed specifically for the hands, Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream  works just as well on your face (at first, I was a bit hesitant, as I have long suffered from very sensitive skin on my face) and body.  Its size made it extremely portable, and fit easily in my purse where I used it throughout the day at school.  After four weeks of usage, this product always left my hands feeling soft and supple, without a greasy residue.  I also greatly appreciated the fact that it is not highly fragrant, and it has a good thickness but does not make your skin feel heavy in any way. Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream is available at Target and Wal-Mart’s nationwide, and for further information about Gold Bond Ultimate’s line of skin care products, please visit their website at: http://www.goldbondultimate.com/home.html

●Plant an herb garden─ Herbs have long been valued not only for their benefits when taken internally, but also for their healing and beautifying properties when used externally. For example, Lavender’s natural healing properties assist in relieving red, dry and inflamed hands.

●Don’t forget your sunscreen! ─ Sun damage causes hands to develop those dreaded age spots.  So, it’s important to remember that after you’ve finished applying sun block to your face and other extremities, don’t forget to apply some to your hands if you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time.

Prematurity Awareness Month--Tips for Mommas-to-Be

     Along with all of the joy and anticipation that pregnancy brings, come several unknowns and quite a few worries. First time moms and seasoned pros alike share a common concern─ preterm labor.  Sadly, this concern is well-founded according to the March of Dimes, as nearly half a million babies are born too soon in the United States each year.  Our countries premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years.  This month is National Prematurity Awareness Month, and according to Dennis Costakos, M.D., a neonatologist at the Mayo Clinic Health system in La Crosse, Wisconsin, “one-third of the time, a preterm birth is due to infection, such as membranes rupturing.  Another third of the time, it is due to a medical condition such as preeclampsia or high blood pressure.  Other factors that can raise your risk of preterm labor also may include the following:

●Maternal age─ risk increases if you are younger than 17 and older than 35.

●Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy, or gaining either too little or too much during pregnancy.

●Chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

●Certain problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta.

●Past history of miscarriage and/or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.

 

     To lower your risk of developing preterm labor, Dr. Costakos stresses the importance of prenatal care.  “Also, women should avoid smoking, and stay off of their feet as much as possible,” he states.  “A pregnant woman shouldn’t be on her feet for more than 10 hours a day.”

The Gluten-Free Cookbook─What to Eat & What to Cook on a Gluten-Free

     In the fall of 1997, I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thankfully, over the past five years, my IBS flare ups have become few and far between, with credit to following a gluten-free diet.  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with what exactly gluten is, it is a protein composite that is commonly found in the following types of grains:

●Barley

●Rye

●Wheat

     Gluten is present in numerous foods that we eat on a daily basis.  These types of foods include cereals, breads and other baked goods, and gluten is frequently used as a food additive for a wide variety of products.

     Although, thankfully, I am the only member of my family with a sensitivity to gluten, and while I have had to learn to be creative in the kitchen to cater to everyone’s taste buds, sufficient to say that my family has learned to enjoy a wide variety of foods that they wouldn’t have necessarily had an opportunity to taste had it not been for my condition.  We are always on the lookout for new recipes to try, and when the kind folks at DK Publishing sent over The Gluten-Free Cookbook─What to Eat & What to Cook on a Gluten-Free Diet by nutritional consultant and UK-based author Fiona Hunter, we not only jumped at the chance to have the opportunity to review the book but looked forward to adding some new and delicious foods.

     Featuring colorful photographs throughout, this cookbook is chock full of informative advice on learning how to find hidden gluten in food products, helpful Q&A’s ,and nutritional breakdowns on the gluten-containing products, needless to say, The Gluten-Free Cookbook did not disappoint.  I appreciated the fact that the recipe pages were marked with notes that labeled the recipe as “Great for Kids” and the statistics of each serving (including the amounts of Protein, Fiber, Carbohydrate and Saturated Fats).  

      My family and I look forward to eating our way through the entire book!

 

***Note: Before you decide to place yourself on a form of a restricted diet; seek out professional advice from your physician.

 

The Gluten-Free Cookbook─ What to Eat & What to Cook on a Gluten-Free Diet

Author:  Fiona Hunter

Publisher:  DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley Limited)

ISBN:  978-0-7566-8216-3

Retails:  $25.00

Website: www.dk.com

 

American Academy of Pediatrics Sponsoring Children's Art Contest

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is sending a call out to all budding young artists in grades 3 to 12 to submit artwork that promotes this year’s AAP theme, “A Healthy Start to Your Day”.  This contest is open to boys and girls in three groups, grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Group winners and their parents and/or guardians will be invited to attend a presentation ceremony before several thousand pediatricians at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

This contest is open to children in the US and abroad, as, each first-place winner US will receive a $500 cash prize and up to $1,000 for travel-related expenses. The three second-place winners will each receive $250. For the single international award, the contest is open to children ages 13-18. The winner will receive a USD 500 cash prize with a matching amount for the school or home school. For this international category only, entries may instead be submitted by email to artcontest@aap.org.The six winners’ schools will be awarded matching cash amounts. Some artwork will be featured on the AAP website and in promotional materials.

To enter, children in the USA should send original artwork to: Children’s Art Contest, American Academy of Pediatrics, 141, Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Entry forms and consent forms must accompany all entries and are available online at http://www.aap.org along with official rules and regulations. Entries must be postmarked by Monday, Aug. 13, 2012. Winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges including pediatricians, and announced in the summer.

Good luck, and start drawing!!!

Having a Pet Can Keep Your Little One's Chance of Colds Away

     Early childhood development experts have long believed that children should have some kind of exposure to animals.  Gail F. Melson, PhD, professor emeritus of developmental studies at Purdue University, in Indiana, and the author of Why the Wild Things Are: Animals in the Lives of Children, explains that between 4 in 10 children start their life in a family that has animals, and as many as 90 percent of all children live with a pet at some point during their youth.

     Adopting a pet has numerous advantages for families, and the results of a recent study reveal that a family pet can help keep babies healthier.  The study, entitled, Respiratory Tract Illnesses During the First Year of Life:  Effect of Dog and Cat Contacts”, published in the current online edition of the medical journal Pediatrics, reveals that of the 397 children followed in Finland from pregnancy to 1 year whose families had either a dog or cat (or where around dogs and cats throughout their first year of life), were reported to be healthier and experience fewer respiratory infections than children without contact to domesticated animals. Researchers found that even though respiratory infections and infectious symptoms are frequent during the first year of a child’s life, children with early dog contact seem to have fewer respiratory infectious symptoms and diseases, especially ear infections, and needed a shorter course of antibiotics. Cat ownership also showed a protective effect on infants, but not as strong as dogs. The researchers concluded that animal contact may have an influence on the maturity of an infant’s immune system, which can lead to a shorter time period of infections, and help a child develop better resistance to respiratory infections during their childhood.

       If your family is looking to adopt a pet, please visit the following websites for further information:

http://www.aspca.org/

http://www.petfinder.com/index.html

http://www.animalleague.org/

Lack of Vigilance Potential Cause of Allergic Reactions from Food Allergies in Children

     As many as 15 million adults and children in the United States suffer from food allergies. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network explains that a food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein.  The ingestion of the offending food may trigger the sudden release of chemicals resulting in the symptoms of an allergic reaction.  Symptoms may only be mild (rashes, hives, itching and swelling) or extremely severe (trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.). The results of a recent study have shed further light that the accidental injection of avoided foods can cause dangerous and potentially life-threating allergic reactions in young children.

     The study, “Allergic Reactions to Foods in Preschool-Aged Children in a Prospective Observational Food Allergy Study,” published in the July 2012 edition of the medical journal Pediatrics (published reveals that of  512 infants studied who were either diagnosed with or at risk for having an allergy to milk or egg, there was a high rate of allergic reactions attributable to problems such as a lack of vigilance in checking ingredients and supervising children, and errors in reading ingredient labels and in preparing foods safely, For example, the non-accidental exposures of milk, egg, and peanuts accounted for 11% of all reactions; and almost half of the allergic reactions were due to food not given by parents, emphasizing the need to provide education to all caretakers, including other relatives and teachers. In addition, only 30 percent of reactions with severe symptoms were treated with epinephrine, and the researchers conclude that improved education on what symptoms warrant treatment with epinephrine, reassurance for caretakers about the safety of administering epinephrine, and teaching its proper use are necessary to prevent these potentially life-threatening reactions in children.

So, what can you do?

●Embrace your multiple roles as parent, advocate and educator. Because food allergies are so misunderstood by the general public, part of your job  will entails educating [others] about what a food allergy is and is not, and the seriousness of food allergies and allergic reactions in your child(ren).

●Keep in mind that while you as well as others around you, understand your child’s food allergies, you will have to engage others attention with educational tools, preventative measures and medications to get them to help you.

●Here’s a tip to also keep in mind─ when you have to speak to people about accommodating your child’s allergies, keep in mind that if you describe their allergy and what needs to be done really simply, you will succeed!