October 28, 2011
Filed under: Baby health — Alan @ 2:32 pm
The leading provider in the UK of clinically effective orthotics and prosthetics services, RSLSteeper, has launched their new Steeper Clinic. Located in Kingston upon Thames, this latest clinic is being dedicated to treating babies who are suffering from such head shape abnormalities as deformational plagiocephaly , or flat head syndrome.
The new clinic will now doubt follow on the great success of the Leeds Steeper Clinic, which has successfully treated hundreds of babies in the North of England since it opened in November last year. Steeper clinics offer parents a free consultation with no obligation and they have highly experienced teak of paediatric orthotists that are both HPC registered and CRB checked.
As well as advice and diagnoses, the clinics provide complete treatment services for the condition, which includes using repositioning techniques such as tummy time, as well as using the helmets known as Starband cranial remoulding orthoses.
Kate Chauhan is one of the clinical specialist Orthotists at the Steeper Clinic and she says that flat head syndrome is becoming increasingly common across the UK, and at present, the NHS doesn’t find treatment for this condition as they see it as cosmetic. This is despite the growing evidence a baby suffering from plagiocephaly has increased risks of developing later in life associated problems.
“At Steeper Clinic, we can offer advice as tothe best course of treatment for your baby, which depends on the severity ofthe condition.
“Treatments can range from the use of “tummy time” and repositioning techniques for younger babies and mild instances of the condition, to cranial remoulding orthoses, which significantly improves the shape of heads in babies who suffer from moderate to severe deformational plagiocephaly.”
STARband is the world’s leading orthotic treatment for deformational plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) in babies aged between 4 and 18 months. Over 125,000 babies have been successfully treatedusing STARband worldwide.
For further information on Steeper Clinic, deformational plagiocephaly and head shape abnormalities, visit www.steeperclinic.com. The website includes a range of helpful guides for parents, in addition to information about STARband and RSLSteeper.
Filed under: Uncategorized — Alan @ 7:15 am
Four days after a devastating earthquake separated a two week old child and her mother Semiha Karaduman was reunited with her 16 day old child Azra who made national headlines after she was found in the rubble of a building in Ercis after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the region.
At the time they were both taken to the hospital where they were treated before they were allowed to see each other again. The rescue of the pair has become a shining silver of hope for those who are still hoping to find their loved ones alive after the devastating earthquake.
The priority in Turkey this week has been on finding shelter for the thousands of families who are now homeless and the chances have become very slim that there will be any more survivors found. Since the earthquake originally struck the death toll has increased up to 532 from the original reports of 80 some and the injury toll is up to 1,650.
The Sunday earthquake was the largest in over a decade with more than 600,000 estimated to have been affected by the earthquake in some form. Snow and rain that occurred overnight diminished the hopes that more survivors would be found.
October 18, 2011
Filed under: Uncategorized — Alan @ 2:58 am
One of the hardest things about being a new parent is the sleepless nights and troubled days when your baby cannot get off to sleep easily. Sometimes it can seem as though there is nothing that will put your new arrival to bed. This is something that will wear on new parents and quickly become a source of immense frustration. This article is going to look at a few ways to help your baby drift off to sleep.
One of the most important things is to ensure that your baby is relaxed. Trying to force a baby to sleep will only serve to stress them out and make the situation worse. Do not panic if your baby is not sleeping, they will fall asleep when they need to but there are some ways to speed up how fast they drift off.
Parents will often find the babies initially sleep better with the parents or in the pushchair. This is a problem because you actually want the baby to sleep in their cot. A good idea is to let the baby fall asleep in the pushchair and once they have done that move them to the cot. It is important that you sleep without your baby so they get used to not having you present.
A routine is essential for a baby, and sleep is no exception. Make sure that you put your baby to sleep at the same time every night and try to ensure that the nap time in the day is at a regular time. Doing activities before bed such as singing lullabies or taking a bath will let your baby know that it is almost bedtime.
A good night’s sleep is more likely to be achieved by happy babies. Having a good caregiver to nurture the baby will make them feel secure and happy. This is vital for babies sleep and also their well-being. A baby sling is a good way to engage with a baby and will also mean that during the daytime they stay relaxed.
One of the main reasons the babies wake up in the night is because they are hungry. Make sure that they eat enough during the day and remember that they burn a lot of the energy while they are playing. A baby that goes to bed full is less likely to wake up in the night and complain and cry about being hungry. A warm bottle of milk will also help your baby drift off to sleep at night.
Both light and sound paly an important part of the babies rest. Ensure that the room your baby sleeps in has good curtains so they block out all light, otherwise your baby will wake up as soon as the sun rises. Many babies are disturbed by noise so try to make room as quiet as possible. On the other hand repetitive noises can be very soothing for a baby and help them go off to sleep. Consider buying a CD with natural sounds, or recording yourself singing lullabies.
October 12, 2011
Filed under: Baby health — Alan @ 5:11 am
Baby feeding bottles that are made out of glass have remained as important as their plastic counterparts, largely because they are completely chemical free. Using a glass bottle is essential during a baby’s first year, they might be a hassle, as obviously they are more breakable than the plastic kind, but the benefits derived from having a chemical free first year for your baby a very important. Here are some of the best glass bottles that are available.
The internal vent system seen on Dr Browns glass bottles is a unique aspect of this bottle manufacturer. The sizes are standard across the range so you could easily replace components without having to replace the entire bottle. These bottles can also be used with a dishwasher rack, drying rack, and a microwave steriliser.
The Born Free wide neck Glass Bottle is a great choice for babies who suffer from colic. The bottle is specially designed so it is very easy for the baby to feed on and this can reduce the symptoms of the condition. The wide neck of the bottle means that it is easy to clean and these bottles can be used until your baby is a toddler.
Evenflo is a company that is known for reducing chemicals in its plastic bottle offerings. Their glass bottles are also known for being completely chemical free. They also have teats and nipples that are very easy for a baby to feed from and help to reduce the amount of gas and baby takes in with the milk.
The glass feeding bottle, Momo Baby is another great choice if your baby suffers colic. It is also very strong and fully transparent, there is a lid which keeps the nipple clean and secure. As with many of the other bottles listed here it is dishwasher safe and capable of being sterilised in a microwave.
The company that is producing the lightest bottle on the market is Coddlelife. It is also known for being easy to sterilise due to its high heat resistance. The nipples on the bottle are also known for their ability to mimic breastfeeding expertly.
Ava and Ashley are the company behind NurturePure bottles. This is another great choice if you’re looking for a chemical free glass bottle. This brand also make all of the nipples allergen free to prevent any problems. They also come with a lid where baby formula can be stored and this bottle is also completely leak-proof.
Finding the right bottle for your baby can be a long and tiring process. This is complicated by the fact that the bottle you might want for your baby is not one they enjoy using. While it is important to find something that the baby will find feeding off easy, it is also essential that you choose a high-quality bottle that is chemical free. Obviously a broken glass bottle can be very dangerous for a baby so do not buy a low quality product.
October 10, 2011
Filed under: Baby public health — Alan @ 9:40 pm
Later this month a new baby clinic is set to open in Yorkshire, this is the first of its kind in the North of England. The clinic is located at for Good Health centre, in Leeds. This private clinic is run by the organisation Milk Matters, which focuses on the solving of parenting problems early on; such as helping parents whose children have sleeping or feeding problems.
Milk Matters is run by Charlotte Young who is from Halifax. She has been working to help young mothers since 2003. Charlotte also hosts and writes for Analytical Armadillo, which is a popular blog focusing on parenting.
Charlotte has commented, “the clinic is a place where parents can come to when they have run out of patience, babies who are suffering from sleep disturbances, colic, reflux, or feeding problems can cause parents a great deal of stress.
“When parents come to us we try and assess all of the factors that have contributed to their distressed state. We look at the mother, the birth, and the baby. Going through this process helps us to understand and identify the problem so we can better treat the symptoms. When treating babies, our skilled diagnosis process have meant parents have enjoyed results which are taken effect overnight.”
The clinic will be open to anyone who has problems from birth to one year, whether they are breast or bottle fed. It is the natural progression for Charlotte, who has spent seven years helping babies via home visits, helplines and online.
Charlotte is a certified breastfeeding counsellor who has undertaken extensive further training to specialise, and will be joined at the clinic by other practitioners if the case demands. This includes Independent Lactation Consultant Ann Dobson, a well-known specialist in treating tongue tie.
Lucie Biddle , 32, from Liversedge, is just one of the mums helped by Milk Matters. Lucie said: “Louie is my third child and he was seven months old when I contacted Milk Matters back in July.
“He was not only a very frequent feeder but would also get very distressed. He would wriggle, squirm, writhe, arch his back and fight me until finally becoming so distressed and hysterical that I had to stop feeding and cuddle him until he calmed down.
“He would be sick so much after each feed that I had to cover us both with a bath towel. But because he was gaining weight, the health visitor and doctor didn’t seem concerned; he prescribed Gaviscon for reflux and we were sent on our way.
“He was never settled, crying so hard while trying to feed that he often stopped breathing for a moment. He never slept for more than a couple of hours at a time and would have several screaming fits each night.
“After trying an osteopath, raising the mattress and all the usual tips given for reflux, I turned in desperation to the internet and found an article by Milk Matters. I contacted Charlotte on a Friday and she came over the same day; even though it was a bank holiday, Charlotte booked us in for a further appointment on the Monday.
“The affect on Louis was instant. He slept twelve hours that night and is now sleeping well during the day. We have no hysterical screaming fits at all. I can’t believe how we managed for so long.”
www.milkmatters.org.uk
October 8, 2011
Filed under: Names — Alan @ 7:41 am
YourBabyDomainName.com is a website which allows parents to buy a web address in the name of their child. The website has conducted a survey that is found nearly 10% of parents later regret the name that they have chosen for their baby. Half of those who regret the name choice and said they chose the name because it was in fashion at the time.
The survey involved over 1200 parents and hoped to uncover the thought processes that parents went through when choosing a name for their child. The study by www.YourBabyDomainName.com also asked parents who regretted the first name the chose for their child why this was so. Other than it being fashionable, parents said they now regret the choice because they name they chose has become very popular, and they were hoping for a unique name for their child.
The respondents to the study were also asked how long it took them to choose their child/children’s name/s, to which two fifths, 41%, said that they had decided upon a name ‘before the child was born’; whilst 6% cited that it took them ‘over a week’ after the birth of their child to choose a first name.
In addition to this, one respondent taking part in the study claimed that it had taken them ‘over three months’ to choose a name for their child.
Wayne Bloore, Managing Director at YourBabyDomainName.com, said the following:
“This was extremely interesting research to conduct, as it allowed us to investigate the importance that a child’s name holds with parents. It is a relief to see that the amount of parents that do feel regretful isn’t too large, although having said that, it is sad that there are some parents who feel that the names they gave to their children are now common and perhaps don’t hold such a special meaning.”
He continued,
“The aim of our website is to allow children to own their name online, not only to create a website dedicated to them for parents to share with friends and family; but for the child to use for whatever they wish when they grow up. We hope that this will allow parents and children to feel a sense of pride in their name; after all, the world is moving online and this website is a great modern take on the traditional baby-book.”
October 6, 2011
Filed under: baby development — Alan @ 9:07 am
The third trimester
Despite what you may believe pregnancy lasts for ten lunar months, not nine regular months, 40 weeks divided by 4 = 10
In the last segment of pregnancy the foetus matures fully and the body of the expectant mother prepares for the birth. For women, this section can be unpleasant again mainly because of the extra weight, especially in the summer. Through intensive medical care if a child was born prematurely at this point, survival is quite possible.
Seventh Month
Pregnancy Week 25-28: Opening of the eyelids
In pregnant women, there is an accumulation of water in the arms and legs due to the high replacement demand which increases the fresh amniotic fluid. The spreading uterus presses on the digestive system and lungs, which results in shortness of breath and the risk of haemorrhoids. The increased weight in the last trimester can cause back and foot pain and colostrum discharges from the breasts.
Toward the end of the month, the eyelids of the foetus are open again. He now measures about 35 inches and weighs about 1,000g. From about the 23rd week the premature birth of a child has a tiny chance outside the womb with high intensive efforts.
The survival chances in the 25th week are approximately 32 to 43%, in the 28th week it jumps to 79%. The earlier the child is born, the greater the risk of permanent health damage. Before the end of the 25th week the survival rate is 50%.
Eighth Month
Pregnancy Week 29-32: First practice contractions
The first painless contractions (also called lightening, Braxton Hicks contractions), or preparation labour contractions can occur. The belly hardens by rhythmic contractions of the uterus. You may now also have a weak bladder sphincter that can be alleviated by appropriate training of the sphincter.
The growing uterus also displaces the other abdominal organs. Disturbed by the pH of the vaginal mucosa, it may lead to bacterial infections or fungal infections. Except for the lungs, all organs of the growing child are almost fully developed. At the end of the month, it measures about 40 inches and weighs 1700 to 2000g.
Ninth month
Pregnancy Week 33-36: Reduce child
The pregnant woman has increased in weight approximately 10-12kg. Toward the end of the 36th week, the baby’s head enters into the pelvis and the uterus descends down a bit. Breathing gets a bit easier due to the lower position away from the lungs. Often, sleep disorders now occur.
From the 35th week lung maturation is complete. Most unborn children (92-93%) are now in the correct birth position with the head down. Up to 37 weeks the child can still turn a breech position to a cephalic presentation. Movements are restricted. Toward the end of the month it is about 45 inches tall and weighs 2800g.
Tenth Month
Pregnancy Week 37-40: birth is imminent
The average weight gain of the expectant mother during pregnancy is about 10-15kg. The weight has stagnated for many pregnant women shortly before birth and may even slightly decrease. Braxton Hicks contractions may occur more frequently. In recent weeks, the child has been rapidly increasing in weight.
The placenta takes on antibodies from the bloodstream of the mother. The baby at birth is approximately 48cm to 54cm and weighs about 2800g to 4000g. The diameter of the head is between 95mm and 105mm.
October 5, 2011
Filed under: baby development — Alan @ 7:37 am
Ignore pressure from your mother-in-law! Digest the facts in Weaning Made Easy and make your own decisions to suit you, your family and, most importantly, your baby.
Dr Rana Conway who has authored the book Weaning Made Easy, which is due to be published this November has commented, “Weaning is a part of a baby growing up that is something that parents should look forward to and be excited about, but for those who are going through it for the first time it can be quite a daunting task.”
Many parents might feel like the messages that they are getting from different people and bodies conflict and this can be very confusing. It can be a daunting process having to decide what to wean your baby onto as there is so much advice about which are the best products.
This is only one part and parents will wonder how the go through the actual weaning process itself. The book that has been created by Dr Conway gives advice that does not conflict and tells you how best to go about the weaning process and the advantages and disadvantages of certain foods. Weaning a baby can be a challenge but with a little help one that can be accomplished.
Why do we have to choose baby led weaning OR purées? Why can’t we do a bit of both? Or choose the option that most suits our lifestyles and our babies?
Owning a copy of Weaning Made Easy is like discovering a reliable, honest, qualified, well-versed and approachable new friend at a particularly tricky stage of early parenthood. The book also contains quotes from parents who have been through the weaning process (and come out the other side) so you can read their best and worst practice stories too.
Dr Rana Conway, a registered public health nutritionist and member of the Nutrition Society decided it was time to write a book that provides an honest and realistic approach to weaning, based on her professional and personal experiences (Rana has three children) over the past two decades. Weaning Made Easy enables Mums and Dads to make their own decisions and take their personal path to weaning after digesting the evidence, insights and advice from both sides of the fence.
Rather than siding with one particular approach, this book gives parents the tools to make their own, more informed, choices.
The book contains:
√ Lists of foods to try and avoid in the first 12 months including advice on buying organic and in season.
√ Five-day meal plans and recipes for each stage of weaning.
√ Recipes for purées, fingers foods and family meals.
√ Tips that are realistic and actionable every step of the way e.g. ‘If you’re concerned about offering any particular new foods, then do it in the afternoon rather than in the evening, especially if you have a family history of allergies. This way, it is easier to see how your baby reacts and to get medical help or advice if you need it.’
Divided into three parts, the first deals with the ‘when’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ basics of weaning. ‘Armed with the facts, you can work out which method suits your baby best. We’ll also discover how a mixed approach can work, and may be what’s right for your baby.’
Part two runs through the different stages of weaning from the early days (four to six months) through to the toddler years, when hopefully the little one will be eating the same meals as the rest of the family (cutting down on the washing up).
Part three tackles common problems including fussy eating, allergies, reflux, constipation and anaemia. There is also a chapter on tackling weaning for babies who were born prematurely, and another addressing vegetarianism.
This section answers the questions you’ll hear asked by Mums and Dads at playgroups and coffee mornings across the country:
‘Can I give my baby puddings?’
‘How much milk should they be having (breast/formula) when eating three meals a day?’
‘Do I need to worry about how many portions of fruit and vegetables my five month old is getting each day?’
‘When do I need to introduce snacks?’
‘How do I deal with a fussy eater?’
‘What can I do to get my toddler to eat the healthy food she used to enjoy as a baby?’
‘Can I make kids’ favourites (such as burgers and chicken nuggets) healthy?’
‘How much water should they be drinking?’
‘Should I be giving my baby vitamin supplements?’
October 4, 2011
Filed under: Baby items — Alan @ 10:47 pm
In order to help raise awareness of colic diseases, Infacol is offering a prize of over £500 worth of baby essentials to one lucky winner. Infacol is the leading colic relief treatment for babies. The company have recently launched social media facilities on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and their own blog in order to create a community for parents to talk about issues relating to babies well-being.
It is a community where parents will be able to share information and advice on how to care for their new baby and there will be a special focus on colic diseases. The launch of these sites is being celebrated by the competition which can be found on their Facebook page.
COMPETITION DETAILS:
It’s simple – Just ‘Like’ the new Facebook page facebook.com/Infacol then answer 3 colic related questions correctly and follow the instructions to enter the contest – one lucky winner will be picked to win the prize on 2/11/11.
Competition Start Date: 3/10/11
Competition Finnish Date: 1/11/11
The Prize: The goody bag contains an exciting range of premium brand unisex baby related goods, ideal for a newborn. The actual contents of the goody bag remain secret but the total value is equivalent to £500 of goods (RRP).
October 1, 2011
Filed under: Child Birth — Alan @ 10:29 pm
All women should be supported during labour and delivery. The support provided by a partner, or another person chosen by the woman, supplements that which is provided by professionals. All women should be able to choose the person who will provide social support during childbirth, such as the spouse, another family member, or friend. We must respect the wishes of women and provide physical and emotional support.
Continuous support for women during childbirth has been shown to have benefits such as less use of pharmacological analgesia and a lower number of instrumental vaginal deliveries and caesarean sections. Also, women are more satisfied with their childbirth experience. During maternal education programs, tools and strategies to deal with the pain and stress in labour should be offered to pregnant women.
Pain relief during labour helps increase the physical and emotional well-being of pregnant women and should be a priority of care. Information should be provided to women during pregnancy and childbirth on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods available.
Epidural anesthesia involves the administration of various analgesic drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space of the spinal cord. Some of the additional non-pharmacological techniques used for pain relief in childbirth are:
Ambulation and position changes during labor and delivery.
The ability to move freely during the birthing process helps women cope with the painful sensations. The available evidence suggests that if the woman is upright in the first stage of labor there is less pain, less need for epidural analgesia, less alterations to the FHR pattern, and it shortens the time of the first stage of labour. In addition, the verticality and movement encourage the baby to have as much space as possible in the pelvis.
Continuous support during pregnancy.
The effects of continuous support for women during childbirth was the subject of a Cochrane review, which has concluded that women who relied on continued support for their deliveries had less need for analgesics and were more satisfied with the experience.
Water use as a painkiller.
Hot water may be used during labor to induce relaxation, reduce anxiety by stimulating the production of endorphins, improve uterine perfusion and shorten the period of expansion, and increase the feeling of pain control and satisfaction. The statistical results of the Cochrane review show that using hot water significantly reduces the use of epidural analgesia during the first stage of labor without adverse effects on the duration of labor. The rate of surgical births is lowered and neonatal well-being increased.
Injections of sterile water.
This form of analgesia is the administration of sterile water by intradermal injection (0.1-0.5 ml), creating water papules that stimulate pressure receptors. The transmission of these stimuli to the brain interrupts the transmission of painful stimuli through the spinal nerves. Injections should be made on both sides of the base of the spine within the area encompassed by the rhombus of Michaelis. There are several studies with good methodological quality in which such injections are shown to be an effective analgesic.
TENS, acupuncture, relaxation techniques and massage.
These are other methods of non-pharmacological pain relief in labour for which there is no proven scientific evidence, although some clinical trials recommend their use.
The leading provider in the UK of clinically effective orthotics and prosthetics services, RSLSteeper, has launched their new Steeper Clinic. Located in Kingston upon Thames, this latest clinic is being dedicated to treating babies who are suffering from such head shape abnormalities as deformational plagiocephaly , or flat head syndrome.
