Miracle: “Kangaroo Care Method” Saves Preemie

For more information on Immunizations in New York State visit the following:

NYS Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

NYS Adult Immunization Schedule 

I didn’t realize I needed certain immunizations until I started a new job. Do you know which shots you need? Does your doctor remind you to get the flu vaccination?

Sources: Adults Need Immunizations Too ; CDC Features: Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – What you need to know; Protecting Against Influenza (Flu): Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 6 Months Old

Picture source: Alignmap Blog

Skin-to-Skin Contact is between your baby’s front and your chest. If possible, place your baby on your chest right after he or she is born. Skin-to-skin contact is good to do any time, day or night. However, remember to place your baby on his or her back on a firm surface for sleep at night and for naps. 

Exclusive Breastfeeding  means that your baby only needs breast milk either by drinking directly from you or drinking your expressed milk.

Support to the dyad means that even if medical tests and procedures need to be done, health care providers will try not to separate you and your baby.

 Benefits of KMC

• You and your baby are able to begin bonding right away      
• Your baby’s oxygen, breathing and heart rates stabilize 
• Your baby’s temperature stabilizes
• Your breast milk production is signaled to start
• Your baby can breast feed easily and more often
• Your baby will smell breast milk and begin rooting (looking for the nipple)
• Your breast milk provides nutrients and antibodies that promote the health of your baby
• Your baby is less stressed and cries less often                     

The picture in this post is of a mom who delivered at one of our local hospitals. She gave us permission to use her photo to help promote skin-to-skin and breastfeeding.

Do you have any experience with Kangaroo Mother Care? We’d love to hear your stories.

Source: Kangaroo Mother Care Promotions

Why should you be concerned about Whooping Cough (Pertussis)?

Pertussis is a very contagious bacterial infection that causes cold-like symptoms which leads to severe coughing. In many cases, especially in babies, pertussis can lead to hospitalization, pneumonia, convulsions, even death! Babies are at a higher risk because they may not have received their complete DTaP vaccination yet. For maximum protection against pertussis, children need five DTaP shots. The first three shots are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The fourth shot is given between 15 and 18 months of age, and a fifth shot is given when a child enters school, at 4–6 years of age. Parents can also help protect infants by keeping them away as much as possible from anyone who has cold symptoms or is coughing.

To hear what Pertussis sounds like, visit Sounds of Pertussis

Are you going to enter the contest? We’d be happy to hear all about your epxerience.

Source: CDC Features: Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – What you need to know ; Sound off about Pertussis

Although this story takes place in Massachusetts, a state that has very similar breastfeeding laws as New York, there have been similar instances in our local area. It’s best for everyone to be informed of New York State Breastfeeding laws to avoid similar situations from happening.

 There are three main laws or rights to remember:

1)      Breastfeeding Bill of Rights

2)      Breastfeeding in Public

3)      Breastfeeding and the Workplace

 Click on each item, to learn more about NYS is protecting a women’s right to breastfeed.

For more information go to the NYS Breastfeeding Coalition website

Jefferson County

Event: Breastfeeding Moms Group

When: Fridays, 10AM-12PM

Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension

203 N. Hamilton Street, Watertown

Contact: Keitha at 785-4050

Event: WIC Peer Counseling Special Event*

When: August 5^th, 11AM-1PM 

Location: North Country Children’s Clinic

238 Arsenal Street, Watertown

Contact: Melissa, Peer Counselor at 782-9222 

* Must be a WIC client to attend this event

Lewis County

Event: Breastfeeding Support Group-Grand Opening!

When: Friday, August 6^th, 11AM- 1PM*

Location: Lewis County General Hospital Children’s Services Building, Lowville

Contact: Angel at 376-6427

* following this event, the group will meet the 1^st Friday of every month. 10AM-12PM in the WIC office.

 St. Lawrence County

Event: Feeding and Changing Booth

When: August 2^nd -8^th, 12PM-9PM

Location: Under Grandstand, St. County Fairgrounds, Gouverneur  

Event: Breastfeeding Moms Group

When: 2^nd Tuesday of every month, 10AM-12PM

Location: 39 Court Street, Canton

Contact: Sherrie at 379-9192

Event: Breastfeeding Moms Group

When: Last Monday of every month, 11AM-1PM

Location: New Hope Church, Potsdam

Contact: Emily at 804-1724

Event: Breastfeeding Moms Group

When: 1^st Tuesday of every month, 10AM-11:30 AM

Location: New Testament Chruch, Andrew St., Massena

Contact: Snow at 764-1711

If you need help finding local breastfeeding support or resources, please contact us at 315-788-8533.

Source: http://www.napnanny.com/

With this latest recall from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), we have to ask ourselves, are all of these baby products necessary? As we mentioned in our recall post on the stylish slings, New Moms, Don’t Choose Style Over Safety, many new parents feel they need to have the latest and greatest products for their baby. The most important thing to be concerned about is the safety of your baby.

There are two things you can do to help keep your baby safe:

1. Always read and follow safety instructions for any product you purchase for your baby.
2. Be aware of recalls. The CPSC website is the best source for recalls. You can join their email subscription list to begin receiving recall information on infant and child products.

What do you think of this latest recall?

 Source: News from CPSC

After hearing local NICU stories today at our Premature Infant Health Network meeting, I have realized that these families go through so much. They need our support and understanding.

It is frightening to think that many premature babies are born to mothers who are healthy and have no risk factors. That’s why knowing the signs of pre-term labor are so important. Please refer to our past posts to learn more about pre-term labor: Preterm Labor Can Happen to You and Preterm Labor: Know Your Risks.

Do you have a preterm labor story? We’d like to hear from you.  

Source: Discovery Health 

The article is referring to babies that have been hurt or injured when parents have placed their babies on an elevated or soft surface. For example, placing the baby in the car seat and placing the car seat on the sofa. Or, placing the baby in the car seat and placing the car seat on the kitchen counter while you cook dinner. Have you done either of these? I know I have.

What is the risk? Well, from 2003-2007, 43,562 car seat–related injuries were treated in emergency departments. Most of these injuries occurred in the home and to infants aged 4 months or less. Of these injuries 84.3% of the infants suffered head injuries and 8.4 % had to be hospitalized.

Now, I know you are very careful with your baby, but think about whom else is around your baby. Maybe you have other young children or an energetic dog. Bottom line, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that you avoid placing car seats on elevated or soft surfaces.

What are your thoughts on this study?

Source: Pediatrics; Soda Baby (Image)

Since 1998, there have been 463 child deaths involving heat exhaustion inside cars and trucks. Some of these deaths have involved children climbing into a car and becoming locked inside unbeknownst to their parents or guardian.

Are you wondering how this information applies to you? These deaths don’t just happen to neglectful parents. They happen to good, caring parents who are over-tired, over-worked, too stressed, out of routine, etc.

 Here are a few suggestions to help you keep your baby safe:

1. Check the back seat every time they exit the vehicle
2. Leave your cell phone or purse on the floor near your baby’s car seat. That way when you retrieve it, you’re reminded to retrieve them too.
3. Set your cell phone or Blackberry reminder to be sure you dropped your child off at day care.
4. Place a stuffed animal in your baby’s car seat when they are not in it. When they are in it, place the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat as a reminder for you.
5. Have a plan that if your child is late for daycare that you will be called within a few minutes. Be especially careful if you change your routine for dropping off little kids at day care.
6. Teach children not to play in any vehicle.
7. Lock all vehicle doors and trunk after everyone has exited the vehicle – especially at home. Keep keys out of children’s reach. Cars are not playgrounds or babysitters

Dial 911 immediately if you see an unattended child in a car.

Are there any tricks you use to make sure you never forget your baby?

Sources: CBS News; Safe Kids USA