Healthy Mom; Healthy Baby

Symptoms You Must Not Ignore in Children

2012-01-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

The wait-and-see approach is fine for some kids' health problems. But not these.

By Kristyn Kusek Lewis via Shine.Yahoo.com

When you become a parent, you earn a medical merit badge of sorts. Whether you're sopping up a goopy nose or extracting a dangling-by-a-thread baby tooth, eventually few things faze you. But sometimes it's tough to tell what warrants a call to your doctor's office: Which temperature actually classifies as a "high fever"? What kind of tummy ache means your child has more than your average stomach bug? And when something truly frightening happens -- say, your child suddenly breaks out in hives -- should you call your pediatrician or head straight to the E.R.?

"Parents should always err on the side of caution and seek immediate medical care when they're worried about something," says Anita Chandra-Puri, M.D., a pediatrician at Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group, in Chicago, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, to give you more specific guidelines to follow, we talked to top pediatricians about the 12 symptoms that always require medical attention.

Symptom #1: A fever that's 100.4°F or higher in a baby younger than 3 months; higher than 101°F in a baby 3 to 6 months; or higher than 103°F in a child 6 months to 2 years
Pediatricians stress that when fever strikes, the number on the thermometer isn't as important as your child's disposition. The one big exception: infants under 3 months old, who need immediate medical care if fever rises to 100.4°F. "If their fever is caused by a bacterial infection like a urinary-tract infection, it could quickly spread through the body," says pediatrician and Parents advisor Jennifer Shu, M.D., coauthor of Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality. "It's usually just a common virus causing the symptoms, but we have to check it out to be sure." It's important to call your doctor right away; if it's after office hours, be on the safe side and head straight to the E.R. In kids older than 2, fevers aren't urgent as long as your child appears to be well hydrated and acting normal. Call your pediatrician for guidance.

Symptom #2: A fever that doesn't go down with treatment, or that lasts more than five days
If you've given your child a fever reducer like acetaminophen or ibuprofen and the number on the thermometer doesn't budge within four to six hours, call your pediatrician. This is a sign that the infection may be too strong for the body to fight off, and your doctor may want to do a thorough examination to determine the cause. A fever caused by a common virus like cold or flu typically goes away within five days. One that hangs on longer -- even when it's low-grade (100.4°F) -- may be caused by an infection like bacterial pneumonia, which requires antibiotic treatment, explains Alanna Levine, M.D., a pediatrician at Orangetown Pediatrics, in Tappan, New York.

Symptom #3: A fever that's accompanied by a stiff neck or headache or a rash that's either bruise-like or looks like tiny red dots
Call your doctor -- these can be signs of meningitis and need immediate attention.

Symptom #4: A rash that resembles a bull's-eye or consists of tiny red dots that don't disappear when you press the skin, or excessive bruising
A ring-shaped rash with a pale spot in the center can signify Lyme disease. Get help right away if you see pinpoint-size spots under the skin, which can signal many serious conditions. Any inexplicable, widespread bruising may be a sign of a possible blood disorder. In addition, a splotchy rash, often a little raised, may be a sign of an allergic reaction. If your child also has difficulty breathing or is agitated or lethargic, she should be checked immediately by a doctor.

Symptom #5: A mole that's new or changing
Keep tabs on your child's moles, especially any that she's had since birth, because those have a higher risk of becoming malignant, says Parents advisor Ari Brown, M.D., a pediatrician in Austin and author of Baby 411. Do a monthly skin check during bathtime. Alert your doctor if you notice a mole that's irregularly shaped, has ragged borders, is not all one color, or is raised. All of these are signs of a potential skin cancer.

Symptom #6: Stomach pain that's on the lower right side, or that's sudden and crampy and comes and goes
If your child has pain on the lower right side, ask him to jump up and down -- if it's excruciating for him to do so, it can be a sign of appendicitis. Although the appendix is on the lower right side of the abdomen, the pain caused by appendicitis can start around the belly button and migrate to the right. "With a normal stomach virus, there's typically fever, then vomiting, then stomachache and diarrhea," says Dr. Brown. "With appendicitis, it's sometimes diarrhea, then abdominal pain, then vomiting, then pain, then fever." If you notice these symptoms, call your doctor -- appendicitis progresses quickly and it's most effectively treated when caught early.

Symptom #7: A headache that occurs in the early morning or wakes her up in the middle of the night, or that's accompanied by vomiting
These could be signs of a migraine. Your doctor can determine the appropriate treatment. Migraines in kids are not dangerous, and tend to run in families. However, morning and middle-of-the-night headaches can also be a signal of something more serious, and that's why you want to see a doctor right away.

Symptom #8: Dry mouth and lips, decreased urination, a flat fontanelle (in an infant), dry skin or skin that stays bunched when you pinch it, or excessive vomiting or diarrhea
These signs are all associated with dehydration and need to be treated fast because dehydration can lead to shock. Call 911 or get to the hospital if you think your child is nearing this stage. Otherwise, call your doc and try to get more fluid into your child.

Symptom #9: Blueness or discoloration around the mouth; labored breathing where you can see your child sucking in his chest and abdomen; or panting, grunting, or a whistling sound when breathing
"Breathing problems are more worrisome when the sounds come from the chest and lungs, not the nose," says Dr. Shu. Critical breathing issues are often due to choking, an allergic reaction, an asthma attack (which can occur in kids as young as a few months old), pneumonia, whooping cough, or croup. Seek help right away or call 911. If it's not obvious that your child is having serious trouble, check his respiratory rate. Count each breath taken in for 30 seconds and then multiply by two. A normal rate is less than 60 for newborns; less than 40 for babies under 1 year; less than 30 for 1- to 3-year-olds; and less than 24 for 4- to 10-year-olds.

Symptom #10: Swollen tongue, lips, or eyes, especially when accompanied by vomiting or itchiness
These often signal a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Symptoms may include swelling, breathing problems, and severe hives and need immediate attention. Call 911 and, if possible, give your child a shot from an EpiPen or a dose of an antihistamine like Benadryl in the meantime. For less severe reactions, call your doctor and ask about giving an antihistamine to quell symptoms.

Symptom #11: A fall when your child is less than 6 months old, or has obvious neurological changes like confusion or loss of consciousness, or that causes vomiting and/or any damage to the body, such as broken bones
These emergency situations must be addressed by a doctor -- so head to the nearest medical facility. Falls are generally not problematic in kids older than 6 months if they only fall the distance of their height and don't land on anything hard or sharp.

Symptom #12: A cut that gapes open widely enough that you could stick a cotton swab in it, or that doesn't stop bleeding within a few minutes of applied pressure
These are signs that your child needs medical attention (and perhaps stitches, skin glue, a butterfly bandage, or staples). Depending on the severity of the injury, your next step should be to either call 911, go to the E.R., or call your pediatrician. You should also always see your doctor if an animal bites your child or if another child bites your child and breaks the skin.

The Very Serious Dangers of Baby Oil (Yes, Really!)

2011-10-06T00:39:00.000-07:00

It smells nice and it's soothing for baby. But who would think such an old-time product, a nursery staple, could injure and kill?

Baby oil, along with other common household oils for massage, hair, and bath, essential oils, eucalyptus and camphor oils, are responsible for a disturbingly large amount of reported ingestion accidents to young children.

Toxicologist Dr Naren Gunja from NSW Poisons Information Center at Westmead Hospital in Australia says most parents don't realize the danger.

"Once the child has ingested it depending on how much they ingest then it could be too late. Over a period of time, the child can die," says Dr Gunja.

"It is a gradual process that can take several days, two weeks to die."

Mums Gabby and Soraya say the drama started when their kids, Natalia, 4, and Gabriel, 3, were playing together. They discovered the two splashing baby oil over them and they'd drunk some.
Soon, both kids were having difficulty breathing. Natalia was also vomiting, Daniel had a rash. An ambulance rushed them to hospital - the doctors' warnings were grim.

"He listened to his lungs for quite a while and he said 'he looks ok' and - this was just horrible - he said 'look, there's nothing we can do, this is something that if your child has done this, and it's in his lungs there is nothing that we can do'," says Soraya.

When Gabby and Soraya checked the internet for accidents and side-effects they discovered the horrors - in the US, 20 kids a year die from breathing in household oils, 5 deaths are from baby oil. In total, around 80,000 household oil ingestion accidents are reported to the US Poisons Center yearly.
"The death the child goes through is absolutely horrific, the latest boy to die in America was Jayden Bryson, 18 months old, it took him 28 days to die, he suffocated to death," explains Soraya.

Why so toxic? Look at the ingredients and you see baby oil, sunscreen oil, bath, body and massage oils, make-up removers, nail enamel dryers, eucalyptus, camphor and clove oils - are all made from mineral oil, a petroleum ingredient from crude oil.

Mineral oils contain hydrocarbons, a real danger to the stomach and especially the lungs - which can stop working.

"A mouthful of baby oil ingested by a child is enough to cause the child to vomit and if they breath that into their lungs that is enough to cause lung inflammation . . . . if enough of that happens it could lead to death," says Dr Gunja.

Mineral oils are also used for cleaning, as industrial and mechanical lubricants, in cosmetics and even pesticides. And, apart from they've been blamed for a range of health problems - allegedly acne, premature aging of skin, and other skin disorders, impeding normal cell development and possibly causing vitamin deficiency.

Luckily, Gabriel and Natalia survived their ordeal. Seven years ago the US Consumer Product Safety Commission made child-resistant packaging mandatory for oily liquids containing hydrocarbons - like baby oils, bath, body, hair and massage oils, and sunscreens. So, Johnson and Johnson Baby Oil sold in America has the compulsory child-proof lid. Why not in Australia?

When contacted by the Australian news show, Today Tonight, Johnson and Johnson would not appear on camera. J&Js email to the show stated that their Baby Oil has been sold in Australia for 48 years and that these reports of accidents were the first they'd received of a potentially serious health issue. Yet, they must be aware it was the accidents and deaths in America that forced them to put child-resistant caps on their oil there.
Johnson & Johnson is, after 48 years, going to change to child resistant caps on all its baby oil products in Australia and worldwide.

Further information:

Hydrocarbons are compounds that are also present in many household products like:

          •  Gasoline          • Kerosene
          • Lamp oil
          • Paint thinner
          • Furniture polish
          • Lighter fluid
        • Lubricating oils
          • Solvents

If a hydrocarbon gets on your skin, wash well with soap and water; hydrocarbons can cause burns if left on the skin.

If you swallow a hydrocarbon, wipe out your mouth; hydrocarbons can be an irritant to the stomach, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Do not induce vomiting or give large amounts of fluid.

Call the poison center right away for specific recommendations if you come in contact with a hydrocarbon.

If your child chokes on a hydrocarbon, it can be drawn into the lungs, causing a chemical pneumonia that can be potentially life threatening.

Click here to link to our inhalants page for more information about hydrocarbons and inhalant abuse.

SOURCES:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/consumer/article/-/5035273/dangers-baby-oil/

http://www.ncpoisoncenter.org/body.cfm?id=122

www.poisonsinfo.nsw.gov.au

Helping Your Child - Vocabulary

2011-07-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

Talk to your child constantly. Children learn language and increase their vocabulary in only one way — listening to the people around them. The richer and more abundant the language they hear daily, the more well developed their own language will be. In addition to normal conversation, however, you have dozens of creative and enjoyable ways to increase your child's vocabulary that can also build family bonds and heighten family fun.

Read aloud. Of course, you've been reading aloud to your child since he was born, but try reading books with characters and plots. Take time for discussion and point out new words and concepts to your child.

Show and tell. Whenever you go somewhere, collect something to bring back. Have a show-and-tell time when the family is together. Give your child the floor to tell about his treasure. These special objects need not be expensive or elaborate. The important part is sharing information and experiences.

Talk. Never underestimate the importance of good conversation and information to the development of vocabulary.

Label, label, label. Give your children as much vocabulary as you can. They will probably remember the big words most easily because shorter words with similar letters such as "was" and "saw" and "which" and "when" are confusing. Most preschoolers know all the names of dinosaurs that most adults can barely pronounce. Their minds are like sponges.

Use a variety of words to describe things; don't just use "good" and "nice." Take each new experience you have as an opportunity to learn new words. When you visit the auto shop to get a new muffler, talk about mufflers, tail pipes, exhaust systems, and welding. When you visit the greenhouse to choose new plants for the garden, talk about marigolds, impatiens, zinnias, and geraniums. When you make a new recipe, talk about woks, peanut oil, soy sauce, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, and pea pods.

Article by: Elaine McEwan-Adkins
Source: BabyCenter.com

Delayed Cord Clamping

2011-07-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

From: CafeMom.com
An article by: Christie Haskell

Likely, you've heard the phrase "delayed cord clamping" -- it's the idea that all the blood in the placenta and umbilical cord should pump INTO the baby's body before the cord is cut, since it's intended to be the baby's own blood supply. Waiting just 94 seconds ups blood volume and helps prevent anemia in the baby's first year. While the benefits aren't very disputed, sadly, most OBs only wait an average of 17 seconds before clamping the cord.

Dr. Hutchon, a retired and decorated hospital consultant in the UK, invented (along with a team) The Basics Trolley. Basics stands for Bedside Assessment, Stabilisation and Initial Cardiorespiratory Support. This Trolley can save the lives of many babies, and help prevent a lot of temporary or life-long problems ... merely by allowing babies to remain attached by that umbilical cord.

It is set up right next to the mother and has a water heater and built-in resuscitator, so if there is an emergency, the baby can be resuscitated right there -- with the umbilical cord still attached.
Why is this so important? Well, because along with the blood that the baby's body needs, also comes oxygen -- and in a baby who isn't breathing right away, that lack of oxygen if the cord is immediately cut can cause brain damage and sometimes even death.

Hutchon says, “In the first 20 seconds or so one of the reasons the baby is sometimes not breathing is that they are still getting plenty of oxygen from the placenta through the umbilical cord.”
Twenty seconds may not seem like that long, but for a mother waiting for the first cry, or a doctor holding a newborn that isn't breathing, it can seem like an eternity ... especially if the baby is deprived of oxygen. But thanks to Hutchon's invention, that's already being used at multiple UK hospitals, babies will still be receiving oxygen for at least the first critical minute or so.

In fact, evidence is so strong to support delayed cord clamping that the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recently changed their recommendations to require delayed cord clamping, and Hutchon's trolley will soon be available in all hospitals in the UK.
Now, American ACOG, it's about time you get on board!

83 Cases of Autism Associated with Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensated in Federal Vaccine Court

2011-05-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

Government program has been quietly paying awards to vaccine-injured children with autism for two decades but continues to deny vaccine-autism link. SafeMinds calls for immediate Congressional investigations.

The following is being released by SafeMinds (www.SafeMinds.org):

Washington, D.C. – For over 20 years, the federal government has publicly denied a vaccine-autism link, while at the same time its Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has been awarding damages for vaccine injury to children with brain damage, seizures and autism. A new investigation, based on verifiable government data, breaks ground in the controversial vaccine-autism debate. The investigation found that a substantial number of children compensated for vaccine injury also have autism and that such cases have existed since 1989, the after year the VICP was formed. Read full release. Click here for background and to watch press conference.

SafeMinds' Executive Director, Lyn Redwood, RN, MSN comments, "This study dramatically shifts the debate on autism and vaccines. The question is no longer,

Can vaccines cause autism?

The answer is clear. Now, we have to ask,

How many cases of autism have vaccines caused and how do we prevent new injuries from occurring?"

The government has asserted that it "does not track" autism among the vaccine-injured. SafeMinds responds that not looking is the easiest way not to find something. SafeMinds is calling for immediate federal research into the mechanisms of injury in these children in an effort to protect other children from harm and Congressional action to reform the VICP.

The peer-reviewed study looked at cases of vaccine injury that have been monetarily compensated by the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. It was published today in the Pace Environmental Law Review.
The study investigated approximately 1300 cases of childhood brain injury as a result of vaccines in which the Special Masters ruled for the plaintiffs, looking for references to autism, symptoms of autism or disorders commonly associated with autism. It reports that twenty-one cases actually stated "autism or autism-like symptoms" in the court records.
The researchers then identified and contacted 150 more compensated families to find out whether the children had autism. They were able to find an additional 62 cases (greater than 40% of their sample) for a total of 83 cases of autism. In 39 cases (47%) there was confirmation of autism beyond parental report.

The federal government has called autism a "national health emergency," conservatively affecting 1 in 110 children and costing the country billions of dollars each year. If a portion of autism cases are vaccine-induced and there is evidence that officials have been "looking the other way," this cannot be tolerated. The VICP's recent attempt to dismiss the over 5000 cases in the Omnibus Autism Proceedings is suspect in light of these new findings based on its own records.

SafeMinds calls on Congress to fully investigate the VICP, the only forum in which parents may bring claims of vaccine injury on behalf of their children.

SOURCES
SafeMinds.org see News and Updates 5-10-11
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20110510/pl_usnw/DC99265_1

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
For more coverage of politics and policy, you can check Yahoo! Politics
Investigating the Autism Epidemic

And what about those flu shots???

Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Human Consumption

2011-05-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) completed a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer. Its conclusion rocked the health world with startling bluntness:

Processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives.

Processed meats include bacon, sausage, hot dogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all red meat used in frozen prepared meals. They are usually manufactured with a carcinogenic ingredient known as sodium nitrite. This is used as a color fixer by meat companies to turn packaged meats a bright red color so they look fresh. Unfortunately, sodium nitrite also results in the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines in the human body. And this leads to a sharp increase in cancer risk for those who eat them.

A 2005 University of Hawaii study found that processed meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent. Another study revealed that every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 50 percent. These are alarming numbers. Note that these cancer risks do not come from eating fresh, non-processed meats. They only appear in people who regularly consume processed meat products containing sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite appears predominantly in red meat products (you won’t find it in chicken or fish products). Here’s a short list of food items to check carefully for sodium nitrite and monosodium glutamate (MSG), another dangerous additive:

Beef jerky
Bacon
Sausage
Hot dogs
Sandwich meat
Frozen pizza with meat
Canned soups with meat
Frozen meals with meat
Ravioli and meat pasta foods
Kid’s meals containing red meat
Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks

If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used?
The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970’s but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to “ban bacon.”

Today, the corporations that dominate American food and agricultural interests hold tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. Consumers are offered no real protection from dangerous chemicals intentionally added to foods, medicines and personal care products.
You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:

Always read ingredient labels.
Don’t buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate.
Don’t eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions.

And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found in citrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defense, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether.

SOURCE LINK: http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2007/12/processed-meats-declared-too-dangerous-for-human-consumption/ Original article: by Mike Adams 12/07/2007

LAGNIAPPE:
• Mike Adams, the Health Ranger - a leading authority on healthy living -- is on a mission: to explore, uncover and share the truth about harmful foods and beverages, prescription drugs, medical practices and the dishonest marketing practices that drive these industries. For his latest findings, click here.
• Camu Camu Berry

Let's Stop Poisoning Our Children

2011-05-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

How safe is your home?
Of chemicals commonly used in homes 150 have been linked to, allergies, birth defects and cancer.
Cleaning products (which people usually think of first) are not the only problem - after analyzing 2,983 chemicals used in personal care products 884 were found to be toxic. That is 1 in 3!

According to Philip Landrigan M. D. of Mount Sinai Medical Center, the most pressing health issues for children today are:

1. the rise of asthma
2. the rise in childhood cancers
3. the rise in central nervous system disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, and other learning disorders as the result of environmental neurotoxins
4. the effects of endocrine disruptors*

All these are related to toxic chemical exposure in the home. Let's Stop Poisoning our Children!

The GOOD NEWS

Fortunately, for every almost every toxic product there is a safe alternative available. There are a number of ethical conscientious companies now offering household and personal care products that are safe and more natural. They work just as well or better than of the shelf brands, and in many cases actually cost less. So, there's really no reason to risk the health of your children or yourself any longer.

As parents, we do everything we can to protect our children yet we all use hundreds of chemicals everyday, supposedly to keep our homes clean and safe. These same products are destroying our health and more importantly the health of our children. As I talk to more and more concerned parents I learn that most people still use chemicals which would be banned or aggressively controlled in the work place.

Let's stop poisoning our children. The first step can be as simple as requesting a Free Home Safety Consultation today from one of the Moms or Dads with EveVenture.
Sometimes a solution is as quick and easy as learning where to shop for safer products.

Sources:

Philip Landrigan M. D. of Mount Sinai Medical Center
Children's Environmental Health Center
Graphic Source: RMBarry.com

Formaldehyde - Is it in Your Baby Shampoo, Too?

2011-05-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

There is a very common chemical (1 among many chemicals) that is routinely used by traditional manufacturers . . . especially in their personal care products.
It’s called Q –15 (or quaternium 15).

It is a formaldehyde-releasing agent!

Formaldehyde is highly suspected of being a carcinogen and neurotoxin. On the low-end it causes skin irritation, headaches and migraines and on the high end . . . . . cancer.

It is often used because it is a cheap preservative.

It’s even in many Johnson and Johnson Baby products including their baby wash. It is in MANY things! These used to be some of my favorite products until I learned this information:

Dove soaps

Many Toothpastes including Crest & Colgate Toothpastes

Baby Magic products

WalMart's Equate Brand baby products

Many Shaving Creams and gels - as well as many

Shampoos

Conditioners

Body Lotions

Cosmetics

There are over 28 other names for this one chemical making it hard to identify on labels.

Some names include: Dowicil 75; Dowicil 100; Dowco 184; Dowicide Q; 1-(3-Chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride; N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chloride; hexamethylenetetramine chloroallyl chloride; 3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane; 1-(3-chloroallyl)-chloride.

Formaldehyde is a toxic substance that is not only found in personal care products but also in household cleaners and even cosmetics.

Formaldehyde fumes can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas and can cause headaches, nausea, watery eyes, sore throats, lung irritation, and serious respiratory damage. Children exposed to the same levels as adults have potentially a greater risk of suffering adverse symptoms.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen (cancer causing agent), and yet there is no agency or standard regulating the use of formaldehyde or requirement to inform consumers that formaldehyde in used in the manufacturing process. Talk about frustrating! Here is more information about formaldehyde and the potential cancer risk (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/formaldehyde)

SOURCES:

^ Cahill J, Nixon R. Allergic contact dermatitis to quaternium 15 in a moisturizing lotion. Australasia J Dermatol. 2005 Nov;46(4):284-5. PMID 16197434
^ New Zealand Dermatological Society. "Quaternium-15 contact allergy". DermNet NZ. http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/quaternium-allergy.html. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
^ E. Warshaw, et al. Contact dermatitis of the hands: Cross-sectional analyses of North American Contact Dermatitis Group Data, 1994-2004. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 57, Issue 2, Pages 301-314
RMBarry
Environmental Working Group
EPA

Autism Now: Meet Nick, Robert MacNeil's Grandson

2011-04-19T13:22:00.001-07:00

Watch this, watch this, watch this.
I am so glad friends and family are being very conservative with vaccines. I hope people realize how important it is to keep ALL toxins at an absolute minimum.

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

Want to find out if your home is healthy? Click the stethoscope below!

The 5 Worst Foods for Babies

2011-04-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

Eating junk food is more damaging to babies than adults. That's because babies don't need many calories, but they do need lots of nutrients. It's easy for them to fill up quickly on junk food's empty calories, leaving no room for nutrient-rich healthy foods, says doctor and American Dietetic Association spokesperson Christine Gerbstadt. The nutrition deficit can even hinder development, she adds.
So what's a parent to do? Start by learning which popular foods to stay away from. Here's our list of the worst food offenders for babies.

Soda

It seems too obvious to mention, but believe it or not, some babies are served soft drinks as early as 7 months of age, according to a survey of more than 3,000 families presented at the American Dietetic Association (ADA) conference in 2009.
Whether regular or diet, soft drinks provide absolutely no nutrients. Regular soda contains a ton of sugar, which can wreak havoc on your baby's teeth. And filling up on either type means babies eat and drink less of the nutritious food their bodies really need.

Juice

Sure, it comes from fruit, but that doesn't mean it's healthy. The fiber in fresh fruit is largely lost in the juicing process, and what's left is a whole lot of sugar. "Juice is basically a waste of calories," says pediatrician Ari Brown, co-author of Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year.

Using certain types of juice – specifically apple and pear – to sweeten your baby's food isn't a good idea either, says nutritionist Leanne Cooper, author of What Do I Feed My Baby: A Step-by-Step Guide to Solids. The sugars in these juices can speed up the food's passage through the digestive tract. "When food passes too quickly, the body doesn't have time to absorb all those lovely nutrients," says Cooper. It can also lead to diarrhea in some babies.

What about advertisers' claims that juice provides babies with necessary vitamin C? Don't be fooled. "Babies can easily get their vitamin C from one small serving of fruit," says Brown.
What should your baby drink instead? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies younger than 6 months drink nothing but breast milk or formula. Babies 6 to 12 months old can have small amounts of water, but breast milk or formula should still be their main beverage. After the first birthday, cow's milk is recommended.

Crackers

They make convenient snacks once your baby can bite and chew, but it won't take many to satisfy your little one's appetite, leaving no room for nutrient-rich foods. Also, just as eating sweet things can help babies develop a sweet tooth, eating salty things can give them a "salty tooth." The survey presented at the 2009 ADA conference found that nearly three-quarters of toddlers and preschoolers get more than the recommended daily amount of sodium.
The ever-popular fish-shaped crackers fall into this category. "What a waste of calories in a snack," says Brown. "Fruit slices are a much better choice." And if you're looking for an instant grab-and-go snack, low-sugar cereals have more nutritional value than crackers, she says.

Processed meals

People define processed foods in different ways, but in general, the more the food is modified from what was originally caught, raised, or grown – and the longer the list of ingredients – the more processed the food. With heavy processing, foods often lose significant nutritional value and gain unhealthy additives.
"The more processed the food, the more nutritional value tends to go down, and the more the sugar, salt, and fat content goes up," says Kate Geagan, dietitian and author of Go Green, Get Lean.
The worst processed foods parents serve up are the ones not specifically meant for babies, such as canned pasta, says dietitian Eileen Behan, author of The Baby Food Bible. "They often contain way too much sodium." You're better off boiling up some noodles and topping them with a few crushed tomatoes.

Gelatin desserts

"You'd be surprised at how many people think a gelatin dessert is a wholesome food for babies," says Gerbstadt. Why the misconception? Many people think gelatin contains protein, perhaps because it's made from processed animal bones and cartilage. But it doesn't, says Gerbstadt – at least, not in any significant amount. "What the baby ends up eating is nearly all sugar, artificial color, and artificial flavor, and a trace amount of gelatin to make it wiggly," she says.
True, gelatin is easy to swallow, but then again, so is Gerbstadt's own idea of a healthy dessert: a baked, mashed apple with a sprinkle of cinnamon. "It's naturally sweet and has good fiber, vitamins, and a yummy, smooth texture," she says. "That's what I'd opt for."

by Evonne Lack
Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

SOURCE: http://www.babycenter.com

PS) And before we leave the subject of Jello . . . . . .

Ten Great Foods That Can Make You happier

2011-01-24T17:54:00.000-08:00

Scientific studies show that foods such as deep sea fish, bananas, grapefruits, all wheat bread, spinach, cherries, garlic, pumpkins, low fat milk and chicken can actually help fight against depression.

1) Deep sea fish
A study by Harvard University points out that the Omega-3 fatty acid contained in deep sea fish functions the same as anti-depression drugs in that helps calm nerves and increases the secretion of serotonin. (Note from Soutenus - I have noticed a MUCH greater tendency toward feeling depressed when I forget to take my Phytomega) ------>

2) Banana
Banana contains a natural chemical compound called alkaloid, which gives people a psychological boost. Bananas are also a source of tryptophan and vitamin B6, both help the brain to manufacture serotonin.

3) Grapefruit
Grapefruit is rich in vitamin C, which improves the body's resistance by maintaining the density of red blood cells and is also a good combatant against stress. What's more important is that vitamin C is an indispensable element in making dopamine and adrenalin, both chemicals that can stimulate excitement.

4) All-wheat bread
Carbohydrates increase the secretion of serotonin. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers say it makes good sense that some people eat desserts and food made with flour as anti-depression drugs.

5) Spinach
Researchers find that lack of folic acid leads directly to a decrease in serotonin which could lead to depression. Spinach is well known for its abundance in folic acid.

6) Cherry
Western doctors call cherry a natural aspirin because this fruit contains a material called anthocyanin which can make people happy. Researchers at the University of Michigan point out that eating 20 cherries is more effective than medicines that relieve depression.

7) Garlic
Garlic gives people a bad smell yet a good mood. German researchers conducted a study on garlic and found out that when people who are highly strung eat garlic, they show less of a tendency to be anxious and angry.

8) Pumpkin

Eating pumpkin can help get people into a good mood because it is rich in vitamin B6 and Iron, which both transform the sugar stored in the body to glucose, which fuels the brain.

9) Low fat milk
Studies find that after taking calcium pills for three months, those women with pre-menstrual syndrome have a less stressful time and are less likely to feel nervous or anxious. Milk, yogurt and cheese are a major source of calcium. Low fat or skim milk contain the most calcium.

10) Chicken
After some British psychologists feed their subjects 100mg of selenium, they found that their subjects all felt happier. Chicken is a major source of selenium.

Paper Toys

2011-01-15T17:16:00.000-08:00

I found an adorable site filled with PAPER TOYS. Obviously not for babies!
But our babies do grow up so quickly! These are wonderful for keeping little hands busy at craft time.
PaperToys
Here is a cute example. This is a marble mouse:

The templates are free and the ideas are simple.
These Marble Mice can roll around on a desk and keep your cat entertained until your little one is old enough to enjoy SAFELY. You know, when they are WAY past the "puts everything in the mouth" stage! LOL

Click here for a printable version (PDF)

Bibby Wraps and Undercover Mama

2010-12-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

2 absolutely awesome ideas! I think it is safe to say that their time has come . . . . . I wish I had thought of these things!

BIBBY WRAP
A friend of mine simply wanted a better bib for her little ones. This is what she came up with. Brilliant!

UNDERCOVER MAMA
This is a wonderful idea and design! Link: http://www.undercovermama.com/

Babies & TV

2010-12-09T14:40:00.000-08:00

Babies who watch TV are more likely to have delayed cognitive development and language at 14 months, especially if they're watching programs intended for adults and older children. We probably knew that 24 and Grey's Anatomy don't really qualify as educational content, but it's surprising that TV-watching made a difference at such a tender age.

Babies who watched 60 minutes of TV daily had developmental scores one-third lower at 14 months than babies who weren't watching that much TV. Though their developmental scores were still in the normal range. But this is just the beginning of a child's life. If TV remains a constant part of their world those scores may look different as a year or two roll by.
Don't let your child miss out on talking, playing, and interaction that is essential to learning and development.

This new study, which appeared in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, followed 259 lower-income families in New York, most of whom spoke Spanish as their primary language at home. Other studies examining higher-income families have also come to the same conclusion: TV watching not only isn't educational, but it seems to stunt babies' development.

But as they get older what about "educational" TV, like Sesame Street?
Good question! The real key here is (surprise, surprise) THE PARENT!
There are teachable moments with educational TV but it takes parental participation, interaction and reinforcement to be most enjoyable and effective for children.
One BIG mistake parents make is creating short, short, short attention spans in their children. TV is very much a part of that.
Help your kids find imaginative play. A ball, a set of blocks or card board boxes can equal hours of (educational) play for kids! Sustained activity with varying energy levels is good!

Research (New York University School of Medicine-Bellevue Hospital Center) has found that parents whose children watch non-educational TV programs like Spongebob SquarePants spend less time reading to their children or teaching them.
At this point, parents reading this are probably saying "d'uh!"

But TV is so often a parent's good friend, keeping kids happily occupied so the grownups can cook dinner, answer the phone, or take a shower. It is seductive in the short run. Be careful.

The bottom line: This latest study adds more fuel to a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics that babies under age 2 watch no TV at all. If you've just got to watch, it's best to make sure the tots are fast asleep. And make sure they are not in the same room. The changing lighting and sounds disrupt healthy sleep patterns.

Signing Before They Can Speak

2010-11-26T00:03:00.000-08:00

Research has shown that teaching different modes of communication and language is most effective at the early ages of 2 to 5. This goes beyond the spoken word (though it is an optimal time for children to learn a second language); many young children have an aptitude for signing as well. This can be taught at home or some child care programs incorporate it into their curriculum.

While 2 years old seem pretty young, it's not that odd. There are many indigenous peoples around the world in fact, including American Indian nations, who have used sign language for centuries to facilitate communication with other tribes with whom they do not share a language.

In fact, recent research suggests that sign language is innate. Backing this up is an article published by the Boulder Daily Camera in 2003 which presented strong evidence that babies as young as six months old communicate with their hands:

"...by 6 to 7 months, babies can remember a sign. At eight months, children
can begin to imitate gestures and sign single words. By 24 months, children
can sign compound words and full sentences. They say sign language reduces

frustration in young children by giving them a means to express themselves
before they know how to talk." (Glarion, 2003)

The Best Time To Start

The sooner children learn sign language (or any other language for that matter) the better. Young children who are taught sign language at an early age, it has actually been shown, develop better verbal skills as they get older.

Not learning to sign give pre-verbal youngsters a way to communicate, it can also strengthen the parent-child bond. Signing helps to lower levels of frustration in the child, it gives them a way to communicate with the caregivers exactly what is going on in their mind. Which in return helps the parent and makes them feel even closer to their baby.

Looking To Their Future

There are many reasons for people to be interested in and to learn sign language. Many may need it they work with disabled children, some are learning it because of the career opportunities available with it, and others are learning it just so they can have a wide variety of communication.

The ability to communicate articulately in a variety of ways with the widest possible audience is a unique skill that not many have. This includes bilingual ability as well as the ability to communicate in non-verbal ways for the benefit of the disabled – primarily the deaf.

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas

Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the Austin child care facility, a member of the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose Schools (located in 16 states throughout the U.S.) and part of the network of child care preschools delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum.

Bibby Wraps

2010-08-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

Finally, a great solution! Bibby Wraps

Johnson & Johnson and Wal-Mart Sued for Selling Toxic Baby Shampoo

2010-08-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

If you purchased Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Shampoo or Wal-Mart brand Equate Tearless Baby Wash, you may want to stop using it. A class action lawsuit has been approved this month that claims these products may contain a toxin linked to cancer.

The class action lawsuit, filed earlier this year, accuses Johnson & Johnson and Wal-Mart Stores of selling shampoo and baby wash that allegedly contains methylene chloride, an ingredient banned by the FDA in cosmetics because it’s linked to cancer.
In addition to noting methylene chloride also identified are formaldehyde (*Q-15) and 1,4 dioxane.

The law firm that filed the lawsuit is also investigating Target’s Night-time Bath and Body Wash, which is not currently named in the suit.

A third Johnson & Johnson plant is now also under investigation for alleged quality concerns. The new Johnson & Johnson plant is one that manufactures Pepcid and Mylanta among other products. You can read the details on that investigation at Legafi.

*PLEASE NOTE!
Formaldehyde (produced by Q-15) accumulates in the body. Even "safe trace levels" add up over time. The body cannot get rid of formaldehyde on its own! On the low end it causes skin irritations, headaches, migraines and immune system problems. On the high end -- cancer!
MANY personal care products contain this chemical - not just the ones mentioned in this article.
AND -- there are over 28 other names for this chemical making it hard to identify on labels.
Yet another reason I shop at a store that only manufactures products with no harmful chemicals.
I passionately believe that everyone has a right to a safer shopping decision!

SOURCES:
Top Class Actions Sarah Pierce, reporter
HMHB article
NJ.com

RESOURCE: http://www.5678.fourpointwellness.com/contact.cpo

Are Chlorine Free Diapers Better?

2010-08-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Chlorine free disposable diaper advertise that they offer a safe alternative to conventional white diapers. They hint that chlorine free diapers are better for the planet. While I am firmly in favor of avoiding the use of chlorine and resulting creation of nasty chemicals like dioxin - avoiding chlorine is just one step towards a healthier planet. These chlorine-free disposable diapers are still made with plastic that is made with petroleum products. They still contain other chemicals and they still use wood pulp and other resources.

Any disposable diaper uses a lot more resources when the raw materials are shipped to the factory, then the finished diapers are shipped to a warehouse, and finally to a store where they are then driven to a home. Whew! That is a lot of travel for a heavy box of diapers.

Let's not forget that for each of the 95 percent of parents who still use disposable diapers, 6,000 or more disposable diapers are going to end up in a landfill for hundreds of years. The numbers are staggering- 18 billion disposable diapers used in the US each year. Assuming that amounts to about 3,000 diapers per child each year, that is about 6 million kids in diapers. Compare 24 cloth diapers versus 6,000 disposables and you can easily see which diaper is the easiest on the planet.

Disposable anything is not good for the planet. We wash our clothing, our dishes, and even our reusable water bottles to help cut down on resource use and the huge landfill problem we are creating for future generations. Washing cloth diapers uses about the same amount of water as an adult flushing the toilet 5 times a day, yet no one suggests we all move to using paper underwear to save water.

Studies that make resource use for disposable diapers look equal to cloth diapers are often based on washing methods no one actually uses (raise your hand if your home water heater is set to 190 degrees - now go turn it down before your kids get scalded!). They also make line-drying diapers seem like a Herculean task when lots of moms and dads do it easily. Air-drying diapers can be done on a simple clothing rack if you want to do even more to lower your carbon footprint. These studies also consistently ignore the disposal problem, acting as if the answer is in simply producing and using the diapers. Someone has to use petroleum to haul those diapers to a landfill, and then they sit for hundreds of years.

Chlorine free diapers and wipes are also not cheap. They will cost you about $2,200 for just two years worth. If your child is in diapers longer, the the cost goes up. The larger sizes are sold for 40 or even 50 cents each. Cloth diapers, even really nice ones, will cost you from $200-600 for the whole two years. Best of all, if your child takes a little longer to potty train, you can usually keep using the same diapers. If you have a second child, cloth diapering becomes almost free since you can use the same diapers again. If you don't need them, there are organizations such as Miracle Diapers that lend cloth diapers to low-income families that will happily take good second-hand diapers.

Finally, disposable diapers that are chlorine-free are not chemical free. If you choose to use cloth diapers, you can find them in many different fabrics so you can choose what is against your baby's skin. Choose a stay-dry lining or go for all-natural fibers, you can even choose organic. Add an unscented, biodegradable laundry detergent and you have a simple system for keeping your baby's bottom chemical free.

article by: Julie Renee Holland (BellaOnline's Attachment Parenting Editor)
SOURCE BACK LINK: Bella Online article 60777
Click to learn more about modern cloth diapers

10 Easy Ways To Lower Toxic Consumption During Pregnancy

2010-07-18T23:40:00.000-07:00

A study was recently done by the Environmental Working Group on umbilical cord blood. In a study group of 10 infants, researchers from 2 laboratories found 287 different chemicals and toxins were found in the cord blood. This came to an average of 200 chemicals per baby.
And they only tested for 413 toxins out of the thousands that are out there.

Of the chemicals found in umbilical cord blood

28 were waste by-products
47 were from consumer products (teflon, stain repellents, etc.)
212 different industrial chemicals and pesticides that were banned over 30 years ago!
Check out the video where Ken Cook from the EWG explains what all this means. (it’s about 20 minutes long)

With all that scary info, how do we protect the babies we carry, along with protecting our own bodies?

10 Easy Ways To Lower Toxic Consumption During Pregnancy

Use Natural cleaners in your home. Ever wonder why conventional products don’t list all the ingredients? We probably wouldn’t buy them if we saw them! Conventional cleaners can contain many different chemicals, scents, and even formaldehyde.
Dust and Vacuum your home often. Toxins from the air actually get trapped in the dust, which then lands on your furniture, etc. So try and vacuum and dust once a week and don’t forget to clean off the return air vents and baseboards!
Use a BPA free water bottle. BPA (Bisphenol-A) is an endocrine (hormone) disruptor and can effect not only your hormones, but those of your baby. With a developing reproductive system, this can be quite detrimental. Use real glasses at home and if you need a water bottle for when you’re out and about, try something like Klean Kanteen stainless steel bottles.
Don’t use teflon pans. Within just a few minutes of heating, it can get hot enough to emit toxic gases. And if you’re like me, you use them until they are so scratched there isn’t any Teflon left! But throw any scratched pans away! If the gases are toxic I can’t imagine how bad it is to actually eat it! Try to replace them with stainless steel or cast iron pans.
Be careful with all plastics. Especially for food storage. BPA, Phthalates, and PVC in plastics can degrade and enter into your food. Fatty foods quicken this process and absorb more. Try replacing your Tupperware with glass storage containers. If you must use plastic, make sure foods are cooled before placing them in the container and never reheat the food in the plastic.
Use natural skin care products. Your skin is actually your largest organ and absorbs much of what we place on it. Conventional products are loaded with phthalates, dyes, perfumes, and chemicals. Alternatives are available.
Use plants to filter your air. Our indoor air quality seems to get worse as the years go by. Our homes are full of cabinets that have formaldehyde in them, we use glue that emits toxins for our flooring and now a days PVC seems to be everywhere from windows to shower curtains. While we all can’t afford to “green” our houses completely, we can “green” them up with some plants. Houseplants can actually help remove toxins like ammonia, formaldehyde, and even benzene. The top five listed by Treehugger.com include peace lily, (although this plant may be mildly toxic when ingested -so a no-no around pets and babies!) bamboo palm, English ivy (supposed to be the best at removing formeldahyde, though I don’t know how to plant ivy inside!), mums, and Gerbera daisies. Other plants I have heard work well are aloe vera, spider plants, and Chinese evergreen. So put some plants around your house – especially in the bedrooms where you spend so much of your time!
Buy organic food whenever possible. Especially fruits and vegetables that are regularly sprayed with pesticides. Pesticides work by either attacking a bugs nervous system or the reproductive system. Do you really want to subject your baby to even a small amount of these toxins? Organic foods are expensive, so when you need to make the choice between organic or conventional when you’re shopping, try to at least buy organic foods that have thin peels (apples, peaches, strawberries, etc.) and buy things like oranges and bananas (with thick skins) conventionally. Check out this HGM article on 10 produce items you’re better off buying organic.
Stay away from smokers and smoke-y businesses. What you breath, your baby breaths too! Do your best to stay away from cigarette smoke as it is filled with multiple toxins. These toxins can affect babies developing nervous system as well as set them up for a greater risk of allergies as they grow up.
Exercise. How does this help with the toxic load your body carries? Well, toxins are stored in fat cells. So the more fat cells you have, the more toxins you carry as well. Now exercise during pregnancy isn’t always an easy thing, but try going for a walk once in awhile and make sure you’re eating good, whole foods and not junk food, so as not to add on extra “fat weight” but good healthy baby weight.

Decreasing our toxic load may take just a bit more time and thought, but it’s so very worth it in the long run!

From One Concerned Mom to Another

2010-07-15T01:10:00.000-07:00

We wouldn't dream of letting our children breath poisonous fumes intentionally, yet we do this every time we “protect” them by cleaning the house or using personal care products!

Important Things for All Moms to Know

Chlorine Bleach can burn, irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. It has been outlawed in much of Europe because it is HIGHLY suspected of also being a carcinogen. If used in a workplace OSHA regulates that it be treated as a "toxic chemical." ."

Ammonia can be damaging to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

Air fresheners contain toxins that include Formaldehyde and Phenol.

Many personal care - bath and body products contain Q-15 (a formaldehyde releasing agent)

Dish washing detergents contain dry chlorine, which is the #1 cause of poisoning in children according to poison control.

Furniture polish contains Petroleum Distillates, which can cause skin and lung cancer.

You can do an easy test with your household cleaners. Quite simply -- the stronger the smell, the more toxins that are present.

"Most of the time we have no choice but to breathe polluted air, and eat chemical laden food, and drink water that is less than pure, but we DO have a choice of what we put on our skin and what products we have in our homes. Be sure the products you are using are free of cancer causing and toxic ingredients. "

Links About Toxins in the Home

1. “TRADE SECRETS: A MOYERS REPORT is an investigation of the history of the chemical revolution and the companies that drove it . . . ”
http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/program/program.html

2. “The Center for Children’s Health and the Environment (CCHE) is the nation’s first academic research and policy center to examine the links between exposure to toxic pollutants and childhood illness.” http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/children/areas-of-care/childrens-environmental-health-center

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A-Z Index of Health Topics: This website contains in-depth definitions and resources on risk factors and prevention for a vast array of today's health concerns. http://www.cdc.gov/az/a.html

4. Children's Health Environmental Coalition: “CHEC's mission is to inform parents . . . . about preventable health & development problems caused by exposures to toxic substances in homes . . . . ” http://healthychild.org/

5. “Environmental Defense is fighting to protect human health, restore our oceans and ecosystems, and curb global warming." http://www.edf.org/home.cfm

6. Purdue Glossary of Household Products with Hazards from A to Z
http://www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/housewaste/house/products.htm

7. National Institutes of Health & National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database: “What's under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room? Learn more about what's in these products, about potential health effects, and about safety and handling.” http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

8. Natural Resources Defense Council: “Every day we are exposed to thousands of chemicals, including hundreds known to cause serious harm to people and the environment. NRDC educates the public about the health threats posed by toxic chemicals.” http://www.nrdc.org/health

My home is a cleaner, safer place for my family since I began using products with no harmful chemicals. I feel good knowing that I am making every effort to make my home a safe haven for my family. I encourage you to consider making a difference in your family's health. Making a simple decision to switch stores has made our home healthier, safer and more frugal.

Danger, Warning Caution -- What do They Mean?

2010-06-20T23:07:00.000-07:00

You know those Danger, Warning and Caution labels on products? Do you know exactly what they mean? You might be surprised.

These labels can be found on soaps, lotions, cleaning products, toothpaste, mouthwash, laundry supplies, shampoos, conditioners and many other everyday consumables.

You might just want to re-think products with these labels because there ARE sensible & simple alternatives!

DANGER means that the chemical is harmful or fatal if swallowed. Ingestion of a small taste to a teaspoon could kill an average sized adult.

WARNING means that the chemical is harmful if swallowed. Ingestion of a teaspoon to an ounce could kill an average sized adult.

CAUTION means that the chemical is harmful if swallowed. Ingestion of an ounce to a pint could kill an average adult.

"Five to ten million household poisonings are reported every year.

Many of these poisonings are fatal, and most of the victims are children."

Debra Lynn Dadd, author "The Nontoxic Home and Office

Whether accidental poisoning or serious disease, the choices that we make in our homes regarding household products can have a deadly impact on long-term health for our family members, especially our children.

Lawsuit Proceeds on Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo

2010-06-17T00:24:00.000-07:00

A lawsuit filed by a group of consumers alleging Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo includes potentially cancer-causing chemicals will be allowed to go forward, according to a federal court judge In Newark.

U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Cavanaugh based his decision to let the lawsuit proceed on the presence of a single chemical ingredient found in the shampoo: methylene chloride, which is banned by the Food and Drug Administration for use in cosmetics.

The lawsuit also alleges WalMart’s Equate Tearless Baby Wash includes the same cancer-causing chemicals.

Lawyers for WalMart and Johnson & Johnson, which is based in New Brunswick, had sought to dismiss the suit, arguing the consumers lacked standing to sue because the product failed to cause an injury or that the shampoo failed to clean hair.

Bonnie Jacobs, a spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson’s consumer products business, refused to comment yesterday on the litigation.

In a letter last May to Johnson & Johnson’s Chief Executive Officer William Weldon, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of consumer, health and environmental groups, asked the company to reformulate the baby shampoo as well as some of its other personal care products.
In addition to noting methylene chloride, the letter — and the ensuing lawsuit — also identified formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane as being in the baby shampoo.

At the time the coalition sent its letter to Weldon, the company said the chemical compounds existed in "trace levels’’ that could result from processes that make the baby shampoo gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth. "Many regulatory agencies around the world consider these trace levels safe,’’ Johnson & Johnson spokesman Bill Price told the Associated Press at the time.

PLEASE NOTE!
Formaldehyde accumulates in the body. Even "safe trace levels" add up over time. The body cannot get rid of formaldehyde on its own!

Ira Loss, an analyst who follows the pharmaceutical industry, said it is not unusual for companies to reformulate their products and then to market them as new and improved.

SOURCE: NJ.com

Toxic Brew

2010-06-03T19:40:00.001-07:00

In my opinion this clip is a prerequisite to responsible parenting.

Could your home be healthier?
Learn how to get rid of toxins. . .it is worth it.

Link back to SOURCE:
http://video.aol.ca/video-detail/cbc-marketplace-report-toxic-brew/966454477/?icid=VIDLRVENT08
(you may need to scroll down)

Please note: Canadian laws are reflective of American laws in this area.

Cancer Causing Ingredients in Children's Products

2010-06-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

This is exactly what we have been teaching for 6 years now.
Do not trust manufacturers to be looking out for your best interest -- they DO NOT.
This is exactly why I shop with a company that has a Mission Statement laser focused on making lives better, healthier and safer and a 25 year record of putting wellness first.

Maybe more people will take notice since this is increasingly hitting the mainstream.

But, be assured and forewarned that unscrupulous manufacturers will "jump on the bandwagon" and try to peddle their goods as safer. In fact, it is already being done. Case in point - Clorox.

Feel free to contact me if you'd like to know what I have learned and where I shop!

The 6 Most Unhealthy Foods --> Avoid at All Costs!

2010-05-25T21:40:00.000-07:00

Some people swear by the mantra "everything in moderation," but the truth is, some foods, no matter how good they taste, are better off left alone.
If you need a little motivation to stay away from these most unhealthy foods, consider that four of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States are related to diet (diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke). And if you're looking to improve yours, cutting back on these six foods is a great place to start. Want to guess first? Read the hints below.

Hints:

#1 is basically liquid candy.
#2 contains acrylamide, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin.
#3 contains nothing more than refined sugar and flour, artificial flavors and partially hydrogenated oil that's loaded with trans fats.
#4 pertains to a store bought version of something . . . it contains high amounts of trans fats and a host of other unsavory additives. Homemade version? A bit better.
#5 has almost 1,000 milligrams of salt in one small serving.

πππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ

Ready for the 6 six things you should delete from your diet? Did you already guess?

1. Soda.
An average can of soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, artificial food colors and sulphites. Diet sodas have the even-more-unhealthy artificial sweeteners. A major part of the problem is that sodas have become a staple in many people's diets. A study in the journal Pediatrics found that 56 percent to 85 percent of children consume at least one soft drink a day, and 20 percent of adolescent males drink four or more sodas a day.
"Parents and health officials need to recognize soft drinks for what they are -- liquid candy -- and do everything they can to return those beverages to their former role as an occasional treat," says the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a U.S. consumer group. In fact, CSPI has recently petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling for cigarette-style warnings on soft drinks to warn people of their potential health risks (weight gain, diabetes, tooth decay and more).

You knew it was coming ... French fries contain at least two types of cancer-causing compounds.

2. Potato Chips and French Fries.
These popular snack foods contain acrylamide, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin that is formed when foods are baked or fried at high temperatures. "I estimate that acrylamide causes several thousand cancers per year in Americans," said Clark University research professor Dale Hattis.
When CSPI conducted tests on some popular brands of French fries and chips, they found that the acrylamide in a large order of fast food fries was at least 300 times the amount allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a glass of water.
"There has long been reason for Americans to eat less greasy French fries and snack chips," said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. "Acrylamide is yet another reason to eat less of those foods."

An Up-and-Coming Absolute Worst Food ... Don't Try This at Home

This one wasn't popular enough to make the top-six list yet, but it's growing in popularity ... and growing fast. The deep-fried Twinkie, first invented in a Brooklyn restaurant by brothers Clint and Rocky Mullen, is making its rounds to country fairs and carnivals around the country.
Here's how they're made:
• Twinkies are chilled, rolled in flour, dipped in tempura batter and fried for a minute or two.
• The frying process melts the cream center, which becomes infused throughout the cake, giving it a pudding-like texture.
• For the finale, they're sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with chocolate or berry sauce.
If you're not into Twinkies, don't despair. The Mullen brothers also sell deep-fried candy bars--Snickers, 3 Musketeers and Milky Way--to suit even the most discerning tastes.

But that's not all. These foods also contain trans fats, the artery-clogging fat that's been linked to raising bad cholesterol (and lowering the good kind), and increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer.

Doughnuts: A somehow tasty concoction of refined sugar, flour, trans fats and artificial flavors with zero nutritional value.

3. Doughnuts.
Tasty, yes. But break a doughnut down and you'll find nothing more than refined sugar and flour, artificial flavors and partially hydrogenated oil that's loaded with trans fats. They have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
"When it comes to health, the only thing good about them is the hole," said Carla Wolper, nutritionist at the New York Obesity Research Center.

4. Skip the Pre-Packaged Baked Goods
This category actually includes all varieties of baked goods, including packaged cake and biscuit mixes. What makes these foods so bad is that they almost always contain high amounts of trans fats and a host of other unsavory additives including corn syrup, preservatives and artificial flavors and colors. In fact, commercial baked goods typically contain more trans fats than any other food because not only are they often made with hydrogenated oils, they're fried in them too.
If you're not ready to give up your morning treat just yet, opt for baked goods from your local bakery (which is less likely to use hydrogenated oil for a long shelf-life and is likely to use butter instead of margarine, which typically contains trans fat) or . . . . MAKE THEM YOURSELF!

A hot dog now and then can be reasonably healthy if you seek out a nitrite/nitrate-free variety.

5. Luncheon Meats/Hot Dogs.
Processed meats like these (and others including sausages, bacon, pepperoni and other processed meats) contain a carcinogenic precursor ingredient known as sodium nitrite (sodium nitrate is closely related).
"Sodium nitrite is a dangerous, cancer-causing ingredient that has no place in the human food supply," says nutritionist Mike Adams, author of the Grocery Warning Manual.
And, according to a University of Hawaii study that followed nearly 200,000 people for seven years, people who consumed the most processed meats (hot dogs and sausage) showed a 67 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer over those who consumed little or no meat products.
Here's some good news: you can find various varieties of nitrite/nitrate-free meats in any health food store.

6. Canned Soup.
Here we're talking about the traditional, canned soups you find in your grocery store. This may come as a surprise, but most canned (and packaged) soups have high levels of trans fats, sodium and artificial preservatives like MSG. Just one cup of canned soup can have almost 1,000 milligrams of salt (and most people eat more than one cup), which is tons considering dietary guidelines recommend consuming no more than 2,400 milligrams for the entire day.
There are healthy options out there, particularly natural, organic brands, but be sure to read the label. The alternative is, of course, to make your own homemade variety.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Sources
Original Article

Reuters July 13, 2005
What's Wrong With Trans Fats?
CSPI Newsroom
Doughnuts Get a Big Zero
Organic Consumers Association
CNN: New Junk Food Fad: Deep-Fried Twinkies

Cross posted @ Old Men's Gym and at The Best Nest

Kids and Cars - Let's Save Some Lives

2010-05-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

Cars backing over out-of-view children.
Power windows strangling children.
Cars getting inadvertently shifted into gear.
And, of course, children left unattended in hot cars.

“The thing that motivates me more than anything is that it’s all preventable,” Fennell said.

The article is longish but an easy and fast read. It includes so many GREAT tidbits that will raise your awareness that it is worth the 5 minutes it takes to read.

Quick excerpt:

She is not afraid to challenge popular institutions and ideas.

She lobbied to get a Diet Pepsi commercial off the air that featured Cindy Crawford leaving her toddler and baby in her closed SUV on a warm day while she cooled off with a drink. After Fennell complained, Pepsi donated $20,000 to Kids and Cars.

She also helped get a Corvette commercial pulled. Directed by Guy Ritchie, it showed a 10-year-old boy driving the car. She got death threats from Corvette lovers for that one.

When an Arkansas brother and sister died in the trunk of a 2000 GM car last summer, Fennell called for GM to retrofit all its 2000 and 2001 cars with trunk releases.

Cross posted at The Best Nest

Exercise During Pregnancy - 13 Rules

2010-04-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

Exercise has great benefits, but during pregnancy you need to approach it with extra caution. Whether you're a regular exerciser looking to continue your regime during pregnancy, or a former couch potato looking to get moving, follow these 13 rules to keep yourself and your baby safe.

1. Check with your healthcare provider first

If you exercised regularly before getting pregnant and your pregnancy is problem-free, you can most likely continue working out as before — with modifications as noted below. There are exceptions to this general rule, so talk to your doctor or midwife about your fitness routine to make sure your activities don't put you or your baby at risk.

If you're starting from scratch as a non-exerciser, see our exercise guide for beginners, and talk to your healthcare provider.

2. Take in extra calories

Get the 300 to 500 additional calories a day you need during pregnancy, especially if you're exercising. Make sure to eat well to help nourish and strengthen your body.

3. Steer clear of dangerous sports

Avoid contact sports, as well as activities that might throw you off-balance, such as horseback riding or biking. Even if you're normally graceful, keep in mind that the increased levels of the hormone relaxin during pregnancy, which relax pelvic joints in preparation for childbirth, loosen all ligaments and joints, making you more susceptible to sprains and injury from falls.

4. Wear the right clothes

Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing. Dress in layers so it's easy to peel off a layer or two after you've warmed up (or if you simply feel too hot). Make sure your maternity bra offers enough support, and choose athletic shoes that fit your feet properly and offer good support. If your shoe size has changed because of mild swelling, stash away your pre-pregnancy sneakers and buy a new pair.

5. Warm up

Warm-ups prepare your muscles and joints for exercise and build your heart rate up slowly. If you skip the warm-up and jump into strenuous activity before your body is ready, you could strain your muscles and ligaments and experience increased post-workout aches and pains.

6. Drink plenty of water

Drink water before, during, and after exercising. Otherwise, you can become dehydrated, which can cause contractions and raise your body temperature, sometimes to levels that are dangerous for you and your baby. James M. Pivarnik, Ph.D., of Michigan State University, says that while there's no official recommendation for how much water pregnant women should drink while exercising, a good guideline is to drink one cup (8 ounces) before you exercise, one cup for every 20 minutes of exercise, and one cup after you finish your workout. In hot and/or humid weather, you'll need more.

7. Don't lie flat on your back

Avoid lying flat on your back after the first trimester. This position puts pressure on a major vein called the vena cava, which will diminish blood flow to your brain and uterus, and can make you dizzy, short of breath, or nauseated. Some women are comfortable in this position well into their pregnancies, but this isn't necessarily a good gauge of whether blood flow to the uterus is affected. Placing a pillow under your right hip or buttock will allow you to be almost supine without compressing the vena cava.

8. Keep moving

Standing motionless for prolonged periods — as when you're lifting weights or doing yoga poses — can decrease blood flow to the uterus and cause blood to pool in your legs, making you dizzy. Keep moving by switching positions or walking in place.

9. Don't overdo it

Don't exercise to exhaustion. A good rule of thumb: Slow down if you can't comfortably carry on a conversation. In general, the best guideline is to listen to your body. When something hurts, that means something's wrong, so stop. You should feel like you're working your body, not punishing it.

10. Don't get overheated

Avoid letting yourself get too hot, especially during the first trimester when your baby's major organs are developing. Although there's no proof of a danger to humans, some animal studies suggest that overheating can cause birth defects.

Increased blood flow and a higher metabolic rate mean you'll feel warmer than usual when you're pregnant, and doubly so when you exercise. And since feeling warm is common in pregnancy, you may get overheated much faster than you normally would, even before your belly is big.

Signs of being overheated are largely individual, but pay attention if you're sweating a lot, feel uncomfortably warm, or feel dizzy or short of breath. On hot and/or humid days, skip your workout or exercise indoors in a well-ventilated, air-conditioned room. Wear loose, non-binding clothing and drink plenty of water.

To cool off quickly, stop exercising, take off layers, and change your environment: seek out air conditioning or step into a cool shower. Hydrating is key, too, so drink lots of water.

11. Get up from the floor slowly

As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts. That's why it's important to take great care when you change positions. Getting up too quickly can make you dizzy, and may cause you to lose your footing and fall.

12. Cool down

At the end of your workout, take a few minutes to walk in place and then stretch. Heart rate increases during pregnancy and it may take as long as 15 minutes for your heart to return to its resting rate following a workout.

13. Make it a habit

Make a commitment to work regular exercise into your schedule. Keeping up a routine is easier on your body than periods of inertia interrupted by spurts of activity. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you can safely engage in 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise on most, if not all, days of the week as long as you have your healthcare provider's go-ahead.

Reviewed by Vicki Lee Edge, M.D., August 2006

Safe Nursery Checklist by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

2010-04-14T22:17:00.000-07:00

Use this checklist as your guide when buying new or secondhand nursery products, or when you evaluate the product now being used by your baby or young child.
You may want to add other features to check, or add other children's products.

Cribs

___ Slats are spaced no more than 2-3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.

___ No slats are missing, loose or cracked.

___ Mattress fits snugly - no more than two fingers width between edge of mattress and cribside.

___ Mattress support is securely attached to the headboard and footboard.

___ Corner posts are no higher than 1/16 of an inch (1-1/2 mm).

___ No cutouts in top edge of headboard and footboard.

___ Drop-side latches cannot be easily released by a baby.

___ Drop-side latches securely hold side in raised position.

___ All screws, bolts and other hardware are present and tight.

Crib Toys

___ No strings or cords should dangle into the crib.

___ Crib gym or mobile has label warning to remove from crib when child can push up on hands and knees or reaches 5 months of age, whichever comes first. Note: Some mobiles have two parts: one without strings, like a music box, that can stay on the crib, and the mobile that should be removed from the crib.

___ Components of toys are too large to be a choking hazard.

Gates and Enclosures

___ Openings in gate are too small to entrap a child's head or neck.

___ Gate has a pressure bar or other fastener that will resist forces exerted by a child.

High Chairs

___ There is a "crotch" strap that must be used when restraining a child in a high chair.

___ High chair has restraining straps that are independent of the tray.

___ Tray locks securely.

___ Buckles on straps are easy to fasten and unfasten.

___ High chair has a wide base for stability.

___ Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and cannot be pulled off and choke a child.

___ Folding high chair has effective locking device.

Playpens
___ Playpens or travel cribs have top rails that will automatically lock when lifted into the normal use position.
___ Playpen does NOT have a rotating hinge in the center of the top rails.
___ Drop-side mesh playpen or mesh crib has warning label about never leaving a side in the down position.
___ Playpen mesh has small weave (less than 1/4 inch openings).
___ Mesh has no tears or loose threads.
___ Mesh is securely attached to top rail and floorplate.
___ Wooden playpen has slats spaced no more than 2-3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.

Rattles/Squeeze Toys/Teethers
___ Rattles, squeeze toys and teethers have handles too large to lodge in baby's throat.
___ Squeeze toys do not contain a squeaker that could detach and choke a baby.
___ Avoid rattles with ball shaped ends.

Toy Chests
___ Toy chest has no latch to entrap child within the chest.
___ Toy chest has spring-loaded lid support that will not require periodic adjustment and will support the lid in any position to prevent lid slam.
___ Chest has ventilation holes or spaces in front or sides, or under lid.

Walkers
___ Walker has safety features to help prevent a fall down stairs.

Back Carriers
___ Leg openings are small enough to prevent child from slipping out.
___ Leg openings are large enough to prevent chafing.
___ Frame joints in the folding mechanism.
___ Carrier has padded covering over metal frame near baby's face.

Bassinets and Cradles
___ Bassinet/cradle has a sturdy bottom and a wide base for stability.
___ Bassinet/cradle has smooth surfaces - no protruding staples or other hardware that could injure the baby.
___ Legs have strong, effective locks to prevent folding while in use.
___ Mattress is firm and fits snugly.
___ Wood or metal cradles have slats spaced no more than 2-3/8 in. (60 mm) apart.

Carrier Seats
___ Carrier seat has a wide, sturdy base for stability.
___ Carrier has non-skid feet to prevent slipping.
___ Supporting devices lock securely.
___ Carrier seat has a crotch and waist strap.
___ Buckle or strap is easy to use.

Changing Tables
___ Table has safety straps to prevent falls
___ Table has drawers or shelves that are easily accessible without leaving the baby unattended.

Hook-on Chairs
___ Chair has restraining straps.
___ Chair has a clamp that locks onto the table for added security.
___ Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and cannot be pulled off to choke child.
___ Hook-on chair has a warning never to place chair where child can push off with feet.

Pacifiers
___ Pacifier has no ribbons, string, cord or yarn attached.
___ Shield is large enough and firm enough so it cannot fit into child's mouth.
___ Guard or shield has ventilation holes so baby can breath if shield goes into mouth.
___ Pacifier nipple has no holes or tears that might cause it to break off in baby's mouth.

Strollers and Carriages
___ Stroller has wide base to prevent tipping.
___ Seat belt and crotch strap are securely attached to frame.
___ Seat belt buckle is easy to use.
___ Brakes securely lock the wheel(s).
___ Shopping basket is low on the back and located directly over or in front of the wheels.
___ When used in carriage position, leg hole openings can be closed.

********

For further information, write: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Washington, D.C. 20207 The US Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, you can go to CPSC's forms page and use the first on-line form on that page. Or, you can call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or send the information to info@cpsc.gov. Consumers can obtain this publication and additional publication information from the Publications section of CPSC's web site or by sending your publication request to publications@cpsc.gov. If you would like to receive CPSC's recall notices, subscribing to the email list will send all press releases to you the day they are issued.

Life Before Birth

2010-04-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

"Hello baby, is it dark in there?"
If researchers want to know what a fetus can see—not to mention smell, hear, taste and touch—they have to go right to the source. Unfortunately, the unborn are not the world's greatest communicators.

To find the answers, researchers study animal fetuses, healthy human newborns only hours old and premature infants finishing their pre-natal development in an incubator. What they've learned about the fetal experience and the development of the senses not only expands our understanding of the human body, it's also helping to up the premies' chances for a healthy, normal life.

Across the animal kingdom, senses come online in a very specific order that doesn't vary much from one vertebrate to another. The first sense fetuses experience is touch. Then come the chemical-based senses—taste and smell. The ability to hear develops fourth. And finally, so late that many animals are born lacking it, comes sight.

Humans, with our relatively long gestation periods, are one of the few species that can see before we're born. Not that there's very much to see. And, yes, it is, in fact, rather dark in there.

"(Babies in the womb) can tell the difference between dim and very dim. That's what they'd see if mom removed outer clothing on a sunny day," said William Fifer, Ph.D., head of the fetal/infant development lab at Columbia University's division of developmental psychology.

Scientists have watched fetuses on ultrasound turn their heads away from bright lights held up to their mother's stomach, Fifer said. And they've seen the brain waves of premature infants spike in response to a flash of light, or a change in visual stimulus—switching a card from vertical stripes to horizontal, for instance. Sight isn't much of a sense at this point, but it's enough.
Enough for what? That's where things get interesting. See, senses don't work via some neurological "off/on" switch. It's more like building muscle. You have to exercise to get results. The more you work out the new sense, the more neuron connections are formed and the sense improves. But if you don't use it, you lose it. Literally.

"You need sensory stimulation of some sort, or the nerve connections never form," Fifer said. "Kittens blindfolded after birth never develop sight."

Sensory stimulation is important in other ways as well, helping fetuses learn. For instance, duck embryos peep to themselves while still inside their eggs. As they do that, they begin to recognize what a duck voice sounds like.

"A researcher named Gilbert Gottlieb found that, if he de-vocalized a duck embryo, then after birth it wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the maternal calls of a duck or a chicken," said Jeffery Alberts, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Indiana University. "They have to hear themselves in the egg and stimulate their own auditory systems. That's how they get it to be tuned enough to complete development."

Monkey hear, monkey do
Human babies in the womb use their senses to learn, too. Christine Moon, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Pacific Lutheran University, studies auditory development in humans. She does her research by staking out the maternity wing at a local hospital, popping in on new families right after babies are born. If the parents are interested, infants as young as eight hours old can be tested to see how they respond to different sounds. The babies wear headphones and are given special pacifiers hooked up to a computer.

Turns out, babies suck harder on the pacifiers when they hear sounds that are familiar to them from before birth. Newborns prefer their mother's voice over anyone else's (even dad's). They prefer hearing phrases from books they were read while in the womb, compared to new stories. They're even already favoring one language over another.

"Babies prefer the sound of their mother's native language to others," Moon said. "Interestingly, they can distinguish between languages in the same rythmic class, like Spanish versus English. But they can't tell the difference between similar sounding languages, like English and Dutch."

Mothers' speech seem to matter in other ways as well. Moms who don't mumble or slur their words together have children that can better recognize consonants at 6-to-8 months, and have bigger vocabularies at 10-to-12 months, compared to their peers. This, and other research, has led Moon to theorize that language acquisition is a process that begins before we're even born.

Seeing a better future
All this has big implications for infant health.
We know now that sensory experiences before birth play a role in making sure senses develop properly and that fetuses learn important post-birth behaviors. That's helped researchers better understand what happens to fetuses exposed to alcohol.
Too much alcohol makes for a fetus that doesn't move around much and interacts less with its environment. That means less sensory experience and, thus, less cognitive development. Like the de-vocalized duck embryo, a fetus exposed to alcohol can't teach itself. That sensory deprivation can even have physical impacts.

"One of the things the fetus experiences from alcohol exposure is reduced swallowing movements. So it doesn't have that stimulation of the gastro-intestinal system to help that system develop normally," Jeffrey Alberts said.

Studying fetal senses has also helped doctors develop better ways of caring for premature infants. These babies end up lacking a lot of the sensory experiences they need for normal development—the movement of being inside their mother, the smells and tastes of the womb, their mother's voice—while simultaneously experiencing bright lights and loud noises that they wouldn't normally. Imagine falling asleep in a hammock on a tropical night, and waking to find yourself being grilled under the light by a noir police detective. That shock makes a difference in babies' development, and helps put them at risk for a variety of cognitive and motor disorders, William Fifer said.

Sensory research has led to darker rooms for pre-term infants, turning down the harsh lights that can harm their not-quite-ready-for-primetime eyesight, Fifer said. It's also prompted hospitals to begin monitoring the babies' brain waves and testing their hearing, looking for early signs that the baby in question might need therapeutic intervention.

"It's only in the last few years that we've been checking that as a matter of course," he said. "Now many nurseries measure brain activity because we know that if you see problems early on you can make a bigger difference."

SOURCE

Maggie Koerth-Baker at 6:30 AM April 7, 2010

Main image courtesy Flickr user lunar_caustic, via CC.
Photo of 18-hour-old baby participating in a speech/language perception experiment, ,courtesy Christine Moon.

Formaldehyde - Is it in Your Baby's Shampoo?

2010-03-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

There is a very common chemical (1 among many chemicals) that is routinely used by traditional manufacturers …… especially in their personal care products. It’s called Q –15 (or quaternium 15).

It is a formaldehyde-releasing agent!

Formaldehyde is highly suspected of being a carcinogen and neurotoxin. On the low-end it causes skin irritation, headaches and migraines and on the high end . . . . . cancer.

Our competitors use it because it is a cheap preservative.

It’s even in many Johnson and Johnson Baby products including their baby wash. It is in MANY things! These used to be some of my favorite products until I learned this information: Dove soaps
Crest Toothpastes
Colgate Toothpastes
Baby Magic products

There are over 28 other names for this one chemical making it hard to identify on labels.

Some names include: Dowicil 75; Dowicil 100; Dowco 184; Dowicide Q; 1-(3-Chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride; N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chloride; hexamethylenetetramine chloroallyl chloride; 3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane; 1-(3-chloroallyl)-chloride.

Formaldehyde is a toxic substance that can be found in household cleaners and even cosmetics.

Be advised that formaldehyde fumes can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas and can cause headaches, nausea, watery eyes, sore throats, lung irritation, and serious respiratory damage. Children exposed to the same levels as adults have potentially a greater risk of suffering adverse symptoms.

SOURCES:

^ Cahill J, Nixon R. Allergic contact dermatitis to quaternium 15 in a moisturizing lotion. Australasia J Dermatol. 2005 Nov;46(4):284-5. PMID 16197434
^ New Zealand Dermatological Society. "Quaternium-15 contact allergy". DermNet NZ. http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/quaternium-allergy.html. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
^ E. Warshaw, et al. Contact dermatitis of the hands: Cross-sectional analyses of North American Contact Dermatitis Group Data, 1994-2004. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 57, Issue 2, Pages 301-314
RMBarry
Environmental Working Group

Safer Solutions

2010-03-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Many pesticides are volatile. That means that they volatilize – or become gaseous. This allows the pesticides to drift throughout the application area to eliminate pests.

But this also means that they can contaminate all surfaces in a home.

An interesting note: Lysol and MANY other cleaning and disinfecting products contain pesticides. In this post we are concerned with products to kill "pests" not bacteria and viruses. (But! I thought this was an important fact to know)

So, what are some simple remedies to eliminate pests?

We shop at a store that offers products that are safer for home and family. The pricing is competitive and the service is excellent. Learn more and request more info here.

You can also try some home-made alternatives.
Please note: not all of these are completely safe for children (i.e. Borax, red chili pepper). That is why our family has opted for safer products from a reputable company with proven results and an extremely ethical track record.

For ants, you can sprinkle red chili powder, paprika or dried peppermint (or its essential oil) where the ants are entering. The company we shop with makes dryer sheets that stop ants, also.
For outdoor pets, place their food bowl within a larger bowl of soapy water.
For fleas, feed your pet brewer’s yeast in powder (mixed in food) or tablet form. The brewers'a yeast can produce some especially noxious smelling gas so be for warned and keep a fan near your dog for the times Fido emits those gasses.
The company we shop with makes an amazing dog shampoo that uses NO harmful chemicals -- safe around kids (and us and Fido)
For ants, termites, lice, fleas, spiders or roaches, mop or spray floors with Borax. It’s poisonous if ingested, so store and use carefully. OR . . . . . . I hate being redundant but you would be mad at me if I didn't tell you -- The company we shop with makes wonderfully effective, non pesticidal alternatives and preventatives for lice.
For ants and fleas, mix 4 oz of a natural soap in 1 gallon of water and spray as needed. Or sprinkle powdered soap around your home’s foundation.

source: HealthyChild.org

Hot Tubs during Pregnancy

2010-02-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

For many pregnant women, sitting in a hot tub sounds like a great way to ease muscle aches related to pregnancy. It is important to use caution when choosing a hot tub for relaxation and pain relief. Hot tubs can cause hyperthermia, which is an abnormally high body temperature.

What is the concern with hot tubs during pregnancy?
According to the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), a body temperature of 101º F and above can raise concerns during pregnancy. Some studies have shown an increased risk of birth defects in babies of women who had an increased body temperature during the first trimester of pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that becoming overheated in a hot tub is not recommended during pregnancy. ACOG also recommends that pregnant women never let their core body temperature rise above 102.2º F.
Although the specific degree differs, both OTIS and ACOG attest to the concern related to hot tub use during pregnancy.
Hot tubs are often factory programmed to maintain a water temperature of approximately 104º F. It takes only 10-20 minutes in a hot tub to raise your body temperature to 102º F or higher. To maintain a steady temperature, water is circulated and re-circulated through the hot tub to pump out cold water and pump in hot water.

So, is a hot bath safer than using a hot tub?

A hot bath, which is not uncomfortable or scalding, is a safer way to relax. In a bath much of your upper body will remain out of the water, making you less likely to overheat. Additionally, the water in a bath begins to cool off, as opposed to a hot tub, further reducing any risk of overheating.

How to reduce the risk if you choose to use a hot tub:

Although the Association does not recommend using hot tubs during pregnancy, here are some steps you can take to reduce any risk:

Re-program your hot tub to maintain a lower temperature.
Limit time in a hot tub to 10 minutes or less.
Monitor the temperature of the water by dipping a thermometer in the hot tub.
Monitor your body temperature to avoid overheating.
Pay attention to warning signs such as becoming uncomfortable or if you stop sweating.

SOURCE:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/hottubs.htm

Fast Foods - The Good and The Bad

2010-02-18T16:15:00.000-08:00

10 fast foods a pregnant woman could love (and five to avoid)

Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last updated: February 2010

Convenience foods that taste good are one of the luxuries of modern living – it's just unfortunate that so many of them are full of preservatives and other ingredients you should steer clear of during pregnancy. But there are a number of quick and easy foods that are genuinely good for you, especially if what you need is a light meal or snack to tide you over until your next full meal.

Here are ten tasty foods to try – and five to avoid – all recommended by Heidi Reichenberger, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, and Elizabeth Somer, a registered dietitian and the author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy: The Complete Guide to Eating Before, During, and After Your Pregnancy.

Healthy "fast foods"

1. Fruit
Grab an apple, banana, pear, orange, or another favorite fruit. Or if you prefer, try those handy little 4-ounce fruit cups, which count as one serving toward your daily recommendation for fruits and vegetables during pregnancy. Choose varieties packed in their own juice rather than in sugary syrup.

Find out why fruit is one of our ten best foods for pregnancy.

2. Raisins
A small (1 1/2-ounce) box provides a little boost of fiber, iron, and potassium while satisfying a sweet tooth.

3. Yogurt
One 6-ounce container of this classic nutritious-and-convenient food can provide 25 percent of your daily calcium requirement, as well as protein and several necessary vitamins and minerals. If the label says "live and active cultures," you'll also get the benefit of probiotics – helpful bacteria that aid digestion and protect your digestive tract.

Find out why Greek yogurt is one of our ten best foods for pregnancy.

4. Make-it-yourself trail mix
Add a cup of whole grain cereal to a handful of your favorite dried fruits and nuts (try dried cherries and almonds, or dried cranberries and walnuts). Keep it in a resealable bag in your desk or car for a handy, crunchy snack.

Find out why walnuts are one of our ten best foods for pregnancy.

5. Salad bar
Some fast-food restaurants and many grocery stores have salad bars where you can serve yourself practically a whole day's worth of fruits and vegetables. Load up on spinach, carrots, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, and zucchini. Add nuts, chickpeas, and kidney beans for a protein boost, and top with raisins for iron, fiber, and potassium.

Find out why dark, leafy greens are one of our ten best foods for pregnancy.

6. Baby carrots
Carrots are full of vitamin A and fiber, and you can find them in single-serving bags. Dip them in hummus or yogurt for an extra dose of nutrition or add a dab of salad dressing for flavor. Look for other prewashed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach to make a quick dinnertime stir-fry.
7. String cheese
If you don't know about string cheese now, just wait until your baby is a toddler – this food is likely to become a favorite snack. Low-fat mozzarella sticks are full of calcium, and one stick provides the same amount of protein as an 8-ounce glass of milk.
8. Orange juice fortified with calcium and vitamin D
Just half a cup provides half the daily requirement of vitamin C and about 15 percent of your calcium needs. Grab a juice box (check the labels for maximum fortification) when you're on the go.
9. Whole grain cereal or instant oatmeal
Stash a few single-serving packages in your desk at work for a quick, filling snack. Almost all breakfast cereal is now fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid.
10. Fat-free or low-fat cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a good source of protein and a fair source of calcium. Look for single-serving containers in the dairy section of most grocery stores. Top with fruit or throw in a handful of nuts and dried fruit to make things more interesting.

Foods to avoid
1. Packaged ramen noodles
Read the label: These quick-cooking noodles are packed with salt, fat, and little else.
2. Soda If you fill up on empty calories and sugar, you won't have any room for more nutritious drinks. Low-fat milk, water, and juice are better choices.
3. Shelf-stable commercial lunches
Sure, they're a quick fix for hunger pangs, but preservatives, salt, and fat make most of them a poor choice. There are some okay packaged lunch options out there, though, so check the labels!
4. Too many frozen prepared meals
There are some good choices out there, but many have astronomical amounts of salt and fat. Instead, pop a potato in the microwave, then top it with cheese and steamed broccoli for a fast, healthy meal. If you can't avoid the occasional frozen meal, look for organic brands that are low in salt and fat.
5. Iceberg lettuce
When it comes to lettuce, choose greens, such as romaine, that are full of fiber, A and C vitamins, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. Iceberg lettuce has only trace amounts of these nutrients.

SOURCE: babycenter.com

The Stages of Labor

2010-02-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last updated: November 2008

What stages will I go through during labor and birth?
The process of labor and birth is divided into three stages:
The first stage begins with the onset of contractions that cause progressive changes in your cervix and ends when your cervix is fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases: early (or latent) and active labor.
During early labor, your cervix gradually effaces (thins out) and dilates (opens).
During active labor, your cervix begins to dilate more rapidly and contractions are longer, stronger, and closer together. People often refer to the last part of active labor as "transition."

The second stage of labor begins once you're fully dilated and ends with the birth of your baby. This is sometimes referred to as the "pushing" stage.

The third and final stage begins right after the birth of your baby and ends with the separation and subsequent delivery of the placenta.
Every pregnancy is different, and there's wide variation in the length of labor. For first-time moms who are at least 37 weeks along, labor often takes between ten and 20 hours. For some women, though, it lasts much longer, while for others it's over much sooner. Labor generally progresses more quickly for women who've already given birth vaginally.

First stage: Early labor

Once your contractions are coming at relatively regular intervals and your cervix begins to progressively dilate and efface, you're officially in early labor. But unless your labor starts suddenly and you go from no contractions to fairly regular contractions right away, it can be tricky to determine exactly when true labor starts. That's because early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that may immediately precede them and contribute to so-called false labor.

VIDEO: An animated view of labor and birth ( Video Link )

If you're not yet at 37 weeks and you're noticing contractions or other signs of labor, call your caregiver immediately so she can determine whether you're in preterm labor.
During early labor, your contractions will gradually become longer, stronger, and closer together. While the experience of labor varies widely, it might start with contractions coming every ten minutes and lasting 30 seconds each.

Eventually they'll be coming every five minutes and lasting 40 to 60 seconds each as you reach the end of early labor. Some women have much more frequent contractions during this phase, but the contractions will still tend to be mild and last less than a minute.
Sometimes early labor contractions are quite painful, even though they may be dilating your cervix much more slowly than you'd like. If your labor is typical, however, your early contractions won't require the same attention that later ones will.
You'll probably be able to talk through them and putter around the house. You may even feel like taking a short walk. If you feel like relaxing instead, take a warm bath, watch a video, or doze off between contractions if you can.
You may notice an increase in mucusy vaginal discharge, which may be tinged with blood -- the so-called bloody show. This is perfectly normal, but if you see more than a tinge of blood, be sure to call your caregiver. Also call if your water breaks, even if you're not having contractions yet.
Otherwise, if you're at least 37 weeks along and your caregiver hasn't advised you differently, expect to sit out early labor at home. (When to call your midwife or doctor and when she's likely to have you go to the hospital or birth center are things to discuss ahead of time at your prenatal visits.)
Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to accelerate.

How long early labor lasts

It can be difficult to tell exactly when early labor starts, so it's often not easy to say how long this phase typically lasts -- or even, after the fact, how long it lasted for a particular woman. The length of early labor is quite variable and depends in large part on how ripe your cervix is at the beginning of labor and how frequent and strong your contractions are.
With a first baby, if your cervix isn't effaced or dilated to begin with, this phase may take about six to 12 hours, although it can be longer or significantly shorter. If your cervix is already very ripe or this isn't your first baby, it's likely to go much more quickly.

Coping tips
Don't become a slave to your stopwatch just yet -- it's stressful and exhausting to record every contraction over the many long hours of labor, and it isn't necessary. Instead, you may want to time them periodically to get a sense of what's going on. In most cases, your contractions will let you know in no uncertain terms when it's time to take them more seriously.
Meanwhile, it's important to do your best to stay rested, since you may have a long day (or night) ahead of you. If you're tired, try to nap between contractions.
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids so you stay well hydrated. And don't forget to urinate often, even if you don't feel the urge. A full bladder may make it more difficult for your uterus to contract efficiently, and an empty bladder leaves more room for your baby to descend.
If you're feeling anxious, you may want to try some relaxation exercises or do something to distract yourself a bit -- like watching a movie or reading a book.

First stage: Active labor

Active labor is when things really get rolling. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger, and you'll no longer be able talk through them. Your cervix begins dilating more quickly, going from about 4 to 10 centimeters. (The last part of active labor, when the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters, is called transition, which is described separately in the next section.)
Toward the end of active labor your baby may begin to descend, although he might have started to descend earlier or he might not start until the next stage.
As a general rule, once you've had regular, painful contractions (each lasting about 60 seconds) every five minutes for an hour, it's time to call your midwife or doctor and head to the hospital or birth center. Some prefer a call sooner, so clarify this with your caregiver ahead of time.
In most cases, the contractions become more frequent and eventually happen every two and a half to three minutes, although some women never have them more often than every five minutes, even during transition.

How long active labor lasts

On average, it takes about four to eight hours for a woman having her first baby to go from 4 centimeters to full dilation. That's if she's not being given oxytocin (Pitocin) or doesn't have an epidural. Pitocin generally speeds up the active phase, while epidurals tend to make it last longer.
If you've already had a vaginal birth, active labor is likely to go much more quickly.

Coping tips

Many of the pain-management and relaxation techniques used in natural childbirth -- such as breathing exercises and visualization -- may help you during labor, whether or not you're planning to receive medication.
A good labor coach can be a huge help now, too. And you'll probably appreciate lots of gentle encouragement.
It may feel good to walk, but you'll probably want to stop and lean against something (or someone) during each contraction. You should be able to move freely around the room after your caregiver evaluates you, as long as there are no complications.
If you're tired, try sitting in a rocking chair or lying in bed on your left side. This might be a good time to ask your partner for a massage. Or, if you have access to a tub and your water hasn't broken, you can take a warm shower or bath.
If you've already decided you want pain medication or you're having a hard time coping with contractions and nothing else seems to help, now's the time to talk to your provider about getting an epidural or systemic medication.

Transition

The last part of active labor -- when your cervix dilates from 8 to a full 10 centimeters -- is called the transition period because it marks the shift to the second stage of labor.
This is the most intense part of labor. Contractions are usually very strong, coming every two and a half to three minutes or so and lasting a minute or more, and you may start shaking and shivering.
By the time your cervix is fully dilated and transition is over, your baby has usually descended somewhat into your pelvis. This is when you might begin to feel rectal pressure, as if you have to move your bowels. Some women begin to bear down spontaneously -- to "push" -- and may even start making deep grunting sounds at this point.
There's often a lot of bloody discharge. You may feel nauseated or even vomit now.
Some babies descend earlier and the mom feels the urge to push before she's fully dilated. And others don't descend significantly until later, in which case the mom may reach full dilation without feeling any rectal pressure. It's different for every woman and with every birth.
If you've had an epidural, the pressure you'll feel will depend on the type and amount of medication you're getting and how low the baby is in your pelvis. If you'd like to be a more active participant in the pushing stage, ask to have your epidural dose lowered at the end of transition.

How long transition takes
Transition can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It's much more likely to be fast if you've already had a vaginal delivery.

Coping tips
If you're laboring without an epidural, this is when you may begin to lose faith in your ability to handle the pain, so you'll need lots of extra encouragement and support from those around you.

Some women appreciate light touch (effleurage), some prefer a stronger touch, and others don't want to be touched at all.
Sometimes a change of position provides some relief -- for example, if you're feeling a lot of pressure in your lower back, getting on all fours may reduce the discomfort.
A cool cloth on your forehead or a cold pack on your back may feel good, or you may find a warm compress more comforting.

On the other hand, because transition can take all of your concentration, you may want all distractions -- music or conversation or even that cool cloth or your partner's loving touch -- eliminated.
It may be useful to focus on the fact that those hard contractions are helping your baby make the journey out into the world. Try visualizing his movement down with each contraction.
The good news is that if you've made it this far without medication, you can usually be coached through transition -- one contraction at a time -- with constant reminders that you're doing a great job and that the end is near.

Second stage: Pushing

Once your cervix is fully dilated, the work of the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. At the beginning of the second stage, your contractions may be a little further apart, giving you the chance for a much-needed rest between them.
Many women find their contractions in the second stage easier to handle than the contractions in active labor because bearing down offers some relief. Others don't like the sensation of pushing.
If your baby's very low in your pelvis, you may feel an involuntary urge to push early in the second stage (and sometimes even before). But if your baby's still relatively high, you probably won't have this sensation right away.
As your uterus contracts, it exerts pressure on your baby, moving him down the birth canal. So if everything's going well, you might want to take it slowly and let your uterus do the work until you feel the urge to push. Waiting a while may leave you less exhausted and frustrated in the end.
In many hospitals, however, it's still routine practice to coach women to push with each contraction in an effort to speed up the baby's descent -- so let your caregiver know if you'd prefer to wait until you feel a spontaneous urge to bear down.
If you have an epidural, the loss of sensation can blunt the urge to push, so you may not feel it until your baby's head has descended quite a bit. Patience often works wonders. In some cases, though, you'll eventually need explicit directions to help you push effectively.

Your baby's descent
The descent may be rapid or, especially if this is your first baby, gradual.
With each contraction, the force of your uterus -- combined with the force of your abdominal muscles if you're actively pushing -- exerts pressure on your baby to continue to move down through the birth canal. When a contraction is over and your uterus is relaxed, your baby's head will recede slightly in a "two steps forward, one step back" kind of progression.
Try different positions for pushing until you find one that feels right and is effective for you. It's not unusual to use a variety of positions during the second stage.

The first glimpse
After a time, your perineum (the tissue between your vagina and rectum) will begin to bulge with each push, and before long your baby's scalp will become visible -- a very exciting moment and a sign that the end is in sight. You can ask for a mirror to get that first glimpse of your baby, or you may simply want to reach down and touch the top of his head.
Now the urge to push becomes even more compelling. With each contraction, more and more of your baby's head becomes visible. The pressure of his head on your perineum feels very intense, and you may notice a strong burning or stinging sensation as your tissue begins to stretch.
At some point, your caregiver may ask you to push more gently or to stop pushing altogether so your baby's head has a chance to gradually stretch out your vaginal opening and perineum. A slow, controlled delivery can help keep your perineum from tearing. By now, the urge to push may be so overwhelming that you'll be coached to blow or pant during contractions to help counter it.

How the head emerges
Your baby's head continues to advance with each push until it "crowns" -- the time when the widest part of his head is finally visible. The excitement in the room will grow as your baby's face begins to appear: his forehead, his nose, his mouth, and, finally, his chin.
After your baby's head emerges, your doctor or midwife will suction his mouth and nose and feel around his neck for the umbilical cord. (No need to worry. If the cord is around his neck, your caregiver will either slip it over his head or, if need be, clamp and cut it.)
His head then turns to the side as his shoulders rotate inside your pelvis to get into position for their exit. With the next contraction, you'll be coached to push as his shoulders emerge, one at a time, followed by his body.

Out at last!
Once your baby hits the atmosphere, he needs to be kept warm and will be dried off with a towel. Your doctor or midwife may quickly suction your baby's mouth and nasal passages again if he seems to have a lot of mucus.
If there are no complications, he'll be lifted onto your bare belly so you can touch, kiss, and simply marvel at him. The skin-to-skin contact will keep your baby nice and toasty, and he'll be covered with a warm blanket -- and perhaps given his first hat -- to prevent heat loss.
Your caregiver will clamp the umbilical cord in two places and then cut between the two clamps -- or your partner can do the honors.
You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief, excitement (to name but a few), and, of course, intense relief that it's all over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy, and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.

How long the second stage lasts
The entire second stage can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Without an epidural, the average duration is close to an hour for a first-timer and about 20 minutes if you've had a previous vaginal delivery. If you have an epidural, the second stage generally lasts longer.

Third stage: Delivering the placenta

Minutes after giving birth, your uterus begins to contract again. The first few contractions usually separate the placenta from your uterine wall.
When your caregiver sees signs of separation, she may ask you to gently push to help expel the placenta. This is usually one short push that's not at all difficult or painful.
How long the third stage lasts
On average, the third stage of labor takes about five to ten minutes.

After delivery: Now what?

After you deliver the placenta, your uterus should contract and get very firm. You'll be able to feel the top of it in your belly, around the level of your navel.
Your caregiver, and later your nurse, will periodically check to see that your uterus remains firm, and massage it if it isn't. This is important because the contraction of the uterus helps cut off and collapse the open blood vessels at the site where the placenta was attached. If your uterus doesn't contract properly, you'll continue to bleed profusely from those vessels.
If you're planning to breastfeed, you can do so now if you and your baby are both willing. Not all babies are eager to nurse in the minutes after birth, but try holding your baby's lips close to your breast for a little while. Most babies will eventually begin to nurse in the first hour or so after birth if given the chance.
Early nursing is good for your baby and can be deeply satisfying for you. What's more, nursing triggers the release of oxytocin, the same hormone that causes contractions, which helps your uterus stay firm and well contracted.
If you're not going to nurse or your uterus isn't firm, you'll be given oxytocin to help it contract. (Some providers routinely give it to all women at this point). If you're bleeding excessively, you'll be treated for that as well.
Your contractions at this point are relatively mild. By now your focus has shifted to your baby, and you may be oblivious to everything else going on around you.
If this is your first baby, you may feel only a few contractions after you've delivered the placenta. If you've had a baby before, you may continue to feel occasional contractions for the next day or two.
These so-called afterbirth pains can feel like strong menstrual cramps. If they bother you, ask for pain medication. You may also have the chills or feel very shaky. This is perfectly normal and won't last long. Don't hesitate to ask for a warm blanket if you need one.
Your caregiver will examine the placenta to make sure it's all there. Then she'll check you thoroughly to spot any tears that need to be stitched.

Unless your baby needs special care, be sure to insist on some quiet time together. The eyedrops and vitamin K can wait a little while. You and your partner will want to share this special time with each other as you get acquainted with your new baby and revel in the miracle of his birth.

SOURCE:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-stages-of-labor_177.bc?showAll=true

Car Seats (& Mighty Tites)

2010-02-10T18:35:00.000-08:00

This is a great place on the web to learn about carseats! The Car Seat Lady
And, may I strongly encourage the use of a Mighty Tite to go with this info!!

You will find accurate, up-to-date information from NHTSA-Certified Child Passenger Safety technicians and instructors about how to keep your most precious cargo safe:

the best car seat for your child and your vehicle
when your child is ready for a booster seat
how to use a car seat in a taxi
how to use a car seat on an airplane
why rear-facing is safer than forward facing
how to pick a safe vehicle

We also offer experienced, private car seat installation lessons in the New York City and Baltimore areas.
Or if you live elsewhere, find a qualified car seat installation expert near you to teach you how to properly install your child's car seat.
Read our response to the recent Consumer Reports article (Feb. 2007) Please note that on 18 Jan 2007, Consumer Reports withdrew the article.

We're in the New Yorker!

Alisa Baer, the Car Seat Lady, was the Talk of the Town in The New Yorker on 5 Sep 2005!

Sexy For Her; Poisonous For Baby (& Her)

2010-01-27T12:10:00.000-08:00

Your perfume, shower gel or deodorant could contain chemicals that disrupt hormones, affect immune or nervous systems, or trigger cancer, allergies or other health problems. And not only that, but the chemicals we wash down the drain in our daily ablutions pollute the environment and harm wildlife.

Such is the grim news from the Women’s Environmental Network who have just launched a campaign to end the cosmetics cover up. The campaign aims to empower women to take action and lobby for safer cosmetics and toiletries.

The concern is that women are being exposed to tiny doses of chemicals that can build up in the body. The long-term effects of such exposure are unknown. Chemicals to watch out for include:

Phthalates – found in hair sprays, perfume, nail polishes and some plastics
Parabens – used as preservatives in moisturisers and deodorants
Triclosan – an antibacterial used in deodorants, toothpaste and liquid soaps
Toluene – used in lacquers and nail varnish

Research published a couple of years ago in the USA found that people were being exposed to much higher levels of phthalates than anticipated. Cosmetics were thought to be the missing source. Phthalates have oestrogenic properties and, at high doses, damage male reproductive tissues and cause deformities in developing embryos. Recent research in the USA found phthalates in 52 of the 72 beauty products tested, including all 17 of the perfumes.

Meanwhile another US report looks at the cumulative exposure to phthalates from cosmetics, breast milk, soft PVC toys and even in indoor air because of leaching from PVC products. One source highlighted was PVC medical equipment – tubes, IV bags and blood bags. Many of these products are used in the care of premature babies and so deliver a phthalate dose at the most vulnerable stage of development. The report calls for a phase out of the production and use of phthalates. The EU is trying to get the most toxic phthalate, DEHP, restricted but the chemical industry is delaying them.

A few simple GENERAL and easy ways to avoid many toxins:

keep informed (you are reading this -- you are doing great in this area)
always take shoes off in house (use house shoes or socks)
filter your water (even a Britta filter for drinking water is better than nothing!!)
buy from a store that makes avoiding toxic chemicals easier (we have found one).

We have made a simple decision to shop at a store that uses NO harmful chemicals in their products. It is VERY affordable, too. We like it so much we always tell others (it turns out - that is the ONLY way they advetise)
If you want more info on this subject I'd be glad to give it to you.
peggycortez@yahoo.com

Contact WEN for how to get involved in the Cosmetics Cover Up campaign by ringing 020 7481 9004 or visit http://www.wen.org.uk/Contact Health Care Without Harm at http://www.noharm.org/ or ring 01759 368286 for more details about the US research. http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/magazine/news/newsarchive.htm

Children's Unique Vulnerability

2010-01-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

Children are not simply "little adults." Four fundamental differences between children and adults contribute to children's heightened susceptibility to environmental toxins.

This is a crucial reason to look at all sensible ways to de-tox their environments. It is imperative to find solutions and these are just a few reasons why . . . .

    * Children have disproportionately heavy exposures to environmental toxicants due to their greater intake pound-for-pound of food, water, and air, coupled with their unique behaviors - in particular, hand-to-mouth behavior.
    * Children's metabolic pathways, especially in the first months after birth, are immature. In many instances, they are less able than adults to deal with toxic compounds.
    * Children are undergoing rapid growth and development. These developmental processes create windows of great vulnerability in which the course of development can be permanently disrupted by environmental toxins.
    * Because children have more future years of life than adults, they have more time to develop chronic diseases that may be initiated by early exposures.

*National Research Council. Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2000.

SOURCE: Mount Sinai - Children's Environmental Health Center

Johnson & Johnson Issues Massive Recall of Tylenol

2010-01-15T21:20:00.000-08:00

Johnson & Johnson issued a massive recall Friday of over-the-counter drugs including Tylenol, Motrin and St. Joseph's aspirin because of a moldy smell that has made people sickIt was the second such recall in less than a month because of the smell, which regulators said was first reported to McNeil in 2008.

Federal regulators criticized the company, saying it didn't respond to the complaints quickly enough, wasn't thorough in how it handled the problem and didn't inform the Food and Drug Administration quickly.

The recall includes:

some batches of regular
extra-strength Tylenol
children's Tylenol
eight-hour Tylenol
Tylenol arthritis
Tylenol PM
children's Motrin
Motrin IB
Benadryl Rolaids
Simply Sleep
St. Joseph's aspirin

The FDA and Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Consumer Healthcare Products said they did not know the number of bottles recalled. It included caplet and geltab products sold in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates, and Fiji.
Consumers should check the full list at http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com to identify the recalled batches.

The FDA said about 70 people have been either sickened by the odor — including nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea — or noticed it.
The smell is caused by small amounts of a chemical associated with the treatment of wooden pallets, Johnson & Johnson said. The FDA said the chemical can leach into the air, and traced it to a facility in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico.

The New Brunswick, N.J., company said it is investigating the issue and will stop shipping products with the same materials on wooden pallets. It has asked suppliers to do so as well.

The FDA said McNeil knew of the problem in early 2008 but made only a limited investigation.

"McNeil should have acted faster," said Deborah Autor, the director of the FDA's Office of Compliance of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "When something smells bad, literally or figuratively, companies must aggressively investigate and take all necessary action to solve the problem."

The FDA sent McNeil a warning letter for violating manufacturing standards and failing to report and investigate the problem in a timely way, Autor said.
Johnson & Johnson has 15 days to respond. The FDA says it wants an explanation as to why the problem was not made public sooner.

In November, McNeil recalled some Tylenol Arthritis Caplets due to the smell. Almost three weeks ago, the company expanded its recall to include more batches of Tylenol Arthritis Caplets.
There have been no reports of nausea related to the most recent recall, the company said. McNeil, however, said the expanded recall includes product lots that could be affected by the same problems of nausea.

The company said it is working with the FDA.

Also on Friday, federal prosecutors in Boston said Johnson & Johnson paid tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks so nursing homes would put more patients on its blockbuster schizophrenia drug.

The government's complaint states that J&J gave special rebates to Omnicare Inc., the country's biggest dispenser of prescription drugs to nursing homes, in return for recommendations from its pharmacists that patients be given Risperdal, in many cases when it was inappropriate.
J&J said in a statement it "will address the government's lawsuit in court" and believes its rebates were "lawful and appropriate."

Johnson & Johnson shares fell 54 cents to $64.56 Friday.

By MARLEY SEAMAN, AP Health Writer Marley Seaman, Ap Health Writer
Associated Press

And Just Like That, I'm Huge

2010-01-12T20:03:00.000-08:00

This great post is from Rachel Balducci over @ Testosterhome

"I am married to Paul and we are the parents of five lively boys. Here you'll find my musings on life with these boys.
I'm a writer and a newspaper columnist.
If you're passionate about swords, army guys, Chuck Norris and basketball, you've come to the right place."

And Just Like That, I'm Huge

This past weekend I spent a lot of time on the couch feeling exhausted. I think we all had a touch of a bug, but this evening as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I realized I was also tired because the baby was doing some serious growing these last few days.

Check it out:

I mean, that's impressive. It feels like one minute everyone is telling you how great you look. The next, you've spent two days on the couch and you suddenly find yourself lumbering around like your hamstrings are fused to your glutes. Which, let's face it, they are.
I'm not going to freak out about any of this. It's to be expected after all -- it's necessary and good and a beautiful gift. It's just always a jolt to get to that stage of the pregnancy when you remember (suddenly) why you don't want to stay pregnant forever. The end of the second trimester is often when these feelings arise.
Last night I was at Ethan's basketball game when a friend asked if I was feeling okay.
"Feeling pretty good," I told him.
"How far along are you," he asked.
"Nearly 26 weeks," I said.
"Are you okay," he asked. "You keep putting your hand on your large, round abdomen." (I might have added a few of those adjectives myself.)
"I must be trying to maintain balance," I told him.
The truth is, I'm not nearly as big as I'm going to get. And that's the other scary part about this stage of the pregnancy. I know this comes with these growth spurts that babies have, but it's always a tad disconcerting to watch your belly grow, to wonder where all the extra skin in going to come from (answer: McDonald's triple thick shakes) and to realize that you have miles to go before you sleep.
Ahhhh. Sleep. Yes, that sounds nice.

Your Choices Increase as You Learn More (Links to Learn)

2009-11-25T23:04:00.000-08:00

Be sure the products you are using are free of the potentially cancer causing and toxic ingredients.

You know, on this planet we have no choice but to

breathe the air
eat the food
drink the water

But we DO have a choice about what we put on our skin and what products we have in our homes. There ARE products out there that do not contain dangerous chemicals. And, they work superbly, smell wonderful and are quite affordable.

Now you are probably asking yourself, "What are some cancer causing and toxic ingredients?"

A good place to start learning is with the following list. And, you can request detailed information at my business website.
An *asterisk indicates a chemical common in household items:

*Triclosan and Triclocarban (Antibacterials) are often listed among the ingredients of personal-care products. (Good news) Melaleuca has fabulous products with NO harsh chemicals!

*Phthalates cosmetic and personal-care products (including fragrances and nail polish) and much more. (Good news) Melaleuca has fabulous products with NO harsh chemicals!

*Lindane is used in prescription shampoos and topical treatments for head lice & scabies. (Good news) Melaleuca has a great solution for lice with NO harsh chemicals!

Atrazine most commonly detected pesticide in U.S. waters

Bisphenol A (BPA) one reason why you should try to buy organic fruits and veggies!

Carbaryl another reason why you should try to buy organic fruits and veggies!

Chlorpyrifos another reason why you should try to buy organic fruits and veggies!

Endosulfan ditto above

Lead test your water, be careful when buying toys, costume jewelry . . . follow link for more info

Mercury too much to summarize (follow the link) some fish, vaccines, certain types of dental fillings, button batteries

Propoxur (Flea and Tick Pesticide) used in pet flea and tick collars. Flea and tick collars can leave a high level of pesticide residue on a pet’s fur, posing a health risk to adults and children who play with the pet.

Tetrachlorvinphos (Flea and Tick Pesticide) same as above!

Chemical Index

source: http://www.simplesteps.org/chemicals

Crib Recall - Warning for Parents

2009-11-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

By JENNIFER C. KERR, Associated Press Writer Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press Writer –

WASHINGTON –
More than 2.1 million drop-side cribs by Stork Craft Manufacturing are being recalled, the biggest crib recall in U.S history, following reports of four infant suffocations.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said late Monday the recall involves 1.2 million cribs in the United States and almost 1 million in Canada, where Stork Craft is based. Sales of the cribs being recalled go back to 1993.

Nearly 150,000 of the cribs carry the Fisher-Price logo.

The CPSC said it is aware of four infants who suffocated in the drop-side cribs, which have a side that moves up and down to allow parents to lift children from the cribs more easily.
The Stork Craft cribs have had problems with their hardware, which can break, deform or become missing after years. CPSC said there can also be problems with assembly mistakes by the crib owner. These problems can cause the drop-side to detach, creating a dangerous space between the drop-side and the crib mattress, where a child can become trapped.
The commission is urging parents to stop using the cribs until receiving a free repair kit from Stork Craft.

The cribs, which were manufactured and distributed between January 1993 and October 2009, were sold at major retailers including BJ's Wholesale Club, Sears and Wal-Mart stores and online through Target and Costco. They sold for between $100 and $400, and were made in Canada, China and Indonesia.

Consumer advocates have complained for years about drop-side cribs. More than 5 million of them have been recalled over the past two years alone — recalls that were associated with the deaths of a dozen young children.

ASTM International, an organization that sets voluntary industry safety standards for everything from toys to the steel used in commercial buildings, approved a new standard last week that requires four immovable, or fixed, sides for full-size cribs — essentially eliminating the manufacture of drop-side cribs.

CPSC is also considering new rules for making cribs safer and could adopt the ASTM voluntary standard as a mandatory one, outright banning the cribs.

Toys"R"Us started phasing out drop-side cribs earlier this year and will no longer carry them next month.

In the Stork Craft recall, the manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm's name, address and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm's insignia "storkcraft baby" or "storkling" is inscribed on the drop-side teething rail of some cribs.

Consumers can contact the company, 877-274-0277, to order the free repair kit, or log on to http://www.storkcraft.com.

On the Net:
Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov

Bake @ 350

2009-11-12T22:11:00.000-08:00

My friend, Bridget, makes the MOST amazing cookies. She is as much an artist as a baker.
Here are some cookies she created recently:

Bun in the Oven cookies!

There is a step by step tutorial on how she created these over at her website.

She also ships right to your front door!

Check out the details here.

Here are the cookies she made for a recent baby shower . . . . but to REALLY appreciate these you have to see the invitation to the shower.

This gal's creativity astounds me!

I am still trying to get the basic sugar cookie recipe down. I mean, my cookies stick or crumble or taste just terrible.

I have always made great chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies and sugar and spice balls . . . but the whole cookie cutting throws me for a loop.

I digress. Take a look at the invitation that inspired the pickles and ice cream cookies!

Maybe I have saved the best (to date) for last. The baby announcement cookies . . . . . Of course, these could also be used for a baby shower.

Bridget's Etsy Shop is here

THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER

2009-11-09T21:00:00.000-08:00

We know that eating right during pregnancy is important.

We know that exercise is important, as is rest.
But what about prayer?

When God's miracle of life is growing in the womb . . . how perfect a time to pray with your baby!
If you do not already have a special prayer time, create one . . . . NOW . . . . . today! :-)
And make it a habit.

Give that time to God and praise Him, lay your worries at His feet and/or simply LISTEN. Treasure each minute you and your baby spend in prayer while you are pregnant.

I have a prayer for you, attributed to Pope Clement XI. It is called The Universal Prayer. It is a good way to begin . . . .

Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
And call on you as my loving protector.

Guide me by your wisdom,
Correct me with your justice,
Comfort me with your mercy,
Protect me with your power.

I offer you, Lord, my thoughts:
to be fixed on you;
My words: to have you for their theme;
My actions: to reflect my love for you;
My sufferings:
to be endured for your greater glory.

I want to do what you ask of me:
In the way you ask,
For as long as you ask,
Because you ask it.

Lord, enlighten my understanding,
Strengthen my will,
Purify my heart,
and make me holy.

Help me to repent of my past sins
And to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human
weaknesses
And to grow stronger as a Christian.

Let me love you, my Lord and my God,
And see myself as I really am:
A pilgrim in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love
All whose lives I touch,
Those under my authority,
My friends and my enemies.

Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,
Greed by generosity,
Apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself
And reach out toward others.

Make me prudent in planning,
Courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering,
unassuming in prosperity.

Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,
Temperate in food and drink,
Diligent in my work,
Firm in my good intentions.

Let my conscience be clear,
My conduct without fault,
My speech blameless,
My life well-ordered.

Put me on guard against my human
weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me,
Keep your law,
And come at last to your salvation.

Teach me to realize that
this world is passing,
That my true future
is the happiness of heaven,
That life on earth is short,
And the life to come eternal.

Help me to prepare for death
With a proper fear of judgment,
But a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death
To the endless joy of heaven.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Non-Toxic" Makes us Feel Safe

2009-11-05T23:20:00.000-08:00

Products that kill 50% of lab animals can still be called "non-toxic".

That is really the important fact in a nutshell! For the full post and source- click here. Here is the complete quote:

"The government has very limited power to regulate manufacturers . . . in fact, one of their criteria is that products that kill 50% of lab animals through ingestion or inhalation can still receive the federal regulatory designation ‘non-toxic’. "

"Non-toxic" makes us feel safe. This could very well be a false sense of security! Find companies you can trust and learn to read labels.

We can all take one step at a time towards better health and wellness - towards protecting our families and our children.

Feel free to email PegyCortez@ yahoo.com for ideas on ways to take one healthier step at a time! & Feel free to share your ideas!

85,000 chemicals

2009-08-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

There are more than 85,000 chemicals that are currently licensed for use in North America. Less than half have ever been tested for human health risk and even fewer for potential environmental impacts. Rememebr that babies (born and unborn), children and pregnant moms are at the greatest risk.
Just one more reason to buy from a company with health as its first priority - get out of the habit of trusting products on those store shelves! Need more information on how to make simple changes to take better care of yourself, your family and our environment?

Just ask! Peggy 832 766 2172
OR Visit this cool site : Wellness

source: TorontoStar June13th, 2005

SOURCE ARTICLE: What's causing cancer? by Mitchell Anderson

The Cat in the Hat

2008-12-04T05:50:00.000-08:00

"I thought of a page in Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, one that comes near the end.

"Sally and I" have been standing by helplessly while the hatted Cat, with his Thing One and Thing Two, made havoc of the house. The toy boat is in the cake and the cake is on the floor, the rake is bent and mother's new dress has gone sailing through the room on a kite string. The fish has been trying to warn us, but we chose not to listen.
And then, through the window, we see her. There is a flash of red skirt and a leg striding into view, terminating with a high-heel pump with a bow.
"Then our fish said, 'LOOK! LOOK!' And our fish shook with fear. 'Your mother is on her way home! Do you hear? Oh, what will she do to us? What will she say? Oh, she will not like it to find us this way!'"

This is the crisis point of the plot, as you probably remember.

I remember feeling so relieved! I wanted that Mom to walk in and take control. I felt for those silly kids. They NEVER should have let the cat in. They should have been more assertive, called their Mom, or, at the very least, left the house and fetched a grown up neighbor to help!!

I have come to treasure the way my parents raised me.
If (when) I made a terrible mess of things, I thanked God I had a Mom I could talk to.

Temporary Tattoos

2008-11-12T20:42:00.000-08:00

Here is an idea that will put your phone number ON your little ones. What is really cool is that kiddos can't take it off or lose it!

You can now get Temporary Tattoos (SafetyTats) customized with your cell phone number on them!
There are several cute designs from which to choose.
At $19.95 for 30 the price is within reason, too! HERE is the link where you can check this out for yourself.
This is one of my favorites.

There is also a LOT of good information on child safety at the website. You can read more HERE.

I like the idea of being able to customize these SafetyTats to give information like these for school field trips and special needs.

Homemade Popsicles

2008-06-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

Nothing tastes better than a popsicle on a hot summer afternoon, but one look at the ingredients of most store purchased pops reveals . . . .
lots of sugar or artificial sweeteners and added chemical colors like yellow #5 and red #40--additives that have been linked to behavior, learning, and health troubles for some kids.

Better quality pops tend to carry a higher price and with the price of food rising they way it is, homemade pops just might be economically beneficial as well.

Here are some simple recipes and ideas for homemade popsicles...

Healthy Kid's Snacks

Epicurious.com

Cooks.com

H/T Blessed Among Men

Instructions: How to Bond with Baby

2008-02-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

H/T: Testosterhome

Combatting Nausea

2008-01-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

H/T Shoved to Them
Her blog's unique name comes from something her beloved Nanna, Marie Lane, used to say. (May she rest in peace)

"One day God will have enough of your foolishness and demand that you hit your knees before Him. You can either do it willingly or He will put his hand upon your head and shove you to them."

I've become a self-proclaimed expert on being nauseous. There are ways to make it more pleasant if you can't make it go away. Why should my family be the only group to benefit from this knowledge?

Some helpful tips:

1. If smells are making you queasy, try carrying a lemon with you. When you start to lose it, scratch the rind and sniff. For some reason, it overpowers your gag reflex and blocks out the offending smell. Strap one under your nose and never gag again.

2. Feeling constantly nauseated? Find a comfy chair and put a heating pad on your stomach, a hot water bottle is better if you happen to have one as the pressure helps, too. The heat will relax your cramping muscles and let you rest and restore energy for your next sprint to the loo.

3. DO NOT eat saltines to battle all day nausea. They are good in the short-term, but, as they convert to sugar, they will make you sicker in the long run. You want protein. Lots of protein. You may have to gag it down at first, but trust me, it works. Some of the easiest to take is Robertson's beef jerky. I'm not kidding here folks. You want the real thing, not the make believe that they sell at the supermarket. You can get Robertson's on-line here.

4. Preggie pops work. Order them if you have the time. If you don't, call your local medical supply store and stock up on sugar free suckers.

5.If you can tolerate nothing else, try a wedge of sour citrus. Start small like a lemon or a lime. Somehow your stomach won't recognize the acid as an outsider and will let it stay. Take it slow and easy with this. An orange will not work, it's too much sugar.

6. If you are going to be in there a lot, get a chair or stool to sit on that's about 6-9 inches tall. A kid's step stool works fine. It saves your back, and the low height will cut down on disgusting splash-backs.

7. If you absolutely can't avoid throwing up, then grab a glass of lemon juice and water en route to the bathroom. Chug it as you run. It won't keep you from throwing up, but the acid of the lemon will mask the stomach acid flavor and make it more palatable.

It's a tried-and-true list. I've spent almost two years of my life with morning sickness.
I spend at least 3 months of every pregnancy battling nausea. I've been pregnant 7 times....you do the math. That kind of time is bound to teach you something.
It's just not an area of knowledge that I get to share very often. It's like knowing about child-birth and this kind of thing, it's valuable knowledge, but you can't discuss it at dinner parties. I wish that I was an expert on things which could be discussed at dinner parties, things like hang-gliding.

Love & Logic

2008-01-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

I learned about LOVE & LOGIC (a parenting philosophy) over at Radical Catholic Mom.
Here is a blub from the Love and Logic website.

Love and Logic is a philosophy founded by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D., and is based on the experience of a combined total of over 75 years working with and raising kids. It provides simple and practical techniques to help teachers and parents have less stress and more fun while raising responsible kids. Love and Logic offers many useful techniques that teachers and parents can begin experimenting with immediately. Here are some examples:
Locking–in sadness or empathy before delivering consequences
Setting limits with enforceable statements
Sharing control through lots of small choices
Building relationships with the One Sentence Intervention
Neutralizing arguing with the Brain Dead technique
The Anticipatory Consequence

What's in YOUR Hamburger?

2008-01-02T05:55:00.000-08:00

Book Reveals the Grisly Horror of Hamburgers

Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. - Albert Einstein

by Philip Delves Broughton

The grisliest description of fast food ever published is proving a hit with Americans desperate to know what lurks inside their hamburgers, while raising the hackles of the fast food industry.

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser offers a deeply disturbing account of the fast food industry. Since 1993, he claims, half a million children in America have been made ill by the E coli bug. If their parents knew what was really in the minced meat found in thousands of hamburgers, tacos and pizza toppings, he argues, they would never take their children to another fast-food restaurant again.

Feeding dead cats and dogs to cattle was legal in the United States until 1997, when the government banned the practice because of fears over mad cow disease. Dead horses and pigs, however, are still routinely ground into cattle feed. One quarter of America's minced beef, writes Schlosser, is made from worn-out dairy cattle, likely to be riddled with disease and the meat containing antibiotic residues.

The book has been called unduly alarmist by the American Meat Association, which represents packers and processors, and "unfortunate" by the National Council of Chain Restaurants. - Daily Telegraph

Sources: The Dominion 12 March 2001

http://www.flatrock.org.nz/topics/animals/holy_cow.htm

Unborn Babies at Risk Because of Chemicals

2008-01-01T23:43:00.000-08:00

Babies in the womb are being exposed to a shocking cocktail of chemicals that can cause cancer in later life and have gender-bending qualities, research has revealed.
Most of the chemicals are found in everyday products such as cleaning fluids and sprays, perfumes and cosmetics. These chemicals are linked to health problems ranging from birth defects and genital abnormalities to cancer.

"Babies feeding through the umbilical cord are exposed to these toxic chemicals.
It is shocking that such chemicals are in the human body at any stage of our life, let alone at the very start, when the child is most vulnerable. Governments need to act and require industries to substitute these contaminating chemicals with safer alternatives."1

Since the government will not be stepping in to protect our unborn, our infants or our families any time soon -- it is up to us to limit the exposure they have to chemicals. "Nine months of a healthy pregnancy is the best gift you can give your baby."2 Creating a healthier home can be easier than most people think.

sources:
1 Helen Perivier, toxics campaigner for Greenpeace International
2 The March of Dimes

Daycare Damages Children’s Development

2007-12-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Award-winning children's writer and former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo finds it "utterly extraordinary" that half of British mothers with children under five work outside the home. He is convinced that daycare (“nursery” in Britain) damages children’s development and life prospects.

He said lack of contact between children and parents was directly to blame for rising levels of mental health problems, sleep disorders and anorexia in young people.
. . .
"We pack our children off to care groups or even to school, but many countries in Europe do not send their children until they are seven," he said. "They live in the bosom of their family. That is where they are nurtured – within the nest. That is where they can grow their wings, they can learn to fly." He added: "I don't think it is an accident that one in 10 of our children is suffering from mental health problems, from sleep disorders, from eating disorders and things like that."

Evidence has accumulated in the past few years indicating that children placed in daycare are more likely to have behavioural and other problems. British think tank Institute for Public Policy Research reported last summer that infants and toddlers sent to nursery are more likely than other children to have learning difficulties and poorer health. An in-depth study of Quebec’s universal daycare program found that daycare tends to have “extensive and significant negative impacts on child behaviour and parental anxiety and unhappiness”.

At least one Labour cabinet secretary has expressed serious misgivings about putting infants and toddlers in nursery. Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children, Young People and Families, recently said that placing very young children in nursery is contrary to their best interests.

Other high-profile British child-care experts have spoken out against nursery for the very young.

by StatGuy:

Previous related posts by StatGuy:

Just For Fun - Quotes to Note

2007-12-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

3-year-old Reese:
"Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen."
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~

A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~
After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."

~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

One particular four-year-old prayed,
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
"And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied,
"Because people are sleeping."

~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
"Ryan, you be Jesus!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
" Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~

A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

Birth Control Pill Linked to Arterial Plaque

2007-12-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

<----- Great pic. This babe is at 10 weeks past conception. Not only is she in possession of immesurable cuteness, but she also has fingers, toes, eyes, brain, everything. And she can move! See more stages of development.

Now on to the main subject of this post:
As if increased risk of blood clots isn't bad enough by itself, a study links birth control pill to arterial plaque.

ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - A European study released recently has raised new concerns about the safety of women's long-term use of the birth control pill, suggesting increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Women who had used oral contraceptives were more likely than those who did not take the pill to have a buildup of plaque in their arteries, the researchers told an American Heart Association meeting.

"The main concern is if you have higher plaque levels that you might develop a clot on one of these plaques and have a stroke or a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or sudden cardiac death," Dr. Ernst Rietzschel of Ghent University in Belgium, who led the research, told reporters.

"That's the main risk with having plaque, with having atherosclerosis."

Rietzschel's team studied 1,301 women ages 35 to 55.

Of them, 81 percent had used the pill, for an average of 13 years. The researchers saw a rise of 20 to 30 percent in arterial plaque in two big arteries -- the carotid in the neck and the femoral in the leg -- for each decade of use.

The researchers measured plaque levels using a technique called vascular echography.

In atherosclerosis, there is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by the slow buildup of plaque, made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other material, on the inside of artery walls. See Reuters.com for the full story.

H/T to Schoolmarm who asks: I wonder if anyone is planning to study women in their twenties who have been using the pill for 12-13 years (As in, since junior high), especially now that some are pushing to make the Pill more accessible to girls as young as 11.

No Cow's Milk

2007-11-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

No cow's milk --- at the very least, not yet
Although you may be tempted to use regular cow's milk, DO NOT offer it until after Baby’s first birthday. Cow's milk contains extremely high amounts of protein and sodium, which can stress Baby’s developing system. It also may lead to iron-deficiency anemia. So throughout your baby's first 12 months, hold off on feeding cow's milk. Be sure not to use it when you’re mixing up your baby's cereal. Rely only on breastmilk during Baby’s first year.

There is serious concern about EVER feeding babies and children cows milk.

Don't Drink Cow's Milk!

Processing Is the Problem

The path that transforms healthy milk products into allergens and carcinogens begins with modern feeding methods that substitute high-protein, soy-based feeds for fresh green grass and breeding methods to produce cows with abnormally large pituitary glands so that they produce three times more milk than the old fashioned scrub cow. These cows need antibiotics to keep them well. Their milk is then pasteurised so that all valuable enzymes are destroyed (lactase for the assimilation of lactose; galactase for the assimilation of galactose; phosphatase for the assimilation of calcium). Literally dozens of other precious enzymes are destroyed in the pasteurisation process. Without them, milk is very difficult to digest. The human pancreas is not always able to produce these enzymes; over-stress of the pancreas can lead to diabetes and other diseases.

The butterfat of commercial milk is homogenised, subjecting it to rancidity. Even worse, butterfat may be removed altogether. Skim milk is sold as a health food, but the truth is that butter-fat is in milk for a reason. Without it the body cannot absorb and utilise the vitamins and minerals in the water fraction of the milk. Along with valuable trace minerals and short chain fatty acids, butterfat is America's best source of preformed vitamin A. Synthetic vitamin D, known to be toxic to the liver, is added to replace the natural vitamin D complex in butterfat. Butterfat also contains re-arranged acids which have strong anti-carcinogenic properties.

Non-fat dried milk is added to 1% and 2% milk. Unlike the cholesterol in fresh milk, which plays a variety of health promoting roles, the cholesterol in non-fat dried milk is oxidised and it is this rancid cholesterol that promotes heart disease. Like all spray dried products, non-fat dried milk has a high nitrite content. Non-fat dried milk and sweetened condensed milk are the principle dairy products in third world countries; use of ultra high temperature pasteurised milk is widespread in Europe.

Other Factors Regarding Milk

Milk and refined sugar make two of the largest contributions to food induced ill health in our country. That may seem like an overly harsh statement, but when one examines the evidence, this is a reasonable conclusion. The recent approval by the FDA of the use of BGH (Bovine Growth Hormone) by dairy farmers to increase their milk production only worsens the already sad picture. BGH causes an increase in an insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in the milk of treated cows. IGF-1 survives milk pasteurisation and human intestinal digestion. It can be directly absorbed into the human bloodstream, particularly in infants.

It is highly likely that IGF-1 promotes the transformation of human breast cells to cancerous forms. IGF-1 is also a growth factor for already cancerous breast and colon cancer cells, promoting their progression and invasiveness. It is also possible for us to absorb the BGH directly from the milk. This will cause further IGF-1 production by our own cells.

BGH will also decrease the body fat of cows. Unfortunately, the body fat of cows is already contaminated with a wide range of carcinogens, pesticides, dioxin, and antibiotic residues. When the cows have less body fat, these toxic substances are then transported into the cows' milk. BGH also causes the cows to have an increase in breast infections for which they must receive additional antibiotics. Prior to BGH, 38% of milk sampled nationally was already contaminated by illegal residues of antibiotics and animal drugs. This will only increase with the use of BGH. One wonders what the long term complications will be for drinking milk that has a 50% chance it is contaminated with antibiotics.

There is also a problem with a protein enzyme called xanthine oxidase which is in cow's milk. Normally, proteins are broken down once you digest them. However, when milk is homogenised, small fat globules surround the xanthine oxidase and it is absorbed intact into your blood stream. There is some very compelling research demonstrating clear associations with this absorbed enzyme and increased risks of heart disease.

Ear specialists frequently insert tubes into the ear drums of infants to treat recurrent ear infections. It has replaced the previously popular tonsillectomy to become the number one surgery in the country. Unfortunately, most of these specialists don't realise that over 50% of these children will improve and have no further ear infections if they just stop drinking their milk. This is a real tragedy. Not only is the $3,000 spent on the surgery wasted, but there are some recent articles supporting the likelihood that most children who have this procedure will have long term hearing losses.

You probably are wondering what will happen to your bones and teeth if you stop milk. The majority of the world's population takes in less than half the calcium we are told we need and yet they have strong bones and healthy teeth. Cows' milk is rich in phosphorous which can combine with calcium - and can prevent you from absorbing the calcium in milk. The milk protein also accelerates calcium excretion from the blood through the kidneys. This is also true when you eat large amount of meat and poultry products. Vegetarians will need about 50% less calcium than meat eaters because they lose much less calcium in their urine. It is possible to obtain all your calcium from dark green vegetables (where do you think the cow gets their's from?) - the darker the better. Cooked collard greens and kale are especially good. If you or your child is unable to take in large amounts of green vegetables, you might want to supplement with calcium.

If you can swallow pills, calcium citrate has a number of other minerals which your body requires to build up maximally healthy bone. It is much better than a simple calcium tablet - you can take about 1,000 mg a day. For those who already suffer from osteoporosis, the best calcium supplement is microcrystalline hydroxyapatite.

It is also important that you take vitamin D in the winter months from November to March. Normally your skin converts sunshine to vitamin D, but the sunshine levels in the winter are very low unless you visit Florida or Mexico type areas. Most people obtain their vitamin D from milk in the winter; so if you stop it, please make sure you are taking calcium with vitamin D or a multi vitamin with vitamin D to prevent bone thinning.

Most people are not aware that the milk of most mammals varies considerably in its composition. For example, the milk of goats, elephants, cows, camels, wolves, and walruses show marked differences, in their content of fats, protein, sugar, and minerals. Each was designed to provide optimum nutrition to the young of the respective species. Each is different from human milk. In general, most animals are exclusively breast-fed until they have tripled their birth weight, which in human infants occurs around the age of one year. In no mammalian species, except for the human (and domestic cat) is milk consumption continued after the weaning period. Calves thrive on cow milk. Cow's milk is designed for calves.

Cow's milk is the number one allergic food in this country. It has been well documented as a cause in diarrhea, cramps, bloating, gas, gastrointestinal bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia, skin rashes, atherosclerosis, and acne. It is the primary cause of recurrent ear infections in children. It has also been linked to insulin dependent diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, and leukemia.

Small amounts of milk or milk products taken infrequently, will likely cause little or no problems for most people. However, the American Dairy Board has done a very effective job of marketing this product. Most people believe they need to consume large, daily quantities of milk to achieve good health. NOTHING could be further from the truth. Public health officials and the National Dairy Council have worked together in this country to make it very difficult to obtain wholesome, fresh, raw dairy products. Nevertheless, they can be found with a little effort. In some states, you can buy raw milk directly from farmers. Whole, pasteurised, non-homogenised milk from cows raised on organic feed is now available in many gourmet shops and health food stores. It can be cultured to restore enzyme content, at least partially. Cultured buttermilk is often more easily digested than regular milk; it is an excellent product to use in baking.

Many shops now carry whole cream that is merely pasteurised (not ultra pasteurised like most commercial cream); diluted with water, it is delicious on cereal and a good substitute for those allergic to milk. Traditionally made creme fraiche (European style sour cream) also has a high enzyme content.

Sources: www.mercola.com
http://www.flatrock.org.nz/topics/animals/holy_cow.htm
See also:

Diabetes, Heart Disease Linked to NZ Milk - Some cows produce A1 beta-casein and other (guersey and simmentals, for example) produce A2 beta-casein. It seems that it may only be A1 milk which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease...

Trend in Fast food Obesity

2007-10-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools reports dramatic increase in consumption of fast food by children since 1970. Presently, children get 10 percent of their total energy intake from fast foods, compared to 2 percent in the 1970s.

Since fast food adds 6 pounds per child per year and 33% of the children and teens in the US consume fast food, obesity is on the rise.

Fast food obesity

Occurrence of Fast food Obesity: According to a report published in Chicago Tribune, fast-food consumption is more in higher-income households, young boys, older children, African-Americans and children living in the south, whereas fast food consumption is found to be low in youngsters living in the West, rural areas, Hispanics, white women and those aged 4 to 8. Due to the increase in the number of fast food outlets, fast food prevails in virtually every segment of the society, including hospitals and schools, as per a study on fast food & obesity by Harvard School of Public Health.

Relation of fast food to obesity: Fast foods compromise the quality of diet by replacing more healthy foods. Fast foods are known for having high content of saturated and trans-fat, low content of fiber and massive portion sizes, leading to obesity.

Managing Fast food Obesity: The onus lies on parents to educate their children about the ill effects of fast food. Obesity can be prevented in children by allowing fast food in moderation only. Also, both, the big and small fast food players should educate people about the contents of their products.

No Smoking in Cars with Kids

2007-10-11T05:28:00.000-07:00

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California motorists will risk fines of up to $100 next year if they are caught smoking in cars with minors, making their state the third to protect children in vehicles from secondhand smoke.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed a bill that will make it an infraction to smoke in a vehicle if someone under age 18 is present. But the traffic stop would have to be made for another offense, such as speeding or an illegal turn, before the driver could be cited for smoking.

The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, joins a string of smoking prohibitions adopted in California, including a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and within 25 feet of a playground.

A Harvard School of Public Health report issued last year said secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home.

"Protecting the health of our children is among government's highest responsibilities," said the bill's author, state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, a Democrat. "It is clear that increasing public awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke is the right thing to do."

At least 20 states and a number of municipalities have considered limiting smoking in cars where minors are present. Arkansas now bans smoking in cars with children age 6 and younger, while Louisiana has limited it when children 13 and younger are in the vehicle. Maine lawmakers will take up the issue in January.

By Steve Lawrence, Associated Press writer; TH 10-11-07

As Serious a Threat as Lead

2007-08-03T17:22:00.001-07:00

Excerpt from: A Prescription to Better Serve Kids by: Dr. Philip Landrigan

Question: What, in the coming decade, has the potential to be as serious a threat as lead?

Answer: We need to reduce the exposure of people of all ages to pesticides. Pesticides are used in enormous amounts in homes, schools and day care centers and on lawns and gardens. Once released, they are immediately widespread in the environment and create enormous potential for harmful health effects. MANY common household products officially fall under the category of pesticides

If You Have a Toddler, Please Read This

2007-07-20T17:10:00.000-07:00

More toddlers under age four are admitted to hospital emergency rooms as a result of household cleaner-related injuries than for any other reason. ALSO, household cleaners and personal care products can exacerbate breathing problems and asthma. Due to out gassing this can happen even when packaging is sealed.

sources:
~~> Cancer Prevention Coalition c/o School of Public Health University of Illinois Medical Center 2121 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612,Tel: (312) 996-2297, Fax: (312) 996-1374 http://www.healthy-communications.com/factsoncarcinogensathome.html
~~> From the Cancer Prevention Coalition and the "Safe Shoppers Bible" by Dr. Samuel S. Epstein and Dr. David Steinman, 1995

Invest in Your Children

2007-07-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

This is part of a letter from a great man, Frank L Vandersloot. I thought my readers might appreciate his opinions. He is a dad and husband, the CEO of an earth friendly, people friendly company, and a great role model!

No one prepares us to be parents. We take no courses. We get no official training. We receive no step-by-step guidance. We take no test to prove we are ready or qualified to be parents. Most of our training is from watching our own parents. And since no parent is perfect, our training has also not been perfect.

As parents, we find ourselves making our own mistakes, but deep down we know that the most important thing is to give our children our time, energy, and love. It seems simple, but it's amazing how often we fail to do just that. What's often even harder to remember is that many of the choices we make today will have a definite long-term impact on our own children. How we choose to instruct, encourage, and discipline will all have a profound effect on our children's future lives. Greater still will be the effect of our own example. Far more than anything else, it is through our example that our kids truly learn.

Being there for our children has never been more important than it is today. They are introduced to a constant barrage of sex and violence on TV and in the media in a way that we would never have wanted them to be. The values of our nation and of many of today's prominent role models are deteriorating at a rapid pace. The potential challenges this creates for our children and the damage that it can do to them is immeasurable.

Parenting is much the same as any endeavor: It requires hard work and patience before you can eventually see results. You may not see the effects today or tomorrow. You may not see them next week or next month. But eventually you will see them, and they will be the direct result of our actions. So you have to work hard, and you have to be patient before you can enjoy the rewards. It might help to remember that these investments will someday pay great dividends when you go home from work and see that little boy coming up to you with a baseball bat in his hand, or that little girl who really wants you to teach her how to fish. Try to remember the importance of your investment when your teenager makes a wrong choice or makes mistakes on his journey to adulthood and needs your encouragement, or when your tiny baby seems to do nothing but cry.

Remember that whenever you interact with your child, you're affecting not only him or her, and not only yourself, but the future of us all.

Sincerely,
Frank L Vandersloot

Fever Medications and Pregnancy

2007-07-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

Great care should be taken with medications and drugs during pregnancy. Despite this, surveys around the world confirm that 90% of women take at least one medication at some time during their pregnancy. Many of these are not being prescribed. So what should a pregnant woman do if they have a headache or fever and a homeopathic remedy is not known?

Should common, over the counter medications like aspirin or acetaminophen (also called paracetamol) be taken?

Fevers Should be Controlled During Pregnancy

Doctors now agree that controlling fever during pregnancy is very important. Prolonged fever above 100.4% especially early in pregnancy, is associated with increased risk of miscarriages and neural tube defects. It is also important to note that spending longer than 10 minutes in a hot bath or sauna can easily raise the body temperature above 100.4%

If not schooled in homeopathy, acetaminophen is considered the best choice of medications during pregnancy (only at the normal recommended dose!). Taking acetaminophen to control a fever during pregnancy is much safer for the unborn baby than not controlling the fever.

Aspirin and other NSAIDS should not be used unless prescribed by a doctor. Although their use has not been associated with an increase in birth defects, taking normal doses shortly before delivery may cause bleeding problems in the baby, as well as serious heart and lung problems. Aspirin has also been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage but there is as yet no conclusive evidence for this.
In summary doctors recommend that fevers during pregnancy should be treated and that acetaminophen should be the fist choice of medication. For more severe pain requiring something stronger than acetaminophen , it is best to see your doctor.

source:
http://www.yourdiagnosis.com/Yourdiagnosis/newsletter/07JuneNewsletter/fever.htm

Sexy For Her; Poison for Baby

2007-07-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

Phthalates – found in hair sprays, perfume, nail polishes and some plastics
Parabens – used as preservatives in moisturisers and deodorants
Triclosan – an antibacterial used in deodorants, toothpaste and liquid soaps
Toluene – used in lacquers and nail varnish. Research published a couple of years ago in the USA found that people were being exposed to much higher levels of phthalates than anticipated. Cosmetics were thought to be the missing source.

Phthalates have oestrogenic properties and, at high doses, damage male reproductive tissues and cause deformities in developing embryos. Recent research in the USA found phthalates in 52 of the 72 beauty products tested, including all 17 of the perfumes. Meanwhile another US report looks at the cumulative exposure to phthalates from cosmetics, breast milk, soft PVC toys and even in indoor air because of leaching from PVC products. One source highlighted was PVC medical equipment – tubes, IV bags and blood bags. Many of these products are used in the care of premature babies and so deliver a phthalate dose at the most vulnerable stage of development. The report calls for a phase out of the production and use of phthalates.

The EU is trying to get the most toxic phthalate, DEHP, restricted but the chemical industry is delaying them.

For more details about the US research. http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/magazine/news/newsarchive.htm

Healthy Mom; Healthy Baby

Symptoms You Must Not Ignore in Children

The Very Serious Dangers of Baby Oil (Yes, Really!)

Further information:

Helping Your Child - Vocabulary

Delayed Cord Clamping

83 Cases of Autism Associated with Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensated in Federal Vaccine Court

Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Human Consumption

SOURCE LINK: http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2007/12/processed-meats-declared-too-dangerous-for-human-consumption/ Original article: by Mike Adams 12/07/2007

Let's Stop Poisoning Our Children

Formaldehyde - Is it in Your Baby Shampoo, Too?

Autism Now: Meet Nick, Robert MacNeil's Grandson

The 5 Worst Foods for Babies

Soda

Juice

Crackers

Processed meals

Gelatin desserts

by Evonne Lack Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

SOURCE: http://www.babycenter.com

PS) And before we leave the subject of Jello . . . . . .

Ten Great Foods That Can Make You happier

Paper Toys

Bibby Wraps and Undercover Mama

Babies & TV

Signing Before They Can Speak

Bibby Wraps

Johnson & Johnson and Wal-Mart Sued for Selling Toxic Baby Shampoo

Are Chlorine Free Diapers Better?

10 Easy Ways To Lower Toxic Consumption During Pregnancy

10 Easy Ways To Lower Toxic Consumption During Pregnancy

From One Concerned Mom to Another

Danger, Warning Caution -- What do They Mean?

Lawsuit Proceeds on Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo

Toxic Brew

Cancer Causing Ingredients in Children's Products

The 6 Most Unhealthy Foods --> Avoid at All Costs!

Kids and Cars - Let's Save Some Lives

Exercise During Pregnancy - 13 Rules

1. Check with your healthcare provider first

2. Take in extra calories

3. Steer clear of dangerous sports

4. Wear the right clothes

5. Warm up

6. Drink plenty of water

7. Don't lie flat on your back

8. Keep moving

9. Don't overdo it

10. Don't get overheated

11. Get up from the floor slowly

12. Cool down

13. Make it a habit

Safe Nursery Checklist by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Life Before Birth

Formaldehyde - Is it in Your Baby's Shampoo?

Safer Solutions

Hot Tubs during Pregnancy

So, is a hot bath safer than using a hot tub?

How to reduce the risk if you choose to use a hot tub:

Fast Foods - The Good and The Bad

10 fast foods a pregnant woman could love (and five to avoid)

Healthy "fast foods"

The Stages of Labor

First stage: Early labor

How long early labor lasts

First stage: Active labor

How long active labor lasts

Coping tips

Transition

Second stage: Pushing

Third stage: Delivering the placenta

After delivery: Now what?

Car Seats (& Mighty Tites)

Sexy For Her; Poisonous For Baby (& Her)

Children's Unique Vulnerability

Johnson & Johnson Issues Massive Recall of Tylenol

And Just Like That, I'm Huge

Your Choices Increase as You Learn More (Links to Learn)

Crib Recall - Warning for Parents

Bake @ 350

by Evonne Lack
Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board