07.03.2009 | 2:07:23 am | Posted by mummums
By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist
There is a growing trend in the new millennia and that is women having babies much later in life. Although, as Mum Mum’s recently reported, fertility later in life is equated with a familial  longer life expectancy; health risks during pregnancy do increase with age. There is new concern that this trend may lead to high risk pregnancy complications.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently published evidence about the medical risks of pregnancy for older mums. The college set up an expert panel to research the topic once current statistics revealed that the number of older mothers has reached record levels.
Many doctors are concerned by the fact that many women are unaware of just how rapidly fertility declines after 35 years of age. The success rate of a live birth for each IVF (in vitro fertilization) cycle is about 31% for a woman under 35; yet that rate drops to 5% for women over 42. Other experts argue, however, that advances in medical technology can keep up with the trend.
Later maternal age may also bring a different set of implications as health services may not be able to handle the increasing number of high risk expecting women. Even though most pregnancies result in a healthy baby, the expert panel says older women run the risk of serious adverse conditions such as gestational diabetes. The experts also feel that Hollywood is influencing women as well with the growing number of older celebrity mums; noting the media does not report the complications of these pregnancies.
The major risks noted by the college for later in life pregnancies are preeclampsia, or elevated blood pressure, and diabetes yet some experts claim that pregnancy has never been safer due to medical progress. Focusing on the medical risks leaves out the vast societal changes that have taken place over the past few decades that are urging this trend and shaping women’s lives. There are now greater career opportunities for women along with the expectation of financial independence.
07.03.2009 | 1:07:24 am | Posted by mummums
By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist
Although it feels like it took forever, summer is finally here and so is the hot weather. With Independence Day right around the corner, families are planning fun activities that are more than likely outdoors. Adults and even little children can tell when you when they are hot or need some water but what about babies? Babies are sensitive to extreme temperatures too and can have difficulty falling asleep when it is warm just like their parents. This doesn't mean these tiny tots need to remain indoors all summer, just that parents need to be extra mindful on hot summer days. Here are a few ways keep your baby cool in the summer heat.
Sunshine
The delicate skin of infants makes them more prone to sunburn. Babies under 6 months of age should not use sun block thus it is important they remain in the shade. If you are heading for a day at the beach, be sure to bring an umbrella, a sun hat, and even a light blanket to protect babies skin. After 6 months of age, look for an organic infant sunscreen like Soleo Organics or California Baby. Some sun blocks, especially those marketed for adults, can contain harmful chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
Hydration
Just like grown ups, babies sweat in the heat. However, since babies are so small they have a limited ability to retain extra fluids and lose fluids through perspiration at a much faster rate. For mother’s who are breastfeeding, it is very important that you stay hydrated because baby is getting her fluids from you. Also, you can breastfeed more frequently on hot days to ensure adequate fluid intake. For formula fed babies, do not add additional liquids to the formula because this reduces the nutrient content which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Instead, in between feedings, you can offer him a small amount of cool, purified or distilled water. Be sure to consult your physician for additional information or if suspect your child is not getting adequate fluids. Remain diligent for signs of dehydration which include:
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Fewer wet diapers
- Crying or irritability
- Hot and dry skin
- Elevated body temperature
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Tired or lethargic
Staying Cool
Fans can help circulate the air in the room, but should not be pointed directly at the child. Stick to fabrics like cotton both for their bodies and bedding as this helps absorb sweat to avoid a heat rash. Nap times can be tough if it is too warm for him to fall asleep so let him sleep in the coolest part of the house where there is a breeze. Also, never ever leave a child or infant in the car alone during any type of weather. Other cooling tips:
- A sponge bath or bath in lukewarm water
- Hang wet towels over chairs or windows to cool the air
- Be sure the air in the room and around her is circulating: prams may block the airflow and so does additional bedding like crib pads.
07.02.2009 | 5:07:39 pm | Posted by mummums
By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist
Most expecting women are aware that a healthy diet during pregnancy can positively influence the baby’s health. One fact some mothers might not know is that oral health can impact an unborn baby as well. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recently announced new perinatal oral health guidelines for expecting women and their babies.
The AAPD recently met for their annual meeting and arrived upon a new set of guidelines for expecting women urging women to seek oral healthcare during pregnancy. In addition, infants are encouraged to obtain an oral health risk assessment by their first birthday. Both preventative measures can contribute to optimal oral health for mother and baby.
Recent studies have found an association between periodontal disease and increased risk of preterm birth as well as low birth weights. The findings suggested that including periodontal care during pregnancy may improve pregnancy outcomes and should be included as a routine component of prenatal care.
Unfortunately, many pregnant women are unaware of the health implications of poor oral health and may enter into delivery in suboptimal condition. Mother’s with poor oral health may be at higher risk of infecting their newborns with cavity causing bacteria; which in turn sets the baby up for high risk of cavities. The new guidelines also address proper oral care for infants and children while encouraging health care professionals to discuss proper oral health with their patients.
Key components of the new guidelines include:
- Oral hygiene: proper brushing and flossing on a daily basis to reduce bacterial plaque which has been linked to both preterm and low birth weight babies
- Diet: dietary education including how foods and beverages may affect oral health
- Oral health education: early intervention and counseling during pregnancy
- Fluoride: use of an AAPD approved fluoridated toothpaste along with nightly rinse with an alcohol free .05% fluoride mouthwash.
- Xylitol gum: studies have suggested that mothers chewing about 4 pieces of xylitol gum each day can decrease a child’s risk of cavities
- Delay of colonization: educating parents on sharing food, cups, or utensils to decrease the passing of cavity causing bacteria
06.29.2009 | 10:06:22 pm | Posted by mummums
By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist
Once you hold your newborn baby for the first time, you might keep him snuggled up next to you for hours at a time. There is sound reason for this maternal instinct as snuggling, or love and affection, is as important to babies as the food they eat as and is necessary for healthy development and brain maturation. Just as an infant cannot be deprived of proper nourishment, a recent warning from a health expert claims that lack of attention can be equally detrimental.
Clinical psychologist at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust Dr. Cheryl Power explained to delegates at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ annual meeting that health care professionals often concentrate on mothers with mental health issues paying little attention to how this affects the baby.
Babies who are deprived of love and stimulation during the first year of life are at risk for poor brain development and social skills. As Dr. Power states: “A fetus will have approximately 100 billion neurons in their brain, however these neurons are meaningless until after birth when the environment they are exposed to will influence their brain development”. Essentially, infants need to be exposed to social interaction and environmental stimuli to ensure their brains develop properly.
Mothers who face mental health difficulties have a compromised ability to provide interaction and stimulus for their infant which can lead to a negative cycle of mother child interactions. Dr. Powers warned colleagues at the meeting to avoid an isolated approach to treatment where only the mother’s issues are looked at. Instead, she urged health care professionals and social workers to focus on the whole mother-baby relationship as well as the whole family.
Examples of some difficulties new mothers face include anxiety resulting in over-responsiveness or depression which can lead to not picking up on infant cues. Either extreme sets up the negative cycle between mother and baby where the baby begins to alter his own actions exacerbating an already anxious mother. The whole family approach to intervention will provide a dual benefit; mothers who can successfully engage in the social role as mother are much more likely to overcome mental health issues, and this recovery will have a major impact on the development of the baby.
06.22.2009 | 9:06:44 pm | Posted by mummums
By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist
To avoid stumbling down the hall half asleep in the middle of night, many parents keep new babies in their bedrooms to sleep during the first few months of life. Some parents even allow their infants to sleep in bed with them to provide a midnight feeding and let them drift of to sleep without having to move them. A recent study found this practice may be disruptive to an infant’s sleep.
According to the St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia study, parental presence at bedtime has a negative impact on infant sleep; even more so than co-sleeping. The study examined data from the parents of 29,287 toddlers and infants from Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, United States, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
Lead researcher Jodi A. Mindell, PhD explains that previous studies of parents sharing a bed with their baby were associated with sleep problems including more night wake-ups. Mindell states: “It is likely that it is not the bed sharing or room sharing per se that leads to increased sleep issues rather, most young children who sleep in a separate room fall asleep independently of their parents. These children are able to return to sleep on their own when they naturally awaken during the night, and thus have fewer sleep problems. Children who  sleep in the same room as their parents usually have a parent helping them to fall asleep at bedtime, and will need that help again throughout the night."
Parents completed an extensive sleep questionnaire and co-sleeping was defined as sharing a bed, room sharing in a separate bed, or sleeping in another room. The results revealed that children who slept in a separate room got more sleep, awoke less frequently in the night, fell asleep faster, had less difficulty at bedtimes, and were perceived as having fewer problems.
The clinically significant differences were mainly found in predominantly Caucasian countries, where 11.8% of parents reported bedsharing and 22% reported sharing a room. Predominantly Asian countries reported much larger rates of co-sleeping with 64.7% and 86.5% respectively. Study authors were surprised to find that in countries of predominate Asian descent; most parents were present at their child’s bedtime.
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