http://www.mummums.com Baby MumMum blog offers expert knowledge and parenting advice for raising healthy children with a focus on child nutrition, infant development, baby products, celiac disease and more. en http://www.mummums.com/themes/default/images/rssicon.jpg http://www.mummums.com http://www.mummums.com/2009/07/Child-Health--BBC-News-Reports-Concerns-over-Older-Mother-Trend By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist There is a growing trend in the new millennia and that is women having babies much later in life. Although, as Mum Mums 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 womens lives. There are now greater career opportunities for women along with the expectation of financial independence. http://www.mummums.com/2009/07/Child-Health--BBC-News-Reports-Concerns-over-Older-Mother-Trend Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:15:23 -0400 older mums pregnancy late motherhood Hollywood celebrity moms preeclampsia gestational diabetes fertility IVF baby health baby development child health child development http://www.mummums.com/2009/07/Baby-Development--How-to-Keep-Babies-Cool-in-the-Summer-Heat By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids 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 mothers 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. http://www.mummums.com/2009/07/Baby-Development--How-to-Keep-Babies-Cool-in-the-Summer-Heat Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:15:24 -0400 keeping babies cool infant sunblock organic breastfeeding California Baby signs of dehydration infants crib pads child health child development baby health baby development http://www.mummums.com/2009/07/Baby-Health--American-academy-of-Pediatric-Dentistry-Releases-New-Perinatal-and-Infant-Oral-Health-Guidelines By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Most expecting women are aware that a healthy diet during pregnancy can positively influence the babys 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. Mothers 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 childs risk of cavities Delay of colonization: educating parents on sharing food, cups, or utensils to decrease the passing of cavity causing bacteria http://www.mummums.com/2009/07/Baby-Health--American-academy-of-Pediatric-Dentistry-Releases-New-Perinatal-and-Infant-Oral-Health-Guidelines Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:43:39 -0400 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry AAPD expecting women newborns preterm birth low birth weight oral health perinatal care child development baby health baby development http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Development--Babies-Need-Cuddles-Love-and-Stimulation-to-Aid-Healthy-Brains By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids 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 Childrens 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 mothers 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. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Development--Babies-Need-Cuddles-Love-and-Stimulation-to-Aid-Healthy-Brains Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:50:22 -0400 Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Royal College of Psychiatrists Dr. Cheryl Power mental health difficulties newborns mother baby interaction baby health http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Health--St-Josephs-University-Study-Finds-Parental-Presence-at-Bedtime-may-Result-in-Sleep-Difficulties By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids 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 infants sleep. According to the St. Josephs 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 childs bedtime. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Health--St-Josephs-University-Study-Finds-Parental-Presence-at-Bedtime-may-Result-in-Sleep-Difficulties Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:06:44 -0400 co-sleeping St. Joseph's University baby development bedtime bed sharing parenting Jodi A Mindell PhD baby health baby development http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--Game-Predicts-Kindergarten-Achievement By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist A few months ago, Mum Mums reported a story explaining that kindergarteners were lacking adequate playtime as a result of schools making curriculum more difficult to prepare kindergarten kids for elementary school. Other scholastic experts, however, feel many kids enter first grade ill prepared. A new game has been developed that is both fun for kids and a good predictor of learning ability. Early childhood development researchers from University of Virginia and Oregon State University have discovered a 5 minute simple self-regulation game that predicts end of year achievements in vocabulary, literacy, and math that was also associated with several months of additional learning in kindergarten. Assessing a group of 343 kindergarteners from Michigan and Oregon, researchers examined the efficacy of a game called the Head-Shoulders-Knees-Toes task (HSKT). This game is a new version of the Head-to-Toes task and was improved upon by the University of Michigan; both tasks proved effective in predicting academic skills among preschool children. The HSKT task measured the childrens ability to control behavior, or self-regulation, by requiring the children to perform the opposite of a response to four varying oral commands. For example, the children were told to touch their toes in response to being told to touch their heads. The study found that the children who scored well on the game in the fall, or commencement of the school year, also had strong scores in reading, math, and vocabulary in the spring when compared with the students who did poorly on the game. The higher scores equated to being as much as 3.4 months ahead of the other children who had average scores in mathematics. Researchers note the game is fun, simple and an adequate predictor of scholastic performance. The game, as researchers note, does have its shortcomings as it cannot assess childrens interpersonal skills because it is not set up to evoke an emotional response. It does, however, indicate certain classroom oriented skills such as remembering instructions, listening, and following directions. Evidence has suggested that self-regulation is directly linked to behavior as well as scholastic performance and the researchers plan to continue with this study on even larger groups of children in the future. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--Game-Predicts-Kindergarten-Achievement Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:10:41 -0400 University of Virginia Oregon State university University of Michigan self-regulation child development kindergarten HSKT Head Shoulders Knees toes task http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--ABC-Reports-Mattel-Fined-23-Million-for-Toy-Hazards By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Just when parents thought toy shopping got a little safer. Over the past year, great strides have been made in keeping harmful chemicals out of the hands of children, including providing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) with additional funds to crack down on safety violations. The CPSC is apparently working more efficiently as they recently reported Mattel knowingly ignored safety standards. Toymakers Mattel Inc. and its Fischer Price subsidiary will be paying a $2.3 million civil penalty for selling and importing toys containing excessive amounts of lead. It wasnt a new regulation Mattel violated, but a 30 year old federal ban on lead paint in toys and, as the CPSC announced, did so knowingly. The toy company denies purposefully violating the ban, yet this is not their first time in the hot seat. During the 2007 holiday shopping season, Fisher-Price and Mattel were among many other toymakers who had millions of China-made toys pulled from shelves. This is first fine for the commission, who hopes this will serve as a notice to other toymakers that the CSPC is committed to child safety. The 2007 toy recalls were highly publicized, which the commission feels helped spawn congressional legislative action. One big change that arrived last summer, the Consumer Product Safety Act, restricts lead amounts in childrens products. We were able to effectively minimize any potential concerns by launching a fast-track recall of the affected product in conjunction with the CPSC and other global regulatory agencies, and by taking several steps to enhance our product compliance protocols and procedures to confirm that every Mattel toy is safe for children to enjoy ; Mattel responded to the CPSC announcement. Lead poisoning is a serious matter for children as it can lead to delayed physical and mental development, learning deficiencies, and neurological damage. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--ABC-Reports-Mattel-Fined-23-Million-for-Toy-Hazards Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:48:34 -0400 CPSC Consumer product safety commission toy recalls Mattel Inc Fischer Price lead paint lead poisening China-made toys children's products http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Development--TV-Can-Impair-Speech-Development-in-Young-Children By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Several months ago, reports surfaced stating that even the background noise of the TV being on, even if in another room, disrupted a young childs ability to concentrate. Very little was discussed in previous studies as to how TV affects parent child interaction, until now. A new study found this communication is so diminished it can lead to speech impairments in children. Published in this months issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, the study found that when the TV is on, parents and children literally stop speaking to each other even if sitting in the same room. Specifically, parents spoke 770 less words per hour while in front of the TV, while the average adults speaks about 941 words an hour. It wasnt just the parents who fell silent, as children vocalized much less as well. This may explain results found in previous studies that babies who watch a lot of TV know fewer words. The study fitted 329 children aged two months to four years with business card sized digital devices for about 6 months. These devices included a speech recognition program that could differentiate human voices from TV content and counted the number of words spoken when the TV was on. The study shows that even though a parent and child feel as though they might be interacting with the TV on, quite the opposite is true. In certain cases, note researchers, parents simply zoned on while watching TV and others left the room while their child was perched in front of the television. This is the seventh study to suggest TV can impair a childs language development, yet clear results are yet to be found. In fact, some recent studies have found that TV neither helped nor harmed language acquisition. One thing is known, as the study authors point out, that TV watching is not helpful to a child as some popular baby videos might suggest. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV watching for babies under two years of age while older children should be limited to less than two hours per day. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Development--TV-Can-Impair-Speech-Development-in-Young-Children Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:25:25 -0400 babies TV watching language development Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine baby videos American Academy of Pediatrics baby health http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Nutrition---For-Food-Allergic-Kids-Parents-and-Schools-Step-Up By Colleen Hurley, RD, certified Kids Nutrition Specialist There has undoubtedly been an increase in the numbers of children with food allergies over the past several years. While it may not necessarily mean greater numbers of children are effected, improvements in means of diagnosis along with increased awareness by physicians and healthcare providers has helped to bring previously undiagnosed allergies to light. Despite the increased awareness, there is still much to learn about coping with food allergies, especially those that are life threatening. A recent survey attempted to find out just how much people do know. Three percent of household in the US are affected by a life-threatening food allergy according to the C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital National Poll on Childrens Health. Despite that knowledge, little is known about what the average family with severe food allergies experiences, how accepting parents are of the measures schools must take to protect these children, and what exactly schools are doing to manage the problem. The National Poll on Childrens Health surveyed parents with children aged 0-13 about food allergies and what their schools and daycare centers are doing accommodate their food allergic children. According to the poll, the most common accommodation is a ban on food or treats from home. One half of elementary schools were reported as having this policy, along with two-thirds of preschools and day care centers. Previously, parents of non-food allergic children found these accommodations inconvenient, but the new survey found that more parents are accepting of the schools' policies to help protect other children. Nearly one half of parents reported not feeling inconvenienced, yet another two thirds reported not being comfortable with the accommodations. This raises concerns for educators, policy makers, and clinicians as this parental unwillingess may present a barrier for bringing the policies to other schools or daycare centers. Additional accommodations made by schools include separate eating areas for food-allergic children, required or posted food allergy plans, and special classroom assignments. Nearly one half of parents reported their schools have special staff training for food allergies. While there is a lot more that needs to be done to protect children with a life threatening food allergy, the survey provides a glimmer of hope that progress is indeed being made. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Nutrition---For-Food-Allergic-Kids-Parents-and-Schools-Step-Up Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:56:43 -0400 food allergies food allergic children daycare centers preschool food allergy plans National Poll on Children's Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Nutrition--Is-Dephytinization-from-Infant-Cereals-Beneficial-to-the-Nutrition-Absorption By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist When taking a hard look at nutrient absorption, it can be very confusing as vitamins and minerals are actually quite complex. As discussed in the Boosting Iron during Pregnancy post, some nutrients act as helpers of iron absorption while others hinder. These symbiotic relationships are abundant in the natural world, and although seemingly counterproductive they are indeed as Mother Nature intended. A new study from the University of Murcia in Spain decided to take matters into their own hands by researching ways to create maximum nutrient absorption from infant cereals. Baby cereals are a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, minerals, and vitamins are typically introduced into a babys diet after 6 months of age. Cereals do provide a good source of nutrients needed for a baby's healthy development, but are also a significant source of antinutrients or chemicals naturally found in foods that block the absorption of vital nutrients like calcium, iron, and zinc. Phytates are the main antinutrient found in cereal grains which often bind to trace minerals rendering them non-absorbable. Why on earth would nature do that? Because phytates can also remove the stuff we dont want from soil or hard water, as well as inactivate trace-mental contaminates all while being a powerful antioxidant. Researchers dephytinized (removed the phytates) from three popular infant cereals in an attempt to discover if the process improved nutrient absorption. Both dephytinized and non-dephytinized cereals were digested in a test tube simulating the stomach conditions of a 6 month old infant. Transport, uptake, and mineral cell retention were measured via Caco-2 cell lines. The Caco-2 cell lines are widely used in test tube studies as they are predictors of absorption rate and they serve as a model of humans intestinal barriers. The study found that dephytinization of infant cereals did improve the bioavailability of iron and zinc when the cereals were reconstituted with water. Removing the phytates also increased cell uptake, transport, and retentions of all three minerals. The study had a secondary discovery; that Caco-2 lines were useful for mineral absorption studies, which could prove useful not only for nutritional scientists but also for food manufacturers and consumers. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Nutrition--Is-Dephytinization-from-Infant-Cereals-Beneficial-to-the-Nutrition-Absorption Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:52:04 -0400 dephytinization phytates infant cereal iron zinc calcium vitamins nutrients University of Murcia 6 month olds http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Health--UK-Adopts-New-Growth-Charts-Based-on-Breastfed-Babies By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist All newborn babies have their growth rates graphed on birth charts for the first few years of life. This charting method has worked relatively well, with one exception. The glaring difference when using birth charts has been with breastfed babies as they do no typically gain weight at a similar rate of babies who are formula fed. At last, the UK is the first to adopt a new birth chart method to compensate for this discrepancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) has worked hard over the past few to encourage the use of growth charts that include healthy weights for breastfed babies. Utilizing the WHO recommendations, the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health created new growth measurement charts to replace the previously used method based on bottle fed babies. Research has consistently shown that breastfed babies gain weight at a healthier rate than their bottle fed counterparts and are less likely to become obese in adulthood. Parents of all newborns are given Personal Child Health Records which will now include the new charts that will establish breastfeeding as the norm. Not only will the charts help parents and healthcare professional indentify obesity risk, they will also help reassure parents of breastfed babies who tend to gain weigh at a slower rate. The UK Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life as breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs. Breastfeeding should continue beyond 6 months along with the introduction of solid foods. The birth charts continue with the Department of Healths commitment to increasing Englands breastfeeding rates. The new birth charts cover babies until four years of age as part of the Personal Child Health Records which have also been revamped to include one and two year reviews plus breastfeeding support services. The charts and other educational material can be viewed at: http://www.rcpch.ac.uk. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Health--UK-Adopts-New-Growth-Charts-Based-on-Breastfed-Babies Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:22:28 -0400 World health organization birth charts newborns breastfeeding birth charts breastfed babies breast milk Royal College of Pediatrics Personal Child health records baby health child health http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--TerraChoice-Environmental-Marketing-Greenwashing-Affects-98-of-Products-Including-Toys-Baby-Products-and-Cosmetics By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Since the green movement has taken hold, more and more products are claiming to be green. By simply putting natural or organic on the label companies are using these terms to get a marketing edge but might not be telling the whole truth about their products. This phenomenon spawned a report about the new wave of greenwashing. Greenwashing is defined as the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service . This definition was coined by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, who released their Seven Sins of Greenwashing Report. The report found that 98% of products surveyed in the United Kingdom (UK) committed at least one of the greenwashing sins. Included in those products were toys, cosmetics, and baby products. For example, the term natural was found on products from baby care items to beauty products yet if unexplained or undefined; natural can mean different things to different people. Greenwashing is rapidly changing in so many ways that TerraChoice had to increase the ‘Sins from six to seven just since 2007 to include companies that are now mimicking environmental certifications on their products to attract consumers. TerraChoice, a global environmental marketing firm helping grow sustainable companies, ran their study from November 2008 through January 2009. Because baby products, childrens products, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies are the most susceptible to greenwashing; these products are the highlight of the 2009 report. In the UK, a total of 1,612 ‘green claims were recorded on 787 products. The claims were tested against best practices specifically the International Organization for Standardization standard for environmental labeling. For the full report and a detailed description of the Seven Sins of Greenwashing go to www.sinsofgreenwashing.org. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--TerraChoice-Environmental-Marketing-Greenwashing-Affects-98-of-Products-Including-Toys-Baby-Products-and-Cosmetics Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:57:10 -0400 greenwashing TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Seven Sins of Greenwashing baby products International Organization for Standardization ISO baby health child health http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Development--Boosting-Iron-during-Pregnancy By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Recent reports have found iron deficiency during pregnancy may result in problems with language acquisition for the baby during early childhood. While most expecting women are given prenatal vitamins by their health care provider which provide some of their daily iron needs, many women are still iron deficient during pregnancy. Iron is vital for healthy development for both mother and baby and its critical in the second and third trimesters where some physicians may even add an additional iron supplements for mothers who are deficient. Iron is an important component of the pregnancy diet, especially because rates of iron absorption are low and many women experience additional tummy upset from vitamins and iron supplements. Although not vegetarian friendly, meat provides an excellent source of heme iron. Heme means it blood rich hence its blood building properties and is a type of iron only fround animal sources. Heme iron rich foods include: Beef Turkey Sardines Shrimp Clams Dark meat poultry Pork Note: be sure to cook all meats thoroughly before eating, well done is best for red meats. Poultry should be cooked to at least 165 degrees and pork to 170 degrees. Non-heme, or vegetarian sources do provide iron but at half of the absorption rate of heme iron sources. Even a small amount of heme iron foods eaten at the same time as non-heme can help enhance iron absorption. Good sources of non-heme iron in food include: Dried apricots Kale, collards, and mustard greens Potatoes with skin Legumes: green peas, chickpeas, and lentils Pumpkin seeds Blackstrap molasses Enriched breakfast cereals Iron Helpers Vitamin C helps increase iron absorption and acts as irons helper within the body. Try adding a glass of orange juice when taking your vitamins or add a side of a vitamin C rich food when eating iron foods like bell peppers, tomato, tomato juice, or fruit like strawberries, grapefruit or cantaloupe. Iron Bullies Some food can block iron absorption and act as iron bullies. These foods include red wine, coffee or tea, spinach, chard, rhubarb, soy products, whole grains, and bran. As always, be sure to maintain regular check ups with your healthcare provider throughout pregnancy for both you and your baby. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Development--Boosting-Iron-during-Pregnancy Sun, 31 May 2009 21:47:44 -0400 pregnancy diet heme iron iron rich foods pregnancy non-heme iron vegetarian iron absorption vitamin c iron during pregnancy baby health child health http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Health--Brain-Maturation-in-Preemies-May-Be-Delayed-by-Iron-Deficiency-in-Womb By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Iron is critical for healthy brain development and is one of the main components of prenatal vitamins. During pregnancy, daily iron needs double from 18mg to 27mg not only to support the increased blood supply in an expecting mother's body, but also to support the growing baby and placenta. A new study found that delayed brain maturation in preemies may be the result of iron deficiency in utero. Within the womb, iron plays a large in fetal brain development. The study, by the University of Rochester Medical Center, shows an iron deficiency can slow the development of the auditory nervous system in premature infants. Affecting babies ability to process sound, this delay could hinder language development in early childhood. Study author Dr. Sanjiv Amin explains: Sound isn't transmitted as well through the immature auditory pathway in the brains of premature babies who are deficient in iron as compared to premature babies who have enough iron, . Dr. Amin went on to explain that if the auditory system is affected during the developmental phase, then iron deficiency could be affecting other parts as well. The study examined 80 infants for over 18 months testing umbilical cord blood iron levels in addition to a non-invasive tool to measure the brains auditory nervous system maturity soon after birth. Results of the study revealed that low blood iron levels did indeed correlate with abnormal maturation of auditory system. Iron deficiency during pregnancy can result in anemia, a condition denoted by a lack of sufficent red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Anemia during pregnancy often results in fatigue or exhaustion but can also result in serious problems like low birth weights or preterm labor. Many doctors are unaware that iron deficiency can result in language problems. The study authors confirm that more research is needed to fully grasp what this delayed maturation means, but most certainly reaffirms the need to monitor a womans iron levels throughout pregnancy. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Health--Brain-Maturation-in-Preemies-May-Be-Delayed-by-Iron-Deficiency-in-Womb Sun, 31 May 2009 20:48:57 -0400 iron brain development prenatal vitamins preemies premature infants iron deficiency pregnancy pregnancy anemia Dr. Sanjiv Amin University of Rochester Medical Center http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Development--5-Free-Ways-to-Spoil-Moms By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist May is a month for celebrating mothers, although honoring your mum or the mother of your children doesnt have to stop at mothers day. Being a mom is a 24-7 job without vacation time, sick pay, or lunch breaks so every mother appreciates a little appreciation. You dont have to spend a lot of money to show gratitude for moms either; in fact there are lots of free ways to show her you care. Many mums agree it is thought that counts. Dozens of women were asked what gifts they would like for mothers day and the majority response was the same: the gifts of I love you through thoughts and actions mean so much more than expensive gifts. So partners, brainstorm with your children for fun ways to show mom how much you care. To get you started, here are 5 free ways to spoil mums: 1. Queen for a day: Yes, we all secretly want to be queen for a day. Have the kids make her a crown she gets to wear all day and let the queen decide what she wants to do. Bringing breakfast in bed is a great way to start and if she wants to relax, take the down time to clean up the kitchen or prep for a dinner she wont have to cook. Most importantly, make sure the queen doesnt have to lift a finger for the whole day. 2. Alone time: Most women with young children rarely get time to themselves. Giving mom time to either get out of the house to go have tea with a good friend, shop, or go for a stroll in park; or taking the kids out of the house so she can sit on the couch and read a good book - both options result in mom getting some ‘me time to recharge herself. 3. Moms little helper: Sit down as a family and write out all the chores mom doeson little strips of paper. On the other side of the chore, write the family members name down who is willing to do that chore. Put all the papers into a shoe box and present it to her so she will have little helpers as she needs them in the days to come - its the gift that keeps on giving! 4. Create a home spa: Seat mom in a comfy chair and put on some relaxing music to create an in-home spa experience. Fill up a tub or bucket with warm water and some essential oils if you have any or even marbles at the bottom of the bucket to rub her feet across. While her feet are soaking you can use some lotion or olive oil to rub her hands. Have an aspiring aesthetician in the house? Let her give mom a manicure or paint her nails. Dry her feet off and finish with a foot rub. 5. Create coupons: Get out some construction paper and make coupons good for varying things moms love like 1 free hug, a kiss, dish duty, picking up toys, feeding the dog, or any other little thing that might make her day. This way she can ‘cash her coupon in on any day she needs a smile. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Baby-Development--5-Free-Ways-to-Spoil-Moms Sun, 31 May 2009 19:52:38 -0400 5 free ways to spoil mom mother's day in-home spa mothers me time household chores appreciating mums alone time http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--Motherhood-in-the-21st-Century-to-be-Surveyed-Online By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Change is inevitable, and the times certainly are changing. In particular, the role of mums these days is a lot different than in previous decades with women having children later in life and juggling careers in addition to motherhood. So just what is motherhood like in the 21st century? New Zealand announces a new survey that hopes to find some answers. Targeted in an international survey seeking insight into what motherhood currently is like, New Zealand is the first country initiating the survey. Launched on mothers day, the anonymous online questionnaire will remain open for several months to give mothers the opportunity to share their own point of view. Going live the same day is a similar questionnaire in Australia while parallel studies in both the US and Britain are anticipated later this years. The visionaries behind this initiative are of course, mothers. New Zealand author Jody Hedley-Ward and Australian clinical psychologist Dr. Angela Huntsman. Both women believe the survey has the potential to improve the services for women raising children and will be asking women their thoughts and feelings about their current role as mother. The results will be analyzed to provide pertinent information to health care providers and policy makers. The survey is a means of follow up to a book Hedley-Ward released last year entitled You Sexy Mother , a book that resulted in an overwhelming response to the author in the form of nearly 1,600 emails in one day. In the parenting advice book, Hedley-Ward discusses the importance of a strong support system while sustaining interests and passions to help women thrive amidst the ups and downs of being a mother. The readers subsequently responded to the author saying they want more out of motherhood than is currently being experienced. Hedley-Ward, a former marketing executive with 2 preschool children, notes that the fact that 1 in 7 women experienced post-natal depression is pretty staggering adding that employment, travel opportunities, and education have changed womens expectations about motherhood. The survey will be large scale and will include about 130 questions with hopes of high participation rates. The results will provide a great deal of value not just for women, but also for anyone who provides a product or service to mothers. Surely mothers everywhere will anxiously be awaiting the results. The survey questionnaire will be available at www.motherhoodstudy.net. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--Motherhood-in-the-21st-Century-to-be-Surveyed-Online Sun, 31 May 2009 18:27:14 -0400 motherhood motherhood survey Jody Hedley-Ward Dr. Angela Huntsman being a mother You Sexy Mother http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--Late-Motherhood-Boosts-Family-Lifespan--Same-Genes-Link-Longevity-and-Births-After-45-says-University-of-Utah-Study By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist Despite the current dismal economy, more babies are being born than ever in US history. One reason could be perhaps, as current trends show, that the age range in which women have babies has drastically increased. The times we are living in now are certainly different than those of our own parents and many women are having babies much later in life. A new study found this current trend is not a new phenomenon and may be correlated with a longer lifespan. Women who naturally have babies in their 40s or even 50s tend to live longer than other women. The University of Utah study also found that these mothers brothers also live longer, inferring that the same genes keeping women fertile longer and prolonging life expectancy may surpass socioeconomic factors. Examining high quality genealogical records from the Utah Population Database at the University of Utah, researchers looked at the records of 1.6 million Utah pioneers and their descendants. The University of Montreals Program on Demographic History Research records were also used detailing data on 400,000 people who lived in Quebec during 1608 through 1850. Specifically, thousands of men were chosen from both databases that had at least one sister who lived to a minimum of 50 years of age. Key findings of the study include: Women who had a late birth, at age 45 or greater, were 14 to 16% less likely to die any year after age 50 than women who did not deliver beyond the age of 40. This confirms earlier studies but the studies had been unable to conclude whether this trend was due to environmental factors or genetics Conversely, the brothers wives did not have an increased life expectancy confirming the researchers suspicion that it was largely due to genetics as opposed to other social factors such as environment and good nutrition The brothers who had at least 3 sister with at least one giving birth after 45 were 20 to 22% less likely to die during any year after 50 than men without late fertile sister. Good Environment vs. Good Genes Although the study didnt directly address just how much genetics determine longevity, the study authors believe genes can make up for about 25% of variations in life expectancy. The specific study populous was chosen to eliminate any confounding factors; the brothers wives were not linked by blood but would share similar environmental factors while not being to reproduce themselves the brothers reproductive history wouldnt skew results. Over the past decade, research has shown that women can reproduce late in life without medical intervention and that those women do indeed live longer. http://www.mummums.com/2009/06/Child-Development--Late-Motherhood-Boosts-Family-Lifespan--Same-Genes-Link-Longevity-and-Births-After-45-says-University-of-Utah-Study Sat, 30 May 2009 22:31:30 -0400 University of Utah late fertility life expectancy University of Montreal Program on Demographic research http://www.mummums.com/2009/05/Mum-Mums-Blog-Report-UK-Study-Finds-Baby-Food-Worse-than-Junk-Food-How-to-Choose-Healthy-Baby-and-Toddler-Foods-Gluten-Free-Recipe-of-the-Month-Berry-Muffins This is a selection of recent popular blogs from Mum Mum, where parents can find information on everything to do with babies and parenting with an emphasis on health and nutrition. Not too many parents would hand a cheeseburger over to their baby as a snack, but as the post explains many parents may have unknowingly done so. According to a recent UK survey by the Childrens Food Campaign (CFC) certain baby foods contain as much saturated fat as a McDonalds quarter pounder with cheese and as much sugar as a chocolate donut. It wasnt just saturated fat content that was shocking, makers of infant formula and baby foods Cow and Gate had foods containing trans fats which have been linked to heart disease. Subsequently Cow and Gate has ceased production of foods containing trans fats as a result of the survey. How to Choose Healthy Baby and Toddler Foods In light of reports of baby toddler foods being laden with sugar and fat, Mum Mums reveals how to choose healthy baby and toddler foods. With the current lack of regulated guidelines for what constitutes as healthy baby and toddler foods, parents need to become savvy consumers as well as avid label readers. When it comes to sugars, parents should be on the look out for added sugars such as high fructose corn syrup or other artificial sweeteners. Although babies' need for fat is high during the first 2 yeas of life to ensure proper brain development, fat sources should not be saturated nor contain trans fats. Apply a general rule when shopping for baby and toddler foods: less is more, particularly when it comes to ingredients. Gluten Free Recipe of the Month: Berry Muffins One way to control what foods your children are given is to cook at home. Mum Mums gluten free recipe of the month features a nutrient dense berry muffin that makes a great snack or easy breakfast. Utilizing buckwheat and millet flours, these muffins provide a great source of B vitamins and fiber not to mention the fresh berries that are coming into peak season over the next few months. The recipe is not only gluten free but free of other common food allergens. About the Mum-Mum Blog The Baby Mum Mum Blog discusses everything to do with Babies and Parenting with a focus on Health, Nutrition and Infant Development. Baby Mum Mum is a healthy, easy to digest baby rice snack that is enjoyed by babies and moms around the world for its portability, gluten free ingredients and great taste. Baby Mum Mum is a division of Want Want Holdings, a manufacturer of healthy snack foods, beverage and related products. http://www.mummums.com/2009/05/Mum-Mums-Blog-Report-UK-Study-Finds-Baby-Food-Worse-than-Junk-Food-How-to-Choose-Healthy-Baby-and-Toddler-Foods-Gluten-Free-Recipe-of-the-Month-Berry-Muffins Fri, 29 May 2009 15:37:45 -0400 Children's food Campaign Cow and Gate trans fats healthy baby and toddler foods artificial sweeteners babies gluten free recipe http://www.mummums.com/2009/05/Child-Nutrition--Gluten-Free-Recipe-of-the-Month-Berry-Muffins By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist It was recently discovered that foods marketed for infants and toddlers contained extremely high amounts of sugar and fat. One way to avoid commercially processed foods is to do more cooking and eating at home. If you are maintaining a gluten free diet for celiac disease or gluten intolerance, reading labels for gluten might have seemed like enough of a task. This months recipe features a nutrient dense, homemade berry muffin that is also free of other food allergens. Free of trans fats and added sugars, you get to mix your own favorite blend of fruits for a hearty snack or breakfast. These can also be wrapped individually and frozen for use at a later time. Choosing Gluten Free Flours Mum Mums has featured recipes with a variety of different gluten free flours for baking. For this recipe, you could use your favorite gluten free blend or mix a few together. For maximum nutrient density, this recipe uses part buckwheat flour and part millet. When using buckwheat, it is best to buy the groats and puree into flour in a food processor or blender for a lighter, fluffier texture. Berry Muffins This is an original recipe from Mum Mums own dietitian that has been kid tested and family approved. For the berry combination, try starting with mixed frozen berries or some fresh berries from your local Farmers Market. Using at least 1 banana in the fruit puree helps to ensure muffins maintain their consistency. 1 and ¼ cup buckwheat flour 1 and ¼ cup millet flour ½ cup tapioca flour 2 teaspoons xanthan gum 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoons sea salt 2 cups fruit puree (with at least 1 banana in the mix; if using frozen fruit be sure it is thawed before baking) ¼ cup oil 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the dry ingredients and the wet (fruit puree, oil, vanilla) in separate mixing bowls; then slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet until moist. Loosely place batter to half full in an oiled muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool in tins so that muffins can be removed without breaking. Yield: 12 medium sized muffins Prep time: 35 minutes http://www.mummums.com/2009/05/Child-Nutrition--Gluten-Free-Recipe-of-the-Month-Berry-Muffins Thu, 21 May 2009 13:49:30 -0400 gluten free diet gluten free recipe gluten free muffins celiac disease food allergens Farmer's Market baby health child health food allergies wheat allergies http://www.mummums.com/2009/05/Baby-Health--How-to-Choose-Healthy-Baby-and-Toddler-Foods By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kids Nutrition Specialist A recent UK survey found that parents have unwittingly been giving their children foods with fat and sugar contents equivalent to a cheeseburger or chocolate donut. No, not too many parents would hand their child a McDonalds quarter pounder, but what about a toddler biscuit? Much more likely yet both foods contain a similar amount of saturated fat. This leaves us all to wonder: how can we choose healthy baby and toddler foods? Sugar The regulations for healthy baby food are almost non-existent as calories restriction is not appropriate for babies and toddlers because they are rapidly growing and developing. With regard to sugar, it is not a nutrient so again, label requirements are loose. Bear in mind that babies acquire a taste for sugar, they are not born with it so the more sugar you give your baby in the first year of life may set the sweetness threshold too high running the risk of babies refusing foods that are not as sweet like vegetables and cereals. The caution with sugar is to be on the lookout for added sugars in the ingredients like corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, or other sweeteners. For example, fruit pureed in a jar of baby food can have a high sugar content but fruits contain natural sugars along with a great deal of vitamins as long as the fruit is the only ingredient listed. Fat Babies need fat, especially during the first two years of life, for healthy brain development but not all fats are created equally. In fact, breast milk contains about 50% fat yet most women in America do not breastfeed for an entire year. Absolutely no trans fats should be given to babies, toddlers, or children. It is currently a labeling law that foods must print that the food contains trans fats but some companies do not. If one of the ingredients is hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil you know for sure that food contains trans fats even the label doesnt say so. Fat should be good from sources like avocadoes, breast milk, whole milk dairy like yogurt or cheese, or infant formula. Other Additives As a general rule for buying healthy baby and toddler foods: less is more. Seek out the purest foods possible. Introducing solids to your baby is a fun, wonderful experience and also sets the tone for their developing taste buds. The more natural food you give your baby, the more their palette will appreciate and learn to love fresh, healthy, foods. Added salt is unnecessary for infants and is often added to canned, jarred, or processed foods to increase shelf stability. Watch out for other ingredients your baby doesnt need like food colorings, additives, preservatives or other ingredients you dont recognize. If you cant pronounce a food ingredient on a label- dont give it your baby! http://www.mummums.com/2009/05/Baby-Health--How-to-Choose-Healthy-Baby-and-Toddler-Foods Thu, 21 May 2009 13:40:32 -0400 healthy baby foods trans fats breast milk infant formula hydrogenated oil food additives choosing healthy baby foods child health baby health