Happy New Year!!  Wishing all of our readers many blessings as you welcome the new year.  I trust your holidays were wonderful and that you are looking forward to all the promise of a fresh slate.

Couples struggling with infertility often turn to assisted reproductive therapy in an effort to start the family of their dreams. A study out of the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Institute found that pregnancies conceived with assistance such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are more likely to end in stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, or neonatal death, compared with natural pregnancies.

"More research is now urgently needed into longer term follow-up of those who have experienced comprehensive perinatal disadvantage," said lead researcher Professor Michael Davies from the University of Adelaide's Robinson Institute. "Our studies also need to be expanded to include more recent years of treatment, as the technology has been undergoing continual innovation, which may influence the associated risks."

Pregnant women who are vaccinated against the flu are significantly less likely to deliver premature or low-birth-weight babies compared to unvaccinated expectant mothers, new Canadian research finds.

Based on more than 12,000 women in Nova Scotia who gave birth in the immediate aftermath of the H1N1 flu pandemic, the study adds to mounting evidence that the flu can have “really detrimental effects for both mothers and their babies,” said first author Alexandra Legge, a fourth-year medical student at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

High levels of bacteria are associated with water breaking 

prematurely in pregnant women, a new study indicates.

Researchers arrived at their findings by analyzing samples of amniotic sacs (fetal membranes) from 48 women after they gave birth. The report is published in the Jan. 8 online issue of the journal PLoS One.

Nearly one-third of early deliveries are associated with premature rupture of fetal membranes, and it's important to learn more about why this happens, the researchers noted.

It's a sad reality that a lot of moms are familiar with postpartum depression. For anyone that has suffered from this type of clinical depression, you know the impact it can have on both the lives of the individual suffering, and those around her. There have been studies upon studies to find a way to eradicate the symptoms; some have been proven helpful and others not so much. But what if you knew of something that could eradicate all the above? Something so simple, natural and readily available. Would you give it a try? What if that particular “something” just happened to be encapsulating your placenta and eating it? Ew. But what if it really worked?

Not only does it work, but it does much more than combat the “baby blues.” January Jones, Kim Kardashian, Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Tamara Mowry-Housely all rave about their experiences with encapsulation. Before you allow your stomach to churn, put down your lunch for a few moments and take a few moments to learn more about placenta encapsulation and postpartum depression.

Scientists have found two new genetic causes of neonatal diabetes - a form of diabetes that occurs in the first 6 months of life. 

The research by the University of Exeter Medical School provides further insights on how the insulin-producing beta cells are formed in the pancreas. 

The team discovered that mutations in two specific genes which are important for development of the pancreas can cause the disease. 

At age 10, the children who had received maternal contact as infants slept better, showed better hormonal response to stress, had a more mature functioning of their nervous system and displayed better thinking skills.

Premature babies who cry a lot may be more likely than other preemies to have behaviour problems by the time they reach preschool, a new study suggests.

Experts said the reasons for the finding are not certain, and no one knows whether "interventions" to soothe preemies' crying would ward off behaviour issues later.

"In many ways, this study raises more questions than it answers," said Dr Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioural paediatrics at Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Centre in New Hyde Park, New York.

For older children and adults, RSV is usually like a cold. Since there isn't a good vaccine against it, Dr. Starke says parents of babies should act fast if their baby has trouble breathing.

"You notice their chest going in and out, they're breathing rapidly, those kids need to be seen right away," he said.

Dr. Starke says there's no treatment for RSV, so parents may want to be extra cautious about taking their babies out in public during this RSV epidemic.

The latest study documented in the journal Rheumatology, was conducted on more than 7,000 older Chinese women. It revealed that breastfeeding was strongly related to a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Mothers who breastfed, their risk of rheumatoid arthritis came down by almost half compared to those who never breastfed.

There were studies conducted prior to this that focused on the association between breastfeeding and RA, but the results produced were mixed.  It is a well known fact that breastfeeding benefits infants. But there has been growing evidence that breastfeeding has a positive impact on the health of the mothers too. This latest cross sectional study examined the association between breastfeeding and RA and also on the intake of oral contraceptives.

December is here and it’s time for my yearly PSA on protecting your baby from respiratory viruses.  When there is a newborn in the house, everyone wants to come over to meet the baby!!  They are pretty hard to resist.

Bruss and I are big advocates for our children, especially the youngest members of our family, during cold and flu season.  Our Night Owl had a life-threatening experience with RSV when he was three months old, and that has made us painfully aware just how fragile our sweet peas can be. 

We have three sweet peas from our Fall 2012 class that we have not met yet because we have been passing around a cold for the last month at the Bowman House.  Otter finally succumbed yesterday, and in her, this cold manifested as croup.  A sobering reminder that an infant’s health is so much more important than our selfish desire to see the babies – I shudder to think what would have happened if we had seen those babies over the past weekend when the virus was active with no symptoms yet.

You can click HERE to read last year’s PSA with a list of precautions you can take to minimize your sweet pea’s exposure to germs.  I list 5 concrete steps to Keep Sweet Pea Healthy in that post.  In a nutshell, limit exposure and practice good hand washing.

This year, I want to take some time this year to share polite ways to insist that people who are not healthy keep their germs to themselves and away from your children.  It is unfortunate that people really do not understand how devastating their “little cold”, sniffle or runny nose can be to a child with small airways and an evolving immune system.

THE Announcement
Here is wording you can work into the text of an announcement via email or social media:

We respectfully request that you keep our child’s health in mind when planning your visit with us. As much as we are excited to introduce [Sweet Pea] to our closest friends and family, we also need your help in keeping him/her healthy.  If you are feeling unwell, or have been exposed to a fever within the last 24 hours, we ask that you reschedule your visit.  We will understand if you choose not to come due to illness and will look forward to seeing you when you are in full health.

Q: When can we come see you?

A:  We are resting and recovering right now.  As long as you are in full health, we would be happy to see you in a couple of days.  We completely understand if that day arrives and you need to reschedule if you are not feeling well.  As much as we want you to meet [Sweet Pea], keeping him/her healthy is our first priority.

We are so excited to celebrate with you on [date, time].  Since we have infants in attendance, their health is our priority.  If you are feeling unwell, or have been exposed to a fever within the last 24 hours, we ask that you refrain from attending.  We will understand if you choose not to come due to illness and will look forward to celebrating [occasion] with you when you are in full health.

Sign for Car Seat or Carrier www.healthylittleones.com

 You can purchase your own boy or girl themed card HERE http://www.healthylittleones.com/OnTheGo.html

RSV Day 4: By this time, some of Night Owl's tubes had already been taken out.	RSV Nurses working to straighten the remaining lines
RSV Unhooked and still sedated

I opted for the less-expensive silicone pendant to “try out” the product.  As most of us are doing our best to be pennywise these days, it did not make sense to purchase a full-circle beaded necklace just in case Otter was not going to be entertained by my new purchase. I have had it for over a week now and it is still a winner!!

The storeowner’s concern about the full-circle beaded necklaces was in regards to her customers with long hair.  She herself sports long locks, so before she placed an order, she purchased one necklace from the vendor and wore it on the plane when she was on the way home from the trade show.  She was traveling home with her children, one of whom is still a nursling.  Add the potential aggravation of a hair-pinching necklace to that trip…and she was pleasantly surprised to discover that the individually tied beads DID NOT pinch her long hair.  The texture and novelty of the necklace kept her nursling entertained when he was not breastfeeding.  She placed a full order for the store when she got home!

From Jellystone:

“Jellystone Designs has regular independent toxicity testing.”

From Chewbeads:

“Chewbeads are sent to an independent US material testing lab to ensure that they meet or exceed all current and upcoming standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov). The tests prove that both the materials and the design of the product are completely safe for your baby while under adult supervision.”

“For continuous use as a chewing/sucking substitute, we recommend to discard after 6 months, or if any irregularities occur.”

So our family has found another “mama’s favorite”.  In the grand scheme of baby shower gifts, it is small in size.  What a perfect time to pull out the age old quote, “Great things come in small packages!”

Some info from the Jellystone Designs website:

• Jellystone Designs jewellery is free from BPA, Phthalates and PVC with a fabulous soft-feel and texture. Our practical jewellery products are suitable for modern women with (or without) children.
• The necklace range includes BPA-free large, chunky pendants and necklaces secured with practical break-away clasps. Our custom-designed clasps separate easily when tugged or snagged.
• These silicone jewellery pieces not only look great, but also are a non-toxic alternative to regular costume jewellery.

0Some info from the Chewbeads website:

• Beads are made with 100% silicone (similar to pacifiers & nipples)
• Soft on babies gums and emerging teeth
• Easily cleaned with dish soap & water, also dishwasher safe!
• No BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Cadmium, or Lead
• Necklaces have a breakaway clasp for added safety
• Necklaces are a great sensory tool to help your baby focus while nursing
• Bracelets are a colorful reminder of which side you've just nursed

• From 8 am to 12 pm 25% off entire store

• From 8 am to 12 pm: Buy 1 get 1 half off ANY Kicky Pants, 25% off any diaper bag, 25% off all bras, 15% off all other items in store
• From 12 pm to 6 pm: 15% off entire store

The things listed on the top half of the card may be true and I do not endorse the ideas ascribed to the Ezzos or Babywise.  In fairness, I did some poking around because while I wanted to believe it, I was incredulous that a professional organization would single out one singular set of ideas to be harmful.  Maybe one pediatrician – but all of the “powers that be” agreed?  Does it sound realistic to you that a group made up of doctors could agree on any one thing in regards to parenting? 

• Rooting
• Fist to mouth
• Early Arousal

• A mom that needs her sleep might consider working with her baby to sleep longer when baby is at an appropriate developmental age.  This allows mom to rest so she can function as mom and milk-supplier at home, and still fulfill her duties to her work outside of the home.

• AAP Statement: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/3/e827.full#sec-3
• 2012 Executive Summary: http://www2.aap.org/breastfeeding/files/pdf/Breastfeeding2012ExecSum.pdf
• Policy Slide Show

RSV experience This is on day four of hospitalization - many of the tubes had already come out.

RSV experience This is on day four of hospitalization - many of the tubes had already come out.

RSV experience Checking out all the meds and straightening out the lines.

RSV experience Day 5 - Breathing is stabilized and now we just need oxygen to keep the levels up in his body.

As we enter cold and flu season, I am compelled to write about RSV and some protective measures you can take to protect infants from this vicious virus.  Bruss and I are big advocates for our children, especially the youngest members of our family, during cold and flu season.  Our Night Owl had a life-threatening experience with RSV when he was three months old, and that has made us painfully aware just how fragile our sweet peas can be. 

1. Wet your hands with water, then apply soap. CDC guidelines advise using a plain,
   non-antimicrobial soap (no antiseptic ingredients).
2. Rub your hands together vigorously for 15-30 seconds. Wash the wrists, between the fingers, and under the fingernails. When you have time, use a nailbrush, as bacteria often hide under the nails.
3. Rinse your hands thoroughly and dry with a clean towel in a public restroom, shut the faucet off with a paper towel.
4. Try to push the door open with your shoulder, or use another paper towel to turn the knob.

We are back from our babymoon!  It has been a wonderful five weeks of enjoying our baby instead of doing all of the regular day-to-day activities.  I didn’t do any blog writing or homeschooling through this time…we are slowly getting back to our routine.  We have continued on with our class series and all of our students have seen our baby grow into her 12-pound, 1-ounce weight and 24 inch length in the last five weeks.  Breast-milk is nature’s perfect food!!

“Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is created as the body gets rid of old red blood cells. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.”  (See Link 1 below)

• Jaundice in the first day of life
• TSB > 18 mg/dL
• Rate of rise of TSB > 0.2 mg/dL/h (> 3.4 μmol/L/h) or > 5 mg/dL/day
• Conjugated bilirubin concentration > 1 mg/dL (> 17 μmol/L) if TSB is < 5 mg/dL or > 20% of TSB (suggests neonatal cholestasis)
• Jaundice after 2 wk of age
• Lethargy, irritability, respiratory distress

• Jaundice appears in the first 24 h, after the first week of life, or lasts > 2 wk
• Total serum bilirubin (TSB) rises by > 5 mg/dL/day
• TSB is > 18 mg/dL
• Infant shows symptoms or signs of a serious illness

• Immune and nonimmune hemolytic anemia
• G6PD deficiency
• Hematoma resorption
• Sepsis
• Hypothyroidism

Now enrolling for our