News Moms Need

It may be tempting to put your infant or toddler in front of the television, especially to watch shows created just for children under age two. But the American Academy of Pediatrics says: Don’t do it! These early years are crucial in a child’s development. The Academy is concerned about the impact of television programming intended for children younger than age two and how it could affect your child’s development. Pediatricians strongly oppose targeted programming, especially when it’s used to market toys, games, dolls, unhealthy food and other products to toddlers. Any positive effect of television on infants and toddlers is still open to question, but the benefits of parent-child interactions are proven. Under age two, talking, singing, reading, listening to music or playing are far more important to a child’s development than any TV show. For more information on your child’s health, visit www.aap.org.

It’s a beautiful warm day in New York today, and I just got back from walking in this year’s March for Babies. Lots of wonderful people, music, food—everyone marching together to support the March of Dimes. All across the country, people are walking to help us help babies.

News Moms Need sends out big cheers for everyone who has participated in March for Babies this year. Here are just a few of the people who have helped us give every baby a healthy start.

Some Very Special Folks 

   * Heather and Mike Spohr, Maddie’s parents

   * Katelyn Hall, our 2009 national ambassador, and her family

   * Kristina Brooke Daniele, a March of Dimes Mom

   * Christina McMenemy, a March of Dimes Mom

   * Michele Howley Boudreaux, a March of Dimes Mom

   * Lotus, the blogger known as Sarcastic Mom

   * And every other mom, dad, granddad, grandmom, sister, brother and friend who marched for babies this year!

You’re the best!

Did you know that your baby starts taking tests as soon as she’s born? While Mom is overjoyed at the wonder of birth, Baby has work to do. As part of the normal routine, medical staff stick your baby’s heel (a little ouch!) and take a small blood sample.

This sample is used to test for several medical problems. Babies also usually get a hearing test. Most babies get a clean bill of health. But for the few that test positive for a condition, early treatment can be life saving.

These tests are called newborn screening. All states now screen for at least 21 disorders. The March of Dimes has been working hard over the last four years to encourage states to do more for babies by expanding their newborn screening programs.

This week we released a “report card” to show how states are doing. We’re pleased that so many now test for more conditions than they did a few years ago.  

Watch our video to learn more. To find out what your state is doing, visit the Web site of the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center.

Have you been following all the reports about the woman in California who just delivered eight babies? I sure have. The babies are miracles, and I’m so thrilled that everyone is doing well.

The news reports say the woman probably had fertility treatments. Did you know that most fertility specialists do not recommend becoming pregnant with so many babies? It’s dangerous for both the mom and the babies.

The California babies were born nine weeks premature. Preterm birth can cause serious complications and even lifelong health problems. That’s why the March of Dimes is conducting a national campaign to fight prematurity.

Any time a woman is pregnant with more than one baby, she and the babies face extra risks. If you’re carrying more than one baby, work with your health care provider to be as healthy as you can. 

If you’re thinking about having fertility treatments or are already having them, talk to your doctor about reducing the chances of having too many babies. Your health and your children’s health will thank you.

CNN has more on this topic.

I stayed home from work one day last week with a bad cold. It gave me the chance to catch-up on my favorite day-time shows on The Learning Channel. I watched three consecutive episodes of a Baby Story and then two episodes of another show I had never seen before called Brining Home Baby. Very cute!

After watching 2.5 hours of straight TV I decided I had enough and it was time for a nap. I closed my eyes and then it dawned on me. Every episode had one major thing in common. Every woman featured in all 5 shows gave birth to their babies via c-section. Only one woman out of the five had an emergency c-section because the baby was in distress. Is anyone else concerned about this?

With cold season just around the corner, you might be confused about the safety of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines for children.  Yesterday, the makers of children’s cold and cough medicines said they recommend parents not give these meds to children under age 4.  The cold meds will now have a label on them warning parents about giving cold meds to young children.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said there isn’t enough research to show that these medicines work in young children.  The FDA had already warned that cold meds aren’t safe for babies and toddlers because they can lead to serious life-threatening side effects, like difficulty breathing and unconsciousness.

If your young child has a cold, there are lots of things you can do to make her feel better without using cold meds. For babies, try using a rubber suction bulb to help clear a stuffy nose. Your provider may recommend nasal saline (salt water) drops to ease stuffiness. Putting a cool-mist humidifier in a child’s room may also help her breathe more easily.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still trying to figure out what to do about cold and cough medicines for children.  At a public hearing late last week, the FDA said that parents should avoid giving children under age 6 over-the-counter cold medicines. They said there isn’t enough research to show whether or not they work in kids aged 6 and under.  But, the FDA is still not sure if a recall of these meds is necessary.

Earlier this year, the FDA warned parents that cold and cough medicines are too risky for babies and toddlers. Some of these cold medications can actually cause serious life-threatening side effects (difficulty breathing, unconsciousness) in children under age 2. 

While the FDA continues to hammer out this issue, there are certain steps you can take without using meds to make your child more comfortable during a cold. For babies, try using a rubber suction bulb to help clear a stuffy nose. Your provider may recommend nasal saline (salt water) drops to ease stuffiness. Putting a cool-mist humidifier in a child’s room may also help her breathe more easily.

News Moms Need will be sure to keep you posted on any new updates to this issue as they come.