Category Archives: Baby

Babies are so precious and small for such a very short time, but the learning curve as parents during that time is a steep one. We are here to guide you through the baby stages.

Baby Center Lists Most Popular Baby Names of 2018

Earlier this year, the Social Security Administration released their list of the top ten baby names of 2017. They have not yet released their 2018 list. Baby Center, however, has put together a list of the most popular baby names of 2018. One interesting thing about these two lists of popular baby names is that they do not match each other. Typically, there are some differences from year to year. Some names move up or down in rank, and sometimes brand new names are added. Baby Center Top Ten Girls Names 2018: * Sophia * Olivia * Emma * Ava … Continue reading →

Friendly Airports for Mothers Act Requires Private Lactation Rooms

Mothers who are breastfeeding may have difficulty while traveling. Some people may complain when a mom breastfeeds her child in public. Many mothers don’t want to breastfeed their baby in a public bathroom. The Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act requires airports to provide lactation rooms. The FAM Act was proposed by Senator Tammy Duckworth (Democrat – Illinois). It was included in the 2018 reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAM Act was co-sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer (Republican – Nebraska) and Senator Claire McCaskill (Democrat – Missouri). The FAM Act requires all large and medium sized airports … Continue reading →

Top Ten Baby Names of 2017

The Social Security Administration releases a brand new list of the top ten most popular baby names of the year. They have released the list of names for 2017. Obviously, they cannot create a list for a given year until after the year is over. The Top Ten Baby Names for Boys in 2017 were: Liam Noah William James Logan Benjamin Mason Elijah Oliver Jacob Liam ranked number one in 2016, 2015, and 2014. Mason was number two in 2011 and 2012, number three in 2014 and 2015, and number four in 2013 and 2016. James was rank two in … Continue reading →

Beware of Bath Time Dangers!

New parents need to learn how to properly bathe their babies. Bathing a toddler requires a different set of skills. The goal, of course, is to make sure your little one is clean and comfortable. There are some bath time dangers that parents need to be aware of. Bath Toys and Bacteria That cute little rubber ducky that your baby or toddler loves to play with in the bathtub could be full of bacteria. A study published in Biofilms and Microbiomes found that bath toys are colonized by dense biofilms with complex bacterial and fungal communities. It’s not just rubber … Continue reading →

The Pros and Cons of the Cry It Out Method

The cry it out method is considered by some to be controversial. It is also called extinction sleep training, or Ferberizing. The idea is to let a baby cry for a period of time before they go to sleep. Parents who use this method must resist the urge to pick up and soothe their baby… for a little while. There are fans of the cry it out method and there are parents who strongly dislike it. What is the cry it out method? In 1985, pediatrician Richard Ferber presented a method of getting children to sleep. It was in his … Continue reading →

Facts About Breastfeeding

New mothers need to decide if they want to breastfeed their baby or to give their baby formula. Each individual mom will make that chose based on their circumstances and their personal preferences. The World Health Organization (WHO) has some informative facts about breastfeeding. The WHO points out that breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial. They recommend that mothers initiate breastfeeding with one hour after birth. According to the WHO, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. They also recommend that breastfeeding should continue for up … Continue reading →

AAP: Breastfeeding for 2 Months Lowers Risk of SIDS

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), citing a study, states that breastfeeding for at least two months decreases the risk of SIDS. This information can help lower the rate of infant mortality. SIDS is an acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is an unexpected death of a seemingly healthy infant that is less than a year old which happens while the baby is sleeping. The syndrome is also called “crib death” because the infants often die in their cribs. The AAP pointed out a study that was titled “Duration of Breastfeeding and Risk of SIDS: An Individual Participant Data … Continue reading →

The Most Popular Baby Names of 2016

Every year, the Social Security Administration releases a list of the most popular baby names from the previous year. There is a list for names given to baby girls, and another list of names given to baby boys. In general, the lists change – even if only slightly – from one year to the next. The Social Security Administration uses specific qualifications regarding the names that end up on the list. Names are restricted to cases where the year of birth, sex, and State of birth (50 and District of Columbia) are on record, and where the given name is … Continue reading →

New Jersey has a Baby Box Initiative

New Jersey has become the first state to adopt what has been called the Baby Box initiative. The idea comes from Finland and is also used in Canada. The main purpose of the program is to reduce the chances of sudden infant death syndrome. The New Jersey Baby Box Initiative was inspired by the Finnish Baby Box intervention, which has led to Finland having the lowest infant mortality rates in the world. New Jersey’s Child Fatality & Near Fatality Review Board (CFNFRB) now offers free Baby Boxes to every new or expecting family in New Jersey. The Baby Box itself … Continue reading →

ACOG Released a New Opinion on Delayed Cord Clamping

For decades, the prevailing viewpoint among healthcare practitioners was that it was best to cut the umbilical cord within 15 to 20 seconds after a baby was born. A new opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists changes their previous recommendations regarding delayed umbilical cord clamping after birth. The umbilical cord functions as a lifeline between mother and baby. The baby receives oxygen rich blood from his or her mother through the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is also the baby’s way of removing carbon dioxide and waste products. For decades, health practitioners would clamp the umbilical cord, … Continue reading →