Bottle Feeding Past 15 Months Linked to Iron Deficiency

If you bottle feed, you might be reluctant to take the bottle away from your baby. After all, it is sometimes easier and more comforting for the baby to have what she is used to, the bottle, instead of a cup. But, there is a good reason to get your baby on a cup from six to nine months of age. Recent studies have shown that toddlers who still use a bottle are at an increased risk for iron deficiency. This information is brought to light by a recent article in Pediatrics for Parents by Jane Brotanek, MD, MHD, an … Continue reading →

What to Expect If Your Baby is Jaundiced

If your baby is diagnosed with jaundice, the news can be scary for you. Jaundice can range from mild to severe. If left untreated, mild cases may resolve themselves. Severe cases could lead to brain damage or even death. Fortunately, for babies, jaundice is very common, and doctors and hospitals are well aware of the signs and the treatment. All three of my children were diagnosed with jaundice. Each had a different degree of jaundice and therefore different treatment or combination of treatments. Here is what to expect if your baby is diagnosed with jaundice. Pricks and blood tests Depending … Continue reading →

Bonding with Your NICU Baby

Recently, here in the baby blog we have been talking about preemies and the NICU experience. Emotionally draining is an understatement. Bonding is also another challenge as you might not even be able to hold your little one for awhile. NICU babies have unique needs and consequently it’s important that you give yourself permission to observe your baby’s cues and watch them closely. Your baby might not be interested in the outside world for awhile and actually, that’s not a terrible thing. NICU preemies, particularly ones who are sick, need all their energy for recovering. Once your baby is matured … Continue reading →

Surviving the NICU: Questions to Ask

I don’t think anyone is ever quite prepared for the NICU experience. Yesterday, we talked about how it is emotionally draining and can leave you feeling very much out of control. However, it is important to become not only an advocate for your baby, but part of the medical team. I highly recommend purchasing a journal soon after the birth of a preemie. Journaling the NICU Experience I think many people find journaling cathartic. To be able to write what you cannot say and express your feelings openly without fear of being corrected or having them explained away is often … Continue reading →

You Are Still a Parent In the NICU

Ideally, you gestate for nine months, you give birth, and in a few days, everyone goes home. But as we know that doesn’t always happen. Premature birth can happen to any mother, but some women are at a greater risk. Multiples almost always come early with a mere 5% making it a full forty weeks. Nonetheless, whether you are prepared for the NICU experience or not, when it happens, it can be nothing short of devastating and depressing. A Difficult Birth Babies who are born early are almost always born via cesarean section. While I realize that the surgery goes … Continue reading →

Will You Walk for Babies?

The March of Dimes has recently revamped itself and is now the March for Babies–but the founding principle is the same. Marchers get sponsors to donate money to help for research to improve the quality of life of disabled and premature babies. Most marches are taking place April 27 and now is the time to sign up. Will you march? Prematurity In the United States, prematurity affects approximately 10% of families. I had never contemplated it much until I got pregnant with twins. At 24 weeks, we were told to prepare for birth in as early as 7 weeks. That … Continue reading →

Working Out With Your Preemie to Prevent OOP

To be born premature is to be born at a disadvantage in life. Significant development happens in the last trimester of pregnancy and even the last few weeks. One major concern is osteopenia of prematurity. Some thirty percent of premature infants suffer from osteopenia which can cause bone fractures and rickets in infants and osteoporosis, later in life. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the mom’s body is making extra calcium and phosphorous for her baby; things that are extremely important to bone development. Obviously, premature babies are missing out on all those extra nutrients. Pediatric researchers are trying to … Continue reading →

Do You Know About Synagis?

If you have a preemie, your pediatrician should’ve already spoken to you about RSV season which is coming upon us. I am generally of the persuasion that kids get germs, they get sick and they get over it. Except when it comes to preemies. If you have a preemie you have the right, and really the responsibility to be a germophobe. RSV is no joke and protecting your little preemie from it should be your passion. So go ahead, buy the grocery cart covers and carry Purell with you everywhere. These are two ways that you can help protect your … Continue reading →

Why the US Infant Mortality Rate is So High

In case you hadn’t heard, the US has the second highest infant mortality rate among the developed nations. If you’re thinking our health care system stinks and that’s why so many babies are dying. . .think again. While certainly universal access to health care (or lack thereof) does have an influence on whether or not mothers get adequate prenatal care, the reality is that the United States pushes the boundaries on what can be done in both fertility and neonatal medicine. Just to be clear: infant mortality means that a baby was outside of the womb, took at least one … Continue reading →

What to Expect Once Your Child Has Bronchiolitis

If your child has been diagnosed with RSV and/or bronchiolitis, you may be wondering what to expect. It can be overwhelming to think about your little one being so sick. I remember walking out of the doctor’s office the first time, simply overwhelmed because I had a breathing machine, and a lot of questions about what was going to happen next. In order to receive a proper diagnosis, your doctor should listen carefully to your child’s lungs. The doctor will hear wheezing and crackling in the lungs. The doctor may also order a chest a-ray done. The technician will put … Continue reading →