MAY 2018
LEARNING CURVE: The truth about sports scholarships
Oh baby! safe and sound:
Safety tips for new parents
baby beats:
Supporting your baby’s development with music
beyond baby blues:
Crouse offers support for moms with peripartum mood disorders
baby animals:
Expert discusses what to do with wildlife found in your backyard
learning curve
THE TRUTH ABOUT SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS By Bob Gardner and Robert Zayas,
M
any parents are trying to live the dream through their sons and daughters – the dream of landing a college athletic scholarship by specializing in a sport year-round. Unfortunately, most of these dreams are never realized. The odds of a sports scholarship paying for even a portion of a student’s college education are miniscule. The College Board, a not-for-profit organization comprised of 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions, reports that a moderate cost for college students who attend a public university in their state of residence is $25,290 per year. The annual cost at a private college averages $50,900. Meanwhile, the most recent data from the NCAA reveals that the average Division Bob Gardner is executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations. Robert Zayas is executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. is a non-profit,
I athletic scholarship is worth only $10,400. More significantly, the same study shows that fewer than two percent of all high school athletes (1 in 54) ever wear the uniform of an NCAA Division I school. Even if the dream is realized, parents likely will spend more money for club sports than they ever regain through college athletic scholarships. Thanks to the costs of club fees, equipment, summer camps, playing in out-ofstate tournaments and private coaching, youth sports has become a $15 billion-peryear industry. There is an option, and it’s a financially viable one: Encourage your sons and daughters to play sports at their high school. In education-based high school sports, student-athletes are taught, as the term implies, that grades come first. The real-life lessons that students experientially learn offer insights into leadership, voluntary, educational service organization composed of public, parochial, and private schools dedicated to providing equitable and safe competition for the students of its member schools. The organization conducts 32 championship events and governs the rules and regulations of high school athletics in New York State. Membership is open to secondary schools providing interschool athletic activities for boys and girls in grades 7-12.
overcoming adversity and mutual respect that cannot be learned anywhere else. Unlike club sports, coaches in an education-based school setting are held accountable by the guiding principles and goals of their school district. And the cost of participating in high school sports is minimal in most cases. While there is a belief that the only way to get noticed by college coaches is to play on non-school travel teams year-round, many Division I football and basketball coaches recently have stated that they are committed to recruiting students who have played multiple sports within the high school setting. In addition, by focusing on academics while playing
sports within the school setting, students can earn scholarships for academics and other talents—skill sets oftentimes nurtured while participating in high school activities. These scholarships are more accessible and worth more money than athletic scholarships. While $3 billion per year is available for athletic scholarships, more than $11 billion is awarded for academic scholarships and other financial assistance. Without a doubt, your sons and daughters will have more fun, make more friends and be better prepared for life beyond sport by participating in multiple sports and activities offered by the high school in your community.
SYRACUSE PARENT APRIL 2018
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meals in minutes fire up the
Grill! May is National Barbecue Month
Try a twist on a tradition
Frank-ly my dear... Are you finding that your kids won’t eat anything but hot dogs for dinner? Don’t fret! Try dressing them up with a “hot dog bar.” Chop up some onions, put out different kinds of cheeses and both sweet and dill pickles and try some other unusual toppings, such as: - salsa - pineapple - guacamole - mac & cheese - bacon - potato chips - a fried egg - hot peppers - bbq sauce
1-2-3 RECIPES
1- prepare; 2- cook; 3- repurpose leftovers
Garlic lime shrimp
Ingredients 1 1 1 1 1 2
/2 tsp lime zest /2 tsp cumin /2 tsp oregano tsp salt /2 tsp pepper Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp lime juice 2 Tbsp minced garlic 1 lb shelled deveined uncooked shrimp
Directions Mix all ingredients in a bowl except shrimp, then toss shrimp in mixture to coat; marinate for at least 10 minutes, then put shrimp on metal skewers and cook on medium on grill about six minutes or until shrimp turn pink, turn once and brush with reserved marinade.
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SYRACUSE PARENT MAY 2018
Chicken
1
Place 3 pounds chicken breasts and Italian dressing in a resealable bag; allow to marinade in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
2 3
Cook on grill over medium heat until no longer pink inside. Cube leftovers and saute in pan over medium heat; add jarred alfred sauce and steamed broccoli; serve over pasta.
Beef
1 2 3
Put 4 pound London broil, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 Tbs minced garlic and 1 tsp chili powder in resealable bag; shake well and refrigerate for an hour. Cook on grill over medium heat until meat is at desired doneness. Thinly slice leftovers; heat on medium in skillet, adding barbecue sauce until warmed through. Serve on kaiser rolls.
Speaking Orange Fluency Camp for Kids
3 The truth about sports scholarships. 12 Supporting your baby’s development with music.
Monday, June 25th Wednesday, June 27th 9:00 am - 12:00pm
meals in minutes
4 Fire up the grill! May is National Barbecue Month
Gebbie Speech-LanguageHearing Clinic 621 Skytop Road Suite 1200 Syracuse, NY 13244-2280
from the editor 6 Memories of a first-time mom.
family fyi
7 A title higher than BFF. 14 Finding baby wildlife: What to do and not do this spring 16 Soothing a colicky baby.
calendar
Speaking Orange... is designed for elementary school-aged children who stutter. Ideally children attending the program should be at least seven years of age. An early-bird rate is available to participants enrolled by June 11, 2018.
Call: 315-443-9637 or email Dr. Victoria Tumanova vtumanov@syr.edu
Registration rate: $150.00 Early Bird rate - $135.00 More information at gebbie.syr.edu
Anita Lightburn, M.S., CCC-SLP alightbu@syr.edu
63358_5
contents learning curve
8 Family-friendly events in and around Central New York.
healthy family
9 Beyond Baby Blues: 13 Safe and sound: Safety tips for new parents.
Ride for Regan The Ride for Regan will be held on Saturday, May 12. Sign in begins at 10 a.m. and the police-escorted cruise begins at 11 a.m. at Destiny USA’s southwest lot on Solar Street and ends at the NYS Fairgrounds. Registration Fee of $25 per vehicle includes collector shirt. All makes and models welcome, including classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles, and daily drivers! Following Ride for Regan, enjoy lunch, music and activities at the Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival at the fairgrounds. Regular admission is $5 in advance and $10 at the gate. Children 12 and under free. Registration: PayPal $25/vehicle to: regansactsofkindness@ gmail.com. Include your name, address, phone and vehicle type in the comment section. For more information visit facebook.com/RegansActsofKindness.
Discover the power of family music making Offering early childhood music and movement classes to children, and the adults who love them. Classes located all over CNY. To find the one nearest you, call or visit our website
www.bluebirdmusictogether.com (315) 427-6985
SYRACUSE PARENT APRIL 2018
5
fromtheeditor
Memories of a first-time mom As I was preparing this special, “baby” edition of Syracuse Parent, I found myself thinking back to when I gave birth to my own first baby, my daughter. After a somewhat difficult pregnancy and conversely easy delivery, I remember having overwhelming feelings of love and wonder at the perfect little human that was now a part of our family. I had labored all night and was pretty tired, but when the nurse asked me if I wanted to keep my baby in my room with me or have her brought back and forth for feeding time, I felt the only appropriate answer was Jennifer Wing “yes.” Of course I would want my baby with me, right? Editor I loved her and to not want her by my side was somehow not reflective of that love, in my mind. So I tried to doze, nervously coming awake at each little (or not so little) noise she made. In addition, the nurses, though great, seemed to think I needed to be poked and prodded at least once every hour. And then it was time to leave with our bundle of joy. As I put her in her “take home” outfit, I caught the look of panic in my husband’s eyes and knew it mirrored my own. “Now I’m responsible for this little life,” I thought to myself. “Doesn’t everyone here realize that I haven’t a clue?” Apparently not, since we were able to walk right out with her. After struggling with the car seat and sitting in the back with our daughter while my husband drove more cautiously and slowly than he ever had in his life, we brought her home. That first night, already zombie-like from lack of sleep at the hospital, was as close to a waking nightmare as you could get. Turns out, my daughter didn’t really like to sleep. She would nod off for about an hour, then wake up, crying for something – what, I didn’t know – and therefore my only sleep was achieved in the hour or less that she napped. This went on for the first month or so of her life, during which I became a shell of what I was before. I was simply stunned, dazed and pretty much on empty. I remember asking myself if this was my life now; if I would never be able to achieve a full night of sleep again. Of course, I eventually was able to get that much missed shut-eye, but not until we had established our rhythm, my daughter and I. This schedule included naps during the day and a “longer nap” at night. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked. And then we were blessed with our next and final bundle of joy, and the nurse again asked if I wanted to have my son in the bassinet in my room after a too-fast-for-an-epidural delivery. My much wiser and no longer green response was to give him a loving kiss on the top of his perfect little head and hand him over, with the request that they bring him to me for his feedings, every two hours or so. “He can go to the nursery, but please bring him to me when he is hungry,” I said, pulling the covers up to my chin. And they did. And I slept. And it was good. Lesson learned.
Jennifer Wing can be reached at jwing@eaglenewsonline.com
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SYRACUSE PARENT APRIL 2018
publisher
David B. Tyler 315-434-8889 ext. 302 dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com
editor
Jennifer Wing 315-434-8889 ext. 340 jwing@eaglenewsonline.com
ad sales
Linda Jabbour 315-434-8889 ext. 304 ljabbour@eaglenewsonline.com
business manager
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circulation manager
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creative director
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We want your news! Contributions can be sent to Jen Wing, Editor, Syracuse Parent Magazine, 2501 James Street, Suite 100 Syracuse, New York 13206. Original contributions become the property of Syracuse Parent Magazine. Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned. To contact us please call 315.434.8889, or fax 315.434.8883
Syracuse Parent Magazine is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 10th day of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates available upon request. Syracuse Parent Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services, or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright © 2008 by Syracuse Parent Magazine. No portion of Syracuse Parent Magazine may be reproduced without permission from the editor.
familyfyi
A title higher than BFF
puberty kicked in and my moods had more swings than a I love my mom, but she’s not my best friend. I’ll pause a moment to let the shock of that playground. Or maybe when I was in high school and took to forging her signature to get out of gym class and sign lessstatement wear off. As the sole girl among five children, one would than-stellar Spanish class progress reports. No one wants to be affiliated with a felon in the making. think I’d proclaim my mother to be my bestie, but The point is, as my mom, she didn’t have much choice but one would be wrong. She’s my Mom, and to me, that’s a higher title to keep me around. As a BFF, she could’ve cut me loose. For the record, my mother has never considered me her than BFF. I’ve had a selection of best friends over the best friend either. Turns out, besides being a mom, she also has this other life complete with her own fiends - besties and years. Some (three to be exact) have gone the all. Who’d have thought it, right? distance. The rest have come and gone as people, personalities and locations changed. Some left Karen Bergamo-Moore I let this “best friendless-ness” guide me with The Boy. “I’m A mother’s not your friend. I’m your mother,” I have reminded him on happy memories; others left lessons learned. perspective those occasions when my proclamations and decisions struck If Mom and I were besties, I’m sure she would’ve him as “unfair.” So far, it seems to be working - he has his considered finding other friends to hang out with numerous times. Maybe when, as a child, I asked for milk, then friends and I have mine. And like my mother before me, that means I’m in it for the long water, then milk, then water, then milk to see how many times I could get her to pour me a different beverage. (The answer is haul - even when I want to pour milk over his head. four times. On the fifth time, she poured the milk - oh, so slowly Karen Bergamo Moore lives in Camillus with her husband - over my head). Or she might have found a new friend when
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FRIENDSHIP & FUN AWAITS YOU THIS SUMMER! For ages 3 - 18!
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calendar Saturdays through May 19 Go Fish: Public Fishing 9:30-11:30 a.m., Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge; 315-689-9367. A great opportunity to try and catch “the big one.” Families and individuals will be able to enjoy a morning of fishing at Carpenter’s Brook. Volunteers will be onsite to assist beginners and bait, rods and reels are provided. Cost is $5 per person; Advance registration required.
Through May 27 Spring Weekend Guided Walks 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville; 315-638-2519. Join a naturalist for an exploration of what the season has to offer. Each weekend features a different topic: April 1 - Nature Fools; April 7-8 - Vernal Pond; April 14-15 - Waterfowl Migration; April 21-22 - Earth Day; April 28 – 29 - Arboretum Tour; May 5 - 6 - Spring Wildflowers; May 12 - 13 - The Meadow in the Spring; May 19 - 20 - Salamanders and Frogs; May 26 - 27 Spring Bird Migrants. Free with nature center admission.
Through Sunday, May 13 “The Magic Play” Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee St. Ticket prices and showtimes vary; visit syracusestage.org. Acclaimed magician, illusion designer and actor Brett Schneider stars in a mind-blowing spectacle combining a live magic show with engaging drama.
Wednesday, May 2 Boypower Dinner War Memorial Center in Syracuse; cnyscouts. org, 315-463-0201. The Longhouse Council, Boy Scouts of America will be commemorating 50 years of Boypower this year. Chairman is Doug Logan has and keynote speaker will be world heavyweight, George Foreman. The council will be honoring Arnie and Libby Rubenstein for their service to the community.
Wednesdays, May 2,16 Let’s Pretend 1 p.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville; advance registration required - 315-638-2519. Children ages 3-5, accompanied by an adult, will learn about animals by acting out how they behave. Each program includes a craft and outdoor activity. May 2 - I’m a Robin; May 16 - I’m a Turtle. Cost: $5 per child per session plus Nature Center admission.
Thursdays, May 3,10 Fly Fishing School 5-9 p.m., Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge; iroquoistu.org. Hosted by the Iroquois Chapter of Trout Unlimited, in this school
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SYRACUSE PARENT APRIL 2018
you will learn the basics: rod and reel setup, casting, knot tying, basic insect identification and reading streams. Cost is $50 before March 19, $65.00. For more information contact Marty Ivery at 315-374-5776.
Thursdays, May 3,17,31 Trail Tales 1 p.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville; 315-638-2519. Perfect for pre-
school aged children (3-5 years old), accompanied by an adult. A naturalist will first read two stories to the children and then lead the group out on a hike themed to match the stories.Free with nature center admission.
Saturday, May 12 Build a Mini Flower Garden 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville; advance registration required - 315-6382519. Learn to build structures that help Nature! Join a Naturalist and construct things that will benefit wildlife. Cost: $7 per child.
Symphoria Masterworks Series: Nakamatsu Plays Beethoven 7:30 p.m., The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse; experiencesymphoria.org. Ticket prices vary.
Friday-Saturday, May 4-12 May 12-Sept. 3 “Little Shop of Horrors” Showtimes vary, Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee St., Syracuse; syracusestage.org/su-drama. php. Born of a low budget 1960s science fiction movie, the carnivorous plant-like alien, named Audrey II, arrived in a vehicle called “Little Shop of Horrors” and came armed with an infectious 1950s/60s popinflected musical score and a delightfully quirky love story. Horticulture never seemed so dangerous, or so much fun. Admission is $18; 315-443-3275.
Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6 Chittenango Lions Walleye Derby Oneida Shores Park, 9400 Bartell Road, Brewerton; chittenangolions.org/Walleye_Derby/. Fee: $15; for more information, 315-427-3670.
Canoeing & Kayaking
9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends May 12 - Labor Day; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays June 25 - Labor Day; Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville. Rental is on a first-come basis. Life jackets are required. and provided for individuals 30 pounds and up. For children under pounds, parents/guardians must bring their own. Private kayaks and canoes on Beaver Lake are permitted only on non-holiday weekdays. Weekends are open to rental vessels only. Cost: $10 per hour canoe/kayak rental.
Sunday, May 13 Mother’s Day Canoe Tour
Thursday May 10
8:30 a.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville; 315-638-2519. Join a Naturalist for a guided paddle with Mom! Cost: $20 per canoe; advance registration required.
Field Guide Series: Spring Butterflies
Mother’s Day Buffet
1 p.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville. Join a naturalist to focus more on a Natural History subject. Cost: $5, plus Nature Center admission. Advance registration required; 315-638-2519.
Seatings at noon, 3 p.m., Highland Forest, Fabius; reservations required - 315-677-3303. Adults $22.95; children ages 5-11 $12.95; under 5 free.
Friday, May 11 Pizza and Wings
Saturday, May 19 Disney: Tale As Old As Time
6 p.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville; advance registration required - 315-638-2519. First, satisfy your hunger to become more familiar with New York state birdlife and then share pizza and good company. Some binoculars are available for loan, but bring your own pair if you have them. Cost: $7 per person (includes Nature Center admission.)
7:30 p.m., The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters; experiencesymphoria.org. Symphoria performs the music of “Frozen,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Aladdin.” Featuring four vocalists and high resolution video clips from the original films. Ticket prices vary.
Saturday, May 12
Family Dance
World of Puppets: Rip Van Winkle 11-11:30 a.m., Open Hand Theater, 518 Prospect Ave., Syracuse; openhandtheater.org. A retelling of a generous man who accidentally sleeps his life away. Admission: $5.
6:30pm., United Church of Fayetteville, 310 East Genesee St. Over Small children, larger children, teens, adults and older adults — dancers of all levels and ability — dance joyfully together. $1 kids & teens ~ $2 adults ~ free if you play in the open band; syracusecountrydancers. org/community-dance/.
continued on page 19
healthy family beyond baby blues
Crouse Hospital offers supports for moms struggling with peripartum mood disorders
T
By Sarah Hall
he story of Cynthia Wachenheim haunts Christine Kowaleski. “She was in her mid-40s, an attorney,” said Kowaleski, a psychiatric nurse at Crouse Hospital. “She couldn’t wait to have a baby.” Wachenheim, 44, was a New York State Supreme Court attorney in Manhattan when she gave birth to her son, Keston Bacharach, in 2012. Over the next several months, Wachenheim, while on extended maternity leave, became increasingly convinced that there was something wrong with her son. “Baby bumped his head,” Kowaleski recalled. “She takes baby to the pediatrician. Pediatrician goes, ‘Well, I don’t really think it’s seizures, but ...’ and all she heard was seizures. She started cycling, this rapid cycle downwards. Tried different meds, didn’t like them. Ultimately, long story short, kid hit his head again. She thought the kid was brain damaged.” According to reports from the New York Times, the baby’s “injuries” were no more than everyday bumps — bouncing his forehead off the floor while lying on his stomach or falling from a sitting position. But Wachenheim believed that he had sustained multiple concussions and possible brain damage. And not only was it her fault, but no one believed her. On the afternoon of March 13, 2013, Wachenheim wrote out a 13-page note detailing her perceived failures as a mother. “I am so unbearably sorry, which I know
does nothing to undo the evil I have done,” the note read. “I wanted to be a mother so badly and I hoped to be a wonderful one, and instead I have become the worst of the worst.” Then she strapped Keston to her chest and jumped out the eighth-floor window of her Harlem apartment. According to the note, “if I had unknowingly caused brain damage to my beautiful, precious baby, I didn’t want to live.” And she couldn’t bear knowing her son would live a life of suffering. She died on impact. Miraculously, Keston survived with just a scratch — and he developed normally with no delays or problems.
‘They think they’re alone and they’re not’
What would cause a mother to commit such a terrible act? Wachenheim likely had postpartum psychosis, an extreme and rare peripartum mood disorder that occurs in approximately .1 to .2 percent of births. Far more common are peripartum depression and peripartum anxiety, as well as a temporary postpartum hormonal shift termed “the baby blues” — about 85 percent of moms go through some kind of mood adjustment during or after pregnancy. “A lot of people are struggling, and they think they are alone and they’re not,” said Kathleen Miller-Murphy, Crouse’s manager for community education. To help those moms, Crouse Hospital’s Spirit of Women program offers a support group every Friday at CNY Healing Arts in Syracuse. The free group, led by Kowaleski, is one of several efforts Crouse has undertaken
to better support moms with perinatal anxiety and depression, Miller-Murphy said — something that had previously been lacking in the community. “We went out [three years ago] and talked to the OB providers and said, ‘What kind of things do you need for your patients?’” she said. “Resoundingly, they identified support for the moms that have postpartum anxiety and depression.” The Spirit of Women program, which promotes women’s health and wellness — “because women tend to not take care of themselves first, if they even make it on to the list,” Miller-Murphy noted — worked to make that support a reality, bringing together childbirth educators, Crouse’s community engagement team and perinatal mood specialists like Kowaleski, who also serves as regional coordinator for Postpartum Support International, to provide a resource so that when moms were identified as having a problem, there was somewhere for them to go. “What was happening was physicians were not asking always about that, because if they had a positive screen they did not have resources to send them to,” Miller-Murphy said. The group was formed to provide an outlet for new moms with severe cases of anxiety and depression, according to Nicole Miller, Crouse’s Integrative Medicine Specialist. Miller helps create the programming for moms. But that’s not all that’s available to moms in need. “What happens is, a mom is struggling, and continued on page 11 SYRACUSE PARENT APRIL 2018
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Beyond baby blues we don’t care where they are from. We don’t care what hospital they delivered at,” Miller said. “If they need support they can give us a call.” Miller said anyone who reaches out is first assessed to determine what kind of supports are already in place. Then she and Kowaleski work to fill in any gaps, whether it is a need for social support like the Friday group at CNY Healing Arts, talk therapy from a counselor who specializes in perinatal mood disorders or pharmaceutical support from their physician. “We fill in those gaps,” Miller said.
Mom-friendly methods
However, those outside resources have to be complemented with support at home. “Actually validating mom is very important,” Kowaleski said. “If the partner and the extended family can validate her and say, ‘It’s okay, you’re going to get better, 85 percent of women go through this, let’s see where we can get you some help,’ that is probably the best thing that they can do.” She also encouraged new moms to get as much sleep as possible — no easy feat with a new baby. “They’re not sleeping because now they say, ‘I’m home. I should be the one that gets up with the baby,’” Kowaleski said. “How do we torture people in the military? We keep them from sleeping. They become psychotic. They become psychotic from not sleeping.” Kowaleski said Crouse has shifted in the last few years to a “mom-friendly” model on the maternity floor, allowing mothers more time to sleep in hopes of improving their mental and physical health. She also pointed out that struggles with breastfeeding may spur a battle with PPD or postpartum anxiety. If that’s the case, she said, babies do just fine on formula. “I was a NICU NP for 25 years, so the value of breastmilk is — I understand it, but it never is more important than a mother’s mental health. Ever,” she said. In fact, a mother’s depression or anxiety can even be detrimental to baby. “It’s the baby’s first adverse childhood event,” Kowaleski said. “That puts that baby at risk for [missing] mdevelopmental milestones, risky behaviors and even early death. We’re setting this baby up, and it’s just because the mom is trying to do it all herself. If I said to a mom, ‘You have to go on meds to make yourself feel better,’ they’ll say ‘No, no, no, no.’ If I say, if you don’t this baby is going to suffer in the long run, ‘Okay, I’ll take it.’” She pointed out that some sadness and weepiness for a couple of weeks after birth
from page 9
— known as the “baby blues” — is normal. “The cord is cut, within five days, the mother is back to pre-pregnancy hormones,” Kowaleski said. “It’s the biggest, most rapid hormone shift she’ll have in her life… That’s responsible for the crying for no reason. That we don’t worry about. It’s self-correcting.” But if the mother continues to feel depressed in the following weeks, it’s time to seek help. (To learn more about the difference between baby blues, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, see sidebar.)
Expanding the reach
In addition to the support groups at Crouse, there are a number of resources available to moms in need. “We give them a bunch of numbers to call,” Kowaleski said. “Postpartum Support International has an online blog. They have a warm line [see sidebar for information]. Come to our group. Come to one of these, express yourself. Whatever you can do to get yourself in a group.” Miller-Murphy said Crouse is now working to expand the program into other areas. “Our next steps are to look at taking it out throughout the region and helping other hospitals within our region set up simliar programs so they’ll find the resources in their community,” she said. “We get folks from Binghamton, Watertown, get people from all over so there’s definitely a need.” If you’re worried about opening up to people who might not understand where you’re coming from, don’t be—Kowaleski and Miller-Murphy said they’ve both been there. “I had postpartum depression with my second,” Kowaleski said. “It was not a pleasant experience and SSRIs weren’t around then. Mothers feel a tremendous amount of guilt. I’m continually trying to make it up to him — he’s 37.” “For many of us who have worked on the program, put it together, a lot of us have all been through postpartum depression, whether we realized it at the time or not,” Miller-Murphy said. “It’s easy when women have these issues to isolate and to want to isolate. They have built a wonderful network, and that support is crucial. It’s just really about building a community around what you’re going through and surrounding yourself with people who are doing the same thing.” Kowaleski said that network has helped many women survive one of the toughest times of their lives and find the joy in their babies again. “People that come to our program get better. They just do,” Kowaleski said. “I guess I can say we figured it out.”
When to seek help
Baby blues Most women will experience mood swings, weepiness and crying spells for about 10 to 14 days after childbirth. According to Christine Kowaleski, psychiatric nurse at Crouse and regional coordinator for Postpartum Support International, it’s caused by a massive and rapid hormonal shift. ““It’s the biggest, most rapid hormone shift she’ll have in her life,” she said. “That’s responsible for the crying for no reason. That we don’t worry about. It’s self-correcting.” Postpartum depression and anxiety disorders When that sadness and crying persists beyond a couple of weeks, the mother may be experiencing postpartum depression. About 15 percent of women experience significant depression following childbirth. Ten percent of women experience depression in pregnancy. In fact, perinatal depression is the most common complication of childbirth. Symptoms can begin any time in the baby’s first year. Some mothers also experience postpartum anxiety — this is seen in about 6 percent of pregnant women and 10 percent of postpartum women. Mothers should also watch out for more severe versions of PPA, including Postpartum Panic Disorder, which include panic attacks, as well as Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which affects about 3 to 5 percent of new mothers, as well as some fathers. Postpartum psychosis PPP is the most severe postpartum mental health complication, but it’s also the rarest. “We don’t see much of that. It’s less than one percent,” Kowaleski said. “When we see it, it’s a medical emergency. It’s the artery that’s cut open with no tourniquet.” While the onset of PPP is usually sudden — within the first month of birth — it can take months to manifest. PPP requires immediate treatment; while most women who experience the illness never harm themselves or anyone else, research has suggested that there is approximately a 5 percent suicide rate and a 4 percent infanticide rate associated with PPP. The information in this piece is provided by Postpartum Support International. Postpartum Support International offers links to local resources, online support groups, statistics about peripartum mood disorders and more; visit postpartum.net. They also have a toll-free warmline (a warmline is not staffed 24/7 and not equipped for crisis situations, but calls are always returned): 1-800-9444773 (dial 1 for Spanish and 2 for English); a text warmline: (503) 894-9453; and a crisis textline: text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. about any type of crisis. SYRACUSE PARENT APRIL 2018
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learningcurve
Supporting your baby’s development with music
submitted photo
By Rebbecca Oppedisano Did you know that introducing your baby to music at an early age can have long-term developmental benefits? And the good news is, you don’t need to be a professional musician in order to give them a wonderful and rich musical experience! Singing lullabies, dancing around the room, and exposing them to all different sounds are things you can do anytime, anywhere! When you sing a song to your baby, you are doing so much more than you think. You are sharing a special moment together and it can have a soothing and comforting effect, likely reducing stress levels for both the baby and you. Making music with your baby gives you an opportunity to share an active experience together, strengthening your bond. When babies experience the benefits of bonding with a loved one, they are improving their social and emotional development. Music learning can support language learning- these two processes go hand in hand.
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When babies hear songs, they experience melody, rhythm, words, and sounds all at once. They are hearing language in a whole different way than speaking; this gives their brain a chance to process language in a different way. And your voice is the most special voice to your baby because you are their lifeline. Even if you don’t sing in tune perfectly, your voice is always perfect to your baby! Music can help improve cognitive skills. Since most music has patterns and sequence, your baby has the opportunity to categorize, count, and predict even though they won’t know they are doing it. Their little brains light up with activity when they are experiencing music, and if you make music with them at an early age, you are paving those neural pathways for optimal cognitive growth. To help your baby experience the powerful benefits that music can provide, try some of these activities: *Play, sing, and move to music when your baby needs help shifting their emotions- music can be calming and soothing when they are
experiencing stress. *Allow your baby to see, hear, feel, and play with child-friendly musical instruments like shakers, drums, and jingle bells. This will give your baby an up-close chance to learn how sounds are made. *Dance, rock, and bounce with your baby so they can learn about movement and feel music in their bodies. *Sign up for a structured music class such as Music Together, so that you can make music with other families in your community in a rich musical environment. This can be a wonderful way to make new friends, and can be a special bonding ritual that you can do together each week. By making music together with your baby, you can not only have a lot of fun, but you can give them the stimulation they need to learn and grow! Rebbecca Oppedisano is owner/director of Bluebird Music Together, a local early childhood music and movement program. For more information visit bluebirdmusictogether.com.
healthy family
Safe and sound
W
elcoming a new child into a family dynamic requires certain adjustments on the part of family members. New parents have come to expect shortened sleep schedules as they handle earlymorning feedings and babies who haven’t quite adjusted to their parents’ sleep/wake schedules. Parents soon learn another aspect of childcare that fills their days is safety. Keeping little ones safe, whether at home or on the go, becomes the utmost priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Childhood Injury Report” indicates more than 12,000 children die each year in the United States from an unintentional injury. Injuries involving transportation, drowning and suffocation account for the largest number of accidental deaths among young children. One of the first safety steps parents can take is to become informed about common childhood injuries and statistics. Educating oneself about the potential for injury is the key to preventing accidents from occurring. The next step is to take measures to childproof areas in and around the home. Various organizations, including Kids Health, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Safety Council, recommend caregivers take the following safety measures. 3Use safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers to keep children away from potentially harmful poisons and household items. 3Employ safety gates to prevent falls down stairs and
to keep children from entering rooms that are not supervised or contain possible dangers. 3Keep track of baby’s milestones, including when infants learn to pull themselves up in the crib. The crib mattress should be set to the lowest position and items removed so curious kids cannot climb out of the crib. 3Bathtubs are a common location for injury. Never leave a child unattended in a bath even for a minute. Bathrooms can be made safer by installing a soft cover on the bath faucet head, using a secure and nonskid bath seat for the child and relying on a thermometer to check the temperature of the bath water. 3Use knob covers to prevent access to the stove. Always supervise children in and around the kitchen, where there are many hazards and hot surfaces. 3Use bolts or anchors to secure items like televisions, bookcases or dressers to the wall to prevent them from tipping over. 3 Getting a shock is easy when babies with salivadrenched fingers touch electrical outlets. Use safety plugs or special covers to prevent access. 3Make sure area rugs are secured with a nonskid backing and repair any tripping hazards so children do not fall while learning to walk. 3Drapery and blinds cords should be kept out of youngsters’ reach. Window coverings that are cord-free are safer options. 3Parents can benefit by learning CPR and other first aid techniques. You never know when they might come
Safety guidelines for new parents
Use safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers to keep children away from potentially harmful poisons and household items. in handy. 3Window guards and safety netting can prevent falls from windows, balconies, landings, and decks. Check these safety devices frequently to make sure they are still secure. 3 Be sure to check that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning as they should and have fresh batteries. 3Create layers of protection around a swimming pool, which includes installing selflatching fences, alarms and safety covers. 3Make a first aid kit and
store emergency instructions inside. Post important phone numbers close to a landline phone or program them into a mobile phone. 3Use corner guards to protect young heads from falls against furniture or fireplace hearths. These are just some of the safety measures parents can take to safeguard their young children from injury at home. Kids’ pediatricians also may have other information that can help prevent accidents and save lives. SYRACUSE PARENT APRIL 2018
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family fyi
Finding baby wildlife What to do and not do this spring By David Mizejewski
National Wildlife Federation Naturalist
Spring is here and with it comes baby wildlife season. As spring progresses, the chance of encountering newborn animals in our backyards or neighborhoods increases. The National Wildlife Federation, home to wildlife ambassador Ranger Rick raccoon, provides the whole family with a primer on what to do (and not do) when you cross paths with baby wildlife in your neighborhood -- from a baby bird fallen from its nest, to a lone deer fawn in your backyard. The National Wildlife Federation’s resident wildlife expert and naturalist David Mizejewski, helps dispel common misconceptions and myths and outlines steps we can take to safeguard wildlife in our communities. Finding a Wildlife Rehabilitator The most important thing you can do when you find any wild animal in need, a baby or an adult, is to immediately call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. If you’re unable to locate a rehabilitator directly, contact a local animal shelter, humane society, animal control agency, nature center, state wildlife agency or veterinarian
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Maureen Smith
for advice. Do not try to take care of a wild animal yourself. Caring for wildlife is a round-the-clock job and requires special training to do properly. In fact, you must have a state-issued license to legally keep and care for wild animals. Unfortunately, well-meaning attempts by untrained people may result in the death of the animal. Ranger Rick and the National Wildlife Federation recommend researching facilities in your area now and posting the phone number(s) somewhere they can easily be located. Starting May 1, 2018, interested families can download and print a special Ranger Rick Checklist of things to do in these situations that also includes spaces for them to write down contact information (visit rangerrick.com and search “Printables” in the Family Fun section). Determine If the Animal Really Needs Help When we encounter a baby wild animal, often our first instinct is to try to rescue it, especially if it’s alone. Before intervening, make sure it actually needs help. For young wildlife champions in the family, find your parents or other trusted adults to help determine what to do. In many cases
it’s totally normal for wildlife babies to be on their own. “Rescuing” an animal that doesn’t need rescuing actually decreases its chance of survival. Letting nature take its course is usually the best thing to do. The exception is if an animal is injured as the direct result of human activity, such as getting hit by a car, attacked by a pet, striking a window or falling from a nest during tree work or if you’ve witnessed its parent being killed and know for sure that it has been orphaned. In those instances, the ethical thing to do is try to help. Again, calling a local wildlife rehabilitator should be your first step to provide help for the animal. Baby Birds, Rabbits, Deer and Squirrels Baby birds, rabbits, and deer are some of the most commonly encountered wildlife in our yards and neighborhoods. Follow these tips to determine how best to help them. Birds Baby birds are frequently encountered on the ground in spring. If the baby bird is featherless, it is called a “nestling” and should be returned to the nest if possible. Listen and look for the parents. This can give you a good indication as to where
their nest is located and where you can safely place the nestling. (Don’t be alarmed if the parents raise a fuss and dive-bomb you; they are just looking after their young!) Touching a nestling will not make the parents reject it. If the baby bird is fully feathered, it’s called a “fledgling” and it is normal for it to be out of the nest. Fledglings spend several days on the ground hiding in the vegetation until they can fully fly. While this is a dangerous time for young birds, their parents continue to feed and protect them, and your intervention is not necessary. In fact, by taking fledglings out of the wild you decrease their chances of survival. However, if you see a fledgling in the street or otherwise in harm’s way, try to move it into dense vegetation close to where you discovered it so the parents can look after it. Deer and Rabbits If you see a deer fawn lying alone in your yard or baby rabbits in a nest in your lawn, they are usually not orphaned. Mother deer and rabbits leave
their young alone for most of the day to avoid attracting predators. Fawns and bunnies have fur that camouflages them and they instinctually remain still and quiet. Just observe from a distance and keep domestic animals and people away, chances are quite likely the mother will be back shortly. As with fledgling birds, “rescuing” baby deer and rabbits by removing them from the wild is unnecessary and reduces their chances of survival. Squirrels Squirrel mothers begin giving birth as early as late winter and can have several litters over the spring and summer. They give birth in a leafy nest built in the branches or inside tree cavities. If you find a baby squirrel on the ground with its eyes closed or that can’t move, it’s too young to be away from the mother or is injured. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately and do not try to feed or raise it yourself. Baby squirrels require special care and must be fed a specific formula every few hours around the clock.
Moving or Transporting an Injured Animal Rescuing any wild animal is best left to trained professionals. Moving wildlife is a last resort and should only be attempted if the animal is in clear and imminent danger. If there is no other choice, follow these tips: -- Only adults in the family should attempt to approach or move injured wildlife. --Wear heavy leather gloves, long pants, and long sleeves. Even small animals will bite, kick, and scratch in fear and could injure you. Gently place a towel over the animal to provide an added barrier when you pick it up. This will also minimize stress to the animal. Never attempt to capture mammals such as
raccoons, foxes or bats, even babies. --Place the animal in a secure container, such as a cardboard box with high sides. Close the lid or put a towel over it held in place with binder clips. Place the box in a dark, quiet place away from pets, other people, and noise. Keep the box away from direct sunlight, air conditioning, or heat, and try to avoid bringing the animal into your house. --Get the animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. --If an animal is moving erratically, approaching people without fear or foaming at the mouth, do not come near it as it could be sick and dangerous. Call animal control. Never Try to Make Wildlife into Pets While it may be tempting to keep a wild animal, especially one you’ve helped, they are meant to live wild and free. In fact, there are laws to protect many species from being taken out of the wild by people.
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family fyi Soothing a colicky baby There’s no magic formula for parenting a newborn. Parents do their best to prepare for the moment they bring their new son or daughter home for the first time, but it’s only through trial and error that most parents learn which childcare techniques work on their children. One condition new parents often face is infant colic. Spells of crying mixed with discomfort and inability to get settled can make for worn-out babies and equally frazzled mothers and fathers. “Colic” is a term used to describe uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy infant. Babies who are younger than five months old and who cry for three or more hours per day during a period of three or more days a week, with such episodes lasting for at least three weeks, are classified as having colic. ÒColicÓ is a term, not a specific disease, and there are no long-term health effects. Parents often find that colic arrives when a baby is two or three weeks old, according to Baby Center. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it is quite common for episodes of colic to occur between 6 p.m. and midnight, right when parents are looking to wind down themselves. Roughly one-fifth of all babies will develop colic. Colic may be blamed on gas or sensitivity to milk protein in formula or breastmilk. But colic often occurs because the child’s nervous system is immature and the baby is unusually sensitive to outside stimulation. The infant cannot self-console, and it could take several weeks or months for him or her to grow accustomed to outside stimuli. Distraught parents may think there’s no end in sight when facing an infant with colic. But many cases of colic resolve by the time the child is three or four months old. In extreme conditions, colic may last until the child is six months old. Parents who suspect their child has colic should first rule out any other medical conditions, such as acid reflux, hernia or another illness. If the child is otherwise healthy, one or more of these methods may help soothe a colicky baby. 3 If you suspect gas, gas-relief
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medications can be administered under the advisement of a pediatrician. Probiotics also may help maintain a natural balance of good bacteria in a baby’s digestive tract. 3 Hold the baby as upright as possible during feedings and burp him or her often. 3 Avoid potential allergy-inducing foods if you are breastfeeding. Consider switching formulas to one with broken down proteins which are easier to digest. 3 Use white noise, such as a fan, running clothes dryer or another steady, rhythmic sound, to help the baby fall asleep.
3 Some children like to be held closely and comforted. When you cannot hold your baby, try swaddling. 3 Rocking motions or riding in the car can soothe some children. 3 A warm bath may help calm a crying baby. 3 Infants may sense if their parents are tense. So if you are feeling anxious, leave the room or get out of the house and ask a friend or family member to sit with the baby for a little while until you can calm down. Colic is a mystery to parents and doctors alike. It can be a trying experience, but one that resolves itself in time.
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from page 8
Engineering the Human Machine
calendar
9:30–11 a.m., Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology, Syracuse; most.org. Syracuse University Assistant ProfessorDouglas Yung, PhD, will discuss ways to engineer our human machine, with the brain like a big circuit, heart and lungs like a pump. A light breakfast is provided, and participants must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free, but RSVP to jrcafe@tacny.org. After the event, participants can explore the museum for free.
Sunday, May 20 Sunrise Rotary Youth Music Festival Youth event 2-5-p.m., concert 7:30 p.m., Palace Theater, 2384 James St., Syracuse. Featuring John McEuen and the String Wizards. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com; 800-838-3006; and at Sound Garden in Armory Square, Syracuse.
May 25-July 1
for purchase. Festival open every day but Mondays and includes two 30-minute shows featuring Chinese dancers, acrobats, face changers and musicians. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.
Saturday, May 26 Be the Architect noon–4 p.m., Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology, 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse; most.org. “Kids learn, engage and explore the activities of a different type of “scientist.”
Sunday, May 27 Memorial Day Ceremony 10:30 a.m., Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 4069 Howlett Hill Road, Syracuse. The public is invited to join the county and other officials at this annual ceremony honoring our local veterans. Parking and seating is limited, please plan to arrive early. Free.
NYS Chinese Lantern Festival
Monday, May 28
New York State Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse; lanternfestnys.com. Visitors will stroll along a path with all new lighted lantern sculptures and enjoy live performances, food and drink as well as watch artisans perfecting their crafts available
8 a.m.-noon, Columbian Presbyterian Church, LaFayette. All proceeds go to LaFayette Outreach, silent auction, bake sale, plant sale, “Red, White & Blue Ice Cream Sundaes” and a free kids’ craft area.
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