Babies of 2014

The Great Bend Tribune Presents

Supplement to the Great Bend Tribune ∙ Sunday, January 18, 2015

2 Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

40 most popular baby names of 2014

Here are the year’s most popular baby names for girls and boys. These baby name lists base popularity rankings on a single spelling of a name.

(Sophia and Sofia, for example, are considered two different names). www.babycenter.com BOYS’ NAMES

GIRLS’ NAMES Sophia Emma Olivia Ava Isabella Mia Zoe Lily Emily Madelyn Madison Chloe Charlotte Aubrey Avery Abigail Kaylee Layla Harper Ella

Amelia Arianna Riley Aria Hailey Hannah Aaliyah Evelyn Addison Mackenzie Adalyn Ellie Brooklyn Nora Scarlett Grace Anna Isabelle Natalie Kaitlyn

Lillian Sarah Audrey Elizabeth Leah Annabelle Kylie Mila Claire Victoria Maya Lila Elena Lucy Savannah Gabriella Callie Alaina Sophie Makayla

Kennedy Sadie Skyler Allison Caroline Charlie Penelope Alyssa Peyton Samantha Liliana Bailey Maria Reagan Violet Eliana Adeline Eva Stella Keira

Katherine Vivian Alice Alexandra Camilla Kayla Alexis Sydney Kaelyn Jasmine Julia Cora Lauren Piper Gianna Paisley Bella London Clara Cadence

Jackson Aiden Liam Lucas Noah Mason Ethan Caden Jacob Logan Jayden Elijah Jack Luke Michael Benjamin Alexander James Jayce Caleb

Connor William Carter Ryan Oliver Matthew Daniel Gabriel Henry Owen Grayson Dylan Landon Isaac Nicholas Wyatt Nathan Andrew Cameron Dominic

Joshua Eli Sebastian Hunter Brayden David Samuel Evan Gavin Christian Max Anthony Joseph Julian John Colton Levi Muhammad Isaiah Aaron

Tyler Charlie Adam Parker Austin Thomas Zachary Nolan Alex Ian Jonathan Christopher Cooper Hudson Miles Adrian Leo Blake Lincoln Jordan

Tristan Jason Josiah Xavier Camden Chase Declan Carson Colin Brody Asher Jeremiah Micah Easton Xander Ryder Nathaniel Elliot Sean Cole

Elin Page Albright

Brecken Joseph Babb

Boland Garet Baker

Koltlyn Kay Bauer

February 14, 2014

December 30, 2014

November 18, 2014

July 10, 2014

Parents Mark & Lauren Albright Grandparents Mark & Susan Crowley Gary & Mary Albright Great Grandparents Dareld & Martha Albright Norma Waymire Katherine Crowley

Parents Andrea (Sander) Babb & Joseph Babb Siblings Blaize Grandparents Glen & Becky Sander Joey & Paula Babb Great Grandparents Gil & Kay Sander, Louie & the late Phyllis Wintholz, Allen & Sherry Sexton

Parents Art & Kristen Baker

Parents Trina & Chase Bauer Siblings Johnay & Dav

Siblings Calyn & Camdyn Grandparents Lewis & Clarita Baker John & Donna Krug

Grandparents Cindy & Craig White Bret & Terri Bauer Great Grandparents Ruth White & the late Bill White, The late Cleota & Gail Rainbolt, Marie Stevens & the late Dick Stevens, Georgia & the late Roy Bauer

Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

About the Cover ...

Jayden Claire Keller is the cover girl for our Babies of 2014 issue this year. She is the beloved daughter of Andrea and Josh Keller and her proud daddy works at the Great Bend Tribune.

Jayden loves bananas, oatmeal, blowing bubbles, and dancing in her bouncer. The Tribune’s own Hugo Gonzalez is credited with taking this adorable picture.

The Great Bend Tribune salutes all the Babies of 2014!

Tyson David Bauer

Everett William Beck

July 23, 2014

December 15, 2014

Parents Trent & Jenni Bauer

Parents Dan & Ashley Beck

Sibling Weston Bauer

Sibling Maddison

Grandparents Paul & Lynn Schiller Bret & Terri Bauer

Grandparents Jim & Carol Beck Vincent & Trish Frees

Great Grandparents Georgia Bauer Marie Stevens Ruby Mull

Great Grandparents John & Elsie Beck Buck & Helen McClain Bill & Roberta Frees

Birth announcements can be placed in the Sunday Great Bend Tribune for a small fee.

Call 620-792-1211 for details.

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4 Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Laney Kay Beck

Ryker Dean Berger

Gabriella Therése Bernal

Keeley Wynne Birt

November 12, 2014

December 1, 2014

June 18, 2014

March 20, 2014

Parents Erin & Cindy Beck Siblings Luke & Lawson Grandparents Fred & Karlynn Beck Mike & Jan Keeley Great Grandparents Lucille Beck Arlene Strube Bill & Pat Schartz

Parent Sarah Berger

Parents Jesse & Janeé Bernal

Parents Mitch & Christy Birt

Grandparents Trish Berger & the late Roger Berger

Siblings John Paul

Grandparents Randy & Christine Birt Mike & Jan Keeley

Great Grandparents Alene Berger

Grandparents Jim & Jolene Thurston Jesse & Gayleen Bernal Great Grandparents Joe & Bernice Berning Frances Thurston Lowell & Cora Flora

Great Grandparents Ladona Schultz Bill & Pat Schartz

Kayley Renee Bricker

Lily Ann Cason

Houston Francis Patrick Cochran

Allison Elizabeth Cook

May 23, 2014

November 7, 2014

September 22, 2014

May 2, 2014 Parents Wayne & Brooke Cook Sibling Laken Grandparents Keith & Connie Miller, Wes & Janiece Cook Diane Cook Great Grandparents Gaylyn Andrews, Catherine Birzer; the late Lawrence Birzer, Carl & Evelyn Miller, Orville Foss, Walter & Vesta Cook, Florent & Josie Bellerieve, Eldon Andrews

Parents Mark & Sarah Bricker

Parents Ken & Jennifer Cason

Parents Kyle & Shanna Cochran

Grandparents Duane & Debbie Reif Jan & John Sater The late Jim Bricker

Grandparents Paul & Charlotte Wapelhorst Paul Cason Roberta DeJonge

Siblings Cohen, Colby, Joseph

Great Grandparents Mayette Keith Dorothy Reif

Grandparents Frank & Tawanna Callahan Pat & Janet Cochran Great Grandparents Hazel Callahan Jessie Russell

Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015 5

Tenleigh Kayte Corbett

Brantley Ray Debes

Derek Sean Devine Jr.

Rylee John Dietz

March 18, 2014

March 6, 2014

August 23, 2014

January 9, 2014

Parents Jason & Jenna Corbett Grandparents Jim & Kathy Hayes Jim & Jeanie Corbett Randy & Ronda Miller

Parents David Debes & Kristin Ohnmacht

Parents Derek Devine & Skye Mai

Grandparents Steve & Brenda Ohnmacht Frank & Virginia Debes

Siblings Adrian Castellanos

Great Grandparents Virginia Karlin Ruth Corbett

Grandparents Ron & Barbara Tournear Delane & Lana Dietz Great Grandparents Lila Bowman

Great Grandparents Norman & Marie Roberson Elwood & Doris Mai

g n i t a r Celeb e ...

Lif O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.

You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

Grandparents Kathy & Jim Morgan Sarina Johnson Dennis & Kandi Wolf

Parents Mike & Marcia Dietz

&RPSOHWH IDPLO\ ZHOOQHVV At our Medical Clinic, our providers want to keep you and your family healthy. We offer well-child and well-woman exams; school, DOT, and annual physicals; and a convenient Acute Walk-In Clinic.

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6 Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Parker Don Dody

Avery Graham Emerson

Lucy Lynn French

Cooper Matthew Garrett

September 25, 2014

March 10, 2014

April 9, 2014

July 6, 2014

Parents Hillary & Aaron Emerson Siblings Elaine & Oliver Grandparents Dennis & Ros Neeland Misty Emerson; Danny Emerson Great Grandparents Ann Emerson, Clarice Reinhardt, The late Marjorie Harrington, the late Elaine Sayler, the late Dan Emerson, & the late Gene Reinhardt

Parents Chris & Allison French Siblings Ellie, Tristan & Judah Grandparents Gary & Sheryl French Kent & Leanne Taylor Great Grandparents The late Eldon & Margaret French; The late Don & Helen Luthi; Bob and the late Louisa Taylor, The late George & Carolynn Berigan; The late Dean & Ursula Gordon

Parents Tamara & Jason Dody Siblings Paxton, Peyton, & Prycen Grandparents Bob & Alvita Cates Ginger Dody Deb Scott & Terry Dody Great Grandparents Thelma Cates Betty & Don Dody

Watch for Babies of 2015 to be published January 17, 2016 Submit info and photo

by January 8, 2016

Parents Logan & Dru Garrett Siblings Kamryn Grandparents Dave & Susan Holste Rick & Karen Garrett Great Grandparents Janet Little Mark Garrett

Ian Robert Gorney

Leah Renee Guthrie

September 13, 2014

January 4, 2014

Parents Jerad & Ashley Gorney Siblings Jeryn Grandparents Bob & Lora Olivier Randy & Terri Gorney Great Grandparents Geneva Wendler Betty & Bob Olivier Annette Guthrie

Parents Stephanie & Ryan Guthrie Grandparents Brent & Linda Haberman Bill & Lois Guthrie Jenise Brennan Great Grandparent Jessie Austin

Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Sophie Lea Guerrero

Cole Raines Gwin

Landen Thomas Harr

Ava Grace Hertel

July 11, 2014

May 16, 2014

December 4, 2014

October 29, 2014

Parents Sara Dreiling & Chris Guerrero Grandparents Neal & Penny Dreiling Kristin Daily Brian & Sarah McGreevy Great Grandparents Don & Sandy Nation Jenny Guerrero Great-Great Grandparent Jessie Guerrero

Parents Jeremy & Lisa Gwin Siblings McKenzie Grandparents Paul & Lynn Schiller Kala Gwin & Dale Klug Wayne & Michelle Gwin Great Grandparents Bob & Vera Henning Ruby Mull

Parents Khali Anderson & Dakota Harr Grandparents Steven & Shelly Anderson Kipp & Kim Keller Great Grandparents David & Patricia Anderson Jim & Billie Branch

Parents Matt & Katy Hertel Grandparents Gary & Diana Hertel Mike & Kitty Jilek Great Grandparent Clarence Tuzicka

Great-Great Grandparent Maggie Anderson

OUR KIDS GROW WITH US At The Great Bend Children’s Clinic, our kids grow with us. That’s because we specialize in taking care of kids.

And we make moms feel better by taking extra time to answer questions.

We’ll be here for you from the day you take your baby home until the day you send them off to college. So trust the experts at The Great Bend Children’s Clinic.

1021 Eisenhower Great Bend 620-792-5437

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Healthcare for Babies, Teens and In Betweens www.GreatBendChildrensClinic.com

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8 Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Zander Blake Holinde

Maxwell Scott Homelvig

Cambree Lynne Hunter

Devyn Maxine Hunter

August 1, 2014

January 24, 2014

March 14, 2014

April 5, 2014

Parents Daniel & Nichelle Holinde

Parents Elizabeth McKain & Matthew Homelvig

Siblings Konner & Branson

Grandparents Scott & Tammy McKain Ron & Ann Ochs Michael & Leilani Homelvig Heather Serres

Grandparents Gerard & Marilyn Holinde Phil & Kim Schwerdtfeger

Great Grandparents Lori Yacko

Cooper Banks Kaiser

December 16, 2014

Jayden Claire Keller May 20, 2014

Parents Eric & Jessica Kaiser

Parents Josh & Andrea Keller

Grandparents Paul Kaiser & the late Kathy Kaiser Mike & Jolyn Verbillion

Grandparents Dennis & Connie Keller Delane & Teressa Newkirk

Great Grandparents Dolores Kaiser Artie Jones Robert Banks Lee & Loretta Verbillion

Great Grandparents Georgine Fisher Wilbur & Donna McBeth Great-Great Grandparent Betty Gifford

Parents Nikki Hunter & Justin Holloway Grandparents Deb & Bob Sisson-Rome Curt Hunter Kim & Terry Holloway Great Grandparents Linda Sisson Jean & Bell Eaves Bob & Arlene Holloway Archie Hunter Great-Great Grandparent Doris Holloway

Parents Jake & Nicole Hunter Grandparents Kenny & Paula Axman Terry & Becky Hunter Great Grandparents Marilou Axman Jerry & Mavis Horner Retha Hunter

Colson Dane Kelly

Hallie Hunter Kepka

May 19, 2014

March 7, 2014

Parents Cody & Jessica Kelly Grandparents Scott & Laura Brown Greg & Kim Schenk Great Grandparents Rose Kelly Mae Brown Larry & Carol Horton Paul & Trella Berscheidt Bernard & Mary Jo Schenk Great-Great Grandparent Hazel Scheuerman

Parents Dane & Aimee Kepka Siblings Kloie Grandparents Jayson & Penni Dreiling Phil & Kim Kepka Jeff Farrow Great Grandparents Gladys Ritterhouse Sharon Stephens

Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Ashlynn Grace Ketch

Aubree Jo Kirkpatrick

Colton Todd Klein

Madeline Mae Koochel

November 8, 2014

January 27, 2014

August 12, 2014

September 18, 2014

Parents John & Ashley Ketch Grandparents Rick & Brenda Ketch David & Tiffany Nily Adam & Haziel Lankerd Great Grandparents Connie Henderson Carol Newberry Bob & Dianne Willesden Don & Janet Nily Larry & Bonnie Lankerd

Parents Andrew & Jennifer Kirkpatrick Sibling Madison Grandparents Rick & Patty Kirkpatrick Richard Ganoung Debra Zecha Great Grandparents Pat Thorson Don & Earlene Ganoung Bob Faris Lorna Lumpkins

t 1MBZXFBS 4QFDJBM 0DDBTJPO t #BCZ #PPLT t $IJMESFO T #PPLT t )BJS #PXT )FBECBOET t #BCZ (JGUT The perfect place to find special gifts and unique kids’ fashions.

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Parents Tyler & Ashley Klein Sibling Gannon Grandparents Eric & Christy Kuhn Todd & Dawn Klein Great Grandparents Tom & Linda Barnes Helen Klein Leaetta Tomlinson Tim & Christina Casey Great-Great Grandparents Lillian Rosenberg Ruby Barnes

Parents Christopher & Lindsey Koochel Grandparents Pat & Jillane Koochel Rohn & Traci Shellenberger Great Grandparents Alex & Twila Herrman Ken & Bonnie Kysar Bill Shellenberger The late John & Florine Meister The late Elwyn Koochel

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10 Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Kynslea Lane Kreutzer

Parker Kade Lang

Emmett Lee Mawhirter

June 11, 2014

July 6, 2014

June 24, 2014

Parents Kevin & Jamie Kreutzer Sibling Jace Grandparents Bob & Charlene Kreutzer Brent & Sherre Mawhirter

Parents Dave & Beverly (Wolf) Lang Grandparents Duane & Mary Lang Dennis & Kandi Wolf Patricia Wolf Great Grandparents Lawrence & Norma Lang Don & Ann Wilkerson Leven & Virginia Wolf Russell & Beverly Partridge George & Janice Ulrich

Beatrice Margaret-Marie McBride

September 9, 2014 Parents Justin & Rachel Mawhirter Sibling Jace Grandparents Dan & Teresa Mawhirter Erika Brining Great Grandparents Clarice Brining Joe & Della Guesnier Hugh & Irene List Patricia & Rick Gautier

Parents Seth McBride & Breanna Baker Grandparents Joe Baker Leonard & Miki Boese Great Grandparents Mike Schmidt Great-Great Grandparents Mary Kay Schmidt Paul Bethe Harold Reid

William Ryan Morice

Andrew (Drew) Allen Nelson

Cole Roy Nokes

Kennedy Grace Nokes

July 24, 2014

January 7, 2014

December 5, 2014

February 16, 2014

Parents Keith & Lindsay Morice

Parents Chad & Sarah Nelson

Parents Austin & Kathy Nokes

Parents Colby & Stacia Nokes

Grandparents Rod & Kathy Hafner Mike & Sandy Morice

Sibling Mallory

Siblings Lea & Ella

Grandparents Dennis & Dianne Call Jim & Betty Nelson Van Nelson

Grandparents Arlan & Jyl Nokes Jackie Feeney The late Don Borders

Grandparents Ken & Lori Mitchell Arlan & Jyl Nokes

Great Grandparents Wayne & Wanda Hafner Virginia Cameron Dorothy Morice Evelyn Harris

Great Grandparents Marvin & Mary Ann Bertels

Great Grandparents Iva Behrens Alene Borders

Great Grandparents Iva Behrens Dale Vose

Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Addison Grace Ohlde

Reid Bennett Perry

Kobyn David Powell

Piper Layne Reinert

October 17, 2014

September 12, 2014

July 31, 2014

May 12, 2014

Parents Tim & Rebekah Ohlde

Parents Jason & Kelsey Perry

Sibling Paige

Sibling Chase

Grandparents Joe & Ginger Cotten Don & Nancy Ohlde Great Grandparents Leo & Loretta Baum Wilbur Cotten

Parents Allison Levingston & Jerad Powell

Grandparents Dr. Perry & Krista Smith Vernon Hayes & Karen Perry-Hayes The late Dale Perry

Siblings Kambree & Paisley

Great Grandparents Howard & Vivian Smith

Great Grandparent Sharon Munson

Grandparents Cindi & William Levingston Karen Powell

Parents Darren & Sherry Reinert Siblings Jennifer, KaSarah, Logan & Jaida Grandparents Sharon Tinsley Dennis & Jeannie Schuette Ralph Reinert Greg & Kim Brandon Great Grandparent Elma Thompson

Audrey Kate Schamaun

Alexis Raquel Schmieg

Whitley Rae Siemson

Danielle Elizabeth Smith

November 1, 2014

October 6, 2014

February 17, 2014

July 25, 2014

Parents Zach & Lauren Schamaun

Parents Tony & Sarah Schmieg

Parents Patrick & Erin Siemsen

Parents Matt & Rebecca Smith

Sibling Kylie

Siblings Rylan, Aevyn & Emery

Grandparents Steve & Sheryl Schamaun Tom & Barbara Cason

Grandparents Don & Judy Schmieg Melvin & Sammie Reif

Grandparents Dennis & Teri Zink Steve & Sherry Siemsen

Grandparents Richard & Cindy Stillwagoner Lynn Smith & the late Betty Smith

Great Grandparents Loren & Arlene Schamaun The late Don & Nadine Dreiling

Great Grandparents Steve & Mildred Reif

Great Grandparents Joann Broadbooks Judy Siemsen

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12 Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Leah Grace Snodgrass

Kingston Cody Snyder

April 26, 2014

June 19, 2014

Parents Sarah Waite Snodgrass & Curtis Snodgrass Grandparents Mel & Mary Waite Roger & Lynda Snodgrass Great Grandparents Arlene Karlin Theresa Waite

Parents Clint & Keri Snyder Grandparents Mike & Rhonda Snyder Bill & Trudy Zimmerman Great Grandparents Milt & Peggy Raymer Marian Snyder Faye Zimmerman

A word to the wise you can learn a lot from the Newspaper!

Coltyn Andrew Suchy

Weston Martin Tournear

October 21, 2014

January 17, 2014

Parents Jill Wahlmeier & Travis Suchy Grandparents Cindy & Charlie Suchy Kathy & Glen Hertel Brian Wahlmeier

Parents Derek & Jaime Tournear

Encourage your children to make reading the newspaper a part of their everyday routine for lifelong learning. Newspapers are living textbooks, helping students develop reading, math, social studies and language skills while exploring the issues affecting our world today.

Siblings Savannah & Dakota Grandparents Donna & Lenny Gales Gail Tournear Debbie & Frank Pool Great Grandparent Ciddy Vick

GREAT BEND 2012 Forest, Great Bend, KS t

Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Bodhi Rhys Unruh

Paisley Janae Walecki

Brooklyne Claire Walker

Aniston Grace Waterhouse

December 10, 2014

February 3, 2014

May 7, 2014

July 2, 2014

Parents Wells & Erin Unruh Grandparents Norbert & Terry Schneider Randy & Terry Singer Scott Unruh Great Grandparent Twilla Brack

Parents Andrew & Chelsea Walecki Sibling Boston Grandparents Chuck & Belinda Fellhoelter Frank & Tonetta Walecki

Parents Rick & Kristen Walker

Parent Samantha Waterhouse

Sibling Gunner

Grandparent Diana Waterhouse

Grandparents Mish Prosser The late Ron Prosser Betty Griffin The late Rick Walker

Great Grandparent Esther Pfannenstiel

Great Grandparent The late Marge Prosser

Preslie Marie Weber-Ramos

Jordayn Traelynn Wilson

Keltie Marie Woods

Geddy Paul Zamarripa

September 15, 2014

May 23, 2014

January 29, 2014

May 15, 2014

Parents Kelsea Weber & Eric Ramos Sibling Blaine Grandparents Paula Martin Charlie & Sarah Weber Diane Ramos Great Grandparents George & Ruth Weber Oma Sharp

Parents Jennifer Wilson & Shannon Ybarra Siblings Rylie Adams, Jade Wilson, Colton Potts & Alaunuh Ybarra Grandparents Steve Wilson, Max & Pam Fleming, Pete & Wanda Ybarra

Parents Cody & Kayla Woods

Parents Jaron & Amy Zamarripa

Grandparents Claude & Kathy Nelson Glenn & Lori Woods

Grandparents Gary & Marya Brenner Jon & Kathy Krannawitter Mike & Linda Zamarripa Great Grandparents Minnie Krannawitter Jin Mar Tom & Vivian Bahr Ben & Margaret Brenner JoAnn Winkler

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14 Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Diet can help or hinder children in the classroom

(MS) – Children who are not regularly consuming a healthy and balanced diet may not be receiving the nutrients sufficient for sustained energy and mental acuity.

Junk food and high-sugar snacks can affect the body in a number of ways. A 2009 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that children who routinely ate a diet high in junk foods were more likely to be hyperactive than those who did not. Hyperactive children may struggle to concentrate on simple tasks or find it difficult to focus on more complex matters, such as those presented in a classroom.

The Women’s and Children’s Health Network notes that diet can influence children’s study habits.

Foods high in sugar can deplete energy levels and compromise a student’s ability to concentrate for extended periods of time. In an Oxford University study published in FASEB Journal in 2009, researchers tested the cognitive effects a high fat and junk food diet had on rats. After nine days, the rats that ate the junk food were put into a maze and tested against rats that ate a more balanced diet. Rats fueled by the junk food struggled to navigate the maze and made more mistakes than the rats that were given a healthy diet.

Concentration is not the only problem linked to a poor diet.

Children who regularly eat junk food have a higher risk for obesity and other conditions. According to the Prevention Institute, junk food shoulders some of the blame for rising rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke, and children who regularly consume junk food have higher rates of chronic illness.

Children who are routinely sick and have to stay home from school

may miss important lessons and fall behind in their studies.

Children’s obesity that is linked to poor food choices may have higher levels of depression and poor self-esteem. These psychological conditions can have their own profound effects on learning ability and concentration.

Disinterest in school or in being around peers may set in.

Nutritionists at The Mayo Clinic say that eating high amounts of junk food may result in depression.

The effects of junk food and other dietary choices can easily be changed by altering a child’s eating

habits. Children who eat foods made from complex nutrients often experience a renewed ability to concentrate and focus. Diets high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables will release a stead supply of energy through bodily metabolism, and this will help prevent the blood sugar peaks and crashes associated with foods high in refined sugar and simple carbohydrates.

The addition of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in walnuts, oily, cold-water fish, olive oil, and flax seed, can keep children feeling full and improve their mental

acuity. All brands of baby formula currently sold in the United States are now fortified with omega-3 fatty acids in the form of DHA and ARA. Some studies in infants suggest that including these fatty acids in infant formulas may have positive effects on visual function and neural development over the short term.

It can be easy to blame declining school progress on insufficient study habits or poor connection with a teacher.

However, a child’s diet can help or hinder his or her academic performance as well.

Health news for expecting Hispanic mothers (MS) – Doctors are urging pregnant Hispanic women to be more aware of the potential birth defects that affect children of Hispanic mothers in seemingly higher rates than other ethnicities.

According to a major finding in a report released by the March of Dimes, babies born to Hispanic mothers have a higher risk of developing defects of the brain and spine known as “neural tube defects.”

Neural tube defects, or NTDs, are some of the most common birth defects, affecting more than 300,000 births across the globe each year. An NTD happens when an opening in the spinal cord or brain occurs early during human fetal development, according to the National Institutes of Health. Spina bifida is one of the more common NTDs. When accounting for the higher rates of NTDs among Hispanic pregnancies, researchers surmised diet could play a large factor. In 1996, the United States Food and Drug Administration published regulations requiring the addition of folic acid to enriched breads, cereals, flour, and other grain products. Adequate folate intake is essential for proper operation of the neurulation process.

However, Hispanics tend to eat a lot of corn masa flour. The flour is often not enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid.

Furthermore, researchers found Hispanic women

also are less likely to take multivitamins during pregnancy, which could affect the baby’s risk of birth defects.

The March of Dimes is working toward having cornmeal fortified with folate. Until this becomes the standard, health officials advise Hispanic women to be aware of their health and the health of their babies. Supplementing diets with foods rich in folic acid is vital for pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant. Fetal neurological development begins early on -- sometimes before a woman even learns she is pregnant. Here are some foods rich in folate: • dark, leafy greens • asparagus • broccoli • citrus fruits • legumes • avocado • cauliflower • beets • carrots In addition, pregnant women can consume fortified grains and take multivitamins that contain the recommended levels of folic acid.

Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

15

Most common parenting mistakes

Install a new appliance, which comes with an instruction manual.

Buy a new gadget, and there will be an operation booklet tucked into the box. But have a child, and there’s no how-to guide that comes with the new baby. Parents must learn the ropes themselves with some guidance from others who have been there. Parents with good intentions make mistakes when parenting their children, and most of these mistakes are quite common.

Parents employ many strategies for raising children the right way. It is often a task of trial and error to find methods that work in certain families. When making parenting decisions, individuals may want to avoid these common pitfalls that may lead to potential problems down the line with children’s behavior.

• Do as I say, not as I do.

Parents are often guilty of instructing children how to do something, but not following their own advice. For example, telling children to eat a balanced meal (including those vegetables) while the parent doesn’t put any on his or her plate. Children learn best by example, and they are always watching their parents’ behavior.

Setting a good example all of the time is important.

• Failure to be consistent.

Empty threats will soon be recognized by children for what they are. If a certain punishment is mentioned in reference to poor behavior, it is important to follow through. Don’t allow children to feel as though they can behave badly without facing consequences.

• Setting unrealistic expectations. This is a fast-paced world, and one in which many people are trying to keep up with the Jones’. This can cause parents to compare their children to others the same age and wonder why their kids are not yet meeting a

milestone someone else may have accomplished. As a result, parents tend to get pushy and impatient with their own children. This is often the case with a toddler who is not yet ready to potty train or a teenager who has yet to a commit to a course of study at school. Parents should set realistic expectations for their children, taking time into consideration.

All children mature or do things on their own schedules -- and will come around in time.

• Offering too many choices.

Children presented with too many options might become indecisive.

Parents can keep this in mind when allowing kids to have some independence by making a few decisions but limiting the choices to a manageable amount. For example, when asking children what they may want for breakfast, only give three choices, such as: cereal, oatmeal or yogurt. They’ll

still feel like they are making choices, but fewer options are less likely to overwhelm kids.

• Packing the schedule. More is not necessarily better when it comes to setting a child’s schedule.

Too often parents fill their kids’ schedules with too many activities, especially extra-curriculars.

Although afterschool activities help kids make more friends and become well-rounded individuals, overdoing it can cause stress, fatigue or inability to concentrate.

Children need a balance between just having fun with free play and their school and extracurricular commitments. Having something to do each and every afternoon may overwhelm some children.

• Over-praising mundane things. It’s good to reinforce positive behavior with praise, but often parents heap on too much praise or reward things that don’t have much merit. This may cause

children to expect a pat on the back every time they do something.

When parents applaud everything a child does, he or she may end up undermining the effectiveness of praise as a form of positive reinforcement.

• Nagging doesn’t work.

Repetitively asking for something to get done may cause children to tune out. If the child doesn’t comply in a reasonable amount of time, then he or she will face some sort of punishment.

• Children and adults are not equal. In an effort to befriend their children, parents often worry about hurting feelings or having their kids mad at them.

Children shouldn’t be treated as small adults, and parents should remember they are parents first and foremost. Some decisions will be unpopular, but such decisions need to be made if they are in the child’s best interest.

Bicycle riding tips to give your toddlers more fun (MS) – The milestone of riding a bike is a big one for kids and their parents. With new equipment, toddlers can reach that two-wheeled milestone earlier than ever and enjoy many sidewalks and bike paths together.

According to experts, children 12-to-18 months are not bicycle-ready, as they lack pedaling skills and their neck muscle strength is insufficient to allow them to support the weight of a helmet and to endure riding on rougher terrain. Instead, children in this age group can build their strength and balance by using items such as rocking horses.

Trailers are a sound alternative for bringing the baby along. They are lightweight, sturdy and roomy enough for additional items. Parents are advised to make sure the trailer is equipped with a tall flag alerting traffic to its presence. If the trailer’s bulky size is daunting, you can opt for a mounted seat instead.

Once a child reaches 18 months, mounted bike seats are sleek, easy to install, and give parents another way to ride a bike with a baby. However, when dismounting, keeping the bike upright can

be difficult, experts say. Though front-mounted seats offer better balance, they can interfere with the rider’s ability to pedal and steer, so it is recommended to test out both seats before choosing.

Once a toddler wants his own set of wheels, ride-ons and tricycles will help him or her get used to bike riding and will help improve coordination and learn balance. If your child exhibits signs of pedaling and steering abilities, it may be time to graduate to a two-wheeled bike – and without the need for training wheels.

Nowadays, kids transition straight to balance bikes, two-wheeled bikes without pedals. This concept has parents very pleased by how quickly their little kids learn to ride a real bike. Erin Ruddy, the editor-in-chief of What’s UP! magazine, put her three-year-old son on a balance bike and said she was amazed to see him riding with the rest of the family almost immediately.

“It is incredible,” says Ruddy. “We now go on bike rides as a family. He picked it up right away.”

16 Babies of 2014 – Great Bend Tribune, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Great Bend Regional Hospital Women and Children’s Center is kickin’ in 2015 with some additions ...

Hospital to receive “High Five” Certificate promoting breastfeeding for mothers and babies

New OB/GYN Addition in Heartland Regional Health Clinic (620) 792-2151

REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Dr. Aisha Rush