Voting is now open for your favorite 2024 baby photo
Once again, The Sentinel has invited baby photo submissions for babies born in the previous calendar year. Throughout the pages of this edition, you’ll find photos of infants born in 2024. Parents and grandparents from the Juniata Valley uploaded some of the most adorable pictures imaginable. If you’d like to see the photos online, just go to lewistownsentinel.com/baby or find the button on the Sentinel’s homepage. You can vote for your favorite photo once per day online, now through January 26, 2025. The entry with the most votes will receive a family photo shoot courtesy of Katie Bingaman Photography. The winner will be announced in The Sentinel and on the contest webpage after January 27.
Thank you to everyone who entered a baby or voted, making “Oh Baby” an annual tradition in Mifflin and Juniata Counties.
Last year’s winner in the “Oh Baby” contest was Mason, son of Isaiah Manbeck and Kaitlyn Rhine, Mifflintown. Pictured is a shot of Mason from the family photo session they won courtesy of contest sponsor Katie Bingaman Photography.
OH BABY!
Aden Allison
9/16/2024
Parents: Anthony and Abby Allison
Grandparents: Randy and Teresa Allison and Tim and Resa Kepner
Bennett Peck
9/07/2024
Parents: Dakota and Samantha Peck Terry Hess Tim and Jackie Gray
Andie Los 1/28/2024
Parents: Andrew & Laura Los
Grandparents: Lewis & Brenda McCartney
Grandparents: John & Kate Los
Bennett Imes
12/08/2024
Parents: Logan Renninger and Lauren Hepner
Parents: Indya Goss & Kyle Grant
Parents: Logan Renninger and Lauren Hepner
Parents: Clint and Kelsey Imes Scott and Kami Imes Buddy and Jen Maneval Brexleigh
9/07/2024
Parents: Katie and Dustin Hagans Caden Miller
6/04/2024
Parents: Jordan and Lauren Miller
Mom- Jade Dad-Owen Cassandra Fornwalt 2/24/2024
Parents: Harry Fornwalt and Allison Bustin
Grandparents: Harold and Denise Morgan Charlotte Andrie
6/26/2024
Parents: Sydney & Thomas Andrie
Grandparents: Monica & Joseph Cox, Norma & Mario Andrie
Charlotte Brown
03/05/2024
Parents: Seth & Alyssa Brown
Colsen Simonetti
8/23/24
Parents-Quention, Rea’Shawna Simonetti
GrandparentsAndrew, Terry Varner Harry, Chas Shirey Victor, Laci Simonetti
Eva 11/27/2024
Parents: Abby and Drew Chesney
Harper Heller
3/06/2024
Parents: Timothy and Marissa Heller
OH BABY!
Chase Pitts Jr.
05/01/2024
Parents: Mother - Duska Walker Father- Chase Pitts Sr.
Dayton 8/26/24
Parents: Tyler Wileman and Meghan McNaughton and grandparents are Jon and Jamie Wileman, Philip and Tracy McNaughton
Genesis Byler 12/11/2024
Parents: Madison and Tyson Byler Grandparents: Stacey and Dennis Osborne, April and Boyd Byler
Haven 1/29/2024
Parents: Jessica Stong (mom)
Cole Vawn 11/09/2024
Parents: Garrett and Chloe Halfpenny
Emily Marie Laughlin
8/21/2024
Parents: Bruce and Nikki Laughlin Grandparents: Steve and Dawn Glick (Reedsville), Dan and Donna Laughlin (Mifflintown)
Grayson 6/08/2024
Scarlett Himes (mom) Paula Himes (grandma)
Hazel Diven 10/27/2024
Parents: Kate and Caleb Diven Grandparents: Don and Pam Pecht Randy Diven
Heath Burger
4/24/2024
Parents: Tyler Burger and Erika Shawver
Kayson Lauver
8/12/2024
Parents: Baylee Foster & Hunter Lauver
Lena Gehman
2/01/2024
Parents: Caleb & Lindsay Gehman
Grandparents: John & Susan Gehman, Darren Curry and Ruby Curry
Lynx Rowan
4/17/2024
Parents: Felicia Reese and Curtis Reese
Grandparents: Missie Britt, Bill Bender and Rebecca Greninger, Kevin Greninger
OH BABY!
Jade Marie Maben
12/23/2024
Parents: Josh & Faith Maben
Grandparents: Brad & Penny Maben
Keith & Shelly Goss
Great Grandparents: Bruce and Marjorie Dugan
Janet Maben
Dave & Rose Reynolds
Knox Ehrenzeller 6/01/2024
Parents- Nathan and McKala Ehrenzeller
Lucianna 10/20/2024
Parents Debbie Hampton, Joshua Wilkes
Madelynn Blaire
6/01/2024
Parents: Brandon & Cassidey
Allison
Melissa and Dave Ramsey -GP
Tammy and Bo Wolfley-GP
John and Diane Allison- GP
Kade Rupert
6/21/2024
Parents - Christine and Ryan Rupert
Koa Elias 10/01/2024
Parents: Dad : Tanner Elias Mom : Maddy Weller
Lyla
7/02/2024
Parents: Kiarra & Domonic Kirchoff
Andy & Gary Stimely, Michele & Frank Eward, Rob & Janelle Kirchoff, Roger & Derica Marsh
Max Kepner 1/23/2024
Son of Dylan & Kylee Kepner
Grandson of Eric & Sheila Specht
Grandson of Tabatha Bedlyon
What’s behind colic?
The news of a pregnancy often is met with excitement and anticipation. Parents wait for nine months to meet the little infant or infants whom they have only gotten glimpses of on ultrasound imagery. When the time arrives to cuddle a newborn, it’s known that certain aspects of life will change from this moment forward. Parents may realize there will be some disruptions and a learning curve when caring for the child, but they may not think they will have to face constant crying and fussiness, which is typically caused by a condition known as colic.
What is colic?
Colic is a condition characterized by frequent, prolonged and intense crying or fussiness in an otherwise healthy infant, advises the Mayo Clinic. Episodes of colic usually peak when the infant is about six weeks old and will eventually fade away by the time the child is three to four months of age.
Colic usually is the diagnosis when the infant’s excessive, unexplained crying occurs during the first few months of life for at least three hours per day, more than three days per week, and for at least three weeks.
What causes colic?
Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes colic, but it could be a result of gas production, food sensitivities, overstimulation, a developing nervous system, and
an immature digestive system.
Who is at risk for colic?
Any baby can become colicky, regardless of family history.
What are the symptoms of colic?
Although symptoms of colic can differ from child to child, there are some common features.
Usually a healthy baby has colic if they cry from 6 p.m. to midnight for no obvious reasons. The crying is more highpitched and urgent than other bouts of crying.
Additional symptoms of colic include:
• Having a tight belly
• Burping often or passing a lot of gas
• Having a bright, flushed red face
• Curling up the legs toward the belly when crying
• Clenching their fists when crying
How is colic treated?
There is no single medicine or treatment to address colic. Parents can try different strategies to help sooth the infant.
• Change the position of the baby.
• Take a walk or car ride, as the motion can help.
• Play a heartbeat recording or a white noise machine to calm the child.
• Many babies are soothed by sucking on a pacifier.
• Try a warm bath, which can be relaxing and comforting, as can gently massaging the baby’s tummy in a circular motion.
• Keep track of foods eaten while breastfeeding to see if there’s a pattern to colic episodes linked to diet. Trying a different formula for bottle-fed babies also might help. Colic can induce anxiety in new parents. Learning about colic can provide some answers and make it easier to manage.
OH BABY!
Nakota Pellman
12/04/2024
Parents: Seth and Bryanna Pellman
Greg and Twyla Pellman
Michelle Wilson
Patrick and Ali Naylor Oliver Allen Snyder
8/03/2024
Parents: Dylan Snyder & Ashley Crosson
Grandparents: Rodger & Tawni
Snyder, Cyndie Kauffman, Dwayne Ruble, Troy Kauffman
Peyton Feathers
7/13/2024
Parents: Kari & Brady Feathers
Grandparents
Jerry White, Tracy Stein
Barry Feathers, Jennifer Feathers
Joy Spickler, Josh Spickler
Parents: Eddie Hampton & Skylar Cressman
7/19/2024
7/22/2024
Parents: Levi & Kristen Sherwood
Whisler 1/4/24
Parents: Kaitlin and William Whisler Wade Yoder
10/18/2024
Parents: Olivia and Jordan Yoder
Grandparents: Verna and Raymond Yoder
Grandfather: Craig Weaver
Parents: Shanan Marie Koch & Ryan Matthew Fultz
Kelly Myers - Grammy
Patrick Myers - Papa
Janet Marie Fultz - Gigi
Ronald Baxter - Papa
Parents: Tyson Lauver and Morgan Wagner Parker Matthew
5/08/2024
Parents: Ryan & Alexis Knable. Sister: Tenley. Grandparents: Mike & Nikkie Baumgardner, Eric & Jen Knable. Great Grandparents: Barry & Cindy Brehman, Vicki Fultz, Mike & Crystal Baumgardner, Sharon & Ron Knable.
8/10/2024
Parents: Dylan & Jessie Cassidy
Grandparents: Dyson & Heather , Jeff & Donna
Parents: Jasmine & Hunter Kunkel
Zaiden William Erhart
11/21/2024
Zarina Faye Lewis
9/22/2024
Zylah Nicole Mobley
10/04/2024
Parents:
FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
Zora Claire Shifflett
8/16/2024
Tips to reduce infection risk during pregnancy
Infections during pregnancy are common, but the health care experts at Merck note that the most common infections cause no serious problems. Despite that, expecting mothers and women hoping to become pregnant may still seek ways to reduce their risk of infections during pregnancy. That approach is understandable, and the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights the following ways women can lower their risk of infection during pregnancy.
• Practice good hygiene. Parents will want to practice good hygiene once they’re tasked with taking care of an infant, but there’s no reason to wait until baby is born. In fact, the AAP notes that practicing good hygiene is a good way for women to protect themselves and their babies from infection during pregnancy. Wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer if the former is not readily available. The AAP notes that keeping hands clean can help prevent various infections, including congenital cytomegalovirus
infection (cCMV). That’s a notable benefit, as the AAP reports that cCMV is the most common infection cause of birth defects.
• Ensure foods are fully cooked. Undercooked foods are a potential cause of infection, so women can make a concerted effort to ensure the foods they eat are fully cooked before picking up
contain listeria monocytogenes, which is a harmful bacteria. So all foods should be cooked to at least the temperatures noted above, and hot dogs, luncheon meats or deli meats should not be consumed until they are reheated and steaming hot.
• Steer clear of unpasteurized milk and foods produced from it. The
a fork. The AAP advises that doneness varies depending on what women are eating:
- Ground meat: minimum 160 F
- Poultry: minimum of 165 F
- Beef/pork: minimum 145 F Undercooked meats and processed meats may
AAP urges pregnant women and women hoping to become pregnant to avoid soft cheeses unless the product labels indicate they are from pasteurized milk. Soft cheeses like feta, brie and queso fresco and other products made from unpasteurized milk may contain harmful bacteria.
• Protect yourself against biting insects. Various insects carry diseases that can adversely affect women’s health and the health of children they are carrying. For example, mosquitoes and biting midges can transmit the oropouche virus and the Zika virus, each of which has been linked to birth defects. Ticks can spread diseases like Lyme disease, which can cause complications during a pregnancy if it is left untreated. Women are urged to speak with their physicians to identify ways to protect themselves against bites during times of year when biting insects are active. Wearing longsleeved shirts and pants during such times is advisable, and physicians can discuss which insect repellants are safe to use during pregnancy. Many prenatal infections cause no serious problems. But it’s still worth women’s while to do everything they can to reduce their risk of developing prenatal infections.
Parents: Brittany Longwell & Michael Erhart Kim Longwell, William Longwell, April Stoner, Joe Millisock , Steve Erhart (Grandparents)
Daughter of Azalea Dippery & Billy Lewis Jr. Granddaughter of Elizabeth & Benjamin Dippery, and Eileen Serrano.
Cassie Bailey and Anthony Mobley. Grandparents Cheryl Corbin.
Daughter of Kara Hunter and Cody Shifflett. Granddaughter of Claudia Hunter, Patty Shifflett, Donnie Shifflett, Otis Hunter and Melissa Hunter
