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ALL ABOUT BABY!

Copyright 2015 The Valley News February 2015

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ALL ABOUT BABY 617 W. Sheridan Ave Shenandoah, IA 51601 712.246.3097 www.valleynewstoday.com PUBLISHER Kate Thompson EDITORIAL STAFF Tess Gruber Nelson - Managing Editor Nick Johansen - Staff Writer Jason Glenn - Sports Editor GRAPHICS DEPT Heidi Woods - Graphics & Production Manager Tori Hopp - Graphic/Ad Designer ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Jon Denton Erica Matya Kathy Harvey

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Don’t let household baby hazards surprise you Becoming a parent can be a wonderful, albeit nervewracking, experience. With so many unknowns before you, the challenges of raising a child can seem insurmountable. Yet despite not having a handbook for raising kids, parents tend to make it through the infant and toddler stages of their children’s lives with healthy kids in tow.

Although there are many lessons new parents must learn, none are more important than keeping a child safe. The Home Safety Council reports that more than 2,000 children die each year as a result of unintentional home injury. The highest rates are among babies under a year old.

It’s never too early to make safety a priority. Before baby arrives, parents can learn about the things around their house that may pose a threat to young children and then make any necessary adjustments to ensure their homes are safe havens for youngsters.

Sleep environment One of the first safety concerns parents will face is the sleeping environment. Infants spend lots of time asleep in the first months of their lives, and how and where they sleep is important.

The best defense against sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is to place infants on their backs when putting them to sleep. Although it’s tempting to cover the baby with a fluffy blanket or surround the child with plush toys, these items increase the risk of impeded airflow. While the cause of SIDS remains a topic of debate, many doctors believe it has something to do with a young child’s inability to awaken when faced with diminished oxygen levels. Crib bumpers, loose blankets and pajamas, as well as sleeping on his or her stomach, can increase a baby’s risk for SIDS. Falls Even a very young child may be able to squirm onto and eventually fall from an elevated surface. Children should never be left unattended on any high surface, such as a changing table or counter.

Failure to use an adequate number of baby gates can lead to unnecessary falls as well. While the top of the

stairs may be blocked off, the bottom of the stairs should be, too.

Adjust crib heights accordingly so that a child cannot climb and fall out of the crib. Also, avoid using baby walkers, which increase the risk of falls.

Another type of fall that parents should be aware of does not involve the child actually falling, but heavy items falling on the baby. According to a new study, in the United States a child is rushed to a hospital emergency room every 45 minutes with an injury that’s related to a falling television. Other children are injured or killed when a heavy piece of furniture falls on them. Always use brackets to secure TVs and furniture to walls.

Children between the ages of two and five are the most likely to be hurt by a falling object.

Drowning Children splashing in water can be a fun sight to behold. But the same water that provides hours of fun can be quite a hazard. It takes mere inches of water to drown a child who cannot lift his or her head out of the water.

Children have drowned in toilets, buckets of cleaning water, tubs, and sinks. Never leave a child unattended in or around water -- even for a second. This is the best way to prevent a water-related tragedy.

Cleaning agents Medicines may be kept out of reach, but household cleaners must also be inaccessible to children. Use cabinet locks to prevent curious little hands from gaining access to potentially harmful cleaners.

Although parents may lock their cabinets, they may not impede access to the dishwasher. A dishwasher is a hidden hazard. Dishwashers provide children access to potentially caustic detergent and other chemicals, and kids can be injured by sharp knives and breakable glass inside the dishwasher. When your work in the kitchen is done for the night, use gates to prevent curious kids from wandering into the area.

Hand-me downs In an effort to save money, many parents will accept hand-me-down items from well-meaning relatives.

Used toys or baby equipment may not conform to current safety guidelines.

Some may be missing parts or have been part of a past recall. Inspect all secondhand items to verify they are safe before using. Also, parents can visit www.cpsc.gov to check if the item meets current safety standards.

Keeping children safe requires a lifetime of diligence and awareness of potential hazards. Making a few changes around the house can keep little ones happy and healthy.

Make wellness checks a habit throughout childhood

By JOHN VAN NOSTRAND Staff Writer

It’s become common, and may be more than expected, for parents of newborns and young children to use health care at the obvious times.

But health-care providers are hoping those parents will make wellness checks as part of their children’s routines as much as soccer games and piano lessons.

“We encourage well-child visits in older kids,” said Dr. Autumn Morales, a pediatrician at Clarinda Regional Health Center.

“People remember to schedule those visits for babies and when they are due for shots. But it seems like after the child turns 2, they don’t come in until it’s time to get ready for school or when they are really sick,” she said. “Kids should get a wellness check every year until they are 18.”

Even if the child has a significant illness, that should be a trigger for the parents to have the child see the doctor on a regular basis.

“Sometimes an illness is a good time to remind parents to have their children have an annual check-up,” Morales said.

“There may be some doctors who say something like, ‘Oh, by the way your child hasn’t had a check-up in two years.

It’s a backdoor-way to do it, but you can find a way to get them in the door.”

Having annual checkups brings more attention to the child’s complete health, rather than just what the concern

was the last time they saw a doctor. During a well-child visit, the doctor examines the child to find out whether he or she is growing appropriately. The doctor will ask questions about the things the child is doing, such as talking and walking. The doctor will also give the child needed immunizations.

Schedule routine checkups for your child. Talk to the doctor about when to make these appointments.

“I’m sure 99 percent of the well-child visits will go well, but you can find some problems like the heart murmur you haven’t heard before,” Morales said.

When a child visits a doctor because of a sudden or intense illness, the doctor will probably spend a vast majority of the visit on the symptoms related to the illness.

“We need time to talk about growth, development and

risk factors,” Morales said.

Another thing Morales said for parents to consider is to know when those symptoms are serious enough to need a doctor for further treatment.

“I think one of the biggest obstacles in pediatrics is the demand for antibiotics when they are not appropriate,” she said. “That is common when kids have colds and viral illnesses. Some parents will say they think the child needs the antibiotic, when really they only need a few days to get over it. Parents see runny noses and pulled ears and think antibiotics are needed.”

According to Webmd.com, a cold is a viral infection.

More than 200 different viruses can cause a cold, but the rhinovirus is most common.

Because colds are viral infections, antibiotics, which treat bacterial infections, are not helpful. Except in newborns, colds in healthy children are not dangerous. Colds usually go away in four to 10 days without any unique treatment.

Because of the great number of viruses that can cause colds and because new cold viruses develop, children never build up resistance against all cold viruses.

Those more complicated health issues are the leading reasons why some doctors only see children a few times during childhood.

“We miss a group of little kids until they are 4 or 5 and are getting ready for school. Then we won’t see them until sports physicals for school,” Morales said. “We take good health for granted.”

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All About Baby - The Valley News (2/18) ◆ 3

Simple facts about pregnancy Women who have just learned they’re pregnant are about to embark on a whirlwind adventure. When that adventure culminates with the birth of a child, the family dynamic as you know it will change dramatically.

Women who are entering into pregnancy for the first time typically have a long list of questions concerning what to expect in the weeks and months ahead. Fear, anxiety and uncertainty about which pains and pangs are normal and which are not are common. Pregnancy is a learning experience for the mother and all involved, and many falsehoods surround pregnancy and add to feelings of insecurity. Debunking some of the more common myths surrounding pregnancy can provide some peace of mind to expecting mothers and their families.

Skip that coffee?

Many of the prevailing pregnancy myths tell pregnant women what they shouldn’t do in order to keep their fetuses healthy and safe. It is well known that alcohol and cigarette smoke can have adverse effects on a developing baby, but what about that morning cup of joe?

It is always good to err on the side of caution, but assuming everything is toxic to the child may have you walking on eggshells. Many doctors agree that drinking less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe and will not risk a preterm birth or contribute to low fetal birth weight.

Pay attention to teeth Health exams and blood tests are routine for pregnant women, and new mothers may think they have everything covered with regard to their health. But one thing pregnant women seldom give much thought is dental health. During pregnancy, increased acidity in the mouth increases the risk of tooth decay. So can vomiting associated with morning sickness. The Mayo Clinic advises that high levels of progesterone and estrogen can affect the bones and ligaments that support the teeth, causing teeth to loosen. Hormonal changes can also lead to bleeding gums and gingivitis. Although dental health may not come up in routine prenatal exams, it is important to stay current with dental appointments during a pregnancy.

Super smell In addition to physical body changes, pregnant women may notice that their sense of smell has improved. Scientists hypothesize that this improved sense of smell helps keep pregnant women from eating small levels of toxins that may not be dangerous to an adult but could potentially prove harmful to a small child. Whether this is true or not, strong odors can complicate feelings of sickness. This is something to anticipate while pregnant.

Morning sickness Not every pregnant woman will experience morning sickness, and the name is a bit of a misnomer. According to PregnancyStatistics.org, about 75 percent of all pregnant women experience the unfortunate side effect of morning

sickness during the beginning of their pregnancy. These feelings of nausea and uneasiness may not be reserved for the morning, either. They can occur at any time of the day.

In many cases, as the pregnancy progresses and hormones level out, symptoms of morning sickness abate.

Growing feet and more A woman’s stomach is not the only thing that will grow during her pregnancy. Pregnant women often witness their bra and shoe sizes increase during a pregnancy. Hormones ready the breasts for lactation, causing swelling of the mammary glands and increased blood flow to the breasts.

The medical advisory board of BabyCenter.com says it’s common to go up one or two cup sizes, especially when a woman is pregnant for the first time. The breasts also may feel itchy as the skin stretches, and stretch marks can form on the breast skin.

The feet also can grow while pregnant. Ligaments loosen to help with the birthing process, and this can affect ligaments in other areas of the body, including the feet. Feet may flatten and stretch out on the sides from added weight, and the resulting loosening of ligaments can cause a change in shoe size.

Other little-known pregnancy facts Here are some additional facts and tidbits culled from the millions of births that take place every year. s 4UESDAY IS THE MOST POPULAR DAY FOR BABIES TO ARRIVE )T could be in part to the growing number of planned cesarean deliveries. Saturdays are the slowest day for births. s -ORE BABIES ARE BORN DURING THE WARM MONTHS THAN IN the winter. s )N THE AVERAGE AGE FOR A lRST TIME MOTHER IN THE 5NITED 3TATES WAS "Y THAT lGURE HAD CHANGED TO BETWEEN AND s "ABY BOYS TEND TO OUTNUMBER BABY GIRLS 4HIS NUMBER has remained steady for the last 60 years. s 4HE AVERAGE WOMAN S UTERUS EXPANDS UP TO lVE HUNDRED times its normal size during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be a miracle and scary at the same time.

Getting the facts helps reduce some of the fear and anxiety many expecting women feel during a pregnancy.

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Baby is on the way ... time to set up the nursery

By JOHN VAN NOSTRAND Staff Writer

Expectant parents eagerly anticipate the arrival of their new bundle of joy. After nine months of waiting to see what he or she looks like and wanting to cuddle their newborn, the baby’s arrival is a momentous event.

As most people know, for such a little person, babies seemingly need a ton of gear and other items. One thing the baby will eventually need is a nursery to call home. Although newborns do spend the first few months of their lives often tucked in at night in a bassinet or co-sleeper cradle in mom’s bedroom, chances are the infant will nap or gradually spend increasing amounts of time in his or her own room. Outfitting the nursery with the essentials can mean comfort and convenience.

To some parents, every baby product out there is a necessity. But in reality, there are maybe a handful of things to put into the nursery -- at least for the time being -- to adequately provide for the baby.

“Make sure you always have clear floors and stairways.

You are going to carry the baby around, and your arms may be full and you can’t see the floor. You don’t want to stumble,” said Carol Bellairs, a family support worker for Southwest Iowa Families in Clarinda.

Crib At some point in the near future, baby will be doing most

of his or her sleeping exclusively in the crib. Although that can seem like a far-off goal now that your little one prefers to sleep in your arms while watching late-night television, after a few months junior will become comfortable with his or her room and may even enjoy the security the crib provides.

Before selecting a crib, be sure to check for certain recalls and ensure the brand and model are not on the list.

For a current list of recalled cribs, go online to www. cpsc.gov.

The crib should be sturdy and meet guidelines for minimum spacing between spindles. Older, hand-me-down cribs are not recommended. Although drop-side cribs may offer ease of placing baby inside, some of these types of cribs have been recalled in the past for faulty railings that trap the infant. A stationary sided crib is another choice.

“Drop-down cribs are not safe anymore. I hear people say, ‘I grew up with this or that and we are fine,’ but there have been deaths. That is why standards change,” said Bellairs, What is in the crib is important, too. Bellairs said blankets, soft toys and bumper pads may create a hazard for the infant.

“Especially watch blankets. Consider using pillow cases.

Put the child in and it goes up to child’s armpits. There is room for the child to move but it doesn’t create a safety hazard,” she said.

Position the crib away from items that can be pulled into

the crib by curious hands. Try to keep it away from windows for draft reasons and also to avoid window-fall accidents. Cribs should be free of breathing obstructions, like stuffed animals or puffy side bumpers to reduce the risk of SIDS. Changing table Most parents prefer a convenient changing table that also stores diapers and toiletries. Although it may not always be possible to travel to the nursery for every diaper change, you can still equip the nursery with a table or another sturdy place to change your infant. Some dressers double as changing tables in their design. A small loveseat or a guest bed in the nursery can also be a place to change the baby and provide a comfortable place to rest when he or she is waking up in the middle of the night.

It is important never to leave a baby unattended on any surface because you never know the moment when he or she will learn to roll over or move enough to fall off of the changing surface.

Safety devices Although infants are too young to get into much trouble, babies eventually become very active and curious. Take the time now to babyproof the nursery. Select window coverings that cannot be pulled down and do not feature cords see NURSERY, Page 6

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Research indicates that listening to music can help stimulate the brain and may even benefit a child’s intellect. Music can also be soothing to a baby, especially one alone in his or her nursery. You can consider a small radio or CD/mp3 player in the room to create a more soothing atmosphere.

Continued from Page 5

that can present a strangulation hazard.

All outlets should be blocked with a safety plug or some sort of cover to deter little fingers from seeking them out.

Secure cords to lamps and other electronic devices in cord keepers.

Latches for drawers, closets and other doors can deter baby from getting into places that can be dangerous. Door knob covers enable adults to open doors but are too tricky for toddlers to figure out.

Clarinda Grandma’s House Daycare director Julie Streitenberger said some safety devices may be overlooked when preparing the home. “There are items that prevent small fingers from being pinched in doors,� she said. “There are spring-activated devices that keep the door open enough to prevent the pinch, but with adult strength, the door can still be closed with the device still attached.

Streitenberger reminded parents to consider toilet lid locks to prevent toddlers from getting curious. There are also attachments to water faucets for bathrooms and kitchens to prevent hot water from injuring the child. “You may want to consider the temperature setting on your hot water heater,� she said. “Grandma’s House is required to have a setting no higher than 120 degrees.�

Knowing the hot water heater provides for the appliances, she suggested parents contact a plumber to discuss how a lower hot water temperature could affect performance of the dishwasher.

When selecting furniture, look for items with rounded corners, which are safer should a child fall into the furniture. And use a latch to secure top-heavy dressers or armoires to the wall so they cannot fall on a child.

Mental stimulation Young children are constantly exploring the world around them. At a very young age their vision is still developing, so large, bold visuals can help stimulate visual comprehension. Some parents opt to have vivid wall murals painted in the nursery. But bold, framed artwork or photos can also draw the eye of your little one and keep him or her engaged.

Ceiling fan New studies have determined that a ceiling fan can help reduce the risk of SIDS. One study out of Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif., found that the risk of SIDS was reduced by 72 percent among babies who slept in a room with a ceiling fan. The theory is that the fan circulates air and prevents the rebreathing of expelled carbon dioxide by the infant.

In addition to possibly making a room safer, a ceiling fan can help maintain a comfortable room temperature. You may also want to purchase a baby monitor to be able to keep tabs on your baby when you’re out of his or her room.

Bellairs said families that have pets before the newborn arrives may change the dynamics. Bellairs suggested families expose the infant to the pet for the response. Some pets, specifically dogs, have not shown any negative changes in behavior when around infants. “You still need to do that with caution,� she said.

Many expectant parents are excited about the prospect of designing and filling the nursery with items that reflect their styles and desires. Although there are many baby things from which to choose, in reality the nursery needs only a few basics at the onset. Eventually, you can add personalized effects as you learn the interests of the child and sort through gifts from family and friends.

That’s why there’s life insurance Life can take unexpected, unpredictable turns. Toward the amusing. The annoying. And, unfortunately, even the tragic. So every day, you take little steps to TM improve the odds that good things will happen and to guard against the bad. You wear seatbelts. You lock your doors when you leave home.

You buy life insurance for the same kind of reason — to protect your family financially. It ensures that your loved ones will have the kind of lifestyle and opportunities you always hoped they’d have, even if you’re not here. Will your family be OK when life happens?

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Importance of vitamins during pregnancy

By TESS GRUBER NELSON Staff Writer

It’s always important to take a daily vitamin, but never more so than when a woman is pregnant, or even considering becoming pregnant.

Shenandoah Medical Center’s Ob/Gyn Dr. Scott King said taking vitamins before you’re pregnant, and while pregnant can greatly reduce the risk of health problems with your baby.

In particular, King said folic acid is a key component to decrease the risk of having a child with brain or spine defects, the most common being spina bifida. Having folic acid in your system during the early stages of pregnancy can reduce the risk of a brain or spinal defect by 50 percent.

It’s important that the folic acid is available for the baby to utilize in the very early

stages of pregnancy, as neural tube defects develop within the first 28 days after conception and continue over the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Foods that contain folic acid are green leafy vegetables, beans, citrus fruits and nuts.

Pregnant women also often become deficient in iron, which helps carry oxygen to the baby, as well as calcium, which the baby will use for its bone growth.

“There are also reasonable evidence today that vitamin B12 has similar protective effects as folic acid does in terms of open spinal cord defects,” King said. “Vitamin B12 is also essential for proper brain development of these infants before and after they are born.”

If vitamins make you ill, King recommends taking them with food, or possibly switching to children’s chewable vitamins.

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Importance of prenatal care

By TESS GRUBER NELSON Staff Writer

When it comes to being pregnant, it’s never too early to see a physician, said Shenandoah Medical Center’s OB/GYN Dr. Scott King.

“We want to see them at the earliest opportunity,” said King. “It’s an absolute miracle that we have healthy individuals when one thinks about all the many pitfalls that can happen with an embryo along the way.

That’s why we want to see them early. It gives us the opportunity to look with an ultrasound to identify those that might need specialized prenatal care. It also helps us identify risk factors throughout the pregnancy, such as blood clotting disorders, high blood pressure, or epilepsy.

When doctors can spot health problems early they are able to treat an issue early, and early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others.

During an initial visit, your physician will more than likely ask you about your health history, including diseases, operations, and prior pregnancies; family’s health history; check your weight; check

your blood pressure; check your height; take blood work and urine for lab work; and conduct a physical exam, including a pelvic exam; calculate your due date; and answer any questions you may have.

As the appointments continue over the nine months, the prenatal visit will include checking your weight and blood pressure; measuring your abdomen to check the baby’s growth; and checking the baby’s heart rate.

Additionally, with prenatal care you will have some routine tests done such as blood work to check for anemia, your blood type, as well as other tests based on your age, personal or family health history and ethnic background.

Research has shown babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care.

“Our goal here is to provide the kind of care we would want for our own families,” said King. “We can’t go back in time to fix things that could have been fixed if you had come in earlier; and so that’s why you need to come in as soon as possible.”

All About Baby - The Valley News (2/18) ◆ 7

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