Pregnancy and birth resources in Arizona Local author writes “So There’s a Sibling” What to know about choosing your baby’s pediatrician

Birth Babiesand

Pregnancy, birth and the postpartum months are just as challenging as they are rewarding. Here are some local resources that can buffer the journey.

Phoenix Children’s provides exceptional preventive and medical care for children from teeny to teens. Rated by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals, Phoenix Children’s offers everything from convenient primary care locations to urgent care, with access to hundreds of expert specialists. To find which of our many providers and convenient locations is best for you, visit phoenixchildrens.org for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The Nurtured Mama exclusively supports women through pregnancy and beyond. Services include prenatal and postpartum massage therapy, restorative healing massage, Yoni Hydrotherapy and The Arvigo® Techniques of Mayan Abdominal Therapy for fertility and overall women’s health. All therapists are trained and specialize in pregnancy massage. Massage can help you sleep, have fewer aches and pains and feel better overall. Three locations: 7227 E Baseline Road #104, Mesa; 3295 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Suite 4, Scottsdale; and Premier Care for Women, 14239 W. Bell Road, Surprise. 480-208-9773 or nurturedmama.com

Parent Partners Plus is a network of home visitation support programs that help give your child his or her best possible chance at a happy, healthy future.Our staff members connect families with programming and services that best meet your young child’s needs, helping place him or her on the best possible path toward positive cognitive, emotional and social development. Now enrolling families prenatal to age 3. Program sponsored by Southwest Human Development and First Things First. Learn more at parentpartnersplus.com or call (602)-633-0732

During these times of social distancing, Families in Bloom continues to offer virtual classes to support expectant parents as they prepare for their amazing journey into parenthood. We offer a variety of classes to meet all your needs. All classes are taught by an RN, Certified Childbirth Educator and Certified CPR instructor. Our class offerings include: Breastfeeding, Infant Care, Infant CPR & First Aid, Childbirth Refresher and Prepared Childbirth. Visit familiesinbloom.net to learn more about our class offerings, pricing and inclusions. Call Lori Vraney to register for your class today! 623 572-7801 or familiesinbloom.net

WE BLANKET THE AREA.

What’s more comforting than having one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation nearby? Knowing Phoenix Children’s is close to where you live, blanketing the area with a network of more than 1,100 expert primary care doctors and specialists in over two dozen convenient locations. So if you’re looking for top-notch care right in your community, you can rest easy.

Visit us at phoenixchildrens.org or call 602-933-KIDS (5437)

Birth Babiesand

MORE pregnancy and birth resources in Arizona

Arizona Department of Health Breastfeeding Program. Get answers to your breastfeeding questions 24 hours a day by calling the Arizona Department of Health Services 24-Hour Breastfeeding Hotline at 1-800-833-4642 or azdhs.gov

Birth to Five Helpline. Southwest Human Development operates this free service open to all Arizona families with young children. Call the Helpline 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with a bilingual (English/Spanish) early childhood specialist, or leave a voicemail, complete an online contact form, or text the Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 877-705-KIDS (5437) or swhd.org

La Leche League Arizona. La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to those who want to breastfeed/chestfeed. In-person meetings have been suspended during the pandemic, but the helplines remain open in Phoenix (602-2341956), Tucson (520-789-6455), and en español (480-252-9897). lllofaz.org

Power Me A2Z. Arizona women ages 18-45 can receive free vitamins designed especially for them, thanks to this outreach program from the Arizona Department of Health Services. And you don’t have to be pregnant – or planning a pregnancy – to qualify. Simply take a five-question online quiz that’s part fun, part awareness building. The vitamins include folic acid, a B vitamin that is important for red blood cell growth and is essential for women, especially during and before pregnancy. powermea2z.org

The Arizona Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is a supplemental nutrition program that provides healthy foods and breastfeeding supplies to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants and children under the age of 5 who are at nutritional risk and who are at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Arizona WIC also has breastfeeding experts who can answer questions and provide support for breastfeeding goals. azdhs. gov/prevention/azwic

So there’s a new local children’s book author...

WHEN SHE was pregnant with her son Max, Sarah Land of Phoenix underwent a period of self-reflection and angst common to many in the midst of a second pregnancy.

“You have this perfect firstborn, this perfect family dynamic, and you wonder, ‘What have I done? Why am I changing it?’,” she remembers. “When you’re pregnant, you tend to overthink things.”

She expressed her thoughts, feelings and worries in a private journal, figuring that’s where they would stay. Then, about 16 months ago, she revisited what she’d written and “picked up the pen again.”

She realized her journal entries expressed misgivings many women feel but don’t discuss. “We’re ashamed [to express any doubts],” she says. “I didn’t feel particularly supported in my journey through the second pregnancy. It didn’t feel like sunshine and roses to me.”

She wanted to channel those thoughts in a positive direction that might prove comforting to other families in the same situation. Her book, “So There’s a Sibling” offers affirmation and acceptance to second-time parents while gently soothing the worries of an older sibling.

When the concept for her children’s book started taking shape, Land knew that “illustrations could make or break it.” She was immediately drawn to the “sweet, soft, honest, heartfelt” illustrations provided by her collaborator, Ari Miller, at Canadian-based FreisenPress. “She nailed it every time,” says Land, who will work with Miller on future books in the “So There…” series, tackling topics like moving to a new community or experiencing the loss of a loved one.

“So There’s a Sibling” doesn’t shy away from tough questions secondtime parents ask themselves, like, “Is there enough space for you both in [my heart]?”

Land remembers the first moment she held both Max, now 4, and his big sister Piper, now 6, in her arms. “It’s a magic moment,” she remembers. “My heart just grew. You can’t remember a moment when there was just one child. Your love explodes, especially when you see your oldest being a sibling.” Some of the illustrations in her book, including one where a toddler is trying to feed the baby, “are from my own memory.”

Sarah’s message to other growing families? “I’ve been there, it’s going to be OK.”

Her self-published book is available in hardback, paperback or eBook formats and retails for $8.99 and up (depending on the vendor) at FriesenPress.com, Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

Birth Babiesand

EXPECTING?

What to know about choosing your baby’s doctor

By Jason Vargas, MD, FAAP

AGOOD TIME to start thinking about finding a pediatrician for your new baby is at the beginning of your third trimester. The last month of a mother’s pregnancy can be unpredictable, and you do not want to put this off until the end.

So, do you just go online and search “best pediatrician”? That is probably not the best strategy.

Most prospective parents begin by creating a list of prospective pediatricians via referrals from friends, family members, next-door neighbors — people they respect and whose children appear to be well cared for. Before doing this, however, you should ask yourself a few questions, the answers to which will better inform your discussion: • How available is your pediatrician, especially after hours or on weekends?

• How long has your pediatrician been at this practice?

Although there is no direct correlation, when a practitioner has been in the practice for a while, there is probably a higher chance they will stay at that practice long-term. Practitioners who have been in the community for some time also may have beneficial ties to local hospitals and specialists. On the other hand, longstanding practitioners may be less available because they serve a larger patient population. You may find easier access to someone who is newer to the practice.

• Is your pediatrician a solo practitioner or part of a larger practice? Think about whether you prefer consistency or convenience. When you choose a pediatrician in a solo practice, you know you will always see that practitioner when you make an appointment. However, a larger practice might be able to accommodate a last-minute appointment because you have the option of seeing another provider who is available sooner. Larger practices also may have more afterhours and holiday coverage.

• Does your practitioner speak another language or have

someone in the office who can translate if you have a family member for whom English is not their primary language?

• Does your child have a medical condition that was diagnosed prenatally? If so, you may want your child’s practitioner to have some experience in that area.

• What about the practitioner’s approach and style? Do you prefer brevity and efficiency, or would you prefer someone who takes extra time explaining — sometimes at the expense of running a little behind schedule?

Most modern pediatrics groups have websites, which offer clues to the culture of a particular practice and give families opportunities to book online appointments, access their medical records or even to schedule telehealth visits. Many offices also now offer mobile check-in and access to a patient portal through a mobile app.

Often these websites will have robust information and resources. You might also find a detailed pediatrician’s bio, which will give you some insight into his or her career, shared interests or personality.

Look for associations the pediatrician has — privileges or relationships with local hospitals and organizations that are important to you. When pediatricians are members of the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, it means they are dedicated to the specific issues of Arizona children and will advocate for all of them.

Make sure the pediatrician has the designation “FAAP” after his/her name. This means they are a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a designation requiring board certification. This level of certification ensures that the pediatrician is maintaining a level of pediatric expertise that is up-to-date and evidence based.

Pediatric care is often provided by a team. Most often that care is provided by a pediatrician. In some practices, you may have the option of seeing a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or physician extender. These team members can make more time available for consultation and education. One example: Practitioners who also have expertise in breastfeeding can offer a breastfeeding consult in the office.

What else should you consider as your delivery date approaches? During the pandemic, your pediatrician may not be able to see you in the hospital but will be glad to see you the moment you are discharged. The hospital’s pediatric team will help coordinate that for you.

Make sure you have your car seat ready and that all family members who will be near the new baby have been fully vaccinated, including all boosters — especially Tdap and influenza. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to these diseases and will not yet have been vaccinated against them. While breastfeeding has innumerable benefits, it does not adequately protect against these diseases.

Especially during these pandemic times, it is a good idea to restrict visits to your newborn during the first couple of months. And when you do choose to welcome visitors, be sure to practice social distancing, use masks and wash hands.

If you are expecting a child, congratulations! I can speak for most pediatricians and pediatric providers when I say that meeting new families and developing relationships that last until children move on to adulthood is one of the best parts of our job. We look forward to meeting you. Stay healthy.

Dr. Jason Vargas has been a board-certified pediatrician at Cactus Children’s Clinic in Glendale for the last 16 years. He is the current president of the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Olivia and Liam

are once again the most popular baby names in Arizona

OLIVIA IS ONCE again the top name for girls, and Liam — for the fifth year in a row — is the top name for boys, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. The preliminary list of top baby names comes from 2020 birth certificates submitted to the ADHS Bureau of Vital Records.

The top five girls names in Arizona for 2020 are: Olivia, Emma, Sophia, Mia and Isabella. The top five boys names for 2020 are Liam, Noah, Oliver, Mateo and Benjamin. An official count of the year’s top baby names will be verified and posted online at azhealth.gov in February. Top baby names for girls in Arizona in 2020

Top baby names for boys in Arizona in 2020

1. Olivia 2. Emma 3. Sophia 4. Mia 5. Isabella 6. Amelia 7. Camila 8. Charlotte 9. Ava 10. Luna 11. Giana 12. Scarlett 13. Evelyn 14. Mila 15. Abigail 16. Aria 17. Penelope 18. Emily 19. Harper 20. Victoria 21. Sofia 22. Aurora 23. Elena 24. Ella 25. Elizabeth

1. Liam 2. Noah 3. Oliver 4. Mateo 5. Benjamin 6. Elijah 7. Sebastian 8. Alexander 9. Julian 10. James 11. Daniel 12. Santiago 13. Michael 14. Mason 15. Ezekiel 16. Aiden 17. David 18. Elias 19. Levi 20. Ezra 21. Lucas 22. Logan 23. Samuel 24. Luke 25. Ethan

COVID-19

may affect pregnant women more severely

PREGNANT PEOPLE are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov). The CDC also warns pregnant people with COVID-19 could be at increased risk for other adverse outcomes, such as preterm birth — delivering the baby earlier than 37 weeks. Here are the CDC’s guidelines for protecting yourself and reducing the spread of COVID-19: • Limit interactions with people who might have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19. • Take steps to prevent getting COVID-19 when you do interact with others. Wear a face mask — covering your nose and mouth — especially when you cannot keep distance from other people.

Avoid people who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear a mask. And stay at least 6 feet away from others outside your household. • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. • Avoid activities where taking these steps might be difficult. • Keep all of your healthcare appointments during and after pregnancy and get recommended vaccines, including flu and

Tdap (whooping cough). If you’re concerned about visiting your healthcare provider because of COVID-19, ask what steps they are taking to separate healthy patients from those who might be sick. • Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your pregnancy or if you get sick and think that you may have

COVID-19. Also call if you think you are experiencing depression during or after pregnancy. • Do not delay getting emergency care because of COVID-19.

Emergency departments have steps in place to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care. If you need emergency help, call 911 right away and tell them that you are pregnant.

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Cool baby PRODUCTS

Innovative new baby products promise better sleep for all, easier ways to breastfeed and technology to make parenthood a tad smoother. Babies grow so quickly that not everything on the gift registry is a necessity — such as a good stroller, car seat, changing table, rocking chair or glider and a heavy-duty breast pump. Still, anything to make parenthood easier and more fun is worth considering if it’s in the budget. Here are a few items we found intriguing:

1. Aifi QuickSnap Diaper Bag. Aside

from fashion trends, diaper bags haven’t changed much in decades — until now. Aifi designed a diaper backpack that expands to create a bassinet-type space for safe diaper changes or naps. $120-$200 at aifibags.com

2. SNOO Smart Baby Sleeper and

Bassinet. With a new baby, sleep deprivation is real. That’s why Dr. Harvey Karp, pediatrician and author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” enlisted engineers to create this smart sleeper that shushes, rocks and soothes baby automatically. It promises to add 1-2 hours of sleep on average in newborn babies and to minimize the need for cry-it-out sleep training. Control SNOO remotely via a smartphone app by picking the best motion and white noise levels for your baby. You can also track your baby’s sleep progress daily, weekly and monthly. It comes with swaddlers that attach to the bassinet frame, keeping baby sleeping safely on his/her back. Plus, you can talk to a baby sleep expert 24/7. All this for $1,395 — or rent it for $129 per month at happiestbaby. com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet

3. Keekaroo’s Peanut Diaper

Changer. This is undoubtedly a splurge, but Keekaroo’s soft-but-sturdy diaper changing surface means you don’t EVER have to wash diaper changing pads or covers. Just wipe down the surface and get on with your day. The solid shell also limits bacteria growth. $130 on Amazon.

4. Hiccapop Ultra Wipes Warmer.

Warmed baby wipes may seem like a luxury, but they make baby’s frequent diaper changes infinitely less stressful for all involved. This brand gets rave reviews and includes a night light with a 10-minute automatic shutoff for middle-of-the-night diapering. Plus, it also comes in grey, which looks nicer in a posh nursery. $35 at Amazon. or www.hiccapop.com

5. Fisher-Price Soothe ‘n Snuggle

Otter. This cute and cuddly stuffy helps soothe baby with calming music and sounds. Plus, it features a soft light and a rhythmic “breathing” motion. Customize it by choosing music, white noise, heartbeat, snoring or womb sounds. $40 on Amazon or Walmart.

6. Rent a hospital-grade breast

pump. Modern Milk in Scottsdale makes breastfeeding easier on a number of levels, with its Happy Mom School, Happy Boob (support) Group, lactation services, fitness classes and a supportive community. They also rent out hospital-grade breast pumps, which are stronger and more efficient than pumps from a retail chain. Hospital-grade pumps make breastfeeding faster and easier by helping women quickly establish, sustain and increase milk supply. $200 for three months at modernmilk.com

7. Boon CACTI Bottle-Cleaning

Brush Set. These durable nylon brushes help get the goop out of bottles, straws, sippy cups and breast pump parts. And the cactus theme is perfect for Arizona parents. $15 at us.tomy.com/ products/cacti

8. Simmons Kids Alexis 7-Piece

Nursery Set. For about the same price as an IKEA nursery, this posh modern set really ups the bar on affordable luxury. Costco sells a seven-piece modern Simmons set that includes a convertible baby crib, six-drawer dresser, toddler guardrail, changing tray, contour changing pad, glider and ottoman. The crib features modern lines, upholstered ends and nailhead trim, and the glider promises comfortable hours of cuddling and rocking baby. The set in white or gray is on sale this month for $1,250 at costco.com

9. Skip Hop Light-Up Diaper Caddy.

This handsome portable caddy helps organize diapers, rash creams, lotion and more. The handle features a touch-sensitive light with a 10-minute auto-off feature, making night diaper changes easier. $42 at skiphop.com.

10. Gerber Soothe ‘n’ Chew Snacks.

Forget plastic teethers or medicine. Gerber’s grainbased teething snacks naturally massage little gums with real food as babies chew. The hollow cylinder shape makes them easy to hold, and the banana flavor keeps them interesting. $5 for 6 individually wrapped snacks at walmart.com.

11. Mobo Wobo 2-in-1 Rocking Baby

Balance Bike. Help toddlers reach three milestones: rock, walk and ride. The rocking teaches coordination between hands, arms, legs and feet. It can quickly convert back and forth between a rocking toy and riding toy. It features rubber light-up wheels and multiple safety pads. $99 at mobocruiser.com

12. Spacewalk Light or Paris

Chandelier. It can be tough to find the perfect light fixture for your child’s nursery or bedroom. Arizona Lighting Co. offers whimsical options that stir the imagination including a flush-mount spacewalk themed light or or a mini chandelier that’s a modern take on Paris Market chic. $226-$234 at azlightingyuma.com

Great

1. Lovevery Play Kits. This gift takes the guesswork out of choosing a toy for your favorite growing baby. Lovevery toys are designed by child development experts to be exactly what children need (and want) developmentally at every stage. $36 per month and up lovevery.com

2. Honest Diaper Cake. You can’t go wrong with this adorable “three-layer cake” made with 35 or 70 disposable diapers in cute prints and filled with Honest baby products: baby shampoo and body wash, lotion, all-purpose balm, Honest Wipes and baby laundry detergent. $40 or $100 at honest.com.

3. Little Book of You. It can feel

overwhelming finding the time to fill out a handwritten baby book, so this option makes a perfect gift for busy and sleep-deprived new parents. Create a customized book online in minutes by typing in a few details, or give a gift certificate for a 32-page book filled with beautiful illustrations and details about baby’s world, state and country when he/she was born. $49.95 at littlebookofyou.com

4. Deluxe Magic Touch Piano. This safe

and durable piano boasts great sound, encouraging toddlers to learn tones, scales and other musical skills. Recommended for ages 6 months and up. $40 at Kidstop Toys and Books in Scottsdale. kidstoptoys. com/deluxe-magic-touch-piano.html

affordable baby gift, this engraved two-inch maple wood cube records baby’s birthday — time, location, weight, length, etc. — for a great keepsake. $19.50. 317-996-2124 or craftefamily.com

6. Wee Bloom Bunny With Face

Mask. Bunnies By the Bay added face masks to some of its most popular stuffed animals to encourage young children to wear masks and reduce their anxiety about the pandemic. The result is a sweet, helpful keepsake of this bizarre historic time. Choose one of nine fabric masks for dolls and stuffies including the adorable Wee Bunny. $18 at bunniesbythebay.com.

7. Muslin Swaddle Blankets. This is the

best type of blanket for babies in Arizona or any warm climate. Hudson Baby sells sets of three 100 percent cotton swaddle blankets in cute prints. They’re soft, gentle, breathable and not too hot. $20 for three at Target, Amazon or Buy Buy Baby.

8. Indestructible baby books. Workman

Publishing has created the perfect first book for little ones! Indestructibles are lightweight, chew proof, rip-proof and waterproof. Made of ultra-durable tightwoven material, they come in many titles including classic nursery rhymes to introduce babies to the joys of bright pictures and written words. You can even clean them in the dishwasher! $4-$6 titles in English or Spanish at most bookstores.

9. Baby’s Brew. This cordless travel bottle warmer is battery-powered to provide perfectly warmed milk, water, or formula on the go. $75-$85 at thebabysbrew.com

10. Mushie silicone bibs. Designed in

Sweden, Mushie bibs are made from food-grade silicone with rounded, built-in neck fasteners and a deep front pocket that is perfect for catching food. $12.99 at mushie.com