2012 Buzz Guide: Development
The parenting topics everyone will be talking about
January 03, 2012
According to child development pro Aliza Pressman, Ph.D., co-founder of Seedlings Group, here are the most noteworthy parenting topics and corresponding research reports of 2012.
Newborn sleep. A new study called Project SIESTA (Study of Infants Emergent Sleep Trajectories) is examining the question that plagues all parents of newborns: What is the best way to get a baby to sleep? This study is the first to videotape infants' bedtime routines. Project SIESTA expects to provide answers to the tough questions about the cry-it-out method and the impact it has on infant stress and sleep patterns. In the meantime, check out Seedlings' week-by-week tips for helping your newborn sleep.
Working mothers. Another topic we'll likely hear more about in 2012 is maternal employment and its impact on child development. Based on the latest research, working moms can breathe a sigh of relief: negative effects on children seem not as widespread as researchers originally thought. In fact, findings indicate that other factors, such as parental education level and quality of parenting, are more important for children than mom's employment status. If you're heading back to work soon, here are a few tips for dealing with separation anxiety.
Technology. We can also expect new information on the influence of popular gadgets such as tablets and smart phones on children. Debates are already brewing about the educational benefits of interactive apps and games versus the increased amount of screen time for children. (The good news is that the best things you can do to help your child's language development are simple and require no technology at all—read Seedlings' language development tips here.)
2012 Buzz Guide: Health
The new controversy in baby medicine
January 03, 2012
To treat or not to treat "colic"—that is the question for 2012, according to pediatrician JJ Levenstein, co-founder of MD Moms.
A recent NPR story examined the marked increase in use of prescription medications for acid reflux in babies. Historically, babies who wail and cry in pain consistently during the first few months of life have been labeled “colicky.” But over the last several years, those who care for infants began to realize that some painful crying may stem from intolerance to proteins present in either breast milk or infant formula. With a change in mom’s diet (by eliminating proteins such as dairy, soy, or wheat) or a switch to formula free of milk, soy, and other large proteins, many babies found relief (and so did their parents).
Almost all babies spit up. But a small percentage of babies who spit up have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). These babies, unlike the happy spitters who gain weight and thrive, are unhappy 24/7, may not gain weight, and may even develop inflammation and erosions in the esophagus.
Doctors began to use agents such as oral antacids, ranitidine (Zantac), and most recently, proton-pump inhibitors like Prevacid in efforts to soothe these babies. Despite the fact that convincing studies looking directly at their efficacy aren’t available, anecdotally some babies have responded well. As a result, there has been a 16-fold increase in Prevacid prescriptions written for babies in recent years.
Should every spitty baby take reflux medication? The answer is, No! The choice to medicate a baby should always be made with great care, and with the full understanding that the benefits of doing so should far outweigh the risks. The number of “colicky” babies we diagnose now are far fewer since we have worked in earnest to adjust diets and identify those babies who truly may benefit from GERD medications. However, if your young infant appears to be absolutely uncomfortable with feeding, is demonstrating behaviors that may implicate reflux or breast milk or formula intolerance, do speak with your healthcare provider about interventions that may make a difference. The good news is that with maturation and time, the majority of babies will outgrow these conditions, and peace will be restored in their bellies (and your home).
Best of 2011
An ode to the year’s top Scoops
December 20, 2011
Before we take a week off to enjoy the holidays with our little ones, we wanted to spend a moment celebrating our favorite Scoops of the year—and wishing you the happiest of holidays (with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore):
‘Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a Method soap shaped like a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Maurice Sendak’s latest book would soon be placed there.
The children were nestled all snug in their Complete Sheet-adorned beds,
While visions of gluten-free sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mama in her Hatch maternity clothes, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the Boon drying lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the cordless roman shades and threw up the sash.
And what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature red sled, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver who followed the new AAP car seat guidelines,
So I knew the reindeer would be just fine.
Up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of Manny + Simon stepstools, and pink dump trucks, too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings with Crewcuts for baby, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas (and Hanukkah!) to all, and to all a good-night!"
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Creative ideas for merrymaking
December 13, 2011
--Photo by JellyBean Pictures
Presents are fun, but they aren't the only things that make this season special. Party pro and creative genius Amy Atlas shares a few festive ways to get into the spirit with your kids.
Let it snow. No matter what the weather is like where you live, you can create a winter wonderland at your house. Using age-appropriate scissors and white paper in different sizes, work with your kids to create snowflakes by folding the paper in half and cutting fun patterns. Hang the snowflakes from the ceiling at various heights with beautiful ribbon in wintry colors like ice blue and lavender.
Bake cookies for a cause. Whip up some holiday cookies and package them in pretty wrapping. Get the kids involved in deciding what kind of cookies to make, shopping for ingredients, pouring flour and sugar into the bowl, mixing up the dough, and decorating. Have fun in the kitchen, then deliver them together to a local retirement home or soup kitchen.
Make a wish. Ask your child what her wish is for the upcoming year (or if she's too little to tell you, make your own wish for her) and write it down on pretty 3- x 5-inch paper. Date it; roll it up; tie it with festive ribbon; and use it as a tree ornament. This is one you'll want to do every year!
Create a Christmas tree photo collage. Look together at all the pictures that you took of your family throughout the year. Choose 15 horizontal images and order a set of prints all in the same size. Put them in coordinating frames, if you wish, and hang them on the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree (five on the bottom row, four above that, three above that, two above that, and one at the top). You can use command hooks so that you can take them down after the holidays and there won't be any damage to the wall.
Enjoy!
