Archive for October, 2009

Antidepressants linked to premature birth risk

Posted by babyhealthcare on October 11th, 2009

I’m passing this along since the coexistence of depression and pregnancy is so very high amongst the readers of this blog. Findings like these are a huge reason I am so adamant about finding ways that nutrition and nonpharmacological treatments can keep both mother and baby healthy all the way through conception and pregnancy.

To see this story with its related links on the guardian.co. uk site, click here

Antidepressants linked to premature birth risk

Tuesday October 6 2009
BMJ Group

Mothers-to-be risk having a premature birth if they take commonly used antidepressants during pregnancy, a new study has found. Antidepressants called SSRIs (the group of drugs that includes Prozac) were also linked to a higher risk of babies needing treatment in intensive care soon after birth.What do we know already?

More than 1 in 10 women become depressed during pregnancy. In cases where doctors recommend drug treatment, the first choice is often a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Doctors are advised that pregnant women should take SSRIs “only if potential benefit outweighs risk”. Unfortunately, there’s little research on how safe these drugs are during pregnancy. We do know that SSRIs get into the unborn baby’s bloodstream, and that some babies get withdrawal symptoms soon after birth. Some research also suggests that babies may be more at risk of heart defects if their mother takes an SSRI called paroxetine in the first three months of pregnancy, although this problem is not common.

A new study has looked at 329 women who were taking SSRIs while pregnant. The health of their babies was compared with the health of babies born to women not taking antidepressants. Some of the women in this latter group had mental health problems, while others did not.What does the new study say?

Women taking an SSRI had twice the risk of a premature birth. On average, women gave birth four or five days sooner if they took an SSRI while pregnant. But the results don’t tell us the actual numbers of women in each group who gave birth prematurely, so we can’t say what the actual risk is.

About 16 in 100 babies needed treatment in an intensive care unit if their mother had taken an SSRI, compared with 7 in 100 babies whose mothers were healthy, and 9 in 100 babies whose mothers had a mental health problem but who weren’t taking an SSRI.

Babies also appeared less healthy overall if their mother had taken an SSRI. This was measured looking at their skin colour, how much they moved about, their pulse rate and breathing, and how much they responded to stimulation.

SSRIs didn’t increase the risk of having an underweight baby. The study only looked at what happened around birth, so we don’t know whether or not SSRIs have longer-term consequences. How reliable are the findings?

This is a fairly good study. Since it also included a group of women who had mental health problems but who were not taking an SSRI, we can partly rule out the possibility that mental health issues affected the baby’s health rather than antidepressants. However, it could still be that women taking SSRIs were more seriously depressed than the women they were compared with, or that they had worse overall health. This factor might have affected the health of the babies, and it makes the study less reliable.Where does the study come from?

The women who took part in the research all had antenatal care at a hospital in Aarhus, Denmark. The study appeared in a journal called Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, published by the American Medical Association. Some of the funding came from the Danish Medical Research Council.What does this mean for me?

The study suggests that, in the short term at least, there could be some negative consequences to taking SSRIs while pregnant. What the research doesn’t tell us is how the risks of SSRIs in pregnancy compare with the dangers of untreated depression.

Depression itself can affect how babies grow. It can also cause unpleasant symptoms for the mother. There’s a high chance of becoming depressed again when women stop taking antidepressants when they’re pregnant. So, we can’t simply say that pregnant women should completely avoid SSRIs.What should I do now?

If you’re pregnant and taking an antidepressant, don’t stop treatment suddenly. You could put yourself at risk of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and your depression could come back. Your doctor can help you weigh up the risks and benefits of treatment. If you and your doctor decide it’s the right thing to do, you’ll need to come off your medicine gradually. You could also ask about other types of treatment, such as talking therapy.

If you’re taking antidepressants and you want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor. Depending on how severe your depression is, your doctor might suggest slowly coming off your medicine, or continuing to take it.From:

Lund N, Pedersen LH, Henriksen TB. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure in utero and pregnancy outcomes. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2009; 163: 949-954.
BMJ Publishing Group Limited (“BMJ Group”) 2009

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Tips on How to Support a Breastfeeding Partner

Posted by babyhealthcare on October 6th, 2009

Breastfeeding can be a whole new experience for first-time mothers. It is so much like learning a new skill that they have never tried before. During pregnancy, mothers may have heard that breast milk is best for their babies but some of them may have a hard time getting used to it. They
 have to get undressed so many times and get their breasts out. They may also feel they are a lot bigger than they used to be. Often, there is that frustration to get their pre-motherhood privacy and their shape back. They are also usually tired and vulnerable now that they have to check and take care of the baby and his or her needs every time. Suddenly, they feel that life is all about their newborn babies and that they are nothing but the “milk machine”. All these negative thoughts should be reinforced with positive messages in order to encourage the mother to breastfeed as long as she can.

Here are some things that you can do to promote breastfeeding to mothers who are skeptical about it.

1. Make them feel appreciated. Tell her that her ability to nourish the child is a wonderful gift, and that she is very much appreciated for doing this for the sake of the baby.

2. Be generous with kind words. Affirm your partner to lift up their spirits. Tell her that she is one attractive mom. Go with her shopping for some new clothes that will make them look and feel better about themselves.

3. Pamper them personal gifts to make them feel special and loved.

4. Do thoughtful actions for them when they are breastfeeding. It can be as simple as getting up at night to make a drink for her. Stay up a little while so she can talk to you. You can offer to take attend to the baby in between feed during the day so she can have time and space for herself.

5. Always be there to encourage her when she is sad and struggling. Arrange the necessary help and advice she needs. You can have another mother who has experienced breastfeeding herself talk to her. Alternately, a midwife or someone from a breastfeeding support group can help her through the experience. Watching educational videos on breastfeeding may also help.

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Baby Picture Frames – The 7 Most Popular Baby Frames

Posted by babyhealthcare on October 6th, 2009

Babies are such an adorable addition to your life that you’ll find yourself trying to take pictures at every moment. The difficulty comes not only in choosing which picture to display but in choosing the perfect baby frame for your picture. Luckily, there are baby frames available in almost every size, style, and color imaginable. Once you have decided which pictures to display, start your search for the perfect baby frame.

To help you sort through the myriad of baby picture frames, we’ve narrowed your search to seven of the most popular types of baby frames.

Decorative Baby Frames

Decorative Baby Frames are the most common baby frames. These frames come in wood or metal and can be decorated with miniature baby items, like baby shoes or a baby rattle. These decorative baby frames are designed to be displayed on a table top or dresser as they are usually 4×6 or smaller and hold a single picture. Don’t worry about not being able to find the perfect decorative baby frame as there is a huge selection to choose from.

1st Year Baby Frames

1st Year Baby Frames are designed to capture baby’s entire first year. There is space for every month. These cute decorative frames are a great keepsake and come in a matted wood or metal finish. However, the pictures in this frame can be small, so if you want a larger version you can create your own first year baby frame. If you want to hang the display, consider purchasing an 11×14 wall frame and then design your own mat layout.

Baby Footprint Frames

Baby Footprint Frames are a wonderful way to capture a brief moment in time. Babies grow so quickly and a baby footprint or hand print frame will be a reminder of that precious time. There are two ways of making the impression – a molded material and ink hand prints or footprints. Most baby footprint frames have two openings – one for the impression or ink print and the other for a photo of the baby. The only problem with these frames is that they can be quite messy and may not always turn out just the way you want them. Unfortunately, often the hand/foot printing material either sets up too quickly or does not leave a clear hand or footprint.

Baby Sonogram Frames

Baby Sonogram Frames are designed to do just that – display the baby’s sonogram picture. The only challenge with these frames is that these frames often only have one opening so once the baby arrives this frame outlives its usefulness. If you want to combine the sonogram picture with a baby picture, you may want to consider using a shadowbox frame instead.

Baby Hospital Bracelet Frames

Baby Hospital Bracelet Frames are a clever way to display baby’s hospital ID bracelet. These frames include a small narrow opening for the bracelet and a place for a picture. If you want one small baby keepsake, this frame is it. But, if you want to gather keepsakes and display them together, you may want to consider creating a shadow box frame with the baby items you choose.

Baby Shadow Box Frames

Baby Shadow Box Frames are ideal for displaying baby’s first keepsakes in a single keepsake frame while keeping them safe behind glass. Shadow boxes are available in a variety of sizes, depths and colors, so you’ll be certain to find one that is perfect for your items. Shadow box frames make it possible to display different shaped sized objects in one baby frame. You can display any baby item that is precious to you – that hospital ID bracelet, baby’s first spoon, even a piece of a favorite blanket and keep them beautifully displayed with your favorite baby pictures.

Engraved Frames and Precious Metal Frames

Engraved or Precious Metal Keepsake Frames are made of silver plate, sterling silver or solid pewter. Silver plated frames have a beautiful sheen that goes well with any decor. Sterling silver, more expensive than silver plate, is a luxurious high quality frame sure to become a cherished family heirloom. Most silver plate and sterling silver frames are now available with a lacquered finish that keeps their finish from tarnishing. Sterling silver and silver plated frames are available with or without decorative baby items so you can find a frame that suits your particular style. Solid pewter baby frames are another popular option for baby frames. You can find solid pewter baby frames in plain solid pewter or lacquered enamel for added color. To add a personal touch to your frame, you can have your frame engraved as long as there is a smooth, flat surface and room for the words.

Hopefully the next time you shop for baby picture frames, you’ll know exactly what you want and save time and effort in finding the perfect baby frame.

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Baby Nursery Decoration: 7 Facts You Need to Know

Posted by babyhealthcare on October 6th, 2009

Are you about to start your baby nursery decoration project? Don’t even consider your colors until you have read these important facts.

Newborn Eyesight

…is primitive to say the least. They can distinguish light and facial features, albeit in a very fuzzy way. Think about it: looking at anything is really hard work at this extremely tender age. Your aim should be to make it as easy as possible for little one to develop this fundamental ability. For this reason it’s essential to plan…

High Contrast Visuals

Include some patterns like black and white or black and yellow. Think of this as you would watching something easy and familiar on television. Did you know that the best present for a new arrival is a panda soft toy? (Odd that they are so hard to get hold of, but indicative of the general level of ignorance on this topic). Bold, contrasting images will help your new arrival see better.

Sophisticated Thinking

Babies are more sophisticated thinkers than we assume. As Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn explain in their very clear and straightforward book Baby Minds, some newborns can imitate adults sometimes at only a day old by sticking their tongue out in response to an adult doing it .

Memory

It might seem that children don’t remember much at such a young age (apart from recognizing family members’ faces). Not true. Acredolo and Goodwyn point to research that shows how a 3-month-old baby can register what the decor of her nursery looks like.

Long Lasting Effects

Research from the Albert Einstein College of medicine shows that youngsters who perform better at memory tests in infancy also perform well in memory tests later in life. Whether this is due to an innate ability at this age or the likelihood of being in a nurturing, stimulating environment is not clear, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and assume that there is a link.

So…

The last two facts lead to a rather exciting conclusion. If babies can remember what their wallpaper looks like, and if a good infant memory is a skill for life, then if we can stimulate this ability to retain information surely it can only enhance their memory. But how?

Mix It Up

The answer is to change elements of your baby nursery decoration scheme regularly. This gives your baby more to remember, more mental gymnastics to work out to.

Of course none of this means you should go for an entire redecoration every two months. the key word is elements here. Even changing the position of your cot mobile and introducing a new wall sticker or even colorful image from a magazine, tacked up with blu tak, will make a difference.<!–

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