Posts Tagged ‘Newborn’

Baby Facts: The Truth about Your Child’s Health from Newborn through Preschool

Baby Facts: The Truth about Your Child’s Health from Newborn through Preschool

Ear infections need to be treated with antibiotics. Newborns and infants should be bathed daily. New parents are deluged with advice on how to care for their babies. This book explores common baby health myths–in areas such as feeding, sleeping, toilet training, and illness–to help them separate baby facts from baby fiction.

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Different types of baby slings

Backpack carrier:
A backpack carrier where the child is strapped at the back of the carrying adult is a very comfortable baby carrier. With the child secured in it, the parent can work without any obstacles in front. Kitchen chores like chopping, whipping etc. can be done with a baby strapped at the back, though it is best not to go to a lighted stove with the child, even though he will be covered from it by the carrying adult. These are very useful for those want to carry a child during a long walk or even a minor trekking expedition.

Backpack baby carrier is available in several sizes including those designed for carrying grown children. Some come with padded straps, others with metal frames, or may have head rests or sunshades. The larger ones could be a bit heavy and with a grown child in it, it is not something suitable for a frail mom, or a dad with a not very strong back.

Front carrier:
This is generally simpler in design and is better for smaller infants. A front baby carrier is also referred to as classic baby carrier. It comes in different sizes and adjustable straps. The straps of front baby slings go over the user’s shoulders, then around the waist, and lock in front. The baby can be placed in it both facing inward and outward. It is extremely useful for nursing mothers.

Wrap carrier:
Also known as Asian baby carrier, or just as wrap-around, a Wrap carrier is just a long strip of strong fabric. These are just wrapped around the body of the mom and the babe in a complicated design going around the mom’s waist and shoulders and finally knotted on the shoulder or at the front. Users can be creative with it and change knotting patterns or position. Wrap carriers are generally made of quilted, colorful material. This is the conventional mode in which women have kept babies tied to their bodies long before factories started churning out baby slings.

Sling carrier:
A sling baby carrier is quite similar to a Wrap carrier and basically consists of a long swath of cloth that wind round the mother and child and remain supported by a strap on the shoulder. This in itself has several modifications. In some sling carriers the end points are passed through rings to make securing easy.

Beco baby carrier:
This is a baby carrier with a very flexible design, which can be worn at the back or at the front. Its main advantage is that the same carrier can be used for carrying a newborn as well as a toddler. It has got an infant insert that will let the newborn remain in a raised position. The insert can be removed when the child outgrows its need. These baby slings can be strapped on and off pretty fast and can be folded very compactly when not in use so that transporting it is never a problem.

At La Stella Blu we have searched the world far and wide to provide you with the safest, most well made, and stylish baby slings available. With so many baby carriers to choose from like Beco baby carrier and Ergo baby carrier, its a difficult choice

Naming Your Baby – One of Most Important Decisions in Your Life

One of the most exciting aspects of becoming a parent is deciding on what name to give to your new baby and it can also be one of the most difficult things to do as well. After all, your baby will have to live with this name for the rest of his or her life. It does not have to be stressful or overly difficult to choose a perfect name for the newest member of your family. Today, more and more new parents are choosing baby names that are rather unique instead of selecting names that tend to be more traditional. Of course, if you wish to follow tradition, then by all means do so. The key is to listen to your heart and choose a name that has meaning and one that you think fits the child.

 

When choosing a name for a newborn baby boy, you should think of any male names that are important to you. Maybe you have a favorite uncle or another male family member that you would like to name your boy after. Perhaps there is simply a name you have heard that you love, or maybe there is a character in one of your favorite books that you would like to name your son after. If you are still finding yourself stumped you can find lists of baby boy names online and in baby name books that will give you a good starting point.

 

The above also holds true when naming a baby girl. Consider naming her after your favorite female family member or giving her a name you have heard and like very much. A few of the most popular baby girl names the past couple of years have been Emma, Sophia and Madison. You can look through baby name books to see what the trends have been in recent years or you could name your girl after a famous current-day politician or pop idol.

 

Unisex baby names are also a growing trend and names like Cameron and Tracey are well suited to both sexes.  Names such as Jamie, Hayden, Piper, Nicky and Blair are very popular choices these days-a unisex name can really set your child apart from the crowd.

 

Naming your baby requires that you and your spouse sit down and talk candidly about what names the both of you like. Remember that although a name may sound cute for a baby, maybe it would not be quite as appropriate for an adult. Also consider the nicknames that are associated with certain names as well as the spelling that you plan to use.

 

Naming your baby should be fun and exciting. It is best to start discussing name choices far before your baby is born. Write down your top choices and update your list as the birth date approaches. Giving yourselves plenty of time will all but guarantee that you both will be pleased with the name you chose and that your child will grow to love his or her name as well.

 

Baby Parenting – Guide Your Baby Everyday

Be a Good Teacher for Your Baby

Babies learn by exploring the things around them. Show your baby how to look at, listen to, touch or smell something new or different. Hold your baby so she (or he) can see things. Help her hold objects like her socks or a rattle. As she grows, give her safe objects to feel, shake or put into her mouth.

·       Be your baby’s teacher. She (or he) will see how you react to things. When you get excited about a toy or object, she’ll get excited too. As she grows, show her how things work—for example, how doors open and close. Talk about what you are doing. For example, “I am putting the food in the pot to cook it.” 

·      When a baby is learning something new, it helps her to try it again and again. With your help and support this can be fun, and your baby will like trying new things.

·    Protect your baby from harsh disapproval, teasing or punishment. A baby doesn’t understand right from wrong. She doesn’t know what things are dangerous for her to do. Watch her to keep her safe. Remove her from situations where she can be hurt or injured.

·      Talk and sing to your baby. Even before she is able to speak, this helps her develop language skills. Babies learn best when you talk to them.

·      Read to your baby from the earliest months of her life and continue this habit as she grows.

http://www.baby.moneybizhome.com
Babies Have People Skills, Too

From the start, your baby is interested in your face. She notices your expressions and tone of voice. She reacts to your emotions. For example, when you say something in a soft and loving way, she will relax and feel more secure.

Scientists have learned that babies show emotions as early as when they are one month old. Something else scientists have learned is that feeling good helps babies learn better.

Why? Happy babies are more alert, attentive and responsive. Babies remember things better when they are happy and at ease. The way you hold and talk to your baby can help her feel happy.

Babies who are alert and feeling good are more likely to look at things, explore and play. They will pay attention more. For example, they will try to make new things happen with toys or make sounds with people. This helps them learn and remember new things.

Brief periods of distress or difficulty will occur. These will not harm a child. Short periods of negative emotions can be helpful for your baby. You should do something quickly to help her feel better. From this she will learn you care about what she tries to tell you. Long periods of negative emotion, like crying, can do harm.

In the first month, the negative emotion that occurs is distress or a response to pain. Later, she will show sadness and anger. Next comes fear. All people have these emotions to protect themselves. Help your baby be at ease with having emotions. Respond to her emotions in a warm and loving way.

You can tell what your baby is feeling by changes in her facial expression. You can also see what she is feeling by her posture, movements and the sounds she makes.

http://www.babies-toddler.moneybizhome.com

Learning to Communicate

It will be months before your baby says her first word. But babies start learning about language much earlier.

Even in the first few weeks after birth, your baby is learning about language. Very young babies can tell the difference between speech and other sounds. They can tell the difference between the voices of men and the voices of women. They even know the voices of their own mothers. A baby can tell the voice of her mother from the voices of other women. Researchers think babies are able to do this because of the way specific parts of their brains work.

Babies can also communicate long before they speak. They use movements and sounds to let you know what they want or don’t want. Some people refer to these as a baby’s “signals”.

Right now, your baby can tell you if she needs something by fussing or crying. She can also let you know when she likes something or someone by looking intently. Babies learn best how to tell parents what they like or don’t like when they begin to see that parents respond to them in positive ways.

Even before she can speak, you need to talk to your baby. Even though there are differences among individuals, babies whose parents talk to them talk sooner. They also have larger vocabularies. Talking to babies gives them language skills that will help them learn more easily when they get to school. Hearing words on the radio or TV is not very helpful to babies learning language. Your baby benefits from having you up close smiling, talking and singing.

Babies Cry for Lots of Reasons

Crying is the way newborns communicate. Your new baby cries to let you know she needs or wants something.

The first thing to try when she cries is to feed her. By noticing when she wants to be fed and when she doesn’t, you will learn which cries mean that she is hungry, uncomfortable or wants attention. Sometimes she will want to be held. Sometimes she wants a dry diaper. Sometimes she is tired or bored.

As you and your baby get to know each other, you will sometimes be able to tell the difference between each kind of crying. You can then try to give her what she needs.

Taking care of your baby when she cries will not spoil her. It will help your baby feel loved and secure.

Smile, touch and talk to your baby as often as possible. Do this when you feed her, change her diaper or give her a bath. Your baby will learn that she can rely on you to take care of her.

Ways to Soothe Your Baby

Sometimes babies cry even when they have been fed, have clean diapers and are healthy. If your baby is crying because she needs comfort, there are many things you can do. Every baby is different.

Here are things you can try to find out what calms your baby down.

- Rock your baby in your arms or while sitting in a rocking chair.

- Stroke your baby’s head very gently, or lightly pat her back or chest.

- Make soft noises to let your baby know you are there and you care.   

- Talk to your baby.

- Softly sing to your baby or play soft music.

- Wrap her up in a baby blanket (but not too tightly).

If your baby keeps crying after you have tried everything, stay calm. Babies know when you are upset. No matter how stressed you are, never shake your baby. Shaking your baby can cause blindness, brain damage or even death.

If you need a break, call a relative, neighbour or friend to help. All babies cry. You will not be able to comfort your baby every time. That does not mean you are a bad parent. Do the best you can to soothe and comfort your baby.

Here’s a simple tip to help your baby cry less—carry her. Research shows that babies who are carried more often don’t cry as much as other babies.

http://www.moneybizhome.com/family
 

A Daddies guide for that new arrival, who is so tiny

A Guide for the new Daddy is about Holding AND Enjoying Your Newborn Baby

Firstly congratulation to the new parents, we want to help you enjoy the first year with your baby.

 Hold the baby upright facing outward against your chest. Wrap arms around the baby and gently kiss the baby and smell that fresh baby scent.

Babies are so adorable and cute yet are so fragile. Excited daddies should take extra care in holding and cuddling these little ones. Reading books to guide you on how to holding a newborn baby” can help new fathers be comfortable with new babies. This would mean whether the father is in bed or in a chair or a nursing rocker, he should always keep in mind that child’s heads need to be supported.

 Sleeping babies will also enjoy the closeness and security of the parents’ voice. So, it’s good to talk to the baby while they’re sleeping, or falling to sleep. Daddy may also enjoy the sight of his baby smiling and giggling in his sleep. It is said to be one of the loveliest sights and new dads should keep watch for this.

 Newborns also love to hear singing, reading, or chanting while touching each of the baby’s toes. Changing the tone and volume of your voice then squeaking out, will allow daddy to see that the baby appears alert and moves in synchrony with his speech. The baby will eventually get familiar with daddy’s voice as newborns can recognize familiar sounds and voices. Baby also grasp tightly at offered fingers. So, bonding can be developed through close skin and eye contact in the early weeks of life.

 Crying is a baby’s way of communicating. This means that something must be wrong or that something may be needed. Babies cry for a number of reasons and the most common reason is the need for a diaper change. Babies should never be left to soak in a dirty diaper for too long, especially if he or she is lying in daddy’s arms. Needing a bottle is also a common reason for crying. So, it is important for a new father to learn to support the baby while supporting the baby’s bottle. It is important to make sure that the bottle is at the right angle for feeding the baby, and that the baby’s head is supported throughout feeding.  There may be many causes for a baby’s discomfort, and while holding the baby, daddy should make sure that the baby is always comfortable.

 Daddy should be aware that while you are changing a diaper, the baby might urinate again and that urine will go bursting out like a fountain and might get you wet. So while changing a diaper, make sure you do it quick and that you are quick enough to cover it when it goes up again. This can be frustrating, but new fathers should remember that it’s not the baby’s fault.

 Picking the baby back up after a diaper change may be difficult for some new fathers. Many people like to use the lift and scoop method, where the baby’s legs are lifted, then you slide your hand beneath the baby’s body up to his head, and scoop the baby up with support from your forearm.

 Changing diapers may be difficult, but picking the baby up with the lift and scoop method can make it a little easier.  You must be aware of the temperature around the baby. A baby may quickly overheat if they have too many layers of clothing or bedding. A newborn baby is unable to control body temperature, so the parent must be sure to keep the baby in the most comfortable surroundings as possible.

 When the father is holding the baby it is important to make sure that the baby is wrapped up but not wrapped up too much. On top of the head is a soft spot called fontanelle. The soft spot is formed during birth, but the four bones that make up the skull will fuse together in twelve to eighteen months. However, in the baby’s time as a newborn, the new father must be aware and be careful around this spot. It is crucial for a new father to learn about this spot at the top of the baby’s head and to take extra care toavoid touching the top of baby’s head while holding him or her.

 Fathers are seen as strong and secure, so it is important that new fathers hold their babies firmly and securely in their arms. Babies love being wrapped firmly in a baby blanket or cuddled up in adults’ arms. This certainly reminds them of a familiar womb environment and feels safe and comfortable with being all wrapped up. Babies also have a fear of falling or getting loose, so the new baby must be kept secure in a parent’s arms. You may observe the fear of falling or getting loose when a baby gives you a startled reflex and at any time their arms and legs become loose. 

This daddy’s guide to holding newborn babies is just the basics. Daddy may learn more byreading a lot of ‘How to Care for Your Newborn Baby’ books, and certainly the best tool for learning is practice.

So, new fathers, don’t be afraid to get in there and hold the baby. The more a new father holds the new baby, the more confident he becomes in his own ability to hold and protect his baby. Remember babies may not accurately see you because of their short-sightedness but they can definitely remember your scent, your voice, and the way you hold them. The baby will eventually become familiar with the father’s arms and any feeling of anxiety will diminish and the father will have the pleasure of seeing that angelic, soothing smile that comes to his baby’s face each time he picks him/her up.

Extract from “New Mother’s Survival Guide” – Enjoy and Remember a Wonderful First Year with Your

New Baby. New Release eBook and Audio education program from Health Wise eProducts.

——————————————————————–

“Discover the Secrets to Surviving Your First Year as a

New Parents with Your Brand New Baby”

YOUR BABY DOES NOT COME WITH AN OWNER’S MANUAL,

SO WE WROTE ONE FOR YOU INSTEAD!

‘How to Care for Your Newborn Baby’ – made simple right here:

 

http://healthwiseeproducts.com/pregnancy-baby/newmother/

 

www.healthwiseeproducts.com/

 

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Warmest Regards to the new parents,

Jean

Understanding baby’s health

The first and foremost understanding that you need to put in while treating a baby’s illness is that illness are unalarmed body conditions. Just like having an unpleasant uninvited guest. If you child wakes up at the middle of the night this is a hint that mothers need to note down. Some of these might follow with a chaos and depression symptoms. Put more thought to what you are feeding your child. Anything unhygienic is a key to internal infection like diarrhea or frequent stools. Diarrhea is a deadly disease which dehydrates the child’s body by allowing the body salts to escape.

Some babies are diseased by birth and elimination is possible if the child is given very intensive care. Intensive care refers to additional means like giving supplements and proper diet. Sometimes the diet is not enough to satisfy the nutritional balance and this is why vitamins are required. A balanced diet can do wonders to keep your baby healthy and its ability to fight diseases. Food selection has to be organic always when it comes to raising kids. Some doctors can help you to select the milk that right for your baby. Organic foods are the ones in which the nutritional facts are high and in right proportion.

All products that mothers use to raise babies have to be boiled in water. Even the water that the child is given has to be purified by boiling and then chilled accordingly. Apart from only water and food, the selection of right clothing materials also has to be checked. If your baby is not comfortable with a specific cloth on then rashes or redness are the possible symptoms. Find more info about newborn baby care here.

Baby names Questions and Answers

Do you resembling this toddler boy term?
Okay, so I’m not pregnant or planning to have one SOON… But I like this name Maxmillian, Max for short. I have a cat named Max when I was a young child and I remember beyond doubt loving him! He was a russian blue..beautiful! Anyway…Do you like this designation? Don’t suggest middle names because I go with the…

Do you ring up kelsey’s, kelly’s?
no unless she wants me 2 It’s a whole different name, but I give the name my friends random names so do whatever you want. they have the same ring to them you could deffinately call her Kel that’s for sure so I guess it depends on if she desires to be called Kelly well…

Do you ruminate the boy’s entitle Thatcher is too unnatural?
His siblings would be: Julianna Caroline Marie Leah Nicole Abigail Christina Levi John I like “Thatcher Frederick” because Frederick honors my grandpa. It’s not in the top 1000 but is similar to Tyler and is a last christen like the more popular Jackson. I love it. Pronounced Thah-cher. I like it!…

Do you see JACQUELINE as a mark for a SWEET girl ?
NO! I see it as a signature for a very mean and bossy girl. no i regard of a very mean,snobby,popular girl.thats only because i know 1 and she was like that.i know not all of them are close to that im just saying. Yes of course I see…

Do you see the nouns?
My husbands name is Billy. He is a Jr. and has NO middle name. And it’s Billy, guys, not William. He really requirements a “third”. I don’t like the name Billy. We call my husband BJ. My compromise is this- and I would similar to for you to tell me if you can see the connection and if you think…

Do you SERIOUSLY believe anyone on here who say they are have twins/triplets/quads etc?
Seriously. Those bored teenagers can just ask if we like their favorite names, they don’t own to make up some fantasy twins/triplets/quads/quints. Yes I do know that some people really do hold triplets, but there are more people on Y!A having multiples than here are in reality. Seriously. It gets weak…

Do you similar to any of these name?
Vote then answer the question with what one is your fondness and why.. http://www.babynames.com/namelist/972253… I approaching Noah and Archer for the boys, and Alice is a great middle name. Melody Alice is very nice. Good luck! I like Indigo Alice the best.and one little suggestion…please don’t name your baby Guila…

Do you similar to Carson, Mason, Jace, Kai or Emelyn most?
Im having twins and I need a baby boy dub. I was thinking of Jasmine Skye or Ava May for a girl. You can suggest middle and first names for anything. I like Mason best for a boy, out of the girls, I close to Ava May I like Ava but Jasmine…

Do you similar to Dani for a girl?
My brother is having his first kid, a girl and the name is going to be Danielle Renee. I like that a short time ago fine but he has already said that they will be calling her Dani and even considered just naming her Dani only but opt for Danielle in the end because they wanted something…

Do you similar to entitle Jonah?
no love jonah not so much the middle but the name is ur choice not like hes going to introduce himself as jonah carmine move about for it. Great name! I’m also not a supporter of masculine names on a girl, yuck! i like the name alot ! – Jonah was one of my fav…

Do you similar to Fenton Olivia for a girl?
Not pregnant just wondering. x Fenton sounds too masculine for a girls first term it could work as a middle name though I would change it to Olivia Fenton not really but that’s of late my opinion. i like olivia as a middle name but i would do Madelyn Olivia or duo it…

Do you similar to identify Autumn?
My little girl is due in late september…do you like the first name? =) Thanks yes that is so cute! I LOVE the moniker Autumn, it’s one of my favourite name is so so cute :D I love the middle names too, I approaching Autumn Lily Reese best :) For middle names i…

Do you similar to my childrens name?
I have 5 children. Brandon Allen Benny Nicholas Jason Allen JR Hannah Marie Jayden Matthew Im just bored and curious of answers lol. I only like Hannah Marie. Aw I love them all but Hannah Marie and Jayden Matthew hold adorable names! With love, Seeley.3 They’re fine. My favorite boy’s names are Ian…

Do you similar to my kid name?
Please vote on my names. I am into old fashioned names. Let me know which are your favorites. Thanks. http://babynames.com/namelist/9700470 I love Leo and Aurora – it’s so pretty I like Evelyn and Emory. Although, I would spell Emory like this: Emery. It looks more feminine and that way, your daughter won’t enjoy…

Do you similar to my kids name?
Wynter May is 17 -Alexys Shay is 17 too. -Bryanna Faye is 16 -Lyllie (lily) Justyce is 14 -Jessyca Day is 13 -Mariayh (mariah) Lexy is 11 -Kyley Ray is 10 -Allyson Mary is 8 -Olivya Kay is 6 -Tya (Tia) Grayce is 4 my little prince: -Levy Mychael is 2 last but not least -Andrya Jordyn is…

Do you similar to my sibling’s name?
Lara Georgia Kimberley Joshua Jake Madelyn Keely What do you think of them and which one is your favourite?? they are outstandingly good names that go together! my favorites are keely, lara and madelyn Lara – I would hold spelled it Laura but it’s nice. Georgia – that’s a state, not a name. Kimberley…

Do you similar to my triplet girls name?
I have newborn triplets and these are their names: 1. Riley Shannon 2. Stephanie Grace 3. Carly Lauren comment/rate on each appreciation!! :-] I am not fond of Riley. It’s not very feminine and somewhat harsh. I discern almost the same way about Carly, for like reasons. But that’s…

Do you similar to nickname?
I personally think that you should stick with the christen you gave them, for example, my name is Rebecca, but unfortunately, everybody call me Becky, I was concidreing changing my name to Becky, but I kept it as Rebecca for professional reason. But what is your opinion? I loathe my real name and have shortened it…

Do you similar to or dislike this autograph…why or why not?
it sounds peculiar to me… I approaching it because I like the name Brianna but if you don’t like popular name just becareful and don’t use the “Bree” nick name I think it sounds really nice when i say it but I have to agree the spelling looks awful Why not…

Do you similar to our baby’s final chosen signature?
Ella Marie. give 1-10 rating 9 its too kute!! I really really love the entitle Ella, but it is pretty popular these days. (It was ranked #19 contained by 2008.) If you don’t mind your child sharing her name with 4 other girls in her class, I voice go for it. It is…

Do you similar to our name?
Do you like mine and my sibling’s names? I have 5 full blood brothers, 7 full blood sisters, 2 partially blood sisters on my mum’s side, 4 half blood brothers on my mum’s side, 5 half blood brothers on my dad’s side, 3 half blood sisters on my dad’s side, 1 step brother on my mum’s side, 1 step…

Do you similar to Stacey Lynn?
for a girl? I love the cross Lynn. I’m not overly fond of Stacey, so here are some alternatives I think go with Lynn. Heather Lynn Jessica Lynn Ashleigh Lynn Olivia Lynn Kendra Lynn Congratulations on your alien sibling! I used to like the name Stacey…but currently it annoys me due to someone. …

Do you similar to the autograph j’aime?
j’aime as in i love in french, and if so – how would you prefer it being pronounced? jay-mee, or jem/gem? Jaimee plus it can be 4 boy or girl I similar to that you are thinking outside the box… and doing something different! The problem is that a name with an apostrophe will be trouble…

Do you similar to the babe-in-arms name..?
Boys: Jake Luke Michael Girls: Charlotte Kaydence Isabell …

Do you similar to the baptize Laken?
I have only seen it on here not long and I have fallen in love near it. i think it is beautiful. Do ou like it? Would you term your daughter Laken? I”m sorry but I wouldn’t not autograph my daughter Laken i’ve always liked that name, i saw it on here too. i have a…

Do you similar to the baptize Nichelle?
no, not really. sorry : ( It only seems like a made up version of Michelle. folks would get confused a lot. Nope sounds made up. With love, Seeley.3 Source(s): 15 year old obsessed next to babynames.3 Nichelle? Um, no. Nixelle, maybe. Or Nichella even, possibly, but “Nichelle” sounds like someone *trying* to…

Do you similar to the cross Daisy?
It’s my daughter’s name, she’s almost 12 months old. I love her name so much but relations always have something to say give or take a few it, whether they think it’s pretty, or country sounding, or old fashioned. She really looks like a Daisy too. lol When I look at a Daisy flower, it’s close to looking…

Do you similar to the describe Lavender?
yes lavender finna? Lavender is a pretty christen! Her nickname could be Lav. hmm… a good middle names would be… Lavender Julie Lavender Bethany Lavender Katherine I cant stand the name, sorry. And “Lavi” is a nickname for toilet contained by England. It just reminds…

Do you similar to the describe Mitch?
People can be a$$ine. I like the entitle Mitchell. Not really!! Name for my dad’s age group!! 40+ I kinda like the name actually, but not near the b**** part at the end :)

Do you similar to the designation Luke Austin for a babe boy?
Yeah i do its a cute name! Really creative! LOOOVE IT :) With Love, Seeley’s wife. Source(s): 15 year dated obsessed with babynames!3 YES very much it goes good together. but im a…

More Baby names questions please visit : BabyFreeFAQ.com

Young cancer patients helped support Montreal woman with brain tumour

MONTREAL – All that Weifun Chang wants for Christmas is to live.

That, and maybe have the strength to hold her 22-month old son.

The 30-year-old woman hasn’t been able to do that for the past few months because she couldn’t move her left arm. She has also had difficulty walking.

Chang was diagnosed with a brain tumour in June 2008 and since then has undergone radiation and chemotherapy.

“We don’t know if it’s the radiation, if it’s dead cells in my brain that’s causing damaged blood vessels that’s leading to the weakness in my left arm – or if it’s a new tumour,” she said.

She made the comments in an interview last week in her suburban Montreal residence.

The couple’s modest home was a bit noisy that day with the sound of their sick infant’s coughing and crying.

By the end of the hour-long interview, Chang was so exhausted her eyes gently closed as her head slumped unto her husband’s shoulder.

She was two days away from surgery that could prolong her life.

Three times during the past year, doctors have told her they thought the tumour was coming back – three times, they were wrong – her 36-year-old husband, Frederic Messier, pointed out.

Chang just wants “the scares to stop.”

“I’ve been praying for a boring week for four months, praying for a boring week where nothing happens,” she said.

But something always happened.

“The baby has gastro, I get a cold, we have grandparents who are sick, we have medical appointments that get cancelled,” Chang said.

She and her husband’s life changed forever last year just one day before the couple were to return to home from Taiwan.

They went there for a five-week vacation to show off their newborn to Chang’s family.

The date was June 24, 2008.

“I woke up after breastfeeding my baby, I don’t remember much, but I think my husband found me convulsing in bed in a generalized seizure,” she said.

“Prior to that, there were absolutely no symptoms. It came out of nowhere.”

Chang then underwent surgery and doctors in Taiwan found the tumour to be malignant. That led to six weeks of radiation therapy.

After a brief recovery, she returned home where she then had to endure chemotherapy for 14 months.

Chang has been getting support from family and other young cancer patients who have dropped by to chat and help with the cooking.

But, along with the battle with cancer, they also share another problem: They are all young people who feel abandoned and have slipped through the cracks.

“People think that cancer is an illness for old people and really, when me and my fellow young adult cancer survivors sit in (hospital) waiting rooms, we feel isolated,” Chang said.

“We’re out of our parents’ homes, we should be working, we should be taking care of ourselves – this is what’s expected.”

Chang said support services to help young adults deal with cancer are only now emerging.

“What we’re hearing is that doctors just don’t believe that young people could be getting cancers like the way we’re getting cancers,” she said.

“For example my diagnosis is actually much more common in men who are 45 and older.”

Dr. Petr Kavan, a medical oncologist, says adolescents and young adults with cancer are an “underserved patient population” who don’t even take part in clinical trials.

“We really don’t know, even from a medical perspective how to treat these patients, if they should be treated as children or if we should treat them as adults,” he said in an interview.

But Kavan has been developing a program with McGill University since 2003 to help young cancer patients. He’s also working on national recommendations on how to better serve that segment of the population.

A 2006 report prepared by Cancer Care Ontario, a provincial agency, determined that approximately 10,000 cancers are diagnosed in young adults every year.

It also said almost two-thirds of young adult cancers occur in women. Of those, breast cancer is the most common.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men and melanoma is the second most common cancer among young adults.

Doreen Edward, a survivor of colon cancer, runs the VOBOC foundation, a charitable organization that focuses on cancer patients between 18 and 39.

Edward, 55, first set up VOBOC – Venturing Out Beyond Our Cancer – to help terminally-ill adults.

But she later switched her focus to the “lost tribe” of adolescents and young adults with cancer, who don’t realize how serious their cancer is.

“They only ‘get it’ when they’re almost in palliative care,” Edward said in an interview.

Her Montreal-based organization grants special requests and diversions to young people who lose their cancer battles.

Chang underwent surgery last Thursday and doctors successfully removed the dead tissue that they were after in her brain.

Her husband says his wife’s left arm, her left leg and the left side of her face “appear to be moving as well as before.”

But tumour cells were also detected in a sample that was taken by doctors.

“We’ll know more in early January,” Messier said in an email in which he thanked friends for their support.

Despite the fresh worry, the young family has planned some low-key celebrations over the holidays, Messier said Sunday.

Christmas Eve will be spent over a quiet meal with Messier’s parents and Chang’s mother. And on Christmas, they’ve decided to revel in simply being together as a family – Messier, Chang and their baby boy.

Alberta researcher makes stem cell breakthrough that could help premature babies

EDMONTON – An international team headed by an Edmonton physician has used stem cells to heal and protect the lungs of newborn rats – research that could help premature babies with chronic lung disease.

Dr. Bernard Thebaud’s team injected stem cells from bone marrow into the rats’ airways. Two weeks later the rodents were running twice as far on treadmills and had better survival rates.

Thebaud says the stems cells acted like tiny damage control factories, pumping out healing factors.

The research, which is being published Dec. 1 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, will lead to clinical trials with premature babies.

About half of babies born before 28 weeks get chronic lung disease, a condition that can affect lung capacity as they grow up.

Bangladeshi mother says formerlyconjoined twins should grow up in Australia

DHAKA, Bangladesh – The mother who gave up conjoined Bangladeshi newborn twins for adoption said Saturday she is overjoyed the toddlers have been successfully separated and wants them to grow up in Australia.

“My babies are alive and doing well. It’s the best news I’ve ever got in my life,” a tearful Lovely Mollick told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from her home in Khulna district, 85 miles (137 kilometres) southwest of Dhaka.

The twins, who turn 3 next month, had been joined at the top of their heads and shared brain tissue and blood vessels. They were separated Tuesday after 25 hours of delicate surgery in a hospital in Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, and then underwent an additional six hours of reconstructive work.

The charity that brought Trishna and Krishna to Australia two years ago for the surgery, Children First Foundation, has said it will support the twins as they undergo further medical treatment in Australia for at least the next two years.

Trishna awoke from a medically induced coma Thursday and Krishna regained consciousness late Friday.

Their 23-year-old mother said she made the heartbreaking decision to give up her daughters to a Dhaka orphanage after giving birth by cesarean section because she could not properly care for their special needs.

While she and her factory worker husband, Kartik Mollick, 35, wanted to maintain a relationship with their daughters, both parents hoped the twins would be raised in Australia.

“I am from a poor family and am not able to take care of them,” the mother said. “I want them to get a proper education and live a good life.”

“I want them to maintain a relationship with me, no matter where they live, when they are grown up,” she added. “They have come from my soul.”

The girls’ Australian legal guardian for the past two years, Moira Kelly, the charity’s founder, said Saturday she has not considered adoption. “I haven’t even thought about it,” Kelly told reporters.

Adoptions could be stymied since Australia restricts the adoption of foreign children with medical problems that could burden its health care system.

Kelly said the prognosis that both sisters were neurologically sound “gives me shivers down my spine.” The twins’ cots will be pushed together so they could again touch, she said.

Krishna is expected to have a longer period of adjustment as the separation brought more changes to her body and brain’s blood circulation. Both girls were in serious but stable condition.

Doctors had earlier said there was a 50-50 chance that one of the girls could suffer brain damage from the complicated separation.

Australian aid worker Danielle Noble first saw Trishna and Krishna in an orphanage when they were a month old, and contacted the Children First Foundation.

“I got to see the girls for the first time today since their separation and it’s the most incredible feeling to think that three years ago, this was just a dream,” the 27-year-old volunteer told reporters.

“Now they are going to have a fantastic life,” she added.

The foundation raised almost 250,000 Australian dollars ($229,000) for the cost of caring for the twins in between numerous earlier surgeries to separate blood vessels connecting their brains. A mystery benefactor funded all hospital costs, Smith said.

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