Mums Share Breast Milk via Facebook

By Amanda Pitcher --- Tuesday, November 30, 2010

You've heard of Meals on Wheels, now there's Eats on Feets — a global network of breastfeeding mothers who use Facebook to connect to other mothers to share breast milk.

The group launched their Facebook page in early November and already has members in 50 US states, as well as Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia, MSN's Today Moms website reported.

The Australian branch of the organisation — broken up by state and territory — has signed up more than 1800 members in just a few weeks.

Mothers are using the site to help other mums who can't breastfeed or have a low supply and need to supplement their baby's diet, or for women who have milk to spare to share their surplus.

It's hardly a new concept, wet nurses have been around for centuries, but the practice has been shunned by the Western world in recent years due to concerns over the risk of disease — particularly HIV.

"It was common practice until the late '70s, but stopped when HIV/AIDS started," midwife and executive director of the Australian Mothers Milk Bank Marea Ryan told Mother & Baby last year.

There are milk banks, however, which screen and pasteurise donated milk, Today Moms reported, but prices can be prohibitively expensive and customers are prioritised by need. Understandably, priority is given to premature and sick babies but this can prevent women with low supply from accessing the resource.

Mothers on Eats on Feets are advised to use their own screening methods with potential milk donors — whether it be through a questionnaire or blood test for transmittable diseases. Eats on Feets also recommends home pasteurisation of donated milk to kill viruses, providing a link to a YouTube video provided by the University of California, Berkeley.

There are several milk banks in Australia — most recently in Western Australia and Queensland — but the rapid growth of the local Eats on Feets community shows there is clearly a need for many more.

"Australia has been way behind in this area, yet we're one of the best breastfeeding nations in the world," Ryan said. "We do tend to produce a lot of milk and we throw it away."

Breastfed Babies Have Higher IQ

By Amanda Pitcher Monday, March 14, 2011

A comprehensive UK study involving more than 10,000 children has found those who were exclusively breastfed for at least the first week of their lives performed better than those who were fed formula.

Researchers paired children up based on socioeconomic factors and their mother's IQ — the only difference was whether they had been breast- or formula-fed, the UK's Daily Telegraph reported.

Children who had been breastfed had IQs that were on average between three and five points higher than their formula matches, researchers from Oxford University and the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) found.

The study is part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which is following the development of 14,000 children born between 1991 and 1992.

Children were tested at ages five, seven, 11 and 14. At each age breastfed children outperformed those who were fed formula.

"We wouldn't have been surprised if the effect faded with time, but it didn't," ISER research fellow Dr Maria Iacovou said.

Previous British studies have analysed the health benefits of breastfeeding, but the Oxford University study was the first that looked at its effects on intelligence, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The British study supports the results of an Australian study by the University of Western Australia's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, which studied more than 2900 children born between 1989 and 1991 from before birth to the age of 10.

The Australian study found that boys who were breastfed for the first six months of life received significantly higher scores in maths, reading and spelling compared to formula-fed children with the same socioeconomic background.

The Western Australian results were published in the January 2011 issue of international health journal Pediatrics.

Read more about the Western Australian study

Britain has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, with only 35 percent of children breastfed exclusively.

In Australia, 84 percent of children are breastfed exclusively when discharged from hospital, 61 percent at three-months of age and 49 percent at six-months, the Australian Breastfeeding Association has said.

The World Health Organization recommends babies are breastfed exclusively for at least the first six months of life, with complementary foods and breastfeeding recommended up to two years of age.

What Do You Know about Baby's Sleep Habits?

 

Your Score: 20  

*** Wow! I never thought I would score this high!! :D I surprised myself! All effort in looking after my baby is well worth it ! And I'm still learning...***

More Details:

1-10 Hmmm, maybe neither of you are getting any sleep! If you're having problems with your infant and her sleep habits, talk to your pediatrician to figure out a solution so you both can start sleeping comfortably! Try brushing up on your infant sleep facts.

11-15 OK, not so bad! There are a few things you're not sure about, so if you're confused, make sure to bring your questions up at your next visit with your pediatrician. Learn a little bit more about infant sleep facts.

16-20 If you scored this high, most likely you're taking this quiz while your little angel is napping! Good for you for getting your baby into a comfortable sleeping routine!

ANSWERS:
1. True. Newborns generally sleep 18 to 20 hours per day.
2. False. Most babies develop a regular sleep schedule by six months.
3. False. Like adults, all babies are different. Some may sleep through the night as early as four months while others might not do so until 12 months.
4. False. Unless your baby has special nutitrional needs or issues, and requires the extra calories, you shouldn't need to wake your baby to eat. When he's hungry, he'll make sure to let you know!
5. True. You should not leave a bottle in the crib for your baby in the middle of the night.
6. True. Feet-in or blanket sleepers are the best to dress your baby in for sleeping.
7. False. Nothing should be in the crib that could obstruct the baby’s airway.
8. False. Sleep rhythms for a baby usually develop around three months.
9. False. Following a consistent routine is the best way to get your infant to sleep comfortably.
10. False. At six months, your baby should sleep about 12 to 14 hours a day.

Dr. Charles Shubin, Director of Pediatrics, Mercy FamilyCare, Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD was interviewed for this quiz. Check out this sleep article for more information. 

Flat Head Syndrome in Babies

If you spend a great deal of time in the presence of babies, you have certainly noticed that it is becoming fairly common to see an infant with a flat spot on the back or side of the head. This phenomenon, known as positional plagiocephaly, or more commonly as flat head syndrome, is caused when babies spend a considerable amount of time with their head resting in the same position, such as when traveling in a car safety seat or stroller. 

Many modern travel systems allow parents to transfer their baby's car seat into the stroller base without removing the child, increasing the time that babies remain in the same position. Additionally, in an effort to reduce the instances of cot death, parents and caregivers regularly place babies to sleep flat on their backs. Although this technique definitively saves lives, it can contribute to flat head syndrome. 

Babies are born with soft, pliable skulls, so when they rest in the same position on a regular basis, their head can develop a flat spot where it presses against the car seat or mattress. Infants born prematurely or those with torticollis, a condition that causes a baby's head and neck to tilt to one side, are at increased risk, but all babies can be affected. 

In most cases, a baby's head will return to a more natural, rounded shape once the child begins crawling and standing, but some parents prefer to purchase a helmet to help reshape their baby's head. Most effective when a baby is between the ages of 4-12 months, these helmets are worn almost continuously for a number of months in order to help remold the baby's head. Their use is a bit controversial, however, since many doctors feel that they are unnecessary.

There are some recommendations to help babies retain a rounded shape to their heads while they are developing. Although it is vital to continue placing infants on their backs to sleep, it is safe to adopt a "tummy to play" habit during the baby's supervised waking hours. 

Another idea is to place the baby to sleep with his head at alternating sides of his cot, encouraging him to tilt his head in various directions to view the room. By finding ways for the baby to take the pressure off the flattened area, the head will grow in a uniform manner. As babies continue to grow and develop, their increased mobility and physical capabilities will ensure that their heads do not regress to the earlier flattened shape.

Flat head syndrome is a purely cosmetic issue; it in no way impacts the child's brain or intellectual development. Nonetheless, parents worldwide are expressing their concern and seeking the advice of specialists. Craniofacial physicians have noticed a dramatic increase in inquiries from worried parents over the past few years. While most cases of flat head syndrome correct themselves, if you are concerned, be sure to consult with your child's pediatrician.

Baby Formula

Thank you sweetie hubby for the info below. It's certainly very informative. Hope all new / frist time mothers can benefit from the info below.

This week I just want to talk about the do’s and don’ts on baby formula feeding.

Do: Ask your doctor for help in choosing a baby formula. Many doctors prefer certain specific brands because they’ve seen patients use them with success over the years.

Do: Wash your hands. Washing your hands is the number one way to keep yourself and your baby germ free. Be especially cautious to wash up before preparing your little one's formula.

Do: Warm the bottle. Some children will drink cold or room temperature formula with ease, while others prefer it to be warm. Feel free to warm your child's formula by placing it under running hot water, or warming it in a cup of hot water.

Don’t: Use a microwave to heat the formula. Microwave doesn’t heat evenly and the formula can have “hot spots” which can seriously burn your baby.

Do: Wash your baby bottles. There are parents who do a quick rinse of a bottle and then refill them. This is not a good idea because your baby’s saliva can encourage bacteria growth in the bottle, which can get out of control and potentially make your baby ill. Do sterilize your baby’s bottles as often as possible.

Don’t: Use a towel to dry your baby bottles. Air drying is much more sanitary than a towel. You can find drying racks just for baby bottles, and they are usually very inexpensive.

Do: Prop up baby so that his or her head is higher than their stomach. Hold the bottle so that the nipple stays full of formula and not air, which can cause uncomfortable gas. It’s also best to keep your baby’s head up higher so that your baby doesn’t gulp too fast. Have a burp cloth ready and burp your baby every so often during the feeding so there is not a build up of gas.

Don’t: Prop your baby’s bottle up. You must hold your baby while he or she is eating, there is no alternative. Babies have died from propped bottles: The item used to prop the bottle can fall on baby’s face and suffocate them, or the bottle can unexpectedly leak and drown baby.

Do: Abide By Expiration Date. There is an expiration date on the formula's packaging for a reason. The nutritional values of expired formula may varies hence your baby may not be able to enjoy the desired nutritional values of the formula

Do: Store unused formula properly. Formula has different storage requirements than breast milk. To ensure that prepared formula stays fresh, put any unused bottles in the back of the refrigerator, toss it if it's been in the refrigerator more than 24 to 48 hours, and do not freeze bottles.

Don't: Feel bad about using formula. Doctor's have said that breast milk is best, but breastfeeding is not always an option for everyone. If you decided to give your child formula, try not to beat yourself up about it (I went through this phase as my breast milk was decreasing I had to result to giving Vicky formula). Making sure your child gets the proper food and nutrients to thrive is the most important thing.

Do: Measure accurately. Follow the directions on the label and measure accurately when preparing baby's formula. For powder mixtures, only use the scoop that is provided and level off the surface with a knife to ensure the measurement is accurate to the manufacturer's directions.

Use your feeding time to bond with your baby. Gaze into your baby’s eyes and smile. Sing to your baby. Make feeding times, happy times.We notice that since Vicky started consuming Morinaga BF Infant Formula, she is more active and is always alert to her environment.

If you want to know more about Morinaga, you can check out their Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/MorinagaMilkMalaysia which is managed by the local distribution and marketing company -Oz Marketing Sdn Bhd (http://www.oz-marketing.com).

Feel free to ask them any question about their products by Facebook messaging them or event contacting them directly at http://oz-marketing.com/cms/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1&Itemid=59 (their Contact Us Website Page).

Latest News on Cord Blood Usage

The promising field of stem cell research is prompting more and more parents to store their newborn’s umbilical cord blood for possible use in treating future disease. Cord blood is rich in blood-forming stem cells and is currently used in transplants for some patients with leukemia, lymphoma, immune deficiencies and inherited metabolic disorders. Most infusions come from unrelated donors, partly because of concerns that receiving one’s own defective cells may cause the same diseases to return.

Now, early research shows that cord blood may be able to safely regenerate other types of cells in the body, fueling optimism that doctors may one day routinely use a patient’s own stored cord blood to treat such conditions as cerebral palsy (CP), stroke, spinal cord injuries, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (Last March, toddler Dallas Hextell, diagnosed with CP at 8 months old, made headlines after his skills appeared to improve following an infusion of his own cord blood.) “We’re moving from depending on surgeries and pharmaceuticals to being able to harness our own cells to cure conditions,” says David Zitlow, senior vice president of public affairs at Cord Blood Registry, a private cord blood bank based in San Bruno, Calif.

However, only time will tell how stem cell research pans out and if cord blood is the best source, notes Jeffrey Ecker, M.D., an associate professor of OB-GYN at Harvard Medical School in Boston. It’s also unclear how long stored stem cells are viable.

How to choose a bank

For information on donating cord blood for use by anyone who needs it, visit marrow.org. If you’re considering private banking, do your homework:

- Ask around. Seek advice and recommendations from your friends and physician.

- Check credentials. How long has the bank been in business? Is it profitable? (If it goes out of business, you could lose the cord blood.) Does the bank have experience with successful transplants? Is it accredited by a group such as the American Association of Blood Banks? Some of the bigger private banks include Cord Blood Registry, ViaCord and Cryo-Cell.

- Compare costs. Collection fees range from $1,000 to $2,000; payment plans and, occasionally, gift registries are available. Storage generally costs $100 to $150 a year.

Private or public?

Leading medical groups encourage parents to donate cord blood to one of the nation’s more than 30 public banks if possible rather than banking it privately, because they say the stem cells are more likely to be used this way. However, you cannot get your baby’s cord blood back, nor is there any guarantee of a match if the cord blood is needed later. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists urges (and 21 states now require) doctors to discuss the pros and cons of private vs. public banking with patients and remains conservative, citing odds of 1 in 2,700 that privately banked blood will be used by a particular family.

Feb/March 2009

Expect Bumps, Spots & Rashes

There's nothing quite like the soft, delicate skin of a baby. And nothing like a cranky infant irritated by diaper rash, cradle cap, or another skin condition. While your baby is perfect, your baby's skin may not be. Many babies are prone to skin irritation in the first few months after birth. Here's how to spot and treat common baby skin problems.

Newborns Are Prone to Rashes

The good news about your newborn's rashes: Most cause no harm and go away on their own. While caring for baby's skin may seem complex, all you really need to know are three simple things: Which conditions can you treat at home? Which need medical treatment? And how can you prevent baby from experiencing skin problems to begin with?

Avoiding Diaper Rash

If baby has red skin around the diaper area, you're dealing with diaper rash. Most diaper rashes occur because of skin irritation due to diapers that are too tight; wet diapers left on for too long; or a particular brand of detergent, diapers, or baby wipes. Avoid it by keeping the diaper area open to the air as long as possible, changing your baby's diaper as soon as it's wet, washing with a warm cloth, and applying zinc oxide cream.

Pimples & Whiteheads

Baby acne gets its start in the womb, where baby is exposed to mom's hormones. Those hormones boost oil production, clogging baby's oil glands. Pimples on baby's nose and cheeks usually clear up by themselves in a few weeks. So you don't need to treat baby acne or use lotion.

Baby Birthmarks

Lots of babies have birthmarks — more than one in ten as a matter of fact. Birthmarks, areas of skin discoloration, are not inherited. They may be there when your baby is born, or they might show up a few months later. Generally birthmarks are nothing to worry about and need no treatment. But if your baby's birthmark worries you, talk to your pediatrician.

Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema

Eczema is an itchy, red rash that occurs in response to a trigger. It is common in children who have a family history of asthma, allergies, or atopic dermatitis. Eczema may occur on baby's face as a weepy rash. Over time it becomes thick, dry, and scaly. You may also see eczema on the elbow, chest, arms, or behind the knees. To treat it, identify and avoid any triggers. Use gentle soaps and detergents and apply moderate amounts of moisturizers.

Baby's Dry Skin

You probably shouldn't worry if your newborn has peeling, dry skin – it often happens if your baby is born a little late. The underlying skin is perfectly healthy, soft, and moist. If your infant's dry skin persists, talk to your baby's pediatrician.

Excess Oil Causes Cradle Cap

Cradle cap can show up during baby's first or second month, and usually clears up within the first year. Also called seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap is caused by excess oil and shows up as a scaly, waxy, red rash on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, the sides of the nose, or behind the ears. Your pediatrician will recommend the best treatment for cradle cap, which may include a special shampoo, baby oil, or certain creams and lotions.

Prickly Heat Causes Irritated Skin

Showing up as small pinkish-red bumps, prickly heat usually appears on the parts of your baby's body that are prone to sweating, like the neck, diaper area, armpits, and skin folds. A cool, dry environment and loose-fitting clothes are all you need to treat prickly heat rash — which can even be brought on in winter when baby is over-bundled. Try dressing baby in layers that you can remove when things heat up.

Infant Skin Doesn't Need Powdering

Babies can inhale the very fine grains of talcum powder, which could cause lung problems. So it's best to avoid using talcum powder on your infant. A corn starch-based powder is considered safer. But yeast, which can cause diaper rash, feeds on corn starch. So to protect baby skin, you're better off skipping the powder.

Newborn skin: White Bumps (Milia)

As many as one in two newborns get the little white bumps known as milia. Appearing usually on the nose and face, they're caused by skin flakes blocking oil glands. Milia are sometimes called "baby acne," but baby acne is related to hormonal changes. In this case, baby skin care is easy: As baby's glands open up over the course of a few days or weeks, the bumps usually disappear, and need no treatment.

Baby Yeast Infections

Yeast infections often appear after your baby has had a round of antibiotics, and show up differently depending on where they are on your baby's skin. Thrush appears on the tongue and mouth, and looks like dried milk, while a yeast diaper rash is bright red, often with small red pimples at the rash edges. Talk to your pediatrician: Thrush is treated with an anti-yeast liquid medicine, while an anti-fungal cream is used for a yeast diaper rash.

Laundry Tips for Baby Skin Care

Avoiding skin rashes will keep your baby smiling and happy: Use a gentle detergent to wash everything that touches your infant's skin, from bedding and blankets, to towels and even your own clothes. You'll cut down on the likelihood of baby developing irritated or itchy skin.

Yellow Skin Can Mean Jaundice

Usually occurring two or three days after birth, jaundice is a yellow coloration that affects baby's skin and eyes. It's common in premature infants. Caused by too much bilirubin (a breakdown product of red blood cells), the condition usually disappears by the time baby is 1 or 2 weeks old. Treatment for jaundice may include more frequent feedings or, for more severe cases, light therapy (phototherapy).

Infant Sunburn

The sun may feel great, but it could be exposing your baby's skin to the risk of damaging sunburn. Avoid baby skin problems by protecting from sunburn: keep your infant out of direct sunlight during the first six months of life. Later, use a strong baby sunscreen, hats, and umbrellas. For mild infant sunburn apply a cool cloth to baby's skin for 10-15 minutes a few times daily. For more severe sunburn, call your child's pediatrician.

Baby Sunscreen and More

Apply sunscreen to the areas of baby's skin that can't be covered by clothes. You can also use zinc oxide on baby's nose, ears, and lips. Cover the rest of your baby's skin in clothes and a wide-brimmed hat. Sunglasses protect children's eyes from harmful rays.

Avoiding Skin Problems at Bath Time

Remember, newborn skin is soft and sensitive. Keep baby's skin hydrated by bathing in warm water for only three to five minutes. Apply a baby lotion or moisturizer immediately after bath while skin is still wet, and then pat dry instead of rubbing.

Baby Massage

If rashes or other skin conditions are making your baby irritable, try baby massage. Gently stroking and massaging baby's skin can not only help boost relaxation, but it may also lead to better sleep and reduce or stop crying, according to a recent study.

When to Call the Pediatrician

Most baby skin rashes and problems aren't serious, but a few may be signs of infection — and need close attention. If baby's skin has small, red-purplish dots, if there are yellow fluid-filled bumps (pustules), or if baby has a fever or lethargy, call your pediatrician for medical treatment right away.