Before you were a parent, you knew how you’d deal with children. In fact, you were kind of an expert. But now, you have this little crazy person abusing you. In a minute, you’re sure there will be a full 360 degree head rotation.

What do you do? Do you make the choice to spank?

A new study found a link between regular (2 times a month or more) spanking of 3-year-olds and aggressive behavior later in life. The study also took into account how aggressive the children were in the first place and other familial factors, such as drug use and neglect.

Here’s how it was done: 2,500 mothers of 3-year-olds were asked how often they spanked their child. They were also asked about the child’s behavior. Two years later, researchers checked back and found that those kids who were regularly spanked were more likely to act out.

From the study:

Despite American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations to the contrary, most parents in the United States approve of and have used corporal punishment as a form of child discipline. The current findings suggest that even minor forms of corporal punishment, such as spanking, increase risk for increased child aggressive behavior.

(That’s an interesting term there, isn’t it? “Corporal punishment.” Linguistically, it sounds severe.)

So you want a bully? Spank them.

Okay. It’s not that simple. But most of us can agree that peaceful parenting will have better results long-term. It takes more work and patience to reason and discuss, to take away privileges and give time outs, but in the long term, we’ll have the kind of kids we want to be around!

(As a side note: Does anyone else find it irritating that they only asked mothers about the frequency of spanking? In my experience, dads sometimes spank too! Classic “must be the mothers” reasoning, eh?)

Found through NPR.

Image via Ha! Designs on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

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The shocking news? Breastfeeding saves lives. “Well, of course!” you think. “In third world countries, where there isn’t accessible safe drinking water, we must suggest breastfeeding by all means.”
But get this. It’s here, in the United States. According to the study,

If 90% of US families could comply with medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, the United States would save $13 billion per year and prevent an excess 911 deaths.

Wow. That’s here, like in your state. If this many children were dying every year from lead paint on toys, could you imagine the uproar?

But breastfeeding is a prickly topic. We don’t want to create mom guilt. And that’s the thing: we allow the guilt to rest only on moms if they can’t or choose not to or even “run out of milk.”

I speak as a former formula feeder. My older son, Lucian, was supplemented starting at 5 months because as a single mom working full time, I simply wasn’t pumping enough. I didn’t have either the support or the resources at the time, and I couldn’t fathom where to begin looking. So I soothed my mommy guilty feelings by going for organic formula and continuing to breastfeed when we could until he was 10 months old.

Recently, I stopped breastfeeding my younger son, Elijah, at 21 months. What was the main difference in the two? My jobs. The first job, I absolutely couldn’t have Lucian on hand and was stressed enough that eventually only a couple ounces would trickle out when I pumped on premises.

Since Elijah was born, I have worked full-time from home, done freelance writing, and, more recently, brought him to work with me. My two-year-old is no longer breastfeeding during our shifts at On The Turtle’s Back, but I credit this woman- and child-friendly business for part of my breastfeeding success.

Currently, while our society knows that human breastmilk is healthier for our babies than the breastmilk of a distant relative (cows), we have a pretty hard time showing that. We mandate only 6 weeks maternity leave, and for many mothers, that is unpaid leave, so they scurry back to work as quickly as they can after baby arrives so they can make ends meet. We don’t give women the ample opportunity to breast pump in all work environments.

One pediatrician sounded like he agreed when he told the Associated Press,

We’d all love as pediatricians to be able to carry this information into the boardrooms by saying we all gain by small changes at the workplace.

We tell women they can have it all, and then guilt them into corporate society to find success, telling them that one formula is as good as another. But our bodies make this most perfect, natural formula. What could be wrong or inconvenient about that?

As a society of people who were once babies, we need to do better.

You know what we could do to make every breastfeeding relationship a success? Encourage it! We don’t need to say, “Breast is best” ad nauseum, but we could give all of the helpful hints that have helped us on our way.

That in mind, I’m passing along tips from my helpful friend Vijay, who also supplemented her first child with formula, then later became an “extended” breastfeeder (read: “whenever this girl is ready to stop”) with her second. Here are some of the hurdles she faced and how she leaped over them:

• A baby who wouldn’t nurse right away. I would advise moms not to leave the hospital or birthing center (or not to let midwife leave your house) until baby has latched on and nursed well at least once. We left within hours of when Char was born even though she refused to latch, and thought that we’d all be more relaxed at home. But she still didn’t nurse well from the start and then things just got worse, and having someone on hand to help would have been great.
• I thought it was just the most natural thing in the world, that you just put the baby to the breast, they suckle peacefully and drift off to sleep. So I resisted getting help, thinking that the strength of my commitment would get me through the soreness, the cranky baby, the sleeplessness, the stress and worry. But if I had started going to LLL while I was still pregnant I would have felt more comfortable going for help after baby came.
• If you have a slow gaining baby, do not give bottles. There are supplementers that are kind of annoying, but allow you to increase your supply while supplementing, the opposite is true with bottles.
• Don’t be afraid to NIP (nurse in public). Once Char was introduced to bottles at 8 weeks, it was such a relief to be able to just give her a bottle in public because nursing was such a struggle with her every time trying to get this screaming baby latched on in the middle of NYC with everyone watching. But our nursing relationship ended way too soon because of those bottles.
• Just because things go a certain way for one mom/baby in one situation doesn’t mean they’ll go the same way for another. My poor nurser was born naturally in a birthing center, my champ nurser was born via c-section in a hospital. So go figure.

Interestingly, the new health care overhaul has a measure which requires large employers to provide a place for pumping mothers. That’s a start, but it companies don’t want to be forced to be family-friendly, they should come up with their own plan of action.

Because when it comes down to it, when we support breastfeeders, we are supporting a happy, healthy society.

A couple of the owners at On The Turtle’s Back have chickens (or, what we like to call in Harrisonburg, where it’s not totally legal, “bunnies”), so they’re lucky to have lovely brown eggs at their disposal. And though I’m a backyard chicken enthusiast, I left my girls behind after my last move. Alas!

Luckily, last year, I followed Crunchy Domestic Goddess‘s very easy tutorial and was delighted with the results.

The food supplies and the colors they give:

Red cabbage: Blue. A very rich color, might I add?

Tumeric (that spice you have but never use?): Vibrant Yellow

Chili Powder: Orange (ended up a “dusty” orange)

Red Beets: Fuschia/Mauvish

For Purple: After I had a lovely blue this morning, I put in in the beet juice for a few minutes and ended up with a bold purple.

Other colors that I haven’t test driven yet, according to Crunchy Domestic Goddess:

Canned Blueberries and Spinach: Green

How To: For Cabbage and beets, I cooked them (in separate pots, obviously) until softened. My boys grubbed on the beets, and I think I’m going to try my hand at kim chee with the cabbage…

Anyhow, for each quart of water, add 2 T of distilled vinegar.

I also did about 3-4 T of each spice in a quart of cold water, then added 2 T of vinegar.

Play with it. The little guys and I crayoned on our white (so as to catch the dye a bit better) hard-boiled eggs, then gently placed them in the dishes. I also left the cabbage leaves in with the eggs for a while, then soaked the eggs longer to give the eggs texture.

I let them sit overnight in the ‘fridge, checking on them periodically. Sure, it takes longer than those fizzy tablets, but look at the lovely results!

I love the texture, which you don’t have to have. Just remove all food bits and handle them carefully until they dry!

Happy Easter!

New Research Shows “Kangaroo Mother Care” Reduces Newborn Deaths More than 50 Percent, Proven to be More Effective than Incubators for Stable Preterm Babies

Up To Half A Million Newborn Lives Could Be Saved Each Year

WESTPORT, Conn. (March 26, 2010) — Kangaroo Mother Care is one of the most effective ways to save preterm babies, according to a new meta-analysis released today on the effectiveness of this simple, low-cost intervention in which mothers serve as human incubators for their newborns.  The research, led by Dr. Joy Lawn of Save the Children, appears today in a supplement to the International Journal of Epidemiology, which outlines the most effective interventions to reduce newborn and child deaths globally.

A mother practices “kangaroo mother care” with her 11-day-old, premature baby at Gabrielle Traoré Hospital in Bamako, Mali. January 2, 2010. Photo Credit:  Joshua Roberts

The review examined 15 studies in eight low- and middle-income countries, including three randomized controlled trials, and found a 51 percent reduction in newborn mortality when stabilized babies weighing less than four pounds (2,000 gm) received warmth and breast milk through continuous skin-to-skin contact on the chest of their mothers. The findings suggest that up to half a million newborn deaths due to preterm birth complications could be prevented each year if Kangaroo Mother Care were available for all preterm babies, particularly in low-income countries, where newborn mortality rates are highest.

“We are more confident than ever that Kangaroo Mother Care works,” said South African-based Dr. Joy Lawn, newborn health expert for Save the Children, and lead author of the analysis. “No matter if babies are born in Lilongwe, London or Los Angeles, preterm babies need extra care to survive. Kangaroo Mother Care is low-cost and feasible, and we now have proof it is one of the most highly effective ways to give more babies the chance to survive and thrive.”

Kangaroo Mother Care has Greatest Impact During First Week of Life

While increasingly accepted in both high- and low-income countries, a previous meta-analysis of studies did not show Kangaroo Mother Care to have a significant impact on newborn mortality because the benefits of the intervention were examined after one week of age. However, Kangaroo Mother Care has the greatest impact during the first week of a preterm baby’s life, when deaths are most likely to occur. Each year at least 1 million of the world’s nearly 4 million newborn deaths (deaths in the first month of life) are due to preterm birth complications.

Some of the poorest countries in the world are discovering that Kangaroo Mother Care can dramatically reduce newborn deaths. The method was first developed in Colombia and is now practiced in many Latin American countries and in several Asian and African countries.  In Malawi — where 20 percent of all newborns have low birthweight, and more than 20,000 mothers each year bear the tragedy of their newborn babies dying — the majority of hospitals and many health centers provide Kangaroo Mother Care. A recent BBC documentary, Invisible Lives, showed a baby born 14 weeks early and weighing less than 2 lbs (850 gm) who had survived with Kangaroo Mother Care and no technology. Malawi is not the norm, however, as few countries have managed to bring the practice to scale.

“The review released today provides sufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of this proven intervention in health facilities for all stable preterm babies,” added Lawn. “This is one time when the research from low-income countries is bringing a breakthrough relevant for all countries. For instance, England and Sweden and other high income countries are starting to use Kangaroo Mother Care.”

Low-Cost Intervention Provides Options for Care in Low-Income Countries

The effect of Kangaroo Mother Care is expected to be greatest in low-income countries, where other options for care of preterm babies remain limited with few neonatal care units. Babies may be separated from their mothers, reducing exclusive breastfeeding, and overcrowding of several babies in a bed increases the risk of infection. Kangaroo Mother Care halves the risk of infection compared to incubator care.

According to Lawn, funding for child survival is increasing and it is critical to base those investments on proven solutions that have the greatest impact. The supplement and reviews are focused on the development and use of the Lives Saved Tool, or LiST. This free user-friendly computer program helps guide governments and donors on investments in global child survival programs with the most significant results.

“Evidence-based policy and programming are needed to help save the millions of mothers and children who die from lack of basic care every year,” said Robert Black, MD, MPH, professor and chair of the Department of International Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “LiST is an easy-to-use program that can help policymakers allocate resources based on the latest and best evidence available.”

Supplement Reviews Five Other Solutions for Reducing Newborn Deaths

The Journal’s special supplement includes five other reviews of interventions with great potential to reduce newborn deaths. For instance, one meta-analysis shows how the simple injection of steroids given to women in preterm labor reduces deaths for preterm babies by 53 percent. Other featured technical reviews on newborn interventions provide new evidence summaries on tetanus toxoid immunization, folic acid for prevention of neural tube defects or spina bifida, and antibiotics for preterm pre-labor rupture of membranes.

“We have only five years left to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of reducing deaths for newborns and children,” urged Lawn. “The findings of this study add new confidence that we have interventions that work even for challenging conditions like preterm birth. There is no doubt this interventions can save lives — but the reality is that babies will continue to die unnecessarily unless we prioritize high-impact care and make sure it reaches those who need it most. This evidence is our wake-up call to bring Kangaroo Mother Care and other proven interventions to scale in low-and middle-income countries.”

Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Its Saving Newborn Lives program, supported by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a project that aims to reduce newborn deaths and improve newborn survival in high-mortality countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 29 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

I was a home birth waaayy back in ’78. My mom was asked then, “Are you crazy?!” It seems that the question is still asked of home birthers today.

But perhaps people are catching on.

A CDC study shows that home birth is on the rise. Only about 1 percent of American births take place outside a hospital, but the number increased in recent years, from 46,371 home births in 2003-04 to 49,438 home births in 2005-06.

Okay, so the number is still small. But for me, I think that it’s promising. Because if more of us know people who choose this method, it won’t seem so foreign. (And considering that we’ve been “home birthing” for most of human history, I don’t think it should be “foreign”!)

From ABC News:

‘The fact that it’s primarily women who had kids before and had birth in hospitals before, certainly suggests it’s a reaction to their prior birth,’ said Eugene Declercq, a professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, and a author of the study. ‘It certainly suggests it’s an experience they don’t want to repeat.’

Some women should birth at the hospital, such as those who are high-risk. But for those like me, with wide birthin’ hips and quick labors (I don’t like to brag. Oh–wait–yes I do!), the home experience is a great alternative to a place where medical interventions so routinely slip in.

I concur with the study author’s thoughts. My second pregnancy was full of unnecessary tests. But thankfully, I had a good birth experience. If I should have more children, however, I would choose the home. That and a lovely midwife.

Image: eyeliam via Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

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I’m personally against circumcision.

There, I said it. (If you’d like to know more about why, click here.)

I have two intact sons (who will someday be delighted that their mama posted this all over the internet), and you know what? I’ve never had to do anything for them that I haven’t done with little girls I babysat.

Step 1: Take off diaper

Step 2: Wipe off the offending substance

Step 3: Put on new diaper

When Little L was 2 years old, his [holistic] pediatrician told me I should be pulling back the foreskin a couple times a day when I changed his diaper. Little L protested. And my compliance with the doctor’s orders lasted all of one day. I just couldn’t handle hearing,

No, Mama! I don’t like that!

A child shouldn’t rule my decisions. But he should rule his own body, his own autonomy. If he said he didn’t like what someone was doing to his most private parts, I want said offender to Stop.Right.Now. I want him to know that his body was his, and no one has a right to force their will on him.

Too strong? Maybe. But that goes to the heart of my feelings about circumcision. Sure, I could give you many reasons not to circumcise your son. But what it comes down to is that you shouldn’t make a lifetime decision on someone else’s body “just in case”.

And Parenting magazine made a big screw-up with this one. Even in trying to be PC, their BabyTalk magazine gave the horrid advice,

If he is uncircumcised, it is important to gently tug back his foreskin and cleanse thoroughly.

Ladies, do we “gently tug back” everything and clean inside the yoni? Under the clit? No? Not so much?

For intact boys, the area is extremely sensitive. We could actually be bringing in more germs with our “cleansing”. What we do with the intact penis is, well, nothing. And then we encourage our friends to leave their sons’ penises alone, both right after birth and for the duration.

Because guess what? We don’t need to worry about the foreskin retracting. It should happen by the time the boy is 18, and will happen with a little manual stimulation.

I think we can all agree that the boys will do that on their own, yes?

If you’d like to comment to Parenting about this blunder, fan them on Facebook and have a go.

Image: Circumcision of Jesus by Ted Drake via Flickr under a Creative Commons license.

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Sounds interesting. Here are a few snippets from the Fresh Air interview:

How about “Do it yourself” forceps? This is one of the many “innovations” Epstein covers.

Students would watch a doctor…sticking his hands under sheets and [see] a baby pulled out.

And that’s all they saw! Very hands-on. Sounds enlightened, doesn’t it?

On childbirth and pain, and the differing views of it over time:

‘Is pain a good thing or a bad thing? Things that were done to alleviate the pain were considered heresy’…
to, ‘We deserve not to remember anything about childbirth,’
but later feminists were saying, ‘We deserve to experience pregnancy. The real issue is doctor/patient relationships.’

Epstein says that our feelings about our care providers may have helped propel the movement in the 1970s away from drugs during childbirth.

Ack! Although I love hearing about childbirth in general and natural birth in particular, I think certain parts of this book may make me cross my legs. Doesn’t sway me though, I am still eager to read it.
No matter how your baby came into the world, this sounds like a fascinating read.

Check out the interview here. The book is available on Amazon, but not in paperback yet.

Photo: via NPR, taken by Nina Berman.

We are lucky to have a new vendor in from Monterey, VA! Hand Felted by Lisa She hand makes felted booties, mittens and hats in newborn and infant sizes. They are felted on the outside with a cotton (non-itchy!) cotton lining. Come in and check out her creations!

Another vendor, Diane Goodbar, knits up a storm here at On The Turtle’s Back and we are holding a holiday give away on her cool knit hats. Receive one hat free when you spend $50 or more this season. They come in many cute color combinations, so come get one while they last.

If you are looking for a stroller this year for your family or for a friend, we have a high quality Peg Perego stroller in navy blue and plaid. This stroller retails for $400 and we have one here for $200! Fits children from infancy until toddlerhood. Made in Italy.

Check out our blog for more in the coming weeks featuring our local vendors and more product highlights. Have a happy and healthy autumn!

Love,
OTTB

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Stroller maker says its umbrella strollers have resulted in the amputation of 12 children’s fingertips.

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NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Stroller maker Maclaren announced a recall on Monday that affects about 1 million umbrella strollers that can reportedly amputate or lacerate children’s fingertips.

So far, the company said there have been 12 amputations across the country. This happens when children get their fingers stuck in between the stroller’s side hinges while it is being opened or closed.

The South Norwalk, Conn.-based company announced the voluntary recall in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and advises customers to stop using the products manufactured in China sold since 1999 at stores including Babies R Us and Target.

Consumers can contact Maclaren at 877-688-2326 or visit www.maclaren.us/recall to receive a free repair kit.

Maclaren said the kit includes hinge covers designed to fit all Maclaren strollers.

The recall affects the following models, which range in price from $100 to $400: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno, and Easy Traveller.