Why Did My Baby Get Thrush?

No one knows. There, satisfied? I’m guessing not. Seriously, though, it can be difficult to pinpoint why babies come down with thrush. There are some things we know for sure concerning thrush. We know that thrush is an overgrowth of the yeast, called candida, found in every person’s body. We know that infants are more susceptible to thrush because their immune systems aren’t fully developed and they are in the process of developing a healthy balance of fungi and bacteria in their bodies. As far as why certain babies get thrush while others do not, there are a lot of … Continue reading

New Children’s Vitamin D Recommendation May Require Supplements

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a new recommendation for the amount of vitamin D for newborns, babies, kids and teens. Read on to learn more. If you are a breast-feeding mom, then chances are that you are familiar with vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D is usually present in formula but very little is available in breastmilk. Because of this fact, a liquid vitamin supplement that includes vitamin D is usually recommended for newborns who are breast-feeding. Older kids usually get their vitamin D from drinking regular cow’s milk. The vitamin was added many years ago to both milk and … Continue reading

Preventing and Treating Dehydration

With cold and flu season approaching as it does every fall season, dehydration becomes a real concern for babies. It is probably one of the most common issues facing babies, and it is often ignored or under treated. Left without treatment, dehydration can lead to infant death, as it does in many countries around the world. In fact, it is the number one cause of infant death worldwide. Fortunately, with modern medicine at our disposal, as well as some knowledge, we can prevent serious cases of dehydration. Read on to find out what you need to know to protect your … Continue reading

Tummy Time Tips

Proper tummy time is important for your baby’s development. Recent research shows that most babies today are not getting enough tummy time, and as a result are suffering from delayed crawling and head deformities. Two factors contribute to these issues. The first is the fact that parents are encouraged to put their babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Since studies have proven the effectiveness of this method, there is really no debate in my mind about following this campaign. The second is the fact that many babies just don’t seem … Continue reading

What Is that Growing Red Spot on My Baby?

If you notice a rapidly growing red spot on your infant, it could be an infantile hemangioma, which is a reddish skin tumor that is usually noticed by one month of age. I’ll discuss what an infantile hemangioma is all about. First let me say that with any information that you find on the Internet, that this post isn’t meant to be used to diagnose any conditions. That is best done by your pediatrician. Having said that, I feel that it is always helpful to be aware of medical conditions that may affect your child. Infantile hemangiomas may start out … Continue reading

Black Infant Mortality Gap

If you are a newborn black infant, your chances of survival to toddler-hood is less than if you are a newborn white infant. This is according to a study that was published in the January 2008 issue of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. According to the research, which was conducted at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, rates for all infant deaths increased during the time frame of the study, not matter whether the babies where black or white, but the increase was greatest for babies who were black. The study looked an infant mortality rates for the years from 1995 … Continue reading

Baby Blog Month in Review: June 2008

June was my first official month posting for the Baby Blog. It has been a great experience. I love learning new things about babies and sharing it with friends. Of course, I could use your help. Whether you are a first-time mom or an experienced mom of a large family, I want to hear from you. Please share your advice, your questions and your comments. On which topics would you like to see more blogs? Meanwhile, take a look at all of the articles we had in June. June 2nd Introducing Babies to Birds Perhaps it is the fact that … Continue reading

Baby Blog Week in Review: June 16th Through June 22nd

June 16th was a very special day for me. That is the day that my first baby was born. And while he is now an active seven-year-old with a younger brother and sister, I still remember the days when it was just the two of use together for most of the day, and I had so much to learn about babies. And now with my youngest still a baby, I find that there is still a lot to discover. I hope you will spend time with me and this blog, as we find out together. June 16th Baby Blog Week … Continue reading

Fluoride and Infants

When it comes to your infant, do you really need to worry about fluoride? The answer is a definite yes. Fluoride can protect budding teeth, but more importantly, too much fluoride can lead to a condition called fluorosis. Fluoride in the right amount is helpful for preventing tooth decay and strengthening your baby’s teeth. If you baby is given too much fluoride, then the teeth can become black and mottled. This mainly just affects the appearance of the teeth and not the health of the teeth, but it is far from attractive. Fluoride can makes its way into your baby’s … Continue reading

Bottle Feeding Past 15 Months Linked to Iron Deficiency

If you bottle feed, you might be reluctant to take the bottle away from your baby. After all, it is sometimes easier and more comforting for the baby to have what she is used to, the bottle, instead of a cup. But, there is a good reason to get your baby on a cup from six to nine months of age. Recent studies have shown that toddlers who still use a bottle are at an increased risk for iron deficiency. This information is brought to light by a recent article in Pediatrics for Parents by Jane Brotanek, MD, MHD, an … Continue reading