occupational therapist & child development specialist

Month: May 2012

Be careful when baby carries baby bottle, pacifier, or sippy cup

A study to be published in the June 2012 edition of Pediatrics, the official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, reports an increase in the number of injuries related to the use of baby bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups in children younger than age three. Baby bottles accounted for the highest number of injuries, then pacifiers, and sippy cups, with the injuries occurring to the mouth, head, face or neck.

The researchers reported that the majority of injuries occurred due to falls while holding the product, suggesting that the children may have been walking or running at the time of the accident. The logical solution is to require children to stay seated while drinking from a baby bottle or sippy cup, or when using a pacifier.

Here are several more tips for keeping your baby safe:

• Supervise your child at all times

• Floors should remain free of toys and items that can be tripped over

• Always use a securely fitted safety harness in a highchair or bouncer seat

• Never leave your baby unattended on a raised surface

• Never place a baby bouncers on a raised surface

• The use of baby-walkers and table-mounted high chairs is not recommended

Smoking during pregnancy may be linked to increased risk for autism

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to pay close attention to the research related to this growing diagnosis. According to preliminary findings from researchers at the U.S. autism Surveillance program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women who smoke while pregnant may have an increased risk of having a child with high-functioning autism. It is important to note that these findings were preliminary.

This study was published in the April 25th edition of the Environmental Health Perspecives Journal, and it suggested that there might be an association between smoking during pregnancy and some types of autism, including Asperger’s Disorder.The researchers stressed that further study is needed to confirm the results. Recently data from the Center for Disease Control indicates that 1 in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder.

Unfortunately, a large percentage of women continue to smoke during pregnancy, despite serious health risks to the mother and baby, including respiratory problems, miscarriage, premature delivery, and sudden infant death syndrome. If you are pregnant and smoke, please find support to help you kick the habit. It is best for your baby’s health as well as your own.

 

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