by Elizabeth Pantley author of The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007)

Children resort to aggressive behaviors because of a lack of wisdom and self-control. It is not a sign that a child is hateful or mean. Kids are human beings and human beings will get angry, we can’t prevent that. What we can do is teach our children how to handle their frustration and anger in appropriate ways. If your child uses these physical acts to express her feelings, use some of the following tips to change her behavior.

Intercede before it happens
Watch your child during playtime. When you see her becoming frustrated or angry – intervene. Coach her through the issue. Teach her what to do, or model what to say to her friend. Or if she seems too upset to learn, redirect her attention to another activity until her emotions level out.

Teach and explain
It’s one thing to tell a child what not to do or to step into an argument and solve it yourself. It’s another thing entirely to teach her what to do in advance of the next problem. This can be done through role-play, discussion, and reading a few children’s books about angry emotions.

Examine hidden causes
Is your child hungry, tired, sick, jealous, frustrated, bored or scared? If you can identify any feelings driving your child’s actions you can address those along with the aggressive behavior.

Give more attention to the injured party.
Often the child who hits gets so much attention that the action becomes a way of gaining the spotlight. Instead, give more attention to the child who was hurt. After a brief statement, “No hitting!” turn and give attention to the child who was wronged, “Come here and Mommy will give you a hug and read you a book.”

Teach positive physical touches.
Show your child how to hold hands during a walk or how to give a back rub or foot massage. Teach a few physical games, like tag or cat’s cradle. Under direct supervision, children who are more physical can gain a positive outlet for their physical energy.

Teach the clapping method
Tell a child to clap his hands whenever he feels an urge to hit. This gives him an immediate outlet for his emotions and helps him learn to keep his hands to himself. An alternate is to teach him to put his hands in his pockets when he feels like hitting. Reward with praise anytime you see he’s successful.

Give your child a time out
To use Time Out when a child acts out aggressively, immediately and gently take the child by the shoulders, look him in the eye and say, “No hurting others, time out.” Guide the child to a chair and tell him, “You may get up when you can play without hitting.” By telling him that he can get up when he’s ready, you let him know that he is responsible for controlling his own behavior. If the child gets up and hits again, say, “You are not ready to get up yet,” and direct him back to time out.

Avoid play hitting and wrestling
Young children who roughhouse with a parent or sibling during play time might then use these same actions during non-wrestling times. It can be hard for them to draw the line between the two. If you have a child who has trouble controlling his physical acts then avoid this kind of play.

Don’t lose control
When you see your child hurting another child it’s easy to get angry. This won’t teach your child what she needs to learn: how to control her emotions when others are making her mad. You are mad at her, so she’ll be watching how you handle your anger.

Don’t let your child watch violent TV or video games
Children can become immune to the impact of violence, and they may copy what they see depicted on the screen. Avoid viewing shows that portray aggression as an appropriate way of handling anger.

Don’t assume your child can figure it out
If your child comes to you about a difficult situation, don’t send him away for tattling. But don’t step in and handle it for him, either. View his call for help as an invitation to teach him important social skills.

Don’t focus on punishment
More than anything your child needs instructions on how to treat other human beings, particularly during moments of anger or frustration.
Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) by Elizabeth Pantley http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

About the author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry — Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, Kid Cooperation (with an introduction by William Sears, MD), Perfect Parenting, as well as her latest The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers and is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. She is a popular speaker on family issues, and her newsletter, Parent Tips, is seen in schools nationwide. She appears as a regular radio show guest, and has been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman’s Day magazines. Visit Elizabeth’s web site http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth.

During pregnancy a woman experiences many aches and pains. During the first trimester she often has fatigue and nausea. There is normally also some cramping as the uterus starts to expand and grow. There is also the constant urge to go to the bathroom as the uterus puts extra pressure on the bladder that the bladder.

During the second trimester, most of the first trimester pregnancy symptoms go away, although a new one tends to pop up. It is generally referred to as round ligament pain. But what is round ligament pain exactly?

The round ligaments are the ligaments at the bottom of your belly, which are positioned under the uterus, and expand and grow to help support your uterus as it gets bigger. As these ligaments stretch some women find it painful and are concerned. Most doctors and midwives will reassure you that these pains are a normal part of pregnancy.

During the third trimester this pain can increase as your uterus grows even bigger and the ligaments have to stretch more to support the weight of the baby, amniotic fluid, placenta and extra blood that your body is carrying in your belly. If the pain becomes unbearable, ask your provider what pain medication is safe to take while pregnant.

Some women are concerned because they don’t have round ligament pain, or they don’t seem to suffer from it as much as other women. Not every woman will experience a large amount of pain. Generally, in a first pregnancy, the pain won’t start as early or be as severe as it is in a woman’s second, third and subsequent pregnancies. This is normal and to be expected.

After you deliver the baby, remember that your body has “memory” so after your pregnancy is over, and as your belly shrinks and your body returns to normal, these round ligaments will return to their former, pre-pregnancy shape and size. This shrinking may also cause some pain, but it shouldn’t be as severe as when the ligaments originally stretched to make room for your baby.

By Beverley Brooke

There are many things that you can do to improve your diet and ensure that you gain a minimal but healthy amount of weight during pregnancy.

Choosing the right foods is important because you will be able to loose weight more quickly after delivery if you manage your diet during pregnancy.

So here is what you need to do during pregnancy to ensure weight loss success after you have your baby:

Tip #1
Choose whole foods. Whole foods are foods that are dense in nutrients. Think wild rice, whole grains, and unprocessed foods. Whole foods don’t include waffles and pancakes!

Tip #2
Add calories during the second trimester. Eating for two doesn’t literally mean eating for two. In fact during your first trimester your baby is about the size of a small bean! Most women don’t actually need to start adding 300 calories a day to their diet until the second and third trimesters.

Tip #3
Be sure you get a serving of protein, carbohydrate and fat at every meal. It will help you if you break your meals into six mini meals per day. This will help rev up your metabolism. Next be sure that you eat some protein, carbohydrate and fat at each mini meal session. This will help nourish your body more completely and help prevent cravings later in the day.

Tip #4
Choose foods high in fiber. High fiber foods will help fill you up when you are ravenous during pregnancy, and they will also help relieve constipation and help you feel great! A high fiber diet is good for anyone, whether or not they are pregnant.

Tip #5
Drink extra water. You’ll be thirstier than normal anyway during pregnancy. Drinking water helps flush toxins from your system and helps prevent excessive edema. Believe it or not you can actually fight weight gain associated with edema if you drink more water!

Remember that pregnancy is a short period of time in the long journey that is your life. You should enjoy every moment of it. By following the tips above, you can gain the right amount of weight and feel great throughout your pregnancy.

About the Author
Article by Beverley Brooke, author of How To Ensure A Safe, Healthy Pregnancy And Lose Weight After Pregnancy. Visit her site for more on www.pregnancy-weight-loss.com.

By Beverley Brooke

It is important that you remember that weight gain is a normal and healthy part of pregnancy. You have to gain weight in order to provide a healthy and comfortable home for the child that you will be nurturing for the next nine months.

Most women want to know what the ideal weight is during pregnancy. Honestly, there is no one answer. Weight gain will vary from woman to woman. There is no one “ideal” weight during pregnancy, just like there is no one “ideal” weight that is just right for al women.

That said there are certain guidelines that you can follow to ensure that the weight you gain during pregnancy is healthy.

Constipation throughout the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy is a common complaint from pregnant women. Some women, however, do not know that you do NOT have to suffer through it, and that there are things that can be done to prevent it.

Early in pregnancy, constipation is caused by a change in your hormones which can make your digestive system sluggish and often uncooperative. Later in pregnancy, the constipation can be aided by the increased size of your uterus and the baby pushing down on the intestines and inner organs, not allowing as much room for food to pass.

What You Can Do
There are several things you can do to help ease or prevent the occurrence of constipation.

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated has been proven to help keep your system regulated, both while pregnant and not pregnant. Doctors recommend that both pregnant and unpregnant women drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

   

• Get more fiber. Fiber in your diet will help your bowel movements remain loose and regular. You can get fiber in fruits and vegetables, as well as grains. If you don’t feel like you are getting enough fiber, ask your doctor about taking a fiber supplement.

   

• Watch the calcium. Too much calcium while pregnant can cause your bowels to harden and lead to constipation. Try to avoid eating more than the recommended amount of dairy foods.

   

• Keep active. Exercise can help keep your system regulated. Keep up a walking routine, swim if you can, or lift some light weights if your doctor says it is safe.

If you are trying all this and the constipation still is not letting up, ask your doctor or midwife about the possibility of taking extra supplements or laxatives. There may be additional remedies that your provider can recommend to help bring you relief.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant under 1 year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history (Willinger et al., 1991).

SIDS is…

• the major cause of death in infants from 1 month to 1 year of age, with most deaths occurring between 2 and 4 months
• sudden and silent–the infant was seemingly healthy
• a death often associated with sleep and with no signs of suffering
• a recognized medical disorder
• determined only after an autopsy, an examination of the death scene, and a review of the infant’s and family’s clinical histories
• a diagnosis of exclusion
• an infant death that leaves unanswered questions, causing intense grief for parents and families

SIDS is not…

• preventable, but the risk can be reduced by placing the baby on his or her back to sleep on a firm surface, by making sure the baby has a smoke-free environment, and by keeping the baby from being overheated
• suffocation
• caused by vomiting and choking or by minor illnesses such as colds or infection
• caused by the diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) vaccines or other immunizations
• contagious
• child abuse or neglect
• the cause of every unexpected infant death

What Are the Most Common Characteristics of SIDS?
SIDS is unexpected, usually occurring in healthy-appearing infants under 1 year of age. A SIDS death occurs quickly and usually during sleep. SIDS is rare during the first month of life. Although SIDS can occur in older infants, most SIDS deaths occur by the end of the sixth month, with the greatest number occurring in infants between 2 and 4 months of age (AAP, 2000).

In the United States, more SIDS cases are reported in the fall and winter than in spring or summer. SIDS occurs more often in boys than in girls (approximately a 60- to 40-percent male-to-female ratio). African-American and American-Indian infants are two to three times more likely to die from SIDS as other infants (AAP, 2000; NICHD, 2001). Several Government agencies are intensifying efforts to reach these populations with the latest information about SIDS.

How Many Babies Die from SIDS?
Each year between 1983 and 1992, the average number of reported SIDS deaths ranged from 5,000 to 6,000. Over the past few years, especially since the mid 1990s, the number of SIDS deaths has declined significantly. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported that in 2001 in the United States, 2,236 infants under 1 year of age died from SIDS (NCHS, 2003). Still, when considering the number of live births each year, SIDS remains the leading cause of death in the United States among infants between 1 month and 1 year of age and the third leading cause of death overall among infants less than 1 year of age (NCHS, 2003).

Although the overall SIDS rates have declined in all populations throughout the United States, disparities in SIDS rates and prevalence of risk factors remain in certain groups. SIDS rates are highest among African Americans and American Indians and are lowest among Asians and Hispanics (NICHD, 2001).

SIDS Deaths by Race and Hispanic Origin of Mother, 2001*

*Per 100,000 live births by group. Source: NCHS, 2003. Mathews, T.J., Menacker, F., MacDorman, M.F.,. Infant Mortality Statistics from the 2001 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set. National Vital Statistics Reports; Vol. 52, No. 12. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics. September 15, 2003.

How Do Professionals Diagnose a SIDS Death?
By definition, a SIDS diagnosis requires a complete autopsy, a thorough death scene investigation, and a clinical history. A death is diagnosed as SIDS only after all probable alternatives have been eliminated-in other words, SIDS is a diagnosis of “exclusion.” Often, the cause of an infant death can be determined only through a process of collecting information; conducting sometimes complex forensic tests; and by talking with parents, other caregivers, and physicians.

Medical and legal experts rely on three methods to determine a SIDS death:

• a thorough death scene investigation
• autopsy
• review of infant’s and family’s medical records and histories.

When a death is sudden and unexplained, investigators, including medical examiners and coroners, call on forensic experts, who apply their expertise in medicine and the law to help determine a cause of death. SIDS is no exception.

In most cases, the death investigation is led by the medical examiner or coroner for the county, district, or State in which the death occurred. Deaths suspected to be SIDS usually require law enforcement officers to conduct a thorough death scene investigation. The medical examiner/coroner gathers information from the death scene and case histories and presents this information to the pathologist (usually board certified or with credentials in forensic pathology). The pathologist conducts or supervises the autopsy and assesses results of the autopsy, death scene investigation, and case histories to determine whether a SIDS death has occurred. The pathologist issues a SIDS diagnosis when there is no other apparent cause for the infant’s death (Valdes-Dapena, 1995).

A Thorough Death Scene Investigation
Although it may be emotionally painful for the family, a death scene investigation will help shed light on the cause of death by providing a detailed record of the location and circumstances of the death. Therefore, the investigator will attempt to learn as much as possible about the events leading up to the death, even the very moment that the death occurred.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed guidelines for death scene investigation of a sudden, unexplained infant death (CDC, 1996). Local jurisdictions may use these guidelines or develop their own protocols for investigating sudden unexpected infant death.

Investigators will interview the parent or other individual who was caring for the child at the time of the death, as well as any other family members or adults who were present at the time of the death or before the death occurred. The investigator will ask open-ended, neutral questions such as, “Can you tell me what happened?” “How old was the baby?” “What did the baby weigh?” “What time was the baby put to bed?” “When did the baby fall asleep?” “Who last saw the baby alive?” “Who discovered the baby, and what did that person do?” “What position was the baby in when he/she was found?” “Were there covers over the baby’s head?” “Was CPR attempted?” “Did the baby share a bed with anyone else?” “What was the general health of the baby?” “Had the baby been ill recently?”

The individual investigating the death will take notes about the appearance of the room where the death occurred; condition and characteristics of the crib or sleeping environment; objects, if any, in the crib; medications at the death scene; and any unusual or dangerous items in the room, such as sharp objects or plastic bags. The investigator may make notes about the behavior of those present at the death scene. The investigator will also photograph the death scene and record the temperature of the room. It is likely that investigators will collect the infant’s bedding (e.g., sheets, blankets, etc.), any objects in the crib (e.g., toys or bottles), or any unusual or dangerous items found near the death scene.

Autopsy
An autopsy provides evidence of the cause of death through microscopic examination of tissue samples and examination of the body and vital organs. An autopsy is particularly important when a SIDS death is suspected because a definitive diagnosis cannot be made without a thorough postmortem examination. It is estimated that in 15 percent of cases suspected to be SIDS, the autopsy identifies another cause of death, such as a disease or genetic disorder, as well as unintentional injury or unnatural death (Valdes-Dapena, 1995). Also, if a cause (or causes) of SIDS is ever to be uncovered, it is likely that the cause will be detected from evidence gathered from a thorough pathological examination.

An autopsy may help parents and other caregivers deal with the death. According to noted authority Marie Valdes-Dapena, M.D., parents whose child has died need to know why the death occurred; they need to be reassured that their baby’s death could neither have been predicted nor prevented (Valdes-Dapena, 1995). Moreover, an autopsy leading to a diagnosis of SIDS will help remove the parents (or caregiver) from potential suspicion of wrongdoing by the legal system and by society in general.

Parents are usually anxious to consult with the pathologist after the autopsy. Discussing the autopsy results often helps most parents accept the reality of their infant’s death. The pathologist reviews the autopsy results, explaining in terms the parents can understand how these findings point to a determination of cause of death. The pathologist should also take the time to answer parents’ questions, responding with “compassion, understanding, and respect for the parents’ dignity and grief” (Valdes-Dapena, 1995).

Review of the Infant’s and Family’s Medical Histories
A comprehensive medical history is essential for a SIDS diagnosis. Along with a death scene investigation and an autopsy, a careful review of the infant’s and family’s history of disease, previous illnesses, accidents, and behaviors often helps to corroborate what is detected from the death scene investigation and the autopsy.

SIDS Deaths Require Special Understanding
Any sudden, unexpected death disturbs the sense of normalcy and security for the victim’s family. These deaths force family members and those around them to confront their own mortality (Corr et al., 1991). This is particularly true in the case of a sudden infant death. Simply put, babies are not supposed to die. Because the death of an infant is a disruption of the natural order, it is especially traumatic for parents, other family members, and friends (Arnold et al., 1997).

Like any sudden death, a SIDS death leaves a family with a sense of shock and loss and an urgent need to understand what happened. Lack of a discernible cause, the suddenness of the death, and possible involvement of law enforcement authorities make a SIDS death even more difficult. A SIDS death also leaves the family with a need for understanding from those close to the family-even the surrounding community.

A SIDS death is as tragic as a death from any readily definable disease or cause. Thus, investigators compiling or reviewing the case histories should be especially sensitive and recognize that the family may view this process as an intrusion, even a violation, of their grief. The interviewer should also be sensitive to the family’s cultural practices and traditions. The interviewer should point out to the family that although obtaining the case histories may be stressful, this information may reveal that the death could not have been prevented, which may provide some solace to a grieving family.

Are There Ways to Reduce the Risk of SIDS?
Currently there is no known way to prevent SIDS, but there are things that parents and caregivers can do to reduce the risk of a SIDS death. For example, researchers now know that the mother’s health and behavior during her pregnancy and the baby’s health before birth seem to influence the occurrence of SIDS.

Scientists also know that certain environmental and behavioral influences (called risk factors) can make an individual more susceptible to disease or ill health. Although risk factors are not necessarily the cause of a condition, by studying risk factors, scientists are able to better understand a disease or condition, which often leads to detecting a cause.

SIDS researchers and clinicians continue to try to identify risk factors that can be modified or controlled to reduce an infant’s risk for SIDS. For example, SIDS experts now know that the baby’s sleep position, exposure to smoke, and becoming overheated while asleep can increase the infant’s risk for SIDS.

Infant Sleep Position
In April 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force on Infant Sleep Position issued a statement recommending that infants be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Then, in 1994, the U.S. Public Health Service, AAP, the SIDS Alliance, and the Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs cosponsored the Back to Sleep campaign, a national public service initiative to disseminate AAP’s recommendation that infants be placed on their back to sleep.

Between 1992 and 1998, among U.S. infants, stomach (prone) sleeping decreased from more than 70 percent to approximately 20 percent. During that same time frame, the number of SIDS deaths declined by more than 40 percent (Willinger et al., 1998; AAP, 2000; NICHD, 2001). Not surprisingly, most researchers, policymakers, and SIDS professionals agree that this significant decline occurred largely as a result of changing sleep position (AAP, 2000).

Rates of SIDS are over twice as high among American Indians and African Americans compared with Whites. Prone sleeping was found to be a significant risk factor for SIDS in an African- American urban sample (Hauck et al., 2002). These authors recommend educational outreach to the African-American community.

Another recent study of the relationship between infant sleep position and SIDS concluded that infants placed in an unaccustomed prone or side sleeping position are at a higher risk of SIDS (Li et al., 2003). This ethnically diverse, population-based, case-controlled study was conducted in 11 counties in California. The health message from this research is that babies should be on their backs for all sleep, including naps.

Exposure to Smoke
Researchers have concluded that if a mother smokes during or after pregnancy, she is placing her infant at a greater risk for SIDS (AAP, 2000). Some studies suggest that exposure of the newborn to tobacco smoke (whether or not the mother smokes) may be associated with increased risk for SIDS. In a 1997 policy statement, AAP cautioned, “Exposure of children to environmental tobacco smoke is associated with increased rates of lower respiratory illness and increased rates of middle ear effusion, asthma, and SIDS” (AAP 1997).

Overheating
According to AAP (2000), some evidence points to an association of the amount of clothing or blankets on an infant, room temperature, and the time of the year with an increased risk for SIDS. The increased risk associated with overheating is particularly clear when infants are placed on their stomachs (prone).

AAP cautions that the possible relationship between clothing and climate as stand-alone factors (or as a cluster of environmental risk factors) is less clear. Moreover, although the number of recorded SIDS deaths has been higher in the winter months, that increase may be due to the greater frequency of colds, flu, and other infections during the winter.

Infant Bedding
Researchers and consumer safety advocates continue to look for a possible link between SIDS and soft bedding (Scheers, Dayton, and Kemp, 1998). During 2000, seven major retailers joined with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to kick off a nationwide campaign promoting safe bedding practices for infants. Many retailers are developing public service campaigns to spread this message to parents and other infant caregivers.

The hope is that by circulating this information, infant deaths will be reduced and that those responsible for infant care will receive one consistent message about ensuring a safe sleeping environment for babies.

In recent safety alerts, CPSC has warned parents to guard against unfounded claims from manufacturers of some infant bedding materials that the use of certain products can reduce SIDS. Parents and other caregivers need to be aware that there is no product currently available that can guarantee prevention of a SIDS death.

Other Risk Factors
Although sleep position, smoke exposure, overheating, and infant bedding have been identified as risk factors for SIDS, researchers have identified a number of other factors that may put an infant at increased risk for SIDS.

Infant Care Practices and SIDS Risk Reduction
Several studies have examined various environmental influences or child-rearing practices that may help protect an infant from SIDS (Valdes-Dapena, 1995; Hoffman et al., 1996; NICHD, 2000). It is important to point out, however, that these factors, in and of themselves, are not reliable in predicting how, when, why, or if SIDS will occur.

For example, although researchers conclude that breastfeeding is beneficial, there is no clear-cut link between breastfeeding and reduced risk of SIDS. Other studies have found a lower rate of SIDS among infants who used pacifiers compared with infants who did not use pacifiers. Although results of these studies tend to be consistent, there is still no evidence that pacifier use prevents SIDS (AAP, 2000).

Maternal Risk Factors
Still other risk factors, called maternal risk factors, are associated with how the mother’s behavior and health affect the infant before and after birth.

Maternal risk factors include:

• age less than 20 at first pregnancy
• a short interval between pregnancies
• late or no prenatal care
• smoking during and/or after pregnancy
• placental abnormalities
• low weight gain during pregnancy
• anemia
• alcohol and substance abuse
• history of sexually transmitted disease or urinary tract infection (NICHD, 2001).

How to Lower Your Baby’s Risk of SIDS:

• Back Sleeping and Safe Bedding*
• make sure that everyone who cares for your baby puts the baby on his or her back to sleep
• use a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards
• remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products from the crib
• dress your baby in sleep clothing so that you will not have to use any other covering over the baby
• place your baby so that his or her feet are at the bottom of the crib
• tuck a thin blanket around the bottom of the crib mattress, reaching only as far as the baby’s chest
• make sure the baby’s head remains uncovered during sleep
• keep your baby warm, but not too warm
• make sure that everyone who cares for your baby understands the dangers of soft bedding
• avoid adult beds, waterbeds, sofas, or other soft surfaces for sleep

*from AAP, CPSC, and NICHD AAP: www.aap.org CPSC: www.cpsc.gov NICHD: www.nichd.nih.gov

Current Research Findings and Theories
Most scientists now believe that babies who die of SIDS are born with one or more conditions that make them especially vulnerable to the internal and external stresses that occur in the life of any infant. Currently, many researchers argue that the clue to finding the cause(s) of SIDS lies in a further understanding of the development and functions of the brain and nervous system of SIDS infants.

These scientists theorize that some babies at risk for SIDS have defects in those parts of the nervous system that control breathing and heart rate. Maturation of the brainstem may be delayed in SIDS infants. Myelin, a fatty substance that facilitates nerve signal transmission, appears to develop more slowly in SIDS infants than in other babies.

“The detection of subtle abnormalities in SIDS brains indicates that not all SIDS infants are ‘normal’ despite their lack of clinical abnormalities. The occurrence of brain abnormalities supports the concept that a vulnerable, and not a normal, infant is at risk for SIDS. The idea of a vulnerable infant forms a key part of a triple-risk model for the pathogenesis of SIDS” (Filiano and Kinney, 1994).

The Triple-Risk Model
Pathology studies of SIDS infants support the view that these infants possess underlying vulnerabilities that put them at risk for sudden death, a concept advanced by the triple-risk model in describing the sequence of events leading to the death of an infant. A number of scientists are currently applying this model in their search for a cause(s) of SIDS.

Vulnerable Infant
The first key element of the triple-risk model depicts an infant with an underlying defect or abnormality, which makes the baby vulnerable. In this model, certain pathophysiological factors (e.g., defects in the parts of the brain that control respiration or heart rate, and that occur during early life) explain vulnerability to sudden infant death.

Adapted from Filiano and Kinney 1994.

Critical Developmental Period
The second element in the triple-risk model refers to the infant’s first 6 months of life. During this critical developmental period, rapid growth phases occur and changes in homeostatic controls take place. These changes may be evident (e.g., sleeping and waking patterns), or they may be more subtle (e.g., variations in breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature). It may be that some of these changes may temporarily or periodically destabilize the infant’s internal systems.

Outside Stressor(s)
The third element of this model involves outside stressors. These may include environmental factors (e.g., exposure to tobacco smoke, overheating, or prone sleep position) or an upper respiratory infection that most babies can experience and survive, but that an already-vulnerable infant may not be able to overcome. In and of themselves, these stressors do not cause infant deaths, but in a vulnerable infant, “may tip the balance against an infant’s chances of survival” (Filiano and Kinney, 1994).

According to this model, all three elements must interact for a sudden infant death to occur-the baby’s vulnerability is undetected until the infant enters the critical developmental period and is exposed to an outside stressor or stressors.

Brain Abnormalities in SIDS Infants
A team of researchers funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has discovered that infants who die of SIDS may have abnormalities in several parts of the brainstem. This finding builds on the results of an earlier study that identified abnormalities in the region of the brain known as the arcuate nucleus in babies who died of SIDS.

“These findings show that SIDS infants have a more global biological deficit than we previously believed -one that may originate in fetal life,” explained Marian Willinger, Ph.D., of NICHD’s Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch, in a May 2000 press release. In the NICHD study, SIDS infants were found to have decreased binding of serotonin in the nucleus raphe obscurus, a brain structure linked to the arcuate nucleus, as well as four other brain regions. These areas of the brain are thought to play a crucial role in regulating breathing, heart beat, body temperature, and arousal (Panigrahy et al., 2000).

Back to Sleep Campaign
Since its inception in 1994, the Back to Sleep campaign has focused on heightening awareness among parents, health care providers, and other caregivers about the benefits of putting a baby to sleep on his or her back. Over the course of the campaign, almost 80 million brochures, posters, public service announcements, and informational videos have been distributed. The Back to Sleep campaign continues as a nationwide public health effort, with NICHD having major responsibility for disseminating information and educational materials on this crucial health topic.

Back in 1994 when the Back to Sleep campaign was first initiated, there were almost twice as many SIDS deaths among African-American infants than among White infants. Despite the almost 50 percent drop in the number of SIDS deaths in both groups, a significant disparity still exists (NICHD, 2002). To continue efforts to reach minority and hard-to-reach populations about the importance of placing an infant on its back to sleep, NICHD has partnered with community groups to provide outreach to minority and underserved communities.

SIDS Deaths in Child Care Settings
Twenty percent of SIDS deaths occur in a day care setting (Moon, Patel, and Shaefer, 2000). Although media and mailings have been largely effective in communicating BTS information to many child care centers, nonprone positioning and other risk reduction measures are not universally practiced among child care providers (Moon and Biliter, 2000). To promote these messages in child care settings, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau is sponsoring the Healthy Child Care America Back to Sleep campaign. The campaign, which was officially launched in January 2003, is a nationwide effort to unite child care, health, and SIDS prevention partners to reduce the risk of deaths in child care settings (AAP, 2003).

Over the past 9 years, the Back to Sleep campaign has been extremely effective in helping reduce the number of SIDS deaths. AAP cautions, however, that while continuing to emphasize the “importance of infant positioning for sleep as an effective modifiable risk factor for SIDS,” it is also important to “focus increased attention on other modifiable environmental factors, to describe complications that may have arisen from modifying risk factors, and to make recommendations about other strategies that may be effective for further reducing the risk of SIDS” (AAP, 2000).

Partners in the Back to Sleep Campaign Outreach to Underserved Populations
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Chi Eta Phi Sorority
Chicago Department of Public Health
Congress of National Black Churches
District of Columbia Department of Public Health
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
National Black Child Health Development Institute
National Coalition of 100 Black Women
National Medical Association
National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters
Pampers Parenting Institute
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
Acknowledgments
Review panel members

Michael Corwin, M.D.
Co-Director
Massachusetts Center for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Anne Harvieux, C.I.C.S.W.
Program Administrator
Infant Death Center of Wisconsin

Jeffrey Jentzen, M.D.
Medical Examiner, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee, WI

John Leggatt, M.D.
Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Milwaukee City, Milwaukee, WI

Mary McClain, R.N., M.S.
Massachusetts Center for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Marian Willinger, Ph.D.
Special Assistant for SIDS
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

For Additional Information on SIDS and Infant Death, and for a List of State SIDS Coordinators, Please Contact:

National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Center (NSIDRC)
8280 Greensboro Drive
Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: (866) 866-7437, (703) 821-8955
Fax: (703) 821-2098
E-mail: sids@circlesolutions.com
www.sidscenter.org

Other SIDS Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The best way to contact the AAP is to access the Academy’s Web site: www.aap.org. To locate news releases and policy statements, search the site using “SIDS” as keyword.

Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs (ASIP)
c/o Marie Chandick, ASIP President
New York State Center for Sudden Infant Death
School of Social Welfare/Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794-8232
Phone: (631) 444-3690
Fax: (631) 444-6475
E-mail: marie.chandick@stonybrook.edu
www.asip1.org

C.J. Foundation for SIDS
Barry Bornstein, Executive Director
The Don Imus-WFAN Pediatric Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
30 Prospect Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 996-5111, 1-888-8CJ-SIDS
Fax: (201) 996-5326
E-mail: barrycjf@aol.com
www.cjsids.com

First Candle/SIDS Alliance
1314 Bedford Avenue
Suite 210
Baltimore, MD 21208
Phone: (800) 221-7437, (410) 653-8226
Fax: (410) 653-8709
E-mail: info@sidsalliance.org
www.sidsalliance.org

National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC)
SIDS/ID Component
Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development
3307 M Street NW
Suite 401
Washington, DC 20007-3935
Phone: (800) 788-2066, (202) 687-5387
Fax: (202) 687-8899
E-mail: cultural@georgetown.edu
www.georgetown.edu/research/gucdc/nccc

National SIDS and Infant Death Program Support Center
Kathleen Graham, Director
1314 Bedford Avenue
Suite 210
Baltimore, MD 21208
Phone: (410) 415-6628, (800) 638-7437
Fax: (410) 415-5093
E-mail: kgrahamsids@yahoo.com
www.sids-id-psc.org

National SIDS and Infant Death Project IMPACT
8280 Greensboro Drive
Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: (703) 902-1260, (800) 930-7437
Fax: (703) 902-1320
E-mail: lcooper@sidsprojectimpact.com
www.sidsprojectimpact.com

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East-West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814-4408
Phone: (800) 638-2772
(Consumer Hotline: Call toll-free to obtain product safety information and to report unsafe products.)
Fax: (301) 504-0124
E-mail: info@cpsc.gov
www.cpsc.gov

Contact Information for the Back to Sleep Campaign
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Back to Sleep Campaign
31 Center Drive, Room 2A32
Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
Public Information: (301) 496-5133
Fax: (301) 496-7101
www.nichd.nih.gov
To order campaign materials, call toll-free: 1-800-505-CRIB

References
American Academy of Pediatrics, Task Force on Infant Sleep Position and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. “Changing Concepts of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Implications for Infant Sleeping Environment and Sleep Position.” Pediatrics 2000 March; 105 (No.3):650-6.

American Academy of Pediatrics, Healthy Child Care Back to Sleep Campaign, 2003. www.healthychildcare.org.

Arnold, J., McClain, M.E., and Shaefer, S.J.M. “Reaching Out to the Family of a SIDS Baby.” In: Woods, J.R., and Woods, J.L.E. (Eds.). Loss During Pregnancy or in the Newborn Period: Principles of Care with Clinical Cases and Analysis. Pitman (NJ): Jannetti Publications, Inc., 1997.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Guidelines for Death Scene Investigation of Sudden, Unexplained Infant Deaths: Recommendations of the Interagency Panel on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1996; 45 (No. RR-10).

Corr, C.A., Fuller, H., Barnickol, C.A., and Corr, D.M. (Eds.). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Who Can Help and How. New York: Springer Publishing Co., 1991.

Filiano, J.J., and Kinney, H.C. “A Perspective on Neuropathologic Findings in Infants of the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: The Triple Risk Model.” Biology of the Neonate 1994; 65(3-4):194-7.

Hauck, F.R., Moore, C.M., Herman, S.M., Donovan, M., Kalelkar, M., Christoffel, K.K., Hoffman, H.J., and Rowley, D. “The Contribution of Prone Sleeping Position to the Racial Disparity in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: The Chicago Infant Mortality Study.” Pediatrics 2002 Oct; 110(4):772-80.

Hauck, F.R., Herman, S.M., Donovan, M., Iyasu, S., Moore, C.M., Donoghue, E., Kirschner, R.H., and Willinger, M. “Sleep Environment and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in an Urban Population: The Chicago Infant Mortality Study.” Pediatrics 2003; 111(5), 1207-1214.

Hoffman, H.J., Damus, K., Hillman, L., and Krongrad, E. “Risk Factors for SIDS. Results of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development SIDS Cooperative Epidemiological Study.” In: Schwartz, P.J., Southall, D.P., and Valdes-Dapena, M. (Eds). The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Cardiac and Respiratory Mechanisms and Interventions. New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1988.

Hoffman, H.J., Willinger, M., Gloeckner, C., Wu, K-T., and Hillman, L.S. “Risk Factors by Race/Ethnicity in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) SIDS Cooperative Epidemiological Study.” Paper presented at the Fourth SIDS International Conference, June 23-26, 1996.

Li, D.K., Petitti, D.B., Willinger, M., McMahon, R., Odouli, R., Vu, H., and Hoffman, H.J. “Infant Sleeping Position and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in California, 1997-2000.” American Journal of Epidemiology 2003 March 1; 157(5):446-55.

Mathews, T.J., Menacker, F., and MacDorman, M.F. “Infant Mortality Statistics from the 2001 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set.” National Vital Statistics Reports September 15, 2003; 52(2).

Moon, R.Y., and Biliter, W.M. “Infant Sleep Position Policies in Licensed Child Care Centers after Back to Sleep Campaign.” Pediatrics 2000; 106:576-580.

Moon, R.Y., Patel, K.M., and Shaefer, S.J.M. “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Child Care Settings.” Pediatrics 2000; 106 (2) 295-300.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health. From Cells to Selves. Targeting Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): A Strategic Plan. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2001.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health. NICHD-funded Researchers Uncover Abnormal Brain Pathways in SIDS Victims. News Release. Rockville (MD): May 14, 2000.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Public Information and Communications Branch. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 1997.

Panigrahy, A., Filiano, J., Sleeper, L.A., Mandell, F., Valdes-Dapena, M., et al. “Decreased Serotonergic Receptor Binding in Rhombic Lip-Derived Regions of the Medulla Oblongata in the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.” Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 2000 May; 59(5): 377-84.

Scheers, N.J., Dayton, C.M. Kemp, J.S. “Sudden Infant Death with External Airways Covered.” Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine 1998; 152:540-547.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs. Recommendations Revised to Prevent Infant Deaths from Soft Bedding. News Release #99-091. Washington, DC. April 8, 1999.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs. Retailers Join CPSC in Promoting Safe Bedding Practices for Babies-Each Year 900 SIDS Deaths May be Caused by Soft Bedding. News Release #00-078. Washington, DC. March 14, 2000.

Willinger, M., Hoffman, H.J., Wu, K-T., et al. “Factors Associated with the Transition to Nonprone Sleep Positions of Infants in the United States: The National Infant Sleep Position Study.” Journal of the American Medical Association 1998; 280:329-335.

Willinger, M., James, L.S., and Catz, C. “Defining the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Deliberations of an Expert Panel Convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.” Pediatric Pathology September-October 1991; 11(5): 677-84.

Valdes-Dapena, M. “The Postmortem Examination.” Pediatric Annals 1995 July; 24(7): 365-372.

by James Aust

When a baby has colic, the family environment is stressful and many family members may become upset or on edge. This is most often seen in new parents. Some symptoms of colic may be that the baby cries loudly for three hours, the baby has bowel pains or the baby pulls their feet up under themselves and clenches their fists. New parents become alarmed and upset that their new baby may cry for hours, even though they have tried just about everything to comfort the the baby.

Causes of Colic
There is no known one cause of colic. Doctors have several theories of what causes infant colic. The most popular theory is that the child had ingested air along with either the mother’s milk or bottled milk. Drinking too fast or in gulps causes air to enter the baby’s stomach which leads to gastrointestinal pain, thus the baby becomes colic. Another theory some believe is that if the baby is breast fed and the mother is eating a lot of gas producing foods such as orange juice, vegetables, like onions and cabbage, apples, plums, spicy food and caffeinated products such as cola, chocolate and tea, the baby will receive the same result through breast milk. A third theory is that infants have an immature nervous system that is unable to cope with all the intense new stimulations of new life events. As the day progresses, the stress overcomes them and they cry for hours.

Solutions For a Colic Baby
Infant colic is very common in new born children. It is not the result of poor parenting skills. In fact, about 1/3 of all babies experience colic, so having a colic baby is not uncommon. In most cases infant colic will disappear in three months. But what can you do now? How can you reduce colic symptoms? There is no single treatment for a colic baby. Many parents have experienced success trying the following methods:

1. Hold your baby and rock it in your arms.
2. Put your baby in a swing and gently rock it back and fourth.
3. Take the baby for a car ride.
4. Carry the infant in a sling or take it for a carriage ride.
5. Try turning on a fan or vacuum, using them as white noise.
6. Try using a pacifier.
7. Give the baby a warm bath.
8. Try burping the baby.
9. Use Simethicone drops to reduce the baby’s gas pains.
10. If you are the mother, and you are breast feeding, vary your diet to see if you are eating some food which produces gas. The baby would receive this food through your breast milk.

Summary of Infant Colic
Most of the time newborn colic is nothing to worry about. Make sure you go over the possible solutions for a colic baby which are listed above. Ask neighbors and friends. They have often already been through infant colic. Consult your doctor if your baby screams constantly or if the infant colic is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, constipation or absence of urine. These symptoms may indicate a more serious problem. If you are new parents, congratulations!

About the Author
Visit James M. Aust at www.AllWomensClothes.com/

When you have a new baby the nurses probably put on the first diaper and maybe even change a diaper or two before you are given the opportunity to go at it on your own. Many first time parents sit in the hospital room with their new baby and just look at each other when it is time to change their baby’s diaper for the first time. A lot of times the mother is sure she can do it, while the father sits there looking dumbfounded, not having a clue. There are steps that both parents can take to help make diaper changing whether it is the first one, or their 100th. It is bound to happen eventually. No matter how quickly you clean your baby’s bottom and how much cream you put on, your baby will more than likely get a diaper rash. Diaper rashes can come in various forms and degrees of severity. There are solutions to help stop and cure what can become diaper rash madness.

What Causes Them?
Diaper rashes can be caused by a number of different things. It can be caused because a baby is left in a wet or dirty diaper for a long period of time. It can also however be a reaction that your baby may have to milk, citrus fruits, and other baby food. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby is allergic to what you are feeding them; it may just be that it doesn’t go out as easily as it goes in. When your baby is sick and has diarrhea, they can easily get diaper rash just from one bowel movement.

How Severe Can It Get?
Diaper rashes can resemble anything from a little redness to a bum that is broken open, red and bleeding. Your baby may have a rash that covers his butt, or it may be centralized to one area. It might be red, or have bumps resembling blisters, or actually be blistered. In the worst cases it can get bloody and pussy, or turn into a yeast infection which may need prescription medication to be treated.

How Do You Get Rid of It?
Sometimes getting rid of diaper rash can be simple, other times it may take a few days. There are a lot of different diaper rash creams and gels on the market that contain zinc oxide from companies like Desitin, Aveeno and Balmex, one company even makes a cream calls “Butt Paste”. Vaseline can also be used to help cure and prevent diaper rash. Although no longer recommended by all pediatricians, some will tell you to put baby powder on your child when you change his diaper to help keep him dry. Be sure to consult your child’s’ pediatrician to see what he recommends.

In more severe cases of diaper rash, where the creams just don’t seem to get rid of it, try placing your baby in a bath consisting of water and baking soda. The baking soda can help aid in drying out your baby’s rash and healing it. If your baby is bleeding and pussy, or if you just want a second opinion, do not hesitate to call your pediatrician to have your baby looked at.

How Can You Prevent It
You may not be able to always prevent diaper rashes. In the case of it being related to a food your baby eats or drinks, like orange juice when he is a toddler, all you can do to avoid it is eliminate that food from your baby’s diet. In order to prevent diaper rash in general though try to check and change your baby’s diaper frequently, not leaving him in an overly wet or poopy diaper any longer than necessary. Use the creams and gels as a preventative measure, instead of just as a treatment. Try making sure that your baby’s skin is completely dry before putting on a diaper, so that the wetness does not get on the diaper and lay against your baby’s skin.

If your baby gets a diaper rash when you first introduce a new food, try to not give him that food till the diaper rash has cleared. If the baby gets a rash when you introduce it again, then you will know that the food does not agree with your baby and you will be able to steer clear from that, and other foods that contain the same ingredient. The last thing you can try is changing the brand of diapers and wipes you use to see if that makes a difference.

When In Doubt…
If you are not sure if your baby has an allergy, a rash, or how severe his rash is, don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician and have your baby seen. That is their job and they may even have more recommendations to help you heal your baby’s butt.

Ear infections are terribly painful and in a baby who can’t tell you what is wrong, they can easily go undiagnosed. Many times parents do not know that their baby has an ear infection until they take them to the pediatrician either while their baby is sick, or possibly during a well-check. Some babies will seem happy and cheery, showing no signs, while others will cry and be fussy, leaving mom pulling out her hair wondering what is wrong.

There are simple steps you can take to help avoid the possibility and occurrence of ear infections in your baby. There is no guarantee that your baby will not get an ear infection, but if you at least know you tried your best, it can help lessen the guilt you might feel.

Don’t Smoke
Smoke is a respiratory irritant that makes the Eustachian tubes swell and not function appropriately in both the smoker and household members exposed to them. Even if you smoke outside or in your car when your baby is not with you, second hand smoke is still on hand and gets into your clothes, which your baby can then breathe in.

Cold and Flu Season
Good hand washing and flu shots for the whole family are helpful. Getting the PREVNAR vaccine (pneumococcal) may help limit the number of ear infections as well. With the increased risk of colds and respiratory problems floating around during the winter months, keeping your baby in and away from other children as much as possible can help limit their chance of getting sick and getting an ear infection.

Feeding Positions
Feed your baby in an upright position. Milk can get into the Eustachian tubes if the baby is lying horizontally while eating. This may be hard when you are breastfeeding. When your baby gets big enough try having him sit in your lap as you feed him, instead of lying across your lap, lying in bed with you, or being held in the football position.

Avoid Pacifiers
There is scientific data to suggest that the prolonged sucking on a pacifier can cause an infection in the ear since the mouth and ear tubes are all connected. Some people go as far as to wean their babies either from the breast, the bottle or both by the first birthday.

Child Care
Reconsider your child care options. Kids in daycare settings get more viral upper respiratory infections (colds) which lead to the ear infections. If your baby is getting a lot of ear infections and is in daycare, look into having a friend or family member who has no other kids in their home watch your baby for you while you work.

By Heather Owens

When we picture a baby, we tend to have a stereotyped image of a pink, glowing little face that is almost overwhelmingly cute. The last thing we think about is pimples. And yet, the reality is that infant acne occurs on the faces of many babies. Usually it starts between three and four weeks of age, but sometimes it can even be present in newborns.

It can be a little distressing for the parents to see little red bumps all over their precious baby’s face, but the good news is that infant acne is temporary, and doesn’t require any treatment. However, it can stick around for a little while, and may only disappear gradually. It’s quite possible that infant acne may come and go spasmodically until the baby is six months old.

I remember very well when my daughter broke out in infant acne at the tender age of three months. Her previously cute and adorable face was dotted with little red bumps, and even a good collection of whiteheads. I found it quite distressing, and so asked my doctor to tell me more about infant acne.

The doctor was very patient and helpful, and explained a lot more about this skin condition. I hadn’t realised that the baby still had hormones in her system, that had crossed over while I was carrying her, via the placenta. Infant acne is to a great extent visible evidence of the hormones still being active, but it also shows that the baby is in the process of working the hormones out of her system for good.

In many ways, the baby’s skin is simply going through a cleansing process, as the baby’s system cleanses itself of the unwanted hormones. Different babies respond in different ways (many of them you wouldn’t even be aware of), and one way is infant acne. It’s all part of a natural process in the baby’s system, and there’s really nothing we, as parents, can do to stop it. In fact, it’s important to let the process continue to the end, otherwise the baby’s system may struggle to remove all the excess hormones.

Unfortunately many parents think that infant acne is caused by dirty or oily skin, and so wash baby’s face more frequently to get it clean. This is actually one of the worst things you can do, as frequent washing may well result in the skin becoming inflamed. So remember that it’s hormones, not oil or dirt, that’s the problem. Detergents, milk and spit-up can make acne worse, so although you don’t want to overwash the baby, it’s important to mop up any spills quickly. Use a mild detergent, and make sure baby’s face is always uncovered. Even your baby’s favorite blanket can aggravate infant acne, if it’s been washed in a strong detergent and is constantly held against the face.

All of this can seem a little disheartening, particularly if you are keen on photographing your baby’s gorgeously cute smile with your camera at every opportunity. If your baby gets infant acne, you can expect to have that beautiful smile surround by little red dots for up to six months. But it’s not worth worrying about – who’s going to look at the acne when your baby’s smile will completely outshine it?

About the Author:
Discover heaps more great parenting tips and techniques at Info About Baby You can sign up for a FREE Baby Tips newsletter at Baby Tips Newsletter. The author’s book about babies is available at Baby’s First Year.