Pregnancy can be a scary thing, especially when it is the first pregnancy for a woman and her partner. One of the most frequently asked questions is whether the parents having sex during pregnancy is safe for the growing baby. In most cases, the answer is yes.

Your baby is growing in your uterus, which is high up in your body. The uterus is not close to your vagina, nor in danger of being touched during your having intercourse. Since it is thought that your baby sleeps while you are moving around during the day, many people suggest that the act of intercourse actually puts the unborn baby to sleep.

Some people also worry about the baby knowing that they are having intercourse. There is no way that your baby can know or be affected negatively by intercourse during a normal healthy pregnancy. In fact, since fetuses can be affected by the emotions and feelings a mom experiences during pregnancy, some believe that the endorphins a woman will feel after an orgasm will be passed through the placenta to her baby, helping her baby be calmer and happier in the womb.

There are instances, however, when sex is not safe during your pregnancy. If you have had any complications or bleeding during your pregnancy you should check with your midwife or doctor prior to having intercourse to make sure it is safe. Also, if you had any complications in previous pregnancies you should check with your doctor.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, while safe, sex may become difficult or uncomfortable for mom or even dad. The big bump may make it hard for mom and dad to get in the groove, or it may feel different for dad since the woman’s body is changing. At this point a couple may choose NOT to have sex, even if their doctor has not said that it is a problem.

If your doctor or midwife approves intercourse throughout your pregnancy, and as a couple you choose to continue having sex until the end of your pregnancy, some believe that sex may help a woman go into labor. One of the old wives’ tales suggests that because a man’s sperm contains prostaglandin, a substance that is used in some labor inducing drugs, that sex can help dilate a cervix that is ready to dilate. This is a much debated theory.

Remember, if your midwife or doctor says it is safe to have sex and you WANT to have sex, there is no reason not to have sex. However, be sure to get the ok from your physician before you do, so that you know it is ok for you, during your pregnancy.

By Alli RossOften times, the hormones produced during pregnancy can produce hair on your face and arms. If you are experiencing an increase in overall hair growth, it is due to the amplified production of various hormones in your body. Usually, this extra hair shows up on your face: above the lip and on the chin and cheeks. This is usually not real appealing for women. However, it doesn’t stop there. It can also appear on your breasts, back, stomach, and arms.

This may make laser hair removal during pregnancy seem like a perfect solution. However, this is not necessarily true.

The excess hair may seem like a real downer now, but it will most likely go away after the baby is delivered. If you would like to have laser hair removal performed, it’s best to wait until after the baby is delivered. In the meantime, it is best to shave or tweeze.

However, there are some exceptions. If you’ve had excess hair for some time and now want to get rid of it, it is perfectly safe to have laser hair removal done on your face during pregnancy.

Most people believe that laser hair removal is completely safe during early pregnancy. Many people would warn to stay away from the bikini area, though.

However, it is best to wait until after the baby is delivered. This way, the technician can do a proper consultation for you and tell you what your needs really are. In any case, you must consult your OBGYN regarding any type of treatment you are considering while you are pregnant.

About the Author
Are you tired of shaving, waxing, and tweezing? For a complete guide to laser hair removal, visit http://www.laserhairportal.com.

by Gary Direnfeld

There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of your young child by a stranger. The fear causes parents to think long and hard about their children’s safety. They tell them in a very clear voice, “Do not to talk to strangers.”

The problem is though, that a child’s view of a stranger is very different from a parent’s view. From the child’s perspective, because a stranger is someone they are supposed to be afraid of, they expect a stranger to look ugly or scary. In fact, few, if any strangers actually look like the child’s notion. Then to make matters more confusing for children, we teach then to respect and listen to their elders and be polite. Then as role models, children see us talk to people we have never met before, day in and day out.

So young children get it and will not to talk to strangers. They will very willingly avoid scary looking people. However, when confronted by a friendly, kind looking older person, they will likely respond politely, which in most cases means “speaking when spoken to” and as they are taught in school, they will follow their directions.

Helping young children not to talk to strangers or not go with them, takes much more than the simple admonishment, “Don’t talk to strangers.”

Parents who want to increase the likelihood that their child will avoid or leave from persons unknown must spend a good amount of time talking about the issue and teaching their children on an ongoing basis. These tips may help:

When out in the community, in a matter of fact voice, point out the various people and ask your child if s/he knows them. Use this as an opportunity to explain that a stranger is any person we do not know, regardless of what they look like.

Next it becomes very important to differentiate the rules for grown-ups and the rules for children. Sometimes simply phasing it as, “Are you old enough to talk to people you don’t know by yourself?” and then explain that they must have your permission to do so.

In the event a stranger approaches a child, they then must be equipped with strategies to manage the situation. Some parents provide a “code word.” Explain to the child if someone doesn’t know the code word, they do not have permission to go or talk with the person. In such situations, the child must be instructed to leave the person and immediately go to another adult they know, or older child if an adult is not available. It important to also teach the child that this is not rude. The child must understand that they have your full permission to leave the situation and to do so immediately. Managing your child’s safety, in your absence is truly a scary thought for most parents. We do not want to put undue fear in our children, but we do want to keep them from harm. It is important to understand how our own behaviour may contradict what we want children to do when approached by people they do not know. We have to talk about the difference between what parents may do and what children may do. Only parents may touch the stove… only parents talk to strangers.

Finally, in addition to teaching who NOT to talk to, we must also teach, who they CAN talk to. If for instance, your child is lost in the store, who can they talk to? Develop a list of safe persons your child can talk to – even if they do not know them. The list may include police, fireman, teachers and even cashiers in stores. Remember keeping children safe is an ongoing discussion and not a simple one-time set of rules.

Keep talking with them to keep them safe.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW
garydi@sympatico.ca
905 628-4847

About The Author
Gary Direnfeld is a social worker and expert on matters of family life. He is in private practice, writes and provides workshops and is the developer of the “I Promise Program” – teen safe driving initiative. Search his name on GOOGLE.COM to view his many articles. Feel free to call him for your next conference and for expert opinion on family matters. Courts in Ontario consider Gary an expert on child development, marital and family therapy, custody and access recommendations and social work. garydi@sympatico.ca.

As of January 1, 2002, California adopted a state law the Unattended Child in Motor Vehicle Act “Kaitlyn’s Law”, (CA Vehicle Code Sections 15620, 15630, 15632), to outlaw leaving children unattended in a vehicle. If a child aged 0-6 years is left unattended in the vehicle, the responsible adult will be fined $100. Eleven states have adopted specific laws regarding not leaving children unattended in motor vehicles, and 12 more have proposed a law.

Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around cars during busy times, schedule changes, periods of crisis, or holidays. There are an alarming number of children who have been injured or killed after being left alone in or around vehicles. According to Janette Fennell, founder of KIDS AND CARS, at least 213 children died as a result of non-traffic incidents in 2005, the largest number of deaths in a single year. “Backover” incidents injure or kill over 2,500 children each year with over 70% of these incidents involving an immediate family member. Another disturbing trend we see emerging is that children are being killed as vehicles slowly move forward in driveways and parking lots.

Some real-life scenarios where children were injured or killed, include:

• Children let themselves into an unlocked parked car and lock themselves in or put the car in gear;
• The caretaker unknowingly leaves the child behind (e.g., parent forgets to bring the child to child care and the child is left in the car while the parent works or the child is left in the vehicle after a field trip) and dies of heat stroke;
• The child is intentionally left alone in the car while the caretaker engages in another activity (e.g., runs an errand, drops a child off at school) and is abducted, strangled by a power window or sets the vehicle in motion; or
• The child is behind the car when the car is backing out of the driveway and, because they cannot be seen, the child is run over.

To avoid this from happening you can:

• Tell parents about the dangers of leaving children alone in or around vehicles.
• Post a KIDS AND CARS poster ( HYPERLINK www.KidsAndCars.org)
• Keep car keys out of reach of children and keep vehicles locked, even in the driveway and garage.
• Ask your child care provider to call you if your child, who is expected at child care is not dropped off within 1-2 hours of the expected arrival time. Be sure to let the child care provider know if your child will not be attending child care as normally scheduled.
• Ensure that children are not left unattended in vehicles.
• Be sure all children are accounted for before moving a vehicle or exiting a vehicle.

For more information about this issue contact KIDS AND CARS at www.KidsAndCars.org.

Safely on the Move (866)700-7686 www.safelyonthemove.sdsu.edu.

Sources:

1. CBS News, The Early Show, Consumer Watch New York, July 1st, 2005, “Never Leave Kids Alone in the Car” www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/21/earlyshow/living/ConsumerWatch/main710550.shtml

    

2. C. McLaren, J. Null, and J. Quinn Heat Stress from enclosed vehicles: Moderate Ambient Temperatures Cause Significant Temperature Rise in Enclosed Vehicles. Pediatrics 2005;116;109-112 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2004-2368 ggweather.com/heat/index.htm

    

3. Statistics, KidsAndCars.org

   About The Article
   This information provided by San Diego State University Foundation.

This year the National Child Passenger Safety week’s (February 12-18, 2006) focus was on booster seats. This reinforces the notion that even though booster seats are essential in protecting and saving children’s lives, they are still not used as long as they should. National Child Passenger Safety week emphasizes the importance of properly buckling up children. Traffic crashes remain a leading cause of injury and death to young children. In 2004, 1,638 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 214,000 were injured. That’s an average of 6 deaths and 673 injuries each day. Ensure that children in your care are riding in the safest possible way, while riding to and from school, on field trips, and at all times.

As children progress through different stages of growth and development, their child restraint needs change. Infants ride rear facing in an infant or convertible seat as long as possible but until they weigh AT LEAST 20 pounds AND are AT LEAST 1 year of age. For toddlers and preschoolers use a child restraint with a harness until the child outgrows it (Always check the instructions of each individual car seat to be sure of the age and weight specifications for that car seat) Next, the preschool or school age child moves to a belt-positioning booster to raise them up and improve the fit of the vehicle shoulder and lap belt. A shield booster, which has a bolster in front of the child and no back, is NOT certified for children over 40 pounds and not recommended for children under 40 pounds.

As of January 1, 2005, California law requires all children to ride properly restrained in the back seat of a vehicle in a child safety seat, or booster seat until they are at least 6 years old or weigh 60 pounds. Children prematurely riding in a seat belt can suffer life-threatening injuries, including injury to the spinal cord, the brain or the internal organs of the abdomen. Most children need to use a belt-positioning booster seat until they are at least 8-11 years old, depending on the child’s height and how the vehicle lap and shoulder belts fit. Safety belts don’t fit children until they can sit with their back straight against the vehicle seat back cushion and their knees bent over the seat edge for the entire trip. The lap belt should fit low and snug across the child’s upper thighs and the shoulder belt should cross the shoulder, not the throat or face, and be close to the child’s chest.

Contact Safely on the Move at (866) 700-7686 or (619) 594-0784 for a low-cost car seat

Sources:

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (n.d.) Traffic Safety Facts 2004: Children, DOT HS 809 906 Washington, DC: NHTSA.

    

2. “The Danger of Premature Graduation to Seat Belts for Young Children,” by FK Winston, DR Durbin, MJ Kallan, EK Moll. Pediatrics 105(6):1179-1183, June, 2000. pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/105/6/1179

    

3. Occurances, and Consequences. Child Passenger Safety: Fact Sheet. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

About The Article
This information provided by San Diego State University Foundation.

by Martin Smith

The crib is where your baby will spend a lot of their time and you want to be sure they are safe. Below are some of the questions (with the answers) that are asked about crib safety. Topics such as mattress position, how to place your baby in the crib, and general safety standards are discussed, as are other issues. If you need further information you can search the Internet and visit baby furniture stores.

Q. Are there safety standards for baby cribs?Yes there are some very exact standards for your baby’s crib. In 1974 it was made law that cribs should no longer be painted with lead based paint. It was discovered that the ingestion of lead (from any source) could cause learning disabilities and other difficulties in young children. The slats of the crib must be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, this is to prevent your baby from getting his body or head stuck between the bars causing injury or strangulation. The side bar should be 26 inches above the mattress when it is in its lowest position. If your child is more than an inch taller than the sidebar it is time to move him into a regular bed.

Q. Are there some hazards in my baby’s crib that I need to be aware of?Your mattress must fit snugly in the crib; an ill-fitting mattress could cause your baby to slip between the mattress and the side bar causing suffocation. The mattress height should be able to be adjusted into at least three different levels. When your baby becomes more mobile you will want to put the mattress in the lowest position to prevent your baby from climbing or falling out. The slats should be tight, loose slats could pinch little fingers. Do not put the crib near a window to prevent your baby from possibly falling out or becoming tangled in Venetian blind cords.

Q. What are some historical facts about the crib?Here is a short chronological time line of crib facts:

1973 – The standard for crib slats was to be no more than 2 3/8th inches apart to prevent your baby from slipping through or getting their head stuck. Also, double latches for drop-down sidebars were to become the norm.

1976 – The standard for cutouts in the crib end panels are presented. The end panels must not have any decorative cutout designs. Children were getting their limbs or heads caught causing serious injury or death.

1978 – Cribs must now be painted with non-toxic finish.

1981 – Two models of cribs with cutouts are recalled.

1988 – A voluntary standard addresses mattress support hardware, failure of glued or bolted connections, drop-side latch failure and loosened teething rails.

1990 – No corner posts or projections can be more than 1/16th of an inch above the drop-side.

1998 – California and Washington mandate that hotel cribs must meet the same standards set for full-size cribs

1998 – Portable cribs must now meet the same standards as full-sized cribs.

Q. How can I tell when my baby is ready for a regular bed?

When your child stands more than a couple of inches taller than the sidebar with the mattress in the lowest position. If your child is climbing out of the crib, for his safety put him in a regular bed.

Q. How should I put my baby to sleep in his crib?Place your baby on his back or on his side for sleeping. Use one piece sleepers rather than blankets. Your baby could slip under the blanket and possibly suffocate. Remove all pillows and toys as well, in order to prevent suffocation.

Q. Is it safe to cover my baby with a blanket?A blanket sleeper will keep your baby sufficiently warm while sleeping. If you absolutely need to use a blanket, tuck it in around the bottom of the mattress. Place your baby with his feet toward the end-panel and the blanket should go no higher than his/her chest.

Q. Is a mesh sided crib safe to use for my baby?Yes, a mesh crib is safe provided the mesh is less than 1/4 inch in size, smaller than a tiny button on babybs clothes. The should be rips, tears, or loose threads. If staples are used to attach the mesh they must not be exposed and the mesh must be securely attached to the top rail and the floor plate.

Q. Can I safely use bumper pads in my baby’s crib?While bumper pads are not necessary, they can safely be used. They must be very close the edge of the mattress and properly secured. The bumpers must be flat and not puffy, as your baby could get stuck between the bumper and the mattress and suffocate.

Q. What can I do to keep my baby’s crib safe?In order to keep your babybs a safe place, you should make sure to all connections are secure and that there are no broken or missing parts. Regularly, check the teething rail for splits or cracks. Make sure the mattress spring support and your crib will withstand your baby’s increasing mobility. The mattress itself should have no splits, tears, or holes.

Q. How can I tell when it’s time to lower the mattress?When your baby becomes more active, when s/he begins to pull himself to a standing position or when he sits up alone it will be time to lower the mattress to prevent your little one from either climbing out or falling out.

Q. Can I hang a mobile over my baby’s crib?Mobiles and crib gyms can be used to entertain your baby but when your child is able to get on to their hands and knees or pull themselves up. This will prevent your baby from becoming entangled in them.

In ConclusionMaking sure your baby’s crib is safe, is an ongoing to task. Proper positioning of the mattress, making sure all connections are secure and that there are no loose slats that could pinch little fingers will help to keep your baby’s crib a safe place for him to be. Be sure to place him in the crib on his back or side and dress him in a sleeper rather than using a blanket. Keeping these tips in mind will help keep your baby safe and give you some peace of mind.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Nursery Bedding which includes Baby strollers, Baby car seats, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

Riding a bicycle for transportation around town is a natural way to cut down on fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, it’s fun! Most little children will love being included on these trips. Baby can be accommodated through several means, such as a bicycle baby seat or a bike trailer. The main consideration, however, is to be sure you are safe at all times.

As tempting as it may be to put your littlest infant in a front pack and hop on your bike, this is not considered to be a good idea. Children need to be at least a year old before riding with you, because before that age, they do not have the strength in their necks to be able to wear even a lightweight helmet. Helmets are an absolutely essential part of bicycle safety, considering that they can reduce chances for a head injury by 80 per cent.

Trailers can be purchased that will carry more than one child, if need be. The total weight of the children is the factor to consider, which should usually be less than one hundred pounds. Make sure the trailer you choose has been approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), an organization that maintains safety standards for various products.

Child bike seats have been around for decades. In most instances, they can accommodate a child of up to forty pounds. It can take a little while to get used to riding with a child on the back of your bike, because the extra weight will change your center of gravity, thus affecting the way you balance. If you’re in good shape and used to carrying groceries and gear on your bike, it will help.

Visibility is always an important factor in bicycle safety, and you won’t want to take any chances when you’re carrying that most precious cargo. Consider installing an orange flag, and wear clothing in a bright fluorescent color. Make sure you ride on streets that don’t get much traffic, and forgo taking your child with you on your bike if the weather is bad, since this increases chances of an accident.

Part of being a good parent is balancing green choices with safe choices. It’s not worth compromising the safety of your child just to save a few ounces of gasoline. By following a few simple safety rules, though, you can include your toddlers when you travel by bike, and enjoy the fresh air and scenery together as a family.

If you’re raising your children naturally and in an environmentally responsible way, you care about every aspect of their care, including their toys. Good toys should not just be durable and biodegradable when they are no longer needed or worn out. They should also stimulate creativity and cause active learning. Mostly, a good toy should also delight and intrigue the child.

When you shop for toys made of earth-friendly materials, you will probably run across items that are designated for “Waldorf education.” This is a method of teaching children, more of a philosophy, which celebrates non-violence, simplicity, and a free rein on the imagination.

Natural toy makers have designed a number of pleasant playthings that will look attractive in your home as well as nurturing your child’s creativity. Soft toys, for instance, don’t have to be made of garish fake acrylic fur in unnatural colors with weird big plastic eyes. Check out the choices of simple animals, dolls, and gnomes made of organic cottons stuffed with cuddly combed lamb’s wool.

Some creative artisans have even developed soft toys made from recycled wool garments. If you have some sewing ability and enjoy crafting, you might want to get a pattern and make a soft doll. It’s a good way to save money on a toy while creating an heirloom. Always remember to avoid details like buttons that could fall off and become a choking hazard. Eyes and noses are easily created with a few stitches of colored wool yarn.

Wooden toys are also a popular choice for the green home. Look for rolling vehicles small enough to fit toddler hands, with durable wheels that won’t fall off. Many children enjoy rattles and other noisy toys. Look for ones that make a gentle sound that won’t jar everyone’s nerves.

Your baby will turn things into toys that are not typically toys. For instance, one mom found that her little guy would lay still for diapering if he was allowed to hold and examine the tube of diaper rash ointment. This same little boy could turn just about anything into a drumstick and just about any surface into a drum!

Ultimately, the best toy for your child will be impossible to know ahead of time, because children are so unique in the way they respond to playthings. Your child might prefer to play with the pots and pans instead of enjoying that expensive handcrafted hardwood rattle! Hey, toys are personal! Let that little one lead the way in choosing favorites.

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

Question:
Our local public pool offers swimming classes for parents with babies. This sounds like fun, but I’m wondering: Is this something I can do safely with my eight-month-old baby?

Learn about it
Swimming classes can be a fun experience to share with your baby and with other parent-baby pairs. The term “class” in this context shouldn’t mean that your baby will “learn” anything. Until a child is over four years old, any swim program should be viewed as simply a pleasurable way to introduce your baby to the fun of being in the water.

At what age can you take a baby in a pool?
As long as the water and weather are warm enough, you can take any baby over a few weeks old into a pool while in your arms. The younger the baby, of course, the more closely you’ll need to monitor the reaction to the water, and the more careful you’ll need to be about the chill that can occur when wet skin hits cooler air. Keep in mind that your baby will chill before you do, and if your baby is shivering or his lips look blue, he should have been out of the water some time ago. Quickly wrap him up and warm him.

How can I make our swimming experience safe?
The one most important rule for swimming with a young baby is to always keep him in your arms when he’s in or near the water. Always.

How can I help my baby enjoy his first swimming experiences?
When taking your baby for a swim, make sure he isn’t hungry or tired so that he and you can both enjoy the water. Avoid taking a swim immediately after your baby has been fed.

Very young babies don’t really need any floats or swimming aids, since they will not be out of your arms at any time (right?). If you decide to let your older baby float around in a baby boat or swim ring, always keep in mind that these are not designed for safety or protection; you should keep your hands and eyes on your baby at all times.

Follow your baby’s lead. If he seems happy and curious, then move him around in the water. If he seems nervous or frightened, don’t push him beyond his comfort zone. Some babies take time to warm up to the idea of a big body of water, even if they love to splash in the bathtub at home. You may even find that your baby takes numerous trips to the pool or beach before he’s even willing to get wet. Be patient!

How do I choose a class?
Ideally, look for an instructor who has knowledge of child development in addition to swimming. A teacher like this can gear the class activities to the proper developmental abilities of the babies in the group. It’s important to work with a teacher who understands children and can be sensitive to a baby’s fear or uncertainty of the water, and who doesn’t expect a baby to do more than what he is comfortable doing ¾ even if that means just dangling his feet in the water for the first few lessons, or even just looking at it from a deck chair!

What should your baby wear?
At the beach, your baby can wear a diaper, a bathing suit, or a birthday suit ¾ whatever you and he are comfortable with. Many parents keep their babies in a t-shirt to protect against the sun. If your baby is a walker, you might want to invest in some aqua socks to protect little feet against sand, rocks, and shells and to prevent slipping while walking poolside. If you are in a pool, disposable or reusable swim diapers are a great option. These don’t swell up like a sponge, but they do retain the unmentionables that other swimmers would rather not see floating in the water!

Protect your baby from the sun and chemicals
If your swimming extravaganza is taking place outside, be certain that you protect your baby from the sun with a hat and (if the baby is older than six months) sunscreen. This is very important, since the sun’s rays are magnified when reflected off the water.

Be cautious about emerging your baby in a pool that has a high level of chlorine as this may irritate his delicate skin.

Après swim
Remember, just like you, your baby will probably be ravenous after a swim so plan to feed him soon after you’re out of the water. A breastfeed, bottle-feed or snack will keep your baby happy. And a snuggly feed after a swim is extra warm and cozy for both mom and baby.

An important warning
No matter how many swim classes your baby has had, and no matter what his comfort and skill levels while in the water are, and no matter what kind of swimming float he is wearing, you should never, ever leave your baby unattended while in or near water ¾ not for even a second. Babies are unpredictable. They easily can fall into the water and drown even in water just a few inches deep. Swimming lessons for babies have nothing whatsoever to do with reducing the risk of water hazards. As a matter of fact, they can increase the risk of water accidents when parents are lulled into thinking their baby is safer because he has had swimming lessons ¾ which is not the case. Plus, swimming lessons, if they are successful, dispel your baby’s natural wariness about water and make it more likely that he’ll explore on his own if given but a second. You are many years away from watching your child swim independently while you sit on the beach in a lounge chair.

Copyright Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

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.

Most medications have not been tested in nursing women, so no one knows exactly how a given drug will affect a breast-fed child. Since very few problems have been reported, however, most over-the-counter and prescription drugs, taken in moderation and only when necessary, are considered safe. Even mothers who must take daily medication for conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, or high blood pressure can usually breast-feed.

They should first check with the child’s pediatrician, however. To minimize the baby’s exposure, the mother can take the drug just after nursing or before the child sleeps. In the January 1994 issue of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics included the following in a list of drugs that are usually compatible with breast-feeding:

• acetaminophen

• many antibiotics

• anti-epileptics (although one, Primidone, should be given with caution)

• most antihistamines

• alcohol in moderation (large amounts of alcohol can cause drowsiness, weakness, and abnormal weight gain in an infant)

• most antihypertensives

• aspirin (should be used with caution)

• caffeine (moderate amounts in drinks or food)

• codeine

• decongestants

• ibuprofen

• insulin

• quinine