Most parents would balk at the idea of toddlers in high heels, but what about sandals or trainers? Some experts now believe that all shoes are best avoided in childhood, says Sam Murphy
While Katie Holmes was vilified by the press and public alike for stepping out with her four-year-old daughter in high heels last year, many of us wouldn't think twice about putting our kids in a dinky pair of mini-me trainers. But there's a growing belief among experts that when it comes to children's footwear, the best shoe may be no shoe at all.
Tracy Byrne, a podiatrist specialising in podopaediatrics, believes that wearing shoes at too young an age can hamper a child's walking and cerebral development. "Toddlers keep their heads up more when they are walking barefoot," she says. "The feedback they get from the ground means there is less need to look down, which is what puts them off balance and causes them to fall down." Walking barefoot, she continues, develops the muscles and ligaments of the foot, increases the strength of the foot's arch, improves proprioception (our awareness of where we are in relation to the space around us) and contributes to good posture.
"We've come to regard the way we dwell permanently in shoes as normal and natural," says John Woodward, an Alexander Technique teacher who has been barefoot for 25 years. "It's anything but. True, we are no longer hunter-gatherers. True, our urban environments are full of 'unnatural' dangers. But we can still learn from our origins - footwear was designed to protect the soles of the feet where necessary, and it was temporary."
Byrne, whose own two young children go unshod wherever possible, offers free foot health checks for children from her East London-based practice. "The more parents know about the structure of children's feet, the more we can prevent footwear-related damage being done," she says.
The NoseFrida Aspirator, affectionately known as "The Snot Sucker" in now available in the GentleNurturing.com Mercantile!
It's smart, it's Swedish, it's snot as gross as it looks. It's a nasal aspirator that actually works!
Developed by Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists and Pediatricians, NoseFrida has been used in Europe for over a decade. Doctors prefer NoseFrida because it is designed to be placed against the nostril, forming a seal, rather than be inserted inside the nostril like bulb aspirators. This ensures that the child's tender nasal lining is not damaged by poking.
NoseFrida is designed to be safe and effective for newborns as well as toddlers.
Nosefrida is better and safer than other aspirators on the market. Since you never put anything inside the nose, and you control the amount of suction you apply, it does not irritate the sensitive lining of the nose. Children tolerate NoseFrida better than other aspirators.
The ingeniously simple design features a 15 inch clear plastic tube that extends from a nasal nozzle. Parents use the red mouth piece to suck the snot right out without risk of bacterial transfer. Disposable filters prevent the user from catching the child's cold.
NoseFrida is made of a non-allergenic, latex-free polypropylene, and is BPA and phthalate free. Also, it is easy to clean and safe to use.
Order NoseFrida today and find out for yourself why doctors are recommending it, magazines are raving, and parents are finally getting some sleep.
It's a nasal aspirator that ACTUALLY WORKS!
It's doctor-invented and doctor-recommended (Dr. Sears and more).
Written by Angele Sionna, Early Childhood Parenting Examiner
Thursday, 08 July 2010
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents to be vigilant about keeping children away from open windows - screens or not. With energy prices up and the economy down, it seems more parents have been opening windows this summer because there are more kids accidentally falling out of them.
The CPSC reports that in recent weeks, several children have fallen from windows around the US.
"Window falls increase dramatically during the spring and summer months but they can be prevented," said Chrissy Cianflone, Director of Programs for Safe Kids USA. "It takes active supervision on the part of the parent or caregiver, and a device called a window guard. Screens are meant to keep bugs out, not kids in. Window guards are easy to install and have a release mechanism in the event of an emergency."
On average, about eight deaths occur yearly to children five years or younger while an estimated 3,300 children five and younger are treated each year in U.S. hospital emergency departments. Hospitalization was required for about 34 percent of these children after falling from a window, says the CPSC. This is why they rate windows as one of the "Top 5 Home Hazards."
'What's that harmful ingredient I should avoid?" "Which type of sunscreen should I choose?" These are frequent questions you're asking when you're in the shopping aisle, and EWG is committed to being there when it counts.
EWG has just launched a free mobile application of our 2010 Sunscreen Guide that goes anywhere with your iPhone and will help you shop smarter this vacation season. Our guide includes the current crop of more than 500 beach and sport sunscreens analyzed by EWG. Using a simple ranking system, this must-have app makes it easy to find a safe and effective sunscreen this season.
We are committed to providing you with the information you need to make healthy choices for yourself and your family, whether you are at home or on the go. Thanks to a generous donor, EWG was able to develop this iPhone application, aimed at saving you time during this busy season. We hope you'll give it a try!
Sincerely,
Ken Cook
President, Environmental Working Group
The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization dedicated to using the power of information to protect human health and the environment. The EWG Action Fund is a legislative advocacy organization that uses EWG research to promote healthy and sustainable policies.
HEADQUARTERS 1436 U St. NW, Suite 100 | Washington, DC 20009 | (202) 667-6982
Newborn infants are capable of a simple form of learning while they’re asleep, according to a study by researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health. The finding may one day lead to a test that can identify infants at risk for developmental disorders that do not become apparent until later in childhood.
Library's lapsit gives babies chance to develop love of reading
Playing under a parachute was one activity during the 95th Street library's lapsit story time program on June 15.
Jack Melone's first lesson in reading didn't happen in a classroom. In fact, this 8-month-old was introduced to reading before he was even born.
"I was a teacher, so I think it is really important to start the literacy exposure at a very early age," Stephanie Melone said. "We read every day and every night."
Jack and his mom, Stephanie, joined others at the Naperville Public Library for the lapsit story time, aimed at infants up to 23 months. During the weekly 20-minute session, little ones along with a parent or caregiver explore adventures through interactive reading.
Dr. Dana Brazdziunas, developmental behavioral pediatrician with Central DuPage Hospital, said when children are exposed to dialogical reading, their language skills improve and they are better prepared to learn to read.
Dialogical reading is the technique whereby the child becomes an active participant in reading a book, versus the traditional method of a parent reading and a child listening.
"Reading to your child is not just reading a book, it's interacting with your child," Brazdziunas said. "It's having the child point to pictures, or name pictures, and developing a conversation about the story. When you read in this fashion, called dialogical reading, it does make a difference."
May 27th was National Sunscreen Awareness Day, followed by Don't Fry Day. (I did not make the latter up and it certainly didn't cut back on the number of chicken wings or potatoes frying…) Hopefully this got you all beginning to think about replacing old sunscreen with natural products that actually do a better job of protecting you and your children and smell nicer than what you might have been using.
Whether you live in the sun of southern California, the heat of Arizona or the humidity of the Big Apple, sunscreen and other sun protection is critical for now and for the future. It should be used daily, even if it overcast outside, and used 365 days a year. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends summer safety tips that should be read and followed all year long.
If your baby is too young (no sunscreen until 6 months), or your child's skin is too sensitive for even the most natural of sunscreens, try protective clothing. This clothing is usually made with zinc oxide, the same skin protection barrier found in sunscreen. The clothing is lightweight and can be worn in the water and year round. There are many online companies where you can purchase such items. Go to Google and type in sun protective clothing and you will pages of such clothing, as well as protective covers for car seats and strollers, beach tents and shelters. Prices seem to be comparable at most of the sites.
These safe sunscreens not only protect your skin from sun damage and cancer, but also come free of suspects ingredients, like parabens, oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate.
Sunscreen – not only does it protect you from skin damage and sunburn, but it’s also a valuable weapon in the fight against skin cancer.
Unfortunately, too often, people use too little, or the wrong kind, and end up doing more damage. And while the FDA is finally putting into place federal sunscreen regulations, you won't be seeing products approved to more-strict FDA standards until 2012. That’s why it’s critical that you think about and research the creams you put on your skin, just as you would the food you put in your body.
This year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) looked at more than 1,400 skincare products including 500 sunscreens specifically designed for sport and beach use. What the EWG found was shocking: around 60 percent of those 500 sunscreens contain oxybenzone – a potentially harmful hormone-disrupting compound that penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream. The EWG also warns against sunscreens containing retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A found in 41 percent of sunscreens. The FDA is investigating whether retinyl palmitate accelerates skin damage and increases skin cancer risk when applied to skin exposed to sunlight.
According to the Environmental According to the Environmental Working Group's 2010 study only 8 percent - or 39 - of the 500 sunscreens tested are recommended. Of those, we’ve narrowed down the 21 best listed, based on efficacy and purity of ingredients.
And remember, a sky-high SPF doesn’t necessarily guarantee better protection. The FDA says that claims of SPF of more than 50 cannot be substantiated.
We at GentleNurturing.com spent years researching disposable diapers and rejected everything we came across because they either were manufactured with harmful chemicals, or were hard on the environment. We were delighted when we discovered Bambo® Nature in Europe. Since we introduced the product line here in the United States in our Mercantile, they have proven to be a resounding success, exceeing our hopes and expectations. Parents love the fact that they are so well designed, are comfortable for their infants and toddlers, and actually aren't harmful to the environment.
The cudos are growing for Bambo® Nature, and we were heartented to learn that the esteemed British magazine "Ethical Consumer" awarded Bambo® Nature its BEST BUY status.
Here's a quote from the March/April edition:
"Best Buy for disposable nappies is the Bambo® Nature brand, as it scores best on our ethiscore table and is the only alternative nappy brand with independently accredited green credentials."
It is exciting to see the government take a major role in tackling the epidemic of obesity in this nation. The First Lady is taking the responsibility of organizing every possible resource (public AND private) to start early in pregnancy to ensure that each and every woman receives the prenatal education, recommendations and follow-through to ensure a healthy pregnancy, successful breastfeeding experience and good feeding and activity habits for herself and her children as the family grows. It sounds like a pie in the sky challenge that cannot be implemented or followed through, but I have faith in Michele Obama and this government that with the support of the powers that be, knowing the seriousness of the epidemic (and this is an epidemic) we can all work together to see that we can prevent the continuation of obesity.
Click the report cover after the jump to download and read the full task force report and what Let’s Move is planning and give what you can (professionally, inspirationally, etc.) to get the ACTION PLAN started.
U.S. to investigate complaints of rashes, chemical burns
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Here on GentleNurturing.com we recently launched the Bambo Nature line of earth-friendly, Chlorine-Free, and biodegradable diapers. In light of this article, I urge you to read more about Bambo Nature and check out our selection of products in our Mercantile.]
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched an investigation into Pampers diapers with Dry Max after some parents complained that the new Procter & Gamble Co diapers appear to be the cause of rashes and chemical burns on their children.
Pampers recently updated its Swaddlers and Cruisers diapers with a thinner, more absorbent technology in what the company has called its biggest diaper innovation in 25 years.
Several parents have said that their children developed diaper rashes and some claim to have seen chemical burns on their children after they started using the products, which P&G said went through extensive testing.
The staff of the CPSC is looking into complaints being made by parents and is in discussions with P&G about the product, said Scott Wolfson, the agency's director of public affairs.
P&G said it has shared its safety data with the agency and stands by its product.
"There's no evidence that a single baby has experienced a serious skin safety issue as a result of Dry Max," said Bryan McCleary, a spokesman for P&G's baby care division.
Every day, about 2.5 million babies in the United States have diaper rash. About 10 percent of those cases are severe, with deep red coloring, blisters and/or breaks in the skin, he said.
Many parents, including members of a Facebook group called "Pampers bring back the OLD CRUISERS/SWADDLERS," say they have seen similar issues with their children after using Pampers with Dry Max. They assert the problems started only when they used the new diapers and had not happened before with other diapers, including the old versions of Cruisers and Swaddlers.
Pediatrician Dr. Darshak Sanghavi discusses new research that suggests a chemical in the brain may be linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Written by Nancy Snyderman, M.D. -- NBC Nightly News
Tuesday, 02 February 2010
A campaign to encourage putting infants to sleep on their backs has lowered the number of SIDS cases, but new research may answer some bigger questions on what causes the syndrome. NBC's Nancy Snyderman reports.
Written by James Newton, Childrens Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School
Tuesday, 02 February 2010
Doctors closing in on mysterious cause of death in infants
Taking the next step in more than 20 years of research, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have linked sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with low production of serotonin in the brainstem, based on a comparison of brainstem samples from infants dying of SIDS compared to brainstems of infants dying from other, known causes.
The findings, published in the Feb. 3 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, may give a concrete approach to identifying babies at risk for SIDS, the leading cause of death for infants between 1 and 12 months old in the United States.
In the brainstem, serotonin helps regulate some of the body's involuntary actions, such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure during sleep. The researchers, led by Children's neuropathologist Hannah Kinney, MD, believe that a low serotonin level impairs the function of the brainstem circuits that regulate these activities, putting a baby at risk for sudden death from stresses such as rebreathing carbon dioxide when sleeping in the face down position.
The future goal of this work is to devise a test to identify infants with a serotonin brainstem defect early, and to develop preventive treatments that would correct the serotonin deficiency.
n 2006, Kinney and colleagues showed that SIDS is associated with abnormalities in the number of cells and receptors related to serotonin in the brainstem, but it wasn't clear whether SIDS may be caused by overproduction or underproduction of the chemical.
BAMBO NATURE, the disposable baby diaper for parents who care about their baby’s bottoms AND the environment has finally arrived in the United States, and GENTLE NURTURING is one of the few vendors selling them and at the best prices!
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Written by Kellie B. Gormly, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Monday, 11 January 2010
Beth Lehmier, 31, waves goodbye to her daughter Kennedy, 14 months, after dropping her off at Carol Leone Daycare in Moon. Lehmier, of Moon, has been bringing Kennedy to the daycare facility since the end of November 2009. At first she had a hard time separating from Kennedy, but now finds it easier.
Joe Appel/Tribune Review
In some ways, Beth Lehmier of Moon looked forward to returning to the work force after having her baby: she could have more adult company, and use her professional skills.
Yet, actually going back to work in November -- a year after having baby Kennedy, who now goes to day care -- brought on anxiety and stress, and led Lehmier to seek professional counseling to cope.
"How could they know what she needs or wants? I spent the last year with her; how can anyone understand her the way I do?" says Lehmier, 31, describing the emotions she experienced.
"I knew she was in good hands," says Lehmier, who works for a lender servicing company. "I'm still struggling, but the longer I'm working ... the more comfortable I'm getting."
Many new moms look forward to returning to work after either weeks or months of maternity leave. Yet, when the time comes to either send the baby to day care or to stay with relatives, many moms experience separation anxiety and grief about the transition. Nancy Mramor, a health and media psychologist in the South Side, says that the situation brings up two potential issues: the mother's stress and the baby's stress.
"Sometimes, the mom is OK going ... back to work, and the baby is not; and the baby experiences extreme separation," Mramor says. "Other times, it's the baby that's fine, and it's the mom that's experiencing extreme separation. Other times, it's both.
Fifteen Booster Seats Get Top Ratings in Safety Tests; Parents Advised to Avoid 11 Seats
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested 60 different makes and models of child car booster seats, and only 15 of the 60 seats -- seats usually used by 4- to 8-year-olds -- got top ratings.
More and more states now require booster seats that raise a child up so the car's adult seat belt fits them properly, but the federal government doesn't have any guidelines for how booster seats should be designed, so the institute is trying to fill the gap with its annual ratings.
The institute took multiple measurements of 60 child booster seats to see where the seatbelt fell on a specially designed dummy the size of a 6-year-old. IIHS then observed how one seat ranked a "best bet" and another labeled "not recommended" reacted during crash tests.
The Disney Company markets the Baby Einstein product line as an educational tool for very young children from ages 3 months to 3 years. The subjects covered are usually classical in nature. However more prominent research shows them to be ineffective in their goal, which has prompted Disney to offer refunds for their Baby Einstein product line.
Disney is offering a full refund of $15.99 to anyone who purchased a Baby Einstein DVD between June 5, 2004 and Sept. 4, 2009. Consumers can also exchange the DVDs for Baby Einstein books, music or a 25 percent off coupon.
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood claims the offer was the result of a Federal Trade Commission's reaction to the CCFC charge in 2006 as to the efficacy of video education methods. Baby Eintein reps claim otherwise, and the choice was a decision pursuant to a new parent's guide.
The decision may also be related to increasing pressure in light of recent research showing that the Baby Eintein series is not only ineffective but even detremental.
In August 2007 the Journal of Pediatrics (PDF) released a study by researchers at the University of Washington on the effects of television and DVD/video viewing on language development in children under two years of age.
It’s not too late to get your baby on! This week celebrate the love and closeness with your baby and wear him or her often. Studies have shown that babies who are worn tend to cry less, sleep longer, and eat better. It has also been found that parents who wear their babies are more likely to be content which in turn equals a relaxed baby.One huge benefit of babywearing is being hands-free. Babywearing allows for tasks to get done around the house while keeping the baby comfy and secure.
There are many different types of babywearing options. From slings, carriers, wraps, a piece of cloth or handmade they all have the same outcome. A happy baby and happy parents! Babywearing can br so much fun. Having your baby close to kiss as often as possible and being able to snuggle so closely all while- hiking, bowling, mini golfing, exercising, bike riding, grocery shopping, some house chores or just a simple walk is what makes babywearing enjoyable. It’s worth the investment. The fact that I’m able to move around and be hands-free with a toddler makes the day so much less intense. Both of my sons from birth loved to be worn.
Most parents would balk at the idea of toddlers in high heels, but what about sandals or trainers? Some experts now believe that all shoes are best avoided in childhood, says Sam Murphy
It's smart, it's Swedish, it's snot as gross as it looks. It's a nasal aspirator that actually works!
The ingeniously simple design features a 15 inch clear plastic tube that extends from a nasal nozzle. Parents use the red mouth piece to suck the snot right out without risk of bacterial transfer. Disposable filters prevent the user from catching the child's cold.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents to be vigilant about keeping children away from open windows - screens or not. With energy prices up and the economy down, it seems more parents have been opening windows this summer because there are more kids accidentally falling out of them.
We at GentleNurturing.com spent years researching disposable diapers and rejected everything we came across because they either were manufactured with harmful chemicals, or were hard on the environment. We were delighted when we discovered 
On May 11th, the White House Office of the Press Secretary released: 
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested 60 different makes and models of child car booster seats, and only 15 of the 60 seats -- seats usually used by 4- to 8-year-olds -- got top ratings.
The Disney Company markets the Baby Einstein product line as an educational tool for very young children from ages 3 months to 3 years. The subjects covered are usually classical in nature. However more prominent research shows them to be ineffective in their goal, which has prompted Disney to offer refunds for their Baby Einstein product line.
