by Sarah on 17. February 2013 in Good to Know | Parenting | What's The Big Deal
We are delighted to have Dr. Jane Scott stop by the blog today! Dr. Jane is a pediatrician, neonatologist, and mother of four. She has watched flat head syndrome grow exponentially in infants to recent epidemic numbers, and she has witnessed countless parents struggle to treat this. She has made it her life’s mission to educate new parents on the prevention of flat head and to offer a non-invasive, affordable solution to prevent and treat mild cases of early-diagnosed positional plagiocephaly and torticollis in infants. She is here to share her expertise with us on this topic and how it can be prevented!
These days, moms and babies are constantly on the go, running errands, going to play dates, childcare etc. For baby, this means spending a lot of time in car seats, strollers and bouncers. Add the time baby spends sleeping in their crib at night- on their backs of course- and it’s no wonder that nearly 1 in 2 babies will develop flat head syndrome by the time they are 5 months old.
Flat head syndrome is comprised of 2 conditions that often coincide or prompt the other. Plagiocephaly is the condition in which flat spots develop on an infant’s skull. Infants’ skull bones are soft and thus can be easily flattened during the formative time between birth and 6 months of age. Similarly, infants’ heads are large and heavy, while their necks are weak. Torticollis occurs when an infant’s neck muscles become tight on one side, causing a head tilt. Sometimes babies are born with these issues due to restricted positioning in utero or during the birthing process. However, flat head syndrome most commonly occurs because of the extended amount of time babies spend on their backs. In fact, there has been a 600% increase in flat head syndrome since 1992, the year the AAP introduced the “Back to Sleep” campaign to reduce the risk of SIDS.
The good news? Flat head syndrome is almost always preventable, especially when parents are educated about the issue and proactive in their prevention efforts. Due to the recent epidemic of flat head syndrome, the AAP now requests that medical providers counsel new parents on how to avoid flat head syndrome during their newborn’s checkups. To prevent the development of flat spots, parents should actively reposition their infant’s head throughout the day. The goal of repositioning is to encourage baby to place equal weight distribution on various areas of the head (to avoid the formation of a flat spot) as well as to stretch the neck muscles through rotation to both sides of their body.
Dr. Jane Scott
Board Certified Neonatologist,
Pediatrician, and Founder of Tortle Products, LLC
In addition to educating new parents on the prevention of plagiocephaly, Dr. Jane created Tortle, a non-invasive affordable solution that not only treats mild cases and early diagnosed positional plagiocephaly and torticollis in young infants, but can prevent it from ever occurring. The Tortle is a patented, FDA cleared device that Jane hopes will eradicate flat head syndrome while allowing moms to safely follow AAP’s important Back to Sleep protocol.
The Tortle is an FDA cleared, simple, safe, and comfortable beanie designed to aid parents in positioning their infants. By switching the Tortle from side to side with each feeding, parents alleviate the flat spots and neck tightness that newborns often develop.
For more information about Tortle and Dr. Jane’s mission, watch this video, and visit the Tortle site here.
by Sarah on 2. October 2012 in Parenting | What's The Big Deal
September was National Baby Safety Month…and as the month came to a close, we had countless safety articles worth sharing from some of our favorite sites. So, in honor of keeping our kids safe, we’d like to let you in on these must-reads!
:: Second-Hand Baby Gear
This year’s main focus of National Baby Safety Month was on second-hand baby gear. Did you know that second-hand gear may pose serious safety risks for your child? Not knowing the history of a product’s use, new safety standards, and missing parts are just a few reasons why being selective when using second-hand baby gear is so important. Some items are best to borrow/buy, and others are recommended NOT to use second-hand when it comes to equipping baby.
For a list of these items, and more information on the topic, check out the SheKnows.com article, Take Another Look at Second Hand Baby Gear here.
:: Baby-Proofing
Different homes require different levels of baby-proofing. However, the folks over at Parenting.com have compiled a great list of universal must-have baby proofing items. See their article, Baby Proofing Must Haves here.
:: Safety Checklist
Looking for a comprehensive safety checklist when kid-proofing your home? Check out Baby Center's all-inclusive list here.
:: Safety Plan
Family Corner has provided a wonderful 30-day plan for tightening up your safety belts in and around the house. Highlighting a wide range of safety issues, following this plan will result in a safer environment for your baby. Take a look at their 30-day Calendar of Tips here.
:: Unexpected Dangers
Dangers are hidden in numerous baby items that many of us consider harmless. We recommend looking at Stroller Traffic’s article, 10 Expected Dangers for Babies here.
:: Car Seat Safety
Wanting to better understand the reasoning behing car seat expirations? Read our previous blog post, What’s the Big Deal? Do Car Seats Really Expire? here.
by Sarah on 2. September 2011 in What's The Big Deal
When I was last in the baby-bottle-buying market, I was certain to only buy bottles that were BPA free. But, when I stop to really think about it… why did I do that? What is the big deal with BPA?
With some further research under my belt… let me explain my understanding…and let’s keep it simple!
What is BPA?
BPA is the chemical bisphenol A, and it is used in plastics used to make baby bottles. BPA is a chemical that makes plastics hard and shatter proof. It is suggested that the BPA chemical can leech into your baby’s milk- especially when heated.
Is BPA harmful?
The danger of BPA is a debate that is ongoing. Many researchers say that these plastics can and do effect humans- but some controversy remains over the evidence. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests that BPA is safe because of human’s ability to rapidly eliminate the chemical from their system. Many health advocates continue to disagree, suggesting that in animal studies, BPA can indeed be hazardous to your health and can contribute to changes in behavior.
The Conclusion
There is no universal conclusion on the battle over BPA. However, it is always safe to err on the side of caution. Many retailers feel the same way and are phasing out or banning bottles containing BPA.
BPA Free Bottles
There is a wide variety of BPA free bottles on the market. Obviously, glass bottles are an option when trying to avoid the chemical BPA. However, if you’re like me, and prefer a less fragile bottle, there are still a lot of safe options out there. After sifting through over 20 reviews, consumer reports, and recent award recipients… I have put together a list of the TOP 5 BPA Free Bottles. Not only are these bottles BPA free, but they all received high marks from parents in regards to ease of use, ease of cleaning, likeability by babies, and success of design.
1. Born Free
2. Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow
3. Green to Grow
4. Playtex Drop-Ins
5. Adiri NxGen Nurser
Keep in mind that no two babies are the same. You may discover that it takes trying a few different types of bottles to find just the right fit. There are many BPA free bottles out there, beyond this list, and there is no doubt that you will be able to find one sufficient for you and your baby's BPA free needs!
by Sarah on 29. July 2011 in Good to Know | What's The Big Deal
With my sister expecting baby number three- and on the market for new baby gear- the topic of car seats has recently been on my mind. I had heard rumors…even noticed a stamped date on my son’s car seat base…but, really…what is all this business with the expiration of car seats?
Trust me; I can see the need for a replacing a car seat after it has survived even one child…with all of the wear and tear and filth! But, can a car seat really expire? I could wrap my head around food having an expiration date, but… car seats? Because I was truly curious, I did some basic research on the matter, and here’s what I found. Keep in mind, these are only my conclusions from several articles and the recommendations from the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (NHTSA).
When Does a Car Seat Expire?
Generally, the rule of thumb is that car seats expire 6 years past the manufacture (not purchase) date. However, some car seats have a longer or shorter lifespan. Many car seat manufacturers put a stamp or imprint on the car seat’s base, making known the date you should replace a car seat. You can also contact the manufacturer of your seat for further recommendations and guidelines.
Why Does a Car Seat Expire?
Basically, most experts will agree on a few main reasons why car seats expire. Firstly, technology changes… in both the manufacturing of car seats, and in vehicles as well. New technology comes out that makes it possible to keep kids safer. Also, standards for safety improve and change, further supporting the recommendation to replace older car seats.
Also, car seats were not made to last forever. It isn’t uncommon to get a fracture in the base, or for belts to become more elastic over time. Again, it’s about keeping your baby safe…and after several years, your car seat may not be doing the best job at that any longer.
Lastly, car seats are not tested beyond a certain time of use. Many of the statistics and promises of a car seat are not based on it exceeding the general six year guideline.
The expiration of car seats is about getting potentially bad seats off of the road. Although your car seat may outlast the expiration date…why risk it?
How Can I Know if My Child’s Car Seat is Still Good?
Did you know that there are local car seat inspection stations nationwide? I know I didn’t. I even went so far as to call the NHTSA hotline to find out if there really was one in my area. Come to find out, there is a station about 30 miles from my home. Who knew? So…if you’re really concerned about the condition of your child’s car seat, you can always track down an inspection station by calling the NHTSA at #1-888-327-4236.
The Bottom Line
It doesn’t take long for a list of questions to form when it comes to proper car seat use. Should my child be forward or rear facing? How do I install the seat properly? Is this the best seat for my child’s safety? When does my child use a booster seat? The most important thing to remember is that there are answers to these questions, and it’s important to do your research. Apparently, 3 out of 4 car seats on the road are not used properly….and with a car seat’s potential to save your child’s life, it’s worth finding out how to use it the right way.
The bottom line is, with car seat expirations and all other guidelines, it’s about keeping your baby safe…and what’s not to respect about that?
To find out how to use your child’s car seat in the safest manner, it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer of the car seat, and you can also visit the NHTSA website to find out more about the guidelines for proper car seat use.
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