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Autumn international 2009

As USA Today explains, Jean Twenge and W. Keith Campbell analyzed the names on 325 million applications for Social Security numbers, each one filed between 1880 and 2007. Their findings? Fewer moms and dads these days are opting for common baby names; for example, in 1955, 32 percent of boys had a name that ranked among the top 10 most popular in America. In 2007, only nine percent of males had a "popular" name. The same trend held true for girls -- the 1955 popularity percentage was 22 for females, but 8 percent in 2007.

There are many reasons that could explain this. Twenge and Campbell have focused on the obsession with uniqueness in our culture, coupled with a desire to imitate celebrities (who love a weird baby name) and good old-fashioned Baby Boomer and Generation X narcissism. Perhaps coincidentally, Twenge and Campbell have co-authored a book called "The Narcissism Epidemic," a tome that explores the many ways that the rise of the Narcissist in America has impacted our society. I'd plan to read it, but I'm kinda busy these days, staring at my own reflection in a pool of water.

Seriously, Twenge and Campbell raise some good points, but I think they've neglected to acknowledge a factor that I'll call the Jennifer Syndrome. We Xers grew up in a world where every class, from pre-school to grad school, included at least seven girls named Jennifer. I know this because I was one of them. It's the reason I never took my husband's last name after we get married; I got very attached to Chaney because it was the only way my friends could distinguish me from the 875 other Jens, Jennys and Jennifers in their lives.

My point is, you meet enough Jens as a kid, you start to think that maybe you should name your daughter (or son) something that will stand out. Of course, as we parents know, duplication of kid names still exists. The many Jordans, Jacobs, Emmas and Ethans out there attest to that. But if the Twenge/Campbell study -- which will be presented Saturday at the Association for Psychological Science conference -- is valid, then our kids' names are more diverse than ever. Call me a narcissist, but I think that's a good thing.

There are a number of reasons for an abnormal result. For example, not enough blood may have been taken, or the sample may not have reached the laboratory quickly enough. The sample may also have been "borderline", which means it was not possible to tell whether or not there was a problem. In these cases, your Lead Maternity Carer will talk to you about taking another sample.

The result may also have been abnormal because the screening test shows thes is an increased risk that one of the disorders tested for has been found. Further diagnostic testing will be required to confirm a disorder.

Many of the effects of disorders can be reduced - either by a special diet or medicine - but treatment is best if started early. Babies with a disorder cannot be "cured" but they can be treated, each in their own special way. Your Lead Maternity Carer and other health practitioners will talk with you about the best treatment for your baby.

If you suspect infant sleep apnea discuss it with your doctor and follow any treatments he recommends. At home and in the car there are several safety measures you can take.

A bolster-style infant sleep positioner or baby pillow used to be basically two pieces of foam attached together by a piece of fabric. The baby was laid on the fabric in between the foam bolsters so that he could not roll over. A bolster-style baby sleep positioner may be helpful in keeping your baby on his side but be sure your baby is able to pull up his legs if he has gas. Many bolster-style baby and infant sleep positioners pin the baby in such a way that they do not have enough mobility to move around and resolve gas on their own.

Dex has recently come out with a new memory foam infant sleep positioner that has a slight elevation and prevents flat head syndrome. This is helpful for infant congestion and mild acid reflux.

Research has shown that babies reflux less when on their left sides and tummies because the stomach acid is furthest from the esophagus. Talk to your doctor about swaddling and putting your baby on his left side or getting an angelcare monitor so you can allow baby to sleep on his tummy. This type of monitor tracks your baby's movements and alarms if they stop, indicating that your baby has stopped breathing. Some physicians will make an exception to the Back to Sleep advice for infants with severe reflux

Side positioning can be tricky because you need to ensure that your baby won't roll over onto his tummy during the night. Before the SIDS campaign parents would extend the baby's lower arm in front and roll up a towel to place behind baby or prop him against the side of the crib and place another rolled up towel or blanket in front of him to keep him from rolling back over. The danger is that the towel or blanket will come unrolled during the night and cover the face.

A safer way is to use something like a crib sling. You can place your baby in the sling on his back, either with the mattress propped up or flat, and then roll him onto his side and place a rolled up swaddle blanket behind him to keep him from rolling onto his back. The sling will ensure that he does not roll onto his tummy and there is no blanket in front of him to worry about.

One more side-positioner is the Zaky Hand. The Zaky simulates the weight of a human hand that can help provide the boundaries and propping you need to keep baby safely on his side. Another great thing about the Zaky is it can be gently warmed in the microwave and scented by the parent, making it a smooth and more seamless transition when transferring baby from you to the crib. The Zaky is particularly good for babies who will only sleep on your chest.

her back and refuse to feed. Is sleep an impossibility for him and you? Does she scream when you try to put her down or just plain scream - all day, every day? If your baby has reflux there is something very important you need to know:

There is help out there that can really make a difference. Believe it!

My Reflux Baby was set up originally to support Irish parents and babies who are dealing with infant reflux. It is being developed by an Irish mother of two small boys who have all come through gastro oesophageal reflux (GOR). Since our launch, we have been getting visitors from all over Europe, the USA, Canada, South America, Zimbabwe, Austrailia, India and other far flung places! So it seems the reach of the site is expanding. It also shows, in no uncertain terms, what a universal problem infant reflux is and unfortunately websites like this, however basic, are still an essential root to information and support for parents worldwide. I would very much like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the site and hope we can help you in some small way.

Our Mission remains two-fold. Firstly, to provide information about pediatric reflux to help parents identify signs of reflux and seek focused medical care if required and secondly, to provide a forum where parents can support each other.

Your Forum: Support is absolutely crucial for a parent coping with a baby with reflux or indeed reflux in toddlers, so it is my hope that the forum and blog elements of this site can be developed to enable parents to support each other. Feel free to browse and read, but I would encourage you to take part and post. Its your forum so don't hesitate if you have something to share or if you can spare a minute to let another desperate mother know that you understand and that she's not alone. It really can make a huge difference. Sharing feeding tips and little gems of knowledge that you just won't get from anywhere else can make all the difference, or just keep you sane on a really bad day. For Forum and Blog guidelines please see our Policy page.

ALWAYS OBTAIN THE CONSENT OF YOUR CHILD'S DOCTOR BEFORE INTRODUCING NEW FOODS, JUICES OR WATER TO YOUR BABY.

• If your baby is eating rice cereal, try switching to an oat, barley or mixed grain cereal (note: these may not be suitable if your baby is under 6 months of age). Alternatively, learn more about introducing easily digestible avocado or sweet potato as suitable alternative first foods.
• Mix the cereal with a little prune juice, or give him fruit juice diluted with cooled, boiled water. Try 1oz of juice in 4oz of water initially - if this doesn't help, try diluting the juice with 2oz of water. Offer this diluted juice every morning and evening, until the stools soften.
• Add pureed fruits or vegetables to his cereal.
• Offer other foods that help soften stools - these include pears (a gentle but effective option that we recommend trying first), peaches, apricots, plums and peas.
• If baby is bottle fed, offer him cooled, boiled water to prevent dehydration, particularly in warm conditions.
• If baby is breastfed, increase the frequency of feeds.
• Massage baby's tummy gently, in a clockwise direction, starting at his navel and moving outwards.
• Give him a warm bath - this will make him feel relaxed (if he enjoys his baths!) and you can continue the massage technique to "get things moving" and relieve discomfort.
• 'Cycle' baby's legs - this exerts gentle pressure on his intestines by moving the muscles in his tummy. Simply put him on his back, hold his legs and turn them gently, but quickly, in a cycling motion.
• If hard stools have caused tears to baby's anus, alert his doctor and use Vaseline to protect his delicate skin.

When babies begin solid foods, the appearance and smell of their stools will change quite dramatically. This is particularly noticeable in breastfed babies, whose stools were previously of a smooth texture and relatively "sweet" smelling!

Once your baby is introduced to solids, his stools will often be the colour of the food he ate. They may also contain small pieces of undigested food.

The frequency with which he passes stools may change too - sometimes a baby can go a few days without a bowel movement. This does not necessarily mean he is constipated - if the stool is soft when it finally appears, then it is very likely that all is well.

Nor do straining and grunting necessarily indicate constipation - these are actually quite common reactions, as your baby's body adjusts to the new texture and firmness of his stools.

But baby constipation can arise as his intestines learn to cope with this new form of nutrition. The resulting hard stools can sometimes tear the delicate skin around the anus. These tiny but painful tears can cause your baby to sub-consciously hold back his stools. Unfortunately, this compounds the problem - his body will absorb the water from these stools, making them even harder, plus the large amount of stools in the intestine will cause discomfort and pain.

The above chart is a general guideline with solid baby foods that are age appropriate. Our charts/guidelines are somewhat conservative in nature compared to guidelines from other sources. We show age-ranges for different foods and we have researched and compiled these charts from various medical authorities such as private pediatricians, the AAP, the AAFP and the WHO. Feel free to print the chart and ask your Pediatrician about the listings and recommendations. Our visitors say their pediatricians are impressed with our Chart's suitability and accuracy of listings.

AGE/STAGE - 8 months - 10 months old

The AAP recommends that an infant not be started on solid foods until after 6 months of age. Many pediatricians still start babies on solids around 4 months of age. This chart accommodates all ages and stages up to 12 months.

CEREALS

Try mixing together the grains that your baby has had without any reaction(s). Begin offering breads and muffins when baby has mastered mashing more textured foods. Pasta makes for great finger foods.

FRUITS

Begin making your own fruit combinations once baby has had several fruits without any reaction(s). Venture into Papaya and Melon Swirl. After 8 months old – you may wish to try offering raw ripe fruits. Soft cooked fruits make for great beginner Baby Finger Foods.

VEGGIES

Soft cooked veggies make for great beginner Baby Finger Foods. Try mixing up a veggie medley now. Add some grated cheese for extra temptation & Yum. Saute or roast some onions or peppers to add to baby's food or serve as finger foods. Make a Leek and Chicken Potato Mash.

PROTEIN

Once your baby has reached 8 months old, try an Egg Yolk Omelet – the perfect chance to slip in some veggies.

DAIRY

Avocado mashed with a bit of cream cheese – YUM. Get adventurous with Cheeses and Yogurts now. Soft Cheeses such as Brie pose health risks so hold off on those.

There is a difference in the amount of sugars and pectin in apple juice and applesauce:

Apple juice contains more sugars and liquids so it helps relieve constipation.

Applesauce is the whole of the fruit. It contains a higher level of pectin - which firms up stools and may thus lead to constipation.

"Apple juice also has a mild laxative effect that may help provide relief from constipation commonly experienced by little ones. Apple juice fortified with vitamin C may help children absorb more iron, an important nutrient for growth and development." About Apple Juices

Apples contain pectin, which will add bulk to your stools, and their cleansing action will encourage bowel movements. They have a laxative effect yet are also used for to help people get back on a regular diet after suffering bouts of diarrhea.

The pectin in the apple fiber apparently is why whole apples will firm up bowel movements. Think of Kaopectate - a popular over-the-counter diarrhea remedy. Kaopectate , actually contains an oxidized form of pectin. Also, that same fiber pectin is what dietitians have been telling us for decades is necessary to keep us regular and to prevent constipation. While it will help prevent constipation by helping to keep the bowels regular, it will not help alleviate constipation.

When it comes to bowel regularity, apples contain two types of fiber; insoluble and soluble. The insoluble fiber works like roughage, while the soluble fiber (pectin), which is found primarily in the skin, acts as a stool softener by drawing water into the stool and increasing stool bulk. Because pectin firms up an excessively loose stool, it’s also used to treat diarrhea. For more information see

There are many things you can do to help relieve baby's constipation. You can change baby's feeding pattern and/or engage in some physical exercises.

Exercises to Help Relieve Infant Constipation include:

Tummy Massage - Gently massage and rub baby's tummy in a clockwise direction. Place your hands at baby's navel and massage in a circular motion, moving your hand(s) out and away from the center of baby's belly.

Warm Bath - Some medical professionals suggest giving your constipated baby a warm bath. The thought is that this may help relax baby and "get things moving" again. Give a tummy massage as you are drying baby.

Bicycle Legs - Place your baby on her back and lightly hold her legs in a half-bent position. Gently begin to move your baby's legs as if she is riding a bicycle. Alternate "Bicycle Legs" with Tummy Massage. *"Bicycle Legs" also may help to relieve a baby who is gassy.

Relieving Constipation in Babies Younger than 4 Months:

Try giving one to two ounces of diluted fruit juice such as grape, prune or apple-prune twice daily and practice some of the above exercises. (Always consult your pediatrician about the appropriateness of new foods/liquids to help alleviate constipation) Learn about Fruit Juice in your baby's diet.

Relieving Constipation in Babies 4 Months to 12 months + by Changing the Food Diet

Try strained foods that contain high fiber such as:

apricots

prunes

peaches

plums

pears

peas

spinach

In older infants who are just beginning solid foods, you may want to avoid baby foods such as rice cereal, applesauce and bananas as these may aggravate constipation.

Barley or oatmeal cereals, prunes, peaches, plums, apricots and most vegetables are preferred when baby has constipation.

Juices are helpful, especially apple or prune, but use in moderation, as they are not as nutritious for babies as formula or breast milk.

• Introduction of solid food(s) - breastfed babies may be more prone to constipation when solid foods are introduced. This is because their tiny tummies are used to processing the easily and highly digestible mother's milk

• Diets low in fiber

• Diets of excessive dairy products (yogurt, cheeses, milk)

• Foods such as Bananas, Applesauce, Cereals, Breads, Pasta and White Potatoes may contribute or cause constipation

A change in diet usually relieves a baby with constipation. The following tips may also help the constipated baby get things "moving".

There are many causes of infant constipation. One of the most common causes of constipation in babies is the introduction of solid foods.

Breastfed babies are rarely constipated as breast milk is almost 100% completely digested and utilized by baby's growing body. Breast milk leaves little "leftovers" to cause constipation. Many breastfed babies do have infrequent bowel movements however this does not mean that they are constipated.

Formula fed babies tend to battle constipation more often than their breastfed counterparts. Unlike breast milk, formula is not as easily digested nor is it as completely absorbed and used by a baby's body.

When solid foods are introduced, breastfed babies may become truly constipated while formula fed babies may struggle more frequently with bouts of constipation.

My sister's daughter was small due to the fact she smoked throughout her pregnancy (stupid right?) Anyway, there are many factors that can contribute to a low-birthweight baby. Here are some causes:

Birth defects: Babies with certain birth defects are more likely to be small for date because genetic conditions or environmental factors may limit normal development (3, 4).

Chronic health problems in the mother: Maternal high blood pressure, diabetes, heart, lung and kidney problems sometimes can reduce birthweight (3).

Smoking: Pregnant women who smoke cigarettes are nearly twice as likely to have a low-birthweight baby as women who do not smoke (5). Smoking slows fetal growth and increases the risk of premature delivery (5).

Infections in the mother: Certain infections, especially those involving the genito-urinary tract, may increase the risk of preterm delivery (2).

Infections in the fetus: Infection with certain viruses, including cytomegalovirus, rubella and chickenpox, can slow fetal growth and cause birth defects (3, 4).

Alcohol and illicit drugs: Alcohol and illicit drugs can limit fetal growth and can cause birth defects (3, 4). Some drugs, such as cocaine, also may increase the risk of premature delivery.

Placental problems: Placental problems can reduce flow of blood and nutrients to the fetus, limiting growth. In some cases, a baby may need to be delivered early to prevent serious complications in mother and baby.

Inadequate maternal weight gain: Women who gain too few pounds during pregnancy increase their risk of having a low-birthweight baby (3). Women of normal weight should usually gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy.