Babies by nature are explorers.  They reach, grasp, “mouth”, sit, roll, crawl, and “cruise” along objects of interest.  Babies are curious about different textures and shapes and brightly colored objects easily attract babies’ attention. Unfortunately, many small, easily accessible objects pose a choking risk or may be poisonous if ingested.  Given such risk, often parents must take precautions to “babyproof” their homes. This is particularly true as an infant grows into toddlerhood and becomes more mobile, additional precautions are needed to childproof areas where little explorers “cruise”.  To babyproof your home, you’ll need to protect your nursery, kitchen, bathroom & any other place where your baby will be exploring. To protect a baby’s nursery—ensure that the mattress fits the crib or bassinet snugly.   According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 35 babies every year suffocate or strangle in cribs that don’t meet current safety standards or when…

Your boyfriend is the one who makes you laugh and the one who remembers your favorite movie snack. However, if your boyfriend also smokes tobacco products you could be at risk for more than you bargain for in this relationship. Not only is your boyfriend risking his own health, but you could be exposing yourself to toxins that can cause many health issues for you. Firsthand smoke – If your boyfriend smokes he is exposing himself to firsthand smoke, inhaling the carcinogens that are emitted from the cigarette every time he inhales on the end of the cigarette. Smoking has long been associated with health concerns, and in particular, young men are at risk for many diseases and conditions if they smoke cigarettes. Teenage boys who smoke can actually stunt their height growth as well as their BMI (body mass index). Young boys and men who smoke can damage the…

Many women want to breastfeed; however, disappointingly, often women find that what’s supposed to be natural and “second-nature” may not be so easy. Therefore, too often women don’t breastfeed or discontinue breastfeeding out of frustration or lack of “know-how”. To prevent this, pregnant women should educate themselves about breastfeeding by reading books and consulting a La Leche League mother’s support group to learn more about the process and resources for effective breastfeeding. Women who wish to breastfeed should alert their doctor, partner or spouse, friends and family so they can be aware and assist with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is an emotional, intellectual, and physical experience that should be shared by all that will love and care for a new baby.   Within the first weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s body physically prepares for an expectant baby by releasing hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause the breasts to enlarge…

Cigarette smoke is harmful to the health of pregnant women as well as their unborn babies.  Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals including nicotine, carbon monoxide, lead, cyanide and tar.  These chemicals enter the bloodstream, causing constriction of blood vessels and restriction of oxygen and nutrients.  Cigarette smoking involves the inhalation of toxins that damage the gums, throat, and lungs of pregnant women as well as the developing heart, lungs and brain of babies.  Smoking also causes asthma and other breathing conditions as well as eye problems and learning disorders. Cigarette smoking can lead to cancer, heart disease, stroke and gum disease in expectant mothers and birth defects in babies.   Pregnant women who smoke are at increased risk of complications such as vaginal bleeding, problems with the placenta, ectopic pregnancy, and stillbirth.  In conditions of oxygen shortage, babies do not grow and develop properly. Babies of smokers are more susceptible…