Author Archives: admin

Rate of Autism Diagnosis On The Rise

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I have worked in early intervention for years. This headline continues to play out in the papers too frequently. Every year the autism rates climb.  Where is the funding for the research? The article quotes 1 in every 54 male is diagnosed on the autistic spectrum? We need to not only raise awareness, but fight for why our children are succumbing to this disease.

In my experience, 99% of the time, it is the parents who have concerns about their child’s development early on. If you see something in your child’s behavior or development, video tape it and show it to your primary care giver. If you are not satisfied, please seek a second opinion. Early intervention is our best treatment, but prevention is what we have to demand.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/health/rate-of-autism-diagnoses-has-climbed-study-finds.html?_r=1&hpw#

Positions To Decrease Reflux

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A Tum e Time mom passed this information on reflux along to me.  She found it on kellymom.com

  • Positioning:
    • Reflux is worst when baby lies flat on his back.
    • Many parents have found that carrying baby in a sling or other baby carrier can be helpful.
    • Avoid compressing baby’s abdomen – this can increase reflux and discomfort. Dress baby in loose clothing with loose diaper waistbands; avoid “slumped over” or bent positions; for example, roll baby on his side rather than lifting legs toward tummy for diaper changes.
    • Recent research has compared various positions to determine which is best for babies with reflux. Elevating baby’s head did not make a significant difference in these studies [Carroll 2002, Secker 2002, Craig 2004], although many moms have found that baby is more comfortable when in an upright position. The positions shown to significantly reduce reflux include lying on the left side and prone (baby on his tummy). Placing the infant in a prone position should only be done when the child is awake and can be continuously monitored. Prone positioning during sleep is almost never recommended due to the increased SIDS risk. [Secker 2002]
    • Although recent research does not support recommendations to keep baby in a semi-upright position (30° elevation), this remains a common recommendation. Positioning at a 60° elevation in an infant seat or swing has been found to increase reflux compared with the prone (tummy down) position [Carroll 2002, Secker 2002].
    • As always, experiment to find what works best for your baby.

 

Babywearing International of the Bay Area

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Many families in the tum e time classes wonder what baby carrier to use. As the baby carrier market is flooded with choices and one size certainly doesn’t fit all, its a difficult question to answer. Even in my house, my husband and I had our separate, favorite carriers.

If you want to try out a carrier, have questions, etc…..I recommend joining the yahoo group or go to one of the Babywearing International of the Bay Area meetings. They meet in the East Bay, Contra Costa and the South Bay.  Here is the blurb that is posted on their yahoo group description:

“Welcome to Babywearing International of the Bay Area, Inc. (formerly known as Bay Area Babywearers).

“Babywearing” is the practice of holding a child in a cloth sling or carrier – using an item that you wear to keep your baby close and secure, while simultaneously keeping hands free for other important tasks. Babywearing International of the Bay Area, Inc. is one of a multitude of local babywearing support and advocacy groups across the country and around the world. If you are interested in either receiving or giving help for parents and other caregivers who wish to choose and learn to use a ring sling, pouch, wrap, mei tai or other baby carrier, you are in the right place!

Our group meets on the following days/times (with other events throughout the year as well). Please visit the calendar section or contact a leader for more detailed information on our meetings and playgroups.

Subscribe to our e-mail list for access to additional resources, including member lists, our carrier and media lending library, and, of course, communications with our members. Please note that while local owners or associates of babywearing-related businesses are very welcome as members, NO SPAM (advertising products or services babywearing-related or not) is allowed on our e-mail list. Members are welcome to offer used carriers from their personal collections for sale. Please keep conversations on-topic (babywearing).

From the Yahoo Groups webpage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BabywearingInternational-BayArea/

East Bay Waldorf Parent/Infant Class

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I was disappointed when my daughter was young that Birthe wasn’t teaching this infant class at East Bay Waldorf School.  Our family did go on to be a part of the toddler classes for many years and we enjoyed the sense of community, nurturing food and conversations.  Although it was quite a distance from our home, the campus immediately grounded me and I looked forward to our family time together.

This is why I was excited to see Birthe’s post in the UC Berkeley Parents List this week announcing the upcoming infant classes.  The classes are FREE and Birthe has so much experience and knowledge to share.

Here is the posting, if you missed it:

Parent/Infant class at East Bay Waldorf School. (free)
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This class is for parents with babies three months to newly walking. Using a
body-centered approach, the classes support understanding of movement
development, working with the senses, and the importance of routine and rhythm
for building healthy habits.

Fridays 9-10:30am.

Birthe Kaarsholm is a registered movement therapist. Her work is inspired from Body Mind
Centering®, Waldorf Education and Breema®. For more information see
www.eastbaywaldorf.org