Newborns: Preventive Care and Nutrition Articles

We are always looking for ways to prevent problems, diseases and illnesses in our children. Below are many of the articles that we have found that focus on preventative care and nutrition for newborn children. As your child approaches one year old, refer to our Toddler Preventative Care & Nutrition articles. We've also included select prenatal care items in this section. Other areas to refer to are Newborn Health and Medicine , General Health and Medicine and Newborn Disabilities.

Our rating system for these Preventive Care and Nutrition articles is:

• - Best, in depth and most helpful overall
• - Very Good, but more specific in focus
• - Good reference material

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	Safety Calendar - A Month of Activities This great calendar has 30 things you can do to safeguard your family. We're all so busy, that we tend to postpone taking these basic steps. This calendar will help by defining discrete and often small things that you can do that could make a big difference in protecting your family. Check it out today!
	USDA Unveils Food Guide Pyramid For Young Children The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children has been released. This "children's pyramid" is an adaptation of the original Food Guide Pyramid released in 1992, and is targeted to children ages two to six.
	Baby Bottle Tooth Decay and Oral Health in the Child Care Setting Although the responsibility for a child's oral health rests with the parents, child care providers play an important role in maintaining the oral health of children in child care settings. Although tooth decay is not as common as it used to be, it is still one of the most common diseases in children. Here are some guidelines about preventing oral health problems.
	2000 Childhood Immunization Schedule The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the 2000 childhood immunization schedule, which includes changes made during the last year that ensure vaccinations for the Nation's children remain safe and effective.
	Baby Product Safety Tips: Safety Alert- from the CPSC This is a great list of safety tips for parents of young children to follow. The tips are organized in a checklist format for quick review.
	Baby Bottle Tooth Decay and Oral Health in the Child Care Setting Although the responsibility for a child's oral health rests with the parents, child care providers play an important role in maintaining the oral health of children in child care settings. Although tooth decay is not as common as it used to be, it is still one of the most common diseases in children. Here are some guidelines about preventing oral health problems.
	E. Coli Infections Detection and Prevention Information E. Coli is one of many diarrheal illnesses a child can contract; yet, its severity warrants special attention. This 3-part article, as part of our special area on E. Coli infections, covers these important topics: * how to help prevent E. Coli infections in your children * what to do if you think your child has E. Coli * how parents can help prevent and halt E. Coli epidemics
	Nutrition and Foods Brought from Home - The ABCs of Safe and Healthy Child Care Parents and childcare providers must know the proper food safety, nutrition and food handling guidlelines. This will ensure that children in a childcare enviroment will have safe food and will receive proper nutrition.
	On the Teen Scene: Dodging the Rays There is no such thing as a safe tan. Why does the body tan? Because the body is being injured by ultraviolet [UV] radiation that hits it. Regardless of your skin color, if you're going to be out in the sun, even for a short time, apply a sunscreen to all skin that will be exposed. Apply the sunscreen generously before going into the sun and reapply it often.
	Child Health Guide - Put Prevention into Practice This is an outstanding 30 page guide from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that has information on preventative care and on good health habits. Use it as a permanent record to help you keep track of your child's health and care through the years. This guide contains many great growth charts, immunization tables and other quick-reference information that can help your child get a healthy start on life.
	Retailers Join CPSC in Promoting Safe Bedding Practices forBabies To prevent deaths from soft bedding, seven major retailers are joining the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in kicking off a safety campaign promoting safe bedding practices for babies. As many as 900 baby deaths each year attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) may actually be caused by suffocation in soft bedding, such as quilts, comforters, pillows and sheepskins.
	Keep Your Holidays Happy, Healthy and Headache-Free As the holidays approach, people across the country are looking forward to the twinkling lights, festive music, sweet treats and an extra dose of family visits. But for many, these favorite holiday traditions can also bring on an unwelcome threat of headaches and for some, even a debilitating migraine headache attack. This helpful article offers advice on how to prevent or control common holiday situations that could provoke headaches.
	Kids' Vaccinations Get a Little Easier Do you need more information about the vaccinations your child receives? And do you need a handy reference chart of when these vaccinations should be received? Then review this very helpful and informative article. The information in here will also help you during your next visit to your child's pediatrician.
	An "Ounce Of Prevention" Program Is Launched - Preventing the Spread of Infectious Disease "An Ounce of Prevention Keeps the Germs Away. is a new program from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Reckitt and Colman, the maker of LYSOL brand products. They have formed a partnership to develop a comprehensive educational program with the ultimate goal of preventing the spread of infectious disease and reducing its death toll.
	E.Coli Infections - What Parents Should Know and Do With a recent E. Coli outbreak in the western U.S. sending many children to the hospital, and perhaps killing one toddler, we learned that many parents are not adequately informed about the dangers and issues around E. Coli infections. In this area you'll find personal stories, medical information, news articles and more to help you protect your children.
	Infant Formula: Second Best but Good Enough A century ago, babies who couldn't be breast-fed usually didn't survive. Today, although breast-feeding is still the best nourishment for infants, infant formula is a close enough second that babies not only survive but thrive. Commercially prepared formulas are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
	What You Can Do to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - Sleep Position Alert One of the very important things a parent of a new baby can do to reduce the risk of SIDS, is to put the baby to sleep on its back or side. In this article from the SIDS Foundation of Washington, you'll learn about this and about other things you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS. This is a must-read by all parents and caregivers of newborn infants.
	What Every New And Expectant Parent Should Know In this article you'll learn more about what to do to reduce the risk of SIDS in your newborn infant. This article has been provided by the SIDS Foundation of Washington.
	Frequently Asked Questions About Raw Apple/Juice Cider Contamination Raw apple juice is a potential source of the deadly E.coli bacteria. This set of frequently asked questions provides answers to many questions that parents have about the safety of apple juice products and what should be done to prevent future outbreaks.
	Breast-Feeding Best Bet for Babies New parents want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk. More than two decades of research have established that breast milk is perfectly suited to nourish infants and protect them from illness.
	The Fright of the Iguana: Pet Reptiles Pose Risk of Salmonella Infection for Their Owners Iguanas and other reptiles are very popular pets, but these reptiles carry salmonella bacteria, which can infect owners that don't practice scrupulous hygiene. Many parents do not know that owning an iguana puts their children at risk for salmonella infection.
	Decreasing the Chance of Birth Defects Of the 4 million infants born annually in the United States, about 3 to 5 percent are born with birth defects, according to the March of Dimes. Birth defects account for 20 percent of all infant deaths in the United States, more than from any other single cause.
	Breastfeeding: The Best Investment... An article from International Lactation Consultant Association about breastfeeding. It not only gives love, bonding, and health for mothers and babies, but can also save money!
	Escherichia (E.) coli In The Child Care Setting Escherichia (E.) coli bacteria are found in the digestive tracts of most humans and many animals. Usually, these infections are harmless and may even be beneficial. Not all E. coli are alike and, in a few cases, illness may result from infection with particular strains. One strain, E. coli O157:H7, causes one of the most serious digestive tract infections in the United States.
	Autism Not Linked to Immunization: Debunking the Myth In response to a U.S. House Government Reform Committee hearing on autism, PKIDs voices its support for more resources for autism research and stresses that there is no scientific evidence linking autism to immunization.
	Top Ten Tips for Keeping Your Children Safe Under the Sun This article has "Top Ten Tips" on keeping children safe from the sun during summer months.
	Winter Safety With its cold and often stormy weather, winter presents many safety challenge- both indoors and out. Being prepared and following these simple safety tips can help you stay safe and warm this season.
	Snack Smart For Healthy Teeth Sugary snacks taste so good-but they aren't so good for your teeth or your body. The candies, cakes, cookies, and other sugary foods that kids love to eat between meals can cause tooth decay. Some sugary foods have a lot of fat in them too. Here's a very informative summary for parents about this important issue.
	Breastmilk Collection and Storage This article from Medela contains breastmilk collection, storage, defrosting, and intake guideline information.
	The Cost of Feeding Your Baby This article from Maternal Connections contains charts that compare costs between breastfeeding and infant formula. Also helpful are the estimate yearly costs calculated for different kinds of formulas.
	How and Why To Wake a Sleepy Baby First Few Days of Life In the days ahead, the newborn will need at least 8-12 breastfeeds to help insure mother's milk supply and to insure the baby will gain at a healthy rate. The following are suggestions for waking a sleepy baby for breastfeeding the first few days of life.
	Diarrheal Diseases in the Child Care Setting Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. However, children can sometimes have diarrhea without having an infection, such as when diarrhea is caused by food allergies or as a result of taking medicines such as antibiotics. This article is a good overview of this problem and how its spread can be controlled in a child-care environment.
	Your Child's Check-up Doctor visits are part of every child's life, but they may be uncomfortable and frightening for children, and difficult for their parents. This article, provided by Lucile Packard Children's Health Services, has suggestions to make them easier for both you and your child.
	Commonly Asked Questions About SIDS: A Doctor's Response In this thorough article from the SIDS Foundation of Washington, a pediatric pathologist answers the common and painful questions that parents have when their child dies of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or when parents of a newborn baby are fearful of SIDS.
	NFID Experts Urge Wide Use of New Childhood Vaccine Schedule The U.S. Public Health Service joined with pediatricians to praise the new 1997 childhood immunization schedule for giving pediatricians and parents more choices when selecting vaccines, without compromising safety and efficacy. Details of the new schedule -- and reasons for the changes -- were discussed at a press conference sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).
	Kids Aren't Just Small Adults: Medicines and Children Today's nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are safe and effective treatments. And they are serious medicines--no less so for children than adults.With that in mind, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working with manufacturers of OTC drugs, developed this article with important advice for parents.
	Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Baby bottles emblazoned with soft drink logos are among the latest fad items selling in discount and toy stores across the country. Members of the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) and other health-care professionals are concerned that parents and caregivers will be encouraged to give infants soft drinks in these bottles, increasing the likelihood of baby bottle tooth decay.
	Feeding Baby Nature and Nurture Are you concerned about what to feed your newborn baby? Then this article will help you. It covers topics from breast feeding to vitamin supplements. Even if you are an exhausted new mom, take the time to look at this helpful article.
	The Hazards of Raw Apple Juice/Cider Raw apple beverages have been identified as a repeated source of bacterial contamination that has killed and maimed children in over five states. Children, seniors, the immune impaired and pregnant women are advised to drink only pasteurized apple juice/cider.
	Caring for Diaper Rash Most babies will get a diaper rash at some time. Their bottoms are in frequent contact with moisture, bacteria and ammonia, and there is rubbing from the diaper. Babies and toddlers are at risk as long as they are wearing diapers. Rashes are much easier to prevent than to cure. This article from the Lucile Packard Children's Health Services will help you do both.
	FDA Approves Vaccine to Protect Babies from Infections Babies will soon start getting a new vaccine that will give them long-term protection from bacterial meningitis and bloodstream infections, while also cutting their chances of getting pneumonia, ear infections and sinusitis.
	Health Travel Tips for Spring-Break March is the month when the most serious cases of cabin fever strike adults and college-students alike. A few basic tips can help keep travelers healthy while on vacation.
	Maternal Connections: Breast Engorgement Engorgement may develop if your baby does not adequately remove the milk from your breasts. During this time, your breasts will feel hard, painful and hot. Here are some prevention and treatment techniques from Maternal Connections.
	Calcium During Pregnancy Could Save Lives The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports how consuming sufficient calcium during pregnancy can reduce the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and pre-eclampsia, a potentially fatal disorder of high blood pressure and kidney failure. If you are pregnant, this is a good article to discuss with your medical professional.
	Starting Solids This brochure provides general guidelines for introducing infants to solid foods, as well as tips for keeping mealtime safe. Keep in mind that each baby is an individual and may be ready for different foods based on weight, nutritional needs and other factors. Ask your pediatrician, pediatric nurse practitioner, registered dietitian or other health care provider for specific feeding advice.
	Recommendations Revised To Prevent Infant Deaths from Soft Bedding To prevent deaths from soft bedding, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) are revising their recommendations for putting infants down to sleep. Soft bedding may be a major contributor to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.
	NEJM Study Shows Children Born to Mothers with Untreated Thyroid Disease Have Lower I.Q.'s Untreated thyroid disease during pregnancy may negatively impact a child's psychological development, resulting in a significantly lower I.Q. score and a decrease in motor skills, attention, language and reading abilities, according to data published in today's New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
	Basic Health And Hygiene Tips For Child Care Children in child care centers average six to eight upper respiratory illnesses and about four gastrointestinal illnesses each year. A key challenge for child care administrators is minimizing the spread of germs which are transmitted most commonly and easily by contact with dirty hands. This article provides basic health and hygiene tips to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
	Formula Additives Boost Small Children's Intelligence in Study Adding two substances found in breast milk to infant formula boosted the average intelligence scores in a group of 18-month-old children significantly, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
	Near-Sightedness in Children Linked to Light Exposure During Sleep Before Children who sleep with a light on in their bedrooms at night before the age of 2 may be at significantly higher risk of developing myopia -- near-sightedness -- when they become older than children who sleep as infants in the dark at night, according to a collaborative study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
	Wyeth Lederle Announces Action On Rotavirus Vaccine yeth Lederle Vaccines, the vaccine division of American Home Products Corporation (NYSE: AHP), is announcing a number of steps to address questions raised by reports of intussusception (a cause of bowel obstruction in which one segment of bowel becomes enfolded within another segment) in 20 infants immunized with RRV-TV (RotaShield(R) Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral, Tetravalent) during the period between September 1, 1998 and July 7, 1999. It is estimated that approximately one million infants were immunized during this period. All of the patients cited in the reports were treated and have recovered.
	AMA Offers Strong Support of Childhood Immunizations "The American Medical Association joins the American Academy of Pediatrics and U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher in strong support of childhood immunizations. In a statement submitted today to the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform, we noted that if a parent chooses not to have their child immunized, it not only puts that child at increased risk for disease -- but the entire community as well.
	Sore Nipple Management Breastfeeding is meant to be a comfortable, pleasant experience. Most of us have heard stories of sore nipples. You can avoid this problem most of the time. Here are suggestions for prevention and treatment of sore nipples.
	New Study Confirms Vaccine Reduces Childhood Ear Infections A vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in children has for the first time been confirmed effective in preventing certain childhood ear infections as well, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Families Frying Together: Sunbathing Habits of Parents and Children Gone are the days when we send children outside to play to get a little color in their cheeks. We know too much about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure to hazard the development of skin cancer in our children. Or do we?
	Parents Ask for Collaborative Investigation Into Role Of Vaccinesin Autism Epidemic The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) and the Autism Research Institute (ARI) are calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to launch a public-private collaborative effort to investigate the possible relationship between vaccines and an autism epidemic.
	Preventing Infant Food Allergies Although food allergies affect only a small number of children, finding a way to prevent them or at least delay their onset is an important goal for parents and researchers alike. "Avoiding the early introduction of potentially allergenic foods is the basic step in the primary prevention of food allergies in children who are at high risk," said Zeiger. But some infants may still become sensitized or allergic to a food.
	Q & A about the Nutritional Content of Processed Baby Food This article contains a number of questions about the nutritional content of processed baby food. Answers to such questions as "Why is water added to baby food?" and "Why is texture important?" are found in this Q&A from the International Food Information Council Foundation.
	Mama's Milk Breast Pump Use Campaign Launched Mama's Milk has recently launched a campaign to increase public awareness of the accessibility of reliable inexpensive breast pumps for nursing mothers.
	Testing Your Child's Hearing This article states that from the day of birth, an infant's hearing ability can be accurately tested and if you think your child has the slightest hearing or speech problem, have your child's hearing examined. A loss of hearing can result in developmental delays and missed learning experiences.
	An Open Letter To The Unpasteurized Apple Juice/Cider Industry To protect your child from potential poisoning by E. coli O157:H7 this fall, read this letter. We suggest that you read this letter and send it to other parents, parent groups and organizations that will find it valuable.
	Tips to Help Families Achieve Optimal Oral Health Periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and prevention begins in childhood. This helpful article from the American Academy of Periodontology offers good advice on how to prevent periodontal diseases in children.
	Campylobacter Infections in the Child Care Setting Campylobacter infections are caused by a group of bacteria which are found in many different birds and mammals. While we once thought that this group only caused infections in other animals, we now know that the campylobacteria are responsible for a number of diseases, including diarrheal illness, in humans.
	General Information about Visual Impairments This article from the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) describes the characteristics and educational implications of visual impairments, including partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind impairments. A good list of additional resources is also included.
	CPSC, Gerber, BPHC, BET Launch Campaign to Lower African-American SIDS The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Gerber Products Co. today released a new national survey showing that African-Americans are more likely to place their babies to sleep in ways that increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
	Eating Right But Drinking Wrong - Beverage Choice is Critical After having focused more exclusively on the food we eat, nutritionists are now emphasizing the importance of the beverages we drink. A Cornell University Medical Center study showed that children who drink more than 12 fluid ounces of sweetened fruit juices a day are prone to obesity and reduced growth.
	Emergency Departments Important Line of Defense in Immunizing Hard-to-Reach Children Despite nationwide efforts, a large number of young children in the United States still lack most of their necessary immunizations against basic childhood diseases. Emergency departments and their personnel can be effective in helping immunize these children who, for many reasons, fall through the cracks in the health care system.
	New Study Reveals Parental Blunders With Kids' Brushing Routine national study just released by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and Oral-B Laboratories reveals parents aren't following the experts' advice regarding their children's dental care, and are mostly unaware of the specific "ages and stages" in a child's oral care development.
	Carrier Testing Now Available for Leading Genetic Childhood Killer This article reveals that a recent medical breakthrough will enable medical professionals to determine for the first time whether a person is a carrier of the often-fatal genetic disorder, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA. SMA is the leading genetic killer of children under the age of two years.
	ADA Study Identifies Most Common Sun Protection Activities For Children A study conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) determined that nearly 75% of adults practiced one or more sun protection behaviors with the children, ranging in age from newborn to 12 years old, in their care.
	NHTSA Announces Comprehensive Plan to Improve Air Bag Technology And Reduce Air Bag Dangers The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced a comprehensive approach to preserve the important safety benefit of air bags while minimizing their danger to children and at-risk adults.
	A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby General information and tips on how to maintain the dental health of your baby.
	Blue Care Network Offers Advice on Seasonal Viruses "We all need to remember to take care of ourselves during the holidays," said Dr. Rice recently. "Good lifestyle habits can pay off in avoiding illnesses." Dr. Rice offers these tips on how to stay healthy during the cold and flu season.
	National Campaign to Educate Children about Sun Safety Launched To educate children about the importance of sun safety, the American Academy of Dermatology and Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc., the maker of the Coppertone(R) brand, have partnered to initiate a multi-year national sun safety educational campaign.
	Health Alert: Vaccines Alter Diabetes Risk! This study, published in Diabetologia (Journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) indicates that immunization alters the risk of developing insulin dependent diabetes.
	FDA/ Folic Acid To Fortify U.S Food Products To Prevent Birth Defects U.S. food manufacturers will add the nutrient folic acid to most enriched breads, flours,corn meals, pastas, rice and other grain products to reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects in newborns, as a result of action taken by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration.
	Look Beyond the Obvious for Telltale Signs of Child Abuse The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the face offers the most telling glimpse behind the closed doors of child abuse. In a comprehensive study of 371 children who were suspected of being abused, injuries to the head and face accounted for 28% of 892 soft-tissue injuries.
	Go Back to Work and Continue to Breastfeed? Yes, You Can! If you are getting ready to return to work shortly after the birth of your baby, you might be concerned about how to continue to breastfeed. Don't worry. With some advance planning, it is possible to successfully combine work and breastfeeding.
	Survey Reveals Mothers Confused About Infant Nutrition Basics Most mothers and mothers-to-be are seriously uninformed about five basic infant nutritional practices, according to a national survey conducted by The Institute of Pediatric Nutrition.
	American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Nutrition The real challenge for parents is not simply being aware of the right foods to feed their children, it's getting the children to eat those foods. "The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Nutrition: Making Peace at the Table and Building Healthy Eating Habits for Life," is an essential resource that gives parents all the information and strategies they need to take care of the dietary requirements of children, from birth through adolescence.
	Mommy, What's Mumps? A national survey shows how traditional childhood diseases are a mystery to kids today thanks to modern vaccines and national vaccination programs.
	Infant Vaccine to Target Pneumococcus Bacteria If your child suffers from ear infections, this article describes a vaccine that you may wish to discuss with your pediatrician.
	Decline In Perinatal HIV Transmission Studies presented by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the XI International AIDS Conference reinforces earlier findings that perinatal HIV transmission can be reduced by treating mother and child with zidovudine (ZDV).
	First Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Approved For Infants The Food and Drug Administration announced it has licensed the first acellular pertussis vaccine for use in infants and children two months of age and older for the primary series of immunizations. The vaccine protects infants against whooping cough while causing fewer side-effects than whole-cell pertussis vaccines now on the market.