Facebook is a wonderful, magical place for many people. After all, it lets us keep in touch with friends old and new. It allows us to be cyber stalkers without using the term “stalker” (but you know you are a bit of a stalker when you’re browsing your friends’ walls and reading other people’s comments). It gives everyone an outlet to share interesting links and videos, and it allows us to share photos of our kids and other happenings in our lives. Facebook is awesome — there’s no denying that. But would you let Facebook users of the world name your baby?
Babies
“Baby Klaus” Rare Condition (Hydrocephalus) Causes Head to Double its Size
Have you heard about “Baby Klaus” in Texas? Baby Klaus is an 11-month-old with a severe case of congenital hydrocephalus – a rare condition that’s characterized by excess buildup of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain at birth. Hydrocephalus is sometimes known as “water on the brain,” and it affects about 1 in every 1,000 newborns.
In normal infants, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drains and is absorbed by the body. But in babies with hydrocephalus, the fluid does not drain and it accumulates, leading to increased pressure on the brain. If left untreated, this can cause brain damage, mental and physical problems in the child. Early diagnosis and treatment in the first 3 or 4 months of the infant’s life helps prevent long-term problems and consequences.
Baby Klaus and his severe case of Congenital Hydrocephalus
Unfortunately, in the case of Baby Klaus, he has been living with this condition for almost a year. The extra fluid has caused his head to swell more than double its normal size. According to the New York Daily News, Baby Klaus’s head has swelled to 131 percent larger than an average newborn’s head. [Read more…] about “Baby Klaus” Rare Condition (Hydrocephalus) Causes Head to Double its Size
Holiday Gift Guide: Top 5 Green Toys and Kids’ Products
With the recent wave of recalls on toys and other children’s products – due to their use of harmful lead paints and dangerous plastics (containing BPA and phthalates) – why don’t you go green and eco-friendly this holiday season?
In today’s shaky economy, don’t waste your hard-earned money on cheap, hazardous products that may cause your child harm. Consider spending your money on products from trustworthy, eco-friendly companies. Plus, going green doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, when you look in the right places, you can find affordable, green toys that are pretty ingenious.
Here is my Holiday Gift Guide: Top 5 Green Toys and Kids’ Products (in no particular order). All of these products are cheap (under $50) and lots of fun to play with, too!
[Read more…] about Holiday Gift Guide: Top 5 Green Toys and Kids’ Products
Should Birth or Abortion be a Public Decision?
* Disclaimer * – I try to stay away from politic issues on this blog. I have strong political beliefs, just like anyone else, but I will try to keep those opinions at bay in this post.
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| “Wiggles” at 16 Weeks |
No matter whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, I think you will find this next story pretty disturbing. It belongs in the “too awful to be true” category, and all the reputable news sources (CNN, LA Times, etc.) don’t believe it’s a hoax. And after digging around, unfortunately, I’ve come to the conclusion this story must be true – but I cross my fingers that it is just a hoax.
A Minnesota couple – Pete Arnold and his pregnant wife, Alisha – have started a website called “Birth or Not” (www.birthornot.com), where the general public can go and vote on the outcome of Alisha’s pregnancy. Whatever the general public decides is what the couple will end up doing.
“We meant what we said: your vote will not go unheard,” the couple writes on their website. “By voting on whether to continue or abort an actual pregnancy, you are doing so much more then simply telling an elected representative your feelings. You are actually changing something in the real world.”
[Read more…] about Should Birth or Abortion be a Public Decision?
Baby Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat
Did you know that ear infections are the second most common illness among children? (The common cold is the first.) In fact, three out of four kids will have experienced at least one ear infection by the time they reach age 3. With the cold weather upon us, all parents should take time to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments of baby ear infections.
An ear infection – the medical term is “acute otitis media” (AOM) – is the inflammation and infection of the middle ear. Ear infections in babies typically first develop between 4 and 6 months, after your baby has had a cold or an upper-respiratory infection. [Read more…] about Baby Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat
Baby Poop Decoder: Guide to Baby Stools
Baby poop is gross, but someone’s gonna wipe that baby’s bottom. He or she just isn’t old enough to grasp the meaning of bladder control and wipe before you flush. So mom and dad, you have to step up and do the job for baby until he or she is ready to potty train.
If you’re a first-time parent, you may be surprised to see that baby poop doesn’t always look the same. Every time you change your sweetie’s diaper, your baby’s stool may be a different color, and even a different consistency. With so many shades and consistencies, you might be wondering what’s normal and what should make you worry.
Eww – should I call the pediatrician? Or is this color normal?
Here’s my “Baby Poop Decoder” to help you on your way. You’ll quickly find out what’s perfectly normal, and what should concern you.