Fall 2024
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BATON ROUGE PARENTS
Pregnancy 35 The stresses and expectations of later age pregnancy
Bye, Bye, Baby Books
Sibling Rivalry Tips for New Babies
Community Sponsor
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@pinkandbluela.com
WHAT’S ON THE WEB 10 MUST-HAVE ITEMS FOR YOUR NEWBORN’S NURSERY We compiled some of our favorites to help set up your nursery for success.
BONDING WITH BABY This is how you can build a connection with your baby before delivery day. BANNED BABY NAMES IN THE US Here are the names that you can’t name your baby.
7 POSTPARTUM PRODUCTS YOU’LL WANT These products help make the postpartum experience a little easier.
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CONTENTS
IN EVERY ISSUE 4 WHAT’S ON THE WEB 8 GIVEAWAYS 10 MOM TO MOM-TO-BE 12 LITTLE BITS 14 BABY LOVE 27 RESOURCE DIRECTORY 32 BELLY LAUGHS 34 BABY FACES
INSIDE VOLUME 40
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5 SIMPLE ALTERNATIVES TO BABY BOOKS THAT WON’T STRESS YOU OUT The traditional baby book is outdated. Here are alternative ideas to document precious moments.
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| BABY ON A BUDGET: SAVE A BUNDLE How to save money before and after you bring home your sweet new bundle of joy.
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| OLDER MOMS PREGNANCY AFTER AGE 35 A guide to pregnancy after age 35.
| SIBLING RIVALRY AND THE NEW BABY: WHAT TO DO AND SAY Helping your child cope with their new sibling. 24
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GIVEAWAYS
AMY L. FOREMAN PUBLISHER EDITORIAL AMANDA MILLER MANAGING EDITOR SANONNA AL TAWEEL AMANDA CIANI VICTORIA MIKOTA JULIANNA STEEN
The VTech Baby Soothing Starlight Igloo is the perfect self-soothing aid for your little one. Set the timer or tuck the penguin inside the igloo to activate a twinkling night light or starry sky. The igloo automatically plays lullabies, melodies, and nature sounds when restless babies cry. ■ amazon.com
MADISON VOORHIES ASSOCIATE EDITORS ART/PRODUCTION ALEX HERRING SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER TOM GONZALES MADISON GRAHAM MCKINNA SPROLES GRAPHIC DESIGNERS ADVERTISING/MARKETING CRYSTAL BARRETT KAYLA FRICKS GOMEZ MARTINE MELANCON RYN WHITESIDE SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES CAMILLE CAVIN JADE GRAY
With Grabease Paci utensils, baby can grasp with ease! These utensils are designed for baby’s and toddler’s natural hand grasp and motion, and their ergo- nomic design prevents choking. ■ amazon.com
JENNIFER HOFFMANN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TERI HODGES DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ROXANE VOORHIES COMMUNITY OUTREACH ADMINISTRATION BRANDON FOREMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LAURIE ACOSTA DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS ALEXIS ALEXANDER SENIOR EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR MAKAYLEE SECREST ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SARAH MILLER CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER
Now every 6 oz cup can turn into a sippy cup with the SiliSkin Sippy Top ! Just stretch the sippy top over glass and push all the way down for a secure fit. Sippy Tops are BPA-free, hypo-allergenic, and do not harbor bacteria. Make each cup a sippy cup! ■ zukababy.com
ELISABETH BARRETT KAYLEIGH MONTANA CLIENT SUCCESS SPECIALISTS EMMY LOGAN ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR CONTACT EDITORIAL@FRG.INC OFFICE (225) 292-0032 11831 WENTLING AVENUE BATON ROUGE, LA 70816-6055
Parenting Media Association Design & Editorial Awards 2022 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award Winner
2022
Burp, baby, burp! The Urban Burp Cloth is an essential burping acces- sory, perfectly sized for full shoulder coverage. Each cloth is absorbent, plushy, and delightfully soft. Featur- ing a unique figure eight design, the burp clothes are designed with style and your comfort in mind. ■ amazon.com
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PINK & BLUE MAGAZINE is published biannually by FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP INC. (FRG) and distributed free of charge. Sub- scriptions accepted. Only authorized distributors may deliver and pick up the magazine. Paid advertisements appear in FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP INC. (FRG) publications, including print and other digital formats. FRG does not endorse or evaluate the product, service, or company, nor any claims made by the advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all materials contributed. We cannot be held responsible for the return of any unsolicited mate- rial. PINK & BLUE MAGAZINE Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited.
Visit pinkandbluela.com to register for a chance to win! Winners will be announced at pinkandbluela.com on November 25, 2024. Gear up! GIVEAWAYS
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MOM TO MOM-TO-BE
Why I Hated Being Pregnant
P regnancy is supposed to be a magical time. You’re supposed to be glowing, excited for the little flurries of baby kicks. But what if it’s not for you? What if you just don’t enjoy the experience? What if you just wanted the gift at the end, the healthy baby in your arms? It’s been a hot minute since I was pregnant, but it is an ex- perience I will never forget. Not the first, second, nor the third pregnancy. My first experience was amazing until it wasn’t. Everything was going smoothly, no aches, no pains, and just a little discomfort. About five months along, I realized I had a kid- ney stone. Nothing can be done with a kidney stone while you are pregnant except manage the pain. So, I had this complica- tion for several months, but everything else was going great. I was gaining weight but was so done with growing this little hu- man in my body. Finally the due date came…and it went. This little girl was stubborn from the beginning. Several phone calls and lots of tears later, we were heading to labor and delivery to begin the delivering journey. Let’s just say 23 hours later, she finally made her appearance. Pregnancy two seemed to be a breeze, no complications, I was measuring on time, and life was great. Until it wasn’t. There wasn’t a heartbeat at 16 weeks. I can honestly say this was something I never thought would happen to me. I was shocked. I remember just being a shell of myself and going through the motions. This happened around Thanksgiving so I was numb all through the holidays, which is difficult with a four-year-old daughter who had many questions that I just couldn’t answer for her. Finally, my double blessing. There was someone who worked with my husband who said, “God will give you double for your trouble.” We never thought anything of it until we had the first ultrasound. Have you ever actually planned a pregnan- cy? Like, “I am going to get pregnant on this date, which will put me having a January baby, or whatever month baby?” Well somehow I managed that. We got pregnant in April and I would have a January baby…except I didn’t, because they were twins and came four weeks early! This was a very interesting preg- nancy and I was not the happiest. Despite all my problems being pregnant, I would do it again to have a healthy baby sleeping in my arms. Maybe I don’t really hate being pregnant; I just dislike the complications that I experienced. I know I’m a bit of a unicorn when it comes to complications, but I’d do it all again if it meant having my littles with me.
Amy Foreman Publisher
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LITTLE BITS
“ The best kind of parent you can be is to lead by example.” — Drew Barrymore
Autumn-Inspired Baby Names
1. Carter 2. Ember
3. Finley/Finn 4. Hawthorn 5. Jasper 6. Marigold 7. Sabrina 8. Sage
Woman’s Opens State’s First Perinatal Mental Health Unit for Pregnant and Postpartum Patients Woman’s Hospital has opened the state’s first inpatient unit for pregnant and postpartum women to fill the void of specialized care for mental health and mood disorders related to pregnan- cy. Louisiana has among the nation’s highest rates of maternal mortality — the state loses 39 mothers for every 100,000 live births, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The PMHU offers everything from medical exams to individual and group therapy. Each unit also allows extended family and infant visitation. The facility was created to help moms get the space for healing they deserve. ■ womans.org
9. Sienna 10. Skylar
Reading to Your 1-2 Year Old Boosts Vocabulary Positive links were found between shared reading and vocab- ulary development, while excessive screen time negatively impacts vocabulary skills at age two. A study conducted by the University of Oslo found that children who were read to more often by a parent or caregiver exhibited stronger vocabulary than their peers who were not. Furthermore, children who spent more time on screens had a smaller vocabulary by the age of two. According to Dr. Audun Rosslund, “These results demonstrate an association between activities and language development already in the early years of a child’s life and support general recommendations to read more and perhaps reduce screen time for young children.” ■ usnews.com
Ochsner Health’s Connected MOM Program: Managing Hypertension Before and After Pregnancy The Connected Mom program successfully manages hypertension during pregnancy using a Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuff that communicates with patients’ smartphones. This data automatically uploads to their electronic health record in Epic, allowing providers to efficiently monitor readings in real-time. Additionally, patients receive immediate feedback during measurements, and the dashboard helps to track patient compliance. ■ ochsner.org
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How to Get Free Diapers for Your Baby Many diaper manufacturers will give out free samples of their products, and all you have to do is send them an email or pick up the phone. In addition, when you sign up as a member on a diaper company’s website, companies will often send you free diapers or coupons for purchasing a pack of diapers or less. ■ huggies.com
Nurse Warns About Dangers of Kissing Newborns Before you kiss a newborn, keep this in mind. “Newborns, especially those under eight weeks of age, are at especial- ly high risk for more severe symptoms from viruses and bacteria,” says Dr. Rachel Prete. “While a virus may cause simple cold-like symptoms in an adult, that same virus can cause severe respiratory distress, and even meningitis, in newborns.”
Five Deaths Related to Fisher-Price Baby Swings After 2 Million Recalls Reported
More than 2 million Fisher-Price baby swings have been recalled after five infants have died. The Fisher-Price Snuga Swings are being recalled due to a suffocation hazard from the headrest and body support insert on the seat pad, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Anyone who owns this swing is advised to remove the headrest and body support insert from the seat pad by cutting the tether, if they plan to use it again. ■ mattel.com
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BABY LOVE “ No matter how bad my day’s been, it takes one little kick to make everything feel alright.” —Unknown
Snooze and self-soothe with this chill penguin and its adorable igloo! The VTech® Baby Soothing Starlight Igloo™ projects a starry sky with twinkling lights on the ceiling or can be used as a simple night light. The igloo comes with a removable and machine-washable plush penguin. $19.99. ■ amazon.com
Made of the softest premium bamboo, the F orever French Bamboo Zip Pajamas are durable and cozy. The smallest sizes feature rollover cuffs on the hands, and the one-piece sizes have cuffs on the feet too. $37. ■ foreverfrenchbaby.com
The Aspen 4-in-1 Convertible Crib with Underdrawer features two drawers for all your storage needs and easily converts to a toddler bed, daybed, or sofa when your child is ready. $999.99. ■ bellini.com
Soak up every moment with your newborn with the Peekaboo Pillow Original. The pillow features two pockets and two pacifier loops and helps you hold your baby securely. $149. ■ peekaboopillow.com
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T he Love to Dream Swaddle Up™ collection keeps a baby’s arms by his or her side or across his or her chest. The unique arms-up design has patented wings that allows babies to sleep in their natural position. $37.95. ■ lovetodream.com
The BabyBuddha 2.0 is versatile and grows with moms as their needs change throughout their pumping journeys, whether they are supplementing or exclusively pumping. The pump combines all of the loved features of the original with setting enhancements to make pumping even more comfortable. $199.99. ■ amazon.com
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Advertorial
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5 Simple Alternatives to Baby Books That Won’t Stress You Out By Pam Moore
Photo by Freepik.com
A s a kid, I would flip through my baby book, hoping my mom had filled in some of the blanks while I was sleeping or at school. But every time I took the book off its shelf, I saw the same barren pages between the faded pale yellow covers. Listed were the date and time of my birth, my birth weight, a lock of hair from my first haircut... and that was all. I promised myself that if I ever became a parent, I wouldn’t start a baby book if I couldn’t commit to the project. As an adult, I know that I’m amazing at starting projects. But finishing them? Not so much. This is why I’ve never owned a baby book. It turns out, I’m not alone. In the age of the smartphone, many parents are finding the traditional baby book just doesn’t make sense. That doesn’t mean those of us who are sans baby books aren’t capturing the important moments. There are plenty of ways to hold onto the milestones, the mispronunciations that are too cute to correct, and everything in between–while letting go of the pressure to fill in the blanks. 1. Write them down. Instead of baby books, I have a blank, lined journal for each of my two daughters. When I feel inclined to record a precious moment, I open the book and write it down. There is no schedule, so I never feel like I’m “behind.” Each entry is dated. Some note milestones like the first step or the first three-word sentence. Others capture funny conversations or serve as a brain-dump of every word they pronounce incorrectly. Sometimes I’m just saying, “I love you.” I plan to give each girl her book when she’s an adult… but not before photocopying one for myself.
2. Type them up and send them off.
simple box is a family tradition. Haynes says her mom gave her the memory box from her childhood once she was married with children. 4. Film them. There is nothing quite like a video to preserve a moment. At the end of each year, Bailey Gaddis, mother and author of Feng Shui Mommy , creates a “Year in Review” video montage of all the short takes she’s recorded of her four-year-old son throughout the year. Not only does the video showcase milestones and random sweet and funny moments, Gaddis loves that they double as holiday gifts for the grandparents. As an added bonus, videos won’t create clutter. 5. Collect them (Dr. Suess style). My husband bought each of our kids a copy of Dr. Suess’s Oh the Places You’ll Go . Once a year, he makes sure it’s signed by the important people in their lives, including ourselves, extended family, close friends, regular babysitters, and teachers. The inscriptions are reminiscent of the sentiments you’d see in a yearbook. My husband plans to give the girls their books when they graduate high school. Meanwhile, the books have been sitting on my desk for four weeks, and my husband has been gently nudging me to write my annual messages. I can only be responsible for one thing, it seems. (See #1). There were many things I did not know before I became a parent. One thing I did know was that I never wanted an abandoned baby book in my home. It turns out, there’s no one right way when it comes to parenting or capturing memories, as long as we are capturing those special moments.
You’re never too young for an email address. At least that’s what dad Joe Meyers thinks. When his son Aden was still in the womb, Meyers set up an email account for him. Since then Meyers and his wife have been sending three-year-old Aden all kinds of emails, ranging from medical records and party invitations to notes regarding milestones, including his first dessert (mocha ice cream). This will be the fourth consecutive year the Meyers are requesting family and friends send emails in lieu of birthday cards. 3. Box them up. Boxing memories means no pages to put in order or blanks to complete, and you can include anything you want. Best of all, a memory box serves as an actual treasure chest. At her daughter’s birthday parties, mom Tangela Walker-Craft has each guest write a message on a small piece of paper and then collects them in a jewelry box. “The message can be a favorite Bible scripture, a serious personal message, or a favorite motto or quote,” she explains. Walker-Craft says she and her daughter enjoy reflecting on the memories and the messages, particularly the ones from Walker- Craft’s late grandmother. Stacy Haynes is a mom whose kids, ages 10 and 11, each have a simple plastic storage bin for memorabilia. Organizing them is easy; Haynes simply drops the most recent items on top. “We have everything from soccer shirts to baby teeth and school report cards, all in two bins. So on moving day, after college, and when they move into their own place, their memories are already packed away.” The
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Baby on a Budget: Save a Bundle By Janeen Lewis
Photo by Freepik.com
C ongratulations! You either have a new bundle of joy or will bring one home soon. Having a baby is such an exciting time, but it can feel a bit stressful too. With all there is to learn and prepare for, finances shouldn’t get in the way. Here’s thrifty advice for every stage of bringing home a baby. BEFORE THE BABY Budget early. The secret to saving and finding the best deals on quality items is planning, researching, and comparing prices. Estimate costs you might incur, and write a spending plan. While everything won’t unfold as expected, some things may work out better. If the stork sneaks up on you, start planning as soon as possible. REVIEW HEALTH insurance and savings plans. Choose a plan in which the premium to deductible ratio is the best price and value for pregnancy and childbirth care. Most health insurance policies cover the cost of breast pumps. Make sure yours does. If you have disability insurance, it may pay for maternity leave. Most impor- tantly, start saving. Savings give a sense of peace and keep the focus on the baby in your arms instead of on financial burdens.
“Flex” financial muscles. Check to see if your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account. These pre-tax dollars can be used to buy prenatal vitamins, breast pumps, breast milk storage bags, thermometers, and more. While you can purchase over-the-counter baby pain relievers, teething gel, and fever reducers with an FSA or HSA, check with your in- surance company. Some require prescrip- tions for over-the-counter medications. Calculate the cost of different types of childcare. Think about which option of childcare makes the most sense for your family: staying at home with the baby, a daycare facility, nanny, or nanny share. Research the costs associated with these options. The U.S. Department of Health and Hu- man Services considers childcare afford- able when it accounts for no more than 7 percent of a family’s household income. Try to keep your childcare costs within that range. DURING THE PREGNANCY Create a chic nursery without the designer price tag. You don’t have to be a celebrity to design a beautiful nursery. Start with a safety-ap-
proved crib and add another desirable piece. This is what Emily Zolan did. Zolan is mom to Julia and Anna Katherine. “I researched and found a particular crib that I knew was safe,” Zolan says. “I found it on Facebook Marketplace for $200 when it is usually $1,000. Then I got a glider from Costco.” Zolan recommends buying a nice rocker. “You are going to be sitting in the nursery a lot, so you want to love it.” Register and be rewarded. Create a baby registry at Amazon, Wal- Mart, Target, or Buy Buy Baby and receive free baby goodies and other benefits like coupons and discounts on the items left unpurchased on your registry. The free gifts usually include samples of products you can try out when the baby arrives. You can decide what works best before you spend money on baby items you won’t use. “Be choosy with your registry,” Zolan suggests. “People naturally like to give sweet baby clothes and fun gifts. Pare down your registry to the necessities, and you may still get the fun, cute things you want.” Spend modestly on maternity clothes. You’ll only be wearing them for a few
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months. Budget more for maternity clothes for work than for working out. Buy staple pieces that can function for dif- ferent events and activities. You can also find maternity clothes at some children’s consignment stores. For lounging around the house, baggy sweats and t-shirts are comfortable. AFTER THE ARRIVAL Don’t let diapering a bottom affect your bottom line. If friends ask to give you a shower, con- sider having a diaper shower or make a diaper raffle part of a shower. Guests who bring a package of diapers in addition to their gift are included in a drawing for a prize.
Norris discovered this with her second child. “As first-time parents, we were nervous, so we paid more for the name brand,” Norris says. “I talked to my pedia- trician, and we used the store brand with our second child, and she’s been fine.” Norris says she did a side-by-side compar- ison of the name brand formula with a store brand. “They both had the same ingredients.” Check out consignment sales and stores. The beautiful thing about consignment is that you can get designer and name- brand clothes, gear, furniture, and toys at a fraction of the original cost. Baby items
if you don’t feel deprived. With a smart financial plan in place, pick out an extrav- agant or convenient, time-saving item like a car seat stroller combo, a bottle warmer, a monogrammed diaper bag, or a kids’ sound machine. “The Baby Brezza is amazing,” Lamar says. This product works like a Keurig but with formula. Norris loves the Owlet, a sock baby monitor. Parents track their baby’s sleep patterns on their smart- phone. Norris says it gives her peace of mind. “When Sadie had RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), I knew she was breathing fine.” Zolan recommends Magnetic Me, baby clothing that comes with magnetic fasten- ers instead of snaps. “It makes dressing a baby faster,” she says. “When they are little, they don’t like to get cold.” Babies don’t have to break the bank. With a specific savings plan, you can save a bundle without skimping on the things you love. More Ways to Save If you are looking for additional ways to cut costs, remember little things add up and these ideas can bring big savings over time. -Don’t remove tags. If you don’t use something or it doesn’t fit, you may be able to take it back or consign it for a higher price. -Buy gear that grows with your baby. -Invest in a battery charger and rechargeable batteries. -Don’t buy shoes until your baby walks. -Buy diaper pails that use any trash bag, or throw diapers away in a trash can with a lid. -Specialty diaper pail bags are more expensive. -Buy gender neutral if you plan to have more than one child. -Buy diapers, formula, and wipes in bulk at a wholesale warehouse club. -Don’t buy a lot of bottles until after the baby arrives. You don’t know what the baby will prefer. -Breastfeed or pump if you are able to. -Make your own baby food. -Host a swap party. -Check out freecycle.com, a place to give away or find items you need for free.
are outgrown so quickly that they are usually in good shape even if they are used. And once your baby is fin- ished with an item, you can consign it. Consignment shops usually let patrons choose to receive cash
Amazon has a group gift- ing feature that allows expectant moms to set up a diaper fund. Friends
“Babies don’t have to break the bank. With a specific savings plan, you can save a bundle without skimping on the things you love.”
and family give to the fund and the money is loaded on to the expectant parents’ gift card balance.
or store credit for the items they sell and sweeten the pot by giving a higher amount for in-store credit. Find high-end baby clothing on the cheap. Wait until the end of the season and buy for the next year to get upscale or design- er clothing at rock bottom prices. If your child outgrows the size you buy before the next year, you can always consign the items or regift to another expectant parent. Check out Facebook Marketplace to buy boutique baby clothes for less. Swap babysitting. Even the cost of paying a neighborhood teen has increased dramatically. Trade babysitting with another couple and you can still enjoy a night on the town without the expense of childcare. This also helps your baby to feel comfortable with other adults, which can be a game changer in case of an emergency if you don’t have family that lives close by. Invest in an item that’s worth the splurge. You’re more likely to stick to your budget
Sikedra Lamar, mom to Ailani, used this strategy. “I like the diaper fund be- cause I can buy diapers as I need them,” Lamar says. Brooke Norris, mom to Wyatt and Sa- die, suggests having shower guests put a sticky note on diaper gifts labeling where the diapers were purchased in case you need to return for amdifferent size. Disposable diapers like organic, plant- based, or chlorine-free can be pricey. Try a diaper subscription to cut down on costs if you want these specialty diapers. It’s okay to be frugal when it comes to formula. Breast milk is free and has tremendous nutritional benefits, but it doesn’t work out for every mom. Save on formula without skimping on what your baby needs. If you buy a name brand, go to the company website and sign up for coupons and online deals. Ask your doctor for free samples and ask other moms for samples they don’t want. Keep in mind that all baby formula is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration to meet certain nutritional requirements.
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Older Moms: Pregnancy After Age 35 By Betty Casey
Photo by Freepik.com
M any women are delaying careers and completing education to better birth control and better health. The average age of pregnancy today is 27. Fifty years ago, it was 21. Dr. Erin Brown, an assistant professor, residency program director, and department chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology, says that women are considered “advanced maternal age” if they are age 35 or older at the time of delivery. She has seen more older patients, and more women delaying pregnancy among friends and colleagues, but women should know that it is not without risk. pregnancy for a number of reasons, from establishing “It’s safer to have a baby now than in the past,” Dr. Brown says, “but the risk is still there.” Better technology, more data, and better, more specific medical interventions have all made it
possible to give older moms and their babies the best possible outcomes. Older women are often more settled in careers and relationships, giving them more resources to care for a child. However, older moms need to be aware that they have a higher risk of problems with pregnancy and delivery. What are the risks? “Pregnancy risks to women over age 35 increase with age, in general,” Dr. Brown says, “but we’re able to delineate more exactly what is age-based risk or if individual patients have other conditions that contribute to risk.” Some of the complications for women during pregnancy include gestational diabetes, hypertension, miscarriage, cesarean delivery, and preeclampsia (a serious form of high
blood pressure). “As a mom develops hypertension or gestational diabetes, we have research and data to monitor her more closely,” Dr. Brown says. “For example, we may do fetal monitoring on a weekly basis.” Women over 35 are at a higher risk of having a stillbirth or labor and delivery complications, such as postpartum hemorrhaging. Knowing the risks, doctors can plan the timing of delivery to improve the outcomes for mom and baby. Other risks for babies of older moms include birth defects, Down syndrome, or other genetic abnormalities. Because the complications for both moms and babies increase as mothers age, it is important for women to see their OB/GYN very early in pregnancy, even if they have had a healthy prior pregnancy.
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Doctors can discuss available tests and screenings that can help identify possible problems. “Ultrasounds can find abnormalities,” Dr. Brown says. “Getting in early is really important. There is non-invasive testing for Down syndrome. We also do an anatomy scan in the second term that gives you an opportunity to pick up birth defects or abnormalities.” Have a preconception appointment All women can benefit from a preconception appointment, but it’s especially important for women over 35. Women who are considering getting pregnant should have a health screening with their general practitioner to review medical history and surgical history, and to help establish a healthy lifestyle prior to pregnancy. “The primary care doctor
can screen for any condition like diabetes and also give recommendations for a healthy weight,” Dr. Brown says. “An OB/ GYN can do a well-woman exam and counsel you on what to do.” Dr. Brown encourages any woman anticipating pregnancy to start a prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Women should get to a healthy weight and make necessary lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and alcohol or other drugs and starting a healthy diet. She points out that obesity exacerbates problems such as diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy. Doctors can also do genetic testing for many conditions, including cystic fibrosis. The bottom line Dr. Brown says women should know the risks of pregnancy at an older age and how those risks increase as women approach age 40 and older.
“If you are considering being pregnant over 35,” she says, “talk to your doctor. The overall risk is still low; it’s just an increased risk. Even if you’re healthy without pre-existing conditions, you’re still at increased risk because of your age.” Your doctor can educate you on potential problems, assess your individual risk, and talk to you about screenings, tests, and how various conditions and difficulties can be handled. “People do need to know the risks of miscarriage, birth defects, chromosome problems, and pregnancy complications, such as hypertension and gestational diabetes, as well as risks at the time of delivery,” Dr. Brown says. “If you are 35 or older, your pregnancy will be monitored more closely. Get early prenatal care. There’s a lot we can do early, screen for, and watch for.”
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Sibling Rivalry and The New Baby: What to Do and Say By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.
“Despite your best efforts to make your other kids bond with the baby, they’re likely to experience frustrations...”
Photo by Freepik.com
F ew things are more important to parents than having their kids get along well together. Nevertheless, it can be difficult for kids, especially toddlers, to accept new additions to the family. “Where they were once the center of your world, now they’re forced to share the spotlight,” as Sophie Bell of BabyCentre puts it. Let’s consider what you can do and say to reduce the amount of sibling rivalry following the arrival of a new baby. Here’s what the experts suggest. Tell your kids that you’re pregnant Experts agree that you should tell your kids that you’re pregnant before you tell other family members and friends. Bell says that doing so will make your kids feel special and inspire a sense of “ownership” that’ll
Involve them in taking care of the baby Once you and the newborn are safely home from the hospital, involve your kids as much as possible in taking care of the baby. Among many other things, they can fetch diapers and hold towels at bath time, talk gently, or sing to the baby when the baby cries, and hold the baby in their lap, assuming that they’re properly propped up in an armchair or couch with big pillows on either side. The latter suggestion is especially important since babies give off pheromones that, when inhaled, make us fall in love with and become protective of them. “The more your older child snuggles the new sibling, the better their relationship is likely to be,” says Dr. Laura Markham, a well-known clinical psychologist and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings .
reduce any sibling rivalry. Dr. Hindie Klein, a clinical psychologist with decades of experience, adds that you can foster such a sense of ownership by referring to the new baby as “our baby” instead of “the baby.” The point is to make your kids feel that they’re participants as opposed to passive spectators to “this new and exciting experience,” as Dr. Klein puts it. Prepare them for the baby Create a sense of ownership, Bell says, by letting your kids feel the baby kicking in your stomach and talking to the baby, and by showing them photos of when you were pregnant with them. If your kids are toddlers or preschoolers, Dr. Klein adds to tell them about their own birth and read books with them about what it’s like to be pregnant.
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Focus on sibling bonding Regardless of how you choose to involve your kids in caring for the baby, always point out how much the baby loves the attention of its brother(s) and sister(s). This enhances their bonding and reduces any sibling rivalry. Say things like: “Look at how she smiles for you!” (Bell) or “My, he loves it when you sing to him!” (Dr. Markham). Spend extra time with your kids Taking care of a baby is time- consuming, and it can be hard to find any extra time to spend alone with your other kids. But to the extent possible, try to carve out a little time, even if it’s only 10-15 minutes a day, just for them. Those few minutes can do wonders in terms of reducing any sibling rivalry. “Every child needs a full tablespoon of Mommy all to herself,” as Dr. Fran Walfish, a clinical
psychologist and author of The Self-Aware Parent , puts it. Reinforce your love for them Assure your other kids that the baby hasn’t changed your feelings for them. If anything, you love and appreciate them even more now that they’re big brothers or sisters who help take care of the baby so well. You want to emphasize, as Dr. Markham explains, “all the wonderful things about who they are and how they contribute to the family.” Don’t underestimate the importance of extra cuddles and kisses for the other kids. “Even if they’re too young to fully understand,” Bell says, “They’ll appreciate the cuddles and kisses that come with this special time to bond with you.” Acknowledge their feelings Despite your best efforts to make
your other kids bond with the baby, they’re likely to experience frustrations that, if left unacknowledged, can lead to sibling rivalry. It’s always a good idea to acknowledge those frustrations. “Encourage older children to talk about their feelings and conflicts and assure them that they can have these feelings and still be a wonderful older brother or sister,” says Dr. Klein. If your other kids are toddlers, help them put words to their frustrations if they’re unable to do so themselves. For example, if the baby’s crying a lot and it’s interfering with your ability to take care of them, you could say: “She does cry a lot, doesn’t she?” (Bell) The point, Dr, Markham says, is to “give your child words for her feelings, because that helps her manage them rather than having to act them out.”
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RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Baby
World
ADOPTION RESOURCES AdoptUSKids ■ (888) 200-4005 ■ adoptuskids.org Beacon House
Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition ■ louisianabreast feedingcoalition.org Magnolia Lactation Consulting ■ (225) 230-9054 ■ magnolialactation.com Ochsner Lactation Support ■ (225) 752-2470 ■ ochsner.org Woman’s Hospital Lactation Department ■ (225) 927-1300 ■ womans.org CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS Alliance Safety Council
■ (225) 752-2470 ■ ochsner.org Woman’s Hospital ■ (225) 927-1300 ■ womans.org BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT Capital Area Breastfeeding Alliance ■ cababatonrouge@gmail.com La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Line ■ (877) 4-LA-LECHE ■ lllalmsla.org Louisiana Baby Company ■ (504) 264-2832 ■ louisianababycompany.com
Adoption Services ■ (225) 753-5551 ■ (888) 987-6300 ■ beaconhouseadoption.com
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge: Adoption and Maternity ■ (225) 336-8708 ■ adoptccdiobr.org St. Elizabeth Foundation ■ (225) 769-8888 ■ stelizabethfoundation.org Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge ■ (225) 387-0061 ■ voagbr.org BIRTHING CENTERS Baton Rouge General Medical Center ■ (225) 763-4141 ■ brgeneral.org Birth Center of Baton Rouge ■ (225) 761-1200 ■ birthcenterbr.com Lane Regional Medical Center ■ (225) 658-4000 ■ lanermc.org Ochsner Health System
Woman’s Hospital Woman’s has everything mom needs for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth experience. Woman’s is a Level III Regional Referral facility for obstetrical and neonatal care–the highest care designation a hospital can receive. From natural deliveries to epidurals, from doula-assisted labors to cesarean deliveries, Woman’s expertise and advanced technology allows mom to have several birthing options.
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RESOURCE DIRECTORY
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION Baton Rouge General Medical Center ■ (225) 763-4141 ■ brgeneral.org Birth Center of Baton Rouge ■ (225) 761-1200 ■ birthcenterbr.com Birth Help ■ (225) 768-7686 ■ birthhelp.com Bradley Method ■ bradleybirth.com International Cesarean Awareness Network ■ (800) 686-4226 ■ ican-online.org International Childbirth Education Association ■ (919) 674-4183 ■ icea.org Lamaze International ■ lamaze.org Lane Regional Medical Center ■ (225) 658-4000 ■ lanermc.org Ochsner Health System ■ (225) 752-2470 ■ ochsner.org Woman’s Hospital ■ (225) 927-1300 ■ womans.org CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS Children’s Hospital New Orleans ■ (504) 822-6272 ■ chnola.org Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital ■ (225) 374-4325 ■ ololchildrens.org
■ (225) 766-0955 ■ alliancesafetycouncil.org Central Fire Protection District #4 ■ (225) 261-2000 ■ centralfd.org
■ dhh.louisiana.gov Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge ■ (225) 387-0061 ■ voagbr.org CHILD SAFETY CLASSES American Red Cross ■ (225) 291-4533 ■ redcross.org Infant Swimming Resource’s Self-Rescue Program ■ isrbatonrouge.com Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association ■ jpma.org Louisiana Department of Health ■ (225) 342-9500 ■ ldh.la.gov
Louisiana Baby Company ■ louisianababycompany.com
Louisiana State Police Troop A ■ (225) 754-8500 ■ lsp.org The Safety Place ■ (225) 372-3991 ■ safetyplacela.org Woman’s Hospital ■ (225) 927-1300 ■ womans.org CHILD CARE RESOURCES Child Care Assistance Program ■ (877) 453-2721 ■ louisianabelieves.com Child Care Facility
Licensing Information ■ louisianabelieves.com LaCHIP ■ (877) 252-2447
Operation Life Saver Training Center ■ (225) 753-7716 ■ operationlifesavertc.com
Ochsner Health System The Ochsner Family Birthing Center puts moms-to-be in the center of one of the nation’s top-ranked health systems. Moms can design their own birthing plan to make sure their delivery day meets all of their expectations. And, the center supports each mom’s choice including natural birth, water birth or medicated birth. Birthing tubs, showers, birth balls, and birthing chairs are available, as well as monitoring that allows patient mobility.
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Shriners Hospital for Children ■ (800) 237-5055 ■ shrinershospitalsforchildren.org
Louisiana Poison Center - American ■ (800) 222-1222 National Safe Haven Alliance ■ 1-888-510-BABY (2229) ■ Text SAFEHAVEN to 313131 ■ nationalsafehavenalliance.org National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ■ Call 988 ■ 988lifeline.org National Domestic Violence Hotline ■ (800) 799-7233 ■ thehotline.org Prevent Child Abuse America ■ preventchildabuse.org ■ info@preventchildabuse.org The Grace Program ■ (225) 924-8574 ■ womans.org MIDWIFERY AND DOULA CARE
A Caring Season Doula ■ acaringseasondoula.com ■ (337) 356-2516 Birth Center of Baton Rouge ■ (225) 761-1200 ■ birthcenterbr.com Birth Help ■ (225) 768-7686 ■ birthhelp.com DONA (Doula of North America) ■ (888) 788-DONA (3662) ■ dona.org Louisiana Baby Company ■ louisianababycompany.com Maternal Love ■ maternallovebr.com My Doula Heart
FERTILITY FertililtyAnswers ■ fertilityanswers.com Louisiana Women’s Healthcare Associates ■ (225) 201-2000 ■ lwha.com Ovation Fertility Baton Rouge ■ ovationfertility.com The Fertility Institute ■ (504) 233-6789 ■ fertilityinstitute.com FOSTER CARE Brave Heart Children in Need
■ (480) 221-5868 ■ mydoulaheart.com NUTRITION Village Kids WIC Clinic ■ thevillagekids.com Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) ■ ldh.la.gov
■ braveheartchildren.org Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services ■ dss.state.la.us Louisiana Foster Care ■ louisianafostercare.com The Foster Village ■ (225) 431-0846 ■ fostervillagebatonrouge.org Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge ■ (225) 387-0061 ■ voagbr.org/children-and-families
HOTLINES 24-Hour HAZMAT Communications Center ■ (800) 262-8200 Kidline ■ 1-(800)-CHILDREN Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence ■ (888) 411-1333
Lane Regional Medical Center The decision of where to have your baby is certainly not one to take lightly. Moms-to-be want a skilled and knowledgeable team at hand for both her and the baby’s health, and that can be found at Lane Regional Medical Center. The center features large, well-appointed facilities that allow new mothers to enjoy the childbirth experience in a non-stressful way.
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PARENT EDUCATION AND CLASSES American Academy of Pediatrics ■ aap.org Attachment Parenting International ■ attachmentparenting.org Baton Rouge General Medical Center ■ (225) 763-4141 ■ brgeneral.org Birth Center of Baton Rouge ■ (225) 761-1200 ■ birthcenterbr.com Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge RESOURCE DIRECTORY
LA Maternal and Child Health Program ■ ldh.la.gov Ochsner Health System
Family Road Healthy Start ■ familyroadgbr.org Grandparents Raising Grandchildren ■ lagrg.org Grief Recovery Center ■ (225) 924-6621 ■ grcbr.org LOSFA Start Saving for College
■ ochsner.org Shots for Tots ■ shotsfortots.com
The Women’s Help Center ■ thewomenshelpcenter.org Woman’s Hospital ■ womans.org YWCA of Greater
■ startsaving.la.gov Maddie’s Footprints ■ maddiesfootprints.org Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support ■ (800) 944-4773 Postpartum Progress ■ postpartumprogress.com Resilient Chiropractic ■ resilientchiro.com Sweet Sleeping Baby ■ sweetbabysleeping.com The Life of a Single Mom Ministries
Baton Rouge ■ ywca-br.org
PARENTING SUPPORT GROUPS & SERVICES Angels Among Us ■ aaula.org Bedtime Bliss
■ (225) 201-8888 ■ familyroadgbr.org Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge ■ (225) 924-0123 ■ fsgbr.org Lane Regional Medical Center ■ (225) 658-4000 ■ lanermc.org
Pediatric Sleep Consulting ■ bedtimeblissconsulting.com Capital Area Human Services ■ cahsd.org
■ thelifeofasinglemom.com Trach Mommas of Louisiana ■ (225) 200-5178 PRODUCT RECALLS AND STANDARDS U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ■ cpsc.gov SPECIAL NEEDS
SUPPORT Advocacy Center ■ ldh.la.gov Autism Speaks
Baton Rouge General Medical Center Baton Rouge General’s birthing suites bring together state-of-the-art technology and hotel- like rooms to all new moms. Certified Birth Center staff provide moms-to-be with all the tips, tools and techniques needed for caring for their new bundle of joy at home. Moms are able to personalize their birthing experience through natural births, water births, or traditional births.
■ autismspeaks.com Center for Autism & Related Disorders ■ centerforautism.com
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Disability Rights Louisiana ■ disabilityrightsla.org Early Steps ■ ldh.la.gov FHFGBR & Early Steps (0-3) ■ (225) 216-7474 ■ fhfgbr.org From Emotions to Advocacy ■ fetaweb.com/help.htm Genesis Behavioral Health ■ gracetherapycenter.com In Loving Arms Pediatric Day Health Center ■ inlovingarmskids.com Knock Knock Children’s Museum ■ knockknockmuseum.org ■ genesisholisticbr.com Grace Therapy Center
LA Disability Talk ■ fhfofgno.org Louisiana Believes ■ louisianabelieves.com Louisiana March of Dimes ■ marchofdimes.org Moreau Physical Therapy ■ moreauapt.com NeuroTherapy Specialists ■ neurotherapyspecialists.com PediaTrust
Wonder Baby ■ wonderbaby.org
ULTRASOUND TECHNICIANS BabyWaves 3D/4D/HD Ultrasound ■ 4dbabywaves.com Care Pregnancy Clinic ■ (225) 275-0100 First Glimpse Prenatal Imaging ■ firstglimpsebr.com Gender Reveal HD Ultrasound ■ genderrevealultrasound.com
■ pediatrustkids.com The Arc Baton Rouge ■ arcbatonrouge.org The Emerge Center ■ emergela.org
Look At Me 4D Imaging ■ lookatme4dimaging.com Woman’s Hospital ■ womans.org
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BELLY LAUGHS
Cravings Gone Wild
THE FOODIES “Mine wasn’t too weird, but it was specific. I would always crave a McDonald’s ice cream cone with a large Coke. It had to be McDonald’s.” – Kayla V. “I once dipped pickles into whipped cream. I don’t know why, but at the time, it felt like a stroke of genius!” – Jessica H. “Hot Cheetos in chocolate pudding was my go-to snack during pregnancy.” – Emily T. “Buddy the Elf knew what he was doing when he combined spaghetti with syrup. At the time, it was the perfect mix of sweet and savory, and now I can’t even think about it!” – Megan F. “I would always crave salt with watermelon and chocolate ice cream.” – Joyce M. “Milk, and I never liked milk before then.” – Jamie R. “Chinese food and mashed potatoes!” – Claire S. “I once ate an entire jar of olives and then had chocolate cake after.” – Kelly T. OUT-OF-THE-FRIDGE MOMS “I craved dirt. Like actual dirt. I never ate it though.” – Amanda G. “The urge to chew on rubber bands was strong. Also ice.” – Jessica R. “I couldn’t stop craving sand. I tell myself it’s because I love the beach so much.” – Lisa M. “I wanted to eat sponges, but I never did. Maybe it was the idea of the texture?” – Christina S. “The smell of cleaning products, not for eating, just smelling.” – Karen C. If you have a funny pregnancy craving, share it with us at editorial@frg.inc.
Photo by Freepik.com
What Moms-to-Be Really Want... By Amanda Miller
Pregnancy brings forth a lot of changes, which is to be expected. However, many moms-to-be aren’t fully ex- pecting how wild their pregnancy cravings can get. From pickles and peanut butter to fresh lemons or even dirt, there are a wide variety of weird cravings being report- ed by moms during their pregnancies. Here are a few cravings shared with us. Fair warning, they may provide inspo for something even more wild or maybe even make you hungry!
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BABY FACES
Visit pinkandbluela.com and click on Upload Snapshots. All photos become property of Pink&Blue Magazine, a division of Family Resource Group Inc. WANT TO SEE YOUR BABY’S PICTURE HERE?
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