All Birth Defects Are Severe Or Even Fatal

"Fetal cells are less immunogenic than adult cells, and amniotic-fluid cells are even less immunogenic than fetal cells. This is just the beginning; the dawn of a new avenue of treating birth defects. We're excited to be pioneering it."--DARIO FAUZA, MD

Many parents assume that all birth defects are severe or even fatal, but the fact is that many are treatable, often immediately after birth — and sometimes even before the baby is born.

It's especially important to know the risk factors involved and how to prevent birth defects. However, it's also important to realize that most babies born with congenital defects are born to two healthy parents.

Michael Katz, M.D., senior vice president for research and global programs at the March of Dimes, adds that the human toll of birth defects is even greater when the impact of lifelong disability on children, their families, and society is taken into account.

The report says in addition to poverty and the many health problems that can accompany it, the higher rates of birth defects in poorer countries, can be attributed to more older women having children and marriages between blood relatives.

In countries along the world's "malaria belt," far more people carry one copy of a genefor an inherited disease that confers some protection against malaria, sickle cell anaemia.

Structural or metabolic defects are those in which a specific body part is missing or formed incorrectly; metabolic birth defects are those in which there is an inborn problem in body chemistry. The most common type of major structural defects are heart defects, which affect 1 in 150 babies in the United States.

Other common structural defects include spina bifida, cleft palate, clubfoot, and congenital dislocated hip.

Metabolic defects affect 1 in 3,500 babies and usually involve a missing or incorrectly formed enzyme (a protein necessary for processing chemical substances in the body). Most children with a metabolic birth defect do not have any visible abnormalities, but metabolic defects are usually harmful or can be even fatal. Metabolic defects include Tay-Sachs disease, a fatal disease that affects the central nervous system, and phenylketonuria (PKU), which affects the way the body processes protein.

Defects caused by congenital infections result when a mother gets an infection before or during the pregnancy. Infections that can cause birth defects include rubella (German measles),cytomegalovirus (CMV), syphilis, toxoplasmosis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, parvovirus, and, rarely, chickenpox. None of these affect 100% of babies whose mothers are infected during pregnancy. If the mother is infected during early pregnancy, rubella carries the highest risk for birth defects (approximately 20%). Because of nearly universal immunization in the United States, rubella is very, very rare and the congenital rubella syndrome is almost never seen. CMV is probably the most common congenital infection and may be associated with intellectual disability (mental retardation) and hearing loss.

The authors of the report say that it is a common misconception that attention to birth defects will draw funding from other priority public health efforts, when in fact, increased efforts to reduce birth defects in children contributes to the health of the entire population.

Understanding The Main Causes And Profound Symptoms Is Imperative To Help Relieve A Gassy Baby

Gas in newborns and babies under one year old is a common condition, which every mother has faced at some point or the other in their child's growing years. According to lactation specialists, gas is produced when a newborn feeds for the first time, either breast milk or baby formula. The components of milk are such that they produce gas in the process of digestion. Nevertheless, some babies are more susceptible to have gas problems than others.

For a mother, dealing a gassy baby with discomfort symptoms is very painful. There are virtually many factors responsible for presence of gas in the baby's digestive tract, out of which the main reason is the immature digestive system of the baby. To be more precise, the digestive system of a baby is not fully developed, hence gas formation to some extent is quite a common case. However, understanding the main causes and profound symptoms is imperative to help relieve a gassy baby.

Gassy Baby: Causes and Symptoms

While feeding, a baby can engulf air bubbles due to the suction created during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Another cause for gassy baby is maternal diet; it is found that nutrients and gas causing agents pass from the breastfeeding mother to her baby. Hence, if a mother's diet is enriched with foods that cause gas, such as cabbage, legumes, dairy products, etc. the risk for developing gas in babies is higher. Also, too many citrus fruits and acidic food items cause stomach irritation in the baby.

Babies who are between 3 - 6 months old are prone to gas pain and related problems. Some of the most noticeable gassy baby symptoms are sleeping problems, irritability, fussiness and crying for a longer time, without any apparent reason. Usually, such irritation signs are manifested after feeding. Other symptoms that indicate gas in babies is abdominal bloating, distended stomach and frequent passing of gas. While massaging a gassy baby's tummy, bubbles can be felt in the stomach and abdominal area.

Gassy Baby: Remedies and Cure

Baby crying to some extent is natural, after all it is the only way for your child to express verbally for any uncomfortable reason. However, strenuous crying causes engulfing of air, which in turn exacerbate the condition of a gassy baby. So, how to calm a gassy baby? Practicing a proper baby feeding habit is one way to get rid of gas in babies. Following are some effective methods regarding how to relieve a gassy baby:

• Speaking about gassy baby breastfeeding tips and tricks, burping the baby and patting his or her back at regular intervals (after every 3 - 5 minutes) is a sure way to reduce gas accumulation in the digestive tract.
• For bottle-fed babies, the nipple size should be accurate; otherwise a larger nipple size causes a baby to feed very fast, while a smaller one leads to intake of more gas.
• Consider gentle massaging over the baby's tummy with a massage oil. This will help relieve gas bubbles from the digestive system. Learn more on infant gas relief.
• Laying the baby on his or her tummy for a while also aids in expelling gas. However, keep a close eye over the baby to ensure that he or she is comfortable and safe.
• In case of any suspect that gas in a baby is caused by diet intolerance, the mother should strictly watch her diet. Eliminating lactose, peanut and soy one by one and then, monitoring baby's tolerances is an effective way to help a baby relief from gas caused by food intolerance.

Following proper baby care will definitely help in improving gassy baby symptoms. There are several products formulated for alleviating gas in babies. However, it is to borne in mind that anything other than mother's milk or baby formula may cause unusual side effects. Hence, never indulge in providing herbal remedies or therapeutic formulation without consulting a qualified pediatrician.

Various Stages Of Growth Spurts In Babies

The sure sign of your baby going through a growth spurt is that he suddenly starts eating every hour. He will be crankier and fussier than usual. Though he's done, he would still act like he's ready to have more, making you wonder if he is getting enough milk. But don't worry, he's not starving even though he's acting like it! About five baby growth spurts can happen anytime during the first year, and perhaps, he's just hit his first growth spurt. Here is how to recognize growth spurts in babies.

Growth Spurts: Signs

Doctors say that growth spurts happen soon after the birth, the first one between one and three weeks, and the next one between six and eight weeks. After that, you can expect your baby's growth spurts at three months, six months, and nine months. But a baby may have more growth spurts than that. The time and duration (for how many days growth spurts last) of the growth spurt may vary from baby to baby.

During the first year, the baby grows fast. Your baby might triple his body weight by the time he celebrates his first birthday. Do you know that a lot of that growth happens in short, intense bursts? The growth spurts account for drastic changes in the height and weight of the baby; and have the greatest impact on a nursing mom. The good news is that infant growth spurts usually last only 2-3 days, so your baby (and your life) should get back to normal soon. Here are the signs of growth spurts in infants.

• Your baby may want to eat nonstop. It may happen that the well set breastfeeding schedule is disrupted due to the growth spurt in your baby.
• Changed sleeping patterns may affect your routine. Your baby may howl for a midnight snack, then perhaps after every two hours, at 2 A.M., 4 A.M., and so on. Older babies too wake up earlier from their naps.
• Your baby may start clamoring for frequent feeds. All those late nights disturb his moods and he might be extra fussy at the breast. Latching and unlatching can be noticed and you might be wondering why he is acting so. But he is expecting more milk and perhaps he might not be getting it, as the production might not be up to speed yet. The baby wants to feed for longer periods and more frequently.

How to Deal with Growth Spurts in Babies

Insufficient sleep may affect your mood; but remember, babies also have a hard time settling in. I can understand how exhausting it must be to have a newborn who suddenly treats breastfeeding like a 24 X 7 all-you-can-eat buffet. But don't give up on breast-feeding now. According to the nature's law, breastfeeding itself stimulates the production of milk. So to keep up with the growing appetite of the baby, you should breastfeed your baby as many times as possible. In case of older babies who can eat solid food, you need to take extra care regarding baby feeding. Don't introduce baby formula to the newborn, thinking that the milk supply is insufficient. Continue feeding, the supply will be increased according to the demand.

You should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You should follow a healthy diet. You may recruit help from your partner or a friend to do household chores. You should have enough rest, otherwise you won't be able to feed your baby frequently.

If your baby is gaining weight and you need to change his diapers five or six times a day, he's doing just fine and there is nothing to worry. Baby growth spurts end soon. His hunger pangs will also be over then and things can settle back to normal. As growth spurts end within 2-3 days, you can easily find out if 'low milk supply' is upsetting the baby. Just be patient and stay focused on baby's needs at this stage. If you think that the baby is not hungry and is being fussier, then you may take a walk outside. If the baby is not hungry, he will fall asleep as soon as he gets fresh air.

Growth spurts in babies are natural and essential part of physical development. In some cases, growth spurts last for more than a week or even longer. You can adjust your feeding schedule accordingly. It is your responsibility to feed your baby whenever he gives out hunger cues.

Make Your Baby Enjoy Shower

A baby shower is a fun and memorable event for every mom-to-be. However, planning for it can be a challenging. Invitations, decorations, games, food, and location are just a few that are a bit difficult to manage. With so many available choices to choose from, deciding which is which can be overwhelming.

As a general rule one should stick to the traditional ways of baby shower party decorating. If you are going with the traditional party decorations, you would use china and silver. No doubt every baby shower party needs some sort of baby shower party decorations.

Cute baby shower ideas are what we are all about! Planning a baby shower can sometimes be an overwhelming task. We are here to help you, every step of the way! Your days of being an overwhelmed hostess are over! And it's amazing that such a traditional way of welcoming a little one could become a such a popular party for everyone to get together and celebrate the new little member of a family.

Sometimes, it is fun to wrap a baby present in a way that it reflects the gender of the child. If you know that the parents are expecting a baby boy or girl one best idea is to consider a wrapping style that suits the baby's gender. The very common style is to wrap a present that in baby boy blue or baby girl pink but you have to remember that there are many other colors that you can choose from. Don't limit yourself to blue or pink, rather allow your creative juices to flow so that you can come up with something unique for your baby shower gift.

No matter whether the shower is a surprise or not, keep in mind that it is for the mom! Make sure she has a comfy chair to sit in, someone to hand her gifts. It's her special day! And if you're planning a shower, try to come up with some unique baby shower ideas. You can find it more ideas online. Don't just stick on tradition.

Simple Steps That Can Help You To Treat Dry Skin In Newborns

Newborn baby's skin is susceptible to dryness. For nine long months, they were immersed in the amniotic fluid in their mother's womb. When they come to the outside world, their skin is sensitive and fragile. It tends to get irritated when it comes in contact with the harsh environmental conditions like cold outdoor temperature, indoor heating, air conditioning, dry air, etc. Moreover, their sweat glands are not fully active. In such a condition, the skin surface is unable to retain the natural moisture and it becomes dry. You can get rid of this problem with right newborn dry skin care.

Newborn Dry Skin Treatment

The main aim of newborn skin care is to keep it clean and hydrated. Here are a few simple steps that can help you to treat dry skin in newborns:

Reduce the Frequency of Bathing: Like small children or adults, newborns do not need bathing every day. Their body is cleaned several times during diaper changes and their face is also wiped off after every feeding. So, bathing them on every alternative day or even twice or thrice in a week will be enough.

Decrease the Bathing Time: Bathing tends to make skin drier as it strips off the natural oils from the skin along with the dirt. As a result, the skin loses the natural suppleness and becomes dry. If you are bathing you baby for half an hour, cut it down to 10 minutes and not more than that. Most importantly, the bath water should be warm and not hot. Hot water is not good for their skin and makes it rough and dry.

Use Right Soap: Do not use any soap meant for the adults on the skin of newborns. They contain harsh chemicals that can damage their skin. Select a baby soap that has high moisturizer content and is fragrance free. Do not keep the soap on your baby's skin for a long time. Scrubbing of the newborn skin with soap should be strictly avoided.

Apply Moisturizer: This is the most vital step of newborn skin care and should be done twice a day. After taking him or her out of the bath, pat dry the skin with a soft towel and then apply baby skin moisturizer. It should be applied within minutes so that the lotion or cream can hold the moisture which is left behind on the skin surface. Use a thicker variety of moisturizer cream on the dry skin as it works better as compared to thin lotions. Avoid those creams that contain perfumes as the fragrance is nothing but harsh chemicals. Instead of creams or lotions you can apply natural oils. Olive oil or grape seed oil moisturize the baby skin very effectively.

Rinse off Saltwater: If your baby's skin is exposed to salt or chlorinated water, then it should be rinsed off with plain tap water immediately. It can happen if he or she is exposed to swimming pool water or ocean water. The salt and chlorine have a drying effect on the skin.

Keep their Body Hydrated: Your newborn baby cannot drink water to keep him/ her hydrated. The only source of water for them is breast milk. Whenever they are hungry, breastfeed them properly which will also quench their thirst and keep their body in a hydrated state.

Protection from Weather: Along with the skin care, protection of the skin with proper clothing is very important. In winter, the feet and hands tend to become dry and chapped and so mittens should be used to keep them covered. In the summer, keep them away from direct sunlight so that they do not get sunburns. If you live in a dry weather condition, use a humidifier in the room where your baby spends most of the time.

This newborn dry skin care regime can bring about improvement in the skin condition. However, if you notice some red patches or flaky skin, then it could be some skin disorder. No need to panic, they usually go away on their own after a few weeks. If they tend to get aggravated with time, consult your pediatrician.

Baby Care Products Are Quite Essential For Your Baby

Taking care of a newborn baby can be a very challenging task. So, parents of newborn are always seen questioning many people about what can be the best way to prepare for the safe and healthy arrival of their bundle of joy. Though there are doctors and nurses to look after the child for a few days after its birth, it would be beneficial to make a newborn essentials checklist to handle any kind of situation confidently. Should the need arise, this newborn checklist will prove helpful and would avoid unnecessary confusion. Preparing for a newborn checklist can take time but after the arrival of the newborn you will appreciate the effort and time taken to adopt this list.

A new born baby is a bundle of joy which brings along a world of happiness. Babies undoubtedly require great love, care and attention. Choosing perfect baby care products are quite essential for the healthy development of your little one. Watching your loved one grow with happiness and love is a dream come true for most of the parents. Parenting can be a bit difficult but when there are so many choices of products available to take care of your little one, it is a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

Different Baby Care Products
There are many products which are quite essential for proper care of your new born baby. It is important to choose and buy products from authentic manufacturers as it ensures quality. To start with, your baby care productsmust include the following items.

• Diapers: it is one of the most necessary items required by a new born baby. There are hoards of diapers available in different styles. Using diapers ensures that your baby remains dry and happy.
• Cribs: another important and expensive product includes the cribs. Cribs are available in different colors, styles and designs. It is also important to choose cribs with safety standards. Purchasing mattresses for the cribs are also essential. Mattresses should be comfortable and soft with good support. Cribs should be comfortable and safe so that your baby sleeps undisturbed.
• Feeding bottles: baby care products should include feeding bottles of different sizes. A number of nipples should also be included in the list. Feeding bottles should be washed and cleaned regularly, so you will require dishwasher baskets and nipple cleaners. You can find a huge variety of feeding bottles of different colors and sizes in the baby stores.
• Skin care products: different types of products such as soaps, shampoos, creams, lotions and oils are essential for personal hygiene and care. There are many branded companies that sell top quality products specially made for babies.
• Detergents: baby care products should also include detergents to wash baby clothes, cloth diapers, bed linens and so forth. These detergents should be mild and safe for babies.
• Toys: different types of toys suitable for babies are available today in all the baby stores. It is important to choose toys which are non toxic and baby safe.
• Baby car seats: these car seats can be strapped to the stroller so that you do not have to carry your baby around while strolling.
• Medicine cabinet: baby care products must include a medicine cabinet with essential medicines. It should also include a thermometer, teething rings, antibiotic creams, bandages and so forth.
• Clothes: baby care products also include clothes. Clothes must be soft and comfortable as baby skin is sensitive and very smooth.

Proper accessories can make it easier to care for your sweet little one. Many more accessories can be added to those mentioned above as your little one grows up. There are many online stores that offer many varieties of baby care products that help to care for your babies.

Expert Tips On How To Change A Diaper For Parents

Having babies at home is extreme fun... changing their diapers isn't! Ask me, a father of a one-year old toddler, who is with the baby a significant amount of time each day when his mother goes out to work. Anyway, we all perfect our own methods how to change a diaper when the time comes, and nobody actually learns it by rote. But then there are some ways to simplify the messy process. I have perfected my own little method too, and would be happy to share it with you. (This article is mostly targeted at the poor fathers who find they have to change their babies' dappies and for the mothers who are just learning the craft!)

Diaper Changing Step # 1 - Develop your sixth sense for understanding baby poo.
Babies will not just get up and move to the bathroom by themselves; they will just lie pretty wherever you have kept them and will do their business. Some babies will cry and bawl when the messy stuff happens, but there are many babies who will get used to all the mess and won't make a whimper. So, you will need to understand when the dappy needs changing. Smell is your best help here, but even if you see your baby squirming uneasily, you can get the hint. Do not keep your baby too long in the mess; that could cause rashes and infections.

Diaper Changing Step # 2 - Take the little one to the changing table.
If you have invested in a changing table for changing the dappies, then take your baby there, or else put him or her on a surface that you wouldn't mind cleaning later on. Keep the baby with its belly up on the surface. Changing tables have straps with which you can secure your baby comfortably on the surface. But even when the baby is secured, do not leave it alone.

Diaper Changing Step # 3 - Change the soiled diaper.
Removing a soiled diaper is an art in itself, because you have to make all effort that the mess remains inside the dappy. This is the way I do it. First, remove the adhesive tabs on the diaper. Then open the sides of the diaper and lay them flat on the surface. Slowly slide the front portion of the dappy (the part that covers your baby's privates) downwards and take it all the way to the back. You will have to lift the baby's bottom by holding his or her ankles. Using the clean portion of the dappy, wipe the bottom of your baby as you are sliding the dappy downwards. (Expert papa tip - Never wipe from the back to front, as it can cause infection. Always move front to back.) When done, the dappy should be neatly folded with the mess inside it. Stick the adhesive tabs in the same place again. Keep the dirty dappy out of reach of the baby, and dispose of it as soon as the baby is changed.

Diaper Changing Step # 4 - Clean the baby.
You can clean the baby either with water or with wipes. If you are using water, you can soak a baby washcloth in water and pat it on the baby's bottom. You can even use moist cotton balls for the purpose. Just make sure you wash the baby's bottom properly, and again do not wash from back to front. In girls, you will need to clean their privates too, because the mess might have reached there too. Dispose all the washing and cleaning material with the dirty dappy. This is a good time to use the anti-rash creams the baby's doctor might have prescribed.

Diaper Changing Step # 5 - Putting on the new dappy.
Lift the baby's bottom by the ankles and slide the opened new diaper underneath. Keeping it in place, lower the baby's legs. Then pull the front of the diaper up to the abdomen. (Another expert papa tip - Keep the front level of the diaper below the baby's navel. Some babies do not like the touch of the dappy on the navel and could become restless.) Then fold the sides of the diaper and secure them with the adhesive tabs in the right place on the front band of the dappy. The diaper changing is done, but you might have to adjust the posterior part of the diaper by pulling it upwards, or there could be leaks the next time the baby gets down to its messy chores.

Well, that's done - you have successfully learned how to change a diaper for your baby, changed it too and made it all cutie-pie once again for the visitors to see. But be ready again in a couple of hours. Babies keep their bowels extremely busy!