Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families deal with the stress of being in the hospital. Child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional su...

Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families deal with the stress of being in the hospital. Child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization. Because they understand that a child’s wellbeing depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress.

Because not every hospital will have a child life specialist, you can provide information on ways that parents can play that role if their child is hospitalized. Ideas include: preparation, distraction, positioning for comfort, etc.

Ideas randomly jotted down
Thanks and God Blesss
Cynthia N*
**********
*********************
Fayetteville NC 28301
(experienced death of grandson - 2 months old)

show info on sids and suids
research that has gone on
statistics

Ideas randomly jotted down
Thanks and God Blesss
Cynthia N*
**********
*********************
Fayetteville NC 28301
(experienced death of grandson - 2 months old)

show info on sids and suids
research that has gone on
statistics
how many infants deaths are listed as SIDS or SUIDS to make everyone feel better and an investigation had not been fully done
often the law enforcement is lazy about the death and lets it pass the easy way - let it be listed as SIDS or SUIDS - we have evidence
coroners/medical examiners do a sloppy autopsy (unfair to the families of this little one for many reasons - one being they chopped up or butchered our little one and did not do all necessary tests and research to truly find the cause of death/ also unfair to the world not to truly document all research that could be done on the little one to help other infants and families/unfair to the ones that loved that little one not to know or have a better idea of the cause of death of their little one, even if it may be an accidental death with a caretaker - at least the truth would be known rather than always wondering 'cause one knows the investigation and autopsy were not done appropriately) Make it mandatory that a second autopsy be done if it is diagnosed as SIDS or SUIDS. Make it mandatory that protocol for all states be similar and a specific form filled out by all caretakers and even children that have lived with the infant. Make it mandatory that all the information collected by one investigating unit be given to all investigating units.....i.e. scar where and cause, medical reports, medical info from adults, etc.....Medical Examiners, all investigators, and medical personnel be made completely accountable for mistakes found in the investigations and/or autopsy, reports, etc and the case kept open longer to do more research and investigation rather than hurrying through it all to just get it over
The case not be closed so quickly just to get it over with.
explain what happens when I child dies of SIDS or SUIDS, i.e. more detail – sleep or not sleep or can be both, liquid coming from mouth and/or nose or not (what kind of liquid and what color), color, temperature, the way body may look, hands may look (are they clinched or open, etc), on back or side or stomach
Preventions of SIDS and SUIDS and other deaths of infants
Acid reflux and association of death of infant, etc
Why Prenatal Care – Early and just getting it (know cases where mom got none or went to Dr. once and had not rec’d complete prenatal care even then)
Why no Smoking (before and after birth) /the second hand smoke dangers and what to do to prevent it (explain that it is in persons, clothes, on the skin (esp. fingers and hands – also the nicotine stronger on these too), the linens and pillows and the cushions of furniture smokers sit on
What to do if child diagnosed with reflux
Why infant should only be fed formula or mother’s milk (water if Dr has instructed) for a certain number of months or up to a certain age
Why it is important to do all Dr. appointments and have important info might want to report and ask written down for the Dr. – Ask questions to Dr at appt
Do not hesitate to call Dr or go in for anything one feels not quite right with infant and do not worry what Dr may think for coming in- infant is depending on their parents, caretakers, etc for this
Report to Dr. all info going on with infant – stools condition, bowel movements, urine color or smell or times urinated, spit up or throw up and times, stuffy nose or wheezing or seems clogged or swollen, stopped even momentarily breathing, etc
Why infants (esp. under 6 months should not be given cereal in bottle with formula rather than the formula or mothers’ milk)
Why infants when at certain ages to be started on whole food rather than formula or mothers’ milk should be given the correct foods at certain ages and why the instructions (usually given from Dr or often found in reliable information online and in books if cannot get info from a Dr. – better to get update materials and information rather than listening to all the old ways as much research has been done and there is a reason for this information now given)
What to do if child diagnosed with reflux and throws up more when on back
What to do if child is lactose intolerant (esp. with reflux)
What causes infant to cry 75% of time with stiffening and throwing itself back and tightens up crying in pain-what needs to do
Not leaving infant alone in equipment (i.e. swing, jumpers, couch, etc)
I myself was told personally by a law enforcement investigator that many times when they suspect an accidental death rather than point a finger to the caretaker (so they do not carry that burden, although they do anyway), they close the case and list just enough info to get by and it be listed as SIDS or SUIDS

then mental health conditions of parents before and after and needs to be addressed

if an infant expires then parents/caretakers and siblings (and others if needed) should be provided mandatory grief counseling specific to sudden death of a child/infant and they should be followed for at least two yrs

what research is going on internationally, federally, statewide, and even individual cities and towns
demand more research be done for the unexpected deaths of what seems to be very healthy infants and children
demand that more tests given at birth for certain illnesses/diseases that would only cost no more than $25 and most could be done through the same blood tests and urine tests done anyway –more than 50 tests can be checked which could be a help for all infants

not sure how one wants us to give info, but these are just a lot of ideas that came to mind in this little bit of time

there probably is a lot more, but this is a start

The biggest is educating the public of this silent death that many suffer alone with and the world never sees until it touches them or someone they know.

2 Ideas for programs,:
You could address this unaddressed and dubious child care practice that I've seen over the last few years: completely covering an infant's carrier (with the infant in it) with a blanket during the winter, i.e., with no "air vents". Don't parents realize t...

2 Ideas for programs,:
You could address this unaddressed and dubious child care practice that I've seen over the last few years: completely covering an infant's carrier (with the infant in it) with a blanket during the winter, i.e., with no "air vents". Don't parents realize the child's oxygen supply will soon be used up?? Aren't the babies inhaling their own carbon dioxide after a point?? Does this affect brain development?? I've only seen a warning not to do this issued once on local TV (VERY briefly) by an expert. You could expand on this by talking about how body heat works during the winter (for adults and children both--why do some children "run hot", i.e., sweat while sleeping and need no (or fewer) blankets? Should a parent dress them "cooler" in the winter than the average child?). You could address how much to bundle up babies and children in the winter. I've seen parents take their own coats off once inside in heated space but they leave their babies bundled in heavy winter clothing, unrelieved! Conversely, I've also seen adults wear hats on a cold winter day and leave their baby hatless-- or put their children in short sleeves and barefeet while they are wearing a sweater and amply footwear (and this is not b/c the child was one of those who "runs hot". I have to wonder if people generally know that heat escapes from the head and the feet so hats and boots are important (esp. for children) or maybe they just have a theoretical knowledge of this and don't apply it. (I was a child welfare social worker so I think in terms of abuse/neglect, but I've seen a puzzling lack of knowledge about these things in families that don't normally abuse or neglect their children.) Another direction to go with this is to talk about protection from the elements in different climates. Out of state skiers from more humid climates come to my state of Colorado to ski and mistake our "dry cold" for much higher temperatures, go gloveless on the slopes, and end up with frostbite. Since now is the dead of winter, it seems now would be a good time to address these things. Yet another angle: kids' exposure to heat in the summer. In Colorado especially,there is a problem with parents leaving their children in a locked car while they run a "quick" errand. The car temp's reach the 130s very quickly! The children literally begin to cook. If people understood how the human body regulated itself with heating and cooling (and how it's different in kids) and maybe even keeping hydrated, maybe they could apply more common sense to the above mentioned items. Idea #2:
during teen pregnancy prevention month (April, I believe) you could have a guest speaker on the show who is a social worker, or an expert from NOAPPP (National Org for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention), or an academic expert, or all 3. Before I retired, I ran a program for pregnant /or parenting teens and we had amazing success preventing the second pregancy (4% as opposed to the national average of 40%), which is critically important, according to a 17-year longitudinal study by Frank vonFurstenberg which indicates that the slide into poverty (and the attendant cascade of social problems) happens with the birth of the second child to the teen mother. I could give you more ideas re this issue if you want to consult with me. I'm NOT interested in being on your show, but if someone wants to call me and talk about this issue I'd be glad to. Since 80-90% of prison inmates where born to teen mothers, this statistic indicates that this is a critically important social issue and points to the need for prevention of teen pregnancy. (I was distressed to hear in today's show that the rate has been resurging in the US again.) As Dr. Lisa Masterson pointed out, high self-esteem is the best prevention tactic but other approaches are needed. Experts can tell you what else works--and also how schools and social programs can enhance self-esteem in teen women when their parents are ill-equipped to do so. My phone #, if you want to call: ***-***-****.

Sincerely,
Maureen M*

Stillbirth is a devastating event that seems to receive far too little attention, as compared to tragic pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, or even pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes. Placental abruption, congenital defects, cord accidents are often cited as causes for t...

Stillbirth is a devastating event that seems to receive far too little attention, as compared to tragic pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, or even pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes. Placental abruption, congenital defects, cord accidents are often cited as causes for these events, however many stillbirths go unexplained, even following autopsy. Low-cost methods of fetal monitoring such as kick counts can be easily recommended to patients in their last trimester but are often not recommended unless certain risk factors manifest. How many stillbirths could be prevented with wider dissemination of these methods and associated risk factors? What can practitioners and hospitals put in place to provide sensitive and appropriate support for families suffering a stillbirth loss?

I have a 5 month old baby at home and I have been hearing things about the baby food sold in stores. I am considering making my own but would like to know your thoughts on store bought baby food vs. homemade baby food and if one is better than the other. My next question would be at what age...

I have a 5 month old baby at home and I have been hearing things about the baby food sold in stores. I am considering making my own but would like to know your thoughts on store bought baby food vs. homemade baby food and if one is better than the other. My next question would be at what age should I introduce this and which foods would be best to start with. I want my baby to get the best vegetables while he is growing so fast! Thanks!
Angela

Doctors,
My 5 y/o daughter has underarm odor. I would love to see you do a segment providing parents with info regarding this. In addition to information suggesting the possibility of early puberty, there is some information on the internet that suggest this may be caused by drinkin...

Doctors,
My 5 y/o daughter has underarm odor. I would love to see you do a segment providing parents with info regarding this. In addition to information suggesting the possibility of early puberty, there is some information on the internet that suggest this may be caused by drinking milk from cows injected with hormones. These articles suggest that having your child drink organic milk will resolve the issue. Is there any truth to this??? And, are there any special soaps or deodorants that would be safe and effective to use for children this young?