Stumptown Mom

Fight for Preemies

Does it make us feel better to know that Oregon's rates of premature birth are better than those of the southern US?  Well, it shouldn't.  We've only earned a C on the March of Dimes' report card.  That's barely passing and our rate of premature birth is still 10.3%!  This is why we're participating in the Fight for Preemies during November, Prematurity Awareness Month.

Did you know that prematurity accounts for about half of hospital charges for infants?  And that the first-year medical costs for a premature baby are ten times that of a full-term baby?  Yikes.  The birth of a premature baby has long-term impacts on the lives of that family and on our health care system.  We all share in those costs (how much have your health insurance costs gone up?).  But monetary costs shouldn't be our only concerns - the emotional toll is great for those families.  

Resources & what you can do: 

• If you're a pregnant woman or thinking about getting pregnant, the March of Dimes offers some great tips and resources for planning and having a healthy pregnancy.
• Give your baby the full 9 months.  Late pre-term births are on the rise and you'll be surprised to know that the brain of a 35 week baby weighs only 2/3rds of a 39 week baby.  Those last weeks make a difference!
• Support the March of Dimes Oregon.  Give financially or give your time.  They offer a NICU Family Support Project at Doernbecher and an online Scrapbook where families can share their NICU stories.
• Precious Beginnings is a great local organization of parents supporting other parents of critically ill infants.  If you're the parent of an ill infant, they can help with support and a free help-line.  They also offer a great list of online resources for families.

[Thanks to Flickr CC - Scott & Justine fromWyo for the photo of a baby born 10 weeks early]

More autism resources

We talked about autism here a while ago.   We're all about resources at StumptownMom so we're happy to share some link love.  

Thanks go to our friends at Metro Parent magazine for providing more information about autism in their latest issue.  And they've added a fabulous, comprehensive list of resources - both local and national - to their website.  If you've got questions, know a family dealing with autism or want to know more, check it out.

Autism resources on Metro Parent.

[Thanks Shward & Flickr CC for the perfect pic]

Make reducing infant mortality part of the debate

Health care reform is taking center stage in the news these days.  Chances are health care is taking a bigger chunk of your paycheck too.  With everyone talking about reform - what will it mean?  What are the misconceptions (and there are plenty out there!)?  What will it mean for me? - let's talk too about reducing infant mortality.

Each year our country spends $26.2 billion on premature babies.  Yikes!  Did you also know that our rates of premature birth have been rising and can lead to long-term issues for those children, their families and even our health care spending?  You can act now to make prematurity a part of the national health care debate!

DONA International, a certifying organization for doulas as well as a number of other interested groups are partnering on reducinginfantmortality.com to push this agenda forward.  

Learn more about the Midwifery Model of Care.  Find out how to take action and contact your legislators.

Watch this great video they produced to highlight the costs associated with prematurity and what we can do to fix the problem:

  

[Thanks to Flickr CC - protorio for the perfect pic]

Summer Food Program - a simply wonderful idea

During the school year, thousands of kids in Oregon (and across the country) receive free or reduced cost meals.  This essential program allows kids to nourish their bodies and minds at school.  But what happens when school's out and funds are still tight at home?  Thankfully, we have the Summer Food Service Program.  

Maybe you've taken advantage of some of the fun free activities at your neighborhood Portland park.  But did you know that many of these sites (and many more) provide free lunches - and sometimes breakfasts and snacks - to kids 1-18 in the summer?  This vital resource is available to any child and no proof of income is needed.  But still only 18% of those kids eligible are served.

Help us spread the word so more kids can benefit!  There are meal sites all across the Portland metro area.  Find a meal site near you!

Summer Reading is here!

Summer and reading just go together.  And at long last, the Summer Reading programs are beginning.  I have such fond memories of these kinds of programs -- trying to read as many books as possible to get the increasingly cooler prizes (the little ceramic owls in progressively bigger sizes as you read more books - those made an impression!).

Multnomah County Library's Summer Reading 2009 program offers levels for all kids.  It's never too early to enter your child in the program.  Even babies, toddlers and preschoolers can win prizes like board books and little toys.  Last year, over 58,000 kids registered - WOW.  Progress is measured on a game board and once you reach the end, you get a t-shirt and can enter to win a trip to Disneyland!

UPDATE:  Thanks Candy @ Central Library for reminding us that adults can join a summer reading program too!  And win cool prizes (like a stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel!) while you're at it.

Washington County Libraries are sponsoring the Be Creative @ Your Library program.  For teens, the companion program is called Express Yourself @ the Library.  You can register online and also see a calendar of great special summer programs.

The Clackamas County Libraries also have their own Be Creative @ Your Library Summer Reading program.  Download the game board online and see a terrific schedule of fun activities like puppet shows, jugglers, and even a hands-on reptile show!

Take advantage of this fun, FREE way to engage your children with books.  Win a few prizes, explore some new books and enjoy a summer of reading.

A good book is easy to find

If you've read Stumptown Mom for a while, you know that we LOVE kids books.  Ok, it's verging on an obsession (it doesn't help that Stumptown Kid's grandma owns a bookstore in another state).  Some new friends came over for dinner the other night and commented that we've got books tucked in every corner of the house - is that really true?  Maybe. . .

With summer right around the corner - and weather that makes us feel like it's already here - we're looking for some good summer kids reads.  We've found a gold mine in Curled Up with a Good Kid's Book, a fabulous, organized website brimming with book reviews.  

Tired of your current selection and worry that you'll go crazy if you read Very Hungry Caterpillar one more time - check the list of board book reviews.  They've also got lists of picture books, early readers and even a parenting section.  This might be just the thing for harried parents too tired to endlessly search at Powell's for a book to address their latest parenting puzzle.

Looking for escapism in a good novel, juicy romance or mystery this summer - the sister site, Curled Up with a Good Book has you covered too.

Soon, local libraries will start their Summer Reading Programs -- we'll give you the scoop in an upcoming post.

[photo courtesy Flickr Creative Commons -- KOMUnews]

NEVER shake a baby

In addition to marking a number of other (un)important things (National Kite Month and Straw Hat Month, anyone?), April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  So before these April showers make way for our May flowers, let's highlight one particularly heart-wrenching and completely preventable form of child abuse.

Shaken Baby Syndrome.  It's an often deadly brain trauma condition caused by the violent shaking of a baby or child. But perhaps not everyone takes it seriously as evidenced by this week's flap about Apple's completely distasteful Baby Shaker iPhone app (it's thankfully no longer available).  

It seems simple and maybe even completely intuitive to handle babies with care.  But Shaken Baby Syndrome can happen when parents or caregivers are stressed by an inconsolable baby and are not able to think clearly.  Crying is the #1 trigger for SBS and just saying "don't shake a baby" isn't enough.  

All babies cry, but some babies CRY.  If you have or had a baby that CRIES, you know what we mean.  Fo course you want to try to calm the baby using all of those great techniques like those infamous 5 S's. But research shows that some babies have times when they can't be consoled.  They call it the Period of PURPLE Crying.  All families delivering babies at Legacy hospitals are now going home with a video about PURPLE crying in an effort to prevent SBS.

If you're feeling stressed by a crying child, it's OK to walk away and take a break.  Call a friend to help give you a break.  Take care of yourself and you'll be better able to handle the crying and the stress of a new baby.  Need to talk to someone?  Call the Parents Anonymous Help-Line in Portland at 503-258-4557.

Don't ignore the signs of autism

OK, only a few days ago we talked about a weighty topic (or a weighless one, really) - Radon.  And now we're going to take advantage of Autism Awareness Month and bring up another heavy but important topic.

Autism.  Even the thought of the word can stop a parent in their tracks.  There's lots of information and maybe even misinformation swirling out there about autism.  What is it, and what can you do about it?

According to the Autism Society of Oregon, autism is, "a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life."  Early intervention is important!  Read more about the signs of autism and major milestones of child development.  This video provides a nice overview of what to look for:

What should you do?  If you suspect that your child is showing signs of autism or other developmental delays, talk to your health care provider and contact your local Education Service District for free early intervention services and screenings.  In Multnomah County, contact the MESD.  In Washington County, contact the NWESD.  And in Clackamas County, contact the Clackamas ESD.

Family Volunteering - Yes We Can!

In the spirit of our new president's call to service, let's talk about ways to get your family involved!

It can be challenging to find time to volunteer when you have young children.  Who has the time?  And how do you juggle the kids - take them with you!  More and more opportunities are being created for families to volunteer together.

Why is it important?  First, it helps us "walk the talk" as a family and teaches important lessons on gratitude and philanthropy.  But more than that, studies have proven that young people who volunteer are much more likely to volunteer and financially contribute to their community as adults.  Getting them involved as children sets the stage for a lifetime of service.

Hands on Portland is a terrific local resource for family volunteering projects.  Check out their website and search for projects that are "family friendly".  They have opportunities across the metro area.

For more ideas of projects including those you can do at home, visit Family Cares.

Want to talk with your kids about service?  Find kids books that feature helping others.

How fast their brains grow

Wondering what's happening in that newborn brain? Or frustrated that your toddler just points and grunts? If you stop and think about it, their brains are changing and developing at an amazing rate.

See for yourself. The ever-useful and full of great research and information Zero to Three organization has some wonderful new FREE downloadable info sheets. These wonderful handouts trace baby's development in six month increments up to age three with insights into what baby is learning and what parents can do - and come in a Spanish downloadable version too.

Check out the Your Baby's Development series.