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Playtime and interactive toys are important for parents looking to give their children a head start in life. But these products aren’t the only way to help stimulate a baby’s brain and eye development – nutrition is important, too.

A baby’s brain and eyes depend critically on nutrition and there are specific nutrients, which have been shown to play a role in brain and eye development.

A Closer Look at Lutein

During the critical time of brain and eye development, Lutein and DHA are important nutrients, yet Lutein has gone virtually unnoticed by parents.

Lutein is found in foods such as leafy greens, certain fruits and eggs. Emerging science demonstrates that Lutein helps protect important cells in the eye. Now, new research from Tufts University demonstrates – for the first time – that Lutein is not only present in the eyes, but it is also present in the infant brain. The regions of the brain where Lutein is found are associated with memory and learning.

“Moms should be aware of the emerging research on Lutein,” said Dr. Alanna Levine, a pediatrician and mother of two children. “Moms in my practice ask me every day about ways to promote development in their children. Many focus on products, games, and toys and sometimes overlook nutrition.”

Sources of Lutein

Prior to the introduction of solid foods, babies can get Lutein from a few sources, including breast milk and Similac. “Expecting and breastfeeding mothers alike should eat a well-balanced diet that includes foods with Lutein like leafy green vegetables and eggs,” added Levine. “And parents who formula feed should look for an infant formula that contains Lutein, as well as DHA.”

For Breastfeeding Mothers and Infants Transitioned to Solid Food

(Not an exhaustive list. Foods listed in descending order of Lutein content.)

• Spinach

• Kale

• Zucchini Squash

• Yellow Squash

• Green Beans

• Corn

• Kiwi

• Eggs

• Apples

For Infants

(Prior to the introduction of solid foods.)

• Breast milk

• Infant formula supplemented with Lutein, such as Similac Advance

I See, I Learn

“In addition to the right nutrients, playing together does encourage brain and eye development,” said Levine. “Rather than focusing on the latest toy, parents can do simple things like spending time with their children in front of a mirror, playing peek-a-boo or tracking the objects on a mobile.”

To learn more about Lutein and brain and eye development, visit www.similac.com/lutein. Or, using a mobile phone, scan the code below to visit the mobile site for Similac infant formula.

Going back to work after having a baby can be a challenging transition for new moms – especially for those who want to breastfeed. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least 12 months, only 35 percent of babies are exclusively breastfed at three months, and not quite 15 percent at six months, according to the Centers for Disease Control 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card.

Research suggests there are many challenges that moms face that prevent them from reaching this breastfeeding goal. Some of these obstacles include lack of breastfeeding information or supportive health care resources; lack of support at home; or challenges with finding time and privacy to express breastmilk in the workplace.

As a working mother of five who breastfed all her children, including twin boys, Amy O’Malley, RN, MSN, Director of Education and Clinical Services for Medela, understands both the importance of breastfeeding, and the challenges women face in doing so.

“The longer a baby is breastfed, the greater the health benefits for both mom and baby. Yet at three months, we see the most significant drop-off in breastfeeding which is around the same time most nursing moms return to work,” O’Malley said. “Fortunately today, there are many tools that can help mom continue to breastfeed and provide breastmilk to their babies even when they cannot be there. Breastpumps, for example, allow moms to keep that connection while providing optimal nutrition for their babies. It also allows dads and other caregivers to bond with babies when mom is away.”

And many moms agree. In fact, a recent survey of 1,000 women with infants, commissioned by Medela, found that 78 percent of breastfeeding moms use a breastpump.

O’Malley shares some tips and useful information for breastfeeding mothers returning to work:

• Plan in advance with your employer/human resources about your breastpumping needs. If your employer is unaware, let them know how breastfeeding will benefit all. Not only will you and your baby be healthier – research has shown that there are fewer missed work days and shorter absences for mothers who breastfeed.
• Familiarize yourself with the Protection and Affordable Care Act, which now requires certain employers to help support breastfeeding by providing working mothers a private place and time to pump, so that they can express breastmilk and maintain their supply. In addition, a new provision will require health plans to include breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling without cost sharing for insurance policies with plan years beginning on or after August 1, 2012. Read More

Parenthood is difficult enough as it is. But many parents find themselves with aches and pains because of their bundle of joy. All the lifting and twisting can really cause a lot of damage to new moms and dads. But there are ways to enjoy every minute with your child – without the pain.

One simple trick for parents is to clear the clutter from the diaper bag. All the toys and must-have gadgets can add an extra 10 pounds to your shoulders and back. The American Chiropractic Association recommends carrying just 10 percent of your body weight on your shoulders. Opting for only the basics: a few extra diapers, wipes and a change of clothes. If the bag is still a little heavy, place the strap across the body to even the weight distribution.

Lift with Care

Picking children up is another way parents put strain on muscles and joints. Never pick up a child by bending over at the waist. That position can put up to 10 times the amount of normal pressure on your spinal discs. A new mom or dad picking up a 10-pound infant, can really be putting 100 pounds of pressure on her back. To avoid this, bend at the knees with one foot in front of the other to help balance the weight.

Car Seat Safety

Parents should also be aware of the strain caused by putting a child in a car seat. It can be awkward and force your body to bend and twist in ways it shouldn’t. Parents should put at least one leg in the car and face the child when strapping them in. This placement puts less strain on the muscles and joints.

Holding Baby

There are also a few ways to avoid ligament strain when carrying a baby. Try to avoid putting the baby on your hip. It throws your back and hips out of alignment and forces your body to be out of balance. Using a sling that puts the baby in front of you can ease the pressure off your hips and lower back.

Use Both Hands

Carrying a car seat on your forearm can cause a painful inflammation of the cushion between the bone and tendon in the shoulders or elbows, called bursitis. Parents are urged to carry the car seat in front of your body with both hands to avoid this painful condition.

Following these tips will make being a parent just a little easier, at least on the back.

Terel S. Newton, M.D., Board-Certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at Pain Relief Centers. Pain Relief Centers are multi-specialty practices that use a combination of innovative and minimally invasive treatments that help relieve patients’ pain and improve their quality of life. Pain Relief Centers’ Board-Certified physicians utilize advanced technology and interventional therapies to diagnose and treat pain effectively. Pain Relief Centers’ comprehensive approach ranges from osteopathic manipulation and nerve ablation to minimally invasive spine procedures. Pain Relief Centers treat a variety of conditions such as neck and arm pain, back and leg pain, complex regional pain syndrome, degenerative disc disease, failed back syndrome, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. Pain Relief Centers works with patients to improve their pain and return them back to their busy lives. Visit www.PinellasPain.com or call 727-518-8660 for more information.

Many children will have an occasional wheezing episode in their early childhood.  Rather than call it asthma — which is a chronic, recurrent illness — pediatricians initially call this wheezing ‘reactive airways’.  The typical child develops a runny and stuffy nose or viral cold symptoms, and within one to three days, a tight, dry cough develops.  Most parents do not hear wheezing until after the cough develops.  If the wheezing becomes chronic and matches certain criteria, your child may be given a diagnosis of asthma.

Medicines used to relieve wheezing depend on whether the child needs quick relief or needs a maintenance medication to prevent wheezing. If the child who is wheezing and needs quick relief of respiratory symptoms, bronchodilators and steroids are typically used.  Rapid acting bronchodilators are medicines that relax the muscles that surround the large breathing passages in the lungs, while oral steroids are used to quickly reduce inflammation in the breathing passages.

Long-term controller medications are used for children who have frequent wheezing. These medicines focus on preventing wheezing when the child is exposed to a trigger, such as a viral illness or allergen.  Long acting bronchodilators help keep the muscles around the breathing passages relaxed.  Inhaled (not oral) steroids assist in reducing inflammation over time.  At times, different types of these controlling medications are combined in a single medication.

It is very important that if the child is using long-term controller medications and starts to wheeze, the quick relief or ‘rescue’ medications must be used to relieve the wheezing.  Simply giving more of the controller medications will not work, and your child will not improve.

Learning to use the right medications at the right time for your child can sometimes be confusing.  Be sure to discuss the types of medications your child is using with your doctor and write down the proper way to use them.

Dr. Paula Rooney, board certified pediatrician, After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care.

Remember all those tips saying you should cook rather than eat out? Well the USDA says we might just be wrong about that in the near future. A recent study by the government agency estimated the price gap between eating at home and dining out will narrow even further in 2012. Grocery prices are expected to rise 3 percent to 4 percent, while menu prices will likely go up 2 percent to 3 percent.

That doesn’t mean you have to resort to the McDonald’s Dollar Menu, however. It’s still cheaper to eat at home, but amateur chefs will have to cut even more corners this year. Here are a few tips on dining at home frugally in a dine-out world.

1. Shop on Tuesdays

Wednesdays are the heaviest shopping day for supermarkets as that’s when they publish their weekly newspaper ads. (Manufacturer ads are usually distributed with the Sunday paper.) That means grocery stores are interested in ditching last week’s produce and meats on Tuesday night. Talk to the butcher and produce clerks about slapping a better price on those products they’re about to toss.

2. Use Mobile Coupons

Shopping on Tuesday means you can’t take advantage of Wednesday coupons. Happily, you can access mobile coupons right there in the store from the Coupon Sherpa app. This fab app allows you to search for your favorite local store, access desirable coupons, then download them to your store loyalty card.

3. Plan Your Meals Around Ads

If you plan on shopping after newspaper inserts are printed, plan your menu around featured items and build a list before you hit the store. You can use apps like Grocery Gadget (Apple) and Grocery IQ (Android) to create lists based on your supermarket’s layout.

4. Shop Stores That Double Coupons

Not all supermarkets are willing to double-up on coupons, and not all maintain such a policy continuously. The acceptance rate has gone down since the advent of “Extreme Couponers,” so check before you start clipping. This practice is usually limited to specific days and allows you to double the face value of a coupon, up to a certain amount.

5. Don’t Overbuy Bulk

It may be tempting to buy the super-sized box of Cheerios, but you have to consider whether you’ll actually eat all those little oat donuts before they turn into rocks. Buy just enough to last until the next sale.

6. Limit Produce Purchases

Americans throw away roughly one quarter of the food we buy. For a family of four, that figures out to $2,200 a year in food, according to “American Wasteland” author Jonathan Bloom. Rather than grab fruits and vegetables that look appealing, stick to your list and avoid spoilage. You’re also more likely to use produce if you don’t hide it away in your refrigerator’s bins. Keep it in plain site or make a list of contents that you stick on the fridge drawer as a reminder.

7. Avoid Temptation

King Soopers (owned by Krogers) has launched new “Marketplace” stores in the west, with layouts similar to Whole Foods. Walk in the door and you’re immediately assaulted by the smell of stunning flower arrangements, fresh deli items, and beautifully arranged produce. It’s tempting to fill your cart in this section, so be on your guard. Also beware of the non-food items for sale, including everything from furniture to high-end jewelry.

8. Don’t Use a Cart

Ditch the carry-all cart and carry a basket for quick trips. The less room you have to fill, the less likely you are to make impulse purchases.

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc., and has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. She is available for in-studio, satellite or skype interviews and to write guest posts or articles.

With the start of 2012, Nemours’ KidsHealth.org looks ahead with its annual list of “Kids’ Health Issues to Watch.” As they do each year, the physicians and editors at KidsHealth sifted through health issues affecting children and families to choose a few important trends to keep tabs on in 2012. Of course, these are not the only important issues affecting children’s health — far from it — but the physicians and editors at KidsHealth feel that in the midst of many, these are notable:

Kids’ Health Issues to Watch in 2012:

The Risks of Postponing or Avoiding Vaccinations: When it comes to immunizing their kids, increasing numbers of parents aren’t just consulting their pediatricians for advice — they’re also paying heed to rumors and advice spread online. Even when the science or sources behind anti-immunization stances are proved unreliable or even completely discredited, it can be difficult for some parents to accept that vaccines are safe. As a result, health officials are seeing alarming rises in preventable diseases, mostly among people who are not immunized.

Helping Teens Take Charge of Their Health Care: Preparing kids for independence and adulthood brings many challenges for parents. Among them is helping teens start managing their own health care. But it’s important to guide teens toward taking on this responsibility. After all, parents won’t always be around to manage their children’s health care — and in most cases, once their kids become adults, legally they won’t be allowed to.

The Rise of Eating Issues and Disorders: Seeing the rail-thin models who strut down catwalks at fashion shows, you might think that eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia mostly affect women whose livelihoods are based on being thin. But more and more, these problems are affecting people from all walks of life — and, unfortunately, many of them are kids. Of the almost 24 million Americans who suffer from an eating disorder, 95% are between 12 and 25 years old — and many of them are male.

Prenatal Surgery: Helping Babies Before Birth: Operating on a baby before birth may seem like science fiction, but prenatal surgery is becoming more and more common in special pediatric programs throughout the United States. Since prenatal surgery was first pioneered in the 1980s, it’s become an important way to correct certain birth defects that could be severe (and in some cases fatal) if babies were born with them unrepaired.

Mobile Health Apps: Choosing Wisely: Many parents no longer just call their pediatrician for help and advice. Many also look for health information online. And, more and more, their sleuthing is done via smartphones and tablets, which has given rise to health-specific apps. It’s important for parents to take note of where this portable health information is coming from. Just as you would vet a website to make sure it’s run by reputable health experts, make sure your apps are credible, accurate, and up to date.

KidsHealth.org is the #1 site devoted to children’s health and development in English and Spanish. KidsHealth comes from Nemours, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit pediatric health systems and a founding member of the Partnership for a Healthier America, a partner to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign that mobilizes the nation to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation. For more information about KidsHealth, please visit KidsHealth.org and www.Nemours.org.

I was asked recently to be an expert for an HLN story involving an 8 year old boy in Ohio. This boy is morbidly obese tipping the scales at 218 pounds. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) took the boy into foster care after they felt the mother was unable to follow through with appropriate measures prescribed for the boy to lose weight.

The mother’s defense was that she was going to school in addition to working as an elementary teacher. She felt that she could not monitor the child at all times. Apparently family members and friends were sneaking food to the boy. DCFS reported that they had worked with mom for a year and saw no improvement.

The Ohio State Health Department estimates that more than 12 percent of third graders statewide (Ohio) are severely obese. That could mean as many as 1,380 kids in Cuyahoga County alone. This story is the first time anyone could recall a child being taken from a parent strictly due to weight-related issues.

To consider the idea that the state can handle this issue by removing an obese child from the home and placing him in foster care is not only absurd but dangerous to the development of children. Most likely there will not be enough foster homes and even if there were, will the parents in those homes be able to handle the issues an obese child struggles with? According to recent polls, one out of every three children is morbidly obese. This is not a child crisis; instead, this is a family crisis. In this situation, the child suffered from sleep apnea, which meant he was hooked up to a machine at night which monitors and assists his breathing. Many obese children suffer asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, anxiety, and depression.

Obesity certainly has genetic components but to simply throw your hands in the air with complete surrender to fate is not being a responsible parent. Taking a child away from the family he knows and loves borders on cruelty. Removal of a child from his/her home should only be done as a last resort to protect that child from imminent harm (the child in this case had no other medical conditions except for sleep apnea). Many times removing a child from their home is experienced so intensely by the child that they would resort to food even more as the only thing they could control. Depression, anxiety, and a heightened loss of self-esteem may be the result.

What are we telling a child if we allow them to be taken from us, because we were not able to change our lives enough to help him? I make it clear to all of the parents I work with that if you have a morbidly obese child it takes a family to support them with a healthy lifestyle. There can be no enablers and “good guys” or “bad guys” with offering the child unhealthy foods or a lifestyle conducive to obesity. Read More

The allure of traveling abroad to study and experience other cultures continues to grow for teens across the country. U.S. student participation in study abroad programs has more than doubled over the last decade, according to the Institute of International Education.

While traveling abroad is an exciting opportunity for students, parents often have concerns over safety.

“As travel safety experts with nearly 50 years of experience, we work diligently to ensure the safety of every student and leader in every program,” said Mike Bowers, Senior Health and Safety Director for People to People Ambassador Programs. “We understand the concerns and we are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable educational experience for all program participants.”

Bowers has reviewed years of travel data to understand the most common safety issues as a leader in travel safety. Learn more at www.peopletopeople.com/safety.

Pack Common Sense

• Ask yourself – would I do this at home? If the answer is no, rethink your actions.

• Get some rest. You can have a good time without staying out too late – the more rested you are, the more likely you are to be aware of and safe in your surroundings.

• Always travel with a buddy – traveling alone can make you a mark for thieves.

Scope Out Your Surroundings

• Be knowledgeable about your destination. Visit Centers for Disease Control travel websites and other online resources before you travel. Check out hotels and inns before you decide to stay there.

• Go ahead, travel like a native, but be cautious when using public transportation. Crowds make it easier for pick-pocketers. Always keep your money and identification on your person in multiple locations.

• If you see the same person three times in different locations it could mean you are being targeted, and you should find a safer place. Read More

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, circulatory system, and appearance.  Women have both male and female hormones, but women who have PCOS have higher levels of male hormones and experience irregular or absent menstrual cycles and small cysts on their ovaries.  It is estimated that 5-10% of women who are of childbearing age have PCOS.

Women with PCOS who become pregnant may experience more health problems than the general population including:

• High blood sugar levels which can lead to diabetes

• Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure

• Miscarriage

• Premature delivery

• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure, protein traces in the urine)

• Macrosomia (a newborn with an excessive birth weight)

All of these serious problems are yet more evidence that it is extremely important to address PCOS and make the lifestyle changes necessary to reverse it and the underlying cause of insulin resistance.  This is vital to prevent the health issues that can compromise long-term wellness for both mother and child during and after pregnancy.

Insulin resistance reduces the insulin sensitivity of your cell walls.  Glucose has to pass through the cells walls to be converted to energy.  Insulin assists this process.  When the cells walls have become de-sensitized to insulin by insulin resistance, the process can break down.  Glucose cannot get into the cell, and remains in the blood stream, causing elevated blood sugar levels.  This process can lead to weight gain and obesity, key factors in creating PCOS.

Metformin (Glucophage) is a drug often prescribed for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant, and in the early stages of pregnancy.  Metformin improves the cell’s response to insulin, and helps move glucose into the cell.  As a result, the body will not be required to make as much insulin, and helps to balance the hormones in PCOS.  Weight loss through exercise and changes in diet and lifestyle can also be effective in treatment for PCOS and pregnancy.  Women should seek out the specialist who can provide nutritional and exercise guidelines to enhance their weight loss success.  This is critical for the health of the women and her baby.

Dr. Jane Frederick, Reproductive Endocrinologist at HRC Fertility in Southern California. For more information, visit  http://www.havingbabies.com/.

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that is found for the first time when a woman is pregnant. If you had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant, you and your child from that pregnancy have a lifelong risk for developing diabetes, a serious disease that can lead to health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. The good news is there are steps you can take to prevent or delay diabetes and lower that risk for yourself and your child.

Women with a history of gestational diabetes can lower their chances for developing diabetes by taking steps to reach and maintain a healthy weight, making healthy food choices, and being active. Keeping a healthy lifestyle as a family is good for everyone.

Keep up healthy habits – even after the baby is born.

Many women who have gestational diabetes see a dietitian or a diabetes educator to guide them in developing healthy habits during pregnancy. But what many women don’t realize is that it’s just as important to keep up with those healthy habits even after the baby is born.

If you are a woman who had gestational diabetes, it is important to get tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born, and at least every three years after that.

It is also important to reach and maintain a healthy weight by making healthy food choices, such as following an eating plan lower in fat and calories and high in fiber, and being active for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Even if women do not reach their “goal” weight, research shows that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce risk.

Busy? Build physical activity into your day one step at a time.

Physical activity is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight and preventing type 2 diabetes. Set a goal to be active at least 30 minutes, 5 days per week. If you have not been active, start slowly, building up to your goal. Take small steps to include physical activity in your day-to-day routine.

Busy moms can use these tips to get started:

• Park your car farther away from the store, movie theater, your office, etc.

• Get your friends and family involved. Set a regular walking date, such as after dinner. Or do something that all ages can enjoy – shoot hoops, take a bike ride, or just dance around the house.

• Take a walk during your lunch break or push the baby’s stroller around the mall.

• Don’t just watch the kids at the playground … play with them.

• Deliver a message to a co-worker in person instead of by e-mail, and take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Exhausted from a busy day and just want to plop on the couch in front of the TV? Use the commercial breaks to stretch, take a quick walk around your home, do some sit-ups, or march in place.

Get Tested!

Women who develop gestational diabetes have high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels during pregnancy. Immediately after pregnancy, 5 to 10 percent of women with gestational diabetes are found to have diabetes, usually type 2. All women with gestational diabetes should be tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after their baby is born. In many cases, their blood glucose levels show they are no longer considered to have diabetes at this time. Read More