rochester baby guide - summer 2012

4 www.GVParent.com

Rochester Baby Guide Spring/Summer 2012 5

ContentsRochester

Guide • Spring/Summer 2012 Edition *Babyeditor’s note

education & development30 > Raising Bookworms – The

Benefits of Reading Aloud toBabies

32 > Setting the Stage forSuccess – How EarlyRelationships Affect ChildDevelopment

34 > How Early Experiences AffectBrain Development

baby bits

motherhood38 > Myth Busters – Busting Popular

Myths of New Motherhood

40 > After Arrival – How to Makethe Most of Your MaternityLeave

communityresources42 > 292-Baby – A Resource for

Parents & Families

44 > Community Resources

6 > An Introduction from our Editor

8 > Hot New Products forMom & Baby

preparing10 > Prepping Fido – Preparing

Your Dog for the Arrival of Baby

12 > Go Green, Baby! – How to Host an Eco-FriendlyBaby Shower

14 > Nesting – DelightfullyStylish Trends for Your Nursery

health & well-being16 > Homemade Goodness – The

Joy of Homemade Baby Food

19 > A Mother’s Precious Gift – TheBenefits of Breastfeeding

22 > Fit Pregnancy – Exercise andFitness for Moms-To-Be

24 > Healthy Hearts – Babies atRochester’s Strong Hospital GetNew Screening for HeartDisease

30

10

16fatherhood27 > Dad Time – Helping First-Time

Fathers Adjust Postpartum

ON THE COVER

prepping fido 10nesting - stylish nursery trends 14

homemade baby food 16benefits of breastfeeding 19

have a fit pregnancy 22dad time - tips for first-time fathers 27make the most of maternity leave 40

community resources - services & groups 44

6 www.GVParent.com

editor’s note // By Jillian Melnyk

PUBLISHERBarbara Melnyk - [email protected]

EDITOR Jillian Melnyk - [email protected]

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESCynthia Goldberg, Natalee Kiesling

MAGAZINE LAYOUT & DESIGNJillian Melnyk

ADVERTISING DESIGNMatt Peltier, [email protected]

Community EditorNatalee Kiesling - [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMarianne Benjamin, John Boccocino,

Jim Coffey, Julia Garstecki, Christina Melnyk Hines, Dr. Ruth Lawerence,

Dr. Jeanne Loysen, Kerrie McLoughlin, Sinea Pies, Linda Kastiel Kozlowski,

Linda Sullivan, Denise Yearian

Copyright 2012, by GVP, Inc. All rightsreserved. Reproduction without permission isstrictly prohibited. Distribution of this magazinedoes not necessarily constitute an endorse-ment or necessarily reflect the opinions of thispublication.

Baby Guide Staff

Rochester Baby GuideGenesee Valley Parent Magazine

266 Alexander StreetRochester, NY 14607

(p) 585.287-5330 | (f) 585.287-5344www.gvparent.com

MEMBER OF PARENTING MEDIA ASSOCIATION

Welcome to the 11th edition of our

annual Baby Guide produced by

Rochester Area & Genesee Valley

Parent Magazine, Rochester's best resource for parents and families. We

know that whether you are expecting your first child and new to the parenting

game, or are well-versed in the ways of child-rearing, raising a family can be an

exciting (yet stressful) time. In this edition, we bring you some great advice, con-

nections, and local resources that will help you along that journey and help you

raise a happy and wholesome family.

We are especially pleased to produce this guide with support from 292-BABY, a

community collaborative administered by Monroe Community College.

Through this collaborative, we are able to bring you interesting, entertaining,

and enlightening articles by some of the best local experts in their field on

various topics of infant and child development. Our special thanks to

them for coordinating some of the articles featured in this magazine.

We are incredibly proud to share with you our joy that last year's Baby Guide

received two awards — Finalist in Overall Writing and Winner in Overall Design —

from the Parenting Media Association.

As your child grows, be sure to pick up copies of Rochester Area & Genesee

Valley Parent Magazine, our free, monthly family magazine which is available at

more than 400 area locations including select Wegmans grocery stores! Be sure

to visit us online at www.GVParent.com and our special section for new parents

at www.RochesterBabyGuide.com.

Happy Parenting!

But wait! We are expecting, again! Starting this year, our

Baby Guide will be produced twice a year to bring you even more informa-

tion and resources as you care for your new infant. Look for the next edition

in Fall 2012.

Oh, baby!

8 www.GVParent.com

*

You work hard to keep all ofyour baby's spaces squeakyclean, but it can easy for thestroller to get overlooked. Nomore! The BuggyLOVEOrganic Stroller Cleaning Kit(which includes a fabriccleaner, a surface cleanser,an all-over refresher and evena wheel de-squeaker) makesit easy to keep your buggyspotless. All products are eco-friendly and smell great soyou can feel confident you'regiving your baby the best. TO BUY: buggylove.com,$49.99. Also available locallyat Buy Buy Baby.

This adorable bunny ear ring made by älskarbaby is part toy, part teether, part sensory stim-ulation – babies will love the squishy softness of

plush mixed with natural wood for chewingwhen the mood to teethe strikes. Made with

organic cotton velour, natural wood, and hid-den lead-free snaps (for easy removal and

washing!). TO BUY: www.Alskarbaby.etsy.com,$10, available in a variety of colors.clean buggy

made insyracuse

bunny ears

Baby can take a bite out of the BigApple with this wooden teether fromLittle Sapling Toys. Handcrafted withHard Rock Maple (a non-splinteringwood), each teether is anti-bacterial,non-allergenic, non-toxic, and sandedsmooth with no exterior finish. TO BUY:www.littlesaplingtoys.etsy.com, $12.

empire state of mind

baby appPlaying the name game has never been so much

fun! This iPhone app based on the best-selling book,The Complete Book of Baby Names, features morethan 100,000 baby names in 275 creative, themed

lists to get your search started. Find baby namesinspired by songs, overachiever names, sports

names, names for Austen fans, and much more! Plusorigins, alternate spellings and rich definitions will help

you select the perfect name for your bundle-to-be.TO BUY: Baby Names 2012 for iPhone, .99 cents.

baby bits


According to the Social Security Administration's most recentstatistics, here are current most popular baby names:

Letterpress isn't just reserved for weddinginvites – welcome baby with these letter-

press cards designed by Tracy PeaIllustration and printed locally by PistachioPress. Not only are they super cool, they'realso eco-friendly: printed on 100% cotton

paper with hand-mixed inks. TO BUY:www.pistachiopress.etsy.com, $4 each,available in blue, pink and yellow. Alsoavailable locally at Anderson Alley, 250

North Goodman Street in Rochester.

Setting a foundation for good health is important, and that means feeding yourbaby right. In Super Nutrition for Babies, two nutrition experts share their tips and(sometimes controversial!) secrets to raising happy, healthy babies. Packed withinformation like feeding fundamentals, nutritional information, holistic practices,eating patterns, and more, this book is a definite must-have for every new parent.TO BUY: Super Nutrition for Babies, by Katherine Elrich, M.D. and Kelly Genzlinger,C.N.C., C.M.T.A., Fair Winds Press, March 2012, $16.99.

The transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding can bedifficult for both parent and child. The uniquely designedComotomo baby bottles, with naturally shaped, soft, sili-cone, make the transition much easier. The skin-like,squeezable body replicates feelings of natural breastfeed-ing and slow-flow nipples encourage natural drinking. Plus,the bottles are PBA-free and the silicone doesn't scratchwhich means it doesn't harbor bacteria. TO BUY: www.amazon.com, available in pink and green,150ml $15.99 & 250ml $16.99.

smooth transition

made inrochester

welcome, baby!

yummy read

GirlsIsabellaSophiaEmmaOliviaAva

EmilyAbigail

MadisonMia

Chloe

BoysJacobMasonWilliamJaydenNoah

MichaelEthan

AlexanderAidenDaniel

Our prediction for the next hot names? Classics like Lillian,Rose, Joseph, Benjamin, and Patrick and a resurgence inold-style names like Everett, Silas, Ruben, Lucille, Violet, andVictoria. Plus we predict an appearance of musically-inspired names like Marcus (Mumford & Sons), Florence(Florence & the Machine), Adele, and Blake (Blake Shelton).

name game

"We tend to underestimate howstress and change can affect adog's behavior," says SueZanneThibodeau, a certified humaneeducation specialist and ownerof Sympawtico Dog Training.Thibodeau also facilitates theDogs & Storks parent-educa-tion program at ShawneeMission Medical Center inKansas, teaching expectantparents how to help the familydog with the transition.

Manners are a must. Teach your dog appropriatebehaviors including basiccommands like sit, down, stay,come, drop it and leave it."Make it fun. No prong col-lars, choke collars or shockcollars. Instead use treats andtoys to help motivate thedog," says KristynSavage, a certified dogtrainer and co-owner of Beyondthe Dog in KansasCity, MO. "Beforethe baby arrives, sitin the chair thatyou will be nursingor feeding in andhave the dog do the

obedience in those areas." Keep treats near the

changing table and nursing sta-tion to create an associationbetween pleasant experiences

and baby.

When Ali Foulk, wasexpecting her son Hans sheworried about her GermanShepherd Blondie's fearfulbehavior. Following Savage'sadvice, Foulk turned whatcould have been a dicey situa-tion into a positive one.

"My son is now 2-years-oldand loves our dog," says Foulk."Blondie is extraordinarily gen-tle with him. He can give her asit or down command, give hertreats and throw balls. Playingtogether entertains both ofthem and fosters confidenceand language development inmy son."

Prepare for thecommotion. Toys dropping onhard floors, swingsmoving and baby cry-

ing, may alarm a dog,especially one sensitive

to sounds. Purchase a CDor download a soundtrack

of a baby crying fromiTunes or Google. Play the

sounds at a low volume foryour dog while offering treats.Over time increase the vol-ume of the cries.

Establish boundaries. Manage your dog's accessto your baby and heraccouterments, like the dia-

per can and toys, withbaby gates and closed

doors. ChristinaThomas started

preparing her two

mixed-breed rescue dogs for thearrival of her baby, Makayla,long before her daughter'sbirth. She trained her dogs togo to a "safe" space, like theirdog beds, when they want to beleft alone.

"They aren't allowed to beprotective of their space, butthey know it is a safe area andthat we will always make surethey can rest peacefully there,"Thomas says. "The dogs nowtrust that they won't be hurt byour daughter so both are veryaccepting of her."

Welcome home! Before coming home from thehospital, send your husband ora relative home with a blanketthat smells like your baby.Introduce the new scent to

10

preparing // By Christina Melnyk Hines

R oughly two-thirds of American families own at

least one dog. Add a baby to the mix and

oftentimes the family dog drops quickly on the

priority list or is removed from the household altogether.

Before your baby arrives, prepare your dog for the changes

ahead and enjoy the rewards of raising your children

alongside your furry companion.

www.GVParent.com

Prepping Fidopreparing your dog for

the arrival of a new baby

— Kristyn Savage, certified dog trainer andco-owner of Beyond the

Dog in Kansas City, MO

Make it fun. Noprong collars,

choke collars orshock collars.

Instead use treats andtoys to help motivate

the dog. Sit in thechair that you will benursing or feeding in

and have the dog dothe obedience in

those areas."

“


your dog with treats and praise.Before you arrive home, have a friendor relative crate your dog or put herin a safe room.

"You don't have to introduceyour dog to your baby on the dayyou come home from the hospital. Infact, for most people that's a reallybad idea," Thibodeau says. Withhormones soaring, you may feel anx-ious or stressed when first cominghome with your baby. Dogs cansense your stress, which raises theirstress levels. When you feel calm,have your husband control your dogon a leash, and hold your baby whileseated. Since a dog learns about theworld through smell, allow her tosniff the diaper area and your baby'sfeet (cover your baby's feet withbooties or socks). Avoid the baby'shead, face and fingers.

Watch for subtle body language,including tongue flicking and look-ing or turning away – early signsthat your dog feels uncomfortableand wants to disengage.Immediately consult with a certifieddog trainer experienced in behav-ioral modification if your dogexhibits any aggressive behavior.Never leave your dog alone withyour child. Even a well-trained dogcould bite a child who is climbing onit or pulling on its tail or ears.

Life presents few dull moments for ChristaMelnyk Hines, a freelance writer, and her hus-band who are blessed with two freewheeling lit-tle boys and a pair of playful dogs.

InvitationsInstead of mailing printedinvitations, send e-vites to yourguests. You can use a site likewww.evite.com or send invitesthrough a social network sitelike Facebook. The great-grandmothers and great-auntsare probably not cyber-babes.

Be thoughtful of their needsand print a copy of the invita-tion to mail to them. Everyoneelse gets theirs by email.

Green GiftsGifting greenly is a great wayto be eco-friendly.

Today's young parents are more environmentally

savvy than ever before. "Green" baby showers are

growing in popularity, and the best part is that

they're fun, too. So, what does an eco-friendly baby shower

look like? Much like the old-fashioned kind, just with a few

variations. Here are some great ideas that will satisfy the

traditionalists and save the environment at the same time!

CLOTH DIAPERS – Many of today's parents are opting for cloth versusdisposable diapers. Cloth diapers are no longer disgusting and leaky –they are cushy, easy to use and colorful. Infants and toddlers lookabsolutely adorable in them! Though the outlay of cash in the beginningmay seem pricey, over the course of a year or two purchasing cloth dia-pers will actually save money (up to $100 per month). In addition, clothdiapers contain no chemicals so they are safer and more comfortable forbaby. Since they can be used again and again, they are also the environ-mentally responsible choice. Make it easy on your guests. You can regis-ter ahead of time at local stores like Luvaboos that carry cloth diapers.Your guests then can either purchase the actual diapers or gift cards.

BOOKS – New parents love tohave their child's library filledwith good books. Tell yourguests to skip traditional greet-ing cards and bring a favoritechildren's book instead. Insidethe cover, the giver can inscribea nice greeting to baby that willmake it a keepsake forever.

SECONDHAND CLOTHES –You have to know your soon-to-be parents before suggestingthis, but many young parentsare very practical. Babies growso quickly that some outfits areworn only a few times… andsome never worn at all!Especially for those babies whomake their début "super-sized,"newborn clothes truly are neverused. So, for the right kind ofparents who are "green" atheart, a Secondhand ClothesShower could be a treasure. Ifthe outfits have a memorablehistory, perhaps the gift-givercould include a sweet memosharing that special moment.

COUPONS FOR BABYSITTING –Not every gift has to be kindthat you wrap. A night out onthe town for mom and dad willbe a welcome gift, especially afew month's after baby's arrival.Create a cute coupon, or evencoupon book, with you listed asthe babysitter. Want to do it upbig? Include a gift card to themovies or their favorite restau-rant, making the evening outtotally free.

www.GVParent.com12

Go Green, Baby!how to host an

eco-friendly baby shower

TIP: Encourageguests to skip

traditional wrapping paper!

Small gifts for mom-to-be can be wrapped in

onesies or baby shirtsand larger gifts can be

wrapped in towels, babyblankets, or fabric that a

new mom can use foran upcoming project

she's planning.

preparing // By Sinea Pies


DecorationsUse real plates, cups and silverware along with cloth tableclothsand napkins. Sure, it's more work but the tables will look beauti-ful and it's all reusable. For more décor ideas, Grow in Style(www.growinstyle.com) sells a variety of green products forbabies and baby showers, including some eco-friendly diapercakes. When going green, you don't have to miss a thing!

GamesEnjoy all of the baby shower games you love to play. Selectprizes that are eco-friendly such as floral arrangements in areusable glass mason jar, decked with a pretty bow. You can pickflowers right from your garden. No garden? Fill the jar withhomemade preserves, layers of nuts and dried fruit or even dryingredients for a baking something yummy like cookies orbrownies (with the directions included).

Sinea Pies is a Rochester area freelance writer and regular contributor to GeneseeValley Parent Magazine. Visit her online at Ducks 'n a Row www.ducksnarow.com

14 www.GVParent.com

preparing // By Jillian Melnyk

Nestingdelightfully stylish trends

for your nursery

Gender-Neutral Hues //Ditch the standard pink and blue.

Try gender-neutral tones like green,gray, tan, lavender or lemon.

Books as Wall Display // Don't hide your books byshoving them away in drawers or cupboards. Let them be seen!Picturebooks are visual and their covers are delightful. Arrangepicturebooks on a shelves facing outwards so they're easy tograb whenever the urge to read strikes.

FEATURED HERELarge Chevron Book Sling, $30, Blue House Joys, bluehousejoys.etsy.com


Letters & Numbers // The alphabet never goes out of style.Buy individual letters for initials, spell out a name or numbers for a birth-day, or go bold and get a complete set for a full alphabet. A crafty mamma can also make a weekend DIY project out of it bydecorating wooden letters available at craft stores. Decorating letters,or asking for them as a gift, can be a great baby shower idea, too.

FEATURED HERE Katie Raadt of Refresh Design Studio (www.refreshdesignstudio.com) created this alphabet letter art for hernursery by using letters purchased at a craft store and decorating themwith paint, fabric and paper. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAPER LEMON PHOTOGRAPHY.

Bright Patterns //Geometric prints, feathers, arrows, and

tribal-inspired patterns are all the rage right now.A little chevron goes a long way in spicing up a

nursery. Add a hint of geometric pizzazz with abright rug, pillow, crib blanket, or curtains.

Colorful Ceramics //While they aren't designed to

be "play-friendly," colorfulceramic pieces are extremely

visually pleasing and eye-catching when displayed on a

shelf. Liven up a nursery withbright-colored ceramic animals

like owls or elephants.

FEATURED HEREVintage ceramic elephant

bud vases, $20 each, ModClay, modclay.etsy.com

FEATURED HEREMountain Print Cotton Fabric, $9 per quarter

yard, Katherine Codega Illustrations &Textiles, KatherineCodega.etsy.com

The ProsAs I spent the next 8 monthsmaking his food, I discovered ahost of advantages that far out-weighed the extra work. JudyDodd, a Nutrition EducationConsultant with the Universityof Pittsburgh, says the mainadvantage is clearly peace ofmind. "You are able to usefood and ingredients you cantrust, with minimal processingfor better nutrient value," notesDodd. "It's also a good way tointroduce foods not found inthe usual baby food choices,but still appropriate." Once achild is ready for moreadvanced meals, you're able touse the same foods you arefeeding the rest of the family,saving time and money. Doddalso points out, "you can pre-pare any amount, and not belimited to opening a standardsize serving, determined by ababy food company."

Lisa Simone Sharda, a clin-ical pediatric dietitian atChildren's Memorial Hospitalin Chicago, IL, notes thathomemade food provides morefiber, has no preservatives, andin general has a higher nutrient

composition than jarred food,since there is less processinginvolved.

Heidi DeCosmo, a SousChef for the Miraval Life inBalance Resort in Arizona,offers an expert opinion ontaste. "I would not feed mybaby anything that I wouldn'teat," says DeCosmo. "I don'tknow if you have tasted jarredbaby foods, but they don't tastegood!"

There's also an emotionalcomponent to food that is hardto deny. Preparing a meal foryour little one can be a fulfill-ing experience for even thebusiest mom. It's also a won-derful, healty example to setfor older siblings who have dis-covered sugar-coated breakfastcereals, as they see you make afuss over a perfectly blendedyam.

The ConsThe obvious drawback is time.Clearly, it is faster to grab a fewjars while you're at the store."The main risks involved inmaking your own baby food arefood safety issues, like makingsure you wash your hands and

the fruits and vegetables thor-oughly," says Cathie Squatrito,the Director of MedicalMarketing for Gerber Products."Make sure that meats andpoultry are fully cooked beforepureeing or cutting them intosmall pieces, and that the tex-ture you use is appropriate foryour child's age."

What's Best For You?The best advice may be to tryout some homemade food and

have the store-bought kind onhand when it's simply moreconvenient. Squatrito stressesthat the important thing is tointroduce children to a widevariety of healthy foods duringthe first two years. "Researchhas shown that a child's foodpreferences do not change sig-nificantly between the ages oftwo to three years and ageeight, making it very importantthat children be introduced toa wide variety of healthy foods

16 www.GVParent.com

health & well-being // By Linda Kastiel Kozlowski

When my son was four months old he was

diagnosed with a serious milk-protein allergy.

I was faced with a decision – do I make his

baby food or buy prepared food from the store? In order to

ensure that not a drop of milk made it to his tummy, the

answer for me was to make all his food. For you, the answer

may be the same, but for different reasons.

Homemade Goodnessthe joy of making

homemade baby food


Steps to Making Baby Food

GET THE STUFF. Fancy equipment is notrequired. Just gather a steamer, blender and someice cube trays. You'll also need the freshest, bestlooking fruits and vegetables you can find.

ADD COMMON SENSE. "The most crucialstep is to make sure your hands, utensils, and storagecontainers are properly cleaned. Wash them in hotsoapy water and rinse well," suggests Sharda. "Washthe fruits and vegetables thoroughly and discardanything that looks questionable." It is always betterto use fresh foods, with the skin, pits, seeds, andpeels removed. Some ripe fruits can be served rawonce they are peeled and mashed. If you are goingto use canned foods, "be sure to wash the lid of thecan in hot soapy water, and rinse thoroughly as cansmay collect contaminants during shipping and stor-age," advises Sharda. Also, be sure to follow yourdoctor's recommendations on which foods to intro-duce first and at what age.

STEAM, SPIN, SERVE, & STORE. Steam thefruits or vegetables (to reduce vitamin loss) to thedesired softness. Then "spin" them in the blender tothe target consistency. Sharda suggests adding twotablespoons of water (or cooking liquid) to each halfcup of vegetables or fruit. She also recommendsthat you never add salt, pepper, butter, or other sea-sonings. "Babies enjoy the natural flavor of foods,"she says. For meats, trim them thoroughly, cook untiltender and blend with a touch of water to thedesired consistency.

Put enough of the fresh baby food in the refrig-erator to serve as meals for one to two days, andimmediately store the rest in the freezer. A great stor-age technique is to fill ice cube trays with the puree.Once they're frozen, just pop them out into freezerbags for long-term storage (not more than a monthto avoid a loss in nutritional value.) Be sure to notethe contents and date made on each bag. Asneeded, you can quickly prepare a meal by defrost-ing a cube or two.

when they are under the ageof two," says Squatrito.Combining store-bought withhomemade would offer atremendous variety to your lit-tle one.

There's an incredibly smallwindow in which we can carefor our children in this way.Soon enough the world willpush cheeseburgers and foodthat is unnaturally blue ontothem at every occasion. The

foundation of a house canonly be poured once, but ifyou do it right, once isenough. And so it is withnutrition. As parents we canonly lay the foundation, keepthe sides from falling in as thehouse ages, and then hope itcan withstand whatever lifehas to offer. Linda Kastiel Kozlowski is a free-lance writer from Glen Ellyn, Illinois.She's the mother of two boys whoamazingly love to help her cook.

18 www.GVParent.com

How BreastfeedingBenefits BabiesAdvantages to the infantinclude bonding between moth-er and baby through the physio-logic manner in which the babynurses at the breast, which isquite different from sucking ona bottle. The infant has beensucking in-utero from about 14to 16 weeks gestation andknows the proper action of thetongue and the swallowingmechanism very well. Otheradvantages for the infantinclude the fact that it is perfectnutrition for growth and devel-opment and specifically forideal brain growth.

Exclusively breast-fedinfants have been shown toscore better on intelligence testsand developmental tests. Inaddition to nutrition, breast-feeding provides protectionagainst infection. Breast-fedinfants have a low incidence ofotitis media, pneumonia, diar-rhea and other infections. Theimmunologic protective compo-nents in human milk provideongoing protection until thebaby is weaned and beyond –no matter how old the infant is

at the time of weaning. Humanmilk contains many protectiveproperties including the appar-ent reduced incidence of child-hood onset cancer, diabetes andCrohn's Disease. Don’t underes-timate the short-term and long-term breastfeeding benefits formothers as well.

Be Patient with Yourself Many mothers worry that theywon't know how to breastfeed.Breastfeeding is not a reflex forthe mother but a learned proce-dure, but the baby (who is bornto breastfeed) knows exactlywhat to do. Read about breast-feeding before delivery to gainfamiliarly on the subject likeThe Nursing Mother's Companionby Kathleen Huggins.

Women should also consid-er attending local breastfeedinggroup meetings before delivery.La Leche League Internationalhas local groups all over theworld. Four groups meet in theRochester area – North,Southeast, South and West –call Lifeline at 275-5151 tolocate your nearest group.Breastfeeding mothers, moth-ers-to-be and babies are wel-

come to attend. Your obstetri-cian's office can also providebreastfeeding information andyour hospital of delivery usuallyhas a session on breastfeedingin their preparation for childbirth series.

Some mothers worry aboutbreastfeeding because they needto go back to work. This doesnot mean you can't breastfeed.Any time spent breastfeeding(one week, two, three, or a fewmonths) is a very good invest-ment in the infant's well-being.There is plenty of help forworking mothers. In some cir-cumstances, women can returnto work and arrange to feed

health & well-being // By Dr. Ruth Lawrence

A Mother’s Precious Giftthe benefits

of breastfeeding

continued >>>


Many women think about how they will feed their baby

long before they become pregnant. It's important for

every woman to have the opportunity to make an

informed decision and know all the facts. Much research and

experience has been collected recently about the tremendous value

of breastfeeding for both the mother and infant. While these thoughts

are not new, the new documentation has become very substantial.

Babies are bornto breastfeed.Following this initial

experience at the timeof delivery, mothersshould be ready to

breastfeed the infantwhenever the infant

demonstrates interestin feeding.

20 www.GVParent.com

their baby at daycare whilethey work, or pump at workand save the milk for the babythe next day.

Focus on the First Few DaysThe first few days of breast-feeding in the hospital are veryimportant. The first opportuni-ty to breastfeed is right afterbirth. The World HealthOrganization and UNICEF"Baby Friendly" guidelines sug-gest that every mother have the

opportunity to put her baby tobreast within the first hour fol-lowing delivery. The baby isready and eager and it is theperfect opportunity to interactwith the infant for the firsttime. The bedside nurses in thebirth center or the deliveryroom will help mother positionherself and the baby so thefeeding will go smoothly.Actually, babies placed onmother's abdomen and left totheir own resources will findtheir way to the breast and

latch on if not interfered with.Babies are born to breast-

feed. Following this initialexperience at the time of deliv-ery, mothers should be ready tobreastfeed the infant wheneverthe infant demonstrates interestin feeding. Interest in feeding ismanifested by the baby bring-ing his own hands to his mouthor getting more active androoting around. Crying is a latesign of hunger. Babies latch onand feed much more effectivelyif they are fed before they getfrantic. While in the hospital,ask for help. It should not hurtto breastfeed. If it does hurt,it's because the baby has notlatched on correctly so ask forhelp in getting the baby adjust-ed comfortably.

When discharged from thehospital, plans for follow-upshould be made with the pedia-trician and the lactation sup-port person in the pediatri-cian's office. They will want tosee the baby within a few daysand see how things are going.

Knowing How Much is EnoughSome mothers are uncomfort-able not knowing exactly how

much milk the baby receivedwhen breastfeeding. The wayto tell how much the babyreceives is listening for theswallowing sounds and seeing alittle milk drip from the breastduring a feeding. In addition,the baby's weight and outputshould be monitored. A well-fed, breastfed baby in the firstmonth of life should have atleast three seedy yellow stoolsper day. The baby also shouldwet at least six or seven diapersa day. With disposal diapers, itis often hard to be sure theyhave wet, although the weightof the diaper will change.

Breastfeeding is a wonderfulopportunity to provide a life-time of good health and themost precious gift a mothercan give her infant. If there isillness, it may be a life-savinggift, and, if there is poverty, itmay be the only gift.

Dr. Ruth Lawrence is the MedicalDirector of the Breastfeeding and HumanLactation Study Center and a Professor ofPediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology atGolisano's Children's Hospital at Strongin Rochester.

How Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers

Short-term Benefits• When one breastfeeds, the uterus responds and

contracts which contributes to a reduced loss ofblood and a more prompt return to the pre-preg-nancy state

• Women who breastfeed lose the additional weightthey gain during pregnancy more quickly

• Breastfeeding mothers are also at lower risk forpostpartum obesity than women who bottle feed

Long-range Benefits• Women who breastfeed have a decreased inci-

dence of osteoporosis, breast cancer, and ovariancancer

• Many women describe a tremendous feeling ofwell-being while they are breastfeeding

• Women with diabetes are often in much better con-trol of their disease during the period of lactation

P regnancy is an

exciting time for

expectant mothers

as they prepare to wel-

come the newest addi-

tions to their families, but

it is also be a time of

drastic changes. An

expectant mother's body,

along with her mood, is

constantly changing. In

addition to mood swings

and hormonal changes,

one of the biggest con-

stants during pregnancy is

weight gain.

As the baby continues

to grow, and as the

woman approaches her

third trimester, many

women can experience

feelings of low self-confi-

dence, says Erin

McCollough, the mother of

a four-year old daughter

and a massage therapist

and yoga instructor at the

Central New York Fertility

Center and the CNY

Healing Arts Wellness

Center and Spa, which

offers five prenatal yoga

classes a week.

However, just because womencan expect to gain weight dur-ing pregnancy, that doesn'tmean they have to sit back andaccept the added pounds.There are healthy, productivesteps that expectant motherscan take to both limit theirweight gain and feel good abouttheir ever-changing bodies.

McCollough says thatexercise can be an ideal way tocombat that weight gain andprepare mothers for the rigorsof child birth while also help-ing women regain their sense ofpride in their bodies. "The ben-efits of taking yoga classes canhelp expectant mothers dealwith their pregnancies," addsMcCollough. "Everything isheightened when you're preg-nant, your blood pressure,blood sugar levels and yourstress levels. There's a lot lessopportunity for circulation in

your body when pregnant, andwhen there's a lack of circula-tion in the body, bad symptomscan arise during the pregnancy.But the more you bring physi-cal movement into the preg-nancy, the better. The motherwill experience fewer legcramps, less back tension andless potential for other damag-ing symptoms. Pregnancy is avery physical process, so themore you can support that withmovement, the better, and thebetter the mom-to-be will feel."

The meditative state thatyoga induces in participantscan also serve as a helpful edu-cational tool as these womenprepare for the stresses oflabor. “Going through theintense labor process is a lotlike training for a marathon;women need to have staminaand endurance to make itthrough this trying activity,”

22 www.GVParent.com

health & well-being // By John Boccacino

Fit Pregnancyexercise and fitness

for moms-to-be

How much weightgain is too much?

Many women fear gain-ing too much weightduring pregnancy, butputting on the pounds isa normal, acceptableside effect of pregnan-cy. According to the lat-est available data fromthe National VitalStatistics Report and theCenters for DiseaseControl, the averageexpectant mother willgain between 15 and40 pounds during preg-nancy. The targetedweight gain to sufficient-ly provide for the new-born child varies basedon the woman's pre-pregnancy body massindex (BMI), but in a newset of guidelinesreleased by the Instituteof Medicine in 2009, theminimum and maxi-mum weight gains rec-ommended for mothersof single (non-twin)babies is between 11and 40 pounds, regard-less of the pre-pregnan-cy BMI.


says McCollough, who wentthrough her own series of pre-natal yoga classes before thebirth of her daughter, Amelia.

"One of the biggest ben-efits of maintaining regularexercise while pregnant is itcan help prepare the bodyand the mind for labor andhelp build up the stamina nec-essary to get through thatprocess," McCollough says.Yoga also helps increasestrength and flexibility. "Thebreathing techniques and thefocus required by yoga is verysimilar to the breathing tech-niques and focus requiredduring child birth. Yoga canimprove your ability to sleep,can reduce stress and, forpregnant women, becausethere's a constant reinforce-ment of the bond with thebaby, yoga helps them visual-ize what their baby looks like."

In addition to offering anassortment of prenatal yogaclasses, various YMCAbranches in and aroundRochester offer an assortment

of prenatal aqua fit exerciseclasses which provide somephysical exertion while allow-ing soon-to-be-mothers asocial setting to both exerciseand chat about their upcom-ing deliveries.

"A lot of pregnantwomen can continue withtheir regular exercise regimen,with some basic modificationsdepending on their fitnesslevel," says Laura Fasano, theYMCA's Director of ProgramDevelopment who stressed theimportance of expectantmothers listening to their bod-ies and immediately stoppingany activity that causes painor discomfort. "The biggestthing is to check with yourOBGYN to make sure yourworkout routine is safe andwill not harm you or yourbaby." She suggests startingslow with some light to mod-erate exercise. "Our prenatalaqua fit classes allow mothersto get a good amount of phys-ical activity while feeling goodabout themselves and the pos-

itive effects of physical activi-ty," adds Fasano. She sayssoon-to-be-mothers can alsotry easy level exercises likewalking, stretching and yoga –activities that they're comfort-able with.

No matter what the levelof exercise you choose, Fasanoand McCollough both agreethat when it comes to expec-tant mothers, finding the timeand energy to work out is pre-ferred to sitting back andavoiding exercise during preg-nancy. "Hopefully new moth-ers aren't intimidated to comeout and start exercising,because whether you lastworked out five days ago orfive years ago," says Fasano."It's never too late to startagain."

John Boccacino is a freelance writerand regular to contributor to GeneseeValley Parent Magazine living inWebster, NY. He reported on sportsand local news for more than 6 1/2years.. He is currently the Director ofSports Information for Keuka College.

— Erin McCollough, massage therapist and

yoga instructor at theCentral New York Fertility

Center and the CNYHealing Arts Wellness

Center and Spa

One of thebiggest benefits

of maintaining regular exercise

while pregnant isit can help pre-pare the body

“

and the mind for laborand help build up thestamina necessary to

get through that process.The breathing techniques

and the focus requiredby yoga is very similar to

the breathing techniquesand focus required dur-

ing child birth.

24 www.GVParent.com

health & well-being // By Marianne Benjamin

Healthy Heartsbabies at rochester’s strong hospital get new screening for heart disease

New parents often have many questions and anxieties and one of their biggest

worries is that their baby is in good health. Since the 1960s, hospitals across the

country have been offering newborn screenings for various conditions and dis-

eases so parents can find out if their babies need specialized care. The latest of these is

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) screening.

Strong Memorial Hospital ofthe University of RochesterMedical Center is the firsthospital in the region to offerthis new, non-invasive test tohelp determine if newbornsare at risk for certain poten-tially dangerous heart condi-tions.

The screening, done 24to 48 hours after birth, usesa light sensor to measure ababy's oxygen level which, insome cases, may serve as awarning for potentially fatalcongenital heart defects inbabies who otherwise appearhealthy. "While critical con-genital heart defects are rela-tively rare, CCHD screeningmay help detect issues thatrequire follow-up by special-ists," says MaureenFreedman, RN, MS, seniornurse manager for StrongMemorial's StrongBeginnings Birth Center."We already screen new-borns for a number of con-ditions, some of whichaddress quality of life issues,such as hearing screening. Byadding this simple, painless,inexpensive screening, wecould potentially save lives."

New York State currentlyrequires more than 40screenings for newbornsincluding hearing, cysticfibrosis, HIV, sickle cell ane-mia, thyroid disease, jaun-dice and others. Much of thetesting is done with tiny sam-ples of blood taken from thebaby's heel and performedbetween 24-48 hours afterbirth. CCHD screening isrecommended by theAmerican Academy ofPediatrics for all full-termnewborns, and though cur-rently voluntary in New YorkState, legislation has beenintroduced to make itmandatory. A handful ofstates including New Jerseyand Maryland alreadyrequire the test which isdone at no cost for the par-ents.

At Strong Memorial'sStrong Beginnings BirthCenter, staff began testingnewborns on March 1, 2012which means that babiesborn on February 29 wereamong the first tested.Screening is done usingpulse oximetry, with a smalldevice that is gently attached

to the newborn's right handand one foot for a few sec-onds and gives a reading ofthe level of oxygen in thebaby's blood and the baby'spulse rate. If any abnormali-ties are detected, the new-born would be referred to aneonatologist and possibly apediatric cardiologist for fur-ther evaluation.

"The CCHD test is sosimple and painless for thebaby," says Lynn Lucca ofWebster, whose son Caydenwas the first to have the testat Strong. "It's great thatnewborn screenings are per-formed so new parents knowabout the health of theirbabies and can seek treat-

CCHD screening is painless anddone by using pulse oximetry, asmall device that is attachedbriefly to the newborn’s right handand foot, giving a reading of thebaby’s pulse rate and the level ofoxygen in his or her blood.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STRONGBEGINNINGS AT URMC/STRONGMEMORIAL HOSPITAL

— Sema Hart, MD,Strong Pediatric

Newborn Hospitalist

It's great that newborn screenings

are performedso new parents know

about the health of theirbabies and can seektreatment right away

when needed. The earlierthese conditions can be

detected, the soonerparents can get

appropriate care for their babies."

“


ment right away when needed."Sema Hart, MD, Strong PediatricNewborn Hospitalist agrees. "Theearlier these conditions can bedetected, the sooner parents can getappropriate care for their babies,"she says. "The testing certainly givesparents some peace of mind."

Screening is important because,according to the Centers for DiseaseControl, babies with CCHDs are "atsignificant risk of disability or deathif their CCHD is not diagnosed soonafter birth." In the United States,about 4,800 babies born every yearhave one of seven CCHDs. Somebabies born with a heart defect mayappear healthy and be sent homewith their families before the defectis detected. Pulse oximetry is aneffective diagnostic tool because itcan identify some infants withCCHD who may not show signs ofthe condition. The results of theCCHD, hearing and jaundice testingare shared with the parents beforedischarge. Results of other newbornscreening tests take longer and alltest results are shared with the baby'spediatrician and are discussed withparents on their follow up visit.

Other area hospitals will soonoffer the CCHD test. "We are veryfortunate in the Rochester areabecause all our hospitals worktogether in the best interests ofmothers and babies," says RuthLawrence, MD, Director of theNurseries at Strong. "Each hospitalalso works with one of our Strongneonatologists to ensure the higheststandards of care are in place."

Marianne Benjamin is a contributing writer toRochester Area & Genesee Valley ParentMagazine. She is a public relations consultantand freelance writer who lives in the Rochester,NY area.

www.GVParent.com26

Susan Maroto, LCSWand parent educator in prena-tal care and postpartumadjustment, agrees. "There arethings moms can do to helpdads feel competent in thatrole," she says. "Encouragethem to take part in all areasof child care – feeding,bathing, reading and puttingthe baby down. Just be carefulyou aren't overly critical.Standing behind your husband

and correcting his every movewill only frustrate him. Showhim what needs to be donethen let him develop his ownstyle."

Fortunately for Wuttke,basic training occurred as ateen sitter and paid big divi-dends when his son was born.Soon after his wife Christinedelivered, she enrolled in col-lege and David was thrust intosolo evening child care. "I

never had to think about howto take care David. I just fellback on my babysitting days,"says Wuttke. "If he was crying,I would say, 'Okay, let's guesswhat he needs?' Then I'dcheck his diaper. If that wasokay, I'd try to feed him. If hewasn't hungry, I thoughtmaybe he had gas or neededto sleep. One of those usuallydid the trick."

"There are a myriad of emo-tions that come with being anew father," says Armin Brott,author of multiple books andone DVD on fatherhood. "Mostoften it's a feeling of pride andexcitement. At the same timethere can be apprehensions –Will I be a good father? Can weafford this? How is this going tochange our lives?"

This was what DavidWuttke found. "When my sonDavid Jr. was born, I had over-whelming feelings of anxietyand excitement all at once," hesays. "I had been babysittingsince I was 16, so my anxietywasn't about child care. It wasthe reality of the responsibilitythat this was my son. And thatsent a shock to my system."

Just knowing there's anotherperson to care for can be a bigstressor for first-time fathers.Couple that with the fact thatmany men don't initially knowhow to bond with their new-borns. "If a mother is nursing, itnaturally brings her in contactwith the baby," says Brott. "Dadsdon't have that same naturalbonding method, so they oftenget stuck doing the dirty work.But it shouldn't be that way."

fatherhood // By Denise Yearian

Dad Timehelping first-time fathers

adjust postpartum

When a child is born, much emphasis is placed

on helping the new mother and baby adjust.

But they aren't the only ones undergoing

change. Most first-time fathers experience stress due to sleep

deprivation, change in routines and their own apprehensions

about parenting.

continued >>>

— Susan Maroto, LCSWand parent educator in

prenatal care and postpartum adjustment

There are thingsmoms can do

to help dadsfeel competent.


“

Encourage them to takepart in all areas of child

care – feeding, bathing,reading and putting the

baby down. Just becareful you aren't overlycritical. Show him what

needs to be done then let him develop

his own style."

28 www.GVParent.com

Tips for New Fathers

• Realize the father's role is as important to thebaby as the mother's is.

• Remember experience is the best teacher. If thenew dad came from a home where there wereyounger siblings or he has friends with babies, hemay fall into the parenting role quicker.

• Realize that some babies, such as those withcolic, are more of a challenge to soothe. If thebaby is crying, look for obvious signs of discomfort– diaper change, hunger, fatigue, gas. Try to spendten minutes at any one strategy. If it doesn't work,try another one. Remember newborns can also suf-fer from over stimulation due to lights, motion,sounds and people – things that may seem normalare a drastic change from a quiet womb.

• One of the father's biggest roles is to support themother. This includes keeping an eye out for post-partum depression, which may have a delayedonset.

• Couples should keep a constant line of commu-nication open with one another and discuss howthe adjustment is going. Talk about things that areand are not working, and make suggestions forchange.

• Make sure the new father has an outlet where hecan share his stress. Look for a father support groupor a friend who is or has gone through this stage inlife. If he doesn't share his concerns, that stress maybuild.

• Couples should work at nurturing the marriagerelationship as this will benefit the parents and child.If extended family is local, schedule occasionaldate nights. If this isn't an option, look for creativeways to give the marriage attention – back or footrubs, a note in the spouse's lunchbox, a quickemail sent to the office. Couples' communicationshould include more than just baby talk.

• Make time for intimacy. Couples should be sensi-tive to each others needs and work together to finda compromise.

• Try to find time for ones self. While it may beimpossible to maintain the before-baby lifestyle,determine what is most critical for each parent torelieve stress – sleep, exercise, time out of thehouse – and schedule that into the week.

• New fathers should be aware of their emotions. Ifthey feel anxious or depressed for an extendedperiod of time, they should talk with their physician.

• Realize it gets better. The more time a fatherspend with his baby, the easier it will get. Right nowthings aren't normal, but life will take on a new nor-malcy in time.


For Anthony Franco, theadjustment wasn't that easy.When his wife Lisa gave birthto twins, Franco seemed to befine. But four months into it,things changed. "I started expe-riencing panic attacks and did-n't know why," he remembers."I would be in the supermarketwhen all of the sudden I wouldget this overwhelming sense ofdread and lightheadedness."

This went on for severalmonths until Franco finallywent to the doctor. "He askedme where it was happening,and I told him it was when Iwas buying diapers, formulaand other things for the twins,"he continues. "That's when hepinpointed the problem. Hesaid this happens to a lot ofnew fathers. He prescribed a lit-tle anti-anxiety medication andthen I was fine."

Brott believes it's importantfor men to have someone withwhom they can share theirstress. "Some men have close

friends they can confide in. Buta lot don't, so they keep allthose concerns in and the stresslevel builds," he says. "Theyshouldn't be afraid to talk withother men and find out whatthey have gone through.Chances are they'll find othersfelt the same way too."

One concern most newfathers share is fatigue. Francoand Wuttke both had a hardtime with this. "The one thing Ireally didn't expect was thattime on a 24-hour clock had nomeaning anymore," saysFranco. "It became irrelevantafter a while and we just fitsleep in whenever we could."

The Wuttkes solved thisproblem by enlisting the help ofrelatives. "There were timesChris and I said, 'We need abreak,' and my mom wouldtake David so we could rest. Weeven called my grandparents sowe could have an occasionalnight out." Extended familyand friends can be a huge help

or add significant stress,depending upon the dynamic ofthe relationship, say experts.This is where husbands canhelp their wives by settingboundaries.

"Dad should take the roleof communicator outside thefamily and, if needed, limit visi-tors," says Maroto. "Encourageothers to help in practical wayssuch as dropping off meals,running errands or watchingthe baby for 20 minutes so thecouple can take a quick walk."

What's most important is torealize this is a period of adjust-ment and life does get easier."It's like anything new, it takes alittle time," says Franco. "It tookabout 18 months before Ibecame completely comfortablewith the twins. Now we're pret-ty much inseparable."

Denise Yearian is freelance writer andthe mother of three children.

— David Wuttke

When my sonDavid Jr. was

born, I had overwhelming

feelings of anxiety and

excitement all at once.

“

I had been babysittingsince I was 16, so myanxiety wasn't aboutchild care. It was the

reality of the responsibil-ity that this was my son.

And that sent a shockto my system."

30 www.GVParent.com

education & development // By Dr. Jeanne Loysen

Raising Bookwormsthe benefits of

reading aloud to babies

If you're like me,

you've heard this

question again and

again: "Why would you read

to a baby? She can't under-

stand me. I'll wait a few years

when I know she's interested

and can better understand

the words I'm reading."

But there are many rea-

sons to read to a baby! In

fact, many young mothers

and fathers begin reading to

their babies almost as soon

as the child is born. Recent

brain development research

supports this very important

activity. Infants are born with

almost all of the brain cells, or

neurons, they will need in life

– about 10 billion of them.

These neurons are necessary

for a baby's brain to work. It is

important to create connec-

tions between these brain

cells. The necessary connec-

tions are created and main-

tained through experiences.

One of these experiences is

reading aloud.

According to a report pub-lished by the NationalAcademy of Education'sCommission on Reading,"The single most importantactivity for building theknowledge required for even-tual success in reading isreading aloud to children."You can start your baby onthe road to reading successjust by reading aloud. Noflash cards or commercialprograms needed: just abook. It sounds so simple,and what an invaluable gift.A gift that can be given againand again throughout eachand every day.

Reading aloud with ababy is really about sharing awarm, personal, and mean-ingful experience together.The length of time spenttogether may range from amere few minutes when thebaby is young to periods often or fifteen minutes later on.This time frame will naturallyincrease as the baby or tod-dler learns to focus attentionand is able to interact in aback and forth conversationwith an adult.

Sometimes, the actualprinted words don't evenneed to be read. Just lookingat illustrations together and

having a conversation aboutobjects, colors, and happen-ings is rich enough. Theimportant thing is that thechild is learning about booksand discovering what adven-tures a book has to offer.Over time, the baby learnsthat the printed word is con-nected to the speech hehears, that the book has afront and back cover, that weread from left to right, that abook has pictures or illustra-tions, that these pictures rep-resent objects in their envi-ronment, and that a bookbrings pleasure.


Selecting a BookWhen reading with babies andtoddlers, it is important tochoose books that are repeti-tive, have a simple message,and are predictable. Sincebabies like to put many thingsin their mouths (includingbooks) choose books that arevinyl, cloth or board books –books that can be exploredwith all of a child's senses.Young children also like booksthat have flaps, stand-upscenes or characters, booksthey can touch and feel, andbooks that have areas to peekthrough. These types of bookslend themselves to furtherinteraction and are a source ofrich language development.

For babies, also choosebooks that have only one ortwo objects on the page andbooks that have bright colors.This helps hold a child's atten-tion. And, of course, as thebaby gets older she will askyou to read the same storyagain and again! This repeti-tion is critical to a child's cog-nitive and language develop-ment. Repetition gives youngchildren an opportunity tosolidify words and concepts ofspoken language. Even thoughparents may become boredwith reading the same storysix nights in a row, rememberthat with each reading, youryoung child sees, hears orunderstands something newand different.

Tips for ReadingCreate a comfortable, warm,and calm environment inwhich to read to your baby.Hold the baby on your lap,being sure he can see the pic-tures. It's fun to play with thewords of the book, making uprhymes and songs and evenincluding your baby's name inthe discourse. Your baby mayeven want to hold the book,chewing on it or turning thepages. This is great, as this ishow your baby will learn.Even if your baby is holdingthe book himself, you can stillpoint to and name the itemson the page, describing whatis happening. Encourage yourolder baby to join in whilereading the book by becomingan active participant. If thereis a duck in the story, quacklike a duck, or bah like asheep if the story is aboutfarm animals. When develop-mentally ready, your baby willbe quacking and bah-ing withyou.

Reading aloud with yourbaby can also become a familyaffair as your baby grows intoa toddler and pre-schooler. Seta good example for youryoung child. Have books andmagazines around the house,have your children see youreading, go to the librarytogether, and be sure yourbaby and toddler have theirown books and a special placein which to keep them. Allthese activities can set yourbaby on a course to become alifelong reader. Reading aloudis a gift that lasts a lifetime!

Dr. Jeanne Loysen is an early childhood specialist.

Repetition givesyoung children anopportunity tosolidify words andconcepts of spokenlanguage.Even though parentsmay become bored withreading the same storysix nights in a row,remember that witheach reading, youryoung child sees, hearsor understands some-thing new and different.

32 www.GVParent.com

education & development // By Linda Sullivan

Setting the Stage for Successhow early relationships

affect child development

It's all about relationships.A child's earliest relationships– known as "attachment" and"bonding" – are one of thestrongest indicators of futurewell-being and success. Anunderstanding of skills learnedduring the first three years canhelp parents and caregivers tobetter meet the social-emo-tional needs of the young chil-dren they care for.

Ages and stages.FOLLOWING BIRTH, aninfant develops socially by

learning to make their needsknown – at this stage thatmeans crying. When cries areresponded to quickly and posi-tively, infants begin to trustthat their needs will be metand a feeling of security is cre-ated.

AT 6 MONTHS, the infantshows pleasure through laugh-ing and cooing, and displeas-ure through facial expressionsand cries. Recognition of theseemotions helps to build rela-tionships. Over the next 6

months the child will learnsocial gestures such as waving,pointing and exchangingobjects with others. Reciprocalgames such as peek-a-boo andpat-a-cake also strengthenrelationships and encouragedevelopment of languageskills.

DURING THE SECONDYEAR, children gain confi-dence and venture furtheraway from adults as theyexplore their environment, butwill need constant reassurance

It may surprise you to

learn that babies are

ready right from the

start to learn the necessary

skills which will make the dif-

ference between success

and failure. What's more sur-

prising is that most of these

skills will be learned before

the age of 3. Development

progresses faster during the

first 5 years than any other

stage of life, as children learn

to think, talk and walk. A

child's earliest experiences

and relationships are what lit-

erally shape the brain as

neural connections develop.

This is the time when trust and

security are established,

forming the foundation for

future success. Studies clearly

show that the learning during

infancy really does set the

stage for lifelong develop-

ment, and parents and care-

givers are the ones who

make this happen.


that someone will be there if needed.Toddlers learn from watching others.Positive role models and guidance fromadults will help them to learn skills thatwill later lead to successful interactions.Some experts believe that even at thisyoung age, a toddler is capable of showingempathy as they develop awareness others'feelings.

BY THE THIRD YEAR, a child hasdeveloped the ability to play interactivelywith others. Critical social skills involvingthe ability to negotiate and engage in sim-ple problem solving will emerge.Imagination and pretend play continue toevolve as well as language skills which areexpanding at an amazing rate.Independence is being developed and thechild is quite adept by now at makingrequests and responding to the requests ofothers.

So what can go wrong?Parents and caregivers are finding thatmore and more children under the age of3 are struggling in the area of social-emo-tional development. Areas of particularconcern include self-regulation, the abilityto calm oneself under stress, as well as aninability to develop positive interactionswith others. Biology and environment arethe two key factors that affect a child'sdeveloping brain while a child's geneticmakeup also determines personality andtemperament. Other factors that can neg-atively impact brain development includetoxins such as lead or exposure tounhealthy or stressful environments.

Certain family situations includingfinancial challenges, overly-busy parents,or illness may result in less time beingspent with infants during these crucialyears of development. When a child's firstattempts to communicate their needs andwants aren't met with timely positiveresponses from adults, social-emotionaldevelopment suffers. Infants who aregenetically "designed" to be more persist-ent will fare much better than those whoare more passive, however, even with astrong genetic makeup, a child who isborn into an unhealthy or unresponsiveenvironment is at risk for serious emotion-al delays. These delays can lead to social-emotional problems and challengingbehavior which puts children at risk forsocial exclusion and academic failure.

Our part in the process. Parents and caregivers who are able toprovide a wide array of positive social

continued >>>

“I need a... pediatrician, child care provider, party entertain-er, speech therapist, summer program, dance instructor, dentist ....”

No Problem... Find local family-focused businesses onlinein the Guides section of our website www.GVParent.com

34 www.GVParent.com

experiences can help a childlearn about themselves anddevelop positive relationshipswith others. These experiencesallow children to develop confi-dence, independence and theability to feel good about them-selves. Even children, who maybe at risk for social-emotionaldelays due to biolological orenvironmental factors early on,can benefit greatly from a nur-turing, caring environment andgrow to be successful adults.Children who have opportuni-ties to develop critical social-emotional skills will be healthier,happier and experience moresuccess throughout their life-time. Learning from mistakesand practicing skills in a safeand supportive environment willallow young children to developthe ability to make good choic-es, problem solve, and copewith the challenges that life issure to bring!

Linda Sullivan, MS is an InclusionSpecialist at the Regional EarlyChildhood Direction Center inRochester.

how early experiences affect brain development

At birth, we start with approx-imately 100 billion neurons(brain cells) that have alreadytraveled to the right sections ofthe brain and have begun con-necting with each other.Additional connections aremade after birth and the exist-ing ones are strengthened.

This is why early experiencesare essential.

Infants and toddlers learnthrough their senses andhands-on experiences. Theyneed to be able to touch, taste,move, and manipulate objectsin order to learn. These con-nections help a child grow

physically, emotionally, cogni-tively, and socially. The moreengaged a child is playing andenjoying himself, the more heis learning.

There are five key factorsthat have been identified byresearchers for healthy braindevelopment of infants andtoddlers. When looking forchild care for your infant ortoddler, ask questions andobserve programs to makesure that they fulfill the follow-ing components. Whether ornot you are selecting childcare, you should also practicethese skills at home to pro-mote healthy development.

During the first three years of life, a baby's brain

develops approximately ninety percent. When

you hold a newborn baby in your arms for the

first time, you may wonder, "Will he be healthy and

happy?", "Will she do well in school and get along with

other kids?" and "Will he grow up to become a caring,

responsible adult?" Research has shown that the answers

to those questions rely heavily on the early experiences that

a child receives.

By Rose Shufelt


RelationshipsThe secure attachment that achild develops with her care-givers is a basis for healthybrain development. Caregiversneed to provide love and affec-tion to a baby by touching,holding, rocking, singing andtalking to her. Positive relation-ships support curiosity, self-direction, cooperation, conflictresolution, and caring behav-iors. Programs should be prac-ticing primary and continuityof care. This allows for opti-mal relationships to developbetween caregiver and baby,and caregiver and parent. Theprimary caregiver at a childcare center should stay withthe child for more than a year(the best practice being fromentry into a child care settinguntil the age of three). Thiscontinuity of care allows achild to build a positive rela-tionship with his or her care-giver and strengthens thechild's overall development.Switching caregivers frequentlyhinders a child's ability toflourish. Small groups withhigh staff-to-child ratios allowsfor optimal time and attentionthat each caregiver can devoteto individual children.

Responsive InteractionsBabies depend on adults torespond quickly to meet theirneeds. Early care providersneed to pick up a crying baby,laugh, and smile together. Thisengages brain activity in waysthat promote trust and security.When choosing a child carefacility, parents should look forone where caregivers aretrained in early care and edu-cation that focuses on issuesrelated to children from birthto three. This is vital if care-givers are to understand theimportance of these responsiveinteractions to early braindevelopment.

RespectCaregivers should talk to ababy. For example, caregiversshould explain their everydaytasks that involve baby andshould say things like, "I amgoing to change your diapernow." A caregiver should rec-ognize a child's attempts andaccomplishments, and respondpositively and quickly to theircues. This creates positive emo-tions that are essential to braindevelopment. In doing so, achild knows that he or she isimportant and valued.

RoutinesHaving predictable routines forchildren creates less stress andfears. Routines include hellosand goodbyes, diapering andtoileting, mealtimes, sleeping,and getting dressed. Make sureyour care provider keeps thesetimes as regular as possible soyour child knows what is com-ing next.

RepetitionWhen children repeat experi-ences, they are able to practicetheir skills and the connectionsbetween brain cells arestrengthened and become per-manent. Repetition allows achild to feel confident andhelps enhance self-esteem. It isimportant to let children prac-tice and repeat activities asmuch as they want. In addi-

continued >>>

Infants and toddlerslearn through theirsenses and hands-

on experiences. They need to be able totouch, taste, move, and

manipulate objects inorder to learn. These

connections help a childgrow physically, emotion-

ally, cognitively, andsocially. The more

engaged a child is play-ing and enjoying himself,the more he is learning.

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36 www.GVParent.com

tion, there is a need for age-appropriateenvironments. Babies and toddlers needsafe areas for quiet and active play(both indoors and outside) that providetoys and activities to promote individu-alized programming and include spacesfor sleeping, and spaces to interact one-on-one with their caregivers.

In addition to the above, the othercomponents to look for when choosingchild care include basic health andsafety practices (hand washing proce-dures, basic sanitizing practices, med-ication administration and safe sleeppractices), programs that supportemerging language and literacy, cur-riculum, observation, individualizedplanning, family involvement, culturalcontinuity, and a program that pro-vides comprehensive support servicesto the families they serve.

Remember, the early experiencesthat we give to our babies have a pro-found effect on later development.Positive, reflective interactions withcaregivers and simple activities thatrequire little or no materials are vital forthe growing and developing brain.Work with your child care provider tomake a personal commitment to investin your child's early years. In doing so,you are investing in his future.

Rose Shufelt is an Infant/Toddler Specialist atthe Child Care Council, Inc. in Rochester.


• 292-BABY telephone helpline - call 292-baby (2229) to talk free to a registerednurse seven days a week from 7 AM to midnight. From the tip of their heads tothe tip of their toes, our nurses can answer any non-emergency question you have.They just love to talk about babies!

• 292-BABY television - Monday through Friday from 9 - 10 PM on CableChannel 4. Programming is for parents of babies from pregnancy to age three.Each night addresses a different developmental stage ranging from pre-pregnancyand newborns through 36 month-olds.

• www.292baby.org - the only website in the world where you can access morethan 100 educational videos for free on a wide variety of early childhood topicsincluding feeding, potty training, adoption, health issues, parenting concerns andmore.

it’snotwhatyouthink.depression.

Overwhelmed. Hopeless. Exhausted. These are just some of thesymptoms of depression. But you can get better. Find out how. Call the Mental Health Association at 585-423-1572, or visitwww.youcangetbetter.org.

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38 www.GVParent.com

motherhood // By Julia Garstecki

Myth Busters

Motherhood.

We get

months (and

in some cases years) to

prepare for it. We create

the perfect nursery, ooh

and ahh over tiny one-

sies and laugh out loud

at itty bitty diapers.

There are over 7,000 par-

enting books to choose

from, dozens of maga-

zines to subscribe to, and

role models to learn from.

But as prepared as we

think we are, new mothers

learn quickly that there

are lots of "Mommy Myths"

that, at best, surprise us,

but at worst, can make

us feel like failures as

mothers.

MYTH: IT WILL BELOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

MYTH: NEW BABIESSLEEP A LOT.

One of the first myths somemoms encounter is that therewill be a magical first momentwhen Baby is placed in yourarms and trumpets and angelssignal your first experiencewith true love. After years offertility issues, I had longawaited that sacred moment.When Andrew was placed inmy arms after a rather intenseand nerve-wracking delivery, Icouldn't be happier. While Ifelt blessed and excited, I wasalso exhausted, in pain, andunable to nurse. In the weeksthat followed, not one of thosechallenges lessened, and Ibegan to panic that I wasn'tblissful every moment likeother women assured me I'dbe.

Fortunately, an acquain-tance mentioned she didn'tstart enjoying motherhooduntil the third month in.Relieved, I shared my fears ofnot loving every minute as anew mom. She told me not toworry; I was more normalthan I knew, and that I shouldgive myself time. Six weekslater, I was rocking Andrew ashe fell asleep, and rather thanplacing him in the bassinet, Iheld him, watching hundredsof expressions dance across hisface. The intense love I felt forhim in that moment was likenone other I have experienced,and it has never left.

MYTH: YOU'LL KNOWEXACTLY WHAT TO DO.

MYTH: A BABY WILLBRING YOU CLOSERTOGETHER.

"Your instincts will kick in,"Holly Klaassen recalls beingtold when she was a new mom.While this is true to a point,some babies cry even afterthey've been swaddled, fed,changed, burped, and possiblyeven taken to the doctor. Andin those times, instincts may tellyou nothing. While everybodymight offer advice, it's possiblenone of it works. Everyoneexperiences it, you're not alone.Over time, Holly's baby out-grew his colic, and motherhoodbecame not only easier, but funas well.

Some couples are told thatwhen baby comes they willhave a love for baby andenhanced love for each other aswell. After all, it's no myth thathaving a child bonds spouseslike nothing else can. But ababy bringing a couple closertogether? It's not always thecase. "Someone may be lackingin attention or can feel left outwhen the new baby arrives,"says Rochester mother NicoleBratton. "It can be stressfulcompetition for needs to be

Carol Brody Fleet remem-bers seeing all of the newmothers on television –happy and serene – withsleeping babies bundled intheir arms. "Even my ownfriends seemed to be able todo everything from makedinner to answer a telephonewith an infant attached totheir breast," says Carol."Me? We were in the middleof a record-setting heat wavein a non air-conditionedapartment. Nothing I didseemed to keep my daughterfrom crying incessantly forthree months. I was lucky tobrush my teeth or showerbefore midnight and thehouse seemed to be in utterchaos all the time." WhileCarol failed to achieve theimage she was conditioned tostrive for, she wouldn'tchange a thing, adding,"What I received in returnwas so much more than Icould have ever dreamedpossible."

busting popular mythsof new motherhood


met." In fact, Nicole was told that beinga mom is easy; it's keeping the marriagetogether that is hard work. If there wasever an issue pre-baby of whose job itwas to get housework done that issuewill intensify after a baby's arrival –adding feeding, bathing, and midnightcrying to the mix. The question of"your turn/my turn" can take a toll oneven the healthiest marriages. Be sureto include "couple time" in your routineand make sure each person in the rela-tionship feels valued.

There were only three myths that bothnew and experienced moms discoveredto be true. First, it goes fast, which isboth good and bad depending on theminute. Second, the unconditional,amazing love does come. It might notappear immediately, but it will eventual-ly. Third, no matter what challenges orsurprises come along, it's the most won-derful, rewarding experience a personcould have. Julia Garstecki is a contributing writer toRochester Area & Genesee Valley ParentMagazine who lives in Bemus Point, New York.Visit her online at www.juliagarstecki.com

Maternity leave – just like newmotherhood – can be challeng-ing and exhausting, but also fullof delightful moments. Hereare some tips for how to makethe most of your time off withyour new bundle of joy.

Find SupportIt's important to realize you'renot alone. If you don't knowany new moms personally, thereare online message boards likeMothering.com where you canfind like-minded mamas who

are going through what youare experiencing. Some

women dread going backto work while some areanxious to get back tothe comfort zone oftheir full-time job.Some must go back to

work for financial rea-sons while some gain ful-

fillment from their work.Whichever category you fitinto, you'll likely find supportwith other moms like yourselfand be able to swap tips andideas.

To get out of nonstopBaby Mode, hook up withyour current mom pals orwith new ones you meetthrough local momsgroups. Of course, the

benefit of these playdatesisn't only for your teeny new

sidekick, but for you! Keepthe diaper bag stocked at alltimes so you can bolt wheneveryou start feeling cooped up.Likewise, keep the stroller or

sling in the car so you have oneless thing to think about.

Get OutForging a routine might helpwhen things seem out of con-trol, especially if you have anolder child at home during thistime, as well. Jill Connors, preg-nant mom of four, says, "Ithelped me to get out of thehouse every day, even if it wasjust to walk up the street withthe baby in the stroller to treatmyself to a fancy coffee." It'snice to be able to go to bed andknow that every morning you'llbe waking up to a hot pot ofcoffee and a cup of yogurt withyour favorite granola; that nomatter what the baby does, youwill still be able to enjoy thesethings. You might also thinkabout scheduling some time outof the house for yourself at thesame time on the same day ofthe week every week (even afteryou go back to work).

40 www.GVParent.com

motherhood // By Kerrie McLoughlin

After Arrivalhow to make the mostof your maternity leave

“When you come back from the hospital

beginning maternity leave, initially it is

an overwhelming experience in terms

of how little you actually know, regardless of how

informed you thought you were about caring for a new-

born," says Allison Hahn, Psy.D. "What can be particularly

shocking for professional moms is how little they get done

during a day. The typical thought is 'I have the whole day

at home for several weeks? I'll get the shed painted, write

that novel and keep the house spotless.' It is shocking to

realize how little gets accomplished."

— Jill Connors, pregnant mom of four

It helped me toget out of the

house every day,

“even if it was just to

walk up the street withthe baby in the stroller

to treat myself to afancy coffee."


Get BusyI quickly discovered thatmultitasking comes in just ashandy at home with a newbaby as it does at work.Strap the baby to your chestin a safe sling or carrier andstart folding laundry whileyou return a phone call.And when you've had justabout enough puke, poopand pee for any sane personto handle, realize that it'snot forever. Alyssa Ast ofTheWMParentingConnection.com says, "Although youmay be going stir crazy toget out of the house whileon maternity leave, enjoyevery moment while youcan because after you'reback at work you'll be wish-ing you were at home withyour baby."

Depending on yourexperience and your per-sonality, at the end of yourmaternity leave you may be

crying, "Get me out ofhere!" or you may belamenting, "I don't want togo back to work!" Eitherway, know that your childwill be fine in the long run.Take a look around you atall the adults you know,can you tell who had astay-at-home mom andwho had a working mom?Probably not, so don'twaste a second on guiltduring one of the mostspecial times of your life.

Kerrie McLoughlin is a mom of 5and a freelance writer – when shecan steal a moment. Visit her onlineat TheKerrieShow.com

From diapers to diplomas...Genesee Valley & Rochester Area Parent is the area’sbest resource, providing expert advice, stories on par-enting trends and issues, local resources, calendar offamily-friendly events and numerous ways for parentsto enrich their experience raising the next generation.Find us monthly in print and online 24/7.

community resources // By Jim Coffey

42 www.GVParent.com

Congratulations!

Whether or not this

is your first child,

the experience will most like-

ly transform you in ways you

might never have expected.

While the challenges are

many, scores of parents

describe the experience as

the most fulfilling in their lives.

One challenge many parentshave identified is a sense of iso-lation at home with theirbabies; they wish that theycould more easily access infor-mation about their child'sdevelopment during the firstthree critical years of life.

Our community hasresponded to those needs andwe are proud to introduce youto "292-BABY," the nation'sfirst community-wide, interac-tive, communication networkdesigned to serve you, the par-ents and care-givers of infantsand toddlers. Administered byMonroe Community Collegewith 15 community partners,we have connected the tele-phone, television and internetto each other to create oneseamless system that you canaccess in several ways.

Through 292-BABY, youcan reduce isolation and accessimportant information whenyou need it. All services are freeand here's how each of theparts work:

292-BABY TELEPHONE

292-BABY (292-2229) is anumber you can call to talkfree to a registered nurseabout any NON-EMER-GENCY issue you mayhave. From head to toe,whether the issue is breast-feeding your baby or adviceconcerning your finicky-eat-ing two-year old, the nursesare happy to "talk babies"with you. In fact, they loveit! Even if you just need toknow whether or not youshould call your pediatri-cian, don't hesitate to callseven days a week from 7am to midnight. The serv-ice is available in Spanishduring normal weekday,working hours.

292-BABY TELEVISION

292-BABY has produced morethan 100 educational videos,featuring local and nationalexperts, in a "television talk-show" format called ParentTalk. Focusing on a wide vari-ety of important issues in earlychildhood, the series is replayedMonday through Fridayevenings from 9-10 pm onCable Channel 4. The videosare organized according todevelopmental stages so thatMonday's programming focuseson pregnancy and the first threemonths of life; Tuesday's focusis from three to 12 months;Wednesday's focus from 12 to24 months; Thursday's focusfrom 24 to 36+ months; andFriday's programming intro-duces you to a variety of com-munity resources. (These videosare now all available on the292-Baby website.) Additionalprogramming is available from8-9 pm, Monday throughFriday, also on Cable Channel4. Monday evenings feature ashow on breastfeeding. Dr. RuthLawrence, one of the nation'sforemost authorities on breast-

292-BABY WEBSITE

Visit www.292baby.org toaccess more than 100 videosthat are now available 24/7to view whenever you want towatch. The 292-Baby websiteoffers the largest selection ofeducational videos for earlychildhood in the world! Thevideos are arranged by devel-opmental stages as well asinterest areas such as: breast-feeding, adoption, immuniza-tions, lead poisoning, child-hood obesity and more. Inaddition, there is the EarlyEducators' page where infor-mation about training andcommunity resources forthose working in the fields ofearly child care and educationcan be found.

292-Babya resource for

parents & families


292-BABY TVPROGRAMMING:

8pm-9pm on Time Warner CableChannel 4.

Monday: Focus on breastfeeding.Dr. Ruth Lawrence, one of thenation's foremost authorities onbreastfeeding, has been featured inthree of them.

Tuesday: Focus on adoption.

Wednesday-Friday: A variety of pro-gramming focusing on early child-hood.

THE “PARENT TALK” LINE-UP:“Parent Talk” airs daily from9pm-10pm on Time Warner CableChannel 4.

Monday: Pregnancy and the firstthree months of life

Tuesday: 3 to 12 months

Wednesday: 12 to 24 months

Thursday: 24 to 36+ months

Friday: Community resources

feeding, has been featured in three ofthem. Tuesday evenings at 8 pm, thefocus is on adoption, while Wednesdaythrough Friday evenings concentrateon a variety of early childhood issues.Please write to [email protected] any suggestions or feedback youmay have.

While the three components can oper-ate independently, they are actuallyconnected. For example, you may bewatching one of our videos on televi-sion that deals with the introduction ofsolid foods to four-month olds and youare trying to decide if the time is rightfor you and your baby. You can call292-BABY (292-2229) and talk freewith a registered nurse who will makesure you have all the vital informationneeded for an informed decision. Atwww.292baby.org you can watch theshow. Maybe you know someone whowould want the information found inthe video that is on the website. Youcan use your mouse to highlight thelink on the website, copy it and paste itinto an email and send it to that per-son. All they need to do is click on thelink and the video will play on theircomputer.

Please provide feedback on the"survey" page and be sure to join. Allyou need is a valid email address. 292-BABY is a non-profit, educational pro-gram and, as such, does NOT shareany information with any outsideagency. We are grateful to all of thecommunity's early childhood profes-sionals who have donated their timeand expertise free of charge to createthe Parent Talk series. (If you wish tosupport us financially, please go to ourhome page at www.292baby.org andclick on the "Support 292-BABY"icon.)

It is the goal of the 292-BABYnetwork to make your experience withyour baby as rich and rewarding as itcan be. Please let us know how we canserve you!

Jim Coffey is the Founder of 292-BABY and aProfessor of Communication at MonroeCommunity College.

Discover ourOnline Parenting

Resources

Go to gvparent.com,then select RESOURCES inthe menu tab. Click onwhat you need for a list

of local services andresources.

44 www.GVParent.com

Adoption Resources

Adoption Resource Network at HillsideChildren’s Center100 Metro Park, Rochester 14623 . . . . 350-2500www.hillside.com/AdoptionMain

Jewish Family Services of Rochester, Inc.441 East Ave.,Rochester 14607 . . . . . . . . . . . 461-0115 ext.120www.jfsrochester.org/adoption.php _____Breastfeeding

Highland Hospital Breast Pump Rentals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341-0519Operates in conjunction with Highland HospitalLactation Education services.www.urmc.rochester.edu/hh/services-centers/maternity

Highland Hospital Lactation Consultant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341-6808

Highland Hospital Mother’s Help Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341-8021

La Leche League Lifeline . . . . . . . . . . 275-5151www.lllusa.org/web/RochesterNY.htmlCall Lifeline for referral to the local leader near-est you.

Rochester General Lactation Consultant . . . . . . . . . 922-LINK (-5465)www.rochestergeneral.org

URMC Breastfeeding Hotline . . . . . . . 275-9575(Noon-1 p.m. M-W-F)Breastfeeding classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275-0096

The Specialty Shop at Strong MemorialHospital601 Elmwood Av, Rochester . . . . . . . . . 273-1276(10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. M-F)_____Child Care Resources

Child Care Council, Inc.595 Blossom Rd., Suite 120, Rochester 14610. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 654-4720www.childcarecouncil.com_____

Childbirth Education

Birthright of Rochester . . . . . . . . . . . . 385-2100or toll free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-550-4900www.birthright.orgEmergency pregnancy support services.Pregnancy tests, non-judgmental counseling, fol-low-up, material assistance, and referrals.

Highland Hospital Center for Women1000 South Ave., Rochester 14620 . . . 271-4636 or for Family Classes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473-2229

Highland Hospital Childbirth Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473-2229www.urmc.rochester.edu/hh/services-centers/maternity/childbirth-programs.cfm

Infertility Focus, Inc.P.O. Box 343, Pittsford 14534 . . . . . . . .385-1628www.infertilityfocus.org

Planned Parenthood of theRochester/Syracuse Region114 University Ave., Rochester 14605 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866-600-6886www.pprsr.org A non-profit organization that provides educationand reproductive health-care services regardlessof age, race, sexual orientation, disability or eco-nomic circumstances.

Rochester General Childbirth EducationProgram1425 Portland Ave., Rochester 14621 . 922-5465or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877-922-5465www.rochestergeneralhospital.org Rochester General Hospital offers a modernBirthing Center, outstanding pediatric servicesand leading-edge, minimally invasive OB/GYNprocedures.

Strong Beginnings Education Program601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester 14642 . . 275-0096http://www.stronghealth.com/services/women-shealth/maternity/strongbeginnings.cfm

Strong Fertility Center 500 Red Creek Drive, Suite 220, Rochester 14623. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487-3378www.fertility.urmc.edu

Strong Midwifery Group905 Culver Rd., Rochester 14609 . . . . .275-7892www.midwifery.urmc.edu _____Hospitals

Golisano Children’s Hospital 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester . . . . . .275-URMC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8762)www.golisano.urmc.edu

A division of U of R Medical Center, GolisanoChildren’s Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital isthe area’s only children’s hospital and a referralcenter for seriously ill and injured children fromthe Finger Lakes region.

Highland Hospital 1000 South Ave., Rochester 14620 . . . 473-2200www.highland.urmc.edu Exceptional healthcare specialist skill deliveredwith a warm, attentive, compassionate attitude. Afamily-centered hospital which considers every visitor (patient, family member or friend) a guest.

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital 1212 Driving Park Ave.,Newark 14513. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(315) 332-2022www.rochestergeneral.orgDedicated to providing the best care possible (topeople from Wayne County and beyond) in directpartnership with Rochester General hospital.

Rochester General Hospital1425 Portland Ave., Rochester 14621. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 922-4000www.rochestergeneral.org Modern Birthing Center, outstanding pediatricservices and leading-edge, minimally invasiveOB/GYN procedures. Among ThomsonReuters List of Nation’s 100 Top Hospitals®for Cardiovascular Care.

Strong Memorial Hospital 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester 14642. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275-2100www.strong.urmc.eduStrong Memorial Hospital, Highland Hospital andGolisano Children’s Hospital (w/other StrongHealth care providers) are part of The U of RMedical Center – a leader in clinical care,research and education.

Unity Hospital (formerly Park Ridge Hospital)1555 Long Pond Rd., Rochester 14626. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723-7000www.unityhealth.org Offering specialty services at Unity Hospital andat more than 50 other locations throughoutRochester and Monroe County (including UnitySt. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, formerly St.Mary’s Hospital)._____Midwifery Care

DONA International (Doulas of North America). . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-788-DONA (3662), Toll Free

www.dona.org

Doula Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234-0164www.doulacooperative.org

Services & Groupscommunity resources


Strong Midwifery 905 Culver Rd.,Suite 2B, Rochester 14609. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275-7892

www.midwifery.urmc.edu _____Parenting Groups & Services2-1-1 Finger Lakes Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1-1;

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-356-9211, Toll Freewww.211fingerlakes.org Available 24 hours a day. Run by local coun-selors trained to address your needs. Providinginformation and human service agency referrals.

292-BABY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (292-2229)www.292baby.org Free phone service connects parents w/Non-Emergency questions about baby/child health ordevelopment to pediatricnurses.

Al Sigl Center 1000 Elmwood Ave., Suite 300 Rochester 14620 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442-4100www.alsiglcenter.org Providing shared and dedicated facilities, busi-ness services, awareness and financial supportfor independent human service agencies.

Autism Speaks, Inc.www.autismspeaks.org Funding global biomedical research, raisingawareness about autism and bringing hope tothose dealing with related hardships.

Birthright of Rochester 320 N. Washington St., Suite 116, Rochester14625. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385-21001330 Buffalo Rd. Suite 201, Rochester, 14624 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328-8700or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-550-4900 (Toll-free)www.birthright.org Other locationsavailable. Emergency pregnancysupport services. Pregnancy tests, non-judgmen-tal counseling, follow-up, material assistance &referrals.

Crisis Nursery of Greater Rochester201 Genesee Park Blvd., Rochester 14619 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] ~ www.cngr.orgCNGR is a non-for-profit agency where children(birth to age 10) can stay when their families arein crisis. Services are free of charge and can beused in cases of illness, unemployment, housingproblems, respite care, judicial problems, and formany other reasons. No referral is necessary.

Easter Seals N.Y.103 White Spruce Blvd., Rochester 14623 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292-5831www.ny.easterseals.com Provides assistance to children and adults withdisabilities and other special needs to live, learnand work independently in their communities.

Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton1650 South Ave., Ste. 300, Rochester 14620 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .442-4430or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-724-7930 (Toll-free)www.epilepsyUNY.orgAiming to prevent, control & cure epilepsythrough service, education, advocacy & research.Helping people with epilepsy & related disabilitiesreach their potential.

Family Resource Centers of Crestwood2nd floor in Bishop Kearney89 Genesee St., Rochester 14611 . . . . 436-0370www.hillside.com

Flower City Down Syndrome Network2117 Buffalo Rd. #132, Rochester 14624 . . . . . . . . . 56Tri-21 (568-7421)www.fcdsn.com A group of individuals joined to provide support &education regarding issues relating to DownSyndrome to families & the community.

Infertility FocusP.O Box 343, Pittsford 14534 . . . . . . . . 385-1628www.infertilityfocus.org Offers support, education and information to indi-viduals and couples at any stage of and with anytype of infertility.

La Leche League Lifeline. . . . . . . . . . .275-5151www.lalecheleague.orgCall Lifeline for your local chapter. Go towww.lllusa.org for area meeting times and otherinformation.

March of Dimes (Genesee Valley/Finger LakesDivision)3445 Winton Pl., Ste. 121 Rochester 14623 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424-3250www.marchofdimes.com Our mission is to improve the health of babies bypreventing birth defects, premature birth andinfant mortality.

CONTINUED >>

Mental Health Association (Better DaysAhead)320 Goodman St. N. Suite 202 Rochester 14607 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325-3145www.mharochester.org Endorses creative thinking, focuses on familystrengths, supports action which empowers.Information, referrals & support.

Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) ClubsVarious locations throughout Rochester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234-6667www.momsclub.org/links.htmlMOMS offers support to stay-at-home moms andtheir children, as well as playgroups and otheractivities.

Mommies for Miracles5 Grey Fox Lane, Fairport 14450 . . . . . [email protected]://mommiesformiracles.orgThis non-for-profit raises funds to purchase giftsfor sick or disabled children in need ofspecailized services.

Mothers & More Rochesterwww.MothersandMoreRochester.org Extended neighborhood of women which meetstwice monthly to share concerns, friendship,acceptance & fun.

Mothers of Twins Club www.grmotc.comOpen to any mother of multiple birth children,including those expecting multiples. Offering dis-cussion groups to support mothers.

Noogieland (at Gilda’s Club Rochester)255 Alexander St., Rochester 14607. . . 423-9700www.gildasclubrochester.org Noogieland is a unique arts & activities basedprogram that meets the needs of children whohave cancer or a loved one who is living withcancer.

Parents Without PartnersP.O. Box 204, Fairport 14450 . . . . . . . . [email protected] Support, friendship, an exchange of parentingtechniques and growth opportunities await singleparents and their children.

Planned Parenthood of theRochester/Syracuse Region114 University Ave. Rochester 14605 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866-600-6886www.pprsr.org A non-profit organization that provides educa-tion and reproductive health-care servicesregardless of age, race, sexual orientation,disability, or economic circumstances.

Regional Early Childhood Direction CenterMonroe #1 BOCES41 O’Connor Rd., Fairport 14450 . . . . . 249-7817www.monroe.edu/recdcSupporting families with children birth to 5 yearsby providing free information and individualizedassistance to connect them with programs andservices.

Rochester Area Birth Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] • www.rabn.org The purpose of Rochester Area Birth Network isto advocate for health, safety and informedoptions in childbearing.

Rochester Holistic Moms & Holistic MomsWestwww.holisticmoms.org Local chapter of a non-profit organization dedi-cated to supporting mothers with an interest innatural health and mindful parenting.

Rochester Society for the Protection andCare of Children148 South Fitzhugh St., Rochester 14608 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325-6101www.spcc-roch.orgProvides various programs supporting childrenand strengthening families.

Ronald McDonald House of Rochester, Inc.333 Westmoreland Dr. Rochester 14620 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442-5437www.ronaldshouse.com Providing a home-away-from-home for familieswhile their child receives healthcare in Rochesterarea hospitals. Also awards community grants.

Stepfamily Assoc. of Rochester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442-3440www.stepfamilyrochester.org A non-profit organization offering education,support and counseling on the challengesinvolved in blending families and nurturingstepchildren.

United Cerebral Palsy Association3399 Winton Rd. S., Rochester 14623 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334-6000www.cprochester.orgAdvancing the independence, productivity andfull citizenship of people with disabilities.

rochester baby guide - summer 2012

Documents

baby guide springsummer

jillian melnyk

dad time tips

stressful time

local resources

rochesters best resource

christina melnyk hines

monroe community college