The Heart Gallery NYC Event
(Photo Credit: Linda Grant/NYC Single Mom)
During this November’s Adoption Awareness month, the Heart Gallery NYC kicked off an incredible exhibit showcasing the beautiful faces of children from New York foster care who are available for adoption and hoping to find loving “forever families” Utilizing the talents of celebrity and award-winning photographers, the children, ranging in age from 8 years old to 18, had the opportunity to participate in a one of a kind photography experience that could capture their true spirit. The event was produced in collaboration with Casey Family Programs and ACS
www.casey.org; www.nyc.gov/html/acs.
Heart Gallery, NYC is a unique not-for-profit organization that combines the artistic talents of notable photographers with children in need of families and a place to call home. The project is dedicated to raising awareness of children living in foster care and encourages New Yorkers to make a difference in the life of a child.
At the event held at the Times Square Visitors Center, all the incredible images were brought to life in massive billboard style photos that will be exhibited throughout the five boroughs – stopping first at Penn Station where it will be displayed from November 11-18 in the Amtrak Rotunda. Additionally, Clearchannel, the organization’s Heart of Gold sponsor will display the gallery photos in Times Square as well as billboards in the tri-state area.
Laurie Sherman Graff, the Executive Director for the Heart Gallery NYC event spoke about the importance of helping foster children find permanent adoptive families and hopes that the organization’s efforts will continue to raise awareness to these incredible kids.
The organization’s initiatives also include mentoring, internships and scholarships for children who are at risk of aging out of the foster care system without finding a home.
During the event, I got to meet a soft spoken young teenager named Jasmine who told one reporter that she “felt like a star” when she was being photographed. When asked what she hoped would happen from people seeing her photo, Jasmine said “I hope I find a family who will love me.” If that doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, I don’t know what will.
At another point in the evening, rap superstar Darryl McDaniel from Run DMC took to the stage to talk about the moment he found out he was adopted (he first learned the news at age 35) and emphasized the importance of finding adoptive parents for foster kids.
In addition to Penn Station, the pictures will also be showcased in traveling gallery exhibits and via the Internet to reach prospective adoptive parents and encourage them to open their hearts and homes to the children.To find out more about the children featured in the exhibit, visit the Heart Gallery NYC.
The organization’s initiatives also include mentoring, internships and scholarships for children who are at risk of aging out of the foster care system without finding a home.
During the event, I got to meet a soft spoken young teenager named Jasmine who told one reporter that she “felt like a star” when she was being photographed. When asked what she hoped would happen from people seeing her photo, Jasmine said “I hope I find a family who will love me.” If that doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, I don’t know what will.
At another point in the evening, rap superstar Darryl McDaniel from Run DMC took to the stage to talk about the moment he found out he was adopted (he first learned the news at age 35) and emphasized the importance of finding adoptive parents for foster kids.
In addition to Penn Station, the pictures will also be showcased in traveling gallery exhibits and via the Internet to reach prospective adoptive parents and encourage them to open their hearts and homes to the children.To find out more about the children featured in the exhibit, visit the Heart Gallery NYC.
Basic Baby Bath Fun
Make your baby’s baths fun, safe, and stress-free with our tips
After your child’s umbilical cord has fallen off, it’s safe to hit the baby tub a few times a week. Water should be warm but not hot. Use a dab of mild dye- and perfume-free baby wash, and follow safety precautions such as keeping one hand on baby at all times. Go slow and enjoy this sweet ritual.
When to Start Tub Baths?
Give your baby a sponge bath until his umbilical cord has fallen off. (If he’s been circumcised, wait until that heals too.) After that, he’ll be ready for a baby bathtub. Choose one that has a contoured design or an internal sling that prevents your baby from sliding. Never use a bath seat — these can tip over when the suction cups fail, trapping your child underwater.
What’s the Right Temperature?Fill the tub with a couple of inches of lukewarm water. “Before you place your baby in the tub, check the temperature by dipping your elbow into the water — it should be warm but not too hot,” says Parents adviser Jennifer Shu, M.D., coauthor of Heading Home with Your Newborn. Keep testing the temp as you go. When it gets too cool, bathtime’s over.
When & How Often to Bathe?Your baby doesn’t need a bath every day; two or three times a week is fine as long as you clean his face, neck, hands, and diaper area daily. As for time of day, some newborns find the water stimulating, so it’s great to get them splashing first thing in the morning. Others mellow out in the tub, which makes it perfect right before bedtime.
Which Soap to Use?Use a washcloth with water and a mild baby wash. “Look for products that don’t have added perfume or dyes, which can irritate sensitive skin,” says Parents adviser Ari Brown, M.D., coauthor of Baby 411. Work a good lather into a washcloth before you start. Cradle your newborn’s head with one arm while you bathe her with the other.
Which Shampoo to Use?If your baby’s hair seems dirty, wet it down using a damp washcloth sans soap every day — no need to bring out the tub. Once or twice a week, during his baths, use baby soap or a drop of mild, tear-free shampoo. If he’s developed cradle cap (scaly patches that appear on the scalp) loosen the scales with a soft-bristle baby brush while you shampoo.
How to Keep Baby SafeSet everything you’ll need within arm’s reach — soap, washcloth, towel, diaper, change of clothes — before you start so that you can keep one hand on your baby at all times. When you’re done bathing him, quickly wrap him up in the towel so he doesn’t lose too much body heat. Dry him thoroughly, being sure to get into the creases, before you diaper and dress him. Also, don’t forget to:
* Learn infant CPR. And never leave your baby alone in a bathtub or in the care of another child, even for half a minute.
* Set your water heater to 120 degrees F. so your baby won’t get scalded if he accidentally turns on the faucet.
* Use a spout cover so he doesn’t hit his head on the faucet.
* Place a nonskid mat beneath your baby tub to prevent it from slipping.
* Empty the tub completely immediately after each use — a baby can drown in as little as 1 inch of water.
* Keep the toilet seat and bathroom doors closed after you leave
What If Baby Hates Bathtime?Some babies absolutely love taking a baths. Others not so much. “If your baby hates the tub, don’t force him to stay in the water,” says Dr. Shu. Instead, put him on a blanket or a towel and use a damp, warm washcloth to clean his face and body. Work on one body part at a time and keep the rest of him covered. Ease him back into the tub routine slowly. You might buy a few bathtime-only toys so he gets excited to play with something new. First, let him watch as you dunk the toys into the bathwater. After a few minutes, let the toys float and see if he reaches for them; if he does, try dipping his feet then his legs into the tub. “Babies aren’t naturally afraid of the water,” says Dr. Shu. “But they can be scared of the noise of running water or if water gets in their eyes.” Fill the tub when he’s out of the room, and be extra careful when you wash his face.
Hand Sanitizers — 4 Things to Know About Them
Fact 1: It works.
It can be as effective as soap and water. But soap loosens dirt and bacteria off the skin and helps wash it down the drain; sanitizers kill viruses and bacteria. So if your child has any dirt or grime on his hands, he should wash them instead.
Fact 2: The dose is important.
Kids need to cover their hands entirely with a nickel- or quarter-size dollop. And they should get some under their nails by scraping their palms. Don’t let them wipe any off on their pants; that reduces effectiveness.
Fact 3: Ingredients matter.
Products with any less than 60 percent alcohol aren’t effective and may actually encourage bacterial growth. It’s best for now to stick with traditional alcohol-based gels.
Fact 4: Babies shouldn’t use it.
Their skin is very thin and delicate, so the chance of alcohol absorption is high. Still, there are rarely major effects from exposure in kids under 6, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Originally published in the November 2010 issue of Parents magazine
Fun, Foolproof Family Hikes
Get out your comfy walking shoes and gather your family for a fun and fitness-filled walk. Here’s how to make sure kids of all ages have fun out on the trails.
Any time is a terrific time to take a hike. Some tips for kid-friendly treks, from Best Hikes With Children in Utah author Maureen Keilty.
Make Sure Shoes FitTry on hiking boots for comfort and fit before you go.
Getting ReadyLet your kids help prepare for your hike by making trail mix, filling water bottles, and studying maps.
Choose an easy route so even the youngest hiker can say, “I walked the whole way!” Most younger children can handle a two-mile hike — and you may be surprised to see how far older kids walk! But for your first-time out on the trails, start with a gentle mile.
Stop to Smell the FlowersPoint out wildflowers, waterfalls, and birds’ nests along the way
Invite a Trail BuddyLet your child invite a friend. She’ll have more fun — and be less likely to complain.
Follow the LeaderGive everyone — even the youngest trail-goers — a turn as the hike leader.
Stay HydratedMake frequent stops for water and snacks.
Positive Reinforcement is Key!Praise patience and playfulness early and often.
What’s the difference between the flu shot and the nasal spray vaccines?
Aside from how the vaccine is administered (an injection in the arm vs. a squirt up the nose), there are some other key differences between the flu shot and nasal spray.
The flu shot can be used by more people. The shot is approved for use in anyone over 6 months old, including pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions, while the spray is not approved for babies under age 2 (or people over age 49), pregnant women, or those with certain chronic medical conditions or suppressed immune systems.
The flu spray may protect against more flu strains. “There’s some evidence that the nasal spray provides enhanced cross-protection against viruses not included in the vaccine,” says Michael T. Brady, MD, vice chair of the AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases. “This means that if the flu strains in the vaccine happen to differ from the circulating strains in a given year, the nasal vaccine provides better odds at protecting those non-covered strains than the shot does.”
The potential side effects are different. Children who receive the spray may develop a runny nose or congestion, as well as a cough, chills, fatigue, sore throat, or a slight headache. Children who get the shot might have muscle aches and soreness near the injection site.
The flu spray contains live (but weakened) viruses, while the shot contains inactivated (dead) viruses. Neither should make your child come down with the flu, but in rare cases, those who’ve received the nasal spray can pass the viruses on to others.
Some brands of the flu shot contain the mercury-based preservative thimerosal.
The spray is thimerosal-free. ”Both versions of vaccine are safe and effective,” says Dr. Brady. “But I’d recommend the nasal spray for children who can receive it — most healthy kids over age 2. It may be slightly more effective, and it also means one less shot for your child.”
Talk with your doctor to determine which version of the vaccine might be best for your child.
Is There Mercury In The Flu Vaccine? Should I Be Concerned?
While mercury-free brands of the flu vaccine are available, the majority of flu shots still contain some thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that used to be found in a number of vaccines — and that some people have claimed may cause autism.
However, more and more evidence — via larger, better-designed studies — has failed to find any link that thimerosal in vaccines is responsible for the onset of autism in babies and children. Most recently, a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that cases of autism in California continued to increase every year from 1995 to 2007, despite the fact that thimerosal was removed from most vaccines by 2001. Experts believe that if thimerosal were responsible for autism, cases would have dropped significantly after that time.
If you’re concerned, more and more versions of thimerosal-free flu shots are available each year, and many pediatricians currently offer them. And children older than 2 can receive the nasal spray form of the vaccine, which does not contain thimerosal either.
Health 101: The Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine protects against the flu (influenza), which is a very contagious infection of the respiratory system. Flu germs spread through the air (from coughing, sneezing, etc.) and from contact with infected objects and surfaces. The flu can make your child feel very achy and tired, causing fever, chills, loss of appetite, coughing, runny nose, and sore throat.
Though the flu is common, it can be uncomfortable and dangerous, especially for young kids. The flu can lead to complications like pneumonia, staph and ear infections, and fevers that may cause seizures. Though some parents might consider the flu a more serious cold, the virus sends more than 20,000 children under 5 to the hospital each year; children under 2 face the most serious risk.
Because complications from the flu can be so serious, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that children ages 6 months through 19 years receive the flu vaccine annually, as well as parents, caregivers, and anyone else who has close contact with kids . The vaccine is also very important for pregnant women.
The flu vaccine is especially recommended for kids and adults who are at higher risk from getting very sick should they contract the flu, including:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated) - People 50 years old and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medial conditions
Everyday chemicals may be harming kids
Newark, New Jersey (CNN) — Of the 84,000 chemicals on the market today — many of which are in objects that people come into contact with every day — only about 1 percent of them have been studied for safety, Sen. Frank Lautenberg D-New Jersey said Tuesday.Toxics and Environmental Health that such little oversight means that children in the United States are virtual “guinea pigs in an uncontrolled experiment.”
Our current law does not allow EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] scientists to draw the bright line between chemicals that are safe and those that are toxic.
Our current law does not allow EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] scientists to draw the bright line between chemicals that are safe and those that are toxic.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent,
said he was surprised to find out that only about 200 chemicals in use today have undergone testing required by the EPA.
“I’d always assumed government watchdogs had evaluated and signed off on the safety of the chemicals we encounter in our lives,” he said.
Gupta said, “What we don’t know can really hurt us. And there’s a lot we don’t know.”
2010 Flu Vaccination News
Everything you need to know about the Flu Vaccine in 2010
Keep your family healthy during flu season by staying informed. We have the latest updates. Please note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded its recommendation for an annual flu shot to include everyone over six months old.
Seasonal flu vaccines now include H1N1 strains: Doctors anticipate H1N1 will still be circulating during the fall and winter months of 2010, but a new flu vaccination formula means, for the most part, you and our little ones will only each need one flu shot. The exception? Kids under age 9 who haven’t had a seasonal flu shot before, and kids under 9 who didn’t get the H1N1 vaccine in 2009 will still need two doses of the combined vaccine, administered four weeks apart.
Everyone over the age of 6 months should get the vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its recommendation for an annual flu shot to include everyone over 6 months old — last year the vaccine was only recommended for children under 18, adults over 49, and those at special risk because of a medical condition. Even if you received both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine last year, receiving a new vaccine is recommended since immunity decreases over time and this year’s shot includes protection against a new strain. Unlike last year, all pregnant women are also recommended to have the vaccine, regardless of what trimester they are in.
More shots at school: Don’t be surprised if your child’s school asks for your permission to immunize. In 2009, three of the four states with the highest children’s H1N1 vaccination rates — Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont — had school-based vaccination programs. School clinics save doctors’ offices from having to coordinate thousands of vaccines, and help reach children who otherwise wouldn’t be vaccinated and protected.
Tougher Tamiflu guidelines: No matter how much you may beg your doctor, physicians have been advised not to administer children an antiviral medication just to make sure they are healthy for your Disney vacation next week. Overuse of the drug could cause flu viruses to become resistant to the medication. The CDC dictates that top priority for Tamiflu prescriptions will go to sick children under age 2 (down from age 5 at the beginning of the 2009 flu season), pregnant women, adults over 65, those with a medical condition that puts them at risk, parents with an infant under 6 months old, and anyone who’s hospitalized with the flu. If you think your child may need an antiviral, visit your doctor within 48 hours of the virus’ inception — that’s when Tamiflu is most effective. FYI: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns the “generic” Tamiflu sold by unscrupulous online drugstores is unauthentic — call or visit your doctor for medication needs.
Originally published in the November 2010 issue of Parents mag
Images of Your Developing Baby: First Trimester
These images reveal all the intricate details of your baby’s growth — from a collection of cells to a full-term newborn. While most women may only receive one or two ultrasounds during pregnancy, which is normal, this slideshow of the 1st trimester of pregnancy gives you a look at each week of development.
Weeks 1 and 2
There’s no ultrasound image of your baby-to-be for weeks 1 and 2. While your health care provider counts these two weeks toward your due date, you aren’t really pregnant. Confused? Your pregnancy due date is calculated using the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Obviously you weren’t pregnant at that time, but it’s the best reference your health care provider has for estimating baby’s arrival day (until you get an ultrasound, which may provide a more accurate due date).
Week 3 (1 week from conception)
Fetal Size: Not measurable.
Fetal Development Milestones: Fertilization!
What You’re Seeing: This week is when your pregnancy really begins. At some point, the sperm joins with the egg as it makes its way from the ovary through the Fallopian tube and then into the uterus. Fertilization takes place inside the Fallopian tube. Once together, the cells begin to divide rapidly so that next week, a sonographer may be able to capture baby-to-be’s beginnings during an ultrasound examination.
Week 4 (2 weeks from conception)
Fetal Size: Not measureable.
Fetal Development Milestones: Positive pregnancy test!
What You’re Seeing: The small circle at the center of the sonogram may not look like much, but that little sac is a kind of baby cocoon called a gestational sac. The cells that make up this sac will begin to specialize. Some cells will become part of the placenta. Some will form the amniotic sac that will fill with fluid to cushion your developing baby. Other cells are destined to form everything from delicate eyelashes to muscles and skin. But that’s still a long way away.
Week 5 (3 weeks from conception)
Week 6 (4 weeks from conception)Fetal
Size: 1/18 to 1/16th of an inch (about the size of the pen dot)
Fetal Development Milestones: Baby-to-be takes on a tucked, C-shape. Head, legs, and umbilical cord are forming. Blood is pumping through the heart.
What You’re Seeing: In this 3D image of the developing embryo, you can see a big change since last week. The baby-to-be curves inward, with the umbilical cord in the middle. The head appears at the upper right side of the image. Small buds can be seen where the arms and legs will eventually develop.
