A local training
is being planned to certify more community members to provide car
seat inspections. To find out about local car seat inspection services,
contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Department or the Florida Keys
Healthy Start Coalition at 305-293-8424.
For more information
about the proper use of booster seats, visit www.boosterseat.gov.
January
is Cervical Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month
FLORIDA
KEYS, FLORIDA— January is cervical health awareness
month. Cervical cancer, when detected early is nearly 100% curable.
All women are encouraged to see their health care provider for regular
pap tests because early detection saves lives.
Women who are
pregnant also need to be aware of cervical health, and pap tests are
often part of prenatal care. Between pregnancies, a pap test is essential
to screen for problems and assure a healthy woman and healthy future
pregnancies.
If you are over
21, get your regular pap test at your annual physical exam.
Talk to your
care provider about the new vaccine for helping to prevent HPV or
human papilloma virus, a virus which can cause cervical cancer.
For more information
on prenatal care and health during the reproductive years, contact
Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition at 305-293-8424 or visit our
home page.
Florida
Keys Healthy Start brings attention to January: Birth Defect Prevention
Month
KEY
WEST, FLORIDA—The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition
is joining the National Birth Defects Prevention Network to alert
women and their families about the urgent need for good health before
even thinking about pregnancy.
“Healthy
Start services include care of women before a pregnancy begins”
says Executive Director Arianna Nesbitt. “We hope to reach Florida
Keys women with the important message of prevention during this event.”
Good health habits
for women include knowing your family history and genetic risks, seeing
your doctor or midwife to manage any health problems, and eating folic
acid- enriched foods. Women can also get folic acid by taking a multivitamin
with 400 mcg of folic acid every day.
The Florida Keys
Healthy Start Coalition is working with local caregivers throughout
the Keys to help encourage good pre-pregnancy health.
To learn more
about what you can do to stay healthy before a pregnancy, and reduce
your risk of birth defects, contact The Florida Keys Healthy Start
Coalition at 305-293-8424 or visit our home
page.
Don’t
Wait to Get to Your Healthy Weight!
KEY WEST,
FLORIDA— January 21st marks the start of Healthy Weight
week. Although the topic of weight is virtually everywhere, along
with the pressure to look model-thin, there are definite health reasons
for getting a healthy weight, especially for women.
All women should
strive to maintain or get to a healthy weight. Your health care provider
can help you determine if your BMI or body mass index is right for
you, or could use some improvement.
For women who
are pregnant, maintaining a healthy weight is essential for the health
of both mother and baby. Healthy weight during pregnancy is actually
weight GAIN, not loss. An average of 25-35 pounds of weigh gain is
expected and recommended in order to grow a healthy baby. Don’t
worry, breastfeeding helps take those pounds off after the birth!
For women who
are not pregnant, but might become pregnant, getting to an ideal weight
will make conception easier, pregnancy more comfortable, and lower
the risk of medical problems during pregnancy.
The Florida Keys
Healthy Start Coalition can help you with information on healthy weight
for pregnant and postpartum women. Contact us about our Parents Walking
Club and other prenatal and postpartum fitness opportunities in all
of the Keys. 293-8424 or visit our home
page.
Pregnancy
and HIV: Get tested, get the facts before baby!
For December 1,
World Aids Day, Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition wants women to
consider HIV/Aids and their future baby plans. An HIV-infected woman
who becomes pregnant needs to think about her own health and the health
of her new child. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
states that “If you have HIV, you could pass it to your baby
during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and breastfeeding. There are things
you can do to help prevent this from happening. That is why it is
important to know your HIV status as early in pregnancy as possible.
“
The risk of transmitting
HIV to a newborn can be reduced with medications during pregnancy
and labor and birth. Any woman with HIV who is thinking about getting
pregnant should carefully discuss treatment options with her doctor.
If you are infected with HIV and are not treated, the risk of your
baby becoming infected is about 25%. With certain treatments and delivery
options, the risk is reduced to about 2%.
If a woman is
not aware of her HIV status, she should make certain that this is
part of her prenatal care. Blood is taken usually during the first
prenatal appointment to check for many problems. Before planning a
pregnancy, there are many places to get a free HIV test throughout
the community. The Monroe County Health Department, AIDS Help Inc,
Womankind, and your family physician are just a few of the choices
for an HIV test.
For more information
on maintaining a healthy pregnancy and prenatal care, contact the
Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition at (305) 293-8424.
October
is SIDS Awareness Month
Key
West, Fla. The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition wants to help
the public be more aware of SIDS and how to reduce the risks.
SIDS
or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is also commonly known as “crib
death”. SIDS is the unexplained death of a baby from birth up
to 12 months. Most often, the baby is less than 6 months old. One
out of every five SIDS deaths occurs in a daycare center or when the
baby is under someone other than the parents' care. This is mainly
due to caregivers not knowing the ways to protect baby from SIDS.
Although SIDS and the cause of SIDS is still a mystery, there are
ways to reduce the risk.
Fisher-Price
to Recall Nearly One Million Toys
Wednesday August
1, 7:51 pm ET
By
Anne D'Innocenzio and Natasha T. Metzler, Associated Press Writers
Fisher-Price
to Recall Almost a Million Toys Worldwide Because of Lead in Paint
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Toy-maker Fisher-Price is recalling 83 types of
toys -- including the popular Big Bird, Elmo, Dora and Diego characters
-- because their paint contains excessive amounts of lead.
The worldwide
recall being announced Thursday involves 967,000 plastic preschool
toys made by a Chinese vendor and sold in the United States between
May and August. It is the latest in a wave of recalls that has heightened
global concern about the safety of Chinese-made products.
Hearing
Services
Hear 4 Kidz, Inc. is happy to be providing audiology/hearing services
to clients in Key West at the Easter Seals of Florida/Early Steps
office. Located at:
5220
College Road • Key West, FL 33040
We all know how
important it is to have good hearing, especially for the children.
These services will be available for any individual in need of an
audiological assessment (including adults). All that is required is
a prescription for the assessment from the individual’s physician.
To schedule an
appointment, please call or have the client or clients parent/guardian
call my Homestead office and schedule an appointment during the next
scheduled day in Key West. Please call : 305-247-8227 or via
e-mail.
August:World
Breastfeeding Week 2007: An Early Start is a Healthy Start
KEY
WEST, FL—Happy World Breastfeeding Week from your Florida Keys
Healthy Start Coalition. The campaign is sponsored by various health
organizations including the UNICEF and this year's topic is to stress
the importance of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.
An early start to breastfeeding makes breastfeeding more successful
for mother and baby.
Today’s
children have many health problems , and much of it is from a low-breastfeeding
rate in the US. Obesity, low immunity, allergies, ear infections and
stomach problems are some of the most common problems associated with
non-breastfed children.
For a new mom,
finding good information, support and assistance with breastfeeding
can be hard, and the information usually varies and is conflicting.
During World Breastfeeding Week, public health groups aim to make
the messages clear to all women.
Many national
health groups such as the American Public Health Association recommend
breastfeeding as part of our National Nutrition Campaign. The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends only breastmilk for the first six
months and to continue breastfeeding for at least twelve months. An
efficient and low cost way to get more people to understand the importance
of early and exclusive breastfeeding is to provide community education
and support.
The Upper Keys has the Mothers in Paradise new-moms group, Key West
has a La Leche League group, and area birthing hospitals have prenatal
classes and nurses to help parents learn the basics of breastfeeding.
Healthy Start and WIC offices also have staff trained to assist breastfeeding
mothers with their questions or concerns. It is important that everyone
in the community know where to direct a breastfeeding mother if she
needs help. Breastfeeding problems and concerns should be taken as
serious as any other medical problem and dealt with by someone skilled
in breastfeeding management.
World Breastfeeding
Week is celebrated August 1-7th. Many area physician offices and clinics
will receive free breastfeeding materials to assist clients with current,
evidence-based practice.
July:
Group B Strep Awareness Month
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, please click
here to see a fact sheet on GBS including some birth
practices such as "stripping the membranes" and internal
monitors that can infect the baby in a GBS positive mom.
June:
Surviving Summer Sun with Baby
Key
West, FL. The heat of summer is creeping in and even those of us accustomed
to the extreme heat tend to stay indoors as much as possible. This
may be especially true for families with a small baby whereas the
very young are more vulnerable during periods of high heat and humidity.
Following
these recommendations will help you enjoy the summer sun and water
safely with a baby.
Avoid dressing
babies in heavy clothing
A newborn
baby in the Florida summer does not need to be swaddled with a hat
on for outings. Dress your baby as you would dress yourself, layers
for layer. Keep indoor temperatures moderate day and night.
Healthy Outdoor
Time
Direct
sunlight on a small baby can be harmful, however, indirect sunlight,
for as little as fifteen minutes provides enough sun exposure to fulfill
the Vitamin D requirement for baby. Clothing and shade provide the
best protection for the skin. Attach a sunshade to your stroller or
carrier when you are not holding your baby, and enjoy being outdoors.
Keep children
out of direct sunlight between 10am and 2pm
Luckily,
these peak hours of sunlight are also prime napping and lunching time.
Take a siesta during the heat and leave these hours to the tourists.
Use a gentle
sunblock with a SPF of at least 30
Check
with local shops for gentle sunblock for kids with natural sun blocking
agents. Babies love to chew on their fingers and toes, so use caution
when applying sunscreen to this age group. Generally, sunscreens are
not recommended for babies under 6 months of age.
Offer fluids
frequently as children can quickly become dehydrated
The
heat tends to make baby sleepy. Make certain that baby is drinking
plenty of age appropriate fluids. Breastmilk or formula for under
6 months. Extra water for over 6 months.
Dress children
in light, loose-fitting clothing and hats
Dressing
babies in natural cotton fibers allows for airflow and light colors
work well to reflect heat. Consider a lightweight cotton shirt and
hat. Remember that disposable diapers increase and hold in heat.
Remember,
dark skinned children can get sunburned and should be equally protected
Sunburn
is not the only indicator of sun damage. All skin is at risk, and
this goes for adults too. You may find it easier to get a young child
to wear protective clothing and sunblock if parents set an example.
Drowning deaths
are the number one cause of deaths in Florida for young children between
the ages of 1-4.
Baby
pools, swimming pools, public beaches and sprinklers! All fun ways
to cool off with a baby in the summer heat. Book swim lessons for
your baby and older child this summer as part of the summer fun. Overconfidence
can be dangerous to a child who has been out of the water since last
summer, so a refresher class can be beneficial.
Consider a
reusable swim diaper instead of the disposable ones.
Reusable
swim diapers, besides being the more ecological choice, do not weigh
baby down by soaking up water. The reusable swim diapers trap baby’s
accidents without adding more weight to baby. When picking up a safe
swim diaper, don’t forget a little lifejacket for baby too.
Check local
advisories before letting baby play at local beaches.
Several
times a year, local beaches are sampled and appropriate warnings are
issued for excessive bacteria levels throughout the Keys. As babies
love to dig in wet sand and usually eat some too, this can be a serious
health problem. For local beach warnings, check with the Monroe County
Health Department 305-293-7500.
Have
a safe and happy summer with your little ones.
Contact 305-293-8424
Click to e-mail
June:
Florida Keys Healthy Start wishes future fathers a Happy Fathers Day!
A
new father can struggle to find his place in the new experience of
watching his partner go through pregnancy. Most resources target women
for both pregnancy and parenting topics. Little time, if any at all,
during prenatal appointments is spent on transitioning the couple
into parenthood.
Many fathers have
numerous questions as to what a pregnancy and birth involve, and just
how much of that will be their responsibility. Considering that most
pregnancies are not planned, the couple may not have had time to discuss
major parenting issues such as prenatal care, breastfeeding and parenting
styles.
Your caregiver
should be open to questions from both of you and assist you with feeling
comfortable with the plan of care. Keeping a small notebook of concerns,
questions and information you need during the pregnancy may help you
organize your thoughts.
As the birth approaches,
many fathers fear failing their partner or wonder if the pain will
be too intense for the mother. The stress of wondering if medical
help will be needed make many men doubt their ability to stay calm,(
or vertical!) in the birth room.
Fathers should
become educated on options, procedures, and the normal course of pregnancy
and childbirth. Birth books and videos are helpful, but a childbirth
class will allow the father to meet other fathers and ask plenty of
questions.
Learning that
the pain and work of childbirth is a healthy pain with purpose and
not the pain of injury or disease, is one of the first hurdles for
dads. The biggest and last hurdle is going from boyfriend or husband
to responsible father.
Feeling confidant
in the role of expectant father and birth partner will help develop
skills to get the couple through the pregnancy and then also for the
trying weeks of early parenting. There are many books written for
fathers provide to help you best help the mother-to-be. Click to see
The
Birth Partner by Penny Simkin, and The
Expectant Father by Armin Brott. Dr. William Sears,
pediatrician and author of Father’s
First Steps: 25 things a new father should know
also has a wealth of new father information on his website.
Being a good birth
partner is to know how to help. Some fathers feel that despite all
the preparation, they want someone to show them the ropes and help
them too. Adding an extra support person during birth will take some
of the pressure off the dad.
Second-string
support may be a Doula (birth assistant), or experienced friend or
relative. If you and your partner choose to have extra help in the
birth room, meet as a group prior to the birth to discuss what you
want as a couple. The support person should be there to support your
choices and help you, not just watch.
During the early
weeks with a new baby, fathers often want the feeling of stability
in the home in order to help the mother. If the father has questions
or concerns, he should feel free to phone the doctor or any other
resource and get answers.
Fathers do well
to go with the flow, get to know the new baby, and help with meals,
phone calls, reading those baby books, and running interference from
the many well- wishers. A
predictable existence will come back (eventually) and the calm support
from the father makes all the difference in the world for both mother
and baby.
Local resources
to help men transition into fatherhood include the childbirth education
classes offered throughout the Keys. Doulas and breastfeeding counselors
are also a valuable resource for new fathers, not just mothers. Call
the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition at 305-293-8424 for a referral.
Contact 305-293-8424
Click to e-mail
May
15 is National Women’s Checkup-up Day!
There
are 365 days this year, and taking just one of those days to focus
on your health could add years to your life.
May 15th is National
Women’s Check-up day. Schedule an appointment with your health
care provider, and remind all the women in your life to do the same.
Take this one
day to reconnect to your health.
Contact the Florida
Keys Healthy Start Coalition for more information on staying healthy
and getting the checkups you need before, during and after a pregnancy.
We are happy to give referrals for local women's health care providers.
(305) 293-8424 or e-mail
April
is Cesarean Awareness Month
KEY
WEST, FLORIDA—Since
2005, April has been designated as FLORIDA Cesarean Awareness Month.
A cesarean section is the abdominal surgery to deliver a baby. Cesarean
birth, often called a c-section, can be lifesaving for both mother
and baby under many circumstances such as baby in a head-up or breech
position or for a mother who is suffering from a serious illness.
So why do we need
awareness about a lifesaving surgery?
Both national
and international health leaders urge communities to reduce the cesarean
rate to fifteen percent among low-risk, first-time mothers. The rate
for c-section in Florida is over 33% in some areas.
Women who undergo
cesarean births face increased complications in their future reproductive
life; have a longer recovery time and are subject to increased complications;
and of course, much higher medical bills for both mother and baby.
(Approximately $5,000 vs $15,000 for a c-section).
This year, more
than one in three babies will be born surgically via cesarean section
in the State of Florida overall. We are fortunate here in Monroe County
to have a c-section rate lower than both the State and National average
at our Lower Keys Medical Center, however, many women are choosing
to give birth in Miami or points north where the rates can be nearly
double.
These rates will
only improve with good prenatal care and early childbirth education,
and by women exercising their choices in choosing a safe place to
give birth and getting plenty of help and education along the way.
Florida women
have the right to full and complete information on the risks and benefits
of natural and cesarean birth and the corresponding right to make
informed choices about their healthcare
Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition provides referrals and support
for local childbirth education programs for ALL Florida Keys women,
and contracts for home-visiting education for women enrolled in the
Healthy Start program. For a childbirth class near you, contact 305-293-8424.