Date: July 3rd 2007

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BABY 411 and TODDLER 411 NEWS UPDATE: July 2007
The free eNewsletter for the readers of BABY 411 and TODDLER 411
http://www.Baby411.com
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What’s in this issue?

1. New Baby 411 3rd edition coming next month! Pre-order one today!
2. Insect Repellant 411
3. Asthma and Antibiotics connection
4. Toxic Thomas, and other sources of lead
5. Fish oil supplements and preemie eye disorder
6. FDA begins regulating herbal and nutritional supplements
7. Circumcision decision

Yes, summer is in full swing. Here’s the latest from Baby 411.

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1. NEW, updated 3rd edition of BABY 411 coming next month! Pre-order one today.

It’s bigger! It’s better!

The brand new THIRD edition of BABY 411 is on its way---and you can pre-order one today with a special discount . . . FREE SHIPPING.

As always, we just had to make BABY 411 better: the new EXPANDED third edition features the most up-to-date health and parenting information for the first year of life. New in this edition:

* Is there a miracle cure for colic? Could it be a simple dietary supplement? We’ll discuss the latest news.

* Flat heads—how to avoid them, with easy-to-use tips.

* EXPANDED advice on breast-feeding, with practical tips from an expert lactation consultant.

Plus we have an expanded section on preemies, the low-down on improved baby formulas and the scoop on controversies like plastic baby bottles (are they toxic?). Read more about what’s in the new book here:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/baby411/newedition.html

Pre-order a copy today and get FREE standard shipping (a $3 value)! The new book will ship the week of August 6 (allow 7-10 days for delivery). Free shipping for U.S. addresses only; orders must be received by August 6 to get the special deal.

Or save even more when you order Baby 411 with one of our other best-selling parenting books, TODDLER 411 or BABY BARGAINS. Or order all three and save nearly $9.

The new Baby 411 book will be in bookstores September 1. The retail price is $12.95.

Order the new book here:

https://windsorpeak.com/orderform14.html

Pre-order a copy today!


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2. Insect Repellant 411:

What’s the best way to protect your baby from mosquito bites (and diseases like West Nile Virus, viral encephalitis, Lyme Disease—scary stuff)? You’ve got a few options.

For newborns, the easiest thing to do is to buy insect netting at just about any baby supply store and cover up the stroller or infant seat.

For babies and kids over two months of age, the Centers for Disease Control recommends products containing either DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or Picaridin (KBR 3023). Note: Citronella based products are not effective.

Although DEET gets a bad wrap for having potential neurologic adverse events (i.e. seizures), it is a safe product if you use it correctly. That means: Apply it once a day and wash it off after your child comes indoors. 10% DEET products protect for about 2 hours, as does the Picaridin. 30% DEET products protect for about 5 hours. So, pick the product based on how long you will be outdoors. Picaridin is a reasonable alternative and does not seem to have any significant health concerns. It can also be reapplied, if necessary.

We do not recommend buying combo insect repellants/sunblock because sunblock should be reapplied frequently.

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3. Asthma linked to Antibiotic use?

As you may have read, there has been an alarming increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, the big guns that kill a larger number of bacteria and drug-resistant strains, are being used more often as resistance grows to narrow spectrum or first-line antibiotics.

A study published in the journal Chest last month raises new concerns about broad-spectrum antibiotic use. Do these super antibiotics given to children under a year of age increase their risk of childhood asthma?

Here’s the theory: any antibiotic, but particularly the broad-spectrum ones, kill off the bad germs that are causing infection as well as many “good germs” that live in harmony with the human body. Changing the body’s flora, may put the body at risk of other problems.

Researchers studied 14,000 children over an eight-year period and found that babies who had received at least one course of a broad-spectrum antibiotic had an increased risk of asthma later in childhood. The more rounds of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the greater the risk. The risk was independent of whether or not the mother had a history of asthma. The risk was even greater if the child received those antibiotics for a NON-respiratory infection (e.g. a bladder infection).

Interestingly, having a family dog seemed to decrease the risk of the child developing asthma, especially if the child had received four or more courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Cats did not have an impact (sorry feline lovers).

Take home message: If your child needs antibiotics, narrow spectrum antibiotics, like Amoxicillin, should be used as first line treatment. Big gun, broad-spectrum antibiotics should be reserved for when we really need to use them.

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4. Toxic Thomas:

As many of you are aware, there has been a recall on Thomas the Tank Engine toys manufactured in China since 2005 that may be manufactured with lead paint. We knew Thomas was a naughty little engine, but little did we know he was toxic! For more information on the particular Thomas trains affected, check out

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07212.html.

There has also been a recall on children’s toy jewelry that contain high levels of lead. These include Spandrel Sales “Charmed designer jewelry” sold in vending machines from February through March 2007 (see www.ssmvending.com for details). Tween brand’s High School Musical jewelry sold at Limited Too and Justice stores, are also being recalled for lead (see www.limitedtoo.com for details.)

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5. Fish oil supplements may protect premature babies against eye disorder:

A study published in the July issue of Nature Medicine showed a potential preventative therapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature babies. Mice who had diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) had less growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes. While this is not a study in humans, it shows promise in preventing vision loss. Children’s Hospital, Boston, will start treating premature babies who are at risk for ROP with fish oil nutritional supplements soon as part of the first human study.

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6. FDA will begin regulating supplements!

The Food and Drug Administration is starting to crack down on the herbal and nutritional supplement industry. Federal law from 1993 protected the supplement industry from pharmaceutical scrutiny because these products were viewed as foods and not drugs.

This very large loophole allowed products to be marketed without regulation. Some products are contaminated with impurities that can be harmful, and others may not even contain what is claimed on the packaging. The new FDA mandate will hopefully give consumers a bit more confidence in what they are buying.

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7. Update on circumcision decision:

The number of American boys who are circumcised is declining. In the 1960’s, almost 90% of American boys were circumcised. As of 2004 data, that number has dropped to 57%. Part of this trend is due to changing parent attitude. But the biggest reason for the decline is Asian and Latin American immigration, who do not routinely circumcise.

Interestingly, there is new evidence of a medical benefit to circumcision. A large study done on heterosexual men in Africa by the National Institute of Health showed circumcised men had a 60% lower risk of HIV. These results may impact circumcision recommendations of medical organizations in the future—stay tuned!

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That’s the news! Have a happy 4th! And don’t forget to check out the new edition of BABY 411!

Best wishes.

Ari Brown & Denise Fields
http://www.baby411.com