Influenza virus probably originated in birds, and moved to people thousands of years ago when people began to domesticate fowl. Influenza, in other words, was an “emerging disease”, much like SARS today. Over the centuries, influenza epidemics have had dramatic effects on human populations. For example, the 1918 pandemic, is estimated to have caused some 50 to 100 million deaths, and influenza (and smallpox) devastated the first nations peoples of North America with the arrival of Europeans.
Between the weeks of 28 – 32 of your pregnancy, most babies turn into the head down position. Once they have turned, they usually stay in this position because their head is the heaviest part of their body. However, some babies want to be close to their mommy’s heart so we find them in the breech presentation. Can acupuncture help turn a breech baby?
Early speech and language skills help your child to tell others about their ideas and feelings, wants and needs. Difficulties in communicating can lead to frustration and social or behaviour problems. Learning to communicate is the foundation for learning at school. Research has also shown that early development of language is important for academic success, for understanding the teacher, learning to read, write and do math, and for developing relationships with teachers, peers, and others that come to be a part of the lives of our children. One in ten children in Ontario will need help developing their speech and language skills to get ready for school.
Ever head to the dollar store and think you’ve hit the jackpot? A whole bag of plastic toys for only 20 bucks! Woo hoo! But, sadly, these toys may just not be safe. Many items that have been banned in the US and Europe are allowed to be sold in Canada. Huh? That’s pretty strange. What should you do? Who can you trust?
For all of you interested parents, British Columbia creates an annual list of the most popular baby names to help identify current trends that may assist you in choosing a name for your baby. Somehow, the list never makes our choice easier, but it’s a good start. These lists are compiled each year from birth registrations, with names given five or more times. The BC Vital Statistics Agency website is also an excellent resource for instructions on obtaining a birth certificate and SIN for your baby.
Here are the most popular baby names for 2008:
Boys Girls
1. Ethan 1. Ava
2. Jacob 2. Chloe
3. James 3. Emma
4. Logan 4. Emily
5. Nathan 5. Hannah
6. Noah 6. Olivia
7. Joshua 7. Ella
8. Matthew 8. Sophie
9. Benjamin 9. Abigail
10. Liam 10. Isabella
11. Lucas 11. Madison
12. Daniel 12. Sarah
13. Ryan 13. Lily
14. Owen 14. Sophia
15. Alexander 15. Elizabeth
16. Jack 16. Maya
17. Aiden 17. Taylor
18. Evan 18. Brooklyn
19. Samuel 19. Julia
20. Nicholas 20. Hailey
See also the UrbanMommies article on Unique Baby Names.
Having a baby who is only a few weeks old cry, inconsolably, on and off for hours at a time is a dramatic challenge. Parents are exhausted, and often feel conflicting emotions that cause them to question themselves and the health of their baby. Parents of colicky babies can become isolated and confused at a time when being connected and calm would be so much more helpful. There are more lay theories about colic than virtually any other paediatric disease, and while some of these may have some truth to them, none of them have been proven, and some are just wrong.
Autism refers to a group of neurological disorders that unfortunately—and for unconfirmed and unknown reasons—are affecting more and more children. It has received a lot of publicity in the last several years resulting in a lot of confusing and conflicting information being circulated. What are the facts?
Hoping to win at Baby Roulette? Before you and your partner toss the birth control in the trash and embark on any serious babymaking efforts, you’ve got some important decisions to make. The choices you make right now are every bit as important to your future baby’s health and well-being as the decisions you make after the pregnancy test comes back positive. Here are ten steps you should plan to take in the year prior to conception.
When a sore throat becomes more than just a little scratchy… ie. there is substantial pain… it is time to worry about a bacterial infection in the throat (“Strep throat”).
The Montessori method is an educational method for children, based on theories of child development originated by Italian educator Maria Montessori in the late 19th and early 20th century. It is applied primarily in preschool and elementary school settings, though some Montessori high schools exist.