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Sibling Support in the NICU One out of every ten American babies is born prematurely; that’s about 380,000 babies each year who start their lives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. While the NICU staff work around the clock to help premature babies grow healthy and strong, it is important to remember that, for the family, having a baby in the NICU remains emotionally and physically exhausting. Amidst the whirlwind of hospital visits, concerned friends, and sleepless nights, older siblings of preemies often feel scared or left out during this difficult time. The older siblings rarely receive the support they need, especially the kids old enough to recognize the stress of the situation, but too young to fully understand it. The big brother or sister is often left behind with family or babysitters while parents spend time in the NICU. Taking them along on visits to the NICU can be upsetting if they’re not prepared, or boring if there is nothing for them to do. Some NICUs don’t allow siblings to visit at all. As Kelly Scher, a Child Life Specialist from Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida explains, “Many parents struggle with balancing their time between children at home and their hospitalized premature baby.” Even when home, it can be difficult for parents who are emotionally spent to engage with older children, or provide enough positive attention and reassurance. Explaining to a young child what is happening to their baby brother or sister can also be intimidating, especially if the preemie is experiencing serious health complications. So, how can parents ensure that the older children are given proper support? Step 1: Self Care Parents need to focus on their own wellbeing before they can provide the support their children need. Taking time for a yoga class, a brisk walk, or a hot cup of tea can help you re-energize. Support groups and online forums can also be very helpful. It’s important for parents to seek out whatever form of emotional support works best for them. As any mental health professional will tell you, if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not taking care of your family. Step 2: Ask for Help Contacting other families who have experienced the same thing can be a great way to get advice and connect with others who understand. It’s also a good idea to ask the NICU if they have any special resources or programs geared toward children. For example, volunteers from Hand to Hold, a NICU support organization in Texas, work with certain NICUs to offer fun activity days called Sibling Sundaes. The hospital may also have a Child Life Specialist, who can help prepare siblings for visiting the new baby, or help them process their emotions. The March of Dimes has developed a NICU Family Support program, implemented in many U.S. hospitals, which offers informational materials for families and helps educate NICU staff about how to build networks of support. Dr. James Cook, Director of Neonatology at Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania, says the March of Dimes program is, “The best way to involve families in the care of their babies.” The March of Dimes website also has informational articles, news, research, and health education specialists waiting to answer any questions. Step 3: Use Resources There are a variety of great Sibling Support resources available. Educational sibling support coloring or activity books can be very helpful. Come Home Soon, Baby Brother! (also available as Come Home Soon, Baby Sister!) uses illustrations and text to explain why the new baby can’t come home yet, how the NICU takes care of them, and what siblings can do to help. According to Elizabeth B. Mittiga, RN, BSN, from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, these NICU Sibling Support Coloring Books, “Explain in terms that children can understand, allowing them the enjoyment of coloring the pictures as well.” Other resources designed to support NICU siblings, including activity pages, children’s books, and videos, can be found in the sidebar. There are many different ways that NICU families and hospitals can provide sibling support. Above all, preemie siblings just need to understand that they are cared for, loved, and an important part of the family.

Platypus Media announces the arrival of a new baby... baby mammal, that is! This is How I Grow was released in March. The Spanish language edition, Así crezco, will be released on October 7. Why are mammals so fascinating? It's probably because there are a huge variety of species that have families and childhood experiences just like you! While habitats, colors, and shapes all change, baby mammals still rely on their mothers’ milk for healthy growth, and look to their communities for support and guidance—in just the same way as human babies. This is How I Grow and Así crezco explore the different paths baby mammals take to become all grown up. Through beautiful, panoramic illustrations and fascinating text, kids learn how long baby mammals, such as whales, polar bears, and giraffes, take on their way to maturity. Showing children how mammals care for each other and their families in the natural world fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion in interpersonal and interspecies interactions. Take that empathy a step farther and get in touch with your wild side! Which baby mammal are you? Take our quiz to find out! Learn more about the baby mammals we're expecting! Bats, squirrels, and kangaroos... oh my! Watch all of these mammals grow up in This is How I Grow and Así crezco . Page through the expansive panoramic illustrations, and explore the vast diversity of the mammal world. Are you an educator? We have a wonderful Teacher's Guide to expand and extend the content in the book. To download, click here. The paperback editions retail for $12.95. Until September 30th, get each title for just $8.95! Just use the code GROW at checkout. Offer includes Free Shipping Voice: 202-546-1674 I Fax: 202-558-2132

Celebrating Paperback Book Day! July 30th is National Paperback Book Day! This holiday commemorates the first time that Penguin Books, one of the world’s largest publishing companies, published the first book in its Penguin Paperbacks line in 1935. In an era in which most books were placed between heavy, wooden, leather-bound covers, Penguin’s move toward paperbacks was revolutionary. The arrival of paperback books to stores presented the public with a more affordable option that was easier to transport from place to place, making reading a more accessible hobby for individuals and communities alike. Fun Facts about Paperbacks While it is commonly thought that the world’s first mass market paperback was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, published in 1938, paperbacks have allegedly been around since 17th-century France and Germany. Some of the most popular paperback books ever to appear in the United States were the “Dime Novels,” such as the Buffalo Bill stories, that captured the public imagination during the Civil War era. The invention of the typewriter in the 1870s undoubtedly helped produce and circulate multiple copies of these books. Early Penguin Paperbacks only cost sixpence, which is the equivalent of 4 cents today. Some famous authors whose books were included in Penguin’s first ten paperback titles are Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway. Paperback books surged in popularity during WWII, especially among soldiers, because they were designed to be disposable. Paperbacks and Family Reading Despite the ongoing popularity of hardcover books for their beauty and durability, paperback books are an excellent option for children and families to create and maintain reading habits on the go. At Platypus Media, we actively encourage families to schedule read-aloud sessions, whether at home or on vacation, to help children experience intellectual stimulation and quality contact with their parents. Here are a few classic books that can be found in paperback form and retain their appeal for children of all ages: Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll Oh, The Places You’ll Go!, by Dr. Seuss Are You My Mother?, by P.D. Eastman The Secret Garden, by Frances Hoffman Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz Ryan Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor Platypus Media is also proud to offer several books in paperback form that are designed to help develop children’s literacy in a variety of subjects while building parent-child attachment. These books include: This Is How I Grow, by Dia Michels Babies Nurse, by Phoebe Fox Cuddled and Carried, by Dia Michels Check out our shop for more! Fostering an appreciation for books in children from a young age is integral to their academic and social success. Paperback books are accessible and can be read anywhere, anytime, making them an ideal tool for engaging children with literature. Grab your favorite paperback, whether it’s a classic or a newer title, and share it with your family and friends today! Fun Facts adapted from: https://www.ioba.org/standard/2001/12/a-short-history-of-paperbacks/

World Breastfeeding Week is finally here, and we’ve rounded up some breastfeeding news to celebrate! Every year, new discoveries come to light about the wealth of benefits breastfeeding offers for both moms and babies. As our society continues to evolve and accept breastfeeding for the positive, empowering act that it is, scientists and parents alike find new ways to celebrate it. Here are a few tidbits about breastfeeding that you may not have come across in your news feed: Breastfeeding can help babies tell time! Recent studies have revealed that the changing composition of breastmilk during the day (with different hormones and other “ingredients” between morning and evening) may help babies start regulating their circadian rhythms, which help distinguish day from night. Scientists also theorize that babies who are bottle-fed instead of breastfed— receiving milk that is stored in advance rather than given to them throughout the day— may end up with abnormal circadian rhythms because they may be ingesting evening hormones in the morning (and vice versa). Read about it here. Breastfeeding and COVID-19 The World Health Organization and UNICEF are both encouraging women to continue to breastfeed during the COVID-19 pandemic, in opposition to many countries’ aggressively marketing harmful formula products. These organizations emphasize that women should still breastfeed even if they have COVID-19, as it is highly unlikely that the virus can be passed through breastmilk and the innumerable benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh any potential risk. Furthermore, the antibodies that babies receive from their moms through breastmilk strengthen their immunity against man y common childhood illnesses, which means that babies who breastfeed will have immune systems that are overall better-equipped to fend off COVID-19. This article provides more details. Check out this link to see a video UNICEF created on breastfeeding during COVID-19. Breastfeeding behind closed doors Even in 2020, breastfeeding remains a stigmatized act that prevents new mothers from feeling comfortable feeding their babies wherever and whenever they need to. A UK-based photographer created a series called Milk in which she photographed mothers feeding their babies. This series is a valuable contribution to the movement that aims to normalize breastfeeding and show its intimacy. Check out the photo series here. Photo by Sophie Harris-Taylor Exercise during pregnancy makes breastmilk healthier! A study at Ohio State University found that moderate exercise during pregnancy increases a certain compound in breastmilk that reduces babies’ risk for diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. This study provides even more evidence in favor of the benefits of breastmilk and breastfeeding, as well as further information about the importance of staying active! Read all about it here. Did we miss any essential stories? Drop your breastfeeding news in the comments below!

Happy Father’s Day! Today, we celebrate dads all over the world who play an integral role in family life. Sonora Smart Dodd founded Father’s Day in 1910 to honor her father, a Civil War Veteran who raised all six of his kids as a single dad. The first Father’s Day celebration was held at the YMCA in Spokane, Washington, but the holiday has since grown in popularity and is now celebrated both nationally and internationally. Fatherhood is a tremendous feat that requires care, love, and constant devotion to one’s partner and children, and Father’s Day serves as a reminder of fathers’ sacrifices and efforts. The Importance of Fathers Fathers are just as crucial to children’s growth and development as mothers are, providing much-needed structure and support to the family even in the child’s early life. Although some dads might feel unsure about their role in facilitating parent-child bonding and might think that moms are “better” at it, dads can also help raise confident, healthy children through attachment parenting practices. Here are some reasons why father-child bonding is mutually beneficial for fathers and children: Dads who play with their children starting from birth boost their children’s physical and mental development—and play helps dads relieve stress, too! When dads cuddle their babies, babies can make eye contact with them and engage with them. This gives babies the same sense of closeness and support that they get from cuddling with their moms. Dads who soothe their babies’ tears through cuddling, rocking, and singing teach their babies that Mom is not the only one who is there to take care of them. When dads are part of their children’s bedtime rituals and other routines, they help their children establish positive habits and make their partners feel supported. Moms who receive support in daily routines are more likely to involve dads with child-rearing later in the child’s life. Children whose fathers are actively involved in their lives from the time they are born are more emotionally secure, form better relationships with their peers, have higher IQs, and are less likely to get involved with drugs and alcohol. Dads play an active role in teaching their children new words and expanding their vocabulary. The more communication skills children learn from both parents, the more comfortable they are exploring the world outside of Mom’s arms. New Fathers: Breastfeeding Facts This Father’s Day, we would like to express special appreciation for dads with newborn babies at home. Becoming a new parent is filled with uncertainty, particularly when it comes to getting your baby the right nutrients and supporting your partner in feeding your baby. At Platypus Media, we actively encourage fathers to learn about breastfeeding and the wealth of benefits it provides for babies socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Here are a few fun facts about breastfeeding for fathers who would like to know more: Breastfeeding protects moms and babies from many illnesses, including allergies and contagious diseases. Mom’s antibodies and immune cells are passed to the baby through breastmilk. Breastfeeding helps babies develop strong teeth, jaw muscles, and eyesight. Mothers who breastfeed experience a quicker recovery after childbirth, return to their normal weight faster (breastfeeding burns 500 extra calories per day!), and lower their risk of contracting illnesses such as ovarian and breast cancers. When it comes to the frequency of breastfeeding, every baby is different—some may need to breastfeed as often as once per hour, and others may only need to breastfeed once every four hours. Signs of hunger in babies include squirming, sucking their fists, and licking their lips. Watch closely for these signs! As a dad, there are plenty of ways to become involved in your child’s life beyond feeding. When you take the time to talk, play, and cuddle with your child from a very young age, you are contributing to your child’s health, your partner’s health, and your own health! Thank you, fathers, for everything that you do to support your families each and every day. Information for this post is drawn from Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers and the littlezaks.com blog. For more information on breastfeeding, order Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers here.

Parents are the unsung heroes in everyday life. From the very moment of their child’s birth, they become role models, mentors, and teachers. The Global Day of Parents, on June 1, serves to recognize the hard work parents do around the world and emphasizes the important role parents play in the lives of their children. Background According to the United Nations, the Global Day of Parents was designated in 2012 by the General Assembly. The proclamation was one in a series of many actions geared towards recognizing and raising awareness about the importance of family. The United Nation’s focus on family began during the 1980’s, culminating with a declaration in 1983 that 1994 would be the International Year of the Family. Later, in 1993, May 15 was designated the International Day of Families. The Importance of Family Parents play a crucial role in nurturing and developing a child—which is not an easy job! Family is where a child is first introduced to language, morals, emotions, and more. According to the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington, children learn through imitation. Because children are around their parents for so much of their life, they adopt many of their behaviors and values from their parents. This means that even when parents are not focused on educating or playing with their child, they are still teaching them. If a child’s foundation is solid they have a better chance of having successful relationships with others later in life. Raising a child is difficult, but it is extremely rewarding and one of the most important jobs in the world. How to Celebrate? Think of all the parents you know in your community; now think of how many people exist in the world. Families may look different across various cultures, or even in your own neighborhood, but everyone in the world has parents or parental figures who look out for them, care for them, and help them through life’s troubles. This means that celebrations for the Global Day of Parents are also diverse! If you’re searching for ideas on how to celebrate, think about what makes your parents happy, relaxed, or entertained. If your family loves to be outside, gather the materials for a picnic and spend some time with nature. A movie or game night could be the perfect way to get your parents to relax or laugh after a stressful day working. Long distance? Even a phone call or a post-card can be a way to make your parents smile. The Many Kinds of Parents The Beginnings Collection is designed to introduce children to the world of science through exploring animals and their environments. Celebrate Global Parents Day by looking at parents in the animal world! Babies Nurseinspires conversations about parenting, biology, habitats, survival, and more with wonderful illustrations and engaging text. Both parents and children will enjoy the compelling facts about 13 different mammal babies. If My Mom Were a Platypus educates children about mammal mothers and the various ways they protect, raise, and nurture their young. While they learn about the world around them, they’ll also be learning more about themselves and their own mothers! Visit the Beginnings page for more information.

The month of April calls attention to one of the most tragic, widespread problems affecting those dearest to our communities: our children. There were approximately 678,000 cases of child abuse and neglect in the United States in 2018, according to the “Child Maltreatment” report by the Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That's about 9 victims per 1,000 children. This April, we observe Child Abuse Prevention Month by acknowledging those who provide support for the victims and for at-risk families. About Alpine County Child Abuse Prevention Council Alpine County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC), located in California, has a mission to encourage and support interactive, community-based programs to ensure that children and families are safe and healthy. Council coordinator Jennifer Hawkins stated, "Child abuse can have a profound negative impact, leaving adverse physical and mental damage. Child abuse prevention in our community is critical, and together, we can make a difference.” “Steps need to be taken at every level of the social ecology, including communities as a whole, youth-serving organizations and schools, and individuals like parents.” - Prevent Child Abuse America The council emphasizes the importance of community engagement and collaboration in the fight against maltreatment. Their efforts are combined with other local organizations including First 5 Alpine (for which Hawkins is the executive director), Live Violence Free, the Alpine County Office of Education, Choices for Children, law enforcement and other county departments, and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Hawkins stated, “Child abuse is a community matter, and united, we are stronger.” Together, these organizations work to provide parents with education, healthcare, and financial support, which are the keys to building safe and nurturing homes for children. Throughout the month of April, Alpine County CAPC plans to raise awareness in several ways. There will be a formal resolution presented for approval by the Board of Supervisors, declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Alpine County, followed by a raising of the Children’s Memorial Flag. They will also support an event called the Rainbow Awards, hosted by Alpine Kids. This will be a local ceremony celebrating teachers and other adults who have made a positive impact on a child’s life. As per tradition, Alpine County CAPC plans to display pinwheels to promote awareness. The Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign began in April 2008, when the pinwheel was first introduced as the symbol for child abuse prevention by a national nonprofit called Prevent Child Abuse America. The colorful toy stands for the fun, carefree, and safe childhood that all children deserve. Finally, the council plans to distribute information and resources to families along with a copy of the children's book Cuddled and Carried, which models healthy family relationships. Alpine County CAPC worked with Platypus Media to translate the bilingual book to the Washoe language, making the project even more special for a community that includes many members of the Washoe Tribe. According to Hawkins, “Alpine County CAPC was drawn to the book Cuddled and Carried as an outreach opportunity for Child Abuse Prevention Month because… the book promotes healthy bonding between the child and the parent. The book is a great opportunity for parent and child to spend quality time together reading.” Platypus Media founder Dia L. Michels said, "Our whole purpose is to support families, and that's exactly what CAPC is doing. It was a real privilege to work with them." Contact Dia@PlatypusMedia.com if would like to work with us to customize our books for your organization. Prevention Strategies Child abuse prevention organizations like Alpine County CAPC have several goals that extend beyond the month of April. Spreading awareness may contribute to: Increased funding for family support services such as home visiting, peer support groups, and parent education classes Research for more effective, evidence-based prevention strategies and, in particular, strategies for identifying ill-defined emotional abuse Availability of mental health services for children affected by neglect or by emotional, physical, or sexual abuse It is important for adults to look out for—and know how to recognize—the signs and symptoms of abuse. If you suspect a child is suffering from maltreatment or is in a high-risk situation, the best thing to do is to contact your local Child Protective Services (CPS) office or law enforcement agency. Anyone can report suspicions of child abuse or neglect, and a report will never be seen as an accusation. Reported concerns serve as requests for further investigation into whether the child needs help or the family needs assistance. For specific information about how to recognize signs of maltreatment, you can reference the 2019 Fact Sheet from the Child Welfare Information Gateway: “What Is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms.”

Maryland resident Dr. Frank J. Nice is many things: a retired United States Public Health Service Commissioned Officer; a pharmacist; an Assistant Program Director for the Clinical Neurosciences Program at the National Institutes of Health; and the author of several books. But one of the titles he is most proud of is that of humanitarian. Twenty years ago, Dr. Nice helped start the Orphelinat Coeur d’ Jesus (Heart of Jesus Orphanage), a K-12 school in Haiti that serves 550 students and houses around 50 orphans. In 2008, he was a founding member of Health and Education for Haiti (HEH), a non-profit that works collaboratively with the people of Haiti to address their medical, educational, infrastructural, and basic needs. Dr. Nice has won many humanitarian awards including the Temple University School of Pharmacy Alumni Association’s Distinguished Pharmacist Practitioner Award, the University of Arizona Alumni Association’s Leo B. Hart Humanitarian Award, the United States DHHS President’s Volunteer Service Award and President’s Call to Service Lifetime Award, and the American Pharmacists Association Foundation Bowl of Hygeia Community Service Award. About the Heart of Jesus Orphanage The Heart of Jesus Orphanage was originally conceptualized by a friend of Dr. Nice, Fosy Josil. When they first met, Fosy introduced himself to Dr. Nice as a “brother” in a missionary order that he had started to help the children in his community. “Whenever I came to Haiti with our medical mission teams, [Fosy] took me down the road to see a plot of land. That plot of land became an enduring monument to Fosy’s dream and vision to help the children and orphans of Leon and the surrounding area.” —Dr. Frank J. Nice Several years later, the school now has 12 grades plus a kindergarten, something almost unheard of in Haiti. The school has over 550 children and more than 50 orphans who receive daily support. According to Dr. Nice, these children, sadly, are the poorest of the poor of Haiti. Dr. Nice has also helped raise funding to build a medical clinic for the Heart of Jesus students and for the 500 students of another local school, Bon Pasteur (Good Shepherd). When construction was almost completed in 2016, Hurricane Matthew struck, levelling the structure. With help, Dr. Nice has begun making the children’s health clinic a reality again. About Health and Education for Haiti It's Dr. Nice’s dream to help make Haiti the most beautiful country in the Caribbean, and he is working towards that dream as a co-founder, Board Member, and active volunteer of Health and Education for Haiti. Health and Education for Haiti was formed in 2008 to bring services to the Haitian people who would otherwise not receive amenities as basic as clean water. Their main focuses are on collaboration and sustainability. HEH works with the local leadership to address the most serious issues in their communities. This allows the organization to prioritize their programs based on the social climate. “We believe this is critical to all of our programs, as it respects those we are helping. We have regular meetings with local leaders including the clergy, the director of the hospital, the provincial minister of health, and other local officials. This maximizes our impact by directing us to the areas of greatest need.” —hehonline.org In many Haitian villages, the only functioning organization is the local Catholic parish. Haitian priests provide facilities and coordination for HEH’s efforts, announcing upcoming HEH services and events to ensure that the word spreads in advance of their arrival. Although the overwhelming majority of the Haitian population is Catholic, HEH provides services to all who need them, without regard for religion. HEH’s programs bring hope to the areas that they serve. With the help of the Haitian community, they have built churches, schools, orphanages, and medical clinics in partnership with the community, which works to maintain them. “We believe it is important to have sustainable programs to ensure that the work we do in these areas bring generations of people the hope and ability to have a better life.” —hehonline.org Platypus Media and Dr. Nice In 2019, Dr. Nice contacted Platypus Media about commissioning a bilingual English/Creole edition of our award-winning title, Cuddled and Carried / Consentido y cargado, for him to donate to the students of the Heart of Jesus Orphanage. “Our goal is to give one of these beautiful books to each of the children we serve so they have something of their own to treasure, and this book will certainly be a treasure to hold for the children.” —Dr. Frank J. Nice Dr. Nice—along with fellow humanitarians, Pierre Alix Occide (pictured above right) and Jean Louijuin Honore (pictured above left)—arranged to translate the book into Haitian Creole. Dr. Nice wanted 1,000 books to give to the children of Haiti. The result is Cuddled and Carried / Karese'm epi pote'm, which will be available for purchase on March 15, 2020. Cuddled and Carried / Karese'm epi pote'm introduces readers to early science concepts while spreading feelings of warmth and attachment, two concepts that Dr. Nice believes will really connect with the students. You can read more about the title here. Copies can be ordered directly from Platypus Media or ordered from any bookstore. The accompanying free, downloadable Teacher’s Guide is an excellent resource for educators and parents alike, and can be downloaded at PlatypusMedia.com/Educational-Resources. It includes additional content, vocabulary, and hands-on activities that help children develop cognitive skills and improve literacy. How You Can Help Health and Education for Haiti Donate HEH underwrites all of the program’s fundraising, general, and administrative expenses, so 100% of the donations received from individuals go directly to their programs in Haiti. They accept checks or credit cards through Google Checkout, Paypal, or JustGive.org. Thinking about donating? Here is where your money goes: $5 provides 1 person with malaria treatment $50 provides hernia surgery for 1 person $100 provides 1 person with cataract surgery or a child with 1 year of schooling $1,000 provides 1 person with club foot repair or pays a teacher’s salary for 1 year $10,000 funds a week-long medical mission or operates a primary school for 1 year $40,000 builds a 6-room school house Volunteer Volunteers to provide care are crucial to HEH’s medical programs in Haiti. If you are interested in volunteering, as a provider or in any other capacity, you can access their volunteer page here. For more information on Health and Education for Haiti click here.

New evidence-based protocol for healthcare providers offers guidance on how to help families sleep safely. The majority of healthcare providers in the U.S. sternly warn parents to never put an infant in an adult bed. Powerful public health campaigns promote the ABCs of infant sleep - Alone. Back. Crib. - to stress the importance of keeping infants from sleeping beside an adult or in an adult bed. Yet statistics show that the majority of babies do spend at least some of the night in bed with mom. (1) There are many reasons for parents to keep their babies close at night. Some want the warmth and security that comes with close contact. Some feel that their baby will be safer if they can keep a protective eye on them during the night. Some don’t have a crib or extra bed for the baby. Some simply fall asleep feeding or cuddling their child. Many breastfeeding mothers find that they get more sleep if they feed the baby in bed, instead of having to get up to feed and then wait for the baby to fall back to sleep. The data show that mothers who breastfeed and bedshare find it easier to continue nursing for at least one year, which the American Academy of Pediatrics states as optimal for the health of both mother and child. Standard safety recommendations insist that sharing a bed with an infant is dangerous and potentially fatal, but scientists who study mother/infant bedsharing have spent decades arguing that this warning is not necessarily appropriate, depending on the context of how and when bedsharing is practiced. Based on this argument, a new protocol for healthcare providers has just been published in the prestigious Journal of Breastfeeding Medicine, a publication of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. New Guidelines Recognize a Safe Form of Bedsharing The protocol, “Bedsharing and Breastfeeding,” was written by some of the world’s foremost experts in a variety of related fields, combining their critical knowledge of SIDS rates, the physiology and behavior of mothers and infants, the relationship between breastfeeding and bedsharing, parental views on bedsharing behavior, and risk factors for sleep-related injury or death. The protocol presents evidence-based recommendations synthesized by an international collaboration of authorities who conducted a rigorous review of the literature. Aimed at physicians and other health care professionals caring for families who have initiated breastfeeding, this groundbreaking protocol recognizes that bedsharing promotes breastfeeding. This is also the first document from a major medical group to endorse bedsharing. The protocol proposes that the concept of “breastsleeping,” developed in 2016 by Drs. James J. McKenna and Lee T. Gettler, should be seriously considered as a distinct, legitimate, and safe way for an infant to sleep. It occurs when a mother elects to bedshare, and does so on a firm adult mattress beside her breastfed infant. Research has conclusively shown that breastfeeding increases the safety of bedsharing and is associated with a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, the definition of breastsleeping also contains an important qualifier: it can only occur under conditions that are free from known safety hazards. “As the person charged with seeing the protocol through to fruition from writing to approval, I found the process of achieving consensus on the evidence and recommendations to be both challenging and rewarding. We are especially satisfied that this protocol represents the best evidence-based and practical recommendations for clinicians. We hope this protocol will be widely used.” (2) - Melissa Bartick, MD, MSc, Harvard Medical School Reducing Risks, Reducing Deaths According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3,600 infants succumbed to sleep-related deaths in 2017, with 38% attributed to SIDS. Another 26% were considered to be cases of suffocation or strangulation during sleep. Harsh recommendations against bedsharing were put in place in an effort to reduce this number. However, these recommendations are often ignored, with the popularity of bedsharing rising in both the U.S. and abroad. In response, the focus for some researchers has been to try to pinpoint the preventable risk factors for bedsharing deaths. It is clear that safety must be a priority when considering bedsharing. No adult should sleep next to a child without strict adherence to safety guidelines. These include (but are not limited to): Sleep only on a firm mattress; no waterbeds, sofas, recliners, or soft mattresses Make sure there are no gaps between the bed and the wall or other furniture Ensure there are no other children or pets in the bed Do not bedshare if any adult in the bed has used alcohol, drugs, tobacco products of any kind, or any drug or medication that causes drowsiness Be sure no one in the bed has long hair left down or pajamas with strings Remove all heavy blankets, extraneous pillows, and stuffed toys from the bed Do not bedshare with a premature baby or one with congenital conditions A more extensive list of safely guidelines can be found in the ABM protocol and in Dr. McKenna’s book, Safe Infant Sleep. The protocol is a profound departure from the longstanding, one-size-fits-all recommendations against bedsharing. The authors state, "Existing evidence does not support the conclusion that bedsharing among breastfeeding infants (i.e., breastsleeping) causes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the absence of known hazards.” They stress that “bedsharing evolved from innate human biological and behavioral mechanisms. It is not a singular, discrete, or coherent practice, but is composed of a diverse range of behaviors, some of which may carry risks, making it particularly important to discuss bedsharing safety." The publication of this protocol will likely provide opportunities for better funding and further research on the subject of breastsleeping. If it continues to appear that breastsleeping itself, without any of the known preventable risks, does not increase the risk of SIDS or infant death in general, the protocol demands that breastsleeping should be incorporated into the infant sleep conversation as a safe and beneficial option for families. “This is a most welcome balanced statement that emphasizes the positive value of safe bedsharing.”(3) - Arthur I. Eidelman, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Breastfeeding Medicine Encouraging Open and Nonjudgmental Conversations This new protocol encourages healthcare providers and public health officials to review their current recommendations and examine the many variations, risk factors, and individual circumstances that have led the majority of parents to dismiss the current guidelines and choose to bedshare anyway. The authors emphasize that bedsharing recommendations cannot be simple or hard-lined. They must take into account “the mother's knowledge, beliefs, and preferences and acknowledge the known benefits as well as the risks." The authors further note that parents are more likely to follow safety recommendations that are tailored to their specific needs and allow them to make their own choices. This brings us to another main point from the protocol, which is that "ending stigma around bedsharing and educating all parents about safe bedsharing have the potential to reduce infant deaths.” Moving away from the message that a baby should only sleep in a crib and encouraging parents who bedshare to talk about it freely will help make bedsharing safety guidelines more accessible. It may even generate meaningful data for further research, since bedsharing families who are too afraid to reveal their true sleeping arrangements may feel more comfortable sharing their experience if they know they will not be shamed for their choices. The protocol advocates for pediatricians to stop focusing on bedsharing prevention and instead teach parents risk-reduction strategies. It provides examples for healthcare providers, showing how to determine—through conversation and open-ended questions—the best recommendation for each individual family, and how to communicate the appropriate safety information to parents. The protocol even presents ideas for larger structural changes that could lower sleep-related deaths. These include developing policies to reduce smoking and address racial disparities that affect health outcomes related to bedsharing safety, like breastfeeding and prematurity rates. Educating parents about their expanding options for safe sleeping arrangements and encouraging respectful, two-way conversations between families and their healthcare providers can help everyone involved in newborn care keep babies safe and help families thrive. Read more about safe bedsharing: ABM Protocol: Press Release ABM protocol: Bedsharing and Breastfeeding Dr. McKenna’s new book: Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions. (1) Bombard, Jennifer M., et al. “Vital Signs: Trends and Disparities in Infant Safe Sleep Practices — United States, 2009–2015.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67(1); 39-46. January 12, 2018. (2) Bartick, Melissa. “Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Publishes New Bedsharing Guidelines.” Breastfeeding Medicine: Physicians blogging about breastfeeding. January 7, 2020. (3) Ryan, Kathryn. “New Recommendations Released on Bedsharing to Promote Breastfeeding.” Mary Ann Liebert Newsroom. January 7, 2020.

Every year, nearly 400,000 babies in the United States are born premature. This means they were delivered before completing the normal 37-40 weeks of gestation, and therefore missed out on some of essential growth and development that takes place during the final weeks of pregnancy. Premature babies, or “preemies,” are fragile and can face short-term or life-long health problems. National Prematurity Awareness Month was established in 2008 to support families that deal with premature birth. Premature babies are kept in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, where medical professionals monitor them, help them recover, and treat any medical issues that they face. This November, we’d like to highlight things friends and family of parents with newborns in the NICU can do to support them through this trying time. Reach out. Dealing with a premature or sick newborn is one of the most stressful experiences parents will go through. Though it can be awkward in this time of crisis, it’s important that new NICU parents know that they have friends and family that support them – so reach out! Even if you’ve offered your support in the past, keep checking in. It can be hard, in difficult times, to reach out to your support network, so it’s likely they’ll appreciate you making contact. Let them know that you are here to listen, sympathize, or vent to, and shoot a supportive text message their way every couple of days. Make sure they know their rights! Having a child in the NICU is overwhelming and usually unexpected. Few parents plan for this, and with such high stakes, it’s important for parents to know the best way to advocate for their child—and for themselves! This overview of the NICU Parents Bill of Rights is a great place to start, as is this article from a former obstetrics nurse. There may also be options for extended parental leave, so parents don’t have to get back to the office before or right when their baby comes home. These laws aren’t as strong as many parents would like, but make sure your friends know what rights they have when it comes to dealing with their employer! Look out for the older siblings. Having a new baby in the NICU is a scary experience for everyone involved. Older siblings, who likely were already struggling with the idea of a new baby, may face extra emotional turmoil now that their parents are dealing with the stress and anxiety of having a preemie. They may feel abandoned, scared, and confused. Now is a great time for you to swoop in with a care package, a hug, and some reassurance! Not sure where to start? These sibling-support coloring books from Platypus Media are the perfect thing to help older siblings adjust to having a baby brother or sister in the NICU. As they color the pictures, older siblings will learn how the NICU works to make their baby brother or sister healthy and what they can do to be a great big sibling. Send gift cards to their favorite restaurants or a food delivery service like Uber Eats or Grubhub. Many NICU parents want to stay in the hospital to be near their preemie, but hospital food is boring, gross, and kind of depressing. Gift cards will allow your friends to order in their favorite comfort food without leaving the premises – or draining wallets already strained by a prolonged hospital stay. If you’re local, you can also bring food to the hospital or leave some at their house for when they get home. Play chauffeur. For families who can’t stay at the hospital or in a nearby Ronald McDonald house, getting back and forth to the hospital will be a big deal. If you’re local, offering a ride can lift a big burden from your friends’ shoulders. Not only does it save them from paying for parking or driving while sleep-deprived, it’ll also give you a chance to catch up and offer support. If you’re far away, an Uber or Lyft gift certificate is almost as good! Celebrate the arrival of the baby. When most babies arrive, parents are greeted by well-wishes, cards, flowers, and enthusiastic friends and relatives. With preemies, however, friends and family are often unsure how to proceed. Should they call, or will it disturb the overwhelmed parents? Should they send a card, or would that be a negative reminder of a stressful time? We say, go ahead and celebrate! Send a celebratory card, a bouquet of flowers, or even a NICU-specific “welcome baby” present like a preemie octopus or NICU crib card. This will help lend your friend or family member an air of normalcy, and remind them that, even through this trying time, there is so much to celebrate. These are just a few of our favorite ways to support NICU families. Do you have any other tips? Share them below!

History of the Holiday Organizations that work to improve children’s academic outcomes have long known that parental involvement is key to raising bright and motivated children. In the early 1990s the president and founder of the National Center for Families Learning, Sharon Darling, decided to take this mission public to improve learning outcomes nation-wide. Under her direction, the NCFL worked with Congress to create a national holiday devoted to encouraging family reading. In 1994, Congress passed a Joint Resolution designating November 1st National Family Literacy Day. This day kicks off a full month of celebrating family reading with National Family Literacy Month! This holiday is meant to bring awareness to the importance of family literacy and encourage parents and caregivers to read to their child. One important message is the ripple effect of lifelong learning parents can spark by reading with their child. Schools, libraries, and literacy organizations celebrate by holding read-a-thons, book drives, writing to their favorite authors, and more. This day is a great opportunity to celebrate the joys and the benefits of reading! Why Read to Your Child? Reading habits start early. In fact, it’s never too early to read to your children! Even before they understand the words, hearing you read aloud helps acclimate them to syntax and grammar, gives them a basic understanding of how books work, and gets them in the reading habit. Children who hear more words early in life process language more easily and build a stronger vocabulary. Watching you hold a book and helping turn the pages from left to right builds their reading muscle memory. But the benefits of family ready aren’t only academic. Reading aloud helps form social skills – even in infants! Reading together helps familiarize your child with the give and take of a social interaction. When you ask your child “where’s the doggy” and they point to the puppy on the page, they’re practicing having a conversation. This also helps develop your child’s social and emotional development. Hearing how characters interact – especially if you make different voices – helps your baby recognize different emotions and expressive sounds. Most importantly, family reading is a bonding activity. Snuggled up in your lap, turning pages together, your child gets to experience the thing that makes them feel safe and secure: your closeness, cuddles, and voice. And as an added bonus, this positive sensory experience will become associated with reading, encouraging a life-long habit! Hardcopy or Digital? More than 20 years after the inception of National Family Literacy Day, most people recognize the importance of encouraging early literacy, and there are more options to support literacy than ever before! Apps, eBooks, audiobooks, electronic toys, YouTube videos, TV shows, and more…. it can be difficult to know where to start. While easy access to reading opportunities is a wonderful thing, the truth is that reading out loud from a physical book is better than reading from a digital book or playing an audiobook or video. In March of 2019, researchers at the University of Michigan published a study in the journal Pediatrics. This study followed nearly 40 parents reading similar books to their toddlers in three different formats: a print book, an eBook, and an interactive eBook. Their findings suggest that reading from a digital book limits the parent-child interactions that support the academic, social, and emotional benefits outlined above. Of course, reading digital books still has value. Children are still exposed to language and syntax, but it’s a less complete learning experience. Try working in some family reading time, in addition to audiobooks, eBooks, and reading games. This November is the perfect time to start a tradition of reading bedtime stories, or even just to take a cold and windy day indoors, snuggled up on the couch reading together. Where to Start - Plus a 10% Off Discount! Platypus Media seeks to foster warmth, family closeness, literacy, and curiosity with our books, making them a great place to start your family reading journey this National Family Literacy Month. To sweeten the deal, we’re offering 10% off and free shipping all month long site-wide with code FAMREAD. Try reading these books with your child: If My Mom Were A Platypus All mammal mothers feed, protect, and teach their young, even though these tasks can challenge their own needs for survival. But a mammal baby’s journey to maturity varies dramatically depending on whether it is a bear or a bat, a shrew or a seal, a hippopotamus or a human. This fascinating look at life cycles portrays the normalcy of birth and breastfeeding and explores how mothers help 14 different mammals navigate the path from helpless infants to self-sufficient adults. Available in English and in Spanish. Babies Nurse This beautiful book introduces the most natural and loving act—mothers nursing their young. Luminous illustrations and lyrical text give children a glimpse into the worlds of 13 different mammal babies. Compelling childhood facts also broaden the reader’s knowledge about each animal. More than a simple scientific introduction, this sweet book is an instance and an analogy of caring love. Showing children attachment in the natural world fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion in both their interpersonal and interspecies interactions. Available in English and bilingual English/Spanish editions. Cuddled and Carried Babies—whether in snowy dens, warm lagoons, cozy nests, or living rooms—are carried and cuddled, nurtured and nuzzled. Stunning images and gentle verse will capture the curiosity of even the youngest readers as they see how animal mothers tend to their cubs, pups, calves, and chicks. Watching mothers lend a paw, wing, flipper, or hand to care for their young fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion. Available in English and bilingual English/Spanish editions. Tell us: what will you be reading this National Family Literacy Month?

In 2011, feeling that National Breastfeeding Month didn’t highlight enough of the specific issues that Black breastfeeding mothers encountered, three Black moms started their own week. Black Breastfeeding Week, which is held during the last week of August, has the goal of drawing attention to the different challenges that Black women face when they breastfeed, along with celebrating and promoting Black mothers breastfeeding. Kimberly Seals Allers, Kiddada Green, and Anayah Sangodel Ayoka are the powerful moms that created this week that focuses on supporting breastfeeding for an underrepresented community. Sangodele-Ayoka told Huffington Post, “We don’t need anybody’s permission. We’re just going to take the final week [of World Breastfeeding Month] and let everyone know now that’s Black Breastfeeding Week and go from there.” With the creation of Black Breastfeeding Week came the attention and realization that it was NEEDED. It brought attention to the striking inequalities and lack of awareness, resources, and opportunities that Black woman face in their breastfeeding journey. Why Black Breastfeeding Week is Important The most recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) research shows that 75% of white mothers have breastfed, whereas Black mothers have only breastfed 58.9% of the time. Comparatively, these numbers are enough to prove that there is inequality when it comes to Black and white mother breastfeeding rates, but this is not the only reason why this week of awareness is needed. Black Breastfeeding Week is needed to support the following issues: Black infants have a higher mortality rate Black infants have a higher rate of sickness due to diet-related issues. There is a lack of diversity in the medical and lactation field. There is a different dialogue surrounding the history of Black breastfeeding. Black woman lack support. Read more about these causes and proposed solutions at the Black Breastfeeding Week Website here. 2019 Theme: Imagine. Innovate. Liberate! The theme of the 2019 Black Breastfeeding Week (celebrated August 25th-31st) is created to allow the voices of Black families that have been traditionally overlooked in innovation spaces. It inspires people to bring their fire, passion, and brilliant ideas to revolutionize Black breastfeeding in the United States. Suggestions for Further Learning and Support As always, the internet is your friend when it comes to learning more and finding a supportive community. Learn more about Black Breastfeeding Week at these links: Black Breastfeeding Week Toolkit & Resources from BlackBreastfeedingWeek.org Chocolate Milk Documentary and YouTube Series Boosting Black Mom’s Nursing Success at HappiestBaby.com Breastfeeding Benefits & Challenges for Black Mothers at BlackDoctor.org Top 7 Ways to Support Black Breastfeeding Week at LactationMatters.org Black Breastfeeding Moms Find Support in One Another Black Women Do Breastfeed Facebook Community