Rate of Ear Infections have fallen

An article published recently by the journal Tobacco Control reports that the rate of ear infections has decreased by almost 30% over the past 15 years. During this same time The CDC shows that  in 1990 88% of the US nonsmokers were exposed to secondhand smoke and that number fell to about 40% exposure in 2007 and 2008. Harvard researchers surmise that the reduced exposure to smoke results in less irritation of children’s airways is part of the explanation but other influences include growing use of a vaccine against bacteria that cause ear infections and increased breast feeding also protects more children. Happily, that is great news for our children, sparing them not only the discomfort of ear aches, but also the effect on language acquisition from temporary hearing impairment. Importantly, it also saves children from the trauma of surgery that has been commonly used for recurrent ear infections. See  the late March issue of the New Yorker for the investigation of childhood traumas on adult health. This understanding could revolutionize Pediatric care.

new car seat recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics has refined their recommendation on the use to car seats to extend the time an infant rides in a backward facing car seat to now two years old.  Pretty strong evidence supports this recommendation. Know that the AAP does not make recommendations lightly; they evaluate extensive research before taking a stand. The new guidelines also extend the height recommendations for how long a child uses a booster seat: 4 feet 9 inches. We can count on the AAP to give us unbiased and solid information.

etsy.com

21Moons.etsy.com is my shop on etsy at which you may purchase a book using the pay pal option. Also, each book is displayed in 5 different photographs to allow a good view of the individual book.

Etsy is a website that sells only handmade and vintage items and craft supplies. It is huge and (warning!) it can become addictive!!