Blog Reflection

I truly enjoyed writing this blog. I really learned a lot about the basics of raising a child. This blog helped form my opinions about a lot of issues that parents face. I realize now that no parent can do everything correctly all of the time. Every parent is going to make mistakes. It is really the effort that counts. The best part about writing this blog was having the ability to skip the formal format. It really allowed me to put my opinions out front and truly grasp the information and apply it to my life. I really put a lot of effort into this project because of the strong connection to the issue that apply to my life. I do not think I would have had such a strong enthusiasm without such a connection. I had never used visual rhetoric's or understood the way they connect to the public. I always just thought they were trying to be funny. I never understood that they are truly trying to convey a message that the artist wants understood.

Bottoms Up: The Truth About Bottle Feeding

When I first learned that I was not able to breast feed I started thinking about what I needed to do to bottle feed my baby. I always thought I would bottle feed so I was completely unprepared to bottle feed. My mom said when I was born you were supposed to warm the bottles in the microwave and sterilize the bottles regularly. Before we left the hospital we learned that was not how it was done now.

I even found contradictions in the articles I found. One article said it was important to boil all parts of the bottles before the first feeding. The second article said that sterilization was not needed unless you are unsure of the safety of your water. Both articles agreed that after the first feeding, washing the bottles with soap and water is all that is needed.

I believe that sterilization is important before the first feeding. I was concerned about what was on the bottles. I wanted to ensure that there were no harmful chemicals on the bottles before I fed Lillie.

One of the articles covered how to heat the bottles. It said to run warm water over the bottle or use a bottle warmer to warm the bottle. Using a microwave can cause hot spots in the formula and can scald the baby’s mouth. It also says it is fine to give the baby a room temperature or even cool bottle. The baby will get used to whatever it is fed.

I agree with not using a microwave because it gets too hot. I have a bottle warmer and it boils the water around the bottle. This method has to be watched carefully because it can make the milk too warm and can also cause hot spots. I have started just giving her a room temperature bottle and she tolerates it just fine.

The ratio of powder formula and water is very important. Too little powder can limit the amount of nutrients for the baby. Too much powder can cause dehydration and even seizures.

I learned this after I mixed the formula wrong. I thought I put less water so after the formula was mixed it made the amount that I wanted. This left Lillie a little dehydrated. Now when I mix her formula it comes out about an ounce over what it is supposed to be.

Finally, one article talks about how much to feed. It says the baby should eat one to two ounces more than the number of months old the baby is ever three to four hours. For example: if the baby is 2 months, the baby should eat three to four ounces every three to four hours.

This is where we disagree. My pediatrician told me to take her weight and divide it in two and that is the number of ounces to feed every four hours. My daughter weighs twelve pounds so she is eating six ounces every four hours. The key was to increase by a half ounce at a time.

Nutrients and feedings are very important. It is the key to her development. These articles and the advice from my pediatrician have really taught me a lot about her nutrition and the proper way to feed her.

Citations:

Papandrea, D. (2008, June). Bottle-feeding primer. Parenting. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from EBSCOhost database.

Onderko, P. (2010, February). Spotlight on bottle-feeding. Kid Nutrition. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from EBSCOhost database.

Picture Citations:

Bottle Feeding 1. (n.d.). How to bottle feed a baby. My Child Health. Retrieved May 5, 2010 from http://www.mychildhealth.net/how-to-bottle-feed-a-baby.html

Bottle Feeding 2. (n.d). How to bottle feed a baby. My Child Health. Retrieved May 5, 2010 from http://www.mychildhealth.net/how-to-bottle-feed-a-baby.html

Visual Rhetoric 2

We always fear that our children will choose the wrong path in life. We try to encourage and support our children as best as we can, but with life comes responsibility and finances. We have to work to support our families and we cannot spend every second with our children.

This cartoon uses pathos, or emotional ques, to hit on our fears as parents. Parents fear that their children will become involved with the wrong crowd and will use drugs. It points out that gangs and drugs are always there for our children even when we are not. As much as we would like we cannot be there with our children every second. We are often faced with the fact that our children will have to make big decisions on their own. Parents can only hope that they have taught their children enough when that decision comes that they choose the right path. The artist plays on the fears and emotions that our children will choose the wrong path.

The cartoon also uses ethos, or our sense of trust in family and community, to emphasize the artist’s point. Parents are gone from 9 to 5 working their hectic schedules, in some cases even longer. Outreach programs and counselors that were once available to mentor our children have been eliminated because of the economic crisis. Gangs and drugs have no jobs, except to recruit and pull in our children. Many parents trust and rely on those programs to assist them in regulating the influences their children are exposed to. Since the programs have been closed down the children are left without those positive influences. We, as parents, then worry about the gangs and drugs becoming an influence in our children's lives.

Citation:

Fischer, E. (n.d.) Drugs and gangs. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonview.asp?start=&search=news&catref=efin1390&NC_Category=&ANDkeyword=parenting&ORkeyword=&TITLEkeyword=&NEGATIVEkeyword=.

Visual Rhetoric 1

There is so much violence in today’s society. Because of all the school shootings and violence in schools today, parents have to worry about whether sending their child to school is even safe anymore. This cartoon is critiquing the school systems and the dangers that threaten our children when they go to school. The mobile above the baby’s bed has guns hanging above the baby’s head- exposing the baby early.

This cartoon is targeting the parents of school age children. It is meant to emphasize the dangers our children face even in a place that is meant to protect and educate them. This cartoon uses pathos, or details that play on one’s emotions, to get the point across to the parents. As parents we worry about our children and their safety. The artist is trying to show that our children are not safe even when they go to school because of the violence and prevalence of weapons.

The cartoon also uses Ethos, or our trust in the school system, to show the weaknesses in a system that we trust to in a sense raise our children. The artist understands the trust that we place in the school system to provide our children with a education in a safe environment, but with the prevalence of weapons it lowers that trust and feeling of safety when we send our children to school.

Citation:

Baker, I. (n.d.) Cartoon about children in school. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonview.asp?search=site&catref=iban447&NC_Category=&ANDkeyword=parenting&ORkeyword=&TITLEkeyword=&NEGATIVEkeyword=.

SIDS- What can you do to stop it?

I have always heard of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS, but I never really understood what it meant. I never even considered looking it up until I had Lillie. I decided I would look it up, not to scare myself, but because I felt I needed to know the risks and whether or not I should sleep instead of watch her sleep.

When I did a little research I came across a couple of articles. SIDS is the unexplained death of a baby under the age of 1. The causes are still unknown, but SIDS occurs when the baby is asleep. There are certain things they have found that increase the risk for SIDS. Placing babies on their bellies to sleep increases the risk for SIDS. Also babies with exposure to cigarette smoke are at a higher risk.

There are some ways to help prevent SIDS, but since they do not know the cause they do not know 100% how to prevent it. It is recommended to breast-feed if possible because breast-fed babies have should lower occurrences of SIDS. Of course they say you should place your baby on their back to sleep. The article also says to place your baby in a crib designed for infants without soft bedding, stuffed animals, or loose blankets. It also warns against sleeping with your baby and keeping the room too warm. Pacifiers have been associated with lowering the risk of SIDS. The article also says that baby monitors do not prevent SIDS and that there is no link between SIDS and immunizations.

I found this study interesting because despite the admittance that SIDS does not have a known cause they have listed ways to prevent it. These are all things that I have heard before about caring for your child when they go to sleep. I also thought it was interesting that they put “Call 911 if your baby is blue or not breathing.” This is kind of a DUH statement for me. Articles like this make me worry and make me laugh. It makes me worry because there is no sound way I can ensure that my child does not fall victim to SIDS. No matter how many precautions I take I can not insure my child’s safety when she goes to sleep. It also makes me laugh because its almost like they want to scare you into wrapping your child in bubble wrap to make sure they do not get any bumps or bruises. I think there is a such thing as being over cautious with your child, but because I’m a first time mother I find myself listening to these studies like they are the Bible and telling everyone I know about what I found. HELP ME PLEASE! Haha.

Well wish me luck with raising this child. I know they will come out with something new tomorrow.

Citations:
Muller, W. (2009, July). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). CRS- Pediatric Advisor. Retrieved on March 16, 2009 from EBSCOhost database.

Child Beauty Pageants: Entertainment or Exploitation?

We have all seen the television show “Toddlers and Tiaras”. (see picture to the right) I am amazed at how much goes into each pageant. I could not imagine putting my daughter in one of those pageants as young as 6 months old. When I see the little girls throwing fits on the show because they do not want to practice or get their hair done, it shocks me how much the mothers and even father push them. I wanted to know more about the positives and negatives of these pageants and how they began.

Beauty pageants began in 1921 with the Miss America Pageant. In 1961 the Little Miss America pageant was started. This pageant was originally only intended for ages 13-17. By 1964 the interest in the pageant had blown up to more than 35,000 contestants. The pageant coordinators then decided to split contestants by age and the child pageant industry had begun. Today more than 5,000 child beauty pageants are held each year in the United States. More than 250,000 children, with 100,000 under the age of 12, participate each year. This industry has grown to over $5 billion dollars in profits. Pageant categories typically include: formal wear, sportswear or casual wear, a photogenic category (based solely on headshot pictures), and an interview. Some pageants even include modeling, talent, and swimwear.

There are many different opinions on pageants. Many critics say that it teaches these young girls, and sometimes boys, that they are nothing without the fake hair, makeup, and fancy clothes. They point out that these pageants are beyond playing dress-up at home with mommy’s clothes. Some also say that these pageants strip the children of their innocence and the proper life experiences, such as wearing their first formal gown to prom. Some even say that it sexualizes little girls. Other critics point out that the young girls are often competing in order to please their mothers and not because they enjoy it.

Another critique some have is over the cost. Pageants tend to be very expensive. Entry fees can cost as much as $1,000. Custom gowns (see picture to left) typically run from $1,500 to $2,000, but some admit to spending up to $12,000 on one single dress. Other costs include travel and hotel expenses, pageant coaches, talent classes, hair, and makeup. Some parents even go as far as fake teeth. It has been reported that some parents have even lost their homes because of loans they took out to pay for pageant expenses.

Supporters of the child pageants see the complete opposite. They see these pageants as beneficial, if not more, as other sports. Supporters believe these pageants teach valuable lessons in life. They believe these children are learning how to win and lose with grace. They also believe that they are learning public speaking skills, poise, confidence, good sportsmanship, self-control, and self-discipline. Other benefits include stimulation of the imagination and promotion of friendships. Many supporters validate their child’s participation by stating that they are simply exercising their desire to perform. Parents claim that pageant participation helps prepare these children for the real world.

I do not see the motivation to parade your child around in front of a crowd with pounds of make-up and feet of fake hair. I’m not saying these pageants do not have benefit, but if they are truly meant to boost self-esteem why not the natural look? Why is there a need for $1,500 gowns and extensions? I do understand that these pageants teach the children to speak well and follow direction, but I think they really take it overboard. In my opinion (which is solely my opinion) these girls are being exploited to fulfill their mother’s dreams. I do not think a 4 year old has the willpower to participate in these competitions or stand up to their mothers and voice their opinion against it. (see picture to the right) I can see the relevance for a 12 year old to participate if they choose. Once again, if the point is to gain self-esteem then what is the need for 10 pounds of make-up and fake hair? I think these pageants are over done and distasteful. Sorry if I offend someone, but this is once again my opinion!

Citations:

Child beauty pageants. (2010, January 11). Facts on File News Services. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from Issues and Controversies database.

Picture Citations:

I Don’t Want Lipstick. Collins, M. Toddlers and tiaras: when bad parents make good television. Best Week Ever. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-08-13/toddlers-tiaras-when-bad-parenting-makes-for-great-television/.

Pageant Child. Collins, M. Toddlers and tiaras: when bad parents make good television. Best Week Ever. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-08-13/toddlers-tiaras-when-bad-parenting-makes-for-great-television/.

Toddlers and Tiaras. Collins, M. Toddlers and tiaras: when bad parents make good television. Best Week Ever. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-08-13/toddlers-tiaras-when-bad-parenting-makes-for-great-television/.

Let Sleeping Babies Lie!

The first time I brought Lillie home I was scared to death to put her down. I wasn’t sure about a lot of things, but the thing I was most scared about was sleep. I had noticed how important sleep really is because I had lost so much myself. There were a million questions that ran through my head within the first few hours of having her home. How should she sleep? Should she have her own bed or is it okay for her to sleep with me? Will she sleep better if she stays up throughout the day? Will she sleep longer if I feed her more before bedtime? All these are difficult issues that every mother addresses within the first few days after bringing the baby home and since I am trying to be the absolute best mother I can be I did a little research on the subject.

Newborns sleep about 16 hours a day in intervals of about 3 to 4 hours at a time. (Side note: not all babies are the same- these are just averages.) At first babies do not know the difference between day and night. It may take a week or two for the baby to adjust. About 3 months of age babies may start to sleep about 6 to 8 hours at night. By 6 months the baby should sleep about 8 to 10 hours at night, but don’t worry if the baby doesn’t sleep through the night until 1 year of age.

“Sleep when she sleeps.” What a crock! Most of the time, you have something else to do- such as dishes or laundry or even eat! I have also found that by the time I get settled enough to doze off she is waking up screaming for a bottle and a diaper change. Lillie is still working on finding her sleep patterns, but she is slowly getting there.

One article I found addressed where the child should sleep. Co-sleeping has become very popular with new mothers. Most mothers choose to co-sleep with their child because it’s easier at feeding time, it provides comfort for you and your child, and it just makes you feel safer about your baby. There are different beliefs on co-sleeping and the effect that it has on the child. Some research shows that children who sleep with their parents routinely become more socially and psychologically independent, do better when alone, and have a greater ability to be empathetic. Another study done in 1999 by the U.S. Consumer Products Manufacturer’s Association said that co-sleeping should never be practiced. This study found that 515 cases of accidental infant death occurred in an adult bed over 8 years. Another article I found suggested room sharing over bed sharing if you feel the need to be close to your child.

Personally, I have found that my daughter and I both sleep better when she sleeps with me. I would imagine it is because she can hear my heartbeat and it mimics the sounds and memories of the time she spent in the womb. For me I think it is the comfort of knowing she is okay. I find myself checking on her less often because I can feel her breathe. I say go for what works best for you!

More than one-third of infants pictured in magazines are shown in inappropriate sleep positions. No wonder there is so much confusion about how a baby should sleep. When studying almost 400 pictures, researchers found that only 64 percent of the pictures of infants (not being held in adult’s arms) were shown properly laying on their backs. Its it recommended that infants under the age of 6 months should sleep on their backs in order to prevent SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (unexplained death of a healthy infant which happens most during sleep). FYI: I will cover SIDS in more depth in another post. It is believed that sleeping on the back lowers the risk of SIDS because a baby who sleeps on their stomach runs a higher risk to “rebreathe” the oxygen-depleted air that was just exhaled. Your baby should only sleep on their stomach if recommended by the pediatrician. Some examples of why they would recommend that include severe reflux or a birth defect of the upper airway which may block breathing. There are also disadvantages associated with a baby sleeping on her back. Young infants are more likely to be woken by a startle reflex when lying on their back. Also some babies may get a flattening on the back of their head.

“Put her on her back to sleep” was the first thing I heard from the doctors and nurses in the hospital when she was born. I have found that my daughter loves to sleep on her side. She is only a month old, but she will actually position herself on her side in her bassinet. The pediatrician told me not to worry too much about it but to try and get her to lie on her back. I also noticed that she sleeps well on her stomach when she is lying on my chest. It scares me that she may spit up when she is sleeping on her back and she may choke on it. I think she sleeps best on her side curled up with her hands under her head. She is the absolute cutest might I say? I say let the baby tell you how they like to sleep. Every child is different and has different preferences. So let sleeping babies lie!

Citations:

Currie, Donna. (2009, November). Many magazine photos depict infants in improper sleep positions. The Nation’s Health. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from EBSCOhost database.

Hoard, M. (2005, August). Are you stressed about SIDS? Baby Talk. Retrieved March 26, 2010 from EBSCOhost database.

Priesnitz, W. (2009, July/August). The family bed. Natural Life. Retrieved March 26, 2010 from EBSCOhost database.

RelayHealth. (2009, July). Sleep patterns in babies. CRS Pediatric Advisor. Retrieved March 26, 2010 from EBSCOhost database.

Schmitt, B.D. (2009, July). Sleep position for young infants. CRS Pediatric Advisor. Retrieved March 16, 2010 from EBSCOhost database.

Picture Citations:

Image of sleeping baby. Chitale, R. (2009, August 17). Sleeping babies in precarious pose infuse magazine ads. ABC News/Health. Retrieved on March 26, 2010 from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Parenting/story?id=8332032

In the mind of a new mother.

I am a new mother of a beautiful baby girl named Lillie Grace. Through the first few weeks of her life I have noticed major differences in how I was raised and what is believed to be the right way now. Being a first time mom, I'm struggling through the changes in parenting one day at a time. I am constantly learning the do's and don'ts of parenting, and teaching my own family the differences. My mother and I have wide differences in what the correct thing to do with a child may be. My fiance' and I are constantly sifting through what we should and shouldn't do with our new daughter. Through this blog I will debate with the "new studies" and "old traditions" to find my own way as a mother. I will share my struggles to be the best mom I can possibly be. Hope you enjoy!