(StatePoint)

For parents of newborns, those first months can be exciting, challenging and even a little frightening. While your instincts will kick in to guide you through many parenting challenges, when certain issues arise, it’s important to seek help from your best-informed resource: your pediatrician. “Whether you’re having difficulty breastfeeding or have questions about vaccinations, your pediatrician is the best person you can turn to for answers,” says Dr. Thomas McInerny, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “Certain problems can worsen if they aren’t addressed quickly, so keep your pediatrician’s number accessible.”

Feeding and Nutrition

Breastfeeding is a great step mothers can take to safeguard their baby’s health. Human milk benefits the immune system and protects your baby from infections. Research suggests that breastfeeding may help protect against obesity, sudden infant death syndrome, and some cancers.

To ensure a successful start, McInerny advises:

• Take breastfeeding classes before giving birth.

• Place your newborn skin-to-skin against your chest or abdomen within an hour after birth.

• Sleep in the same room as your newborn.

• Breastfeed eight to 12 times a day.

• Monitor urine and stool output. If you’re having problems, find a lactation consultant or talk with your pediatrician. Waiting to seek help could interfere with your ability to produce milk or your baby’s ability to get crucial nutrition. And dehydration can be dangerous or even life-threatening.

McInerny advises new mothers experiencing any of the following symptoms to call their pediatricians right away:

• Nursing sessions are consistently briefer than about 10 minutes or longer than about 50 minutes during the first few months.

• Your baby still seems hungry after most feedings or is not gaining weight on the recommended schedule.

• Your newborn frequently misses nursing sessions or sleeps through the night.

• You’re experiencing pain that prevents you from breastfeeding.

• You think you’re not producing enough milk.

“Pay attention to your baby’s pattern of feeding,” advises McInerny. “Don’t stop asking for one-on-one guidance from your pediatrician or lactation specialist until you get the help you need.” At your appointment, your pediatrician will weigh your baby to make sure he or she is on track nutritionally and can observe your feeding technique and offer guidance.

Vaccinations

Newborns need vaccinations in those first months to protect against potentially dangerous diseases, including hepatitis B, polio, whooping cough (also known as pertussis), tetanus, diphtheria, Hib, pneumococcal and rotavirus. The pediatrician can discuss recommended immunizations at each visit. A new report from the Institute of Medicine confirms the vaccine schedule is safe and significantly reduces your child’s risk of disease. “Talk with your doctor about whether you need a whooping cough booster or flu shot yourself,” says McInerny. “Whooping cough can be deadly to young infants. Immunizing family members creates a ‘cocoon’ of protection around them.” Mothers should receive whooping cough vaccine and flu shots during pregnancy. Anyone who will be around the baby should also be immunized.  More information on keeping newborns happy and healthy can be found at www.HealthyChildren.org. When in doubt, call your pediatrician sooner rather than later.

(StatePoint)

Nearly 30 million Americans -- or one in 10 -- are currently affected by a rare disease. Many of these patients are now starting to speak out about the unique challenges they face daily. “Rare disease patients worldwide face many similar challenges, but because their conditions are so rare, they often feel alone and isolated,” said Peter L. Saltonstall, President and CEO of the National Organization for Rare Disorders. “By standing together and sharing our experiences with rare diseases, we can more effectively address these challenges and build a better world for rare disease patients.” In the United States, a disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 200,000 people. Because of the rarity of their conditions, patients may often be challenged to find information, support, and knowledgeable doctors. Furthermore, it often takes five years or longer to receive an accurate diagnosis of a rare disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are about 7000 identified rare diseases, 80 percent of which are genetic. One such rare disease is Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) -- a serious, lifelong autoinflammatory disease affecting about one in one million people in the United States. Because there are so few CAPS patients, online resources play an important role in uniting the community. CAPSConnectsUs.com, a new educational Web site from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, enables CAPS patients in the United States to connect online to share their stories, encouragement, and advice about managing daily challenges. Dave Crawford of Dallas knows firsthand the importance of sharing his story with others. He was diagnosed with CAPS in 2010 after suffering from the painful, mysterious symptoms since childhood. He shared his story with his hometown newspaper last year and was contacted by a local man who had read about his experience. He explained that he and several family members had been experiencing the same symptoms that Crawford had described their whole lives, and following a referral to Crawford’s physician, the man was also diagnosed with CAPS. “I take every opportunity to speak out about CAPS, and it’s a great feeling to know that my story helped others to get a correct diagnosis,” said Crawford. “I remember the frustration of coping with the daily symptoms and not knowing what caused them, and I’m glad I could help end that mystery for another family.” For more than 50 years, Dave Crawford experienced daily red bumpy rashes, fevers, conjunctivitis, headaches, joint swelling, and muscle aches. The symptoms often occurred after exposure to cold or damp air, but also flared spontaneously. His mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother had also lived with the same painful symptoms, but never received a diagnosis. “CAPS is treatable, but often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed because few physicians are familiar with it, and its symptoms can resemble more common conditions,” said Dr. Barbara Baxter, an allergist in Dallas. “Rare disease patients are often undiagnosed for years, and accurately diagnosing a patient who has been struggling to get answers is one of the most rewarding experiences for a doctor.” Visit CAPSConnectsUS.com to see a video of Crawford’s journey and to learn more about CAPS.           

Juan Antonio Castañeda, que el lunes fue desocupado del cargo de Jefe de la Policia de Eagle Pass, dijo estar muy molesto por la forma en que fué despedido por parte de la Gerenta Interina Gloria Barrientos. Dijo que siempre estuvo consciente que el trabajo con la ciudad no sería por siempre, pero a su consideración lo despidieron a través de datos que son mentiras, argumentando cosas que no tenían fundamento. Comentó que buscará la asesoría de un abogado para analizar la posibilidad de establecer acción legal contra la ciudad, al considerar que fue despedido de una manera injusta. Castañeda estaba a unos cuantos meses de completar 20 años en el cargo. Según comentó la administración de la ciudad le reclamó 7 puntos, los cuales todos tenían explicación y en algunos casos los argumentos fueron falsos. Por parte de la ciudad oficialmente no se han dado a conocer las causas. El ex jefe policíaco dijo que uno de los temas que le cuestionaron es el tema de los policías como José Regalado que están asignados a programas de educación en la escuela y de protección en los vecindarios y que reciben pago de la ciudad. Comentó que estos oficiales han tenido buenos resultados y que dichos programas  como el D.A.R.E tienen mas de 10 años de estarse implementando. Otro de los temas que le cuestionaron para desocuparlo es porque tenía asignados oficiales en áreas que no le correspondían, por ejemplo la Detectives Diana Escareño haciendo labores de oficina, al respecto dijo que La Detective es una empleada de confianza de muchos años para la ciudad, y que requería de asignarle a otra área con menos estres debido a que estaba pasando por una situación difícil. Mencionó que como jefe de departamento tiene que hacer lo mejor por apoyar a un empleado que por años ha servido y trabajado limpiamente. De igual manera le reclamaron algunas asignaciones en el manejo de personal, premios a policías que destacaron por alguna operativo a los cuales se les asignaba un día de descanso. Dijo que esta practica no es nada nuevo y muchos departamentos de policía lo hacen y ha tenido buenos resultados. Es una forma de reconocer a un policía que destaca. Juan Antonio Castañeda mencionó que también la Gerenta Interina le preguntó sobre un accidente ocurrido el pasado 10 de diciembre 2013 del cual no se había dado un informe a la administración de la ciudad. Al respecto el jefe de la policía dijo que fue un choque menor en el cual un auto impacto un automovil donde viajaban dos detectives, el accidente fue investigado por el departamento del Sheriff y la aseguranza de la ciudad cubrió los daños. En resumen Juan Antonio Castañeda dice que los argumentos que le dieron no son validos para desocuparlo, por eso dijo estar molesto, y buscará la asesoría de un abogado experto en estos casos.