Parents Cafe

Altnagelvin Hospital probe

Alan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:22:49 +0000

Last month a baby named Caolan, died at the Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry in Northern Ireland. He was one of four infants that died from an infection of Pseudomonas bacteria. The parents have since demanded a public inquiry into the case.

The cases occurred in two separate neo-natal units; one in Altnagelvin and three in the Royal Jubilee facilities in Belfast. In both outbreaks, the source has been identified as water taps. The taps have since been removed from both the units and have been disinfected and tested. All tests over the last five weeks have shown no traces of Pseudomonas.

The inquiry would look into whether the hospital’s acted correctly and if the second outbreak could have been prevented. The taps will now be replaced with new ones featuring ultra violet technology, and Mr Burke believes that the taps should be replaced in all units in Northern Ireland.

In addition, he questions whether the two hospitals could have communicated better in order to spread the knowledge that the bacteria was in the area, and thus prevent the infection from taking the lives of any other children.

The parents did not know what had killed their baby until after they had buried him. The doctors from the hospital called them to tell them of the Pseudomonas bacteria on December 14^th. This was the day after they identified the tap as the source of the outbreak. It was the only tap that was infected.

Baby Caolan had to stay in the hospital after birth because he was suffering from bleeding in his brain. Despite this, the hospital was confident that the infant would pull through. However, the infection of Pseudomonas meant that this was not the case.

In the hospital’s defence after they became aware of the infection in its neo-natal unit (December 12^th) they acted swiftly to investigate the issue. They identified the single tap on the subsequent day and took steps to treat it.

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Child takes Smarties sandwich for school lunch

Alan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:08:34 +0000

One school in Lincolnshire discovered that a pupil had brought in a sandwich for lunch that was just Smarties between two slices of bread. This was the final straw and is leading to a major overhaul in an effort to change pupils’ diets. Included in this overhaul is a trial of free school meals.

NHS Lincolnshire sent in health workers to find out what pupils were eating for lunches, and they found that a large number of young people were feasting on sweets, chocolates and crisps. It seems unlikely that it is a coincidence that Lincolnshire can boast one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the country; 1 in 3 children are obese.

The changes involve free school meals which will provide healthier options at lunchtime, such as lean meats, pasta and baked potatoes. In addition to the obvious benefits to their diets, the school is noting an improvement in behaviour. By switching to a dining experience involving cutlery and plates, it means children must sit still to eat.

Schools face competition from local takeaways, where lunchtime meal deals means that children are able to get large quantities of less than healthy foods for the same price or cheaper than the school can offer. In the future however, it has been announced that there will be a change made to the system so schools can offer price promotions in order to compete. As it stands, schools must charge the same price for the same item for all pupils.

The free meals will be provided to any children where the family receives benefits like job seekers allowance or income support. Perhaps this can reduce the number of children between 3 and 19 years old that are classified as obese nationwide, currently standing at 1 in 4 boys, and 1 in 3 girls.

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A New Toy Story with ToyBoxLive.co.uk

Alan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:11:26 +0000

Every parents dream is of a toy box bursting with toys that will grow with their children and save them a fortune over the years. Now imagine a toy box full of thousands of the latest and best toys, a toy box that takes up no room at all in your house, and that costs a mere 85p a day. Time to stop imagining, for this is reality, all thanks to ToyBoxLive.co.uk

This revolutionary company was first set up in June 2011 and gives parents, carers and grandparents access to literally thousands of new and exciting toys, all for just one low monthly payment of £24.99.

ToyBoxLive.co.uk boast the largest selection of fun, educational and innovative toys in the UK thus allowing their subscribers to choose which toys they want and when. The best bit is that when you want new toys, you simply select the ones you want and they will be delivered to your door by ToyBoxLive and they will take the old ones away. This means no hassle or fuss for the parents, and maximum play time for the kids!

With all the latest brands including Fisher Price, Early Learning Centre Tomy, Little Tikes, Tolo, Lamaze, Hippychick and Moover this really is the savvy choice. “Its the LoveFilm for toys” said one happy customer.

Founder and parent Alison Chesworth excitedly says “why spend £500 or more a year on toys when you could spend just £24.99 per month for a supply that never runs out and keeps your child entertained. If your child gets bored of a toy simply pick a new one and we will swap it for you.”

Karla had to work in Oxford for a few months and rather than struggle moving old tired toys she decided ToyBoxLive.co.uk would be the sensible choice “It is a great service, and I can’t thank you enough for your incredible support and assistance in getting the toys to us so quickly”.

Yvette is a new mother in Harrogate says “As a new mother I have to watch every penny so when I heard about ToyBoxLive.co.uk I quickly realised it made great financial sense. Rather than wasting hundreds on toys that my child will quickly outgrow, I can have a never ending toy box full of toys that will grow with my child and save me a fortune!”

Renting toys rather than buying them is a new concept in the UK but has grown massively in America and Asia and ToyBoxLive.co.uk is proud to be the leading online toy rental company in the UK.

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Children need structure in their daily life

Alan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:15:45 +0000

Parents of every generation since time began have probably felt that they are raising the most difficult children ever born. Parenthood is potentially the most rewarding job anyone could ever have, but it’s also the most challenging, and doing it right is never easy.

No simple directive has ever been discovered that covers all the bases, but if there is one word for parents to live by, and that word is consistency, especially when it comes to discipline.

One of the basic truths that has been discovered and rediscovered over time is that children need structure in their daily life, and that includes rules of conduct. In a world full of complexities and contradictions, a set of rules that are clearly defined and applicable to just about every circumstance is not just a good idea, it’s vital to a child’s welfare.

Unfortunately, it’s also the biggest challenge most parents face, even when they agree upon the ultimate goal. There are multiple factors involved, including the fact that more often than not (and whether they consciously admit it or not) Mom and Dad both want to be the ‘favorite’ parent. That’s a tendency of human nature, not just parenthood, but it can be disastrous when it comes to discipline.

Children are quite aware of this factor and they can use it to manipulate their parents unmercifully. If one parent punishes a child for certain behaviour and the other does not, it puts them both at risk of being ignored and/or tested to see how far they can be pushed before there are any negative consequences. It will also leave the child confused, resentful and far less willing to abide by any rules that either parent imposes.

Many parents have a problem with the ‘punishment’ part anyway. Neither wants to be the bad guy, and even worse, many just don’t want to deal with a tantrum so they overlook bad behaviour or use bribes to gain some peace and quiet. This is a temporary solution at best, and it’s setting both the parents and the child up for much bigger problems down the line.

When parents are divorced or separated the problem often grows exponentially. If they didn’t agree on how best to raise their child in the first place, the differences are compounded when the child spends time with one or the other, even more so if there is a new ‘parent figure’ involved in either or both of two different households.

Again, the key here is consistency. Above all, parents should agree on a standard of behaviour that is reasonable and makes sense to the child. They need to explain clearly what is required and why. That means discussing the situation with as much clarity as the child’s age and maturity permits, and adjusting the rules as warranted.

Finger pointing should be avoided at all costs; parents should never blame or show hostility for each other in the child’s presence. If discussion is needed (and it usually is) it should take place out of a child’s hearing, and when the child is present, he or she should be met by a united front so there’s no equivocation. If both parents have the child’s welfare at heart above all else, almost any problem can be met and dealt with in a firm and loving manner, and the child will be much happier for it.

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Children often manipulated by divorcing parents

Alan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:13:40 +0000

The divorce rate in the United Kingdom is around 50 percent, and most of these marriages will end with the children being disrupted. Children are often manipulated and used by the parents to hurt the other party and this can be damaging for the children as well as the parents.

Many fathers are unaware of the rights they have for visitation of their child and do not educate themselves about child custody. Most feel they are only entitled to visit their children every other weekend and perhaps a few weeks in the summer holidays.

This can cause a lot of resentment for the father as they feel they are missing out on their children growing up. Fathers are often relied upon to pay child support but are often not rewarded with visits from their children.

Courts generally would find that the mother was the primary caregiver and would award primary custody to her. Now it appears the court system is beginning to change and is going to focus more on what is best for the children rather than automatically preferring the mother to be the primary caregiver.

Younger children should have regular contact with both parents but with older children it is acceptable for them to go a longer time between visiting both parents. It’s important to understand that when parents make the initial custody agreement that it is something that can change over time because the needs of the children will be changing as they grow.

It is important to create an environment that your children will feel safe in, and one they are comfortable growing up in. It is essential that both parents have a role in the raising of their children and if you are going to court to decide who gets custody then having this environment is going to benefit your case greatly.

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Climate change and child ear problems link discovered

Alan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:07:20 +0000

A link has been discovered during recent research between climate change and children contracting ear infections. Children are now developing more Otitis Media, or ear infections, during the winter months of December/January, which is two months later than has been recorded for the past 2 decades. An analysis of trends dating back to 2000 have been revealed by the General Practice Research Database has suggested a link to global warming.

Researchers are also warning that GP’s could now face more pressure as they have to treat more cases than ever during what is already one of the busiest periods of the year for those who work in the health service. Two scientists have been funded by Deafness Research UK to investigate the trends in this common ailment, suing a database of the GP consultations which took place during the 2000′s.

Both these, and figures collated from other countries, have shown that consultations regarding ear infections have gradually declined over the years. The condition is invariably more common during the winter and this must be taken into account when looking at possible changes over the years.

Whilst the researches didn’t expect to see the winter peak displaced, but found that the typical sharp rise that took place in October/November was now coming 2 months later. The annual decline was also shown to be the steepest during the months of autumn.

One possible explanation is the warmer autumns in recent years preventing seasonal viruses (which cause colds and trigger OM) from getting established as early as previously. The importance of temperature in month-to-month variation suggests that this is indeed a major factor.

Glue ear, which is a major consequence of OM, is the retention of fluid in the middle ear for some weeks after an ear infection. It causes hearing loss that often changes children’s communication and behaviour. Its annual cycle is a month or more delayed with respect to that for OM. The researchers found the glue ear peak occurred progressively later in recent years, just like the cycle for the primary infection, OM.

“It is known that overall global warming has been slower recently, but the autumn rise in ear infection consultations in the UK has still been happening later and later,” said Professor Mark Haggard, Deafness Research UK Chairman and a Senior Visiting Researcher at the University of Cambridge.

“We have used controls for as many of the known factors as possible and we find a close link to the actual month-to-month temperatures within the years studied. So we have to consider that the overall change in pattern is partly due to changing aspects of climate, particularly the milder autumns of recent years. Some respiratory viruses are temperature-sensitive.”

Professor Haggard has been analysing the data with Dr Ian Williamson of the Department of General Practice at Southampton University who, as a practising GP, has a strong interest in the implications of the data for UK GPs. “The timing and nature of advice to GPs and parents may have to reflect these changing patterns,” added Dr Williamson. “In those children who do get glue ear following an ear infection, more of this will now occur in December/January rather than November. This is a period when there are other pressures on families and overall demand on the health service has built up. Nevertheless it is still necessary to look out for children who miss sounds and appear not to be paying attention, or are being less cooperative than usual, as these are the signs of glue ear.”

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said: “Glue ear remains a problem among young children and this latest research could prove useful in helping GPs and others in the health service to recognise where the peaks and troughs are now likely to be. Then they can provide the necessary cover.”

For further information on deafness and deafness-related conditions call freephone 0808 808 2222 or visit Deafness Research UK’s website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk

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Taking your family on a summer holiday

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:13:47 +0000

If you are about to embark on your first family holiday then you may have a number of stresses on your mind right now. Fear not as with some forward planning you will be able to have the holiday of a lifetime and relax while enjoying the sunshine with your family.

Travelling can be stressful at the best of times but by staying calm and relaxed you will be able to reassure your children that everything is fine and that what you are experience, be it on plane, train or in an auto mobile is perfectly normal. With some of these handy tips below you will be able to concentrate on enjoying your stay rather than worrying about what ifs and buts.

Things to do before you set off:

Check your departure and arrival times.

Before you head off to bed the night before just ensure that you have double checked the times that you will be travelling. This allows you to know when you will need to leave and also tell individual members of the family when they are expected to be out of bed and ready by.

Take care when packaging your baggage.

Be sure that you know the luggage weight restrictions when packing and weigh your suitcase to make sure you are not over the limit before you leave. Think about necessary items and do not pack liquids of more than 100ml in your hand luggage. You are allowed to take baby formula and sterilised water but this must be specifically milk designed for babies only (including breast, soya, cows and formula).

Think about the travel needs of your children.

If you are going to be travelling with young children then considering taking a light pushchair or pram to ensure that they do not slow you down when travelling through the airport. You will be able to board the plane with your stroller but will need to advise of this at check-in to get the necessary luggage tag. If you are going to be travelling with a car chair, travel cot or other ‘non essential’ item then you may find yourself facing additional charges for oversized baggage. This can be quite costly so it is always worth checking if you can use a travel cot or other needed piece of equipment when you arrive at your hotel rather than taking it with you.

Things to do while at the airport:

Keep the children amused. Airports can seem like fascinating places and there are usually so many ways to spend your funds, shopping, arcades, rides, water fountains and other things too so bringing your own entertainment or even playing some word games be a great way to keep the children entertained. The more you tire them out hopefully the longer they will sleep for either on the plane or once you arrive at your destination.

While flying:

Bring out some handheld games consoles, books, magazines or colouring books to keep your children entertained. You can pack these items in your hand luggage and ensure that any electrical devices are charged up before you leave home to ensure that the children are entertained for as long as possible. A window seat is a fantastic way to keep your children entertained, particularly on a clear day.

Flights & travelling can be quite boring, for anyone, let alone children, so by simply ensuring that you are prepared as much as possible you can hopefully minimise the time spent stressing and enjoy more of your holiday.

Article courtesy of Netflights

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Tyne and Wear young people get top priority care

Alan — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:16:49 +0000

A shakeup of health services in Tyne and Wear is going to mean that young people get top priority care. Inpatient services are going to be removed at Gateshead and South Tyneside hospitals for children and instead hubs are going to be created at the Great North Children’s Hospital and the Sunderland Royal Hospital.

This means more children from outside of the city are going to get access to care from the city’s facilities, but Geoff Lawson, paediatric consultant has said that the primary responsibility will still be with children in Sunderland.

Dr Lawson commented, “My first priority will always be taking care of the children in Sunderland. This reorganisation is just going to mean we can take care of more patients as well, this is not going to mean the care of current patients changes in any way.”

Dr Lawson also highlighted that this is not a new decision and it is something that has been in planning for over 15 years. He continued, “I am well aware that the government is cutting back on spending but this is not a finance-based decision. We think this is the right way to move forward and we have thought so for a long time.”

The GP commissioning board for the area have said that they are keen to see more services being provided to patients through primary care rather than having to refer them to secondary care, such as that received in hospital. This benefits are both to the health service as well as children who have to spend less time in hospital.

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One in four children under 10 say they feel overweight

Alan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:15:54 +0000

According to a recent survey, 25% of children under the age of ten consider themselves to be overweight. The survey was commissioned by the television programme ‘Dying to be thin-Tonight’ aired on ITV1. The survey, that was carried out amongst 1500 people aged between 7-18 has also revealed that 28% had been bullied due to their weight, 26% skipped meals to lose weight and 40% of those under ten were worrying about their weight.

Lucie Russell is the director of campaigns, policy and participation for YoungMinds, and she said that it is vital that we don’t dismiss these statistics and act as responsible adults to help these children to feel better about themselves.

She added that today’s children are growing up within a harsh environment and are under constant pressure to conform to the latest trends in looking and acting a certain way, and we must, as a society, look at the pressure we are putting these youngsters under.

“Children feeling insecure about their bodies need to be are helped to feel positive about who they are and what they look like. At an early stage it can start with not feeling positive about your self-image and crash diets but this can soon turn into much more complex eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia which can scar for life

“Much more needs to be done both at school and at home to offer children positive role models of all shapes and sizes. We need to help children to feel good about their own body image and should become an important part of their school and home life.”

‘Dying to be thin: Tonight’ will be aired tonight (5th January 2012) at 7.30pm on ITV1. The poll was carried out by online polling companies Onepoll and Youngpoll.

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Controversial genetic technique questioned

Alan — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:28:24 +0000

The future of a highly controversial genetic technique that aims to stop serious conditions being passed from mothers onto their babies will be partially decided by public opinion. The technique replaces genetic material in the egg that is defective to eliminate the rare mitochondria diseases. Ministers, after consultations looking into 3 parent IVF, will decide whether it can become openly available to patients and allow them to have healthy babies.

A centre at Newcastle University, funded by the Wellcome Trust to the tune of £5.8m will be investigating the safety of the technique. Mitochondria is found inside almost all human cells, and provides the energy they need to function properly. As with the cells nucleus, they contain DNA, but only in tiny quantities.

Around 1 in 5000 babies are born with inherited defects present in their mitochondria DNA, and depending on which cells are affected, the results can be extremely severe, and even fatal in some cases. Scientists now believe that they have found a way of substituting the defective mitochondria which, hopefully, prevent the baby from developing a disease.

The way they do this is by taking 2 eggs; one from the mother and the second one from a donor. The nucleus is then removed from the donor egg, leaving the mitochondria and the other contents intact, and that is replaced with the nucleus from the mothers egg. The resulting embryo now has properly functioning mitochondria, courtesy of the donor, and should, theoretically, develop healthily.

This technique has been likened to replacing a battery, and as there in no impact on the DNA no other factors will be altered, such as appearance. Although the child would have an extremely limited genetic contribution from its ’3^rd parent’, there is strong opposition from certain groups, who have said that there are major risks attached to such genetic manipulation.

A change in the current laws would be needed before this technique could be offered to patients. David Willetts is the minister for universities and science and he said, after announcing the consultations, that scientists have made a discovery into the prevention of mitochondria diseases that is both important and potentially life saving.

He added, however, that as with all cutting edge scientific discoveries, it was vial that the public’s views were taken into consideration before they considered any changes in the law that would allow it to be used. It is hoped that this consultation will be completed by the end of 2012.

The Wellcome Trust’s Sir Mark Walport has said that this technique could prevent the transferrence of diseases that were previously incurable. He added that they welcomed the chance to discuss with the public why they believe that this technique is vital in order to give those families who are affected by these diseases the opportunity to have healthy children, a thing that most of us simply take for granted.

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