Information for Families

Newborn Intensive Care: What Every Parent Needs to Know

When the birth of a baby does not go perfectly, and a baby is born prematurely or with an illness, parents need answers to all the questions they have about their baby's condition and what will happen in the coming days, weeks and years. This newly-revised guidebook helps parents of premature and sick newborns understand their baby's illness and give them the detailed information they need to make sense of their baby's complicated situation. Editor-in-chief Jeanette Zaichkin, a neonatal nurse and author, describes complex medical issues in a way that people with little or no medical training can understand - without oversimplifying.

20 Minutes with Neonatologist, David Adamkin, MD

University of Louisville neonatologist, David Adamkin, has dedicated his career to sick babies, particularly to low and very low birthweight babies, their nutritional needs, and strategies to help them grow and thrive. Kentucky ranks among the highest in the US for low birthweight babies, with about 9 percent of babies weighing less than 5 lbs 8 oz. The smaller a baby is, the greater his risk of neurodevelopmental problems. An expert in infant nutrition, Adamkin has found, through clinical experience and research, that aggressive feeding makes a difference for these babies, especially in the first 2 to 3 weeks after birth. He has outlined his feeding guidelines and strategies in the new book "Nutritional Strategies for the Very Low Birthweight Infant."

A New Web Site From the AAP!

HealthyChildren.org is the only parenting Web site backed by 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Whether you're looking for general information related to child health or for more specific guidance on parenting issues, you can rest assured that our information comes from the nation's leading child health experts and that we have scientific research supporting our recommendations.

National Association of Neonatal Nurses Issues Statement on Human Milk and Breastfeeding

Mother's milk and breastfeeding are important aspects of optimal care of newborns, especially those who are born preterm or with other serious conditions. The unique nutritional and immunological benefits of human milk make it an integral component of care of infants in the newborn intensive care unit. NANN has issued a statement strongly supporting human milk and breastfeeding.

Sugar, Skin Contact Reduce Injection Pain for Baby

A little sugar and some skin-to-skin contact with mom reduce a newborn's pain from getting a shot better than sugar or contact alone, according to a study in Pediatrics. Researchers in Brazil said two minutes of being held before and after an injection, along with dextrose on the tongue, resulted in significantly less pain for the babies in the study.

March of Dimes' Symposium on Quality Improvement
to Prevent Prematurity

In October, 2009, this Symposium brought together a multidisciplinary group to discuss quality improvement as an essential component in the strategy to prevent prematurity, promote health, and save costs.The Symposium explored the state of quality initiatives to prevent preterm birth and developed an action agenda to decrease the rate of preterm births that are not inevitable or medically necessary.

Neurofeedback Gains Attention as ADHD Treatment

Neurofeedback to retrain the brain to produce electrical patterns linked with calm and focus is being used to treat children with ADHD. Supporters claim the treatment may actually cure ADHD, while critics contend studies investigating the therapy so far have not met standards for rigorous design.

New AAP Immunization Web Site

The AAP is pleased to announce the creation of a new, comprehensive online resource for pediatricians and families that addresses the topic of immunizations. This new site replaces the Childhood Immunization Support Program Web site and contains information about vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine safety information, and tools and resources to help pediatricians effectively and efficiently administer immunizations in their offices.

Pregnant Women Strongly Urged to Get Flu Shot

(09/21/09) A national coalition of health care and information providers for pregnant women and children have an urgent message for pregnant women concerning influenza. The normal changes of pregnancy place pregnant women at increased risk of the harmful effects of flu infection, and as such, they should take increased precautions.

An initiator of and partner with the American Academy of Pediatrics in the campaign to prevent prematurity, the March of Dimes has developed an extensive library of online resources for parents of babies who require newborn intensive care.

In the NICU:

• Every Baby Has a Story »
• Parenting in the NICU »
• Coping with the NICU Experience »
• Family & Friends »
• Leaving the NICU »

At Home:

• Caring for Your Baby »
• Feeding Your Baby »
• As Your Child Grows »
• Moving Forward »

Special Topics:

• Grief & Loss »

Newborn Intensive Care

• Parenting Your Premature Baby and Child: The Emotional Journey by Deborah L Davis and Mara T Stein.
• Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies by Dana W Linden, Emma T Paroli and Mia W Doron.
• The Preemie Parents' Companion: The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Premature Baby in the Hospital, at Home, and Through the First Years by Susan Madden.
• Newborn Intensive Care: What Every Parent Needs to Know by Jeanette Zaichkin.

General Newborn & Infant Care

• Raising Twins: From Pregnancy to Preschool by Shelly Vaziri Flais, MD, FAAP.
• Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents' Top 101 Questions About Babies and Toddlers by Tanya R Altman.
• Baby and Child Health by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, Revised Edition: Birth to Age 5, by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Guide to Common Childhood Infections: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia by Louis M Bell and Jane Brooks.
• The Children's Hospital Guide to Your Child's Health and Development by Children's Hospital Boston.
• Heading Home with Your Newborn - From Birth to Reality by Laura Jana and Jennifer Shu.