The Nurtured Nest

11/02/2023

06/21/2022

New AAP Guidelines!

Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics released the 2022 safe sleep guidelines! There have been many updates to the previous guidelines. I urge you to read through the first few tables. Table 1 lists definitions of terms, table 2 is a summary of recommendations with different levels of strength of these recommendations, and table 3 lists the safe sleep guidelines that have been substantially revised since 2016. Here are a few notable changes in the guidelines:

-It is recommended that weighted blankets, weighted sleepers, weighted swaddles, or other weighted objects not be placed on or near the sleeping infant.

-When an infant exhibits signs of attempting to roll (which usually occurs at 3–4 mo but may occur earlier), swaddling is no longer appropriate because it could increase the risk of suffocation if the swaddled infant rolls to the prone position. (To clarify after Dr. Moon's previous 8 week recommendation which is not in line AAP guidance)

-Given the questionable benefit of hat use for the prevention of hypothermia and the risk of overheating, it is advised not to place hats on infants when indoors except in the first hours of life or in the NICU.

-Sleep surfaces with inclines of >10 degrees are unsafe for infant sleep.

-It is recommended that infants sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for at least the first 6 mo. (Removing the previous recommendation of “ideally for the first year of life”)

-The AAP understands and respects that many parents choose to routinely bed share for a variety of reasons, including facilitation of breastfeeding, cultural preferences, and belief that it is better and safer for their infant. However, based on the evidence, we are unable to recommend bed sharing under any circumstances. (This one goes on further)

-Direct-to-consumer heart rate and pulse oximetry monitoring devices, including wearable monitors, are sold as consumer wellness devices. A consumer wellness device is defined by the FDA as one intended “for maintaining or encouraging a healthy lifestyle and is unrelated to the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, prevention, or treatment of a disease or condition.” Thus, these devices are not required to meet the same regulatory requirements as medical devices and, by the nature of their FDA designation, are not to be used to prevent sleep-related deaths. Although use of these monitors may give parents peace of mind, and there is no contraindication to using these monitors, data are lacking that would support their use to reduce the risk of these deaths. There is also concern that use of these monitors will lead to parent complacency and decreased adherence to safe sleep guidelines. A family’s decision to use monitors at home should not be considered a substitute for following AAP safe sleep guidelines.

Read through the full AAP publication release here:
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/doi/10.1542/peds.2022-057990/188304/Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated-2022?fs=e?autologincheck=redirected

08/27/2021

RECALL ALERT!!!! PLEASE SHARE TO SPREAD THE WORD

Maxi-Cosi Is recalling 83,000 of their Pria 85 seats.

"The Dorel Juvenile Group has recalled 83,000 Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 convertible child car seats because they may not adequately protect larger children in a crash.

According to documents posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), children who weigh 65 pounds or more could suffer a head injury in a crash when the seat is in the forward-facing position and secured using the lap belt without also using the top-tether strap. The child’s head could come in contact with the vehicle interior during the crash, which could result in potential head injuries, the NHTSA notice says.

This noncompliance recall is because in testing the seat failed to properly restrain the test dummy, thereby not conforming to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213, which covers child restraint systems."

***EDIT: according to the Maxi Cosi IG this affects Pria 85 AND Pria 85 Max seats***
https://news.yahoo.com/dorel-recalls-83-000-maxi-165500793.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACdhpAsbwsDlZ5lFURSKeFNMA36X4QggQIo5epCGzb6gOpYzg7Q0pPHfbFzzGdsdbz3Grt8H6DHOR-TxUBv6s7A3ZzHtheS6krjeTGBBM2M33NmgkdOtm6z41lYhMG-NOgxCLQW9bna0lfY9bMJvSW3PZ-HHWCgLwt2HYqDJs5hq

11/04/2020

This. So much this.

It’s ok to feel overwhelmed. It’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to question why you chose this life.

Remember, just because it is your calling, doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. 

06/21/2020

Happy Father’s Day!!

It’s so interesting to see how Dad’s grow and change, much like mothers.

Hint: They don’t just get ‘dad bods.’

06/16/2020

These are questions that we, as doulas, will show you about and also help you answer.

🌺There are so many things to think about,

Will I co-sleep or will I try to get the baby to sleep in a crib?
🌼Inevitably the baby will want to be close.

What if my baby has a lip/tongue tie that causes nursing issues?
🌼Do you have a provider picked out? Do you have a lactation consultant?

What if what if my baby has reflux Silent/reflux?
🌼What do You do?

What if you have older children at home?
🌼How will you build a new routine?

What about vaccinations and pediatricians?
🌼are you both on the same page?

🤔 What other things have you discussed but didn’t realize you needed to have a plan for until after you gave birth?

05/10/2020

Happiest of Mother’s Day to all moms.

04/07/2020

I've been corresponding with quite a few people about the practice in the U.S. of separating newborns from parents with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The practice guidelines from the CDC and AAP conflict with practice guidelines from the WHO, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries.

Because of the guidelines in the U.S., it is possible that a birthing parent with symptoms such as a fever or cough may be separated from their newborn, even if the parent tests negative for COVID-19. This can be problematic when you consider the fact that fever in labor can also occur due to chorioamnionitis (inflammation of the membranes) or a side effect of an epidural.

In light of this situation, we drafted a sample "Informed consent form for refusal to separate birthing parent and infant." We've had many requests for this form, both from hospital professionals and parents, and it can be downloaded for free on our COVID-19 resource page.

- Rebecca

➡️ evidencebasedbirth.com/covid19

03/20/2020

You need support? we've got you covered!

03/13/2020

Good info to know.

Nice to finally have data on this.

ETA: The link to the original study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30360-3/fulltext

ETA: UK COVID-19 & Pregnancy Guidelines: https://www.facebook.com/vbacfacts/posts/10158255139518921

US COVID-19 & Pregnancy Guidelines: https://www.facebook.com/vbacfacts/posts/10158257080198921