January 08 1 | P a g e

Dear Friends, There are only two lasting bequests (gifts) we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots; the other, wings -William Hodding Carter, Jr. This quote resonates with me as we enter 2008. Our children are our future. They learn from everything we do. They observe our every move and hang on to our every last word. As we review all we have done to help our children, ask yourself, In 2007, what did I do that helped my child (or children) learn the values I want them to carry into adulthood? In 2007, how did I encourage my child (or children) to learn new things? As we start a new year, this is an opportunity to reflect upon what you have done as a parent to help children strengthen their roots that will keep them grounded and encourage them to expand their wings to the possibilities that the world offers. One thing I love about the New Year is that it offers us an opportunity to both reflect on the past year and to set goals for growing in the upcoming year. So for 2008, how do you plan on helping your children become rooted while at the same time helping them discover their wings? This is a great time to begin thinking about your IFSP goals and planning with your Family Support Worker. Your FSW can assist you with every step of the way in creating those goals that will help your family and children grow to become what you aspire for them. At Healthy Families of Rensselaer County we are committed to encouraging and supporting you as parents in your journey of giving the gifts of roots and wings to your children. We look forward to working with each and every one of you in your endeavor to be the very best parents you can be. Our goal for 2008 is to provide you the very best support, encouragement, and education. We look forward to reaching this goal and thank you so very much for the opportunity to work with your family. Happy New Year! Donnamarie

FALLING SNOWFALLING SNOWFALLING SNOWFALLING SNOW BY ANONYMOUS

See the pretty snowflakes Falling from the sky; On the wall and housetops Soft and thick they lie.

On the window ledges, On the branches bare; Now how fast they gather, Filling all the air.

Look into the garden, Where the grass was green; Covered by the snowflakes, Not a blade is seen.

Now the bare black bushes All look soft and white, Every twig is laden, What a pretty sight!

Continued on page 4

Volume 1, Issue 2

SUPPORT REPORT Supporting Rensselaer Countys Parenting and Expectant Families

Directors Note Sharing the Season Articles Submitted By- Shannon Leonardo & Syreeta Garbarini

In This Issue o Pregnancy & Your Healthcare Provider

o Bedtime Rituals: Best Bets

o Winterproofing 101

o Free Tax Preparation Information

o And much, much more

January 08 2 | P a g e

To

Infant Info Articles Submitted By- Barbara Biechman & Cheryl Kremer

Continued on page 3Continued on page 3Continued on page 3Continued on page 3

Pregnancy Page Articles Submitted By- Barbara Biechman & Cheryl Kremer

Tummy Time Tools provides parents with ideas and

activities to make sure your baby gets enough time on

his tummy throughout the day, while he is awake and

supervised. These activities include handling, carrying,

diapering, positioning, feeding and playing with your

baby. Increasing the amount of time your baby lies on

his tummy:

Promotes muscle development in the neck and shoulders

Helps prevent tight neck muscles and the development of flat areas on the back of the

babys head.

Helps build the muscles your baby needs to roll, sit and crawl.

Babies need tummy time because they are spending

more and more time on their backs. In the early 90s, the

American Academy of Pediatrics Back to Sleep

program successfully decreased the incidence of sudden

infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the United States by 40

percent by encouraging parents to place their babies on

their backs to sleep. Around the same time, a number of

infant carriers that doubled as car seats and carries

became widely used. This combination of back of

sleeping at night and daytime pressure on the infants

head can create a flattening skull.

When a baby develops flat areas on the back of the head

and possible the forehead, its called plagiocephaly.

On average most of us women have difficulty establishing

a relationship with our healthcare provider while having

on-going appointments in the course of nine months of

pregnancy. Research has suggested that women who

actively participate in their prenatal care and in childbirth

generally are the happiest with their birth experience.

With this in mind an established relationship is helpful

prior to pregnancy. Keep in mind that there are many

different healthcare offices, asking questions may help

you figure out what kind of care you could benefit from

and whether the doctor/office will meet your needs as a

patient.

Here are some examples of types of different medical

offices:

Solo Medical Practice in these types of offices the doctor works for himself.

Group Medical Practice -there are two or more doctors.

Combination Practice includes both doctors and midwifes.

Birth Centers- nurse-midwives provide the bulk of care.

Its your choice of what you would like for you and your

baby, maintaining a relationship with your healthcare

provider is important for you to feel comfortable in asking

questions or addressing any concerns that you may have.

The best way of approaching your provider is to consider

it a learning experience where you can learn ways to keep

you and your baby healthy. It may be helpful to write

down questions or concerns prior to visits, and

communicate with the nurse that you have some things to

discuss with the doctor/midwife that may take a little extra

time. Questions, at times, may be embarrassing or may

seem unimportant but, these questions will help your

doctor understand how important it is to you to have a

healthy and safe pregnancy as well as prepare you for the

birthing process.

Source: What to Expect When Youre Expecting

PREGNANCY AND YOUR PREGNANCY AND YOUR PREGNANCY AND YOUR PREGNANCY AND YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERHEALTHCARE PROVIDERHEALTHCARE PROVIDERHEALTHCARE PROVIDER

January 08 3 | P a g e

If you havent already, nows a great time to establish a

bedtime routine for your toddler. When you follow a set

pattern every night, hell quickly come to appreciate the

consistency and predictability.

The more relaxed he is, the more likely hell go to bed

easily and fall asleep quickly. Stick to your routine as best

you can even when youre not home- it can make it easier

for your toddler to settle down in unfamiliar surroundings.

What you include in your ritual is up to you. Theres the

standard bath, putting on pajamas reading a story and

having a cuddle, or you can play a quiet game. Just make

sure you choose something that helps calm your toddler-not

riles him up. And while you can certainly start your ritual

in the bathroom or the living room, it should end in your

toddlers bedroom. Its important to teach your toddler that

his room is a nice place to be, not just where hes

banished at bedtime. If he gets upset as he sees you walk

out the door after you tuck him in, tell him youll be back

to check on him in a few minutes. In all likelihood, hell be

fast asleep by the time you return.

Here are some ideas to use in your bedtime ritual:

LET-OFF- SOME-STEAM

Sometimes it helps to let your toddler get any pent-up

energy out of his system before you try to settle him down

for the night.

GIVE-HIM-A-SOAK

One of the most popular parts of many bedtime rituals is a

bath. Sitting in warm water is a soothing experience and

getting your toddler warm and clean and dry is a great way

to ease him into bedtime.

Continued on pg. 5

Often, this flattening is made worse by a condition called

torticollis. Torticollis is a single muscle or group of

muscles that are tight or weak on one side of the neck,

causing a baby to tilt or turn to one side. The muscle

fibers can shorten because of continued resting in one

position. It is very important that an infant be placed on

his back to sleep. However, it is also important to a

babys development that he get supervised tummy time

and constant repositioning throughout the day.

The activities in Tummy Time Tools increase your

cuddle time and contact with your baby and will enhance

the time you spend together. Teach these activities

become an important part of your babys day.

TUMMY TIME IS:

Any activity that keeps your baby from lying flat in one position against a hard, supporting surface

Anytime you carry position or play with your baby while he is on his belly.

Beneficial to babies of all ages

Fun, and it can be designed to be easy or challenging for your baby

More enjoyable when you play music or give your baby interesting toys to look at and play

with.

Infant Info Continued from page 2

Talking Toddlers Articles Submitted By-Brandie Bowman

January 08 4 | P a