Apparently, babies and toddlers going into sports training is the trend these days, according to a report from the New York Times. There are DVD programs and baby athletic gears now on sale at stores and they are selling quite well. Schools that offer these training and exercises admit students as young as four years old.

On one hand, this is one way of helping beat the obesity problem that has hounded America. It’s also one way of getting kids interested in sports early. On the other hand, it seems as though there is such as thing as starting them too early, it may hamper proper development or growth.

The article also suggests that with this current trend, parents seem to harbor illusions that if babies are trained into sports at this stage, they will grew up to become professional athletes who earn millions of dollars.

There are those who are skeptical of this program. Speaking with Dr. Lyle Micheli, who founded the first pediatric sports medicine clinic in the United States, the doctor said that he doubts these sports training are actually beneficial to the babies and worries of the possible injuries it may inflict on kids who are starting soccer and other competitive sports this young.

Even former NBA player, Bob Bigelow, is worried that this is just another way for parents to compete with other parents’ kids. “There are millions of American parents worried to death that their children might fall behind somebody else’s kid. So the emphasis in youth sports has become more, more, more, younger, younger, younger.”

What do you think, dear parents?

There is a growing push towards providing children with better options for school lunches, some states have already implemented this and some others aren’t far behind.  It’s an understandable move, especially when the rates of obesity and preventable disease are growing rapidly.

The push to get better foods in schools has been around for a while now, while it has been met with some criticism it’s still making some progress.  The major concern over the move has been funding and some resistance to the overall plan itself. The costs of the healthier option may also be a bit larger as well, which could hurt families who may have some trouble affording it.

Washington is also pushing for the move, saying that the benefits will outweigh any negatives and the added cost will be minimal  The primary concern over today’s school lunches are the lack of nutritional requirements and how that can harm the growing bodies who need it.

The Obama administration has a desire to create a healthier America with this as a starting point.  Although, the healthier school lunch push is anything but new.  For quite a few years now, lawmakers have been limited some of the items offered in schools and opting for better and more nutritious options as opposed to sodas and candy.

What is new, is the complete (potential) plan to completely overhaul the school lunch programs themselves.

Time will have to tell if this plan is something feasible, or just another idea that pans out to nothing.

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Weddings, Ceremonies and Celebrations More Meaningful with Modern Shaman

For Americans the Forth of July is a jovial event, full of food, fun, and normally- the beautiful lightshow that is fireworks.

The bright displays are a real treat, and to make sure it stays a happy memory there are some safety tips to avoid injury for the families setting off the displays on their own.

According to the CDC:

*4 people died in 2005 associated with using fireworks
over 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks in 2005.
*Most injuries from fireworks occur in the few weeks around July 4th.
*Almost half of the injuries were to children under age 15.
*Firecrackers caused the most injuries, followed by rockets and sparklers
burns are the most common injuries from fireworks.

Most people assume that sparklers are safe, but the temperatures for them can easily reach over 1000°F so they are best avoided for young children especially.

Use fireworks outdoors only.

Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.

Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).

Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them.

Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.

Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”

From Fireworks Safety

While there is no absolute 100% safe way to handle fireworks, the tips above can keep people safer.  Don’t let anyone who isn’t experienced in safety procedures, or immature, handle fireworks.

After all they are explosives.

What’s the safest place in America for a child to grow up?

The answer may be really surprising, it’s none other than the Big Apple, New York City. Injuries to children from car accidents alone, are half the national average.

This is admittedly surprising, due to the city being so large and busy it’s still possibly one of the safest places to raise a child in relation to national statistics.

Most of the fatal injuries stemmed from preventable accidents, such as children playing with fire.

“New York City is a remarkably safe place to grow up,” said Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, “but these findings remind us how much safer it could be. Children shouldn’t die of preventable causes. Through collective and individual action, we can all help forestall these tragedies.

From the article.

The article was quite surprising and really a fascinating read.

Now, I admittedly am incredibly biased.  I’ve spent my life only about two hours away from Manhattan, and make it a point to go into the city as much as I can.  Saying I love it there is possibly the largest understatement I could make.  The hustle and bustle, the museums, and the rest of it.  There a lot to love about New York City, and this just adds into it.

Salma Heyek Nursing Infant

In a very sweet, very human moment, nursing momma and activist Salma Hayek nursed a week old starving African baby. The baby’s mother has a lack of milk supply and the infant was crying with hunger. The actress was in the midst of a humanitarian trip to Sierra Lionne, which has the highest infant (and mother) mortality rate in the world.

Heyek, a United Nations Fund Spokesperson, Says:

“He was very hungry. I was weaning my daughter Valentina, but I still had a lot of milk, so I breastfed the baby,”

Oddly, this act of kindness has sparked a bit of outrage over the incident. In America, some are stewing over this.

Dr. Miriam Labbok to ABC News says:

“We’ve lost the concept that breastfeeding is normal and human in the United States,” said Labbok. “In most of the world, it’s [nursing someone else's baby is] as common as breastfeeding” one’s own.

Which brings up an interesting point.  These types of quotes are usually directed at the US, is controversy over nursing mommas really the worse here?  Or do most just use the US to make a point?

Granted, I can’t recall hearing any type of controversy over the same out of anywhere else to any of my recollection.

So, I’m opening this up to you: Is the US really the worst with the whole ‘outrage’ over breastfeeding?

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