Babies and Families

Babies & & families families

July 18, 2016 – Page 17

A Special section of the Addison Independent

Learning to crawl

BRAIDEN COTA, SIX months, gets in some crawling practice at the Addison County Parent/Child Center in Middlebury last week.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Featured stories:

Finding infant childcare can be a difficult journey.............................. 18

State asks for public input on affordable childcare programs .......... 20 Consider these natural alternatives in baby care................................ 21 Don’t forget your baby’s sunscreen ..................................................... 23

PAGE 18 ~ Babies & Families ~ A Special section of the Addison Independent, Monday, July 18, 2016

Babies

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By EMMA COTTON helping parents find placements for their chilADDISON COUNTY — On Jan. 15, Riley, dren in the care system. a healthy six-pound, 10-ounce baby boy was “It is not an easy thing to find infant care,” born to Anna and Justin Harrington at Porter Sinclair said gravely.

Hospital. The two brought their newborn Finding care for infants (defined as children back to their home in Middlebury after an below age two) can be particularly frustratagonizing 50 hours of labor, ing because the care is more and were ecstatic to be new expensive. State regulations parents to the little guy, who and best practices dictate a Anna lovingly called “amaz- “You need to trust one-to-four adult-to-child ing and fun.” ratio, which is hard for most them. There’s Shortly after, an unsettling care facilities to achieve. reality set in: Anna and Justin a lot of home Most childcare facilities are needed to head back to work, daycares that more likely to offer care to and as the Harringtons quickly children ages three and over. realized, finding infant care have openings…

For parents looking to in Addison County is not an Beyond that, it’s enroll their children just easy task. Recent statistics weeks after the childcare from a state program called such a personal search begins, Sinclair Let’s Grow Kids report that thing, it’s about suggests preparing for 88 percent of infants needing disappointment.

Instead, where you would she advises parents to start care in Addison County do not have access to high quality feel comfortable looking for infant care up to programs. a year ahead of time, and if leaving your Anna started reaching out to that’s not possible, parents childcare facilities in February child.” should find a nanny or family with no luck — every spot — Ginny Sinclair, referral member that can care for the was already taken. She even specialist, Mary Johnson child in the meantime. tried a childcare center that She advises parents to put Childcare Services was connected to Middlebury themselves on the waiting College, where Justin works lists of every childcare facilas a chef, to see if Riley could ity that’s realistic for them, get bumped up on the waiting list. No dice. and Anna followed suit. In early March, she Soon, she realized that she wasn’t the only put her name down on a few lists, and a spot one struggling, and that she was in for a long has recently opened up at Vermont Sun, one of wait before Riley could claim a place in infant the Harringtons’ favored options. childcare.

Another challenge in the childcare search For help, Anna consulted Ginny Sinclair, a is the quality of care. The Harringtons had an referral specialist at Mary Johnson Childcare idea of what they were looking for before they (Continued on next Page) Services, who is specifically in charge of

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Finding infant childcare can be a difficult journey

What each STAR means STARS — the STep Ahead Recognition System — is Vermont’s system for recognizing and improving quality childcare. The more stars a program has, the more it is involved in a wide range of practices that support children, families and professionals.

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Babies & Families ~ A Special section of the Addison Independent, Monday, July 18, 2016 ~ PAGE 19

& & families families (Continued from previous Page) started the search. Anna knew she wanted to do an in-person visit, and upon meeting the caregiver, she needed to see that he or she was responsible.

“You need to trust them,” she said. “There’s a lot of home daycares that have openings, and people are willing to watch your kid, but that makes me feel really uneasy. I’d prefer an actual facility with some repercussions if something goes wrong. I want some credibility and some responsibility.”

Sinclair says the facility should be clean and safe.

“Honestly, beyond that, it’s such a personal thing, it’s about where you would feel comfortable leaving your child,” she said.

Let’s Grow Kids started an accreditation program called STARS (STep Ahead Recognition System) to help parents recognize trusted facilities. A childcare program

can receive between one and fives stars, and a quality program receives four or five.

STARS recognizes programs with “consistent, nurturing caregivers who are educated in early childhood learning and development.”

Facilities earning four or five stars also have a “clean, cheerful environment with an outdoor space,” according to the Let’s Grow Kids website.

Parents can search for accredited childcare programs according to town, age categories, number of stars and more at the Bright Futures website, www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us.

This is a site set up by the Vermont Department for Children and Families to provide childcare information.

Sinclair says that for parents, it’s all about identifying priorities and creating a healthy relationship with the caregiver.

“You really need to know what’s important to you,” she said.

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Our Certi�ied Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are Advance Practice Nurse Practitioners with a Master’s degree in midwifery and nursing who provide care to women of all ages including: • General women’s health and Pregnancy/childbirth services • Birth control options including IUD’s and Nexplanon

• Evaluation of common gynecologic complaints • Guiding patients through menopause

Our Obstetrical providers work together to provide obstetrical care with an emphasis on low intervention births whenever possible and are proud of having one of the lowest cesarean rates in the country.

They provide a range of services including: • General women’s health and Pregnancy/childbirth services • Obstetrical and gynecologic ultrasound • Well-woman exams with preventive screening, contraceptive management, infertility evaluation and treatment • Incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse care • Medical complications of pregnancy • Management of abnormal pap smears including colposcopy and LEEP • Menopause and aging concerns • Minimally invasive surgery options for ovarian, tubal, and uterine issues including total laparoscopic hysterectomies

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Peek-a-boo

WYATT LUSSIER, NINE months, uses a mirror to play some peek-a-boo at the Addison County Parent/Child Center in Middlebury last week.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

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PAGE 20 ~ Babies & Families ~ A Special section of the Addison Independent, Monday, July 18, 2016

Babies Babies & & families families State asks for public input on affordable childcare programs Childcare project aims to improve critical early years

Out on her own

MEMBERS OF THE Hancock Fire Department, assembled for a photo last Tuesday, watch as baby Nevaeh Hewitt takes off on a rapid crawl. Among those getting a kick out of her break away are her brother Talen, who is leaning against grandfather Jacques Veilleux (the fire chief) and grandmother (Memere) Renee Veilleux. Nevaeh’s dad, Kevin, and uncle Ryan are also tickled. Her mother, Danielle, is just outside the picture

Independent photo/John S. McCright

By CHARMAINE LAM VERMONT — The Blue Ribbon Commission on Financing High-Quality, Affordable Child Care is calling for public input as it assembles a report about improving access to high-quality childcare.

It will take feedback from average people, as well as those involved in professional childcare, at five community forums: on July 25 the commission will be in St. Johnsbury, Burlington and Barre and on July 26 in Rutland and Brattleboro.

Almost half of Vermont infants and toddlers likely to need childcare do not have access to any regulated early care and learning programs. Of those that do need care, almost 80 percent do not have access to high-quality programs, according to public awareness and engagement campaign Let’s Grow Kids’ “Stalled at the Start” report released in May. Let’s Grow Kids is an initiative of the Permanent Fund for Vermont’s Children.

National and statewide attention has also spurred incentives to tackle this issue. The challenges to childcare have come up in the presidential race, and recent national polling has shown public demand for governmental action in childcare efforts.

Recent statewide polling has also shown a growing majority of Vermonters who believe the state needs to do more to provide highquality, affordable child care to families that cannot otherwise afford it.

The Blue Ribbon Commission was formed in recognition of the challenge a lack of access to childcare poses for Vermonters.

This lack of access forces not only families with all parents in the workforce to make tough choices, but also affects Vermont’s economy as childcare challenges make it difficult for businesses to maintain a stable workforce.

The lack of access to affordable childcare

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also poses a problem for providers. While many parents struggle to afford the tuition of childcare programs, childcare providers often struggle to stay in business, as they cannot charge the real costs of offering a quality program.

In addition, childcare is crucial to the child’s brain development. Ninety percent of the brain is developed in the first five years of a child’s life, according to experts.

Further, experiences during these five years are crucial to the child’s foundation for future successes in school, relationships and life.

In order to better understand and address these challenges, the commission is hosting public forums across the state to hear from children, parents, providers and business people involved. The commission wants to hear from Vermonters regarding access to high-quality childcare: the community’s wants and needs, the government’s responsibilities and what should be done to make childcare more affordable in the state.

Specifically, the commission wants to hear more from Vermonters on the following three questions: 1. What would help you the most with respect to accessing high-quality childcare?

2. What are the responsibilities of Vermont to help ensure all Vermonters have access to high-quality child care?

3. What should we do to make accessible, high-quality child care more affordable in Vermont?

The two forums closest to Addison County are in Burlington and Rutland. The former will be held at the Champlain Senior Center, 241 N. Winooski Ave. in Burlington on July 25 from 5–6:30 p.m. The latter will be held at the Leahy Community Education Center at Rutland Regional Medical Center, 160 Allen St., Rutland, in Conference rooms B and C from 5:30–7 p.m.

Registration and more information available at www.letsgrowkids.org/ child-care-community-forums.

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Babies & Families ~ A Special section of the Addison Independent, Monday, July 18, 2016 ~ PAGE 21

Babies Babies & & families families

Consider these natural alternatives in baby care

By ELLIE REINHARDT When problems do begin to arise as children For expectant parents, a lifetime of choices get older, the naturopathic approach harnesses awaits: baby names, what brand of diapers to a number of treatment options including use, what color to paint the nursery and even dietary and lifestyle changes, stress reduction, what kind of doctor to use. manipulative therapies, exercise therapy and Complementary and alternative approaches homeopathy to treat symptoms. to medicine are on the rise, Where a conventional especially in Vermont where approach would use antibinaturopathic medicine is not “It’s not otics or other prescription only a part of the culture, but drugs, naturopathy focuses also recognized by insurance surprising in on causes within the body. companies in the same way as Martin explained that for Vermont that any other physician. treating eczema — a common “It’s not surprising in people would skin rash among children — Vermont that people would she might look to changing have an affinity toward a have an affinity the child’s diet. natural approach to life,” said “We ask ourselves, what’s toward a natural causing Dr. Katina Martin of Vermont this? Why is it presNatural Family Health. approach to life.” ent? What’s going on interDr. Martin is licensed to nally? 80 to 90 percent of the — Dr. Katina Martin, time it’s food,” she said. practice naturopathic mediVermont Natural cine, midwifery and acupuncAdditionally, the natuFamily Health ropathic approach might ture in the state of Vermont.

For her, the naturopathic include the use of traditional approach is not only natural, Chinese medicine practices it’s rational. such as acupuncture and herbal treatments.

“It’s what our ancestors used and what While acupuncture isn’t normally used makes sense,” she said. until children are older than 10, Dr. Martin According to the Vermont Association of suggests herbal medicines for even her youngNaturopathic Physicians, the naturopathic est patients. approach focuses on six principles. The prinIn the form of capsules or teas, the herbs ciples represent the common bond between often give off a strong, bitter taste, which can NDs around the world: first do no harm, the make this approach tricky, especially for picky healing power of nature, identify and treat the eaters. Martin suggests adding honey and cause, treat the whole person, prevention and maple syrup to mask the taste of any strong doctor as teacher. herb.

“Our job is to educate and collaborate with While naturopathy can be used for most our patients on their health care,” Martin said. issues, conventional medicine is sometimes “We’re just trying to be proactive.” necessary. However, according to Martin, For new parents, the natural medicine can be used 90 to 95 naturopathic approach is percent of the time. simple and basic.

“There’s definitely a place for “Most newborns conventional medicine, she are born healthy and said. “But it’s nice to have don’t need anything alternatives. We have a lot except proper sleep more tools in our bag to treat and proper nutripatients.” tion,” Martin said.

To learn more about natu“We’re helping a ropathy and find a provider parent learn how visit the Vermont Association to care for this new of Naturopathic Physicians being.” website: visit www.vanp.org.

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PAGE 22 ~ Babies & Families ~ A Special section of the Addison Independent, Monday, July 18, 2016

Begin your family United United Way of Addison County proudly supports local youth and family organizations, working to help build a healthy, productive and thriving community: Back to School Shop Everybody Wins!

Addison Central Teens & Friends Addison County Parent/Child Center Addison County Readers Boys & Girls Club of Greater Vergennes Bristol Family Center Foxcroft Farm Mary Johnson Children’s Center Starksboro Cooperative Preschool DREAM Otter Creek Child Center The HUB Teen Center & Skatepark

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Babies & Families ~ A Special section of the Addison Independent, Monday, July 18, 2016 ~ PAGE 23

Babies Babies & & families families Don’t forget your baby’s SUNSCREEN

(MS)–Some babies are being exposed to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays in the first 6 months of life, when their skin is most vulnerable.

In fact, a research team at the University of Miami found that as many as one-third of local parents actively increased their infant’s sun exposure each day, believing mistakenly that it would build their babies’ tolerance to the sun’s rays. As a result, 12 percent of the parents reported that their babies’ skin had tanned before they were 6 months old, and 3 percent said their infants had been sunburned.

“Sun exposure can be extremely dangerous for babies due to their thin skin and relative lack of melanin — the skin pigment that provides some sun protection,” says Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, senior vice president of The Skin C a n c e r

Foundation. “All of the sun damage we receive as children adds up and greatly increases skin cancer risk later in life. That’s why it’s so important that parents make sun protection a priority early in life.”

The Skin Cancer Foundation wants parents and caregivers to know that skin cancer is highly preventable, and offers the following tips to help keep babies and toddlers sun-safe this summer and all year long: Seek Shade. Avoid direct sun exposure during peak sun hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. On walks, keep to the shady side of the street and use the sun shield on your stroller.

Cover Up. Keep your baby covered up with a brimmed hat and lightweight clothing that fully covers the arms and legs. For added protection, look for special clothing marked with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or more, which means the clothing will only allow 1/30th of the sun’s UV rays to reach the skin.

Be Careful in the Car. While glass screens out most UVB rays, the chief cause of sunburn, UVA rays can penetrate windows. Like UVB rays, UVA rays damage DNA and can lead to skin cancer. By law, front windshields are treated to filter out most UVA, but side and rear windows generally aren’t.

Consider buying a UV shield, which you can hang over any window that allows sunlight

to reach the child’s car seat.

Another option is to install professional protective window film.

Start Sunscreen at 6 Months. Since infants’ skin is so sensitive, it’s best to keep newborns out of the sun rather than use sunscreen. Beginning at 6 months of age, it’s time to introduce daily sunscreen use. Choose a broadspectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher.

Look at active ingredients; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are good choices, because these physical filters don’t rely on absorption of chemicals and are less apt to cause a skin reaction.

You may want to test sunscreen on the inside of your baby’s wrist. If the child has a little irritation, try another sunscreen.

Toddlers move around a lot, so you may need to get creative with your sunscreen application routine. Sunscreen sticks work well for the face and hands, since toddlers are less likely to rub the product into their eyes. Sprays are another good option. Make sure to apply the sunscreen evenly and liberally all over your baby’s exposed skin. For the face, apply into

your hands, then apply to your baby’s face.

Use Sunscreen Properly. Use sunscreen on all exposed areas not covered by clothing, such as the back of the hands, face, ears and neck.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out and reapply it every two hours or more frequently if you take your baby into the pool or if he or she is sweating.

For more information, visit The Skin Cancer Foundation’s website, SkinCancer.org.

PAGE 24 ~ Babies & Families ~ A Special section of the Addison Independent, Monday, July 18, 2016

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Push ups

SIX-MONTH-OLD Braiden Cota gets a happy workout on the floor of the Addison County Parent/Child Center in Middlebury last Thursday morning.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Preparing for Birth and Your Baby • Expectant Parents Class: 6+1 This six-week series covers pregnancy, labor, birth, breathing/relaxation skills, care of the newborn, and family changes. Includes a 7th class, after babies are born, for parents and new babies together. Meets weekday evenings, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Condensed Weekend Expectant Parents’ Class A weekend version of our 6 week course which meets two mornings in one weekend.

Highlights pregnancy, labor, birth, breathing/relaxation skills. Meets 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday of one weekend. See on-line schedule for dates.

• Breastfeeding Class A two-hour evening class for new or expectant mothers to discuss the benefits of breastfeeding to mother and baby, deciding whether or not to breastfeed, returning to work, and more. Meets 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Pre-registration required.

You can register on-line or by calling:

Call 382-4720 For a complete schedule and to register on-line, please visit: www.portermedical.org/outreachparents.html * Fees for these classes are paid in full by Dr. Dynasaur or Vermont Medicaid.

Promoting a safe, healthy and family-centered pregnancy and birth.