Chicago has outlawed crib bumpers inspite a lot of objections from the industry which makes these. Bumper pads, in recent years, have the reason for many SID or suffucation among babies. Babies, who still do not have the motor skills to turn or move their head away from bumper pads that are wrapped around their sleeping area, are prone to such dangers. The banning of this item has been necessary because of it.

According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, the ban will take effect in seven months time.

The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will enforce the ordinance, responding to complaints and checking for products during inspections of stores. Retailers who violate the ordinance can face fines up to $500 for each violation.

Stores like Babies R Us have already expressed they will follow the local ordinance, even as the company sells bumper pads nationwide.

Meanwhile, baby bedding companies have already started redesigning bumper pads so that it becomes more compliant and save around babies. The addition of a mesh and zip features supposedly make this less dangerous. The local ruling in Chicago doesn’t say if these improved bumper pads are also included in the ban.

The trade group have been against the passing of the ordinance since the beginning claiming that there is no evidence linking SIDS to bumper pads. The Chicago Tribune, however, reports otherwise as there have been documented deaths were doctors have ruled that bumper pads is the cause.

While their bodies are a lot more limber than adults, children may still experience back pains just like we do and will most likely not notice. There is a danger in not giving attention to this right away as back pains can hinder with the body’s development and become the cause of other underlying problems.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, here are symptoms parents should watch out for with children experiencing back pains:

• Losing weight or running a fever.
• Complaining of numbness or weakness.
• Having difficulty walking.
• Having pain that extends from the back down one or both of the legs.
• Having bladder- or bowel-control issues.
• Having pain that prevents the child from sleeping.

If any of these symptoms are present, an examination done by the doctor is necessary to evaluate it. Physical exams, MRI, CT Scans and Xrays may be asked.

Back pains are usually signs of the following condition, according to OrthoInfo.Org, and develop as early as pre-teen stage, so parents must not ignore it:

Muscle Strain and Imbalances
Musculoskeletal strain is most often responsible for back pain in children and adolescents. This type of pain frequently responds to rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and an exercise program.

Stress Fracture of the Spine
Spondylolysis, or stress fracture, may cause lower back pain in adolescents. Stress fractures may occur during adolescent growth spurts or in sports that repeatedly twist and hyperextend the spine, like gymnastics, diving, and football.

Infection
In young children, infection in a disk space (diskitis) can lead to back pain. Diskitis typically affects children between the ages of 1 and 5 years, although older children and teenagers can also be affected.

Tumor
On rare occasion, tumors, such as osteoid osteoma, can be responsible for back pain. When they occur, tumors of the spine are most often found in the middle or lower back. Pain is constant and usually becomes worse over time. This pain is progressive; it is unrelated to activity and/or happens at night.

Slipped Vertebra
A slipped vertebra, or spondylolisthesis, occurs when one vertebra shifts forward on the next vertebra directly below. It usually occurs at the base of the spine (lumbosacral junction). In severe cases, the bone narrows the spinal canal, which presses on the nerves.

Nick Jonas has Type 1 Diabetes

Doctors really don’t know what causes Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes. Research is being done to explore both genetics and environmental triggers, but many kids who are diagnosed with diabetes have no family history of it at all.

Diabetes is manageable; kids who have this condition can live normal, active lives if they pay close attention to treating their condition. Diabetes can’t be cured, but its effects can be minimized. If your child doesn’t do this conscientiously, he or she might develop several undesirable complications. These can include:

• Neuropathy. This is nerve damage. It commonly causes problems in the legs, but it can also affect other systems in the body as well.

• Retinopathy. Diabetes can cause damage to the eyes, including causing blindness.

• Nephropathy. Nephropathy is kidney disease. Weak kidneys allow toxins to build up in the body and make a child sick.

• Heart Disease. Heart disease is more common to diabetics than non-diabetics. It can lead to other complications such as stroke, embolism, or heart attack.

So how do you know if your child has diabetes? There are some symptoms that all parents should be on the lookout for:

• Excessive thirst. Is your child constantly asking for something to drink?

• Frequent urination. If you find yourself saying, “Are you in the bathroom again?”…pay attention!

• Drowsiness or lethargy. They fall asleep over their homework, or they just can’t get the energy to do things they used to enjoy. If you’ve tried adjusting your child’s bedtime and it isn’t helping, bring this to your doctor’s attention.

• Sugar in urine. Obviously your doctor will have to test this, but it’s a pretty significant indicator.

• Sudden vision changes. The cells in the eyes are being attacked by the immune system, so vision decreases fairly quickly.

• Increased appetite. Are they suddenly hungry all the time, and can’t seem to get enough? They could be going through a growth spurt, as all kids do…but it could be diabetes.

• Sudden weight loss. None of that food is being processed like it should be. Instead of gaining weight, they might lose weight very quickly.

• Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath. The imbalance of sugar and insulin in the blood can come out in strange ways, including very sweet breath.

• Heavy, labored breathing. Your child might find it hard to catch his or her breath, even if they aren’t doing anything strenuous.

• Stupor, unconsciousness. If diabetes goes too long without being diagnosed, it can cause kids to faint or, in extreme cases, fall into a coma.

Taken alone, most of these symptoms seem harmless, but together, they could indicate the presence of Type 1 diabetes. Don’t be afraid to bring them up to your doctor; he or she can judge whether there’s anything to be concerned about. The sooner you start treatment, the more likely your child is to live a normal, active life.

So…you’re doing your Kegels and saving your pennies to get ready for the pregnancy you’re planning.  Good.  Let’s look now at the least predictable, least tangible part of preparing your life for an impending pregnancy, your emotional life.  Im going to divide this into two parts–your personal emotions and your couple life.  This post will be about how to prepare yourself emotionally for pregnancy.

1. Be happy.  This might be harder than it seems.  If you are happy now, you are more likely to be able to maintain a sense of joy and peace during the course of your pregnancy.  That’s really good for both you and the baby.  And while pregnancy isn’t all sunshine and lollipops, remind yourself how happy you are about it.  It helps get through the bad stuff.
2. Don’t try to be happy all the time.  In your non-pregnancy life, you have to deal with the bad stuff that comes with the good stuff.  You like your job, but you have to deal with difficult people.  You love your partner, but some habit of his drive you crazy.  You have to give yourself room for those complex feelings in life, and you will have to do so in pregnancy, too.  Just  because your pregnancy is wanted and planned doesn’t mean you have to be excited about it every single minute.  Even before you get pregnant, you may find yourself struggling with doubt, insecurity and grief.  This doesn’t mean you will be a bad parent.
3. Take care of yourself.  This is the time to take stock of your life and determine whether you have too much stress, not enough “me-time,” or unhealthy habits.  Breaking yourself of bad habits is not only good for you physically, but also gives you a sense of freedom, liberation and energy you might not have experienced before.  And learn how to pamper yourself now, because after the baby’s born, those opportunities will be few and far between.
4. Begin to grieve.  In a very real way, you will be losing a certain life with the introduction of a baby into a relationship or lifestyle.  You can begin to grieve even as you prepare.  Small freedoms you didn’t even know you had will go out the window–you won’t be able to just take a walk anymore.  You won’t be able to spontaneously run off to a movie or make love on the living room floor.  You will never be “just you,” or “just us,” again.  Cherish it while you still have it, and begin to let it go. 
5. Make room for changes.  Your feelings about things are going to change.  As I said before, you can’t imagine until you’ve done it how head-over-heels in love you’ll fall with this little person.  Make your plans, but make room in them to adjust without guilt. 
6. Keep a journal.  Not all of us are great journal writers, but we all need some way to work through our fears, anxieties and thrills.  Take pictures, paint paintings, join an online support group.  Above all, find some way to deal positively with your feelings, and prepare yourself to deal postively with feelings you can’t predict in the future. 
7. Get counseling.  Now, I don’t know if you need counseling, though I am convinced that most people could benefit from at least a little bit of it.  But if you have any issues from your childhood, scars that resist healing, or troubles in your couple-relationship, now–before you even get pregnant–is the time to deal with those.
8. Talk to your doctor about meds. Many meds, including those that keep us emotinally balanced, are not okay for pregnancy.  Check with your doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist for alternative meds, and if meds are out for a while, for other ways to keep your feelings in control.