Slap Cheek - Do you know about it?

If you're pregnant (like me) and don't know about Parvovirus B19, or more commonly known as "slap cheek" or "fifth disease", then it's worth your time finding out about it. When I was told that a friend had it and that I needed to get tested, I was surprised as I'd never heard of it before.

Slap cheek is a virus that most of us get as children at some stage. Approx 60% of us have immunity to it from a previous exposure. Once you get it, there's a high probability that you are now immune, however, some people are not immune.

Whilst the symptoms are only mild and are similar to the common cold or flu, which is then followed by this red rash that appears on the face or abdomen which resembles a slap (hence the name), the virus is much more serious for pregnant women.

As I mentioned, about 60% of us are immune, but if you are not immune, the virus can pass on to the unborn baby. Whilst most babies are able to recover, some will develop anemia and this could be potentially life threatening for them.

If you have been in contact with someone with slap cheek, insist on a blood test to check your immunity. I have just been to 2 different doctors requesting a blood test, and have been told both times that I didn't need to worry about it. I will keep seeing doctors till I find someone who will give me the blood test just to put my mind at peace about it.

Unfortunately, even though this is such a common virus, it's not really understood all that well and taken seriously by many doctors. The high risk period is up to 20 weeks gestation, however, there have been deaths recorded in babies that have gone past this, so it's important to keep insisting till your happy with the outcome if you are at all concerned.

If you are diagnosed with having recent exposure to the virus and are pregnant, it's likely that you will be monitored more closely by regular ultrasounds. This monitoring can go on for up to 4 weeks. There's not really much they can do to prevent this, however, if the case is serious, they can give the baby a blood transfusion in extreme circumstances.

Fortunately I haven't had any flu like symptoms, nor have I had a rash or red cheeks yet, but I still feel it's important to persist with till I'm 100% sure that I'm ok.

If you know of anyone that is pregnant and not aware of this virus, please refer them to this post, or ask them to look this up online - there are loads of articles about slap cheek if you search google.

Stylish Beep Beep Slings Now in Store

How many times have you had to cart the pram around, drag it in and out of the car every time you do the shopping and try to manage a new baby at the same time? I think we all do it. I know that when our #2 arrives in November, I'll be ready with my baby sling - I don't know why I didn't get around to getting one last time.

We decided that wraps should actually be part of any parents essential baby kit, so we hunted down the coolest ones we could find to include in the range at 9 Months Waiting.

The Beep Beep slings are not only convenient and gorgeous, but are made of 100% cotton and are totally Australian made - and how hard is it to find Australian made products these days!

At 9 Months Waiting, we're excited about the addition of the Beep Beep slings to the collection as they're not only a lifesaver when it comes to carrying your baby, but the styling is absolutely gorgeous. We currently stock 3 styles; Taiko, Retro Watermelon, and Sprig.

We hope you enjoy these essentially gorgeous slings as much as we do.

Wrapping Babies

Here's an article we've come across that explains quite well the benefits of wrapping your little one properly.

Some parents choose to wrap their babies when they put them down for sleep. Wrapping can help babies to develop a more settled sleep pattern.

Other parents find that wrapping is not helpful. Whether you choose to wrap or not is your choice.

The information and pictures in this topic show a safe and simple way to wrap babies.

You may need to seek advice from your Child and Family Health Service if wrapping an older or more active baby.

Some benefits of wrapping

• Wrapping can help babies develop a more settled sleep pattern.
• Older unsettled babies may sleep better if wrapped firmly.
• When babies are wrapped with their hands close to their face they can comfort themselves more easily.
• Wrapping helps to prevent random arm movements which can disturb a baby’s sleep.
• Babies whose sleep is disturbed by colic or reflux may be more settled when wrapped.
• Babies with stiff or floppy limbs may benefit from being wrapped. Talk with your physiotherapist or child health nurse.

Safe wrapping

• For wrapping to be effective it needs to be firm around the arms but looser around the legs so that babies can bend their legs up at the hips. For normal hip joint development legs need to be bent at the hips with knees apart. Avoid wrapping legs straight.
• The recommended fabrics are muslin or a light cotton wrap. Bigger, more active, babies may need a cotton ‘baby’ sheet.
• Bunny rugs and blankets are not as safe because they may cause overheating.
• Babies must not be overdressed under the wrap. Dress them in a singlet and nappy in warm weather, or a light grow suit in cool weather.

How to wrap

This is one method for safe wrapping.

In most cases the key to successful wrapping and settling lies with holding your baby's arms firmly. This will give your baby the cue to settle. Some babies settle best when their arms are held with their hands near their face so that they can suck on them to comfort themselves.

Spread the wrap so that you can place the baby's head at the top of the long side of the wrap, or if the wrap is square, fold one corner of the wrap towards the centre.

1. Place baby on the wrap at shoulder level. Ensure the wrap does not cover the baby's face.
   
2. Brings arms together on upper chest and hold firmly.
   
   
3. Bring one side over both arms and tuck under your baby, keeping arms held firmly together.
   
4. Bring the other side over arms and then tuck under body.
   
5. Twist or fold the end of the wrap and place it to the side so that both legs remain bent up.
   

When to wrap

You can choose to wrap your infant from any age. Wrapping may be used throughout the first year of life to help infants relax and settle into sleep. Whether to wrap depends on whether it helps your baby, not how old the baby is. Some babies find it stressful while others find it comforting to be held by a wrap for many months. Some babies do better if they have their arms out, others like their arms wrapped in. Do what helps your baby to feel safe and relaxed and comforted.

Safe sleeping

• Place babies on their back to sleep.
• Make sure your baby’s face is not covered.
• Cigarette smoke is bad for babies.
• Make sure that your baby’s cot or bassinette is safe. The mattress needs to be well fitted.
• Place your baby with feet at the end of the cot.
• The cot should be free of toys and bumpers.

See the topics Sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (including SIDS) and Safe sleep for more information.

Resources

South Australia

• Child and Family Health (see Locations).
• CWYHS Parent Helpline - telephone 1300 364 100.
• Contact SIDS & KIDS on 1300 308 307 for more information about safe sleeping.

This information has been produced by
Women's and Children's Hospital and SIDS & KIDS,

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.

Article provided by Child and Youth Health

Get it off Your Chest

Have you ever wanted to just anonymously complain or comment about anything at all? Well here is the perfect site to do that. www.truuconfessions.com/channels/Mom

It can be a hilarious read and it's not hard to find posts that are so easy to relate to.

Being a Mother isn't easy at times and this is the perfect release - it's a huge hit in the US, and if you haven't come across it before, here's your chance to have a bit of a giggle.

I check it out every now and then and thought I'd share it with you.

Baby Showers - Gift Registry or No Gift Registry?

Well, the debate as old as time seems to continue - if you're having a baby shower, do you organise a gift registry or not? Many people are really not sure what to do here, some people feel that guests will appreciate having it organised for them, and others feel that it's "a bit forward" in putting one together.

We've found that many people these days are organising registries for their baby showers as it's just so convenient for guests. We've seen this trend increasing over the last year at 9 Months Waiting. However, what do you think the etiquette is here? Many people will now organise a gift registry for their wedding, but do you think the same applies to baby shower registries?

We've actually noticed that people that use the registry are going for the bedding items mostly. I suppose you can never have enough bedding when you have a newborn with reflux!

We're going to open this up to you - what do you think, and what would you put on your registry if you were to have/ already had one? If you were invited to a baby shower and received registry information on the invite, what would your response be?

We welcome all responses - you can either post one here, or participate in the poll on the right hand side, or do both!

The Bamboo Movement

At 9 Months Waiting we've always been huge advocates of bamboo fibre clothing, wraps and bedding. As with many babies, our first son unfortunately suffered from eczema around the chest and neck and we tried everything we could to help him. We decided to keep him in bamboo clothing for it's natural high absorbency and antibacterial properties to try to minimise the irritation he felt. Fortunately now he's grown out of his eczema, but dressing him in bamboo fibre was the most gentle thing we could do for his sensitive skin.

You may already be aware that we stock the very popular Lotus Linen range, which seems to have developed a cult following of it's own, and we're now excited to announce that we've also added Babyjo to the mix.

Babyjo

The babyjo range is absolutely gorgeous with it's neutral colour theme suitable for boys and girls, and the garments are so luxuriously soft it's like dressing your little one in silk.

The range includes kimono style rompers, baby blankets, singlets, pants, bodysuits and these gorgeous little pyjamas which are available in either a single weight or double weight for those cooler areas. The range is available in sizes 000 to 1 for most items.

Check out the range of bamboo clothing, wraps and bedding in store now.

Blogbaby

Are you a blogbaby? Well, we’d like to celebrate what you do best.

During the month of October, you could win a $100 gift voucher to offer your subscribers and readers by just blogging about 9 Months Waiting in a creative way.

So, who is 9 Months Waiting?

9 Months Waiting is quickly becoming the first place new parents visit when organising their little one’s wardrobes and nurseries. The collection includes a gorgeous range of essential wear combined with designer pieces for those show off days out. 9 Months Waiting are based in Sydney Australia and deliver globally.

So, what are the details?

Just mention 9 Months Waiting on your lovely blog, and include a link to http://www.9monthswaiting.com.au/ to enter. Once you’ve done that, send an email to info@9monthswaiting.com.au to advise us of the post along with a link that we can use to link back to you and you’ve entered. The winning blog will be judged based on how creative their blog post is.

All entrants will receive a link back to their blog, and the winner will receive a $100 gift voucher along with a feature of their blog on http://www.9monthswaiting.blogspot.com/ as well as twitter alerts and facebook mentions. Any shipping and delivery charges associated with the gift voucher will be covered by 9 Months Waiting. There will also be regular mentions of various participants throughout October - so put your thinking hats on. There's something in it for every participant, not just the clever winner!

How do I use the gift voucher?

You can use it however you like to help you promote your blog – run your own comp offering it as a prize, give it to your favourite member, whatever you like!

Need more information?

If you require further information about 9 Months Waiting or have any questions at all, please email Cathy cathy@9monthswaiting.com.au or visit http://www.9monthswaiting.com.au/ .