Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima has given birth to a baby girl, her first with NBA star Marco Jaric of the Memphis Grizzlies. They have christened their daughter with the name Valentina Lima Jaric. A representative for the couple has announced that “Mother, father and baby are all doing well.”

Valentina is a popular Latin America name which means ‘healthy and strong’. Mexican actress Salma Hayek also chose the name for her daughter two years ago.

So will Mom walk down a Victoria’s Secret catwalk weeks after giving birth like VS alum Heidi Klum? And will Valentina choose to walk down a runway or down the courts of the WBNA when she grows older? Only time will tell.

Adriana 28, and husband Marco, 31, met in 2006, got engaged two years later, married back in February and announced the pregnancy soon after the honeymoon.

“We are so excited!” she announced back in May. “We wanted this. We were ready.”

Congratulations to the couple!

Source: Celebrity Babies

It goes by many different names. The International Day of the Child. The Universal Children’s Day. The National Child Day in individual countries.

However, it doesn’t matter what it’s called. November 20 is a special day for children all over the world.

When it all started

It was almost 55 years ago when the General Assembly of the United Nations recommended that the special day be observed to celebrate “worldwide fraternity and understanding between children.” The Assembly decided on November 20 as the special day which also marks the day when the Declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted in 1959 and Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. Today, all over the world, countries, organizations and schools celebrated this very special day.

How I celebrated the Universal Child’s Day

I live in Switzerland, one of the smallest but most diverse countries in Europe. When one of my sons’ teachers asked for extra help for this day, I immediately volunteered despite my full schedule. Each class at the school had chosen a country to celebrate its culture and tradition. One of my sons’ class had chosen England; the other Pakistan. The schoolchildren from the neighboring town were invited over so they can celebrate together. My task was to show the children how to prepare cucumber sandwiches and tea for a typical English repast – English tea. I am not English, but I am familiar with the culture and I speak the language.

The classrooms were so wonderfully decorated according to the theme country and many parents lent a hand. A Daddy from Togo played African beats on drums. A Mommy from Thailand made lots of spring rolls while a Swiss Mommy married to a Pakistani baked patties from her husband’s region.

All 500 plus of the school kids then gathered outside, joined hands, and formed a big circle around the school house. Afterwards, Universal Child Day balloons were released.

It was a long morning for the kids. It was great chance for us moms to participate in such an event. My sons were so proud to tell their classmates “That’s my Mom. She helped us make the cucumber sandwiches.”

What the Universal Children’s Day means

As the name indicates, today was a day dedicated to each and every child in the world. However, it doesn’t stop there. It is also the chance to draw attention to the plight of children in low income regions. Yes, somewhere in the world, children still suffer from:

• Poverty. According to a study, 1 in 3 children in developing countries has no access to sanitation facilities. 1 in5 has not access to clean water.

• Child labor. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that 218 million children are being used as labourers, with the highest numbers in the Asian-Pacific region.

• Child abuse. 80 to 98% of children suffer from physical punishment at home. More than 50,000 die as a result of homicide.

• Diseases. Millions of children die from malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases which are easily preventable and curable in developed countries.

• Lack of education. 13% of children aged 7 to 28 years in developing countries (approx. 140 million children) have never attended school, most of them girls.

• Discrimination and racism.

Many of us may not realize that these things are not only happening in some remote country. It may be happening in our own neighborhood. Here in Switzerland, the main problems children have to contend with are racism and discrimination.

I really applaud the school’s efforts to introduce the children to other cultures, thereby broadening their horizon and promoting tolerance, respect and appreciation for diversity. I was proud to be part of this effort. And I hope that other parents will participate more in the coming years to help make this world a better place for our kids.

Grand World Recalls ‘Bobby Chupete’ Pacifiers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: ‘Bobby Chupete’ Pacifiers

Units: About 641,000

Importer: Grand World Inc., of Maspeth, N.Y.

Hazard: The pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards. The pacifier mouth guard is too small, posing a choking hazard to infants and toddlers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves ‘Bobby Chupete’ pacifiers. The pacifiers have a ring-shaped handle and heart-shaped mouth guard with two ventilation holes. The nipple is made of latex. ‘Bobby Chupete’ and a picture of an infant are printed on the pacifier’s packaging. The pacifier was sold in aqua, red, white or yellow colors.

Sold at: Various retail stores nationwide from November 2004 through July 2009 for about $1.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumer should immediately take the recalled pacifiers away from infants and toddlers and contact Grand World for a refund or a replacement pacifier.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Grand World collect at (718) 326-7786 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.grandworldinc.com

November 18 is Prematurity Awareness Day.

I am one of those moms who had firsthand experience with prematurity. My twin boys were born 5 weeks early 6 years ago. Even though they’ve grown to be healthy boys, we had to struggle with low birth weight and health problems during the first year of their lives.

This is the reason why I tend to follow closely the latest new updates on prematurity. This is why I am sharing with you today some facts and figures on prematurity.

What is Preterm Birth?

Preterm birth is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation is completed. In recent years, preemies have been loosely classified into 3 categories:

• Very preterm infants are those born before the 32^th week of gestation.
• Moderately preterm infants are those born between the 32nd and 34^th week of pregnancy
• Late preterm births are those which occur between the 34^th and the 36^th week of gestation.

Children born prematurely have a higher rate of health problems such as cerebral palsy, sensory deficits, and respiratory conditions, and learning disabilities compared to children born full term.

Statistics on Prematurity

Let’s look at some statistics on prematurity:

• Almost 13 million babies from all over the world are born prematurely each year.

• More than 1 million of these preemies die as a result of preterm delivery.

• More than 85% of preterm births occur in low- and middle-income countries of Africa and Asia

• One in 8 American babies is premature.

• The rate on preterm deliveries in the US has increased by 36% during the last 25 years, higher than most developed countries.

These figures are cited in the white paper of March of Dimes on Preterm Birth. The numbers are based on data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Global distribution of preterm births

The white paper also reports the following preterm birth rates per region:

• Africa – 11.9%

• Asia – 9.1%

• Europe – 6.2%

• Latin America and the Caribbean – 8.1%

• North America – 10.6%

• Oceania – 6.4%

According to income or resources, the preterm birth rates are as follows:

• High income countries – 7.5%

• Middle income countries -8.8%

• Low income countries -12.5%

The figures clearly indicate that preterm birth rates are related to income or resources. What is surprising, even troubling is the fact the preterm birth rate in North America is quite high, higher that the rate in middle income regions.

Preterm birth rate in the US is high – and rising

Breaking down the North American rates among individual countries, the rate is 12.7% in the US according to U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and 8.2% in Canada according to a Canadian government report. The rate of preterm births seems to be increasing in some countries including the US, Denmark and Norway. There are several factors that contribute to the increasing rate of preterm births in the US and other countries, and include

• Increased births due to assisted reproduction which lead to multiple pregnancies that necessitate early delivery.

• Increased number of pregnancies in women older than 35

• Increased use of elective Cesarean sections close to term, thus increasing the number of late premature births.

In contrast, not much is known about the causes of premature births in low income countries but they are presumably related to poor health care system and economic problems.

Prematurity is a global problem and seems to be increasing due to many different reasons. But it all boils down to the fact that preterm births, unless medically necessary, do not benefit baby or mom.

After months of waiting, the time has come and gone. For a little under a year you’ve rubbed feet, and lower back. You’ve braved various “birthing” classes and read as many books as your time allowed. You’ve been given tips from other fathers, whether solicited, or not. The moment you were waiting for has come and gone. Now, one of the most incredible moments of your life, the birth of your first child, has given way to something else. After all the preparation you’ve now set about the task of figuring out what exactly it is you’re to do with this newborn baby. And quite frankly, you’re left scratching your head like that guy in the produce aisle who stands there glazed over, seemingly overwhelmed at the enormity of what is in front of him.

Infant Bonding

It’s no secret that many men look at the early bond between mother and infant and wonder “Where do I fit in?” You look at that beautiful infant who seemingly does nothing but poop, cry, eat and sleep and wonder, “What can I do? She/he doesn’t do anything?” So, you fall back on those masculine instincts and decide that you’ll do what you know. You’ll take those gadgets you bought in anticipation of the birth and capture everything your baby does. Around this same time you also begin to imagine all the things you can do with your child when he or she is older. The footballs you’ll throw, or the suitors you’ll scare off. The first birdhouse you will build together or the father/daughter dance. All those wonderful things you’ll do when your little one “does more.” Some guys I know feel guilty for having these thoughts or feelings but for men who, by nature of the process, are not as bonded physically with the infant, these feelings are quite natural.

Allow me to offer up this notion. To reconnect, live in the moment. You see, in order to journal everything through the lens of a camera or camcorder, you have to step back from the action a bit and disconnect. To help you stay in the moment, I’ve given you something you’ll probably like…a list. Trust me, time goes by fast and before you know it you’ll be sending your new bundle of joy off to college and wondering where the time went.

Newborn Parenting: Dad’s List

• Help with breast feeding - I know you may be thinking, “What can I possibly to do help with that?” You can actually help ensure that the baby is properly “latched” on to mommy as she might not be able to tell from her angle. Prior to the actual feeding you may offer to make sure that mom has all the pillows she needs and is properly supported to comfortably feed baby. There are actually breast feeding pillows you can buy to help facilitate this, but in the absence of finances to purchase one, any pillow will do.

• Napping – I know you and mom may both be concerned about your ability to “be gentle” with baby, but I don’t think you’ll be crushing your little one any time soon, so take a nap with your baby. One of the most wonderful memories I have from when my daughter was an infant is a picture my wife took of me napping with her laying on my chest. I remember that day, dozing off, like it was yesterday and that picture only cements the wonderful bond I have had with my Princess since she was just a newborn. This benefits baby because he/she will get the chance to further become acquainted with daddy’s scent and let’s face it, this kind of tender, appropriately intimate moment never hurts!

• Include Baby – I have a friend who is a huge Patriots fan and since his infant was weeks old he has watched football games with her. Now that she’s old enough to hold her head up on her own and sit up, she sits right next to him on the couch during those marathon Sundays of football viewing. You know what? Now, she actually responds to him as he responds to the games! Just make sure that you bring baby into the game. You’ve got a captive audience. Involve baby and you’ll have a game buddy in no time. You see, you don’t need to wait for tomorrow to enjoy sports with your baby boy or girl. Today is a great day to start.

• Talk to Baby – Remember when baby was en utero and you used to talk to mommy’s tummy all the time? That doesn’t have to stop now that baby is born. Of course, you won’t be talking to the tummy any more, you actually get to talk to the baby directly so go ahead and tell him or her about all the wonderful things you’d like to do when they get older. Tell baby about your ideas and daydreams of tossing the ol’ pigskin around or donning a Tux for that Father/Daughter dance. You’ve got a captive audience and, ultimately, one which deeply desires to interact with you.

• Bathing – Last, but definitely not least, bathe baby on a regular basis. Make bath time your special time. Sing a funny song while bathing baby. Tickle your little one. This is play time for both of you and just another opportunity to nurture a bond that will hopefully last a lifetime.

The great thing about all of these tips is that not only you and baby benefit from your being “in the moment,” but mom benefits by getting a moment. She’s with baby day and night right now and getting some time to herself to sleep or do whatever she needs to recharge, will work wonders for everyone in the household.

Round 2
Winner:     Ezekiel Paul
Runner-up: Grady Merriam
Runner-up: Gabriella Marie

Thanks to all the babies (and their parents) who participated in this weeks round.

From now until December 14 we will be accepting entries for December’s contests. December’s theme is Christmas and Holidays!

The contest is free so enter your babies picture today! Or just vote for your favorite. (Anyone can vote)

At the end of each preliminary week one (1) winner is chosen and will be awarded a prize package. The winners of each preliminary round (3 total), as well as two (2) runner-ups from each round are automatically entered into the Final Round. The winner of the final round is awarded the Grand Prize.

Round 1: 1st through 7th
Round 2: 8th through 14th
Round 3: 15th through 21st
Final Round: 22nd through last day of the month

Click Here for more information.

Can you imagine your toddler growing up to be 80? 90? 100? It’s not as unlikely as you think.

What a paradox. Children nowadays are purported to be unhealthy – overweight, sedentary, raised on junk food and hooked to the TV and the Internet. They are likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. On the other hand, the same generation of children is expected to live longer than their parents and their grandparents, according to a study by German and Danish researchers. They are the future centenarians.

Which Countries Have the Highest Life Expectancy?

Life expectancy has been improving with each generation. At least in developed countries. Japan and San Marino have the highest life expectancies in the world today: 86 and 81, respectively according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report. Canada is not far behind at 80.5 years. US life expectancy is 78.5.

If this trend of improvement continues, 75% of present day children born since 2000 will reach 75, even a hundred years old. Furthermore, the senior citizens of the future will be fitter, with less disability and functional limitations.

Why Are People Living Longer?

Advances in medical treatment and better health care seem to be what is making people in developing countries live longer despite the increased incidence of chronic diseases, pollution, and unhealthy lifestyle.

With all the efforts exerted to fight aging, diseases, and disability, it is a great to know that these efforts are bearing fruit. There are still countries with a life expectancy between 40 and 50 years due to poor health care and war.

Some Downsides to Having an Older Population

Despite this apparent victory against aging, there are some downsides to consider:

• Increased life expectancy and low birth rates will result in a population dominated by retirees and pensioners. Experts believe that in 5 to 10 years, some countries’ demography will reach a point wherein there will be more 65 plus citizens than under-fives. It would be a world with more grandparents than there are grandchildren to go around.

• Such a population structure described above can result in collapse of health care and welfare systems of developed countries.

• Even if birth rates are increased, Mother Earth can only support so much. We may reach a point when our population will outgrow our planet.

Experts believe that country leaders should act now and start preparing for the foreseeable future.

Can you imagine your toddler to live to be 100? Do you want to live to be 100?

Postpartum depression can affect anyone regardless of social status or wealth. The list of celebs who have had to gain control of this very real part of pregnancy and childbirth continues to grow. The latest celebrity to admit to having suffered from postpartum depression is singer Marie Osmond.

Reports published recently online revealed that in 1999 following the birth of her son Matthew she had the worst case of the baby blues ever. While admitting that she had baby blues in previous births, with Matthew it was bad and became more than just that. In an interview published online at the Daily Mail website, Osmond said, “Then one day, she snapped. I remember walking down the stairs and putting Matthew in the arms of the nanny. I can’t stay here, I told her. There is something wrong, really wrong with me. I have to leave until I figure it out.”

Thankfully, her husband and mother helped her seek treatment and she got better. Osmond said she was shocked to know her own mother had also had her own battle with the demon of postpartum depression.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

It is important to identify the symptoms of Postpartum depression so that help can be found before disaster strikes. Some of the most commons symptoms include:

• Thoughts of suicide

• Thoughts of harming the baby or even others

• Extreme anxiety

• Elevated levels of stress

• Change in sleep pattern

• Desire to stay in bed

• Loss of appetite

The feelings of Postpartum depression are far more elevated than those of baby blues which affects many new moms. If you or a loved one is pregnant, start learning about this potentially serious condition before the birth so as to be prepared.

Other Celebrities Who Battled Postpartum Depression

Another celebrity who has had to deal with the condition is Brooke Shields. She was lambasted by Tom Cruise for talking about using prescription medication to deal with postpartum depression. Shields went on to write a book which she hoped would help other women, Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression. Others include Gwyneth Paltrow, actress Gena Lee Nolin formerly of Baywatch who had the condition with all three of her children; Angelina Jolie, Courteney Cox-Arquette, Amanda Peet and Lisa Marie Presley.

Tiffani Thiessen (she dropped the Amber a long time ago Saved by the Bell fans) is expecting her first baby in May along with husband of 4 years, actor Brady Smith.

In a statement released by the couple, they share:

“We are over the moon! It’s something we’ve wanted for a long time and we are thrilled that it’s actually happening.”

Will Tiffani’s pregnancy be written into her new role as the wife of an FBI agent in USA Network’s White Collar? Only time will tell, although she recently stated in interviews that her and husband’s plans of pregnancy had been delayed by her work on the show and that “I don’t want to spring a pregnancy on a brand new show that I just got on.” She went on to add: “We’re going to wait and try to figure out when the best time is.” Well, USA Network, that time is now.

Tiffani, beside her long-running role in Saved by the Bell also had a role on the original 90210.

Maclaren USA Recalls to Repair Strollers Following Fingertip Amputations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Maclaren Strollers

Units: About one million

Distributor: Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn.

Hazard: The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Description: This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word ‘Maclaren’ is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Sold at: Babies’R'Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site.

Round 1
Winner:     Bauer Roy Douglas
Runner-up: Sullivan Fitzpatrick
Runner-up: Myah Faye

Thanks to all the babies (and their parents) who participated in this weeks round.

From now until November 14 we will be accepting entries for November’s contests. November’s theme is Masquerade Month!

The contest is free so enter your babies picture today! Or just vote for your favorite. (Anyone can vote)

At the end of each preliminary week one (1) winner is chosen and will be awarded a prize package. The winners of each preliminary round (3 total), as well as two (2) runner-ups from each round are automatically entered into the Final Round. The winner of the final round is awarded the Grand Prize.

Round 1: 1st through 7th
Round 2: 8th through 14th
Round 3: 15th through 21st
Final Round: 22nd through last day of the month

Click Here for more information.

How many times have you found yourself repeating a request to your toddler over and over again, wondering to yourself if your toddler can even hear you? There were so many times when I would ask my toddler to do something and then wind up convinced that he must have a hearing problem because he would either do something different from what I asked or he would ignore my request altogether. It would usually go a little something like this:

Me: “Sweetie, will you please go into your room and grab your shoes so we can get going?”

(silence)

Me: “Sweetie, Mommy asked you to go into your room and grab your shoes. We have to get going.”

(silence)

Me: “Son! We have to go! Where are your shoes? Why aren’t you listening to Mommy?”

Sound familiar? This can be frustrating beyond belief, especially if you are in a hurry and also you happen to know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with your toddler’s hearing because you had it tested by a professional audiologist. Or, at least, that’s what I did. At any rate, I knew that he could hear me.

Am I Doing Something Wrong?

It wasn’t until I talked to a professional child psychologist that I found out that the problem wasn’t with my toddler, it was with me. My approach was wrong, so he truly couldn’t do what I was asking him to do. Apparently, toddlers process information differently than we do as adults. When I barraged him with a lengthy request, he literally could not process everything I asked him to do and therefore he just purged the whole thing.

The child psychologist taught me a thing or two about how to phrase a request to a toddler in order to make it possible for the child to listen and respond.

How to Talk to a Toddler

• Make it a command. Don’t ask your toddler if he wants to get his shoes on. Instead, tell him to get his shoes on.

• Keep it simple. Don’t give a lengthy explanation of why he needs to do what you ask him. Instead, keep the request simple so there is not too much information to process.

• Be polite. Don’t bark the command, but instead be respectful without pleading.

So instead of  “Sweetie, will you please go into your room and grab your shoes so we can get going?” it should be “Abram, please get your shoes on.” I now know to give him a few seconds to process the request and to react to my command. If he doesn’t respond, I give the same request and wait a few seconds again. If he still doesn’t respond, he’s met with a calm, “Abram, please get your shoes on or time out.”

Ever since I started using these tactics I have had more success getting my toddler to cooperate. I know it is contrary to what we’re taught as parents; I can’t be the only mom out there who has been narrating activities with a long winded monologue all day long because I was told to talk to my baby as much as possible. Sometimes, however, simplifying things can make a huge impact on how compliant your toddler will be.

Here’s your opportunity to kick off the holiday season by doing something nice. Even the most time-strapped parents of toddlers can take the time to send a Christmas card to a little boy for what may be his last Christmas.

Five-year-old Noah Biorkman has been battling neuroblastoma cancer for two-and-a-half years. He was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma in February 2007. It went into remission in August of that year, but returned in September 2008 with legions on Noah’s right arm and leg. After six different clinical trials, the cancer continues to spread.

His family, including his mother Diana Harrison Biorkman, will celebrate Christmas with him early this year – what is likely to be Noah’s last one. Noah loves Christmas cards, so his mom is asking everyone to send him a card. His address is:

Noah Biorkman
1411 Fountain View Circle
South Lyon, Michigan 48178

Snopes Verified

According to Snopes.com, DJ Ed Carter WKSR in Pulaski, Tennessee, who is an acquaintance of Mrs. Biorkman, has verified the story on the air. You can also read updates on Noah at his section on CarePages. Be warned that his mother’s blog is a definite tearjerker. I’m actually sitting here with tears in my eyes, holding my one-year-old daughter, as I read.

On Thursday, Noah received 416 cards and they continue coming in. The celebration is planned for this weekend. But it’s not too late to send a card with well wishes for this beautiful and brave little boy.

Private thoughts, prayers and well wishes for a “Christmas miracle” won’t hurt either, I’m sure. While Noah sleeps a lot, the medication that keeps the pain at bay does permit him to walk and play, as well. He is filled with wonder at the well wishes he’s receiving and is making the most of his time with his family in the ways only a child can.

About Neuroplastoma

Mrs. Biorkman describes her son’s cancer on the blog: “Neuroblastoma cancer really sucks and is a beast.” Noah’s doctors continue working hard to find a cure for children who relapse, and Mrs. Biorkman hopes the clinical trial’s Noah has taken will help them in their efforts.

Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor beginning in the nerve tissues – often in the adrenal glands in the abdomen — of infants and toddlers. About 650 cases of neuroblastoma are detected in the U.S. each year and most are diagnosed in children under 5 years old.

As with most cancers, the prognosis for children with neuroblastoma varies depending on how early it is detected, and how quickly the cancer progresses.

Read more about Neuroblastoma at https://www.nbhope.org

According to a recent study by the University of Glasgow in Scotland, the more children a couple have, the happier they are.  The catch?  This only holds true for married couples.  The same children and happiness correlation didn’t apply to single, co-habiting or separated parents. The study took into account not only marital status but gender, income, age, and education.

So what seemed to explain this difference?  Dr. Luis Angeles, who headed the program had this to say:

“One is tempted to advance that children make people better off under the ‘right conditions’ — a time in life when people feel that they are ready, or at least willing, to enter parenthood…likely signal…may well be the act of marriage.”

That’s Not What I’ve Heard

This is the first study that challenges previous ones which concluded that having more children makes parents less happy, not more. However, the key with the distinction may well be the marital status of the parents.  In other words, marriage is the signal that one is ready for commitment, not just to marriage, but to family life in general.

Other interesting findings is that the happiness correlation was markedly stronger with Moms. The parents also expressed that children were one of the most important thing in their lives.

So if you and your spouse want to improve your life satisfaction? Have kids, and don’t stop at one, or even two.

Before there was an embryo, there were an egg and a sperm, collectively called gametes. And before the gametes, there were germ cells. The pathway from germ cells to gametes to embryo is long and complicated and occurs only in the human reproductive organs. Or at least it used to.

There have been previous similar claims of artificially creating gametes in the lab. Some claims had some degree of credibility. Some were simply hoaxes.

If you remember, just a few months ago, British researchers from the University of Newcastle claimed they did it first. However, their report published in the journal Stem Cells Development was later retracted due to plagiarism claims so that their claim to be “first” is currently still unsubstantiated.

Well, the latest claim to achieve this feat is coming from no less than researchers of Stanford, an educational institution of impeccable reputation. And the fact that the results have been published in no other than the highly esteemed science journal Nature tells us – this is really it.

The Stanford researchers developed a technique to isolate germ cells from embryonic stem cells. However, they went further and induced the germ cells to give up half of their chromosomes in the process called meiosis. Eureka! The first “lab-made” sperms are here. OK, so they were actually only spermatids, i.e. immature sperms.

But hey, can you imagine the controversy this latest development triggered? If sperm (and eventually eggs) can be made in the lab, the next logical step is to use these lab-made gametes in IVF. This is definitely taking the “test tube baby” one step further. Is this the start of the eugenics era?

However, the researchers claim they have different intentions and site the following benefits that may come out of this discovery:

• Learn more about the earliest stages of human development

• Understand inherited diseases better

• Find treatments for infertility

Understandably, there are those are not too happy about such scientific advancements. Those who object would probably base their objections on the following:

• The use of embryonic stem cells.

• The act of playing God, trying to make human beings in the lab.

Some scientists, however, dismiss these objections as groundless and irrelevant. According to a Bioethics professor:

“It seems to me this is one of those examples where people are groping around for a problem and there literally isn’t one.”

So how do you feel when you hear about such developments? Outraged? Scared? Skeptical? Or fascinated?

A surprising study which was recently published is offering great news to parents. A new type of contact lens is said to be creating solutions for some eye problems that plague children. The contact lenses made especially for short-sighted persons work to correct or improve the condition while they sleep.

How the Contact Lenses Work

The i-GO Overnight Vision Correction lenses are unique in more ways than one. These contacts are made to be slept in. When used, the custom designed contact lenses apply pressure to the cornea. When this pressure is exerted, light is then streamed to the back of the retina the way it should be in healthy eyes. The jelly-like elasticity of the cornea will then keep the shape for up to 36 hours.

In effect, wearing the lenses according to the report makes it unnecessary to have surgery to correct shortsightedness in most cases. Plus, over time the wearer will not need to use contacts or glasses during the day. This would be great for children, especially those who participate in sporting activities.

Why i-GO Works Best for Children

The belief is that since children are young and their eyes are technically still soft and changing the contacts work like braces. Over time this can actually correct or slow the process that leads to shortsightedness. Since the condition is caused by eyeballs becoming misshapen, the contact lenses technically force them back to the way the eyeballs are shaped in people with good vision.

Unlike adults where the cornea will generally go back to the original shape over a period of hours, the results are different for children. The corrected shape of the cornea seems to last, which is great news. This was revealed from the study, called SMART which was started two years ago. The study will run for five years.

A study of the contact lenses has found that there are definitely benefits especially for children after wearing them for at least one year. The lenses are a little more expensive than regular contacts, but seem to be worth the price based on results.

I’m sure many parents and those in the eye care industry are awaiting the completion of the study in 2013 to see just how lasting the results are.

Road traffic safety and prematurity are just a few of the many interesting health-related events going on in November. However, I’ve prepared a short list focusing on family health.

GLOBAL EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

• November 14 is World Diabetes Day

• November 16 is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

• November 19 to 20 is the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety

• November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

US EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

• November is American Diabetes Month
  by the American Diabetes Association

• November is National Adoption Month
  by the Child Welfare Information Gateway
  “You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent”

• November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
  by the Alzheimer’s Association

• November is National Family Caregivers Month
  by the National Family Caregivers Association

• November 18 is Prematurity Awareness Dayby the March of Dimes Foundation

• November 6 to 8 is the Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Movement Weekend and half marathon/5K race
  by the Gynecological Cancer Foundation’s (GCF)

• November 19 is the Great American Smokeout
  by the American Cancer Society

HEALTH WEB CHATS AT CLEVELAND CLINIC

Check out the online health chats with Cleveland Clinic’s health experts. It’s free.

• November 6: Facelifts with Dr. James E. Zins

• November 9: International Adoption Right For You? with Dr. Elaine Schulte

• November 11: Congenital Heart Disease in Children, with Dr.Constantine Mavroudis

• November 13: Ask the Expert: Menopause: Ready or Not!, with Dr. Holly L. Thacker

• November 19: Are You Concerned About Your Baby’s Motor Development?, with Ann Marie Pace, MPT and Merri Jo Somodi, PT

The Grand Prize winner was
Nora, Adelyn, and Emma

Thanks to all the babies (and their parents) who participated in this weeks round.

From now until November 14 we will be accepting entries for November’s contests. November’s theme is Masquerade Month!

The contest is free so enter your babies picture today! Or just vote for your favorite. (Anyone can vote)

At the end of each preliminary week one (1) winner is chosen and will be awarded a prize package. The winners of each preliminary round (3 total), as well as two (2) runner-ups from each round are automatically entered into the Final Round. The winner of the final round is awarded the Grand Prize.

Round 1: 1st through 7th
Round 2: 8th through 14th
Round 3: 15th through 21st
Final Round: 22nd through last day of the month

Click Here for more information.

Here are some last minute links that may help your Halloween celebrations go a little smoother:

• Last Minutes Halloween Costumes

• Halloween Costume Advice

• Baby’s First Halloween

• Using Face Paints Safely

• Halloween Safety Tips

• How to Prevent the Most Common Halloween ER Injuries

Flashlights Sold Exclusively at Target Recalled Due to Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Halloween Flashlights

Units: About 610,000

Importer: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Manufacturer: DGI LLC, of Warren, N.J. and Tien Hsing, of Wanchai, Hong Kong

Hazard: The flashlights can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received eight reports of flashlights overheating and melting, including one report of burns to the hand.

Description: This recall involves two types of Halloween-themed flashlights: the mini flashlights and flashlights sold with stencils.

Mini Flashlights – The mini flashlights have a key ring extending from the bottom and were sold in a pack of three colors: orange, green and black. The orange and purple packaging has “Mini Flashlights (3 Pack)” printed on the front and “DGI”, “Made in China” and “DPCI# 234-02-1813″ printed on the back.

Standard Size Flashlights – Also included in the recall are standard sized flashlights with a black handle and an orange top. The flashlights were sold with six stencils in various colors and images: a pumpkin, ghost, spider, cat, witch and skull & cross-bones. “Flashlight with Stencil” is printed on the front and “Tien Hsing,” “Made in China” and “234 02 1838″ is printed on the back of the packaging.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from August 2009 through September 2009 for $1 for the mini flashlights and $2.50 for the flashlights with stencils.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumer should immediately stop using the flashlights and return the product to any Target store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm”s Web site at www.target.com