Or, subscribe via email
Supporting
The Social Security Administration has released the list of the most popular names of 2007. No surprises, Emily topped the girls list again and Jacob topped the boys list. Emily has been the reigning champion on the girl’s list since 1996 so you shouldn’t be surprised when you child ends up with several Emily’s in their class in school!! Jacob has been long reigning as well, not as long as Emily, but it has been on top since 1999.
And the top ten are……
GIRLS
1. Emily
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Ava
5. Madison
6. Sophia
7. Olivia
8. Abigail
9. Hannah
10. Elizabeth
BOYS
1. Jacob
2. Michael
3. Ethan
4. Joshua
5. Daniel
6. Christopher
7. Anthony
8. William
9. Matthew
10. Andrew
I wonder when the lists will get their next big change and new recurring champions. When I was little it was Jennifer and Michael. Michael is of course a main stay on the boys list, but Jennifer has disappeared from the girls list. Some of the names you see on the list will always be there, but others will come and go. I think it is fun to see what makes the cut every year.
Did your child’s name end up in the top ten? What were the major influences on what names you came up with?
It is fun for kids to come up with their own Mother's Day gifts for mom. Usually dad will take them to the store and they will help pick something out. Or dad will just get something on his own! But if you want to do something a little different this year for mom here are a few gift ideas that don't cost a thing, you don't have to go shopping, and can give her the gift all by yourself (just ask dad for a little help!).
- Cook mom breakfast. Dad will need to help. Give each kid something to be responsible for.
- Take it a step further and cook all the meals for mom on Mother's Day. Dad will need to help.
- With dad's help do the laundry. Remember to put everything away!
- Do the chores (all of them so mom doesn't have to do anything). Each kid can be responsible for a room or a chore. Make sure dad is around to help.
- Make mom a homemade Mother's Day card. Moms love these!
- Make a craft for mom.
- Go for a family walk together and pick mom some flowers.
- Think of what mom really likes to do and do that as a family. Maybe go to the park, or the zoo, or sit quietly in the backyard. Whatever mom loves to do.
There are tons of things you can do for mom that don't cost a thing. Make sure dad helps, especially with those things that can be unsafe for a kid to do on their own. Mom will love the thoughtfulness of your gift and will remember this Mother's Day for a long time.
Unfortunately our babies can’t tell us what is wrong. Life would be so much easier if they could just say something like “My ear hurts.” or “My tummy hurts.”, but instead you have to figure it out by the subtle changes in their cries or pick up on something different they are doing with their hands. It can be a challenge and devastating for a new mom (or dad) who can’t figure out what is wrong.
So what can you look for to give you a good idea that your little one may be hurting? Here are a few things to look for. Always call your doctor or take your child to the hospital if you aren’t sure and something appears to be wrong.
- A change in your baby’s cry. A different pitch, crying longer than normal, cry is harder and louder than normal.
- Change in facial features. An unusual furrowing of the brow, squinting of the eyes, deep wrinkles or lines, bright red face.
- The baby’s body is stiff or very tense. (However, some baby’s go very limp when in pain)
- Irritability.
- Tugging on a part of the body while fussing. For example, a baby with an earache will likely pull on his ear.
If you aren’t sure you should call your doctor’s office. Sometimes just talking to the doctor or a nurse can help make you feel better about the situation, or maybe they’ll help you pick up on something you didn’t notice. One day your child will be able to tell you when something is wrong. But for now it is up to you to pick up on the signs and guess!!
The CDC has released a new study showing a rise in the number of new moms who are choosing to breastfeed their babies. 77% of new moms are breastfeeding their newborns at birth, up from 60% in 1994. The greatest rise was seen among African-Americans who are now breastfeeding at a rate of 65%, up from just 36% in 1994. These are the highest rates of breastfeeding in at least 20 years.
The rise is thought to be a product of the increase in information available to new moms about the benefits of breastfeeding, the increase in education through hospital-run breastfeeding classes, access to lactation consultants immediately after delivery, and a society that is becoming much more accepting and supportive of breastfeeding.
The study found that breastfeeding was lowest among women who are unmarried, poor, rural, under 20 years old, and have a high school education or less. Women in these categories are less likely to have the support necessary to successfully breastfeed, have limited or no access to education material, and are less likely to be aware of the benefits of breastfeeding.
The study is great news for all those newborns out there who now are much more likely to get the benefits of early breastfeeding. As our society continues to accept and support breastfeeding mothers hopefully the rates will continue to rise.