Several times a week, we find ourselves sitting in meetings discussing the best way to keep babies safe while sleeping. At Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin one of our initiatives focuses on injury prevention and death review. Additionally, we provide grief and bereavement services for families who have experienced the unexpected death of an infant. Our work keeps us motivated to find ways to keep babies safe and parents well rested!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents follow the ABC’s of safe sleep.

Sometimes, babies can’t fall asleep on their own or wake up frequently at night, which can make parents very tired and cranky. Parents can try the following tips to help baby fall and stay asleep.

Keep bedtime and naptime routines the same every day.

• Keep things quiet for 1 hour before bedtime.
• Soft lighting helps baby get sleepy.
• Babies like to hear a quiet story or song before bedtime.
• Cuddle and rock baby gently before bedtime.
• Most babies sleep well after a feeding and/or a bath.
• Gently rub baby’s arms and legs.

Consider using a pacifier when you place baby on his/her back for sleep. If baby is breastfed, wait until she is 1 month old or is used to breastfeeding before using a pacifier. If baby spits out the pacifier after falling asleep, you do not need to put it back in her mouth.

If baby is only fussing wait a minute to make sure baby is actually awake. Some babies fuss a bit during sleep but will quickly settle down.

If baby wakes up and cries, go to him or her as quickly as possible. Calming the baby down quickly should help the baby go back to sleep. Try not to play with baby during the night when s/he wakes up. Keep play time during daytime hours.

Hold and feed baby if s/he is hungry, and comfort him or her before placing on their back to sleep in their own crib or bassinet. In the early weeks and months of life, babies need to be fed often. The time between night feedings should increase as babies grow bigger and begin to sleep for longer periods of time at night.

For more information about safe sleep visit Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin.

~Abby Collier, MS,  project manager, Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin

Hello Wisconsin!

This is your Miss Wisconsin 2010, Kimberly Sawyer. As a representative of the Miss America Organization, I have had the incredible honor of also being a goodwill ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of Wisconsin. I have been able to visit our Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and have seen how the funds raised by the Children’s Miracle Network has benefited and continues to benefit the children and families who need it most. Not only does this money help with the actual medical care of the children, but it also goes to research and training, equipment, uncompensated care, and making sure that the children are in the most comfortable environment possible during their stay.

So how can you help? Join IHOP on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., for National Pancake Day and receive one complimentary short stack! In return for the free flapjacks, we ask you to consider leaving a little something behind for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities. Thanks to our guests’ generosity, IHOP raised more than $2.1 million last year. IHOP began its National Pancake Day in 2006, and since then, has raised $5.35 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities and given away more than 10.1 million buttermilk pancakes.

Go to www.ihoppancakeday.com to find a local IHOP near you and to learn more about this delicious day that will make you full with pancakes but most importantly, full with the feeling that you helped a child in need. You may even see me! I’ll be at three different IHOP locations serving pancakes and collecting donations so I hope to see you there!

Warmest regards,

~Kimberly Sawyer, Miss Wisconsin 2010

The last year has been eventful. The British doctor who published a medical article potentially linking autism to vaccinations was accused of falsifying his data and lost his medical license. The pediatric community welcomed the approval of an enhanced pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar 13), which will protect young children from even more subtypes of deadly bacteria that cause meningitis and severe blood infections. And, we were saddened by the tragedy of 10 infants from California dying of whooping cough (pertussis), a sobering reminder that vaccine-preventable diseases always are around.

Beginning in early 2010, all of the entities of Children’s Hospital and Health System pledged to work together to make a difference. Harnessing this collective energy and collaborative spirit, during the last year the health system was able to show improvement in vaccination rates in children age 2 and younger. In 2011, we will continue to partner with other organizations in our community to improve immunization rates across the region for all age groups and to spread the word that vaccines are effective, necessary and safe.

For more information about immunizations, read my blog Get the Facts about Vaccinations or call (800) CDC-INFO or visit Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

~ Lyn Ranta, MD, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s director of physician affairs

While glitter and talking cards shout out “I love you” to a child, simple acts each day provide a chance for parents to show their love. Here are five easy ways you can show your children you love them.

Stop and listen. With so many activities taking up our time and energy, sometimes pausing and listening is the best way to show your love. Ask your children what they want to be when they grow up or what the school cafeteria served for lunch. Whatever you discuss, make sure you take the time to stop and listen.

Set an example. How we act and show our love in our relationships is a direct reflection on our own capacity to nurture children. Trusting relationships help children understand you will be there for them when they need you.

Share a story. Watch your children’s eyes light up the next time you share a memory of them when they were little. Remind your children of their first words, a family trip or a special holiday. Sharing memories reminds them of a simpler time and often can bring comfort.

Schedule time together. Sit and listen to your child read. Go sledding. Play a board game. Stay in and cook dinner together. Play a game of hoops. Spending time together is a great way to show your love.

Hurry up and hug. Try handing out a hug when it’s least expected. Sometimes I use my “hurry up” voice asking one of my kids to “come here quick.” Then they get a hug just because I needed one. I get an eye roll from my teenage son, but I see the grin as he walks away.

There are endless ways to show children love. How do you express love to your kids?

~ Eileen Clark, MSM, CCLS, is a Family Services manager at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and a mom who loves her two (beautiful) kids!

As professional hockey players, we practice regularly to prepare for our games and try to take care of ourselves so we stay healthy. Good health is important to us, but the folks at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin have taught us even more. We recently visited the hospital and learned about healthy habits like washing our hands, eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep and having a flu shot.

Now we know you have to stay well to play well. It’s so important that we teamed up with Children’s Hospital to get the word out. Maybe you’ve heard about our cool partnership? For every ticket sold for our Feb. 13 game against the Rockford Icehogs, $2 will be donated to Children’s Hospital. We’re even offering special discount ticket prices for this game.

During the game, we’ll be doing tons of things to promote healthy habits. There will great giveaways, cool videos and an awesome event between game periods. You won’t believe all the fun!

We hope you’ll come on out to the Admirals game this Sunday at 5 p.m. Be sure to order your tickets soon. They’re going fast!

~ Scott Ford, Aaron Johnson and Brett Palin
Milwaukee Admirals