Pathways Issue 12 Winter 2006 Article Summaries and References

 

Letter from the Editor:
Jeanne Ohm, DC

The other day our office assistant informed us that a particular parent had decided to stop having her baby adjusted. When the mother and I discussed this, she told me she had brought her baby to the pediatrician and she had told the mother that “there was no reason the baby should need chiropractic care, and the baby would ‘outgrow’ the head tilt.
I was not surprised about the pediatrician’s erroneous comment that children “out grow” ailments. I was more concerned with the fact that by recommending that the infant discontinue care, she was speaking completely out of her scope of practice on a topic she had not received any formal education on.

I looked at the mother and responded, “I am disappointed that a doctor would step out of her expertise into the specialty of another with an unfounded recommendation to discontinue care. Pediatricians have no training in the biomechanics of the spine, in spinal deviations and the long term neurological effects this may have on the infant’s overall health and well-being. A pediatrician has no clinical experience with chiropractic spinal correction and its efficacy in infants. A similar scenario would be if you asked your pediatrician if she thought your child needed dental care. If you did and she responded that she didn’t think so, she again would be completely out of her scope of practice by suggesting you avoid care. So, too, her response about the importance of chiropractic care came from ignorance, not clinically based knowledge.”

In the above scenario, you can replace the word chiropractic with the word homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture or midwifery and the word biomechanics with the word remedies, nutrition, meridians or natural birthing respectively. The fact of the matter is that most pediatricians are becoming aware of holistic care, but remain limited in their knowledge of the care. The comments made about these types of care are often based on personal opinion.  As a result, most parents are receiving “professional” advice based on assumptions, not clinical experience or education.    

When reading current surveys and papers published by the American Academy of Pediatrics it is clear that a large percent of today’s pediatricians are curious about holistic care but do not know where to begin to learn. Although some medical schools are beginning to offer classes on Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), they are simply courses on theory, not practice and are of course subject to the knowledge and perspective of the instructor.

As parents, here are some suggestions when discussing holistic modes of care with your pediatrician.

If your conversation is progressing and they are offering you an interested ear, ask them if they would like to meet your practitioner. I know that any doctor listed with the ICPA for example, would be willing to meet with a pediatrician in their community and take the time to explain the importance of chiropractic care in infancy to them. Ask the pediatrician if you could give their contact information to your practitioner so that he or she could follow up with a call or letter.

If your conversation with the pediatrician is not progressing well and there seems to be no interest, or even resistance to your health care choices for your family, it is time to find a new pediatrician. According to numerous studies, many pediatricians are interested in learning and supporting more holistic models of care. Sometimes this may mean going out of your “insurance network” to find them, but you cannot rely on or expect your insurance company to be consistent with the best health care for your family. (Ah yes, this is another whole editorial.)
As for the mother and infant in our practice? The mother also realized that the pediatrician’s personal opinion was just that: a personal opinion outside her scope and experience.  Her daughter will continue under regular care with us. Next week, I will call this pediatrician’s office and invite her to lunch. If we have the opportunity to meet and she is open to a new perspective on helping the infants in her practice- great! I will be supportive of her practice and probably subscribe her to Pathways so she can continue to learn more about the Family Wellness Lifestyle. 

Feature Article:

From the Article:
Infants and children are not simply small adults, especially when it comes to feeding and nourishing their little bodies.  They are less able than adults to receive, transform and assimilate the nutrients given to them.  Infants and children are born with immature digestive systems.  Digestive enzymes are not as plentiful and efficient.  Intestinal materials, including undesirable particles, are more readily absorbed into the bloodstream through the porous lining of the digestive tract.  Their digestive capacity may be weakened and impaired due to an early exposure to poor dietary choices and environmental stressors.  This weakness can persist well into adulthood increasing the likelihood of chronic childhood and adult illnesses. ..

Wellness Lifestyle:

Brushing Up
Brian Wimer

Our Wellness Lifestyle column contributes suggestions and ideas relevant to health and well-being on all levels. This quarter's article discusses the toxic ingredients of toothpaste.

From the Article:

Smile! You're about to change toothpastes.
If you are one of the majority of Americans that dutifully brushes with Colgate Total®, on your dentist's recommendations, you may be doing yourself more harm than good. What is first in the eyes of the dental dictocrats may be the last thing you want in your mouth.

About the Author:
Brian Wimer is a free-lance author who has published in Mothering, Parenating and othr family magazines.

Nutritional Nuggets:
Confused about Fat? Choose Grassfed!
Jo Robinson

In my Grandma's day, there was no such thing as a bad fat. All fat was "good" simply because it tasted good. My Grandma fried her eggs in bacon grease, added bacon grease to her cakes and pancakes, made her pie crusts from lard, and served butter with her homemade bread. My grandmother was able to thrive on all that saturated fat—but not my grandfather. He suffered from angina and died from heart failure at a relatively young age.

My grandfather wasn't alone. Population studies from the first half of the 20th century showed that Americans in general had a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease than people from other countries, especially Japan, Italy and Greece. Was all that saturated fat to blame? The Japanese were eating very little fat of any kind, while the people of the Mediterranean were swimming in olive oil, an oil that is very low in saturated fat but high in monounsaturated oils...

About the Author:
Jo Robinson is a New York Times bestselling writer. She is the author or coauthor of 11 nationally published books including Pasture Perfect, which is a comprehensive overview of the benefits of choosing products from pasture-raised animals, and The Omega Diet (with Dr. Artemis Simopoulos) that describes an omega-3 enriched Mediterranean diet that may be the healthiest eating program of all. To order her books or learn more about grassfed products, visit http://eatwild.com.

Chiropractic for Life:

Colic
Annette Gouker, DC, DACCP

As I work with small children in my practice, I am witnessing a distressing trend in the pediatric medical care of infantile colic. ..

Without surprise, the typical western medical approach has fallen to the drug companies to help manage colic.  Recommendations include, in exceptional circumstances, sedatives such as pheonobarbital to be given to the child one hour prior to anticipated fussy period (1).  I am seeing increased use of other newer drugs like Zantac, which has not yet been safely and effectively established for use in infants less than one month of age (6).  Many doctors have also recommended the use of over-the-counter gas drops managing the symptoms without addressing the cause.  The use of these drugs does not come without side effects.  Adverse reactions to prescribed drugs are estimated to be 2.2 million per year (7).  In annual deaths due to drug therapy in children under 2 years of age, 41% happened during the first month of life and 84% during the first year (8).  I feel we need to step in and offer a safer way to care for our nation’s infants.

References:

1. Beers MH, Berkow R: The Merk Manual, Seventeenth Edition. Merk Research Laboratories, 1999;256:2109.
2. Helseth S, Begnum S:  A comprehensive definition of infant colic: parent’s and nurse’s perspectives.  Journal of Clinical Nursing. September, 2002;11(5):672-680.
3. Colon AR, DiPalma JS: Colic. American Family Physician 1989; 40(6):122-124. 
4. Anrig C, Plaugher G: Pediatric chiropractic. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1998;201.
5. Miller AR, Bar RG:  Infantile colic: is it a gut issue?  Pediatric Clinics of North America. 1991;38(6):1407-1423.
6. Murray L et al: Physicians’ Desk Reference, Fifty Eight Edition. Thompson PDR, 2004.
7. Null G, Dean C, Feldman M, Rasio D, Smith D:  Death by Medicine article.
8. Moore TJ, Weiss SR, Kaplan S, Blaisdell CJ:  Reported adverse drug events in infants and children under two years of age.  Pediatrics, November, 2002, Vol. No. 5.
9. Babies with colic helped by whey hydrolysate formula.  Pediatrics. December 2000; 106:1349-1354.
10. Stark PL, Lee A: The microbial ecology of the large bowel of breast-fed and formula-fed infants during the first year of life.  Journal of Medical Microbiology. 1982;15:189-203.
11. Hall MA, Cole CB, Smith SL, Fuller R, Rolles CJ: Factors influencing the presence of fecal lactobacilli in early infancy.  Arch Dis Child. 1990;65:185-188.
12. Budgell, Brian: Reflex effects of the subluxation: The autonomic nervous system. JMPT. 2000;23(2).
13. Anrig HC: Chiropractic approaches to pregnancy and pediatric care.  In Plaugher G, Ed. Textbook of clinical chiropractic: a specific biomechanical approach.  Baltimore: Williams & Wilkings, 1993:383-432.
14. Wiberg JM, Nordsteen J, Nilsson N: The short-term effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of infantile colic: a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blind observer.  Journal of Manipulative Physiologic Therapy.  June, 2000; 23(5):365.
15. Jasper et al: The short-term effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of infantile colic: A randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer. JMPT. 1999;22 (8).
16. Klougart et al: Infantile colic treated by chiropractors: a prospective study of 316 cases. JMPT.0 1989; 12 (4).

Pregnancy and Birth:

Epidural
Sarah Bulkey, MD

From the Article:
Epidural  pain relief is an increasingly popular choice for Australian women in the labour ward. Up to one-third of all birthing women have an epidural,(1) and it is especially common amongst women having their first babies.(2) For women giving birth by caesarean section, epidurals are certainly a great alternative to general anaesthetic, allowing women to see their baby being born, and  to hold and breastfeed at an early stage: however their use as a part of a normal vaginal birth is more questionable(3)....

About the Author:
Read more about Dr. Buckley and her new book here: http://www.sarahjbuckley.com/html/about.htm

References:

1. Perinatal Statistics, Queensland 1996. Queensland Health 1998. At the present time, national figures for epidural use are not collected.
2. Dr Steve Chester, Head of Anaesthetics Dept, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Around 45% of primiparous women at RWH have an epidural. Personal Communication
3. World Health Organisation. Care in Normal birth: A Practical Guide..P 16. WHO 1996
4. Russell R, Reynolds F. Epidural infusion of low-dose bupivicaine and opioid in labour. Does reducing the motor block increase the spontaneous delivery rate?  Anaesthesia 1996; 51(5): 266-273
5. Webb RJ, Kantor GS. Obstetrical epidural anaesthesia in a rural Canadian hospital. Can J Anaesth 1991; 39:390-393
6. Ramin SM, Gambling DR, Lucas MJ et al. Randomized trial of epidural versus intravenous analgesia during labor. Obstet Gynecol 1995; 86(5): 783-789
7. Howell CJ. Epidural vs non-epidural analgesia in labour. [Revised 6 May 1994] In:  Keirse MJNG, Renfrew MJ, Neilson JP, Crowther C. (eds) Pregnancy and Childbirth Module. In: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Database. (database on disc and CD-ROM ) The Cochrane Collaboration; Issue 2, Oxford: Update Software 1995 (Available from BMJ publishing group, London)
8. Thorp JA, Hu DH, Albin RM, et al. The effect of intrapartum epidural analgesia on nulliparous labor; a randomized, controlled, prospective trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993; 169(4): 851-858
9. Paterson CM, Saunders  NSG, Wadsworth J. The characteristics of the second stage of labour in 25069 singleton deliveries in the North West Thames Health Region. 1988. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1992;99:377-380
10. Thorp JA, Meyer BA, Cohen GR et al. Epidural analgesia in labor and cesarean section for dystocia. Obstet Gynecol Surv  1994; 49(5): 362-369
11. Lirzin JD, Jacquintot P, Dailland P, et al.  Controlled trial of
    extradural bupivicaine with fentanyl, morphine or placebo for pain relief in labour. Br J Anaesth 1989; 62: 641-644
12. Caldwell LE, Rosen MA, Shnider SM. Subarachnoid morphine and fentanyl for labor analgesia. Efficacy and adverse effects. Reg Anesth 1994;19:2-8
13. John Paull, Faculty of Anaesthetists, Melbourne. Quoted in: "The perfect epidural for labour is proving elusive" New Zealand Doctor. 21 Oct 1991
14. as above
15. Buggy D, Gardiner J. The space blanket and shivering during extradural analgesia in labour. Acta-Anaesthesiol-Scand 1995; 39(4): 551-553
16. Camman WR, Hortvet LA, Hughes N, et al. Maternal temperature regulation
during extradural analgesia for labour. Br J Anaesth 1991;67:565-568.
17. Kennell J, Klaus M, McGrath S, et al. Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital. JAMA 1991;265:2197-220
18. Stride PC, Cooper GM. Dural taps revisited: a 20 year survey from Birmingham Maternity Hospital. Anaesthesia 1993; 48(3):247-255
19. Epidurals for pain relief in labour: Informed choice leaflet for women. MIDIRS and the NHS centre for Reviews and dissemination 1997.
20. Epidural pain relief during labour; Informed choice for professionals. MIDIRS and the NHS centre for Reviews and dissemination 1997.
21. see 13
22. see 13
23. Rawal N, Arner S et al Ventilatory effects of extradural diamorphine.Br J Anaesthesia 1982;54:239
24. Howell CJ, Chalmers I. A review of prospectively controlled comparisons of epidural with non-epidural forms of pain relief during labour. Int J Obstet Anaesth 1992;1:93-110
25. Fernando R, Bonello E et al. Placental and maternal plasma concentrations of fentanyl and bupivicaine after ambulatory combined spinal epidural (CSE) analgesia during labour. Int J Obstet Anaesth 1995;4:178-179
26. Caldwell J, Wakile LA, Notarianni LJ et al. Maternal and neonatal disposition of pethidine in child birth- a study using quantitative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Lif Sci 1978;22:589-96
27. Bratteby LE, Andersson L, Swanstrom S. Effect of obstetrical regional analgesia on the change in respiratory frequency in the newborn. Br J Anaesth 1979; 51:41S-45S
28. Swanstrom S, Bratteby LE. Metabolic effects of obstetric regional analgesia and of asphyxia in the newborn infant during the first two hours after birth I. Arterial blood glucose concentrations. Acta Paediatr Scand 1981; 70:791-800
29. Enkin M, Keirse M, Renfrew M, Neilson J. A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth. P 287 Oxford University Press 1995
30. Smith A. Pilot study investigating the effect of pethidine epidurals on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Review, Nursing Mothers Association of Australia. V5 no1 May 1997.
31. Walker M. Do labor medications affect breastfeeding? J Human Lactation 1997;13(2) 131-137
32. Goodfellow CF, Hull MGR, Swaab DF et al. Oxytocin deficiency at delivery with epidural analgesia. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1983; 90:214-219
33. Insel TR, Shapiro LE. Oxytocin receptors and maternal behavior. In Oxytocin in Maternal Sexual and Social Behaviors. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1992 Vol 652. Ed CA Pedersen, JD Caldwell, GF Jirikowski and TR Insel pp 122-141 New York, New York Academy of Science
34. Howell CJ, Chalmers I A review of prospectively controlled comparisons of epidural with non-epidural forms of pain relief during labour. Int J Obstet Anaesth 1992 1: 93-110
35. See 31
36. Scanlon JW, Brown WU, Weiss JB Alper MD. Neurobehavioral responses of newborn infants after maternal epidural anesthesia. Anesthesiology, 1974; 40: 121-128
37. Morikawa S, Ishikawa I, Kamatsuki H, et al. Neurobehavior and mental development of newborn infants delivered under epidural analgesia with bupivicaine. Nippon Sanka 1990; 42: 1495-1502
38. Lester BM, Heidelise A, Brazelton TB. Regional obstetric anesthesia and newborn behavior: a synthesis toward synergistic effects.Child Dev 1982; 53;687-692
39. Rosenblatt DB, Belsey EM, Lieberman BA et al. The influence of maternal analgesia on neonatal behaviour II epidural bupivicaine. Br J Obstet Gynecol 1981 24;649-670
40. Seposki C, Lester  B,  Ostenheimer GW, Brazelton, TB. The effects of maternal epidural anesthesia on neonatal behavior during the first month. Dev Med Child Neurol 1992:34;1072-1080
41. Murray AD, Dolby RM, Nation RL, Thomas DB.Effects of epidural anesthesia on newborns and their mothers. Child Dev 1981; 82:71-82
42. Morgan BM, Bulpitt CJ, Clifton P, Lewis PJ. Analgesia and satisfaction in childbirth (the Queen Charlotte's 1000 mother survey) Lancet 1992; 2 (Oct 9) 808-810

Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding Twins
Valerie Lavinge, DC, IBCLC

From the Article:

Families and friends are always amazed when I mention that I am still breastfeeding my 2 year old twin boys. Having twins is a very different experience from having a singleton with respect to rearing and baby care but for me having twins has become a normal part of our family life. Once you overcome twin shock, you realize how lucky and blessed you are to not only have one baby but two. Unfortunately, although the incidence of twins is increasing due to fertility drugs and treatment, many mothers are discouraged from even attempting to nurse two babies. Mothers of twins need to know that breastfeeding their babies is realistic and possible, you can successfully nurse two babies for as long as the three people involved wish to do so. Breastfeeding twins can sometimes be a challenge but the inherent rewards that come out of this experience usually more than compensate for any drawbacks. Mothers just need to seek out a little bit more help and organization at the beginning but once the wheel is rolling it becomes very hard to stop this great bonding relationship. ..

About the Author:
Valerie Lavinge, DC is an iCPA Diplomate candidate and long time member of the ICPA.

Parenting:
Crying for Comfort: Distressed Babies Need to be Held
Aletha Solter, PhD

About the Author:
Aletha Solter, PhD, is a developmental psychologist, international speaker, consultant, and founder of the Aware Parenting Institute (www.awareparenting.com). Her three books, The Aware Baby, Helping Young Children Flourish and Tears and Tantrums have been translated into six languages, and she is recognized internationally as an expert on attachment, trauma, and non-punitive discipline. She lives in California, and has two grown children and one grandchild.
Aware Parenting is a philosophy of child-rearing that has the potential to change the world. Based on cutting-edge research and insights in child development, Aware Parenting questions most traditional assumptions about raising children, and proposes a new approach that can profoundly shift a parent's relationship with his or her child. Parents who follow this approach raise children who are bright, compassionate, competent, non-violent, and drug-free.
This article was originally published in Mothering Magazine, Issue 122 January/February 2004

From the Article:
The term "cry it out" refers to the practice of leaving babies in their cribs without picking them up, and letting them cry themselves to sleep. A modified version of this approach is to go to the baby every few minutes to pat her on the back or reassure her verbally (but not pick the baby up), and to increase the length of time gradually so that the baby eventually "learns" to fall asleep alone.
But there is no doubt that repeated lack of responsiveness to a baby's cries-even for only five minutes at a time-is potentially damaging to the baby's mental health. Babies who are left to cry it out alone may fail to develop a basic sense of trust or an understanding of themselves as a causal agent, possibly leading to feelings of powerlessness, low self-esteem, and chronic anxiety later in life. The cry-it-out approach undermines the very basis of secure attachment, which requires prompt responsiveness and sensitive attunement during the first year after birth.1 ...

Notes:

1. S. M. Bell and M. D. Ainsworth, "Infant Crying and Maternal Responsiveness," Child Development 43 (1972): 1171-1190.
2. L. Holt, The Care and Feeding if Children (East Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century, 1919): 169.
3. J. Bowlby, "The Nature of the Child's Tie to His Mother," International Journal of Psycho-Analysis 39 (1958): 350-373.
4. See Note 1.
5. M. R. Gunnar et al., "The Stressfulness of Separation Among Nine-Month-Old Infants: Effects of Social Context Variables and Infant Temperament," Child Development 63 (1992): 290-303.
6. J. C. Jenson, Reclaiming Your Life : A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Regression Therapy to Overcome the Effects of Childhood Abuse (New York: Dutton, 1995).
7. A. Janov, Why You Get Sick and How You Get Well: The healing power of feelings (West Hollywood, CA: Dove Books, 1996).
8. J. Berger, Emotional Fitness (Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Prentice-Hall, 2000).
9. L. Woldenberg et al., "Psychophysiological Changes in Feeling Therapy," Psychological Reports 39 (1976): 1059-1062.
10. W. H. Frey II and M. Langseth, Crying: The Mystery of Tears (Minneapolis: Winston Press, 1985): 46.
11. J. Breeding, The Wildest Colts Make the Best Horses (Austin, Texas: Bright Books, 1996): 109-112.
12. W. R. Emerson, "Psychotherapy with Infants and Children," Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Journal 3, no. 3 (1989): 190-217.
13. A. Solter, Tears and Tantrums (Goleta, CA: Shining Star Press, 1998).
14. A. Solter, The Aware Baby (Goleta, CA: Shining Star Press, 2001): 37-71.
15. M. Block, "Healing Crisis: Don't Worry, Mom-I'm Just Growing!," Mothering 119 (2003): 32-41.
16. D. H. Stott, "Follow-Up Study from Birth of the Effects of Pre-Natal Stresses," Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 15 (1973): 770-787.
17. B. R. H. van den Bergh, "The Influence of Maternal Emotions During Pregnancy on Fetal and Neonatal Behavior," Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Journal 5, no. 2 (1990): 119-130.
18. L. M. Glynn et al., "The Influence of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone on Fetal Development and Parturition," Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health (formerly Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Journal) 14, nos. 3-4 (2000): 243-256.
19. B. Jacobson et al., "Perinatal Origin of Adult Self-Destructive Behavior," Acta Psychiatr Scand 76, no. 4 (1987): 364-371.
20. S. W. Lewis and R. M. Murray, "Obstetric Complications, Neurodevelopmental Deviance, and Risk of Schizophrenia," Journal of Psychiatric Research 21, no. 4 (1987): 413-421.
21. B. Jacobson et al., "Opiate Addiction in Adult Offspring through Possible Imprinting After Obstetric Treatment," British Medical Journal 301, no. 6760 (1990): 1067-1070.
22. E. S. Roedding, "Birth Trauma and Suicide: A Study of the Relationship of Near-Death Experiences at Birth and Later Suicidal Behavior," Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Journal 6, no. 2 (1991): 145-167.
23. E. S. Batchelor, Jr., et al., "Classification Rates and Relative Risk Factors for Perinatal Events Predicting Emotional/Behavioral Disorders in Children," Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Journal 5, no. 4 (1991): 327-346.
24. E. Kandel and S. Mednick, "Perinatal Complications Predict Violent Offending," Criminology 29, no. 3 (1991): 519-529.
25. P. B. Jones et al., "Schizophrenia as a Long-Term Outcome of Pregnancy, Delivery, and Perinatal Complications: A 28-Year Follow-Up of the 1966 North Finland General Population Cohort," American Journal of Psychiatry 155, no. 3 (1998): 355-364.
26. J. F. Bernal, "Night Waking in Infants During the First 14 Months," Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 15, no. 6 (1973): 760-769.
27. S. Kitzinger, The Crying Baby (New York: Viking, 1989): 41-71.
28. B. Zuckerman et al., "Maternal Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy, and Newborn Irritability," Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 11 (1990): 190-194.
29. H. Keller et al., "Relationships Between Infant Crying, Birth Complications, and Maternal Variables," Child Care Health Development 24, no. 5 (1998): 377-394.
30. B. L. Lundy et al., "Prenatal Depression Effects on Neonates," Infant Behavior and Development 22, no. 1 (1999): 119-129.
31. See Note 27.
32. See Note 12.
33. K. E. Barnard, "The Effects of Stimulation on the Sleep Behaviors of the Premature Infant," Western Journal for Communicating Nursing Research 6 (1973): 12-33.
34. E. Aron, The Highly Sensitive Child (New York: Broadway Books, 2002): 153-168.
35. T. B. Brazelton, Touchpoints (New York: Perseus Publishing, 1992): 63.
36. B. M. Lester and C. F. Boukydis, Infant Crying: Theoretical and Research Perspectives (New York: Plenum Press, 1985): 19.
37. See Note 13.
38. See Note 14.

Mind Body:
The Body Has a Mind of its Own
Matt Rushford, DC

From the Article:
I noticed this phrase recently in a book by Dr. Deepak Chopra.  The body has a mind of its own.  What a wonderful image!  It immediately conveys a sense of reassurance, of innate self-sufficiency. Many of us were taught from an early age, by inference or directly, that our bodies are weak and vulnerable. Healing was a process that occurred from the outside—via medicines and doctors. Even today, the pharmaceutical industry endorses this mentality with the full force of one billion dollars a day devoted to promoting our dependence on medications. One recent television commercial featured a concerned mother who swore, "I will never let little Cindy heal another cut without Neosporin!"  What responsible mother would?

About the Author:
Dr. Matt Rushford is a family chiropractor who has been in practice since 1994.  He operates the Rushford Family Chiropractic Center in South Burlington, Vermont with his wife.  A father of one, noted public speaker and author of numerous articles on human health, healing, and paradigms of wellness, Dr. Rushford specializes in pregnancy and perinatal care. His website is www.RushfordChiropractic.com

Family Life:
Down with Homework
Alfie Kohn

As always, Alfie Kohn gives us a thought provoking, and out of the box perspectives about children.

From the article:
After spending most of the day in school, students are given additional assignments to be completed at home. This is a rather curious fact when you stop to think about it, but not as curious as the fact that few of us ever stop to think about it. It’s worth asking not only whether there are good reasons to support the nearly universal practice of assigning homework, but why it’s so often taken for granted—even by vast numbers of teachers and parents who are troubled by its impact on children.

The mystery deepens once you discover that widespread assumptions about the benefits of homework—higher achievement and the promotion of such virtues as self-discipline and responsibility—are not substantiated by the available evidence

About the author:
For more information, please see www.alfiekohn.org.

Copyright 1995 by Alfie Kohn.  Reprinted with the author's permission.

Seasonal:

The Gift Every Child Wants
Pam Leo

From the Article:
Whether we observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Solstice, the holidays have become more stressful for many parents and less happy for many children.  By the time we add shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating, and holiday events to our already busy schedules, we have less time than ever to spend with our children. When children don’t get enough attention from the people they love, their “love cup” gets empty and they feel disconnected and unhappy.

If adults try to make children happy by buying them more presents to compensate for spending less time with them, we teach children that “things” are supposed to make them happy. When gifts become a substitute for love instead of a symbol of love, children begin to measure how much they are loved by how many gifts they receive. The more empty their “love cup”, the more “things” children ask for to try to fill the emptiness they feel.

About the Author:
Read more aboput Pam Leo and her wonderful new book, Connection Parenting here: http://www.connectionparenting.com/

Research Review:

This section is a compilation of current research relevant to children and pregnancy.

Some of this issues cited studies address:

• Flouride: Exposure during pregnancy links to learning disabilities, attention deficit and behavior disorders.
• Flouride: More to Swallow- a message from the NJ Citizens Opposing Forced Flouridation.
• Studies Fail to demonstrate safety or effectiveness of Influenza vaccine in children and adults.
• The effects on chiropractic in children with colic.

Research Flouride Resources Paul Beeber, President NYSCOF Email: nyscof@aol.com Paul Connett, PhD, Emeritus Chemistry Professor and Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network Email: paul@fluoridealert.org More about skeletal fluorosis: http://www.fluoridealert.org/s-fluorosis.htm   http://www.nalgonda.org http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/bone/fluorosis/arthritis/ Fluoride Action Network http://www.FluorideAction.Net Fluoridation 101 http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof Fluoridation News Releases http://tinyurl.com/6kqtu Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/  References: Recovery From Skeletal Fluorosis (An Enigmatic, American Case). Journal of Bone Mineral Research. October 2, 2006, by Kurland, et al.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt= AbstractPlus&list_uids=17014382&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum Osteofluorosis caused by excess use of toothpaste, Presse Med, 34:1518-20, by Roos et al November 2005  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt= AbstractPlus&list_uids=16301964&query_hl=7&itool=pubmed_docsum Environ Health Perspect. 2005 August; 113(8): “Food Safety: A Tea-Time Mystery,” by Michael Szpir  http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1280381 Journal of the American Dental Association, "Controlling the fluoride dosage in a patient with compromised salivary function," Frederick C. Eichmiller, D.D.S.; Naomi Eidelman, Ph.D.; Clifton M. Carey, PhD., Vol. 136, page 67 -70, January 2005 http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/full/136/1/67 “American Children are Fluoride Overdosed  -  Cavities Increase in Primary Teeth: Gov't Report,”  NYSCOF News release http://tinyurl.com/mbrmd  “New Report Finds Improvements in Oral Health of Americans,”  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of Communication,  August 25, 2005. http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050825.htm http://www.vaccinationdebate.com/web6.html

Family Wellness Forum;

In this column, we address questions parents have about care in pregnancy, birth and for their children's health. In this issue we discuss the beneficial nature of childhood infections.

Pathways Current Supporters:

Arm's Reach Co-sleeper.
This wonderful creation offers parents an easy way to incorporate the significant benefits of co-sleeping into their lives. Visit www.armsreach.com or call 800 954-9353.

My Brest Friend.
To read more about this innovative, ergonomic pillow, visit: www.mybrestfriend.com or call 415 883 5300.

La Leche League World Breastfeeding Week
LLL is celebrating its 50th anniversary with World Breastfeeding Week Celebration all across America. Take this opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of this valuable non-profit organization ad resd more about their services here: www.lalecheleague.org

Maman Kangourou Baby Carriers.
This company offers versatile and ergonomic baby carriers providing both the wearer and the baby comfort and safety. Visit: http://www.mamakangaroo.com/ to view their selection.

Gano Excel
All of these food and health products contain Ganoderma Extract from the "Miraculous king of Herbs" - the Reishi Mushroom. For a complete list of products and information about the healing properties of the Reishi mushroom, visit: www.fanoexcel.biz in the US and www.ganoexcel.ca in Canada.

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering
This outstanding book by Sarah J Buckley, MD offers parents essential tools and insight about birth and mothering with the wisdom and science of choices for gentle pregnacy, birth and mothering.
To order your copy, visit: www.sarahjbuckley.com

Holistic Mom's Network
Holistic Moms Network (HMN) members share a common bond: a desire to be the best parents possible by providing our children with a physical, psychological, and spiritual environment that will nourish them and allow them to reach their greatest potential.  To nurture our children, we strive to educate ourselves and to make choices that will enable them in mind, body, and spirit. Visit them at www.holisticmoms.org

Nonichai
Nonichai offers natural products that support the body healing abilities rather than supressing symptoms. Visit their line of family products here: http://www.nonichaihealth.com/pages/

If you purchase any of these products or utilize these services, be sure to tell them you heard about them from Pathways. Also if you know companies interested in advertising in Pathways, please have them call us at 610 5652360.

Subscribe to Pathways here