December
SAFE TOY & GIFT MONTH: December marks Safe Toy and Gift Month. With the holiday season approaching, December is known as the biggest gift-giving month of the year! It is important to ensure the toys you are buying for your little ones are fun, but also safe. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 251,700 toy-related injuries in the U.S. in 2010 were treated by hospital emergency rooms. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety for Toys has tons of information regarding product safety and regulations. Click here to learn more!
Our recent blog post highlights Retail businesses that have products to support families from preconception through early parenting. Check it out here!
We also invite you to check out our Baby/Child Safety web resources to further educate and learn about product and toy safety for your children!
HIV/AIDS AWARENESS MONTH: The month of December brings awareness to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. World AIDS day is also celebrated on December 1st. Transmission of HIV through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding occurs less than 1% with proper preventative measures in place (CDC).
Check out the CDC, specifically Pregnant Women, Infants and Children HIV page and the Women’s HIV page for additional resources and information.
(Photo credit of HIV/AIDS hands: www.medicinenet.com).
NATIONAL HANDWASHING AWARENESS WEEK: December also recognizes National Handwashing Awareness Week from December 1st through the 7th. Washing your hands is important for everyone, yet especially important during pregnancy to avoid bacteria and viruses. However, according to research it has been noted that antibacterial products with triclosan and triclocarban may be doing more harm than good. These components do not break down once they get into your body, and as a result, they could enter your bloodstream and travel into your placenta. Read about what antibacterial products should be avoided during pregnancy and what to look out for when next buying your soaps and body washes, socks, lip glosses, and more by clicking here!
Also, have fun with this and remind your kids the importance of washing your hands! (Photo credit: https://waterandhealth.org/disinfect/fun-way-teach -kids-hand-washing/).
NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK:December 5th through the 11th is National Influenza Vaccination Week. This week raises awareness about the influenza vaccination. It can be important for pregnant or postpartum mother’s and parents to be aware of potential flu symptoms. Talk to your doctor and/or medical provider if you are experiencing symptoms or have questions/concerns.
If you are interested in learning more about the safety of receiving a flu shot while pregnant, signs/symptoms, and more related to the flu, check out this website here.
For more information regarding the flu and breastfeeding, check out this page on the CDC.
According to the CDC, influenza is more likely to cause severe illness in those that are pregnant compared to those that are not. Read more about the flu vaccine and safety information here.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Raising awareness about disability inclusion is very important for human rights, sustainable development, and peace in today’s world. Jack’s Helping Hands all-inclusive park is being built here in San Luis Obispo County located on the Nipomo Mesa. The Jack Ready Imagination Park is the community’s first universally accessible park for children with special needs and other disabilities. Check out the organization and the park by clicking here!
(Photo credit: https://www.jackshelpinghand.org/imagination-park-gallery/).
NATIONAL COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR KIDS DAY: December 5th is National Communicate with your Kids Day! We wanted to take the time to bring attention to our top baby sign languages that can be so helpful in the early stages of communication with your child. Check out the Top 10 Starting Signs to teach your baby here!
(Photo credit: https://www.babysignlanguage.com/chart/).
VISIT THE ZOO DAY: December 27th is Visit the Zoo Day! Today would be a great day to visit the Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero! Check out their website here for more information about zoo hours and tickets.
Authored in collaboration with:
Morgan Jamati, CCCN Intern
Zabrina Cox, CtP Program Director
Sources:
Disclaimer: The opinions or beliefs expressed by various authors on this blog do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs, and viewpoints of Central Coast Childbirth Network, INC. Central Coast Childbirth Network, INC does not offer medical advice. The content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The author's opinions are based upon information they consider reliable; thus, Central Coast Childbirth Network warrants its completeness or accuracy and should not be relied upon as such.