Health

Infant stress linked to later behavior problems

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

RALEIGH - Recent studies have shown that infants' brains react to external stresses, even while they sleep. Domestic conflicts, violence and other traumatic events can influence a person's behavior later in life, even if they don't have any conscious memory of the original stress. Infant mental health specialist Julie Ribaudo said so-called "toxic

Ask Dr. Swiner

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

May is National Stroke Awareness and High Blood Pressure Month. In recognition of this, I thought I’d review some guidelines and the way I diagnose and treat my patients with hypertension. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common “silent killers” of patients, particularly those of African-American descent. It’s also one of the most

Not all co-sleeping is created equal

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

RALEIGH - When it comes to the potential risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome from a mother sharing her bed with her baby, there is a push to change the message from "Just don't do it" to "Here is how it's done most safely." The shift is needed because co-sleeping will never be eliminated and not all forms are equal, said Dr. James McKenna, director of the

Coping with colic

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

If you ever find yourself walking the floor with a colicky baby, here's something you may find comforting: You're not alone. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, colic – a condition where otherwise healthy newborn babies cry for more than three hours a day, for three days a week, for more than three weeks in a row –affects an estimated

Baby budget cuts you don't want to make

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

From diapers and day care to luxury strollers and irresistible pint-size fashions, a new baby can cost a bundle. Of course, there are ways to stretch your budget – and plenty of not-so-smart ways to save, too. In fact, put these cost-cutters on the no-no list, said Sandra Gordon, one of the nation's leading baby products experts and author of "Save a