Counting down the day until Christmas, but still don’t know what to get your child? Educational gifts make the perfect gift for any child in your life. Educational gifts foster a learning environment while engaging children for longer periods of time with brain stimulating activities. Whether you give a toy, activity, book or experience you…
As we enter the holiday season, we can’t help but feel fortunate to continue our work and impact the lives of pregnant women, infants and their families in Leon and Wakulla counties. In the past year we have settled into the new “norm” of a pandemic, while continuing to provide services and support for thousands…
Second-hand smoke is the combination of smoke from a burning cigarette and smoke exhaled by a smoker. If mom and baby are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke, it increases mom’s and baby’s risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, allergies, asthma, and other health problems. Additionally, babies exposed to second-hand smoke might also develop reduced lung capacity and…
There is no safe level of tobacco use among pregnant women and a direct correlation exists between the number of cigarettes smoked and poor outcomes. Even if it is only one a day, smoking during pregnancy puts mom and baby at risk. It increases the risks of birth defects and causes issues during pregnancy including…
Not only does smoking increase the risk of health problems for mom and baby while baby is developing, but it also makes it harder for mom to conceive. Some of the risk include preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects. It also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The choice to…
According to the American Association for Respiratory Care, health issues can be seen in children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. Negative effects include speech processing, irritability, and varied attention levels. Cigarettes are only one product that delivers nicotine to pregnant mothers and place them at risk. For more information on smoking while pregnant, visit https://babyandmetobaccofree.org/.
When children think of October they think of Halloween, candy, fun costumes and trick-or-treating! But for parents, the thought of Halloween is a little different. Parents are always thinking about their children and their safety, especially when out trick-or-treating. At Capital Area Healthy Start we want you to have a fun, friendly and safe Halloween.…
October begins Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and it is a season we commemorate each year as so many local families experience the pain of losing a pregnancy or small child. As a way of supporting our local mothers, fathers and family members and remembering those we’ve lost, Capital Area Healthy Start is honored…
There will be times when a childcare center, nanny, or family caretaker is no longer a great fit for your child or children. Deciding to change the type of care or the person can be challenging, however, beneficial for you and your child. When transitioning, having a plan in place will help you and your…
Before hiring a nanny, make a list of interview questions tailored to the type of care you are looking to receive for your child. Once you start your interview process, pay attention to how they interact and communicate with you, other family members, your child, or children. Do hesitate to ask hard questions and speak…