View past webinar recordings:

Skin to Skin and Kangaroo Care

Over 35 years of research tell us that Kangaroo Care goes well beyond bonding. Although other countries have been practicing for decades, the United States is now implementing changes to make skin-to-skin the standard of care for both pre and full term babies across our nation’s hospitals. We’ll follow the history of Kangaroo Care, from the impoverished hospitals in Bogota in the 1970’s, to today’s most technologically adept NICUs. Along the way, we'll debunk the myths about what is and isn't "real" skin-to-skin care and share evidence-based research showing the multitude of physiologic benefits to both mom and baby. Learn practical details to the practice in a variety of settings, effects on breastfeeding, and what 60 minutes of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact delivers.

Who should attend this free webinar? Birth, parenting and medical professionals, expecting, new, and adoptive parents, and all those interested in biology, health and the well-being of babies. Attendees will be fascinated by the science of this nurturing practice that delivers real clinical results. Fully referenced - bring uninterrupted skin to skin care to your own birth, birthing facility, OR and NICU. 

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Prematurity Awareness and Prevention

Prematurity Awareness and Prevention with March of Dimes: Working together for Stronger, Healthier Babies

Currently 1 in 9 babies in the United States is born prematurely. Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion a year and takes a high toll on families. Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities. Yet women, and care providers, still choose to schedule birth by induction or cesarean, early without medical reason. What important fetal development happens during the final weeks of gestation? What complications may be avoided? Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait. In this webinar Dr. Alexis Travis will discuss the progress made as a result of the March of Dimes’ Prematurity Campaign, now in its 10th year, and describe what can be done to reduce preventable preterm birth with a focus on reducing elective delivery prior to 39 weeks.

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Positive Discipline for Toddlers

Do you find yourself saying "No!” far too often, frustrated to the point of yelling, or threatening "time outs" on a daily basis? Your toddler's developmental stages may result in challenging behaviors, with conflicts or limits that need setting many times an hour. This webinar introduces the concepts behind Positive Discipline, with age-appropriate approaches that meet the toddler's developmental needs and thought process.

We'll address common daily challenges for the "under three" crowd: issues around sharing, hitting, tantrums, dressing, mealtime, bedtime or potty-training. We'll share specific examples and approaches to promote cooperation and mutual respect, while providing kind, firm limits.

Yes, you can practice effective parenting and help your children become responsible, respectful youngsters without "losing it" on a daily basis.

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Family-Centered Cesarean Birth

More than 30% of births in the US are cesarean delivery. The Family-Centered Cesarean refocuses routine clinical processes during cesarean delivery to enhance early maternal-infant bonding and improve the mother’s experience of the surgical birth of her baby.

In contrast to a standard c/section, a family focused cesarean birth may include clear drapes allowing parents to view the baby’s birth, repositioning of IVs and monitors to allow one arm free, immediate skin-to-skin contact and intra-operative breastfeeding, and delayed separation of newborn for routine care.

Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, Director of Obstetric Anesthesiology William Camann, MD is working to shift the “culture” of the operating room to adapt and embrace this concept. Dr. Camann will review the approach, answer questions and address common clinical concerns. This webinar will educate parents and providers about this model of care, with the goal of making it an available option in more hospitals across the nation.

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Coughs, Colds, Ear Infections and other Infant & Toddler Respiratory Illnesses

Why do newborns sound so congested? When should you worry about an infant’s cough? Are steroids needed for a wheezy one year old? Does croup mean a child is more likely to develop asthma? Can you help prevent your toddler's many ear infections?

Nothing is more distressing to a parent than a young child’s illness. It may feel like one cold is hardly over before the next virus hits, and a cough or runny nose may seem like a chronic occurrence.

Learn more about recognizing and treating symptoms, from the common cold and coughs, to Croup, RSV, Otitis media, tonsilitis, sinusitis, bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses. We’ll review the symptoms of these common illnesses with a focus on treatments to manage the symptoms at home and when to worry or call the doctor.

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Potty Training Setbacks: Tips & Solutions

Most toddlers in the US are potty trained and out of diapers between 2 to 4 years old. During that time, up to 80% of children will experience potty training regressions.

We’ll address various toddler fears and resistance to using the bathroom, how to assess and manage frequent accidents, and when to be concerned about physical issues or constipation that may impact toileting success.

Parents frequently worry about the approach they’re using: should they persist with the potty expectation, change their approach or take a break and go back to diapers? If you’ve already begun the process of toilet training but are struggling with a child resistant to using the potty or having frequent accidents, or want to learn toilteting tips proactively, this is the webinar for you.

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Nutrition, Weight & Pregnancy: Research Updates

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is critical for both fetal and maternal health. Women who enter pregnancy overweight or who gain weight excessively during pregnancy have increased risk of complications for themselves and their infants. In addition to maternal weight, the type of foods eaten during pregnancy can influence the developing fetus as well. Although this may seem like an uphill battle given the cravings and aversions of pregnancy, there are many ways to establish healthy eating patterns during pregnancy. These habits, when adopted during the critical period of pregnancy, have been shown to form the foundation for meaningful, lifelong lifestyle change for the whole family. This webinar, presented by Dr. Sarbattama Sen, a primary investigator at the Mother Infant Reasearch Institute at Tufts Medical Center, will explore the most current research in the area of maternal weight and the impact on pregnancy, maternal and child well-being.

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What’s new in Pain Relief for Childbirth

Labor is one of the most painful events in a woman’s life. Women have sought ways to eliminate the pain of childbirth for centuries, yet the idea of childbirth without pain continues to spark controversy and debate. There are vast differences that split caregivers, childbirth advocates, and pregnant women themselves regarding what is considered the best birth experience for her and the newborn. A variety of options, including both medications and non-medical methods, are available to use. What is the best? What should I use? Are there any risks? Can multiple methods be used in combination? How should I choose?

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Teeth & Teething

Ask a new mom what she knows about baby teeth, and you’ll probably get an earful about “teething”. Hands in the mouth, chewing and drooling, a mild fever, and of course, nightly sleep disruptions. But wait, where’s the tooth? Join pediatric dentist Dr. Sonia Wu to learn about the myths and realities of teething, when to expect those sharp little pearly whites, and how to best take care of them during the early months and through the toddler years. In addition, we’ll discuss the connection between maternal oral health, preterm labor and preeclampsia, and the significance of Strept Mutans including tips to prevent colonizing your baby’s mouth with cavity forming bacteria.

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Child-Proofing and Home Safety

Jeff and Susan Baril of safebeginnings.com have 20 years of experience in childproofing and home safety. This easy to follow room-by-room approach reviews common problem areas with tips for choosing and installing the best childproofing products for your specific environment. Learn about stair gates, window guards, cabinet latches, furniture tip-guards, electrical outlets and cord protection. With planning and foresight, reduce everyday risks and protect your children from burns, falls, bumps and bruises, drowning or choking. This is important home safety information for parents, grandparents and caregivers of infants and toddlers.

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Helping Your Toddler Talk

Megan Rozantes, a pediatric speech and language pathologist, explains language development and describes common delays and concerns along with fun and easy ways to help your toddler talk. There are many natural opportunities every day to encourage and enrich language skills. We’ll share specific ideas to foster your child’s receptive and expressive language during normal daily activities like mealtime, bathing, book and play time.

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As Preemies Grow: From Preterm Birth to Preschool & Beyond

In the United States, at least 1 in 8 babies are born prematurely (before the 37th week of gestation) and the numbers of preterm births continue to rise. This webinar features three expert clinical perspectives on prematurity, from preventing or managing preterm birth, to recognizing and overcoming neurologic implications as premature babies move into early childhood. Presented by Jason B. Carmel, M.D., Ph.D., Kelly Lowery, PsyD & Adam Wolfberg, MD, MPH.

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Travel, Time Zones and Infant Toddler Sleep

Planning a trip away from home? This webinar, presented by Erin Flynn-Evans, PhD ALM, RPSGT, will offer practical and proven sleep suggestions to help your child make a smoother adjustment. Learn to determine optimal timing for flights and car travel, what gear to bring for better sleep while away, when and how to remain flexible about naps and bedtime while avoiding exhaustion-fueled meltdowns.

We'll also discuss the biology behind jet-lag and how to deal with small and large time zone shifts with infants and toddlers and how to get back on track when you return home.

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Midwives: Providing Care that Makes a Positive Difference

Megan MacInnes, CNM and Chris Just, CNM, MSN will present a brief history of midwifery care in the United States, a description of the philosophy of care of midwives, growth trends in midwifery care, the scope of clinical practice of nurse-midwives, the outcomes and quality of midwifery care, research by midwives, the process of credentialing nurse-midwives for practice in hospitals and other settings and how to find a midwife in your area.

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Early Pregnancy Screening: New Research in Non-Invasive Testing

Dr. Diana Bianchi, Executive Director of the Mother Infant Research Institute at Tufts Medical Center, will discuss her research and advances in non-invasive prenatal diagnosis including a new option that is available for expecting women: a test that analyzes cell-free DNA in maternal blood to determine the risk of fetal trisomies 21 (Down Syndrome), 18 and 13. Dr. Bianchi will discuss reasons for using this test, how the test works, limitations of the test and how to evaluate results.

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Optimal Cord Clamping with Dr. Greene

What if there was a simple way to change the odds of a child becoming iron deficient in the first six months of life? What if that solution also provided 30% more stem cells to help grow developing brain and organs? What if it cost nothing?

In 2012 Dr. Alan Greene launched a worldwide campaign aimed at changing the practice of Immediate Cord Clamping To Optimal Cord Clamping or TICC TOCC. During this webinar Dr. Greene discusses the problem that brought his team to launch an international campaign, some questions relating to why optimal cord clamping provides benefit to baby, rationale founded in the physiology of blood circulation at birth, the history behind the practice of immediate cord clamping, and the solution proposed by Dr. Greene.