News of Interest for Late-in-Life Moms October 6, 2008

News to know:

Report: More children dying from combination flu, staph infection
During the 2006-07 flu season, 73 children died from flu because they also had staph infections, according to a new government report. Preliminary figures indicate deaths rose again during this past winter's flu season.
More than half the children who died were between ages 5 and 17 and were healthy before they got the flu.
Public health officials say the increase proves the importance of a new recommendation that all children, from 6 months through 18 years, get routine flu shots. Before this year, shots were recommended for kids under 5 years.

Doctors advise no hamsters, exotic pets for kids
Young children should not have hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles— because of risks for disease, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Exotic animals can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, and may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, according to a report in the October edition of the group's medical journal, Pediatrics.

Parents' financial stress trickles down to kids
With many families reeling from financial struggles, many parents are struggling with how to best address the economic mess with their children.
Experts advise any explanation be done in an age-appropriate way, to make sure you reassure your children, and that you use any conversation as a teachable moment.


On the "this is a bit too weird for me" side of the news:

PETA proposes that Ben & Jerry's use breast milk in its ice cream
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) asked Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream to use breast milk in its products instead of cow's milk. PETA said this would reduce the suffering of cows and calves and give ice cream lovers a healthier product.