Babies & Families A Special Section of the Addison Independent Thursday, February 17, 2022
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Babies &
Families
A Special Section of the Addison Independent
Thursday, February 17, 2022
PAGE 10 — Addison Independent • BABIES & FAMILIES • Thursday, February 17, 2022
Addison Independent • BABIES & FAMILIES • Thursday, February 17, 2022 — PAGE 11
When will playgroups
return to Addison County?
By MEGAN JAMES you, Bixby Library in Vergennes and
If you had a baby or toddler in Lincoln Library — have managed to
Addison County before 2020, you likely stay outdoors throughout this winter.
have fond memories of community Others, such as Middlebury’s Ilsley
playgroups: eating Ritz Library, have shifted to
crackers with cream cheese limited-capacity indoor
in the Memorial Baptist gatherings that require
Church basement; zooming Some pre-registration. Librarians
around on tricycles at the at Lawrence Memorial in
Middlebury Rec Center; determined Bristol gave themselves a
playing with homemade families have little more breathing room
playdough at Weybridge taken to by moving their in-person
Elementary School; storytimes into Holley
dancing to Raffi songs in studying the Hall. But those were put on
the community room at Middlebury hold with the arrival of the
Helen Porter Rehab. Parks & Rec omicron variant earlier this
When the pandemic winter.
struck in March 2020, gym schedule Some determined
it abruptly put an end to on the town families have taken to
playgroups, open gyms and studying the Middlebury
drop-in storytimes, cutting
website to find Parks & Rec gym schedule
off an essential social open windows on the town website to find
and emotional outlet for when they can open windows when they
families with babies and can enjoy the space.
toddlers. enjoy the space. The playgroups run
In the nearly two years by the Addison County
since then, families have Parent/Child Center at
found other ways to connect. In the early various area church basements are on
weeks of the pandemic, local children’s hold indefinitely. And as long as local
librarians stayed engaged with their schools are still restricting entry to the
Oh my
adoring fans with lively virtual general public, playgroups that used AMELIA FOURNIER OF Whiting takes a break from playtime at the Addison
storytimes. Many shifted to outdoor to be held at Mary Hogan School in County Parent/Child Center in Middlebury last week to check out a journalist
photographing the kids there.
in-person gatherings in the summer, Middlebury and Weybridge Elementary Independent photo/Steve James
and some hardy librarians — lookin’ at (See Playgroups, Page 12)
Baby’s colic doesn’t last forever To register for the current session of
New parents know there is a learning
curve when an infant comes home for the
• Crying jags more than 3 days a week.
• Crying for more than 3 weeks at a time. Music Together®, visit: mcmcvt.org today!
first time. Even with the best planning and • Crying that often begins suddenly, with
research, it takes time for new parents to mostly loud, nonstop sessions.
find their grooves caring for a newborn • Crying that starts in the evening,
whose abilities to communicate are limited. typically at the same time each day.
Babies cry to alert their caregivers when • Extreme fussiness even after crying has
they are hungry, tired or wet. Tears are a diminished.
normal part of the parenting process — as • Facial discoloration, such as reddening
babies can cry for as much as two hours per of the face and pale skin around the mouth.
day, according to WebMD. But excessive • A tense body that includes stiffened
crying may be a symptom of colic. legs and arms, clenched fists, an arched
What is colic? back, or tense abdomen.
The Mayo Clinic defines colic as • Excessive gas, likely resulting from
frequent, prolonged and intense crying or swallowed air during prolonged crying.
fussiness in an otherwise healthy infant. Ruling out other issues
When experiencing colic, a baby cries Collect information when the infant
for no apparent reason and no amount of cries and share it with the pediatrician to
consolation seems to bring any relief. Johns determine if colic is the culprit. Sometimes
Hopkins Medicine indicates that colic is fussiness is for other reasons, including food
most common during the first six weeks allergies, hunger or weakness, pain from an
and usually will go away on its own in illness or injury, acid reflux, or discomfort
three to four months. Twenty-five percent of from being too hot or too cold.
newborn babies may have colic. All symptoms should be checked by
Identifying colic the pediatrician, such as a fever of 100.4
Crying is not necessarily indicative degrees or higher. Even if colic is suspected,
of colic, though certain types of crying, a doctor can help manage colic to help
especially when accompanied by other reduce parents’ stress and make it easier to
symptoms, are suggestive of colic. cope with the condition.
• Crying for more than three hours a day. — Metro Creative
The little darlings shown on the front Child Center, and Calder Osborne at the MCMCVT.ORG
of this section (Page 9) are, from left to Otter Creek Child Center; and bottom
right, top row: Esmae Rinder-Goddard row: Amelia at Mary Johnson Children’s
802-989-7538
at the Bristol Family Center, Vanessa Center and Aven Sanborn at Addison INFO@MCMCVT.ORG
Kennedy at the Addison County Parent/ County Parent/Child Center.
PAGE 12 — Addison Independent • BABIES & FAMILIES • Thursday, February 17, 2022
Time to play!
ELI, LEFT, AND Avery demonstrate that they know how to explore their world and
have fun at Mary Johnson Children’s Center in Middlebury last week.
Photo courtesy of Mary Johnson Children’s Center
Playgroups
(Continued from Page 11) in March we will return to two days a in the Garden, Book Bike Storytime and Additionally, Lawrence Library
aren’t an option. week in April,” Superintendent Dustin Bounce and Play Storytime — will all recently received funding from
But there’s some good news: As Hunt told us. Masks will be required for be drop-in style. the Children’s Trust Fund to offer
COVID case counts continue to drop, unvaccinated children under age 5. In Bristol, Lawrence Memorial programming for parents and caregivers
and a vaccine for children under age At Ilsley, Children’s Librarian Tricia Library Director Coco Moseley and of children under age 1. “We are
5 is expected later this month, some Allen is starting up another limited Children’s Librarian Marita Schine are still working on the details of those
local organizations are making plans to capacity storytime session in March. hoping to bring back two weekly in- programs, especially how to safely
restart drop-in programs. “After April break, I am tentatively person storytimes the week of March 14, bring infants and babies together,”
Here’s what we know so far: planning to have three or four drop-in “as long as things keep trending in the wrote Moseley. “I hope to launch the
Middlebury Parks & Rec is planning storytimes until we take a break from right direction re: COVID infections,” programming this summer, but I’m
to start up its much-loved Tot Time open programming in mid-May to prep for Moseley said. Those storytimes will take hesitant to move too quickly given the
gym session on Wednesdays at 10:30 summer,” she said. Allen noted that place in the library children’s room on ever-changing landscape. Stay tuned!”
a.m. starting March 9. “If all goes well summer programming — Preschool Art Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Q: How Young
is Too Young?
A: There is no
“too young.”
Free home visit, Free measure, Free estimate
1396 Rte 7 South,
388-2500
M- F 7:30-5:30,
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Sat. 8-1 memorialsportscenter.org
Addison Independent • BABIES & FAMILIES • Thursday, February 17, 2022 — PAGE 13
THE ABUNDANCE OF snow this winter has prompted Georgia and Abigail Gong to jump at the opportunity to go skiing at Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton.
Photo by Erick Gong
Embrace the cold, make the most of the winter
By FAITH GONG resolve them. (One wonders if, “I’m Cabin fever sets in quickly. For the past
During our family’s early years in freezing, and I might go inside,” was a week, our daughters have been trying to
Vermont, my friend Deborah warned common meditation). Then they stood convince us that our house is too small.
me that January was the coldest month. outside for five minutes to “get in the “We need two more bedrooms,” they
“There’s usually one week every January mood” for viewing of a documentary film argue (so that they may each have their
when the temperature never gets above on Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Antarctic own room), “and a big playroom. Can
freezing,” she said. expedition aboard the Endurance, in we build an addition?” When it becomes
So far, history has proven her correct. which the entire crew survived being clear that this isn’t happening, they start
But January 2022 was an overachiever: As trapped by the ice for nearly two years. rearranging the furniture, reconfiguring
I write this column and look ahead at the “Well,” I said, “at least their rooms and building
10-day forecast I see only one day with you’re not weenies.” forts and obstacle courses.
temperatures over 30 degrees. Most nights A teenage boy in the On one day when
dip down into negative temperatures; this backseat muttered, “I temperatures were forecast
morning at our house it was minus-22
I realized I was to soar up to 31 degrees
wouldn’t have minded
degrees. being a weenie.” A heated in trouble: I Fahrenheit, I decided to
My daughter — the same one who discussion followed on couldn’t get take our 2-year-old to the
shouted snowfall spells at the sky in whether they would’ve playground.
October — now moans, “I’m tired of eaten their dogs to
him out of the I bundled him up in the
winter; I want spring!” But, in general, we survive (as the Shackleton bucket swing appropriate outerwear:
take the frigid temperatures in stride. We expedition did) or starved at the park. His snow pants, boots, coat, hat
make jokes like, “Oh look, it’s warmed FAITH GONG on principle. and mittens. He navigated
up to a balmy minus-5 degrees!” We stay ••••••• snowsuit was the playground heartily,
inside and are grateful for woodstoves, follows the district’s closures, announced The worst part about too puffy, his not minding the snow on
good books, hot drinks, and Darn Tough in multiple emails with capitalized subject frigid temperatures is how the ground or the ice at
lines that school WOULD carry on. One
boots too big to
socks. And when the temperature is they confine us indoors. I the bottom of the slides.
reasonable — anything above 10 degrees of these communications included the am the sort of mother who fit through the He asked to be put into
— we jump at the opportunity to go skiing. sentence: “We aren’t a bunch of weenies.” encourages my children leg holes. the swing — one of those
Still, things got so bad that our school That afternoon was my turn to pick up to play outside in all bucket swings for babies,
district cancelled school one day because our carpool group from the Tri-Valley conditions, adhering to with holes for their legs —
of the cold. Nothing was falling from the Transit bus stop (no issues with those the philosophy that there’s and squealed joyfully as I
sky, but the wind chill was supposed to buses starting, apparently). According no poor weather if you have appropriate pushed him.
make temperatures feel like –35 degrees. to my minivan the outside temperature outerwear (a philosophy I share with When he asked to be taken out of
It was a surprising move for Vermonters, was zero degrees. When I asked the four my daughters’ school). But sub-zero the swing, I realized I was in trouble: I
and there were mixed reactions to the middle schoolers in our carpool whether weather forces me to compromise: When couldn’t get him out. His snowsuit was too
district’s rationale (something about buses they’d stayed indoors, I was informed that my husband says, “I just heard that any puffy, his boots too big to fit through the
not starting and kids getting hypothermia the whole school had taken an outdoor exposed skin will be frostbitten in eight leg holes. Removing his boots might have
at recess). The independent school that my meditation walk in order to ponder their minutes,” I do not boot our children out helped, but they were tucked securely
two oldest daughters attend, which usually personal struggles and how they might the door. (See Being outside, Page 14)
PAGE 14 — Addison Independent • BABIES & FAMILIES • Thursday, February 17, 2022
Being outside
(Continued from Page 13) was a mama first — something that’s
under the elastic of his snow pants; plus, pretty rare after five children. Apparently
we still had time to play, and I didn’t want I hadn’t taken many snow-suited toddlers
to risk getting his feet cold and wet. The to the playground in the past.
boots weren’t the only issue: I am a short “I don’t know if I can get you out,
person, this swing was hung high, and my buddy,” I said to him. He smiled happily,
toddler is a solid little guy, so I couldn’t thinking this was a great joke, but I felt
achieve the proper angle to pull his puffy panic starting to rise. I cast my eyes around
little body out of the seat. at the houses surrounding the park but saw
After attempting vigorous tugs from no potential helpers in yards or windows.
various positions, I had to admit that this Calling the fire department for a child
stuck in a swing seemed overdramatic. So
I took desperate measures.
“OK, hold on tight; we’re going upside
down!” I said. I looked at the surrounding
houses again, this time hoping nobody
was watching.
Then, I got a firm grip on my son and
turned the entire seat upside down. As he
hung like a bat with his head at my knees,
I painstakingly worked his booted feet
out of the leg holes. Thankfully our son
is a laid-back little guy, so he thought the
whole thing was one big game.
This was the moment when I started
looking forward to summer, when it no
longer takes 15 minutes to suit up my
children for outdoor play, and swings
become harmless again.
•••••••
I don’t see much wildlife in January
aside from the chickadees that cluster
around the suet in our birdfeeder. So,
although there are plenty of deer in our
back field in other seasons, it was a shock
when a female white-tailed deer emerged
from the bushes about 50 yards from my
kitchen window.
“Oh wow!” I said aloud, pausing my
dishwashing to watch her progress across
the field. Head held high and with perfect
posture, she had places to go but wasn’t
rushed. The doe seemed to flow over the
frozen ground with a gracefulness that
took my breath away. TWO-YEAR-OLD LEVI GONG’S puffy coat, snow pants, mittens and boots keep
I know that winter is difficult for deer, him snug as a bug in a rug even during this very cold winter.
too, but this doe was so perfectly at home Photo by Erick Gong
in our January world that it felt like a
reminder. hard, harsh, heartbreaking; life is full elementary school teacher, a freelance
We are housebound, bundled into of light, love, and laughter. Both things photographer, and a nonprofit director.
awkward layers, hunched against the are absolutely true at the exact same She lives in Middlebury with her husband,
harsh cold, and sometimes trapped by time, which is how it is to be human on five children, assorted chickens and
GEORGIA GONG CLEARLY knows the ice, but the world around us remains earth. ducks, one feisty cat, and one anxiety-
how to have a good time in cold weather a place of startling beauty and wonder. ———— prone labradoodle. In her “free time”
— cover yourself with snow! Isn’t this how it always is? Life is
Photo by Erick Gong Faith Gong has worked as an she writes for her blog, The Pickle Patch.
Natural Beginnings “Celebrating over 30 years of helping children discover their love for learning”
VICKI KIRBY RN, IBCLC, RLC
A High Quality Early Care and Education Experience for children 6 weeks-5 years
Vicki is a board certified registered lactation consultant that offers Since 1984
home, phone, or telemedicine visits for mothers who are facing a
variety of breastfeeding challenges in Addison and Rutland counties, PROVIDING
and some areas in New York State. She also has a prenatal *A safe, responsive, stimulating, learning environment
monthly breastfeeding class available on Zoom. Mothers can feel *Continuity of being in the same setting with
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Addison Independent • BABIES & FAMILIES • Thursday, February 17, 2022 — PAGE 15
Home births rise in Vermont
In the early 1900s, nearly all American lockdowns and fears of family separation
women gave birth outside a hospital. By prompted more mothers to deliver at home.
the 1940s, less than 50% of them delivered HOME BIRTHS
their babies at home. And by the late Women who give birth at home often
1960s, just 1% did so. usually want to give birth in a comfortable
That’s pretty much where things stand setting. They want to be surrounded by
today. Almost all babies in the U.S. are family or friends. They want to avoid all
now delivered in a hospital — in stark the medications and medical interventions
contrast to what was commonplace a or interruptions that are so common during
century or so ago. hospital deliveries. And they typically
No one is likely to argue the tide is racing want to feel more in control of the entire
back toward out-of-hospital births, but birthing process.
it does seem to be leaning Cost tends to be a
in that direction — if only concern, too. Many Little
slightly.
According to the Centers The
pregnant women choose
home birth so they can man
for Disease Control and bypass the bills associated AT BRISTOL
percentage FAMILY Center
Prevention (CDC), the with most hospital births.
change in last week Colton
percentage of U.S. out-of- How much does a home Cousino uses a
hospital birth deliveries home births birth usually cost? Around drum as a seat
increased from 1.26% in $3,000, or about 60% less and plans the next
2011 to 1.36% in 2012.
from 2019 to than you’d pay if you gave move for the block
Most of these 2020 was up birth in a hospital, according in his hand.
Independent photo/
“alternative” deliveries 22% for all to the American Pregnancy Steve James
occur at home, although Association.
a good number take place of the United But outside-of-hospital
in freestanding birthing States. deliveries have their own
centers. (In 2012, just over costs, and you may have to
35,000 of the nearly 54,000 pay some or all of them out
out-of-hospital births in the of pocket, whether you have
U.S. happened at home. Birthing centers health insurance or not. Although a number
served as the setting for around 15,500 of of U.S. insurers now cover certain midwife
them.) services, many still balk at covering
The pandemic appears to have prompted planned home births, characterizing them
more families to opt for home births. With as “risky” or “not medically appropriate”
155 home births in the first year of the There are health insurance companies
pandemic, the number of mothers who that cover home births, though, so don’t
chose to give birth at home has increased give up if that’s how you want to deliver
30% in Vermont in the first year of the your baby. Contact your insurance
pandemic. That’s the 13th largest increase provider to see how — or if — your plan
nationwide, according to CDC data. treats this sort of situation. And even if
The percentage change in home births your health plan covers home births, don’t
from 2019 to 2020 was up 22% for all of be surprised if it ties some requirements to
the United States. South Dakota saw the that coverage. One example: you may have
biggest jump — 68% — and only one state to use a midwife who has been certified
saw a decrease in home births — New by state regulators. Also, you might need
Hampshire recorded a 1% decrease. to pay for various supplies or pieces of Helping young families get the right start
Recent increases are directly attributable equipment.
to the pandemic, as concerns over getting This story was provided by QuoteWizard.
COVID-19 at the hospital, hospital com.
Premature babies require specialized care
Infants born before the 37th week skin can appear thin and transparent. His
of gestation are considered premature or her features will seem sharper and less
(Normal gestation is around 40 weeks). round than the features of babies born at
The American Academy of Pediatrics says full-term. The absence of protective fat
premature births occur in about 11% to means a preemie will quickly get cold in
13% of pregnancies in the United States. normal room temperatures. It’s common
In addition, almost 60% of multiples for premature infants to be placed in an
pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.) result in incubator or under a radiant warmer to help
preterm births. maintain body temperature.
Initially, caring for children born Depending on how prematurely they
prematurely, often referred to as were born, preemies may spend days or
“preemies,” may differ from parenting a weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit
full-term baby. It is important that parents (NICU). Preemies sometimes have trouble
recognize this and acknowledge that breathing due to immature respiratory
premature babies require different care systems. Respiration and heart rate will be
than those born at full-term. monitored, and oxygen may be supplied • Parent Education • Home & Community Visits
The average full-term baby weighs to help ensure the organs get an adequate
around seven pounds, but a premie may supply. A continued positive airway
• Childcare • Learning Together Program
weigh five pounds or less. A preemie may pressure (CPAP) machine may be used • Developmental and Behavioral Screenings
look different from a full-term infant. temporarily to assist in breathing as well,
When compared to full-term babies, according to the Houston-based Sprout Email: info@addisoncountypcc.org
preemies’ heads will seem much larger in Pediatrics. Phone: (802) 388-3171
relation to the rest of their bodies. Also, Parents may be temporarily prevented Website: www.addisoncountypcc.org/
preemies tend to have less fat, so their (See Preemies, Page 16)
PAGE 16 — Addison Independent • BABIES & FAMILIES • Thursday, February 17, 2022
Childproofing your home takes some time and planning
It’s not long before newborns who injuries curious kids may suffer bumpers. • When the child reaches 35 inches in
need their parents to cater to their every during this period in their lives. This • Block all open outlets with outlet height or can climb out of the crib, it’s
need become toddlers who can’t wait to childproofing checklist can help reduce covers or safety plugs. time to transition to a toddler bed.
go exploring on their own. the risk of injury. • Place lockable covers on the • Choose toy chests or other furniture
The curiosity can come • Follow United States garbage. with spring-loaded hinges.
quickly, which underscores Consumer Product Safety • Install stove knob covers. • Do not hang heavy wall art or
how important it is for Commission crib safety • Use latches on any drawers, toilets, shelving over cribs.
parents to childproof their Install a regulations, which include doors or cabinets within the child’s • Cover radiators, hot pipes, etc. with
homes. temperature fixed sides, a firm mattress reach. protective materials.
Childproofing is guard on the and slats that are no more • Anchor heavy furniture, such as • Remove flaking paint and be sure to
essential in the nursery than 2 and 3⁄8 inches apart. televisions, bookshelves and dressers, to have paint tested for lead.
where children tend to water heater • Install carbon the walls. • Inspect the home for protruding
spend much of their and never set monoxide detectors and • Install safety guards on windows. nails, bolts or other hardware that can
time, but it’s necessary smoke detectors on every • Pull the crib away from other cause injury.
elsewhere in the house
it above 120 story of the house and furniture. These are some childproofing measures
as well. The Children’s degrees F. check batteries in detectors • Use cordless window blinds. parents can implement to keep kids safe.
Hospital of Los Angeles frequently. • Place gates at the top and bottom of Parents can customize childproofing
says fractures are the • Install a temperature stairs and use them to prevent access to plans based on their needs and the
most common injuries among infants guard on the water heater and never set rooms that are off limits. designs of their homes. Consult with a
and toddlers as they develop a sense of it above 120 degrees F. • Store cleaning supplies, tools and pediatrician for other tips on making a
curiosity and gain mobility. Head and • Cover all sharp furniture edges and breakable items out of reach or in a home safe for young children.
mouth/tooth injuries are some additional corners with safety padding or specialty locked cabinet. — Metro Creative
Preemies
(Continued from Page 15) order to be discharged from the hospital: the hospital, regular medical care and home from the hospital. As a result, parents
from holding their infant while they are • Maintain body temperature in an open evaluation are advised. may have to wait to welcome visitors until
in the NICU. However, once the child crib for at least 24 to 48 hours, depending Preemies often need extra nourishment the infant is a little older.
becomes stable, and only after careful on how premature the baby was at birth. because they have to catch up to the Premature babies require some extra
sanitation, it’s possible for new moms • Feed by bottle or breast without growth of full-term infants. Patience is care to help them thrive. Parents can work
and dads to hold their baby. Visitors to the supplemental tube feedings. necessary since preemies require smaller, with trusted pediatricians to give their
NICU likely will not be allowed to hold • Gain weight steadily. more frequent feedings. Preemies have infants the best opportunities to grow and
the child, however. Most premature infants do not need delicate immune systems, so they may be develop.
A preemie must meet certain criteria in specialized medical support after leaving vulnerable to viral infections once they go — Metro Creative
MiniBury
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ADDISON INDEPENDENT
A RELIABLE RESOURCE FOR PARENTS Happy
SEEKING FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS, learner
ACTIVITIES, CAMPS AND CLASSES IN YOU CAN TELL
just how much fun
AND AROUND MIDDLEBURY Brynn McClellan
has while finding
the raccoon faces
on her toy at
the Otter Creek
Child Center in
Middlebury.
Photo courtesy
Things to do Calendar of Otter Creek Child
Center
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