For good or bad, celebrities influence many of us in subtle and big ways. While I like to think of myself as a creative individual who's not overly influenced by what women in Hollywood are doing or wearing -- when I stopped to think about it the other day (after reading our piece on Celebrity Baby Names) -- I had to admit that Hollywood has had an impact on my life in more ways than I realized. For one, several years ago I had my hair cut a la Jennifer Aniston's layered Friends-look. I'm still wearing my hair this way (see pic!). I'm also not embarrassed to say that the inspiration for my first son's name came from Meg Ryan. I remember being 6 months pregnant and reading in People Magazine about her son Jack Henry. I loved how both of these names flowed together and sounded so strong. My husband's name happens to be John, and since Jack is a form of John, we figured it would definitely suit our first baby. Eight years later, and pregnant again at 40 with my third son, we settled on the name Henry Aidan. I know, his first name is my first son's middle name. But I'm just in love with the name Henry. So I got a real chuckle when I saw just a few months later that Julia Roberts had named her third child Henry. This time around, I was actually ahead of the trend! Do you think we're overly influenced by celebrities in the U.S.? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Write to me at editor@realsavvymoms.com and let me know what you think.

Best,

Maureen Connolly

Editor, Real Savvy Moms

FDA Warns Against Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream

By Emma Brown, Real Savvy Moms' TV Host

Breast may indeed be best when it comes to feeding infants, but a product marketed specifically to nursing moms was recalled on May 23, by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream,” made by MOM Enterprises, Inc. contains two chemicals -- phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin -- that may cause respiratory distress, vomiting, and diarrhea in infants.

The product was sold as a salve to soothe and heal irritated, dry, and cracked nipples; its label specifically says that there is no need to clean off the cream before nursing.

The two chemicals in question have potentially serious side effects. Chlorphenesin is a muscle relaxant and is used primarily in the treatment of sprains and injuries. It works by blocking nerve impulses or pain sensations that are sent to the brain, and can depress the central nervous system and cause slow or shallow breathing in infants. It is not commercially available in the United States and it is not approved for use in children. Pregnant women are advised not to use it, unless directed by their doctors, as its affects on unborn babies is unknown. Nursing mothers are also advised to not use it as it may pass into breast milk. Phenoxyethanol is a more widely used ingredient, found in skin creams, perfumes, and insect repellants. It is used to preserve fragrance. In Europe it is classified both as harmful if swallowed and as an irritant, especially if it comes in contact with skin, eyes, or lungs.

The FDA has enough compelling evidence about each of the chemicals to warn women to avoid using products containing them, but another concern is how they interact with one another. "FDA is particularly concerned that nursing infants are being unwittingly exposed by their mothers to this product with dangerous side effects,” says Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Additionally, these two ingredients may interact with one another to further compound and increase the risk of respiratory depression in nursing infants," Woodcock says.

MOM Enterprises has recalled all of the Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream and, as of today, the FDA has had no reports of injuries to infants as a result of their mothers using this cream. However if you have used this product recently and your baby displays signs of a reaction, including a decrease in appetite, limpness of extremities, a decrease in strength, difficulty in awakening, or a change of skin color, call your doctor or 911 immediately and report it to the FDA’s Med Watch on 1(800) 332-1088 or https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm.

Forty, Fabulous, and Having Babies

By Dana Sullivan

A woman’s fertility may start to decline in her late 20s, but that doesn’t seem to putting the brakes on a soaring trend: women 40 and older having babies, some for the first time. And nowhere is the trend more evident than in Hollywood. In the last year 40+ A-list celebrities including Marcia Cross, Halle Berry, and Salma Hayek have all had their first babies.

Some women are using assisted reproductive technology such as fertility medications, in-vitro fertilization -- Marcia Cross has acknowledged that she got pregnant with her twin daughters via IVF -- and egg donation, which may partly account for the jump in the number of babies born to women 40 and older during the last decade or so. In 1995 there were 67,250 babies born to women between the ages of 40 and 44. In 2006 that number jumped to 105,476 (the latest statistics available from the Centers for Disease Control’s National Vital Statistics System). And the number of babies born to women older than 44 rose from 2,727 to 6,958. Surprisingly, more than half of these pregnancies are unintended. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit reproductive health research organization based in New York, teenagers and women between the ages of 20 and 24 are the only groups with higher rates of unplanned pregnancies than women in their 40s.

Of course these women also face some special risks. Women in their 40s have a greater chance of having a baby with birth defects such as Down syndrome, and they have greater chances of developing gestational diabetes, placental problems such as placenta previa, and premature delivery, than younger women do. Because these risks are higher, women in their 40s are also more likely to deliver their babies by c-section than women in the 20s and 30s. Even though women older than 35 are considered of “advanced maternal age,” the majority of women in their mid- to late- 30s and 40s have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies, according to the March of Dimes.

Too Sweet for Baby's Own Good
By Dana Sullivan

Earlier this month, news reports about the high sugar content of a popular brand of organic infant formula gave parents and pediatricians pause, and raised concerns about the ingredients in all infant formula. The formula in question, Similac Organic, is sweetened with sucrose – e.g. table sugar -- instead of lactose – sugar found naturally in milk -- which is what the majority of formula brands use, explains Sarah Krieger, R.D., M.P.H., a national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “Sucrose is sweeter than lactose so if you start babies on a sweeter formula they will learn to prefer sweeter foods,” says Krieger. Starting next year, sucrose-sweetened formulas will be banned in Europe, except with a doctor’s prescription.

Krieger is also concerned that down the road parents who rely on organic labels might assume an organic product is automatically superior to other food choices. “A cookie made with all organic ingredients is certainly not more nutritious than an apple,” says Krieger who works with children at All Children’s Hospital in St Petersburg, Florida. She reminds parents that breast milk is the best source of infant nutrition, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and then continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate solid foods, at least until a baby’s first birthday.
If you are feeding your baby formula, here’s what you need to know:

• All infant formulas are nutritionally complete and designed to support an infant’s growth and development, but as a sweetener lactose is preferred to sucrose. Never try to make your own version of infant formula.
• Most infant formula is made with cow's milk that has been altered so that it is as close to human breast milk as possible. Infant formula contains a specific ratio of carbohydrates, proteins and fat. The proteins have also been modified so that a baby’s digestive system can process them – that is one reason babies younger than one year should never be given cow’s milk.
• Some infant formula is soy-based. Babies who are allergic to the proteins in cow's milk formula, or who can't digest lactose, a sugar naturally present in cow's milk, may do better with soy formula (soy formula is not the same as soy milk). If you’re concerned that cow’s milk formula is difficult for your baby to digest, talk with your pediatrician.
• If you have a family history of milk allergies, your pediatrician may recommend a protein hydrolysate formula. It’s easier to digest and reduces the chances of allergic reactions.
• Generic and name-brand formulas all have to meet the same nutrition requirements set by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Manufactures may have slightly different formulations, but all formulas must contain minimum amounts of protein, fats, amino acids and other nutrients.
• Always choose an iron-fortified formula. “Iron does not cause constipation,” says Krieger. And iron deficiency is linked with a host of developmental problems.

Summer Corporate Makeover - Part 1
By Rita Ragone

Corporate makeovers are really hot these days. The reason: the job market has become so tough, and the competition tougher. So all women--and especially moms returning to work-- really need to stay on top of their game. Many of my clients who come to me for head-to toe makeovers are ready to re-enter the corporate world. It is so important to make the proper changes in your appearance that will update your look and give you an edge.

This is the first installment of a four-part series of my Me Time articles to help you get that edge.

First, let's focus on hair. When re-entering your career, or going on interviews with agents or head-hunters, you really want your hair to reflect a professional woman. The first thing to do is go out and get a good, simple cut. I know that the main complaint most people have is that there is no time to take care of the family’s needs and have time for a sophisticated hair style. My advice is to bring pictures of a sleek-looking shoulder-length and above- styles that you know you can manage. Long bangs and angles around your face will give a very soft look to your face, even if you don’t get enough sleep. You can opt to wear a gentle twist in the back and secure it with bobby pins (not a plastic clip) so it looks professional and neat. You can also go for an inexpensive blow-out the day of to ensure your hair looks great so you feel great!

For our curly-haired ladies, you may love your curls and not want to straighten your hair, so just make sure you control them so they appear to be closer to your head and not frizzy and unkempt- looking. I have heard more complaints from head-hunters about their curly-haired clients than any other hair type. You can also secure your hair back low on the nape of your neck with a pretty clip, so you are not foregoing your beautiful curls. You can also use hot rollers to keep them more controlled.

Just remember that no matter what style you choose, you are always beautiful, and that what's inside and what you have to offer the company is the most important thing. Be empowered with your subtle makeover and give me some feedback on how you’re doing!

Happy (job) hunting!

'Til next time!

Celebrities Catapult Baby Names to Stardom
By Pamela Redmond Satran & Linda Rosenkrantz

The brightest stars on the newly-released Social Security list of most popular baby names for 2007 are those associated with celebrities. While Emily and Jacob topped the popularity list again, the big news is the powerful influence of celebrities on baby naming, with star-linked names such as Miley and Scarlett, Evangeline and even Elvis making the fastest leaps up the charts.

The names of the stars themselves, the choices they make for their children, and even the names of popular characters are all inspiring parents in a big way. The most outstanding example of this is the name Miley, which came into being when country singer Billy Ray Cyrus gave it as a nickname to his smiley baby Destiny Hope in 1992; this year it blazed onto the charts at #278, an almost unprecedented phenomenon. The colossal success of the “Hannah Montana” star inspired more than 1,200 parents to give her name to their daughters.

Equally impressive is the success of the name Kingston, used by rockers Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale for their son in 2006; it showed the biggest spike of any single name on the list, rising a stunning 587 places to number 355.

Among the Top 20 names, many have celebrity ties. Jayden, the name of Britney Spears’ younger son, made its first appearance in the boys’ Top 20 this year (the name also leapt 31 places for girls), along with Addison on the girls’ side, the name of a popular character on the television show Grey’s Anatomy.

Many of the most popular names for girls connect to glamour girl celebrities of the past, including Ava (Gardner) at number 4, further popularized by Reese Witherspoon, Heather Locklear, and Hugh Jackman who all used it for their daughters; Sophia (Loren) at number 6; Olivia (de Havilland) at number 7; Elizabeth (Taylor) at number 10; Natalie (Wood) at number 17; Grace (Kelly) at number 20, and Audrey (Hepburn) at 51.

Young female stars are also having an influence. Hayden is now a hot girl’s name, rising to number 195 from 417, thanks primarily to Hayden Panettiere, the young star of “Heroes.” Other attractive celebrities inspiring baby namers are Evangeline, as in Evangeline Lilly of “Lost,” at number 459; Rihanna, number 415, inspired by the Barbados-born singer; Kimora, 364, (Lee Simmons); Scarlett, 219, (Johansson); Keira (Knightly) at 128, and Angelina Jolie, whose last name is also now making strides as a first.

Shiloh, the name of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s young daughter, debuted on the list this year at number 804. We were the first to track starbaby names in our book Beyond Jennifer & Jason, published initially by St. Martin’s Press in 1988, and the phenomenon has taken off in our 20 years of research. Other celebrity baby names influencing real life parents include:

• Hazel, up 104 places to 361, twin daughter of Julia Roberts
• Eden, up 63 places to 257, twin daughter of Marcia Cross
• Cruz and Romeo, two of the Beckham boys, each up 67 places to 431 and 505
• Ryder, the name of Kate Hudson’s young son, up 40 places to 217
• Violet, daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, up 30 spots to 231

Suri, the name of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ newsworthy toddler, is notably
absent from the list. The child is adorable, but the name Suri may just be too exotic for most parents. A celebrity link is not a guarantee that a baby name will become a star.

And some celebrity names are notably sliding down the list. London may be getting hotter as a girls’ name, for example, but Paris is losing ground, down to number 385 from a high of 157 in 2004.

Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz are the coauthors of eight bestselling baby-naming books, including Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Cool Names for Babies, and The Baby Name Bible. Their website is www.babynamebible.com.

Real Moms, Real Stories Real Savvy »
Watch Every Thursday at 2:30pm EST

Our award-winning parenting series now on in the Tri-State area at 2:30pm on Thursdays. For the rest of the country, check your local PBS stations for day and time.