Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology’s Post

What if one day the safest thing to do for your baby was to only give powdered milk and no longer breast milk? Why? Because every mother’s breast milk contained too much microplastics and ‘forever chemicals’ that would damage the child… That was a chilling thought that came to me this evening. As a breastfeeding mom, I know it isn’t easy to establish breastfeeding in the first place and persevere even when you fall ill or your baby is teething and bites you. It’s tough. I’ve been ill this week and just keeping up with the night feeds took every bit of energy and determination I could muster. But what if… in me doing so, despite all that effort, I led to my baby’s unfortunate fate. Like the albatross birds that fed their chicks with their catch from the sea but in all that effort to feed them as best they could ended up starving them because their bellies got filled with too much plastic be it directly or in the fish they ate. Was it the fault of the parents to try and feed them the way they knew best? So when we tell ourselves it is something that someone else needs to solve, that it is only when we get rich that we can afford to make better choices…. I’d like to invite you to consider… ‘How can I BECOME RICH WHILE HELPING TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS? Some of us will solve it as the solution providers. Some of us will solve it as the networkers who bridged the providers to those in need. Some will solve it as the financiers and resource providers. And the list can go on… If you want to find how you could be part of the solution through business reach out to Circular Business Association. My children’s births were my motivation to do more, faster. As lone wolves making personal buying choices, we’ll never solve this. But as a pack of wolves, we have a chance. p/s if your wondering why a non-profit society is talking about profits and becoming rich, you probably need to read this https://lnkd.in/eQfYexa3

Let's hear it for our postpartum doulas! Improved Physical Health: Postpartum doulas can assist new moms with recovering physically after giving birth, including healing from cesarean surgeries or tears in the perineum. Emotional Well-being: Postpartum doulas can offer emotional support and reassurance to new parents who may be feeling anxious, depressed, or facing other emotional difficulties at this time. Better Sleep: Postpartum doulas can help new parents get more rest by providing overnight care for the baby, allowing parents to relax and recuperate. Increased Confidence: Postpartum doulas can guide and support new parents, helping them feel more self-assured and capable as they navigate the challenges of becoming parents for the first time. To show your support for postpartum doulas make a donation here: https://bit.ly/49jA4a8

👉There is still no clear reason or prevention for cleft conditions. Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft, and more often than not, families discover the condition only after birth. 🧒 This was the case for Shyam and his family. Shyam's mother, Rakhi, received three ultrasounds during her pregnancy, but none of them detected his cleft lip. When Shyam was born at a hospital in Durgapur, Rakhi was blindsided by the sight of her son’s cleft. The immediate reaction was a mix of shock and confusion, as no one in the family had anticipated this. Villagers and even some family members believed that Shyam's condition was caused by a solar eclipse, a superstition deeply rooted in their community. In January 2020, Shyam finally received a life-changing surgery during an Operation Smile mission to Durgapur Cleft Center, India. 🙏 The medical team was kind and supportive, explaining every step of the procedure to Rakhi. The surgery was a success, and the transformation was immediate. Shyam's cleft was repaired, and his smile became a symbol of hope for his family and community. 🎊 Shyam’s story is a testament to the resilience of families and the profound impact that timely medical intervention can have on a child's life. Operation Smile continues to bring hope and healing to children around the world, ensuring that every child has the chance to live a healthy, happy life. 🌎 #cleftawarenessmonth #CleftAwareness #CleftStrong #OperationSmile #operationsmileaustralia #charity #MedicalCharity

One of the challenges that we face in 2024 is how social media has changed. Have you felt it? Is your company feeling it? It seems that posts get suppressed and you have to pay to play. Well, for us, we felt it. We started to feel it (Not here on Linkedin though.) We saw posts get suppressed to the point that we get a few likes. From 100s of likes that were organic years ago, we get 20. But the difference is - there's a child behind those likes. There's a child who needs help, a child who needs surgery. So the question is - do we spend money promoting it? with the risk that we won't get donations? or do we go back to our roots and email or send letters? (which we are doing :)) So I wanted to share one kid that we sent a letter out... and maybe you may be inspired to help Kailey get surgery. Kailey needs your help now! Kailey has a meningocele and urgently needs life-saving surgery. In simple terms, a meningocele is a sac that sticks out from the baby's back because the spine didn't form quite right before the baby was born. Meningocele requires surgery to fix and prevent further issues with the baby's health and development. If not operated on right away, it gets larger, affects the child's ability to move properly, and causes problems with the spinal cord and even nerve damage. Like many children in the Philippines. Kailey has been on waitlists in the charity wards of public hospitals since birth because, as her mom explained, “they prioritize people who are dying.” We simply cannot afford to wait until Kailey reaches the top of this priority list. Currently, Kailey’s lump measures 22.5 inches from top to bottom and 10.5 inches from left to right. This surgery is her best chance to grow without the burden of her condition holding her back and have a fulfilling future. Can you please help Kailey undergo this crucial surgery? https://lnkd.in/eB_5f2kR

As we approach NF2 Awareness Day on May 22, Real people affected by NF2 are sharing their journeys, shedding light on the challenges they face. Today we meet Kim who explains the challenges and complexities of having a family when diagnosed with a rare disease such as NF2 which can be inherited. It is so very important when dealing with these things we are mentally and physically prepared and are able to understand our unique situations. "I was diagnosed with mosaic NF2 just over 10 years ago, in my late 30s. I remember feeling absolutely terrified not knowing what that meant for my future (sometimes I still do). Googling about NF2 before I was able to see the specialists at Guys Hospital did not help! Fortunately, I was in a supportive relationship with my partner Sean at the time and still am. We spoke to a specialist about options for having children and decided to take the approach of natural pregnancy and testing for the NF2 gene at 10 weeks, using chorionic villus sampling. Neither of my two boys have NF2. I’ve had challenges over the years, including gamma knife surgery on a vestibular schwannoma, hearing loss, vocal cord reinnervation surgery, and am on medication to control trigeminal neuralgia and swollen optic nerves. But…I also work full time, have an amazing family, am doing my masters degree in criminology and spend time with wonderful friends drinking a lot of coffee. One of the NF2 nurses at Guy’s Hospital once said to me she had a patient who saw his NF2 as something he would store in a box, and he would take it out and deal with whatever he needed to, then put it back in. This has always stayed with me. I know not everyone with NF2 is able to put it back in a box, especially the physical symptoms. Despite the mental and physical strain we all face in varying degrees, I hope we all get to still grab those periods of happiness Please consider donating to research, sharing your story & raising awareness. You can donate here to our research https://lnkd.in/euWUGuTS #endNF2 #NF2awareness #NF2Schwannomatosis #schwannomatosis #NF2support #nf2 #nf2family #nf2warrior #LetstalkNF2

Every child's heart deserves to beat strong and free. Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are the most common type of birth defect, affecting the structure and function of a baby’s heart. These defects can range from simple issues that require no treatment to complex conditions that need multiple surgeries. At Genesis Foundation, we're dedicated to raising awareness about CHD. Understanding CHD is the first step in supporting these young hearts and ensuring they get the best start in life. Let's work together to spread knowledge and bring hope to families affected by CHD. Your donation can help bring hope to children in need, click the link : https://lnkd.in/gKB5xBRQ to know more. #CHD #CongenitalHeartDefects #HeartHealth #ChildrensHealth #SaveLittleHearts #CHDAwareness #CHDCommunity #HeartAwareness #HealthEducation #EarlyDetection #PediatricHealth #HeartWarriors #SupportCHD #HopeForHearts #HealthMatters #FamilySupport #HeartDefects #ChildhoodDiseases (CHD info, congenital heart defects, heart health tips, child health awareness, heart defect support, pediatric heart care, health education, CHD support, young heart awareness,childhood diseases, pediatric health)

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss (P.A.I.L.) Awareness Month, and Alive In My Heart, in partnership with Miles' Mission, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Columbus Public Health, is proud to co-host the 2024 P.A.I.L. Remembrance and Awareness Walk! The walk is free and open to the public. Pregnancy and infant loss is a deeply personal tragedy that affects far too many women and families. But it’s more than just a personal loss—it’s a public issue that intersects with women’s health, rights, and justice. Ohio has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, making this event even more crucial for raising awareness and driving advocacy. This walk is not only about remembering the precious lives lost but also about amplifying the need for support, understanding, and advocacy for women and families experiencing P.A.I.L. Together, we can create change—so that no one has to suffer in silence, and every woman and family is afforded the respect, support, and care they deserve. Here’s how you can help today: 1. Share this information with everyone you know  2. Attend the walk – registration is required  3. Help us keep the walk free by joining our amazing donors Click here to register and donate: https://lnkd.in/gnfjZdjV Every share, every step, and every donation brings us closer to creating a world where no family has to experience P.A.I.L. alone. #pregnancyandinfantlossawareness #womensrights #PAILawareness

9th August 2024 is 🔴 Red Nose Day. It is a day of fundraising where people come together to raise money for Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by wearing red noses and acting silly. SIDS is the unexplained death or a young baby👶🏻, usually during sleep. Funds raised on Red Nose Day over the last 36 years have resulted in an incredible 80 per cent reduction in sudden infant deaths. That's 12,069 babies saved and counting.👏 Red Nose Day sparked a global movement and catalysed research into the reasons why babies die suddenly in their sleep. And because of that, we now have six evidence-based steps all parents can take to reduce the risk of their baby dying in their sleep.💪 None of this would have been possible without the incredible public support for Red Nose Day. But the fight must continue. And we still need your help. Because more than 3,000 babies still die suddenly and unexpectedly each year in Australia. We are losing them to stillbirth, SIDS among other things. 🥹3,000 little lives taken before they've had the chance to grow up – that's 9 little lives taken every single day. And 9 Australian families devastated, every single day. 😬The latest research tells us that more than a third of new parents don't know how to safely sleep their baby, and that many expectant parents don't know that there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of stillbirth. With 300,000 babies born each year – and 180,000 to first time parents – it's vital we keep the pressure on. Because we know what happens when the messages stop getting through. While we know that not all deaths are preventable, there are many things parents can do to reduce the risk of it happening. And that's why Red Nose Day is still so important. To find how you can get involved with 🔴Red Nose Day, go to https://lnkd.in/ggRFwTcC

February is not just about Valentine's Day—it's also American Heart Month! Since 1963, the American Heart Association has designated February as a time to rally against heart disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women, claiming the lives of 630,000 Americans annually. In the spirit of American Heart Month, let's shed light on the critical need for organ donation. Presently, over 4,000 individuals in the US anxiously await a new heart. A heart transplant isn't just a medical procedure; it's a lifeline that gives years of life to heart recipients and their families. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there is an 85% survival rate at one-year post-surgery. This American Heart Month, let's elevate our collective voice for heart health, advocating for awareness, prevention, and the life-changing act of organ donation. #AmericanHeartMonth #OrganDonation #HeartHealth #SaveLives