Gisele Bundchen’s breastfeeding stand

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen roiled the blogosphere this week when, in an interview with the U.K. Harpers Bazaar, she suggested that all new mothers should breastfeed their children for the first six months of life.

In the interview, which hit newsstands earlier this week, Bundchen declared, “There should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months. Are you going to give chemical food to your child, when they are so little?”

Parenting groups have lined up on both sides to share their views on Bundchen’s assertion. Some praise her adamant advocacy for breastfeeeding and its nutritional and psychological benefits. Others say she’s trying to use her celebrity status (besides being a supermodel, she’s married to New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady, if you weren’t aware) to force her views on everyone and, as a non-expert, shouldn’t be leading the charge on the issue.

After hundreds of comments surfaced on Twitter and elsewhere, Bundchen softened her stance in a comment on her blog. “It’s unfortunate that in an interview sometimes things can seem so black and white,” she said. “I am sure if I would just be sitting talking about my experiences with other mothers, we would just be sharing opinions. I understand that everyone has their own experience and opinions and I am not here to judge.”

REPLAY CHAT: What you need to know about immunizations

August is always a busy time for immunizations. Children are going back to school or daycare and are getting their immunizations updated.  Also, the  flu season will be here before we know it.

Diana Stahle, Teresa Krone, and Lori Smith, Linn County Public Health nursing staff, took questions from Parenting Ain’t Easy users from 11 a.m. to noon today.

Replay their live chat below.

‘Nap Nanny’ recliners recalled

Portable baby recliners that are supposed to help fussy babies sleep better are being recalled after the death of an infant.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall Monday of 30,000 Nap Nanny recliners made by Baby Matters LLC of Berwyn, Pa.

CPSC says it’s investigating a report that a 4-month-old girl from Royal Oak, Mich., died in a Nap Nanny that was being used in a crib. The child was reportedly found hanging over the side of the foam recliner, caught between the Nap Nanny and the crib’s bumper.

The agency says it is aware of 22 reports of infants, mostly under 5 months, falling over the side of the Nap Nanny despite most of the babies being strapped into the harness on the recliner. The Nap Nanny is not meant to be used in a crib and instead should be placed on the floor away from other products, CPSC said.

The Nap Nanny was designed to mimic the curves of a car seat — elevating a baby slightly to help reduce reflux, gas, stuffiness or other problems.

The recliners were sold at toy and children’s retail stores nationwide and online from January 2009 through this month. They cost about $130.

Consumers should contact the company to receive new product instructions and warnings and in certain cases, a coupon toward the purchase of a new Nap Nanny.

More information on the recall from the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Police remind parents to not leave children in hot cars

Nineteen child deaths in the United States as a result of being left in hot vehicles this year alone has prompted the Iowa City Police Department to issue a strong warning to adults: do not leave a child unattended in or around a vehicle.

“Never do it,” said Sergeant Denise Brotherton of the Iowa City Police Department. “Never get in the habit of doing it.”

Sgt. Brotherton believes warmer weather during this time of year gives adults a false sense of security that it is okay to leave a child for a few minutes to go into a store.

“When you look at the time it takes to get your child out of the car it’s really a couple of minutes,” Brotherton said. “[Then compare that to] the lifetime of losing your child. What’s more important? ”

Experts say when the outside temperature is 93 degrees Fahrenheit, inside a vehicle, even with the window slightly open, the temperature can soar to 125 degrees in just 20 minutes.

Pediatricians say because the heat is so intense a child can go “quickly into a coma a die,” according to Dr. Charles Jennissen, director of the division of pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

A San Francisco State University report finds that since 1998, 464 U-S children have died of hypothermia after being left in hot vehicles. Five of those fatalities were in Iowa.

“Unfortunately, you have those heart sinking deaths where children are left in those cars and they suffocate from the heat,” Brotherton said.

To avoid these deaths, Iowa City police are offering the following tips:

-Place a stuffed toy in your child’s car seat when not in use, and move the toy to the front passenger seat when your child is in the car seat as a reminder that your child is in the vehicle.

-While driving with a child, use drive-through services whenever possible.

- If you see a child unattended in a hot vehicle, call 911 and try to write down the license plate so that police can follow-up with the offender.

Iowa City Police Department is hopeful that these tactics may prevent an unnecessary death.

‘Shrek’ glass recall latest cadmium worry

Cadmium has been discovered in the painted design on “Shrek”-themed drinking glasses being sold nationwide at McDonald’s, forcing the burger giant to recall 12 million of the cheap U.S.-made collectibles while dramatically expanding contamination concerns about the toxic metal beyond imported children’s jewelry.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the voluntary recall early Friday, warned consumers to immediately stop using the glasses; McDonald’s said it would post instructions on its website next week regarding refunds.

The 16-ounce glasses, being sold for about $2 each as part of a promotional campaign for the movie “Shrek Forever After,” were available in four designs depicting the characters Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots and Donkey.

In the animated comedy, which debuted May 21 as the latest installment of the successful DreamWorks Animation franchise, the voice of Shrek is performed by Mike Myers of “Austin Powers” fame, Cameron Diaz performs as Princess Fiona, Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots and Eddie Murphy voices Donkey. The movie has been No. 1 at the box office since its release.

The CPSC noted in its recall notice that “long-term exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects.” Cadmium is a known carcinogen that research shows also can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems.

In the case of the Shrek-themed glassware, the potential danger would be long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium, which could leach from the paint onto a child’s hand, then enter the body if the child puts that unwashed hand to his or her mouth.

Cadmium can be used to create reds and yellows in paint. McDonald’s USA spokesman Bill Whitman said a pigment in paint on the glasses contained cadmium.

“A very small amount of cadmium can come to the surface of the glass, and in order to be as protective as possible of children, CPSC and McDonald’s worked together on this recall,” said CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson. He would not specify the amounts of cadmium that leached from the paint in tests, but said the amounts were “slightly above the protective level currently being developed by the agency.”

Wolfson said the glasses have “far less cadmium than the children’s metal jewelry that CPSC has previously recalled.”

Concerns about cadmium exposure emerged in January, when The Associated Press reported that some items of children’s jewelry sold at major national chains contained up to 91 percent of the metal. Federal regulators worry that kids could ingest cadmium by biting, sucking or even swallowing contaminated pendants and bracelets.

The consumer protection agency has issued three recalls this spring for jewelry highlighted in the AP stories, including products sold at Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer; at Claire’s, a major jewelry and accessories chain in North America and Europe; and at discount and dollar stores.

Those recalls all involved children’s metal jewelry — and all of that jewelry was made in China.

Manufactured by ARC International of Millville, N.J., the glasses were to be sold from May 21 into June. Roughly seven million of the glasses had been sold; another approximately five million are in stores or have not yet been shipped, said Whitman.

Associated Press reporters tried unsuccessfully to buy the glasses late Thursday at McDonald’s in New York, Los Angeles and northern New Jersey but were alternately told the merchandise was sold out, no longer available or “there’ll be more tomorrow.”

E-mails sent after business hours to two spokesmen for ARC International seeking comment were not immediately returned.

McDonald’s said it was asking customers to stop using the glasses “out of an abundance of caution.”

“We believe the Shrek glassware is safe for consumer use,” Whitman said. “However, again to ensure that our customers receive safe products from us, we made the decision to stop selling them and voluntarily recall these products effective immediately.”

Whitman said that as the CPSC develops new protocols and standards for cadmium in consumer products, “we adjust as necessary to ensure that our customers can continue to trust what they receive from McDonald’s.”

Federal scrutiny of the glasses began last week. The Washington office of U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat who has proposed strictly limiting cadmium in jewelry, received what a spokesman described as an anonymous tip that testing with an X-ray gun that estimates how much cadmium an item contains indicated the metal was present in the glass paint. Speier’s office requested samples of the glasses from the tipster, and upon receiving them May 27 sent them to the CPSC for further investigation.

“Our children’s health should not depend on the consciences of anonymous sources,” Speier said in a statement Friday. “Although McDonald’s did the right thing by recalling these products, we need stronger testing standards to ensure that all children’s products are proven safe before they hit the shelves.”

Greetings from camp! Plenty of summer options for kids

Need a way to keep your child active this summer? Whether your children love sports, art, nature, music, theater or science, here are just some of the dozens of opportunities in the Corridor area ready to quench their thirst for exploring, learning and playing all summer long.

4-H Camps

• 

  Rocio Stejskal, 7, left, and Claire Green, 6, choose beads to string on lanyards during the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department's summer art camp in July 2008 as Niki Brashers-Krug, 11, watches. (Meredith Hines-Dochterman/The Gazette)

  What: Do science experiments, art activities, play games, and have nutritious snacks.

• Lone Tree: Mondays: June 14 to July 26. Iowa City, Lucas Elementary, Mondays: June 14 to July 26. Iowa City, Lemme Elementary, Thursdays: June 17 to July 29. Iowa City, Willow Creek Park, Mondays: June 14 to July 26. Solon, Tuesdays: June 15 to July 27. North Liberty, Wednesdays: June 16 to July 28. Swisher, Wednesdays: June 16 to July 28. Tiffin, Thursdays: June 17 to July 29. Oxford, Fridays: June 18 to July 30. Coralville, Fridays: June 18 to July 30.
• Ages: First through fifth grade
• Cost: $10 per child. Register by May 21.
• Contact: (319) 337-2145

AREA CAMPS

Camp Hitaga, TROY MILLS

• What: An overnight camp located north of Cedar Rapids for boys and girls in kindergarten through 11th grade. Sponsored by Camp Fire USA Iowana Council.
• When: Weekly sessions begin June 20 and conclude July 31.
• Open houses: May 23 and 30, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Cost: $295 to $380 per week
• Contact: Call the Council office at (319) 294-2411 or the director, Suz Welch, at (515) 230-5869.
• www.camphitaga.org

ARTS

Arts Camp; Iowa City Dist 51_56

• What: Create art projects using a variety of materials and go on field trips around the community. Registration through June 13.
• When: June 14 to Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• Supervised play is available from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. at no added fee.
• Ages: Second through sixth grade
• Cost: $135 per week; Contact: Iowa City Parks and Recreation, (319) 356-5100
• www. icgov.org

Ceramic Center Camps

• What: A variety of art classes for kids from first to eighth grade. Camps are broken down into age groups, first to second grade; third to fifth grade and sixth to eighth grade. Camps are weekly and cover a variety of topics.
• For a full list, visit the website.
• Cost: $75 for members, $80 for non-members
• Contact: The Ceramics Center, 329 10th Ave. SE, Suite 117, Cedar Rapids, (319) 365-9644
• www. theceramicscenter.org

DAY CAMPS

Cedar Rapids Recreation Department Day Camp

• 

  Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca counselor Amanda Runey of Rochester, Mich., sprays mud and soap off camper, Holly Regan, 11, of Ely after the campers played on a homemade slip and slide in June 2007. (Laura Segall/The Gazette)

  What: Spend your days playing games, making crafts, swimming, participating in special events and going on occasional field trips.

• Where: Noelridge Park or Cherry Hill Park
• When: June 14 through Aug. 13, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday; Ages: 6 to 12
• Cost: $28 per day or $118 per week for Cedar Rapids residents, $34 or $111 for non-residents Contact: Cedar Rapids Recreation Department, (319) 286-5731
• www.crrec.org

Jane Boyd Community House Summer Day Camp

• What: A summer day camp for children who have completed kindergarten to age 12.
• When: Monday through Friday, June 14 through Aug. 20, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: Kimberly Abram-Bryant, Jane Boyd Community House, 943 14th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, (319) 366-0431
• kabram-bryant@janeboyd.org

Coralville Day Camps  (CORALVILLE, NORTH LIBERTY)

• What: Experience arts and crafts, field trips, library time, sports and active games, swimming, and more.
• When: June 9 to Aug. 6
• Where: S.T. Morrison Park and the Coralville Recreation Center, Van Allen Elementary, Wickham Elementary
• Ages: Kindergarten through sixth grade
• Contact: Coralville Recreation Department, (319) 248-1750
• www.coralville.org/index.aspx?NID=418

Coralville Trail Trekkers (CORALVILLE)

• What: Students are required to have a working bike and helmet in order to participate in field trips, community service projects, swimming, and exploring.
• When: June 14 through July 29, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday Ages: Sixth through ninth grade
• Contact: Coralville Recreation Department, (319) 248-1750
• www.coralville.org

COMPUTER CAMPS

Youth Tech Inc. (CEDAR RAPIDS)

• What: An interactive computer camp that encourages creativity, fun and academic excellence.
• Where: Ambroz Recreation Center, 2000 Mount Vernon Rd. SE.
• Video Game Design, June 28 to July 1, 1 to 4 p.m. $160 to $167
• Web Design, July 6 to 9, 9 a.m. to noon, $150 to $157
• Movie Makers , June 28 to July 1, 9 a.m. to noon, $150 to $157
• 3D Game Design , July 6 to 9, 1 to 4 p.m., $160 to $167
• Ages: 10 to 17
• Contact: Cedar Rapids Recreation Department, (319) 286-5731
• www.crrec.org, www.youthtechinc.com

DRAMA

Theatre Cedar Rapids Camps (CEDAR RAPIDS)

• Kindergarten: June 14 to 25 and June 28 to July 9, $100 to $120
• First and second grades: June 14 to 25, July 12 to 23, and Aug. 2 to 13, $150 to $180 Third through fifth grades: June 14 to 25, July 12 to 23, and Aug. 2 to 13, $150 $180 Middle School: Alice in Wonderland. June 28 to July 23, $300 to $360
• Sixth to 12th grade Try It Camps:
• Aug. 2 to 6, Aug. 9 to 13
• Ninth through 12th grade Try It Camp: Shakespeare. Aug. 9 to 13 Scholarships are available.
• Contact: Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, (319) 366-8591
• www.theatrecr.org

Brucemore Summer Camps (CEDAR RAPIDS)

• Adventures with Leo, June 14 or June 21, 1 p.m., 4 to 8 years old, $5 for members, $7 for non-members.
• ExploreMore – Can you dig it? June 14 to 18, 9 a.m. to noon, $140 for members, $150 for non-members
• Melodrama in the Making, July 5 to 9, 9 a.m. to noon, sixth to 12th grade, $85 Blast from the Past, July 26 to 30, fifth to 12th grade, $85
• Contact: Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids. (319) 362-7375
• www.brucemore.org

Englert School for Performing Arts (IOWA CITY)

• Wizards, Witches, and Warlocks! Oh My! June 21 to 25, 9 to 10:15 a.m., entering kindergarten through third grade, $90
• Whodunit? A Kid Caper! June 21 to 25, 10:30 to noon, entering fourth through sixth grade, $100
• Gleeful Summer! Show Choir1 , July 21 to 25, 9 to 10:25 a.m., entering third through sixth grade, $100
• Laugh Out Loud! Comedy Workshop! June 28 to July 2, 10 a.m. to noon, entering sixth through eighth grade, $100
• Gleeful Summer! Show Choir 2, July 21 to 25, 10:30 a.m. to noon, entering sixth through eighth grade, $100
• Musical Comedy , July 26 to 30, 10 a.m. to noon, entering ninth through 12th grade, $175
• Contact: The Englert, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. (319) 688-2653
• www.englert.org

Riverside Theatre Camp Shakespeare (IOWA CITY)

• What: Riverside Theatre’s Shakespeare Festival will hold several classes for area youth.
• Acting , June 14 to 18, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 8 to 12 years old, $100
• Fast Thoughts and Fist Fights! June 21 to 25, 10 a.m. to noon, 10 to 14 years old, $100
• Dramatic Quest, July 6 to 9, 9 to 11 a.m., 5 to 7 years old, $80
• Contact: Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., (319) 338-7672
• www. riversidetheatre.org/education/classes.htm
• Camp Creamery Little Red Riding Hood Camp (MIDDLE AMANA)
• What: Explore the theatre working with professional actors from the Old Creamery Theatre. Perform for family and friends on July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Other camps will be held in Independence, Oelwein, Pella, Elkader, and Eldora/New Providence.
• When: July 5 to 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Ages: 7 to 15
• Cost: $100
• Contact: Old Creamery Theatre, (319) 622-6034
• www.oldcreamery.com

Camp Creamery Day Camps (MAIN AMANA)

• What: Sing, dance, play theatre games and create costumes, perform for family and friends at 5 p.m.
• Just Clowning Around, June 22, July 16, or Aug. 3, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Am I Bugging You? June 25, July 20, Aug. 6, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Ages: 7 to 12
• Cost: $35 or $65 for both
• Contact: Old Creamery Theatre, (319) 622-6034
• www.oldcreamery.com

Bell Tower Theater (DUBUQUE)

• What: Youth theatre classes for aspiring actors and actresses and kids who want to have fun.
• Ages: Kindergarten and first grade: June 21 to 25. Second and third grades: June 14 to 18. Fourth, fifth and sixth grades: June 14 to 18.
• Deadline: June 7
• Cost: $55
• Contact: Bell Tower Theater, (563) 588-3377. 2728 Asbury Rd., Dubuque.

Eulenspiegel Puppet Camp (WEST LIBERTY)

• What: Build several puppets and learn how they work. Present a show.
• When: July 26 to 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ages: 6 to 12
• Cost: $120 plus a $25 material fee
• Contact: Owl Glass Puppetry Center, (319) 627-2487, 319 N. Calhoun, West Liberty.
• www.PuppetsPuppets.com, owlglass@avalon.net

GENERAL

Kirkwood Interactive Camps for Kids (CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA CITY)

• What: More than 60 camps that offer a variety of activities ranging from photography, technology, robotics, design and literature to science, theatre, cooking, music, sports and art.
• When: One-week camps from June 14 through Aug. 9
• Where: Cedar Rapids and Iowa City
• Cost: From $49 to $249, some scholarships are available.
• Contact: (319) 398-1022, 1-(800) 332-8833
• www.kirkwood.edu/kick

Science Station (CEDAR RAPIDS OR IOWA CITY)

• What: Children will explore various aspects of science, nature, animals and weather.
• When: One-week camps from June 14 through Aug. 6
• Where: Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, or The University of Iowa’s Van Allen Hall, Iowa City.
• Ages: Prekindergarten through sixth grade
• Cost: $70 for Science Station members, $80 for non-members
• Contact: The Science Station, (319) 363-4629.
• To check class availability, go to www.sciencestation.org Middle and high school students are needed as volunteers.

Iowa Children’s Museum IOWA CITY

• What: A variety of camps offered at the museum that cover topics in art, music and science.
• When: Music: June 14 to 18.
• Art: June 28 to July 2.
• Do it Yourself: July 5 to 9.
• Science: July 12 to 16.
• Sculpting: July 19 to 23.
• Planes: July 26 to 30.
• Drama: Aug. 2 to 6.
• Adventure camp for 4- and 5year-olds: June 21 to 25.
• Ages: Six to 12
• Cost before June 1: Full-day camp $180 per week, half-day camp $90 per week Cost after June 1: Full-day camp $210 per week, half-day camp $105 per week Contact: (319) 363-4629.
• Iowa Children’s Museum, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville
• www.theicm.org

HISTORY CAMPS

Ushers Ferry Day Camp (CEDAR RAPIDS)

• What: A variety of themes, ranging from science, technology, music, craft and entertainment.
• When: Sign up for a day or for the week of Aug. 2 to 6, 9 a.m. to noon
• Ages: Eight to 12 years old
• Cost for a day: $18 for Cedar Rapids residents, $21 for non residents
• Cost for the week: $90 to $97
• Contact: Cedar Rapids Recreation Department, (319) 286-5731
• www.crrec.org

Ushers Ferry Finishing School For Young Ladies (CEDAR RAPIDS)

• What: Girls will learn the art and skill of being a young lady in 1910. Wear period clothing, cook, make crafts and play games.
• When: July 26 to 30, 9 a.m. to noon
• Ages: 8 to 12 years
• Cost: $90 for Cedar Rapids residents, $97 for non-residents.
• Contact: Cedar Rapids Recreation Department, (319) 286-5731
• www.crrec.org

Little House on the Prairie Camp (IOWA CITY)

• What: Learn what life was like for pioneers making their way west.
• When: June 14 to 18, or June 21 to 25, 1 to 5 p.m.
• Where: Upper City Park, Iowa City
• Ages: Entering first through third grade
• Cost: $100
• Contact: Johnson County Historical Society, (319) 351-5738
• www.johnsoncountyhistory.org

Little School on the Prairie Camp (CORALVILLE)

• What: Learn what life was like for the students at a one-room school through period activities, crafts and games.
• When: June 28 to July 2 or July 19 to 23, 1 to 5 p.m.
• Where: 1876 Coralville Schoolhouse, 310 Fifth St., Coralville
• Ages: Entering third and fourth grade
• Cost: $100
• Contact: Johnson County Historical Society, (319) 351-5738
• www.johnsoncountyhistory.org

Hands-On History Camp (CORALVILLE)

• What: Experience an archaeological dig and care for artifacts.
• When: July 12 to 16 or July 26 to 30, 1 to 5 p.m.
• Where: Johnson County Historical Society Museum, 860 Quarry Rd., Coralville Ages: Entering fourth through sixth grade
• Cost: $100
• Contact: Johnson County Historical Society, (319) 351-5738
• www.johnsoncountyhistory.org

MUSIC

Eastern Iowa Arts Academy: Dance Camp (PALO)

• What: Crazy Art Camp, July 5 to 12 Rockin’ Guitar Camp, July 12 to 16 Beginning Guitar and Intermediate Guitar sessions, July 19 to 23.
• Cost: Free to any Eastern Iowa student.
• Contact: (319) 350-1805, 116 Vinton St., Palo.

Summer Sing West Show Choir Camp (CEDAR RAPIDS)

• What: Eastern Iowa Academy is offering three opportunities for show choir and dance opportunities with a choral music instructor and choreographer.
• When: July 26 to 30
• Cost: $85.
• Contact: (319) 350-1805.

‘Broadway Debut’ Musical Theatre Summer Camp (IOWA CITY)

• What: This camp, cosponsored by City High and West High, will have classes in stage combat, audition workshop and improvisation, as well as musical theatre dance and choreography. A final performance for friends and family.
• When: July 12 to 24, 9 a.m. to noon
• Where: West High School, Iowa City
• Contact: Troy Peters at (563) 889-0280
• mailto://broadwaydebut@gmail.com

OUTDOORS

Indian Creek Nature Center’s Summer Nature Camps (CEDAR RAPIDS)

• What: The Nature Center offers a variety of summer outdoor experiences for children.
• Polliwogs and Parents for Little Ones, June 14 or 15, June 28 or 29, July 12 or 13, July 19 or 20, Aug. 2 or 3, Aug. 16 or 17, 9 a.m.
• Ages: Three to 6 years old
• Cost: $4 for members; $5 for non-members. $20 for the series for members, $25 for non members.
• Evening Minicamps, June 28, July 12, Aug. 2
• Ages: Entering first to fourth grades
• Cost: Members: $5 per child, $3 per parent. Non-members: $8 per child, $4 per parent.
• Young Naturalists – One-Day Nature Experiences, different dates in June, July and Aug.
• Ages: Different classes for those entering first to second grade, first to third grade, third to sixth grade, and fourth grade and up.
• Cost: Member $20 to $35; Non-members $25 to $45
• Nature Camps – Four Day Camp Experiences, June 15 to 18, July 6 to 9, July 13 to 16, July 27 to 30 Ages: Different camps for those entering first to third grade and third to sixth grade Cost: $80 for members, $100 for non-members.
• Contact: Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, (319) 362-0664
• www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org
• Scholarships are available.

Wickiup Hill Summer Camps (TODDVILLE)

• What: The Linn County Conservation Department offers a variety of camps including Peepers & Creepers, Fish are Fun, American Indian Life Skills, Amazing Arthropods, Nature’s Yucky, Creature Feature, Nature Passport Series, Live Like a Pioneer, Survive the Wild and Fish Iowa.
• Contact: Call the Linn County Conservation Department, (319) 892-6485
• www.linncountyparks.com

Camp Wildthingz (IOWA CITY)

• What: Learn and experience nature by exploring parks throughout Johnson County.
• Registration open until June 13.
• When: June 14 to Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Supervised play available from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. at no added fee.
• Ages: Kindergarten through sixth grade
• Cost: $135 per week
• Contact: Iowa City Parks and Recreation, (319) 356-5100
• www.icgov.org

Sports Camp (IOWA CITY)

• What: Build self-esteem and confidence playing tennis, basketball, swimming, baseball and ultimate Frisbee.
• Registration through June 13.
• When: June 14 to Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Supervised play available from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. at no added fee.
• Ages: Second through sixth grade
• Cost: $135 per week
• Contact: Iowa City Parks and Recreation, (319) 356-5100
• www.icgov.org

Go ahead, send toddlers to swim lessons

The nation’s largest pediatricians group is relaxing its stance against swimming lessons for children younger than 4.

A few small studies now suggest toddlers may be less likely to drown if they’ve had swim lessons.That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics says it’s fine to enroll children as young as 1 in classes.

The doctors aren’t recommending lessons for every young child. Some parents may feel their little ones aren’t ready for the water and that’s OK.

In the past, the group said swim classes might give toddlers and parents a false sense of security.

The updated policy was announced Monday.

Children’s medicine recall: What you need to know

Anxious parents are preparing to call doctors Monday morning and scouring the Internet for information after an enormous recall of over-the-counter medications for infants and children that was announced abruptly on Friday evening.

The recall affects all unexpired lots of liquid Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl formulated for youngsters — more than 43 products over all. Parents across the country rely on the medications to ease their children’s aches and pains, fevers and allergy-associated runny noses and sneezes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised families to stop using the products, noting some may contain “tiny particles” while others have too much active ingredients or inactive ingredients that don’t meet specifications. McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the manufacturer, and federal officials said the prospect of serious medical problems was “remote.”

For its part, McNeil did little to calm parents’ fears with a hotline (1-888-222-6036) that featured a verbal rendition of the company’s press release on Sunday when a reporter called. That release, including a list of all affected products and their lot numbers, is available at www.mcneilproductrecall.com. McNeil is a unit of Johnson and Johnson.

Still, some parents said they were impressed by the company’s prompt action. “If it’s something that’s being disclosed from the start, I think I should stick with them,” said Leonardo Valenca, visiting Chicago with his wife and twin 7-month daughters over the weekend. “It’s different than the way Toyota handled (their recall).”

The Chicago Tribune asked three medical experts what they would advise parents, given the limited information available.

Families should feel comfortable using generic versions of the drugs, said Dr. Saul Weiner, an associate professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. There’s no reason to doubt generic drugs’ efficacy or safety, and most retailers carry them.

The generic version of Tylenol is known as acetaminophen. The generic for Motrin is ibuprofen; for Zyrtec, it’s cetirizine; and for Benadryl it’s diphenhydramine.

It’s wiser to switch to a generic than to stop a medication for your child altogether: Don’t do that without first checking with your doctor’s office, Weiner recommended.Also, don’t substitute herbal remedies or baby aspirin for Tylenol or Motrin, said Rhonda Yates, director of the pharmacy at Advocate Christ Medical Center and Hope Children’s Hospital.

Herbal supplements aren’t tested or approved by the FDA. Aspirin carries a risk of a rare but serious disorder known as Reye’s Syndrome when used by children and teens, she said.

Yates recommended any parent with a computer go to McNeil’s recall website and check the name and the lot number of the children’s medications being recalled. All are in liquid form. Discard any of the drugs listed and, while you’re at it, get rid of any medications that may have expired, she said.

Under no circumstances should parents give medications meant for adults to their kids. Splitting a pill will give a child too high a dose and that could cause serious complications, said Jenny Elhadary, pharmacy administrator for Children’s Memorial Hospital.

If you have given a child one of the medications being recalled, watch out for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a rash or “any symptoms that seem out of the ordinary,” Elhadary said. Those side effects would usually appear within 24 hours. Call a doctor immediately if the symptoms appear.

For coughs and colds, consider non-pharmaceutical interventions such as nasal sprays, nasal irrigation with a salt water solution, nasal suctioning and using a humidifier. “If you can limit the amount of medicine you give your child, that’s probably a good idea,” Elhadary said.

A Walgreen’s spokesman said the company had pulled all the products from its shelves nationwide and that pharmacists are available to answer families’ questions.

Do kids need Ritalin regularly?

Local psychologist Dick Socwell talked about the ADHD-countering drug Ritalin on the KCRG-TV9 midday show this week, answering a viewer’s question about whether the drug needs to be administered consistently.

Socwell also talked about the problems of student-teacher relationships, and where the line needs to be drawn.

Check out the video here:

Choking risks plentiful for kids

When it comes to choking, little kids are at the greatest risk. The main reason is because their airways are smaller than ours. But anatomy is not the only hazard. Take, for example, their quirky habits. Kids often inhale food rather than chew it, eat toys instead of play with them or find a penny, pick it up and try to swallow it for good luck.

Choking may occur most frequently among youngsters, but anyone, at any age, can experience a choking incident. Just consider the last time your teenager wolfed down a hot dog or signed up for a pie eating contest. In an effort to reduce choking injuries and deaths, the American Academy of Pediatrics has made a recent statement calling for warning labels on high risk choking foods, specifically hot dogs as they account for 17 percent of choking related incidents. The group also recommends altering the shape and design of some foods, like the hot dog, to minimize choking risks.

While waiting to see if the hot dog morphs into a hot turtle, take time to reduce choking risks in your own home. Make it a rule that food be eaten only while sitting down at a table. Kids who run around or lie down while eating are at a higher risk for choking.

Review high risk choking foods and either avoid serving them, or take extra precautions to lessen the risk of choking. Educate siblings, baby sitters and caregivers on appropriate size of bites also.

Also, parents should not give younger children gum. Kids should not learn how to smack their gum at such an early age, and they are at risk for inhaling it because they stumble and run around with it in their mouths.

Teach your child to chew food thoroughly before swallowing it. This may seem obvious to us, but it is not to little kids who are just getting teeth and trying to figure out how to use them.

Little kids are notorious for going through purses or bags and finding the hard mints, gum, or coins they aren’t supposed to have. Until a child proof purse is made, store these products in safe, kid-free spots.

After hosting a party, pick up right away. It is not uncommon for little ones to wander around and taste leftover foods, or try to eat the earring that fell out of Aunt Sally’s ear.

See the world through your child’s eyes. Get down on your hands and knees frequently to survey your house for choking risks.

Most importantly, know how to save your child’s life. Learn CPR. Not being prepared is a tragedy that’s too tough to swallow.

Ann-Marie Berg is a Cedar Rapids mom and a pediatric nurse practitioner. Write to her at features@gazcomm.com

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