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September is Baby Safety Month, and we thought it would be helpful to address a hot topic in parenting: cosleeping. Public health professionals warn against all cosleeping and many parents plan never to share a bed with their newborns. The reality is that, in spite of their intentions, many families do cosleep, at least some of the time, as a way to manage the middle of the night feeding challenge. Whether you research the subject and determine that cosleeping is a part of your parenting plan, or you plan not to, it is imperative that parents know how to cosleep safely. What is Co-Sleeping? At its simplest, cosleeping is the practice of sharing a sleep space with your child. While many people might use the terms cosleeping and bed-sharing interchangeably, they are actually not synonymous. Cosleeping can mean room-sharing, where the infant sleeps in the same room as the caregiver(s), but not in the same bed. It can also mean fixing a bassinet to the side of the bed so the baby is close, but not actually in the same bed. Each of these methods of cosleeping carries different safety considerations, so it's important to understand the distinctions. Sharing a Bed With Your Baby Snuggling with your baby builds a strong bond between you and your infant. Early skin-to-skin contact can do even more than this! Studies show it also improves your infant’s physical health as well as boosting his/her intelligence. Sleeping with your baby allows parents and babies to socially, mentally, and physically “attach,” which strengthens your baby’s evolving psychological makeup. Some medical professionals believe that humans are evolutionarily primed to cosleep. Bedsharing is scientifically proven to be safest for infants who are exclusively breastfed. James Mckenna, the head of the Mother-Baby Sleep Lab at Notre Dame, coined the term “breastsleeping” to refer to this practice; specifically, the practice of bedsharing with a breastfed infant to facilitate nighttime feedings. Mothers who bed-share while breastfeeding better manage their milk supply, get more sleep, strengthen their attachments, and validate their roles as mothers, especially if working during the day. Drawing on more than 25 years of research specifically on breastsleeping mother-infant pairs, Mckenna’s data clearly shows the benefits of immediate and sustained contact, including nighttime contact to establish a foundation for optimal infant breastfeeding, neonatal attachment, and brain growth. This new breastsleeping concept highlights the advantages of breastfeeding combined with the attachment and bonding benefits of cosleeping. Dr. Tracy Cassels, a parenting and sleep consultant at Evolutionary Parenting, postures the following: “For the vast majority of history, women have been cosleeping, or bed-sharing, with their infants. When hunter-gatherer tribes were the norm for human society, sleeping with an infant was a necessity.” As one mother puts it: "The bonding experience of bed-sharing was very sweet. I stopped after four weeks because while the baby was sleeping soundly, I was not. I wasn’t sleeping very well because I was afraid. Afraid that I would roll over on him, afraid that he was under the blankets, just constantly waking up worried that he was in danger.” Co-Sleeping and SIDS Many people, parents and professionals alike, mistakenly cite high rates of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as a reason to avoid cosleeping. In reality, according to Mckenna’s research, breastsleeping in a safe sleep space can be protective against SIDS because the baby is being watched by an attentive adult, whose proximity also stimulates healthy breathing and sleep cycles. SIDS, by definition, denotes an unknown cause of death, but cosleeping deaths are mainly caused by accidental suffocation from sleeping in a hazardous environment. Corresponding with the instances of cosleeping-related deaths, there is an important distinction between forced cosleeping and cosleeping by choice. Many people do not make the decision to co-sleep, instead they're forced to do so by environmental and financial factors. If someone only has one bedroom and one bed, they are likely to put the baby in their bed by default, and probably don't have access to the resources that teach how to cosleep safely. This skews the number of cosleeping deaths way up, when the reality is that infant death in safe, intentional cosleeping setups is extremely rare. How to Create a Safe Cosleeping Space The safest place to sleep with your baby is in your bed. Cosleeping on couches, futons, armchairs, or other furniture is extremely hazardous. An infant can easily become become trapped in between cushions. Normal adult beds can also be hazardous, but there are ways to ensure a safe space for your infant to sleep. Push the bed away from the walls or headboards, so there are no gaps the baby could fall into. Remove heavy, plush blankets and stick with a light sheet and thin duvet. Do not have any stuffed animals, pets, or other children in the bed with you. If the bed is tall, set the mattress on the floor or on a low bedframe. The breastfeeding mother is the only person who should be sleeping directly beside the baby. When sleeping, make sure the baby’s head is not near the pillows, where suffocation can occur, but close to the mother’s chest instead. This also makes it easier to breastfeed during the night without much disturbance. Other important safety factors: Babies should always be sleeping on their backs. Bedsharing is safest for babies who are mainly breastfed. Do not use drugs or alcohol if you are bedsharing. Do not bedshare if you smoke at any point during the day. Do not bedshare on a waterbed or particularly soft mattress. Be cautious of heavy, loose pajamas that could obstruct the baby’s face. If you can’t commit to creating a safe bedsharing environment every night, you can also reap many of the benefits of cosleeping by keeping the baby’s crib in your room, or by attaching a cosleeping device to the side of your bed. Intentional, Supportive Touch Pediatric research uniformly advocates for intentional touch and physical bonding between parent and child, and agree that parents should do this as much as possible. Intentional touch is touching an infant as an act of nurturing (i.e., not just diaper changes, feeding, or for other various medical procedures). This includes direct skin-to-skin contact. Dr. Natalie Maitre of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio says that “intentional supportive touch,” is “absolutely crucial to babies’ developing brains.” She explains that for infants, touch is the one of the first senses that develops, before hearing or sight, therefore making it the “building block in early infancy of communication.” Newborn development, especially in the first few months, is heavily shaped by touch and sound, as the visual system is still very immature. Touch is a way for infants to learn about their surroundings and an early way to communicate with their parents. Cosleeping, particularly bed-sharing, is an excellent way to incorporate intentional touch into your day. A Parent's Guide to Co-Sleeping Platypus Media offers a helpful guide for parents who co-sleep or who are considering co-sleeping. 'Sleeping with Your Baby: A Parent's Guide to Co-sleeping' educates, informs, reassures, and defends the potential benefits of co-sleeping and how to do it safely. It is available on our website. Create the Right Sleeping Environment for You and Your Infant The majority of parents agree that one size does not fit all babies. "After having three children," says one Tennessee mother, "I have learned that you have to do whatever is necessary to help your children sleep." For many parents, that means changing the game plan. According to recent research, only 11 percent of moms actually planned to co-sleep with their babies, but a whopping 42 percent ended up doing so once their little bundles of joy arrived. There is no right or wrong way to decide where your baby will sleep, as long as safety of the infant (and the health and sanity of the parents) remains everyone's top priority. Note: This article is meant to be informative in nature, but shouldn’t be taken as medical advice or take the place of medical advice from a trained professional. Consult with a qualified medical provider before modifying your child’s existing sleep routine. If you feel you or your baby may be suffering from any sleep disorder or medical condition, please see a healthcare provider.

What happens when a professional athlete takes pen to page? It is well known that society respects the talent and work ethic of athletes. Kids grow up hearing the names of popular sports stars and hearing adults praise their achievements. This makes children especially responsive to messages from these real-life idols. Athletes also have the unique ability to create stories with lessons that young readers can see in real life, on TV, online, and in the paper. To read a story in which Mia Hamm talks about resilience and sportsmanship, and then to watch her play that out on TV during a game draws a connection between these Olympic-level athletes and their young, aspiring counterparts. Each athlete has his or her own spin on this process. Their publications range from sweet picture books about building relationships and sportsmanship, to YA novels that tackle intense subjects such as bullying, ethical issues, and personal development. Jim Fox - NBA Star to Accomplished Illustrator Jim Fox, a former NBA player for the Chicago Bulls, the Arizona Suns, and the Cincinnati Royals, has made a surprising career U-turn into the illustration side of children’s books. Fox says about his experience after retiring from the NBA, “For some reason I was drawn to watercolor paintings…. A friend and I took lessons from another accomplished friend, and she was kind enough to give me a glimmer of hope.” After discovering this artistic talent, Jim collaborated with his daughter-in-law, children’s author Phoebe Fox, to create a book for children. However, the story didn’t revolve around the lessons of playing pro basketball. Instead, Jim followed another passion that he and Phoebe share—promoting the beauty of the mother/child bond and showing the importance of breastfeeding. Inspired by his love for animals, including his golden retriever named Annie, Jim created stunning watercolor illustrations of animal mother and baby pairs for Phoebe’s newest book, Babies Nurse. Serious about his work, Jim is a member of the Arizona Watercolor Association and the National Watercolor Society. “I know when I get a portrait right,” he states. “A small line or dot of color can make a huge difference in a painting.” Jim has also created portrait keepsakes for families of patients in hospice care. Mia Hamm - Soccer Sensation to Children's Author Mia Hamm’s first foray into the world of children’s literature was with her picture book Winners Never Quit, in which a young soccer player named Mia is frustrated whenever her team isn’t winning. Learning about sportsmanship and the value of being a team player along the way, the character discovers that sports aren’t just about winning—they are also about enjoying the game. Hamm has also written other books for kids, such as Go For the Goal, a New York Times bestseller that includes some of Hamm’s personal stories as well as her tips, inspiration, and advice for young soccer players. Derek Jeter - Baseball Superstar to Young Adult Author Yankees superstar Derek Jeter has taken a walk on the writing side with a collection of middle grade novels, including a clever collaborative book with NFL star, Tim Green. Titled Baseball Genius, the book is about a kid with a talent for predicting baseball pitches. Derek Jeter even has his own publishing imprint called Jeter Publishing, featuring picture books, middle grade fiction, and adult nonfiction. “This publishing partnership with Simon & Schuster is an exciting way for me to discover and develop new books,” says Jeter, “sharing insights of my own, or from people I believe have interesting stories, philosophies, or practices to share.” Jeter also helped publish Derek Jeter Presents: Night at the Stadium, an enchantingly illustrated story about a young baseball fan who is accidentally lost in Yankee Stadium. Even after the field lights turn off, there is always something that keeps our favorite athletes working hard and expressing their creative talents. Creativity isn’t limited to making stunning plays on the field or brilliant sports strategies, but can certainly be applied to the literary world of authoring and illustrating books for kids that inspire, delight, and spark the imagination.

The role grandparents play in the lives of young children is essential. Often, the bond between a grandparent and a grandchild rivals only the emotional bond between a parent and a child. Children benefit when their grandparents are active in their lives. Let’s face it; grandparents are special – really special. Even as adults, we remember the feeling of curling up in a grandparent's lap, or getting just a little spoiled by them with covert treats and a knowing wink. Known for bear hugs, smiles, and laughs, Grandparents hold a special place in a child's heart. The Bond Between Children and Their Grandparents Benefits Everyone Studies have shown that grandparents who have a close bond with their grandchildren are less likely to experience anxiety, loneliness, and/or depression. Children who have loving and engaged grandparents are also less likely to struggle with these conditions. Through special time spent together, both grandparents and grandchildren report feeling happier and more satisfied in life. A majority of adults credit their grandparents for playing a pivotal role in shaping their beliefs, values, morals, attitude, and behaviors. Grandparents as Caregivers Grandparents Day is even more special in today’s society because more and more grandparents are providing care to their grandchildren. It is increasingly common for Grandparents to be the primary caregiver when both parents are working, as well as providing a much-needed respite so parents can take a night out together. Grandparents who live far away from their grandchildren can maintain a close relationship through frequent visits and by phone calls, writing letters, Facetime/Skype, and emailing between visits. Grandparents Help a Child's Emotional Development Grandparents offer a lot more than just free babysitting every once in awhile. Relationships between children and their grandparents provides several benefits, including lessons from grandparents about emotional and social intelligence. Emotional intelligence, or the ability to be aware of, control and express emotions, is a trait that children will be watching and learning throughout their lives. When they spend time with their grandparents, children learn how people they trust (besides their parents) express emotions. Grandma and grandpa's home is the perfect place to start showing your children that they are loved, safe, and secure in other homes. Your children need to see how other families work, how other relationships succeed, and how other homes can be safe and loving too. Grandparents are Awesome To celebrate Grandparent's Day this Monday, we put together a list of some of the reasons why Grandparents are awesome! They are happy to see you. No matter how often kids see their grandparents, the sight of a grandkid's face brings an incredible amount of joy to a grandparent's life. Everyone loves knowing they were the best part of someone's day. They bend the rules a little. A healthy parent/grandparent relationship needs clear boundaries and a mutual understanding of the way parents raise their kids, so it's important not to take the rule-bending too far. But if a Grandparent wants to let a child stay up a little later, indulge in a rare after-dinner snack, or read an extra story at bedtime, it strengthens their bond with their Grandchildren (without undermining parents). They say 'yes' for things parents may say 'no' too. Who doesn't remember being a kid and wanting a treat without eating all of your vegetables? Mom giving the look and Grandma winking as if to say "I got you", while slipping a little treat under the table? Grandparents can get away with a little spoiling, which gives them a special place in a child's (and a Mom's) heart. They tell great stories. Grandparents are the bearers of a family's history. They pass on family traditions and regale Grandchildren about how life 'used to be'. While kids may get a little antsy listening to such tales when they are really young, they will savor them for the rest of their life. (Note: Be sure to write the family stories down. You'll want to tell them to your grandkids someday.) They like to play. Grandparents love to play. They can spend hours making batches of cookies, creating cool crafts, playing games, reading stories, and much more. Exhausted parents may not have the energy at the end of a long day to play, but you can usually count on Grandparents to be up for a good time. They make kids feel special. Grandparents truly believe their grandchildren are the best and brightest around. They fawn over a stick figure drawing as though it were a Renoir, are eager to hear about a kid's day, and are always up for a big bear hug! Why are your grandparents awesome? What fun things do your parents like to do with your children? Let us know in the comments!

We generally think of childbirth as a routine occurrence, and while pregnancy can be a worrisome time for a number of reasons, maternal and infant mortality is rarely a top concern for parents-to-be. But the truth is, the C.D.C. reports about 700 American women die each year in childbirth or due to pregnancy-related complications. Even more shockingly, each year more than 11,000 American infants die within 24 hours of their birth. This number comes from a 2015 report issued by Save the Children, which specifies that America has "50 percent more first-day deaths than all other industrialized countries combined.” A closer look at these numbers reveals that one's likelihood of suffering these complications hinges on one factor: whether the mother and baby are black or white. Black Infant Mortality Rates While it is true that infant mortality rates are far lower than they were in the early 1900s, recent studies show that they are slowly on the rise. In recent years, the United States has fallen from the 12th lowest infant mortality rate to 32nd (out of 35 developed countries), and this figure is largely driven by the black infant mortality rate. Black infants in America are now more than twice as likely to die as white infants — 11.3 per 1,000 black babies, compared with 4.9 per 1,000 white babies, according to the most recent government data. This racial disparity is wider than it was in 1850, 15 years before the end of slavery. Black Maternal Mortality Rates Black infant mortality is coupled with another glum statistic: the death and near death of black mothers. According to the C.D.C., black women are three to four times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white women. This rate is higher than that of Mexico, where nearly half the population lives in poverty. As with infants, the high numbers for black women drive these national statistics. The crisis of maternal mortality for black women crosses class lines as well, impacting black women above — even well above — the poverty line, as well as those below. The United States is one of only 13 countries in the world where the rate of maternal mortality is now worse than it was 25 years ago. Serena Williams' Story Serena Williams' recent near death experience after giving birth to her first child is a poignant example of this. While her pregnancy and the birth of her child were healthy and uneventful, she experienced near-fatal pulmonary blood clots immediately after giving birth. The medical team treating Williams did not believe she was in as much danger as she was, blaming her symptoms instead on the stress of childbirth and the pain medication prescribed after her c-section. Williams knew she needed a CT Scan to address what she knew to be clots, but the medical team refused and performed an ultrasound only, which did not reveal the clotting. Only after Williams lobbied hard for a CT Scan did the medical team concede. Williams spoke openly about her experience, and stated that had she not advocated strongly for herself to receive the treatment she desperately needed, in all likelihood she would have died. What Is Causing Higher Black Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates? The reasons for the black/white disparity in both infant and maternal mortality have been debated by researchers and doctors for more than two decades. Recently, however, there has been growing acceptance of what has largely been a shocking idea: for black women in the United States, societal and systemic racism creates a kind of toxic physiological stress which leads to conditions — including hypertension and pre-eclampsia — that contribute to higher rates of infant and maternal death.This endemic racism is further expressed in a wide-spread, longstanding racial bias in health care. Dismissal of legitimate concerns and symptoms is one way this bias manifests itself, and it helps explain poor birth outcomes, even for wealthy, educated black women. A 2012 psychological study showed that people assume that black people feel less pain than white people. The subjects —white, black, nurses, and nursing students — all demonstrated this bias, which professionals have termed the "racial empathy gap." The disparity in perception of pain from medical professionals has implications for treatment across the medical spectrum. Other studies that investigate this bias have shown racial disparities in pain treatment for migraines and back issues, elder cancer care, and children suffering from bone fractures. A 2008 review of more than a decade of emergency room data showed that white patients complaining of pain were more likely to walk out with an opioid prescription than black patients with pain-related ER visits. This may partially explain why black mothers and infants suffer higher mortality rates. Recently, black women have begun to come forward and share their stories of doctors disregarding their concerns. In an April 2018 New York Times article, Simone Landrum shared her unsuccessful struggle to get her obstetrician to take her pain seriously in 2016. Her repeated complaints were routinely dismissed. “It was like he threw me away,” Landrum says angrily. A few weeks after her last visit with this OB, Landrum rushed to the hospital after she began to bleed. There, she gave birth to a stillborn daughter and came close to losing her own life. Once she recovered, she recalls, "The nurse told me: ‘You know, you been sick. You are very lucky to be alive.'" What Can We Do? Providing black mothers and their infants with continuous, proper care and dispelling the endemic racial biases are the keys to decreasing black infant and maternal mortality. Doulas can advocate for their patients when the patient herself isn't being heard or cannot advocate for herself. One promising study revealed that receiving care from a doula has a positive outcome. A scientific examination of 26 studies of nearly 16,000 subjects first conducted in 2003 found that pregnant women who received the continuous support that doulas provide were 39% less likely to have C-sections. In general, women with continuous support tended to have babies who were healthier at birth. Last year, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released a statement noting that “evidence suggests that, in addition to regular nursing care, continuous one-to-one emotional support provided by support personnel, such as a doula, is associated with improved outcomes for women in labor.” Several organizations cater specifically to the needs of black mothers. The National Black Doulas Association keeps a directory of black doulas. The National Association to Advance Black Birth works to equip birth workers (doulas, midwives, nurses, and doctors) and maternity institutions with the practical tools and education they need to improve outcomes for Black women and persons. Health departments in Baltimore, New York, Tampa, and Chicago have attempted to combat high black infant mortality rates by training doulas who will work for low rates or pro bono to assist expectant mothers during pregnancy, delivery, and afterward. Simone Landrum became pregnant again in 2017, but this time she connected with a doula from the Birthmark Doula Collective, an organization committed to birth justice in New Orleans. They ensure that anyone who needs their support can access it by providing their services on a sliding-scale for qualifying families. Birthmark has served 1,500 clients since their founding in 2011. Of these, only 10 infants have died, a lower rate than is typical in Louisiana and the United States at large. No mothers have died. You can support this cause by donating directly to doula organizations that provide free or reduced services to women in need and by participating in Black Breastfeeding Week to raise awareness of and support for the particular challenges black mothers face.

The benefits of breastfeeding are plentiful and well documented. Breastfeeding is universally recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for newborns. Babies, mothers, families, and communities all benefit when a mom is able to breastfeed her children. Breastfeeding initiation rates have been steadily increasing in America, however the breastfeeding duration rates are well below the targets set by national and international health authorities. Because women often wean within weeks or months of birth, many older children are not exposed to breastfeeding and don’t appreciate it as a normal behavior. How to Turn “Breast is Best” Into “Breast is Normal” The phrase “breast is best” is used routinely, but for children, the phrase should be “breast is normal.” Breastfeeding moms may wean early, may return to work and pump milk privately during the day, or may breastfeed in a private space. It is not uncommon for children to never see a baby breastfeeding, which means they never understand breastfeeding as a normal part of life. Public breastfeeding can be very intimidating for mothers, who are often harassed or chastised when they do choose to nurse in public. Fortunately, times are changing. There is now a huge commitment to promote and protect breastfeeding and to provide mothers with the support they need to successfully breastfeed. With recent policy changes in Idaho and Utah, public breastfeeding is now legal in every state. Help Your Older Children Understand Breastfeeding If you have multiple children and you choose to breastfeed them, the easiest way to get your elder child accustomed to breastfeeding is to simply allow them to see their siblings being breastfed. However, there are other ways to normalize breastfeeding even if your child is the youngest or an only child, or if you choose not to breastfeed: If you see women publicly breastfeeding, explain what the mother and baby are doing. Discuss breastfeeding with your child and answer their questions honestly. Expose children to different animal families and allow them to see the caretaking and feeding of newborns. After all, all mammal mothers nurse their young! Mammal moms and their babies can often be seen at petting farms and zoos. Use beloved dolls or stuffed animals to talk about breastfeeding. Children love to mimic what their parents do, and using a favorite toy is a great way to help them feel included as they can "breastfeed" along with you! Make a child-size sling for your child to wear to carry their dolls/stuffed animals in order to help them develop early care taking habits (a long scarf works well for this). Read them books that depict breastfeeding. The books in the Nurtured and Nuzzled Bilingual Book Set or If My Mom Were a Platypus: Mammal Babies and their Mothers are three good options. A more extensive list of children's breastfeeding books can be found here. Imagery that depicts breastfeeding as natural and normal can be found in a growing number of picture books for children. Some books specifically mention the act of nursing while others incorporate it seamlessly into other aspects of life. Babies Nurse, a picture book written by Phoebe Fox and illustrated by NBA-player-turned-watercolor-artist Jim Fox, is a perfect example of the former. It depicts a number of mammals nursing their young, including a human mother and baby at the end. By showing breastfeeding across the mammal class—from pandas to puppies and, finally, people—the book demonstrates how natural breastfeeding is. Wendy Watson, a children’s book author and illustrator, says the book is “invaluable in presenting nursing as something natural, normal, loving, and good for both babies and mothers.” Similarly, Cuddled and Carried, a picture book written by Dia Michels and illustrated by Mike Speiser, includes an illustration of a breastfeeding mother and baby alongside non-human mammal babies being cared for by their mothers. It depicts breastfeeding as an act of love—just one of many ways that parents care for their little ones. Pediatric Pain Medicine Doctor and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Board Member Sarah Reece-Stremtan says of Cuddled and Carried that “it normalizes the nurturing relationship between parents and their children.” Benefits of Educating Young Children About Breastfeeding Whether or not you are able or choose to personally breastfeed, raising children who are familiar with the concept is still beneficial. It teaches them not to gawk at other women who publicly breastfeed, and to seriously consider breastfeeding as a possibility if they themselves choose to have children later on in life. As an added bonus, the normalization of breastfeeding lays a groundwork for children to understand that breasts are not a uniquely sexual organ. Children who understand how normal breastfeeding is will appreciate that breasts are first and foremost a tool to nourish babies. Visual imagery is key to normalization. Annie Reneau, a breastfeeding advocate, notes, “kids who see breastfeeding their whole lives don’t see it as weird. But they do need to actually see it in order to counteract the constant messaging in advertisements and media that breasts are sexual.” Similarly, Jen, creator of the blog Breastfeeding Needs, reflects on her own experience with breastfeeding, saying “before my daughter was born I had never seen another woman breastfeed…I was squeamish about it…Now imagine if I had seen it before I had babies myself? It would have been normal, I would not have been squeamish, and I may not have had the initial resentment and stress over it...” Teaching children not to stigmatize breastfeeding is our best hope for raising a generation that is more accepting of such a natural act and will allow mothers more freedom to follow their instincts. Becoming more accommodating to public breastfeeding will enable and empower more mothers to exclusively breastfeed their children, leading to health benefits for both the mother and child.

Platypus Media is honored to help the 2000 Libros project by donating several of our popular bilingual books to their fundraiser! They are supplying much-needed books to children who are separated from their family at the US border. About 2000 Libros When Elizabeth Ballou heard of children and teens separated from their parents at the border, she knew she had to help. She grew up in a family who valued reading, and participated in a books-behind-bars program in college—she knew what a difference books make. Elizabeth wanted to send books to these kids and decided to start her own initiative. She created 2000 Libros — a name based on the first numbers reported for children who were separated from their families — and reached out to DC Books to Prisons to help manage the overwhelming response. This project supplies books to the country's youngest prisoners: immigrant children in detention centers. They seek new and gently-used Spanish-language and bilingual books for early to mid level readers. Kristin Stadum, a long time volunteer with DC Books to Prisons, has been helping Elizabeth manage the project. She and her husband now collect and sort a small mountain of donations from their living room: The women behind this project know, "Books are a small way of showing these children and teens that many other worlds exist. Hope, love, happiness, and wonder are available at the turn of a page." To date, they have sent more than 1300 books to 18 different organizations (some of which manage multiple shelters). They want to provide books to as many kids as possible, both those who were separated from their families due to a shift in policy and those arrived at the border alone. How to Help Last week, Platypus Media donated over 75 of our bilingual books to this worthy cause: Si mi mamá fuera un ornitorrinco, Babies Nurse / Así se alimentan los bebés, and Cuddled and Carried / Consentido y cargado. Although policies are subject to change, Kristin doesn't see the need for these donations going away any time soon. "Whether or not families continue to be separated at the border," she says, "there will always be children who show up at the border alone." You can join us in supporting this cause at their website. In addition to cash donations, which will be used to buy boxes and pay for shipping, three online wish lists are available. DC-area residents who wish to support local businesses are encouraged to check out 2000 Libros' Politics and Prose wish list or East City Bookshop wish list. People who prefer to make purchases through Amazon can order books from their Amazon wish list. Make a difference in a child's life by donating today in any way you can. If you don't wish to make a donation, please help us spread the word about this worthy cause! We thank you.

We are sad to see #WorldBreastfeedWeek2018 coming to an end, but we aren't done celebrating! To keep the festivities going, our #WBW promotions are extended through the end of the week! (8/12/18). A great way to talk to your child about breastfeeding is to explore how all mammal mothers feed, protect, and teach their young, even though these tasks can challenge their own needs for survival. But a mammal baby’s journey to maturity varies dramatically depending on whether it is a bear or a bat, a shrew or a seal, a hippopotamus or a human. Platypus Media has several beautifully written and illustrated books that examine the animal world to explore all the ways parents nurture and care for their babies. Here are some of our most popular books, and the best news is they are all on sale! If My Mom Were A Platypus If My Mom Were a Platypus This fascinating look at life cycles portrays the normalcy of birth and breastfeeding and explores how mothers help 14 different mammals navigate the path from helpless infants to self-sufficient adults. Babies Nurse (Bilingual English & Spanish) Babies Nurse/ Así se alimentan los bebés This beautiful collaboration between a children’s librarian and an NBA- player-turned-watercolor-artist introduces the most natural and loving act—mothers nursing their young. Winner of a Parents’ Favorite Products Award, the book’s luminous illustrations and lyrical, bilingual (English/ Spanish) text give children a glimpse into the worlds of 13 different mammal babies. Compelling childhood facts also broaden the reader’s knowledge about each animal. Cuddled and Carried (Bilingual English & Spanish) Cuddled and Carried/ Consentido y cargado Beautiful images introduce the reader to attachment in the natural world. Watching mothers lend a paw, wing, flipper, or hand to care for their young fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion. Supplemental back matter and a free Teacher's Guide helps parents, librarians, educators, and healthcare providers creatively describe caretaking, while introducing a range of early science concepts. Coming Soon from Platypus Media! Be sure to check back for more information and updates about our upcoming releases: Babies—whether in snowy dens, warm lagoons, cozy nests, or living rooms—are carried and cuddled, nurtured and nuzzled. Stunning images and gentle verse will capture the curiosity of even the youngest readers as they see how animal mothers tend to their cubs, pups, calves, and chicks. “What a gentle book! It nurtures a child’s empathy for others and opens their eyes to the world of nature. Very sweet and educational.” ​ —Dr. Harvey Karp, FAAP, author, The Happiest Baby on the Block Cuddled and Carried - English Ediition The book’s overarching theme of breastfeeding inspires conversations about parenting, biology, habitats, survival, and more, making this book an engaging choice for young children as well as elementary school readers. “The illustrations are lovely.  The beautiful colors and fluid lines allow the reader to see the babies nurse softly and naturally. This beautiful book is a perfect gift for every new baby.” —Alejandrina Vostrejs, Certified Birthing From Within Mentor and Doula Babies Nurse - English Edition All over the world, in all kinds of habitats, mothers bring forth new life. For many animals, such as reptiles and amphibians, mothering responsibilities end before the babies are even born. But mammal babies need their mothers--they need to be nurtured and nourished long enough to learn how to survive on their own. “Completely engrossing! Most readers are sure to be surprised by something they learn about these seemingly familiar animals... A wonderful gift book for expectant parents or families with children." —Carolyn Bailey, Foreword Magazine If My Mom Were a Platypus/ Si mi mamá fuera un ornitorrinco - Spanish Edition

Intuition tells us that reading aloud to young children has benefits, as there is nothing quite like the feeling of your child snuggled on your lap, rapt with attention, while you read a story. Here’s what you may not know: the simple act of reading aloud to your young child is good for their cognitive, emotional, and social development! It’s never too early to start reading to your child. Studies show there are a multitude of benefits to reading to infants and babies as well as older children. Seven Reasons to Read Aloud to Your Child: Emotional and Social: Hearing you use various emotions and expressive sounds as you give voice to a book’s characters fosters social and emotional skills in your child. Looking at illustrations encourages your child – even babies! – to touch, point, look, and ask questions. All of these promote social development and thinking skills. Cuddling with your child while you read also fosters emotional security as they feel safe, warm, and connected to you. Multi-sensory Development: If you watch your child during story time you will notice that they are listening, looking, touching – and sometimes even tasting! – while you read. All of this sensory input feeds your child’s natural curiosity, develops right-brain creativity, and improves verbal skills. Increases Pattern Recognition: You may have noticed that your child wants the same few books read again and again. While this may be tiresome for you it’s great for your child’s brain! Hearing the same text several times over helps youngsters grasp patterns and sequences in language. This increases their literacy skills and accelerates their own learning curve when they start to learn to read. Research shows that re-reading favorite books can boost vocabulary skills by up to 40%! Increases Vocabulary and Literacy: Reading to your child has vocabulary benefits that are different than those learned in everyday conversation. We tend to speak to children at their level, often using truncated sentences, colloquialisms, and jargon. Literature not only exposes your child to more sophisticated language but is also essential for learning phonetics, grammar, and sentence structure. Reading aloud increases literacy and reading comprehension as well. When parent reading involvement is high, a child’s reading scores are 28 points higher than the national average, as compared to low parent reading involvement where scores were 46 points below the national average. Better Math Skills: This is one you may not expect! According to the National Education Association, children who read at home have higher math scores. In fact, when starting school, children who were read to are more likely to be able to count to 20 or higher. Family Bonding: While mothers tend to be the primary reader, fathers, grandparents, and other significant adults in a child’s life play a vital role in encouraging children to be active readers, as they provide a valuable range of experiences for your child. Makes Reading FUN! As any avid reader knows, there are few things better than curling up with a good book and not wanting to put it down. By modeling this to children, parents set an important example and create new generations of passionate readers! There are clearly many benefits to reading aloud to your child, and it’s a good idea to start this practice as early as infancy. It’s a great bonding experience for both of you, it helps your child’s brain development, and accelerates reading when your child reaches school age. What are some books your child loves to read? Which book do they want to hear again and again? Do you have any favorites to read to your child? Let us know in the comments!