zPlanning Your Pregnancy

New Milford — On Tuesday, May 9, at 6:45 pm at New Milford Hospital, obstetrician John Sussman, MD, and nurse midwife Ellen Struzziero, RN, CNM, MSN, present a community health forum entitled “Planning Your Pregnancy.” The program will be held in the hospital’s Robison Conference Rooms.

Everyone knows a woman needs prenatal care after becoming pregnant, but the best time to see an obstetrician is before she conceives. In fact, considering that the best chance to reduce the possibility of birth defects is in the first six to eight weeks after conception, a prepregnancy meeting with an obstetrician is important.

Dr Sussman, co-author of three books on pregnancy including the best-selling Before You Conceive — The Complete Prepregnancy Guide, and Ms Struzziero discuss preparing for a healthier baby before conception.

This program is free and open to the public. Preregistration is requested by calling 860-350-7215.

Doctor Advising Magazine

New Milford — New Family magazine has just appointed Dr John Sussman, co-author of Before You Conceive: The Complete Prepregnancy Guide, to its editorial advisory board. The New Milford Hospital-affiliated obstetrician and gynecologist is one of four advisors on the magazine’s board. Ann Douglas, Dr Sussman’s co-author on two of his other books, including the Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby, is one of the magazine’s contributing editors.

Dr Sussman has served as the hospital’s medical staff president and several times as its department chairman for obstetrics and gynecology. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and also is an assistant clinical professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

New Family magazine provides practical advice for new parents from the experts and from experienced parents, as well.

Komen Foundation Grant

New Milford — New Milford Hospital has been awarded another $20,000 grant by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The hospital’s Susan G. Komen grant was among 29 awards totaling $535,000 this year to institutions in Connecticut for breast cancer programming in a state where nearly 3,000 women and men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Grants are given to Connecticut organizations that serve women who are uninsured or under-insured or who have other special needs as defined in Komen’s community profile that is compiled every two years. “We fund the gaps in service, education and outreach programs in every county in the state,” continued Pauline R. Kezer, president of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Connecticut affiliate.

 This was New Milford Hospital’s fifth such grant from this foundation, which has distributed about $4 million-plus in the state over the last 12 years. The money will be used for breast health education and to raise awareness about and treat lymphedema, a condition that is a possible consequence after breast cancer surgery.

Infant, Toddler Series

New Milford — During the month of April, New Milford Hospital is holding a three-part program entitled “The Infant/Toddler Years — Language and Nutrition Series.” Following the first two lectures, a fun-filled playgroup focusing on language development is scheduled. Songs, sign language, and hands-on activities demonstrate speech/language-promoting activities. Children are encouraged to attend and participate. Age-appropriate snacks for children and adults will be provided.

The three parts of the program include: Saturday, April 22, 9:30 to 11 am, “Promoting Language in Infants (Ages 0–12 months)” Speakers are pediatrician Laurie Schedgick-Davis, DO, and speech pathologist Aimee Seiderer, MS, CCC-SLP.

The interactive, educational discussion includes normal language milestones, including babbling and first words, and using sign language to promote communication along with everyday activities for encouraging emerging language milestones. Information on delayed speech/language development and the referral procedure for birth-to-3 services are provided.

Saturday, April 29, 9:30 to 11 am, the same speakers will present “Promoting Language in Toddlers (Ages 1–5 years).” They will provide a brief, interactive educational discussion on normal speech-language milestones, including articulation, sentence formation, comprehension and vocabulary growth. Activities for encouraging emerging language milestones are reviewed at length. Dr Schedgick-Davis and Ms Seiderer explain characteristics of delayed speech-language development.

Thursday, April 27, 7 to 8:30 pm, “Infant/Toddler Nutrition — When, What & How” will be presented by pediatrician Diane D’Isidori, MD, and Ms Seiderer, who note, “As parents, we often worry about the best nutritional choices for our children. We know that promoting good eating habits is critical to our children’s mental and physical development process, but it is not always an easy task getting them to comply. This program discusses the various nutritional stages and the best way to introduce foods, tastes and textures. Important tips on ways to develop healthy eating patterns are also provided.”

This program is designed for adults only. Refreshments will be served.

These infant/toddler programs are free and open to the public. Preregistration is requested, and can be made by calling 860-350-7215.