New parents gain skills at annual Fort Drum Baby Palooza

By Staff Sgt. Kelly Simon, 10th Mountain Division JournalistApril 28, 2016

Fort Drum Baby Palooza
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Drum Baby Palooza
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Attendees received a bag of goodies and information on a variety of topics from more than 40 vendors and organizations present April 20 at Fort Drum Army Community Service's 4th Annual Baby Palooza at the Youth Center. More than 200 Fort Drum Family ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (April 28, 2016) -- Army Community Service's 4th Annual Baby Palooza, held April 20 at the Fort Drum Youth Center, continues to grow and assist new parents in caring for the special bundles of joy in their lives.

Representatives of more than 30 agencies attended this year's event with four new additions.

Two local hospitals sent representatives in their inaugural appearances at this year's palooza. One hospital sent a lactation consultant to answer questions and offer information on maternity services available at the facility, while another provided infant safety information as well as a variety of programs for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Along with the hospital representatives, two new mini-classes were offered this year.

Capt. Ryan Murphy, officer in charge at the Bridgewater-Vaccaro Medical Simulation Training Center, provided general first aid information and gave demonstrations on infant cardio pulmonary resuscitation and handling infant choking incidents.

"Understanding how to respond helps keep parents from panicking," Murphy said, adding that having that knowledge keeps them from doing more harm in a life-threatening situation. Murphy said he added the choking hazards portion of the class after receiving numerous questions from parents.

The other new addition was a photography class, in which no camera was required. Parents learned how to take great pictures of their children with their smartphones. Classes included tips on lighting, posing and creating a backdrop.

Sue Pappas, a Family Advocacy Program educator and the ACS coordinator for Baby Palooza, said more than 200 people attended this year's event, and she hopes the number continues to grow.

"Our goal is to educate new moms and dads on our programs to prevent child abuse and domestic violence," Pappas said.

She noted that events like Baby Palooza allow parents to pick up tools and strategies to reduce stress, which leads to better communication and stronger Families. That's exactly why Staff Sgt. Ramone Rivera, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and his wife Marlee Arnold attended the event.

"We came to find new things to help the growth of our kids," Rivera said, holding up various pamphlets he had collected.

His wife said she enjoyed learning new techniques to use with their two children, 1-year-old Shariff and 3-month-old Shamar.

Throughout the event, a hush would descend as the tell-tale crackle of the overhead speaker kicked on, signaling another round of door prize winners being announced.

There was face painting and balloon animals available to entertain the children and mini workout sessions for parents throughout the morning. Cornell Cooperation Extension had a nutrition educator on hand to demonstrate how to make baby food and discuss when to introduce solids into a little one's diet.

Aside from a goody bag filled with information and tons of freebies, everyone in attendance had one more thing in common.

"People walk away from here with a smile," Pappas said, glancing around at the hustle and bustle of the Youth Center. "They leave here with information to help them be better parents."

Related Links:

Army.mil: Human Interest

10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum

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