The marginalisation of dreams in clinical psychological practice.

The longstanding human interest in dreams has led to a significant body of psychological and philosophical discourse, including research. Recently, however, dreams have been relegated to the periphery of clinical psychological practice. This is potentially problematic as clients continue to bring dreams to therapy and many psychologists lack the confidence or competence to respond effectively to dream material.

Preparation for parenting multiple birth children.

The experience of expecting and parenting multiples is decidedly different from that of a singleton pregnancy and parenthood. Multiple births are associated with substantial medical, health care, socio-emotional, developmental, educational and economic consequences for both families and society. This paper aims to advise health professionals on how best to help families prepare for and successfully respond to the demands of multiple pregnancy and the first 5 years of parenthood after the births of twins, triplets or more.

Efficacy and safety of linezolid compared with vancomycin in a randomized, double-blind study of febrile neutropenic patients with cancer.

Background: Gram-positive pathogens can cause serious infections in neutropenic patients with cancer, and vancomycin therapy is often initiated empirically. Linezolid may offer an option for these patients.

Methods: To compare the safety and efficacy of linezolid and vancomycin in febrile, neutropenic patients with cancer, we conducted a double-blind, multicenter equivalence study.

Breastfeeding rights of multiple birth families and guidelines for health professionals.

Increasing numbers of women wish to breastfeed their multiple birth children. Breastfeeding of preterm and fullterm multiple birth infants is complex and demanding for the families and presents distinct challenges for health professionals. Families require sustained assistance from health care providers who are encouraging, knowledgeable, skilled, and committed to the breastfeeding of multiple birth children.

Breastfeeding higher order multiples: enhancing support during the postpartum hospitalization period.

Higher order multiple birth (HOM) families require genuine and effective support in their quest to breastfeed their infants during the postdelivery hospitalization period. Evidence suggests that the impact of current policies and care practices on HOM breastfeeding requires careful examination. Recommendations for enhanced support include evidence-based breastfeeding of multiples practices, multiples-specific breastfeeding education for HOM families and health professionals, and establishment of an HOM breastfeeding consultation network.

Prenatal behavior of multiples: implications for families and nurses.

Each twin and higher order multiple leads an extraordinary life before birth. The literature has revealed that the intrauterine environment differs for every multiple fetus and helps to shape the individuality of each multiple-birth child. From early in pregnancy, it appears that a multiple develops his or her own temperament and each set of multiples establishes an individualized pattern of tactile communication between or among themselves.