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Sometimes the simiplest things, like playing out in the rain, can create such joy.
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“The lazy nurser” is a baby that would rather drift off to sleep instead of eating. It typically occurs in younger infants, usually during the first couple of months. A lazy nurser will suck a little then begin drifting off to sleep needing to be awakened in order to finish nursing. This cycle can often result in long, marathon nursing sessions leaving mom a wee bit sleep deprived.
My daughter was a lazy nurser for the first couple of months of her life. She loved to fall asleep nursing, which was great when she ate enough before falling asleep because it meant I could just lay her down and fall asleep myself. However, often she would only nurse a little then quietly drift off to sleep and I would have to wake her up. At first it would result in 1-1.5 hour long nursing sessions, a lot of frustration and a very tired mommy. I learned a few tricks to dealing with my lazy nurser that I wanted to share with those of you out there also dealing with a little lazy nurser.
Nursing your lazy nurser:
- Change the baby’s diaper before you start nursing, or in the middle of the nursing session if your baby tends to fall asleep part way through.
- Don’t nurse your baby all wrapped up, a swaddled baby is more likely to fall asleep instead of nursing.
- Nurse your baby in nothing but a diaper. The cool air will help keep the baby awake.
- Tickle the baby’s feet as you nurse him to help keep him awake.
- Compress the breast to increase the flow if your baby begins to fall asleep, the increased flow with usually awaken them.
- Use a cool, damp cloth and rub it across the baby’s forehead and cheek to help awaken a sleeping nurser.
The trick is to make sure you start out the nursing session with a baby that is fully awake and then to keep the baby awake enough to get a full tummy before he or she falls asleep. You’ll figure out as you go what works best for you baby.
If you are worried that your baby isn’t getting enough to eat just keep track of their diapers and make sure they are wetting and soiling enough diapers each day. You could also take the baby into the pediatrician to get weighed to make sure he or she is gaining weight.
I always knew that Maya’s tummy was full when none of the tricks worked to wake her up 
The flu, or influenza, is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus. The seasonal flu affects millions of people every year with an average of over 200,000 requiring hospitalization. For many people the flu is an annoyance but it can be deadly, claiming, on average, over 30,000 lives each year. Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk from the flu.
Symptoms of the flu include:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- headache and body aches
- chills
- fatigue
For most people the flu lasts only a few days, however, some will become much sicker. The flu can be treated with anti-viral medication such as Tamiflu. You can help prevent contracting the seasonal flu by getting an annual flu shot.
The flu shot is an inactivated influenza vaccine injected into the muscle. The vaccine changes each year, just as the flu virus changes each year, the vaccine contains the strains that they health community believes will be the prevalent strains for the upcoming season. It is recommended that the following groups of people get vaccinated every year:
- Children 6 months and older.
- Adults over 50
- Anyone with a compromised immune system, including, people with HIV/AIDS and those undergoing cancer treatment.
- Anyone at an increased risk of complications from the flu, including, pregnant women, people with heart or lung disease, asthma, kidney or liver disease, or blood disorders
- Anyone with a muscle or nerve disorder including seizure disorders and cerebral palsy.
- Anyone undergoing long-term aspirin treatment.
- Residents of chronic-care facilities including nursing homes.
- Anyone who lives with or cares for people in the high risk groups above.
The risks and side effects of the flu vaccine are minimal and occur in only a small percentage of those who get the vaccine. The risks and side effects include:
Mild Reactions (usually occur soon after the shot is given and last only 1-2 days):
- Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site.
- fever
- aches
Severe, life-threatening allergic reactions are possible with an vaccine, but are extremely rare. Severe allergic reactions usually occur within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccine is administered. Signs of a severe reaction include: high fever, behavior changes, difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, weakness, rapid heart beat or dizziness. If you experience any unusual symptoms after the flu shot you should call your doctor.
Most doctors offices have flu vaccines available now. Call your doctor to schedule your appointment to help avoid getting sick from this seasons flu. My daughter got her shot today and I’ll be getting mine next week.
If you have questions or concerns about the flu vaccine you should talk to your doctor.
Any woman going through her last trimester of pregnancy knows that there is a reason women are so “ready” to have the baby by the time delivery day roles around. The aches and pains of late pregnancy are enough to make even the easiest pregnancy a challenge. From the sleeplessness to the back pain, to the practice contractions to the heartburn; it is all enough to make us beg that little one inside to hurry up and come on out to meet the world already.
When I was pregnant with Maya I was one of the lucky ones. I had a textbook easy pregnancy, even my late pregnancy was fairly easy. However, I remember the annoying lower back pain, the pain in my pelvic bones and hips as everything began to stretch and the difficulty sleeping. I just wanted to know what it all was, why it was happening and how to make it better.
Here are a few of the most common aches and pains from late pregnancy, what they are, what causes them and how you can relieve them (if possible):
- Sleeplessness: Insomnia is common in late pregnancy. Some women are just so exhausted they can’t sleep, others just simply aren’t tired and thus can’t sleep. Add to that the pain and discomfort you are feeling in many parts of your body and it often results in a lack of sleep. Many doctors recommend exercise in the evening (if you are cleared for exercise), avoid caffeine and eating lots of food right before bed.
- Exhaustion: If you can’t sleep than it isn’t any wonder you are exhausted. Not to mention that with everything going on with your body you just don’t have the energy reserves to accomplish all your usual tasks. Try cutting back on what you do during the day (if you can), take a nap during the day if you are able (I used to nap in my car during lunch breaks). Eat a balanced diet, exercise and get sleep when you can.
- Back Pain: Back pain is common throughout pregnancy, but tends to get worse during the last couple of months. Your growing abdomen and changing posture is putting a lot of pressure on your back and the baby is growing and putting pressure on your back. Stretching, a warm bath and a massage are all great ways to help alleviate back pain.
- Leg Cramps: Leg cramps are caused by the changes in your muscle tone and elasticity during pregnancy and the added pressure from the baby. Women often experience them most often at night. Leg stretches before bed, putting your legs up when you can, and avoiding pointing your toes are all great ways to help avoid leg cramps.
- Shortness of Breath: As they baby grows it crowds your lungs and puts additional pressure on your diaphragm making it more difficult to breathe. As with many of the late pregnancy symptoms this is often felt while you are trying to sleep. By sleeping propped up a bit you may be able to breathe a little better. Stretching can also help.
- Heartburn: Again, that growing baby putting pressure on all your insides results in yet another common complaint, heartburn. The best ways to avoid heartburn are to avoid the foods that give you heartburn and staying upright after eating. You can also try drinking a glass of milk to calm the stomach acids.
- Pain in the Pelvic and Hip Bones: This pain is caused when the ligaments and tendons in your pelvic region begin to loosen and the bones begin to spread in preparation for your upcoming labor and delivery. Some ways to alleviate the pain include light stretching and a warm compress. Swimming can also help.
- Braxton Hicks Contractions: Also known as practice contractions. These contractions are happening throughout your pregnancy but often aren’t felt until late pregnancy. These contractions are preparing your muscles and uterus for the real thing. You can help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by these contractiosn by changing your position, drinking a large glass of cold water, taking a warm bath or taking a nap.
Your body is under going a lot of changes during the last couple of months of pregnancy and the growing baby is putting a lot of pressure on a lot of different areas result in pain and discomfort. Do what you can to stay comfortable, rested and relaxed (I know easier said than done sometimes). Talk to your doctor if you are worried about any particular symptoms you are having.
When you become a parent you quickly discover just how necessary “me time” really is to your sanity. You’ll read about in books, on parenting websites, hear it from friends but until you are in the midst of caring for your little one you won’t truly “get it”. Setting aside some time each day to focus on just you will help you keep your cool, stay sane and give your best you to your kids.
As time gets the better of you and you are so busy taking care of your family, cleaning the house, running errands, keeping everything and everyone on the right track it can be easy to forget about YOU. When life seems to be operating in fast forward who has time to slow down and take a little time out for themselves? However, that hour or two hours or whatever you need can make a huge difference. I admit that I haven’t been the greatest at taking time for just me since my daughter was born, but I try. I changed my routine up a bit and stopped using naptime for chores and instead began to use it for my me time. Even the couple of hours I get in the middle of the day while she is napping makes a huge difference. Instead of cleaning or doing other chores I try to do something I like during that time. I’ll write, or read a book, or take a quick nap, or even just sit down and watch a little television. By doing something for me I don’t feel robbed of “me time” at the end of the day. I don’t feel like I’m ignoring my own needs and wants. You would be amazed how much difference an hour of time on something you love, something your doing just for you can make.
So, no matter what your thing is; be it getting a massage, taking a hot bath, reading a good book, playing your favorite sport, going to the gym, shopping without kids in tow, or just sitting quietly alone, be sure to set aside sometime for your “me time”. If you can do it every day, if you can’t try to make sure you don’t go more than a few days without some “me time”. When we are too run-ragged, too frustrated, too tired parenting is that much harder. When we are happy, mentally and physically rested, in the groove everything becomes that much easier.
What do you do for “me time”? How do you make sure you fit it into your routine?