Category Archives: Facts Tips & Advice

I have stated before that I am leery of general medicine doctors. I also believe  measures and preventative health-such as breastfeeding. I was raised in a house that made it a point to get to the chiropractor at least a few times a year. I have been adjusted since I was a newborn. As an adult, I have slacked off a bit do to insurance problems and lack of money and life getting too busy. Unfortunately, I did not get there at all during my pregnancy, a time which myself and my son could’ve used it most. First, I must say that I am a firm believer in regular chiropractic care. I am the youngest of four girls and until my oldest sister was about 12, my family didn’t go to a chiropractor. When my oldest sister was about 12, she got very sick and missed a lot of school. …

The hardest part about having a baby, kids for that matter, is having to wake up at night. Yes as they get older, it gets easier and you won’t be waking up as much. What about now? Nights are tough for me. I am lucky (knock on wood) that my son only wakes up about twice a night but it’s still hard. What can you do to make it easier? First, you can nurse laying on your side. Unfortunately, my son is still to young to master this. He usually ends up getting mad and I have to sit up anyway. Hopefully in a few more weeks, he’ll be able to do this.  I must warn everyone that this can be a bit dangerous. With my girls, I remember waking up and finding my breast still exposed and a baby laying in my arms.  The possibility to fall back asleep …

Did you ever hear “Never wake a sleeping baby”? Well, that’s not always the case. Sometimes you will need to wake your baby to start nursing or in the middle of nursing. This is not always the easiest task. My son is one of those babies who really likes to sleep. Here are some tips on waking your baby. 1.Make Him Cold- Babies love being warm and need to be kept warm. However, it is fine to make your baby cold in order to eat.  Unwrap the blankets, take off the hat and even take off his clothing. 2. Change His Diaper- This goes along with making him cold. This is great to wake him during the feeding. Your baby will probably have soiled itself during the first half of the feeding anyway, so changing his diaper takes care of two things at once. 3. Flick His Heels- My mom …

I already discussed how often newborns should eat and my answer is as often as a baby wants.  However, what does that really mean? Does it mean I am locked inside my house for the next 6 months waiting for my baby to tell me he’s hungry? No way! I am out and about, taking my older kids to school, going food shopping. finishing my Christmas shopping.  I am doing what I need to do. And I am getting used to having to work around a newborn. Yes, it is hard sometimes, knowing that my clock is ticking before my nice quiet baby turns into a crying monster. However, it’s just an adjustment. First of all, you will find that your baby will most likely sleep longer then usual when it’s nice and warm and moving around in it’s car seat.  This buys you extra time right there. Second, make …

A question that a lot of new moms have is how often should I nurse?  When you are in the hospital, they want you to wake the baby up every 3-4 hours during the day and keep a log of it. Yeah, this is one reason I insist on the early discharge. It’s hard enough being at the hospital but to log your nursing? Also, there were times my son was out of the room for 3 hours like when he got his circumcision.  You will also be told that nursing babies eat every 2 hours. So which is it? The answer is- as often as they want! You need to understand, you are not in charge any more.  Once your baby gets older, nursing will probably be on more of a schedule but for the first few months it simply won’t be.  Your baby will nurse as it sees …

Congratulations you have a baby! You also feel like a deflated balloon. Yes, we all know our bodies have exta padding after we give birth. Theres not much we can do about it during pregnancy so now we need to deal with it and tke care of a newborn.  Luckily, breastfeeding moms have a headstat in this department.  Breastfeeding actually helps lose the baby weight!!! Plus, we still need a few extra calories so it’s not as hard to break our pregnancy way of eating. Nursing causes contactions which tightens your uterus.  This helps tighten up your belly fat right away. I noticed it within 24 hours of my son’s birth. Nursing actually burns calories! It takes about 500 calories a day to breastfeed. Studies show that your body natrually puts fat aside during pregnancy for nursing. After the baby is born, your body will go to these storage areas …

I think a lot of new moms are a little crazy. Every little mark on their newborn makes them want to reach for the phone and call the doctor. Personally, I don’t put to much faith in doctors. Especially with my experience with doctors suggesting supplementing. First of all, the majority of doctors, at least around here, are men. Men just don’t have woman’s intuition and have never experienced being a mommy. Second, doctors learn most, if not all, they know from books and seminars and studies. How many babies are exactly alike? So, my son was born on Thanksgiving at 6 am. I wanted an early discharge anyway but I really wanted to eat a day late Thanksgiving dinner the next day. The baby was using the hospital pediatrician as ours didn’t have hospital privileges. The doctor said everything looked fine and we should be let out at around …

What is a rice sock? Very simply a sock filled with rice.  Take an old sock, perferbly a long one, and fill it with regular rice (not instant).  Tie the sock closed.  Now you have a great heating pad. Place the rice sock in the microwave for about 5 minutes (if you are reheating the sock, put it in for less time) caution it will be hot! Now that you have a hot sock, what good is it? Well, for pregnant and new moms it has so many uses. For starters, use it on sore muscles during pregnancy.  During labor, especially back labor, it is a wonderful natural pain reliever and a great way for your partner to be involved- let him be in charge of the rice sock. After you give birth, it is great to have in the hospital to help with your aches and pains.  It can …

I think a lot of women give up after a few days of breastfeeding because of the sore nipples.  Right now, yeah, my breasts are a little sore. My son is less then a  week old and my breasts are going crazy trying to figure out the right amount of milk to make.  My son has a tiny little mouth and is getting used to nursing. It’s normal right now.  If breastfeeding continues to hurt, it is not normal. You might need a lactation consultant. There are some things you can do to help prevent sore nipples.  My son sometimes won’t let go of a nipple when I need him to switch sides. Trying to break the seal with your finger helps instead of pulling the baby right off.  I have also found that changing your breast pads often helps. It seems like when my pad is wet, my nipples …

My sweet little prince constantly has a gunky eye. It’s just a clogged tear duct andis no big deal.  All you do to treat it is to wash it several times a day- starting with the inside and working your way out with a new piece of the washcloth or cotton ball each time. Try to massage the tear duct and squirt breastmilk into it. Yes, breastmilk helps unclog tear ducts! Here’s what Dr. Sears has to say on the matter: http://www.parenting.com/article/Pregnancy/Health/Ask-Dr.-Sears-Newborn-Eye-Discharge