For any nursing mother out there you may from time to time get a plugged duct. There is a lot of information out there on the internet about this and a good resource for me has been kellymom.com.
This website has some basic information about mastitis vs plugged ducts. So you can go read up on it for yourself if you're having any issues.
For me what I found useful was to use a WARM compress before nursing while massaging the lump toward the nipple and after nursing if the lump was still there to use a cold compress and continue massaging. This with frequent nursing/pumping usually got the duct unplugged. I also could take some ibuprofen as well to help with the pain and get the blood flow circulating better.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Fussy Time
Sometimes when talking to my mom on the phone in the evening, my little one would just be so fussy. My little one isn't normally fussy, she's an "angel baby" and is very happy go lucky! So this bout of evening fussing was quite unusual. My mom would often say - oh it's just her fussy time, lots of babies seem to have a fussy time in the early evening.
What can you do to combat this "fussy time"?
Keep to a schedule.
We've discussed it before on here and every baby seems to thrive on a schedule.
Normally a fed baby is a happy baby
Plan the schedule to have a feeding during the early evening.
Nap.
My little one enjoys her naps. A friend suggested that I should try to keep her up through the evening and then she'll sleep through the night better/easier. This was not for my baby, she enjoys her naps too much to give one up. So if your baby needs a 45 minute "power snooze" in the evening, let 'em have it! My baby slept through the night with no issues even with this 45 min. nap.
Keep stimulation to a minimum.
When Dad comes home we know that he loves to have his play time with baby. Which is great and endearing, but it can also be a little much for the baby. Show Dad more subtle ways to play with baby during this time. Keep TV and Radio to a minimum unless that is soothing!
What can you do to combat this "fussy time"?
Keep to a schedule.
We've discussed it before on here and every baby seems to thrive on a schedule.
Normally a fed baby is a happy baby
Plan the schedule to have a feeding during the early evening.
Nap.
My little one enjoys her naps. A friend suggested that I should try to keep her up through the evening and then she'll sleep through the night better/easier. This was not for my baby, she enjoys her naps too much to give one up. So if your baby needs a 45 minute "power snooze" in the evening, let 'em have it! My baby slept through the night with no issues even with this 45 min. nap.
Keep stimulation to a minimum.
When Dad comes home we know that he loves to have his play time with baby. Which is great and endearing, but it can also be a little much for the baby. Show Dad more subtle ways to play with baby during this time. Keep TV and Radio to a minimum unless that is soothing!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Heat Rash
The combination of summer and a child with sensitive skin has brought about my education on heat rash. Since it's very common in hot and humid conditions I thought I'd share the love.
Heat rash is when sweat forms a barrier over the skin, clogging sweat ducts and trapping moisture. This causes red blisters and bumps to form which can also be itchy or painful. At first I thought that Vivi's eczema had gotten worse and I was putting lotion on her. Big mistake, lotions and creme block moisture even more causing the rash to worsen. Poor Vivi. Heat rash is most likely seen on the neck, chest, and in other places with creases. Vivi has it on the back of her neck, going up into her hairline and down onto her upper back, on her chest and chin, and in her left elbow crease. When I put her down for a nap today it must have been bothering her because when she got up her fingers were bloody and her neck was a mass of scratches. Broke my heart!
So here's some things that I found and am implementing to treat heat rash-
1. I'm having Vivi sleep on a cotton towel to absorb her sweat at night. I also put her to bed with just her diaper to see if that would cut down on how much she sweats at night.
2. I'm letting Vivi air-dry after pools, showers, baths, and water time. I'm not sure what this is supposed to do but I got that from babycenter.com.
3. I'm putting pure melaleuca oil on the rash where she scratches the most. It's a natural antiseptic so it should protect from infection plus, because it's clear, it shouldn't trap moisture. I'm going to try it and see how it goes.
4. She will get wiped down with cool washcloths several times a day, especially when outside. This will keep her cool, plus wash away the sweat on the outer layer of skin.
Hopefully this will clear up soon and hopefully none of you will have to deal with heat rash. But if you do, at least you won't make the same mistakes that I did.
Heat rash is when sweat forms a barrier over the skin, clogging sweat ducts and trapping moisture. This causes red blisters and bumps to form which can also be itchy or painful. At first I thought that Vivi's eczema had gotten worse and I was putting lotion on her. Big mistake, lotions and creme block moisture even more causing the rash to worsen. Poor Vivi. Heat rash is most likely seen on the neck, chest, and in other places with creases. Vivi has it on the back of her neck, going up into her hairline and down onto her upper back, on her chest and chin, and in her left elbow crease. When I put her down for a nap today it must have been bothering her because when she got up her fingers were bloody and her neck was a mass of scratches. Broke my heart!
So here's some things that I found and am implementing to treat heat rash-
1. I'm having Vivi sleep on a cotton towel to absorb her sweat at night. I also put her to bed with just her diaper to see if that would cut down on how much she sweats at night.
2. I'm letting Vivi air-dry after pools, showers, baths, and water time. I'm not sure what this is supposed to do but I got that from babycenter.com.
3. I'm putting pure melaleuca oil on the rash where she scratches the most. It's a natural antiseptic so it should protect from infection plus, because it's clear, it shouldn't trap moisture. I'm going to try it and see how it goes.
4. She will get wiped down with cool washcloths several times a day, especially when outside. This will keep her cool, plus wash away the sweat on the outer layer of skin.
Hopefully this will clear up soon and hopefully none of you will have to deal with heat rash. But if you do, at least you won't make the same mistakes that I did.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Fingernail Infection
Children can get a variety of infections from a variety of places. Yesterday I noticed that the skin by my baby's fingernail was red and puffy. It looked sore. My little one does not seem to be one to complain all that much and she didn't treat it like it hurt. It didn't seem to change her behavior at all. Well, after some internet searching I did see that there is an infection called Paronychia.
If you notice that the finger is red and puffy, has a possible pimple and probably pus draining from the area then there is a probably bacterial infection. The infection is caused when there is a small cut or opening, usually from the skin cracking or a hangnail being torn off rather than cut off with fingernail clippers. The infection is normally caused by Staphylococcus bacteria that is normally found in your mouth or other water sources (such as a swimming pool). This is something to watch for if your baby enjoys sucking on their fingers!!
If there is pus causing a pimple on the skin, it will need to be drained and cleansed. An antibacterial soap is the best for cleaning. You may also want to soak the area a few times a day in water and antibacterial soap. The place a bandage over the area so that it can have time to heal without possible further infection. The infection should clear up within a week, if it doesn't you should seek further medical help. Also if the infection is accompanied with a fever - seek help right away!!
If you notice that the finger is red and puffy, has a possible pimple and probably pus draining from the area then there is a probably bacterial infection. The infection is caused when there is a small cut or opening, usually from the skin cracking or a hangnail being torn off rather than cut off with fingernail clippers. The infection is normally caused by Staphylococcus bacteria that is normally found in your mouth or other water sources (such as a swimming pool). This is something to watch for if your baby enjoys sucking on their fingers!!
If there is pus causing a pimple on the skin, it will need to be drained and cleansed. An antibacterial soap is the best for cleaning. You may also want to soak the area a few times a day in water and antibacterial soap. The place a bandage over the area so that it can have time to heal without possible further infection. The infection should clear up within a week, if it doesn't you should seek further medical help. Also if the infection is accompanied with a fever - seek help right away!!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Book Review: The Girlfriends' Guide
I just recently finished up the book The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood by Vicki Iovine.
This book is a quick, easy read with lots of witty commentary that brings humor to the rough few months of motherhood. I wish I would have read this book before I had Lily but better late than never at all.
One key message that is repeated over and over again in the book is that you are not alone. That you are not alone in your thoughts, stresses, baby illnesses, breastfeeding issues, post partum emotions, post partum sex and the ever ominous question - When to have the second baby?
I would recommend this book to help you feel apart of the 'Mommy community' not for fantastic, scientific information on babies.
This book is a quick, easy read with lots of witty commentary that brings humor to the rough few months of motherhood. I wish I would have read this book before I had Lily but better late than never at all.
One key message that is repeated over and over again in the book is that you are not alone. That you are not alone in your thoughts, stresses, baby illnesses, breastfeeding issues, post partum emotions, post partum sex and the ever ominous question - When to have the second baby?
Her topics include:
-In the hospital
-Going home
-Assessing the damage
-Baby euphoria
-Blue, baby, blue
-And the baby makes three
-I am soooo tired, I haven't slept a wink
-I want my old body back!
-Sex? What sex?
-Food, glorious food!
-Keeping everybody healthy
-Going back to work
-The second baby
I would recommend this book to help you feel apart of the 'Mommy community' not for fantastic, scientific information on babies.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mothers Day
Just like to wish all of you a happy Mom's day - we should all get more than just one day!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
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