How much milk does your baby drink?

How much milk does your baby drink?

I don't know... a boobfull?

Nurse on, Momma! You're doing great.

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Breastfeeding Group #Breastfed Human Milk 4 Human Babies Global Network #NIP #Lactation Eats On Feets Peaceful Parenting Community

Taking My Name Back: Recognizing and Rising Above Domestic Abuse

Publicly on Facebook here.

My name is Hannah Hollander and today is my birthday. I am 24 years old and am in the process of taking my name back. Rather than hiding in shame and embarrassment, (which, trust me, I really want to do most days) today I’m muffing up the courage to tell you part of my story, but it’s really the story of countless women across the world. I recommend you take the time to read, because 1 in every 3 women have similar stories. It might be the story of your aunt, or your grandma, or the girl you sit next to in class, or the girl at the register when you buy your food. I recommend you read, because chances are we all have a part to play in someone’s life who’s story is similar to mine. Let’s do our part and help make this world a safer place.

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“Why didn’t you call the police?”

“Ideally you would have reported the abuse after it happened.”

“Normally victims are scared of their abusers.”

“I don’t believe there are any grounds for divorce.”

“I would have fought back.”

“You got married really young. Did you see the signs before you were married?”

“Did you think about calling the police? Well, why didn’t you?”

I’ve heard a lot of responses over the last couple months. Most of which are positive, loving, and validating. But these are the responses that circle in my head, the ones my brain chooses to fixate on.

This first photo used to be one of my favorite from our wedding. I had worked out my arms for months because I was self conscious of them and I remember a friend telling me “Hannah, your arms look so good!”

Many people judged me for getting married young. I had a close mentor tell me that I had no clue what I was getting into. I had a friend who basically had an intervention with me. I had an aunt who told me, “You know, you don’t have to do this,” right after we were engaged. At the time I remember scoffing, thinking, “All it takes is commitment.”

Days after this first photo was taken I would hear the words "I want a divorce," for the first time, on our honeymoon. I would hear it countless times after that, but I was committed. This was the guy who treated me, told me how amazing I was, told me about the extravagant life he wanted to build together. It was the guy my parents and family fell in love with. It was the guy who said he wanted to provide for me, who wrote me long letters and sent flowers.

And after every curse, every name-call, every shove, I believed it would just get better. This wasn’t who he was, I believed. “Marriage is really hard,” I was told, “you just have to stick it through, it gets better.” And I was committed.

I was so committed I kept everything a secret, not wanting to taint his character. I suggested we get tattoo rings so he could no longer take it off and throw it when he was angry. I always chose to drive, just in case we got in an argument in the car. I went to counseling so that I could figure out how to contain his anger by using “I” statements and apologizing first. I painted the walls and doors he punched. I cleaned up the shards of the mirror he broke. I stopped asking him to do things. I stopped interrupting him. I let him tell the stories. I laughed when he made mean jokes about me because he was “just joking.”

I was committed. Divorce wasn’t an option for me.

For several months I’ve been angry.

Angry I was never educated on what abuse is.

Angry I hadn’t seen signs.

Angry that other relationships seemed to have no problems.

Angry that for three years I believed I wasn’t being abused, because “abused people end up in hospitals.”

Angry I didn’t own my worth sooner.

Angry I have four relatives that divorced their husbands over domestic violence, but was never told their stories until this past year.

But now I get it. No one wants to talk about the specifics of abuse because it feels like no one really wants to hear it. You watch their bodies tense up, their faces not knowing what expression to show. Most will end up saying “I’m sorry.” But then your gut reaction will be to say, “It’s okay,” when it really isn’t okay. And you’ll start to blame yourself by saying, “I was young, I was naïve, I should have seen the signs,” even though countless people will tell you, “This isn’t your fault.” You’ll begin to feel validated and strong. But then someone will respond in the worst way, like the lawyers who say, “Well, why didn’t you call the police?” And you question everything.

I don’t share this to slander him or pit others against him. Someday I know I’ll be able to forgive him for the three years I feel like he stole from my life, even though that day is not now. There also needs to be more accountability and avenues of healing for people who have been the oppressor, but that’s not what this post is about.

I’m not sharing this because I’m angry or as a “woe is me.” I’m honestly in a really great place now, surrounded by family and friends who are crazy supportive. I don’t need people to validate me anymore or tell me how brave I was for leaving (you’ll hear that a lot too). I have the support I need.

I only share this because I wish I knew back then what I know now. And if I can educate one woman on abuse, it will be worth it. After I left, I learned that 1 in 3 women will be victims of domestic violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. ONE IN THREE. Many of whom will stay in these relationships for many years. It’s time to start educating our daughters on what abuse actually is.

If he calls you names like bitch and cunt, that’s not normal -- it’s abuse.

If he blames you for everything and is not taking responsibility for his own actions, that’s not normal -- it’s manipulation and abuse.

If he creates a “reality” where you’re the monster and he’s the victim, that’s not normal -- it’s manipulation and abuse.

If he repeatedly swears at you, or says he wants a divorce (or threatens to break up), that’s not normal -- it’s manipulation and abuse.

If he blocks you with his body, or pushes you, even if you aren’t hurt, that’s not normal -- it’s abuse.

If he spits on you, leaves you, or keeps you from leaving, punishes you in some way, punches walls, says he wants to kill you or kill himself, yells in your face, throws your clothes outside, makes messes you’re expected to clean up, THAT'S NOT NORMAL -- it’s manipulation and abuse.

I know now why women stay in these relationships. I know now why women keep their secrets and hide their bruises. I know now why women never press charges for sexual assault or don’t come forward for many years.

I know now why we don’t call the police.

The first step in my journey of freedom was texting the domestic violence hotline at 741-741. They were the ones who encouraged me to reach out and tell a friend, which turned into telling my parents, which led to leaving and finding safety, which led to choosing divorce (or rather, freedom).

If you are experiencing things like the above from your significant other, or any other thing that just doesn’t feel “right,” I encourage you to tell someone. Anyone. Even a stranger on the other end of a text message. If you’re keeping it a secret, it’s likely wrong and needs to stop. 741-741.

If someone reaches out to you and shares that their marriage or relationship is struggling, ask questions. Ask them if they ever feel unsafe. Ask them what it’s like during arguments. If it sounds sketchy, kindly ask them if they’ve ever thought about calling the police. Because if they are in an abusive situation, chances are they’ve thought about it, they’ll just likely never do it.

The second photo I took about 3 weeks after I left. I look at her face and it makes me feel hope. She was jobless, homeless, tired, and sad. But her hair looked good, so she decided to take a selfie.

There are days when the world seems gray. When it feels like it’s never going to end. When every little thing feels like a mountain even though I know in my head it’s insignificant. But on the day I took this photo, a friend told me, “Hannah, someday you’ll see the colors again,” and when I look at that photo, I believe it to be true.

If you feel moved (and for my birthday😊), I encourage you to donate a couple bucks to a non-profit in your local community that affects the lives of young women like me whose stories are similar to mine.

Love y’all so much. 💜
#SpeakYourTruth #BelieveWomen #DomesticAbuseAwareness

End Note: THANK YOU for sharing my story. I am so encouraged by the growing awareness. I have created a Facebook group so we can share encouragement and resources in recovering from abuse. Anyone is welcome to join. Please head over to Speak Your Truth and share your story with us.

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Foreskin and its 16+ Functions

The foreskin is an organ present on all mammals from birth (male and female, human and other mammals). It serves many important purposes, and is not 'just skin.' When the foreskin is lost to infant circumcision, there are at least 16 important functions that are lost, and likely more that we have yet to fully understand.  

Frenar Band, or Ridged Band

The frenar band is a group of soft ridges near the junction of the inner and outer foreskin. This region is the primary erogenous zone of the intact male body. Loss of this delicate belt of densely innervated, sexually responsive tissue reduces the fullness and intensity of sexual response. [Source: Taylor, J. R. et al., "The Prepuce: Specialized Mucosa of the Penis and Its Loss to Circumcision," British Journal of Urology 77 (1996): 291-295.]

Mechanical Gliding Action

The foreskin's gliding action is a hallmark feature of the normal, natural, intact penis. This non-abrasive gliding of the penis in and out of its own shaft skin facilitates smooth, comfortable, pleasurable intercourse for both partners. Without this gliding action, the corona of the circumcised penis can function as a one-way valve, making artificial lubricants necessary for comfortable intercourse. [Source: P. M. Fleiss, MD, MPH, "The Case Against Circumcision," Mothering: The Magazine of Natural Family Living (Winter 1997): 36-45.]

Meissner's Corpuscles

Circumcision removes the most important sensory component of the foreskin - thousands of coiled fine-touch receptors called Meissner's corpuscles. Also lost are branches of the dorsal nerve, and 20,000+ specialized erotogenic nerve endings of several types. Together these detect subtle changes in motion and temperature, as well as fine gradations in texture. [Sources: 1. R. K. Winkelmann, "The Erogenous Zones: Their Nerve Supply and Its Significance," Proceedings of the Staff Meetings of the Mayo Clinic 34 (1959): 39-47. 2. R. K. Winkelmann, "The Cutaneous Innervation of Human Newborn Prepuce," Journal of Investigative Dermatology 26 (1956): 53-67.]

Frenulum

The frenulum is a highly erogenous V-shaped structure on the underside of the glans that tethers the foreskin. During circumcision it is frequently either amputated with the foreskin or severed, which destroys or diminishes its sexual and physiological functions. [Sources: 1. Cold, C, Taylor, J, "The Prepuce," BJU International 83, Suppl. 1, (1999): 34-44. 2. Kaplan, G.W., "Complications of Circumcision," Urologic Clinics of North America 10, 1983.]

Dartos Fascia

Circumcision removes approximately half of this temperature-sensitive smooth muscle sheath, which lies between the outer layer of skin and the corpus cavernosa. [Source: Netter, F.H., "Atlas of Human Anatomy," Second Edition (Novartis, 1997): Plates 234, 329, 338, 354, 355.]

Components of the Immune System

The soft mucosa (inner foreskin) contains its own immunological defense system which produces plasma cells. These cells secrete immunoglobulin antibodies as well as antibacterial and antiviral proteins, including the pathogen killing enzyme lysozyme. [Sources: 1. A. Ahmed and A. W. Jones, "Apocrine Cystadenoma: A Report of Two Cases Occurring on the Prepuce," British Journal of Dermatology 81 (1969): 899-901. 2. P. J. Flower et al., "An Immunopathologic Study of the Bovine Prepuce," Veterinary Pathology 20 (1983):189-202.]

Lymphatic Vessels

The loss of these vessels due to circumcision reduces the lymph flow within that part of the body's immune system. [Source: Netter, F.H., "Atlas of Human Anatomy," Second Edition (Novartis, 1997): plate 379.]

Estrogen Receptors

The presence of estrogen receptors within the foreskin has only recently been discovered. Their purpose is not yet understood and needs further study. [Source: R. Hausmann et al., "The Forensic Value of the Immunohistochemical Detection of Oestrogen Receptors in Vaginal Epithelium," International Journal of Legal Medicine 109 (1996): 10-30.]

Apocrine Glands

These glands of the inner foreskin produce pheromones - nature's powerful, silent, invisible behavioral signals to potential sexual partners. The effect of their absence on human sexuality has never been studied. [Source: A. Ahmed and A. W. Jones, "Apocrine Cystadenoma: A Report of Two Cases Occurring on the Prepuce," British Journal of Dermatology 81 (1969): 899-901.]

Sebaceous Glands

The sebaceous glands may lubricate and moisturize the foreskin and glans, which is normally a protected internal organ. Not all men have sebaceous glands on their inner foreskin. [Source: A. B. Hyman and M. H. Brownstein, "Tyson's Glands: Ectopic Sebaceous Glands and Papillomatosis Penis," Archives of Dermatology 99 (1969): 31-37.]

Langerhans Cells

These specialized epithelial cells are a component of the immune system in the penis. [Source: G. N. Weiss et al., "The Distribution and Density of Langerhans Cells in the Human Prepuce: Site of a Diminished Immune Response?" Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 29 (1993): 42-43.]

Natural Glans Coloration

The natural coloration of the glans and inner foreskin (usually hidden and only visible to others when sexually aroused) is considerably more intense than the permanently exposed and keratinized coloration of a circumcised penis. The socio-biological function of this visual stimulus has never been studied. The glans ranges from pink to red to dark purple among intact men with light skin tone, and from pinkish to mahagony to dark brown among men with dark skin tone. If circumcision is performed on an infant or young boy, the connective tissue which protectively fuses the foreskin and glans together is ripped apart. This leaves the glans raw and subject to infection, scarring, pitting, shrinkage, and eventual discoloration. Over a period of years the glans becomes keratinized, adding additional layers of tissue in order to adequately protect itself, which further contributes to discoloration. Many restoring men report dramatic changes in glans color and appearance, and that these changes closely mirror the natural coloration and smooth, glossy appearance of the glans seen in intact men. [Source: P. M. Fleiss, MD, MPH, "The Case Against Circumcision," Mothering: The Magazine of Natural Family Living (Winter 1997): 36-45.]

Length and Circumference

Circumcision removes some of the length and girth of the penis - its double-layered wrapping of loose, and usually longer, tissue is removed. A circumcised penis is truncated and thinner than it would have been if left intact. [Source: R. D. Talarico and J. E. Jasaitis, "Concealed Penis: A Complication of Neonatal Circumcision," Journal of Urology 110 (1973): 732-733.]

Blood Vessels

Several feet of blood vessels, including the frenular artery and branches of the dorsal artery, are removed in circumcision. The loss of this rich vascularization interrupts normal blood flow to the shaft and glans of the penis, damaging the natural function of the penis and altering its development. [Sources: 1. H. C. Bazett et al., "Depth, Distribution and Probable Identification in the Prepuce of Sensory End-Organs Concerned in Sensations of Temperature and Touch; Thermometric Conductivity," Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry 27 (1932): 489-517. 2. Netter, F.H., "Atlas of Human Anatomy," Second Edition (Novartis, 1997): plates 238, 239.]

Dorsal Nerves

The terminal branch of the pudendal nerve connects to the skin of the penis, the prepuce, the corpora cavernosa, and the glans. Destruction of these nerves is a rare but devastating complication of circumcision. If cut during circumcision, the top two-thirds of the penis will be almost completely without sensation. [Sources: 1. Agur, A.M.R. ed., "Grant's Atlas of Anatomy," Ninth Edition (Williams and Wilkins, 1991): 188-190. 2. Netter, F.H., "Atlas of Human Anatomy," Second Edition (Novartis, 1997): plate 380, 387.]

16+ Other Losses:

Circumcision performed during infancy disrupts the bonding process between child and mother. There are indications that the innate sense of trust in intimate human contact is inhibited or lost. It can also have significant adverse effects on neurological development and cause a host of problems with breastfeeding and attachment development.

Additionally, an infant's self-confidence and hardiness is diminished by forcing the newborn victim into a defensive psychological state of "learned helplessness" or "acquired passivity" to cope with the excruciating pain which he can neither fight nor flee.

The trauma of this early pain lowers a circumcised boy's pain threshold below that of intact boys and girls. This has been proven in a study during vaccination time. [Sources: 1. R. Goldman, Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma (Boston: Vanguard Publications, 1997), 139-175. 2. A. Taddio et al., "Effect of Neonatal Circumcision on Pain Responses during Vaccination in Boys," Lancet 345 (1995): 291-292.]

Every year some boys lose their entire penises from circumcision accidents and infections. They are then "sexually reassigned" by castration and transgender surgery, and are expected to live their lives as females. [Sources: 1. J. P. Gearhart and J. A. Rock, "Total Ablation of the Penis after Circumcision with Electrocautery: A Method of Management and Long-Term Followup," Journal of Urology 142 (1989):799-801. 2. M. Diamond and H. K. Sigmundson, "Sex Reassignment at Birth: Long-Term Review and Clinical Implications," Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 151 (1997): 298-304.]

Every year many boys in the United States and elsewhere lose their lives as a result of circumcision - a fact that is routinely ignored or obscured. More U.S. born boys in the neonatal period of infancy die as the result of circumcision complications than from SIDS, car accidents, crib accidents, suffocation or choking. [Sources: 1. G. W. Kaplan, "Complications of Circumcision," Urologic Clinics of North America 10 (1983): 543-549. 2. R. S. Thompson, "Routine Circumcision in the Newborn: An Opposing View," Journal of Family Practice 31 (1990): 189-196.

The human foreskin represents 1/3 to 1/2 the complete penis at birth and in early childhood, and plays an important part in normal sexual functioning in adulthood.

Learn more:

National Organization of Restoring Men: The Lost List: http://www.norm.org/lost.html

Functions of the Foreskin by Drs. Fleiss and Hodges: http://www.rMomma.org/2009/09/functions-of-foreskin-purposes-of.html

The Touch Test: http://www.SavingSons.org/2014/06/fine-touch-pressure-thresholds-of-human.html

Foreskin: Sexual Functioning (CIRP): http://www.cirp.org/library/sex_function/

Restoration Resources: http://www.SavingSons.org/2009/10/foreskin-restoration.html

Saving Our Sons Community (group)

Professional cards and vinyl stickers available for sharing at Etsy.

Georgetown University Lecture:

Infant Circumcision: The Elephant in the Hospital

by Dr. Ryan McAllister

An added message for physicians:

Medical Professionals for Genital Autonomy

To join the MedPro advisory panel, email SavingSons@gmail.com

Professional cards available for sharing at Etsy.

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The Amazing Powers of Human Lactation

Photo via @obstetrica.angela -- the amazing powers of human lactation!

To join in the celebration, nursing mothers and lactation consultants are welcome in the Breastfeeding group - a mother/baby-friendly, research based group for community and learning.


 

Babies Breastfeed for Many Reasons

"He's just feeding for comfort" is a comment breastfeeding supporters hear a lot. And why not? Anyone who has breastfed will soon come to realize that breastfeeding is about far more than just food. Yes it's handy that this act of liquid love is also optimally designed to grow and nourish our babies, but there is far more to it than that.

Of course babies ask to breastfeed when they're hungry. And they're hungry a lot! But they may also be thirsty and just want a quick drink, especially in hot weather. Or their bodies and brains may be in a fast period of growth which needs to be fueled. They may also ask to feed if they're feeling cold, if they want a cuddle, if they've missed you, if they're feeling lonely, or tired, or poorly, or scared. Or if they are in pain. All of these reasons are just as valid as hunger.

Breastfeeding your baby whenever they ask, ensures not only that they receive enough nutrition but that their physical and emotional needs are met as well.

-Kathryn Stagg IBCLC

More from Stagg at: KathrynStaggIBCLC.com

Find support, community, and research based answers in the Breastfeeding Group

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Hormone Balance Tips for Women

Improving your health can be an admirable goal, however, at times it may feel difficult. This can be true especially if you are struggling with hormone balance. Hormones can affect many areas of health and having them in balance may help accomplish a variety of things from creating an increase libido in women to aiding in weight loss. Here are a few tips to try for balancing hormones.

The Right Diet

While many may know that diet can have a significant impact on health, they may not realize that this is in part because of the impact that it can have on hormones. There are many foods that may potentially disrupt proper hormone function in large amounts. Some of these include alcohol, sugar, and processed, refined carbs. However, there are many foods that may aid in balancing hormones as well, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of water, and green tea.

Get Your Exercise

Your levels of physical activity may also play a role in hormone balance as well. Not getting enough exercise can potentially be damaging to your hormones, however, getting too much exercise might have a negative impact on them as well. This may be because workouts that are too strenuous can put undue stress on the body, which may lead to an increase in stress hormones such as cortisol. While it may be normal to have some cortisol in your system in small amounts, having levels that are too high can potentially disrupt the rest of your hormone function.

Take Time to De-Stress

As mentioned above, stress can at times have a strong impact on hormone balance. Because of this, taking time to de-stress on a regular basis may be a good idea. Also, there can be many ways to do this, whether you prefer meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply spending time on a hobby that you enjoy. Although it may not be possible to banish stress from your life completely, taking time to reduce it can have a beneficial impact, and in many cases spending as little as 15 to 20 minutes a day on a relaxing activity may be enough to make a noticeable difference.

Get Your ZZZs

Just as relaxation can be important for hormones, sleep may be even more so. When you sleep, your body undergoes many processes, some of which are related to hormone balance. If you don't get deep sleep, or get enough sleep in general, your body may be prevented from undergoing these processes. Even if you find it difficult to get the recommended eight hours of sleep, simply squeezing in an extra hour or two a night may prove beneficial.

The Bottom Line

Making the effort to improve your health can be a worthwhile one, but you may find yourself hitting roadblocks if you struggle with hormone balance. That doesn't mean, though, that there isn't anything you can try to do about it.

Although it may not always feel easy to know what to do when it comes to hormones, there are actions you can take. By taking some time to eat a healthy diet, get enough exercise and get rest when you need it, you can potentially help to improve your hormone balance and feel your best.

How to Overcome the Death of a Loved One

Losing a loved one is one of the most traumatic experiences you can go through in your life. When a family member, partner or friend dies, you can feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself.

Coping with a loved one’s death takes time and each person’s healing journey is unique to them. However, while every individual’s experience with grief is different, there are some basic universal tenets that can apply to everyone dealing with the death of a loved one.

Honor Your Feelings

Death digs up a variety of emotions so allow yourself to feel whatever feelings come your way. You might be overwhelmed with sadness, anger, and shock—and even experience these emotions simultaneously. Remember, there is no “right way” to feel after you lose someone close to you.

Give Yourself Time

The grieving process is comprised of five stages according to psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. While she based her research on patients facing terminal illness, people have applied them to feelings of loss like a death or break-up.

These stages are:

• Denial: You might be in a state of shock and disbelief and unable to comprehend your loved one’s passing. You may even find yourself combing through public death records, just to make sure your loved one is truly gone.

• Anger: As you begin to understand the situation, you might feel angry and direct your anger to your loved ones who have died, yourself, or even to God.

• Bargaining: You may also find yourself trying to cut a deal with God or a higher power.

• Depression: You may become overcome with sadness, but this will not last forever.

• Acceptance: Finally reaching a point where you are able to move forward with your life.

Reach Out For Support

Sometimes you will want to be alone. And sometimes you will want a shoulder to cry on or just someone to listen. Seek support when you need to talk. This could be from relatives, friends, a religious leader, or a therapist.

Whoever you feel comfortable talking to and processing your feelings with. If you want to speak to a counselor, reach out to the therapy Group of DC for help. Speaking to a licensed mental health professional can help you find effective strategies to cope and handle the loss. When you are finally ready to open up and talk, be sure to discuss the person’s death so you can fully come to grips with the reality of it.

Take Care Of Yourself

It’s normal to be so consumed by sadness when grieving that you forget to take care of yourself. During the bereavement period, remember to eat healthy food, get an adequate amount of sleep each night, and exercise. Doing simple things in the name of self-care—like just taking a shower—can help you establish a routine and begin to move forward.

Celebrate Life

After reaching the final stage of the grieving process, you may feel the need to honor your loved one’s memory. You can do this in a variety of ways including dedicating a garden or tree to them, making a donation to their favorite charity, sharing stories about them, or naming your child after the deceased.

You will also need to embrace your own life. As you accept the reality of living without your loved one by your side, you will come to terms with the concept of death and begin to move on. This is nothing to feel guilty over. Death is a part of life and learning how to process the pain and establish a life without the person aids in the healing.

What benefits are in ONE teaspoon of human milk?

How complex is breastmilk?

What is in one amazing, powerful mere teaspoon of human milk?

Between 50,000-65,000,000 living cells that make up nutrients, antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, probiotic hormones and stem cells!! 

Breastfeeding is life-changing for a life time.

If you nurse your baby (for any amount of time): http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/12/if-you-nurse-your-baby.html

The perfect book for moms looking ahead to breastfeeding - Breastfeeding Made Simple.

One teaspoon of human milk contains over 3 million germ killing cells!

Snapshot of a natural weaning moment...

37 months of 'the good stuff!'

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What my body needs...

Today I asked my body what she needed,
Which is a big deal
Considering my journey of
Not Really Asking That Much.

I thought she might need more water.
Or protein.
Or greens.
Or yoga.
Or supplements.
Or movement.

But as I stood in the shower
Reflecting on her stretch marks,
Her roundness where I would like flatness,
Her softness where I would like firmness,
All those conditioned wishes
That form a bundle of Never-Quite-Right-Ness,
She whispered very gently:

Can you just love me like this?

❤️

-Hollie Holden

More from Holden at: www.HollieHolden.me

How to Relieve Your Baby’s Congestion

Babies have underdeveloped immune systems compared to adults, and this makes them more susceptible to infections and diseases. When your little one starts showing symptoms, you can’t help but worry if it’s an indication of something dangerous. In particular, one of the commonly occurring ones is congestion.

What is Congestion?

When the body encounters pathogens or other foreign invaders, it secretes mucus. This sticky fluid will then accumulate in the airways and nose. Too much mucus blocks these parts, making it difficult to breathe and feed. The general discomfort from the blockage can also affect your little one’s quality of sleep. And if untreated, it might lead to sinusitis.

Newborn congestion is more dangerous than infant congestion due to their weaker immune system. If your child is under three months of age, we suggest that you immediately take him/her to the doctor.

Those older than three months of age, on the other hand, doesn’t pose as much risk. Infants will commonly experience congestion because if you think about it, their passages are narrower than ours. It’s faster for these spaces to fill up with mucus compared to an adult's. However, like with any other health issues, nothing can bring you more peace if you talk to your child’s pediatrician.

Symptoms of Baby Congestion

Mucus Discharge

A runny nose along with nasal congestion indicates common cold in babies. Depending on the cause of your baby’s congestion, you might find mucus ranging from clear, white, or yellow in color.

Difficulty in Eating and Sleeping As we have mentioned earlier, congestion is uncomfortable, and it can affect normal body functions. Babies might refuse to eat/suck because of the resulting difficulty in breathing caused by congestion. Babies may also become more restless and avoid sleeping or napping because of the discomfort.

Faster Breathing If your baby’s respiratory passages are blocked by mucus, then consequently he/she is going to breathe faster than normal to compensate for the difficulty. To give you an idea, babies normally take 40 breaths per minute. However, if your child takes more than 60 breaths per minute, it would be safer to take him to the hospital right away.

Other symptoms that may be involved with baby congestion are:

• Coughing 
• Grunting 
• Wheezing 
• Noisy breathing 
• Sniffling 
• Runny nose

Causes of Baby Congestion

Before we go on with how you can relieve your little one’s congestion, it is important that you know what might be causing it.

Common Cold

There are different cold-causing viruses. And since a baby is just starting to build his/her immunity against them, he/she is more prone to catching them.

Allergy

Every baby will differ in potential triggers and allergens. If you suspect that he/she has come in contact or has eaten something that might have caused an allergic reaction, visit the doctor for a test.

Foreign Object Blockage

As unexpected as it might seem, a random object or a piece of food can get lodged in your baby’s nose. Of course, the body will treat it as a foreign invader and secrete mucus in response. However, you must not remove the object yourself, especially if it’s deep down the passage. It’s better that you take your child in the emergency room for a safer removal.

Other potential causes:

• Asthma 
• Pneumonia 
• Flu 
• Dry air
• Weather changes 
• Cigarette smoke 
• Pollutants/Irritants

How to Relieve Your Baby’s Congestion

It’s worrisome to see your baby suffering from congestion. They have smaller passages than us so they’ll need extra help in clearing the mucus out. We are going to focus here on how you can make your baby more comfortable. At the same time, on how you can help his/her body get rid of the mucus.

Do note that these suggestions are not the sole solution or cure for congestion. Be sure to consult your child’s doctor to know if there are underlying issues that need to be addressed.

Saline Drops

If your baby is under 6 months, you’ll have an easier time with this first suggestion. What the saline does to the mucus is thin it out, so that it’ll be easier for your child to expel it out. For younger babies, you can use a bulb syringe to remove the mucus yourself. However, this can be tricky to do, especially with babies older than 6 months.

You can ask your doctor when looking for a brand of saline solution. However, did you know that you can also use breastmilk in the same way? According to some lactation consultants, breastmilk is familiar enough for babies. This way, they wouldn’t oppose it if they happen to swallow some in the process compared to salty saline.

Now, it might be tempting to give your child cold medications, treatments, or rubs. It works effectively on adults, right? But for young children, these medications are too dangerous. Never attempt to medicate your baby with medicines unless you have the approval of his/her doctor.

Humidifier

Baby congestion and humidifiers are often related to each other. The reason for this is because the air moisture quality, such as dry air can worsen congestion. Parents typically look for the best baby humidifier that can safely alleviate their baby’s discomfort. In fact, some manufacturers even came up with designs and features targeted for nursery use.

Humidifiers are helpful for breathing and preventing the body from producing more mucus. If the air is dry, then the sinuses will also dry out. The body will compensate for this and produce more mucus, which is the opposite of what you want.

However, humidifiers also have some risks. The good news though is that you can avoid them with good hygiene and proper usage. Remember to keep its reservoir clean and always use distilled water to prevent white dust.

TLC

Perhaps the easiest out of these suggestions, some tender-love-and-care will go a long way in making your baby comfortable. You can do this by giving gentle pats on his/her back with him leaning slightly forward. This will help loosen the mucus for easier expulsion. You can even softly rub the bridge of your baby’s nose to soothe him/her before bedtime.

A warm, steamy bath can also make your child more comfortable. Similar to how we feel a tad better when we have a cold. This bath time also serves as your bonding moment while distracting him/her from the stuffy feeling.

Overall, these suggestions can help relieve your child with the discomfort from congestion. At the end of the day, it is best to see his/her doctor to make sure you’re not worsening or ignoring other health concerns.

Nose Frida for babies with colds and congestion

Caring for Your Child’s Mental Health

Mental health can affect all areas of life, including the way we feel, think and act. Taking good care of our mental health is equally as important as making sure that our bodies are healthy. Parents play a huge role in ensuring their children have positive mental health. Parents can help promote good mental health in their children in the way that they talk, with the things that they do, and through the environment they create at home. Learning about the early signs of mental health problems is a great idea.

How can I Nurture Mental Health in my Child?

You can help nurture your child’s mental health by building caring and strong relationships with them:

• A person who plays a large role in a child’s life is the best person to teach them how to be resilient. Usually, this person is a parent or a family member of the child. Children need to know that they can turn to an adult if they need help or support.
• Strong relationships between children and their parents or carers are key. It’s a great idea to spend a bit of time each day talking to your child.
• Teach your children how to respond to any problems that may arise. 

Another way you can help nurture your child’s mental health is by helping them with their self-esteem, in order for them to feel good about themselves:

• Show your child love and acceptance. 
• Ask them questions about their day, their interests, and their activities. 
• Praise them whenever they do something well. It is important to recognize when they have tried and not just when they have achieved. 
• Help them come up with realistic goals. 

Respecting your child’s feelings and listening to them is equally as important:

• Encourage your children to tell you how they are feeling. Feelings of sadness and anger are ok. 
• Ask your child questions and listen to their answers. 
• If your child feels uncomfortable talking to you, find an adult that they feel they can talk to. 

Your home environment is important too:

• Keep an eye on your child’s media use. This includes internet, TV and gaming devices. It is important that you keep a check on who they are talking to and what is being said. 
• Try not to discuss important family issues in front of your child. 
• Find time to play with your children. 
• Show them how it’s done by taking care of your own mental health. Show them that you can talk about how you feel and that you make time for doing things that you enjoy. 

Help your child overcome problems caused by difficult situations:

• If your child is feeling upset, teach them how to relax. You could do a calming activity together, practice deep breathing exercises, go for a walk or ask them if they want a bit of time alone. 
• Think and talk about any possible solutions to the problem. Make sure you listen to your child and don’t take over. 

Are Mental Health Problems in Children Common?

One in five children has a diagnosable mental health problem. These conditions can include anxiety, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), eating disorders, substance abuse, and learning disabilities. Many more children suffer from slightly milder but as significant behavioral and emotional problems.

Children can be affected by mental health issues at any age, but certain situations can put young people at greater risk of having mental health problems in the future. These include:

• Experience of difficult economic circumstances, e.g. new refugees and immigrants. 
• A family history of mental health problems. 
• Children who have poor overall health, have scarce education or live in isolated communities. 
• LGBTQ children who are rejected by their families or experience bullying. 
• Big changes occurring during a child’s life, such as moving house or parents getting a divorce. 
• Substance abuse. 
• Witnessing trauma – this includes abuse. 

Where Can I Get Help? 

There are lots of people who can help your child with their mental health, but to get started it is a good idea to visit your doctor. You will need to tell your doctor about any behavioral changes, what your concerns are and whether you are worried about their development. From here your doctor will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your child e.g. counseling. If you want to learn more about mental health counseling then why not look at mental health counseling masters programs from Bonaventure University online? This course will give you the knowledge you need in order to support people with mental health issues and it may even lead to a career in mental health counseling in the future.

Unfortunately, many children find that they have to wait a long time before they are able to get any help. Mental health problems can lead to children failing at school, struggling to make friends or becoming independent from their parents. Looking for the signs of mental health problems and knowing how to help your child is important. Many children who have mental health issues struggle meeting their developmental milestones, so it is important to spot the signs and get help quickly.

Finding the Right Outpatient Treatment Program for You

While there are a variety of addiction rehabilitation options, not everyone will need residential or inpatient care. Some people will have the support and routines somewhat in place and will benefit from outpatient therapy. However, for others, merely attending anonymous groups will not be enough, and they may require intensive outpatient therapy, which is the combination of several therapeutic practices to provide the most benefit to the individual. If you are in search of an intensive outpatient program, then keep an eye out for a center that offers the following services.

Individual Therapy

There is some debate about whether individual or group therapy is better for addicts. However, the answer depends on the individual seeking treatment. For those who do not suffer from other issues, like anxiety or depression, group therapy might be best. Still, for those who do have other underlying conditions motivating their behavior, individual therapy is more beneficial. However, it goes without question that both treatment options are fundamental to a successful recovery, which is why you should find a program that offers both.

Group Therapy

While there are benefits to the use of individual therapy, group therapy in outpatient programs in Orange County is essential to establishing a like-minded and motivated peer group. While you may not be interested in such treatment at the moment, group work allows you to relearn how to communicate and interact with your environment in a healthy and safe way.

Complimentary or Non-verbal Therapies

For some people, talk therapy is not the answer. Many people find it challenging to come to terms with their emotions in a verbal way, which is why complimentary or non-verbal therapies are a must to any intensive outpatient program. These treatments can include art, music or even equine therapies and have had positive results for many people in recovery.

Support Groups

Last, any legitimate outpatient programs in Orange County should provide support groups. While you may not be interested in sharing your story initially, there are benefits to hearing people with similar backgrounds and addictions share theirs. This type of group therapy helps to demonstrate that you are not alone in your struggles, and it can be beneficial.

Recovering from an addiction is not something that should be done solo. Support and therapy are essential to developing a healthy mindset and lifestyle moving forward from your addiction. If your addiction does not warrant the level of residential treatment, then consider finding an outpatient program that offers the therapies and support mentioned above.

Development in the Uses of CBD Oil

CBD oil is one of the most exciting medical innovations to come along in recent years. People have been using CBD oil for a while now, but new research is showing signs of tremendous new developments in the near future.

We’ve known for awhile that CBD has natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective in pain relief for any people. It’s especially useful for nerve pain and pain caused by stiffness and joint problems. We also know that CBD can help those suffering from anxiety, depression, or insomnia.

But it looks like there might be a lot more to CBD oil as we learn to apply these properties to various conditions. Read on to learn about a few of them.

Epilepsy

In private, people have been using CBD oil to treat their own or their children’s epilepsy for years. But in 2018, the Food and Drug Administration officially approved CBD as a treatment for Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

These are two conditions that cause epilepsy in children and both are very hard for current conventional medications to treat. Penguin CBD oil has the power to make a difference. Research into the effects of CBD oil for general epilepsy is ongoing.

Arthritis

Chronic inflammation can lead to all kinds of problems, including arthritis. Studies done in 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2017 have all shown that CBD oil has a positive effect on arthritis pain and stiffness.

More studies are needed, but research is developing quickly. CBD oil may soon take its place among orthopedic treatments, dietary changes, and conventional medications as an effective way of controlling arthritis.

Type 1 diabetes

Unlike Type 2 diabetes, which is typically related to diet and lifestyle, Type 1 diabetes develops when inflammation triggers a person’s immune system to attack the pancreas. Early research is showing that CBD can ease pancreatic inflammation.

There’s a lot more work to be done in this direction, but so far, things look promising. A study done in Lisbon in early 2017 demonstrated that CBD oil is capable of reducing inflammation in mice; and even stopping some mice from developing Type 1 diabetes at all. You can keep an eye on this sort of research at https://thecbdinsider.com.

Neural issues

Researchers are currently looking at how CBD oil can affect the many conditions caused by injuries or disorders to the neurological system. These include not only epilepsy, but also psychiatric diseases and damage or degeneration of the nerves.

So far, CBD oil shows promise in treating some types of schizophrenia as well as chronic nerve pain and neurodegeneration. Once again, research is ongoing, but there is every reason to believe that CBD oil may become an effective treatment for at least some of these conditions.

Cancer

Everyone hopes for effective cancer treatments. Current cancer treatments, although effective, tend to be toxic and cause pain and discomfort for cancer sufferers. CBD oil has very low toxicity and few side effects.

Recent studies show that CBD oil may be an effective treatment for cancer. A lot of work still needs to be done, but some studies show that, in the lab at least, CBD oil suppresses cancer cells and tends to trigger them to self-destruct.

Addiction

One of the hardest things about treating opioid addiction is the side effects of opioid withdrawal. These can be profound, and the suffering associated with withdrawal keeps some people from seeking the help they need.

In one study, smokers treated with CBD oil experienced no cravings. At this point, research is still in very early stages when it comes to using CBD oil to treat opioid addiction. But it has the potential to make withdrawal much easier and become a powerful tool in the war against the opioid epidemic.

What Is Covered By Medical Malpractice Insurance?

If you run a medical practice, you likely know how important it is to have the right kinds of insurance to protect your interests. Medical malpractice cases can easily drain your resources, costing you valuable time, money, and labor. In some high profile situations, your medical practice itself may be in jeopardy, due to the high cost of settlements and fines associated with medical malpractice. Of course, the easiest way to avoid medical malpractice cases is to ensure that everything that you do in your doctor’s office is up-to-code.

Even so, it never hurts to have some extra protection. From hiring a medical malpractice attorney to taking out medical malpractice insurance, here’s what you need to know to guard yourself against expensive lawsuits.

Get Medical Malpractice Insurance

Having a specialized liability insurance policy can go a long way in helping to cover any potential malpractice cases you may face in your time as a medical professional. Malpractice insurance comes in different scopes, so it’s a good idea to investigate the benefits and disadvantages of different policies before making a decision about which provider to go with.

Some policies are specific to one individual, while others are group policies. Some malpractice insurance is offered through a private insurance company, while others are handled by a special type of organization called an RRG, or risk retention group.

While medical malpractice insurance can cover a wide variety of costs associated with a malpractice case, such as court costs and attorney fees, some costs are not included. For example, while arbitration fees, damages, and settlements are all covered under a malpractice insurance policy, if the liability is in conjunction with criminal or sexual misconduct or the altering of records, you’re out of luck. As a result, it’s important to always conduct your medical practice under all state and local laws and ordinances, so that if you need to lean on your liability insurance you’re able to.

Hire A Solid Attorney

Having proper legal counsel can also help you make the most of your malpractice insurance policy. Since local laws can often affect your ability to utilize your liability policy, having a local attorney is often far more beneficial than retaining a big name lawyer. Searching for malpractice attorneys based in New Mexico or the location of your practice can give you the peace of mind you need to run your business well.

These kinds of lawyers will also be able to help you evaluate when to settle or take a case to court, and can give you this counsel in conjunction with the insurance policy you have taken out.

Encourage Patients To Use Insurance

Sometimes individuals try and sue you for malpractice because of extra medical costs that they could have covered themselves if they had insurance. One way you can help to mitigate your risks in this area is by helping people understand that there are a variety of ways to get health insurance, including short-term options.

A short-term insurance company such as Agile Health Insurance specializes in affordable insurance policies perfect for students, travelers, or anyone seeking gap insurance for a temporary amount of time. Best of all, Agile Health Insurance is fast. You can get an insurance estimate, apply for coverage, and receive your insurance card all within an hour. Many uninsured patients may not realize that insurance companies offering such positive options exist. By letting them know more about the types of policies on the market, you can keep your healthcare practice affordable.

Nobody wants to face a medical malpractice suit. From the added stress to your financial resources to the potential public relations issues, there are plenty of reasons to make a plan to safeguard your practice from such lawsuits. With a good medical malpractice liability insurance policy and an attorney on your side, you can take steps towards protecting your business for years to come.

How the 30 Minute BRIEF Assessment Works

The second edition of the Behavior Rating of Executive Function (BRIEF2) is an assessment to measure impairment of executive function with the use of rating scales. It is used to assess children ages five to eighteen.

The administration time is ten minutes or less for all forms including the parent, teacher, and self-report forms, and scoring takes approximately fifteen minutes for a total of no more than thirty minutes. A single manual contains information and research about each screening form.

What’s New

This second edition contains an increased sensitivity to executive function. It eliminates items that distract from the sensitivity of key clinical groups like autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. There is also updated normative data from all fifty states in the U.S.

The scales are more concise, making it easier for teachers, parents, or adolescent respondents to conduct and assess. The parallel structure across all three screening forms has increased as well.

There are three indexes included in the BRIEF2: behavioral, cognitive, and emotional. Identifying unusual responses is easier than ever with a new infrequency scale.

Administration and Scoring

Administration and scoring time takes no more than thirty minutes, and sometimes less. The BRIEF2 can be hand-scored in this time for increased accuracy and efficient results. It includes feedback reports, protocol summary reports, interpretive reports, and i-Admins on PAR’s digital platform. Online scoring or a mixture of hand and online scoring are also available.

Reliability, Validity, and Norms

The BRIEF2 has been used in over 800 studies around the world and has a greater ability to provide targeted diagnostic information than any other assessment of its kind. The lack of new items added to the clinical scales allows smooth and consistent transitioning from the first to the second edition.

The nationally stratified standardization sample across all fifty states includes 3600 cases matched by gender, age, parent education level, and ethnicity to the U.S. Census for reliable and accurate results.

The reliability coefficients for both the teacher form and the parent form are consistently above .90 and the self-report form has a reliability coefficient of more than .80. The BRIEF2 correlates with other measures of behavior and IQ, like CBCL, Conners-3, BASC-2, RIAS, ADHD-RS-IV, WAIS-IV, and WISC-IV for increased reliability and validity.

Extensive analysis has determined that the three-factor solution including Emotional Regulation Index, Behavior Regulation Index, and Cognitive Regulation Index is accurate and reliable.

The professional manual of the BRIEF2 provides base rates and mean performance across clinical groups like ASD, ADHD types, LD, TBI, anxiety, cancer, epilepsy, diabetes, and NF-I. In addition, new reliable change statistics allow easy measurement of significant changes in scores over time.

Clinical and Validity Scales

There are a number of clinical and validity scales for the BRIEF2 contained in its indexes.

The Behavior Regulation Index includes inhibit and self-monitor executive composites that help measure impulse control and monitor the child’s ability to keep track of the effects of their behavior on others.

The Emotion Regulation Index includes shift and emotional control executive composites that measure the child’s ability to effectively move from one activity to another and modulate appropriate emotional responses.

The Cognitive Regulation Index includes initiate, task completion, working memory, plan/organize, task-monitor, and organization of materials executive composites. These executive composites help identify the child’s ability to generate their own ideas, complete schoolwork or chores on time, hold information in their mind to complete tasks, anticipate future events, check their own work, and keep their work space clean.

The validity scales include inconsistency, negativity, and infrequency scales designed to measure how inconsistently or negatively the child answers BRIEF2 items and the extent to which they endorse unlikely events.

When Your Mental Health Goes Down the Drain After Birth

There are a lot of issues that mothers of newborns face that many people are hesitant to speak about. Mental illnesses - particularly postpartum depression - are very common issues that new mothers experience. These issues need to be addressed more often, so that more mothers can be aware of the potential risks and issues that they may face after giving birth.

The Dangers of Ignoring Mental Health Issues

Many people would rather ignore their mental health issues than face them up front. Many people find it easier (at least in the short-term) to push their issues to the back burner instead of acknowledging them.

This might sound simple, but it’s actually a disastrous thing to do. Mental health issues don’t just go away, and if you pretend that they’re not there (which is known as repressing the issue), then they’ll come back tenfold later in life. Maybe you’ll be better equipped to deal with them then, but most likely you won’t.

This means that, at the first inkling of a mental health problem, it’s important that you check in with yourself to see if you’re developing something that could be more serious. That means that if you’re sad, or upset, or irritable, or confused, spend some time sitting down and thinking about it.

It’s quite possible you’re not struggling with a mental health problem. Maybe you are just sad, or angry, or whatever. But the point is, it’s better to make sure that you don’t have a serious problem, or that you’re not repressing emotions that could one day lead to a serious problem.

It’s better to be too concerned about your well-being than not concerned at all.

What to Do About Postpartum Mental Health

All mothers are susceptible to postpartum mental health problems, so it’s a good idea to prepare for it. This will make sure that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to deal with a mental health problem if it should arise in your life.

The first and most important thing to do is to enlighten yourself about mental health. This means that you should educate yourself as much as possible, particularly in the area of postpartum mental health. Educational websites like ecounseling have a wealth of information on postpartum depression and depression in general. The Postpartum Support International website exists solely for this issue. Understanding your (potential) condition will have a number of benefits.

• You will be better equipped to handle any mental health issues that you experience after giving childbirth.

• You will have knowledge that could be valuable to other mothers that you know going through similar problems.

• You will be educated about mental health issues that your children may go through, so you will be able to educate them and help them manage these issues should they arise.

It’s still possible that you’ll experience some mental health ‘turbulence’ after giving birth. These are some other ways to boost your mental health and ensure healthy living.

• Seek therapy. There may be some stigma surrounding the use of therapy, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s the most powerful and effective tool for strengthening mental health. You don’t even need to have a problem for therapy to be beneficial: it will teach you the skills and techniques that you need to grow with a strong, healthy mind. 

• Communicate with others in similar situations. One of the best things to help people through postpartum depression is talking about it with other mothers who have experienced similar things. This can help you learn and share advice and experiences that can encourage the growth of both of you. 

Conclusion 

Being a new mother is tough, but it doesn’t have to lead to serious mental health problems. Getting the proper education and being willing to accept therapy is a sure way to help ensure that the mental struggle of being a new mother is as easy as possible.

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Birthing

more holistic group

Pregnant Moms Due (this year)

more mainstream group

New Baby Visitor Guide
(available as laminated poster or large placard at Etsy)