...bit me.
That's right, folks. I have fallen prey to a human-hungry, ferocious beast of a spider. Actually, I cannot confirm what type of spider bit me, since I didn't see or feel it, but I have the bite to prove it - not to mention the symptoms!
I noticed a little bite when changing into my swimsuit on Friday to take Ava to the Domain Splash Pad (oh yeah, there's the other embarassing thing. It's on my chest!). I noted to watch it, since I was bit by a brown recluse back in July 2007, so I am naturally nervous and overreactive about bites. Thankfully, I am, since sure enough, just like the first time, I was asymptomatic initially, with that dormant period giving way to a major migraine, fatigue, and generally not feeling well by Saturday evening. In fact, I was in bed by 7:30! That's a first!
Anyhow, despite having strange symptoms, the bite was not yet swollen or painful, so I continued to be watchful but uncertain of what was going on, at least until Sunday night when it became painful and swollen almost instantly. Off to the doctor first thing Monday I went...
It's definitely a spider bite, though he couldn't confirm that it was another brown recluse bite. Hopefully it's not, though it has definitely followed a similar trajectory to the experience I had three years ago. Fortunately and unfortunately, the doctor didn't want to beat around the bush, and cut into the bite and drained it in his office, a procedure they did the first time in a hospital emergency room in the middle of the night when my arm started to turn black around the bite site. This time, though not as severe, was still a horrible experience, as I had Ava with me and she was screaming hysterically thinking we were at the doctor for her, and I didn't get the shot of lidocaine I got the last time. For as much as I make myself out to be a giant wuss when it comes to the dentist, I'm apparently a hoss when it comes to grinning and bearing it! I was sent home with antibiotics and pain meds, and that's where we're at now.
I'd love to tell you I'm feeling better, but it looks swollen and green-ish again today, so I'm feeling a bit worried, not to mention sore and tired. Oh, and I'm at work. Duh. Hopefully these antibiotics will kick in soon!
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Ava's First Trip to...the ER.
Well this was a "first" I was hardly looking forward to.
I've always been a heat sensitive individual. Which, when you think about it, is ironic, because I ultimately prefer warmer climates. Still, when the temps start reaching towards 100, I start feeling the effects, with my body unable to regulate it's temp well. Seriously, I could run two miles in the heat and barely break a sweat. And it's not because I'm in amazing shape (I'm not). It's because I just hold on to my heat for whatever reason, and it seems little A has inherited this horrible trait.
Yesterday was a normal day, between a few hours at work and some mommy/Ava playtime. I got off work slightly early, and so since I was able to take the main highway home since traffic was still minimal, we stopped off at a park to celebrate the great weather and early release from work. Apparently, this was our downfall.
We played at the park 20 minutes, 25 max. We played on the swings, went down the slide four times after climbing up the playscape repeatedly, and then we went home. Sounds simple and harmless enough, right? WRONG. Bad mommy.
When we got home, it was getting close to dinner time, so we played for a bit, and then I gave her some of her favorite things for dinner - black beans, strawberries, etc. She wouldn't eat a thing. In fact, she seemed a bit irritable, but I passed it off as being her temper lately, and muttered some nonsense about the terrible twos arriving early to our house. Yes, I feel like an asshole now.
Then, to make matter worse, we went to play in the backyard like we do every night after dinner. She got into her car, and D was running her around, pushing her like usual. But instead of squealing with delight, she looked totally wrong to me, and I instantly knew something was seriously wrong. I scooped her up, took her inside, and felt her scorching hot little body against me. Her temp? 103.3.
Knowing that she'd exhibited no signs of illness all day and that it came on so quickly, I immediately thought it was heat-related. Her skin was dry to the point of feeling like sandpaper, and we popped her into a cool bath to try to bring her temp down. No luck. She was starting to fall asleep on and off, despite it being 6:30, and alarm bells were sounding all over the place in this mama's head.
Scared as hell of a heat stroke, we loaded her up and took her to the ER.
Several hours and a multitude of tests later ruling out flu, strep, a UTI, etc, we are now certain she had an episode of severe heat exhaustion. When we got there, her fever was topping out at a horrifying 104 degrees. Two hours and two doses of motrin and Tylenol later, it was 98.2. Just as quickly as it came on, it went away when she was finally able to cool herself.
The one victory I can claim, especially given how guilty I feel over taking her to play outside on a hot day, is that the nursing staff wanted to cath my baby (!!!!!) to get a urine sample. Now I'm not expert but I know that a.) that hurts like hell, and b.) there has to be a better way. So I bargained with the nurses, noting our early potty training efforts, and they brought in a bedside commode - and Ava peed in it!!!!! She gave a urine sample, and we avoided the cath since I had put my foot down. It was a shining moment of parenting for D and I - I'll give myself that. Unfortunately it's not enough to offset the extreme remorse I feel about having caused this :(
We're home now, and A seems fine, if a bit tired. But how on God's green Earth do I manage to prevent this, when it is only April, and it's going to climb to significantly higher temps? I didn't feel like we were outside an excessive amount, but now I'm afraid to go out at all. Help!
I've always been a heat sensitive individual. Which, when you think about it, is ironic, because I ultimately prefer warmer climates. Still, when the temps start reaching towards 100, I start feeling the effects, with my body unable to regulate it's temp well. Seriously, I could run two miles in the heat and barely break a sweat. And it's not because I'm in amazing shape (I'm not). It's because I just hold on to my heat for whatever reason, and it seems little A has inherited this horrible trait.
Yesterday was a normal day, between a few hours at work and some mommy/Ava playtime. I got off work slightly early, and so since I was able to take the main highway home since traffic was still minimal, we stopped off at a park to celebrate the great weather and early release from work. Apparently, this was our downfall.
We played at the park 20 minutes, 25 max. We played on the swings, went down the slide four times after climbing up the playscape repeatedly, and then we went home. Sounds simple and harmless enough, right? WRONG. Bad mommy.
When we got home, it was getting close to dinner time, so we played for a bit, and then I gave her some of her favorite things for dinner - black beans, strawberries, etc. She wouldn't eat a thing. In fact, she seemed a bit irritable, but I passed it off as being her temper lately, and muttered some nonsense about the terrible twos arriving early to our house. Yes, I feel like an asshole now.
Then, to make matter worse, we went to play in the backyard like we do every night after dinner. She got into her car, and D was running her around, pushing her like usual. But instead of squealing with delight, she looked totally wrong to me, and I instantly knew something was seriously wrong. I scooped her up, took her inside, and felt her scorching hot little body against me. Her temp? 103.3.
Knowing that she'd exhibited no signs of illness all day and that it came on so quickly, I immediately thought it was heat-related. Her skin was dry to the point of feeling like sandpaper, and we popped her into a cool bath to try to bring her temp down. No luck. She was starting to fall asleep on and off, despite it being 6:30, and alarm bells were sounding all over the place in this mama's head.
Scared as hell of a heat stroke, we loaded her up and took her to the ER.
Several hours and a multitude of tests later ruling out flu, strep, a UTI, etc, we are now certain she had an episode of severe heat exhaustion. When we got there, her fever was topping out at a horrifying 104 degrees. Two hours and two doses of motrin and Tylenol later, it was 98.2. Just as quickly as it came on, it went away when she was finally able to cool herself.
The one victory I can claim, especially given how guilty I feel over taking her to play outside on a hot day, is that the nursing staff wanted to cath my baby (!!!!!) to get a urine sample. Now I'm not expert but I know that a.) that hurts like hell, and b.) there has to be a better way. So I bargained with the nurses, noting our early potty training efforts, and they brought in a bedside commode - and Ava peed in it!!!!! She gave a urine sample, and we avoided the cath since I had put my foot down. It was a shining moment of parenting for D and I - I'll give myself that. Unfortunately it's not enough to offset the extreme remorse I feel about having caused this :(
We're home now, and A seems fine, if a bit tired. But how on God's green Earth do I manage to prevent this, when it is only April, and it's going to climb to significantly higher temps? I didn't feel like we were outside an excessive amount, but now I'm afraid to go out at all. Help!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
FYI: Flu Vaccine Complications
I'm not here to berate the flu vaccination and certainly not any other vaccinations - you all know if you've been around here for any length of time that I fully support vaccinating children.
I also, however, believe in the importance of information and that knowledge is power, so as an FYI, I just wanted to post this FDA report on incidences of seizures in young children following the flu vaccine FluZone for those interested to read.
I also, however, believe in the importance of information and that knowledge is power, so as an FYI, I just wanted to post this FDA report on incidences of seizures in young children following the flu vaccine FluZone for those interested to read.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Taking a Deep Breath!
Today was our consult with the Pediatric GI - the chief, to be precise and fancy! - and it went great!
There will be no endoscopy.
There will be no bloodwork.
There will be no torturing my child endlessly and/or needlessly.
We'll just "wait and see". He's about 12903810293% sure she'll outgrow it, though unsure when, and so until I wean A - which could be a while - I just avoid dairy. Which, compared to the alternative, is so 100% FINE. BY. ME.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a side note, Ava is nearly 31", and 20lbs. She's lost a pound, but we're keeping an eye on it. It was a different scale and she was naked, so that probably is why :)
Happy Monday, everyone!
And Happy 1st Birthday, Asher!
There will be no endoscopy.
There will be no bloodwork.
There will be no torturing my child endlessly and/or needlessly.
We'll just "wait and see". He's about 12903810293% sure she'll outgrow it, though unsure when, and so until I wean A - which could be a while - I just avoid dairy. Which, compared to the alternative, is so 100% FINE. BY. ME.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a side note, Ava is nearly 31", and 20lbs. She's lost a pound, but we're keeping an eye on it. It was a different scale and she was naked, so that probably is why :)
Happy Monday, everyone!
And Happy 1st Birthday, Asher!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Happy Friday to Me!
This post was initially going to go something like this:
Today sucked. The end.
But then, right before the end of business day, I got a call from a pediatric GI contracted with our insurance (for lack of a better way of putting it), and we have been successfully referred with an appointment set up for Monday at the not-even-remotely-dramatic cost of our $30 co-pay. Praise Jesus.
So, to recap. Monday. 1pm. Me, D and Ava have a consult with a pedi GI.
Now the real stress begins...wish us luck!
Today sucked. The end.
But then, right before the end of business day, I got a call from a pediatric GI contracted with our insurance (for lack of a better way of putting it), and we have been successfully referred with an appointment set up for Monday at the not-even-remotely-dramatic cost of our $30 co-pay. Praise Jesus.
So, to recap. Monday. 1pm. Me, D and Ava have a consult with a pedi GI.
Now the real stress begins...wish us luck!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Good News, Bad News.
Good news first:
Ava's blood test was negative for the igE factor for milk and eggs. In other words, she does not have a true, a therefore lifelong, allergy to milk or eggs. For that matter, she isn't allergic to peanuts, shellfish, or anything else. WHEW!!!!
Bad news:
We're being referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist at Dell Children's Hospital. The doctor thinks - and perhaps the bloodwork suggests - that Ava has one of two things. Either she has FPIES, the more severe of the two he suspects, which is also known as Food Protein Induced Enteropathy Syndrome, or she has Dietary Induced Enteropathy Syndrome (I don't particularly like this acronym...). While both mean that at this point in time her stomach cannot digest the proteins in certain foods, which causes a gastrointestinal reaction, FPIES is a more severe form, which additionally causes a sharp decrease in blood pressure and lethargy. While I feel like it's more likely to be the latter - the dietary-induced (though since both are due to food proteins, these names really don't make much sense to me...)- since she doesn't seem to be showing changes in temperament or energy levels, if it does happen to be FPIES, it could be severe enough that if she consumes dairy or egg products, she could potentially end up in the hospital due to the drop in her blood pressure. Needless to say, despite my relative confidence that it's the less severe form, mama is a nervous wreck.
There's more. Dell Children's has the only pediatric GI doc in Austin, and, ridiculously, they also don't take our insurance. W.T.F. Are you kidding me?! They're a nationally renowned children's medical hub, and they don't take our (great!) insurance?!? I spent the whole of this day on the phone with a.) our insurance, b.) the allergist referring us, and c.) GI specialists in Central Texas who take our particular insurance, hoping one will see a not quite 1-year-old.
Which brings me to...the horror that is this doctor's visit. While I have yet to find a doctor and cannot confirm that this is what's going to happen, there is a high chance that the reason for the appointment will be a consult so that they can ultimately do an endoscopy on my baby. Yes, they may have to put A under general anesthesia, insert a tube down her tiny baby throat and into her little tiny baby belly, and do a biopsy. And THAT, my friends, is more than this mama can take :(
Of course if it is ABSOLUTELY necessary and critical, I will allow it - I would do anything for her. But in that anything is included that I will protect her and shelter her from anything and everything within my power, and if there is any other way they can go about this, they're not getting near my baby with a scope.
I'm really starting to hate Tuesdays :(
Anyone with experience with these kinds of things? Ever had your baby put under? Know of any ped. GI specs in Central Texas who see kids and are awesome? Know anything about either of these potential conditions? Have Dell Children's-accepted insurance and care to marry me so I can have Ava seen there by the best? Ok, ok, kidding about that last one...kind of. Either way, if you have any advice, I'm all ears!
Ava's blood test was negative for the igE factor for milk and eggs. In other words, she does not have a true, a therefore lifelong, allergy to milk or eggs. For that matter, she isn't allergic to peanuts, shellfish, or anything else. WHEW!!!!
Bad news:
We're being referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist at Dell Children's Hospital. The doctor thinks - and perhaps the bloodwork suggests - that Ava has one of two things. Either she has FPIES, the more severe of the two he suspects, which is also known as Food Protein Induced Enteropathy Syndrome, or she has Dietary Induced Enteropathy Syndrome (I don't particularly like this acronym...). While both mean that at this point in time her stomach cannot digest the proteins in certain foods, which causes a gastrointestinal reaction, FPIES is a more severe form, which additionally causes a sharp decrease in blood pressure and lethargy. While I feel like it's more likely to be the latter - the dietary-induced (though since both are due to food proteins, these names really don't make much sense to me...)- since she doesn't seem to be showing changes in temperament or energy levels, if it does happen to be FPIES, it could be severe enough that if she consumes dairy or egg products, she could potentially end up in the hospital due to the drop in her blood pressure. Needless to say, despite my relative confidence that it's the less severe form, mama is a nervous wreck.
There's more. Dell Children's has the only pediatric GI doc in Austin, and, ridiculously, they also don't take our insurance. W.T.F. Are you kidding me?! They're a nationally renowned children's medical hub, and they don't take our (great!) insurance?!? I spent the whole of this day on the phone with a.) our insurance, b.) the allergist referring us, and c.) GI specialists in Central Texas who take our particular insurance, hoping one will see a not quite 1-year-old.
Which brings me to...the horror that is this doctor's visit. While I have yet to find a doctor and cannot confirm that this is what's going to happen, there is a high chance that the reason for the appointment will be a consult so that they can ultimately do an endoscopy on my baby. Yes, they may have to put A under general anesthesia, insert a tube down her tiny baby throat and into her little tiny baby belly, and do a biopsy. And THAT, my friends, is more than this mama can take :(
Of course if it is ABSOLUTELY necessary and critical, I will allow it - I would do anything for her. But in that anything is included that I will protect her and shelter her from anything and everything within my power, and if there is any other way they can go about this, they're not getting near my baby with a scope.
I'm really starting to hate Tuesdays :(
Anyone with experience with these kinds of things? Ever had your baby put under? Know of any ped. GI specs in Central Texas who see kids and are awesome? Know anything about either of these potential conditions? Have Dell Children's-accepted insurance and care to marry me so I can have Ava seen there by the best? Ok, ok, kidding about that last one...kind of. Either way, if you have any advice, I'm all ears!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Eh :/
First off, sorry for recently bombarding you all with reviews, as opposed to actual posts. I didn't realize I would be so successful in finding people wanting me to review their products, and so they all kind of came at once, and not wanting to get behind or slack off - I'm never one to procrastinate - I wanted to get them done ASAP. Anyhow, I'm back now with somewhat of a real post, and need some input.
I've been feeling a bit down. In case you weren't tuned in after A's birth, I suffered a bit of postpartum depression. And by a bit, I mean four days after her birth you could've found me, any time of day, crying uncontrollably for no reason. I went on Zoloft on New Year's Day, and made a swift and relieving improvement.
I'd been thinking at six months of starting to decrease my dosage and go off the Zoloft, but with the way I've been feeling the past week, I'm a bit nervous. I have nothing to be down about. I'm one of the luckiest, happiest, most fulfilled people I know, particularly since the addition of Ava to our little family. Yet, for a good chunk of this weekend, I felt like doing nothing but holing up in bed with Ava and just shutting the world, including poor D, out.
Part of it, I know, is exhaustion. For whatever reason, I've been so tired. SOOOOO tired. It could be that I've been the only one waking up at night for 6.5 months, or, judging by the severity of the fatigue, it could be more. Right now I'm trying out a few lifestyle changes to see if that helps, otherwise I may stop in at my docto's office to make sure I haven't gone anemic or I don't have some sort of severe vitamin deficiency due to this dairy-free lifestyle I've adopted.
Anyone with any suggestions for holistic ways to get more energy? I know working out should top my list, but between working full-time (August will be particularly busy with the girls not in camp and not starting school until the end of the month), mommying full-time (a blessing, but tiring), writing part-time, keeping up my house, etc. And while I'd love to loosen up with regards to the housekeeping, I'm anal/neurotic/completely psychotic in a way that just won't permit that. I seriously cannot sleep if there are dishes in my sink or clutter on the tables/shelves. I'm a weirdo, I know.
Also, anyone with experiences weaning off anti-depressants after a bout (pretty severe) of PPD? When/how did you go about it?
As usual, thank you ladies for your stellar advice and input!
Anyhow, hopefully nothing worse than fatigue is going on...I'll keep y'all posted. Hope you guys had a great weekend! I'll add some pics later on when I'm back home :)
I've been feeling a bit down. In case you weren't tuned in after A's birth, I suffered a bit of postpartum depression. And by a bit, I mean four days after her birth you could've found me, any time of day, crying uncontrollably for no reason. I went on Zoloft on New Year's Day, and made a swift and relieving improvement.
I'd been thinking at six months of starting to decrease my dosage and go off the Zoloft, but with the way I've been feeling the past week, I'm a bit nervous. I have nothing to be down about. I'm one of the luckiest, happiest, most fulfilled people I know, particularly since the addition of Ava to our little family. Yet, for a good chunk of this weekend, I felt like doing nothing but holing up in bed with Ava and just shutting the world, including poor D, out.
Part of it, I know, is exhaustion. For whatever reason, I've been so tired. SOOOOO tired. It could be that I've been the only one waking up at night for 6.5 months, or, judging by the severity of the fatigue, it could be more. Right now I'm trying out a few lifestyle changes to see if that helps, otherwise I may stop in at my docto's office to make sure I haven't gone anemic or I don't have some sort of severe vitamin deficiency due to this dairy-free lifestyle I've adopted.
Anyone with any suggestions for holistic ways to get more energy? I know working out should top my list, but between working full-time (August will be particularly busy with the girls not in camp and not starting school until the end of the month), mommying full-time (a blessing, but tiring), writing part-time, keeping up my house, etc. And while I'd love to loosen up with regards to the housekeeping, I'm anal/neurotic/completely psychotic in a way that just won't permit that. I seriously cannot sleep if there are dishes in my sink or clutter on the tables/shelves. I'm a weirdo, I know.
Also, anyone with experiences weaning off anti-depressants after a bout (pretty severe) of PPD? When/how did you go about it?
As usual, thank you ladies for your stellar advice and input!
Anyhow, hopefully nothing worse than fatigue is going on...I'll keep y'all posted. Hope you guys had a great weekend! I'll add some pics later on when I'm back home :)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
In Light of Recent Events...
In light of recent events, I'm posting some First Aid how-to's for a variety of situations. As it turns out, it really can happen to anyone, at any time, and while I've had some prior Infant First Aid training in the course of my time as a nanny, I recognize that most people have not and/or could use a refresher course (myself included). The only good thing to come of Thursday was that Dr. H was quick to tell me that my immediate reaction - ripping A's clothes off and submerging her in ice water - may very well be the reason why she didn't blister, and so just in case any of you find yourselves in a similar situation, here's what to do:
BURNS
1. Remove the baby from danger and cool the burned area by flushing it with cool water (unless it is an electrical burn, as described below). Remove the baby's clothing unless it's stuck to the skin.
2. Loosely cover the burn with a clean, dry gauze dressing to reduce pain and prevent infection. Never apply ice directly on the burn**, and do not put any ointment on a significant burn, as it can seal in heat. Likewise, stay away from home remedies such as butter, grease, or powder; they don't work to heal the burn, and they can actually cause infection. (**ice in the water is OK)
• For a serious burn (second-degree), call 911; severe burns can cause loss of fluid from the body and breathing difficulties. If the burn has affected a large portion of the baby's body, wrap him in a clean sheet and cover him with a blanket (to keep him warm) after stopping the burn and cooling it with water.
• For a chemical burn caused by contact with a household product such as paint remover, drain liquids, oven cleaners, or household bleach, call 911 and flush the area with cool running water until help arrives. If possible, remove clothes with any chemical on them.
For an electrical burn, such as when a child puts a metal object into an outlet or bites an electrical cord, call 911 but don't cool the burn with water; just cover it with a dry, sterile bandage. Electrical burns may appear deceptively minor yet can cause severe harm.
POISONING
Keep the number of the poison control center (PCC) -- 800-222-1222 -- near the phone. If you suspect that your baby has ingested a toxic substance -- medicine, cleaning product, or pesticide -- call the center immediately (even if she has no visible symptoms). Report exactly what was ingested (read the ingredients from the label), how much is missing, and the time of the event. The PCC will tell you whether to give home care or call 911.
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal as routine at-home poisoning treatments. If your child vomits spontaneously, turn her on her side to prevent choking. Save some of the vomited material in case it is needed for analysis.
CHOKING
A baby's airway can be blocked by a small object or risky foods such as nuts, whole grapes, hot dogs, and popcorn. A child who is coughing while choking is able to get some air into the lungs -- watch her carefully as her reflexes work to clear the airway. If she doesn't cough up the object and her cough weakens, she can't make a sound, or she stops breathing, have someone call 911. If you're alone, provide one minute of care (see below), and then call.
1. Give five back blows. To do this, first position the infant facedown on your forearm, resting your arm on your thigh for support. Support her chin with your hand, and make sure her head and neck are lower than her torso. Then use the heel of your free hand to give her five firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
2. If she doesn't cough up the object, turn her onto her back. Rest her on your forearm, using your thigh to support her body and your hand to steady her head. Make sure that her head and neck are lower than her torso. Give five chest compressions.
3. Repeat back blows and chest compressions until the object is coughed up or the baby starts to breathe or cough. See the doctor afterward, even if your baby seems fine.
4. If a choking baby becomes unconscious, deliver two rescue breaths. If the breaths don't go in, the airway is probably blocked. Tilt the baby's head farther back, lift her chin, and give two more slow rescue breaths. If the breaths still don't go in, give five chest compressions.
5. Look for a foreign object. Open the baby's mouth and look for an object that is blocking the airway. If you see it, use your little finger to remove it. (Don't fish for it if you can't see anything.)
6. Give another rescue breath. If the chest still does not rise, continue the cycle of five chest compressions, looking for a foreign object, and giving a rescue breath until help arrives. If the breath goes in, and the chest rises, give a second breath and check for breathing and circulation.
CUTS AND SCRAPES
Minor cuts and scrapes
If the injury barely breaks the skin, wash the affected area with soap and water, pat it dry, and then apply an antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin or Neosporin) and a nonstick bandage. Keep the wound clean and replace the bandage at least once a day to prevent it from falling off and becoming a choking hazard (watch to make sure your child doesn't pull it off, as well). Call a doctor if the area becomes swollen or red, there is a pus discharge, or your child has a fever or acts ill.
Deep cuts
If the wound is severe and continues to bleed for more than five minutes, call 911 and apply firm pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth to the bleeding site. Elevating the injured limb above the heart will help control bleeding. If a sharp object such as a nail is deeply embedded in the skin, don't remove it. Wrap it in bandages (to keep it from moving), and seek medical care.
HEAD AND EYE INJURIES
Head bumps and eye irritations should be treated with care -- babies' developing brains and eyes are very fragile. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it's a good idea to check with the doctor.
Head injuries
This type of injury is common in young children because a child's head is relatively large in proportion to the rest of her body. A child who falls from a significant height (two or more feet) or is in a motor vehicle accident could have a head, neck, or back injury. Call 911 if your baby loses consciousness, has a seizure, oozes blood or fluid from the ears or nose, has bruising around the eyes or behind the ears, or acts lethargic. Do not move her, as this could cause further injury. Call a doctor even for apparently mild head injuries; your child might have suffered a concussion.
Eye injuries
All eye injuries (common ones include bruising around the eye, scratches on the cornea, and cigarette burns) should be evaluated by a doctor. If an irritating substance is splashed into the eye, flush it with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care. Don't rub the eye, apply medication, or try to remove an embedded object yourself.
BURNS
1. Remove the baby from danger and cool the burned area by flushing it with cool water (unless it is an electrical burn, as described below). Remove the baby's clothing unless it's stuck to the skin.
2. Loosely cover the burn with a clean, dry gauze dressing to reduce pain and prevent infection. Never apply ice directly on the burn**, and do not put any ointment on a significant burn, as it can seal in heat. Likewise, stay away from home remedies such as butter, grease, or powder; they don't work to heal the burn, and they can actually cause infection. (**ice in the water is OK)
• For a serious burn (second-degree), call 911; severe burns can cause loss of fluid from the body and breathing difficulties. If the burn has affected a large portion of the baby's body, wrap him in a clean sheet and cover him with a blanket (to keep him warm) after stopping the burn and cooling it with water.
• For a chemical burn caused by contact with a household product such as paint remover, drain liquids, oven cleaners, or household bleach, call 911 and flush the area with cool running water until help arrives. If possible, remove clothes with any chemical on them.
For an electrical burn, such as when a child puts a metal object into an outlet or bites an electrical cord, call 911 but don't cool the burn with water; just cover it with a dry, sterile bandage. Electrical burns may appear deceptively minor yet can cause severe harm.
POISONING
Keep the number of the poison control center (PCC) -- 800-222-1222 -- near the phone. If you suspect that your baby has ingested a toxic substance -- medicine, cleaning product, or pesticide -- call the center immediately (even if she has no visible symptoms). Report exactly what was ingested (read the ingredients from the label), how much is missing, and the time of the event. The PCC will tell you whether to give home care or call 911.
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal as routine at-home poisoning treatments. If your child vomits spontaneously, turn her on her side to prevent choking. Save some of the vomited material in case it is needed for analysis.
CHOKING
A baby's airway can be blocked by a small object or risky foods such as nuts, whole grapes, hot dogs, and popcorn. A child who is coughing while choking is able to get some air into the lungs -- watch her carefully as her reflexes work to clear the airway. If she doesn't cough up the object and her cough weakens, she can't make a sound, or she stops breathing, have someone call 911. If you're alone, provide one minute of care (see below), and then call.
1. Give five back blows. To do this, first position the infant facedown on your forearm, resting your arm on your thigh for support. Support her chin with your hand, and make sure her head and neck are lower than her torso. Then use the heel of your free hand to give her five firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
2. If she doesn't cough up the object, turn her onto her back. Rest her on your forearm, using your thigh to support her body and your hand to steady her head. Make sure that her head and neck are lower than her torso. Give five chest compressions.
3. Repeat back blows and chest compressions until the object is coughed up or the baby starts to breathe or cough. See the doctor afterward, even if your baby seems fine.
4. If a choking baby becomes unconscious, deliver two rescue breaths. If the breaths don't go in, the airway is probably blocked. Tilt the baby's head farther back, lift her chin, and give two more slow rescue breaths. If the breaths still don't go in, give five chest compressions.
5. Look for a foreign object. Open the baby's mouth and look for an object that is blocking the airway. If you see it, use your little finger to remove it. (Don't fish for it if you can't see anything.)
6. Give another rescue breath. If the chest still does not rise, continue the cycle of five chest compressions, looking for a foreign object, and giving a rescue breath until help arrives. If the breath goes in, and the chest rises, give a second breath and check for breathing and circulation.
CUTS AND SCRAPES
Minor cuts and scrapes
If the injury barely breaks the skin, wash the affected area with soap and water, pat it dry, and then apply an antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin or Neosporin) and a nonstick bandage. Keep the wound clean and replace the bandage at least once a day to prevent it from falling off and becoming a choking hazard (watch to make sure your child doesn't pull it off, as well). Call a doctor if the area becomes swollen or red, there is a pus discharge, or your child has a fever or acts ill.
Deep cuts
If the wound is severe and continues to bleed for more than five minutes, call 911 and apply firm pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth to the bleeding site. Elevating the injured limb above the heart will help control bleeding. If a sharp object such as a nail is deeply embedded in the skin, don't remove it. Wrap it in bandages (to keep it from moving), and seek medical care.
HEAD AND EYE INJURIES
Head bumps and eye irritations should be treated with care -- babies' developing brains and eyes are very fragile. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it's a good idea to check with the doctor.
Head injuries
This type of injury is common in young children because a child's head is relatively large in proportion to the rest of her body. A child who falls from a significant height (two or more feet) or is in a motor vehicle accident could have a head, neck, or back injury. Call 911 if your baby loses consciousness, has a seizure, oozes blood or fluid from the ears or nose, has bruising around the eyes or behind the ears, or acts lethargic. Do not move her, as this could cause further injury. Call a doctor even for apparently mild head injuries; your child might have suffered a concussion.
Eye injuries
All eye injuries (common ones include bruising around the eye, scratches on the cornea, and cigarette burns) should be evaluated by a doctor. If an irritating substance is splashed into the eye, flush it with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care. Don't rub the eye, apply medication, or try to remove an embedded object yourself.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Duh.
I forgot to mention my doctor's appointment in my post earlier, which was the entire reason I logged on this morning!
Anyhow, no news seems to be good news? The doc ran some tests to check my blood sugars, thyroid, electrolytes, etc. He agreed that it was most likely dehydration, though, as well, so fingers crossed! That's good, right??
He did, however, refer me to a dermatologist. I was born with a birthmark near my right underarm, and while it's always been larger than I'd like, it seems as though it's changed a bit, so off to the derm to have it checked out. Lame. Anyone know what I should expect here??
Anyhow, no news seems to be good news? The doc ran some tests to check my blood sugars, thyroid, electrolytes, etc. He agreed that it was most likely dehydration, though, as well, so fingers crossed! That's good, right??
He did, however, refer me to a dermatologist. I was born with a birthmark near my right underarm, and while it's always been larger than I'd like, it seems as though it's changed a bit, so off to the derm to have it checked out. Lame. Anyone know what I should expect here??
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Not Just For Baby Food!
As I mentioned earlier this week, D got me an electronic steamer as part of my Mother's Day gift, as I needed one in order to start making Ava's baby food in a couple months. After reading the manual, and seeing the BAJILLIONS of uses, though, I decided to make last night's dinner in it. Check it out:
Lemon pepper salmon, steamed asparagus, broccoli and sweet potatoes and roasted garlic and olive oil wheat couscous. Delish, and very healthy! The best part - the entire dinner took 25 minutes with minimal supervision!!!
I HIGHLY recommend the Hamilton Beach programmable electronic steamer! We found it for $29.88 at Walmart, but on sale for $17. Run, don't walk friends!!!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Prayers, Please.
As I've mentioned before, I'm deathly allergic to the pertussis vaccination. This in and of itself isn't too big a deal, but now that I'm the parent of a newborn, it's slightly more complicated.
P, the school-aged child I watch, is in first grade, and her teacher sent out an email to parents today that was then passed on to me. TWO cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been confirmed at her school, one of which was in her class.
Now as you may or may not know, I've been sick for going on a week and a half now. I've been coughing like crazy in spurts, and had other cold-like symptoms. P has as well, and, scarily, Ava has too. Hers have been extremely mild, and so I have assumed that they are allergy-related, but now, hearing about this outbreak, I am very concerned.
I called Ava's doctor to see what he thought, and he worked us in first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully I'm being overly cautious and overreacting, but I plan to err on the side of caution, particularly after Dr H told us how sometimes the first stage of pertussis is much like a mild common cold, and then progresses to the coughing spells. 75% of babies under 6 months that become infected end up hospitalized, and there are even more grave statistics than that that I'm pushing out of my mind.
The good news is that if it is pertussis, God forbid, if we start treatment in the first stages, she's much more likely to recover quickly and not need hospitalization.
Parents - please, please, please vaccinate your children. Not only does it protect them, it protects other children who are unable to have vaccinations or who have parents who could potentially expose them before they're fully protected. You wouldn't turn a blind eye at another mother's child running into the street, so why not immunize to protect ALL children.
If I lost Ava, I would just die. She is my everything.
Please, if you could just keep us in your prayers that it is allergies or a mild cold or anything minor, I would be forever indebted.
Ill update tomorrow post-appointment. She may need a chest x-ray, so it may take a while. Hopefully not.
Thank you!!!
P, the school-aged child I watch, is in first grade, and her teacher sent out an email to parents today that was then passed on to me. TWO cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been confirmed at her school, one of which was in her class.
Now as you may or may not know, I've been sick for going on a week and a half now. I've been coughing like crazy in spurts, and had other cold-like symptoms. P has as well, and, scarily, Ava has too. Hers have been extremely mild, and so I have assumed that they are allergy-related, but now, hearing about this outbreak, I am very concerned.
I called Ava's doctor to see what he thought, and he worked us in first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully I'm being overly cautious and overreacting, but I plan to err on the side of caution, particularly after Dr H told us how sometimes the first stage of pertussis is much like a mild common cold, and then progresses to the coughing spells. 75% of babies under 6 months that become infected end up hospitalized, and there are even more grave statistics than that that I'm pushing out of my mind.
The good news is that if it is pertussis, God forbid, if we start treatment in the first stages, she's much more likely to recover quickly and not need hospitalization.
Parents - please, please, please vaccinate your children. Not only does it protect them, it protects other children who are unable to have vaccinations or who have parents who could potentially expose them before they're fully protected. You wouldn't turn a blind eye at another mother's child running into the street, so why not immunize to protect ALL children.
If I lost Ava, I would just die. She is my everything.
Please, if you could just keep us in your prayers that it is allergies or a mild cold or anything minor, I would be forever indebted.
Ill update tomorrow post-appointment. She may need a chest x-ray, so it may take a while. Hopefully not.
Thank you!!!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Great Baby Food Debate.
Now that all of our babies are either at or nearing four months, I thought I'd ask my fellow mommies opinions on cereal. When are you planning to start your little sweetie on solids? Are you starting with cereal, or just going to mashed up solids? Are you going with store-bought or homemade?
I'm reallllllllly leaning towards putting off solids until six months. I love breastfeeding, and Ava has no complaints either, particularly now that I've given up dairy, so I don't see why I can't continue to exclusively breastfeed until she's at least six months.
Here are some of the benefits, and the argument for postponing solids until at least six months of age, per Kelly Mom, an absolutely terrific source of information for the breastfeeding mother:
Delaying solids gives baby greater protection from illness.
Although babies continue to receive many immunities from breastmilk for as long as they nurse, the greatest immunity occurs while a baby is exclusively breastfed. Breastmilk contains 50+ known immune factors, and probably many more that are still unknown. One study has shown that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 4+ months had 40% fewer ear infections than breastfed babies whose diets were supplemented with other foods. The probability of respiratory illness occurring at any time during childhood is significantly reduced if the child is fed exclusively breast milk for at least 15 weeks and no solid foods are introduced during this time. Many other studies have also linked the degree of exclusivity of breastfeeding to enhanced health benefits.
Delaying solids gives baby's digestive system time to mature.
If solids are started before a baby's system is ready to handle them, they are poorly digested and may cause unpleasant reactions (digestive upset, gas, constipation, etc.). Protein digestion is incomplete in infancy. Gastric acid and pepsin are secreted at birth and increase toward adult values over the following 3 to 4 months. The pancreatic enzyme amylase does not reach adequate levels for digestion of starches until around 6 months, and carbohydrate enzymes such as maltase, isomaltase, and sucrase do not reach adult levels until around 7 months. Young infants also have low levels of lipase and bile salts, so fat digestion does not reach adult levels until 6-9 months.
Delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies.
It is well documented that prolonged exclusive breastfeeding results in a lower incidence of food allergies. From birth until somewhere between four and six months of age, babies possess what is often referred to as an "open gut." This means that the spaces between the cells of the small intestines will readily allow intact macromolecules, including whole proteins and pathogens, to pass directly into the bloodstream. This is great for your breastfed baby as it allows beneficial antibodies in breastmilk to pass more directly into baby's bloodstream, but it also means that large proteins from other foods (which may predispose baby to allergies) and disease-causing pathogens can pass right through, too. During baby's first 4-6 months, while the gut is still "open," antibodies from breastmilk coat baby's digestive tract and provide passive immunity, reducing the likelihood of illness and allergic reactions before gut closure occurs. Baby starts producing these antibodies on his own at around 6 months, and gut closure should have occurred by this time also.
Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.
The introduction of iron supplements and iron-fortified foods, particularly during the first six months, reduces the efficiency of baby's iron absorption. Healthy, full-term infants who are breastfed exclusively for periods of 6-9 months have been shown to maintain normal hemoglobin values and normal iron stores. In one study, the researchers concluded that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 7 months (and were not give iron supplements or iron-fortified cereals) had significantly higher hemoglobin levels at one year than breastfed babies who received solid foods earlier than seven months. The researchers found no cases of anemia within the first year in babies breastfed exclusively for seven months and concluded that breastfeeding exclusively for seven months reduces the risk of anemia.
Delaying solids helps to protect baby from future obesity.
The early introduction of solids is associated with increased body fat and weight in childhood.
Delaying solids helps mom to maintain her milk supply.
Studies have shown that for a young baby solids replace milk in a baby's diet - they do not add to baby's total intake. The more solids that baby eats, the less milk he takes from mom, and less milk taken from mom means less milk production. Babies who eat lots of solids or who start solids early tend to wean prematurely.
Delaying solids helps to space babies.
Breastfeeding is most effective in preventing pregnancy when your baby is exclusively breastfed and all of his nutritional and sucking needs are satisfied at the breast.
Delaying solids makes starting solids easier.
Babies who start solids later can feed themselves and are not as likely to have allergic reactions to foods.
All of these seem like valid arguments to me, not to mention that continuing to exclusively breastfeed is:
*free
*convenient (no cereal to mix, meals to be home for, etc)
*a great way to use up extra calories!
As far as the baby food goes, I think I've mentioned before that I intend to make Ava's baby food at home...anyone else planning to do this? Anyone with experience with this that can suggest some helpful resources?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Dare to Ditch Dairy.
I've mentioned a few times in passing about Ava's tendency to poo through outfit upon outfit, but I don't think I've let on the seriousness of how bad it really is. Last Thursday, we went through four outfits. FOUR. I've had to toss plenty of good outfits in the trash, and many more have been saved only by the magic of Shout! At first I thought we were just dealing with a laundry issue, but after last Thursday's record-setting outfit-changing, I started to think it was more than that. While breastfed newborns are notorious for frequent, loose stools, three-month-olds are not. In fact, all the literature I've read keeps telling me that she should be going less frequently without it being cause for concern, and I keep thinking to myself, Any day now...
Anyhow, back to last week. While it wasn't necessarily planned (more due to my mastitis, lack of appetite, and sheer coincidence), I ended up abstaining from dairy for the better part of the weekend, and shockingly enough, no poo. Not just no watery, gross, spilling-out-the-sides poo, but none at all. In fact, she didn't poo again until Sunday! That night, though, I ate a bowl of cereal, and sure thing - Ava had loose, watery poo again the next morning. That's when I started to take notice. Again, I abstained from dairy briefly, and again, the accidents stopped. Last night I had two bowls of cereal (I just can't live without that Special K Chocolatey Delight!), and this morning, we had a poo crisis! Not only did it spill out of her diaper, but it shot out the bottom of her pants legs, and ALL OVER our carpet. Holy crap (parden the pun!).
On top of that, Ava is small. Not unusually, abnormally small, but compared to other babies her age and other babies we know who were born around the same time, she's pounds lighter, weighing in at just slightly over 13 pounds. Definitely not statistically significant, but it does lead me to wonder if her slower weight gain has been due to her frequent poo diapers?
Moral of this long, drawn-out story centering on poo (ick!)? I have to give up dairy, at least until I can narrow it down and pinpoint what exactly it is that's making her sick.
This leads me now to a desperate plea for help. I am, above all, a picky eater. Soy milk makes me gag, as do the other milk alternatives. I eat meat, though in small quantities and not red meat. I like a wide array of fruits and veggies, thankfully, but am having a really difficult time coming up with things I can eat that a.)don't contain dairy, and b.)don't totally gross me out.
Help! Any and all suggestions, recipes, ideas you want to send my way - I will welcome with open arms! I am trying to use this opportunity to broaden my horizons (and taste buds), but have no clue where to start!
I'll be back tomorrow with some updates I've been meaning to post - apparently when I convinced myself that taking on a second job (my new writing gig) wouldn't be much of an additional burden since I'd be working from home, I was crazy. It's day two, and I've been feeling way overwhelmed. I'm hoping that once I no longer have to work late everyday it'll be more manageable!
Anyhow, back to last week. While it wasn't necessarily planned (more due to my mastitis, lack of appetite, and sheer coincidence), I ended up abstaining from dairy for the better part of the weekend, and shockingly enough, no poo. Not just no watery, gross, spilling-out-the-sides poo, but none at all. In fact, she didn't poo again until Sunday! That night, though, I ate a bowl of cereal, and sure thing - Ava had loose, watery poo again the next morning. That's when I started to take notice. Again, I abstained from dairy briefly, and again, the accidents stopped. Last night I had two bowls of cereal (I just can't live without that Special K Chocolatey Delight!), and this morning, we had a poo crisis! Not only did it spill out of her diaper, but it shot out the bottom of her pants legs, and ALL OVER our carpet. Holy crap (parden the pun!).
On top of that, Ava is small. Not unusually, abnormally small, but compared to other babies her age and other babies we know who were born around the same time, she's pounds lighter, weighing in at just slightly over 13 pounds. Definitely not statistically significant, but it does lead me to wonder if her slower weight gain has been due to her frequent poo diapers?
Moral of this long, drawn-out story centering on poo (ick!)? I have to give up dairy, at least until I can narrow it down and pinpoint what exactly it is that's making her sick.
This leads me now to a desperate plea for help. I am, above all, a picky eater. Soy milk makes me gag, as do the other milk alternatives. I eat meat, though in small quantities and not red meat. I like a wide array of fruits and veggies, thankfully, but am having a really difficult time coming up with things I can eat that a.)don't contain dairy, and b.)don't totally gross me out.
Help! Any and all suggestions, recipes, ideas you want to send my way - I will welcome with open arms! I am trying to use this opportunity to broaden my horizons (and taste buds), but have no clue where to start!
I'll be back tomorrow with some updates I've been meaning to post - apparently when I convinced myself that taking on a second job (my new writing gig) wouldn't be much of an additional burden since I'd be working from home, I was crazy. It's day two, and I've been feeling way overwhelmed. I'm hoping that once I no longer have to work late everyday it'll be more manageable!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
I'm Alive!
At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, I am happy (and surprised) to announce that I am reemerging alive on the other side of the worst case of mastitis the world has ever seen (No, the doctor didn't confirm that. It's just a suspicion of mine...).
Friday was definitely the worst. It came on quick, with me jamming The Strokes en route to work Friday at 7AM, and practically incapacitated by 11:30AM. I left work at that point, calling D to meet me at home and take over baby-duty, and headed to my pharmacy to pick up my prescription. I figured that once I got my antibiotics, I'd be in the fast lane to recovery, which in many ways turned out to be true. It was just actually getting the antibiotics that proved difficult.
As I've mentioned before, my doctor's office closes at noon on Friday. Naturally, while pregnant, all my crises (including my car accident) took place on Friday. Around 11AM. Why it should surprise me, then, that this would happen late Friday morning, I don't know. Anyway, I called the doctor around 10AM, and his nurse assured me that she'd call in the prescription right away so that it would be ready for pickup when I arrived at HEB. Well, as it turns out, she FORGOT. Yep. The office closed up, the nurses went home, and my prescription remained...nonexistent. Seeing as how I was feeling sicker by the moment, and my fever was over 103 at this point, I had a complete meltdown in the pharmacy drive-thru and then drove home to suffer in my pajamas. Being almost completely incapable of functioning between the fever, chills, and body aches (not to mention my incredibly sore and swollen right breast), I handed the task of reaching the on-call doctor and picking up my prescription to D. Thankfully, he delivered around 3PM, just as my fever was rounding up on 104. I immediately took the first of over 50 pills I get to take in the next two weeks (four a day!), something for pain, and passed out for several hours.
That was definitely the worst of it, since those little blue pills kicked in quickly, but whoa Nelly! Friday was a terrible day. I guess I should also mention that due to the pain coursing through my body, we canceled our trip to D's parents. I just couldn't sit in the car for over three hours each way and spend a weekend trying to participate and being in someone else's home/bed/area. I like to be in my own space generally, but WAY moreso when I'm sick.
I'm still not feeling 100% - maybe 70%? - but I'm definitely on the mend. The antibiotics are messing with my stomach a bit, but hey, I'll take that over how I felt Friday anyday!
A was off a bit the past two days, but I'm thinking it was because the dynamic in our household had shifted. Mom was actually getting some decent rest and taking (gasp!) naps, while dad had taken over the majority of baby duty. It was a welcome break, though I missed hanging out with my baby all day! Considering I just finished making a pork roast, yellow rice and black beans, along with cleaning up the house and finishing up laundry, I'd say we're making the shift back to our household norm - haha.
Alright - I have a deadline to meet for this whole new writing gig, and don't want to have to put off my first piece. That wouldn't look very good now, would it?
BTW - I have a few posts in mind this week that will be asking for some input from those who've been there or even the thoughts of those who haven't yet but have opinions! Please leave a comment with any advice you may have!
Friday was definitely the worst. It came on quick, with me jamming The Strokes en route to work Friday at 7AM, and practically incapacitated by 11:30AM. I left work at that point, calling D to meet me at home and take over baby-duty, and headed to my pharmacy to pick up my prescription. I figured that once I got my antibiotics, I'd be in the fast lane to recovery, which in many ways turned out to be true. It was just actually getting the antibiotics that proved difficult.
As I've mentioned before, my doctor's office closes at noon on Friday. Naturally, while pregnant, all my crises (including my car accident) took place on Friday. Around 11AM. Why it should surprise me, then, that this would happen late Friday morning, I don't know. Anyway, I called the doctor around 10AM, and his nurse assured me that she'd call in the prescription right away so that it would be ready for pickup when I arrived at HEB. Well, as it turns out, she FORGOT. Yep. The office closed up, the nurses went home, and my prescription remained...nonexistent. Seeing as how I was feeling sicker by the moment, and my fever was over 103 at this point, I had a complete meltdown in the pharmacy drive-thru and then drove home to suffer in my pajamas. Being almost completely incapable of functioning between the fever, chills, and body aches (not to mention my incredibly sore and swollen right breast), I handed the task of reaching the on-call doctor and picking up my prescription to D. Thankfully, he delivered around 3PM, just as my fever was rounding up on 104. I immediately took the first of over 50 pills I get to take in the next two weeks (four a day!), something for pain, and passed out for several hours.
That was definitely the worst of it, since those little blue pills kicked in quickly, but whoa Nelly! Friday was a terrible day. I guess I should also mention that due to the pain coursing through my body, we canceled our trip to D's parents. I just couldn't sit in the car for over three hours each way and spend a weekend trying to participate and being in someone else's home/bed/area. I like to be in my own space generally, but WAY moreso when I'm sick.
I'm still not feeling 100% - maybe 70%? - but I'm definitely on the mend. The antibiotics are messing with my stomach a bit, but hey, I'll take that over how I felt Friday anyday!
A was off a bit the past two days, but I'm thinking it was because the dynamic in our household had shifted. Mom was actually getting some decent rest and taking (gasp!) naps, while dad had taken over the majority of baby duty. It was a welcome break, though I missed hanging out with my baby all day! Considering I just finished making a pork roast, yellow rice and black beans, along with cleaning up the house and finishing up laundry, I'd say we're making the shift back to our household norm - haha.
Alright - I have a deadline to meet for this whole new writing gig, and don't want to have to put off my first piece. That wouldn't look very good now, would it?
BTW - I have a few posts in mind this week that will be asking for some input from those who've been there or even the thoughts of those who haven't yet but have opinions! Please leave a comment with any advice you may have!
Friday, April 9, 2010
OMG.
So you know how last week I was pretty certain I was on the verge of mastitis? Turns out that was NOTHING compared to being in the full-on throes of it. I'm not sure how it happened, since I felt fine yesterday. To be honest, I felt fine at 7AM when I arrived at work. But by 8:30? I thought I was dying. I mean, literally would not have been surprised if all of my organs just bailed and left me where I laid on the ground next to A and S to expire.
Therefore, despite having over six hours left in my day, and having already been up for five, I am going home. Yes, I still have cat food to purchase for this weekend, and bags to pack before we head out of town after A's bath, and laundry to do, clothes to fold, a catbox to clean, a baby to nurse, etc, but I cannot do anything until I have the antibiotics my doctor is currently calling in and a nap.
Therefore, despite having over six hours left in my day, and having already been up for five, I am going home. Yes, I still have cat food to purchase for this weekend, and bags to pack before we head out of town after A's bath, and laundry to do, clothes to fold, a catbox to clean, a baby to nurse, etc, but I cannot do anything until I have the antibiotics my doctor is currently calling in and a nap.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Clogged Duct = Major Ouch.
I am about 99% sure that I have a clogged milk duct, and let me tell you friends, it hurts!
It all started just a few short hours ago, when I rolled over onto my right side and woke up wondering why someone had punched me in the boob! My right breast was so unbelievably sore, as well as extremely hard and engorged considering A had eaten last only 5 hours before. One particular spot seemed to be the root of the problem, with the pain centralized right around a tender nodule. I tried to massage the spot, but it was far too painful. Instead, I popped a couple tylenol and went back to sleep. Or at least attempted to, with minimal success. For the first time in recent memory, I said a little prayer that Ava would wake up and eat at 2AM.
Flash forward two and a half hours, with little miss still going strong in the sleeping department. Yay for seven hours straight, but could you kindly get up now little lady? My breast may explode! She obliged this time, mainly because I was making all sorts of noise to help her along, and while I followed the advice I found online of nursing with her chin towards the clog, it still seems to be as painful as ever despite our marathon middle-of-the-night nursing session.
Next up to try? A hot shower and round two of massage, though it'll have to wait until morning because I'm flat exhausted at this point. If that doesn't work, I've heard nursing on all fours can work wonders for getting the breast to empty completely, though the logistics seem both awkward and hilarious. Hopefully it won't come to that!
Please, please don't let me get mastitis!
It all started just a few short hours ago, when I rolled over onto my right side and woke up wondering why someone had punched me in the boob! My right breast was so unbelievably sore, as well as extremely hard and engorged considering A had eaten last only 5 hours before. One particular spot seemed to be the root of the problem, with the pain centralized right around a tender nodule. I tried to massage the spot, but it was far too painful. Instead, I popped a couple tylenol and went back to sleep. Or at least attempted to, with minimal success. For the first time in recent memory, I said a little prayer that Ava would wake up and eat at 2AM.
Flash forward two and a half hours, with little miss still going strong in the sleeping department. Yay for seven hours straight, but could you kindly get up now little lady? My breast may explode! She obliged this time, mainly because I was making all sorts of noise to help her along, and while I followed the advice I found online of nursing with her chin towards the clog, it still seems to be as painful as ever despite our marathon middle-of-the-night nursing session.
Next up to try? A hot shower and round two of massage, though it'll have to wait until morning because I'm flat exhausted at this point. If that doesn't work, I've heard nursing on all fours can work wonders for getting the breast to empty completely, though the logistics seem both awkward and hilarious. Hopefully it won't come to that!
Please, please don't let me get mastitis!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Reflux?
I am starting to suspect that Ava is experiencing reflux.
She has started to spit up frequently, sometimes directly after eating (in which case it's just like regular liquid-y baby spit up), and sometimes hours later (in which case it is thicker with what seems like teeny chunks of curdled milk). From what I have read, the latter is milk that has been sitting in her stomach and started the digestion process. Poor thing!
We have an appointment scheduled for a 4-week well check & weigh-in on Monday, but I may see if we can bump it up to tomorrow. I have noticed she is slightly fussy before and after the spit up, and have even seen her appear to be gasping for air a couple of times (talk about scaring me to death!) before spitting, so I figure the sooner we address it, the better.
Anyone else having reflux or spit-up issues?
She has started to spit up frequently, sometimes directly after eating (in which case it's just like regular liquid-y baby spit up), and sometimes hours later (in which case it is thicker with what seems like teeny chunks of curdled milk). From what I have read, the latter is milk that has been sitting in her stomach and started the digestion process. Poor thing!
We have an appointment scheduled for a 4-week well check & weigh-in on Monday, but I may see if we can bump it up to tomorrow. I have noticed she is slightly fussy before and after the spit up, and have even seen her appear to be gasping for air a couple of times (talk about scaring me to death!) before spitting, so I figure the sooner we address it, the better.
Anyone else having reflux or spit-up issues?
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