Breastfeeding... the easy choice. So why is it so hard?!

American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends breastfeeding for 6months.  Your friends (who all of a sudden think you want their unsolicited advice about parenting) told you “breast is best,” your doctor told you, and now your baby’s pediatrician tells you too, and they are all correct, breast milk is the best choice –but it is also a harder commitment to keep then they may lead on. 
First, it seems the most natural option.  But when you’re exhausted and sleep deprived, your natural instinct is not to serve up breast to your screaming newborn.  Pop the lid on that ready-to-go bottle of formula and screw on a nipple, baby is magically silent –now that you have learned to do that switch with 1 hand in less than 4seconds!  Why does mommy give baby a bottle, over a breast?  Because the feeding is faster, and when baby gets fed faster, mommy gets back to sleep faster.  Breastfeeding takes a lot more effort from your little angel then you may know.  They end up falling asleep at your breast before getting their fill and then they are up again –hungry- earlier than they otherwise would have been. 
Second, it’s the easy option.  Is it actually easy to breast feed?  Giving from your breast may sound easier than pouring formula into a bottle.  However, breastfeeding comes with its very own list of complications.  Baby may have trouble latching –but that can easily be resolved with the help of a lactation consultant while you’re still in the hospital.  On the otherhand, your baby might get the hang of it immediately and you’ll learn just how much toothless gums can actually hurt.  To compliment the initial discomfort, keep in mind that breast feeding releases oxytocin which stimulates uterine contraction.  We want uterine contraction after delivery, this is a good thing, just be prepared again for the discomfort –I know what you’re thinking, “discomfort” is just about everywhere in the prenatal/post partum period.  Along with the above is dry, cracked nipples (prone to infection), mastitis and ductal blocks. 
Ok, now it sounds like I’m just bad-mouthing breastfeeding.  I’m not!  I’m an advocate for it, it’s the best for your baby.  I just think moms should honestly be better prepared for what they are going to face.  One woman I know, complained about breastfeeding, but the thing that kept her committed was that someone else said she wouldn’t be able to handle it. Ha!  I think this is so funny, but she was aware of how difficult the commitment would ultimately be and she took that challenge on, fully informed and breastfed both her babies for 13months!
Let’s not sugar coat things.  Mommies are the strongest super heroes!  They will endure and survive it all for their babies, so I think they can handle the truth about breast feeding. ;)

~Cradle and All, LLC *Cribside Care for Baby, Peace of Mind for Mommy*

www.cradlemybaby.com

Tragedy at Daycare: Importance of choosing the Best overnight care, in YOUR home

CBS DC ran this story about, two women working at an unlicensed daycare center in Prince William County.  Both were charged with child endangerment after a 3-month-old girl died while in their custody. 

These charges are not directly related to the death.  It appears the 3-month-old baby girl died of SIDS.  Based on the story, it doesn’t appear to me that they did anything wrong in the care for this infant.  The “Sudden” in SIDS is there because it is a spontaneous and unexplained death in infants.  Yes, there are risk factors to help reduce the chance of SIDS, but even with all precautions in place, every infant (especially 2 – 4 months old) is susceptible.  It is the top fear of every parent, and the drive behind my own paranoia , even  after providing professional infant care to over 20 newborns. 

The charges are based on findings by police officers at the day care site, upon their arrival for investigation.  What they found was 23 children ranging in age from newborn to four years old!

The Daycare has since been shut down.

There are so many options to parents when it comes to choosing infant care.  In fact, the myriad of choices can create an overwhelming and stressful experience -especially for first time parents. 

As the demand for care into the extended hours of the night increases, several overnight care centers are opening, or daytime care centers are extending hours to fill this ongoing need.  If you do have the choice however, take into account the advantages of employing the services of a baby nurse:

1.        Care is provided in YOUR home, while you are there.  You can check in on your baby anytime

2.       She is coming to you as a medical professional, with healthcare/clinical background, but still a NURSE –she’s a nurturer by nature, and an advocate for your all your baby’s needs

3.       She has been referenced, background checked, drug tested, healthcare updated, and licensed by the state

My heart breaks for this baby girl, and prays for her family.  I repeat, it was not the result of the care that caused her death, it was this tragedy that prompted an investigation which brought to light other child care issues within this care center.

For more info on this story:  http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/03/09/infant-dies-at-unlicensed-daycare-two-charged-with-child-endangerment/

For more info on SIDS:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002533/

~Cradle and All, "Cribside Care for Baby, Peace of Mind for Mommy"
www.cradlemybaby.com

Sleep Awareness Week - How losing even 1 hour of sleep affects your health

Every hour of sleep is essential.  As if parents of newborns aren’t already missing out on critical sleep, we all had to set our clocks forward last night and lose yet another hour of precious sleeptime!

This year, daylight savings falls on the last day of National Sleep Awareness Week –March 5^th – 9^th.  So let’s talk about some of the effects of losing those Zzz’s:

Research shows that losing an hour of sleep (such as in the spring daytime saving, when time skips ahead one hour at 2 AM) is a bigger deal than you might think. A 2008 New England Journal of Medicine study found that the incidence of heart attacks significantly increased in the three workdays following the switch. (Conversely, heart attack rates dipped in the fall when we gained an hour of sleep). According to the researchers, disruption in the body’s circadian rhythm may have taken a toll on heart health.

Further, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that drowsy driving leads to nearly 17 percent of fatal crashes and 25 percent of car-accident-related deaths occur in low-light environments. If you’ve gotten used to a sunny morning commute, driving in a dimmer setting can compromise your alertness and safety.

Visit www.sleepfoundation.org for more information on why sleep is so important and the effects sleep deprivation have on our health. 

Investing in your sleep, is a way to take care of your health so you can devote your best to your newborn. 

Let a baby nurse be the gift that takes those health risks off the table by tending to your newborns needs overnight.

~Cradle and All, LLC “Cribside Care for Baby, Peace of Mind for Mommy”

www.CradleMyBaby.com

Year of the Baby Nurse

“Everyone has a baby nurse.”  -or so it seems.  In just the past couple of years, there has been a growing demand for overnight newborn care.  How is it that during economic decline, some businesses continue to grow?  Because despite any economic situation, some necessities remain necessary – water, food, toilet paper, and SLEEP! 

Based on the demand, sleep is priority number one for new parents.  And so it should be.  Investing in your own sleep, protects your sanity and judgment; and positively affects the care you provide all day long to your newborn.  (Sleep deprived mothers, are more likely to develop post partum depression*) But don’t be mistaken, this is not just about getting mom a few hours of sleep, this is about bringing the security of that hospital nursery home with you and into your baby’s nursery.  Family’s are bringing in Newborn Care Specialists, LPNs, RNs, the clinically trained and experienced baby nurses to keep their baby safe overnight.  Aside from providing the best, evidence-based care, Baby Nurses have become Mommy’s biggest support system, providing answers to her concerns and empowering her decisions as a new parent.  Today’s parents are educated, working, and prepared –yet after all the “what to expect” books you still want someone to turn to and ask “is that normal?” 

Traditionally, women stayed home.  Today they are going back to work after 8 – 12 weeks.  Traditionally, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, were available to provide help around the clock, and assurance with every decision.  Today’s families are geographically spread about the map, and even those close to home, work and so are unable to provide the kind of help new parents need. 

A Baby Nurse can be the answer to your prayer for a night of sleep; she will be the person who takes away the stress of the transition, so you can enjoy the blessing.

~Cradle and All, LLC “Cribside Care for Baby, Peace of Mind for Mommy”

www.CradleMyBaby.com

What is Cradle and All?

Registered Nurses and Newborn Care Specialists providing nurturing, overnight care of newborns in your home. In providing “Cribside Care” to newborns, we give Mommy and Daddy the chance to, rest physically with a full night of sleep, plus the “Peace of Mind” that their precious newborn is safely being provided the best care. Our newborn care policies are outlined and guided by evidence-based practice, American Academy of Pediatrics, and years of experience. 

Put your mind at ease knowing that your Baby Nurse is a resource of information for you, a support to your choices, and here to empower you as new, and "new again," mommies and daddies! 

www.cradlemybaby.com