Just returned from a week in Rhode Island. It is truly wonderful to be by the sea for any period of time or anytime of year...in my opinion!
This year I am hoping to begin developing my private clinical social work practice more and more. My hope is to connect with more young mothers and work with child issues such as the early issue of sleep and its importance for a happy and healthy baby. With all that is now known through neuroscience and brain development a child's early stages become that much more significant in terms of future learning.I will continue to work as a mentor to new social workers as well.
As I progress along this goal...I hope that you stay with me both here and at www.babydreamzzz.com.
I am available on e-mail, skype, telephone and in person for consultations!
Have a great weekend. Lorette
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Decode Your Child’s Cough
"This is an excellent article about a child's cough and what it can mean! It gives you guidelines about what to observe about your child's symptoms and what to tell your pediatrician. Keep it handy with your pediatrician's phone number."
Diagnose your baby or child's cough using the tips in this helpful guide.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!
Hi everyone,
Today of course is Valentine's Day. I can think of no better way to celebrate than by considering your heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer of women...it is so important for us to know our numbers and get serious about our heart health.
You all should know your cholesterol levels, HDL and LDL, triglycerides, blood sugar, and waist size. All of these are important predictors of heart health.
Check out the website www.goredforwomen.org for helpful information and make sure to read the signs of a heart attack that are common to women.
Carry regular aspirin with you so that you can chew one if you experience what you think might be a heart attack. I know it tastes awful but it gets into your bloodstream faster if you chew it rather than swallow it whole. Timing is everything when it comes to heart attacks.
I had open heart surgery for a mitral valve repair 2 years ago...it was very scary to walk into Northwestern Memorial Hospital here in Chicago with my family at 5 a.m. in the morning knowing what I was in for that day. I had worked many years ago as a nurse in the Recovery Room with post-operative heart surgery patients and it was one surgery I knew that I never wanted to have. After having the surgery it turned out to be all that I had worried about...even with a most competetent cardiovascular team and great nursing staff. Knowing too much was not a good thing in my case.
What I do know for sure is that I would not want to have to have another cardiovascular surgery if I could at all help it! Keeping up with your heart health is very important.
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!
Nana
Today of course is Valentine's Day. I can think of no better way to celebrate than by considering your heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer of women...it is so important for us to know our numbers and get serious about our heart health.
You all should know your cholesterol levels, HDL and LDL, triglycerides, blood sugar, and waist size. All of these are important predictors of heart health.
Check out the website www.goredforwomen.org for helpful information and make sure to read the signs of a heart attack that are common to women.
Carry regular aspirin with you so that you can chew one if you experience what you think might be a heart attack. I know it tastes awful but it gets into your bloodstream faster if you chew it rather than swallow it whole. Timing is everything when it comes to heart attacks.
I had open heart surgery for a mitral valve repair 2 years ago...it was very scary to walk into Northwestern Memorial Hospital here in Chicago with my family at 5 a.m. in the morning knowing what I was in for that day. I had worked many years ago as a nurse in the Recovery Room with post-operative heart surgery patients and it was one surgery I knew that I never wanted to have. After having the surgery it turned out to be all that I had worried about...even with a most competetent cardiovascular team and great nursing staff. Knowing too much was not a good thing in my case.
What I do know for sure is that I would not want to have to have another cardiovascular surgery if I could at all help it! Keeping up with your heart health is very important.
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!
Nana
Friday, February 12, 2010
HealthyChildren.org - Putting Back-Sleeping Concerns to Rest
HealthyChildren.org - Putting Back-Sleeping Concerns to Rest
This is a good article on "back sleeping" and any concerns that parents or grandparents may have! Check it out! Nana
This is a good article on "back sleeping" and any concerns that parents or grandparents may have! Check it out! Nana
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
As much as we hate to think about it SIDS is the number one cause of infant death in the United States. According to Parents Magazine's article ninety percent of SIDS deaths occur in babies who are younger than 6 months.
Sleeping habits of the baby in your life are very important. In the last policy statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics in November 2005 on SIDs there were 5 Safety Guidelines.
Infants should be placed on their backs for sleep. This is non-negotiable according to AAP and has been recommended since 1992. The fact is that babies might very well sleep more soundly on their stomachs but that this could contribute to SIDS. It may allow them to not get enough oxygen and actually rebreath carbon dioxide which can be deadly.
This recommendation alone has decreased SIDS by more than 50%!
Share your bedroom with your baby during your child's first 6 months of life. Babies do not fall into such a sound sleep in the parent's room. They stir at the noises that the parents make and believe it or not these stirrings are protective.
Do not over dress your infant so that he/she is too warm while in bed as this causes a baby to fall into too sound a sleep and it can be difficult to awaken him.
Breastfeed. Breastfed babies are more easily roused from sleep that those that are formula fed.
Give your baby a pacifier. The reason for this is not clear. It maybe that the sucking action may keep the baby's tongue in the forward position which keeps the airway open.
It is also very important to make sure that other caregivers like grandparents follow these guidelines as well. According to AAP, in the US 20% of SIDS deaths occur while the baby is being care for by someone other than a parent.
A crib should be a safe place with nothing in it such as stuffed animals, pillows, comforters and loose blankets. Even bumper pads are not recommended unless they are very thin and well secured to the sides of the crib.
Don't be tempted to make the baby's room too warm either...if it is comfortable for an adult in a short sleeved shirt then it is good for the baby.
Of course check with your baby's pediatrician for direct advice as the above are opinions of the AAP and other sources. Your own doctor is always your source for guidance.
As always feel free to send your comments or questions. Have a great day.
Nana
Sleeping habits of the baby in your life are very important. In the last policy statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics in November 2005 on SIDs there were 5 Safety Guidelines.
Infants should be placed on their backs for sleep. This is non-negotiable according to AAP and has been recommended since 1992. The fact is that babies might very well sleep more soundly on their stomachs but that this could contribute to SIDS. It may allow them to not get enough oxygen and actually rebreath carbon dioxide which can be deadly.
This recommendation alone has decreased SIDS by more than 50%!
Share your bedroom with your baby during your child's first 6 months of life. Babies do not fall into such a sound sleep in the parent's room. They stir at the noises that the parents make and believe it or not these stirrings are protective.
Do not over dress your infant so that he/she is too warm while in bed as this causes a baby to fall into too sound a sleep and it can be difficult to awaken him.
Breastfeed. Breastfed babies are more easily roused from sleep that those that are formula fed.
Give your baby a pacifier. The reason for this is not clear. It maybe that the sucking action may keep the baby's tongue in the forward position which keeps the airway open.
It is also very important to make sure that other caregivers like grandparents follow these guidelines as well. According to AAP, in the US 20% of SIDS deaths occur while the baby is being care for by someone other than a parent.
A crib should be a safe place with nothing in it such as stuffed animals, pillows, comforters and loose blankets. Even bumper pads are not recommended unless they are very thin and well secured to the sides of the crib.
Don't be tempted to make the baby's room too warm either...if it is comfortable for an adult in a short sleeved shirt then it is good for the baby.
Of course check with your baby's pediatrician for direct advice as the above are opinions of the AAP and other sources. Your own doctor is always your source for guidance.
As always feel free to send your comments or questions. Have a great day.
Nana
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