Nipple Trauma

This concept may be unfamiliar to some mothers, and yet all TOO familiar to other mothers. Unfortunately, I belong in the latter group. Here are some symptoms to tell if you're experiencing nipple trauma and also some techniques to help ease the pain.

Symptoms

• Sore, cracked, bleeding, or blistered nipples
• Contact with bra/clothing is too painful
• Pain during and after baby has nursed
• A jumping-back reaction when baby comes close to latch for breastfeeding

Helpful Techniques

• Hydrogels like Ameda ComfortGel Hydrogel Nipple Pads
• Lanolin ointment
• Expressed breast milk applied to nipple area
• Nipple shields
• Breast shells to reduce nipple irritation by preventing friction against clothing
• Warm Compress
• Pumping milk and bottle feeding temporarily while nipples heal

Nipple trauma is often caused by improper positioning and latch-on. If pain persists, lactation consultants can help. They are very helpful, understanding and supportive. They will really address your personal needs. I sought one within two weeks of giving birth. I was provided instant relief to soothe the pain. And the consultant worked diligently with me and my baby to get me on my way to healing and recovery. I was soon breastfeeding comfortably and with ease. I can attest that there's hope for us mothers suffering with nipple trauma!

Potty Training is Fun!

Okay, "fun" might be an exaggeration... but it is actually not as bad as I thought.

I was very excited about embarking on this task for obvious reasons... no more changing dirty diapers, saving money and saving the earth! At the same time, I was fearful of the mess that it was going to make (I envisioned poo and pee everywhere around the house) and thought it was going to be physically and emotionally draining... Take heart, all of you moms out there who are yet to potty train... you will be amazed at how easy it can be!

As I was researching how to potty train my almost 2.5 year old daughter, I read an article by Johanne Cesar "The Potty Trainer":

"Potty training is not an innate behavior. In other words, your child was not born with the ability to potty train. Pay close attention to what I am about to tell you. This is the whole secret. Potty training is a learned behavior.. Just like your child learns to walk, read, ride a bike, climb stairs...Potty training is learned. If you do not teach them, they will not learn it."

After reading this, I thought "I need to EXPECT and ACCEPT accidents"... and there I went, applying the method that was recommended to me by my mommy friends.. 1) Go "cold turkey" and let the child run around bottomless, 2) Reward the child with a treat, dance, sticker, etc. 3) Stay at home for at least three consecutive days, and 4) Encourage, encourage, encourage . And it WORKED!!! By the third day, my daughter got it! She understood WHEN she needed to go and WHERE she needed to go. If you're brave enough, you can also do 5) which is, put the child in underwear when they sleep. I didn't do #5 simply because I wanted to tackle day-time potty training before I tackle the sleep-time.

ITEMS TO PREPARE:
-Potty
-Reward (Treats, stickers and potty chart, a dance/song, etc)
-Loose pants (if/when you do go out, put them in loose pants and nothing underneath)
-Underwear (eventually)
*Also, make sure you talk, read a book or show a DVD about potty training prior to the actual potty training session. Allowing your child to watch you use the toilet may be the most effective tool.

After potty training for three days, I am thoroughly impressed at how quickly children learn. I feel like I underestimated my child's ability to learn this skill. And it was A LOT less messy than I thought it would be (thank goodness!).

p.s. Getting them to go #2 in the potty takes a little longer... something I found out (and were told by other mommies) is that even at this young age they need their "privacy". So you can give them a book to read and leave the restroom if need be.

Spiritual Food

Sometimes in the busyness of my day, I'm unable to take uninterrupted quiet time to dig deep into the Word and nourish my spirit. However, podcasts have been a real treat because I can easily listen to brief Bible studies by my favorite speakers like Joyce Meyer or Ravi Zacharias.

Try it sometime. Whip out the ipod during the kid's nap times, while you're on walks strolling the kids . . . or even in your car (hook it up to your stereo). Whatever little time you have, listening to podcasts is a great way to squeeze in some spiritual nourishment into your day!

Outtings Made A Little Easier

I just love the Mommy Hook from Bed Bath and Beyond. Everyone knows the basket in strollers is not enough space. I tried plastic hooks from Babies "R" Us, but they're not sturdy enough and break easily. This Mommy Hook is ideal, just attach it to your stroller handle (I usually have two) during grocery shopping runs or during long outtings when you need an extra place to hang some bags. It's strong and won't fail ya!

Predictability, Consistency and Routine

My friend does behavior training for children with developmental disorders such as Autism and ADHD. She said that the three main things these children need are: predictability, consistency and routine. Making things predictable, consitent, and routine supposedly reduces the child's confusion and anxiety and helps promote positive behavior. This can be applied to all children, not just those with developmental problems. By setting up a predictable routine and being consistent with it, you will be able to reduce overtiredness, crankiness and tantrums which we all dread (not to mention no naps and no sleep at night). Having a routine makes everyone happy and well rested.

*Helpful article for new moms*

"When it comes to both bedtime and naptime for your baby, it is important that you observe the principles of consistency and predictability. This is one of the ways that babies learn. Babies who have nap routines in the daytime that are consistent are much more likely to sleep for longer periods at a time during the night. If you get your baby into a consistent bedtime routine this will be something he comes to get used to over time and it will guarantee that he will likely go to sleep easier and sleep better throughout the night. Incorporate bedtime with familiar and pleasant rituals that set the stage for your baby to sleep well. For example, a warm bath before bedtime is a way to soothe a baby. Other activities that are equally advisable include quiet activities such as rocking your baby, singing lullabies to him, talking to him gently, cradling him and nursing him. What you are trying to do is to create a pleasant environment in which a baby learns that these activities then automatically lead to sleep time."
-Baby Sleep Help (Consistency and Predictability are the Name of the Baby Sleep Game)

Good Guy vs. Bad Guy

Be wise and mindful about showing your little ones movies and TV shows with good guys and bad guys. They often can not distinguish who the good guys and bad guys are.. and even if they can, they do not know not to copy what the bad guys say or do.

Beauty

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment,
such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and find clothes.
Instead, it should be that of your inner self,
the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is of great worth in God's sight."
1 Peter 3:3-4