Breastfeeding Tidbits

• Babies thrive on direct contact and social interaction with you.
• Car seats are for when you are traveling in the car

Don't leave your baby in the car seat when you are out of the car. Babies need to be in different positions in order to strengthen all the muscles of their neck and torso. Hold the baby, or use a sling or baby carrier if you need to get some things done. These things will also help prevent the flattening of the back of their head. Carrying the baby around in the car seat is terrible for your arm and back as well.

Breastfeeding Tidbits!

• If you are breastfeeding, avoid using the gel hand sanitizers.

Just wash your hands with soap and water instead. Why? The gel sanitizers have alcohol in them. Alcohol can irritate your hands as well as the sensitive skin around the nipple and areola when you hold your breast to latch baby. The alcohol fumes are toxic to baby. I've seen cases where babies have had "breast aversion" because their mommy was using hand sanitizer after all diaper changes.

The Best Way to Avoid the Flu

The flu season is here! Protect you and your family in a very simple way.

• Wash your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds

When? Before you eat, after changing diapers or using the bathroom, after sneezing or wiping your nose or eyes, when you get home after being out...this goes for your children's hands as well!

• Try to keep your hands off of your nose and eyes

• Avoid touching public hand rails and door knobs as much as possible. Keep your paper towel in public restrooms, use it to open the door or push the door open with your back or shoulder instead of your hand.
• If you or a family member are coming down with "something", do everyone a favor, and stay home. There is no heroism in keeping an appointment and pushing yourself to do something if it is going to spread disease to someone else. Be considerate of others.