Author Archives: Jeanne Lowry

Common Questions about Changing a Baby’s Diaper

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 15, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

A lot of new parents may not have any experience changing a diaper, and the task can seem daunting. Experience will help, but there are some questions that all new parents have or will have.

How often should I change my baby’s diaper?
While it is “ideal” to change a baby’s diaper after each time they pee, that’s not quite feasible. Often there is no indication that your baby has peed, and checking the diaper (by feeling it to see if the wadding has bunched up) every few minutes is impossible. Generally, checking at least every two hours, or before or after feedings, and before and after sleeping is best. A newborn, a sick child or a child with diaper rash needs to be changed more often. Speaking of diaper rash …

What causes diaper rash?
Diaper rash is caused by having the skin in the diaper area be exposed to wetness and waste. The amount of time a baby’s skin can be exposed to waste depends on the child and their skin’s pH balance. A baby’s skin is about half as thick as an adult’s: that’s why their skin is so sensitive. Diaper rash isn’t caused directly by the foods the baby digests, but can be caused by the diarrhea caused by those foods. Diaper rashes can be cleared up by letting the baby’s skin air out, using diaper rash creams and making sure the diapers and wipes you’re using work for your baby’s skin.

What if my child hates their diaper being changed?
Most children will go through a phase where they hate having their diapers changed. Some techniques to get through this are distracting the child (perhaps with an object that is otherwise unavailable to them), counting down to the diaper change (sometimes even setting a timer) and changing the child while they’re standing up (if they’re stable enough). Oftentimes, parents will use this phase to help start the process of potty-training.

Feel free to ask more questions in the comments, or add your own answers to the ones above!

What is: Cerebral Palsy?

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 11, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Many caregivers out there are caregiving for children, teens or adults with cerebral palsy. And many caregivers of other individuals may wonder: just what is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is essentially a term for all disabilities that come from damage to the part of the brain that controls motor skills. It varies wildly in each diagnosed individual. Cerebral palsy is not a disease, it is not contagious, it is not hereditary and there is no cure. There is no way to prevent the disease as it is usually caused by an accident of some type. Regular prenatal checkups are always a good idea, but generally cannot prevent the types of accidents that cause CP.

It’s entirely possible that you could know someone for years and never know that they were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. And someone you think has CP could have a different disability entirely. Each person is affected differently, from a simple issue like hard-to-read hand writing to being fully paralyzed. Some people have trouble with speech, some have trouble with cognition, some have trouble walking, while some experience immense pain.

Because there are so many ways CP can affect someone, it’s hard to tell what they might be capable of later in life, with therapy. Physical and other types of therapy can make all the difference with CP and, in general, the earlier the diagnosis the better.

There is very little known about CP, unfortunately. There are some options available out there for helping beyond therapy, including stem cell transfusions, surgery and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). While these may make movement and cognition easier, again, there is no cure. But many with CP are living very full lives. TotalHomeCareSupplies.com thanks their caregivers for all they provide. And a shout out to everyone showing cerebral palsy who’s boss!

Bathing Your Baby

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 9, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

The most important thing to remember with bathing your baby is to never leave them alone. After that, it’s also important to keep in mind that bathing them every day is probably unnecessary, and can cause skin irritation. And lastly, be sure to use a mild wash, if a wash is needed at all.

Now that those warnings are out of the day, let’s get down to bath time!

Your newborn only needs a sponge bath for the first two or three weeks of their life, until the umbilical cord stump falls off. During that time, find a nice flat area to sponge them down. Underpads can come in handy for sponge baths, keeping the surrounding area dry. Undress your child, though if they start fussing, you can put a diaper back on them – it may help them feel more secure. Using a wrung out washcloth, wipe them down, starting with their face. You don’t need to take too long, but make sure to get in between their fingers and toes and in their creases.

When you start bathing them in sitting water, it’s probably ideal to have another adult around to help out for the first few times. Wet babies can be surprisingly slippery! Get all supplies ready first, including the clothes they’ll be changing into and a diaper. When filling the sink/tub adapter/baby tub, make sure the water is warm to your wrist or elbow, but not hot. And only fill between two to five inches. Once your baby is in, use a cup to pour water over them to keep them warm, or to rinse if using wash. Make sure to keep a firm hand on them, especially when they’re young. Keep it quick and relaxing and afterward you should have a sweet-smelling, smiling baby (we hope!).

Great Products for Special Needs Kids

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 8, 2014 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

In most ways, special needs kids are just like other kids. They need food, shelter, entertainment and a few creature comforts (and of course love!). The products listed below are some ways to make their lives a little easier, more independent and accommodate those special needs.

Adaptive Utensils
These utensils can range from silverware with larger gripping areas to having special handles attached. The business end of the spoon or fork may be tilted one way or the other (depending on whether the user is right or left handed, or if they are being fed by someone else).

Weighted Blankets
This Forbes article talks about the benefits of weighted blankets for more than just special needs kids. Basically, anyone who has sleep issues may find them helpful. These blankets have been around for years but are becoming more popular now.

Sleep Overs Pull-Ups
Your child may still be wetting the bed at night, but they don’t need everyone to know. These pull-ups come in sizes up to 140 pounds and are very discreet. Now asking your kids to change into PJs while guests are over won’t be a “thing.”

A Tablet
Tablets are quite expensive, but if you can justify them as a therapeutic tool, you may be able to deduct the item on your taxes. There are many apps available for special needs, including a variety of speech apps. See this site for help with Tax Strategies for Parents of Special Needs Children for more information about deductions.

What products have you found most helpful for your special needs child? We’d love to hear from you!

Baby Sleep Tips

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 5, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

Getting your child to sleep is one thing. Getting your child to sleep when you want them to sleep is another. Check out these tips to help get your baby to fall (and stay) asleep!

Massage
You probably know from experience just how relaxing massages can be. So why not give one to your baby? A short massage (ten to fifteen minutes) can reassure your child and help them drift into the land of nod. This is an activity many fathers like to participate in, since it can create a bond, just as breastfeeding does. For some babies, thought, massages can stimulate rather than relax. Which type of baby do you have?

Make sure they’re dry
Having the correct overnight diaper on your baby can make all the difference. A diaper leak could possibly wake them up. Cuties Diapers feature an ultra-absorbent core that whisks the wetness away and keeps your baby feeling dry. Having an ultra-absorbent diaper also means less diaper changes are necessary in the middle of the night, meaning you don’t run the risk of waking them up during a change. However, if they have a bowel movement, it is necessary to change them.

Create a schedule
It’s hard to keep a schedule that’s consistent when there’s more than one person caring for the baby, but it will help. If possible, keep nap times and bedtime consistent (at least within a half hour, or so) and you may find your little one is ready to go down.

Know you’re different
What worked for your niece may not work for your baby. Your baby may not want to give up two naps when they’re a year and a half. If a white noise machine doesn’t seem to be helping, don’t be afraid to drop it. Maybe it will work for your baby later. Just be flexible and you’ll eventually find what works for you and your baby.

Caregiving Blogs – September Highlight

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 4, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

At the start of the new month, we’d like to take some time to highlight some caregiver bloggers. These bloggers are raising awareness of the difficulties their loved ones live or lived with and helping others to know they’re not alone.

http://caregivingelderlyparents.com/
“Sometimes it seems that no matter how much I do, I still feel guilty. How do we live with that juggling act? That is what I want to write about.” That’s how Dauna Easley describes her reason for blogging. Her co-blogger is Marky Olson. They have written a book together called “Caregiving for Your Elderly Parents.” They tell their personal stories with warmth and humor.

http://birtchbaby.blogspot.com/
Jill’s son John was born at just over 24 weeks gestation, making him a micro-preemie. At only a few days old, he experienced a brain bleed that gave him long-term disabilities. Through lots of hard work and John’s own determination, he walks with a walker and leads an almost entirely normal life. Every year, John, his family and his friends take part in a fundraising walk for other preemies. John has a very positive personality, and his little sister is a sprite!

http://alzheimersandmomblog.blogspot.com/
Karen was a caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer’s for years, until her mother passed away in 2011. Karen continues her blog to help other caregivers and past caregivers. In her older posts she shares the joys and struggles of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. In her recent posts, she discusses Alzheimer’s support, life in Arkansas, and moving on from caregiving.

Do you write a blog or know of one that you’d like TotalHomeCareSupplies.com to highlight? Please provide us with a link in the comments. And if you’re a regular reader of any of these blogs, let us know and give them a shout out!

Solutions for Diaper Rash

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 3, 2014 under BladderMatters, Everything Baby | Read the First Comment

The cause of diaper rash can be caused by several different issues. But the root of the problem is in the term itself. It’s diaper rash. Wouldn’t it just be so easy if that diaper didn’t have to be used? But if it’s necessary, what is the alternative?

Several sources suggest leaving the diaper off for extended periods of times. Well and good. But how to do that? How can the parents or caregivers create situations where a diaper isn’t needed?

Enter the underpad. Yes, underpads are often used as a backup to regular diapers, but they have more to offer. Especially during nap time.

With a baby, if you’ve observed that they don’t move too much during nap time, you can go ahead and take the diaper off. Place the child in their crib, on their back, with one or two underpads under them. With a boy, place a cloth over the groin. With disposable underpads, all urine will be quickly collected during naptime. Afterward, you can wipe the baby off or have a quick bath (warm water only, or a very mild soap).

With adults, an underpad can be used during naptime (during which people move around less than at night) or during some downtime. Reading or TV watching can pass the time while the area airs out. When ready to put the brief back on, use a soft cloth with warm water to wash the area, maybe some gentle wash. If you like, you can put cream on at this point, but stay away from powders like cornstarch or baby powder. Both can lead to a bacterial problem.

Much luck and tell us what you’ve had success with when diaper rash appears!

Talking with Others About Incontinence

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 2, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Discussing incontinence with your doctor is one thing. Talking about it with family and friends is another. It suddenly goes from being a medical issue to a personal one. Depending on your family, you likely don’t know the details of their bathroom habits. So why should they get to know yours?

Telling a friend or a family member can be beneficial for several reasons. You might find it somewhat therapeutic to share this detail with someone you’re close to. Or it could just be easier than trying to hide the problem.

When you take charge and tell that person, you’re taking control of the situation. If you don’t act embarrassed, the other person will likely follow your lead. If you are considering talking to someone about the issue, keep this in mind: how would you feel if someone came to you and told you they were incontinent? You’d probably just say “Okay.” As a contributor put it on the site IncontinentSupport.org, “[…]really I guess that is the way it should be – what difference does it make to me if someone I barely know is wearing a diaper? Big whoop.”

An explanation may be helpful as well. Although it’s up to you how much detail you want to share about your incontinence, your friend or loved one may be better able to process that information if you tell them how you came to be incontinent. Even a simple explanation of “I was in a car accident,” or “it’s a side effect of surgery,” can be helpful in their understanding of the condition.

Who knows about your incontinence should be up to you. At TotalHomeCareSupplies.com, our incontinence supplies are inconspicuous enough so no one can tell what you’re wearing – unless you tell them.

When Your Baby is Sick

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 29, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

Having a sick baby can be scary, but with some knowledge, some extra liquids and some sympathy, most colds and flus will disappear without issue. Check out these tips for what to do when your baby is sick.

Pay attention
You know your baby best. You don’t need to measure how much liquid winds up in their diaper each time you change it, but you will get an idea for the weight and feel of a normal used diaper. If it seems that the diaper is less full (or more full) than normal, start to pay attention. Peeing more or less often or having different types of poop can indicate an oncoming sickness or infection. See if there are other symptoms that you may have missed.

Keep them cool
If your baby has a fever, you generally do not need to worry, as long as they are not a newborn and the fever stays under 102 degrees. But you will help them be more comfortable by helping to keep them cool. Remove their clothing, offer more liquids than normal and give them a bath in tepid water. Don’t have time for the full bath immersion, or maybe they’re too fussy? You can also wipe them down with baby wipes. Just a quick swipe could lower their temperature as much as a couple degrees!

Slow down
You’re not sick, so just keep up all your normal tasks, right? Wrong. Having a sick child can take a lot out of you. So go ahead and let people know you might flake on that plan, and let them know why. They’ll understand. Then take that time to just relax and hold your child, or stay with them while they nap. You’ll both feel better for it.

Group Vacations

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 27, 2014 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Summer vacations are coming to a close, but the fall is a great time to travel as well. Lower temperatures and fewer travelers can mean better deals and better experiences.

As a caregiver, you may find yourself longing for a vacation, but wondering how it’s possible to leave your charge. Or, perhaps your charge (your parents, child, sibling or other) has been asking to take a trip. How can you pull off taking a vacation with so many care issues to think about?

One option is to create a group to go on vacation with you. If there are more people than just you to help take care of your charge, there’s less for you to worry about. Are there siblings that can help out with your elderly parents? Can your parents help out with your special needs child? Coordinating times and destinations can be tough, but with the right planning, all parties can find enjoyable activities and alone time.

Another option is to participate in a pre-planned trip. Cruises have always been popular, but these days they are catering more and more to the aging population. Some cruises now provide help to their elderly passengers. Such a trip can provide the perfect setting: you as the caregiver get to make sure your parents’ care needs are being met, and there are opportunities to relax. And leaving the country isn’t necessary: river cruises mean less travel time to the boat and more scenery while on the ship.

Whether you decide on a private or group vacation, make sure to pack all supplies your charge needs in advance. TotalHomeCareSupplies.com has all the incontinence products you need for a great trip! Bon voyage!