How to Save Money on Baby Diapers

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 22, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

Last month, the US Department of Agriculture released an estimate for how much it will likely cost a middle-income couple to raise a child over eighteen years. The staggering number is $245,000, up 2% from last year. While baby diapers are just a fraction of that price, saving money wherever you can is the smart move to keep your family in the black. Here are a few tips to do just that:

Find the best price
Sure, you can find super discount diapers, but what if they leak? What if the harsh chemicals that are often used lead to a rash for your baby? Some discount diapers even have a chemical smell to them. It’s best to find a quality diaper at a low price. Cuties diapers are free from dyes and perfumes, and the extra soft, hypoallergenic liner is enriched with aloe, chamomile and vitamin E to help keep delicate skin healthy. And the flexible core absorbs leaks quickly.

Find coupons
We’ve all learned from shows like “Extreme Couponing” that it is possible to save an astounding amount of money if you put the effort into finding coupons. But you’ve got enough on your hands with an infant. What if a diaper coupon showed up in your email inbox right around the time you needed a new case? Sign up for TotalHomeCareSupplies.com’s newsletter and you’ll receive great percentage off or dollar off coupons.

Time = Money, so save time!
Every time you drive to the drug store late at night to grab some diapers, you’re losing sleep and making yourself less efficient. And you’re wasting gas, not to mention probably paying premium prices. Why do all this, when you could just get Cuties diapers shipped to your house. And you could even put them on an EZ Ship schedule, so you wouldn’t even have to take that extra minute to reorder what you already know you’ll need.

We’d love to hear about your success with any of these ideas, or your own suggestions. Help your fellow parents out!

Help with Building a Care Team

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 19, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

A care team for an elderly person consists of the people who are interested in the health and well-being of that person, and are an active part of their life.

Who is in a care team?
The main caregiver and the senior are the focus of the team. But as a caregiver, you’re still a part of it: communication needs to happen between yourself and the rest of the team, and of course the senior. In addition, there is also the main doctor and the specialists. The physical therapists and pharmacists are in there, too. And then if there are secondary caregivers, or elder daycare helpers, they’re part of the team as well. Include anyone who is in regular contact and communication with the senior about their health.

What is the goal of the team?
The goal of a care team is to keep the senior as healthy and as comfortable as possible. Happiness is also a good ideal, but may not always be possible. The way they accomplish these goals is through communication. In the best cases, each team member would be in contact with one another. But it may not be possible for the dentist to be in contact with the physical therapist to let them know that they may be less focused at their next session because of some residual tooth pain. Or the secondary caregiver may not be in contact with the primary doctor to discuss a change in incontinence products. That’s why the caregiver has to be the main input and output of information. And that information has to be explained in a way that is clear enough to them for them to be able to share it with others.

Remember, if someone in your care team makes either the caregiver or the caree uncomfortable, there’s nothing wrong with reevaluating whether or not that person should be there. Everyone should feel able to communicate freely within the team. We here at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com would love to hear about your best practices in a care team, and we wish you and your teammates much luck!

How to Dress Your Baby for All Types of Weather

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 17, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

Sure, you generally know what you’re going to wear for each season and the types of days within those seasons. But suddenly there’s another human who’s relying on you to make those decisions for them. What to do?

There are a few basic rules to follow when it comes to dressing your newborn and, later, your baby. We won’t lecture you about fashion (that’s totally up to you), but after reading this, you should know how to keep your baby comfortable and safe.

In the colder months, add another layer of clothing to your baby than you yourself are wearing. So if it’s a pants and sweater day, make sure your baby has a jacket when you leave the house. A blanket is also fine as an extra layer. You can make sure your little one is warm enough by touching their chest or the back of their neck. Their extremities are always going to be a little cooler than the rest of them, so don’t base your judgment on them.

In the warmer months, make sure they’re cool by keeping them in loose-fitting, natural fibers. Don’t feel the need to add the extra layer if it’s quite hot, but it’s always a good idea to keep a light jacket around. You never know how intense air conditioning is going to be. Watch out for heat rash, and always make sure they have a hat to cover their face (we know, some babies can’t stand hats, but keep trying!).

Lastly, be sure to adapt quickly when bringing your baby to a place with a different temperature. As soon as you arrive home or to day care or even a quick trip to the mall, adjust their outfit. Overheating a baby can be dangerous to their health. So watch out for any signs of overheating, like fussiness or a rash.

When it’s just you and your baby on warm afternoon, there’s nothing wrong with just letting them hang out in their diaper. No clothes to irritate them and nothing in your way when giving them tummy raspberries!

What’s your favorite baby outfit accessory? Let us know in the comments.

Different Types of Care-es

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 16, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

In a recent blog post, we highlighted the different types of caregivers out there. This time, we thought we’d talk about the people who need the care those caregivers provide.

Those with Intellectual Disabilities
Individuals out there with ID may be unable to properly care for either their basic needs or non-essential needs. They may need a live-in caregiver, a day caregiver or just specific help during certain tasks. Intellectual disabilities can vary from birth (such as some iterations of cerebral palsy) or happen because of an accident later in life.

Those with Physical Disabilities
Physical disabilities can make a surprising amount of activities more difficult. For instance, did you know that there are fifty pairs of muscles involved in chewing? Many physical difficulties can be overcome with the right equipment or physical therapy, but sometimes a caregiver does need to step in.

The Elderly
Many elderly individuals do just fine on their own for many years. But with old age, illness can often be close at hand and sometimes those illnesses can be more debilitating than they would be for a younger person. The elderly may need someone there who can help with basic needs (such as using the bathroom or help with incontinence products). Or someone who’s just there to make sure they’re safe (not leaving the stove on or wandering). Some caregivers of the elderly are more of a friend than a caregiver, someone to socialize with. Others may have to help with more intensive tasks, like lifting their caree out of bed.

All caregivers to these carees should be thanked for all they do. And the cares should be given the respect they deserve as individuals. Here’s a nod of thanks and respect to both.

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!