Free Radon Gas Test Kit

When we were in the hospital for the delivery of baby #2, we were given a folder of papers...you know, the typical papers discussing how to get social security cards, important how to care for mom and baby papers and we also received one that advertised for a free radon gas test kit for your homes.  That quickly caught my eye because being a mom makes me CRAZY cautious with regards to safety in my children's environment.  That and because it said it was "free" of course:)

Did you know that radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer?  Cancer from it doesn't necessarily develop immediately after exposure either, it can take many years.  Radon is a radioactive gas that can go undetected because it doesn't smell or taste.  Luckily, radon gas problems in homes can be fixed easily.  So why not make sure your home is safe for your family?!

Now just to clarify, this is offered free in the state of Utah, but you will have to check what your state offers through their Department of Environmental Quality.  To learn more in Utah, go here or call their hotline at 1-800-458-0145.  If you are not living in Utah and want to see what your state offers, click here.  If they don't offer free testing, they often times offer great coupons so you can purchase the test kit for a discounted price.

We are anxious to receive our free kit.  I will let you all know the results...

~Curious Mommy

NEW BABY EVENT: Weleda's Calendula Baby Starter Kit Review and Giveaway-ends 4/15

Weleda's Calendula Baby Starter Kit Review and Giveaway- ends 4/15

On to the next wonderful item for my New Baby Event!  One can't live without a great baby cleanser, diaper cream and moisturizers for a new baby and why should you?  Weleda created the perfect starter kit made specifically with the new baby's sensitive skin in mind.  With a newborn baby, the proper baby wash is VERY important.  Weleda's Calendula Baby Starter Kit has everything you need to care for your new baby's skin.

Weleda's Calendula Baby Starter Kit contains:

• Calendula Baby Cream, 0.34 oz. (10 g)
• Calendula Lotion, 0.34 oz. (10 g)
• Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash, 0.72 oz. (20.4 g)
• Calendula Oil, 0.34 fl. oz. (10 ml)
• Calendula Diaper Care, 0.4 oz. (10.8 g)

Product Details:

The Weleda Baby Starter Kit is a carefully formulated selection of our Weleda Calendula Baby Care products ideal for the care of the delicate skin of your baby, child and your own sensitive adult skin. Biodynamic^® and organic calendula extract inside each product in our Baby Starter Kit renders your baby’s skin soft and smooth, wrapping your child in a layer of warmth and protection, like a loving hug.

Calendula, a natural soothing agent, is the primary ingredient in Weleda's Calendula Baby Starter Kit's skin products.  And it's no wonder why, calendula is wonderful for your little one's sensitive skin.  According to Discovery Health online, the ingredient calendula has a long history of use as a wound-healing and skin-soothing botanical. This lovely marigoldlike flower (although called pot marigold, it is not a true marigold) is considered a vulnerary agent, a substance that promotes healing. Calendula also has anti-inflammatory and weak antimicrobial activity. It is most often used topically for lacerations, abrasions, and skin infections; less commonly, it is used internally to heal inflamed and infected mucous membranes. 

We have used no products other than Weleda's Calendula Baby products on our new baby.  We used it for his very first bath in the hospital, and have continued to do so in our home.  Because we live in an especially dry environment, we want nothing more than to protect our baby's skin by using a mild soap with soothing and extremely moisturizing products to help protect his precious skin and to ensure a pleasant bathing experience.  I love Weleda's calendula baby products...the smell alone is intoxicating!  They leave my son's skin feeling not only clean but very soft but luxuriously moisturized. And as you can see, my little one can agree.  He loves his bath time experience!!!

Buy it:
You can purchase Weleda's Calendula Baby Starter Kit (for only $13) or any of their other fabulous products online or at Target, Whole Foods or any one of their participating health food stores.  

Win it:
Weleda is giving away the Calendula Baby Starter Kit to one lucky winner for The Curious Case of Mommyhood's New Baby Event!

To enter:

***REMEMBER: POST A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY***

***Also, remember to leave your email address with your comments so you can be reached*** 

Subscribe to my blog (located on the left side of my home page) and tell me if your family has tried any of Weleda's products.  This is MANDATORY to enter the giveaway.

You also have the opportunity for additional entries (one each) if you do any of the following:

• follow The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Google Follower
• tell me something about Weleda's products
  
• like The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Facebook
• like Weleda on Facebook
• repost this giveaway on your facebook page and post the link with your entry
• follow The Curious Mommy on Twitter
• follow Weleda on Twitter

Again, please be sure to leave your email address with each entry.

You have until April 15th at midnight to enter.

Good luck to you all,

Mommy Bridget 

Weleda's Calendula Baby Starter Kit was provided to me by Weleda for review.  (Please see my Disclosure under my "Reviews" page for more information.)

 

Epstein Pearls

The day little Jude was born, I noticed when he yawned little white balls or cysts on the roof of his mouth.  A few days later, I was told that they could be a sign of thrush...a not so uncommon ailment in infants.  Shortly after this, I began feeling a burning sensation in my breasts following breastfeeding so I promptly began the treatment of thrush.  I could get into the topic of thrush for a long time here but I will save that for another post.  For now, let's focus on the little white bumps on the roof of baby's mouth.  (Below is not a picture of my baby but that of one found on Wikipedia with the same bumps Jude has:)

So after a few weeks of treating both Jude and I for thrush, I wondered if what I was seeing in his mouth was really a sign of the ailment.  So I decided to do a little online research and immediately found what I was looking for.  Apparently, the little bumps are not a sign of thrush but are something called "Epstein Pearls".  Unlike thrush, these spots are simply tiny filled papules or cysts that are completely harmless and eventually go away on their own.  So I guess once again I worried about nothing...

I am amazed at how much I still have yet to learn about babies even though I am doing this for the second time! 

Hope you are all having a great weekend,

Mommy Bridget

LLLI | The Science of Mother's Milk

I really wanted to share information about the importance of choosing to breastfeed over formula feed your newborn. I am literally dumbfounded that people still argue which is better for babies! Since I am strapped for any extra time to write these days, I knew I needed a good source to find a great wealth of scientific information to support breastfeeding. Who better than La Leche League to find this?!!! (Although, you can find the same information everywhere.) I am going to copy their article and repost it so you can read it here. You can also click on the link below to find much more information:

LLLI | The Science of Mother's Milk

Enjoy!!!

~Mommy Bridget

The Science of Mother's Milk

Ayala Ochert
From New Beginnings, Vol. 28 No. 3, 2009, pp. 28-29

Most mothers are aware that breastfeeding boosts a baby's immune system, but few of us could say how. "It's something to do with antibodies," we might answer vaguely. Now there's a brand of formula on the market claiming to "naturally strengthen your baby's immune system;" it also says it is "inspired by breastmilk" and "supported by science." To understand these claims we need to delve a bit deeper into the real science of breastmilk and find out how it actually supports a baby's developing immune system.

It turns out that there is much more to the story than just antibodies, important though they are. Breastmilk contains literally thousands of different components that support the immune system in some way. Some of these components are very specific, defending against a particular pathogen (bacteria, virus, parasite), while others have a broader function, protecting the baby in many different ways. Often these various components act together, providing even more protection than each would alone.

The brand of formula in question says it contains a "unique patented mix of special prebiotics" -- sugars that are naturally found in milk and which are a source of food for so-called friendly bacteria (probiotics). Having a healthy mix of friendly bacteria in the gut is important for overall health because 80 percent of the immune system is located here, and the "good" bacteria can help to push out the "bad" bacteria that can cause disease.

But prebiotics are more than just food for bacteria. There are hundreds of different types of these special sugars -- properly known as "oligosaccharides" -- and the milk of each animal species contains a distinctive mix. (In fact, the precise mix varies from individual to individual, so each woman has her own unique blend -- though not patented, of course!) After fat and lactose, oligosaccharides form the third largest solid component in human milk (the proportion in colostrum is even higher), but they used to be dismissed by scientists as just a useless indigestible by-product of milk production. Now it is clear that they actually have a very important function.

Human milk has been found to contain 90 different oligosaccharides forming over 900 different chemical structures, each of which can block infection by preventing a particular strain of bacteria from sticking to the gut wall. (I don't know how many oligosaccharides are found in this formula with the "patented mix," but we can safely assume it does not contain 90 different types, in 900 different forms.) Unlike antibodies, they are able to protect a baby from bacteria or viruses that a mother has never been exposed to. What is more, oligosaccharides are just one in a class of human milk components -- there are others called glycoproteins and glycolipids -- that work by blocking the attachment of microbes to the cells of the gut, so preventing infection.

Human milk is relatively low in protein compared to the milk of other species, yet the primary function of two of the major proteins in milk -- antibodies and lactoferrin -- is not nutrition but defense against infection. Most milk antibodies are made of a special form of protein called SIgA, which is particularly resistant to digestion. A mother's milk contains antibodies to pathogens that she's recently been exposed to. Chances are, the baby has been exposed to the same pathogens. These SIgA antibodies stick to microbes and stop them from attaching to and infecting cells in the gut. They also make their way into the nose and mouth, where they can defend against airborne diseases.

While each antibody is specifically designed to target one particular pathogen, the major milk protein lactoferrin acts more broadly. It can directly kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and it also has an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps reduce the pain, swelling, and high temperature associated with infection. Because lactoferrin is quite resistant to digestion, it passes into the urine relatively unchanged and so helps prevent urinary tract infections. Lactoferrin also helps to encourage the growth of friendly bacteria in the infant's gut. Human milk contains particularly high levels of lactoferrin and, significantly, human lactoferrin is distinct from that found in the milk of other species.

In addition to these there are many other components that are known to play a role in supporting the immune system. The list includes alpha-lactalbumin, lysozyme, lipids, milk fat globules, nucleotides, defensins, cytokines, hormones, growth factors, anti-secretory factor, leucocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and more. The more you find out about these remarkable substances, the more apparent it becomes that mother's milk is important for babies. As the research scientist David Newburg puts it: "My thinking on milk has changed totally. I used to think of it as the best source of nutrition. Now, it's looking like milk is really designed to be protective."

A newborn baby's immature immune system relies heavily on this protection. Colostrum, the milk produced in the first days after birth, contains higher concentrations of many of these substances. The infant immune system matures during the first year, and is more mature at age two, but the immune system does not reach full maturity until the child is around six years old.

So it's reasonable to assume that mother's milk gives a useful immune boost for as long as a child is breastfeeding. But what about once they stop? Happily, the effects of breastfeeding on the immune system continue throughout life. This is because breastmilk contains components that direct the development of a child's own immune system. For example, it was found that the thymus -- a central organ of the immune system -- is twice as big in breastfed infants compared with formula-fed infants at four months. The size difference was also seen at ten months. Researchers attribute the growth of the thymus in breastfed infants to two components of human milk, IL-7 (a cytokine) and leptin (a hormone). Since the thymus continues to grow throughout childhood, it seems likely that breastfeeding enhances the growth of the thymus for as long as breastfeeding continues.

The main role of the thymus is in the development of the immune system. It grows steadily in early life and then abruptly stops at puberty and starts to shrink and gradually disappear during adulthood. During those early active years, bone marrow cells enter the thymus and mature into T cells, which then spread to the rest of the body. There are several different types of T cells, all vital to the proper functioning of the immune system -- one sort finds and recognizes pathogens and can kill them directly; other types of T cell can instruct other cells of the immune system to kill. Yet others have the role of directing the production of antibodies. Another vital function of the thymus is to learn to recognize the body's own tissues so that the immune system doesn't attack them, as happens in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

Since breastfeeding is the biological norm, and since organs of the immune system like the thymus can only develop to their full potential through breastfeeding, an inevitable conclusion must be that people who were never breastfed (or those who were weaned too early) will have deficient immune systems -- not just in infancy but for the rest of their lives.

From the outside, babies seem to grow well on formula -- they certainly get bigger and longer. But on the inside their vital organs may struggle to grow adequately without support from mother's milk, which has evolved to meet their needs. Perhaps one brand of formula can argue that it is marginally better than another brand, but can it possibly claim to be "inspired by breastmilk" or to "strengthen the immune system"? Those are claims that the real science simply does not support.

Refer to

Hanson, L. A. MD, PhD. Immunobiology of Human Milk: How Breastfeeding Protects Babies. Pharmasoft Publishing, 2004.

New Baby Important Info: Infant CPR

With all things (new baby) considered, I thought it important and appropriate to post directions for giving infant CPR.  I needed to view this once again since it's been some time that I've gone through the instructions myself.  According to First Aid Web,

• According to generally accepted guidelines, Infant CPR is administered to any victim under the age of 12 months.  Infants, just as children, have a much better chance of survival if CPR is performed immediately. If you are alone with the infant, do not dial 9-1-1 until after you have made an attempt to resuscitate the victim. Check the infant for responsiveness by patting his feet and gently tapping his chest or shoulders. If he does not react (stirring, crying, etc.), immediately check his airway.

"A" is for AIRWAY. It is normal for an infant to take shallow and rapid breaths, so carefully look, listen and feel for breathing. If you cannot detect any signs of breathing, the tongue may be obstructing the infant's airway. Although the head tilt/chin lift technique is similar to adults and children, when clearing an infant's airway it's important not to tilt the head too far back. An infant's airway is extremely narrow and overextending the neck may actually close off the air passage.

1. "Sniffer's position

Tilt the head back into what is called the "sniffer's position" - far enough to make the infant look as if he is sniffing (Figure 1). If the victim is still not breathing on his own, you will have to assist him breathing.

• "B" is for BREATHING. Cover the infant's mouth and nose with your mouth creating a seal, and give a quick, gentle puff from your cheeks.

Let the victim exhale on his own - watch his chest and listen and feel for breathing. If he does not breathe on his own, again place your mouth over his mouth and nose and give another small puff (Figure 1).

If the infant remains unresponsive (no crying or moving), immediately check his circulation.

• "C" is for CIRCULATION. An infant's pulse is checked at the brachial artery, which is located inside of the upper arm, between the elbow and the shoulder (Figure 1).

Place two fingers on the brachial artery applying slight pressure for 3 to 5 seconds. If you do not feel a pulse within that time, then the infant's heart is not beating, and you will need to perform chest compressions.

An infant's delicate ribcage is especially susceptible to damage if chest compressions are improperly performed, therefore it is important to use caution when rescuing an infant. Place three fingers in the center of the infant's chest with the top finger on an imaginary line between the infant's nipples. Raise the top finger up and compress with the bottom two fingers (Figure 1). The compression should be approximately ½ inch deep - remember, ½ hand (2 fingers), ½ inch.

1. Infant hand placement

Count aloud as you perform five compressions and follow up with one breath. Repeat this cycle 20 times before checking the infant for breathing and pulse.    REMEMBER TO DIAL 9-1-1.   If there is no pulse, continue administering 5 compressions/1 breath until an ambulance arrives. If at any point the infant regains a pulse but still does not breathe on his own, give him one rescue breath every three seconds. ~Curious Mommy

 

UPDATE: Modmum Giveaway

Modmum is now offering a giveaway of one of their beautiful hospital delivery gowns for my New Baby Event!!!  See my giveaways page to enter or enter here.

~Mommy Bridget

NEW BABY EVENT: Modmum Hospital Delivery Gown Review and Giveaway- ends 4/11

Modmum Hospital Delivery Gown and Giveaway-ends 4/11

Welcome to the New Baby Event on The Curious Case of Mommyhood!  I was so excited about doing this as it seemed quite appropriate since we recently welcomed a new baby into our family just a few weeks ago.  So to start off this event, I wanted to tell you all about a new product from Modmum.  

Modmum, a designer baby sling company, just introduced their new line of cute, fashionable, modern and MUCH needed change of hospital delivery gowns.  Your delivery day is one of the most important, memorable days of your life.  So why not enjoy your day in style!  Modmum's cute take on the hospital delivery gown has other moms and hospital staff commenting left and right at how beautiful they are and what a great idea it was to create something so important that in the past has been overlooked.

I was literally jumping up and down thrilled to have the opportunity to review this gown for my very important day.  I was able to wear a comfortable and stylish gown while laboring and delivering my sweet little Jude.  And because it was important for me not to feel like a "patient" while in the hospital...after all, I wasn't sick...I didn't feel the need to wear one of the usual dreadfully unattractive hospital gowns offered.  I wanted to wear something I felt comfortable and good in.  I wanted to wear something that was camera ready and looked cute during these very memorable moments.  And Modmum's hospital gown was PERFECT for the occasion!  (I wore the blue gown to the right:)

Product Info

Our designer hospital delivery gowns include snaps all the way down the back to ensure you will have full coverage from behind. I have also included snaps at the breastbone to help you breastfeed discretely and comfortably right after giving birth. Our ribbon sash can be tied in the back or the front to accent that beautiful belly.

Below is what Lisa, the owner and designer of Modmum slings and hospital deliver gowns, said about how she came up with this wonderful idea:

After giving birth to my son, and loathing all of the photos from the hospital, I wanted to design something beautiful that moms would be proud to wear on such a life changing day. I have designed our hospital gowns to make your feel comfortable and also covered! The design includes snaps all the way down the back to ensure you will have full coverage from behind. I have also included snaps at the breastbone to help you breastfeed discretely and comfortably right after giving birth. Our ribbon sash can be tied in the back or the front to accent that beautiful belly. Mom’s who have a c-section will love to continue recover in those few extra days in style after delivery! After you leave the hospital, use your gown as a nightgown. It is beautiful and comfortable as well as easy for breastfeeding in the middle of the night!

And we are so happy she did!!!

The gown was very comfortable to wear during my labor and delivery.  In fact, I didn't notice anything bothersome during that time with my clothing even though I was uncomfortable everywhere else!  And after my baby arrived, the gown's design was easy for immediate breastfeeding without hassle.  And despite the fact that I delivered in the gown, it was SUPER easy to clean in my washing machine.  I washed it on hot only one time and it looks as good as new.  I really love this gown and am saddened that I won't have the opportunity to wear it again in the future!


Buy it:
You can purchase Modmum hospital delivery gowns for (a mere) $45 online here.  Follow Modmum on Facebook and Twitter for updates on new products and special deals.

A special thank you to Modmum for supplying the hospital deliver gown for review for my New Baby Event and for making the day of my delivery even better!  I absolutely love the Modmum delivery gown and highly recommend it to anyone for their special delivery day!

Win it:
Modmum is graciously giving away a hospital delivery gown to one lucky winner for the New Baby Event!

To Enter:

***REMEMBER: POST A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY***

***Also, remember to leave your email address with your comments so you can be reached*** 

Subscribe to my blog (located on the left side of my home page) and tell me which delivery gown pattern you would choose if you are the winner.  This is MANDATORY to enter the giveaway.

You also have the opportunity for additional entries (one each) if you do any of the following:

• follow The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Google Follower
• subscribe to Modmum's newsletter
  
• like The Curious Case of Mommyhood on Facebook
• repost this giveaway on your facebook profile and include the link with your entry
• like Modmum on Facebook
• follow The Curious Mommy on Twitter 
• follow Modmum on Twitter 
• tell me something about Modmum's YouTube video

Again, please be sure to leave your email address with each entry.

You have until April 11th at midnight to enter.

Good luck to you all,

Mommy Bridget

Bridget James

Modmum's Hospital Delivery Gown was given to me by Modmum for review.  All opinions on the product are purely my own.  (please see disclosure under my "Reviews" page for more information.)