When Spitting Up Means Something More

When Spitting Up Means Something More

January 7th, 2011 by admin  |  No Comments

All babies spit up. Due to an immature digestive system, liquids often rise back up, especially during burping. Spitting up is generally not something to raise concern, but in some cases, it may signify something more.

Spitting Up and Vomiting

There is a difference between spitting up and vomiting, although many parents aren’t aware of it. Spitting up doesn’t usually involve any heaving, and the liquid that comes up is usually a small amount that doesn’t yet show much sign of digestion. Because spitting up happens most commonly after a feeding, what comes it is generally the food that was just ingested and is thus still undigested.

Vomiting, on the other hand, generally involves a more violent reaction; you may see heaving, and the regurgitated food will often be in a larger amount. Vomited baby food usually shows more sign of digestion; curdling and a more sour smell than spit up. Because the more intense action causes the stomach to empty more thoroughly, you may see food well on its way in the digestion process.

Spitting up generally doesn’t upset a baby, but vomiting may because it can be more painful. Vomiting may be a cause for concern especially if accompanied by fever, diarrhea, and lethargy or if it continues for more than 24 hours. If your young baby is vomiting, watch for any signs of dehydration and contact your pediatrician if the vomiting persists.

More Than a Little Spit-up: Reflux

Reflux is a fairly common problem in babies, and in its mildest form will simply go away with time. It occurs when the immature opening between the stomach and the esophagus allows stomach acid to rise up, causing pain. It is especially common in preemies whose digestive systems are not yet ready to handle food. Most babies will outgrow reflux without requiring any treatment; however, more serious forms of reflux can require intervention.

Signs of reflux include arching of the back and crying, excessive spit up that may be projectile, appearing hungry and then refusing the breast or bottle, and sleep disruptions. In some babies these symptoms will become so severe that medication is required to treat the problem. Prescription antacids that are safe for use in babies are available – don’t try any over the counter antacid medications as they are not meant for children so young.

In addition to medication, there are some actions you can take to prevent and alleviate reflux issues in your child. After a feeding, keep the baby upright for at least 15 minutes, to allow gravity to help keep the recently ingested food down where it belongs. Make sure to burp the baby thoroughly after feedings. If reflux is affecting your baby’s sleep, try elevating the mattress using a crib wedge. Keeping your baby’s head elevated as much as possible will reduce symptoms of reflux. If your child seems to be miserable in a car seat, you might want to consider switching from an infant bucket seat to a convertible style seat that doesn’t cause the baby’s abdomen to be scrunched down.

Luckily, with or without treatment, most babies outgrow reflux by 6-12 months of age. If your baby’s reflux continues beyond a year old, your pediatrician may suggest further testing or treatment.

If you suspect your baby’s spitting up means something more, call your pediatrician. Not all spit-up is normal, so if you think there is a problem, follow your gut and get it checked out by a medical professional.

Surviving the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Surviving the First Trimester of Pregnancy

June 23rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You know that there’s something special going on inside of you the minute that you get the results of that pregnancy test. Though you may have gone several weeks without even knowing that you were pregnant, everything seems to change once you find out that you are. Your whole mindset may change, and you may have already been experiencing symptoms that you didn’t recognize as such.

Pregnancy is such a special time for a woman. The first trimester, however, can be not only a bit scary, but also full of all sorts of symptoms, emotions, and questions. If this is your first pregnancy, then you may feel like you are in completely unknown territory. Even if it’s not your first trimester, you may feel as though you are completely overwhelmed. You may feel like the symptoms are too much or you may feel as if you are in constant fear of a miscarriage. Whatever the case, you need to know what it takes to survive the first trimester of pregnancy.

Focus On and Take Care of Yourself

The first thing that comes as a bit of a surprise to many pregnant women is that they can’t necessarily get a doctor’s appointment right away. Though they may be itching to get in to see their doctor as soon as they take the pregnancy test, they may be diverted for a couple of weeks. Many doctors don’t even want to see a pregnant woman until she is around eight weeks pregnant. So while this may seem like an eternity, it’s a reality in many instances. If however you have any questions or concerns, you can always call in the meantime.

Many women are also surprised by just how quickly or intensely the symptoms may hit them. Some women skate through their first trimester without a care in the world, feeling great the whole time. Others may feel sick from the moment they find out that they are pregnant. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, tender breasts, and extreme fatigue are quite common in the first trimester. They can come out of nowhere and leave you feeling like you just got hit by a truck! This is a sign that the hormones are hard at work, and that your body is doing everything it needs to in order to provide for that little baby. The good news for many pregnant women is that these symptoms will subside in the second trimester, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Gaining Perspective on Things

Many women are concerned about the potential risk for miscarriage, and this can be a legitimate fear. If there is a history of miscarriage or if a woman has seen a friend or family member suffer through one, then it makes sense as to why they would be concerned. Though it is a real fear, it isn’t something that you should become obsessed with. All that you can do is take the very best care of yourself and your baby possible, and then leave the rest up to nature.

If you see any symptoms that are of concern such as bleeding or cramping, then call your doctor. However if you feel fine, then just keep going along and take good care of yourself. It’s always wise to get extra rest whenever possible, particularly in the first trimester. Don’t worry too much about what or how much you can eat, as that will even out as you enter the second trimester of pregnancy. Try to put perspective on things and know that there are better days ahead. In the meantime, enjoy the news of your pregnancy and know that taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for that baby.

Managing Your Exhaustion During Pregnancy

Managing Your Exhaustion During Pregnancy

May 31st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There are many aspects of pregnancy that you can’t even explain to others. The way that you feel, that first kick from the baby, so many things are just miraculous and difficult to put into words. One such aspect of pregnancy that is rather difficult to put into words is the absolute exhaustion that you feel.

For many women, exhaustion during pregnancy is a tired feeling that you’ve never quite felt before and it just beats you down. You can barely keep your eyes open during normal and rather routine activities, leaving you feeling drained so very easily. This is very common at the very beginning of a pregnancy and in the first trimester. Usually you feel much better by second trimester, though you’re certainly not up as late as you used to be. Then by the time that third trimester comes around, you feel that exhaustion again. There are many factors that contribute to it, and learning how to properly manage it is always a good idea.

It Seems to Come Out of Nowhere

One of the first indicators to many women that they are pregnant is that absolute exhaustion that you feel. It’s hard to describe, but as you have difficulty getting up in the morning or keeping your eyes open through dinner; you somehow know what’s going on. Though it is a very common symptom of pregnancy, it can be very frustrating for many women. If you have other children to care for, have a full time job, or simply have responsibilities that you must maintain then it can be very trying.

It may seem that the exhaustion comes out of nowhere, but it does make sense if you think about it. In the first trimester, the exhaustion is often attributed to the major change in hormones. As it often is, progesterone is usually the culprit and contributes to everything slowing down and you feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck. You are likely experiencing other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and these can take a lot out of you as well. You are also building another person and as you work through the process of building another human being and the placenta, it’s only natural that you feel tired. You will feel this again towards the end of your pregnancy as you are carrying around a lot of extra weight and your body gets ready for delivery.

So How Do You Manage Pregnancy Exhaustion?

Since the exhaustion can be so debilitating and frustrating, many women want to know how to properly manage it. As you can see from these ideas, there are some rather simple but effective measures one can take which will help the exhaustion to subside a bit. Though it may sound counterintuitive, getting in a bit of exercise can be a real lifesaver when it comes to restoring some of that lost energy.

Along the same lines, eating the right foods that are loaded with nutrients and natural energy boosters can help you to feel more like yourself again. You can also rely on short little naps to help you get back to a normal state. Shutting your eyes for just twenty minutes when you feel tired can be a real energy booster. Getting more sleep at night and taking it easy throughout the day will always help you to feel more energized and ready to take on the world.

Feeling Out of Breath During Pregnancy

Feeling Out of Breath During Pregnancy

May 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There are many things that we anticipate in pregnancy and many things that we can’t possibly predict. We certainly expect that we are going to gain weight and gain that all important and all adored baby bump. We may very well expect that we are going to suffer through certain symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or even backaches. Many of us know that pregnancy isn’t always going to be a pleasant experience, but that with the bad comes the good and that means that we will end up with a baby at the end of the process. This is well worth it, we tell ourselves, and we deal with the circumstances we are dealt.

There are, however, certain aspects of pregnancy that we may not be ready for. When women feel shortness of breath, they tend to worry. They can’t understand why they feel breathless, and therefore it’s important to explain why a woman may feel this unanticipated symptom of pregnancy.

Where Are You At in Your Pregnancy?

There is a multitude of reasons as to why you may get out of breath during your pregnancy. It is usually due in large part to exactly where you are at in your pregnancy as that can make a big difference. What you feel in your first trimester is very different than your second trimester. What you feel and experience in your third trimester doesn’t even compare to anything else as your body is working hard to prepare for baby’s arrival and doing everything it can to pull from the resources. Therefore if you feel short of breath, it’s important to consider what stage of your pregnancy you are at so that you can get the necessary explanation.

In the first trimester, the blood flow multiplies exponentially. This is to get ready for everything that baby will need, it is to build the placenta, and it is to prepare for the pregnancy overall. You will have a great deal of additional blood flow and hormones in your pregnancy, and as this is all happening it can result in you feeling a bit short of breath. Though this is short-lived, it can help to know what exactly is going on.

As you can see, feeling shortness of breath later on is due to other circumstances. It is often due to the extra weight that you are carrying around, and it is also due to your growing uterus pressing up on the diaphragm. As the baby gets into the position for birth, the pressure on the lungs and the diaphragm continues and grows exponentially. This is however a great indication that the baby’s arrival is getting near.

Consider This in Your Daily Activities

Many women are taken off guard by this shortness of breath and don’t really know how to account for it in their everyday life. It can become a very frustrating issue for women when they go to their regular workouts, but it is something that can be worked around. Taking a yoga class that focuses on breathing and taking it a bit slowly with your workout regimen can help you to get used to this. It won’t necessarily last the entire pregnancy, but it is something that you should plan for. Though walking up a flight of stairs may leave you out of breath now, it will get better later on. It’s a symptom of pregnancy like anything else, and therefore it will subside and you will get back to your normal self in no time.

Detecting the Early Signs of Pregnancy

Detecting the Early Signs of Pregnancy

May 11th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Pregnancy can be such a wonderful and miraculous time. For some it comes rather unexpectedly and therefore can catch you off guard. For others, it can come after years of trying and a great deal of stress along the way. No matter how prepared you truly are, the early signs of pregnancy can be something that you want to focus on. Though they say that every pregnancy is different, there are certain signs that act as a good indicator if a woman is pregnant or not; and although these can be symptoms of other health conditions, their presence means it is often well worth taking a pregnancy test to see if that’s what is going on. It is also worth noting that many times, the earliest signs of pregnancy can tend to come in pairs, leaving less room for doubt and necessitating confirmation.

Food Plays a Big Role

Some women may float through their pregnancies without one single food aversion. Others feel sick at the very look of chicken or other common culprits. As you will see on any early signs of pregnancy list, food aversions are often a big indicator. Food cravings often come later on, but the aversion to coffee, meat, or other commonly enjoyed foods can usually tell you that something is different. Some of the very things that you’ve always enjoyed or consumed on a daily basis may all of a sudden make you want to vomit. Just the smell of something like bacon cooking in a pan may make you physically ill. Food often plays a big role and shows up in the aversion form early on in a pregnancy, so keep an eye out for this.

Subtle Yet Obvious Body Changes

One of the biggest things to look for is the way in which your body changes. Have you noticed that all of a sudden your breasts feel very tender for no apparent reason? Do you feel as if you are getting headaches every day and can’t really explain why? Though you aren’t going to necessarily put on the pregnancy weight until later on, the reality is that your body is going to change and it will likely happen early on. Some of the most obvious early signs of pregnancy include headaches, vomiting, and extreme nausea. These are often due to the changing hormones and the way that your body responds to them. The good news is that these symptoms usually go away into the second trimester, but they can make for a bumpy ride along the way. Keep tuned into this and if you feel nausea well beyond a day or two or feel as if you are constantly battling a headache, it may be time to take a pregnancy test.

Use Your Cycle to Guide You

Some women don’t necessarily keep track of their monthly menstrual cycle. However one of the first signs of pregnancy early on is a missed period. You may not even miss a period, but you may notice that you have a very light one a little earlier or right around the time that you would have had your period. This could be implantation whereby the embryo is implanting itself into the uterus. So look out for either a missed period or a slightly different period because those are usually good indicators. And of course if you have any lingering question, a positive pregnancy test is of course your best indicator that you are pregnant.