ML Interest Tag: loss-of-appetite

5 Reasons Your Baby Is Crying in Their Sleep (& What to Do)

by Tonilyn Hornung

Should you intervene or not?

As parents of newborns, we take our cues from the noises our babies make. Grunts, whimpers, and full-on cries are ways our little ones communicate their needs. And while sometimes those wails and cackles are easy to understand, there are other moments when it would be so nice if our baby came with an operating manual—like when they cry in their sleep. Watching your infant cry when it looks like they’re still asleep can be confusing: what, exactly, are you supposed to do to support your baby having a good night’s sleep? We turned to two experts to find out.

Dr. Jennifer Selegeon, a practicing pediatrician for 20 years and clinical advisor to the digital pediatric platform ParentMD, says, “One of the most important things we can do for our overall health is learning good sleep hygiene. This starts during infancy.” She explains sleep is important for our development, our mental health, our immune system, and our body systems.

Co-founder of Sleepy Planet Parenting, Jennifer Waldburger, MSW, concurs, explaining that proper shut-eye helps babies thrive on every level: physically, neurologically, and socially. That’s why her company’s mission is to help children “learn good sleep skills with a minimum of tears.”

So now that we’ve met our guides, let’s dig into exactly why babies cry in their sleep and suggestions for what to do when you hear those midnight calls.

1. Your baby is moving into a different phase of sleep.

You’re feeling ready for the different phases your baby will go through during infancy, but how about the different sleep phases? Young babies experience two cycles of sleep: active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep (or REM sleep), your baby may dream, their eyes might move rapidly back and forth, or they might make the cutest of noises that you should definitely record to share with the grandparents on Tinybeans. During quiet sleep, your baby sleeps deeply, but it’s during these transitions that crying may occur, Waldburger explains.

“Because the cycles repeat every 45-50 minutes, that means baby is shifting from quiet to active sleep often throughout the night,” Waldburger begins, “so it’s not uncommon to hear baby whimpering throughout the night—this is nothing to worry about.” Dr. Segeleon says babies will often cry in their sleep, and this does not always mean that something is wrong. “Crying during sleep can be perfectly normal, and newborns start off with short sleep cycles and can wake frequently.”

To determine if your baby is crying because of shifting sleep cycles, check to see if their eyes are still closed and listen to your little one’s cries. “What’s more common in some younger babies is an occasional light whimper while keeping their eyes closed. This usually means that baby is shifting from one sleep cycle to the next,” Waldburger says.

2. Your baby is hungry.

Waldburger says if your little one’s cry is louder than a whimper, consider whether or not your baby could be hungry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that most babies need to eat every 2 to 4 hours. This means that your little one may wake up feeling a little “hangry” several times during the night.

A good rule when trying to decide if your baby’s sleepy cry is due to hunger and should be addressed is to wait and see if your little one continues to cry or is able to settle down quickly. If your infant’s belly is feeling empty, it’ll be tough for them to fall back asleep without this need being met. Waldburger says a louder cry usually means that the baby is awake (or almost awake), even if their eyes are still closed. That’s when it’s time to check your schedule and prep for a feeding session.

3. Your baby is teething.

The drool, the crankiness, and the gnawing on your shirt collar have begun—your baby is teething. Babies start teething around 4 to 8 months of age, per the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. This lasts until 30-36 months when that last set of molars appears. Some symptoms of your baby teething are loss of appetite, ear rubbing, and yup, you guessed it… sleep disruptions. Dr. Segeleon reassures that teething can trigger crying during sleep, and Waldburger adds when it comes to teething, we differentiate between ongoing/chronic teething and active teething.

“In chronic teething, there can be some movement of teeth with small spikes of pain or discomfort,” she says. She goes on to explain that this kind of teething could lead to lighter crying, and there isn’t anything you need to do here. In active teething, however, when a tooth is breaking through the gum, this pain can cause your child to cry more intensely. During this type of crying, your kiddo’s eyes will more than likely be open (and they’ll be awake), so Waldburger suggests going to your baby right away to offer comfort, milk, or a pain reliever if your pediatrician has recommended that and guided you on the dosage.

4. Your baby is in a sleep regression.

Your baby was such a good sleeper that you were almost too embarrassed to tell your mom friends. Now, out of the blue, your super-sleeper is waking up and crying more often than you reheat your morning coffee. Sleep regression can be triggered when your infant reaches new milestones or when your baby’s sleep patterns change, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Crying and fussing while sleeping during a sleep regression is common, and it can be hard to tell if baby needs your comfort or needs space to self-soothe.

“Crying during sleep when nothing is really wrong should be short and is typically more of a whimper or brief crying out,” Dr. Selegeon says. As long as you know that the baby’s needs are met, you can wait a few minutes or more to see if they’re able to settle themselves without any intervention. Dr. Selegeon says that if the crying is sustained, or if it sounds like your baby may be in distress, it’s alright to check on them. If you’re still not sure how to handle your baby’s sleepy cries during a sleep regression, Penn Medicine suggests talking with your pediatrician to decide whether or not your baby is old enough to learn how to self-soothe to fall back to sleep on their own or if they still need your comfort when falling asleep.

5. Your baby is overtired or overstimulated.

When your baby crosses over into the world of The Overtired, it can feel like you’re in a weird world of your own. Schedule changes, long periods without power naps, or being overstimulated can all contribute to this state, and you might hear some sleep-crying from your infant even though their eyes are shut tight and you believe them to be asleep. “Sometimes overtired babies are more likely to cry a bit in their sleep,” Waldburger says.

Since overtiredness (and overstimulation) can both cause your baby to cry in their sleep, do your best to intervene early. “Try to get baby down for sleep 10 to 15 minutes before you typically see red eyes, yawning, and fussy behavior—all of which are actually cues that baby is already overtired,” Waldburger says.

What should you do when your baby cries in their sleep?

Hearing your baby whimper, cry, or softly moan while sleeping can be unsettling. As parents, we can struggle with how best to comfort and support our babies. Dr. Segeleon says if you hear your baby crying in their sleep to first take a pause and see if your baby can settle themselves before you rush in and disturb their sleep pattern. “Listen for signs of true distress, because you’ll learn to differentiate your baby’s cries and needs with time and experience,” she assures. You can also double-check the room temperature, make sure your baby’s swaddle is still, well… swaddled, or confirm your little one isn’t gassy.

Waldburger reminds parents that if the baby is lightly whimpering and still asleep, there’s absolutely nothing you need to do. “Sometimes trying to comfort a baby in this case will wake them all the way up—making it harder for them to return to sleep.” If your baby’s needs have been met and they still continue crying lightly for 5 to 10 minutes, try placing a hand on your baby’s tummy, use some very gentle motion, and offer a “shhh” or two.

It’s good for parenting peace of mind to know that most babies will outgrow this sleep-crying phase by the time they’re 4 to 5 months old. In the meantime, both experts say that if you have any questions or concerns about your little one crying in their sleep, contact your pediatrician for more advice.

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Your Everything Guide to Handling Carsick Infants & Toddlers

by Melissa Heckscher

Although rare, motion sickness can affect infants and toddlers

Does your baby break out into a cold sweat every time you’re in the car for more than a few minutes? Do you have a toddler who can’t get through a long drive without vomiting? Blame motion sickness. According to the Mayo Clinic, while car sickness is rare (but not impossible) for children under two, it is especially common for kids ages two to 12, with symptoms including nausea, pallor, and sweating.

“Motion sickness can occur in toddlers and infants. That does not mean there is any cause for alarm,” said American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) spokesperson Lauren Crosby, a Beverly Hills pediatrician. “It is not a cause for concern. Just not fun to feel or deal with.”

So what can you do to help prevent motion sickness for kids on your next family road trip? Here’s everything you need to know about carsickness in babies and toddlers: Why it happens, how to spot the symptoms, and what you can do to help.

a baby sits rear facing in a car seat, happy they do not have motion sickness for kids
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Carsickness: Why It Happens

Experts aren’t sure why some people get super carsick while others don’t feel a thing. But they do agree that the sensation is caused when the brain receives mixed signals from the motion-sensing parts of the body. Basically, if your body is sitting still, but your eyes and inner ears sense movement around you, that disconnect can cause dizziness and nausea.

Kids are particularly sensitive to motion sickness in cars because they’re usually sitting so low that while their inner ears sense motion, their eyes don’t always see it (especially if they’re looking at a book or device). That disconnect creates the familiar symptoms of carsickness—mainly dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and nausea.

It can also be genetic. That means, if you’re prone to feeling yucky in cars, there’s a 50 percent chance your child will inherit the condition from you. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the condition usually crops up in the late toddler years (2 and up) and continues through childhood, peaking around age 9 or 10. Infants don’t usually suffer from motion sickness, since their brains haven’t yet figured out exactly what “normal” movement should feel like, said the AAP. But that doesn’t mean they’re immune.

“For infants, the issue is complicated by 1) the fact that you cannot ask them and 2) the fact that they often throw up, anyway, so we cannot know for sure why an infant throws up on any particular occasion,” Tom Stoffregen, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, said in an e-mail. “My educated guess is that infants have a low risk of motion sickness because they have low ‘goals’ for bodily stability.”

Related: 14 Must-Try Travel Hacks for Trips with Babies

Symptoms of Motion Sickness in Babies & Toddlers

Babies and young toddlers can’t tell you in words that they’re feeling dizzy or nauseous from the twists and turns of the road. But they’ll let you know in other ways. Some symptoms of motion sickness in kids to look out for include:

  • Sudden change in mood (they become grumpy or cry more than usual)
  • Frequent yawning (even after a nap)
  • Cold sweat or pale face
  • Loss of appetite
  • Restlessness
  • Increased saliva
  • Vomiting
  • Older kids may have any or all of these symptoms and may also complain of an upset stomach, headaches, or dizziness
a baby sits in a car seat with a teether in her hand, ready for a road trip
iStock

Tips to Prevent Carsickness in Children

The best way to stop carsickness is to try to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some things that can help your kids from getting queasy:

1. Don’t overfeed—or underfeed—your child before a long drive
A very full—or very hungry—tummy may make carsickness worse (and your car messier, should all that food come back up). Give your baby or toddler a small meal or light snack before a long car trip. Stick with easy-to-digest foods like crackers, oatmeal, or pureed fruits and vegetables (breast milk or formula is fine, too). And while it’s tempting to swing by the fast food drive-through for some deep fried munchies—resist! High-fat or greasy foods can make nausea worse.

2. Put forward-facing kids (over 2) in the middle seat so they can see the horizon out the front windshield
Sitting in the middle seat can be helpful in alleviating carsickness since it offers a straight-shot view of the road (and horizon) ahead. This can help kids maintain some equilibrium.

Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends leaving children in rear-facing car seats until at least 2 years old or when they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer.

3. Don’t let your child read or use an iPad during a car trip
Sorry—we know the devices keep those “Are we there yets” to a minimum—but reading or even looking down (as opposed to out the window or at the horizon) makes carsickness worse. Instead, engage your troubled travelers with things like audiobooks, songs, music, and encourage them to look out the window.

4. Make sure there’s good airflow in the car
Keeping the windows open or the air vents flowing in the car can help, experts say, since stuffy (potentially stinky) air may make nausea worse. Similarly, don’t bring any foods that have strong odors.

5. Plan the trip for naptime
A sleeping child is less likely to be a carsick one. Plan the trip for when your child usually naps—or at night—so that she’ll snooze the trip away before she has the chance to feel woozy.

6. Prepare for the worst
Bring wipes, paper towels, a change of clothes, Ziploc bags, and a towel to cover the car seat (and the area around it) if you anticipate carsickness.

Related: Unplugged Road Trips with Toddlers: Your How-To Guide

NHTSA

How to Treat Carsickness in Babies and Toddlers

So what if you’ve taken all the steps to prevent your kids from getting motion sickness, and you still end up with a carsick kiddo?

Stop driving
Frequent stops may add hours to your journey, but it can help keep queasy feelings to a minimum.

Take Your Child Outside
When you stop, let your child get some fresh air. Letting her lie on her back with a cold washcloth on her forehead can help the symptoms pass more quickly, according to Stanford Health.

Offer cold water or light snacks
If your child has vomited, wait until nausea passes and then have them take sips of cold water (or breast milk if your baby is still nursing). A small, light snack can help as well.

Children over two can take over-the-counter motion sickness meds
Talk to your doctor about whether taking over-the-counter medications like Dramamine or antihistamines (which work in the same way) can help your child. Keep in mind, these meds cause drowsiness and have other possible side effects, including dry mouth and blurred vision, so weigh the benefits and risks carefully.

Please Note: Don’t give any medications to your child (even over-the-counter meds) without asking you doctor first.

Be wary of alternative treatments
Crosby warned against using “alternative” seasickness treatments such as ginger chews, essential oils, and acupressure bands, for infants and toddlers, since most of those are meant for adults or older children. Seasick bands, in particular, can be a choking hazard to children under 3.

via Unsplash

How to Know When It’s More Than Motion Sickness

Carsickness usually gets better when the motion ceases, so if your child continues to feel sick even a half hour after getting out of the car, it could be a stomach bug or something she ate. On the contrary—if your child vomits or cries incessantly every time you set out on a road trip (or even a long ride to daycare), the motion may be to blame.

“The key in telling the difference between motion sickness and something else has to do with monitoring symptoms over time, so if every time a child rides in the car they throw up or get unusually fussy, restless, pale, sweaty, then likely that is motion sickness,” Crosby said. “If the vomiting happens once but never again, then it likely was something else, like the start of a stomach virus.”

Good to Know: If your child feels “carsick,” even when not in motion—especially if this feeling is accompanied by a headache, difficulty hearing, seeing, walking, or talking—contact your doctor, as these can be symptoms of something more serious.

The Good News

According to experts, carsickness usually declines with age, with children ages 6 to 12 years old being the most susceptible. “Motion sickness varies across the lifespan,” said Stoffregen, who has studied motion sickness in people of all ages for almost 35 years. “Things that made us sick when we were kids may no longer make us sick as adults, and vice versa.”

And, for you parents who have suffered with the ailment all your lives, hang in there. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the condition usually gets better after about age 50.

Until then… drive safe!

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Struggling with Fertility? It May Be Time to Assess Your Stress Level

By Dr. Wael Salem

The effect of stress on our health has become a major topic of conversation over the last few decades because our lives are continuously becoming more stressful. We live in a society that values ‘busyness,’ and believes that success is tied to action.

This is one of many reasons that makes navigating fertility challenges so stressful. We work so hard at it, invest so much energy, time, and money—we expect success because that is what we’ve been conditioned to expect. So, when pregnancy doesn’t happen and we feel we are doing everything we can, we begin to feel powerless. This lack of control can be frustrating and difficult.

Enter STRESS. Decades of research on the associations between stress and infertility have made this connection well-known and accepted. Encouragingly, there is as much data that suggests that mind-body practices can effectively reduce stress, mitigate the infertility experience, and perhaps even enhance reproductive outcomes.

As Maté outlines in “When the Body Says No: Understanding the Stress-Disease Connection,” stress can be characterized as having four major causes: 1) lack of control, 2) uncertainty, 3) emotional isolation, and 4) inability to express emotions (2003). If you’ve had or are experiencing fertility challenges, you’re probably nodding your head thinking that these stressors pretty well sum up a life with infertility. When you’re told to relax, this often has the opposite effect, increasing the stress response. We are often left without the knowledge or tools to deal with stress. Also, the situations that cause stress will not go away and tend to cycle monthly.

If these stressors are inherent to the fertility journey and cannot be reduced, how can you minimize stress so you can support your fertility efforts? The prescription of staying stress-free, although based in truth, is extremely over-simplified and almost impossible. The good news is that we can control the way we deal with stress and the effects that it has on the body. We can periodically take our bodies out of the stress response and into the relaxation response. But first, we need to be able to identify stress in our bodies. Let’s break down the three stages of stress, known as the General Adaptation Syndrome, as described by Hans Seyle:

  • Alarm. When our bodies are in stress response, our body sends us warning signals that things are getting out of control. These warning signals can wear a variety of faces: a) physical – headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite or binge eating, teeth grinding; b) behavioral – alcohol or drug abuse, compulsiveness, restlessness; c) emotional – aggression, irritability, frequent crying; d) cognitive – impaired concentration, judgmental thoughts, racing mind, blaming, and distortions in thoughts like all or nothing thinking, or jumping to irrational conclusions.
  • Resistance. This is when the alarms are going off, but we choose to ignore them.
  • Exhaustion. After ignoring the symptoms, our bodies take control and slam on the brakes. This usually comes in the form of falling ill as our immune systems are compromised from being in heightened stress response for too long.

Once you’re able to identify stress, you can begin coming up with a stress management plan to help combat it. The three “A’s of Change” can be a useful framework to begin:

  • Awareness. Become aware of your warning signs. What are your alarm bells? Behavioral, Cognitive, Physical, Emotional?
  • Acceptance. Acceptance does not mean giving in. Recognizing and accepting is key to moving on. By saying, “I am sad, and sadness is a normal human response. It’s ok,” we acknowledge the warning signals and can begin to process our stress.
  • Action. This is the step that is often the hardest because it involves changing our old habits. Rather than reaching for a bottle of wine or the TV remote, find what brings you genuine ease (often bringing the attention inward). List a few options that you can follow to deal with the stress: take a bath, go for a walk, take a restorative yoga class, meditate, or simply stop and breathe deeply. Be preemptive in your action–when you know you have a particularly stressful procedure or appointment coming up, begin a few days before to deep breathe, meditate, and visualize positive outcomes.

Ask yourself (and be honest with yourself), do you take the time needed to increase your relaxation with mind-body practices? If your honest answer is no and you think you need a little help or motivation, start looking for that support. Find nice short walks in nature nearby and locate restorative or fertility yoga classes. Find classes online for meditation or yoga and schedule this time into your calendar. Make a promise to yourself to do it, and don’t break that promise. Relaxation takes practice – it’s not as easy as saying, “I am now going to be a relaxed person.” Just like any other skill, this takes time and commitment to make it part of your life. You can’t expect to relax on cue after spending weeks, months, or years in a state of chronic stress.

And finally, let’s reframe our view on relaxation from ‘doing nothing’ and make it more accessible to our ‘doing’ mindset. You are doing something profound, nurturing, and supportive of your fertility that does not involve huge amounts of money, medication, time, or energy. Relaxation is a proactive activity to support your fertility that you can control. You are preparing your body to be as receptive as possible to whatever measures you are taking to conceive.

This post originally appeared on CCRM Blog.

Dr. Wael Salem is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is Board Eligible in Reproductive Endocrinology. His interests include fertility for cancer patients, PCOS, fertility preservation (egg freezing) and preimplantation genetic testing for hereditary genetic diseases. Dr. Salem joined CCRM Minneapolis in 2018.

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Recall Expanded: Hy-Vee & ALDI Recall Garden Salads Due to Contamination Concerns

by Karly Wood

*Update 7/2/20: Hy-Vee, Inc. is recalling an additional 12 salads across its eight-state region due to the potential that they may be contaminated with Cyclospora. The potential for contamination was brought to Hy-Vee’s attention when Fresh Express – which manufactures the product – announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) expanded its investigation of an outbreak of Cyclospora in the upper Midwest section of the United States. The 12 salads are in addition to the 12 oz. Hy-Vee Bagged Garden Salad product that Hy-Vee pulled last week after initial notification of the investigation. Hy-Vee now has 13 private label bagged salad products (all expiration dates) that are being recalled as a result.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Hy-Vee, Inc. and ALDI stores, in association with Fresh Express, Inc., are recalling several bagged garden salad products due to a potential contamination with Cyclospora. Fresh Express, the company that manufactures the salads for both stores, was notified that several of their private label products were being investigated by the FDA as being linked to a recent outbreak in the upper Midwest.

Neither stores have received any complaints of illnesses, and both are removing the affected products out of an abundance of caution. Keep reading to see all the products affected by this recall.

photo: Courtesy of the FDA

Hy-Vee is recalling 12 oz. Hy-Vee Bagged Garden Salads distributed in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. This includes all UPC’s and expiration dates. Customers should immediately throw away the product, return to a Hy-Vee store for a refund or call Customer Care representatives at 1-800-772-4098 with any questions.

The list below outlines the additional 13 products that have been recalled. No other Hy-Vee branded salads are impacted by the new recall.

UPC DESCRIPTION SIZE

0-07450-24669 HY-VEE SOUTHWEST CHOPPED SALAD KIT 13.4 OZ

0-07545-12053 HY-VEE SHREDDED ICEBERG 8 OZ

0-75450-08530 HY-VEE VEGGIE DELUXE SALAD 12 OZ

0-75450-12046 HY-VEE GREENER SUPREME BLEND 12 OZ

0-75450-12047 HY-VEE AMERICAN BLEND SALAD 12 OZ

0-75450-12048 HY-VEE ITALIAN BLEND SALAD 10 OZ

0-75450-12051 HY-VEE COLESLAW MIX 16 OZ

0-75450-12058 HY-VEE ROMAINE GARDEN SALAD 12 OZ

0-75450-24668 HY-VEE ASIAN CHOPPED SALAD KIT 13.7 OZ

0-75450-24670 HY-VEE SUNFLOWER CHOPPED SALAD KIT 13.2 OZ

0-75450-24672 HY-VEE CHIPOTLE CHEDDAR CHOPPED KIT 11.4 OZ

0-75450-24674 HY-VEE GARDEN SALAD 12 OZ

0-75450-24715 HY-VEE AVOCADO RANCH CHOPPED KIT 12.8 OZ

 

ALDI is recalling all product codes of Little Salad Bar Garden Salads with use-by dates of May 16 to Jul. 4. These products were distributed in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin between May 1 and Jun. 19. Customers should discard any affected salad products or call the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-800-242-5472.

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by consuming Cyclospora, can start seven days after ingestion. They include watery diarrhea, nausea, low grade fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, cramping, weight loss and increased gas.

––Karly Wood

 

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Managing Anxiety & Stress in Our Kids

By Dana Sheridan

Let’s face it…life is stressful! Many of us have become masters of the art of multitasking. At the end of the day, sometimes we can’t even imagine how we got everything done and kept everyone alive and well. 

With stress, brings anxiety. The “worry monster” begins to creep up inside our brains about what tomorrow may bring or what the future holds for our family. The way we manage stress as parents directly impacts the way our children learn to manage stressors. 

Control Affects Anxiety

A feeling of lack of control sends our anxiety into a tailspin. When we feel we don’t have control over things in our life then we get anxious. Children are the same. If you think about it, children really don’t have control over much in their lives. The adults make the majority of decisions for them. We think that we know what’s best for them. 

The Impact from Today’s Society

Our children are experiencing many stressors in today’s world beginning at an early age. We tend to have the mentality that more is better. We are enrolling our children in as many activities as we can to make them “well rounded” individuals. Personally, my husband and I are raising girls that are entering high school this year. We are finding that the academic and extracurricular expectations for them are overwhelming. We have the lingering thought of…“Are they doing enough to get into a good college?” If we take a step back and look at our children’s daily schedules, they are busier than we are! We tend to forget that downtime can be beneficial. When we provide our children with time to unwind, we are fostering other important attributes to come out such as self-care, exploration, and creativity. 

Warning Signs of Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal part of childhood. Anxiety can be useful at times since it makes us more assertive and aware of our surroundings. The issue occurs once anxiety begins to negatively impact our ability to function in our everyday lives. Anxiety Disorders are among one of the most common mental, emotional, and behavioral problems to occur during childhood and adolescence. Children with a diagnosed Anxiety Disorder experience fear, nervousness, and shyness to a degree where they begin to avoid places and activities. 

Here are some warning signs to look for:

  • Preoccupation with worries and fears

  • Avoidance of social contact 

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Loss of appetite

  • Physical expression of feelings (i.e.: emotional outbursts, aggression)

  • Psychosomatic symptoms (i.e.: complaining of physical ailments)

  • Retreating/shutting down

What Can We Do?

The main thing we can do is pay close attention to how we manage our own stress. Notice how you internally and externally express yourself when you are faced with a major stressor. Children look to the adults in their life for guidance when they are faced with a stressor. Remember, the energy we put out (whether positive or negative) directly impacts the energy we receive back. If our emotions are regulated, our children’s emotions are more likely to be regulated as well. In some situations, we need to act like a duck in the water where you are calm and collected on the surface even if your legs are freaking out below the surface. It’s all about the “game face.” Remember that you can’t take care of anyone else unless you take care of yourself at first. Visualize the safety video played before an airplane flight…you first put the overhead mask on yourself before you assist with putting it on someone else. 

Here are some things to remember:

  • Give your child as many choices as possible (it’s their life so let them have some freedom in what activities they choose to participate in)

  • Let your child choose activities they are passionate about

  • Power struggles are not very relaxing

  • Take some time to lower your own distress level before you intervene

  • Begin with a conversation that validates your child’s feelings

  • When your child begins to communicate, don’t interrupt

  • Maintain a positive and calm attitude

  • Be nonjudgmental regarding your child’s thoughts or feelings 

  • Focus on one thing at a time

  • Concentrate on the anxious emotions, rather than any outward behavior the child previously exhibited

  • Recognize and praise small accomplishments

  • Don’t punish mistakes or lack of progress

  • Be flexible, but try to maintain a normal routine

  • Plan for transitions and provide a heads up for any changes

 

Before joining Village, Dana worked in public education for fourteen years as a Special Education Counselor, Autism Coordinator, Special Education Supervisor, and Assistant Director of Special Programs. Throughout her educational career, Dana assists students, parents, and staff with the social/emotional component of learning. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and shopping.

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Recall Alert: Frozen Berries Sold at Aldi & Raley’s Stores Recalled

by Erica Loop

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a voluntary recall for Wawona Frozen Foods frozen raspberries and frozen berry mixes containing raspberries due to possible Hepatitis A contamination. The berries were sold at Aldi Grocery Stores and Raley’s Family of Fine Stores under each retailer’s private label brand. Representatives from Wawona Frozen Foods did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

If you have these berries in your fridge or freezer, read on for important recall information.

Recalled Product Description: Frozen Raspberries

The recalled products include frozen raspberries and frozen berry mix containing raspberries sold under Aldi Grocery Stores and Raley’s Family of Fine Stores private labels. These include Season’s Choice Raspberries and Season’s Choice Berry Medley in Aldi stores and Raley’s Fresh Frozen Red Raspberries in Raley’s stores.

Why the Berries Were Recalled

The recall was initiated after the potential for Hepatitis A contamination was detected. Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause serious liver disease. The illness can last from a few weeks to several months and has symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice.

As of now there are no reported cases of illnesses due to the recalled berries.

How to Tell If Your Berries Were Recalled

The frozen raspberries included in the current recall are:

  • Aldi: Season’s Choice Raspberries (frozen): 12 ounce bags, “best by” date of June, 10, 2021, August 1,2021 and August 23, 2021. “Product of Chile.” UPC Code: 0 41498 12419 9. Season’s Choice Berry Medley (frozen) containing raspberries: 16 ounce bags, “best by” date of July 17, 2021, July 20, 2021 and July 22, 2021. “Product of USA, Chile.” UPC Code: 0 41498 31344 9
  • Raley’s: Raley’s Fresh Frozen Red Raspberries: 12 ounce bags, “best by” date of June 5, 2021 (lot code:20156A04), August 1, 2021 (lot code: 20213A06) “Product of Chile.” UPC Code: 46567 00754

The affected berries were imported from Chile.

What Consumers Can Do

If you have the recalled products, don’t eat them. Throw the berries away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions can contact Wawona Frozen Foods at 866-913-0667.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of Wawona Frozen Foods

 

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6 Ways to Help a Friend through Postpartum Depression

By Give InKind

Photo: via Unsplash

For those who have never had a baby, it’s difficult to imagine the emotional (and physical) rollercoaster associated with growing a person, giving birth to them, and caring for them as a helpless infant. Yes, people do it every day, (and have for some time), but many underestimate the difficulties and unexpected side effects that can occur from having a child. One of the most invisible, yet devastating side effects is postpartum depression, and as a new mom’s friend or loved one, there’s a lot you can do to help.

What is Postpartum Depression?

While “Baby Blues” are universally common for a short time after giving birth, Postpartum Depression is something more severe and typically more lasting, often requiring treatment. One in seven people who give birth experience postpartum depression.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms Include:

  • Depressed mood or severe mood swings
  • Difficulty bonding with your baby
  • Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
  • Intense irritability and anger
  • Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
  • Hopelessness
  • Severe anxiety and panic attacks
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms Can Also Include:

  • Excessive crying
  • Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
  • Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
  • Reduced interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
  • Fear that you’re not a good mother
  • Restlessness

If you think your friend, family member, or loved one is experiencing postpartum depression, here are some ways you can support them.

1. Help Her Coordinate Her Community: While everyone offers “to help” after a new baby is born, it is often overwhelming to ask after a few sleepless nights, when life becomes a blur of caring for the baby and dealing with postpartum depression. Visit with your friend and help her set up a system of care through a service like Give InKind so she can schedule and ask for the exact kind of help she needs.

2. Announce You’re Going on a “Store Run”: Tell her you’re going to the store this afternoon, or tomorrow morning, and ask her what kinds of diapers she wants you to pick up (as well as any formula, wipes, clothing, etc). Have her be specific, and make a list.

3. Plan a Weekly “Helping Hands” Visit: If your friend is open to weekly help, let your friend know that you’ll be there to help clean, talk, cook, etc. every Wednesday at noon (or pick a day that works for both of you), for the next 8 weeks (or however long you can). During this time, do whatever it is that she needs help with; laundry, dishes, changing the baby, babysitting while she gets out of the house for an hour. Whatever it is, be consistent, and supportive. If you live in another state, consider purchasing a gift card for a house cleaning service to visit weekly.

4. Help Her Find a Babysitter: Mama needs a break now and then, and not everyone has someone else at home to watch the baby if she needs a night off. Help your friend get some time to herself now and then by helping her find a qualified local babysitter.

5. Help Her Find a Support Network: Talking with other parents who have just gone through birth and are in the pangs of late-night feedings and 24/7 baby care can be helpful and therapeutic.

6. Offer to Help Your Friend Find a Therapist in Her Network: Taking some of the research off of your friend’s plate can be helpful if your friend is open to therapy. Resources like Psychology Today have contact information of therapists in every state, and let you sort by therapist specialty, insurance provider, etc.

Should They See a Doctor?

Postpartum Depression (and Postpartum Psychosis) are very real and should be monitored and taken seriously for the health of parents and babies and other family members. There is no shame in getting help if you need it.

If a parent’s symptoms are getting worse, or if the symptoms don’t go away after two weeks, an appointment should be made with their doctor. If the parent finds it hard to complete everyday tasks, or care for their baby, or themselves, they should see their doctor. If they are having thoughts of harming themselves or the baby, get help right away.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available for those who need it, at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

Support Your Friend

Your friend may be reclusive and withdrawn at this time, but check in on them, and help them get the support, love, and care they need as they work through postpartum depression and, hopefully, into a better mental state.

How Give InKind Can Help

Give InKind is an intelligent social support platform that helps friends and family coordinate tangible, financial, and emotional support for those who need it. Everyone goes through major life events, and everyone needs a little help sometimes. From the birth of a baby to loss of a family member, to medical crisis and disasters, people need more than just money and lasagna. Every individual or family in need is different. Give InKind helps people coordinate help with things like dinner dropoffs, walking the dog, picking kids up from school, buying groceries, and watering plants. Give InKind lets givers provide or send specific services or assistance that helps those they care about focus on what matters. Article contributed by Jennifer Jacobson for Give InKind.

This post originally appeared on Give InKind.

Give InKind is an intelligent social support platform that helps friends and family coordinate tangible, financial, and emotional support for those who need it. Our custom Care Calendar + Wishlist + Fundraising in one free tool is making support simple. From new babies to cancer support, Give InKind.

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