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By: Carrie Lauth
Feeling burnout as a Mom is very common. It does not mean that you are failing as a Mom. It’s mostly due to the isolation that a lot of Moms face in our culture, as well as the overscheduling and overwork that a lot of us deal with.
Here are 6 things you can do to prevent burnout and treat it if it comes up.
Find your tribe
Find a support group of like minded Moms. There are neighbors, people you worship with, family, Moms at storytime, the park, or anywhere else Moms hang out. It’s extremely important for Moms to have a social network. Talk about your feelings with someone who won’t judge you, and return the favor. Spend time with good friends, and don’t forget to nurture your relationship with your spouse.
Set boundaries
Setting good boundaries isn’t just about limits with your kids. Boundaries are something that protect you from being overburdened with other people’s responsibilities. Learn to say no to things that don’t honor your values, and don’t overextend yourself.
Lose the guilt
Don’t feel like you’re a bad Mom because you feel burnout from time to time. In fact, you are probably a very conscientious Mom who is neglecting her own needs! Be as forgiving and empathic with yourself as you are with your kids, and remember, when you take care of your own needs, you’re in better shape to care for your family. It’s kind of like when the flight attendant
tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first in case of emergency!
Take care of your body
Eating poorly leads to fatigue and stress. Nurture your body with healthy foods and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which only deplete you.
Exercise is also very important because it helps you deal with stress and floods your body with endorphins, the “feel good hormones”. Don’t make excuses! Get moving for 20 minutes a day. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do.
Exercise is also good for the kids because it helps them discharge excess energy that they may have from being inside too much.
Spending some time every day in the sun is also a good idea. Sunlight improves mood and helps
you sleep better.
Take a break
Nurture yourself every single day in small ways. Take a hot bath by yourself. Go outside for a few minutes and breathe deeply. Say your prayers, journal, pursue a hobby that you love. Even if all you can do are 5 minute increments, take the time!
Focus on what’s truly important
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself that the most important things on your to do list are your children, not the dishes or the dusty blinds. Put everything aside for 15 minutes and just play with your kids. Have fun, laugh together, spend time in nature together, and enjoy life. The rest can wait. Kids have a way of growing up despite us. And keep hugging those babies!
Carrie Lauth is a Mom of 4 and the host of www.NaturalMomsTalkRadio.com. For more information on having more fun as a Mom, visit: www.MomsWisdom.com
Friday, November 10, 2006
Monday, November 6, 2006
Bottle Feeding Baby - Keeping It Clean
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By Robin OBrien
Breastfeeding mothers can have many problems but one thing they don't have to think about is keeping their milk clean and germ-free. Bottle feeding mothers don't have this luxury. Cleanliness is paramount when bottle feeding your baby.
If you've decided to bottle feed your child then you must first acquire the correct equipment. First on your list should be an adequate bottle sterilizer. There are several different types to choose from. The cheapest option available is to buy a bottle sterilizer that works by placing it in a microwave. Their big advantage is cheapness, but they do have a couple of drawbacks; first you must thoroughly clean your microwave after cooking spicy food. Secondly, portability can be problematic. A more expensive option is to purchase an electric bottle sterilizer. You simply wash your baby's bottle and then place them into a plastic tray, which is then placed into the sterilizer. This is the best way to sterilize your baby's milk bottles, however, be sure to place only the amount of water into the sterilizer as specified by the manufacturers - don't put more than is recommended. Finally, you can purchase an electric/microwave combination. Basically, this means you can place the interior tray into a microwave rather than using the electric unit. Whichever type you purchase, don't forget to wash it occasionally.
Ensure that you wash your baby's bottles correctly. Use a bottle washer especially made for cleaning babies bottles. Wash bottles in warm soapy water and use salt to clean the teats. Make sure use rinse thoroughly after cleaning. Never sterilize your baby's bottles with the teat or caps left on.
Germs require 3 things to thrive; water, sugar and warmth. Infant formula can provide ideal conditions for germs to breed. Always make infant formula just before you need to and discard any that is left over after feeding. Never give your baby milk that was made for a previous feed; would you like to drink milk that has been left standing for hours in a warm room? Also, when travelling, never make formula in advance. It is better to take hot water and mix the milk powder just before feeding. It might be worthwhile buying ready-to-use for long distance trips.
Never share your baby's bottle with another infant, even with other siblings. Sharing is the surest way to spread germs from one baby to another. Make sure your own hands are clean before you prepare your baby's formula.
Take care of your baby's teeth. Bottle feeding tooth decay is a real risk. Infant formula usually contains more sugar that breast milk. You should never put baby to bed with a bottle, which the baby can suck on for hours. The sugary liquid flows over the baby's upper front teeth and dissolves the enamel, causing decay that can lead to infection. The longer the practice continues the more damage to the baby's teeth and mouth. Treatment is very expensive.
Bottle feeding will provide your child with all the nutrients it needs. By following the guidelines above, you can also ensure that bottle feeding is as germ-free and safe as breastfeeding.
Robin O'Brien is founder of Baby Bottle Feeding. It offers advice on all aspects of bottle feeding, including what is the best infant formula and bottle feeding tooth decay.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_OBrien
By Robin OBrien
Breastfeeding mothers can have many problems but one thing they don't have to think about is keeping their milk clean and germ-free. Bottle feeding mothers don't have this luxury. Cleanliness is paramount when bottle feeding your baby.
If you've decided to bottle feed your child then you must first acquire the correct equipment. First on your list should be an adequate bottle sterilizer. There are several different types to choose from. The cheapest option available is to buy a bottle sterilizer that works by placing it in a microwave. Their big advantage is cheapness, but they do have a couple of drawbacks; first you must thoroughly clean your microwave after cooking spicy food. Secondly, portability can be problematic. A more expensive option is to purchase an electric bottle sterilizer. You simply wash your baby's bottle and then place them into a plastic tray, which is then placed into the sterilizer. This is the best way to sterilize your baby's milk bottles, however, be sure to place only the amount of water into the sterilizer as specified by the manufacturers - don't put more than is recommended. Finally, you can purchase an electric/microwave combination. Basically, this means you can place the interior tray into a microwave rather than using the electric unit. Whichever type you purchase, don't forget to wash it occasionally.
Ensure that you wash your baby's bottles correctly. Use a bottle washer especially made for cleaning babies bottles. Wash bottles in warm soapy water and use salt to clean the teats. Make sure use rinse thoroughly after cleaning. Never sterilize your baby's bottles with the teat or caps left on.
Germs require 3 things to thrive; water, sugar and warmth. Infant formula can provide ideal conditions for germs to breed. Always make infant formula just before you need to and discard any that is left over after feeding. Never give your baby milk that was made for a previous feed; would you like to drink milk that has been left standing for hours in a warm room? Also, when travelling, never make formula in advance. It is better to take hot water and mix the milk powder just before feeding. It might be worthwhile buying ready-to-use for long distance trips.
Never share your baby's bottle with another infant, even with other siblings. Sharing is the surest way to spread germs from one baby to another. Make sure your own hands are clean before you prepare your baby's formula.
Take care of your baby's teeth. Bottle feeding tooth decay is a real risk. Infant formula usually contains more sugar that breast milk. You should never put baby to bed with a bottle, which the baby can suck on for hours. The sugary liquid flows over the baby's upper front teeth and dissolves the enamel, causing decay that can lead to infection. The longer the practice continues the more damage to the baby's teeth and mouth. Treatment is very expensive.
Bottle feeding will provide your child with all the nutrients it needs. By following the guidelines above, you can also ensure that bottle feeding is as germ-free and safe as breastfeeding.
Robin O'Brien is founder of Baby Bottle Feeding. It offers advice on all aspects of bottle feeding, including what is the best infant formula and bottle feeding tooth decay.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_OBrien
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