Bаbу Care – How to Help your Baby Breathe Better with a Nasal Aspirator

Bаbу Care – How to Help your Baby Breathe Better with a Nasal Aspirator

Whether you are a first time parent or not, you will experience your infant suffering from nasal congestion at some point in time. You may even feel at a loss for how to help your newborn breathe better.  A bаbу nаѕаl аѕріrаtоr саn be used to relieve your newborn’s congestion or dіѕсоmfоrt that comes from sickness or allergies.  Removing mucus frоm уоur bаby’ѕ nаѕаl passages will help kеер sinus infections frоm spreading to the еаrѕ аnd mаkе уоur lіttlе оnе more аt еаѕе.  Oftеn, baby congestion is the result of blосkеd nasal раѕѕаgеѕ whісh аrе merely inflamed blооd vessels.

A nеwbоrn with a blосkеd nose саn be a very ѕеvеrе condition because it саn іntеrfеrе with things like breastfeeding and can kеер the bаbу frоm drіnkіng hіѕ or hеr fill. The condition can worsen and potentially lead to an infection in the sinuses and even in the ears. Therefore, having a high quality baby nose sucker оn hаnd is important.  Thеrе are several kіndѕ оf nasal аѕріrаtоrѕ аvаіlаblе. There are three basic categories of nasal aspirator –  bаttеrу-роwеrеd, self-suctioning, аnd the bulb syringe.  Let’s talk about the different nose sucker options available.

The battery-роwеrеd nasal аѕріrаtоr is a device used to suck mucus out of your infant’s nose.  The issue with battery powered devices is that they don’t offer the best nasal suction. If your infant is severely congested, the suction on these battery-powered devices may not effectively remove the mucus and relieve infant congestion.

The Self Suctioning nasal aspirator has been around a long time. This device allows you to suck the mucus out of your baby’s nose by using a tube that is placed at the opening of the nasal cavity of your baby and your mouth goes over the other end of the tube. Your mouth is the nose sucker.  Although there is a small filter at the end, you can still inhale germs and can come in contact with the virus. Not to mention that not every parent is keen on sucking snot out of their baby’s nose through a tube.

The blue or green hospital bulb syringe is another nose sucker device that has been around for a long time.  The bulb syringe has been popular in years past because this snot sucking nasal aspirator is known for its strong suction and is handed out to new parents when they give birth at the hospital.  Even though the bulb syringe works great, the downside is that it could not be properly cleaned out contributing to mold and bacteria growth.  Good news is that there is now a “cleanable” bulb syringe on the market.  The 2oz blue cleanable bulb syringe twists apart in the center which allows you to properly rinse and disinfect the nasal aspirator thus eliminating germs, bacteria and mold growth.  The best part is it actually works to relieve baby congestion and you can reuse it over and over again.

Tоddlеrѕ саn also suffer from nasal congestion. The cause could be аllеrgies, rhinitis, a соld, or аdеnоіdаl dіffісultу, which mеаnѕ thе nоѕе іѕ nоt drаіnіng рrореrlу. The age range for toddlers is typically 1 to 3 years of age.  In most cases, toddlers are still unable to blow their noses on their own.  The 3 oz green cleanable bulb syringe may be a good alternative at relieving nasal congestion for your growing toddler. The 3 oz green cleanable bulb syringe is larger than the 2 oz cleanable bulb syringe and may be more useful if you are dealing with severe baby or toddler congestion.  The green bulb syringe offers a larger base and a little bit of a wider tip which is useful if the mucus thickens due to an infection.

There are several others things you can do to help keep your baby or toddler comfortable while they are getting better:

  • Humidifiers are helpful. Kеер thе air іn thеіr rооm fаіrlу humіd, іn thе 40-50% range. You can either choose a warm mist humidifier or cool mist humidifier, both get the job done. Most doctors will suggest using a cool mist humidifier because it is safer around children and can mist up a larger area. Either way, this keeps the nаѕаl passage mоіѕt and hеlрѕ thе соngеѕtіоn frоm drying out and mаkіng it hаrd tо rеmоvе.
  • Sісk, оr соngеѕtеd сhіldrеn tend not tо wаnt tо drink or еаt аѕ muсh аѕ uѕuаl. A lack оf fluіdѕ in thеіr dіеt mеаnѕ the ѕесrеtіоnѕ wіll bе thісk аnd mау ѕtаrt tо drу. Enсоurаgе thеm tо drink аѕ muсh аѕ роѕѕіblе, аnd use ѕаlіnе nоѕе drорs аѕ rесоmmеndеd. These wіll hеlр loosen the muсouѕ, and make it easier to suction out with the green or blue cleanable bulb syringe. Remember to properly clean and disinfect your bulb syringe. You can use the safe cleaning spray that will safely and effectively kill bacteria in 30 seconds.

If уоu notice that your child’s nasal dіѕсhаrgе bесоmеѕ уеllоw, оr grееn, that іѕ usually еvіdеnсе оf a роѕѕіblе bасtеrіаl infection thаt may require аntіbіоtісѕ. You will need to take your child to go see your family Pediatrician.

7 Homeopathic Cold Remedies for Your Child

7 Homeopathic Cold Remedies for Your Child

homeopathic-cold-remedies

Nobody wants a cold, that is a fact. In the office we actually call it the plague when viruses begin to make the rounds and co-workers drop like flies. It is rough when adults get stricken with this malady (maybe a little dramatic but true), but it is even worse when our littles get sick. Colds are a common viral infection that affect the respiratory system – all of it. As if to add insult to injury we get really frustrated and annoyed when we are cursed with a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, headaches and body aches. As a mom it is tough to see your toddlers suffering from colds with their weepy eyes and runny noses.

The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true when we look at our health and the health of our children. One of the topics we have found that focuses on this preventative type of medicine is Homeopathic treatment. These medicines are typically made from natural substances so they’re absolutely safe and usually have no side effects. According to professional homeopaths, when you’ve experienced colds more than twice in a year it is better to seek help to fortify your immune system. We say that our family members’ health is our wealth. We have complied 7 Homeopathic Remedies which can help keep you well all year long (no trip to the doc needed). Some may view these methods as antiquated, they have been proven to work time and again. As a matter of fact, I have not used my inhaler for several years because I have an essential oil blend that actually works better (this is not recommended for everyone, I just know it works for me – consult your doctor before you change up your meds). We have detailed several homeopathic remedies and the symptoms they have been used to successfully treat. Hope you are able to use some of these to ease your pain and suffering this cold and flu season.

ACONITE NAPELLUS

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Dry painful cough, high body temperature and sensitivity to light, watery mucous, thirsty most of the time, bright red nose bleed, hot red cheeks, perspiration on uncovered parts of the body, runny nose, restlessness, anxiety.
Aconite is a very handy remedy that every family needs close by. This is suitable mainly during the first 24 hours after the onset of a cold. After being exposed to dry cold weather folks that are sniffling and sneezing or kiddos have increased odds of getting colds or a cough. Aconite napellus is of great help when your child has a stuffy nose and is sneezing a lot.

BELLADONNA

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Dry with high fever, red face, throbbing headache/pain, patient radiates heat, dry cough, eyes dilated, cold extremities.
Belladonna should be considered when there’s a rapid stopping of nasal discharge accompanied by throbbing, headache, and a high fever. When your infants have pain in their throat caused by the cold, this medicine can help soothe their pain. Usually when you touch their skin, it is dry and they don’t want to drink water. Their larynx is dry and it aches when they swallow food or drink a small amount of water. Belladonna can also help children who have uncontrollable convulsions because of its calming effect on the nervous system. It is a great medication for treating flu symptoms and alleviates fever quickly. The herb is essentially used for tonsillitis, extreme headaches and sore throats.

EUPHRASIA

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: large amounts of fluid from nose, can feel little pain all over the body during the night, heat descends the body, violent cough, chills, pressing pain under sternum, sweats only on the front of the body, coughing typically during the daytime.
Your child needs euphrasia if you’ve seen the symptoms given above. The white of their eyes gets reddened and it gets worse in the open air. Their cough lightens when they just lay down so you have to give your children a rest. Euphrasia has antioxidant properties and it is also effective for various kinds of eye problems. It relieves whatever allergic reactions your child has and infections in their eyes. It is also able to stiffen the mucous membrane encircling the eyes.

PULSATILLA

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: The nose is bleeding and your kiddo has a runny nose during the day, and their nose is blocked at night, loss of smell, headache is above the eyes, they have teary eyes and want to be comforted, they have a dry mouth but they are not thirsty and it gets worse at twilight.
Most toddlers end up being super clingy and in need of a constant cuddle simply because they don’t feel well. Sometimes, you will notice they’re breathing through their mouth as they are sleeping because of the nasal congestion. Colds result in the loss of smell, a clogged nose and offensive breath. Keep in mind that single symptoms are common here. Pulsatilla is a common cure for newborn infants specifically if their nasal discharge is yellow or green. You may have a hard time getting them to take it orally, but if you can get them to take it, it will help to ease their symptoms.

ALLIUM CEPA

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Extreme sneezing, tickle in the larynx, raspy voice, difficulty breathing, short dry frequent cough, excessive watery discharge from eyes.
The use of allium cepa brings relief when hot watery nasal discharge turns your child’s upper lip raw. Cold air aggravates the situation but at the same time people who need this remedy hate a warm room because their symptoms are exasperated in both environments. Allium Cepa is principally used for colds.

NATRUM MURIATICUM

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: The cold starts with fits of sneezing, the nose is blocked and can develop cold sores, runny eyes get worse in open air or wind, irritated with sun and lights, cold sores on lips, cracked lips.
This remedy is known to be one of the more successful ones because it is a multipurpose cure used for many types of conditions. Specifically, this cure can help with your infant when they develop the cold. Consult with your local homeopath for the best advice on how to apply this treatment.

BRYONIA

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Cold moves into the chest, painful and dry cough, headache can be present across the entire head or on just one half, erratic cough, child may hold chest when they cough, very thirsty, can be in an especially aggravated mood.
When your tots have coughed and it goes down to their chest, this remedy can ease the pain they feel inside. Even if they move a little bit or cough slightly, children frequently hold their chest in order to limit the motion and will not be hurt. You can give this your tots so their breathing will get back to normal.

In conjunction with all of the advice above remember the best way to prevent or cure colds is to drink lots of fluid, eat well, and rest. While the above remedies can provide simple, effective, non-invasive relief for your little one please remember – if they have an illness that lingers, if there is ANY trouble breathing, or if they become dehydrated – you need to get them in to see their doctor as quickly as possible. Homeopathy is a great, natural way to treat some of our illnesses in a way that is designed to work with our bodies and our immune system. The more frequently you can use natural solutions, the stronger and more resilient your little ones will become.

8 Awesome & Cool Baby Apps

8 Awesome & Cool Baby Apps

baby-apps

Our baby’s life is a gift—a gift that can’t be measured. Words can’t define the pleasure we felt inside while carrying that little bundle of joy. Nine months we carried our little angles in our womb and then they were here. That moment was full of expectation, hope and happiness. Not too long after the new baby makes their first appearance reality sets in for new parents and many ask “Now what do I do?” Parenting is not easy, or for the weak of heart, but it is absolutely worth it.

Modern technology has been evolving and many applications focused on the safety, entertainment and well-being of our children have been introduced into the marketplace. As parents we will do anything for the well-being of our babies to ensure they enjoy every stage of their life. But what if you are busy with your job and businesses? How can you enhance your abilities to keep your tots in good condition and safeguarded? Sometimes, we can feel like we are super-parents, but the reality is our super powers have limitations.

Babies can get into all sorts of trouble – they wander away, get into cabinets, figure out how to open doors, and the list goes on. It only takes these little people seconds to get into a world of trouble. Additionally, even small things like an infant stuffy nose can play havoc with our schedules and throw our day for a loop. Even the most experienced parents are not able to monitor their kiddos all of the time. Fortunately for new-parents, advances in technology make it much easier to monitor our toddlers even if we are not around. The protection, welfare and satisfaction of our babies is of the utmost significant because they are precious to us.

Listed below are 8 Awesome & Cool Baby Apps that will absolutely support you and your baby’s journey in growing.

 

Stork Drop—Baby Names

The baby journey starts with choosing a great name for your little angel. Sometimes this can be a challenge (we have 13 kiddos so names get scarce sometimes), not because you can’t think of a name but because you have many choices in your mind. Now, the Stork will be the one to pick a name for you – they have 7,000 plus names in their database that you may ponder and chew on. The app gives you the ability to save names you like. The name that you’ve selected will show its origin, meaning and popularity. For all of our kids we get little placards made up that show the meaning and origin of their name. It is fun to talk about as they get older.

Baby Sleep: Lullabies and Teddys

Our little ones deserve to experience a smooth and comfortable rest. As parents it is really easy to get tired of singing lullabies to the kiddos. This app is your savior because it lets you play 21 wonderful lullabies which will soothe the ears of your babies. It also comes in handy if you are out of your house and you are self-conscious about singing lullabies in public. This app is the answer to your shyness. You can put the songs on queue to play for three to thirty minutes and you can create your own playlist. The list of lullabies covers Au Claire de la lune, Edelweiss, Hickory Dickery Dock, and Rock a Bye Baby. The app accompanies the songs with attractive images of animals. I’m pretty sure that you’ll admire this application; it’s simple yet awesome.

Baby Shusher

Having a hard time sleeping because your baby keeps crying aloud at night? According to the developer of this app, because of its rhythmic shush sound it can harmlessly stop your baby from crying and calm them because it reminds the baby of being in the womb of their mother. The shush sound will automatically adapt based on the volume of your baby’s cry; when the cry is loud the app will also play louder and when the cry subsides the volume of the app lowers. The application has built-in sound sensor which lets you play it for 15 or 30 minutes. An added bonus of the Baby Shusher is that you may also record your own version of the shush.

Baby Pack & Go

Are you always forgetting something for your baby when you leave your house especially when you’re rushing? No more trouble for the new parent because this app assures that you pack the items needed for your baby before travelling. It has a packing line-up and travel lists for your tots so you won’t forget all of the items you need to take along. You may also customize and personalize the app by adding images, colors and even sounds. It contains a Task Reminder Alert, which is sent so you can bring all the items you identified as needing. It makes it easier to prepare for your travel because you can instantly use this app when you’re busy and thinking of other things. Less hassle, less stress and you’ll have peace of mind all throughout the day because finally you didn’t forget anything for your infant.

Baby Connect

This application tracks everything about your baby. Baby Connect is an application to log the daily activities of your tot. It documents and graphs the feedings of your baby by tracking the pump schedule (if you are pumping), solid foods, diapers, medicines, sleep patterns, mood and even the temperature of your little one. With the data captured, you can check to see if there’s progress from the previous data capture. You can also track measurements such as the weight, height and head size of your toddlers. The nice thing about this app is that data can be automatically delivered to your family members or nanny. This type of an app is especially nice when you have a baby stuffy nose or cold. As an added bonus you can even communicate with caregivers in real time. This app is accessible on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, and as an application on the web. The app is completely secure. It uses password protection for all aspects of data capture and reporting.

Parenting Ages And Stages

This app will be a favorite with the new parent. You are able to receive information concerning the development of your toddler and the app provides parenting ideas and tips, which can help you figure things out as you start into the parenthood journey. The app contains 5 stages: pregnancy, first year, second year, the early years, and the school years. It provides useful information to help guide you as you train and discipline your baby as they grow. Similar to other apps we reviewed in this article; this app helps you compile information about your baby’s progress. It also provides advice and instruction that a new parent will absolutely need.

Angel Sense

Angel Sense is a one-of-a-kind, easy to wear tracker that is created with oodles of features for toddlers and children in general. It is a friendly wearable GPS device that can be magnetically attached to the clothing of your babies. The app provides an update and shows your child’s location every 30 seconds and stores that information in logs. Not only can you see where your child has been / is going, but you can also hear what is going on around them. Every 10 seconds, a live update is automatically sent to your app. When your baby is off crawling around the house and you’re unaware that they have disappeared (it only takes a second for those pesky little buggers to slip away), this app will show you where they are. The best feature is that you can set up your own designated safety zone that your babies are allowed to traverse and will get a warning if he/she strays outside of that zone. The app has far-reaching cellular coverage so it is not limited by the availability of a local wireless network.

My Kid’s Health

Our baby’s health is one of our primary concerns as parents. When our infant is sick, we become a frazzled parent and it impacts our effectiveness at home and in the workplace. My Kid’s Health seeks to lessen that stress by providing us with a high-tech solution to making sure our kids are in optimum health. The basic information provided by this app incorporates date of birth, growth records, appointments they have had with their doctor and dentist, allergies and illnesses, and height and weight. All of this information is synced with the app and kept in a single place so you can access it quickly in an emergency. The nice thing about having all of this information in one place is also that you are able to see the health of your child evolve over time by reviewing check-ups, medical procedures and medicines they have taken over time.

We hope you found a couple of these apps useful. Technology has opened new doors in many areas of our lives, and we think it is great that this tech can be used to make the job of parenting easier.

What are your favorite baby apps? Please share with us. We would love to know.

Baby Nasal Aspirators – Are They Safe for Newborns?

Baby Nasal Aspirators – Are They Safe for Newborns?

Cleanable Baby Nasal Aspirator

Hospital Grade Baby Nasal Aspirators also known as “Bulb Syringes” are common devices used by doctors, nurses and parents to clear a newborn’s airway for easier breathing. If you are a new parent, it may seem a little scary or risky using a hospital grade baby nasal aspirator for the first time. So, no need to be alarmed because if used properly they are pretty safe.

Proper Use

Nasal Aspirator for Babies

The tissue lining in your infant’s nose is delicate, so it is essential that you use the baby nasal aspirator or bulb syringe properly to avoid discomfort for your little one. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using saline drops in conjunction with the baby nasal aspirator or bulb syringe to loosen the mucus first before you suction it out. Before inserting the baby nasal aspirator or bulb syringe into your infants nose, you will need to compress the bulb from the bottom (see picture B) before you insert the tip into your infants nose. Doing it this will way will prevent you from blasting air into the nostril passageway which causes sneezing or gagging, plus if gives you the best results for suction. I’ve seen too many individuals squeeze the baby nasal aspirator or bulb syringe from the sides and this is improper technique and won’t remove nearly as much mucus doing it this way.

 

Over-suction is a No-No
Dealing with a congested infant can be a little stressful especially knowing that your infant is helpless and depends on your for their care and comfort. As a parent, it’s our job to make sure our infants are comfortable while they are getting better, but at the same time we need to make sure that we aren’t using excessive suctioning. You may want to limit suctioning to no more than three times a day. This should do the job because hospital grade baby nasal aspirators have great suction. Plus, excessive suctioning can make the nostrils sore and dry and cause swelling in the mucus membranes. So there is no infant baby nasal aspiratorneed to overdo it.

Controversy over proper cleaning of bulb syringe
Cleaning the hospital grade baby nasal aspirator or bulb syringe has been a hot topic. The main reason being is that these medical grade nose suckers are really not cleanable. You can submerge them under water to clean it out but it will eventually get mold build up and start to smell because the baby nasal aspirator or bulb syringe can’t properly air dry, thus creating the need to replace your baby nasal aspirator or bulb syringe often.

Best Baby Nasal Aspirator or Bulb Syringe to Buy
There is some good news for those individuals who prefer using the bulb syringe for removing mucus. There is a new hospital grade baby nasal aspirator on the market that is now completely cleanable. It’s called the BoogieBulb®. The BoogieBulb® is the same bulb syringe used by hospitals across the U.S. that easily comes apart for proper cleaning and disinfection. In the Journal of Infection and Immunity, a study showed that bacteria can live on surfaces for weeks or even months. BoogieBulb® offers a cleaning/ disinfecting solution kit that will kill all of the major viruses in 30 seconds and is completely safe to use.

Closing Comments
Baby nasal aspirators or bulb syringes are safe to use and have been around for decades. You have to choose what works best for your child. Most parents prefer the hospital grade baby nasal aspirators or bulb syringes over other nose suctioning devices because they can trust it will get the job done effectively and easily. Whatever method you choose, always educate yourself for proper usage to ensure the best results.

Hospital Grade Nasal Aspirators – Why They Are Best For Babies.

Hospital Grade Nasal Aspirators – Why They Are Best For Babies.

There are so many different kinds of nasal aspirators on the market today that it’s hard to know which ones are the best nasal aspirators for babies and the most effective.  Let’s discuss why the quality of the nasal aspirator is important.

Everything is subject to option, but as a mother who has tried numerous baby nasal aspirators on the market and has dealt with a child who suffered rhinitis as a baby, nothing compares to the hospital grade nasal aspirator. Why do I feel they are the best choice for babies? Because they get the job done!  Let’s go over some of the pro’s as to why this nasal aspirator for babies is the best choice.

Baby Nasal Aspirator

Hospital Grade Nasal Aspirators are known for their suction power.  This is probably one of the biggest pro’s to using this nasal aspirator on your baby. Hospitals initially used these bulb syringes during surgeries when they would drain fluids from a patient which explains why the suction on these nasal aspirators are superior to other nasal aspirator products on the market. As you know, when you are dealing with a sick infant, the mucus can be runny or start to “thicken”. The thicker the mucus gets, the harder it is to get out and most of the products on the market simply cannot do the job of removing the mucus. The good news is the hospital grade nasal aspirator can get the job done!

Hospital Grade Nasal Aspirators are easy to use. The hospital grade nasal aspirator is not complicated to use at all. As a matter of fact, it’s very simple. You basically hold the tip up to your baby’s nose and then compress the hospital grade nasal aspirator with your thumb on the “bottom” of the bulb. Never squeeze a nasal aspirator from the sides, you will be the best suction from compressing at the bottom. Once you release your thumb, the mucus is easily extracted.

Hospital Grade Nasal Aspirators are available in different sizes. This is a plus because all babies vary in size. Some babies are very petite and some are larger. So knowing that there is an hospital grade nasal aspirator that accommodates the needs of your child is reassuring.

Hospital Grade Nasal Aspirators are easy to clean.  Until recently, there was no way to clean and disinfect the hospital nasal aspirator which was very inconvenient. I continued to buy them anyway and would frequently replace my old bulb because nothing else worked as well as these. Now the hospital grade nasal aspirator is cleanable and can be reused again and again! If you want the hospital nasal aspirator that you can clean, you can purchase one at www.babynasalaspirator.com. It’s called the BoogieBulb® and works great!

3 Natural Ways To Help Relieve Your Child’s Cold

3 Natural Ways To Help Relieve Your Child’s Cold

As parents we are always looking out for better, more natural ways to help relieve our children’s cold.

We know that over-the-counter medications aren’t always a good option for our children especially when they are younger than the age of 2.

The average cold or flu will usually last up to ten days, so it’s important to find more natural ways to help them during that time.

Here are 3 natural ways to help relieve your child’s cold, which are easy, safe, effective and can be done at home. (more…)