Articles by Nurse Wendy
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I am so excited that summer is upon us! Time to slow down our hectic lifestyles and enjoy the beautiful summer weather with a little getaway! In planning for your summer vacation, we want to make certain your baby travels safely along the way. This m.... read more |
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Happy Mother’s Day! While you have likely celebrated Mother’s Day your entire life, this year represents a new chapter…YOU are the one being celebrated! Whether your .... read more |
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Did you know that April is “Green Awareness Month”? This month we are going to celebrate by exploring some of the ways you can go green and protect your body, your baby, and your planet all at the same time! Together we can make a difference for gene.... read more |
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I can hardly believe it is already March! This year is flying by, and the spring is already upon us. For those of you with summer due dates, that “to do” list is becoming a mile long. As you start to check things off your “preparing for baby” list, o.... read more |
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Can you feel it? Love is in the air! Happy Valentine’s Day to all you lovely pregnant ladies and new mommies. To celebrate we will explore just how to love yourself and your body through one of the most exciting years of your life. So grab a cup of t.... read more |
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Happy New Year! I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season. As we welcome in 2010 and reflect back on the highs and lows of 2009, there is a lot of excitement and anticipation with all the hope and promise that a new year holds. This is also a gr.... read more |
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September is National Preparedness Month, so to celebrate, we will discuss some of the more practical aspects and transitions brought on by pregnancy, as well as parenting.read more |
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In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, I will be discussing breastfeeding from A-Z! Topics include preparation for breastfeeding while pregnant, getting your breastfeeding relationship off to a great start, breastfeeding af.... read more |
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The lazy days of summer are finally upon us! To celebrate National Recreation Month and the busy summer t.... read more |
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June is National Safety Month! In celebration, this month I will be.... read more |
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In honor of National Physical Fitness Month (and with swimsuit season just around the corner), we are dedicating this month’s ne.... read more |
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Pregnancy and parenthood is all about hope and expectations. From the moment the plus sign appears, your mind begins to wander and your body begins to change. Of course you are prepared for the growing belly and the obvious changes that.... read more |
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Health and nutrition has never been more important than when you are growing a baby. Not only are you preparing for the marathon of childbirth and paren.... read more |
Sleep Solutions
By By Nurse Wendy Spry, LVN, CPSS
A good night’s sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Sleep affects your feelings, mood, relationships, productivity and quality of life. Sleep researchers have found that the average adult should get 7-9 hours of sleep nightly for optimal health benefits…however, recent studies show that most adults only get about 6 hours.
Pregnancy and parenting can eat away at those important hours of rest, so this month we will take a look at how to get a good night’s sleep and how to make the most of the sleep you do get.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy the demands on your body are monumental! Your organs are required to work harder due to the increased blood volume and extra weight. As a result, you might notice that you tire more easily and require more sleep than you did before. However, once you are ready to settle in for the night, you have many things standing in the way of you and those precious hours of rejuvenation. Hunger, an inability to get comfortable as well as frequent trips to the bathroom are just a small sampling of the things causing you to count sheep!
If you are plagued by middle of the night tummy growls, chances are you are suffering from low blood sugar. Your best bet is to have a high protein snack just before hitting the sheets. Snacks like turkey and cheese, apple slices with natural nut butter, or some cottage cheese with sliced almonds will help keep your blood sugar in a healthy range until morning.
Once your tummy is satisfied and you are ready to snuggle in for the night, finding a comfortable position can be difficult as your waistline expands. Just remember that pillows are your friend! Find a comfortable side lying position and use lots of pillows to make a “mommy cocoon” and drift off to dreamland. Place a pillow under your head, under your belly, between your legs and behind your back so that every part of your body is fully supported and comfy. You can use regular bed pillows, a longer body pillow, or for a treat, invest in a pregnancy pillow specially designed to cradle your body (Boppy brand makes a good one)!
So there you are, pleasantly dreaming about your little bundle of joy and WHAM!, nature calls! Middle of the night potty trips can seriously disrupt your sleep time. After you lumber back from the bathroom, spend a couple of minutes doing some yoga cat-cow stretches (see resources section) before climbing back into your cocoon. This will lift your uterus off your bladder and allow for a little more expansion—buying you a few more minutes of slumber before your next ill-timed wake-up call.
Sleeping Post Pregnancy
Now that your little angel has arrived, will you ever get a full night’s sleep again? The answer is YES! But how soon is another question. Some of the more common concerns I receive about post pregnancy sleep include; Where should everyone sleep? How do I get my baby to sleep through the night? And, how much sleep does my baby really need? Let’s tackle these issues one at a time.
Where should everyone sleep? That is an easy one; everyone should sleep where they sleep the best. In the early weeks after birth, most babies do best near their mommies. Therefore, it is advised to keep your baby in the room with you. A bassinet, your bed, or a co-sleeper keeps your baby in close proximity for frequent night feedings and also provides you the ability to learn your baby’s cues. Once your baby is sleeping well at night, you may want to consider moving them into their own room. Transitioning into a crib can be accomplished by starting the baby with naps in their room and gradually increasing the time spent there until they are spending all their sleep time in their crib.
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Sleep Solutions | Wendy Spry, LVN, CPSS
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