Pregnancy, Parenthood & Playtime

A lot of people think that Chiropractic care is only specifically for back problems, or neck problems. A small portion of the population, including pregnant women, aren’t aware of the laundry list of benefits Chiropractic care can provide.

During pregnancy, your body makes a lot of chances, especially in the home stretch. Pregnancy and birth need our respect, and observance, not intervention like we see in so many pregnancy and births today. From constant monitoring to women not being allowed to birth in any other position other than the lithotomy position (flat on your back) which is the worst position possible for birthing a baby according to many professionals in the birthing field, and frankly, common sense.

Some of the benefits to seeing a Chiropractor during pregnancy are :

• Can help to prevent a breech or less than ideal presentation.
• Chiropractic care during pregnancy can relieve and even prevent common pregnancy discomforts.
• Chiropractors specifically work with your pelvis throughout pregnancy by restoring a state of balance and creating an environment that will facilitate a safer, easier, and quicker delivery.
• Being adjusted can help reduce interference to the nerve system allowing your uterus to function at its maximum potential and the way it is meant to work!
• Chiropractic care has been shown to reduce the need for pain medications and medical interventions during birth.

During pregnancy, Chiropractors offer something called “The Webster Technique” which by definition is

The Webster Technique, discovered by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), is a specific chiropractic adjustment for pregnant mothers. It is a chiropractic technique designed to relieve the causes of intrauterine constraint.

Formerly known as Webster’s “In-Utero Constraint Technique” or “Webster’s Breech Turning Technique,” the Webster Technique was developed by Dr. Webster in 1978. It has been highly successful in relieving intrauterine constraint and helping to convert breech presentations to cephalic presentation for more than 20 years. – Taken from The Chiropractic Journal.

If you are interested in learning more about The Webster Technique, or Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy, please come join ICAN of Connecticut, as well as Dr. Jason Jenkins for an informational session tomorrow evening, September 1st, 2009 at 7:00pm.   This meeting will be located at 97 Gulf Street, Milford, CT. 06460.

For more information, or details, or to sign up for this meeting, please contact ICANConnecticut@aol.com or call 203-615-3790.   This is a free event open to the general public!

It is pretty much common sense to most people that there is a great importance and big need for volunteers today in our society. From our local fire departments, to support groups, your local PTA at your child’s school, The American Red Cross, most animal shelters are run by volunteers, and the list could go on. So why are volunteers dwindling? What kind of message does this send to our children about giving our time for good causes?

Between my husband, who is a volunteer fireman in his spare time who volunteers for as many special events from touch a truck events for children to simply sweeping up the bays at the fire house to give out a hand. We try to lead by example in our home. I currently hold two volunteer positions for a non profit organization I touched on when I first started posting on my blog here, which also take up a large portion of my free time. But we include our children into the time that we share with others. We teach them that by giving back to our community, it will in turn give back to us.

Imagine living in a town that did not have a paid fire department and your home caught fire, and no one actually volunteered their time at the local fire department? What would happen?
Imagine if there were no PTA at your child’s school? Because no one wanted to help out without being paid.

By teaching our children how important volunteering your time is, it is going to raise another generation that is willing to give their time to all these important organizations that need and thrive on volunteers. Most, without the time given, would be forced to close their doors.

Why else is it important?  It shows that we are people care about others. Care about those who are less fortunate, or may be going through a hard time in life. With our economy in its current state, and what people have been going through over the past couple months, it really shows that people actually care about others in the long run.

Why do you feel that volunteering is important to our society?

In the summer time, I am sure there has been more than one time that you have been stopped at a traffic light, intersection, or even your own driveway waiting for hundreds of motorcycles, police escorted to pass by. I know a lot of us are impatient, but every time you see this, remember it is raising money for some kind of worthy cause.
Some various popular causes that I have been privileged to support via a nice relaxing Sunday motorcycle ride are breast cancer, 9/11 victims and their families, local volunteer fire departments, police departments, and the list goes on.

Flag raised, before the motorcycles made their way by.

But the ride that I look forward to annually is the CT United Ride which took place today. It was the 9th annual United Ride, and it included every bike imaginable, from beautiful Indians, to your run of the mill Harley Davidson. They were able to include over 1,000 bikes according to The Connecticut Post’s latest report on the event.

I would like to place a big thank you to the United Professional Firefighters of Connecticut who hosted this event and included fire departments from all over Fairfield county. I had the pleasure of hanging out with Shelton’s Echo Hose Hook & Ladder Company 1 at their truck Tower 7 which raised a beautiful American flag over Route 111 with the assistance of Derby’s Paugussett Company 4. Thank you to all the fire companies which participated in this event, without the flags and the support of the local fire companies, the ride would not be the same.
Also, remember, most of our local fire companies are all volunteer!!

In the end, my toddler decided that he wanted to be a biker for the day. So Grandpa made his toy “Mo Mo” look like all the other “Mo Mo’s” we saw, courtesy of Grandpa.

Camden with his bandana on for a very short time, on his Mo Mo

At one time or another, we will always be on the receiving end of some kind of unsolicited parenting advice, especially when you are a first time parent. We all know babies do not come with instruction manuals (even though we wish they would) but over the years people have not only tried to write manuals for parenting, or “what to expect in the first year” but it simply does not work because every child, family, and parents are so different. Some of us parents, especially the ones who are “new” to the parenting scene seem to be the first targets for everyone around us to hand over their unsolicited parenting advice.

While some people do not mind the suggestions, and advice, there are some parents who really are bothered by the suggestions. Which is where my post today comes in. Not only am I going to address the parents who are on the receiving end of the advice, but also those on the giving end, in hopes some will think twice next time they want to share how they did thing’s 30 years ago.

First, parents on the receiving end. Sometimes we have no choice but to listen to these suggestions that are so outdated our parents didn’t even go by them, but remember, sometimes the best thing to do is smile and nod, and let it go in one ear and out the other, or simply and politely inform the the giver of the new recommendations from whatever organization du jour. AAP, WHO, or AMA. (American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization, or American Medical Association) Sometimes helping to educate the giver also is a smart option. It helps them to understand why you may or may not heed their advice. A great example is the changes in advice for infant cereal. When I was an infant people thought nothing of putting the cereal in a newborns bottle. Today, cereal is not recommended till 4-6 months of age (depending on who you are asking) and it is NEVER recommended to be placed in a bottle because of the choking hazard that it presents.  Then, and now.

Now onto the serial advice givers! Remember, being a new parent is hard enough without people pointing out what others think you are doing wrong. Whether or not you are just trying to be helpful. Sometimes you will come off as critical or judgmental.  Also, remember what may work for your children, or one of your children will not work for the next, and I have learned that first hand with both of my boys, as well as other friends children.
Some kids thrive on a schedule, some do not.  Some enjoy solid foods, and all kinds of foods, some are picky. Some will sleep anywhere, and some will only sleep in their infant swing or bassinet. Some love the car, some hate it.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to keep your advice to yourself until you are asked for it. It can help to avoid future conflict or possibly hurting someones feelings in the long run.

Postpartum mothers, especially in the first few weeks can be total hormonal wrecks, I know I was after both of my children, and heck sometimes I still am even though my little guy is almost 4 whole months old.

Just remember next time, is my advice or comment going to help or hurt?

With the kids going back to school over the next week, I figured I would share some backpack safety tips for the school season. It seems as though in the past decade, children’s backpacks have become more and more heavy and possibily harmful to their spine. So to help prevent your child from having a possible injury, simply follow these easy steps!

• Make sure the backpack is the right size for your child. The proper size of a backpack is equal to 75% of your child’s back, meaning the space between the waste and the shoulder blades.
• A child’s backpack weight should never exceed 15% of their body weight according to The Congress of Chiropractic State Association. So this little chart should be helpful.
  50 pound child                                            backpack should weigh no more than 7.5 pounds
  80 pound child                                            backpack should weigh no more than 12 pounds
  100 pound child                                          backpack should weigh no more than 15 pounds
  130 pound child                                          backpack should weigh no more than 19.5 pounds
  150 pound child                                          backpack should weigh  no more than 22.5 pounds
• Choose  a backpack with padded shoulder straps that sit on both shoulders. Backpacks with one strap such as messenger bags distribute all the weight on one shoulder instead of evenly on both shoulders. Also, backpacks without padded shoulder straps can cause pressure on the nerves that surround the child’s armpits.

When it comes to lifting and applying the backpack onto the child there are steps that you should follow to ensure there is no injury in lifting the weight.

1. Face the backpack before lifting it.
2. Bend at the knees.
3. Using both of your hands, check the weight of the backpack.
4. Lift with the legs, and not your back.
5. Apply one shoulder strap at a time. Never sling the backpack onto one shoulder and avoid swinging the backpack.
6. Use both shoulder straps at all times. Make them snug but not too tight. Carrying on one shoulder can cause long-term neck, shoulder, back, and postural problems like I discussed above.
7. Use the stabilizing waste strap if the backpack has one present.
8. Look for signs that backpack is poorly fitted or overloaded on a daily basis. A couple signs that the backpack is overloaded or not being worn properly is pain, red marks from the straps, or poor posture.

Thank you to Jenkin’s Chiropractic for providing this material for back to school safety.

Source :  ICPA4kids. The article was contributed by The Founders of Backpack Safety America International TM. Visit them at www.backpacksafe.com

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) endourses the use of Air Pack brand backpacks which are available at www.airpacks.com

I hope everyone has a great, happy, healthy, and safe back to school week!
Leave some comments with your favorite back to school story!

Every time you turn around these days, there is a new reality TV show airing or being advertised. I take great concern with what we are teaching out children to be “reality.”

Reality Television, by dictionary definition is television programming that features videos of actual occurrences (as a police chase, stunt, or natural disaster). But when I think of “reality tv” I do not think of watching women choose from 30 men to find the suitor of their dreams while taking lavish vacations all over the world. Or seeing a family with two parents, and 8 children living in a home the average working class people could never afford, while having unrealistic vacations normal people could never afford, especially with no parent working a normal job.  These are staged programs, not living in reality.

What kind of message are these shows sending to our next generation? You can play make believe and call it reality? We can get paid for these kind of outrageous lifestyles or life choices?

In real reality, these people are a dime a dozen, and when these shows are over, they go back to actual real life without the cameras, money, vacations, and all the bells and whistles and 9 times out of 10 their lives fail. Reality shows have been producing intoxicated drivers, murderers (recently), and even domestic violence cases.

Maybe we should stop focusing on new reality tv ideas, and maybe putting together some good wholesome family programing in prime time spots?

As for the children being put on TV in these shows, we can only keep our fingers crossed and hope they will have a normal childhood, and turn out to be productive parts of society.

Camden, such a happy little guy! He is such a comedian!

I can’t believe I didn’t take the opportunity yesterday to share this, but after laundry mountain, the last thing on my mind was blogging. Haha!

While changing my toddler getting him ready for bed, in typical before bed style, he did not want to get changed or cooperate. I looked at him and said “Hey Camden, Calm down!”  so he proceeds to get a very serious look on his face, cocks his head to the side and goes “Momma, Calm down!!!!”  (Mind you, he is only 20 months old)

I nearly fell over laughing.
Just one of those moments that make you really love being a parent.

I have come to a conclusion since having children, and being married. There is always enough dirty laundry in the house to fill a landfill! It seems like as soon as I am finished with washing, drying, and folding our boys laundry, there is already a full basket of theirs waiting to start the process all over again, same goes for my laundry, as well as my husbands.

So yesterday I decided it was time to go through clothes, and see what of the boy’s I can pack away, and what of mine and my husbands I could bag up to bring over to the local drop box. During this process I never realized how much stuff we both had that we never use, don’t fit into anymore, too big, too small, out of style, or just ruined in some way. We all have clothes like that.

Instead of throwing away your old clothes, think of ways you can recycle them. Give clothes in wearable shape to local charities, The Salvation Army, The Goodwill, or even places like My sisters Attic in Ansonia. They help women in domestic violence situations, or other women get on their feet. Great place!

Things you cannot wear, make into other things, rags, dishtowels, even other clothes or blankets! I know I am planning on taking my boy’s clothes that have become stained over the years, and cutting out the main pattern to make a memory blanket.

Do your part in helping to lessen the load we are putting on the landfills!