Survival Tips for Cold/Flu Season While Pregnant

Cold and flu season is HERE, and while catching a cold or the flu is brutal, catching a cold or the flu while you’re pregnant is SOOOO much worse. It may seem like you are out of options since taking things like Theraflu, Afrin, DayQuil, NyQuil, or even Motrin are a big NO, but here are some SAFE and effective ways to beat that nasty virus to the curb!

1. Get a flu shot. Getting a flu shot during pregnancy not only protects you but also passes that immunity to your baby. Even if you do contract the flu after receiving the vaccine, it can decrease the duration and severity of symptoms for you and prevent serious pregnancy complications.

2. Wash your hands. Prevention is key. We don’t realize how many things we touch with each passing minute- the door handle, a rail, shopping carts, a countertop, a chair... all things that other people touch as well, even other people who are sick with those gnarly germs. The best way to not get sick? Wash your hands frequently, especially before meals and before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. 

3. Sore Throat + cough? OHHHH HONEY : never underestimate the power of honey.  It has been used since ancient times not only for taste, but also as medicine. In fact, “Studies revealed that the medicinal effect of honey may be due to of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, and antioxidant properties.“ Some research even suggests it is more effective than your otc cough suppressant .

4. Vitamin C is thought to help with healing and regeneration of antioxidants in your body and plays an important role in your immunity. There really isn’t much information about the safety of otc vitamin packs (like Airborne or Emergen-C) while pregnant because they contain other things, but taking an extra vitamin c along with your prenatal is completely safe and recommended.

5. Drink plenty of fluids. Hydration is key while pregnant, but especially when you’re sick and mucous-y. Water will help to loosen the viscosity of the mucous and help you to expel it easier + help your body fight and heal. My favorite thing to do is to make a HUGE cup of tea with orange, lemon, and honey (recipe below) to help hydrate, give some extra vitamin C and soothe sore throats/suppress the annoying, headache inducing cough!

6. Nasal saline- yes, that’s right, just your simple nasal saline you can find at your local target, drugstore, amazon, or grocery store. It can help with loosening mucous and nasal congestion 

7. Runny Nose? Ditch the dry tissue, God knows your nose is already super chapped from wiping it so dang much. My favorite things to use on myself and my entire family are saline wipes. They are soft, gentle, and prevent a chapped nose!

8. Tylenol if needed: the one medication that is safe during pregnancy is Tylenol up to 1 gram every 4-6 hours. And no more than 3 gms in 24 hours. Take a dose for body aches, headaches, sore throat, or fever.

9. Take a nice long shower/bath. There truly is power in hydrotherapy for relaxation, especially when combined with essential oils like lavender and peppermint. The steam will also help with any congestion and cough. So take a nice long shower or bath with some epson salts and oils and do some deep breathing and relaxation! Yes, this is a nurses order!

10. Rest. Honestly, your body is working hard to grow another human and still provide enough calories for yourself. If you feel sick, be kind to your body and rest.

*disclaimer: if you have a fever and flu-like symptoms, call your provider right away. Treatment can help prevent serious complications during pregnancy.

Last BUT certainly not least here is a recipe of my go-to tea when anyone in my house is under the weather: 

You’ve got this!!

Big hugs and belly rubs from this mama to you.

OOOOH babybay® -beh! (Get up on this!)

** Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission should you chose to purchase using my link. Please note that I only recommend products that are safe and that I personally use and love. I promise to always have fellow mama's (+ baby's) interest at heart.

Okay, I am going to be honest, I have a problem; I am a baby hog. Like, if you put a baby in my arms, chances are I will not share them with anyone. Cuddling them is my favorite, and with my older two, that intuition was the strongest. I ended up bringing both of them into my bed at night to nurse them and because I wanted them close. That also meant I became a really light sleeper and would wake up constantly making sure they were still breathing. ALSO, aside from that being super dangerous, it also created a sleep association that they are STILL trying to break.

When nesting for our 3rd baby, finding a solution that would keep her safe, allow snuggles, AND set her up for successful sleep habits was most important for us.

October is National SIDS awareness month. If you haven’t checked out the recording of our webinar all about Safe Sleep and SIDS Prevention, you can check it out here! One of the products we referred to during the webinar was the babybay® Bedside Sleeper. After months of research, I reached out to the company, fell in love, and immediately wanted to spread the word about this amazing company and product to my friends, family, and you!

We committed and finally purchased the babybay® Bedside Sleeper while nesting for this baby girl because we were sure it was the right fir. It would provide a safe, separate sleeping space, it would allow me to safely “co-sleep” with my baby, encourage me to breastfeed, and best of all it would transition into a regular crib!

It has now officially been 7 weeks since we brought our sweet little Maisy home, and we can say with all our hearts that we are so in love with our babybay® Bedside Sleeper for these simple 5 reasons:

1.     The safety. After brining Maisy home, we expected our routine to be a little rocked, but what we didn’t expect was the MAJOR sleep regression our older two kids had = Tommy + Luna (crazy sleepers) in our bed too! It was exactly what I was afraid of. Luckily, we didn’t have to worry about Maisy. She was safe in her bedside sleeper without the risk of having one of us roll on top of her or being smothered or suffocated by pillows or blankets. The organic mattress is truly soft, comfortable, and their cooling jersey sheets are the comfiest!

2.     The simplicity. There is not much more to the bedside sleeper than what meets the eye. There are no tricks, no batteries, no special attachments, just the crib, the memory foam mattress, and the crib sheets. If we didn’t have our 5 and 3-year-old insist on helping us with assembly, it would have probably taken less than 10 minutes to put together! So much easier than our crib from Pottery Barn. Not to mention the small size that allows it to fit perfectly right next to our bed with space for me to maneuver around it.

3.     The convenience. Our little Maisy is certainly one of the chubbiest and healthiest of our babies. She nurses like a champ, and by that, I mean VERY frequently. Knowing how healthy it is for babies to wake throughout the night, I really wanted to get her used to her Bedside Sleeper so that after nursing I could lie her down with my arm gently draped over her and we could BOTH get our much-needed sleep. She is literally positioned right next to me so we can safely “co-sleep”, meaning she feels me, and I can feel and see her.

4.     The quality. This bedside sleeper is made from solid beechwood without any toxic wood glues, cheap fillers, plastics, or other harmful chemicals making it antibacterial + antistatic. What I also LOVE is that this company focuses on sustainability. For every tree used to build a bedside sleeper, they plant a new one!

I mentioned that I had Tommy and Luna help me put it together, but what I didn’t mention is that they are human forms of monkeys. Anything they can climb on, will be climbed on and this bassinet is no exception… and it easily withstands them.

I WILL say that when we first received our bedside sleeper the base had a fracture. I reached out to customer service and within 2 days, the new base was at my front door! SO easy, awesome customer service.  

5.     The aesthetics: Aside from finding a product that was safe and effective, finding something that is pleasing to the eye, that compliments my room and the calming and relaxing environment I created was really important, especially while striving to keep any postpartum anxiety under control. This bedside sleeper truly is sleek in appearance, beautifully crafted, and is timeless. We chose the Slate Gray Sleeper, but there are SO many options to choose from.

There truly is so much to love about this product, but I think the above 5 reasons really highlights our favorite things. I cannot be sure that we are “done” having babies, but I am 100% sure that this bedside sleeper is the best thing we could have invested in and know it will be something we use for years and years to come.

If you have questions feel free to drop them below and I will do my absolute best to give you my most sincere and honest answer.

Check out babybay® Bedside Sleeper here, and if you decide to purchase, mention Nearly Nested at checkout for a set of my favorite jersey crib sheets for FREE!

As always,

Big hugs & belly rubs from this mama to you.

Safe Sleep + SIDS Prevention

My husband and I recently did a webinar on Safe Sleep + SIDS Prevention, but wanted to share about it for those who missed it. You can watch the full recording for more information and in depth review of Safe Sleep + SIDS Prevention practices and lovingly send it to those who will be watching your baby at any time. —>

True or False: SIDS is a leading cause of death for infants younger than 1 year of age.

TRUE.

SIDS is the unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year of age and it is mostly associated with sleep. 60% of all SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age. It wasn’t until 1992 when pediatricians began recommending safe sleep practices like placing a baby to sleep on his or her back, did we see a HUGE drop in SIDS rates!

As a new mom my biggest fears changed from spiders + roller coasters to the death of my baby. The SIDS I had learned about in nursing school + as a nurse became but my BIGGEST anxiety. With my second baby, that worry still haunted me and if she slept longer than a couple hours at a time I would wake up in a complete panic and rush over to the bassinet just to make sure she was still breathing.

We live in a time where evidence is at our fingertips, technology is ever evolving, and there are literally thousands of products on the market advertised to decrease the risk of SIDS. Yet SOMEHOW, SIDS is STILL the leading cause of death for babies younger than 1 year. Why? What can we do to protect our babies and lower their risks?

Well, first we should talk about what causes SIDS, right?

Right… BUT scientists don’t really know what causes SIDS. In fact, it is when every other possible cause of death is ruled out that the diagnosis of SIDS is given. BUT they do think that there are THREE CONDITIONS that when combined can lead to SIDS:

Vulnerable Baby With Brain Abnormalities + Critical Development Period + Outside Stressor —> SIDS

• Vulnerable Baby: A baby with a healthy brain is a baby that will wake frequently throughout the night, maybe because it’s too cold or too hot, or they are hungry, or they have caught a cold and can’t breathe really well. They have those reflexes that allow them to startle themselves awake- a vulnerable baby doesn’t have that.

• Critical Development Period refers to the rapid growth that happens during a child’s life, especially during infancy. Their MANY growth spurts cause an increase in metabolism, an increase in heat production, a change in heart rate, and a change in breathing.  

• Outside stressors refer to environmental stressors such as the weather, stomach sleeping, overheating, secondhand smoke, or even a common cold. Most babies are able to handle these changes, BUT a baby who is already “vulnerable” + going through critical development period may not be able to overcome them.

Here is a list of what SIDS is NOT:

• It is not caused by suffocation

• It is not caused by vaccines

• It is not contagious

• It is not a result of child abuse or neglect

• It is not caused by cribs

• It is not caused by vomiting or choking

• It is not completely preventable- BUT there are ways to reduce the risk.

All of the things that I mentioned above can result in infant deaths, but they would be considered SUID (SOO-ID): Sudden Unexpected Infant Death. SUID is actually an umbrella term to describe ALL infant deaths that are unexpected. Actually, HALF of all SUIDs are a result of SIDS.

The other half include tragic events that can be sleep related like suffocation: when the baby’s airway is blocked and they can’t breathe, entrapment is when the baby gets trapped between two objects, like a mattress and a wall, or strangulation when something wraps around the baby’s neck. It also includes things like infection, metabolic diseases, traumas, and ingestion.

Knowing this, we can see that we as parents/caregivers do have the power to decrease outside stressors to decrease our baby’s risk for SIDS and other causes for SUIDs.

Common Questions:

• Is it okay to OCCASIONALLY place my baby to sleep on his/her tummy for sleep? No. Studies are showing that babies who are used to being placed on their back for sleep and then are occasionally placed on their stomachs are at HIGHER risk for SIDS than babies who are always placed on his/her tummy for sleep.

• I place my baby to sleep on their back, but they are now rolling over onto their tummies, is this okay? YES. This is totally normal and if they are already rolling over on their own, there is no need to reposition them

• My baby has acid reflux/gerd. Won’t placing them on their backs for sleep increase their risk for choking? NO. Anatomically, placing a baby on their back decreases the risk for stomach contents to enter the trachea (the “tube” that leads to the lungs) and cause choking or aspiration. When a baby is place on their stomach, the stomach contents (acid or spit up) can enter the trachea by gravity and actually increases their risk for choking. (see image below)

Image from NIH website

• Won’t my baby get a flat spot on their head? Yes. Flat spots can occur when the baby is in the same position for a long time and are usually not harmful. They will go away once the baby is starts rolling over or sits up on their own. Make sure to help prevent flat spots by giving you baby PLENTY of supervised tummy time when awake, limit the time spent in carseats, swings, AND you can even change directions the baby lies in the crib

• What if I am exhausted and accidentally fall asleep while nursing my baby? It is less dangerous for you to accidentally fall asleep nursing in your bed than in a chair or on the couch. If you notice before a feeding that you are just exhausted, avoid a rocker or the sofa- Remove all soft items and bedding before nursing from your bed and nurse there. You can also set a timer on your phone for 40 minutes to wake you up at the end of a feed to place the baby back in the separate, safe, sleeping area.

• What if my baby spits out the pacifier while sleeping, do I have to put it back? NO. Studies show that it is the actual process of falling asleep with the pacifier that decreases the risk for sleep. So no need to put it back once the baby is already asleep.

• What is wrong with heart/breathing monitors? Heart and breathing monitors that are not prescribed to you by your pediatrician are not safe. They can offer false reassurance, false alarms, and can also lead to parents relying on these monitors and end up using products that go against safe sleep recommendations

• Is it okay for a family member who smokes to care for my baby as long as they do not smoke around him/her? NO. Smoking, regardless if it is second hand smoke, third hand, or 100th hand, is extremely harmful to your baby’s health and puts them at high risk for SIDS. Feel empowered to advocate for the health of your baby and require that anyone who smokes to change clothing that has not been smoked in, shower, or just not come around your baby.

• What is a safe temperature to keep my thermostat at? Recommendations say to keep a baby at ambient temperature during sleep, so around 70-72 degrees F during sleep. Remember, if you are hot, so is your baby. Keep them cool during sleep to help decrease the rise for SIDS.

• I would like to breastfeed my baby, and keep them close to me, any recommendations for safe sleep? YES! We are actually expecting our THIRD baby and have chosen to use the Bedside Sleeper by babybay®, which is a crib that attaches to the side of your bed to provide a separate, flat, safe surface for our baby to sleep in. That way I can literally keep her directly next to me while I sleep, roll over to pick her up when she is hungry and bring her to me for nursing, then roll back over and gently place her safely back in her separate safety approved crib. It was actually our main concern when we began nesting, and were so relieved to find this crib that allows “co-sleeping” in a separate crib AND prevents or even eliminates the risk of falls, suffocation, or entrapment. We just set it up this week and will be posting a video and blog, so stay tuned!!

Have more questions? Check out the video for more information. If your question is not answered in the video, drop it below in the comments! You’ve got this!!

References

ABOUT SIDS AND SAFE INFANT SLEEP (N.D.) RETRIEVED MAY 10,2019, FROM HTTPS://SAFETOSLEEP.

NICHD.NIH.GOV/SAFESLEEPBASICS/ABOUT

CORWIN, M. J., MD. (2019, MAY 8). SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME: RISK FACTORS AND RISK REDUCTION STRATEGIES (G.

B. MALLORY MD, T. K. DURYEA MD, & A. G. HOPPIN MD, EDS.). RETRIEVED MAY 10, 2019, FROM HTTPS://WWW.UPTODATE.COM/CONTENTS/SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME-SIDS-BEYOND-THEBASICS?SOURCE=HISTORY_WIDGET#H32163664

TASK FORCE ON SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME. (2016, NOVEMBER 01). SIDS AND OTHER SLEEP-

RELATED INFANT DEATHS: UPDATED 2016 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SAFE INFANT SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT. RETRIEVED JUNE 01, 2019, FROM HTTPS://PEDIATRICS.AAPPUBLICATIONS.ORG/CONTENT/138/5/E20162938

The BEST Visitor Award Goes To...

This one goes out to all the ones who have waited SO patiently for the new parents to bring their baby home so you can FINALLY meet him/her. Those who can’t wait to snuggle that sweet baby and breathe in his/her new baby smell that melts everything away. OH EM GEE just the thought of it brings me to my happy place!!!

You see, my husband and I come from pretty large families, including our “framily” (friends who are family). Whenever someone in our tribe is expecting, we become TOTALLY invested. Once the baby is born, it becomes a race to see who is going to hold the baby first or the longest. God forbid there are two of us baby hogs there at the same time!

BUT here is the catch…. If you have ever had a baby yourself, you remember the sometimes-overwhelming feeling that accompanied postpartum. You see, while there is NO harm in having so much love in your home, the postpartum period truly a time new parents could use a helping hand.

I really appreciated those simple gestures after my first AND second births. There were DEFINITELY moments where we felt exhausted, when those hormones would bring hot flashes and not so pleasant cramping and bleeding, when we let our home get a little unkempt after long nights, when we would skip a walk with the dogs in order to just close our eyes for an extra 15 minutes, and (with our second baby) when our 2 year old would crave one on one attention to simply get his wiggles out.

Because, as we all know, it truly takes a village. Here are Top 10 Tips For Supporting Those New Parents:

1. WASH YOUR HANDS. I cannot stress this one enough, which is why it is the FIRST thing on my list. The best way to prevent spread of infection is through hand washing, especially for a new baby with little to NO immune system. For new parents, it can sometimes be a little uncomfortable asking people to wash their hands before holding the baby. So take that step away from new and tired parents by simply taking an initiative to wash your hands as SOON as you get there. (**more points for vigorously washing your hands any time you are going back to pick up the baby**) Side note: if you are sick or feeling like you have a slight cold, wait until you feel completely healthy to visit. Better to be safe than sorry!

2. Do NOT allow new parents to cater to you, instead surprise them by catering to them! Try saying “have a seat, relax, do you have enough water, can I bring you a fresh glass? I am here to help!”

3. Offer to pick up items from the grocery store. Sometimes, even if we have spent SO much time nesting, we are bound to forget something or underestimate everything we needed during postpartum. Some of the most helpful things my family members did for me after my first birth was bringing over a couple nursing tanks, some witch hazel pads, chapstick, a water bottle, basic groceries, a tea, and Colace!

4. Pick ONE chore you can help with. It can be anything from washing dishes, tidying up the kitchen, vacuuming or sweeping, laundry, or even taking out the trash. While it may seem silly, and like you’re overstepping boundaries, MY GOSH is it a blessing to those tired parents.

5. Give attention to the other siblings or fur babies. It is going to take some time for everyone to get used to the new routine. For some children it can be so hard, especially if they are too young to understand. With my first, I had this enormous guilt that my two fur babies were kind of pushed to the side, then with my second, that mom guilt grew because poor Lady and Toby came after Tommy who came second to our newest Luna. The little gesture of playing with the other big sibling(s), bringing him/her a healthy fun treat (like an acai bowl that won’t make them bonkers after you leave), or taking the fur animals out for a walk is the BEST!!

6. Offer to watch the baby(ies) while the new parents shower or rest. Remember those lovely postpartum symptoms I described above… yeah, it can make any woman feel kinda yuck and isn’t the greatest confidence booster. Help her to boost her confidence by giving her that extra time to nap, take a long shower, to blow dry her hair, or to put on a little makeup for some instagram photos! That goes for the partner too!

7. Bring a meal for the new family or organize a meal train. The best way to anyones heart is through the stomach. Bring over a healthy meal for the new parents to warm up and eat. Breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to increase their caloric intake by 300 calories, and while a candy bar, or cheeseburger could easily fill that need, bring something that will help that new mom feel healthy and strong in her new role.

8. Simply ask “how is postpartum treating you?” That simple question can mean the world to a new parent. Sometimes just being able to express how they are adjusting to the new role can be so therapeutic. Regardless of what she/he may say, just LISTEN and be present.

9. Don’t overstay your welcome. Make a set time that you are going to leave, even if you do not have to be anywhere else. Even if the new parents are your best friends, they need some alone time to establish their new routine, bond with the baby, and walk around in however little clothes they want… not to mention there may be other visitors coming over later.

10. Be as supportive as possible. Every pregnancy is different. Every birth is different. Every person is different. Every method of parenting is different. Take the time to find at least ONE thing you can affirm the new parents with. There is NOTHING more encouraging and uplifting than hearing that you are doing a great job as a parent, especially when it feels like you have NO idea what you’re doing.

Follow these easy tips and you are sure to be welcomed back with open arms and (if you’re a baby hog) first dibs at snuggling that little one!

Big hugs and bigger congratulations, from this mama to you.