Archive for 2009

The Juggle: Working And Breastfeeding

December 28, 2009  |  Infant, Parenting, Pregnancy15 Comments

ShadowA study in Pediatrics highlighting the importance of breastfeeding and the challenges for working moms was published earlier in 2009. Today, it circulated through a business journal and got some more attention.

I read the study today for the first time. Then I re-read it a number of times. I talk about breastfeeding with moms and parents in clinic on a daily basis. I certainly know the challenges of trying to breastfeed through a transition back to work. I also know how hard it is not to be able to do what you set out to do.

I had my go. With my first son, I saw about 9 lactation consultants in the first week. I am not exaggerating. Me with those women hovering over me trying to help while my little man screamed his head off. The beginnings of motherhood. I breast fed, finger fed, pumped breast milk, finger fed, breast fed, then pumped my way into a sleepless oblivion. Read full post »

Magic

December 23, 2009  |  Doctoring & Healthcare, Mama Doc Philosophies, Parenting1 Comment

magicSometimes good health feels like magic.  Lately more than ever.  I’ve had a number of friends and family diagnosed with serious medical problems and medical set-backs in the last few weeks.  Like patients that I have been fortunate enough to care for with serious illness, it scares me, makes me sad, sometimes wakes me up at night. These episodes in illness are disorienting to the order of things. These diagnoses, uncertainties and realities are especially weighty this month amidst bags of gifts, holiday music, lit trees, and piped-in joy. Fear amidst cheer. Ultimately, these diagnoses and fears feel really real and make the rest of life blur. I suppose I just feel more angular, vulnerable and then compassionate right now. Ever-aware of the good health that surrounds me, too. Perspective defined. Read full post »

Another Day, Another H1N1 Recall

December 23, 2009  |  Doctoring & Healthcare, Infant, Toddler, VaccinesPost Comment

OuchlessOuch. Another recall. But this time for the ouchless shot, the nasal mist H1N1 vaccine. The CDC announced last night that there is recall of about 4.7 million doses of nasal spray H1N1 immunizations. These are nasal spray vaccines used in children (and adults) over the age of 2 years. This is just a set-back in protecting our country (and the globe) from the harms of H1N1. No, not a safety concern. Not conspiracy. Rather, a concern that doses are losing potency over time. Think shelf-life. The issue or concern is that these shots may not have the potency level we want over time to remain effective. It’s like that old watercolor you made for your mom in 5th grade fading in the sun.  Or when you run out of Kool-Aid mix and you stretch it to make more.  The worry is these doses may be less effective with time. Read full post »

If It Were My Child: H1N1 Shots, Yes!

December 16, 2009  |  If It Were My Child, Infant, School Age, Toddler, Vaccines6 Comments

O H1N1 shotI heard about the recall of about 800,000 doses of H1N1 shots intended for children 6-35 months today. The news doesn’t scare me at all. Zilch-o. Zippo. Zero. And I scare easily. I jump in the seat in the movie theater when it’s loud or dark or someone does something scary.  Really.

This recall does not affect how I will continue to encourage families to get their children immunized. This is not a recall due to safety concerns.  I strongly remain in support of immunizing all children against H1N1, especially those with infant siblings, those under age 2 years, or those with underlying health conditions.
I heard about the Canadian reports of fever in children after the second dose of H1N1, too. None of this makes me hesitate. The H1N1 shot is produced in the same way that the seasonal flu shot has been produced for 60 years.  Read full post »

Verbatim: Talking About Talking About Sex

December 7, 2009  |  School Age, Toddler3 Comments

3 year-old boy, overheard when talking to his dad:

“My penis! When I pull on it, I can make it longer and longer.” Yes, this is real. Today, Dec 7, 2009. You heard it here first. This is my glamorous life.

Instant proof that curiosity about the body and sex is a normal part of your child’s development. Truth is, by 3 most children are showing keen interest in their own and others’ bodies, according to Seattle Children’s Hospital health educator, Heather Cooper. It’s the answering and talking about sex where we seem to get into trouble.

In January, a study in Pediatrics will be published with some sobering statistics; timing of parent and child communication about sexuality is off. Greater than 40% of children have intercourse before any discussion about sexually transmitted disease, condom use, choosing birth control or learning how to refuse their partner in a sexual act. Read full post »

Loving Number 2 Just Like Number 1: Prioritizing Your Pregnancy

December 2, 2009  |  Parenting, Pregnancy4 Comments

Home pregnancy test

Before O (my second baby boy) was born I couldn’t really fathom loving him like I did, F (my first born).  I’m not alone in this, I know.  One of my friends recently told me she was so bewildered by the idea of number two that when she, her husband, her first son and her brand new baby were on the way home from the hospital, she leaned over from the passenger seat and whispered, “I’ll always love you best,” to her first born.  Whew.

It happened though.  Just like everybody told me.   I really love number 2. Read full post »

The Forecast Changes Everything In Seattle

December 2, 2009  |  Parenting5 Comments

Seattle Five Day ForecastI’ve been quiet. Two reasons: we’ve been sick in our house and I didn’t like the posts I’d written.

It’s sunny in Seattle today.  This changes everything for those of us who inhabit this part of the globe.  It is goodness.  I’m finally feeling more than just battery powered.  So I’ll be speaking up again.

I also got some sleep last night.  All parents know how good this is after days of not having it.  It’s a zebra in the horse world when you live with and care for 2 boys who have colds. Read full post »

National Day Of Listening

November 27, 2009  |  ParentingPost Comment

F TriToday is being offered up as a day to set aside for listening.  Just after a day of thankfulness.  This is kind of a nice one-two punch. Especially when we’re often around extended family on this particular Friday on the calendar.  I’d not heard of this until 10am today when NPR posted this on Facebook.

Thanksgiving Day then Listening Day. I like it. Read full post »

If It Were My Child: No Benadryl For The Plane

November 24, 2009  |  If It Were My Child, Infant, Parenting, School Age, Toddler27 Comments

Plane windowThe holidays are here.  Someone just plopped thanksgiving in my to-do list. I like it. Celebrating with family and friends is one yummy thing in life even in the face of family dynamics-drama.  I know it doesn’t feel yummy for everyone.  I’m not trying to sound Pollyanna-ey.  I’ve had the dark years of holidays, too.  When the being together made me feel lonelier than truly connected.  But, that’s not where I find myself now, fortunately.  The people in my life who are less than 3 feet tall also decorate these times together and make it better and better.  Who knew you could get so excited about a little, “gobble, gobble.”

The smallest in our family also make holidays more complicated though.  It’s the over the river and through the woods part that can be really tough. Read full post »

Verbatim: Fastballs In The Exam Room

November 22, 2009  |  Doctoring & Healthcare2 Comments

BaseballVerbatim: a repeating entry of things overheard while taking care of kids in my clinic.

One of the best parts of my job is coming to know the families I care for.  It sounds trite. It’s true.  Over the few years in practice, they have come to know my style, I suppose.  I’m direct.  I don’t want families to have to guess what I’m thinking.  I share stories (both the mess-ups and successes) of raising my own kids.  I can be self-deprecating at times if I think it’s important and true.  Like I said yesterday, it’s hard to do this parenting thing, and hard to do it well and feel glamorously successful all the time.  We don’t get a lot of thank-yous from our own children for the labors of providing safety, a roof, food, humor etc.  But we do get them.  Reward enough, of course. Read full post »