Category: Health

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Events Health

Humidifiers May reduce Airborn Flu Virus @Vicks #BehindEar

What a wonderful event today at Finale Restaurant in Boston hosted by the makers of the new Vicks behind the ear thermometer – I know… where was this when my kids were young?

Always nice to see local bloggers and the ladies from Boston Parent Bloggers and get great information.

The timing of this event was perfect as cold and flu season is approaching.  Dr. Meg Meeker was the guest speaker and she had some great tips for this upcoming cold and flu season.  I am glad that in our gift bag we did receive The NEW Vicks® Behind Ear Thermometer as I cannot wait to test it out (since we just got over strep a few weeks back hopefully I won’t need it soon….but I will let you know how I like it)

For years I was using the in the ear thermometer which my kids hated!  This is much more convenient, especially for young babies and more accurate with just a touch and no sticking anything anywhere!

Dr. Meg suggested you make sure you have these items on hand this season. She also had some great tips!

  • Stock ibuprofen and Tylenol (and you can alternate between them for fever and pain)
  • Lots of liquids for your sick kids
  • Stave a cold; feed a fever: total myth: all kids that are sick with the flu or cold need liquids
  • Utilize saline nose drops
  • Try the new Thermometer as kids won’t fight you – cannot wait to try the Behind Ear
  • If your child has a fever don’t put them in a cold bath – tepid water only
  • Use a Cold Mist humidifier when your child has a cold and use a vaporizer when they are sicker (fever, flu)
  • Keep your house clean
  • Teach your kids how to sneeze in their elbow (not in their hands or everywhere!)
  • Change toothbrushes once a month
  • Use paper cups when your kids are sick

What was most interesting is that she says to keep the humidity in your home at 40-60% . They also gave us a humidity monitor to check room levels. It is important as a new study just published in Environmental Health Journal suggests home humidifiers may play a role in reducing survival of Airborne Flu virus.  The study sponsored by Kaz, the manufacturer of Vicks brand humidifiers can be found at Environmental Health Journal


The humidifiers now are much easier to use, unlike the ones when I was a kid. Check out the different models at  Cold and Flu Shop.

Be well!!

Dr. Meg Meeker
Vicks Humidifiers
Categories
Health

Boston Baby Beginnings – the new premier childbirth classes taught by registered nurses

Boston Baby Beginnings is the Boston Area’s premier childbirth classes exclusively taught by registered nurses. Founder and Registered Nurse with an extensive obstetrics background, Raeanne Brazee, began a mission to thoroughly educate parents-to-be about all aspects of childbirth education while keeping in mind affordability, flexibility and a relaxed small group environment.   Now THAT is a way to start a business – find a need and offer a solution!  Here is more from my conversation with Raeanne.

When did you first come up with your business idea?

As a high risk maternity nurse, I have had the pleasure of caring for many pregnant women from many different OB practices. It was apparent to me, that many of my patients that had taken a childbirth class at a big franchise where receiving more information about products and less information about childbirth.

As I did more research, I soon began to realize the flaws in childbirth education. As of today, there are no childbirth licensing standards and most certifying companies do not require instructors to have a medical background. As an obstetrical nurse with over 10 years experience, I feel it is so important to get correct information from educated professionals in their respective fields.

A very reputable Obstetrician in Boston asked if I would be interested in teaching childbirth education to her patients and the classes began to fill as other Obstetricians found out I was teaching. We take into consideration the most relevant and current course content, intimacy, affordability and flexibility. Our classes are purely educational, not geared toward selling products.

What do you wish expectant moms would know before choosing a childbirth class?

Be open minded and choose a class that is the geared towards delivering at your hospital.

Any advice for working moms? How do you balance it all?

Working as a nurse 20 hours/week, owning my own business and caring for my family has been a challenge. I sometimes have to take a step back and remind myself, I am NOT Superwoman. My best advice to other Moms/Business Owners is to be organized, flexible and do not expect others to read your mind. If you need help, just ask!

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Health

New Year’s Goals

I worked out today. Yes….I actually worked out for the first time in a while and it’s not even New Year’s Day! My gym membership was on hold due to my getting shingles right as school started! So I looked though my old exercise DVD’s and just did it (I actually found a few on VHS – what’s that???). Of course part of my inspiration were my new Nike Free Trainer 7.0 that the hubby bought me for Christmas! Love them. 

Just getting a head start on some New Years’ resolutions or as one friend pointed out today on Facebook only goals – not resolutions – I like that! Resolutions tend to get broken easily but who wants to break or mess up on a goal?  So what are your goals this year?  Me? To network more, blog more, read more, relax more and oh yea work out more! Those are just a few…..

Categories
Health

New Year’s Goals

I worked out today. Yes….I actually worked out for the first time in a while and it’s not even New Year’s Day! My gym membership was on hold due to my getting shingles right as school started! So I looked though my old exercise DVD’s and just did it (I actually found a few on VHS – what’s that???). Of course part of my inspiration were my new Nike Free Trainer 7.0 that the hubby bought me for Christmas! Love them. 

Just getting a head start on some New Years’ resolutions or as one friend pointed out today on Facebook only goals – not resolutions – I like that! Resolutions tend to get broken easily but who wants to break or mess up on a goal?  So what are your goals this year?  Me? To network more, blog more, read more, relax more and oh yea work out more! Those are just a few…..