Blissfully Domestic

Broken Linkies

To go along with my article about broken bones in children, I have compiled a list of helpful links!  The links, however, aren't broken.  Phew!

Written by a pediatric orthopeadic surgeon, this short article has some interesting facts.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers more in-depth information regarding broken bones...good stuff to know just in case.

Curious as to how an X-ray works?  I was...here's what I found.  Fascinating stuff (yep, I'm a geek)!

This is a fun, interactive site for kids who've broken bones.

Have a question about healthy living for you and your family that you would love answered in one of my columns or want to discuss this one more? Come on over to Blissfully Domestic Living and join the conversation!

Sticks and Stones Might Break Your Bones

Falling down is a part of childhood, but it feels like a slow-motion nightmare when it's your child who falls; a million worries leap to mind, and none of them we moms really want to consider.

One of those worries is broken bones, or fracture as they are also called.  There are several types of fractures, some of the the most common are described below:

• Greenstick fracture: Picture snapping off a live twig from a bush, and then trying to break it in half.  It only cracks halfway through, right?  That's a greenstick fracture...the bone is bent and buckled, with only a part of it actually damage
• Buckle or torus fracture:  When the bone has bent but not actually broken at all.
• Open or compound fracture: One of the peices of the broken bone pokes out through the skin. Yeah, hard to think about.
• Hairline fracture:  A very thin break.
• Displaced fracture: The bone has broken and separated into more than one It's like two puzzle peices that fit together but are far from near each other.
• Segmental fracture:  The bone is broken in more than one place.
• Comminuted fracture:  The bone is broken into more than two peices, or crushed.
• Non-displaced fracture:  The bone has broken but the peices have not moved from their original location.

What should you do if you think your child might have broken a bone?  Definitely seek medical attention immediately.  Call for an ambulance if there is a head, neck, or back injury or if the bone has come through the skin.

Otherwise, immobilize the area to prevent further injury or displacement, apply ice to help reduce swelling, and get to the emergency room right away!

Here's to hoping you never need to learn anything more about a broken bone!

Have a question about healthy living for you and your family that you would love answered in one of my columns or want to discuss this one more? Come on over to Blissfully Domestic Living and join the conversation!

Happy and Healthy with a Newborn

Whether you're welcoming a newborn into your home sometime soon, or you know someone who is, here are a few links that just might be a good resource (or just plain entertaining):

First things first...my BD article from March detailing what doctors wish new mommies knew!

Going to the gym can be tough with a newborn; this article has some great tips for exercising with baby.

Why is my baby crying?  This article might help you decipher the reason.

Dealing with Postpartum Depression...a guide for new moms and those who love them.

And just to be gossipy, here's an interesting piece on how some celebs might be getting into shape so quickly after pregnancy.

Have a question about healthy living for you and your family that you would love answered in one of my columns or want to discuss this one more? Come on over to Blissfully Domestic Living and join the conversation!

In a Newborn State of Mind

In honor of our own Mrs. Fussypants and Baby Shower Week, I thought I'd address the basics of staying as sane as possible during those first few weeks with your precious newborn.  It's a wonderful time, but also one full of stress...not to mention lack of sleep! 

So whether it's your first (or fifth!) here are a few things to keep in mind, so you don't lose your mind!

Accept any and all help offered to you.

    Resist the urge to try to appear as super-parents, and just say yes.  A neighbor offers to bring over dinner?  Yes!  A family member who is visiting starts doing dishes?  Let them!  A friend suggests she take the baby for a walk so you can stay home and nap.  Thank them and let the drooling begin!

That being said, don't hesitate to limit visitors.

    Just because Aunt Maggie offers to spend the first two weeks of your newborn's life in your home promising to cook and clean doesn't mean you have to say yes.  Your family needs its quiet time to bond as well, and if the idea of having house guests at that time stresses you out, by all means just say no.

Realize that chaos will reign for a while, and go with it.

    Your house just might be a mess.  Showering will likely be a luxury.  You're pajamas, on more than one ocassion, just might serve you perfectly well as clothes the next day.  And then as pajamas again that night.

    Amid all of this chaos,  you just might have a visitor or two. 

Remember, you are still YOU.

    Just because you're the mom of a newborn doesn't mean you forfeit being an individual yourself.  You need to nurture yourself as well as your family.  Eat a balanced diet, sleep (Ha!) as much as possible, reach out to friends and family, reintroduce your hobbies as soon as feasible, continue to indulge in things you enjoy.  Certainly, having a newborn changes your lifestyle dramatically, but you need to be a happy and healthy you to be the best Mama you can.

This is a magical time, but a challenging one.  Try to enjoy even the roughest patches, because as they say, the days are long but the years are short.  I know...that photograph above is my son's newborn hand in my husband's.  Seems like just a few months ago, but my son is nearly ten.

Congratulations, Mrs. Fussypants and all you new Mamas. 

Have a question about healthy living for you and your family that you would love answered in one of my columns or want to discuss this one more? Come on over to Blissfully Domestic Living and join the conversation!

Water, water everywhere...but not a drop to drink

On the heels of my last article about bottled vs. tap water, I thought I'd list a few links I've found to help you determine what is best for you and your family:

• The EPA has an informative FAQ page about the safety of tap water, and how it compares to bottled (remember, the EPA regulates tap water while the FDA regulates bottled).
• The FDA weighs in on the bottle vs. tap issue (an older article, but the one that comes up on FDA site).
• Short yet interesting article that touches upon how all bottled water isn't created equal.
• Informative article from the International Bottled Water Association detailing why they believe bottled water is a healthy choice.
• Want to take matters into your own hands?  This article might just help you decide if a home water purification system is in your future.

Have a question about healthy living for you and your family that you would love answered in one of my columns or want to discuss this one more? Come on over to Blissfully Domestic Living and join the conversation!