Hospital gifts - Flowers

I know that I'm not a girly-girl. Never have been. I do have some experience with being in the hospital and I also know that when you're all alone for 20+ hours a day a nice floral arrangement does make you feel better. (It doesn't do anything for me when I'm at home but hey that's me.)

The thing is there will come a time (and it's here in some places) when flowers won't be allowed in rooms at all. There are already bans in France and the UK and probably more of Europe. The reasoning that's been used has little to do with the real hazards though. So what reasons did they use to create / enforce the ban? Bacteria in the water of flowers, oxygen use (by the flowers and therefore less available oxygen for a compromised patient) and a potential hazard to equipment should they tip. Well these are somewhat valid reasons I suppose. When a patient has very serious and urgent oxygen needs every little bit makes a difference but this won't apply to the vast majority of patients.

Bacteria in the flower water sounds like a possible health risk but it's again unlikely to cause problems. You'd have to drink the bacteria or inhale them. No one's drinking flower water. As for inhaling the bacteria, this sounds easier than it is. The water would have to beaerosolized for that to occur. So it'd have to be put into a spray bottle (and when are those going to be banned in restaurants, etc. Spray bottles cause aerosolization of whatever surface greeblies that are supposed to be cleaned off.) It's unlikely that flower water would end up in a spray bottle. Again, for the very few who would be affected by such a minor number of bacteria of that variety, it would be a health risk but not for every patient.

Equipment risks - that's the third listed issue for no flowers. This is a real possibility given that there is very little space in hospital rooms and always too much stuff. So tipping them over and perhaps having water get on machinery - that could certainly happen. And here, the hospital wouldn't charge us for such an accident so the hospital would have to absorb the replacement costs.

Why didn't they use the real reasons: spores, pollen, water molds, multiple chemical sensitivities, nurses have enough to do and look after? Now there's a question. As the sound bites about severe peanut allergies should have enlightened all and sundry, fungal spores are very dangerous. Fatally dangerous to some. This was enough to handcuff parents to never include any peanut-containing items in kids lunches for school. (What lesseconomically advantaged parents do when peanut butter is one of the best combinations of cost, nutrition and kid-appeal; I don't know?) There are fungal spores associated with soil and therefore flowers. And again, we know from the peanut allergypeople who you don't have to have an appreciable number for 1 to get through and cause trouble.

Pollen. There are tons of people allergic to pollen. Let's face it, if someone's living in a hospital (even short-term) there's something seriously wrong with them. They don't need additional problems. They've got problems already. I encountered this one when I was in hospital. I was there so long that I ended up with more roommates that I could have ever imagined - I think it was 9 in the 17 days I was there. And one of them was allergic to pollen. So I was given a choice, I could ditch the flowers or I could move. I chose to move. It worked out even better for me because I finally ended up with a window. I digress.

Water molds. I know this is a bit of an odd one and it takes time for them to form but the spores from water molds are very dangerous for those who are allergic / sensitive. My sister has this one (and the next one - multiple chemical sensitivity). You'll know if you have this one if you live where there's snow. Snow has more time to develop molds and so with snow melt - the mold spores are released and physiological reactions ensue.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a very real problem for an increasing number of people. This one isn't an allergy but it is a neurological response to chemicals sometimes including those of flowers. Usually it's triggered by chemicals from personal hygiene items (soap, perfume, hairspray, shampoo, hand cream, laundry detergent, etc.) It's a very difficult issue to manage when in public - and there's pretty much nothing more public than living in a place that gets 10's of 'visitors' every day; from the teams of doctors, nurses, cleaning staff, your personal visitors, everyone else's visitors, deliverypersonnel, and the list goes on.

Nurses have enough to do. This one is self-explanatory. They do an impossible job and somehow manage to be nice (most of the time) while doing it. They really don't need to watch out for everything that comes into the room that isn't 'hospital equipment'.

I'll just add one more thing. When I was putting together the inventory for my business (YouGetWellSoon), we needed bags. So we went to our local people for some compostable bags and got into a discussion with the girl at the counter. Turned out she was the daughter of the owners and had been in hospital for a kidney problem. She had received flowers but since she was in the ICU was not able to have them with her. If she craned her head, she could see them sitting on the nursing station table. Not quite what her benefactor had in mind.

Bottom line - this once stable of the hospital gift may soon be no more. So before your gift gets turned back, perhaps check with the facility or give a gift that is more in keeping with what a patient may want / need. It may be less fun but it'll get through the door.

I was wrong - breastfeeding works this way . . .

I was checking out New Scientist online and found an article about the physiology of breastfeeding. I had assumed that baby used their tongue in a peristaltic-type motion to get the milk out but is seems that the functionality is more similar to how we breathe. Baby puts their whole mouth over the areolar region forming a seal and then drops part of the tongue creating a vacuum without breaking the seal. Baby repeats the motion to over and over to continue to rhythmically draw milk into the back of the mouth. It's quite a lot of work which is why some babies stop nursing once they experience bottle feeding. (My little one is usually a bit sweaty during a feed. All that downy hair gets matted down. It's really cute. I don't seem to have a pick - but this one's cute and nearly appropriate.)

Apparently, New Scientist found research via the Medela Breastfeeding and Lactating symposium that used ultrasound technology to literally watch what goes on so that we could better understand the physiology of the mechanism. It helps to explain what women (who have experience breastfeeding) have always known - babies with teeth don't use them while feeding. In fact you pretty much cannot tell the difference while feeding baby.

Well this is news! It also explains why there is no crushing or 'chewing' of the nipple. I'm still nursing my little one and I catch my sister watching me sometimes and cringing. Now she's pretty sensitive in that area and the concept of breastfeeding confounds her. No matter how I explain that it doesn't hurt (and it really doesn't) she doesn't believe me. When I next see her I can explain the why more effectively.

So there it is - fear not ladies! Breastfeeding, once you and your baby have gotten into a rhythm, will be the most convenient and healthy way to nourish your babe. Enjoy this privilege - using your body to support your baby's life. It's an awesome concept. (It's also one that has helped me overcome many 'body issues'. Regardless of what I may think my body looks like - it sure does work.) And breastfeeding doesn't last - so you may as well enjoy it while you can. You know, before they start talking and letting you know what a nuisance you are to them. You'll know that without you, they may not have had the same mental capacity to articulate their angst. Hooray.

Web2.0 - Net-iquette

It's an instant digital world. A big part of this is that everything that you put out there be it personal or business is traceable. Everything. So how to proceed? Honestly, Efficiently, Transparently

I know it goes against everything anyone over the age of 30 has ever been taught about business. Since the advent of big business, it has been the bastion of men on golf courses, men's clubs and other less reputable places. It was an insular world where as long as you could conduct yourself in a manner appropriate for the time and were persuasive you could be successful. It was a world where men like Ivar Kreuger(The Match King) could run the world and hold governments in his hands. He did this in large part by extortion, blackmail and had his monopoly defended by the governments he was controlling (i.e. police and customs officers). But I digress.

Because of trackbacks, near infinite storage of email, unknown network connectedness and net watch-dogs - no business can get away dishonest claims, dealings or transactions. It is a plus and negative of Web 2.0 that anyone can be an expert (with or without credentials) on any topic. The corollary to this is that anyone can be a "key influencer"; someone with massive reach who comments on businesses or events. So above all, be sure that you Net-iquette matches what you would do in person. Every net entry (blog, email, press release, Tweet or Facebook) must be approached in the same manner you would employ for an important business meeting. Yes, it limits how you write, even to your friends on personal matters but because you cannot guarantee who will ultimately be seeing it - it must be in keeping with your most professional business etiquette.

Here's a for instance: I was on Facebook recently and an old high school friend was posting to his wall regarding a business venture. Because I was an official 'friend' after the initial postings regarding his wanting to start a business, what that business would be, funding sources, etc. I was piecing together the post-flow. I gathered that he was getting help from a government agency. The program allowed him to learn about business plans, connected him with loans, helped with building a website, how to develop marketing and it paid him during this learning phase. Well, the post that troubled me most was one that refered to his final meetings from where the money would actually be realized. He posted that the deciding panel consisted of pinheads and he couldn't believe he had to please these people in order to get his business going. Poor form doesn't begin to cover this. Can you imagine if you were on that panel and found out that someone your agency helped, taught, trained, mentored and financially supported was publicly ridiculing you. Would you proceed with funding?

It cannot be overstated: Be honest - if you've promised something, deliver it. If you've failed to deal with something in a timely manner, apologize and keep going. You will not be able to get away with saying you didn't get the message. It's traceable in a many many ways. It won't fly. Own up. Immediately.

Be efficient - if someone gives you a good review, take the time to thank them ASAP. If a key influencer comments on your business - favorably or not, follow up with them. It'll get you more trackbacks and show you to be connected.

Be transparent - if you get a deal on a product or service (especially if it's publicly traceable), pass the savings along to your customers. Because you can reach an infinitely large market, volume may be your target or a very selective few (and you'll be able to exercise that selectivity). Think it through and let your intentions be known. Back to that honesty angle. Turns out we are not so slowly moving towards the Star Trek ideal of everyone getting along for the good of everyone. There's enough business and fame for everyone. If the web has taught us anything - it's that.

How to keep up with breastfeeding because it starts as a form of torture.

I can only speak for myself when it comes to this topic. I found the first few weeks the hardest. After this, the sentiments you hear from breastfeeding moms like 'It doesn't hurt', 'It's not a big deal', 'It's super convenient to have perfectly warm, mixed, clean food at the ready' become true.

But how to get through those initial issues of poor latching and my personal favourite – bleeding around the nipples? For me and my kids, the latching improved with practice and wasn't much of an issue. (I know that sounds trite but it was entirely true. I don't remember the early days with my first one as well but it was true with the second. She latched terribly at first. She wouldn't take enough into her mouth for a good feed for her or a less-painful experience for me. Somehow after a few days she just started doing it right. It was days more before my breasts started to feel better but it did happen.)

The bleeding those first few days of nursing however – sheesh. I recall vividly my little one looking like a vampire with bright red blood leaking out of the corner of her mouth during a few feeds – I kid you not! And I fully admit that I cringed when getting her to latch on knowing that it was going to hurt, I was going to continue to bruise and bleed. (It didn't help that I was reading the Twilight series at the time.)

This was cured with the use of lanolin. Lanolin is a wax-like substance produced by wool-bearing animals – like sheep. Because lanolin is natural, your baby can ingest it without you worrying about chemicals. (So no need to remove or rinse before feeds.) Of course, if you have any wool-bearing animal allergies, you may need another solution. I found that using pure lanolin after every feed on both nipples (even the one I didn't have baby feed from) enabled them to heal in just a couple of days. No more cracking, redness, bleeding or bruising. Don't get me wrong, those days were torture but I knew they'd pass and that when they did we'd have the breastfeeding relationship that I always wanted. And now I do.

There are physical issues that can hinder nursing on both sides. Inverted nipples can cause problems that can be overcome. Unfortunately if baby is tongue-tied, there is little that can be done. My kiddos have tongues like Gene Simmons so it wasn't a problem. It is something that any competent doctor, midwife or lactation specialist will check. Of, BTW they also open baby's mouth to verify if baby is dehydrated. I've never used pacifiers (mostly because my kids wouldn't use them) but they can lead to fewer feeds than is needed which in turn can lead to dehydration. Just a head's up.

For some great resources – see LaLeche's website. Again, I can only speak for myself, but I thought this would be a real 'grassroots' kind of place with associated advice. It was a wonderful resource and I would encourage anyone wanting to breastfeed or having troubles with breastfeeding to give them a chance to work their magic on your breastfeeding relationship with your baby.

In my experience, if you can make it through the first 2-3 weeks, you can make it for as long as you want; a few months or years.

Reposted with modifications from You Get Well Soon Inc.

Hospital Gifts - Balloons

Back in the day, when balloons were still permitted as hospital gifts to be stored in the room with the recipient this story played out.

This is how it was told to me . . . A Canadian gymnast was practicing before a competition but in a domed gymnasium; for the first time. So when he went to do a release move on the high bar, he caught a glimpse of the uneven surface above him and got disoriented, missed the bar, and fell all the way to the floor below. This injury landed him in a shared hospital room with a broken back in the orthopedics ward. Thankfully, the break occurred past the cervical vertebrae that would otherwise have meant paralysis and he was 'merely' in very bad shape. One day, his roommate received a ton of visitors and one left balloons. Not unexpectedly, as this was the orthopedics ward, this roommate was completely incapacitated in a full-body cast. Lucky for him, the poor guy with the broken back (our gymnast) was lying awake and bored after listening in on this visit. (You can't really watch tv while someone else is having a visit in the next bed.) He heard some awkward breathing coming from the neighbouring bed. He moved the curtain and found that the balloons, instead of being bouyed up by their helium centres, were instead lilting over the man's face impeding his breath. A fast trigger finger (for the call button) and some very prompt healthcare workers prevented a serious catastrophe. They rushed into the room and got the bad balloon free of the man's face before any permanent damage could occur.

Everyone wants to be thoughtful and bring some joy to a loved one in an unfortunate situation but no one wants to cause additional suffering. Stay tuned for our follow up piece on hospital gifts with a look at flowers.

Printed with modifications from You Get Well Soon Inc.

Breastfeeding - what is lactoferrin?

Breast is best also refers to immunity benefits. Immunity is the term used to describe one’s ability to fight off illnesses we get and/or are exposed to. Not only are you able to give your child antibodies (the proteins that fight against illness - they are based on what the mother has been exposed to and fights) but there is also a very useful component that most people don't know too much about: lactoferrin.

Lactoferrin, like transferrin (in red blood cells), carries iron. Bacteria need iron to reproduce. And bacteria that are reproducing are far more likely to cause problems. Problems like infection. So lactoferrin can essentially hide any free / extra iron and keep it away from bacteria so that they can't grow (bacteriostatic action).

Research has also discovered that the immune response is activated by lactoferrin. This means your baby gets more than a double shot of immunity just by eating your breast milk. Lactoferrin levels are especially high in colostrum (the first milk that emerges after labour). I assume this is to give your little one the best immunological chance possible – and thank you nature!

Reposted from You Get Well Soon Inc. with modifications

Gelatin & Carrageenan - Thick as Thieves

You find gelatin in food products that have been thickened. Food consistency (loose or thick) is a matter taste. Mouthfeel is what the term is for how a product feels in the mouth and some of us are very sensitive to this. That is why we choose one brand of sour cream, for example, over another.

Gelatin is the most common ingredient used to achieve a thicker product. Gelatin is animal-based, usually extracted from the boiled bone remains of animals used in food processing (cows, pigs, sheep and chickens).

Although someone allergic to cow, pig, sheep or chicken products may know they should probably avoid foods containing gelatin, they may not be aware of the animal connection at their doctor’s office. Most vaccines (be they for big stuff like Hepatitis or for more common but equally scary health conditions like the flu / influenza) are often produced using actual animal products – like foetal / fetal calf serum – and/or grown in animals (like horses) and then extracted and purified before being given to human recipients. IF you have serious allergies to animals, make your doctor or hospital staff aware of this before you receive a shot.

Non-animal-based thickeners are becoming more commercially available. Most are extracted from sea plants. Agar and carrageenan are the better known examples. They have also been used for generations in the food industry and because they are plant-based, they are considered suitable for vegetarian diets.

If you have digestive problems (like Coeliac / Celiac or Crohn’s Disease) and or are immuno-compromised you may want to consider avoiding carrageenan-containg products. There have been recent studies that suggest carrageenan irritates intestinal linings and can therefore further negatively influence adsorption of nutrients into the system.

For follow-up information we suggest contacting your local healthcare website, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website or Wikipedia.

Reposted from You Get Well Soon Inc.