Welcome to Mom Tips

Free Disability Equipment

My son needed some medically necessary equipment, which I could not afford ($2500). I tried to go through our insurance carrier, then Medicaid. A friend in NY gave me the phone number for Children´s Charity Fund, 1-800-6-HELP-US. I called them, got my application, filled it out and Voila! My son now owns a Rifton Walker, free of charge. I thank God the Children´s Charity Fund exists. You must do a lot of legwork, but who said life was easy?

Removing A Splinter

When you get a splinter here is an easy way of removing it: Before you reach for the tweezers try grabbing the scotch tape. Place the tape over the splinter and pull it back, this will remove the splinter without pain. Works great with kids; they can even do it themselves.

Breastfeeding Guesswork

It is true that you cannot measure, accurately, the volume of milk consumed by your breastfed baby. You can guage your results by the other end, however. Expect 6 - 8 wet diapers daily . This means that the volume has been sufficient. Bowel movements can range from 2 - 5 daily. This proves that the calories consumed have been sufficient.

How much did he weigh?

Fever and dehydration? For infants, the results of prolonged fever and dehydration can be measured by weight if an accurate baby scale is available. You will see baby´s eyes seem larger, more shadowed , and more prominent than ever before.

Adult Chicken Pox

Shingles (Varicella Zoster Virus) outbreaks are not "caught" from other people. Coming into contact with someone who has shingles will not cause you to "catch" a case of shingles, although if you have never had chickenpox before, you might have a small risk of developing that condition.

Home Remedy for Swimmer´s Ear

Got swimmer´s ear? Make a mixture of white vinegar and water using equal parts. Use an eyedropper to apply several drops into the ear, several times a day.

Medicine Taking

If your child needs medicinal aid to reduce a fever, let him choose the flavor or form to take. Fighting to push a tablet will only raise your blood pressure and his fever.

Breastfeeding Education

Educate yourself! The more you know about breastfeeding before your baby arrives, the easier your breastfeeding relationship will be. You´ll feel more confident!

Is Your Child Brushing Well?

Let your child swish red Kool-aid around for a bit in her mouth after brushing. Any places that she missed will pick up some of that red dye, and show her where she needs to brush again.

Signs and times

Chicken Pox (Varicella) is still one of the more common childhood diseases. There is now a vaccine available that may become mandated some time in the near future. This illness is spread by droplet and airborne means. As it starts with general flu like symptoms, every sneeze, cough, and ´sprayed´ speaking incident could spread it to someone in the immediate vicinity.

Home Remedy for Poison Ivy

Mix together cornstarch, oatmeal and baking soda; add water to form a paste. Apply directly to the rash.

Breastfeeding Discreetly

For discreet nursing, unbutton your shirt halfway or so from the bottom to nurse, instead of from the top. This will keep your top covered, and provide enough access for your baby to nurse.

I feel Heat.. Where´s the fire?

Fever? High temperatures are like pre-heating the oven before cooking supper. Fevers are indicators, only, that something else is cooking. Treat the "out of the blue" fever immediately but wait 24 hours before calling a doctor. This will give the body a chance to "develop" more clues to assist in correct diagnoses, eg tonsilitis or ear infection, or bowel upset... etc.

Dental Care for Infants

Wipe baby´s gums with a clean, damp cloth or gauze after each bottle-feeding or nursing. Brush twice daily with water and a rounded soft-bristled brush when the first tooth erupts. Most importantly, to prevent baby bottle decay (the decay that can occur when infants are put to bed with bottles of sweetened liquids), never put babies to bed with a bottle containing any sweetened liquid, including juice, formula or milk.

Spread the word, not the Pox

Chicken pox is highly contagious from 1 - 2 days before any spots become noticeable until all the lesions are scabbed over. It is only fair to warn parents of playmates, daycare and baby-sitters, teachers and other groups your child has been in touch with. Do this by phone, please.

No BM in the PM or the AM

No bowel movements from an exclusively breast fed baby? Don´t panic. Don´t worry, especially if your baby´s disposition has not changed. After five (5) days, try a baby glycerin suppository.

Choosing a Sunscreen

When choosing a sunscreen for your child, look for the words "broad-spectrum" on the label and make sure it´s SPF 15 or higher.

Freezies to the Rescue

Most drug stores now carry a special "replacement" for electrolyte loss from dehydration called "pedialyte". This comes in both fluid and (unfrozen) freezie form.

Breastfeeding twins

Positioning yourself to breastfeed twins simultaneously is only a challenge to you, mom. These babies have lived their entire lives in, on, and around each other.Just pull them together and close enough to reach a nipple each, and relax. Let the limbs fall as they may.