Barb's Daily Dose

Safe Sleep - Fit Pregnancy

Today's Featured Article is from Fit Pregnancy

Safe Sleep - Fit Pregnancy.

Babies With Colic

There are many babies who have very sensitive tummies.  It's heartbreaking to care for these little cuties who have "the miseries" as many nurses call colic and gas. What we know is that a baby's digestive system is growing and developing in much the same way as the rest of their bodies and brains. Unfortunately, some babies tummies aren't happy with anything they eat for the first 3 weeks to 3 months  
of life.

Most of Us Need More Sleep

Do you ever feel as if you are constantly looking forward to the end of the day so you can just get some rest?  What happens when this feeling creeps up on you about 2 hours after your morning coffee?  Well, if you're nodding your head or nodding off to sleep, you're not alone.  The number of people who aren't getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night is skyrocketing. Up from 25% to 35%.

Vitamins and Health

Many of my patients take vitamins because they aren't getting the 5-7 servings of fruit and vegetables they need each day.  I recommend multivitamins routinely especially to teens who are more likely to have a burger and fries, or pizza, than a heaping serving of broccoli or salad.  And yet, to be healthy, it's never just one thing like taking a multivitamin.  To be healthy, we need a nutritious diet with lots of variety, regular exercise and plenty of sleep.  One myth that many people believe is that they can eat, drink and smoke and all those unhealthy habits will be erased just by taking a multivitamin.

Get More Sleep to Lose Weight

Are you sleep deprived?  Chances are if you're under sleeping, you might be over eating.  Aha, maybe that's the reason that many night shift workers have more trouble battling the bulge.  I know that I have a tendency to feel hungrier if I have to get up early and haven't had enough shut eye.  A recent study from Columbia University found that folks who had less shut eye, consumed on average about 300 extra calories/day.  It may not sound like a lot, but if you eat 300 extra calories/day for 10 days, you'll gain a pound!

7 Surprising Reasons You Wake Up Tired

Today's Featured Guest Writer is:  Melaine Haiken, Senior Editor at Caring.com

When you can't sleep, you know it. But what about when you can, yet you wake up feeling tired and achy or you're groggy again a few hours later? What's that about? All too often, it turns out, the problem is one that doesn't keep you awake but does sabotage your sleep in more subtle ways, so the hours you spend in bed don't refresh and revitalize you the way they should. Here are seven signs that you have a sleep problem that's secretly stealing your rest.

New Moms Need Their Sleep

For a long time, the conventional wisdom was that breast feeding moms didn't get as much sleep as moms who use formula to feed their babies.  Now a new study shows that actually both groups are sleep deprived to the same extent.  Who knew?  We used to think that breast feeding moms were feeding more often and that formula would hold a baby longer, but actually it's not the case.

Helping Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

I was just sent a copy of a new book:  "Helping Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, so You Can Too", by Jessica Linnell.  I mention it because it's a great resource for sleepy parents and also because I'm one of the contributors.  Getting a baby to sleep through the night is an experience where one size definitley does not fit all.  My advice is to find the method that works for you and your baby which will probably be different for your friends.  What works for one baby and their individual temperament will not work for the next baby or parent.

Help With Sleeping

I saw a patient the other day who asked me what she could take to help her sleep at night.  She had deep, dark bags under her half-closed eyes and was moving a bit slower than usual.  She looked exhausted.  

Sleep Deprivation

This is the dream deprived topic that vexes most new parents. Sleep deprivation. It's pure torture and can lead to lots of unanticipated consequences, like arguing with your partner about who should get up, being irritable with older children/family/coworkers or anyone who you come in to contact with, including people in the grocery store who made the unfortunate mistake of leaving their cart parked in the middle of the aisle. Don't they know I'm in a hurry?