Dr. Jean Ayres, who is a pioneer in the field of SPD research, likens SPD to a neurological traffic jam – the brain can’t receive the information it needs to perform the tasks that need accomplished. Since the information isn’t getting where it’s supposed to go, the person with SPD will often have difficulty receiving and acting on the information from the senses, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks, may cause clumsiness, behavior issues, problems in school, and anxiety – among other things.

Some children with Sensory Processing Disorder will dislike rough clothes such as blue jeans. Some will not like loud noises. Some will actually accidentally hurt children by pushing them because they don’t realize how hard they’ve pushed.  Some may dislike certain foods or the feeling of grass. And taken by itself, each symptom isn’t a big deal, but when you add them all up, it may be.

The treatment for SPD varies as much as the symptoms. There isn’t a clear cut list of “if your child does this, they have SPD.” It is more of an overall assessment and can be done by an occupational therapist or developmental pediatrician. If you think your child may have sensory processing disorder, please review this checklist : http://www.sensory-processing-disorder. … klist.html

There are new groundbreaking treatments in the world of sensory processing disorder being made each day. With a little help, kids with sensory processing disorder, and their parents, can learn to manage the disorder and live extraordinary lives – my son does it every day!

There are three basic kinds of cloth diapers – prefolds with covers, pocket diapers, and AIOs (all in ones.) Prefolds are most like the diapers I wore as a baby, except these days you don’t even have to use diaper pins – they have closures you can buy seperately called Snappis – they’re basically like rubber grips that hold the diaper where you put it. Then, you cover the prefold with a cover – there are many different kinds – wool soakers, Bummis wraps, or Dappis are just three that come to mind. You don’t need to wash the cover between diaper changes – just let it air out and alternate covers throughout the day. I wash the covers each night though.

Pocket diapers have a waterproof outer shell that you “stuff” with cloth – they sell special inserts or you can do what I do and use the Microfiber towels from the auto department. These diapers have a velcro or snap closure and are really easy to use. The outside shells need washed at each changing. Fuzzy Bunz and Happy Heinys are some examples of pocket diapers. There are also pocket diapers called BumGenius 3.0 which grow with your baby – you can use the same diapers from newborn through potty training!

AIOs are the easiest type of cloth diaper – it’s exactly like a disposeable diaper, except you wash it. The only downside here is they take a long time to dry because all the “fluff” is inside the diaper. They dry best on a clothesline. Kissaluvs are a popular brand of AIOs.

They sell a sprayer attachment for your toilet so you don’t even have to touch the mess – just spray and flush. Also available are wet bags you store the diapers in until laundry time so you don’t have an odor.

If you suspect your child may have a food allergy, it is suggested that you contact your health care provider. They can schedule testing to confirm or rule out the allergy. There are two types of tests – one is a blood test and the other is called a skin prick test. The blood test involves collecting a blood sample which will be analyzed to see if there are any IgE antibodies are present to the suspected allergic food. In a skin prick test, the doctor will place a drop of liquid containing the suspected allergen on the back or arm then prick the skin. If there is an allergy present, a mosquito-like wheal will raise within about 15 minutes.

For more information about food allergies, please stop by our Children with Allergies Board: viewforum.php?f=224.

1.      Breastfeed as often and as soon as possible.  A baby who is
breastfed in the first hour of life is more likely to be a successful
breastfeeder. Let the hospital staff know that your baby will be
exclusively breastfed. Keeping pacifier and bottle nipples away from
your baby will help prevent nipple confusion.

2.      Get educated. Many hospitals offer breastfeeding classes that you
can take while pregnant. Having your partner take these classes with
you will help you to both be better prepared. The La Leche League
offers a place for pregnant women and nursing mothers to discuss their
questions or concerns.

3.      Have a good support system.  Get the number of a lactation
consultant from your hospital and set up an appointment for after the
birth of your baby. Even if breastfeeding is going well this can help
it go even better. Make sure you and your partner are on the same page
when it comes to breastfeeding. Let them know how important
breastfeeding is to you and ask for their support. It is nice to find
friends or family that have successfully breastfed.

4.      Buy the right supplies. Having several nursing bras or tanks on
hand is very important when breatfeeding.  It is also very useful to
have nursing pads, lanolin cream and clothes that are easy to feed
baby in. Gel packs or cabbage leaves are also useful when dealing with
engorgement.

5. Get rest.  It is important to sleep when baby sleeps, even though
it is hard. Let other do chores for you so you will be able to get as
much rest as possible. Getting enough rest will allow you to not only
be a better nursing mom, but a better mom in general.

Breastfeeding is meant to be a fun and relaxing experience for you and
your baby.  Hopefully these tips will help you to succeed at your goal
of being a breastfeeding mommy!

Must haves for you:

[ ] Insurance info, hospital forms, birth plan (if you have one), cash and credit cards

[ ] 2-3 pairs of warm, nonskid socks that can get ruined when walking around the hospital and during labor

[ ] A warm robe

[ ] 2 maternity bras or BFing tank tops — no underwire — and nursing pads (whether or not you plan to nurse, you’ll appreciate the support and leak-protection)

[ ] If you plan to BF dont forget the nipple cream

[ ] Toiletries and personal items –toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, hairbrush, makeup if you are feeling like a overachiever, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, chap stick

[ ] Clothes to wear home including throw away undies (and YES, they still need to be maternity clothes)

[ ] Eyeglasses (if you wear them of course)

[ ] Headband or ponytail holder (we all look like Bam-Bam by the time we are through)

[ ] Pen and paper to make your SO write down every detail of your labor (keeps them busy;))

[ ] Fully charged cell phone and camera (with chargers)

[ ] list of people to call (try to have a phone chain set up so you have less calls to make)

[ ] Sugar-free hard candy or lozenges to keep your mouth moist during labor if ice chips just are NOT your thing

Must haves for baby:

[ ] Car seat to take them home in

[ ] Take home outfit and picture outfit (any other clothes will be provided at the hospital…take advantage!! Less laundry for SO to ruin when you get home)

[ ] Blankets and warm clothes depending on the weather

[ ] Binkies! (even if you don’t plan on using them, take one juuuust in case)

Extras:

[ ] Books and magazines

[ ] Snacks (most likely they will ask you to fast then then its just cruel whe SO starts eating them in front of you)

[ ] Pillow if you dont like flat, plastic covered pillows that slide down the bed

[ ] Towel for your showers (IF you are feeling up to showering that is)

[ ] If showering don’t forget your travel shampoo and conditioner, hairdryer and soap

[ ] A ruin-able nightgown (you may get tired of snapping and un-snapping the darn thing to BF. Not to mention the cool breeze from behind)

[ ] Breast pump, if you plan to use one

[ ] Your MP3 (loaded with your favorite tunes, of course) or laptop for movie watching

Leave Home:
[ ] Any clothes or nighties you really like (they will get ruined)

[ ] Stopwatch (thats what the machines hooked up all over you are for)

[ ] Adorable outfits for baby (the hospital provides the essentials, and infants are too tightly swaddled in blankets for a fashion show anyway)

[ ] Skinny jeans (haha ….enough said)

Article written by: Pam