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Potty Training Problem — Refusing to Poop.        

4/26/2014

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You wait and wait and wait — but it's a no-go. Here's what to do when your toddler has trouble pooping in the potty.

What it is: Your child has already shown that he can go with the flow by peeing in the potty. But with number two, it’s a whole different story.

Why this potty training problem happens: Sometimes it’s a matter of control — the more you push him to poop, the more your tot enjoys his power to hold it in. Fear might also be a factor — some kids have trouble pooping because they’re afraid their tush will fall in the toilet. Others have a fear of flushing or are bothered by the idea of losing a part of themselves when the poop disappears down the bowl.

What you need to know when your toddler has trouble pooping: This potty training problem can test a parent’s patience like none of the other developmental milestones — but have faith. Sooner (before age two) or later (after age three), all children cross that finish line. Until then, it’s important to remember that potty-training is not a race. Let your toddler set the pace and if he’d rather stroll than sprint, don’t take it personally.

What to do when your toddler has trouble pooping:

  • Take a break. Tell your child that when he’s ready, he can try making a BM in the potty again and that you’ll be there to help. Then lay off the topic, and let him feel like he’s in the driver’s seat. Above all, never force a toddler who has trouble pooping on the potty to sit there when he doesn’t want to. It’ll not only make him more resistant (and scared, if his fears are holding him back), it can also lead to constipation.
  • Help him feel secure. If your tot is having trouble pooping because he’s afraid of falling in, make sure the potty seat fits your toilet well and isn’t shaky. The same goes for the step stool, which should be steady as a rock. Or offer your child the option of using a potty chair (pick one with a sturdy base that won’t tip over when he gets up).
  • Hold off on flushing. If the sound of rushing water spooks your sweetie so much that he has trouble pooping, wait until he’s out of the room before flushing. As he becomes more comfortable with the noise, gradually close the distance — he can stand in the next room, the hallway, the doorway, and so on. Then, when he’s ready, ask him if he wants to push down on the lever himself.
  • Say good-bye. If your tot seems anxious when he catches sight of his toddler poop swirling down the drain, encourage him to wave bye-bye to it before flushing. It can make him feel better about the separation. Another solution to this potty training problem — do some test runs with toilet paper only. Be matter-of-fact (but clear about what’s flushable) when you do the deed, though. Otherwise, your little one may think it’s fun to flush down his toys, your keys, or the sitter’s cell phone.
  • Motivate with a treat. Casually offer an incentive — a sticker on a chart for every successful sitting, say. After a certain number of stickers, your little one can cash them in for a prize (ice cream with Daddy or a toy from the dollar store).


To read more from the original article and more like it please click on the link: http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/behavior/potty-training-problem-refusing-to-poop.aspx
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Common breastfeeding challenges

4/10/2014

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Breastfeeding can be challenging at times, especially in the early days. But it is important to remember that you are not alone. Lactation consultants are trained to help you find ways to make breastfeeding work for you. And while many women are faced with one or more of the challenges listed here, many women do not struggle at all! Also, many women may have certain problems with one baby that they don’t have with their second or third babies. Read on for ways to troubleshoot problems.

Sore nipples
Many moms report that nipples can be tender at first. Breastfeeding should be comfortable once you have found some positions that work and a good latch is established. Yet it is possible to still have pain from an abrasion you already have. You may also have pain if your baby is sucking on only the nipple.

What you can do
  1. A good latch is key, so visit the Bringing your baby to the breast to latch section for detailed instructions. If your baby is sucking only on the nipple, gently break your baby’s suction to your breast by placing a clean finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth and try again. (Your nipple should not look flat or compressed when it comes out of your baby’s mouth. It should look round and long, or the same shape as it was before the feeding.)
  2. If you find yourself wanting to delay feedings because of pain, get help from a lactation consultant. Delaying feedings can cause more pain and harm your supply.
  3. Try changing positions each time you breastfeed. This puts the pressure on a different part of the breast.
  4. After breastfeeding, express a few drops of milk and gently rub it on your nipples with clean hands. Human milk has natural healing properties and emollients that soothe. Also try letting your nipples air-dry after feeding, or wear a soft cotton shirt.
  5. If you are thinking about using creams, hydrogel pads, or a nipple shield, get help from a health care provider first.
  6. Avoid wearing bras or clothes that are too tight and put pressure on your nipples.
  7. Change nursing pads often to avoid trapping in moisture.
  8. Avoid using soap or ointments that contain astringents or other chemicals on your nipples. Make sure to avoid products that must be removed before breastfeeding. Washing with clean water is all that is needed to keep your nipples and breasts clean.
  9. If you have very sore nipples, you can ask your doctor about using non-aspirin pain relievers.

Low milk supply
Most mothers can make plenty of milk for their babies. But many mothers are concerned about having enough.

Checking your baby’s weight and growth is the best way to make sure he or she is getting enough milk. Let the doctor know if you are concerned. For more ways to tell if your baby is getting enough milk, visit the How to know your baby is getting enough milksection.

There may be times when you think your supply is low, but it is actually just fine:

  • When your baby is around 6 weeks to 2 months old, your breasts may no longer feel full. This is normal. At the same time, your baby may nurse for only five minutes at a time. This can mean that you and baby are just adjusting to the breastfeeding process — and getting good at it!
  • Growth spurts can cause your baby to want to nurse longer and more often. These growth spurts can happen around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months of age. They can also happen at any time. Don’t be alarmed that your supply is too low to satisfy your baby. Follow your baby’s lead — nursing more and more often will help build up your milk supply. Once your supply increases, you will likely be back to your usual routine.
What you can do
  1. Make sure your baby is latched on and positioned well.
  2. Breastfeed often and let your baby decide when to end the feeding.
  3. Offer both breasts at each feeding. Have your baby stay at the first breast as long as he or she is still sucking and swallowing. Offer the second breast when the baby slows down or stops.
  4. Try to avoid giving your baby formula or cereal as it may lead to less interest in breast milk. This will decrease your milk supply. Your baby doesn’t need solid foods until he or she is at least 6 months old. If you need to supplement the baby’s feedings, try using a spoon, cup, or a dropper.
  5. Limit or stop pacifier use while trying the above tips at the same time.

Oversupply of milk
Some mothers are concerned about having an oversupply of milk. Having an overfull breast can make feedings stressful and uncomfortable for both mother and baby.

What you can do
  1. Breastfeed on one side for each feeding. Continue to offer that same side for at least two hours until the next full feeding, gradually increasing the length of time per feeding.
  2. If the other breast feels unbearably full before you are ready to breastfeed on it, hand express for a few moments to relieve some of the pressure. You can also use a cold compress or washcloth to reduce discomfort and swelling.
  3. Feed your baby before he or she becomes overly hungry to prevent aggressive sucking. (Learn about hunger signs in the Tips for making it work section.)
  4. Try positions that don’t allow the force of gravity to help as much with milk ejection, such as the side-lying position or the football hold. (See the Breastfeeding holds section for illustrations of these positions.)
  5. Burp your baby frequently if he or she is gassy.
Some women have a strong milk ejection reflex or let-down. This can happen along with an oversupply of milk. If you have a rush of milk, try the following:

  1. Hold your nipple between your forefinger and middle finger or with the side of your hand to lightly compress milk ducts to reduce the force of the milk ejection.
  2. If baby chokes or sputters, unlatch him or her and let the excess milk spray into a towel or cloth.
  3. Allow your baby to come on and off the breast at will.

Engorgement

It is normal for your breasts to become larger, heavier, and a little tender when they begin making more milk. Sometimes this fullness may turn into engorgement, when your breasts feel very hard and painful. You also may have breast swelling, tenderness, warmth, redness, throbbing, and flattening of the nipple. Engorgement sometimes also causes a low-grade fever and can be confused with a breast infection. Engorgement is the result of the milk building up. It usually happens during the third to fifth day after birth, but it can happen at any time.

Engorgement can lead to plugged ducts or a breast infection, so it is important to try to prevent it before this happens. If treated properly, engorgement should resolve.

What you can do
  1. Breastfeed often after birth, allowing the baby to feed as long as he or she likes, as long as he or she is latched on well and sucking effectively. In the early weeks after birth, you should wake your baby to feed if four hours have passed since the beginning of the last feeding.
  2. Work with a lactation consultant to improve the baby’s latch.
  3. Breastfeed often on the affected side to remove the milk, keep it moving freely, and prevent the breast from becoming overly full.
  4. Avoid overusing pacifiers and using bottles to supplement feedings.
  5. Hand express or pump a little milk to first soften the breast, areola, and nipple before breastfeeding.
  6. Massage the breast.
  7. Use cold compresses in between feedings to help ease pain.
  8. If you are returning to work, try to pump your milk on the same schedule that the baby breastfed at home. Or, you can pump at least every four hours.
  9. Get enough rest, proper nutrition, and fluids.
  10. Wear a well-fitting, supportive bra that is not too tight.

Plugged ducts
It is common for many women to have a plugged duct at some point breastfeeding. A plugged milk duct feels like a tender and sore lump in the breast. It is not accompanied by a fever or other symptoms. It happens when a milk duct does not properly drain and becomes inflamed. Then, pressure builds up behind the plug, and surrounding tissue becomes inflamed. A plugged duct usually only occurs in one breast at a time.

What you can do
  1. Breastfeed often on the affected side, as often as every two hours. This helps loosen the plug, and keeps the milk moving freely.
  2. Massage the area, starting behind the sore spot. Use your fingers in a circular motion and massage toward the nipple.
  3. Use a warm compress on the sore area.
  4. Get extra sleep or relax with your feet up to help speed healing. Often a plugged duct is the first sign that a mother is doing too much.
  5. Wear a well-fitting supportive bra that is not too tight, since this can constrict milk ducts. Consider trying a bra without underwire.

Breast infection (mastitis)

Ask your doctor for help if you do not feel better within 24 hours of trying these tips, if you have a fever, or if your symptoms worsen. You might need medicine. See your doctor right away if:

  • You have a breast infection in which both breasts look affected
  • There is pus or blood in the milk
  • You have red streaks near the area
  • Your symptoms came on severely and suddenly

Even if you are taking medicine, continue to breastfeed during treatment. This is best for both you and your baby. Ask a lactation consultant for help if needed.
Mastitis (mast-EYE-tiss) is soreness or a lump in the breast that can be accompanied by a fever and/or flu-like symptoms, such as feeling run down or very achy. Some women with a breast infection also have nausea and vomiting. You also may have yellowish discharge from the nipple that looks like colostrum. Or, the breasts may feel warm or hot to the touch and appear pink or red. A breast infection can occur when other family members have a cold or the flu. It usually only occurs in one breast. It is not always easy to tell the difference between a breast infection and a plugged duct because both have similar symptoms and can improve within 24 to 48 hours. Most breast infections that do not improve on their own within this time period need to be treated with medicine given by a doctor. (Learn more about medicines and breastfeeding in our Breastfeeding fact sheet.)

What you can do
  1. Breastfeed often on the affected side, as often as every two hours. This keeps the milk moving freely, and keeps the breast from becoming overly full.
  2. Massage the area, starting behind the sore spot. Use your fingers in a circular motion and massage toward the nipple.
  3. Apply heat to the sore area with a warm compress.
  4. Get extra sleep or relax with your feet up to help speed healing. Often a breast infection is the first sign that a mother is doing too much and becoming overly tired.
  5. Wear a well-fitting supportive bra that is not too tight, since this can constrict milk ducts.

Fungal infections

A fungal infection, also called a yeast infection or thrush, can form on your nipples or in your breast because it thrives on milk. The infection forms from an overgrowth of the Candida organism. Candida exists in our bodies and is kept at healthy levels by the natural bacteria in our bodies. When the natural balance of bacteria is upset, Candida can overgrow, causing an infection.

If you or your baby has symptoms of a fungal infection, call both your doctor and your baby’s doctor so you can be correctly diagnosed and treated at the same time. This will help prevent passing the infection to each other.

A key sign of a fungal infection is if you develop sore nipples that last more than a few days, even after you make sure your baby has a good latch. Or, you may suddenly get sore nipples after several weeks of pain-free breastfeeding. Some other signs of a fungal infection include pink, flaky, shiny, itchy or cracked nipples, or deep pink and blistered nipples. You also could have achy breasts or shooting pains deep in the breast during or after feedings.

Causes of thrush include:

  • Thrush in your baby’s mouth, which can pass to you
  • An overly moist environment on your skin or nipples that are sore or cracked
  • Antibiotics or steroids
  • A chronic illness like HIV, diabetes, or anemia
Thrush in a baby’s mouth appears as little white spots on the inside of the cheeks, gums, or tongue. Many babies with thrush refuse to nurse, or are gassy or cranky. A baby’s fungal infection can also appear as a diaper rash that looks like small red dots around a main rash. This rash will not go away by using regular diaper rash creams.

What you can doFungal infections may take several weeks to cure, so it is important to follow these tips to avoid spreading the infection:

  1. Change disposable nursing pads often.
  2. Wash any towels or clothing that comes in contact with the yeast in very hot water (above 122°F).
  3. Wear a clean bra every day.
  4. Wash your hands often, and wash your baby’s hands often — especially if he or she sucks on his or her fingers.
  5. Put pacifiers, bottle nipples, or toys your baby puts in his or her mouth in a pot of water and bring it to a roaring boil daily. After one week of treatment, discard pacifiers and nipples and buy new ones.
  6. Boil daily all breast pump parts that touch the milk.
  7. Make sure other family members are free of thrush or other fungal infections. If they have symptoms, make sure they get treated.
To read much more on the Challenges of Breastfeeding please click on the link: http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/common-challenges/
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    The Early Childhood Councils of Ansonia & Derby.

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