Posted on Monday, March 28, 2016

Helpful Healthcare Tips for Busy Moms

Are you a mom on the go looking for some simple and easy ways to stay healthy and care for your family without feeling burnt out?

As the summertime nears and the flu season is upon us, this is a great time to make sure your kids are staying active but also remaining healthy. Keeping your family’s health records up-to-date, knowing your family health history, and taking some time out of your day to relax can sometimes make all the difference when you’re faced with those unexpected childcare situations.

How do you go about making sure your kids’ health records are updated? How do you gather your family’s health history? What do you do when faced with unexpected childcare?

Your questions are important. That’s why I have scheduled a FREE live webinar on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 2 p.m. EST to cover tips and tools for Busy Moms just like you!

Ready to get ahead of all your families healthcare needs? Tune into the webinar to learn:

How to make sure your children’s health records are up-to-date.
Keeping track of your family’s health history.
Tips to taking care of yourself with a hectic schedule.
What to do when faced with unexpected childcare.
What health benefits are included in your healthcare plan.

You can bring your questions to the webinar or submit them in advance by email or on Facebook or Twitter.

Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2016

Helpful Healthcare Links: March 24, 2016

There’s a lot going on in healthcare news this week. I have rounded up a few great health topics to share with with you in hopes that this information will assist you in making the best healthcare choices for you and your family. Here are the trending news topics for this week:

The Senate Health Committee passes Mental Health Reform Act, setting out to change mental health coverage within the election year. The committee has approved four bills in addition to the Mental Health Reform Act to combat drug abuse. The law would require private health insurers to give equal benefits to both mental and physical health.

Fluoride is not only used for children, but it’s beginning to treat older adults in preventing cavities. One study reveals that fluoride in both children and adults makes it difficult for bacteria to stick to the teeth.

No-Drill Dentistry: Fluoride Treatments Can Prevent Cavities in Adults.

A new study finds how to cut the allergy risk for children early on. Those with high-risk babies who fed their children a soupy, peanut-butter mash (between 4-11 months of age) were 80 percent less likely to develop a peanut allergy by age 5.

Peanut Mash in Infancy Cuts Allergy Risk. New Study Adds to Evidence.

A new research letter reveals that those leaving hospitals going to rehab centers or long-term care hospitals have germs still on their hands. One in four adults leaving the hospital in the study showed a superbug (virus or bacteria) on their hands. The letter suggests revising hand hygiene for patients and not just physicians.

Patients Leave The Hospital With Superbugs On Their Hands.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my latest offering in dealing with unexpected healthcare: When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This is a bit different than my other books. When Life Happens is a workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here.

Posted on Monday, March 21, 2016

Tips For Moms: Breastfeeding in the Workplace

Expressing breast milk while at work, can be a challenge.

As a single mother, raising two girls, I had to learn how to juggle both caring for my kids and work. Luckily, there are more people today understanding of breastfeeding in the work place, as it is much more common than twenty years ago.

Regardless, it’s still difficult to manage which is why I would like to share a few helpful tips from my own experience to hopefully make the process less stressful and more comfortable for you.

First, have a talk with your human resources department. Be open about your experience. I find that the more you can have an open discussion the more your employer will be receptive to your needs. Make an arrangement with your employer on how, where and when you can express your breast milk and try and be flexible.

Under the ACA, the federal law requires employers to give break time and a place for most hourly wage employees and salaried employees to express breast milk at work. The federal law however, does not require these breaks to be paid so make sure you ask your employer (also, check with your state law, they may provide more protection and coverage for breastfeeding than federal law).

Also, I found that having the right breast pump can make all the difference. Health insurance plans must provide breast feeding equipment and counseling (potentially at no cost). Talk to your doctor to find out which breast feeding pump is best for you (manual, electric, or rental).

Put together a mini pump bag filled with the following essentials, this will make it easier for you during the work week:

Clean bottles.
Breast pump.
Power supply (for electric breast pumps).
Paper towels.
Extra clothing for you (just incase).
Breast pads.
Healthy snacks.

Finally, make sure you are comfortable with the overall process and remember, it is a normal and natural part of the child bearing process.

Looking for more healthcare tips? Tune in to our FREE live webinar on Wednesday, March 30 at 2 p.m. EST where I will discuss Helpful Healthcare Tips for Busy Moms. Register HERE today.

Check out my Periscope video HERE on breastfeeding in the workplace.