Sensitive Midwifery - Issue 44 - October 2019

steps Pain in children It is very upsetting to a parent to see their little one battling pain, whether the cause is serious or not. Make sure you give them responsible information about medication use, and encourage them to let time heal the less serious causes. Parents shouldn’t give over-the-counter pain medication for longer than two to three days without seeing a doctor, nor give their child more medication than advised on the package. Remind them to always store all medicines in a locked cupboard or medicine chest, to buy medications in childproof containers, and to: • Always use medicine droppers or spoons to ensure they give the correct dosage • Never share one child’s medicine with another child • Never tell their child that medicine is a ‘sweetie’ Other ways to help relieve pain include elevating swollen, injured limbs; giving the homeopathic remedy chamomilla for teething; using warm baths or cool compresses; and gently massaging the painful area. Post-divorce parenting is not for sissies! To help parents minimise collateral damage risk, suggest that both parents be as involved as possible in their children’s lives, and to shelter children from any animosity they may feel towards their ex. If children struggle to adapt to the split, they may begin to act out, or withdraw into themselves. If you’re concerned, advise that they’re taken to see a trained counsellor. Parents living on a reduced income may need to work longer hours and see their child less. Encourage them not to feel guilty, instead making sure that the time they do spend with their child is meaningful. Juggling work, chores and childcare alone can be tremendously stressful but in time will become easier, especially if they take regular mini me-breaks to renew their energy, eat healthily, sleep enough, let go of unnecessary stress, ask family and friends for help, and join a support group. Parents should avoid rushing into another relationship as it may confuse their children even more. The benefits of reading to NICU babies New research has found that moms who read to their NICU babies reported better bonding, and displayed reduced rates of PND. Infants’ blood-oxygen saturation also improved during and after reading sessions. Campbell, D, ‘How reading to NICU babies can benefit moms in a big way’, 26 April 2019. Available: https://www.mother.ly/news/how- reading-to-nicu-baby-can-help-moms-too Six weeks for postnatal recovery is a ‘complete fantasy’ Dr Julie Wray, a researcher at Salford University in England, interviewed women at di ff erent stages of postpartum life. She found that the standard six-week recovery period is a ‘complete fantasy’ and it can take a full year to recover from childbirth – not just physically but mentally too. Many feel the pressure to get back on their feet soon after childbirth and feel it may be necessary to head back to work as early as six weeks. The research shows that more realistic and woman- friendly postnatal services are needed. Recovery after childbirth is di ff erent for everyone, but regardless, women should be supported beyond the current six to eight weeks after birth. Paxman, L, ‘Women need a whole year to recover from childbirth despite the 'fantasy' image of celebrity mothers, study claims’, 17 February 2012. Available: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2102517/Women-need-year- recover-childbirth-study-finds.html Mom & Baby 44 eSensitive Midwifery Magazine Issue 44