Feb
24
2010
Friends in Blogland,
I apologize for tardy posts. The trail has taken me again to the halls of legislature to learn and participate in healthcare debates which influence families, babies, and of course, nurses. I am completing a residency with the nurse advocates who work with the American Nurses’ Association in Sacramento, CA. It was sloppy-wet day, but always a thrill to walk the hallowed halls of the capitol. I will finish the week here and return often until my work is completed, at the end of April.
At the Assembly Health Committee forum, I watched the fascinating grilling of Big Business (insurance companies in the arena today) for over two hours. This is Theatre of the Real, people! I believe you would be proud of most of your elected representatives who spoke,some eloquently, some pointedly and some in a genteel manner. Others were not so nice. (Recall visions of “Inherit The Wind.”)
Those who represented (one of the largest of the large) insurance companies gave cogent summations of their responsibilities and offered “the softer side” of what many consumers consider cut-throat profiteering practices. Try as they might to cast aside aspersions with melodious, well-chosen arguments, the gallery was wriggling in their seats. One legislator summed it up by saying that it’s not business, per se, which is the concern here, it is the monopoly-factor which with health insurance corporations stifle real competition in the marketplace, and cry “ouch” as they calmly explain why they need to raise costs up to 36% in a month from now?!
A few citizens put a face to the dilemma during the public forum. One, a retired MD, sees from both sides now. He characterizes the irony: insurance companies regularly lower physician reimbursements, while complaining to customers that because of demanding healthcare practitioners, it is necessary to raise rates…all the while fat-cat execs take (“earn” would be a misnomer) as much as $24 million a year!
Stay tuned for more … the debate surrounding premature babies and healthcare benefits has only just begun.
Candy
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5
2010
Greetings, Blogfriends,
Here’s a new article also seen in the new Health4Moms website. Printed with permission. Feel free to pass it on, but please remember to share the source. Enjoy!
Candy
Newborn Skin Care 101
How to love and protect your baby’s skin
By Candace Campbell, MSNc, RN
Even experienced parents flinch at the idea of skin care for a new baby and the many products with their associated promises on the market. What’s a parent to do to keep baby smiling? It’s enough to make a grown person cry! Here are three ways to fight the Skin Care Blues. 
#1 The best defense is a good offense
Skin, our largest organ, contains and protects everything we have on the inside. All baby skin is delicate, but even more so for preemies, who lack the deep skin layers that babies born at full term have. To protect baby’s skin, don’t bathe your baby daily or you’ll deplete his skin’s natural moisture barrier. Once or twice a week should be sufficient, until he’s old enough to start making mud pies!
Avoid applying lotions and creams to baby’s skin after bathing. Skin is semi-permeable, so clogged pores may result, which can trigger infection. If you chose to use baby lotions or creams, do so sparingly, go organic when possible and make sure your baby’s skin stays clean and dry.
The second-best thing you can do for his skin is protect it from damaging ultraviolet rays. Always try to keep him in:
- indirect sunlight
- breathable hats and clothing fabrics
- sunscreen (avoid sunscreen on his face and look for organic products specifically for babies)
#2 Take arms against a sea of chemicals
Be wary of harsh detergents. Wash clothes with mild, unscented soap, and use your machine’s second or double rinse option if you have one. Avoid soaps and detergents with dyes and fragrances. There are several detergents on the market specifically for babies without harsh chemicals or fragrances; and there are now many organic choices as well.
#3 Go to the mattress with diaper rash
The dirt on diaper dermatitis isn’t pretty. All babies experience a rash down under at one time or another, and girls statistically more so, since they have higher estrogen levels (the hormone that makes our skin so soft). Dueling diaper rash is simple but takes dedication. Try these tips to keep baby rash-free:
- Frequent diapering is a must. Despite the claims of disposable diaper companies, no diaper keeps moisture away from the skin for long. Check the diaper at least every two hours or whenever you suspect a soiling. If you use cloth diapers, avoid plastic underpants placed over the diaper as these just trap and hold moisture in.
- Cleanse your baby’s diaper area after every diaper change, even for wet diapers only. Good ol’ H2O, the universal solvent, water, squeezed over the area is the cheapest solution. (A small squirt bottle works quite well for this task.) Disposable wipes with aloe also protect delicate areas. Stay away from wipes with fragrance or any other chemicals.
- Gently pat dry and, when possible, allow your baby some diaper-free time.
- If applying a barrier cream, ointment or paste, chose one that has the fewest ingredients so that your baby’s bottom is exposed to the fewest possible irritants. Some of the best barrier creams include zinc oxide, petroleum, dimethicone, lanolin, and mineral or olive oil.
- If, despite treatment, a diaper rash continues more than 3 days, call your healthcare provider.
Rashes that refuse to clear up or go away may need prescription medication. The most common rash is a yeast infection. If Candida albicans is diagnosed, then both mom and baby will need treatment. And any items that face cross-contamination between you and your baby will need cleaning as well, including pacifiers, teething toys, breast pumps, bras, etc.
Most important, to prevent diaper rash, wash hands before and after every diaper change! This small step goes a long way in preventing an infection or rash on your baby’s bottom.
About the Author: Candace Campbell, MSNc, RN, has practiced as an NICU nurse and educator for 20 years. Her documentary film, Micropremature Babies: How Low Can You Go? plus her delightful children’s books, My Mom Is A Nurse, and Good Things Come In Small Packages (I Was A Preemie), are available on Amazon.com or: http://www.candycampbell.com. A percentage of the profits of each sale goes to the March of Dimes.
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Jan
30
2010
Hello out there in Blogland~
Super news this month! The good folks at Nurseweek magazine (Nurse.com online) have written another article featuring yours truly. This one is about our newest website and the latest book, Good Things Come in Small Packages (I Was A Preemie). (Special shout-out of thanks to Laura Stakal!) Read below or click here to see the whole issue: http://news.nurse.com/article/20100111/CA02/101110037
Nurse Continues Mission With Next Book
A nurse with a passion for writing has launched a new Web site, which spreads the message of her nursing mission.
Candy Campbell, RN, MSNc, says it is important for nurses to reach out to families through education. She follows her children’s book “My Mom is a Nurse” with newly published “Good Things Come in Small Packages (I Was a Preemie).”
The Web site offers information for families about Campbell’s publications, as well as a section of “free stuff” for kids. According to Campbell’s Web site, $1 from the sale of each book will go to March of Dimes in acknowledgment for its work with families of premature babies.
Campbell has been a neonatal nurse for almost 20 years and is a spokeswoman for the March of Dimes, California. Before that, she worked as a labor and delivery nurse and educator, as well as an ER/ICU/CCU nurse. She now works part time in a Level III NICU while pursuing other creative interests.
“My mission is just to help families cope,” Campbell says.
Jan
11
2010
A parent of a preemie asks, “Once we get home, I’m a little nervous about bathing my baby. He is so small! It’s one thing to do it with you all here in the NICU, but I’m feeling a little nervous about bathing the baby at home. Any suggestions?”
Dear Preemie Parent,
Good question! Here is an article I crafted just for you (and a version of it is featured in the new consumer magazine, Healthy Mom and Babies, and the new AWHONN websites Health4women.org and Health4Mom.org ) on Bathing Your Preemie. Special thanks to the Farmer family and Annie Tao Photography for permission to use their photos.
Feel free to share this article with your friends, but please let people know you got it here! I welcome your questions and comments.
Yours for better parenting,
Candy
Bathing Your Preemie
(Reprinted with permission)
Congrats! You’re home!
You’ve done the bath in the hospital; but wait! What did they say again?? Here are 6 steps to help you complete the bath in a stress-free manner.
1. Be the Boy Scout
Be prepared.
Just as you would gather supplies before making your favorite recipe, get those bath things assembled in a warm environment. Most bathrooms will serve for this activity. Avoid drafty kitchens, unless you mean to intentionally cool the baby. Silence the phone, or better yet, have an extra pair of hands to help in case…since parenting seems to invoke Murphy’s law.
Assuming your preemie’s umbilical cord has healed, you will dunk as opposed to swipe n’ wipe. Place the baby bathtub on a firm surface. Make sure articles remain away from baby’s reach. Prepare the after-bath area for drying by padding with extra clean towels. Better grab an extra diaper, since bathing often stimulates babies to relax and let it rip!
Before you begin, toss clean clothes and bath towels in the dryer on “delicate” to warm them for a special touch. (Never use the microwave or convection oven to warm clothes.) Remove and place towels on the prepared surface.
2. Test the Water
Baby’s bath should be warmer than lukewarm, so she doesn’t get chilled. Body temperature is 98.6 F, so figure about 99F-100F for bath water. A wise old maxim says to test by putting your elbow in the water, as our hands are used to warmer temperatures.
Use a non-glass container, and fill with rinse water before you begin.
Supporting head and shoulders
3. The Dunk
Spread your fingers and grasp the base of the skull and the shoulder girdle with one hand. Concentrate on supporting the upper body and allow the lower torso to float freely.
If your baby doesn’t relax into the bath, she may be telling you the water is too hot or cold, you are holding her at the wrong angle, or that she doesn’t feel well.
Wiping inner to outer corner
4. The Eyes Have It
Cleanse from top to bottom. Beginning with the eyes, use cotton balls or a corner of a clean washcloth in plain water. Squeeze out the excess water and with one swipe, move from the inner to the outer corner. Then change cotton balls, or rotate to another corner of the cloth. The principle here is to avoid cross-contamination; any bacteria housed in one eye is easily transfered to the other. With this in mind, also avoid back and forth swipes on the same eye.
Continue to wash the rest of the body with mild baby soap. (Note: For boys with fresh circumcisions, do a sponge bath until your baby’s doctor or healthcare provider confirms it is completely healed.)
Give extra attention to the neck folds and creases in the arms and legs.
Rinse, using the plastic pitcher. It will be helpful to have an extra pair of hands!
5. How Dry I Am!
Lift baby out of the tub, keeping the head and spine in alignment, and place on her back on those nice warm towels. Dry quickly, blotting, into the nooks and crannies of the neck, arms, and legs.
You may use a cotton swab to dry behind the ear or in the curlycues of the outer ear, but avoid entering the ear canal except to soak up what moisture is visible. (A cloth wrapped around a finger may do just as well.)
The skin, our largest organ, is a semi-permeable membrane, and clogs easily. Preemie skin is delicate, owing to the fact they have fewer layers beneath the surface, and it dries easily. Know that if you use lotions, creams, or powders, you will need to bathe more often. Lotion is not needed for most babies, but if you do so chose, use it sparingly, and avoid the face and genitalia.
6. When to Shampoo?
Applying water to the head causes an immediate cooling effect. If baby is feverish or the weather outside is hot, you may cool your baby with water to the head first. In most cases, plan to shampoo last.
The process of applying soap and doing an actual shampooing is not a daily need for baby (or most adults, for that matter). Once or twice a week should be sufficient.
Wrap baby in a warm, dry towel and place in the football hold, tucking her legs under your arm. Angle her head down slightly, to avoid getting water down her neck. Hold baby over the sink and use your hand or the plastic pitcher to wet the hair.
Next, add a small amount (about a dime-size) of baby shampoo to the back of the scalp. Proceed to stimulate the sebaceous glands beneath the scalp with your finger pads (or by using a soft baby brush), in a circular motion, until all the hair has been covered. This will help keep oil from accumulating in the pores. (Note: a condition known as sebaceous dermatitis or “cradle cap” may appear at first as scaly skin or dandruff. You may apply a small amount of natural oil and work into the scalp with a gentle massage, to loosen these flakes a few minutes prior bathing.) Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Timing is everything
Remember, your preemie will likely be fatigued and sleep longer after the bath. Do make sure to begin about 30 minutes prior a feeding, to avoid stomach upset. Preemies, in particular, need to digest while unstressed.
If you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of bathing your preemie, you are not alone. Trust that you have grown to know your child and that you have the skills to parent her well. With practice, soon you’ll be recalling these 6 simple steps with ease, and baby bath time will be a fun and relaxing time for all!
Farmer triplets- all clean!
Candace Campbell, RN, MSN, has practiced as a NICU nurse, and educator for 20 years. Her documentary film, Micropremature Babies: How Low Can You Go? plus her delightful children’s books, My Mom Is A Nurse, and Good Things Come In Small Packages (I Was A Preemie), are available on Amazon.com or at: www.candycampbell.com or www.candythenurse.com. A percentage of the profits of each sale goes to our friends at the March of Dimes.
Nov
25
2009
Happy Thanksgiving, All!
This year is flying by, as opportunities for speaking/writing accelerate over here.
The latest film review is from another professional source, the Journal of Neonatal Nursing.
The reviewer writes, “…this video is an excellent source for parents to find hope in shared experiences. By watching this film, parents new to dealing with prematurity could encounter a little less fear in the whirlwind of decisions and procedures. Hearing that at least one family struggled to bond through the tangle of wires and tubes, or another mother suffered by not being able to hold the child separated from her womb too soon, or a couple felt confusion arriving home with no child in arms, new parents could anticipate and perhaps better weather the journey of assisting their premature infants to their best possible future.”
Click here for the whole article:
Oct
16
2009
Hello out there, and welcome back~
This past month, I have been finishing up writing a few magazine articles and doing research on empowering families of premature babies.
Meanwhile, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has invited me to join their Editorial Advisory Board for
Health4women and Health4Mom.org. Yes, they will feature the articles I have been writing. (I urge you to sign up for these email magazines!) on the other had, if your email box is already FULL, just return here and I will reprint (with permission) the articles.
Enjoy the beautiful fall season and stay tuned for November special interest articles surrounding National Premature Baby Awareness Day, November 17th.
To your good health!
Candy
Sep
11
2009
Maureen and Candy at conference
Hello out there,
It has been a few weeks since this happy blogger has found time to post. I hope you have been enjoying your summer vacations! If you are a new parent, you may have found “staycation” has another meaning altogether. If you are a new parent of a preemie, I hope you find this site helpful.
This month we feature Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Maureen Shogan, from Spokane, WA.
In this 9 minute podcast, you will hear us discuss the latest in recommendations regarding nutrition for both the pregnant mom and especially nursing mothers of (one or more!) preemies.
Enjoy!
Jul
6
2009
Yes, the interviews keep us busy! I am so pleased to be on the other end of the line once more with this wonderful radio talk show hostess and southern belle, Barbara Dooley. (Don’t let that southern belle moniker fool you, she’s no reticent eyelash-batting gal, but an outspoken one, with a wit to match.)
Barbara Dooley, WGAU Atlanta
Jul
4
2009
Dr. Alex Espinoza
Listen to Part 1 of our conversation about changes in Neonatology, preemies, NICU stress, and parental guilt, with Alex Espinoza, Neonatologist and High Risk Infant Follow Up Clinic Doctor.
click here: Alex Espinoza part-1
Part 2 includes a discussion of cost of neonatal care, kangaroo care, cultural differences in neonatal care.
Jul
3
2009
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, preterm birth in this country has risen 36% since the 1980’s, resulting in roughly 540,000 preterm births in 2006. That number rose in 2007 and decreased slightly (0.1%) in 2008, despite the March of Dimes’ excellent program (began in 2003) highlighting the problem and funding research to combat it.
Certainly, the alarm bell should be sounding, nationwide! Why is this happening?
For years, it has been known that certain physiological events will trigger a preterm birth: trauma or injury to the mother is one, infection is another, incompetent cervix, a third, congenital anomalies, another (although in the past, those problems were often discovered at time of term delivery). We are only beginning to pull back the curtain on the complete range of possible answers.
For decades, statistics have shown preterm birth happens most frequently among those of African American descent, or women who’ve had a prior preterm delivery. Also, women of low socio-economic status, who lack prenatal care, overexert themselves physically or have stress induced low or high BMI, are more prone to premature delivery. Tobacco, alcohol, drug, or other substance abuse, prior induced abortion, prior cervical surgery, periodontal disease (!) , uterine overdistention (i.e., multiples, polyhydraminos), vaginal bleeding during pregnancy (placenta previa), uterine anomalies, anemia and reproductive tract infections also cause a woman to go into premature labor (Medscape, 2007).
Specifically, the newest studies show three main drivers of prematurity in the U.S.: increased maternal age, increased number of multiples, and increased number of cesarian sections (MOD, 2008). Looking at the list, it is obvious that the first begets the second, and hence the third. Behind the Big Three is the newest cause: Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART). Parents who delay childbearing are now able to conceive after age 35, which has been traditionally known as ‘too late to party.’ Some centers now guarantee a pregnancy by implanting multiple embryos. Some offer “Build a Baby” workshops where specific gender, hair and eyecolor selection is available. Indeed, it is a brave, new world in which we live. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not against ART (I’m an artist myself and enjoy the creative process), just cautious. The whole subject raises important questions we need to be asking, like : Have we taken liberty with our ability? Should tougher medical standards be in place? Where do we draw the line between what seems right for one, and what is right for society? Somewhere the call for bioethics sounds like the muffled drone of the town crier, overtaken by automatic technological invention.
The irony remains that despite our high rate of premature infants, we are a nation of incredible scientific prowess. We can send a man to walk on the moon, we can maintain the lives of infants born so small their skin is transparent and their eyes are fused. (Indeed, I have spent the past 20 years of my career dedicated to these young persons.) But yet, we cannot predict exactly when a baby will be born, or why. Priorities.
