Holiday-Health-Safety-Tips

Holiday Health and Safety Tips

November 13, 2024 General /Family

The holidays are a special time for gathering with loved ones, but it’s also a time when accidents and illnesses can happen.

Here are some important tips to keep in mind for a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

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Stay Healthy:

Make sure everyone is feeling well and up-to-date on vaccines. If you’re feeling sick, stay home – you’ll be doing yourself and everyone else a favor! Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.
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Home Safety:

Whether you’re at your own home or visiting others, set clear rules for safety. Keep an eye on kids, especially when they’re exploring new places. Watch out for hazards like cords, decorations, or candles that could be dangerous for children or pets. Keep dangerous plants away from children (like mistletoe, holly, and poinsettia plants), and keep small button batteries and magnets out of reach.
Homesafety
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Watch out for hazards like cords, decorations, or candles that could be dangerous for children or pets.
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Choking Hazards:

Be aware of small objects like ornaments, candy, or toys that could be choking hazards for kids. Remind everyone they need to be seated when eating and drinking.
Pets and Kids
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Pets and Kids:

Not all pets are comfortable around children, and not all kids know how to be gentle with pets. Keep an eye on them when they’re together, even if it’s your own pet.
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Travel Safety:

Plan ahead, check the weather, and leave extra space between your car and others. If the roads are bad, plan a safe way to get home. Make sure everyone in the car is buckled up properly before the car moves.
Food-Safety
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Food Safety:

When preparing food, wash your hands often, keep sharp objects away from kids, and avoid cross-contamination. Always stand by the pan and watch what you’re cooking, and turn pot handles away from you. If someone has a food allergy, let the host know and bring a safe food option.
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Remember to stay patient and expect a few hiccups during the holidays. Most importantly, enjoy your time with family and friends safely!

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HAND EXPRESSION

How it works

Use your hand to gently massage and compress your breast to remove milk.

What’s Involved

  • Requires practice, skill, and coordination.
  • Gets easier with practice and can be as fast as pumping.
  • Good if you are not often away from your baby or you need an option that is always with you. All moms should know how to hand express, in case they need to do it unexpectedly.

Average Cost

Free

Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
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Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
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Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
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Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position