Not many parents recall having a conversation with their own parents about puberty. So, broaching the subject with your own child might be a little nerve-wracking. Thanks to the internet, information is easily accessible to kids, so it’s important parents make the effort to have the “talk” so children aren’t misled or confused about any topics. Here are some tips to help you break the ice and get started.     

Start with Easy Topics: Your talk doesn’t have to only be about “the birds and the bees.” In fact, your talks can – and should be – about a number of relevant topics, like what makes a healthy relationship, personal hygiene, and consent. You can open the conversation with a question like, “Is anyone in your class dating?”

Talk About the Other Gender Too: If you are talking to your son, it’s just as important to discuss what happens to girls during puberty. Boys need to know that a girl’s menstruation isn’t “gross” just as much as girls need to know boys’ erections aren’t “weird.”

Use Available Tools: If you or your child is extremely uncomfortable discussing any certain topic, there are a large number of books and online resources that you can provide for your child. You may also choose to discuss a topic through a shared journal, allowing you and your child to write down questions and answers.

Look for Opportunities: A movie scene or even a trip down the “feminine products” aisle in the grocery store may give you the opportunity to start a conversation. Ensure that you are also taking cues from your child; do not discuss sensitive topics – especially in public – if your child seems visibly uncomfortable.

Pave the Way for the Future: Let your child know you are always available to talk and answer any of their questions. Don’t be judgmental in your conversations. You want to build trust so they are always encouraged to come to you with any concerns or questions in the future.

Talking to your child about puberty may make you uneasy but your parental instincts will guide you. Every child is different, and you’ll know when the time is right. If you have questions or need additional guidance, please call our office at 307-634-5216.

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month–the perfect time to promote the benefits of breastfeeding. Many medical expert sources, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, strongly recommend breastfeeding exclusively for six months. After the introduction of other foods, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding through the baby’s first year. Many expectant moms may be nervous about breastfeeding or may not be sure if it’s the right choice for their lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you prepare to breastfeed, and hopefully ease your mind when it comes to doing it. 

• Find the right position for your baby. Help your baby find a comfortable position to breastfeed. They should not be turning their head too much. Their chin should be against the breast so that their head is tilted upwards to allow them to breathe comfortably through their nose.  
• Look for cues from your baby. One of the most common concerns is knowing when your baby is hungry. Subtle signs that your baby is hungry include putting their hand in their mouth, fussiness, licking their lips, or sticking out their tongue. Additionally, a closed fist typically signals that they are hungry whereas an open hand signals that they are content. 
• Maintain a good diet. Even when you’re no longer pregnant, you’re still eating for two. Make sure to stay hydrated, continue to take prenatal vitamins and eat a well-balanced diet. 
• Take care of your skin. Maintain the skin around your nipples and breasts with a healing product. After a feeding dry your breasts with a soft cloth and avoid over-washing. That can actually cause your skin to dry out. 
• Try to avoid breast engorgement. Engorgement is the painful swelling of breasts due to an excess buildup of milk. This usually occurs in the infant’s first week and is an effect of producing more milk than what your baby is consuming. You can pump breast milk to help alleviate the pain.
• Don’t give up! Don’t get discouraged if your baby doesn’t automatically latch onto you. Try your best to relax. The baby will respond to your emotions. If you continue to have trouble, don’t be afraid to ask other moms for advice, check out some helpful tips online or explore the option of Inpatient or Outpatient Lactation Services. 

Breastfeeding also greatly benefits mom. It can help mom return to her pre-pregnancy weight quicker. According to research* women who breastfeed seem less likely to develop postpartum depression and feel a significant bond with their baby while breastfeeding. 

If you decide to breastfeed, remember it’s a journey that you and your baby will learn together. To get in touch with one of our experts today, call 307-634-5216. 

*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22978082/ 

 

At Cheyenne OBGYN, we love moms! Whether new moms or more experienced moms, caring for these amazingly strong women is both a privilege! As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, we decided to put together a few health tips for all the wonderful mamas out there. Many moms selflessly give to their children and everyone around them, but we want to remind you to put your health first and care for your own body, too!

Take “Me” Time

Running between work, soccer practice, and music lessons, it can be hard to remember to carve out time for yourself! But you deserve to take a break as well. Take yourself out for lunch, get your nails done, or let yourself indulge in a bubble bath. Taking time for yourself is important for your mental health. We all need a minute to relax and take a break from the stresses of everyday life.

Get Some Exercise!

Make it a priority to get some exercise. Whether you love lifting weights in the gym or taking quick walks around the neighborhood, movement is good for the body and the mind! It is recommended to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. You’ll find yourself sleeping better at night. Exercise also keeps our energy levels up during the day, making it easier to power through even the busiest of days.

Eat Right

Easier said than done, we know. But eating a balanced diet is important for your health and can keep your energy levels up, making it easier to live your busy mom life. Don’t skip breakfast – we know you make sure your kids are eating a healthy breakfast each morning, so take care of yourself in the same way! Pack healthy snacks to grab on the go and keep unhealthy things out of the house. Avoiding late night ice cream cravings are easier if it’s not in the house!

Sleep More

Prioritizing your sleep will help you to be a better parent, be more productive at your job, and can reduce your risks for diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Moms need 7-9 hours of sleep each night to function at their best, so prioritize it!

Be Kind to Yourself

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that moms have to be perfect all the time and accomplish everything flawlessly, especially with social media – the truth is, that is unrealistic and too much to put on one person. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing a great job!

Cheyenne OBGYN has been caring for moms for over 40 years. We are honored to care for some of the strongest women in Cheyenne! Prioritize your health and take time for you! We are resuming normal patient operations on Monday, May 18. You can read our COVID-19 Patient Update here or schedule an appointment by calling 307-634-5216.

As part of our mission, Cheyenne OBGYN is dedicated to addressing the concerns of our employees, colleagues, and community with the same values and attentiveness as we do for our patients and families.

We have been closely monitoring the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), which seems to be evolving daily.  We monitor the directives from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wyoming Department of Health.

For most of the American public, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low. People who have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and travelers to affected international locations are at elevated risk of exposure.

While research is ongoing, there is currently no vaccine available to prevent coronavirus or medication to cure the infection. Supportive care, including hospitalization and even intensive care as needed, has been used to successfully manage symptoms in many patients.

Symptoms of COVID-19:

• Mild to severe respiratory illness, particularly in older people
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing

If you have any of these symptoms:

• To limit potential exposure to other patients, do not go to your doctor’s office without calling first. We ask that you contact Stitches telemedicine, 307-514-9888 https://stitchescare.com/telemedicine/
• If you are instructed to go to a doctor’s office or Emergency Department, notify the front desk staff of your symptoms immediately upon arrival so they can provide you with a mask and isolate you.
• Tell your health care provider about any recent travel or contact with people who have traveled internationally.
• Your health care provider will work with the Wyoming Department of Health and the CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Precautions you should take:

Stay at home if you are sick and restrict contact with other people. Even at home, remain at least six feet away from other people while you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• The CDC continues to recommend against the use of face masks for people who do not have symptoms.

For patients who are pregnant:

We know that pregnant women can contract coronavirus, but information on whether or not the infection can be transmitted to the fetus is less clear. In an abundance of caution, we encourage pregnant women to avoid large gatherings. When possible, this could include limiting some social activities, working from home rather than going to the office and participating in college courses online rather than in person.

Steps Cheyenne OBGYN is taking:

• Cheyenne OBGYN’s staff members are receiving instruction and ongoing updates about COVID-19, hand hygiene and other safety measures to decrease the likelihood of contracting or transmitting the infection.
• We are sanitizing all work areas at least twice daily. Exam rooms are being sanitized between each patient.
• Staff are screening all patients to identify those who have traveled to any high-risk areas within the last 14 days and/or those who are having symptoms.
• We continue to encourage our staff and patients to get the flu vaccine if they have not already done so this season.

Cheyenne OBGYN remain open and available to serve you. Coronavirus is an evolving issue. Please follow the CDC website and do not hesitate to call our office with any questions.

We encourage you to keep yourself updated on information about coronavirus by looking at the following websites:

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Wyoming Department of Health: https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/novel-coronavirus/