Spring cleaning anytime
As we head out of one of the hottest Julys on record into what we hope is not one of the hottest Augusts on record, here’s a reminder (and a resource) to watch out for the signs of heat related illnesses.
This month is also National Breastfeeding Month. Our focus is on examining and providing resources for all birthing people related to feeding options so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.
Finally, you may have noticed in addition to educational info on our health, we’re adding more practical tips you can use. Hope you’re finding them helpful.
- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik
The Tasting Menu
Clean Home – Healthy Life. But How?
Addressing Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding
Successful Medical Leave is About the Return
Clean Home - Health Life. But how?
A clean and healthy home not only looks great but also plays a crucial role in promoting overall well-being. By maintaining a clean home, you can reduce the risk of illnesses, manage allergies, boost mental health and create a serene environment that fosters relaxation.
Easy to say but we’re all really busy. We aren’t suggesting you go full minimalist or go overboard on cleaning. We’ve got some info to share on hot cleaning topics.
Should I make the bed each day?
This is a hot debate. Some say making your bed each day is a simple task that promotes less stress. Other’s say making the bed promotes dust mites The answer is - everyone is right. Making your bed every day is a good idea. As long as you leave it unmade for a little bit to allow moisture to dry up and the heat to evaporate.
I worry about toxins in cleaning products
Opt for eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Many conventional cleaning agents contain harsh substances that can irritate the respiratory system and skin. Instead, look for products labeled as environmentally friendly or those with certified labels like Green Seal or EcoLogo. Additionally, you can make your own natural cleaners using ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. We love Real Simple’s tips on cleaning green.
Declutter for mental and physical health.
Clutter not only makes a home feel disorganized but also provides hiding spots for dust and allergens. The process itself can feel overwhelming. The pro tip here is a timer. Set a timer for 15 minutes and tackle a small space. Like that junk drawer full of menus from restaurants that have closed, expired coupons and those keys you have no idea what the locks they open are. The Spruce has a 6 room by room guide to check out.
When the cleaning tool is the problem
For the love - please don’t leave a wet sponge lying around. (That might have been for specific readers we know.)
Seriously, washing dishes or surfaces with a sponge that hasn’t been properly stored or cleaned, could be making things worse. As long as there is no metal in them, you can toss them in the microwave for 2 minutes (watch out it will be hot when you take it out) or run it through the dishwasher.
Addressing Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding
It’s the kickoff of National Breastfeeding Month, so we’re addressing the disparities and lack of diversity that exists when it comes to breastfeeding.
OBGYNs, pediatricians, and the CDC recommend that children are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, introducing other foods at that point in addition to breastfeeding. Yet, recent studies show a large gap between white birthing people and Black birthing people when it comes to breastfeeding. 69% of Black mothers were breast feeding their children (those born in 2019), compared to 85% of white mothers. And this gap isn’t just because there are more Black mothers making a choice not to breastfeed (which is your choice to make).
In this article from Medium, a woman Cara notes that none of her prenatal visits included a discussion about how she would feed her child, and no lactation consultant came in to help with latching. In fact, in many cases, after birth, staff only offer formula to Black mothers.
Lack of resources and a lack of education are only a few contributing factors. The PBS article cited above also notes that inflexible maternity leave policies and support at work also prevent body feeding because they don’t have the support to nurse or even express milk while on the job.
All of this coupled with the fact that Black women have a 3-4x higher maternal mortality rate, their babies suffer a higher infant mortality rate, and the higher likelihood of premature birth, there is a clear need for improved care and education.
Making the decision to chestfeed or formula feed is something every birthing person has the right to choose, but if we’re not equipping everyone with the tools, resources, and knowledge to make that informed decision, then we’re doing a disservice to parents and children everywhere.
Successful Medical Leave is about the Return
When you find yourself needing to take time away from work for a medical or parental leave, the least thing you need is more stress. That act of taking and returning from a leave can itself add to your stress levels. Don’t you wish you knew someone with HR expertise to give you some tips?
Oh, hello Maggie!
There are ideas no one shares enough about how to have a successful leave and re-entry. Until now. Sure you need to communicate with your boss, know your rights and understand your benefits.
Ask a trusted co-worker to keep a running list of company updates. If you have a good friend in your department, create and share a document with them and ask them to add notes about changes. They don’t have to be long or deeply involved. A quick bullet list that’s enough to prompt you to ask more. For example: list processes that change, departures or arrivals of team members or copy and paste email announcements that you’ll miss.
Return mid week. That first week back can be rough. Make it shorter. Your provider will need to write a return to work note and will work with you on the right date. Consider coming back on Wednesday rather than Monday.
Treat coming back like an onboarding to a new job. It’s easy for you and your team to expect you to jump back in. It’s not like your job or your company was frozen in time. Before you leave, consider writing a transition document that includes both how you’ll hand things off and what you’ll need to know by way of updates to take the work back. Set aside time on your calendar to review any meeting notes or presentations you have access to. Find a new employee who joined just before or while you were out. Ask them what they’ve learned so far that they wish they knew when they started. It will be more fresh in their mind than for someone who has been around for a while.
Medical Term of the Week
Sometimes a medical term is simple and we share it to make sure you know it exists.
Like this week’s term. Patient Advocate.
If you ever are in a medical facility or have a loved one in a facility like a hospital or elder care facility, you should know this term. The patient advocate’s role is to aid you when you feel your concerns aren’t heard or you aren’t getting a response. They can reach out to medical staff and be a voice for you.
The Latest
Belly fat weight gain during menopause is real. Why?? (From Women’s Health)
Flo Health announced a report called Failed Foundations: The women’s health crisis in post-Roe America (from PR Newswire)
FDA approved a blood test to identify imminent risk of pre-eclampsia (from NY Times)