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#48: Are you feeling like you don’t even remember who you are? How to keep your sense of self after becoming a parent: YOU MATTER

2020-05-27
By: Elizabeth Vainder, M.D.
On: May 27, 2020
In: Childhood, New Moms, Parenthood

May 27, 2020 Good Morning! Today I want to talk to you about a topic that is very important. I am a parent, wife, a pediatrician and I am also myself. What I mean by that is that before I was any of those other titles, I was a personContinue Reading

About Me

ELIZABETH VAINDER, M.D.

On Instagram@yourpediatricianfriend

drvcares
Hi there! Dr Vainder here! πŸ’— This month is Bre Hi there! Dr Vainder here! πŸ’— This month is Breastfeeding Month and I’m sharing with you 5 Tips that will help you successfully breastfeed. Things I wish someone had told me! 🀰 πŸ’— 1- Sign up for a breastfeeding class while you’re pregnant. The more you know, the more prepared you will feel. Even though breastfeeding is β€œnatural” it’s not always easy. Take your partner with you to the class if possible 🀱🏻 2- Breast feed as soon after birth as possible. Sometimes this is not possible so don’t worry, but if you can, it’s a wonderful way to begin your breastfeeding journey And start skin to skin with your baby! 🍼 3- Try pumping at around 4-6 weeks and give your baby a bottle. This is important so your baby will take a bottle should you need to (sometimes moms have to go out, return to work, etc.) By this time, your baby has established good breast feeding habits and will take a bottle more successfully without nipple confusion. πŸ’— 4- Alternate sides after approximately 10-15 minutes. Leaving your baby on one breast too long can increase friction on your nipple that can cause pain and remember you have another side full of milk that your baby can drink instead of sucking harder and more frequently to get the last few drops from the first. Follow your baby’s cues! πŸ‘©πŸ»β€βš•οΈ 5- After birth, before you go home, have a nurse, doctor or lactation consultant look to see if your baby is latching well. Take advantage of this time you have at the hospital to help you!πŸ’— Lastly, never be embarrassed to ask for help! Remember that every baby is different and what works for one may not work for another! πŸ€— Best of luck to you! What helped you while you were breastfeeding that you think would help another mom? The more we share, the more we learn and the more we can help other moms!πŸ’— ✨ Xoxo Dr Vainder #breaatfeeding #pregnant #newmom #breastfeedingweek2022 #mamaprimeriza #mamafeliz #bebe #bebefeliz #lactancia #lactanciamaterna #lactanciafeliz
Hi there! It’s Dr Vainder πŸ’— I’m a pediatri Hi there! It’s Dr Vainder πŸ’— I’m a pediatrician that’s passionate about supporting moms & kids with their physical and mental health. πŸ’— Todays post is about creating an inspiration jar. Back to school brings a lot of of excitement but it can also bring a lot of anxiety for kids as they begin thinking about a new school year. πŸ’— All you need is: 1. A jar πŸ«™ 2. Paper πŸ“ 3. Scissors βœ‚οΈ 4. A computer or phone to send an email or make a call In the craziness of the day to day, sometimes we forget to tell the ones we love how much they mean to us, what we admire about them, what we love about them, how they make us feel, etc. πŸ’— Kids and teens (just like us) need to hear these things too. I hope this inspiration jar helps your child throughout the school year when they are feeling sad, frustrated or less than. πŸ’— You would be surprised to hear what others admire about you, love about you and how they feel about you. πŸ’— A wonderful exercise to do with your kids. Hope you’re enjoying the last few days of summer πŸ’— xoxo Dr Vainder Double tap if you love this idea and share /tag a friend πŸ’— #mentalhealth #inspirationjar #backtoschool
Bye July πŸ’— Summer for me is about spending un-r Bye July πŸ’— Summer for me is about spending un-rushed time with family and friends πŸ’— This year, had fun: 🚀 Boat Days πŸ›Ά Kayaking πŸ‘©β€πŸ³ Cooking β™₯️ Spending time with friends 🏝 Beach days 🀿 Snorkeling πŸ’— Celebrating birthdays (my daughter’s 13th :) πŸŽ“ Celebrating my son’s graduation πŸ’— Spending time with my family I hope you look back at your July and smile 😊 Don’t ever take time for granted. It’s the greatest gift given to us πŸ’— Have a wonderful week! Xoxo Dr Vainder πŸ’—
Good morning! β˜€οΈ Thanks for being here! πŸ’— Good morning! β˜€οΈ Thanks for being here! πŸ’— I’m a board certified pediatrician with 22 years of experience taking care of kids. πŸ‘©πŸ»β€βš•οΈ I’m also a mom who is passionate about keeping kids and parents physically and mentally healthy. πŸ’— This week we are talking about sleep and there have been a lot of questions about Melatonin so I decided to create a separate post to give you more information. πŸ’— The more you know the easier it will be for you to make decisions on the health of you and your child. πŸ’— Melatonin has increased in popularity in the last few years as a sleep aid. It is considered relatively safe but we do not know the long term effects of daily use, especially in children.. πŸ’— Our bodies naturally produce Melatonin as a response to darkness and helps us to feel sleepy and fall asleep. 😴 With the increased use of phones and computers it is not surprising that patients are looking for ways to boost their Melatonin levels since the blue light emitted from these devices lowers our Melatonin levels making it harder to fall asleep. πŸ’» This is why it’s SO important to turn off electronic devices one hour before bed. πŸ’— As usual, going back to the basics of healthy sleep habits should always be the first thing focused on: βœ… Going to bed around the same time βœ… Avoiding caffeine close to bedtime or evening βœ… Turning off electronic devices 1 hour before bed (I tell kids 2 hours πŸ˜‰) βœ… Sleeping in a dark room βœ… Journaling before bed to clear your thoughts βœ… Meditating before bed - The Headspace app is great for this and FREE for teens! πŸ’— Take a look through the slides and save, share with a friend. The more we share, the more parents will receive accurate information πŸ’— Feel free to share your thoughts about Melatonin below in the comments. Did something surprise you? #melatonin
Good morning! β˜€οΈ Happy Tuesday! I hope you a Good morning! β˜€οΈ Happy Tuesday! I hope you and your family are doing well! πŸ’— Today I wanted to share with you some findings from a recent study that if you have toddlers or preschool aged kids you need to know about. πŸ‘©β€πŸ’» Over the last few years there has been an exponential increase in the use of screens for toddlers. πŸ§‘β€πŸ’» In the office the tablets and phones have replaced the books and toys I used to see. 🧸 While the use of tablets and computers seem to be a great way to keep your little ones happy and distracted it’s also keeping them from developing key parts of their necessary language and social skills. πŸ‘‚πŸ» The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for kids under the age of 2. πŸ’— This recent study found that after reviewing over 2400 preschool aged children, the higher the number of hours of screen time showed less school readiness when it came to Kindergarten. 🏫 This was not only academically but behaviorally and socially as well. πŸ“š Sadly, many families feel that their kids will be behind if they don’t use an iPad. (Not true) Here are some tips on how you can help your child read in those early years and decrease their screen time: βœ… Read everything you see! Cereal boxes, things at the grocery store, menus, signs, etc. βœ… Reading just 5-10 minutes a day can have a lasting effect βœ… if you do give your little ones a tablet, put a timer on for 15 min and when it goes off- it’s time to shut it down! Hours and hours will pass with your little one staring at a screen! ⏰ ⭐️ Small changes go a long way, so please don’t feel guilty about using your phone or iPad on occasion, but be careful that it doesn’t become the ONLY thing your child ever wants to do! (This is a big 🚩 red flag!) If you want to read more, visit my website at www.drvcares.com and read post #30 about more ways you can give your child the gift of πŸ“– reading! (Link in bio)πŸ’— ❀️❀️❀️ Double tap this post if you read to your kids every day! #reading #toddlers #preschool #books #parenting #teachers #learning #kidsactivities #screentime #parenting #healthykids #development #pediatrician #pediatrics #professionalmom #busymomlife #reading #booksbooksbooks
Hi there! β˜€οΈ Dr Vainder here! Just wanted to Hi there! β˜€οΈ Dr Vainder here! Just wanted to jump on here to remind you that if you know someone who just had a baby..a friend, a family member or anyone and you’re not sure what to get them, I want you to think of the mom. πŸ’— While it’s fun to go shopping for babies, giving the mom the gift of your time, their favorite meal, their favorite drink, anything that shows them that you are thinking of them, can really mean so much to a new mom. πŸ’— When I became a mom, my mom came over to make me dinner almost every night. Just that simple gesture meant so much to me! Having a warm dinner and not have to worry about making dinner was everything πŸ’— So instead of looking for expensive and extravagant gifts to give a new mom, don’t forget the value of your time and thoughtfulness πŸ’— What is something that someone did for you when you became a new mom that you really appreciated? I’d love to hear about it πŸ’— Have a wonderful day! πŸ’— Dr Vainder #newmom #postpartum #momlife #doctormom #workingmom #momlifestyle #parents
Good morning! β˜€οΈ I’m so happy that you’re Good morning! β˜€οΈ I’m so happy that you’re here! πŸ’— I’m a pediatrician and mom that is passionate about keeping kids and parents physically & mentally healthy! πŸ’— I just wanted to remind you today that you will always be your child’s best advocate. πŸ’— Always trust your gut. I’m not saying you will always be right, but a lot of the times you will be! I know you doubt yourself! We all do! (Including me!! - I’m always second guessing my parenting decisions!) πŸ’—πŸ’— If you think something is wrong with your child whether it be physical, mental, behavioral or anything else, never be afraid to ask questions and talk to your doctor. πŸ’— As a pediatrician I love when parents ask questions because it helps me to understand what is worrying you…what is keeping you up at night. πŸ’— Sometimes being able to reassure you is enough and sometimes your concerns warrant more investigating and guidance. πŸ’— Pediatricians, parents & patients are a team. So as many of you bring your kids in for their physicals this summer, remember to bring up concerns! Write them down so you don’t forget! πŸ’— Have a wonderful day! Thanks for all you do for your kids every day! πŸ’—πŸ’— Xoxo Dr Vainder Tag a friend to remind them and show them you’re thinking of them! πŸ’—πŸ’— #momlifestyle #doctormom #newmom #pediatrics #pediatrician #womenphysicians #southflorida #southfloridamoms
Update on the new AAP sleep Guidelines. βœ… Babi Update on the new AAP sleep Guidelines. βœ… Babies should be put to sleep on their backs on a firm mattress with no blankets or pillows βœ… No inclined beds βœ… Prevent overheating by not using hats indoors, excessive blankets or clothing βœ… Do not use at home Cardio Respiratory monitors like the OWL. They are not reliable and can give parents a false sense of security or make them nervous unnecessarily βœ… No co-sleeping! Babies should be in your room for the first six months but in their own crib/bassinet. βœ… Pacifiers decrease the risk of SIDS βœ… Increase tummy time to make your baby stronger and easier for them to move around Every year 3500 babies in the US die due to sleep related deaths. Some are preventable and some aren’t but I hope these recommendations help you to do your best to create the safest environment possible for your little one πŸ’— #aapsleep #babiessleep #sleep #aap #pediatrics #pediatrician #moms #dads #newmoms #newmommies #motherhood #southflorida #southfloridamoms
Hi there! If I could give the β€œyoung me” advic Hi there! If I could give the β€œyoung me” advice when I became a mom, it would be to stop trying to do everything perfectly. πŸ’— Women are pulled in so many different directions:jobs, school, kids, friends, partners, family, home, etc. πŸ’— It’s crazy when you stop to think about it. And it’s easy to get caught up in this idea that you can do it all perfectly. πŸ’— In fact, often social media leads you to believe that you should be perfect at everything you do. πŸ’— Well, after practicing pediatrics over 22 years and meeting thousands of women, I can tell you that even the CEO of a major company feels overwhelmed by motherhood. πŸ’— It’s a lot - it changes you and with growth there is always excitement and happiness but also self doubt and fear. πŸ’— So if you’re a new mom, an experienced mom, thinking of being a mom, trying to be a mom etc- the best advice I can give you is to stop trying to be perfect. πŸ’— Instead of criticizing what you do β€œwrong” or β€œcould have done better”, approach each day as an opportunity to grow, and do your best. πŸ’— That’s all. Your best. This simple advice will give you the space to enjoy and accept the ups and downs of motherhood. πŸ’— Save and share with a friend that needs this reminder too πŸ’— You’re not alone - #drvcares #newmom #newmomlife #newmommy #postpartum #newborns #pediatrics #pediatrician #mentalhealth #supportmoms
Good morning! β˜€οΈ As a pediatrician, I have le Good morning! β˜€οΈ As a pediatrician, I have learned to appreciate the human body and what it does for us everyday. πŸ’— So much of what our body does we never even stop to think about. πŸ’— It tries to send you signals when it’s struggling to keep up with your habits πŸ’— And it rewards you when you take the time to care for it πŸ’— So much of our bodies we take for granted until it fails us. πŸ’— How wonderful if we could teach our kids from an early age to appreciate everything their body does for them and the importance of taking care of it. Making healthy choices because we appreciate and love our bodies. πŸ’— Self talk can be taught. It should be intentional. It should not be left for others to decide. πŸ’— Often what kids hear from others they believe to be true about themselves. We need to teach them differently. πŸ’— Have a beautiful day #selflove #kids #pediatrics #pediatrician #summer
PYC was started by my daughter (a teen) for tweens PYC was started by my daughter (a teen) for tweens & teens looking for affordable, trendy jewelry that is personalized and handmade πŸ’— Click the link in my bio for 10% off this summer for a limited time! #tweengirl #jewelrymaking #trendyjewelry
Summer brings lots of fun but it also brings some Summer brings lots of fun but it also brings some common β€œannoying” ailments that you can help prevent by preparing! πŸ₯½- Using goggles in the pool (especially public pools that have so much chlorine!) to prevent red eye irritation. - DONT USE VISINE! πŸ”₯- Heat rash is very common in infants and toddlers that get warm especially while in their car seats or strollers. Use cotton clothing and if they are sweaty, wipe their skin with cool water and change their clothes to dry 100% cotton. Corn starch on skin also helps keep skin dry. πŸ‘‚πŸ»- Otitis Externa (outer ear infections) are very common in the summer after swimming. Some kids are more prone to these because of the shape of their ear canal. To avoid these, always have kids try to shake out any water that might be trapped in there (don’t use q-tips or other objects!) If you’re child gets recurrent ear infections it’s worth using moldeable ear plugs to protect their ears. Using isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) can help dry out water left behind. 😒 - Diarrhea- Lots of stomach viruses (enteroviruses) go around during the summer. They are very contagious! Teach kids not to drink pool water (I know easier said than done for the littles but we can try!) and not sharing food or drinks. Washing hands before eating helps too:) 🩱 Lastly vaginitis in girls is very common in the summer :( It can be incredibly uncomfortable. Teach girls to rinse with fresh water showers after swimming in the pool and to change out of their wet swim suits as soon as they are done. As usual with kids, prevention and teaching kids healthy habits will go a long way and help you to have a fun (pain free:) vacation! I can’t tell you how many times vacationing parents have to visit me for these common ailments while on vacation! Hope these are helpful! Have a safe and fun summer! Follow, save and share :) #drvcares #drmom #floridapediatrician #redeyes #sickkids #pediatrics #moms #toddlers #swimming #pool -
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