Before you read this, here’s a full disclaimer:  I am the Associate Program Lead here at Isis for CPR and First Aid. But I am not writing this in that role. I am writing this as a parent.

Wednesday morning my daughter, who is almost four years old, choked. She choked on a piece of a balloon that she was trying to blow up. Yes, a balloon. And yes, that makes me a hypocrite; because in every CPR class I teach I always tell parents and caregivers how dangerous balloons can be and that children should not play with them.

We were in Pennsylvania visiting my family. My mom uses inflated balloons as a mechanism to keep her dog off the sofa overnight (the dog is a German Shepard mix, but is afraid of everything, including balloons!) So, Wednesday morning, when we all woke up, the living room sofa was decorated in balloons as it is every morning. I didn’t think anything of it, I never did. Ava usually doesn’t even play with the balloons because she knows Cherokee’s afraid of them and she likes to keep Cherokee at her side at all times.

My brother was upstairs sleeping and my mom was in the bathroom getting ready for the day. Ava, Cherokee and I were in the den. I sat down to check email as they played next to me. I saw out of the corner of my eye that Ava had a deflated balloon but it didn’t fully register until all of a sudden she was at my side, with the deflated balloon in her hand and a fear-stricken look on her face.

I can’t really tell you exactly what happened after that. At least not in the order things occurred. I all of a sudden had too many thoughts in my head, tears in my eyes, and panic running through my body. I know I asked her what happened and she didn’t respond. I asked her if she could talk and she shook her head ‘no’. I looked into her mouth, and saw in the very back of her throat, a piece of the navy blue balloon. I almost went to reach for it, but stopped myself. “You idiot! What are you doing?” a voice screamed in my head, “You know not to do that!” I remember screaming for my mom and realizing I couldn’t hear Ava breathing. I turned Ava around. I remember saying “I love you, I love you” as I felt for her zyphoid (to make sure I was below it) and started doing abdominal thrusts.

My mom came into the room and I told her to call 9-1-1. I know how dangerous balloons can be. I know they can mold to a person’s airway and completely block out any air. I was hoping for the best but imagining every worse case scenerio and I didn’t want to waste anytime. Part of me was confident that I was going to dislodge this balloon. The other part of me didn’t want to take the risk of not having the EMT’s there if necessary. My concept of time during all of this was completely off, so I don’t want to estimate how long all of this took. I just know that as I listened to my mom call 9-1-1, my brother came running down the stairs and the dog came running at me. She saw Ava in distress and wanted to help her. The look on Cherokee’s face scared me, because it was obvious she thought I was hurting Ava.

Finally, what felt like minutes later (but was probably only seconds), Ava made a coughing sound. The tightness I felt in her stomach started to go away and she started to breath. The balloon was no where to be found- she swallowed the piece. As my mind raced with worries of a latex allergy, Ava turned around and looked at me in amazement. I knew at that moment she was okay because with her hands on her hips, in true Ava-fashion, she scolded me, “Don’t you ever do that again, Momma! You hurt my tummy!” I laughed, then cried, and hugged her.

My mom was still talking to the dispatcher and I still wanted the EMTs to come to make sure Ava was okay. My parents live in a rural area and their house can be easy to pass if you don’t know where to look. It took the EMT’s 15 minutes to arrive. All I could think is thank God I knew what to do. This bad situation could have gotten a lot worse very quickly. After the EMTs assessed Ava and had me fill out all the paperwork, the one woman thanked me. I’ll forever remember her words: “Thank you for knowing what to do. Too many parents don’t.”

It’s been 48 hours since this occurred. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since then. I watched my daughter sleep for most of the last two nights, just so grateful that she is able to breathe. I keep reflecting on how important it is that all parents, caregivers, any one who may be left alone with a child, knows what to do. So, as a parent, I ask all of you to please take the time to be trained in CPR and First Aid. I tell parents in my classes all the time, “I hope you never need to use any of the skills you learned today.” That is my hope for all of you. But you never know when someone’s life may depend on you knowing what to do!

Teresa Stewart, MS, MPH

Associate Program Lead, CPR and First Aid

Choking Prevention Information

As many new parents know, we’re big fans of babywearing here at Isis Parenting. Our center staff are trained to help parents choose a baby carrier or sling that fits them well, fits their baby well, and fits their lifestyle. We have written in the past about the different types of slings and the benefits of babywearing.

So we’ve been disheartened by the recent recalls and concerns about baby slings that have caused new parents to be skeptical about babywearing. As Sylvia Pagán Westphal recently expressed in her Boston Globe opinion piece, “Part of the problem is that recall announcements don’t explicitly distinguish between problems with products that are truly dangerous and defective versus products that. . . when used properly, pose little risk.”   Slings, like car seats, baby swings and other gear, are safe when used correctly.

In this video, newborn care expert Nancy Holtzman, RN, demonstrates how to safely position a newborn in a sling.

Come into Isis today for a sling and carrier demonstration and fitting. Through August 27th, Isis Members enjoy 20% off all Maya Wrap slings and Hotslings (nonmembers save 10%).

Kim Shipley is passionate about cloth diapering. So we asked her to write about it. Kim is an Isis mom of 11-month-old Coraline and author of the blog The Girl is a Mom.

What are your first thoughts when I say “cloth diapers”? Old fashioned, lots of work, messy, expensive, leaky? Some picture a mom hunched over a bathtub full of poppy diapers, scrubbing away on a washboard. Some have been told by their mothers and grandmothers how easy they have it now with disposable diapers, what they wouldn’t have given 50 years ago to be able to toss it in the trash! However, you may be surprised to know that cloth diapering has come a very long way in the last 20 years. I wanted to touch on a few of the most common myths about cloth diapering.

Myth #1: Cloth Diapers are a lot of work.

I hear this all the time from moms, who say it’s too much hassle and washing poopy diapers is kind of gross. Let’s just be honest here, poopy diapers are yucky, no one wants to change them but it’s a part of life. Washing poopy diapers is no more yucky then changing them. I wash diapers everyday if it is very hot, every other day when it is a more mild temperature. It’s really only about 3 extra loads of laundry per week. That isn’t bad, let’s face it, you are a parent so you are doing countless loads of laundry already. A few extra loads does not take a huge chunk of your time. You do not have to hand wash diapers or do anything remarkably special. Dirty diapers are stored in a wet bag, which is made of the same waterproof material as diaper covers. Simply toss the diapers into the wash, it is that simple. I toss mine in the dryer on a low heat for a couple of cycles. Summer time is a great time to dry diapers in the sun. Natural fibers take longer to dry then a microfiber or fleece. It is a little extra work, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.

Myth #2: Cloth diapers require pins, folds and headaches.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, this is exactly what I thought of cloth diapering. I would need to fold them and learn to pin them, it sounded so difficult. Then I saw how far the cloth diaper has come in the last 20 years. Cloth diapering has never been so easy. While many parents still choose to use the old prefold style diapers, most cloth diapering families use the newer styles which are much more like disposable diapers. All-in-one, pocket, and fitteds have all replaced the need for fold and pins.

Myth #3: Cloth diapering is expensive.

You know from diapering your own children just how many disposable diapers you use in a week, the average seems to be around 60 diapers a week. The average child will use roughly 6,000 diapers before they are potty trained. That makes the cost of disposables around $66 per month or $1,600 total. These are average numbers, I was completely surprised when I discovered that we spent this much on something that we just threw away. Cloth diapers seem expensive because rather then buying packs of diapers every week, the costs are more up front. I spent $425 on our cloth diaper stash, 25 diapers of all kinds. This was for all of my diapering supplies. Yes, that is a lot of money to spend at one time, you could definitely space that out or start buying when you are expecting to make several small purchases instead. The thing is, I don’t have to buy any more diapers. Ever. Because my diapers are reusable, I spent $425 total. That is a savings of $1,175 and it’s totally possible to cloth diaper for even less then what I spent.

Myth #4: Cloth diapers are leaky and messy.

How many times have you had a “blowout” with a disposable diaper? When we used disposables this was a fairly regular occurrence. Since switching to cloth diapering, we have never had a “blowout”. It’s pretty amazing how absorbent cloth can be. Most diapers are made from cotton, hemp, bamboo, fleece, microfiber or a combination of those. All cloth diapers have some kind of waterproof barrier, some require a separate cover while others have a layer built in. Just like with disposable diapers, most leaking problems are actually from the fit. It’s important to find the right fit for your child, as not all babies have the same needs.

For a growing number of families, cloth diapering is the way to go. Here in Boston we are among the lucky few to have a brick and mortar cloth diaper store. Diaper Lab in Somerville offers free cloth diapering workshops along with a friendly and helpful staff. I think the main thing to realize is that you have options when it comes to diapering your child. I never realized there was something out there for us other then the weekly trips to the store to buy large boxes of disposable diapers. Finding cloth diapers was like having a light bulb light up over my head. I am always ready and willing to talk to a family about switching to cloth. Send me an email, find me on Facebook, or walking down the street. I hope that one day I will not be the only mom at playgroup who cloth diapers her baby.

Kim Shipley

The Girl is a Mom

One of the wonderful things about making your own baby food is the ability to offer a variety of foods that you just can’t find in the baby aisle at the grocery store. These “exotic” fruits and veggies can be healthful additions to your little one’s diet and help diversify their palette.

I had help thinking “outside the jar” from conversations with babyfood-making family and friends, plus two fabulous resources: Babycook Book by David Rathgeber and Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron.

Avocado

One of the easiest fruits (yes, it’s a fruit) to prepare, because you don’t have to cook it. Just mush it up with a fork. Avocado is an excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids (“good” fat).

Cantaloupe

If broccoli is the king of vegetables, cantaloupe is the queen of fruits. Again, when it’s nice and ripe, you can just mush it up, or cut it into tiny pieces for older babies. High in beta-carotene, cantaloupe is a refreshing choice for the summer months.

Pumpkin

I have a friend from New Zealand who couldn’t believe you couldn’t get pumpkin baby food in the US. Apparently it’s a staple over there. Extremely rich in potassium, steam it just like you would any other squash.

Beets

My mom has a photo of me as a baby with my face covered in beets. (Watch out, they stain.) Beets have a sweet flavor and are rich in vitamins B and C, magnesium, phosphorus and fiber.

Artichoke

Artichoke hearts are tender, tasty and easy to puree. Some parents cook the artichoke, eat the leaves themselves and save the heart for the baby. Artichoke is high in vitamins A and D.

Mango

Full of vitamins A, C and D. Make sure it’s ripe, then peel and puree.

Consult your pediatrician for recommendations on when it’s appropriate to introduce these foods to your baby. Whenever possible, buy local and organic. We have dozens of wonderful farmer’s markets in Massachusetts. Visit the Federation of Massachusetts Farmer’s Markets for a market near you.

I am frustrated with my baby weight. It is the unwelcome house guest around my middle that just doesn’t realize it’s time to go. Some of the pounds unpacked and got comfortable during my first pregnancy seven years ago, and then their relatives moved in during my pregnancy with the twins last year – and none of them have made the slightest pretense of budging! I’ve hinted, I’ve tried to make things as uncomfortable for them as possible – but sadly, they like the food.

So I’ve decided it’s time to get serious about what I’m eating. For quite a while I’ve deluded myself, talking myself into the logic that a Lean Cuisine at lunch makes up for Ben & Jerry’s after dinner. And did you know that a cookie eaten around 4am is necessary for getting back to sleep? Any of you who know what I’m talking about are familiar with this very creative self-bargaining.

But getting serious about what I’m eating is daunting to me. I can’t cook. So when my husband is working, I’m left to forage for whatever is easy and convenient…two adjectives that are usually associated with not-so-good food choices. Peanut butter and jelly – a staple. Soup…out of a can. Noodles and sauce. Frozen chicken cordon bleu. Okay, not the worst foods in the world, but certainly very low in redeeming qualities. I look at recipes for healthy “easy to prepare” meals and I literally feel myself getting lazier.

The real impetus for me came two days ago. I went for a haircut and based my choice of style on what would most flatter my heavier face. Then my hairdresser, also a mom, shared that she has lost 60 pounds since January. My curiosity piqued, I asked for details and was thrilled to hear that she, too, cannot cook and has little interest in learning. A kindred spirit! She told me of the egg-white omelets she makes herself, the salads loaded with grilled chicken and veggies, the dramatic reduction of starches and sugars, water as the beverage with every meal. And when she and her husband go out to eat, because they don’t deny themselves, they’ll share meals to help with portion control.

But what really struck me was when she said I shouldn’t try to do it all at once. That I should make changes in my diet gradually rather than jumping into the deep end. I know this isn’t a revolutionary idea. It’s not that she’s the first one to ever think of this, but it was just what I needed to hear in that moment. It’s like she gave me permission to take my time and not feel as if I was taking on something burdensome.

So this morning I made an egg-white omelet (store bought – didn’t separate them myself…even though I do know how to) with bacon, low-fat cheddar, and oregano. I also had half a grapefruit. Sure I could have used turkey bacon and added some veggies and my salad lunch should have had some greener leafs and, again, more veggies – but I’m going in the right direction. I bought almonds and mini carrots to have as snacks and kept my water bottle with me throughout the day. So maybe Ben & Jerry’s peanut brittle ice cream came to visit – I only had a few spoonfuls…really!

Most important, for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m not just complaining but actually taking steps. Baby steps, true; but that seems only appropriate for a mom!

Becky Morgan

Wellness Program Lead