Health And Fitness | Real Tech Mom

Alcohol and Breastfeeding

September 18, 2008 by erincarrasco 4 Comments

I was at a healthy baby group today and the topic of alcohol and breastfeeding came up. In Canada we have a resource called MotherRisk, generally it’s a resource that you can contact to inquire about medical questions you have during pregnancy and beyond. So if you were unsure as to what types of drugs are safe for a cold during pregnancy and you couldn’t get in touch with your doctor, they have a hotline that you can call and they will give you an answer based on scientific research.

Here’s a little more info specifically what MotherRisk does:

The Motherisk Program at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a clinical, research and teaching program dedicated to antenatal drug, chemical, and disease risk counselling. It is affiliated with the University of Toronto. Created in 1985, Motherisk provides evidence-based information and guidance about the safety or risk to the developing fetus or infant, of maternal exposure to drugs, chemicals, diseases, radiation and environmental agents

Recently they had conducted an study to determine just how long women should wait before resuming breastfeeding after having an alcoholic beverage. We’ve all read online that it’s 2 hours for one drink, and one drink being a beer, a 5 oz glass of wine, and 1oz of hard alcohol. But how much you weigh determines how quickly your body metabolizes the alcohol. Below what MotherRisk found in reference to drinking alcohol and breastfeeding:

Question:
I recently delivered a healthy, full-term baby and am now breastfeeding exclusively. I abstained form drinking alcohol during my entire pregnancy and am wondering if drinking alcohol now would harm my nursing baby.

Answer:
Nursing mothers who choose to drink alcohol during the postpartum period should carefully plan a breastfeeding schedule by storing milk before drinking and waiting for complete elimination of alcohol from their breast milk after drinking. Mother risk has created an algorithm to estimate how long it takes to eliminate alcohol from breast milk.

Below is their algorithm:

*1 drink = 340 g (12 oz) of 5% beer, or 141.75 g (5 oz) of 11% wine, or 42.53 g (1.5 oz) of 40% liquor.

Here are two of their examples:

Example no. 1:
For a 40.8-kg (90-lb) woman who consumed three drinks in 1 hour, it would take 8 hours, 30 minutes for there to be no alcohol in her breast milk, but for a 95.3-kg (210-lb) woman drinking the same amount, it would take 5 hours, 33 minutes.
Example no. 2:
For a 63.5-kg (140-lb) woman drinking four beers starting at 8:00 pm, it would take 9 hours, 17 minutes for there to be no alcohol in her breast milk (ie, until 5:17 am)

They also note the following:

Because alcohol elimination follows zero-order kinetics, drinking water, resting, or ‘pumping and dumping” breast milk will not accelerate elimination. Unlike urine, which stores substances in the bladder, alcohol is not trapped in breast milk, but is constantly removed as it diffuses back into the bloodstream.

The Bottom Line

If any type of alcohol consumption makes you uncomfortable do not feel that you have to drink, or feel pressured to have a drink. If you are at a party and want to avoid pressure, you can drink soda with lime, or 7-up and add a lime wedge!

If you do decide to drink, the above information is a guideline only and does not replace a medical practitioner’s advice.

Alcohol is never good for a baby no matter in what quantities. An even though an infant is exposed to a fraction of the amount of alcohol the mother ingests, infants detoxify alcohol in their first weeks of life at only half the rate of adults.

One thing to mention is that, you are now responsible for another life, if you choose to drink make sure that someone is sober enough to take care of your baby should baby get ill.

Now after this is all said and done, I do enjoy beverages every now and again, my baby sleeps through the nigh (knocks on wood) so I do not have to feed him during the night. If for some reason I needed too, I always have milk stored in the fridge and freezer. I don’t feel there is anything wrong with enjoying a few drinks responsibly!

For more information on this article please click here, the references to the research articles are on that page as well!

Many thanks to Christy for this wonderful information!

For More information on the services that Mother Risk provides:

Motherisk counselors talk to hundreds of women and their healthcare providers each day providing guidance, support and peace of mind. So if you don’t find the information you are looking for on this website, try calling one of our Helplines. Motherisk counselors are available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

1-877-327-4636 – Alcohol and Substance
1-800-436-8477 – Morning Sickness
1-888-246-5840 – HIV and HIV Treatment
(416) 813-6780 – Motherisk’s Home Line

Filed Under: Advice, Health and Fitness, New Mom

Sunscreen: Why it’s not safe for babies

July 30, 2008 by erincarrasco 6 Comments

The title should really be, why it’s not safe for anyone. I was cruising some message boards a few nights ago and found out why Sunscreen is not safe for babies. Let’s see, Number one, It’s never been tested on babies under 6 months. That’s generally the reason you can’t use it on your babe under 6 months! To which a few of my mommy friends and i have jokingly said.. what will they turn into green monsters if we do… well according to what CRAP they put in them… they just might. Number 2, the stuff they put in them is actually being proven ineffective “as we speak” against protecting against enough of the broad spectrum of UV rays. Some of the worst offenders are: Neutrogena, Coppertone–DAMN it I just bought a new bottle, and Banana Boat (you know the one that smells like coconuts!)

A few years ago, ok well maybe 9 years ago, there was a popular song called “Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen” written by Mary Schmich and published in the Chicago Tribune as a column in 1997, made popular by Baz Luhrmann.

All that Glitter’s is not gold

Ah, the golden tan. What is it about someone who is nice and golden that just makes them look “healthy?” I for one can not comment on this, I’m as ~~pasty~~ fair skinned as they come. I burn being outside without sunscreen in as little as 20 minutes on a hot sunny day. (Darn blond hair) But I have probably tanned myself senseless over the past years, because I just think a tan looks hot. I have tried a few “fake and bake” products that I find have worked better then other’s and I’ll review those in another post but for now let’s move on to the serious stuff.

Sun Damage

Ahh yes, it’s been all the hype over the last 20-30 years and is increasing in it’s popularity due to the increasing cases of skin cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) light, (the invisible but intense rays of the sun) damages your skin.

Believe it or not sun damage of your skin begin’s with a Tan. Yup, that healthy warm sun kissed glow is sun damage. It’s cousin Sun Burn is more obvious to us “sun” consumers, because well it hurts! Other signs of sun damage is including liver spots or deep wrinkles (oh and the endless ways to get rid of those lovely things are driving the plastic surgery industry). With repeated sun exposure, the skin damage can even progress into cancerous tumors, and many of us think nooo it can’t happen to me, well the scary thing is that it’s the most common form of cancer, and unless you lock yourself away in a dungeon you’re at risk too.

What can I do to prevent sun damage?

Cover up when you go outside: Let’s face it, if it’s hot out, wearing more clothes isn’t the most realistic options. But more companies are now coming out with UV resistant clothing! Yes even wearing a t-shirt won’t stop the rays, now we need special shirts… sheesh. But covering up does not necessarily mean more clothes. You can enjoy a day at the beach when you bring along a beach umbrella, and a hat.

Avoid the sun during peak hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m. but realistically that is your whole day during the summer months, and that’s when sunscreen comes in.

What’s in my sunscreen?

SO not only do you have to make sure your sunscreen is effective, you have to make sure the ingredients in the sunscreen won’t kill you! Ok you all have to seriously check out this website that specializes in researching everything from cosmetics to sunscreen. In the US there is no standardized testing process from the FDA on sunscreen. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 4 out of 5 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. When you read up what sunscreen has in it, it’s kind of nasty and NO WONDER they don’t want it on babies younger then 6 months. I’m not even sure I want it on my skin!

In Canada we have something called the Canadian Dermatology Association, and if your sunscreen has this symbol, you should be very well protected against sun damage. BUT It does not mean there aren’t any harmful chemicals in your sunscreen. Click here to see what the CDA’s seal of approval means.

Want to see what sunscreen’s meet the CDA’s list of approval? Click here to find out!

The Top Culprit in the danger Zone: Oxybenzone

It’s pro: it absorbs UV-A ultraviolot rays.

It’s cons: (from Wiki–please see the page for academic references)

“This organic compound has been shown to penetrate into the skin where it acts as a photosensitizer. This results in an increased production of free radicals under illumination, which makes this substance a photocarcinogen.[3] This study is actually of benzophenones, not oxybenzones. Two years after the study this information is now reaching consumers,[4] but this photocarcinogen can still be found in many sunscreens.

Oxybenzone is a derivative of benzophenone, which is well known to attack DNA when iluminated. It generates strand breaks and various photoproducts.[5] Already in 1993 the use of oxybenzone had been strongly criticized, based on its similarity to benzophenone.[5]

The photomutagenic properties of these compounds might be a contributing factor to the increased melanoma incidence that has been found in sunscreen users.”

Um OK, holy CRAP!!!! It’s a derivative of something well known to attack DNA when Illuminated (ie, going in the sun!) And do you know that almost all the sunscreens I’ve looked up have this ingredient in it!

Also Zinc Oxide has been linked to many many many health issues–click here to see which ones. Nano Zinc Oxide is worse however–you’d think it’d be better because of the Nano wording.

The absorption of these sunscreen ingredients into the skin does not occur instantaneously, but the sunscreen concentration in the deeper levels of the skin increases over time. Right now there are studies going on that are trying to find out the amount of time between the topical application of the sunscreen and the end of the illumination period. But it could be years before the results are produced and further yet, replicated.

Bottom Line

If you are tired of waiting for the FDA to get off their duff to make sunscreen protection standardized, tell him by clicking here!

Here are some Top Sunscreen Tips.

Don’t use sunscreen with bug repellant in it, most often bugs during that time during the day aren’t of the biting kind, you don’t need extra chemical’s soaking into your blood stream.

Right now even the sunscreens that protect you against the sun, still have harmful levels of chemical’s in them, but their pro’s outweigh the cons–for now.

These products that actually protect your skin from the UV rays are more pricey. And basically you have to replace them if they’ve been roasted in your car, or on the beach, as it will make these active ingredients ineffective.

Don’t buy sunscreen in aerosol form.

After reading this, I’m for sure not putting them on my little baby, and now I have to go buy a new sunscreen for myself. Mind you I do have the Aveeno Baby sunblock, so I guess I’m covered for the summer… Gosh now I’m even more paranoid, LOL but you know, it doesn’t make me not want a hot tan, isn’t that even more disturbing.

Tweightloss Tip of the day

Thanks to WorkoutMommy! Here is her tip of the day: No matter where you are, if you yawn do 10 (good form) squats! I’m going to make this one of my weekly goals! Love it! Didn’t get to the gym yesterday but had a good eating healthy day! But today I will be at the gym for sure!

Filed Under: Babies, Health and Fitness

Infomercial’s that actually work!

July 28, 2008 by erincarrasco 4 Comments

Yes, it’s true that I’m a sucker for infomercials. I’ve bought my share of things from infomercials over the years and admittedly most have gathered dust around my house. But I’m here to tell the truth on two items that have worked and a third that probably works but I couldn’t stand to do it so I can’t advocate its effectiveness. All products are from www.beachbody.com.

Slim in 6

Debbie Seibers is a crazy woman who developed a wonderful workout series that in my opinion work your lower body to its fullest capacity–in just 6 weeks.

What is it?

Its tagline is “Slim Training combines cardio with light resistance moves to help you burn fat and sculpt a lean, sexy body—especially your abs, thighs, and buns.” While it does work out your entire body, it’s really focused on your lower body with all different types of squats, lunges, and plié’s. I purchased this video before my wedding and lost 15lbs and quite a few inches around my lower body. The beginning DVD(Start it up) is good to get a adjusted to, the intermediate(Ramp it up) one is the one I spent the most time on because it was a good length (47 minutes) and I got a good work out! When I was at the top of my “game” I did the advanced (Burn it up) but man was I done after that work out! I found that her sculpting was combined with the cardio and that makes all the difference. The upper body is tricky because you have to really want to work out those arms in order for her methods to work as you can really just rest your hands on your hips. She does have a section for you to work your arms out with resistance bands which is good too! Over all it was a good buy.

What you’ll get:

When you order Online it’s basically $60.00 plus Shipping. What you’ll get for your money is: Start it up, Ramp it Up, and Burn it up. You’ll also get a few bonus’s:

Slim & 6-Pack advanced abs routine for flat, sexy abs. (11 minutes)

Slim & Limber flexibility routine to revitalize you on your days off. (14 minutes)

6-Day Express™ Diet Plan to help you lose up to 6 pounds in your first week! Also includes a handy journal and shopping list.

Power 90

Tony Horton is the creator of this system. His most renowned stuff is the P90X which is the advanced system of this Power 90–which aims at transforming your body in 90 days.

What is it?

I’m sure those of you who have the ability to run for your cardio workout… this one will work for you, but I have no lung capacity, so I had a hard time with this work out. Not that it doesn’t work, my husband really liked it. Tony is a little crazy, I mean not tony little crazy but a funny crazy that makes you laugh! He likes sweat LOL.

What you’ll get:

Sculpt Circuit 1–2 Easy moves that work to tone, firm, and strengthen your entire body. (29 minutes)
Sweat Cardio 1–2 Fun, innovative cardio moves, kickboxing, Pilates, and more to burn fat and shed inches fast! (36 minutes)
Sculpt Circuit 3–4 Next level for sculpting long, lean muscles! (38 minutes)
Sweat Cardio 3–4 Accelerated fat and calorie blasting. (42 minutes)
Ab Ripper 100 & 200 Get two 6-minute ab routines guaranteed to give you the flat, sexy six-pack abs you’ve always wanted.

It is also $60.00 USD plus shipping. You also get a few bonus’s:

Fat Burning Express workout Jump-start your metabolism and burn fat and calories in just 35 minutes.
Fat Burner Meal Plan A step-by-step eating plan to burn the fat without giving up your favorite foods.
6-Day Fat Burning Express plan Lose up to 10 lbs. and 10 inches in just 6 days with this proven weight loss plan.
Success measurement card and tape measure Tools to help you stay motivated and achieve your goals.

Turbo Jam (Maximum Results)

I am in love with this product. It is actually fun to do. Not only is Chalene Johnson a great motivator but she’s cookey and crazy so you can have a LOT of fun with this workout. Chalene’s work out is aerobics and toning with the focus on your core. She has people designated for the low impact side of things so you don’t have to do anything’s your knees may not let you do! Out of all the products I’ve purchased she’s my favourite. Its music from the early 90′s that just makes you get into the groove of things! In the package I got the turbo sculpt, cardio party, ab jam and the learn and burn. Make sure you learn with Learn and burn how to use her moves effectively.

It again is $60.00 USD plus shipping–noticing a pattern here? And here are the bonus’s you’ll get: (I don’t have the maximum results one, but I can go buy weighted gloves here at any Wal-Mart so I’m not spending shipping and Duty on this)

Turbo Sculpting Gloves Scientifically proven to increase muscle activity by up to 96% so you get ripped even faster!
Punch, Kick & Jam Advanced workout specially designed to tap into the power of the Turbo Sculpting Gloves! (50 minutes)
Turbo Slim® rapid results program An easy-to-follow meal plan and measurement tool to help you lose up to 10 inches in just 10 workouts!

I find that I get enough out of the cardio party that I don’t do the sculpt, but that’s only because I have the slim in 6, I find that it’s more effective with all the squats. As for the ab jam, now that is a work out! If you already had turbo jam, the new one (maximum results) has hand weights to intensify the muscle burning for your arms!