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water safety tips infant and children

The sun is out and the lakes are warming up! It’s time to get out

and play in the water. But before you go, spend some time thinking and talking with your family about water safety. Unfortunately, drowning is the leading cause of injury related death in children ages 1 to 4 years old (AAP, 2019). While no one wants to imagine the heartache of losing a child, it is important to realize the risks pools and lakes pose for children and ensure prevention measures are followed.

Water safety depends on the child’s developmental age, swimming skill, and access to water. In this article, we’ll cover some general water safety tips but please ask your pediatric provider if you have any specific water safety questions for your child.

Written by Kaleena Trimpe, ARNP

ACCESS TO WATER:

Research shows that almost 70% of drownings among children under 4 occur during “non-swim” times. This means that controlling the access to water is critical to in preventing drowning! This is referred to as creating “layers of protection”. These include: • Fencing around pools, with latches above where a child can reach. • Cover hot tub/spa when not in use. • Empty “kiddie” pool, buckets and bath water immediately when finished. • Consider access to the lake and use alarms and gates to protect young children.

SUPERVISION:

It is important to always be in arms reach when children are swimming or bathing. Drowning is often silent, and while it is tempting to go to the next room to fold a load of laundry or run inside and grab a cool drink, this momentary lapse can lead to the unthinkable. While at the lake, river or pool, I suggest assigning a water watcher. It can be helpful to hold a physical object, such as a card or whistle, to designate the water watcher. This person is responsible for constant observation of the water- no phones, no drinks, no distractions. Of course, trade with other adults so everyone can enjoy water time safely!

SAFETY:

Life jackets should always be worn on boats and docks. Find your child a life jacket that fits well and comfortably. And teach by example, much like wearing a helmet while riding a bike. Parents, grandparents and caregivers should learn CPR and refresh your memory yearly.

SKILL:

I encourage swim lessons as one of the best ways to prevent drowning. A skilled teacher can help your child learn how to float on their back in the event of a fall into the water and to climb out of the pool independently. There are classes available for every age and skill level, from infant on up. Getting children comfortable in the water can start at a very young age. w

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Caring for the Caregiver Tips for How to Put Yourself First While Caring for Others

Being able to care for someone you love can be one of the most rewarding achievements in life. Dedication and hard work goes into providing care to those in need. Whether it is for a young child or those on their end-of- life journey, so much energy is put into others, but what about your needs? The average family caregiver provides 40 hours of care each week, often more. Being a caregiver to a loved one during a serious illness can be an overwhelming journey filled with mixed emotion which can take a physical toll on your body. It is hard to find the balance between caring for yourself and caring for the one you love which can result in “caregiver burnout”.

Written by Megan Ryan

“Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. Burnout can occur when caregivers do not get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able. Many caregivers feel guilty if they spend time on themselves rather than on their loved ones. Caregivers who are” burned out” may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression” stated The Cleveland Clinic. For you to provide the best care to someone else, your well-being needs to be a priority.

The following tips can help prioritize your needs to avoid burnout.

#1.

Make sure you are putting your basic needs first. Basic needs include eating healthy food, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and taking breaks. These are necessities for you to be able to provide the best care for your loved one.

#2.

Create space for support. Caregiver support helps to take care of your mental health and gives you an outlet with those who understand the duties you are providing. Having a support system who will listen can make a difference in your attitude which affects the care you provide.

#3.

Accept help. Often caregivers feel that all the work is on them. When help is offered it is important to take it. Respite care is a great opportunity that Hospice offers to patients. Patients can stay at the Schneidmiller House for a few hours or up to 5 days to relieve their caretaker.

#4.

Give yourself grace. This is not an easy job and not everyday will go accordingly, but just acknowledging you’re doing your best is helpful.

#5.

Educate yourself on the best practices, disease progression, and resources available. Hospice of North Idaho offers skills workshops multiple times a year to provide education and support. “Often I would find while working with family caregivers that many wished they had been educated on caregiver skills sooner,” states Maggie McComb, RN Hospice of North Idaho Education Coordinator and Caregiver Skills Educator. w

Megan Ryan is the Community Outreach Coordinator at Hospice of North Idaho. The next Caregiver Skills workshop is on August 5th from 12:30 to 3:30 PM on the Hospice of North Idaho Campus.

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Lentil Tabouli Salad

This vegan, gluten-free salad is hearty, flavorful and packed full of protein. Inspired from the flavors of the Middle East, lentils replace bulgar wheat in this version of tabouli, eliminating the gluten all together. Fresh herbs and lemon add a refreshing brightness, while warming spices of cinnamon and allspice add depth and intrigue.

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INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 Cups Puy Lentils (or Palouse Caviar lentils) • 3 Cups water • 4 medium tomatoes (2 cups finely diced) • 1 large bunch Italian Parsley - finely chopped (about 1 1/2 Cups) • 1/3 C finely diced Red onion or shallot • 1/4 C finely chopped fresh mint • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp cinnamon • 2 tsp allspice • 3 Tablespoons olive oil • 1/4 C lemon juice and zest for garnish lemon • Cracked Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a medium pot bring lentils and water to a boil. Turn down heat, cover and let simmer on med-low to low heat for 25-35 minutes, until just tender. Most of the water will be gone.Strain and rinse with cold water until lentils are nice and cold.

While lentils are simmering. Finely dice tomatoes, onion, parsley and mint, and place in a medium sized bowl. Toss in lentils and mix in olive oil, lemon juice, kosher salt, pepper, cinnamon and allspice. Don’t be tempted to leave the spices out- they seem strange, but work well. Toss. Adjust salt and lemon if necessary. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish with lemon zest.

Total time: 35 min Yield: 5-6 Cups

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On a journey to feed me & my family whole food and live a more natural lifestyle & inspire YOU too!

After a long and challenging year homeschooling my 3 kiddos for the first time, I could NOT be anymore excited for all of the fun summer adventures ahead of us! I don’t know about you, but once we get busy with summer activities and enjoying all that beautiful Northern Idaho has to offer, I sometimes completly forget to make time for a healthy lunch! We tend to start our day with breakfast, go out and adventure (maybe snacking along the way), then come home to enjoy dinner as a whole family.

I wanted to give you a fun, but super easy and quick idea for making sure you get a well balanced mid-day meal in to fuel all the fun you have planned! I have yet to meet anyone that doesn’t like a charcuterie board! Why not take that concept into your summertime lunches at home OR on the go!?! What makes this an “easy button” meal is that you are mostly just gathering and assembling verses having to “prepare” or cook your meal. Here are 5 categoreis & tips that will make assembling your Summer Charcuterie Lunch

FUN, SIMPLE & FAST!

#1. FRUIT & VEGGIES:

Keep your refrigerator stocked with pre-washed & pre-chopped fruits and veggies. This makes it effortless to throw them onto your plate or into your packed lunch! Be sure to grab whatever is in season at our local Farmers Markets! Local & Fresh = amazing flavor and the best possible nutrient profile!

#2. PROTEIN:

Keep your refrigerator and pantry stocked with grab-and-go protein options! We like to have meats, cheeses, hardboiled eggs, cottage cheese, jerky and meat sticks on hand always!

#3. DIPS & SPREADS:

Stock up on your favorite dips and spreads. These add a little extra flavor and fun for dipping your veggies, spreading on crackers or making a roll up with your deli meats! We love guacamole, hummus, cowboy caviar and any of the Cultured Mama Probiotic Dips from Pilgrims Market!

#4. MUNCHIES:

Always have healthy “munchie” items on hand! We like rice crackers, avocado oil potato chips, gluten free crackers, organic corn chips and rice cakes! These go well with your meats, cheeses and dips you might have. I like to make little “sandwiches” with the crackers, meat, cheese and spread! Sometimes I even use sliced cucumbers as the cracker or bread part of the “sandwich” too!

#5. FUN EXTRAS:

It’s always fun to add your favorite nuts, olives or even a few pieces of your favorite dark chocolate as a treat!

I hope this inspires you to have fun with your summertime lunches! Please take a photo of YOUR Summer Charcuterie Lunch and tag me on Instagram @kara_thewholemomma. I would love to share them in my stories to inspire others to fuel themselves well this summer!

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