What is Co-Sleeping Sharing the bed with an infant through the night may be a “good thing.” The infant learns to self-regulate, preventing the infant from entering a sleep state that is too deep. In addition the parents’ own breathing may help the infant to “remember” to breathe. Because of the proximity of mother, babies do not have to fully wake and cry to get a response. Mothers have a positive nighttime experience because they tend to sleep better. Co-sleeping encourages breastfeeding. Mothers who co-sleep breastfeed an average of twice as long as non-co-sleeping mothers. Co-sleeping mothers exhibit five times the number of “protective” behaviors (cuddling, stroking, blanket adjustment) than…

New Grad and Reentry Program – “When the going gets tough the tough get going.” There is an enormous interest for the New Grad to become part of the Maternal Child Cluster upon graduation. Excitement builds towards the end of nursing school and you earned the coveted title of RN. You have chosen your dream job. With eagerness and enthusiasm you begin looking for that hospital that can hire your talents, knowledge, and passion. But without past experience nobody wants you!!  You ask “How can I get experience if no one will hire me?”  This becomes a colossal hurdle to overcome. You have spent considerable money and extensive effort with…

September is designated as Sepsis awareness month by the CDC. To be diagnosed with sepsis, you must exhibit at least two of the following systems, plus a probable or confirmed infection. Body temperature about 101ᵒF (38.3ᵒC) or below 96.8ᵒF (36ᵒC) Heart rate higher than 90 bpm Respiratory rate higher than 20 breaths per minute. The diagnosis will be upgraded to severe sepsis if you also exhibit at least one of the following signs and symptoms, which indicate an organ may be failing Significantly decreased urinary output Abrupt changes in mental status Decrease in platelet count Difficulty breathing Abnormal heart pumping function Abdominal pain   To be diagnosed with septic shock,…