ASHA Approved CE Provider!
June 10, 2024
Bubble-Free Feeding: Smiles All Around
September 10, 2024
Let's face it (pun intended!), taking care of ourselves can sometimes feel like a luxury. But recently, I indulged in a facial, and it was pure bliss. Just like the sweet, innocent faces of the little ones on my caseload, there's something incredibly calming about a good massage. It feels like all the stress melts away, leaving you refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
During my facial, I confided in the aesthetician about my frustratingly dry skin. No matter how much water I guzzled, it still seemed to flake relentlessly.
Her response surprised me. "We often think chugging water is the key to hydrated skin," she explained, "but the truth is, you also need to eat plenty of foods with high water content. Your body actually absorbs water more efficiently from food than just plain water itself."
She used a fun analogy to illustrate her point:
"Think of yourself as a juicy grape, not a shriveled raisin."
The logic hit me like a wave as I drove home. Here I was, focusing solely on external hydration, while neglecting the power of internal hydration through food. Researching this further, I discovered a treasure trove of high-water content foods: iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, celery, strawberries, cantaloupe, and of course, my personal favorite – watermelon!
I stocked up on these goodies and within days, I felt a noticeable difference. My skin was smoother, plumper, and finally living up to its grapey potential.
But then, a thought struck me: could this knowledge benefit the little ones I work with too? Absolutely! Many of my clients struggle with constipation, which is no surprise considering their limited fluid intake and developing digestive systems.
One case in particular stands out. I was working with a mom whose 4-month-old baby suffered from chronic constipation. We implemented the tried-and-true gas and colic routine, but I wanted to explore further options.
Remembering my conversation with the aesthetician, I suggested introducing a tiny amount of mashed, seedless watermelon into the baby's diet. It worked like a charm! We were able to gradually decrease the frequency of the massage routine while maintaining a small amount of watermelon in the baby's weekly diet.
The mom was overjoyed. "The watermelon did wonders!" she exclaimed. "It feels like our whole family is functioning much better now!"
This experience solidified the importance of a holistic approach to health, even for our littlest clients. By combining traditional techniques with the power of water-rich foods, we can achieve amazing results and bring a little more sunshine into everyone's day (especially during the beautiful summer months!).
That’s all for now,
Laura
