Another ancient practice in childbirth has been resurrected, the lotus birth. This is where the placenta cord is allowed to deteriorate and fall off naturally.
But, just like the scientifically unfounded practice of eating the placenta, there’s no health-related reason to drag this thing around until it dries up in 7 to 10 days. This practice enjoyed a resurgence in the 80’s when the belief was that the placenta is part of the baby and the baby decides when to release it. There’s no science to support this end and common sense says it’s bunk. The placenta and umbilical cord could expose the baby to serious infections. While the baby can’t make a decision when the placenta should go, his parents should at least have enough sense to ditch it. Claudia Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch. Image by Rajesh Balouria from Pixabay Scientists now understand the purpose of those puppy dog eyes.
It’s not that they’re excited when you give them a treat, they’re actually trying to communicate with you. Dogs and babies use facial expressions that make their eyes look bigger which is part of the “cute quotient” that makes them precious and causes us to want to love and protect them. See? Nature has a plan. Nature wires us in ways that improve our survival, so she gives babies those big eyes and small noses and mouths. They are “designed to be adorable”. And those puppies? They are at their cutest when they’re about 8 weeks old. Yep, we can’t help ourselves. We just have to take care of them. This has been going on for thousands of years and has created the unbreakable bond between humans and their dogs. There’s a reason why the kids and the dogs have our hearts. Claudia Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch. When Americans are compared to other countries in terms of anxiety, we’re #8. We’ve seen a huge spike over the past 5 years. Just look at the kids. In teens, about 24% of girls and 15% of boys have an anxiety disorder. In colleges, anxiety is bolting ahead of depression. Each generation is faced with its own issues that cause distress. Look at the recent generations. They’re living in pressure cookers. They’re plagued by anxiety from the 9-11 attacks, the worldwide economic recession, crippling student loans, intense pressure from helicopter parents and the rise of social media. Work to balance your kids’ lives. Teach them coping skills, to plan for a rainy day, to understand how people operate, to tolerate frustration and develop realistic expectations. It’s your job, do it. Claudia Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch. Baking for other people has tremendous psychological benefits. There’s a connection between creative expression and well-being. For many folks, baking is their “go-to” option for coping. Why? Because they can move their focus from their worries to the recipe. Baking is also a way to communicate your feelings. Food, for many cultures, is an expression of love. We understand food. Baking also requires mindfulness. Get distracted and you’ve replaced baking powder with baking soda and oops! Baking helps us to engage in the daily routines of life. There’s a social rhythm to it. It’s selfless, positive and priceless. There’s a reason why we jealously guard our family recipes. They’re part of our history. A witness to our lives, so to speak. Yes, you just might take Grandma’s biscuit recipe to your grave, but I sure hope you share it with us first. Claudia Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch. |
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