Do you have any new parents in your life? Perhaps you have friends who just had a baby, or perhaps a family member or coworker recently became a parent?

If someone in your life is just starting their journey of parenthood, they’re going to need more support than they might feel comfortable asking for. If you want to help them, but don’t know how, here are some of the biggest struggles they’ll face and ways you can provide your support.

They’ll have low energy for basic tasks

New parents will naturally be low on energy, whether it’s from staying up all night soothing a crying baby, feeding every few hours, or stress. This lack of energy will make it hard for them to accomplish even the most basic tasks like doing the dishes and scheduling appointments.

One of the best ways to help a new parent is to manage the tasks they don’t have the energy for. Granted, this is easier to do when you live with them or if they’re a family member you see often.

The most important task you can take on is handling their appointments. Find out their schedule of availability and once you know their schedule, you can make all of their appointments for them. For instance, if they need lactation support from a professional breastfeeding consultant, schedule their consultation with an IBCLC so they don’t need to make the phone call or deal with the logistics.

In addition to managing their appointments, consider doing household chores like laundry and dishes. You’d be surprised to learn how the smallest tasks can help the most. Here are some more ideas for small tasks you can take on to help:

• Basic yard work
• Making school lunches for their older kids
• Picking up and dropping off older kids for school, sports, and appointments
• Coming over for dinner and cooking for the whole family
• Grocery shopping
• Run random errands like going to the hardware store
• Anything else that would alleviate stress and/or save time

They might be exhausted from breastfeeding

Many new mothers face unexpected challenges with breastfeeding. Sometimes they don’t have the energy to breastfeed throughout the day, but don’t want to depend on formula when it’s not necessary. In this case, you might be able to help make breastfeeding less exhausting.

One thing new parents can do is pump ahead of time to make sure they always have enough milk on hand for the baby. You can help with this process by feeding the baby for them and offering to clean the pump and bottles so they don’t have to work so hard.

They might need emotional support

Chances are, the new parent in your life will need your emotional support. The stress of being a parent can be extremely taxing and a little emotional support can go a long way.

You can spend time with them, share meals with them, or just make them a cup of coffee and talk. It also helps to simply be an ear or a shoulder. It never hurts to ask your friend or family member exactly how you can support them. If they know what they need, they’ll tell you.

Supporting a new parent emotionally is sometimes even more important than supporting them with money or taking over their household duties. New parents are going to be exhausted, and emotional support can sometimes be the magic pill needed to reduce stress and help them feel more rested and relaxed.

Ask what you can do for them

The number one way to support anyone is to ask what you can do for them. Most people know what they need and will tell you if you ask, even if they wouldn’t normally offer the information.

Ask the new parent in your life what you can do to help them while they figure out their new routines and get settled into parenthood. Let them know that no request is too small and if they don’t have any ideas in the moment, make sure they know they can reach out to you at any time.

Every ounce of support makes a difference

It doesn’t matter how much or how little you can offer the new parents in your life. Being a new parent is challenging, and every ounce of support will be appreciated.

Do you struggle with the dry, itchy skin caused by eczema?

Have you wondered if your diet is contributing to your eczema flare-ups?

If so, read on as we explore the benefits of adopting an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema. 

What is Eczema?

Eczema is an inflammatory response to an irritant that causes redness, dryness, irritation and itching on the skin. It is known by several other names including atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis.

What Causes Eczema? 

According to the National Eczema Association, about 31 million people in America are currently living with eczema. The cause isn’t clearly understood, but it’s believed that genetics and environmental or dietary triggers contribute to skin inflammation known as eczema.  

Common eczema triggers can be laundry detergent, lotions, skin care products, shampoo, soap, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, foods, and even hormones. 

Typical Treatments for Eczema

While there is no cure for eczema, there are several treatments that can help relieve symptoms during flare-ups. Avoiding triggers by eliminating the most likely suspects is a great place to start.

A typical medical treatment would be a topical cortisol-steroid cream. The cream would ideally work to moisturize the skin, protect it from irritation, and relieve itching. If the topical treatment doesn’t provide relief, oral steroids or an injection may be prescribed.

If these treatments don’t work or provide the relief you’re looking for, a diet change may help to improve and reduce flare-ups. 

Elimination Diet for Eczema

Since eczema is an inflammatory response to something in the environment, which could include diet, it makes sense that removing foods that cause inflammation could be helpful. 

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reports that 30% of kids under age 5 who have eczema also suffer from at least one food allergy. The most common food allergens linked to eczema are eggs, milk, wheat, soy, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. 

Eliminating these foods for a period of two weeks or more and reintroducing one at a time over the course of several weeks is known as an elimination diet. With each food reintroduced, pay attention to the body’s response. If there are no inflammatory responses (eczema flare-ups), the food is probably safe to remain in your diet. 

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Eczema

After eliminating foods, you may feel frustrated or even depressed if many foods were eliminated long-term. Consider following an anti-inflammatory diet plan for eczema. 

While saturated fats and Omega-6 fats should be reduced, monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 fats should be increased. So instead of vegetable oils, choose olive or coconut oils. Instead of red meat, choose salmon. 

If you follow an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema relief, be sure to avoid refined carbohydrates and sugars. Be sure to increase your fruits and vegetables. 

Consider adding the following supplements to your diet. 

• Probiotics (good gut health)
• Fish oil
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B6
• Bromelain 
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Hemp Seed Oil
• Sunflower Oil

You can read more about the use of CBD oil for eczema at Pinnacle Hemp. 

Eat Well to Be Well

There are several options for the treatment and prevention of eczema. We know that the best diet for eczema is that one that you can stick to. We hope you’ll consider adding an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema to your arsenal for keeping flare-ups in check. 

If you’ve enjoyed this article, be sure to read more health-related articles here on this blog.  

     If adventure is what you seek, there is no greater way to see your vacation destinations than by helicopter. Imagine yourself flying amongst the clouds as you glide through the sky in a helicopter – the mind blown by the incredible views. There is no better way to enjoy attractions then up a couple of thousand feet in a rotary-winged machine. They may be loud but a helicopter ride will easily be the most memorable experience from any vacation. Check out the best destinations to take a helicopter ride and see things from a truly unique vantage point. 

Las Vegas

     Las Vegas is one of the busiest helicopter tour destinations, with plenty to see in a short ride. From the Vegas strip to the Hoover Dam to the granddaddy of them all, the Grand Canyon. A helicopter is the only way to see the Grand Canyon in all its glory and majesty. The Grand Canyon is over 270 miles long and can be 15 miles across; something that grand needs a copter to see it fully.

Niagara Falls

     Most people will tell you the best view of Niagara Falls is from a boat in the water beneath the falls, but that’s not true, obviously, the best view is from a helicopter. Niagara Falls is just a massive sight to see and with all the tourists that jam the site, it can be difficult to have a perfect vantage point. If you really want an amazing view that is unforgettable, you must see the falls from a helicopter. Imagine the immense beauty of something so powerful as Niagara Falls seen from above in the peace of a smoothly flying helicopter.

Kauai, Hawaii

     If you have seen the beginning scene of Jurassic Park then you know that in Kauai there are waterfalls only accessible by helicopter. Kauai is known as the garden island because it’s so lush and only 20% of the island is accessible by car. The island has many amazing sights that have to be seen by helicopter to understand how massive they are. The Na Pali Coast is the Western side of the Island and is characterized by the huge, steep mountains covered in green ferns. The entire side of the island is unreachable by car and a helicopter is the only way to see it or you can traverse the 17 miles up and down over a two-day hike. The Waimea Canyon is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific as its massive and beautiful. Plus there are a dozen or so mega waterfalls you have to see from a helicopter.

New York City

     New York City is the mega-metropolis city that we all love and never have enough time to see it all when we visit. If you want to really understand how huge NYC is, you have to see it from a helicopter. Imagine flying between the skyscrapers, above the central park and around the Statue of Liberty. New York is such an expansive city it’s nearly impossible to catch it all in one trip, but a great way to check it out is a few hundred feet up, in a whirlybird.