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I’m not prone to depression; I’m more of an anxious type, with a tendency to overreact and sweat the small stuff. So when our (4th) baby is born (I’m 30 weeks along now, folks!), I’m anticipating some hormonal upheavals (as well as the excruciating sleep deprivation that comes along with a new baby), but not depression per-se.

But as a clinician, I’m very concerned about the high rate of postpartum mood disorders, as well as the tendency of new mothers to ignore or deny their symptoms. Many of you have written to me, with stories of untreated PPD in your pasts, begging me to help get the word out to moms who might be experiencing the condition now. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IS ONE OF THE MOST TREATABLE DISORDERS WE KNOW. If you, or someone you know, might have PPD, PLEASE help her to get help…immediately. You can show her this article, which is a nice, straightforward review of the condition, and you can also listen to my 16-minute, free podcast on PPD.

And I know you don’t read BabyShrink for a dose of politics, but the situation regarding health care in America is at a point of critical mass. Insufficient numbers of primary care services in this country result in our missing PPD far more than we diagnose it. This is especially true in rural and semi-rural areas — where many of us live. We MUST reform our health care system to ensure that ALL women are screened for PPD — and given the treatment that we know works — for the benefit of their babies, their families, and themselves. And that will only happen if we reform health care to emphasize the prevention and wellness approaches that we know WORK. Treating PPD isn’t the hard part. Reforming health care IS. But it must be done.

Aloha,

Dr. Heather
The BabyShrink

There’s no way I could do a one-year retrospective without starting with DadGoneMad’s Danny Evans. Danny and his Hot Wife have been there for me from the beginning stages of BabyShrink, and have been endlessly supportive, inspirational and encouraging.

When I was freaking out about my lack of technical abilities, Danny calmed me down. “You’re doing just fine, Heh. This stuff isn’t as difficult as you think it is. It’s going to be awesome!” When I had no confidence in my writing, he was my editor extraordinaire. When I lost my way and wondered if anyone would find my blogging helpful, Hot Wife reassured me, gave me suggestions, and never fed me platitudes. I can always count on Sharon to tell it to me straight.

Danny inspired me to go online with BabyShrink as I saw him struggle with depression, and reveal his inner workings to the world in hopes that he could help others in the process. The note he hits with millions of readers worldwide convinced me that blogging can be a powerful way to help others — and help ourselves in the process.

So if you missed my interview with Danny, here it is. Because of the power of the DadGoneMad readership, and the tsunami of traffic Danny sent me, this is my most-read post ever. Enjoy!

Aloha,

Dr. Heather
The BabyShrink

My most recent group of posts on Attachment Parenting have been fueled by a fire that caught me by surprise. And while I do obviously have some strong opinions to share on the subject, I’d like to get BabyShrink back to where I think we’d all rather be…right smack dab in the middle of a potty-training problem! So without further ado, here’s a case that was accidentally published to the March archive, but should have appeared here first:

Dear Dr. Heather,

Gabby

Hi Gabby,

I know it’s hard, but bedwetting is common and fairly normal for a lot of kids this age, especially boys. There seems to be a genetic component, as well. It’s important to not get into shaming him or trying to control the wetting….you have to leave it up to him. He should wear big-kid size pullups and be responsible (or at least help with) changing sheets when necessary, but the motivation to be dry has to come from him. Leave him in the nighttime pullups until he’s dry consistently, so there’s no pressure or worry about it.

They have those “bell and pad” things that go off when the kid pees, but it seems like they only serve to wake up the rest of the household, EXCEPT the kid himself….since bedwetters usually sleep really deeply. In fact, some doctors think that bedwetters’ brains are a little different, in terms of their ability to transition between sleep and wakefulness. Bedwetters may simply not have developed the ability to awaken yet from sleep in order to go to the bathroom. This ability usually develops over time, though.

In later childhood, by about age 7, bedwetters may start to worry about what others think of them, and feel upset that they can’t control their bodies at night. Reassure these kids that you will help them to do what it takes to eventually gain nighttime control; help them restrict fluids after 6pm, make sure they empty their bladder right before bed, and limit nighttime sweets, which can have a dehydrating effect. Getting a little extra sleep at night, even as little as 30 minutes more, can help for some. You can also keep trying to awaken him a couple of hours after going to bed to have him empty his bladder. But this should only be done with the child’s cooperation and agreement. Let them know that you have faith in their bodies, and their ability to gain nighttime dryness when they are ready. And try to eliminate sources of shaming or ridicule. He’s doing the best he can, and shame only worsens the problem.

We worry more about trauma, a medical condition or psychological stuff when there is an abrupt change…as in, they USED to be dry, and NOW…it has suddenly changed. But if he has always more or less been wet at night, and if there are no other indications in his daytime life that things are amiss…well, then, it looks like you’re just gonna hafta be patient.

Of course, for something like this, you always need his pediatrician’s blessing that nothing else is wrong, but other than that, all I can do is assure you that it WILL stop.

Let us know when that happens, we’d like to hear how it goes!

Aloha,

Dr. Heather
The BabyShrink