Nursing tops can be a huge asset to those who want to nurse in public *discreetly*. But a quick search…
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Have you seen/read/heard the poem "Embarrassed" by Hollie McNish? It has become viral on the Internet but if you haven't seen it you can watch it here. In her poem she talks about how mothers are made to feel ashamed for feeding their babies in a public setting. They are made to feel as though breastfeeding is an act of seduction or perversion instead of the simple act of JUST feeding a hungry baby the way BILLIONS of humans have been fed before. Many mom's do not feel comfortable nursing in public and some feel that that a nursing cover or blanket draws extra unwanted attention... so what is a mom to do? My answer was discreet nursing tops- Tops that pull up and pull down. The only flesh exposed is that which is in your babies mouth. I like this because I 'personally' found it more discreet than nursing covers and less revealing than just pulling my whole shirt down. I purchased a few of the store-bought, "designer" tops which were a bit expensive but a nice splurge and I wore layers and struggled to fish my clothes around and keep them straight. Then I had an epiphany, why not just make some cute nursing tops? They couldn't be that hard to make could they? Guess what? It's not. Actually I made one in roughly 25 minutes. It came out super cute, it is more functional than layering tops and I spent no money making it. I just used a couple of tops I had laying around that were in the pile to be given away. So raid your drawers, visit a local thrift store, pick out some cute tops (or a dress), and get sewing! Here's what to do- First pick two tops. I chose a stretchy, brown tank to be my top shirt and a cute, lacey, tank that has been sitting in my donate pile because it was way too small and short for my undershirt. Stretchy material works best for the top layer. Take the undershirt and cut it in half. Cut off the straps and cut the back in half so it opens up. Hem the bottom. To hem all you need to do fold the bottom up a half inch and then fold it again. Press with an iron to help keep folds straight and pin it. Use a simple strait stitch to sew the hem. Because of the material of my undershirt I did a second layer of stitching to ensure a good hold. Tada! The under layer is done! Now to attach it to the top shirt. First, turn the top shirt inside out with the front of the shirt facing towards you. Lay your undershirt right side down on top of your top shirt. Pin the shirts together along the armpit seam. Since my undershirt was smaller than my top shirt the seams do not line up perfect, but that is okay. Place a pin facing along the top shirt's side seam so you know where to stop sewing. Pin the left and the right sides this way. With thread that is an "exact, to close" match to your top shirt, sew the two shirts together along the armpit seam. Try to sew along or as close the top shirt's hem line as you can. When your two shirts are attached along the armpit seams, place a pin sideways at your side seams to mark the bottom of your undershirt. Your side pins will hold the undershirt in place. Flip the shirt outside right, and sew along the side seam, directly on top of the seam. It is SUPER important that your thread matches your shirt! Stop at your sideways pin. If you stayed along the seam you won't be able to see the stitches! :D Repeat on the other side, then flip the shirt inside out again. You will see your seam on the inside. Trim along the seam on both sides. You now have an under layer! Flip your shirt outside right again and enjoy! In roughly 25 minutes you made yourself and up-cycled, discreet, nursing top! If you want to add an extra touch (and your shirts are the same size) You can take the bottom of the undershirt and add it to the bottom of your top shirt for extra length and a layered look. Nurse on mama! (and don't be ashamed to do it in public!) <3 Cassandra
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I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like I have 3 different wardrobes; normal, pregnancy, and nursing. Nursing seems to be the hardest for me to find functional tops. This time with two little boys running around, I like to have my back/belly covered because I never know when I’m going to have to get up and help or chase a little boy. So I’ve found I really love wearing a cami under shirts so I’m always covered but the one I’ve been using has gotten stretched out pulling it down to access the goods. I looked at getting a nursing tank, but they were pricey, like $30! What?! Plus I like my tank tops to come up a little higher than the ones I was seeing. My favorite ones are from DownEast Basics and Shade. Over the summer Shade was going out of business so I snapped up a couple camis. So here’s what I did to make it accessible for baby. Cut the straps about a 1/4” from the neckline Then grab some snaps With a needle and thread, simply sew the snaps on. The ‘female’ side goes on the front of the neckline hem, and the ‘male’ side goes on the backside of the strap. I love how it turned out and it works so well! I’m able to wear it under V-neck tees and dresses and can easily access everything without stretching out a shirt or having to lift the cami up. I’ve made a couple of these so I’ve always got one to wear. The great thing is I can still wear this when I’m not nursing. What are your favorite nursing essentials?
Easy to sew Nursing Pads w/ pattern I wish I had these seven years ago. I bought a pattern once for nursing pads, but it was really hard to understand and I ended up with 1 inch thick scratchy discs to use. They were horrible and completely obvious. So I gave up on homemade nursing […]
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Looking to make breastfeeding easier on a budget? This DIY nursing top tutorial is easy to follow along with and will really simplify things!
Have you seen/read/heard the poem "Embarrassed" by Hollie McNish? It has become viral on the Internet but if you haven't seen it you can watch it here. In her poem she talks about how mothers are made to feel ashamed for feeding their babies in a public setting. They are made to feel as though breastfeeding is an act of seduction or perversion instead of the simple act of JUST feeding a hungry baby the way BILLIONS of humans have been fed before. Many mom's do not feel comfortable nursing in public and some feel that that a nursing cover or blanket draws extra unwanted attention... so what is a mom to do? My answer was discreet nursing tops- Tops that pull up and pull down. The only flesh exposed is that which is in your babies mouth. I like this because I 'personally' found it more discreet than nursing covers and less revealing than just pulling my whole shirt down. I purchased a few of the store-bought, "designer" tops which were a bit expensive but a nice splurge and I wore layers and struggled to fish my clothes around and keep them straight. Then I had an epiphany, why not just make some cute nursing tops? They couldn't be that hard to make could they? Guess what? It's not. Actually I made one in roughly 25 minutes. It came out super cute, it is more functional than layering tops and I spent no money making it. I just used a couple of tops I had laying around that were in the pile to be given away. So raid your drawers, visit a local thrift store, pick out some cute tops (or a dress), and get sewing! Here's what to do- First pick two tops. I chose a stretchy, brown tank to be my top shirt and a cute, lacey, tank that has been sitting in my donate pile because it was way too small and short for my undershirt. Stretchy material works best for the top layer. Take the undershirt and cut it in half. Cut off the straps and cut the back in half so it opens up. Hem the bottom. To hem all you need to do fold the bottom up a half inch and then fold it again. Press with an iron to help keep folds straight and pin it. Use a simple strait stitch to sew the hem. Because of the material of my undershirt I did a second layer of stitching to ensure a good hold. Tada! The under layer is done! Now to attach it to the top shirt. First, turn the top shirt inside out with the front of the shirt facing towards you. Lay your undershirt right side down on top of your top shirt. Pin the shirts together along the armpit seam. Since my undershirt was smaller than my top shirt the seams do not line up perfect, but that is okay. Place a pin facing along the top shirt's side seam so you know where to stop sewing. Pin the left and the right sides this way. With thread that is an "exact, to close" match to your top shirt, sew the two shirts together along the armpit seam. Try to sew along or as close the top shirt's hem line as you can. When your two shirts are attached along the armpit seams, place a pin sideways at your side seams to mark the bottom of your undershirt. Your side pins will hold the undershirt in place. Flip the shirt outside right, and sew along the side seam, directly on top of the seam. It is SUPER important that your thread matches your shirt! Stop at your sideways pin. If you stayed along the seam you won't be able to see the stitches! :D Repeat on the other side, then flip the shirt inside out again. You will see your seam on the inside. Trim along the seam on both sides. You now have an under layer! Flip your shirt outside right again and enjoy! In roughly 25 minutes you made yourself and up-cycled, discreet, nursing top! If you want to add an extra touch (and your shirts are the same size) You can take the bottom of the undershirt and add it to the bottom of your top shirt for extra length and a layered look. Nurse on mama! (and don't be ashamed to do it in public!) <3 Cassandra
While most nurses in the United States no longer wear caps today, old-fashioned nursing caps can be used for Halloween costumes, for dramatic presentations and for home nurse play. You can make a paper nurse's hat in less than 10 minutes. For a more durable hat, substitute fabric.
This super simple, DIY nursing cover with boning is perfect for new moms who want to be able to nurse in public a little more discreetly.
When the going gets tough, the tough get creative. Chamberlain students have come up with a number of inventive ways to practice their fundamental nursing skills at home—all using everyday items...
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here. Hello, my friends! Quite a few of you wanted to see a Nursing Stocking Stuffers for your last minute holiday shopping. I’m not going to lie- I was dying to do this one too. Who doesn’t love a cute stocking stuffer?! Well, today I am sharing with you 25 nursing stocking stuffers ideas that as of today, December 19th, will still arrive BEFORE Christmas! Woot woot. Not sure how long they will be available for arrival before christmas so act fast if you want to include any of these in your loved ones stocking. This guide always works great if you want to get some nursing students or nursing co-workers small, thoughtful and/or some funny gifts too! Let’s jump into it. I don’t know what it is about these pens but I have been loving them. Not only are they super nice and classy but they write so smooth. They come in a pack of 6 so you can give all 6 to a loved one or give one to each nurse in their “stocking” or goodie bag. Plus, we all know nurses ALWAYS need pens! These mini highlighters can be attached to your badge reel. Uhhhh, yes please! Not only will it never get lost but you can highlight pending tasks, abnormal levels, things you need to tell the doctor, and more as you go with the comfort of it being on your badge. Great nursing stocking stuffers for sure. Now more than ever EVERYONE needs a small pocket lotion. Handwashing is constant in nursing and our hands can get pretty dry. Having some lotion really helps bring back moisture and the lavender sent of this particular cream helps us stay calm and relax during a busy, crazy shift. Another must have nursing stocking stuffers are these mini permanent markers that attach to your badge reel. Mini permanent markers are a necessity for nurses or nursing students. Honestly, I don’t even remember nursing life without a permanent marker and I don’t want to! This has transformed my life. I use permanent markers to mark my IV bags or to quickly write something down. These coloring pencils and coloring nursing book are awesome to not only help relax and disconnect but gives it a funny take on the life of a nurse. Fun meets relaxation in one book! I’m serious… coloring can be very therapeutic for many people. I love this. Thought this was a funny little “gag gift” for a nursing stocking stuffers idea but at the same time one of those gifts you get and actually use! hahaha… Nobody likes using the bathroom at work but have this handy and you won’t ever have to worry about someone going in right after you and you feeling embarrassed. It’s a great little stocking stuffer believe it or not. It fits right into your scrub pocket so no one knows you are taking it in with you. It’s also a great gift to buy for the unit in general. You can keep it in the bathroom and everyone can use it. If you want to add something with a little more value and thought to your nurse’s or nursing student’s stocking then this keychain says it all. Nursing is a work of heart… that is very true! This is perfect to add to keys, work keys (if this gift is for a nursing manager or any nurse that carries keys) or a nurse who might want to add it to a badge reel as well. These headbands are perfect for nurses and nursing students to get their hair out of their face. Last thing we want is our hair to touch the patient while we are performing a skill or assessment. Am I right?! Especially in our current pandemic it is crucial to have these headbands. The great thing about them is they actuall have buttons so you can tie your mask around! Must have gift. How cute are these badge reels? I love them! I’ve included a set of 3 incase you want to get a few different styles or if you just want to add a single one in that stocking! Reels are always needed even if your nurse friend or nursing student already has one. Another cute stocking stuffer are these medical themed socks. Everyone loves fun socks but nurses… we REALLY love fun socks (especially if you work in pediatrics!) Fun socks for the WIN. This is such a cute idea. A chapstick holder for your badge so you can remember to hydrate and not look like a dehydrated zombie… hahahah okay jk. But it is a super cute idea! Add in a chapstick or lip balm of your choice to complete this awesome nursing stocking stuffers gift. Hey! Nurses can have fun too… Love these can coozies for any nurse who enjoys a drink after their long shift. This works awesome for sodas or juices that come in a can too! Okay, so I’m a huge fan of nurse pouches. I have so many things I can use them for. Number 1- every nurse needs a personal pouch for their personal things (if you know what I mean). I’m talking about tampons, pads, or any emergency equipment you might need during your shift. These pouches can also serve as a quick makeup bag incase you want to touch up during your shift (we still have to look somewhat put together lol) or as a pen/ supplies pouch. You can put your penlight, pens, and maybe even your stethoscope in here. More fun pens AND erasable highlighter! These are so cute… they have a syringe look in different colors. Pens that give you different messages and erasable highlighter? I have NEVER heard of that in my life. That sounds like a pretty unique and cool gift. I think it’s a fun way to celebrate nursing. Okay, so this is probably one of my favorites. Nursing themed scrunchies. OMG! These are adorable and great for a quick stocking stuffer. Every nurse with long hair needs a scrunchie. Super unique and great buy for a nurse or nursing student. These little pocket notebooks are great for new nurses and nursing students who are still learning a lot and jotting things down. Actually, it’s perfect for any nurse! What I like about it is that nursing students can jot down any question they have so they don’t forget or information for their care plans. The great thing about this is it is POCKET SIZED so it fits comfortable inside your scrub pocket. We love pocket sized supplies in nursing. And last but not least, I just had to add this life hacks calendar. How cool is this calendar that literally gives you daily life hacks?! I love this. I’m always trying to find life hacks or any tips and tricks to make life easier. Although this is the only item that doesn’t arrive BEFORE christmas I had to share it because I got so excited when I saw it. Maybe you will too… Well friends… that’s all I’ve got for you today and I think they were some pretty great nursing stocking stuffers in here. What would YOU like to get as a stocking stuffer gift? Do you have any other ideas? Share them with our fam below! ’till next time, The RN Educator
How to sew your own nursing pads without a serger. It's so easy to sew reusable nursing pads with a sewing machine. Learn how here!
Are you looking for nursing pads that will do the job and keep you from getting completely soaked? Check out my review of these awesome WM Nursing Pads! >
Suctioning seems pretty easy when you think about it, right? You are pretty much just removing mucous from someones airway BUT how to properly suction your patient actually requires a lot more knowledge than you think. Think about it, each time you suction your patient’s airway, you aren’t just removing secretions, you are also removing oxygen. This is why there are certain techniques to follow when properly suctioning your patient. The goal is to not only achieve a good suction that leads to airway clearance, but that your patient does not decompensate while you are doing it. Let’s go through the steps below. Step 1 Gather equipment. Seems pretty obvious but it is so frustrating when you forget something that is essential to a procedure and have to keep coming in and out of the room. You also don’t want to give the impression that you are unprepared (although this by no means signify you don’t know what you are doing, perception can sometimes sway your patient’s experience). Step 2 Introduce yourself, provide privacy and verify your patient’s information. This is pretty self-explanatory. You must do this prior to any procedure on a patient. Step 3 Place patient in a Semi-fowler’s position and ensure suction regulator is working properly. Believe it or not, there are times when you turn on the suction block or regulator and it isn’t even working. You test this by turning on the regulator and intermittently feeling for a vacuum seal with your gloved finger at the end of the tubing (you should feel your finger being sucked in by the tube). One of the first steps in how to properly suction your patient is to always make sure both your suction and oxygen are working prior to suctioning. You might ask, “Why check oxygen? I’m only suctioning”. Well, you don’t want to be caught in a situation where your patient needs oxygen after a suction and your oxygen isn’t working. Always check that both are working properly. Step 4 Protect yourself and your patient. Make sure you have the appropriate PPE on. This includes gloves and a shielded mask. Depending on the patient’s isolation precautions you may also require a gown. If possible, place a towel over your patient’s chest to prevent any transmission of secretions and/or saline from splashing over. Step 5 Set up and hyperoxygenate if indicated. Open suction kit and catheter with clean gloves while using a clean technique if it is a bulb suction device such as a BBG (pictured in the title picture) and using aseptic technique if it is a deep catheter suction. If indicated, hyperoxygenate your patient or ask them to take a few deep breaths right before procedure. How to properly suction your patient when using a BBG: Turn suction machine to proper setting according to order. Attach BBG and make sure it is working properly by testing suction again. Suction each nostril for a couple seconds intermittently to remove any mucous trapped in the nasal passage. If the order indicates use of 0.9% saline during suction you can instill a couple drops per nostril (one nostril at a time) and begin intermittent suction. (e.g., a couple drops of saline in one nostril and intermittently suction that same nostril). Another way to suction is by using a neti-pot method, instilling saline in one nostril while suctioning through the other. This should only be done for a couple seconds at a time. Some tips I have learned through clinical experience and other nurse educators on how to properly suction a patient and facilitate secretion drainage is: While suctioning, you can massage the sinuses to allow that mucous to break up. The BBG is a flexible bulb syringe catheter (should never be stiff). Move it around different angles while snug on the nose to be able to suction certain areas in the nasal passage. This is the purpose for this flexibility. How to properly suction a patient when using a sterile suction catheter: Turn suction machine to proper setting according to order. Open the water-soluble lubricant and squeeze a small amount onto sterile field. Perform hand hygiene and don sterile gloves. Fill your sterile basin with sterile 0.9% NS. Using dominant hand, test suction catheter in the sterile water in basin. Lubricate the suction catheter with the lubricant. Gently rotate the catheter while following the natural path of the nasal passage to the back of the pharynx, always assessing your patient while doing this. If your patient coughs or any resistance is met along the way stop and withdraw. Apply intermittent suction while rotating the catheter for 10 seconds as you withdraw. Assess your patient and apply oxygen if needed. If there is a need to repeat suctioning allow 20 seconds between each session. Note* your patient’s vital signs should always be monitored while performing deep suction. Vitals signs that are important while deep suctioning are SpO2, HR and BP. Some patients are sensitive and a deep suction can easily trigger a vagal response (causing sudden decrease in heart rate & BP). If there are any changes in vital signs, stop and withdraw immediately providing adequate care as indicated. Always, always, always keep an eye on your patient while suctioning, no matter the method. Assess them. If they look like they are in any form of distress, STOP immediately and withdraw. You will apply oxygen as needed and notify the physician of any changes. …and viola! YOU ARE ALL DONE! Hope you guys enjoyed this post and it helped you gain some tips on how to properly suction your patient. Stay tuned for more posts coming soon and comment below any other topics you would like me to go over. Patient Education Question What are some important tips to educate parents on when performing suction at home? Comment below! ’till next time, The RN Educator Disclaimer: This post is not intended to be used as medical advice. It is only intended as educational content.
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Easy to sew Nursing Pads w/ pattern I wish I had these seven years ago. I bought a pattern once for nursing pads, but it was really hard to understand and I ended up with 1 inch thick scratchy discs to use. They were horrible and completely obvious. So I gave up on homemade nursing […]
Have you seen/read/heard the poem "Embarrassed" by Hollie McNish? It has become viral on the Internet but if you haven't seen it you can w...
Easy to sew Nursing Pads w/ pattern I wish I had these seven years ago. I bought a pattern once for nursing pads, but it was really hard to understand and I ended up with 1 inch thick scratchy discs to use. They were horrible and completely obvious. So I gave up on homemade nursing […]
