Arthritis, though a normal part of aging, is nonetheless uncomfortable at best and extremely painful at worst. While it may be frustrating to deal with this condition and its symptoms day after day, you are not helpless. In addition to medical treatment, there are also natural ways that you can work through some of the pain.  

If you are living with arthritis pain in your hands, try these five tips for relief:

1. Limit movement
One of the simplest ways to limit the pain caused by arthritis is to identify the movements that make the symptoms worse and put a pause on activities that require those activities, at least for the short term. A doctor may recommend wearing a splint for a while to help immobilize the area that's causing you pain.

2. Use ice and heat
Hot and cold may be opposites, but both can provide arthritis pain relief.

"An ice massage can do wonders for pain caused by physical activity," Scott Burg, DO wrote for Cleveland Clinic. "Take a piece of ice and rub it in a circular motion over your painful joint. Just don't do it for more than five minutes at a time so you don't irritate your skin. You can use an ice pack with a cover, too." 

While arthritis is a painful condition, there are ways to alleviate the pain naturally.

For heat, Burg recommended soaking your painful extremities in warm water.    

3. Modify certain activities
There may be some motions that are exacerbating your condition that you can't give up altogether. In these cases, look for ways to modify these activities to create less strain on your hands. An occupational therapist may be helpful for identifying ways to adjust your grip and make similar changes to limit the stress put on painful areas.   

4. Exercise your hands
There are a number of hand exercises that can provide relief from arthritis pain in the hands. For example, Mayo Clinic recommends the following stretch:

• Start with your hand in a relaxed position.
• Bend your thumb, crossing your palm and touching the base of your pinky finger. If you can't reach that far, just stretch as close to the base as you can.
• Return your thumb to the relaxed position.
• Repeat the exercise several times with each hand. 

Your doctor or occupational therapist can help you decide which stretches and exercises will be most beneficial for your arthritis. 

5. Wear IMAK® Compression Arthritis Gloves
Alleviating arthritis pain doesn't need to be a difficult task. Sometimes it's as easy as slipping on a glove. The IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves were designed to reduce pain and promote healing through mild compression. They increase circulation and help relieve the stiffness and achiness that come from arthritis in the hands, helping you live your normal life without discomfort.

Note: Any natural remedies for arthritis pain relief should be discussed with your physician to ensure optimal health and safety.     

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Do you have pain in your heel? While there are a number of conditions and injuries that can cause this discomfort, one possible answer is bone spurs.

According to a 2014 trauma-clinic study published in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 38 percent of people have a heel bone spur in either the plantar or Achilles. About 11 percent have spurs at both places.

Though they do not typically require surgery or other invasive measures, bone spurs are nonetheless a frustrating condition with which those with heel pain should be familiar.

What are bone spurs?
According to Mayo Clinic, bone spurs – more formally known as osteophytes – are bony perturbances that grow along the edge of bones. While they can cause pain, most people tend to not even notice these bumps, as they rarely cause symptoms. In fact, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reported that only 5 percent of those living with heel bone spurs experience foot pain.

Bone spurs, per Mayo Clinic, are caused by joint damage that is associated with osteoarthritis. As such, the heels are not the only location they can develop. Spurs can form anywhere that bone meets bone, such as the spine, knees, hips and fingers.

"Bone spurs are the projection of bone, like a needle that forms from the pulling of a tight plantar ligament," Dr. Lewis Maharam, FACSM, described in The New York Daily News. "This needle-like projection keeps irritating the soft tissues about the heal."

Though they tend to be asymptomatic, bone spurs can cause pain and loss of joint function in some cases.

While they are closely related to plantar fasciitis, it is possible to have bone spurs without the condition. Similarly, you can have spurs that do not cause pain while simultaneously experiencing discomfort from plantar fasciitis.  

That pain in your heel could be a sign of a bone spur.

Living with bone spurs
Bone spurs can be diagnosed by X-ray or other imaging tests. Surgery or other extreme measures are rarely required for treatment. More commonly, doctors will prescribe over-the-counter pain medications, according to Mayo Clinic. However, in some cases the spurs may require surgical removal. This occurs if the growths are pressing on nerves or limiting your joint motion. 

In addition to medication, Cedars-Sinai reported that in some cases bone spurs can be treated with steroid shots or physical therapy. Other times, you simply need to rest for a period to give your body time to recover. However, any treatment option should only be pursued at the recommendation of your physician. 

If you are living bone spurs, consider using the Soft Stride® Bone Spur Pad, a simple insert designed to help manage any pain caused by this condition. The pad's inner circle provides padding for your heel, while the outer ring absorbs shock, reliving discomfort in your heels, as well as fatigue in your lower back. With the Bone Spur Pad, you can walk in comfort while your spurs heal.     

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According to Cleveland Clinic, between 85 to 90 percent of the people in the U.S. will experience back pain at some point in their life. While this incapacitation can be frustrating – not to mention uncomfortable – surgery or other invasive measures are rarely required. There are a number of other strategies that can help alleviate back pain, improving your quality of life and ability to move freely. 

If you're experiencing back pain, try one – or more – of these five strategies to find relief: 

1. Relax and reduce stress
Back pain is anything but comfortable. Understandably, that discomfort may cause you to tense up, which in turn can make your back hurt even worse. It's a vicious cycle. Depending on the severity and cause of your back problems, a first step might be to simply help your body relax. That might come in the form of a standing under a hot shower or taking a few hours to indulge in an activity you enjoy. 

Trying massage therapy is another solution. Regular massages can help decrease the tension that builds in your back, neck and shoulders when you're stressed, stopping some of the pain before it even begins. 

2. Lose weight
While your back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, excessive weight can exacerbate the condition. If you are overweight, that could be one of the things contributing to your pain, or possibly the cause itself.  The Arthritis Foundation reported that even people with back pain who only need to lose 10 or 20 pounds can benefit from slimming down. 

While eating extra veggies and increasing your daily level of activity are generally good rules of thumb, you should discuss your health with your physician before making any significant lifestyle changes in the pursuit of weight loss.   

Gentle stretching and activity can help to alleviate back pain.

3. Exercise and stretch
Though it may be tempting to lay down and not move when experiencing back pain, light activity can actually help alleviate the condition. Cleveland Clinic reported that exercise-oriented physical therapy is an important component of treatment for people who are living with chronic back pain, even if it sometimes feels uncomfortable.   

"Rest can sometimes be the worst thing you can do for back pain," Dr. Santhosh Thomas, a rehabilitation physician and medical director of Cleveland Clinic's Center for Spine Health, told U.S. News & World Report. "I try to reassure patients that all pain is not associated with harm." 

Building up the muscles that strengthen your back can help prevent future problems. Consider scheduling an appointment with a physical therapist or another licensed provider who can help determine which exercises will be most beneficial for your body.    

4. Rest as needed
That being said, sometimes rest will prove to be the best option, at least for a time. Just make sure that you don't remain stationary for too long unless advised by a health care professional. Harvard Health Publications recommended limiting it to only a few hours a day for no more than two days. If your pain is so extreme that you need to be still longer than that, you should consult with your physician.  

5. Use cold therapy 
Cold therapy is another strategy for dealing with back pain. The Polar Ice® Back Wrap provides the benefits of cryotherapy with compression to reduce pain and control swelling from soft tissue trauma. Use it following physical activity, during rehabilitation or even after surgery to provide relief.  

If you have back pain that persists beyond a few weeks, you should consult with a medical professional. While these strategies are helpful for temporary relief, they cannot take the place of health care advice from a trusted doctor.    

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 10 infants in the U.S. in 2015 was born prematurely. Premature birth, which occurs anytime prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy, can result in a number of complications for the baby, including vision and hearing problems, breathing difficulties, feeding problems and developmental delays. The CDC reported that in 2013, 36 percent of infant deaths were related to preterm causes. 

However, a simple method has been found to help these infants who arrive too soon.

When you have a new baby at home, snuggling him or her close is probably second nature. It turns out that there's a reason for that. Research has found that skin-to-skin contact while holding your infant close offers a number of benefits for the child, particularly in the case of premature babies. This strategy has developed into a method called kangaroo mother care. 

Whether your baby is born early or full-term, kangaroo mother care is a strategy that can provide important benefits for your baby now and later in life.   

The origins of kangaroo mother care
Kangaroo mother care is the method by which an infant is held involving skin-to-skin contact. The baby is positioned against a care giver's bare skin, naked other than a diaper and perhaps a covering on the back if necessary, usually a thin blanket or the parent's shirt. The child is held upright and snuggled against the chest for extended periods of time, typically at least one hour. 

Kangaroo mother care was developed in the 1970s in Bogota, Colombia. According to The Atlantic, pediatrician Edgar Rey introduced the strategy to the Instituto Materno Infantil in 1978 in a desperate effort to reduce high mortality rates among premature infants. Instead of putting the premature babies into incubators, where they were rarely touched, the doctors and nurses taught mothers how to hold their babies upright against their chest under their shirt, skin-to-skin. Rey was inspired by the behavior of kangaroos, who carry their underdeveloped babies in their pouch. This parallel inspired the strategy's name. 

A 2017 study that followed-up on kangaroo mother care babies 20 years later found that the method in a group of preemies led to lower levels of behavioral problems and greater growth in areas of the brain related to memory and learning. 

"This study drives home the point how important simple interventions in the NICU are to long term outcome," Dr. Amy Hair, a neonatologist at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, told Forbes. "This is a simple intervention. It doesn't have any harmful effects. If anything, we should make it universal standard of care."   

Studies such as this have encouraged many health care professionals to promote the method for both premature and full-term babies immediately after birth and in the weeks that follow. 

Premature infants can especially benefit from the skin-to-skin contact provided by kangaroo mother care after birth.

The benefits of kangaroo mother care
As the providers in Bogota found in the 1970s, skin-to-skin contact through kangaroo mother care offers numerous benefits to preemies. 

"Physiology and research provide overwhelming evidence that kangaroo mother care is not only safe but superior to the use of technology such as incubators,"  Dr. Nils Bergman, senior medical superintendent at Mowbray Maternity Hospital, told Parents magazine. "Depriving babies of skin-to-skin makes alternative stress pathways in the brain, which can lead to ADD, colic, sleep disorders, among other things."  

Though this method is especially beneficial to premature babies, it offers benefits to full-term infants as well. According to the Cleveland Clinic, benefits of kangaroo mother care include:

• Improved patterns of breathing.
• Decreased crying.
• Increased sleep time.
• "More rapid" weight gain.
• Stabilized heart rate.
• Increased success in breastfeeding.
• "Improved" oxygen saturation levels. 

Cleveland Clinic reported that the method also offers benefits to the child's caregiver, such as:

• Improved supply of breast milk.
• Increased feeling of being in control.
• Greater bonding with the baby.
• Improved confidence in the child's care.  

In short, prolonged skin-to-skin contact makes both the baby and the parent or guardian feel more secure, leading to both physical and emotional benefits. 

However, in daily life, you don't always have extended periods where you can sit uninterrupted with your baby. To make kangaroo mother care simple, consider using the NuRoo Pocket. The babywearing shirt, created from soft, breathable fabric, allows you to hold your baby close while keeping your hands free. The simple style of the shirt means that no wrapping or knotting is required. You simply put on the Pocket, insert your child and fold the wings. The NuRoo Pocket is available on Amazon.com and Target.com. Order today to experience the benefits of simplified kangaroo mother care for yourself.    

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There's nothing quite as frustrating for an avid runner as dealing with a training injury. Though there's no magical way to avoid accidents when exercising, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk, specifically when it comes to injuries caused by excessive use of your body. 

According to Mayo Clinic, overuse injuries are typically caused by one of two things: training errors or technique errors. Training mistakes generally occur when you take on too much, too quickly. In running, this could look like increasing your distance or pace too fast for your body to keep up. Mistakes related to your technique are caused by running with improper form, which puts excessive stress on certain muscles.

Whether you're a veteran runner with multiple marathons under your belt or a first-time contender training for your inaugural 5k, the following are five injuries you may run a risk of sustaining as you pound the pavement:

1. Shin splints
Medial tibial stress syndrome, or "shin splints," is caused by inflammation around the tibia in the tendons, muscles and bone tissue. The condition is triggered by the repetitive use of the leg and pain is typically experienced on the tibia's inner border, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Shin splints are sometimes caused by a sudden increase in activity – such as dramatically extending the distance of your runs. However, other factors can also contribute, such as flat or extremely rigid arches or using footwear that is worn out or ill-fitted.

To avoid this condition, it's important to gradually increase the distances you run. Wearing an athletic shoe that fits well – and replacing it when it wears out – is also critical. 

2. Runner's knee
More formally known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, "runner's knee" is a common problem when training for a race. In this condition, the underside of the knee – which is padded by soft cartilage – becomes irritated, causing discomfort. However, the University of California, San Francisco's department of orthopaedic surgery reported that the term runner's knee is sometimes also used to describe other conditions that cause pain in this area, such as pes anserine tendonitis/bursitis or iliotibial band friction syndrome.     

To avoid runner's knee, perhaps the most important step is to cut back on your training if you notice discomfort in this area. Pushing through the pain is only going to make the problem worse. You should also avoid running hills or other slopes more than necessary if runner's knee has been a problem for you in the past.  

Wearing the right shoes is an important part of avoiding running injuries.

3. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is caused by the inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the base of your toes to your heel bone. It is characterized by severe pain in your heel. You may especially notice it when you first step out of bed in the morning. According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, you are more at risk of developing plantar fasciitis if you have extremely flat or high arches or particularly tight calf muscles that impede how far you can flex your ankles. 

To avoid developing plantar fasciitis, it's important to avoid tension in your ankles and calves not only when you're running, but when you're sitting or standing as well. ACTIVE additionally emphasized the importance of avoiding heel striking when running. You should be landing on your mid-foot with each stride.  

This condition usually goes away over time without any serious intervention, such as surgery, but can take months to truly disappear. The right splints can be particularly beneficial in your recovery. Nice Stretch® Night Splints for plantar fasciitis were created with patient comfort in mind so that you won't be tempted to skip nights as your injury heals. 

4. Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon – the largest tendon in your body. The condition is characterized by pain along the back of your leg down near the heel. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are two types of this overuse injury: Noninsertional Achilles Tendinitis and Insertional Achilles Tendinitis. Noninsertional is more common in young, active people. It involves tiny tears in the tendon accompanied by swelling and thickening. Insertional affects the area where the tendon connects to the heel. 

To reduce your risk of developing Achilles tendonitis, Mayo Clinic recommended increasing your activity level gradually, choose shoes that provide cushioning for your heel, strengthen the muscles in your calf and alternate high- and low-impact activities through cross-training. You should also avoid spending too much time performing activities that put excessive stress on your tendons, such as running on hills. 

5. Heel Spur
Heel spurs are calcium deposits under the heel bone that can sometimes cause noticeable bumps. They are often associated with plantar fasciitis. However, pain in your heel doesn't necessarily mean that you have a spur. Cleveland Clinic reported that only about half of people who develop heel spurs feel any pain. Whatever is causing the heel pain, Dr. Alan Davis, an orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon, emphasized the importance of wearing the proper shoes for both your foot and your activity: 

 "If you're going running, wear running shoes; going on a hike, wear hiking shoes," Davis told Cleveland Clinic. "Wear the appropriate footwear for whatever activity you're doing to help support your foot properly." 

Davis reported that stretching, taking anti-inflammatories and icing your foot can also help. If you're still experiencing discomfort, try to reduce the impact on your heels through immobilization boots or crutches. 

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You've probably seen one of those little round stress balls. You might have received it for free with a company's brand splashed on the side or picked one up during a rough week at work. Stress balls are popular, but do they actually help reduce tension? 

The general consensus is that these toys actually do help in stressful moments. In fact, there are numerous reasons that one of these little balls should be a necessary accessory on your desk. 

Stress and the body
As a human being, you've likely experienced stress at one point or another. From work to school to relationships, there's no shortage of challenges that can cause conflict in daily life. But just because it's normal doesn't mean that this anxiety is harmless. Stress takes a toll not only on your emotional and mental health, but also on your physical well-being. 

According to Mayo Clinic, stress can physically cause problems such as headaches, an upset stomach, muscle tension, sleep problems and fatigue. If left unchecked, it can also contribute to more serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. 

So how can you avoid these negative health complications that come from periods of high anxiety? Turns out, a stress ball can help, according to Dr. David Posen, a stress expert and the author of "Is Work Killing You?: A Doctor's Prescription for Treating Workplace Stress." 

"You've got all this stress energy – your body is in a state of high alert, but there's nowhere for it to go," Posen told The Huffington Post. "When you're stressed, your body tightens up – so a physical release helps to let go of some of that energy… The benefit of squeezing is that it releases some kind of energy – it also induces you to relax."  

Though squeezing a stress ball is not a long term solution for stress, it can help your body to release tension in the moment. The motion acts as a reminder to relax the muscles that are clenched when you're anxious, which can help avoid complications like headaches or pain that accompany long periods of tensing. 

Stress from a variety of sources can take a toll on your mental, physical and emotional well-being.

The other benefits of stress balls
While the aptly-named stress ball can help release anxiety, that's not the only benefit offered by these simple toys.  For example, playing with a stress ball can help to manage and heal scar tissue in your hands. It can also strengthen your hands if you're rehabilitating from a recent surgery.  

Stress balls additionally offer the potential to increase concentration. According to a study of a group of sixth-graders by published in the Journal of At-Risk Issues, the students who used a stress ball in class were less distracted.  

While you can find stress balls in most any size, shape or color, why settle for any less than a product that's specifically designed with your comfort in mind?The IMAK® ERGO Stress Ball's ergoBeads provide a gentle massage while your fingers are strengthened and stretched, providing stress relief and other benefits in the process. 

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Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, more commonly known as TMJ, are a group of collective medical conditions that are common among people of all ages in the U.S. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, some estimates put the number of Americans affected by TMJ at more than 10 million.   

If you're experiencing jaw or face pain that you think could be traced to TMJ, read on to learn more about this condition. 

Understanding TMJ
The hinge that allows you to open and close your jaw is called the temporomandibular joint. There are two joints, one on either side of the face, each of which acts like a sliding hinge and connects the jaw to the skull. TMJ disorders can cause pain in this joint, as well as in the muscles that move the jaw. The group of problems that can accompany TMJ can make normal movement of the jaw difficult, causing even simple tasks like eating or speaking to be painful.   

Mayo Clinic reported that common symptoms of TMJ include:

• Difficulty chewing.
• Pain while chewing.
• Facial soreness.
• Tenderness or pain in the jaw.
• Pain in at least one of the temporomandibular joints.
• Aching around or in the ear. 
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth, due to locking of the joint. 

TMJ can also have a negative impact on your sleep habits. According to Mark Duncan, D.D.S., some sleeping disorders are directly related to problems with the temporomandibular joint. Some people may even experience night headaches.

"When the bite and the lower jaw are misaligned, muscles are strained which can result in head pain that can mimic a migraine," Duncan wrote in an article for The Huffington post. "This pain can be around the forehead, on the back of the head or radiating down the neck." 

TMJ is a difficult condition to diagnose. The NIDCR reported that trauma to the temporomandibular joint or jaw can contribute to the condition, but it is often hard to identify the exact cause of the pain. While there are some popular theories that orthodontic braces or a bad bite can contribute to the development of TMJ, there is no scientific evidence to back up these exclamations, according to the NIDCR.  

However, Mayo Clinic reported that arthritis or genetics can contribute to the development of TMJ. 

TMJ can disrupt your sleep, leaving you frustrated and tired.

Alleviating the pain of TMJ
TMJ can be a painful and frustrating condition. Generally, however, it is temporary – and occasional – and will go away with little or no treatment. However, that doesn't make it any easier to deal with while it's happening. Although interventions such as surgery are rarely required, there are ways to manage and even reduce the pain that require little work on your part. 

"Because more studies are needed on the safety and effectiveness of most treatments for jaw joint and muscle disorders, experts strongly recommend using the most conservative, reversible treatments possible," wrote the NIDCR. "Conservative treatments do not invade the tissues of the face, jaw, or joint, or involve surgery. Reversible treatments do not cause permanent changes in the structure or position of the jaw or teeth. Even when TMJ disorders have become persistent, most patients still do not need aggressive types of treatment."   

According to Mayo Clinic, TMJ is often treated with medications, such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, tricyclic antidepressants and muscle relaxants. The American Dental Association additionally recommended the following:   

• Engaging in relaxation techniques to decrease muscle tension in the jaw.
• Avoiding harder foods.
• Applying heat packs to painful areas.
• Stopping fingernail biting or gum chewing. 

The ADA also reported that it may be necessary to strengthen your jaw with muscle exercises or wear a night guard to prevent grinding or clenching of teeth while sleeping. A physician or dentist can help you to determine if either of these more aggressive steps are necessary to help heal your TMJ.  

If you are living with the pain caused by TMJ, try the Polar Ice® TMJ Wrap, an aid designed to deliver the benefits of cryotherapy through ice and compression. The wrap reduces pain and swelling with ice packs encapsulated in soft, fleece material to treat sprains, bruises or other injuries. The TMJ Wrap can be used during rehabilitation, after surgery or following the completion of physical activity.  

If you believe that you have TMJ, you should schedule an appointment with your physician to confirm the condition and seek advice regarding treatment options.    

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Getting a cranky infant to sleep is one of those parenting skills that is part luck and part strategy. While a favorite lullaby and a comfy rocking chair can do a lot, many parents find that swaddling their infant at nap time increases not only the speed with which the little one falls asleep, but the length of the time spent sleeping as well. 

What is swaddling?
Swaddling is a technique of wrapping a baby in a blanket, usually before putting the infant down to sleep. The tight folds mimic the security and comfort of being in the womb, which your child will likely find soothing. When done correctly, it can be a useful tool in your parenting arsenal.  

Whether you're just learning how to swaddle or need a refresher, the process is much simpler than it may appear. According to the Mayo Clinic, the basic steps for safely swaddling a baby are to put the child face-up on top of the blanket with the head at the folded corner's edge. Hold the baby in place and take the far right corner and fold the blanket across the body and tuck it underneath. Then take the bottom corner of the blanket and fold it up, leaving enough space for the baby's feet to move around. Finally, fold the left side corner of the blanket and wrap it over the child, tucking it underneath, leaving the neck and head exposed above the blanket.   

To make sure the swaddle isn't too tight, test the space between the infant's chest and the blanket. You should be able to fit two to three fingers, according to Dr. Rachel Moon, FAAP, the chair of the group that wrote the American Academy of Pediatrics's safe sleep recomm​endations. 

Always talk to your physician before swaddling your child for the first time to ensure that it's the right strategy for your child and make sure you're doing it correctly. 

Swaddling may help your infant feel comforted when it's time for bed.

When swaddled, babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep. The AAP reported that research suggests side or tummy sleeping while swaddled can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Consequently, the general recommendation is that parents should stop swaddling once there is risk that the infant may flip over while sleeping.  

"I would stop swaddling by age 2 months, before the baby intentionally starts to try to roll," Moon said. "If babies are swaddled, they should be placed only on their back and monitored so they don't accidentally roll over." 

The benefits of swaddling
Swaddling is largely attractive to new parents as a way to help a baby – and, by extension, mom and dad – get some extra ZZZ's. The AAP reported that, when done correctly, swaddling can both calm your child and promote sleep, valuable results during the first couple of months when settling into a nap routine may prove difficult.  

However, the key is that swaddling needs to be done correctly to be beneficial. Swaddling too tightly around the bottom half of the infant, for example, can lead to a condition called hip dislocation or hip dysplasia. The latter is a condition in which the hip joint forms abnormally and consequently does not hold the thigh bone firmly in place, leading to a heightened risk of dislocation. Hip dysplasia can be avoided by leaving enough space in the swaddle for your baby's feet and legs to move around. 

But what if there was an easier way to make sure that your baby is swaddled correctly every time? Thankfully, there's Brownmed's NuRoo Swaddler. With a pocket for your child and velcro wings that easily fold into place, it takes the guesswork out of swaddling.   

As an added perk, the NuRoo Swaddler os the only swaddle your child will need as he or she grows. The 3-in-1 design lets you extend its length as needed, so you have the perfect fit at every stage. The swaddle is made from super soft, moisture-wicking material that will keep your baby comfy, cool and dry.

In addition to the standard model, you can check out a variety of sweet new patterns in our limited edition collaborative Lucy Darling Collection.    

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A broken bone is practically a childhood rite of passage. Whether it occurred as the result of a fall from a tree fort or a miscalculated trick on a bike, it's an injury that happens in an instant, but can take weeks – or even months – to heal. During that time, one of your largest challenges as a parent will be taking care of the cast to ensure the injury remains protected as it mends. 

If your child broke a bone, follow these five tips – as well as any instructions from your health care provider – to keep the cast in good condition. 

1. Keep it clean
The first step to maintaining a cast is to keep it clean. But depending on the age of your child, even this simple task may present a challenge. Little ones will likely need extra attention to ensure they don't collect food, dirt and other grime while they're healing. For example, you might find it helpful to cover the cast with something during meals or other times when it could be exposed to spills from the table. Try to avoid situations where it could collect dust or dirt as well. The cast will probably be on for a number of weeks, so rolling around playing somewhere it will become covered in sweat and dirt is less than ideal. Not only will the cast look dirty, but it might start to smell bad as well. 

2. Avoid powders and lotions
While casts are important for ensuring that the broken bone or bones heal properly, they aren't necessarily always comfortable. It may be tempting to use some kind of cream or salve to ease itching or other discomfort, but, according to Mayo Clinic, powders, lotions and deodorant should not be used on – or even near – the cast. 

If itchiness is a problem, pass on the powders and lotions and pull out a hairdryer instead and blow cool air under the cast. 

As a parent, you might need to step in when your child isn't treating a cast with the care it requires.

3. Seek professional assistance for adjustments
Though you play an important role in taking care of your child's cast, you shouldn't always be the one to fix problems during the recovery period. If your child's cast needs to be adjusted or develops a crack or soft spot, get help from a medical provider. Though it may be tempting to make little fixes yourself, you run the risk of damaging the cast or even exacerbating your child's injury. 

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, signs you should contact the doctor include:

• Increased pain and a feeling of tightness.
• Inability to move fingers or toes.
• Significant swelling below the cast.
• Burning or stinging of the skin.
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. 

These symptoms could signify a problem that should be assessed by a provider as soon as possible.  

4. Dry it immediately if it gets wet
Even if your child knows not to jump into the pool until the cast comes off, there still could be some accidents that involve water while the bone heals. If the cast becomes damp, it's important to dry it off as quickly as possible, as moisture can weaken the plaster and dampen the padding, causing irritation to the skin. You can use a hair dryer on a low, cool setting to eliminate any moisture. 

If the cast is fiberglass, a small amount of water may not be a problem. However, you should always talk to the doctor to be sure and follow any care instructions you're given. 

5. Stay dry with SEAL-TIGHT®
Though it's possible to dry a cast, it's easier to just avoid it getting wet in the first place. SEAL-TIGHT® Original Cast and Bandage Protector's pediatric models are specifically designed to keep your child's cast dry during showers and baths. The nonlatex diaphragm is easy to stretch over the cast – no straps or hooks necessary – and forms a watertight seal that provides the best possible protection from moisture. When bathtime rolls around, simply apply the protector and rest easy knowing your child can enjoy a normal bath or shower routine without damaging the cast.   

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