Colic and sleep deprivation!



Little M



Looking back, my firstborn son was a dream when it came to feeding.

I found breast feeding easy, little G would take his fill, then fall into a contented sleep. I was a worried mum, though. I remember worrying about how much milk he was getting, whether I was eating the right stuff and how would I know if I was doing the right thing.

Little G is now a strapping, stroppy 3 year old and his baby brother little M is a completely different creature when it comes to feeding. Breast feeding is going well, but is never ending! M is a hungry boy and never seems to be off the breast. He scoffs and scoffs and then wants more, but several minutes after a feed his beautiful face contorts in a red uncomfy gurn, and he lets out a noisy shout to let everyone know he's uncomfortable. He squirms his scrawny legs and contorts himself in all sorts of positions until he manages to free himself of the offending wind from one end or the other. It looks horribly painful for him and in the middle of the night it sounds horrible and keeps us all awake!

Drummer G

I promised myself that second time around I would try not to worry so much about weight gain, feeding and doing the "right" thing according to the current thinking from health visitors, midwives and other well-meaning advice-givers.

So this time round we have tried the dummy very early despite mild concerns it will cause "nipple confusion". It hasn't, but it has given mine a rest, and allows M to get rid of some sucking energy.

We have also tried infacol. Once again, I had my reservations. Could it really work? After all, there is not much to it, but I am a complete convert. The writhing is almost over, or certainly much diminished and M can dine at the milk bar without us having to worry about what is coming next.

You never know, we might even get a complete night's sleep one of these days!!!

Photos: G and M at their current stages....mainly for my benefit.

Happy Birthday to us!!!

There has been much to celebrate this month. Of course, the safe arrival of Mitchell Arnison has been a cause for celebration all round, but we will also be celebrating the fact that we have owned Barnton Pharmacy for two years on 1^st March! 

Mitchell Arnison



We will be having a party in the pharmacy to celebrate our success, relaunch our new look Alphega-branded pharmacy and also to raise money for Radio Forth 1s cash for kids appeal.

Barnton Pharmacy, a member of Alphega Pharmacy – a support network for independent pharmacies, has been given a facelift inside and out, becoming the first member in Scotland to become a fully branded Alphega Pharmacy store. On 2 March 2012 there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the special occasion.

Customers will find the same great staff and same friendly service on entering the pharmacy, along with its brand new look and feel. The revamped store offers customers a better shopping experience with the store extending some of its ranges, including baby and skincare and complementary medicines. The services Barnton Pharmacy offers include seasonal flu vaccines, minor ailments, chronic medication service, smoking cessation, EHC, diabetes screening, weight management including lipotrim, reflexology  and hearing tests. Both owners, Leanne and Sally are also independent prescribers and run respiratory clinics in two local surgeries but often also offer advice to these patients in the pharmacy too.

Leanne Carey, Director, Barnton Pharmacy, commented:

“We are delighted to have become the first fully branded members of the Alphega Pharmacy network in Scotland who have been integral to the development and success of our store. Revamping the pharmacy is an extremely exciting time for us, enabling us to offer our customers an improved retail experience and more professional environment, demonstrating our commitment to the health and wellbeing of the local community.

Sally Arnison, Director, Barnton Pharmacy, commented:

In addition, since becoming Alphega Pharmacy members, 18 months ago, we have won several awards for our contribution to the local community including the Alliance Healthcare UK community pharmacy of the year and our MP, Mike Crockart, tabled a motion recognising our achievements so we are delighted that he will be cutting the ribbon on this special occasion. We are also really pleased that our MSP, Colin Keir will be coming back to visit us and help us mark this event”

Ian Nicol, Business Mentor, Alphega Pharmacy said:

“After being an Alphega member for 18 months, I am delighted that Barnton pharmacy has decided to become a fully branded member of the Alphega Pharmacy network. By joining Alphega Pharmacy, Barnton pharmacy receives support in retail, dispensing and staff training, as well as having access to more professional services along with many other benefits, while retaining its independent status.

“Pharmacies like Barnton, are in the best position to be providing additional clinical services as they have both the knowledge and expertise to deliver these services, taking the pressure away from GP’s and enabling patients to access them at a time and location which is convenient to them.”



The details:  2nd March 2012 at 2.30pm
Ribbon cutting at Barnton Pharmacy, 195 Whitehouse Road, Edinburgh

To be unveiled by: MP Mike Crockart and local MSP Colin Keir

A pregnant pause....

By way of apology for the lack of Barnton Pharmacy blogs during January, my best excuses are late pregnancy and self employment.

I am currently writing this at 38 weeks pregnant whilst sipping a lovely cup of raspberry leaf tea from Napiers - but available at Barnton Pharmacy. I can find out more than I probably want to know about my unborn second child from the internet.


My hospital bag is pack with the thanks of Mumsnet "hospital bag for dummies", the birth plan is written and at every twinge my partner leaps into action, only to be disappointed that this child will not arrive when it is convenient for us!


I don't profess to be an expert on pregnancy, childbirth or parenting, but thought it would be interesting to note down what is different this time round?


Well, here we go (in no particular order):

• I'm nearly 40 (eek!) and things are definitely not as elastic as I remember from last time round!
• Maternity leave looks very different when you part own a business. Much less sitting on the sofa, reading "Hello" and much more, "I wonder how many things I can tick off the action plan today"
• My first born is beyond waiting. Time for a nearly three year old is measured by big events and having told him he would be a big brother "after santa" and before his birthday, we now have to answer the daily questions of "Mummy, will I be a big brother today?"
• It is much harder to agree on a name for a second child than a first child....or maybe that is just us!
• The birth plan and the hospital bag never even made it out of the car last time round. Fingers crossed for a speedy arrival once things get going.
• The nearly three year old has far too much energy!

Barnton Pharmacy stocks lots of the things you will need for your hospital bag including: maternity pads, newborn nappies, lansinoh, breast pads, bottle feeding essentials, some lovely smellies and remember to come and have a look at our SMA interactive kiosk to help you with your newborn queries. Our team can help you with practical, no nonsense advice whatever your stage of pregnancy or motherhood.


Wish me luck and see you on the other side!

Time to lose weight?

The new year is twenty days old already. How did that happen so fast?

Many of us will have already broken our New Year's resolutions, but if you are serious about losing weight in 2012, then we are here to help.

The team at Barnton Pharmacy will listen to what you want to try to achieve and how you want to reach your goals and try to tailor a plan for you.

We use a range of weight loss methods to support you. These include:

Motivational support
You come in for a weigh in on a weekly basis and we give you hints and tips at each visit to keep you on track and motivated to reach your goals.

Lipotrim
Lipotrim is a total meal replacement programme, consisting of milkshake drinks or bars.
It is not for everyone, but if you are committed on the Lipotrim programme, you can see rapid results in a very sort space of time.

Participation requires the completion of a medical questionnaire and then you come to the pharmacy each week for a weigh in a motivational support as well as another week's supply of meal replacements.

Alli

We also stock Alli, which if taken alongside a low fat healthy diet, can help you lose 1lb more for every 2lb you lose on your own.

If you are serious about losing weight in  2012, come and speak to the team at Barnton Pharmacy to find out how we can help you.

Remember that Curves Barnton is just upstairs from the pharmacy and Aly and her team will be delighted to help design a fitness regime to complement your weight loss goals for 2012.

How to stop smoking and stay stopped for good in 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

So, now is the time for the resolutions to start and what better way to start the year than by giving up smoking?
Speaking from experience*, I know it is one of the hardest things to do and requires huge amounts of mental strength and physical will. But, if you need a little bit more motivation than that, here are ten more good reasons to stop:

1. If you smoke 20 a day and stop today, you'll be £2000 richer by next Christmas.
2. In 20 minutes, your blood pressure and heart rate return to normal
3. In three days, your breathing will be easier and you'll feel more energetic
4. In one year, your risk of having a heart attack is about halved from when you still smoked
5. Even if you've tried to give up before, try again....most people need a couple of attempts to stay stopped
6. Your family will  thank you for stopping. Kids exposed to second hand smoke are more at risk of cot death, asthma, chest infections and diabetes
7. If you stay stopped for 10 years, your lung cancer risk is half that of someone who still smokes.....it's never too late to stop.
8. By the end of January, you could have nearly £200 in spare cash!
9. You won't need to go outside for a fag in the middle of winter
10. We can help you!!!!

If you are serious about stopping, come and see Hazel, Sandra, Sally or Leanne at Barnton Pharmacy. We can sign you up for the NHS Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service which is FREE OF CHARGE to everyone. You commit to coming to see us weekly for 12 weeks and we will give you the motivation to stop and stay stopped as well as whichever nicotine replacement treatment is most  appropriate for you.


*My last cigarette was eight years ago, but some days it feels like yesterday and I still never say, never - just "not today, thanks"

2011 - A year in numbers

Apologies for the lack of blogginess in the last few weeks. Any of you with any experience of community pharmacy at this time of year will know that all rational and logical thinking goes out of the window in an attempt to dispense four month's worth of prescriptions in four weeks....just in case we don't open again after the planned two day closure!

Anyway, I am back and in reflective mood. 2011 has been an amazing year for Barnton Pharmacy and in trying to sum it up I thought I would share some of the highlights in numbers.

1 rebrand and new look pharmacy

We think the new look works really well and gives a clean and professional finish. 

29 blog posts written 

Must do better in 2012

890 patients registered for the minor ailments service

and receiving consultations and advice free of charge for minor ailments from head lice to coughs and colds.

1231 bottles of fresubin over-ordered

Don't worry Hazel, you are forgiven, but I'm afraid it will be used as a learning example for years to come!

5 awards won:

Scottish Pharmacist Innovation & Change Award in February

Alphega Pharmacy regional award in May

Key Staff Award for Hazel in October

Alliance Healthcare Scottish Pharmacy of the Year in November

and

Alliance Healthcare UK Pharmacy of the Year in November

206 patients registered fof the new chronic medication service

A really good start to the service for us, but we now need to focus on making it business as usual for out patients with long term conditions.

89.7kg lost by people on our Lipotrim weight management programme
and hoping to sign up many more in the new year. The next blog will focus on the New Year's resolutions.

35 smokers helped to stop smoking

Well done to all of them and keep up the good work.

2 staff retired

We'd like to wish Evelyn and Margaret long and happy days in the sun enjoying their hard earned retirment

4 new staff members

Big welcomes this year to Willie, Megan, Oana and Prince who join the team.

1 Parliamentary mention

70,379 aspirin tablets counted and dispensed
if you believe the computer record!

117 flu jabs administered
Vaccines are still available and it is not yet too late to protect yourselves and your loved ones.

2 sets of broken ribs
Willie and Sally. Both well on the mend now.

almost 50,000 prescriptions dispensed to our wonderful customers.

Thanks to our customers for supporting us during 2011.
Leanne and I would like to wish them all a Happy and Healthy 2012 

The 12 days of Christmas at Barnton Pharmacy

On the first day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me a prescription and some really great advice

On the second day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me two cold remedies

On the third day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me three hangover cures

On the fourth day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me four first aid products

On the fifth day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me five last minute present ideas

On the sixth day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me six scrummy skincare treats

On the seventh day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me seven reasons to get a flu jab

On the eighth day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me eight vitamins and minerals

On the ninth day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me nine stocking fillers

On the tenth day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me ten minutes to discuss stopping smoking

On the eleventh day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me eleven indigestion remedies

On the twelfth day of Christmas, 

Barnton Pharmacy gave to me twelve tips for a healthy 2012