Hi, Meandra. Your solution is to stop using cleansers on your face all together. I have the exact same skin problems. My whole family gets this skin with age and it's no fun. My skin is the worst - it's sensitive, like an open wound, I've always had pimples and scalp problems. I'm allergic to just about everything on Earth (it seems). Sound familiar? It sounds to me like you're heading into acne rosacea territory (strawberry nose), and the only solution I know to work is homeopathy. I use herbal remedies and natural remedies of all stripes for all kinds of stuff, but there is not a tonic that will help your skin, I promise. The two homeopathic treatments you can use (wouldn't advise while breastfeeding - could be harmless, but I don't know): calc sulph and calc carb (Boiron has appropriate strength ready to go for this purpose). Calc sulph is for acne and boils and seems to take the red out, and calc carb is a treatment for cradle cap - does wonders for seborrheic problems of all kinds, keeps those black/brown heads down to a dull roar. When I first started this regimen, it seemed to make my skin worse (had a minor breakout on my neck), but when that cleared up, my skin looked 100% better. My cheeks are white-ish, my nose is pink, but not red/bloody/awful. Back to no soap on your face! Warm water rinse twice a day, use a very soft, dry wash cloth to massage (gently) your skin dry (broken veins aren't nice and irritated skin is unpleasant). No toner! You can moisturize and I find that a mild, sensitive skin type is fine... many herbal/natural moisturizers actually contain lots of things that I am sensitive to. I hate to say I use generic oil of olay, very sparingly. Cold and hot water will make your skin unhappy! Hot especially. My sister also put me on to flax oil and zinc. I take those too. This might also be contributing to my skin success. Sorry for rambling - finding these things were like finding the holy grail for me!

My oldest daughter did not sleep well as an infant, and I bought a noise machine at a friend's recommendation. It made a huge difference, and my daughter started sleeping much better. The book "the happiest baby on the block" also recommends white noise as it simulates the womb. I have now moved the noise machine into my youngest daughter's room, and my oldest daughter, now 4, no longer uses it. So she is not dependent on it. However, I did find it helpful to bring it when we slept away from home as it blocked out the noises of a new place and was a familar nighttime sound. The noise machine blocks out the noise of the dog barking, my older daughter yelling, my husband clomping down the hall. In the middle of the night, my younger daughter would probably sleep through all that without the noise machine. But in the morning, the noise machine makes the difference between her waking up at 6 or 7:30. As far as breastfeeding, I was kind of grossed out by the idea (for me, not anyone else). I decided I would try, and if it worked, great; if not, I would bottle feed. I went to a class prior to giving birth, and the one thing I remembered was that breastfeeding should NOT hurt. If it does, unlatch and relatch. At first, it would take numerous tries to get the latch right. But, I never had any issues with pain. I also used Gerber's NUK Gentle Moisturizing Balm, which is like a big chap stick. I liked it better than lansinoh as it was not so messy. Plus, it is not harmful to apply and then feed the baby. Anyway, initially nursing did not feel at all natural. But it worked out good for me--so easy and convenient. Our hospital offered a session with a lactation consultant which was very helpful. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Amanda, I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner, I was going to suggest a bread type "calzone", or pasty. My girls loved it if I'd roll bread dough out pretty thin, cut into squares or circles and spread with various fillings, then fold over, seal edges and bake. We filled my homemade bread dough with everything from scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon or meatballs with sauce or pizza sauce with pepperoni, mushrooms and mozzarella, to corned beef and saurkraut type reubens, to chicken and broccoli. They froze well, warmed up nicely and could be filled with a variety of fillings for a nice change. Breakfast burritos freeze pretty well too, any combination of egg/vegetable/cheese wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla and then wrapped in foil or ziplock and frozen works well and I often froze breakfast sandwiches for Ashley with a fried egg and cheese on an English Muffin, sometimes it had sausage or ham too. I think many things that could be carried in a brown bag type lunch situation could be converted to this particular use, but the freezing thing makes it a bit harder. It's a very nice thing to do for a friend, I'm sure she appreciates all your efforts. Oh, and I want to see new pictures of YOUR handsome guy! Annie

We are taking care of 3 semi ferals, mother and 2 siblings, and after having them altered, that same thing happened. I was really surprised but figured, it was OK...The mom, who is at least 8 yrs. old, is still very protective of her 2 kids and the male, who is twice her size, is really a momma's boy. She keeps them in line, forever bathing them and every once in awhile, "Buddy" will snuggle just like he's nursing...