Q: If you feel pain on the right side of your body, try lying down on the left side, or vice versa. Sometimes the discomfort experienced on one side will disappear if no additional pressure is applied to the area. Resting your body this way will also remove pressure from your joints and muscles.  If possible, do this whenever you experience severe sciatic pain. Purchase a pregnancy wedge pillow to place behind your back while you sleep if you tend to toss and turn at night. Place a small lumbar cushion behind your lower back when sitting down. The cushion may help to ease your sciatic pain by supporting your spine and reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve. It will also ensure that you sit up straight, which will help reduce back pain.  If you don't have a lumbar cushion, place a rolled up towel behind your lower back for the same effect. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a pregnancy support belt, which fits under your stomach and around your back to disperse the extra weight you are carrying. These garments come in different sizes, shapes, materials, and fits. Ask your doctor to recommend a type of support belt.  You may need to adjust the belt or buy a larger size as your pregnancy progresses. Most pregnancy belts are made of cotton or nylon, and fasten with hooks or velcro. For a wide selection of pregnancy support belts, browse online medical supply stores. If you are suffering from sciatica, avoid shoes with high heels, which direct your body weight backwards. This kind of pressure places tension on your lower back, aggravating the sciatic nerve.  Wear flat shoes or shoes with small, low heels to keep your weight centered. If you have flat feet or back problems, you may actually need to wear a small heel instead. Consult a podiatrist for more advice. If possible, avoid lifting any kind of heavy objects while you are pregnant. Strenuous lifting can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. If you have to lift heavy objects, make sure to keep your back straight and bend and lift with your knees.  Ask others for help moving large items or carrying heavy bags, especially in the last trimester. As a general rule, avoid lifting anything over 25 pounds while you are pregnant. Slouching or slumping over can put undue pressure on your lower back, aggravating your sciatic nerve. Maintain good posture when sitting and standing and balance your body weight evenly. When sitting, aim to arch your back slightly to keep your body upright. Always keep your head straight and shoulders back.
A: Lie on your side, opposite of the pain. Support your spine with a small cushion when sitting. Purchase a pregnancy support belt to relieve the strain on your back. Wear shoes with a low or flat heel. Avoid lifting heavy objects. Maintain good posture.

Q: A typical newborn requires 10 to 12 changes per day, and older infants and toddlers often need 8 to 10 changes. If you're switching to cloth from disposable diapers, count your average daily diapers used over several days. You won't need more than three days' worth of diapers, because by that point your diaper pail will be overflowing with dirty diapers waiting for a wash. Expect to wash diapers every other day. Never leave dirty diapers unwashed for more than three days. While it's a noble goal to completely eliminate the use of disposables, they are nice to have around in certain cases. For instance, you may unavoidably fall behind on your diaper washing and need a quick, clean option. Or, you may need to use a babysitter or daycare center that's more comfortable with (or requires) disposables. You may think you'll need to use disposables when you're away from home (for instance, when out shopping), but it's really not any more difficult to use cloth diapers when on the road. Just make sure to bring along a dirty diaper storage bag that seals securely (you can purchase these alongside cloth diapering supplies). Don't get grossed out by the thought of using another baby's old diapers. Look at it like using secondhand baby clothes — if they're clean and in good shape, they're perfectly safe and fine to use. If, however, they're heavily stained, torn or frayed, or any of the snaps or other closure mechanisms are worn or damaged, don't use them. Play it safe and wash the diapers yourself before using them. Just as with disposables, most reusable diapers come in different sizes based on the baby's age and weight. Use age as a general guideline, but focus primarily on the weight category in order to get the best fit for your child. Regular leaks are a good sign that the diapers you're using are either too big or too small. Some cloth brands offer a "one-size" diaper that will fit from right after the newborn stage until potty training. These can save you money (because they'll fit longer), but may not necessarily provide the same level of fit and leak protection. Try one out and see how it works for you. These include diaper covers, extra inserts, diaper liners, “snappis” or pins, cloth diaper-safe rash cream, and a pail or bucket with a lid to store the dirty diapers. Keep in mind the two-to-three day diaper supply plan. This means you don't need a box full of diaper pins or a giant pail that could hold a week's worth of diapers. Some parents use them for burp cloths, bibs, and changing pads, among many possibilities. Or, lend, give, sell, or donate them so someone else can become a cloth diaper convert!
A: Buy enough diapers to last 2 or 3 days. Purchase some disposable diapers to supplement your reusables. Seek out secondhand cloth diapers. Pay attention to sizing. Buy necessary accessories. Consider repurposing cloth diapers after your baby's done with them.

Q: One of the ways you may be enabling your alcoholic loved one is by drinking with them. You might rationalize that if you are there you can stop them from going overboard, but what you are doing is actually condoning the behavior. If you are able to consume alcohol responsibly, do so away from the alcoholic. If they are around, suggest healthier alternatives for dealing with stress, such as exercise or a comedy film. Giving an alcoholic money reinforces their addiction. Even if the cash isn't intended to buy alcohol, you are still enabling their alcoholism by financing them. If they had to face the financial consequences of their drinking, they'd be forced to get help.  The next time the alcoholic asks you for money, say something like, "Heather, whenever I give you money, you use it for alcohol. I won't do it anymore." Don't apologize or come up with a handy excuse—just refuse. You may have fallen into the habit of lying and making excuses for the alcoholic. Maybe you call in to their workplace and say they’re sick. Or, maybe you lie and say you helped them finish the bottle of vodka when they really did it alone. Don't use your words to get the alcoholic out of trouble or keep the addiction hidden. Doing so simply gives them permission to continue. It is important for them to face the consequences of their actions and deal with them on their own. All in all, your enabling prevents the alcoholic from facing the consequences of their addiction. By letting these consequences play out, you offer your loved one the best chance of recovering.  The idea of letting your loved one “hit rock bottom” may be frightening, but many experts in the addiction community find that when a person doesn't experience a rock bottom, they aren't motivated to change. You can still assure their relative safety by taking measures to prevent them from hurting themselves or someone else. For example, you might take their keys if they are attempting to drink and drive. They'll be forced to catch a ride or hail a cab, but they won't be able to hurt anyone.
A:
Don't consume alcohol with the person. Don't give the person money. Stop lying and making excuses for the person. Let some of the natural consequences take place.