Motherhood
Motherhood
October 28, 2024
As babywearing parents and carrying educators, researchers, and enthusiasts, I’m sure we all share the belief that everyone should be able to wear their baby. You only need to feel the magic of “sleepy dust” with your own baby, or see the joy of a caregiver successfully wrapping their baby for the first time to understand that this practice is important.
And that a well-used carrier is much more than just another baby gear product on a registry. But let’s face it: high quality carriers are out of the price range for many new parents. Thanks to lending libraries, secondhand sales, and hand-me-down gifts, often the “village” surrounding the new parent will ensure that the price tag alone isn’t prohibitive.
But that’s not the only barrier. Whether parents can afford a carrier or not, fully embracing this practice is not just an issue of economic access. It’s all about cultural access. Being able to fully adopt babywearing as an integral component of a caregiving strategy depends on more than
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Motherhood
February 19, 2024
Bobbie Baby Formula, the brand you know and love for its top-notch organic formulas, has just launched their newest product: Boosties! As a long-time request from Bobbie parents, these new infant supplements are perfect for formula-fed and breastfed babies alike.
Since Bobbie has a very simple ingredient list, they leave it up to parents to add anything extra! Parents who are looking for probiotics or Vitamin D will now be able to order these supplements— along with their Bobbie subscription— for their own, customized infant formula. We spoke with Mallory Whitmore, The Formula Mom and Education Lead at Bobbie, about why these two new products are so exciting for Bobbie parents.
Q&A:
What are boosties?
Bobbie Boosties are infant supplements that can be added to an infant’s diet, whether they’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or doing a bit of both (also known as combo-feeding)!
Do breastfeeders need added vitamins or probiotics?
Many parents don’t realize that breast milk
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Motherhood
November 13, 2023
The holiday season is upon us, and for many families, that means hitting the road to visit loved ones or embark on exciting adventures. While holiday road trips bring joy and cherished memories (maybe more so when we look back and forget the fussy kiddos asking “are we there yet?” ), they can also present unique challenges, especially for breastfeeding moms. Of course you don’t want to loose your rhythm and all the progress you’ve made in your breastfeeding journey and while it may seem daunting, it IS possible to have minimal disruption in your routine. Let’s explore the importance of breastfeeding during your holiday travels and provide you with essential tips to make breastfeeding on the road more comfortable and enjoyable for both you and your baby.
Benefits of Breastfeeding During Road Trips
Breastfeeding is not just about providing nourishment; it also offers a ton of benefits that are particularly advantageous during road trips with baby. First and foremost, breastfeeding
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Motherhood
August 01, 2022
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Set up a breastfeeding station
Have a lactation consultant on speed dial
Rest (and then rest some more)
Ask for support
Center pleasure as much as you can
Do at least one thing per day just for you
Breastfeeding is well…a lot. Even if the latch is great, milk is flowing, and the baby is growing off the charts, being a breastfeeding mom is not always easy. Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, combo-feeding, exclusively pumping, or anything in between, providing human milk is both labor and time-intensive, as well as physically and emotionally demanding.
A little self-care at this time of life can go a long way. As postpartum doulas, we’re all about making sure parents themselves are happy, supported, and thriving. After all, you are literally keeping another person alive with your body—and that means that you need a lot of care. And some of that care can come from yourself, via simple routines, healthy boundaries, and practical planning. Here are our
Pregnancy & Birth
Motherhood
June 27, 2022
Having a baby is a beautiful and exciting stage of anyone’s life. However, it can be taxing emotionally and physically for your partner. We can read all the books and attend all the courses, but sometimes there are just the things no one tells you. Your partner will need all the help they can get, but sometimes it can be hard to know how exactly to help them. Here are a few ways that you might be able to help your partner after they give birth.
Caring for Your Partner During Labor and Delivery
Get drinks or ice from the machine - If you are having a hospital birth, chances are your partner won't be able to eat solid foods. Ice is always a welcome alternative to water as a change in texture.
Remind the partner to drink water - "Your body needs to be nourished and in top condition before and during the race. Days leading up to the marathon, long-distance runners will load up so they don’t run famished on the day of the race. And most importantly, marathoners are hydrated throughout the race....The
Postpartum
Motherhood
September 18, 2019
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That New Baby Smell
Delayed Bathing
Mother/Infant Bond
Babywearing and Smell
We have all heard about new car smells, but what about new baby smells? You know, that earthy, new baby smell, that one that causes dopamine to release in your brain and makes you feel so good - what is it? Smell can be the most potent sense to strike up an emotional response.
So, what exactly is that new baby smell?
The smell of a newborn is likely thought to be a combination of chemicals secreted through sweat glands, lingering amniotic fluid and vernix caseosa, the white cheese-like cream that covers babies at birth; all this combined, is thought to create a combination of intoxicating medley aroma that nature designed to pull you in. Whatever it is, that distinct smell provides a pathway to our brains and to ultimately our hearts and binds us to that little life in front of us. Although the newborn scent eventually fades (usually around six weeks of age) many parents
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Motherhood
August 02, 2018
Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way to nourish and bond with your baby, but it can also present its fair share of challenges. Whether you're a first-time mom or have previous breastfeeding experience, this ultimate guide aims to provide you with the knowledge, tips and techniques you need to navigate the joys and complexities of breastfeeding with confidence. In this post, we'll address common concerns and dispel myths surrounding breastfeeding, helping you make informed decisions that align with your individual needs and circumstances. So, let's embark on this incredible journey together, arming ourselves with knowledge and unwavering support as we navigate the incredible world of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Myths
First, let’s address a few myths. It’s no secret that everyone has their own experiences and opinions when it comes to breastfeeding, but it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s actually false. So, here are a few myths that commonly get passed around. “Colostrum
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Motherhood
May 17, 2018
After healing and resting from pregnancy and childbirth, many moms feel the need to bring some more movement into their routine. Often moms are concerned about how this will affect breastfeeding. Luckily, studies have shown that moderate exercise will not affect your milk supply. Bringing more movement into your life can bring not only physical strength, but the mental clarity mothers need! Be sure to check with your midwife or doctor before returning to physical activity. New moms might find it helpful to think outside the exercise box. There are other options outside of going to the gym or starting a complicated routine. Physical movement that nourishes your whole body can be added throughout your day. Here are a few ways that have helped other moms bring movement into their lives with a new baby:
Start small and work up. Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the work ahead that we don’t even want to start. Keep in mind that you have to start someone and the time will pass anyway.
Postpartum
Motherhood
April 24, 2018
Please tell us a little about yourself and what you do for work.
I'm mama to two young children living in Austin, Texas where I host a birth stories podcast called The Birth Hour. My mission with The Birth Hour is to encourage women to be informed about pregnancy and childbirth and know their options while creating a community for moms to support one another through pregnancy and motherhood. The podcast has grown rapidly since its launch in 2015 with over 4 million downloads and a supportive Instagram community. This year The Birth Hour launched it's first online course that prepares couples for everything from childbirth through newborn care and even going back to work after baby!
How did you get the idea to start The Birth Hour?
When I was pregnant with my eldest, my love of (OK obsession with) birth stories began. I would google birth stories and watch youtube videos of birth until 3AM many nights, which is not exactly the healthiest practice when you are growing a human in
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Motherhood
March 29, 2018
When I first got pregnant I had no idea what breastfeeding would be like. I just assumed it was a way I would feed my baby but didn’t even consider the difficulties or support a mother needed to get through that journey! Now 3 children later, I STILL ask for tips/help sometimes. Breastfeeding is such a beautiful thing to be able to do but it also has it’s challenges. From the initial latch struggles, to the fatigue from nursing through the night, and just having to be there on demand to breastfeed. Nonetheless there are many ways to make it work well for you through the 2 years (or less or more depending on your situation). Here are 10 things that can help you through your journey.
1. A Strong Mindset
With each baby, the breastfeeding experience will be different. You supply will vary, it might hurt more or less, you might get tired more or less, your baby might keep you up all night and so on. There’s so much that goes into breastfeeding your baby that it is a super sensitive subject