Motherhood
Motherhood
Pregnancy & Birth
May 19, 2017
Being an IBCLC is more than making sure that babies get their mama's breast milk. There's a very nurturing side to many of us that are in this profession. Someone asked me what I do as a postpartum doula and Lactation Consultant. It didn't take me long to write a list of the things I do. I dedicate this to all the mama's and babies I've worked with...
I massage the feet of an exhausted mama desperately needing a gentle touch
I hold a straw steady for a mama breastfeeding her twins to quench her thirst because her hands are occupied
I catch falling tears from faces of new mamas that don't think they can make it through the night
I give reassuring glances to nervous fathers and encourage them to stay present
I listen, without judgement, to the woman that explains why she stays in an unhappy relationship
I defy culture in the context of parenting and teach mothers to use instinct rather than google
I help women make peace with their vaginas and not be ashamed of their
Motherhood
Pregnancy & Birth
May 03, 2017
1. Be Open Minded
Expectant parents have a lot on their plates. From researching and interviewing pediatricians, to reading about the stages of pregnancy and development, and then everything in between, it’s easy to see how overwhelming and stressful it can be to bring new life into the world. Oftentimes new moms and dads blaze their way into parenthood with a solid set of principles in mind. While these principles often have nothing to do with those of us on the outside, our responses to them can make a new parent feel guilty or “wrong” for choosing what they did. It’s vital for the support people to listen to the mother and validate her thoughts and fears while reassuring her that the decisions she’s making for her family need only be what’s best for them, not anyone else.
2. Be Supportive of Deviations in Their Plan
Things don’t always go according to plan, and that can sometimes leave new moms feeling lost or defeated. Perhaps mom had planned
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
March 17, 2017
While most new mamas love breastfeeding time with their new little one, most also look forward to the day their partner can take part in feeding the baby, too (usually late at night so mom can get a little sleep!) So naturally a burning question on many new parents’ minds is: When is it okay to give my baby a bottle?
Most experts agree that if things are going well with breastfeeding, and there is no indication or medical reason that your baby needs to be supplemented or fed with a bottle, it is in your breastfeeding and baby’s best interest to hold off for approximately 3 to 4 weeks before introducing bottle feeding. By following this general guideline, you will have well established your breastfeeding routine. After about a month, you will have let the baby dictate your milk supply before introducing something new. However, if you wait too long—usually more than 6 weeks—there is a risk that your baby may refuse the bottle.
To feed your baby via a bottle, parents can use either expressed
Motherhood
Pregnancy & Birth
March 03, 2017
Patiently awaiting the arrival of your new bundle of joy can often be easier said than done. Many soon-to-be moms in their third trimester are more than ready to have their baby join them on the outside of the womb. But how will you ensure you’re prepared to bring that baby home and have as smooth of a transition as possible? I’m going to tell you exactly how with these 5 Nesting Tips for First Time Moms.
Pack Your Hospital Bag EARLY
Don’t wait until the last minute to gather all of your gear to head to the hospital! Ensure you’re cool, calm, and collected (at least as much as possible) by creating a list of everything you want to take with you, and have those bags packed and placed in the trunk of your car by 35 weeks. Don’t forget stuff for your partner, too! You never know when you might go into labor, so it’s best to have your bags somewhere close by at all times. Not sure what to pack? Here’s
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
January 05, 2017
Oh, the joys of pregnancy! As soon as you announce your pregnancy, everyone under the sun, from your mother-in-law to your massage therapist, starts to pepper you with advice. A lot of is helpful, but some of it is downright wrong, especially as it relates to what to eat to fuel your growing baby. Here’s a no-nonsense list of foods that are packed with the essential nutrients your little one needs for healthy growth and development. Time to eat up momma!
Avocado
If you've been plagued by leg cramps during your pregnancy, it's time to get more avocado. Half of this creamy, delicious fruit contains 345mg of potassium, 114 calories, and nearly 5g of fiber. A lack of potassium can cause leg muscles to cramp. During pregnancy you need 4700mg daily of the mineral, which sounds like a shocking amount, but most fruits and vegetables contain at least some potassium. If you’re breastfeeding, that amount jumps to 5100mg per day, so it’s smart to get used to packing lots of this important
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
December 01, 2016
With the holidays right around the corner, it’s hard not to get swept up in the hullaballoo. But this year you have the perfect excuse for getting out of it—your beautiful, hungry newborn who also needs her sleep. But it’s not just your new babe that’s beautiful and needs sleep—your recovering body and new family need a break, too.
If you are nursing an infant, I would advise against hosting large events in your home. Too many people can equal too much stress. You want to protect yourself from becoming run down. If you’re not doing well, you can’t provide as much to your little one. So, give yourself a pass. You just had a baby. When new moms try to take on too much they run the risk of developing low milk supply to mastitis.
Mastitis (when your breast tissue becomes painfully inflamed and you have tendency to have ‘flu’ like symptoms) can occur at any stage of lactation, the most common time is within the first 3 to 4 weeks after giving birth. The stress and fatigue of being a first-time
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
November 22, 2016
I’ve never been much of a coffee drinker, but after having a baby I welcomed the occasional pick-me-up after a sleepless night. A morning cup of coffee soon became a daily ritual and I knew deep down that it wasn't serving me. Instead of making me an energized supermom, coffee was leaving me anxious, jittery, and much less patient. Caffeine causes your adrenal glands to produce stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. This can leave you less capable of managing stress, and we all know that motherhood can be a little stressful at times. Excessive caffeine has also been shown to leach calcium and reduce iron absorption, two nutrients that are essential during the postpartum period.
Your coffee consumption may affect you baby as well. Some breastfed babies may be sensitive to caffeine present in mother’s breast milk. Signs of caffeine stimulation in a baby can include being unusually fussy, wide-eyed, overly alert or active, and not staying asleep for long.
How much is too much?
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
September 27, 2016
Pregnancy is such an exciting time, but it can also be a time full of uncertainty. Proper prenatal nutrition is essential for both you and your baby, but figuring out what to eat can be very confusing. There are so many decisions to make when you’re pregnant, but while you’re picking out baby names and decorating the nursery, it's important to make nutrition a priority as well. Fueling your body with nutrient dense foods will help provide your baby with the best start possible.
First Trimester Nutrients
A well balanced diet is key throughout your entire pregnancy, but certain nutrients play an essential role in each trimester. Basic water-soluble vitamins B & C become a focal point in the first trimester. The most well know first trimester vitamin is B9, folate, which helps protect your baby from the risk of neural tube defects. Vitamin C is important during all stages of pregnancy, but it works to support your immune system in the first trimester, which is often taxed in
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
August 16, 2016
photo courtesy of Lindsey Shipley/Lactation Link
Your body is your baby's first home, and this relationship doesn’t need to end just because he’s out of the womb. Now out in the world, your babe wants to spend all of his time on top of your body. This is where he first learns about scent, touch, sight, hearing, taste and trust, along with many other things. Skin to skin, also known as Kangaroo Care, is a way to maintain that unique closeness you and baby shared when he was in your womb.
Kangaroo care refers to the practice of holding your diapered babe—be he premature, full term or anytime during infancy—against your bare chest, with either a shirt or a blanket around the baby’s back to keep him warm. This snuggling of the infant against the body makes like a kangaroo’s pouch—hence the name, Kangaroo Care. Kangaroo Care can begin in most cases immediately after birth and can continue as long as you want to practice. There is no age at which
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
July 08, 2016
I recently wrote a blog about my grocery store lists and foods I always have in my kitchen. Today's post is going to give you a few ideas of things you can make with those items. This blog will focus on our daily routines and plant-based, dairy-free meal ideas. Developing routines and food prepping in advance have cut in half the amount of time I spend preparing meals. Here are some routines we have implemented into our daily lives. Sidenote: If you haven't already, invest in a high powered blender. I recommend the Blendec or Vitamix. I love my Blendtec and use it everyday.
Routine #1: Lemon Water
I try to start every day with 8 ounces of room temperature or warm water with juice from 1/2 a lemon.
Routine # 2: Green Smoothies
We have a green smoothie every day before breakfast. It took awhile for this to become a habit, but when I got pregnant I drank one every single day, and have ever