Page 41 - Blog
August 01, 2011
For most parents, infant massage is a rewarding activity in its own right. Just consider the sheer enjoyment of touching and gently rubbing and stroking this little marvel of nature, with its lush, soft and delicately fragrant skin and all its subtle, yet clear signs of appreciation of being massaged. Over and above being a mutually pleasurable activity, research into infant massage over the past decades has established a range of beneficial effects on the infant, and equally important, on the relationship between the mother and her baby. In this article, we will look at some of the effects of infant massage on premature and full-term babies, respectively. These effects include weight gain, sleep organization and mother-baby relationship.
Infant massage for premature infants
Extensive research has been conducted on the effects of infant massage on stable pre-term infants. Certainly, premature birth is no trivial matter. At present approximately 14% of infants in the United States are
August 01, 2011
Vimala McClure was a young woman in her early 20’s when she went to India and cared for babies in a large children’s home. Despite the very rustic living situation, and the limited amount of food for the babies, they seemed to thrive. She wondered why, until the evening she saw the older girls massaging the babies before putting them to bed. “The babies loved it,” Vimala said, “and they went right to sleep afterwards.” So when Vimala returned to the US, and had babies of her own, she chose to massage them, and in the process brought infant massage to the West. The massage Vimala designed, in those deep moments listening to her own babies, combined together the Indian infant massage techniques she had learned at the children’s home, with Swedish massage, reflexology and yoga. She collected information about babies’ amazing response to touch, and wrote her classic book, Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents. That book started a movement. The massage she developed, responding to her
August 01, 2011
When should you start feeding your baby solid foods and what should you feed her?
Start feeding solids to babies between 4 and 6 months.
Introduce new foods 3-4 days apart.
Try foods several times.
Try several textures and flavors.
Avoid foods that can cause choking.
“The first year is a great time to introduce a variety of foods with different textures and tastes before the “picky eating” ages of 2 and 3 begin.” Christanne Harrison Introducing Solids: Time for Tofu (and Other New Foods) When my son started kindergarten, I asked him what he wanted in his lunch on his first day of school. He quickly responded, “Tofu squares!” He came home and proudly told me his teacher said that she had never seen a kindergartner with tofu in his lunch before. I started feeding my son tofu before he was a year old, and he has loved it ever since. Obviously, not all children are going to like tofu when they are introduced to it, but the first year is a great time to introduce a variety of
August 01, 2011
When we say that something is “touching,” or we are “touched by” something, we mean that we are somehow moved by it emotionally; that it reaches a place deep within our hearts. This also happens with massage. When we are relaxed enough, and in “touch with” our bodies enough, we are able to access a place inside where all is well in our world. This state is most important in keeping babies and their caretakers happy, healthy, and bonded. Babies are like little stars that came to earth. Their light will shine brighter and brighter as they grow and laugh and feel enveloped in the love that you will bring to them. As parents in a busy world, relaxation is often an overlooked aspect of our health. We make the time to exercise, eat right and hopefully sleep enough, but when it comes time to relax we often are remiss in giving ourselves that “luxury.” How many times do we mean to meditate, stretch, do yoga, take a walk, pray, or take a long hot bath? Not often enough. It’s important to remember
July 01, 2011
La Leche League’s “Big Latch On” event, August 6th, 2011 “Women were ready to take charge of their own bodies. There was a need.” This was her answer when one founder was asked why they started La Leche League International (LLLI). In 1956, seven women founded La Leche League International united by a common bond: their mutual appreciation for natural birth and their healthy, happy breastfeeding babies. They nurtured, nursed and practiced what they preached, with a combined total of 63 children, 161 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren, as of 2008. They were encouraged by enthusiastic husbands, and inspired by their enjoyment to share what they knew with other mothers, in their Elmhurst, Illinois vicinity, who were often asking for guidance on how best to breastfeed their babies. In the words of each of the seven founders, here are some of their thoughts and history from their journey together. Their detailed chronological history as an organization, photos, and wonder-filled
July 01, 2011
One of the major sources of frustration and even guilt in early motherhood is breastfeeding. Yes, for some mothers breastfeeding runs utterly smoothly, but for others, breastfeeding challenges become a partially painful and uneven ordeal. The range of complaints includes cracks and fissures in the nipples, sore breasts, infections, fungi, concerns with having enough milk, and feelings of having to feed too frequently and thus becoming a milk-producing machine. These conditions make breastfeeding less of the pleasant bonding activity which most mothers envision for their unborn child. So, what can help these mothers? Perhaps a few breastfeeding tips and education.
First Recourse: Mastering the Basics
The first recourse or breastfeeding tip is naturally to make sure that the basics are in place. There is plenty of literature out there, which an expectant woman can read at her own leisure. The website of La Leche League is a very good on-line source of information. La Leche League has
July 01, 2011
There is a deeply caring quality reflected in Ina May Gaskin’s life as a certified professional midwife for over 35 years, as an author, educator, community member, and the mother of three home-birthed children. She brings her life’s work and experience to the 340 pages of this rich resource on breastfeeding. Like her book, Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding is destined to be a classic. Word is bound to spread quickly to every mother interested in “everything you need to know to make breastfeeding a joyful, natural, and richly fulfilling experience for both you and your baby.” The contents of this book bring insights into the personal journey of becoming a family, from how your birth choices determine the quality of your breastfeeding experience, to the advantages of delaying cutting the umbilical cord. There are lists of Baby-Friendly hospitals, herbs to avoid, and how to handle sick and hospitalized babies, and colds, diarrhea, or reflux. The mystery and
July 01, 2011
Yesterday my sister told me that she never knew what hard work breastfeeding was going to be. Last month, she celebrated her first year as a mother, and her first year of breastfeeding. She amazes me, balancing her busy schedule in the corporate world with time for breastfeeding and breast pumping in the office “pump-quarters.” I’m thrilled my sister’s breastfeeding is supported in the workplace, because breastfeeding is one of the body’s most beautiful, intelligent functions. Breast milk is a living fluid substance, one of the most nutritious on earth. The wisdom or innate intelligence of the human body is so remarkable that a mother’s body will change the composition of her breast milk at every feeding, according to the time of day, the climate, and the baby’s age. Breast milk contains the perfect amount of every essential nutrient optimal for your baby’s growth and development at each unique moment. As a family wellness chiropractor who is passionate about serving pregnant woman, infants,
July 01, 2011
Breastfeeding: Nutrition for Better Brains and Super Moms Breastfeeding can’t guarantee a super baby who walks at 4 months and differentiates colors, letters, and numbers by 6 months, but research does indicate that it is the best nutrition for your baby, helps fight infection, promotes brain development, and may even increase academic performance and IQ. And breastfeeding definitely makes you a super mom! The best nutrition for your baby:
Breastfeeding provides the calories and nutrients that are just right for your baby. The composition of breast milk changes as your baby grows to meet her nutritional needs. Breastfed babies may need a vitamin D supplement, so ask your pediatrician.
Breast milk passes antibodies to your baby. In addition to nutrients, breast milk also gives your baby protection against infection and disease. Breastfeeding may also prevent or delay allergies. Remember that any amount of breast milk that you are able to provide for your baby is beneficial.
July 01, 2011
Midwifery in Germany differs in many details from the situation as it is in the United States. Sure, on both sides of the ocean mothers and fathers wish nothing but the best for the newborn life, but the way to achieve this may be somewhat different. This article focuses on midwife education in Germany pointing out the importance of freelancers in this area. Midwifery in Germany is a health care profession which takes care of women in pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. There are circa 18,000 midwives in Germany who have passed their exam at one of the total of 58 schools of midwifery existing here. As for the foreign midwives from all over the world that wish to work in Germany, they may have to visit one of the German schools of midwifery so as to improve their theoretical knowledge and gain further practical experience. The training there consists of about 1,600 hours in theory and circa 3,000 hours in practice. In order to provide a deep insight into the variety of obstetrics, the