Page 2 - Motherhood

So you're having a baby. It's such an exciting time! Your due date is getting closer, and you've packed and unpacked your hospital bag more times than you can count- folding and refolding that first, cute outfit for baby to wear home, tiny socks, a nightgown for you...but what do you really need? How do you pack for something you've never experienced before? If you're like many parents it can all seem a little overwhelming. Today I wanted to share five things I'm glad I brought along (or wished I brought along!) for each of my three children's births.

1. Comfortable pajamas. This was only something I packed with my third baby, and I was so happy I did. It was a wonderful, refreshing feeling to put on comfortable (nursing friendly) pjs after taking a shower at the hospital. I brought this set along from Target. In the past, I had always just worn the hospital gown but I actually found these button front pajamas a much easier choice for nursing and just feeling good while in recovery.

Body image is an issue that’s really close to my heart and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how it affects new moms. It seems to me that women’s feelings about their postpartum bodies often get overlooked, likely because there’s rarely discussion about it. To start the conversation, I reached out to my amazing community of women, “Hey mama friends, I'm writing a piece about embracing your beautiful postpartum body. Would love to hear your experience!” The poignant, real responses I received from my friends made me cry. I chatted with each of them, thanking them for their honesty and asked if it would be okay to share their stories. They all graciously agreed. In the words of my pal Lindsey, “Anything in the name of female empowerment.” I’m so honored to share their strength, humor, and open-heartedness with you.

Lindsey

I think the first step is just like the first step in any change - acknowledging that your body is different and that it’s okay to hate it. It’s okay to hate your stretch

Whether you are a brand new mom or have been a mom for years and have a brand new baby, breastfeeding can seem overwhelming at times! I’m going to give my top five breastfeeding tips for new moms today– they’ll help you get off on the right start and know what to do if things get tricky.

1. Make sure you have a support system.

Research shows that Moms without support often wean in the first week postpartum. Create a small support circle you can call on in those early days, weeks, and months with a new baby. A supportive partner, family member, neighbor, or online forum can really be a game changer!

2. Don’t suffer in pain!

Some nipple soreness is normal, due to postpartum hormone changes and your breast tissue stretching. This is common the first few weeks. The pain should not last more than 60 seconds or be a toe-curling pain. This is called the “60 second rule”. If you have “ouch-ouch-ouch!” pain that lasts longer than 60 seconds, seek some professional help to make sure that baby is

I get asked many questions about increasing milk supply.  When I meet with moms who ask how to increase their supply, I first like to ask WHY they are worried about their supply. Many times it’s because baby is signaling to increase feeds, which actually indicates a growth spurt rather than a problem with your supply. I like to help moms create confidence in themselves and their ability to feed their baby. So before you doubt yourself, trust the process!  Remember that as you listen to baby’s cues and feed on-demand, it’s likely that your supply is just fine. Below are some of my top tips for increasing milk supply. Remember that any one of these might make a difference with you, but usually a combination will be the most effective. Keep in mind that increasing breast stimulation is the best way to increase your milk production. Here are my tips for increasing milk supply:

• Ensure an optimal latch. Milk is made on a supply and demand principle.  The more milk is removed, the

In preparation to write an earth-shattering piece on nutrition for pregnancy, I realized the recommendations we give to pregnant women are suspiciously close to ones we give to regular people. There are the pregnancy-specific no-no’s (no alcohol, smoking, caffeine, raw fish, or lunch meat), but the do’s are common recommendations for a healthy lifestyle: Eat A Rainbow of Foods! Drink So Much Water!! Don’t Drown Yourself in Refined Sugars!! Please Exercise! Whole foods (those which are unprocessed and as close to their natural state as possible) are your best bet in giving your baby the best nutrients for growth. Our goal is to enjoy nutrition from all the different food groups in balanced amounts. Since you already know the basic tenants of nutrition (eat your fruits and veggies, etc.), let’s focus specifically on why you need extra protein and a bunch of nutrients during pregnancy and how to find them in whole foods.

Protein is Key

We learned in school that protein is a key building block

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 womanhood and femininity

 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 for a home birth but was later

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

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 a great list of things you might consider.

Embrace Freezer Meals

It’s not rare for eating

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 electrolyte