Page 18 - Blog
May 12, 2016
When I first discovered I'd be having a C-section, I felt frightened and overwhelmed. Like many new moms, my C-section was unexpected and I hadn't thought about it or prepared for it. While meeting my son for the first time was incredible, my overall experience was very negative. I had missed out on some essential bonding time with my baby after delivery; struggled with breastfeeding; and overall, did not feel adequately supported.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I knew that if I needed another C-section, I wanted it to be very different from my first experience. I spoke with several maternal health professionals, had a prenatal visit with a lactation consultant, and created a plan to have a better c-section. My second c-section was a remarkably smoother and very positive experience. Here are some tips that have helped me have a better C-section experience.
1. Know your hospital policies
Make sure to inquire about your hospitals policies regarding the care of you and your baby. Is
May 11, 2016
This is the first in a series of posts from a handful of guest bloggers, documenting baby's first year. This first post comes from talented writer and mama of two, Megan. Visit her Instagram account here, and read on to enjoy a peek into her life with her newborn.
The tiny girl that I carried for nine months and could hardly imagine is finally here in my life and it’s truly extraordinary. I was so distracted by my two-year-old son during this pregnancy that I really could never wrap my mind around the idea of two --- although I’m not sure I could imagine life with my son before he was born either. These first few weeks with León have been hectic, challenging, exciting and undeniably sweet. When I was finally feeling up to it, we decided that we wanted to be surrounded by our close family to help with the transition from one child to two. We ended up traveling a lot to my husband’s parents’ house and to my mom’s house. Packing up everything we needed every time we left was tedious and time
April 19, 2016
One huge perk of babywearing is having extra arms to get everything done. So often we as parents have multiple things to attend to, other children to care for, and a huge to-do list...all with a new baby in tow. It's the "new normal" right? And the funny thing about parenting is that as soon as you have it down, it changes again! But babywearing is something that has a place in all stages of you and your baby's life. Babywearing is there is create a stronger, closer bond, help with naptimes and rest periods, and also assists parents in parenting other children, including very busy toddlers! Below are some benefits of babywearing while chasing your other rambunctious little ones.
babywearing + chasing toddlers
If your children are anything like mine, there will be plenty of roughhousing and being silly. When my youngest was born I was always a little nervous to put him on the ground with all the activity all around, so I would find myself wearing him around the house as much as possible.
April 18, 2016
What happens when we find out we are going to be a mother? Is that the moment we receive the implanted “mommy chip” and become equipped with mother’s intuition? Are we born with it? I remember being pregnant with my first and asking my sisters “What if…?” too many times to count. After working with thousands of Moms and being a mother of 2 myself, I’m a firm believer in “Mama knows best”. Still, so many women ask me, “How can I feel more confident in my choices as a Mom?” Today I’m sharing three ways to tap into your mother’s intuition.
Get educated on all things mom/baby wellness
It’s a great idea to take prenatal classes, read books, and start making some parenting choices before baby even gets here. This gives you a chance to “practice” being a Mom and envision yourself in that role. That doesn’t mean that your views won’t change later! Motherhood takes a lot of adapting to the different stages and what’s working in the moment. Prenatal education gives you a better idea of the many
March 31, 2016
Spring is delivering new life, new buds and Ergobaby's newest collection. For our Spring 2016 Collection, we go to the vibrant city of Nashville to highlight real Ergobaby families enjoying their everyday experiences while keeping their babies close and part of the action. Nashville, home to musicians and creatives, serves as a beautiful backdrop to showcase these authentic families enjoying everyday life. We explore the beautiful outdoors and wander the cultural sites Nashville has to offer.
click on any photo to see gallery and learn more about the new carriers.
[gallery link="file" size="wcstandard" ids="8910,8919,8911,8917,8916,8913,8914,8915,8912"]Emotional Benefits of Getting Outside
Spending time in nature with your baby can strengthen the bond between you. The simple act of holding your baby close, feeling their warmth, and sharing new experiences together can create strong emotional connections. It’s also a wonderful way to reduce stress and improve your mood. When my
March 31, 2016
The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, and that babies continue to breastfeed for one year and for as long as is mutually desired by the mother and baby. Here are a few tips to help you get moving in the right direction with your little one:
Get help before baby arrives. Plan to take a pre-natal breastfeeding class. It’s important to understand the basic science of breastfeeding so you can take confidence in your body doing what it is designed to do and provide for your baby. What are the stages of milk production? How much milk does your baby really need in the first few days of life? What does it mean to properly position your infant and latch? Knowledge and at least thinking about the questions of how to nourish your baby will serve you well before your little one arrives. Don’t wait to get help and reach out if you have small questions or big concerns. Take the time to think about what’s coming so you can trust yourself and feel more in control.
Plan on
March 21, 2016
Babywearing is helpful for when you want to hold a baby and have your hands free, and can be more convenient than a stroller when out and about. But did you know that babywearing can also help with postpartum mental illness, such as anxiety and depression?
Babywearing passively comforts a child
Symptoms of clinical postpartum anxiety, depression, or other postpartum illness, can make it hard for a parent to feel “present” let alone focus on the baby. I often suggest babywearing to my clients, and coach them to start a habit of kissing the baby’s head, and letting the baby cuddle. Even a parent that feels low energy or less than 100% can passively be a loving safe-haven to their child by wearing him or her.
Wear your child to soothe your anxiety
For parents with anxiety, OCD, or fears of something being wrong with the baby, babywearing can also be an easy way to feel comfort. You can go ahead and pat the baby there on your chest as often as you like and get the comfort of feeling the
March 17, 2016
There’s so much advice out there on breastfeeding, it can be tough to recognize the myths from truth. You can overhear women giving advice in support circles, in waiting rooms, and in line at the grocery store. What advice is worth listening to? In order to get the answer, I went straight to my online breastfeeding support forum to ask what snippets other expectant and breastfeeding moms have found helpful.
Some myths
“Colostrum isn’t enough to meet babies needs”
For the first few days of your baby’s life, newborns will be accessing a form of breastmilk called colostrum. It’s nutrient-dense and contains so many disease-fighting properties that can’t be found anywhere else! No wonder it’s referred to as “liquid gold." Even though it’s not large in volume, colostrum can still meet the needs of a newborn (1).
“It’s normal for your nipples to hurt”
There’s a difference between postpartum nipple tenderness and “Ouch! Ouch!” pinching pain. Nipple pain is not normal and is a sign that something’s
March 16, 2016
One of the many benefits to babywearing is being able to multi-task and get things done while still keeping baby close. Laundry, grocery shopping, running after an older child, prepping a meal or a snack, all become so much easier when we have our hands-free with baby safely snug in a baby carrier. However, some special consideration is needed when in the kitchen. Keep these safety tips in mind anytime you are prepping a meal while babywearing to keep baby safe and happy.
tips for cooking and babywearing
If you are going to be doing any sort of cutting you will want the baby in the side/hip or back carry positions.
The front carry position works best when doing simple, everyday things in the kitchen like making sandwiches for lunch, mixing a batch of cookies, making smoothies, etc.
Use caution when cooking on the stove top, as grabby hands and heat don’t mix. Consider putting baby down or switching with another caregiver (if available) if you are working over a hot stove frying
March 03, 2016
Bananas are a great food for little ones. They have a soft texture and natural sweetness that babies love. Ripe bananas are easy to digest and provide needed energy for growing bodies. We also eat a lot of eggs in our house. When my son was introduced to solids we started with egg yolks and waited to introduce the whole egg with whites. The yolks are where the most beneficial nutrients are found. They are stocked with B vitamins, healthy fats, choline, and the harder to obtain fat-soluble vitamins A & D. Once we introduced egg whites, these healthy flourless banana pancakes were a hit! They include only 3-ingredients and are super simple to make. Eggs contain an easily absorbable form of iron, a nutrient that babies start to require more of around the time solids are introduced. If the eggs are pasture raised they also contain the powerful fat needed for babies brains, DHA.
Ingredients
1.5 bananas *should be quite ripe with brown spots 2 large eggs 1/8 teaspoon baking powder (optional for