Lissa James of Bumblebeelullabies offers tips for coping with postpartum depression and anxiety while having a healthy and happy breastfeeding relationship.
7 Postpartum Anxiety Herbal Remedies; Even if You're Breastfeeding — Tara Gregorio
This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here. Keeping both you and your baby healthy while breastfeeding requires a proper meal plan and some guidance. If you would like a step-by-step program to help you lose weight safely, check out all our courses, programs, challenges, & recipe book. This Pilates and cardio
Wondering "Can I Use Spirulina While Breastfeeding"? All you need to know about using spirulina while breastfeeding. Read more>
7 Postpartum Anxiety Herbal Remedies; Even if You're Breastfeeding — Tara Gregorio
Step 1: During the newborn phase that baby can spend a lot of time at the boob! Here are some tips for proper posture so your back and body don’t get sore! Having the correct positioning will help you avoid common aches and pains that are associated with nursing (neck pain, mid back pain and tens
Many women are really scared of childbirth and I don't blame them, it can be brutal. There are some ways you can make the pain worse though and you need to avoid them....
Everything You Need to Know about Postpartum Depression — Tara Gregorio
A doula recommends the best plant-based foods and teas for healthy labor and postpartum nutrition. By Olea Otten.
Postpartum soups and stews have traditionally been prepared for new moms by Asian grandmothers and aunts, the recipes passed down orally. A new cookbook seeks to preserve them before they're lost.
Breastfeeding is no joke, it can be hard! Find out the #1 breastfeeding tip that will help you in your first two weeks of breastfeeding!
Data from the United Nations shows that between 1990 and 2008, the United States maternal mortality rate nearly doubled, while the overwhelming majority of countries collectively decreased their rates by 34% (Coeytauz et al 2011).
A couple of postpartum necessities for mom can go a long way in making you more comfortable and make the entire process easier. Read our blog and know the most important postpartum care essentials to buy that you will regret not buying after giving birth. Read today!
Mastitis can be awful. Learn all the tricks to find mastitis relief and how to prevent recurring mastitis from happening ever again!
Yesterday I cooked and delivered a traditional Chinese postpartum dish called chicken and red date soup to a new mother. It is a tradition I started a few
Looking for some practical breastfeeding tips for new moms? Then let us help with our guide on breastfeeding tips for new mothers!
A Laplander refugee mother breast feeding her baby during the Russo-Finnish War. Photographer - Carl Mydans 1940
Dieting Hacks & Tips After Baby - Postpartum Weight Loss Strategies that Work from food to exercise and more on Frugal Coupon Living!
A peri bottle is used postpartum to clean the vulva when a new mom uses the toilet and/or when she changes her postpartum pad.
As a postpartum doula, I meet a lot of new moms who wish that they had been better prepared for life after baby's birth. Many expectant parents spend most of their preparation time planning for childbirth and getting the nursery ready, but few parents really "get" the need to prepare for postpartum recovery. When you create a postpartum plan, you give yourself permission to rest and allow others to help you. Not only that, but you PLAN for that help!
Find relief for swollen, sore breasts during nursing. Especially helpful for the first week postpartum or after baby's growth spurt!
Looking to get back into shape and shed a few pounds post-pregnancy? Look no further, 8fit’s got your back! Read everything you need to know about postpartum exercise do’s and don'ts, as well as get an 8-week Kegel training plan.
Featuring the 5 most common breastfeeding positions. Includes tips and advice on how and when to use each one for the best success rate.
Find out if you can drink alcohol while breastfeeding, how long you have to wait to breastfeed after drinking alcohol, how long it takes for alcohol to leave your breastmilk and more.
Postpartum care is very important for moms. Here’s a simple, easy-to-follow plan for postpartum nutrition and recovery period!
Wondering about getting your period while breastfeeding? Here's when it might happen and what effect it might have on milk supply.
Today's guest post is written by Betsy Schwartz, former postpartum doula and the creator of several online CEU courses for childbirth educators and doulas at Birth In The Know, LLC. I love these tips and hope you find them helpful. In recent months I have been reflecting on all that I have learned in my 25 years of postpartum doulaing. It’s time to pay it forward. I am sharing some of the tidbits I’ve learned throughout my journey. I’m calling these the Ten Secrets, and I have thrown in a couple of bonuses!! The most important thing to know is
Wondering "what's up with my first period after pregnancy?" Learn what's normal when it comes to postpartum periods and how breastfeeding affects fertility.
Postpartum depression is a very real disorder that affects many women and men. Working together, couples can weather this trial. There is hope!
Having a midwife vs an OBGYN has amazing benefits. Let's take a look at the differences between the two and why you should choose a midwife | Midwives near me
Becoming a new mom is amazing, and a total whirlwind experience. I loved all the aspects of being a new mom. But what happened to my body postpartum was a bit shocking to me! I
Here is a safe protein powder for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Find out why you need protein during pregnancy, postpartum, motherhood.
Colostrum. They call it liquid gold for good reason. This amazing liquid contains everything your newborn baby needs to thrive in their first hours and days after birth. So what is this miraculous substance, why is collecting colostrum important and how is it used by your baby? We're answering all your questions! Colostrum FAQs What is Colostrum? Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk that you will start producing late in pregnancy and continue to produce for the first few days after birth. It’s highly nutritious and contains a high level of antibodies that will help your baby fight off bacteria and infections. Why is colostrum important? Colostrum is sometimes referred to as your baby's first vaccination, due to the high percentage of protective antibodies and white blood cells that it contains. It's also packed full of 'good bacteria' to help colonise the gut and give your baby the best possible start to life. Here are some of the nutrients in colostrum: Immunoglobulin- an antibody that fights off infections, and illnesses + protects baby against eczema, allergies and wheezing. Leukocytes- white blood cells that produce antibodies Lactoferrin- a protein that wards off infections Epidermal growth factor-protein stimulating cell growth Carotenoids- an antioxidant Vitamins A, B12 and K Magnesium Copper A living substance, colostrum is completely unique to each mother and baby pair. How early does colostrum come in? Your breasts will begin producing colostrum during pregnancy, around the 16-week mark. Some women may notice small amounts of leakage while others won't notice anything different. Don't fret either way! Leaking both colostrum and breast milk is not an indicator of the ability to successfully breastfeed! Colostrum versus breast milk: What’s the difference? Both incredibly important, colostrum and breast milk are similar but different in a number of ways. Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk and has more protein and Vitamins A, E and K. Milk is produced after colostrum production has stopped and lasts for months or years after birth. When compared to breast milk, colostrum has: 2x more protein 4x more zinc Lower in sugar and fat which makes it easier for newborns to digest Thicker and more yellow in colour Contains immunoglobulins to strengthen both the immune and digestive systems of your newborn It is an impressively concentrated substance that acts as your baby’s first immune system defense after birth. It also helps protect baby's gut and works as a laxative to push through bubs first poo! You'll notice relatively small amounts of colostrum immediately after birth and for the first couple of days before it begins to transition to mature milk. What does colostrum look like? Colostrum is often golden yellow or orange due to the high levels of beta carotene. It can sometimes look clear, white or creamy but most of the time the colour resembles that of an egg yolk. In terms of consistency, colostrum is thicker than breast milk and is sticky. If your colostrum looks pink, red, rust-colored or brown, do not be alarmed. Sometimes blood within milk ducts can make its way into your colostrum resulting in the above colours, which is not harmful. How will I know that my milk has changed? You may hear other mums or your caregiver talk about your 'milk coming in'. This is when your body switches from producing colostrum to milk, generally 2-5 days after birth. Most women will feel this happening as their breasts will become heavy, hot, tender to touch, engorged or even painful. The colour and consistency of the milk will change from thick and orange/yellow to slightly thinner and more 'milk-like.' Your milk will stay like this for the next few weeks as you establish breastfeeding and your body and baby work together to sort out your supply. Expressing Colostrum Why express colostrum before birth? Many women are advised by their Midwife or Obstetrician to express colostrum during the later weeks of pregnancy to store for use after birth. Expressing colostrum during pregnancy means that you'll have some saved and on hand for after birth, should your baby need it. This is common practice for mums with gestational diabetes to help the baby to regulate their blood sugar but increasingly, women with uncomplicated pregnancies are jumping onboard the colostrum expression train. This is due to the benefits of having a stash of colostrum on hand for the period immediately after birth. Women who have access to colostrum are able to use this in the interim period between birth and when their milk comes in fully. Perfect for those cluster feeding nights when your baby just wants to be on the boob! It can also be handy for mums who may need to be separated from their bubs after birth, for example, in the case of an emergency c-section or it is known that the baby will require NICU support. Who can express colostrum? If you have had a healthy pregnancy and have been given the go-ahead by your caregiver you can start expressing colostrum before birth, usually from the 37th week. There are times when it's not advised, for example, if there were any risks with pre-term labour or other pregnancy complications. This is why it is essential that you seek approval from your healthcare provider before expressing colostrum. Senior Midwife, author, and international maternity consultant Kathy Fray has found that collecting colostrum can be super helpful, especially for bubs who may need a little extra help after birth. "With babies we know could likely be low-birth-weight or babies known to be growth-restricted or at risk of hypoglycaemia, it can be fantastic to already have some frozen colostrum to supplement the vulnerable newborn in their first days of life," says Kathy. "However, there is certainly no reason that a healthy mother with a healthy newborn can't also hoard some colostrum antenatally. It's a brilliant idea!" When to start expressing colostrum? Your caregiver can advise on when you can start expressing colostrum during pregnancy but it's generally thought that towards the end is ideal. "With a healthy normal pregnancy, because nipple stimulation can trigger uterine contractions, I would say from 37 weeks onwards," says Maternity expert Kathy Fray. How to hand express colostrum If you've never expressed milk before then the process might seem a LITTLE bit daunting. First things first, don't even consider your electric pump, at least initially. You'll be producing and collecting tiny little amounts and the stimulation of an electric pump can be a bit much. As colostrum is quite sticky it will stick to the flanges of the pump and be difficult to collect and store. Gentle hand expression into a collector is the way to go. Here's what we recommed: Take your Haakaa Colostrum Collector - make sure it’s washed/sterilised and you have clean hands. Sit comfortably and try to relax as it'll make the whole process easier. Start gently hand expressing using the guidelines below. The warmth from a heat pack and/or gentle massage helps. As you continue to express, you may notice beads of colostrum forming on your nipple. If you DON'T notice any forming, don't panic! It can take time and a couple of days' worth of stimulation to get things going. Continue to massage for a few minutes or as long as comfortable, even if nothing is appearing, as this will lay the groundwork for future expressing sessions. If you DO notice beads forming, you have two options; you can either use the nib on the Haakaa Colostrum Collector to suck the droplets directly off your nipple, or once you get a good flow going you can remove the nib and express directly into the container. The first few times collecting colostrum you may only collect a mililitre or two. That's okay! Once you have collected what you can, replace the nib and cap on the collector, label them with the labels provided in the set, and store in your fridge or freezer. Watch our 'How to collect Colostrum' video below! How do I store collected colostrum? You can store your colostrum and future breastmilk according to the following offical guidelines: Room Temp: 6 - 8 hours Fridge: 3 - 5 days Freezer Compartment in fridge: 2 weeks Fridge Freezer with separate door: 3 months Deep Freeze: 6 - 12 months The best way to store your colostrum is directly in the Haakaa colostrum collectors. Kathy advises using and then freezing. "Collect the colostrum and simply freeze the filled colostrum syringes. Pop the filled colostrum syringes in a sandwich/ ziplock bag with a date on the front". Milkbar loves the Haakaa Silicone Colostrum Collection Set for collecting your liquid gold. Here’s why: ✔ Made from 100% medical-grade silicone ✔ Includes 6 x 4ml Colostrum Collectors, storage case, labels and cotton cloth wipe ✔ Clear, easy-to-read measurements ✔ Easy to use, store and clean ✔ BPA, PVC and phthalate-free ✔ Portable ✔ Leakproof ✔ Reusable Click here to find out more about the Haakaa Silicone Colostrum Collection Kit Can you use a Haakaa to collect colostrum ? A lot of our Milkbar community have found that the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump works really well to express colostrum. Simply suction it on and use the gentle suction to help the colostrum move out of the breast. Then transfer to your colostrum syringes. As with almost everything breastfeeding (and motherhood!) related, it can take some time to get your head around expressing. Be gentle with yourself, keep trying and seek support and guidance from your midwife or a lactation consultant. Good Luck! Recommend Reading Do you know we have a number of informative blogs in our Breastfeeding Resources? From advice on how to manage engorgement, nipple pain and other common breastfeeding concerns, to pumping advice and Motherhood Stories from Milkbar Mama's interviews - where real mums share their experience with breastfeeding and pumping. We recommend for you: How to manage AND prevent mastitis 5 top tips for dealing with engorgement How to create a breastmilk stash using the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump The first 24 hours after birth: What you need to know Motherhood Stories
Tips for healing and rebuilding strength postpartum safely and effectively!
Wondering how to use Ashwagandha while breastfeeding? Ashwagandha, or Withania Somnifera, native to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and part of Africa; has become very popular in the past year; possibly due to Covid and all the stress we've endured. It's the ONE botanical, that helped me shift out of
Know what is Postpartum depression (PPD), its symptoms, causes of PPD, diagnosis and treatment and tips to cope with postpartum depression.
Baby's first 24 hours after birth: Apgar Score, Skin on skin, Feeding, Breastfeeding, Bath and Examination in The Hospital and more. Click Here>
So, about that time I ditched attachment parenting to be a better parent than I had been... MIRACLE BABY Most of my life I dreamed of being a mother. I played "mommy and baby" as
Everything You Need to Know about Postpartum Depression — Tara Gregorio
Not sure if you can take Ashwagandha while breastfeeding? Here is all you need to know about Ashwagandha while breastfeeding!
Breastfeeding your baby can cause mothers to have extreme soreness and pain. Find out how to relieve pain within 48 hrs. Easy DIY Sore Nipples Remedy.
'Diastasis Recti: a belly sticks that out because the space between your left and right belly muscles has widened. You might call it a 'pooch.'' Funny definition right? That's how WebMD describes it. I describe it as that sucky thing that happens postpartum. And that's why I felt compelled to share a post on healing diastasis recti. Pin It! I know first-hand how this ugly side affect from pregnancy can mess with a woman's self confidence and how little information we are provided with postpartum fitness regiments, specifically when it comes to our core. After the birth of my first
There are so many books on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding out there it can seem overwhelming. Here I've compiled a list of great books on these topics! I'm an Amazon lover so I've also included (affiliate) links for you to find these easily! Most of these I've read, others are recommendations from clients or other birth workers. Comment below on your favorite reads! I'd love to know and I'll be adding to this list always. Enjoy! Pregnancy Birth Ina May Gaskin has been a prominent woman in the birth world for many decades. She is an incredible woman and
