Make Breast Feeding Work The Natural Way: Holistic Remedies For Low Milk Supply
By Anne Cabrinah and Emily Schaffer

Breast feeding may be natural, but it isn’t always easy.  New motherhood, as joyful as it can be, can also produce considerable anxiety for the mother as she adjusts to her new situation. Add in the overwhelming feelings of new motherhood and sleep deprivation, and the combined stress can start to affect milk production.  Having an inadequate milk supply doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to breast feed your baby.  Diet, herbs, and holistic treatments can offer a safe and natural way to increase milk without medical intervention.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years and offers a natural way for you to treat your production issues.  The way the Chinese see it, one very big reason for inadequate milk supply is the obstructed flow of energy in meridians which flow to the breast, usually caused by stress and anxiety.  Even though welcoming a baby into your family may be wonderful, it often comes with several adjustments and many women experience high stress and even depression and anxiety at this time. Acupuncture is used to relax tension and free up the energy in the chest to release milk that is already there.

Whether discussing Chinese medicine or traditional western practices, there is one thing that remains the same: Pregnancy and childbirth require hard work from a woman’s body, and sufficient rest, proper hydration and nutrition are crucial during the months that follow delivery.  A mother who breastfeeds exclusively needs to eat 300-500 calories more per day than what was needed to maintain her weight before becoming pregnant. Adding one or two healthy snacks, such as hummus and whole grain pitas or apple slices with peanut butter, will help you consume the calories you need to produce enough milk for your baby.  Mothers who eat less than 1500-1800 calories per day run the risk of reducing their milk supply. [Read more...]

Babywearing 101: Close Enough for a Kiss

Recently there has been a lot of news surrounding babywearing and slings. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted a warning, “advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age.” The warning continues to report that suffocation occurred due to fabric and the infants airway being restricted. Babywearing can be beneficial to the parent and/or caregiver when using skilled techniques and properly fitted equipment.

Here are a few rules to keep in mind when choosing your baby carrier:
Please note that whatever carrier you choose, please learn how to use it properly by reading the instruction manual, taking a class or asking a professional. Safety is the utmost importance.

• Make sure your baby can breathe at all times. You will be moving around, so check on your baby often to confirm that he/she hasn’t moved into an unsafe position within the carrier.
• Use the “two finger” rule. In any carrier, make sure your baby has “two-fingers” width between his/her chin-to-chest. This will insure that that the position will not restrict the baby’s ability to breathe.
• Never cover your baby’s face or head with fabric. By covering your baby’s face, you are creating an environment where he/she will be re-breathing their same air. This is not optimum for health. Also, you will not be able to check in to see how he/she is doing or what position they may be in if their face or head is covered.
• Use only carriers that are appropriate for your baby’s weight and age. Many carriers vary in size and weight restrictions. As your baby grows, be aware that the carrier may not be safe for them any longer. Post a note with your doctor appointment in your calendar. This way you’ll always remember to double check your carrier for age appropriate weight, height and age.
• Be fitted properly and take a course on babywearing. There are so many carriers on the market these days that it it virtually impossible to keep up. There are professionals who’s sole job is to teach, research products and educate parents about babywearing. Sign-up for a class today and bring your slings, carriers and backpacks to have them properly fitted. [Read more...]

What can a Baby Planner do for you and your family?

Choosing to have a child is one of the most important decisions that any family can make, but the choices don’t end there. Expectant families are surrounded by hundreds of decisions. From births to bottles, nurseries to nannies, the options seem endless. Baby Planners help you to find the plan that’s best for your family. Whether providing services for expectant or new parents, adoptive families, friends and family of a new arrival, or people trying to start a family, a Baby Planner can find the information, services, products, and professionals you need.

Baby Planners support and educate you throughout pregnancy, birth, and new parenthood. Think of having your own personal baby planning assistant to provide you with a list of prenatal birthing classes, exercise classes, or pampering pregnancy massage services. Baby Planners maintain a database of well-respected professionals from your local area that will allow you to make an educated selection when choosing the right professional for your family. If you’re trying to choose cribs or car seats, a Baby Planner can walk you through the options, then set up your baby registry with all the gear you’ll need. To celebrate your new arrival, a Baby Planner can help arrange your shower.

What do you do when you bring that little newborn home? Baby Planners can put you in touch with the best lactation consultants, night nurses and postpartum doulas available in your area. They can put you in touch with services that can support your entire family once baby has been born. Are your friends and family checking their emails or mailboxes daily for your baby’s birth announcement? Can you barely find the time to take a shower, much less find the time to send out birth announcements? Baby Planners can save you time and money by assisting you with creating the announcement or handle the entire process for you!

Baby Planning services don’t end there. If you are going back to work, selecting a childcare provider can be a source of great stress and anxiety. Whether you choose a nanny, a commercial daycare center or in-home daycare for your child, you will have to decide which is best for your family. This is an important decision, and relying upon the expertise of a Baby Planner can result in significant savings in both time and money for your family. Baby Planners have carefully researched their local area and maintain lists of reputable child care providers for you to select from.

If you are pregnant, have a new baby at home, or have a baby on the move, cleaning with all natural products is a must. By relying on environmentally friendly cleaning products, you will avoid the ingestion of toxic fumes by both you and your family. Baby Planners can recommend the best organic cleaning products, all-natural cleaning services or a non-toxic nursery environment to ensure a safe environment for your family.

[Read more...]