Supporting the Sisterhood

As a mom of a new baby, or a mom with any small-aged children, it can sometimes feel impossible to have any energy left to create a homemade meal. However, the best way to support your health, and your children's health, is with non-processed, homemade, healthy meals. So where can you find recipes for these meals? From the sisterhood! Here is your first recipe. I will be collecting recipes over the next few weeks and posting weekly on my blog, so that you will have a one-stop resource of quick, easy, healthy meals you can make to support your health and sanity. Enjoy!

If you have any to add to the collection, please feel free to post!

Baked Chicken and White Beans

From: Liz Ingle

2 large or 4 small chicken breasts (soaked in marinade for at least 1 hour)

1 can of Great Northern White Beans, rinsed and drained

½ small brown onion, diced

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon, plus ½ tsp. olive oil

1 teaspoon oregano

1 tablespoon water

Pinch of salt

Pinch of pepper

For marinade:

½ cup lite Italian dressing

½ teaspoon salt

¼ dry white wine

Directions:

For Chicken: Combine ingredients for marinade in a Ziploc bag, whisk together and add chicken to bag. Soak for at least an hour or up to overnight. Preheat oven to 365 degrees, add chicken to baking dish with a small portion of the marinade, cover with foil and bake for 30 min or until juice in chicken runs clear.

For Beans: In a medium saucepan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent. Add drained canned beans; stir to mix onions and beans. Add remaining olive oil and water. Heat ingredients together for a couple minutes, then reduce heat to low. Add the vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover and let simmer on low until beans are soft and warm, approximately 5 – 10 min. Add additional water if needed (bean mixture should be moist so as not to burn in the pan).

Book Recommendations for New Moms

Over the past 5 years, I have been collecting books to help guide my lactation consultant practice, as well as my own journey through motherhood. My passion for practicing holistically has really grown, since I have seen such a benefit of using herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, and better nutrition with my own family. I hope that you will find a useful resource in this book list to help you along in your own journey.

Breastfeeding:

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Diane Wiessinger, Diana West, and Teresa Pitman

Everything you wanted to know about breastfeeding, from prenatal to weaning. This book is easy to read, incredibly informative, and has great web and LLLI resources.

The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk by Diana West and Lisa Marasco

Find the cause of your low milk supply; discover effective ways to make more milk; learn how to keep up your milk supply.

Mother Food by Hilary Jacobson

Food and herbs that promote milk production and a mother's health, with special sections on colic, allergy, depression, weight loss, and low milk supply.

Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and caring for twins and more by Karen Kerkhoff Gromada

A guide to breastfeeding and raising multiples, while maintaining individuality and family.

Sleep:

The 90-Minute Baby Sleep Program by Polly Moore, Ph.D.

Teaches parents how to follow their babies' natural sleep rhythms for better night and naps.

The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley

Gentle ways to help your baby sleep through the night.

Maternal Health:

Natural Health after Birth: the Complete Guide to Postpartum Wellness by Aviva Jill Romm

Herbs, nutrition, yoga and practical wisdom to help moms through the postpartum years.

Mothering the New Mother by Sally Placksin

A support and resource guide to mother's feeling and needs after childbirth.

After the Baby's Birth by Robin Lim

A practical guide to postpartum health, focusing on natural and holistic practices.

Infant/Toddler/Child Health:

Naturally Healthy Babies and Children by Aviva Jill Romm

A guide to herbal remedies, nutrition, and health for your child's ailments.

The Holistic Baby Guide by Randall Neustaedter, OMD

A holistic approach to alternative care for common health problems of newborns, infants, and toddlers.

Child Health Guide by Randall Neustaedter, OMD

A holistic pediatrics guide for parents. Learn how to build a strong immune system, feed your child, and treat ailments at home without drugs.

Happy Baby: The Organic Guide to Baby's First 24 Months by Robert W. Sears, MD, FAAP and Amy Marlow, MPH, RD, CDN

A guide to healthy, green living with your newborn through toddler.

The Vaccine Book by Robert W. Sears, MD, FAAP

Tools to help parents make informed decisions about each childhood vaccine.

Another Delicious Recipe - Roasted Corn Chowder with Chicken

As a mom of two preschool age boys, I am constantly searching for easy, yummy recipes that don't take a ton of time to make. This recipe was inspired by a recipe I found on the Gluten-Free Goddess web site, one of my favorite cooking web sites. Now, this recipe was a little too spicy for my boys, so I set aside some chicken for them and used the rest in the soup. This soup would be perfect for leftover Thanksgiving turkey, as well. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Roasted Corn Chowder with Chicken

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp cumin
5 cloves minced garlic
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1 bag frozen roasted corn, Trader Joe's
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 14-oz can Trader Joe's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
1 cup seeded, chopped fresh heirloom tomatoes
1 quart chicken broth
1 14-oz light coconut milk
2 rounded cups cooked chicken pieces

To serve:
Fresh lime slices

Heat olive oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add cumin and cook for one minute. Added garlic and onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add roasted corn, sweet potatoes, canned tomatoes, and fresh tomatoes and stir for a minute. Add in broth and bring to a high simmer. Lower the heat and simmer gently until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Add coconut milk and cooked chicken pieces. Heat through gently. Serve with lime slices. Pure heaven! Enjoy!

How and When to Introduce a Bottle to your Breastfeeding Infant

As a mom of two boys, I know the benefit of having a few moments to myself. Sometimes I forget how necessary a yoga class, a nice walk, or even a relaxed trip to the mall is to repair a tired and worn down psyche. For a new mom, this personal time is even more precious since your baby is extremely dependent on you. While this can be magical and beautiful time, it is also very exhausting. We often forget to take care of ourselves.

Breastfeeding moms also have an even more difficult time finding 'me-time' because our darling babies not only need us for comfort, but also for nourishment. So, how do we find that balance between 'me-time' and meeting our babies needs? One of those ways is to have someone else give our babies their nourishment....expressed breastmilk in a bottle.

How do I get breastmilk for a bottle when I am exclusively breastfeeding?
Babies go through growth spurts around 2 weeks and 6 weeks of age. By three weeks, if breastfeeding is going well (baby is back to birth weight and gaining well, baby is peeing and pooping appropriately, and mom's breast tenderness has subsided), it is a good time to start pumping. Choose a time in the morning, when you are most full, and pump after your baby takes a full feeding. You probably won't get much (maybe 1/2oz), but you can put that in the fridge. Do this for a few days until you have about 2-2.5oz. Now you have a full amount for your baby's bottle. Once your baby takes the bottle, replace your breastfeeding session with a pumping session, so that you can keep up with your baby's feeding needs.

Which bottle should I use?
Once your baby feeds easily from breast and bottle, it really doesn't matter which bottle you use. Initially, you will want to choose a slow-flow nipple, to help your baby from becoming 'flow-preferenced.' Also, it is sometimes helpful to choose a bottle that comes with a nipple that looks most like your own anatomy. This way, your baby won't notice a huge difference.

When should I introduce a bottle?
The best time to introduce a bottle is between 3-5 weeks, in between your baby's growth spurts. This way the bottle-feeding shouldn't affect your milk supply.

How should I introduce a bottle?
First off, have someone other than you give the first few bottles. Babies can smell their moms and usually will not want to take those first few bottles from mom, since they would prefer to breastfeed. Have dad, grandma, anyone other than mom introduce the bottle. The goal is to do it in a breastfeeding-friendly manner. Have the bottle-feeder hold your baby in a somewhat upright position. Keep the bottle horizontal, so that your baby has to work for the milk, rather than letting it drip quickly into his/her mouth. This will help your baby from becoming 'flow-preferenced.' Help your baby to pause, as he/she would while breastfeeding, rather than guzzling the whole bottle down in 5 minutes.


Hopefully these techniques will help your baby to take a bottle, as frequently or infrequently as you desire. Now, go and get that pedicure you have been wanting for the past few months, but never had the time to get. You deserve it!

Why do you choose to breastfeed?

Lately, there has been a plethora of articles debating a mother's choice to breastfeed. Do women choose to breastfeed because of the increased health benefits for them and their babies? Do they choose not to breastfeed because they have heard it will hurt and make their boobs sag? Whether a mom has sore nipples, twins, a premature baby, or a difficult birth scenario, it seems like the choice to continue breastfeeding often comes down to whether the mom has the appropriate support system in place, as is described on my favorite new web site, Best for Babes.
I always start my prenatal breastfeeding class by asking the soon-to-be moms to state one benefit of breastfeeding and one concern they have about breastfeeding. While I listen to my moms list the benefit that is most important to them, I haven't really thought about my own reasons for why I support breastfeeding.

Here are my Top 10 Reasons I Choose to Breastfeed

10. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity.

9. Breastmilk is free; formula is expensive.

8. Breastmilk is always available, no matter where you are or time of day.

7. Breastmilk has never been recalled due to manufacturing problems.

6. Breastfeeding protects again respiratory infections and ear infections.

5. Breastfeeding protects against SIDS.

4. Breastmilk provides perfect infant nutrition.

3. Breastmilk provides on-going immunity to the baby, as well as helps to build the baby's own immune system.

2. Colostrum seals the baby's gut closed, providing immediate protection from infection and disease.

1. Breastmilk is what nature intended for women to feed their babies. If I had the milk, then I planned on giving it to my baby.

For 91 more reasons to choose to breastfeed, see the list of 101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child at ProMoM, Inc.

Does traveling cause a dip in milk supply?

A close friend of mine was at a breastfeeding support group recently and was told that many moms see a dip in their milk supplies when traveling with their babies. My friend speculated that this may be a reaction to the stress of traveling with an infant. I told her I would look into this, since I couldn't fathom why traveling would make a mom's milk supply decrease. A mom's milk supply could surely decrease when traveling WITHOUT her infant, but why WITH her infant? After some internet and article searching, I couldn't find any scientific reasons that would cause this phenomenon. But, since a few moms have seen this happen, I thought I would offer some advice on how to make sure that this doesn't happen to you.

5 WAYS TO MAINTAIN YOUR MILK SUPPLY WHEN TRAVELING WITH AN INFANT

1. If traveling by plane, nurse your baby during take-off, landing, and turbulents. This will relieve the pressure in your baby's ears, thereby relieving your stress level.

2. Keep to your baby's regular feeding schedule. If this means you will have to nurse in public, practice before you go on your trip so that you are confident and comfortable. A baby wrap is a great way to nurse discreetly in public.

3. If you plan to go out and have someone else watch your baby, pump before you leave so that you are not full and uncomfortable while away from your baby. A hand pump should suffice for this moderate use.

4. Some babies have a difficult time sleeping away from home, so plan to take a few naps during your trip, so that you can make up for some lost sleep during those restless times.

5. Don't plan too many activities during your trip. Try to keep your stress level down, which will preserve your milk supply, making for a happier, more content baby....maybe even a rested and relaxed mommy!

Happy travels!

When Should I Call a Lactation Consultant?

For many women, breastfeeding is a breeze. Your baby is born, he is placed on your chest, and soon after he self-attaches to your breast and that is all she wrote. This is how it was for my sister, the second time around. Granted, she had a completely unmedicated home birth, had breastfed her first child for over two years, and her baby was born without any health problems.

Then, there are the rest of us…. 10-hour epidurals, emergency cesarean births, tight frenulums, sleepy babies, etc. With all the right intentions, we get caught in a situation where our nipples feel like they are about to fall off and we cry every time our baby wakes up because we can't imagine having to breastfeed in pain AGAIN! However, there are women out there who can figure out what is going on with you and your baby and possibly improve your breastfeeding situation drastically….. these are the lactation consultants. Plus, the sooner you see a lactation consultant, the sooner you will begin to heal and be able to breastfeed your baby, pain free.

Here is a list of reasons why you would want to call for a lactation consultant:

1. Sore, cracked nipples
   
2. Severe engorgement
   
3. Breast infection
   
4. Your baby was born prematurely
   
5. Your baby has lost more than 7% of his birth weight
   
6. Slow weight gain – your baby has not regained her birth weight by 10-14 days
   
7. Low milk supply
   
8. Painful when feeding, even though your baby looks like she has a good latch
   
9. Your baby has severe jaundice
   
10. Breastfeeding multiples
    
11. History of infertility or PCOS
    

I hope you are all blessed with beautiful, easy breastfeeding experiences. Both my boys took a few weeks to figure it out, but it was definitely worth the wait. And I have my lactation consultant to thank for thatJ

How Do I Know that my Baby is Getting Enough?

As a breastfeeding mom, it is difficult to measure how much your baby is getting at each feeding session. Bottles come with ounces written on the side, breasts do not. A new mom, still learning her baby's cues, might think that every time her baby cries that she/he is hungry, therefore leaving mom with a sense that she must not be making enough milk. This is usually not the case. But, to put your mind at ease, here are a few ways to actually know if your baby is getting enough.

For babies 1-6 weeks old:

• Has regained his birth weight by 10-14 days old
  
• Has 5 or more wet diapers and 3 or more soiled diapers in 24 hours
  
• Gains 4-7oz per week
  
• You can hear swallowing throughout the feed
  

If your baby is meeting the above criteria, trust your body, trust your maternal instincts, and continue what you're doing.

If your baby is not meeting the above criteria, I would recommend seeing your pediatrician or a lactation consultant to assess the situation.

FYI, Babies go through growth spurts around 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months old. During these 2-4 days, your baby will be fussy, want to eat constantly, and want to be held all of the time. This is normal. This is nature's way of increasing your milk supply with extra breast stimulation. During these growth spurts, breastfeed on demand; this will make the growth spurt take less time….pacifiers only make them last longer. Once your baby has successfully increased your milk supply, he/she will go back to feeding on a more regular schedule.

Champion Mom

I have been working with a client for over 6 weeks now and it has definitely been the most challenging case I have had to date. Baby was tongue-tied, mom had severe nipple trauma, and the mom had to supplement the baby so that she could continue to gain weight. I worried about them constantly....I wanted it to work out so badly. My heart was breaking for them every time I got a phone call that things had taken a step backwards. I reached out to colleagues for advice on something I felt I may be missing. We went for a second opinion, just to make sure I had all of the facts correct. Fortunately, the mom was super dedicated to breastfeeding and wanted to succeed so badly. I just was the cheerleader and support system.

Well, after two frenotomies, countless lactation consultations, multiple appointments with a craniosacral therapist, pumping after every feeding session, and a handful of supplements to battle the nipple trauma, mom and baby are now successfully breastfeeding. I was so proud of the duo that I could have cried! I am so in awe of the mom's dedication and how she persevered to achieve what she set out to accomplish. She battled and won! It has been such an incredible learning experience, as well as an amazing confidence booster for me as a lactation consultant. I feel blessed to have met this family!

Obstacles to Breastfeeding

I just found the most amazing web site, called Best for Babes: Giving Breastfeeding a Makeover. What I love about this site is that the authors candidly talk about all of the ways in which women are sabotaged into failing at breastfeeding. The authors, Bettina Forbes and Danielle Rigg, don't point fingers at moms and shame them into guilt, like so many web sites and articles do. Instead, they explain the barriers and lack of support moms receive, which is so much more productive and accurate. For example, why is breastfeeding viewed to be so difficult now? Why are women constantly worried about milk supply? Why are healthy babies given bottles of formula in the hospital for no medical reason? These "booby traps", as the authors cleverly call them, are what cause moms to lose self-confidence, doubt their intuition, and eventually give up feeding their babies the best nutrient possible....breastmilk.


So how does a mom overcome these "booby traps?"

• Become aware of the cultural and institutional "booby traps" and learn how to avoid them.


• Assemble, what the authors term, your A-Team - breastfeeding-supportive OBGYN/Midwife, pediatrician, Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Hospital/Birth Center.


• Prepare yourself - Create a birth plan that is conducive to breastfeeding, practice skin-to-skin once the baby is born, plan to feed on demand, know who to ask for help.


• Find your local and cyberspace resources - Have a list of breastfeeding support groups, lactation consultant referrals, and non-sabotaging web sites that can offer assistance and support, without the "booby traps."


• Check out all of the other articles and blog entries on Best for Babes.

The only way we, as women, will be able to overcome the institutional, cultural, and familial obstacles to breastfeeding is by supporting one another and educating those who sabotage our goals. Rock on, Best for Babes! I am so happy you exist!

Breastfeeding 101 Classes

I am so excited! I finally have a place to teach my Breastfeeding 101 classes. I have been volunteering, teaching my class at Best Start Birth Center, for over 4 months. Now, I finally will be teaching there and at the Whole Family Wellness Center on a regular basis.

I have always loved teaching, which is one of the reasons that I got into this profession. I love sharing knowledge, brainstorming best practices, and collaborating with others. While teaching elementary school-aged children was a blast, now that I have my own kids, I prefer to teach adults, particularly new moms. Also, thanks to my brother and sisters who have been passionate about holistic medicine for over 15 years (one sister is an herbalist, another has celiac disease, and my brother is a vegetarian, mountain-man), I have been exposed to more natural, traditional ways to eat, treat illness, and live a healthy life. I am still learning everyday, not just to improve my quality of life, but for my husband and my two young children.

In Breastfeeding 101, I combine western philosophies with traditional naturopathic beliefs to make breastfeeding natural and easy for each and every mother and family. This class covers the benefits of breastfeeding, what to expect in the first 2 weeks of breastfeeding, breastfeeding positions, and common misconceptions about breastfeeding. I also discuss baby self-attachment, ways to build a healthy milk supply, and holistic methods for treating common breastfeeding concerns.

Breastfeeding 101 will be offered at the Best Start Birth Center and the Whole Family Wellness Center, at least once a month. Please see my calendar for dates and times at http://www.sdbfc.com/calendar.html
To register for one of these classes, please see http://www.sandiegohypnobirth.com/Breastfeeding_Classes.html and fill out the registration form.

Please pass this information on to all of your pregnant friends:)

Best chili recipe EVER

My friend, Bree, is an absolutely amazing cook. She is also the queen of easy dinners that can be made super fast with no fuss. This chili is outstanding and can be made around lunch time, so by dinner time your house has a wonderful aroma and all you have to do is set the table. Enjoy!

Bree's Awesome Chili

1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 lbs ground beef (although I love to use bison meat....super low in fat and delectable!)
28oz canned diced tomatoes
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp dried parsley
chili powder (to taste)
1/2 jar of favorite bar b q sauce
1/4 cup instant coffee
honey (taste)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Saute onions, garlic, and olive oil over medium high heat until onions are soft. Add the meat and cook until browned. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer over low heat for 1-5 hours. Taste the chili 1/2 way through and adjust seasonings, bar b q sauce, coffee, and honey to taste.

Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream (or greek yogurt), and chips (or corn bread.)
Freeze and left overs for up to a month.

Why is my baby so fussy in the early evening?

The "witching hour" is what my mom calls it.....that span from 4pm-7pm when babies just fuss and complain and want to be held nonstop.

Why does this happen?
During the first few months of life, babies can be very fussy right around dinner time. Some studies say that this is because young infants become overstimulated very easily and that by the late afternoon they are just completely exhausted from the day. Others hypothesize that this is one of the most energy-filled times of the day. Partners are coming home from work, siblings are home from school, dinner is being made, the TV might be on....that is a lot of commotion for a baby to process. For breastfeeding moms, excess breast milk that accumulated while "sleeping" at night has dwindled and now the baby is removing the milk as it is being made, which may slow down the flow of milk. Lastly, babies are fussy during these hours because they want to eat....they are trying to load up on calories, so that they can sleep for a longer chunk of time at night.

What can I do to get through it and still keep my sanity?
1. Breastfeed often. Lots of small meals during these hours may equal one large feed, which will allow your baby to hopefully sleep a little bit longer.
2. Wear your baby. My son hung out in a baby carrier from 4-8pm every night from 6 weeks until 3 1/2 months. This way, I could bounce him, sing to him, soothe him, and feed him while still preparing dinner, eating dinner, and bathing my older son.
3. Prepare dinner in the morning. Babies are usually calmer in the morning before overstimulation sets in. Use your crockpot, make casseroles and chili, make larger portions and freeze the left-overs. This way, dinner is one less thing you have to think about during your baby's fussy time.
4. Take a breath. Your baby's late afternoon fussiness should subside between three and four months of age. Then she/he will begin to enjoy attention and engagement during these hours.

Calling All Moms!

Did you receive some invaluable advice that just 'saved your sanity' after your baby was born? As moms, we receive unsolicited advice (sometimes daily!) from everyone ranging from family members to doctors to the cashier at the grocery store. Most of it can be seen as patronizing or irritating, however some advice can be extremely helpful.

I would love if we, as a community of moms, could create a list of those 'sanity-saving' gems for all of those moms who could use the nonjudgmental, caring advice.

Please post your advice to the comments after this post and let's create a 'sanity-saving' support system for all moms out there in the cyberspace world.

My 'sanity-saving' advice:
Allow your husband/partner/baby's father to parent in his/her own way. Allow him/her to make mistakes without judging him/her. If you step in every time parenting gets difficult, he/she will always require you to solve the parenting problem....that means more work for you in the end. Plus, you never know when you may learn something positive from his/her parenting style.

Babywearing 101

By: Kim Kaplan, Guest Blogger

I think any discussion of new motherhood and breastfeeding should include information on babywearing. I know for me, wearing my babies is not only an incredible time-saver, but it’s also an essential part of my whole parenting style.

If you do a little research, you’ll quickly see that the benefits of babywearing are numerous and wide-ranging. Dr. Sears will tell you that worn babies cry and fuss less (I know for me, both of my girls would instantly fall asleep when they were wrapped for the first several months of their lives). Babies who are worn spend more time interacting with people at eye level, helping them to develop speech and social skills, and the rise and fall motion of their wearer’s gate helps them to improve their balance.

Babywearing can be especially helpful right when your baby is born. Kangaroo care, or wearing your baby skin to skin, can help regulate a newborn’s body temperature and encourage milk production. Having your baby right next to your breast will encourage her to nurse more frequently and will help you learn to respond to her signs of hunger quicker. And babywearing gives you free hands to get things done and feel like you’ve accomplished something more than surviving those first few weeks and months. It also gives other caregivers a chance to have a close physical bond with the baby and really feel connected. Parents, grandparents, older siblings, and friends can all safely wear the baby and have some special snuggle time.

Plus, babywearing allows you to take your child places a stroller just can’t go, like on a hike through the mountains or on a long walk down the beach. For me, wearing my babies has become a part of life. It’s a way for us to feel more connected, for me to nurse on the go, for my husband to get some work done around the house while still helping with the kids, for us to keep the kids safe while we navigate a busy airport or famers market, and a million other reasons.

CHOOSING A CARRIER

So, if you’re convinced that babywearing is for you, the next step is choosing a carrier. The main types of carriers are pouches, ring slings, wraps, soft structured carriers, and mei tais. Below I’ve given some information on the different types of carriers. Different people prefer different carriers, so if you can, it’s best to try out a few before deciding on a carrier.

Pouches

A pouch is just a loop of fabric that goes around your body and has a pocket to nestle the baby in. Pouches are best for young babies because they only go over one shoulder. The bigger your baby gets, the less comfortable one-shoulder carriers are going to become. However, for small babies, pouches are good because they are easy to put on and provide an easy pop-in/pop-out for baby. Be careful with pouches, though. They must be fitted properly and you must make sure that your baby’s airflow is not limited. See the section below on safe babywearing for more info.

Brands: Peanut Shell, Kangaroo Korner, Hotslings

Ring Slings

A ring sling is a long piece of fabric that is looped around 2 metal rings. You pull the fabric through the rings to create the pocket for your baby. Like pouches, ring slings usually go over just one shoulder, so they can get uncomfortable with a bigger baby. Ring slings take a little more time to put on, since you’ll need to adjust the rings, but they don’t need to be fitted so they’re easier to share. Ring slings can be very pretty and the tail of the fabric is great to use as a nursing cover or a sunshade.

Brands: Maya Wrap, Sakura Bloom, Sleeping Baby Productions (SBP)

Wraps

A wrap is just one long piece of fabric that you tie around yourself and your baby. Wraps are probably the most versatile of all carriers. You can use a woven wrap from the newborn stage all the way up through toddlerhood. If you can survive the wrapping learning curve, a wrap can be your best friend. There are actually 2 varieties of wraps: stretchy and woven. Stretchy wraps are made of stretchy material such as cotton interlock. They’re great for newborns because they’re super comfy and snuggly and the stretchiness of the material allows you to wrap safely even if you maybe tied a little too tight. However, stretchy wraps will only last you until your baby is 15-20 pounds. After that, you may start your walk with your baby nicely nestled under your chin, but you’ll end your walk with his feet banging against your knees. Not comfy. Woven wraps are a little bit harder to tie because they don’t have much “give” if they’re tied too tight, but with a little practice, you can become a wrap-tying pro. Tying a wrap obviously takes more time than tossing on a pouch or buckling a soft-structured carrier, but some carries can be pre-tied.

Brands: Moby (stretchy), Wrapsody (stretchy and woven), Didymos (woven), Girasol (woven), Neobulle (woven), and many many others.

Soft-Structured Carriers

Soft-structured carriers are terrific carriers. They’re made of a more structured fabric with straps and a waistband that buckle closed. They’re fast to put on and great for bigger kids. Plus, dads really gravitate towards them. Some SSCs come with “infant inserts” but this makes them pretty bulky, and trying to use an SSC for an infant without the insert can leave your baby a little lost in it. Some newer SSCs come with an infant harness, which if you get the hang of it, can make it an awesome little baby carrier. However, for me, I think SSCs are really better for bigger kids (like 6 months and older).

Brands: Ergo, Beco, Pikkolo, Calyx, BabyHawk “Oh Snap,” Dream Carrier, KinderCarry

Mei Tais

Mei Tais are similar to soft-structured carriers, but they have long straps that you tie rather than buckles. Mei tais take longer to put on than SSCs because you have to tie them, but the tying gives you more flexibility for your carries. For example, when I was pregnant, I would wear my daughter in a mei tai tied at my shoulders (called “Tibetan carry”) when I couldn’t deal with having anything on my tummy, and then tied under my belly when that became more comfortable. If you have a situation where the standard configuration of an SSC does not work for you, a mei tai might be just right. Plus they’re really pretty.

Brands: Babyhawk, Mei Tai Baby

SAFE AND COMFORTABLE BABYWEARING

Successful babywearing is safe and comfortable for you and your baby. When you’re wearing your baby, safety has to be of the utmost importance. When you’re learning to wear your baby, try practicing with a doll or a bag of rice first, and then second, try carries over a bed or couch with a spotter. Check your carrier from time to time to make sure that there are no rips and that it’s not worn to the point that it’s compromising the integrity of the carrier. Also make sure you’re using an appropriate carrier - NEVER use a stretchy wrap for back carries and NEVER use a “bag sling” like the Infantino Sling Rider.

Make sure your baby’s airway is clear. His chin should not be pressed against his chest or kinked uncomfortably upwards. His mouth and nose should have a clear pathway to fresh air – not tucked completely under fabric or pressed into your chest. Your baby’s legs should be “froggy position” (legs bent with knees above bum) and not in the “crotch dangle” position made infamous by the Baby Bjorn carrier. Support the head of small babies still learning head control by keeping them facing you rather than facing out. This will also protect them from overstimulation.

Also, make sure you’re comfortable when wearing your baby. Adjust the straps/rings/fabric so that you are distributing your baby’s weight and not creating any pressure points. Skip the “front face out” position as it will kill your back and most likely overstimulate your baby. Also, to protect your back, keep your baby high and tight to you. You should be able to kiss your baby’s head without much effort.

Finally, use common sense. If you or your baby seems uncomfortable, stop and fix it. Don’t do anything dangerous while wearing your baby – your carrier is not a force field. Make sure you take the addition of your baby into account when going through doorways or through grocery aisles. Keep sharp or dangerous items out of reach.

MORE INFO

For more info than you could possibly want on babywearing, and to find some amazing used carriers, check out http://thebabywearer.com . Also, for hands on assistance, try to find a local babywearing group (check out thebabywearer to find a group near you). Most groups have a carrier library that will let you try out carriers before you buy and have plenty of moms who’d love to help you learn to use your carrier properly.

Holy Growth Spurts!!!

Feel like your child has been possessed by the devil himself? Crying, fussy, constantly wanting to feed and be held? Is s/he about 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, or 6 months old? Well, hello growth spurt!

I was in New York City this past weekend, visiting one of my closest friends and her new 6 week old baby. According to my friend, her sweet little bundle of joy had turned into a crying mess in the past day or two....which, in turn, induced some bouts of crying in her as well. At first glance, I thought maybe this sweet babe was a little overstimulated with me being there. Not so much the case. Over the next 48 hours, sweet NYC baby ate almost every 1 1/2 hours, slept for about 20 minutes, and then fussed until the next feeding. It was almost impossible to soothe her and becoming quite challenging for adorable NYC mommy. Then the tide turned....NYC babe completely hibernated. For about 24 hours, she slept for 3-hour stretches, woke up to eat, and then fell into another deep sleep. She was definitely making up for her marathon eating frenzy that occurred the 48 hours before. By the fourth day, sweet NYC baby had returned to her normal self....eating, sleeping, pooping, cooing, repeat! NYC mommy had survived the growth spurt and all was back to normal in their 800 square-foot apartment.

Now, I talk about these growth spurts all of the time with my new clients, however, I hadn't personally experienced one myself in about 3 years. Talk about some perspective! While these growth spurts typically last 48-72 hours, they are absolutely exhausting. Thank goodness my friend knew that this was a temporary occurrence and that it served an important purpose....to help build her future milk supply. Many mothers think that this growth spurt behavior is an indication that they have no milk, which is not the case at all. Growth spurts happen so that your baby can help increase you milk supply as s/he continues to grow and flourish. And let me repeat....they are temporary!

So, if your baby is going through a growth spurt, hang in there..... it won't last forever. In the meantime, find a friend who can give you a break for a few minutes so that you can take a shower. Breastfeed often and frequently...remember, this is to help increase your future milk supply. Order take out or ask someone to bring dinner over. Wear your baby in a sling/carrier/wrap so that he/she can feel close to you and be easily soothed. Celebrate once the growth spurt is over and give yourself a pat on the back for surviving one of parenthood's more exhausting moments!

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I go.....

With lunch in my hand, heels on my feet, and a dress to complete the outfit, I stepped out of my house at 8:30am on Monday morning to drive, by myself, to work for the first time in 2 1/2 years. My kids were baffled, my hubby was ecstatic, and I was somewhere in between. Now, working part time is the best gig a stay-at-home mom can ask for. I work 3 days a week and the rest of the time I am with my kids and taking care of the regular mundane chores of being the leader of the household. This is in stark contrast of when I went back to work 6 weeks after my boys were born and I was there full time. That was a lot more stressful for me. Plus, in this job, I am privileged to assist breastfeeding moms all day long and help them to become more confident and empowered women....

I think this part time gig is going to work out just fine:)

Here is my Top Five List of Ways to make Returning to Work Easier

5. Plan your dinners by the week and use that crock pot like it is going out of style. Plus, leftovers are great to bring for lunch the next day.
4. Don't get dressed until right before you are going to leave for work....nothing is worse than saying 'good morning' to you boss, covered in your child's breakfast.
3. Go to sleep on the early side, especially if your kids have a tendency to wake you up in the middle of the night. Mine are 4 and 3, but they still wake up pretty regularly throughout the night, which really throws off my mojo in the morning.
2. If you love coffee or tea in the morning, invest in a really good travel mug....you will be able to enjoy your drink in peace and quiet on the way to work, which is more than I can say for the days when I am at home.
1. Try to leave all of your work stress at work so that you can be present when you are with your kids. They are going to be so happy to be around you when you are together, so cherish and enjoy those moments!