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.

The Simplest Presents are the Most Cherished

Since my boys were born, we have searched for the perfect educational gifts to keep them entertained while they learn. After almost five years, we are continually surprised by how the simplest gifts are the ones they adore the most.

Today, my three and four year old watch the Nightmare Before Christmas while drawing with their new $.99 sharpie pens, which they are totally enamored with. So, for all of you new and seasoned mommies out there, here is my list of top 5 presents that my kids have receives that are cheap and easy to find.

5. Their own drawer of wooden spoons, whisks, towels, and spatulas in the kitchen.

4. A step stool, to help wash the dishes and cook dinner.

3. Dry erase boards with a 'special' eraser.

2. A mini broom and dust pan

1. Photo album that they have helped make.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Thanks for keeping up with the Sanity Spot. I look forward to offering more advice for the new mom in the new year.

Infant Massage Rubs San Diego Babies the Right Way

Infant Massage Rubs San Diego Babies the Right Way

Rachel Rainbolt, M.A., CEIM, ICI

San Diego parents are catching on; research shows that infant massage makes your baby smarter, stronger, healthier, and happier. While most parents are lured to infant massage by benefits like improved sleep patterns and relief from gastrointestinal distress, many find the most rewarding benefit to be the bond that is fostered in their new relationship with their baby.

Are you a new parent? Do you want to give your baby every advantage? Do you want something that makes parenting life easier along the way? Infant massage can give your baby a significant physical, intellectual, emotional, and social advantage that lasts a lifetime.

"Infant Massage promotes an infant’s physiological and neurological development and function, helps soothe common discomforts, promotes restful sleep and increases healthy attachment and bonding," says Infant Massage USA Trainer and Ramona resident, Suzanne P. Reese.

Infant massage stimulates digestion, healthy weight gain, intellectual development, circulation and natural healing. It promotes relaxation, sleep, self regulation, and reduces stress hormones. It relieves gastrointestinal discomfort/pain, tension, and colic. Research shows that infants who are massaged sleep longer and cry less. Even with all these benefits, parents are finding that what they treasure most from their infant massage experience is the strong, close, and healthy attachment that is fostered.

"Our new family bonded through these classes and we found massage to be a very valuable tool for getting to know our son. We loved it and looked forward to it every week!” says Carmel Mountain Ranch mom, Elizabeth Cooper-Shultz.

Infant massage promotes parent-child interaction. Parents and babies learn to read and respond sensitively to each others’ cues. Love, empathy, and respect for each other are cultivated. Infant massage enhances verbal and nonverbal communication, provides interaction through all the senses and communicates your love through nurturing and compassionate touch. Secure attachments are formed which grow into healthy relationships based on trust and security that last a lifetime.

"I would highly recommend this class to new moms and dads. My husband and I really enjoyed the class and were disappointed when it ended. When my daughter got constipated after the classes ended I knew how to make her feel better and the same thing was true when she got a cold. It’s nice and comforting to know how to make your child feel better. Massage is now a part of our bedtime routine. Since massaging in the evenings I’ve found that Reagan sleeps more soundly and longer too! I’d suggest taking the class early so you can take advantage of the colic and calming routines. An awesome experience!” says San Marcos mom, Stacy Reazor.

The short version: if you’re a new parent who is a fan of sleeping longer and less crying, then this is the class for you. The numerous benefits of infant massage are researched and well documented. If you brought a child into this world with hopes of a healthy, happy, attached family, then enroll today. As I go through my night-night routine with my baby, I will follow our bath with a massage and we will both fall asleep with the potential for tomorrow, peace for today, and harmony with each other.

At Ohana Wellness our mission is to enhance the well-being of families, ohanas. We promote health, happiness and growth while fostering attachment between parent and baby. We offer classes in Infant Massage, Babywearing and Baby Sign Language, an informative newsletter, a comprehensive resource list, and a complete line of Baby Signs products. It is our honor to touch your lives, making the transition of birth a harmonious one, easing your job as a parent, and contributing to the formation of a beautiful bond that will last a lifetime.

Rachel Rainbolt, a mother of two with eleven years of experience working with young children and parents has a Master’s Degree in Family Therapy and is featured as a Parenting Expert on KUSI’s “Inside San Diego.” She works passionately to nurture the loving bond between parent and child to foster happy, healthy families. Rachel is a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM), trained and certified by Infant Massage USA and a Baby Signs® Independent Certified Instructor (ICI).

Robin and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very, Bad Day

Well, it has been one of those days... one that will go down as one of the most frustrating parenting days EVER!!! My kids, Ben (4 years) and Ryan (3 years) did nothing but throw tantrums, call each other names, call me names, fight with kids at the park, fight with each other at home, and just completely drive me crazy. Ryan actually threw a toy tractor at me and hit me in the head. It was one of those days where I wish I could have gone back to sleep at 9am. I had to go to my parents' house by 2pm (we were supposed to be there at dinner time), just to get a little reprieve.

But, this blog entry is not meant to be a complaining session. I do have a point, and it is this. At 7pm (an hour before regular bed time), I told the kids that I would read them each 2 books before bed. They both sat down next to me, Ryan with his head on my shoulder, Ben with his hand on my arm, just quiet, laughing at the stories, and acting like this horrible day had never happened.

Parenting is such a roller coaster full of ups and downs and there is no way to control anything that happens. Kids can wake up on the wrong side of the bed, just as we can. But, there is hope for us yet because we can recover, move on, and begin with a fresh start each and every morning. Now, I just can't wait to go to bed to put an end to this VERY LONG day!

Happiness is......

What makes me smile as a mom of two preschool-aged boys:

Happiness is....

Having my 3-year old run all the way to preschool and want to hold my hand the entire way there, just so that I wouldn't trip in my flip-flops.

Having my 3 and 4-year old boys ask for a hug and a kiss every time we part ways.

Watching my sons sigh while they sleep.

Having my 4-year old lean his head on my shoulder while we read books together.

What about your kids warms your heart? Share your moments with other moms by sending me your comments. Help another stressed-out mom smile:)