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!