Drug Free Birth

  Infants and Toddlers:  Do naps matter? PositiveParentingNews.org  asks parents if their children are cranky, fussy, or whiny, and write that "your child may be much better after a nap, which helps with emotional memory and the regulation of emotions."

  Infancy:  The benefits of breastfeeding, even for only a few days   American Heart Association has reported  that babies who are breastfed, even for a few days, had lower blood pressure at 3 years old than children who had never been breastfed.  

  Pregnancy: High quality diets in pregnancy   Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's  annual meeting will unveil findings that suggest that a high-quality diet in pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of fetal growth restriction, and will also release impact on gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes and other factors. In addition,  University of Colorado researchers suggest  that mothers who eat more veggies during pregnancy generally have children who eat more veggies than their peers. Click here to see an example of a food log .

  When the doctor brings up augmentation   Augmenting (speeding up/ initiating) labor is a discussion that is bound to happen between doctors and families in a high percent of pregnancies and labors, whether it is at weeks 38/39 or during early or active labor.   Sweeping membranes  (separating the amniotic sac from the uterine wall) or breaking the waters to speed labor may be suggested.  The use of oxytocin to initiate or stimulate contractions is quite common as well, but is  found to increase Cesarean rates .  BioMedCentral.com's 2022  article on labor dystocia  ('slow labor') concludes that a healthy respect of mothers with slower labors is key, and that doctors generally shouldn't augment with oxytocin because of the increase of Cesare an rates.     My encouragement is that families read about these trends and options well before they are in late pregnancy so that they know what kinds of questions to ask should they be encouraged to speed up their labors.  Also, d

  What the baby formula shortage demonstrates   Aside from the speculation of why there is a  US baby formula shortage , or what should be done about it, I do read the stories and am grateful that so many families choose breastfeeding.  I'm a mother who has supplemented with formula for all three of our children, but who also breastfed exclusively first with each child.  No matter what is to come in the supply of manufactured baby formula in the US, it is my hope that families will press in to master breastfeeding, to ask for help and resources when they need it, and to encourage others to prioritize it as well.  If you are a parent who is in need of formula, or support in any aspect of feeding your baby, please reach out! 

  Penn State researchers   have found that once trained in healthy sleep patterns for their babies, couples' second children also slept better.   Some of their conclusions are: establish a regular, consistent bedtime instead of keeping Baby awake in hopes that she will sleep longer in the morning putting Baby to bed while drowsy but still awake helps them soothe themselves nighttime soothing techniques might look different than daytime techniques

  Breastfeeding:  How to ensure enough supply   FamilyDoctor.org  outlines some helpful tips regarding successful breastfeeding. Among them: It’s important for you to get plenty of rest and eat right. You should eat about 500 extra calories per day. Make sure you drink extra fluids as well.  It’s easier to prevent sore nipples than it is to treat them.

  Infancy: when to start tummy time?  But first, what IS tummy time?     The Mayo Clinic explains  that tummy time allows Baby to strengthen her neck muscles, chest, abdominal muscles and balance.  Always use this time to observe your baby, to offer toys to reach for, and to give lots of eye contact and language.   When can you start giving tummy time?   The American Academy of Pediatrics writes  that Baby can do tummy time as early as the first week home from the hospital.  

    According to Healthline.com  and other sources, dates have been studied for their potential to promote and ease late-term labor in pregnant women. Eating these fruits throughout the last few weeks of pregnancy may promote cervical dilation and lower the need for induced labor. They may also be helpful for reducing labor time. In one study, 69 women who consumed 6 dates per day for 4 weeks prior to their due date were 20% more likely to go into labor naturally and were in labor for significantly less time than those who did not eat them. Another study of 154 pregnant women found that those who ate dates were much less likely to be induced compared to those who did not.  During my last pregnancy, I ate   six to seven dates a day  in the third trimester.  

  According to the writers at  WelcomeToFatherhood.com , it is considered foolish NOT to hire a doula. What is a doula?  Doulas are trained birth professionals who are experts in the non-medical aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and for some, early newborn life.   Welcome to Fatherhood explains that one SHOULD hire a doula for the following reasons: Fathers won't know what is considered 'normal' in labor and delivery Fathers won't know the various options in delivery Fathers won't know what standard procedures may be declined or delayed Fathers won't know how to support their wives during childbirth I would argue that well trained Bradley fathers DO know the answers above, and more, about pregnancy, labor and childbirth.  So while hiring a doula can have certain benefits, being well-versed in natural childbirth, and knowing your partner well enough to support her in this epic life event, is even more than a doula can do.