For many new parents, breastfeeding can be a source of anxiety and uncertainty. Will it go smoothly? How will I know if my baby is getting enough milk? What if I need help? In this article, we'll explore practical steps to prepare for breastfeeding success and where to find support when needed. Breastfeeding Preparation: Why Taking a Class MattersTaking a class while pregnant can help you to learn what to expect, how to get a good latch, how to know that your baby is enough as well as to troubleshoot what you will do if things aren’t going well at any point. Birth Class Seattle’s 4 hour newborn care class covers all this and more, Click here for more info on that. Finding Lactation Support: Your Lifeline in the Early Daysf things aren’t going well in the first days and weeks after birth, you’ll need the help of a lactation consultant. Most Seattle hospitals have lactation consultants you can meet with and I encourage you to ask for one while still in the hospital even if things are going well. After going home, it can be most helpful to receive lactation support in your own home. I encourage you to find a lactation consultant while still pregnant and put their name and number in your phone and on the fridge. That way you already know who to call when you’re sleep deprived and don’t want to make any decisions. I recommend the following out of hospital lactation consultants: Catherine Fenner IBCLC Betsy Hoffmeister IBCLC Joy Mctavish IBCLC Jocelyn Pierce IBCLC 3. Connecting with Community: Breastfeeding Support GroupsBreastfeeding support groups can be a wonderful way to get general breastfeeding help while also building community with other breastfeeding parents.
Nurturing Expressions holds weekly support groups in West Seattle and Kitsap County Melody Hansen runs a monthly support group in the Wallingford neighborhood on the first Wednesday of every month La Leche League holds support groups throughout the Seattle area and beyond Breastfeeding is a journey of learning for both you and your baby. For most people it isn't instantly successful and putting together the right support before you begin your breastfeeding journey will help you on the road to success.
0 Comments
Everybody poops.....except when they don'tCan we talk about poop? 💩 I know, we should probably know each other better before we go there, but here we are anyway. Why poop? 💩 Because a lot of people at your stage in pregnancy are struggling with constipation. It's a very commmon part of the first trimester as the hormone progesterone rises in your body. That said, there are things you can do to try and help. 1. Eat more fibre. 🍏 I know; easier said than done in the first trimester when the mere thought of food makes you nauseous but if you can stomach it, fiber rich foods such as wholewheat crackers, banana, figs, avocados, oatmeal etc can be really beneficial in encouraging things to keep moving. 2. Drink ALL the water 💦 Drinking water smoothes the way so to speak, and helps keep what's in your intestines hydrated which in turn makes it easier to move. Many pregnant people buy one of those giant Stanley like water cups at this point and take it everywhere with them. Drinking water really is THE best way to help with constipation. 3. Go for a walk 🏃🏻♀️ Moving your body helps to keep EVERYTHING moving. So try and go for a walk or do a short pregnancy yoga video every day. (I like the Yoga with Adrienne videos you can watch for free online). 4. Consider a probiotic You'll need to talk to your doctor about this, but some pregnant people who are suffering from constipation have noticed a big difference when taking a probiotic that contains beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus or bifidobacterium. 5. Take a look at your prenatal vitamins 🧪 Many prenatal vitamins contain iron which can contribute to constipation. If your's does, you might want to chat with your doctor about it. If your iron levels are healthy already, your doctor may suggest you take a different non-iron prenatal vitamin instead. Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for keeping things moving. How can you stop waking up in the middle of the night with hip or lower back pain during pregnancy?
Are you waking up in the middle of the night with sore hips or lower back? 🤰💤 This is because the ligaments that hold the uterus have to work harder as it grows, causing strain on the ligaments that run from the back of the uterus to the sacrum or lower back, and that support the front of the uterus in the pelvis. This can result in lower back pain and hip pain cursing you to wake up and need to turn over several times a night.. 🛌🤕 The good news is that using pregnancy pillows can help alleviate these symptoms and provide much-needed support to the body. Full-body pillows vs. smaller pillows: which one is right for you? There are two types of pregnancy pillows - full-body pillows and smaller pillows. Full-body pillows are designed to support the entire body and come in various shapes, including U-shaped and C-shaped pillows. Or you could choose to use several smaller pillows instead to support specific areas of the body, such as the hips, back, or belly. How to use smaller pillows to support specific areas of the body If you choose to use smaller pillows, you'll want one between your legs to support the upper hip, one to hug with your upper arm, and a smaller pillow or wedge for under your belly. This helps to keep the weight of the uterus evenly distributed and reduces the strain on your ligaments. 🛌💕 The benefits of hugging a pillow while pregnant Using a pillow to hug keeps the shoulder more open and reduces shoulder pain and swelling in the hands. My hips hurt when I sleep! A little wedge pillow for under the belly gives the uterus a little lift, which takes some of the strain away from your lower back. That in turn helps your upper hip from pulling forward. It's incredible how much difference such a tiny pillow can make! 😴👍 So, what pillows do you use? Share your pillow hacks with us in the comments below!👇 Are you experiencing morning sickness? How about afternoon / evening / all day sickness? You are absolutely not alone. Many people experience this in the first trimester, and the good news is that for most, it will go away by the beginning of the second trimester.
First off, let's talk symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and sensitivity to smells can all be part of the package deal. Foods you used to enjoy may find you running for the bathroom. But don't worry if you're not experiencing all of these symptoms – each pregnancy is unique, and what you feel is normal for you. So, what causes morning sickness? Hormones, hormones, hormones! Yep, those pesky hormones are to blame for making you feel like you've just set sail on the Titanic. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty – how can you manage morning sickness? The key is to listen to your body and try out different remedies until you find what works for you. Here are some tips to get you started:
And finally, this one may surprise you. Sniffing on an antiseptic wipe (like the kind used for first aid or on an airplane), has been shown to help with nausea. In fact, nurses may offer you one to smell if you're feeling nauseous in labor. So, there you have it, just remember to take it one day at a time and don't be afraid to try out new remedies and to talk to your doctor or midwife if things don't improve. |
AuthorEmma is a childbirth educator, prenatal birth and postpartum massage therapist, doula and overall pregnancy and childbirth junkie living and working in Seattle WA. She's British too which is where the tea bit come from. In England, if you want to have a chat with your friend about anything really, someone puts the kettle on for a nice cup of tea. It doesn't matter what the topic is, a nice cup of tea relaxes everyone, makes the conversation flow easier and generally makes everyone feel good. So you're invited to brew a cup of your favorite herbal tea, pull up a chair around Emma's kitchen table and let's have a good chat, (or chinwag as we say in the UK), about birthy stuff. Archives
February 2024
Categories |