I'm a MOM!

Ten Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

2011-11-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

Learn as much as possible about the wonderful ways that your body is changing and about how your baby is growing. Talk to your mother, your friends, and other women about pregnancy, labor, and birth. Attend an early pregnancy childbirth class, read books, and watch videos about normal pregnancy and childbirth.
Think about whether you want to give birth at a hospital, at a birthing center, or at home. Choose a health care provider who will be able to assist you in your chosen location and who helps build your confidence for pregnancy and childbirth.
Eat a well-balanced diet, paying attention to the recommendations of the food pyramid. Drink more milk, or foods that substitute for milk, and eat a little extra protein. If you don't eat several servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day, take a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid. Drink lots of water - six to ten glasses a day - and choose real fruit juices instead of sodas.
Avoid substances that may be dangerous for you and your baby, such as cigarettes, alcohol, and street drugs. Do not take any medications, even over-the-counter medications, unless you have discussed them with your health care provider.
Stay active! Continue exercise programs that you were doing before you became pregnant according to the recommendations of your health care provider. If you were not exercising before becoming pregnant, consider yoga, walking, or swimming. Start with short periods of exercise, and gradually increase the amount of time you are exercising.
Get plenty of rest. Listen to your body to determine if you need short breaks during the day and to determine how many hours of sleep you need at night.
Talk to your baby and enjoy your growing bond with him. Research now shows that babies react to the sense of touch as early as ten weeks of pregnancy. A little later, she can react to light, your voice, music, and other sounds.
Try to minimize the stress in your life and practice stress management techniques such as slow, deep breathing and relaxing various muscle groups when you feel under stress. You can learn these techniques and other strategies for relaxation in childbirth education classes.
Plan your baby's birth. For most women, birth is normal, natural, and healthy. Learn as much as possible about what birth is like in the location you have chosen. Ask questions about the six care practices that are known to promote normal birth. Lamaze classes will help you understand what happens during childbirth and will help you and your partner learn positions and movements which will aid labor and ways to cope with the stress and pain.
Enjoy this special time in your life! Your partner, your family and friends can help make the most of this wonderful transition. Have confidence in your body's ability to grow, nourish, and give birth to this baby as women have done for centuries.

Source: http://www.lamaze.org/ExpectantParents/PregnancyandBirthResources/MoreTipsandTools/HealthyPregnancy/tabid/252/Default.aspx

Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait

2011-11-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire
http://givingbirthwithconfidence.org/2011/06/healthy-babies-are-worth-the-wait/

Every week of pregnancy is crucial to a newborn’s health, and today, the March of Dimes unveiled a new public education campaign to raise awareness about the important development that occurs during those last few weeks.

The campaign, called “Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait,” encourages women to allow labor to begin on its own if their pregnancy is healthy. It aims to dispel the myth that it’s safe to schedule a delivery before 39 weeks of pregnancy without a medical need.

Babies born after 37 weeks of pregnancy are full-term. However, new research has shown that a baby’s brain nearly doubles in weight in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Also, important lung and other organ development occur at this time. And, although the overall risk of death is small, it is double for infants born at 37 weeks of pregnancy, when compared to babies born at 40 weeks, for all races and ethnicities.

“Some women mistakenly think that the only thing a baby does during the last weeks of pregnancy is gain weight, making labor and delivery more difficult,” said Judith Nolte, a member of the March of Dimes national Board of Trustees and former editor-in-chief of American Baby Magazine Group, who worked with the March of Dimes to develop the new awareness campaign. “When the moms in our focus groups learned about the important brain and organ development that occurs, they were more than willing to put up with their own discomfort so their baby could get a healthy start in life.”

Only 25 percent of women know a full-term pregnancy should last at least 39 weeks, according to research published in the December 2009 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
“Women may feel worried, anxious, or simply uncomfortable near the end of their pregnancy. But unless there are medical complications, the healthiest and safest place for that developing infant is in the womb,” said Eve M. Lackritz, M.D., chief of the Maternal and Infant Health Branch, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who outlined the health consequences of an early birth. “Term labor and delivery are not just normal and natural – they’re the healthiest alternative for both the mother and the infant.”

Information about the new Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait educational campaign can be found at marchofdimes.com/39weeks.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. For free access to national, state, county and city-level maternal and infant health data, visit PeriStats, at marchofdimes.com/PeriStats.

Doula: Maternity angels

2011-10-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Doulas: Maternity Angels from MiNuShu on Vimeo.

Benefits of Babywearing

2011-10-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

Medical professionals agree that infants thrive through touch; “wearing” your baby is another way to meet this need. But the benefits of babywearing don’t end there … babywearing offers many other advantages, some of which include:

• Happy Babies. It’s true … carried babies cry less! In a study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that babywearing for three hours a day reduced infant crying by 43 percent overall and 54 percent during evening hours. (1)

• Healthy Babies. Premature babies and babies with special needs often enter the world with fragile nervous systems. When a baby rides in a sling attached to his mother, he is in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements his mother makes—walking, bending, and reaching. This stimulation helps him to regulate his own physical responses. Research has even shown that premature babies who are touched and held gain weight faster and are healthier than babies who are not. (2)

• Confident Parents. A large part of feeling confident as a parent is the ability to read our babies’ cues successfully. Holding our babies close in a sling allows us to become finely attuned to their movements, gestures, and facial expressions. Every time a baby is able to let us know that she is hungry, bored, or wet without having to cry, her trust in us is increased, her learning is enhanced, and our own confidence is reinforced. This cycle of positive interaction deepens the mutual attachment between parent and child, and is especially beneficial for mothers who are at risk for or suffering from postpartum depression. (3) (4)

• Loving Caregivers. Baby carriers are a great bonding tool for fathers, grandparents, adoptive parents, babysitters, and other caregivers. Imagine a new father going for a walk with his baby in a sling. The baby isbecoming used to his voice, heartbeat, movements, and facial expressions, and the two are forging a strong attachment of their own. Baby carriers are beneficial for every adult in a baby’s life. Cuddling up close in the sling is a wonderful way to get to know the baby in your life, and for the baby to get to know you!

•Comfort and Convenience. With the help of a good carrier, you can take care of older children or do chores without frequent interruptions from an anxious or distressed infant—which helps to reduce sibling rivalry. Baby carriers are also wonderful to use with older babies and toddlers; you can save those arms and go where strollers can’t. Climbing stairs, hiking, and navigating crowded airports all can be done with ease when you use a well-designed baby carrier!

Source: http://babywearinginternational.org/pages/whatisbabywearing.php

References
1 - Hunziker UA, Garr RG. (1986) Increased carrying reduces infant crying: A random-ized controlled trial. Pediatrics 77:641-648
2 - “Current knowledge about skin-to-skin (kangaroo) care for pre-term infants”. J Perinatol. 1991 Sep;11(3):216-26.
3 - Pelaez-Nogueras M, Field TM, Hossain Z, Pickens J. (1996). Depressed mothers’ touching increases infants’ positive affect and attention in still-face interactions. Child Development, 67, 1780-92.
4 - Tessier R, M Cristo, S Velez, M Giron, JG Ruiz-Palaez, Y Charpak and N Charpak. (1998) Kangaroo mother care and the bonding hypothesis. Pediatrics 102:e17.

10 Things That Are More Important Than Discipline.

2011-09-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

Source: Positive Parenting

Parenting is a very complex task. If we're not careful, we will become too focused on one aspect and let the others fall by the wayside. Many times, I see parents who are intently focused on discipline, and I'm talking about the traditional use of the word here with regard to modifying behavior. Sometimes we get very caught up in "What do I do when..." or "How do I get my kid to..." and we lose sight of the bigger picture.

The truth is that there are many things that are more important in shaping our children than the methods and techniques we use to modify their behavior.

Here are 10 things that are more important than any method you choose, in no particular order.

1. Relationship. The relationship that we have with our children is the single biggest influence on them. Our relationship sets an example for how relationships should be throughout the rest of their lives. If we have a healthy relationship based on respect, empathy, and compassion, we have set a standard. They will grow to expect that this is what a relationship looks like and will likely not settle for less. If, however, our relationship is based on control, coercion, and manipulation, well you see where I'm going with this.

In addition to that, our influence comes from a good relationship. Children are more likely to listen to and cooperate with an adult who they are connected to. In other words, if we build trust and open communication when they are small, they will come to us when they are not so small. Our attachment helps wire healthy brains, and our responses set the tone for how they respond to us (they're little mirrors).

2. Your lens. When you look at your child, who do you see? Do you see the positives or the negatives? The way you think about them influences the way you treat them. Your thoughts also influence the way you feel emotionally and physically throughout the day. "He is in the terrible twos" will cause you to look for terrible things, to focus on them, and therefore try to correct them...constantly. Try to turn negative thoughts like this into positive thoughts, like, "He is inquisitive and fun!" Try to start seeing misbehavior as a clue that calls for help rather than something that needs squashed immediately. Correction is not needed nearly as often as you might think.

Also watch your tone and language. "Be mindful of the language you use to describe your children. They will come to see themselves through that filter you design." -Lori Petro, TEACH Through Love. Be careful not to place labels such as "naughty" or "clumsy" on your child. They will come to see themselves the way you see them.

3. Your relationship with your significant other. Your kids are watching and learning. The way you and your partner treat each other again sets a standard. Happy parents make happy kids. Read How Your Marriage Affects Your Kids.

The foundation of a happy family is a strong, loving relationship between the two of you. The single, most important thing that you can do for your children is to do everything in your power to have the best possible relationship with your spouse. If they see the two of you getting along and supporting each other, they will mirror you and will likely get along with each other and their friends. Every single ounce of energy that you put into your relationship will come back to you tenfold through your children.

4. The atmosphere of your home. All of the things mentioned above come together to create the atmosphere in your home. If you have loving and connected relationships, you likely have a warm atmosphere in your home. If there is discord between you and your spouse, or you and your child, or your child and your other child, then the overall atmosphere will suffer. Have you ever gone to someone's home and could just feel a negative atmosphere? You want your home to be a haven, a safe, warm, inviting, and loving place for all family members. Dorothy Parker said, "The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires." You don't have to let the air out until they're 16 though. ;-)

5. How you relate to others. How do you treat the bank teller, the store clerk, the telemarketer? What about your parents and your in-laws? They are watching your example. “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.” -Albert Einstein

6. Community. Are you involved in your community. Aside from setting an example, there are valuable lessons to be learned from volunteering, supporting a local cause, attending church, or donating items. Seeing a bigger picture, how their acts can influence many lives, will give them a sense of responsibility and reinforce good values.

7. School. Whether you choose private school, public school, homeschooling, or unschooling, your choice will have an impact on your child. Choose with care. Peers have a big influence on children, but if our relationship is where it should be, our influence will still be stronger.

8. Your cup. How full is it? You have to take care of you so you can take care of them. If your cup is full, you are more patient, more empathetic, and have more energy. Not only that, but a child who sees his parents respect themselves learns to have self-respect. Put yourself back on your list.

9. Media. Television. Video games. Social media. They are always sending messages to your kids. Now, I let my kids watch TV and play computer games, so I'm not taking a big anti-media stance here, but just be aware of what your kids are getting from what they're watching. My son said something out of character for him a while back that came directly from a cartoon character. I knew where he'd gotten it and we had a talk about the differences between cartoon land and the real world. I'm just glad they don't have a Facebook account yet!

10. Basic needs. Adequate nutrition, sleep, and exercise are not only essential for the well-being of your child but also influence behavior. Dr. Sears addresses nutrition here. Also read this article, Sleep Better for Better Behavior. Finally, Exercise helps children learn to focus their attention, limit anger outburst and improve motor skills. Read more about that here.

“If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later. I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and less tugging.“ - Diane Loomans

What to expect in the first few days

2011-09-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

Source:NHS Choices

In the first few days, you and your baby will be getting to know each other. It may take time for both of you to get the hang of breastfeeding.

Before the birth
It’s good to find out as much as you can about breastfeeding before the birth. Knowing what to expect should help you feel as confident as possible when you've just given birth and want to breastfeed your baby.
Antenatal sessions, whether held by the NHS or another organisation, should cover the most important aspects of breastfeeding, such as positioning and attachment, expressing, common questions and concerns, and how to overcome them. You can find out more from your midwife, in Birth to five, in the Off to the Best Start (pdf) leaflet and 'Bump to Breastfeeding' DVD, or from family and friends. There are also many helplines and websites.
There are lots of groups and drop-ins, some specially designed for pregnant women who want to know more about breastfeeding. You can find out more by asking your midwife, health visitor, local peer supporter or GP. Or visit your local Children’s Centre.

Immediately after your baby is born
Having skin-to-skin contact with your baby straight after the birth will help to keep your body warm, calm your baby, and help with the first breastfeed.
Every pregnant woman makes milk for her baby, which is ready and available at birth. This milk is called colostrum and is sometimes a yellow colour. It's very concentrated, so your baby will only need a small amount at each feed (approximately a teaspoonful). Your baby may want to feed quite frequently, perhaps every hour. But they will begin to have longer feeds less often when your milk comes in, in a few days. The more you breastfeed the more milk you'll produce. The time between feeds will vary, and you and your baby will settle into a pattern, which may change from time to time.

How often will my baby feed?
All babies are different, and it may depend on the type of birth you've had. Your baby should feed within the first hour after birth to get off to a good start. Babies then sometimes have a sleep and will start to give you signs that they're ready for the next feed. These signs include:

starting to move about as they wake up
moving their head around
finding something to suck, usually their fingers

Building up your milk supply
Around two to four days after birth you may notice that your breasts become fuller and warmer. This is often referred to as your milk ‘coming in’. Your milk will vary according to your baby’s needs. It will look thin compared with colostrum, but gets creamier as the feed goes on.
Each time your baby feeds, your body knows to make the next feed. The amount of milk you make will increase or decrease depending on how often your baby feeds. In the early days, ‘topping up’ with infant formula can decrease your milk supply.
Feed your baby as often as they want. This is called baby-led feeding (it's also known as 'on-demand'). Let your baby decide when they’ve had enough. It's not necessary to time the feeds. In the beginning, it can seem that you're doing nothing but feeding, but gradually, you and your baby will get into a pattern of feeding, and the amount of milk you produce will settle.
It's important to breastfeed at night because this is when you produce more hormones (prolactin) to build up your milk supply. At night, your baby will be safest sleeping in a cot in the same room as you.

The let-down reflex
Your baby’s sucking causes milk stored in your breasts to be squeezed down ducts towards your nipples. This is called the let-down reflex.
Some women get a tingling feeling, which can be quite strong. Others feel nothing at all. You'll see your baby respond, and their quick sucks will change to deep rhythmic swallows as the milk begins to flow. Babies often pause after the initial quick sucks while they wait for more milk to be delivered. If your baby seems to fall asleep before the deep swallowing stage check they’re effectively attached.
Sometimes you'll notice your milk flowing in response to your baby crying or when you have a warm bath or shower.

Leaking breast milk
Sometimes, breast milk may leak unexpectedly from your nipples. Press your hand gently but firmly on your nipple when this happens. This usually helps very quickly. Wearing breast pads will stop your clothes becoming wet with breast milk.

Breastfeeding FAQ.

2011-08-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

Can every woman breastfeed?
Breastfeeding is an art that every mother-infant dyad will decipher. It requires will and perseverance. From the biological point of view, unless rare exceptions, every woman is able to produce breast milk. The milk a woman produces varies according to the child which it is addressed. But it also varies according to age, as well as throughout the day, and throughout the feed.

What determines whether or not to breastfeed?
Although a mother has the physical ability to produce milk, there may be other obstacles that hinder breastfeeding. There are emotional elements that can interfere with milk production, as well as social elements. The support of the environment is crucial to sustain breastfeeding. Physical problems may also occur, such as cracks, infections, and fungi. The success depends on the will of the mother, and containment of the family and health personnel. It is essential to promote a good start of breastfeeding, setting the baby within the first 30 minutes of life. At this point, the baby is in a state of "quiet alert", which is optimal to produce the first shot.
Also, to achieve successful breastfeeding is important to avoid offering anything to the baby than the mother's breast during the first month of life. Unless medically indicated, infants should not receive bottles with sugar water, or supplement. The stimulation your baby makes over the nipple, during the early days, it is important for milk production, and that breastfeeding is properly installed. The colostrums they take during the first 48-72 hours of life, has a high content of nutrients immune, so they should only receive this food and not another

Does the woman's weight is related to breastfeeding?
No. Nor height, nor the size of the breasts. The latter may affect the storage capacity, but research indicates that the issue does not affect production. It may happen that a woman with small breasts should breastfeed more often than with larger breasts, but the amount produced is the same.

Do a woman have to prepare during pregnancy for breastfeeding?

Nature has created the woman's body so that pregnancy is being prepared to feed your baby from birth. If there are no conditions the mother does not have to do anything special to be able to breastfeed, your body is preparing itself without notice. You can only see their mothers more closely to rule out the presence of a flat or inverted nipple, which in some cases, may be a difficulty in breastfeeding.

How to know if the nipple is forming right?
During pregnancy, the mother can exercise gently squeeze the areola and nipple to observe the reaction. You have to stand, otherwise, if replicated, suggests that it is inverted or flat. In these cases you should consult with the gynecologist. There are exercises that mom can do to help stretch it, using a syringe inverted for a few minutes or a pump, so the stretch can be done manually. Bear in mind that these exercises should always be indicated by an appropriate professional.

What are the most common problems and how can it be prevented?
There are difficulties that often occur as cracks (sores on the nipples or areola), infections (mastitis) and fungi. Any of these can be prevented simply. The cracks are usually due to an incorrect coupling of the baby's mouth. The mother should wait until the baby opens his mouth to place the breast, the baby's lips should cover as much of the areola. If you take just the nipple, it hurt. Mastitis can be prevented by the breasts become engorged. If the mother shows a hard area of the breast, should try to soften extracting milk, whether breastfeeding or manually. She should also apply cold.

The moist environment of the nipple is a fertile field for the occurrence of fungi. The mother may feel burning or stinging. The best way to prevent it is to wear cotton underwear, avoid using breast pads, and having her breasts exposed to the sun.

Does breastfeeding helps to lose weight?
Yes. Breastfeeding moms, who eat according to the hunger they feel, tend to lose weight gradually. Statistics indicate that they tend to lose more weight from 3 to 6 months of the baby. This reduction will vary according to each woman, some studies say that between 0.6 and 0.8 kg per month during the first 6 months and more slowly thereafter. The kilos accumulate during pregnancy, store the extra energy the body requires the mother to produce milk.
It is not recommended to do anything special to lose weight during the first months, it is important that the mother recover from childbirth and establish a good milk supply.

Read this article in Spanish

Breastfeeding: A decision to make

2009-11-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

For some reason, we have the idea that what is expensive must be of good quality, or have qualities that warrant their high cost. However, nature surprises us in this regard. There are several laboratories that have been meticulous, over recent years to create a formula as close as possible to breast milk. The science is progressing and is being perfected, but it is impossible to create a food so unique and of superb quality, such as breast milk. And the funny thing is that it's for free.

Each woman produces milk just and necessary for the child to whom it is addressed. The pregnancy prepares the body of the mother to continue feeding the newborn, as it did in the uterus. Some people say that breast milk would be the continuation of the umbilical cord, in the sense of care and protection given to babies through it. Provides a balanced diet and nutrition, is the first "vaccine" that receives the child, because breast milk antibodies protect you from contracting many diseases (respiratory infections, ear and urinary) and strengthen their defenses, and as if not enough, the effect lasts after the end of lactation.

It is known that the milk that a woman produces varies according to the child to which it is addressed. But it also varies according to age, it varies throughout the day, and in a single feed as well. The milk that comes at the beginning of the blowjob contains more water, and at the end of it has higher fat content.

Also we have a different milk when the baby is a newborn (which is its single nutrient) than when it is 6 months (where it begins to require other complementary feeding).

With all these features and versatility of breast milk, it is understandable why it has been difficult to produce artificially a formula with all those attributes.

Also, even though their benefits are known by most of the population, it is remarkable that currently only 28% of Uruguayans babies are breastfed exclusively during the first six months of life (as indicated by the last National Breastfeeding Survey).

Is that breastfeeding may be more complex than it seems. Not all women are faced with their newborn with sufficient information to have a successful breastfeeding. Some may find it simple, while to others can be a daunting task, to the point of abandoning breastfeeding.

We can understand this reality if we think that breastfeeding has 3 main pillars that sustain it: the biological aspect, the social and emotional.

From a biological standpoint, but for uncommon diseases, all women would be capable of breastfeeding. In normal physical situations, all mothers produce milk that meets the needs of our babies. It's a myth that some times we hear: "My milk is not good." By contrast, breast milk has nutrients not only indicated for the baby, but it also provides the immunization of the mother, which protects it from environmental illnesses.

It can happen that we find that the baby will go hungry. Comments immediately arise: "I have no milk," In this situation, usually the bottle is used. But the idea that a woman breast-milk runs out is another myth. Breastfeeding is governed by the law of "greater stimulation = more production." When the baby suckles on demand, he will regulate the amount and regularity with which it takes. The chest is just going to produce what the baby's sucking tells you produce.

It is important to understand the concept of breastfeeding on demand. Several years ago it was dismissed the myth that babies should breastfeed ten minutes from each breast every 3 hours. The joint WHO / UNICEF (1989) and the Uruguayan Society of Pediatrics suggests the importance of encouraging breastfeeding on demand. Remember that breast milk has higher water content at first, and higher content of fat at the end (on the same breast). When the baby takes a lawsuit, he will regulate the amount of milk you drink. If we take him away from the breast before he finish, it may not reach to take the milk with higher fat. There are babies who take 5 minutes on one breast and are satisfied, while there are others who may be half an hour in the same breast. This varies from baby to baby, and also in the same child may be changing over time.

It can also happen that some cracks or sores occur during breastfeeding. But this is due to an incorrect placement. It is important for your baby with your mouth occupied most of the halo, and not just the nipple grip.

Besides his body should be aptly addressed the body of his mother, in the classical position called "belly against belly”.

On the other hand we have the social aspect of breastfeeding. This refers to those things in the environment that promote or interfere with breastfeeding. For example, the social laws that protect breastfeeding women. Among them are:

- Law No. 16,104, which governs the licensing of thirteen weeks for maternity in public office, and Law No. 15,084 which relates to private employees.

- Decree 1/6/54 indicates two breaks of half an hour when a woman is breastfeeding during a period set by the National Children's Institute through its medical services.

Working women are faced with the reality of having to return to their jobs at two and a half months after birth the baby. This social reality makes it difficult to sustain exclusive breastfeeding, because they are usually more days of 4 hours. For women who want to continue breastfeeding, it is recommended not to spend more than 3-4 hours without expressing milk. Remember that the more stimulation, increased production, so that if a mother spends too many hours without pumping, your body will react by producing less.

Another element concerns the social aspect is that in our culture, we do not normally breastfeed openly. We have a low rate of exclusive breastfeeding, and our idiosyncrasies, many women get breast bare her modesty in public. We can also find people who find it gross to see a woman breastfeed. This is not minor, because it is assumed that breastfeeding is natural, that should be passed from generation to generation. But when girls do not see our mothers, aunts, and neighbor’s breastfeed; when adults they do not know how. It is common to see a girl playing with a toy and baby bottle, but hardly see a girl playing nurse.

Finally, as I understand is the most important aspect of breastfeeding, we find the emotional area. Breastfeeding is a decision. For our body to produce more milk, even though we have an extremely flattering environment, if the woman does not want to breastfeed your baby, breastfeeding eventually stops. Breastfeeding implies will. Whoever has the capacity to do so is woman. The couple, or family can help change the baby, comforting him and many other tasks, but who should be every hour and a half, two, three hours by offering her breast is the woman. The first month can be difficult. All are complying with the arrival of new member. Also the woman's body is adjusting to produce the amount of milk your baby needs. It is a game of demand-production that has oiled. In the course of the months it has become simpler.

In conclusion, breastfeeding has multiple benefits: it provides fair and necessary nutrients to the baby, it immunizes against disease environment and creates a special bond with the mother. There are also difficulties that may hinder this task. But when the woman feels her own body produces the food for your baby, when you see how your child takes and how it helps their growth and development. This is when all the benefits and difficulties of breastfeeding recede into the background, and the woman gets the satisfaction of having their baby in his arms, satisfied with her own milk.

Becoming a dad

2009-11-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

The concept of "mothering" and what that means has changed over the years. Motherhood has been adjusting to cultural changes. Think of women 50 or 60 years ago, there were few mothers who work, motherhood was shared with grandmothers cousins, sisters who generally lived closer between them, there was another structure and breadwinner.

Nowadays we live motherhood differently. Moms work until almost 40 weeks pregnant, and three months after your baby is born, if not before, we take up the activities. Over the years women have become independent economically and obtaining other personal achievements beyond motherhood.

Inevitably, this evolution of motherhood affects the role of the father, in their activities and the way of living.

If we do the same exercise with fatherhood, and we think of men about 50 or 60 years ago, we met with parents waiting outside the delivery room. They had not thought the idea of witnessing the birth of his son, simply did not exist as a possibility, because the birth was "a women thing". We can imagine men in the waiting room, with cigar in hand, waiting for the big news: "is a boy", "is a girl." Also, it was not part of fatherhood changing diapers, going to childbirth classes or soothe colic.

Throughout history parents have no choice in this evolution. Today they are required active participation in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The younger parents find it almost an obligation to enter the delivery room, and if they express their fears or doubts, they are looked at with disapproval: "how could you not see your child born?". Clearly, it remains a precious opportunity that most parents want and seek. But do not forget that this is relatively new.

Similar thing happens with childbirth classes. In these we see dads interested, who want to learn and know everything that's going to happen to your partner, but also find parents who would rather be elsewhere, which are repelled by the themes of birth, and if they could choose freely, probably would choose not to participate. Here we must be careful, because something that should be pleasurable and enjoyable, it can happen to experienced as a negative requirement.

Generally, the role of father builds more slowly than the mother. Women have the opportunity to feel their baby move in their womb, in addition to physiological changes that promote the body adapts to the baby's arrival. There is a previous real link between mom and baby.

Without clutch, although the father can see and feel the movement, the process of construction of fatherhood is slower. It's that wonderful moment where we feel and we hear the cry of our son, where the baby becomes real and tangible, and the man faces the concrete reality of fatherhood.

Although it is a slower process, the pregnancy of his partner is not going unnoticed by the man. There are theories that talk about physiological changes in the father, whose symptoms are similar to those of pregnancy in women, is called “Couvade syndrome”. The various research papers on this subject indicate that the syndrome occurs 10% to 65% of "pregnant" husbands and it is estimated that 1 in 4 men go to see a doctor. The symptoms are: Mood swings, nausea, vomiting, cravings, weight gain, fatigue, low blood pressure, leg cramps, abdominal pain similar to uterine contractions.

Also, the father will be passing through their own fears and fantasies. There is a generational change, parents become grandparents, and this implies a rethinking of the relationship. Start thinking differently, questioning how were they as parents, and assessing the elements that had not previously considered. The man begins to question how I want to be like Dad? Creating his own model of father.

Some men report a feeling of hyper-responsibility towards the challenges of a new family. Responsibility to keep financially, emotional support, among other fantasies.

All these feelings the dad that transits, are usually in the background, as all attention is focused on the pregnant mother or the baby at birth. Socially, the father is asked to participate actively in the process of pregnancy, presence and accompaniment in childbirth, and finally attend mother and baby. It has a more active and participate rol, but with few rewards or environmental considerations. We can see in our traditions, when a baby is born you tend to go visit bearing a gift for the baby, many also have something for mom, few consider dad.

In conclusion, the role of father has changed throughout history, now becoming a more active and present in the process of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. However, these positive developments have forgotten the emotional part. It is my hope that readers of this article find a new look at the recent parents, we need to pamper them and hold them, they are tired too.

Milk's Up!™ Universal sign for supporting breastfeeding mothers

2009-11-16T08:23:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Lipton O'Connor and the moms at The New Born Baby Bistro™ wanted to support breastfeeding mothers around the world. Watch as Jennifer and the moms and babies unveil their idea.

C-Section: Emotional Impact on mothers

2009-11-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

Some women face difficulties at the time of labor, or before it, which require health professionals to decide to perform a caesarean section. Fortunately there is an alternative to vaginal birth. This operation has saved the lives of women and babies for years. However, hardly acknowledging the emotional impact for mom.

All women are different and we live in a different way the birth of each child. This happens with C-sections. While some women seems to have no emotional consequence, for others it can be a traumatic experience, it will depend on various factors. From the obstetric point of view, is different if it was an emergency Caesarean or if was planned, where the mother has more time to prepare emotionally. If it was an emergency, it depends on how it is presented, how was the labor, at what stage caesarean section is performed. To this we add the personal elements of the mother, their expectations, their desires, their fantasies about the birth of their baby. If a mother has been prepared during pregnancy for a vaginal delivery, and can not conceive of another possibility, probably find it difficult to compare the position of a cesarean. Health personnel and the type of attention it receives, influence the experience.

We speak of "emotional injury" as the resulting emotional brand of caesarean section. Is the pain often muted and it is difficult to "cure". Sometimes it reappears years later, when the mother finds a new pregnancy. There is a mourning that it is necessary to pass through and emerge several questions, "Why I could not give birth?" "Have I got something wrong?" You hear phrases like "I'll never know how it feels to give birth. The important thing here is that the mother knows that is a normal process. Sometimes we feel that we are the only one, but the reality is that many other moms experiencing the same thing.

The emotional consequences depend on how the mother lived the cesarean . For some women can be a traumatic experience they need to tell. From the standpoint of medical and social, physical health is assessed. We hear phrases like: "What is important is that you and your baby are fine." This is correct and it is still very important but nullifies the negative feelings that can be generated. Moms who have children by cesarean may find difficult to express the experience. Usually the birth is a celebration, the family is present, and everyone is happy, hence it is not easy in this environment to have conflicting emotions. It is normal for these to occur and have nothing to do with being a "bad mother" or not to love our baby. It is important to avoid silence these expressions, and combat minimize what happened. Some women do not have these experiences, but others do and need to express it. For this there must be people willing to listen and understand, without promoting feelings of guilt. Family and friends can help, let her know that what happens is normal calm anxieties. However, one must always be vigilant about signs to indicate the need to contact an appropriate professional. You could also go to support groups, where the mother can share with peers of similar situations and feel understood.

What can be done to mitigate the consequences?
We can think of elements which attenuate the emotional consequences, one of them is the need to be accompanied during the operation. In Uruguay there is a law that protects women and allows them to have a person of their choice within the operating room. During the intervention, the mother is naked, usually with his arms restrained and has a field that doesn't lets her see what happens. Doctors are uniformed and mouth cover. This situation is very strange, a moment that should be warm and loving, it becomes cold and distant. Usually doctors do not speak, because they are concentrated in the operation. It is natural that women are nervous and anxious to know how their baby is. Undoubtedly, in this context, it is essential to have someone you trust, you take her hand and saying how everything is going.
It is also important to show her the baby and bring it closer, if possible, to be released one of his arms and caress. These are small details that do not hinder the surgical and emotional make a big difference for mom.

Has been with general or spinal anesthesia, the mother and baby will be away the first minutes of life. Here the role of companion is essential, you can follow the baby and take pictures. From the psychological point of view, for the baby is very important to feel the voice of someone familiar, as it can not be in the arms of his mother. And to her, be sure your baby is being accompanied, and it is ok, takes away anxiety to the situation.
Then it can be reassuring for the mother to see photos or hear stories of how her baby and what he did while she was recovering. Are those few minutes that she "lost" but that can be retrieved through others.

Finally, do not forget that a caesarean is a birth, we think that is another way that science has given us to birth. It is a celebration and a miracle of life. But above all things, is the extreme displays of dedication and love, where the mother sacrifices her own body for the welfare of her baby.

To learn more:
www.ican-online.org

Read this in spanish: www.siendomama.blogspot.com

Kicking Monster Ass

2009-01-28T10:34:00.000-08:00

Sleeping with mom and dad

2009-01-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

Sleep with our children or not is controversial. Various professionals recommend that babies should not get to know the "big bed", so do not ask. However, there are cultures where the norm is that parents and children share the same resting place. In Japan, traditionally the children sleep with their parents until five years. A study in 2006 revealed that 93% of children in India between three and ten years, slept with their parents. In Western cultures, on the contrary, it is customary that everyone has his bed and, if possible, their own room.

Children are born "knowing" how to eat, sleep, and urinate. Parents are taught ways to make and develop these behaviors. To do so, culture provides us with customs and habits, collectively shared and accepted. It is then that we teach our children to eat with a fork and knife, to urinate in the bathroom and put on pajamas and brushing their teeth to sleep. We teach them that each one should sleep in a bed with his own pillow.

Why do children insist on sleeping with their parents?

First, it is important to note that for children is a necessity, not a "whim", nor does it mean to be "spoiled”. Studies have shown a change in the neurotransmitters of mammals when they are not near their parents. In prehistoric times, the children slept in caves with their mother, otherwise they could be eaten by predators. There was a cave for each family member. It was a matter of survival.

Experience remains the same today. The baby is unaware that, in the safety of his home, he does not run those risks. Children are demanding the presence of their parents to feel safe. Some learn the habit of sleeping in a bed faster than others. Anyway, if you are not drawbacks, all children at some point, sleep all night in his own bed, without demanding the presence of an adult.

Meanwhile, there are parents who choose to sleep through the night with their children. This is common in many cultures. Some authors, such as Spanish pediatrician Carlos Gonzalez and Argentine psychologist Laura Gutman, explain the importance of sleeping with children.

On the other hand, there are authors like Dr. Estivill, teaching methods to "train" children to sleep alone.

There are no recipes to indicate what is right. It is interesting to know that children sleep in different ways around the world and the cultural have much impact on the education they provide to our children. However, each parent must discern together what habit considered most appropriate for your family and every child in particular.

References: Bharti B, Patterns and problems of sleep in school going children. Indian Pediatric. India. 2006. Gonzalez, C. Besame Mucho. Ed Temas de Hoy. Madrid. 2003. Joseph R. Sleep without tears. The area of the books. Madrid. 2007. UNICEF. Mass in bed sleeping with the baby. UK. February, 2004

Claudia López
Psychology
claudia.lopez @ adinet.com.uy

Moms clan

2008-04-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Have you realized that when one becomes a mother is like becomeing part of a secret clan. The relationship with other women changes. From now on we speak on secret codes and repetitive subjects. A woman can always find easy to talk to another woman with only mention childbirth, the difficulty of caesarean section, the complexity of work and comeing home tired to meet children.

I have an aunt who is very serious, she has 4 children and I had always found difficult to talk with her. The day I gave birth to my baby she called me by phone and the first thing she said was "Hello my love," love?? I thought… since when? She spoke to me with so much tenderness as if she was saying that she understood how I felt, while I spoke about the labor she made coments with an empathy that surprised me.

It is as if there were a secret that could not tell, that only those who are mothers know. Unable to count because it is impossible to put into words. It is as impressive (that is the only word I can think to describe it), includes physical, emotional… our whole being.

Only another mother understands what it means to breastfeed at 4 o'clock in the morning. That feeling that the entire city is sleeping and you're the only person awake! The only consolation is to think that there are other women in the same situation.
To see your baby and can not believe that only some months ago she/he wasinside your belly (perhaps 30 years ago, but always seem months). Wanting to send pictures around the world… count a million times the story when she began to walk.

Have you read these things and felt identified… my friend: it is because you are part of the clan.

Breastfeeding comercial

2007-09-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

Check this out

2007-09-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

About a Discovery Home and Health TV show

2007-08-27T12:45:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity of watching a TV program on Discovery Home and Health about the first hours of a newborn at home. I think it’s great, I wish I could have watched it before I had my baby girl. You could easily identify with the things that happen on those days: hours without sleeping, all the crying, arguing with your couple, and so on.

There were some things that caught my attention.
One story was about a Chinese woman married to an American. Her mother went to join them for some days. I couldn’t believe when they left the baby cry alone in a room while they eat their supper. One of them says something like “he has to get used to it, so is good for him to cry”. Man! Just some hours ago the baby was on her mother’s belly, he needs your arms and attention!

Another story was about a lesbian couple. The first night the baby cried a lot and the biological mother wanted to breastfeed each 3 hours. Obviously, the baby cried because she was hungry! So at last the baby won and ate all she wanted all night long.

I mean… There are so many popular ideas about what to do and what not to do with babies: let them cry:, I wonder what for? Don’t breastfeed on demand… Why is that?
Where are we leaving all the instinct? Nature? We mothers have all the wisdom we need, and is so much more than all the things that a doctor or a popular idea can say.

Breastfeeding anywhere?

2007-07-29T16:22:00.001-07:00

I don't know how it is where you live, but here you don't usually see women breastfeeding, it seems to be something you have to hide.

At first, I went to a room, close the door and feed my baby alone. Then, I started to breastfeed anywhere, and you can see in men eyes the disapproval, but I wonder why, isn’t this the most natural way of eating. Why breasts have come something just sexual?

Going on vacation with your baby…

2007-07-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to a beautiful place with my husband and baby: Punta del Este. Is really cold here, so we had to be careful in order not to get ill and most of all, we didn’t want our baby to suffer this winter.
Therefore, we had to take extra care, and this is what I’ve learned:

Take with you extra clothes! You never know. One afternoon we went out, and when we arrived we noticed that our baby girl was all dirty with “pupu” … Cool! We had to change everything!

Take in account that you need a bath for your baby. Remember to ask for one when you make your reservation at the hotel.

You have to ask yourself several questions: where is going to sleep the baby, what happens if he or she gets ill: are you taking analgesic?
What about he nails: have you cut them?

Can you think of anything else?

How to be parents and a couple at the same time?

2007-07-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

When I got pregnant everybody told me “It’s going to change your life”. And though I understood that rationally, is not until you experience it that you see what that means. This change inevitably affects the couple.

The important thing is NEVER be just “parents”, you are a COUPLE no matter all the children you may have.
There are 4 tips that I have learned that can help you:

1. Try to go out at least once a week… ALONE! It doesn’t matter what you do or where you go, but is important to keep time just for you two.

2. When you get home from work spend at least five minutes to ask your couple “HOW ARE YOU?”, “How was your day?”, forget everything else and just listen to your loved one.

3. Avoid TV and computer. If your life is already complicated, do not add more things that take you time from your partner.

4. Above all: HAVE FUN TOGETHER. It wouldn’t have sense to be parents if everything is responsibilities. Have fun being a couple!

Feeling Blue - Puerperal Depression

2007-07-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

I’m feeling blue this days. Everyone tries to give me solutions: “find a job”, “go out more often”.
“What exactly is wrong?” they ask. But there is no answer. My baby is healthy, growing fine… but there is something about this time of my life that makes me feel this way.
Some people calls it puerperal depression, I don’t think that’s it but I don’t really care how to call it. I just need to talk about it, about how I feel (and that is lonely). Puerpery is a lonely ride.
Am I crazy?
Has any mother ever felt this way?

What to do if your baby is crying?

2007-07-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

First of all: how old is he/she? If the response is less than 3 months, then it must be really frustrating to listen to that crying. And it has to be that way. REMEMBER babies survive thanks to that annoying crying.

Is time to eat? That’s the first question you have to ask yourself. Every 2 or 3 hours babies usually feel hungry. It can also be every hour and a half.

If that’s not the case, if you are sure your baby is satisfied, then check diapers. (If they have “pu-pu” they can be uncomfortable.)

It can also be different kinds of aches. The most common is stomachache. Ask your pediatric for guide.

Last, but not least, the baby may cry because he (she) needs love, needs to be hugged, to be kissed, and so on. In most cases they are crying for their mothers. May be they are there, I mean physically, but there is an absence in psychological presence.