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Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts

Monday, June 15, 2009

Homeopathy for Labor and Childbirth

Article I enjoyed for its thoroughness in listing remedies for "as needed" in labor & childbirth & even for benefits to baby. As a birth doula, I cannot recommend any form of medicine, including homeopathy. Suggestions? Maybe, but cannot dispense it. We have to be careful how we mention these things.
Alternative Medicine

Homeopathy for Labor and Childbirth

By: Melanie Grimes

Homeopathy provides many remedies for pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Homeopathic remedies can provide great healing for both mothers and newborns. In 1900, James Tyler Kent wrote, “No woman at the present day is well enough to go through labor without some symptoms calling for a remedy.” This same sentiment is true today.



Kelly K, CD (CBI)

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Stem Cells in Breastmilk

Breastmilk is studied once again & shown to have stem cells.
The placenta provides them, then mammary glands take over the job, when the child is born!
Cool!
Read the rest of the article here at the Science Alert site.

Pic of mammary stem cells... aren't they pretty?






Kelly K, CD (CBI)

Saturday, March 21, 2009

No Contest Between Breastmilk & Formula

Why does this still need to be discussed? It is a no-brainer!

  1. Yes, formula sustains a child, but is it the most efficient food?
  2. Does it promote healthier children in the long run?
  3. Does it use valuable resources?
  4. Is it renewable?

  1. NO
  2. No
  3. NO
  4. No
The Ecologist says: "Suck on This"

Kelly K, CD (CBI)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Birth Circle


We had a great time at the Birth Circle last night. Mothers that were pregnant, had a newborn & are veteran moms attended.
We discussed nursing in public, how to "wear" your baby with demonstrations & talked about the new book: "Homebirth in the Hospital" that will soon be added to my lending library! Read a great review of it here at the Stand & Deliver blog.

I also found out that a NEW Birth Circle is forming in Waynesboro on Tue, April 7th!
Call Jenny for more info at: 540-221-4090 !
How exciting!


Kelly K, CD (CBI)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Why Does This Matter?

A celebrity nursing another child in another country. What is the big deal?
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=6864594&page=1

Friday, February 6, 2009

Birth Circle- Mon the 9th


Hello, it is that time of the month again! (no, not THAT time!! Lol)

It is Birth Circle Time!

This coming up Tuesday, Feb. 9th at my home in Staunton.... 7-9 p.m.

Come, share, snack, laugh.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Informational Breastfeeding Clips


Free Informational Breastfeeding Clips by http://www.breastfeeding.com/ , a reputable site for all things breastfeeding, all the time.

Many subjects covered, 57 clips on 10 different subjects. I think any nursing mother or pregnant mom preparing to breastfeed will find this site very useful.


Here is the direct link to the videos: VIDEOS

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Home Care for New Moms

This is one of the most thourough articles I have found about new mothers, after they give birth to their baby, whether it is a home birth or a hospital birth, this protocol should be followed for maximum success in breastfeeding the baby.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Postpartum Doulas & Dads

I am training to be a postpartum doula, which means that I am studying to get certified, though no certification is needed, btw... I found this interesting article on how Postpartum Doulas can help the dads transition to new fatherhood, as well as the mom.

excerpt:

"
The importance of the father.s involvement and support during the weeks following birth
cannot be overstated. During this time he truly becomes a parent, getting to know this
tiny yet complete person who has entered his family. The doula can ease this
introduction, helping the father to discover all he can about his baby, as well as
developing his own concept of himself as a parent. In addition, the doula.s support can
help parents to adjust their own relationship, moving forward to enhance their previous
life together as a couple who are now parents.
The role of the doula is to help the family experience success."

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Thoughts From This Doula

I am thinking about all the mothers I have been with in the past & counted up 2 girls out of 7 births! Wow! Lots of boys!
AND
I have 3 clients that are expecting & only one of them is expecting a girl...
hmmm...

Also, still lovin', lovin' , lovin' my job! I cannot even call it a "job"... I suppose it is a "calling" more like. Supporting a woman at such an intimate, sometimes scary time is such a privilege to me. I eat it all up like a sno-cone in July... :()) (yes corny, I know, okay?!?!)

I am opening a new shop on etsy.com tomorrow. I will be selling my Birth/ Pregnancy Affirmations & many other things that are printable, until I get brave enough to get craftier than I am now. . . May take some kind of miraculous change in how my brain works, but I await it patiently... lol Eventually, I will brave the cloth diaper world, as is my dream to open a diaper service in my area... I will make cloth diapers, liners, covers, etc. I will also be making breastpads, burp cloths, reuseable pads, etc.
Feedback?

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

New Breastfeeding Positions

New Breastfeeding Positions that mothers do not widely know.
I, personally tried them both when nursing my first son, without knowing I had found something not many moms knew... I was just using "trial & error", when my baby was fussing endlessly!



Whether you have already had a baby or are anxiously awaiting your firstborn, if you are breastfeeding or plan on doing so, you've probably heard of the standard breastfeeding positions: the cradle hold, the cross cradle hold, the football hold, the side-lying position. But there's a few more breastfeeding positions you might not have heard about, and these can be just as effective, if not more so, than the standard four.

The positions: Straddle & Prone


PRONE:
The Australian hold, the instinctive hold, the skin-to-skin position, the self-attachment position, uphill feeding, posture feeding – these are all terms that refer to one basic kind of nursing style – a prone position where Mom lies flat or nearly flat on her back (on a couch, on a bed, in a reclining chair) with Baby lying flat on his tummy on top of Mom. This position allows Baby to self-attach easily at the breast.
If you're worried about your baby being able to breathe while lying face-down on top of you, don't be. "Being prone is fine, as long as Baby is lying on Mom and no one is holding his head down," Watson Genna says. "Babies have very good antigravity reflexes. When they are lying on their bellies on Mom, they can lift up their heads well. This is part of their normal 'getting on the breast themselves' behaviors."

You can use this prone position with any age baby, but Garber Mendelson says it is particularly useful for moms of immediate newborns.

Read on for more info here, on the Breastfeed.com website. It has more info on the Straddle position, which is baby sitting on mama's knee, with pillows under his/her bum if they are not long/tall enough to reach breast.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Welcome New Baby, Andrew!




This is to welcome a new baby, Andrew.
He weighed in at 8 lbs. 4 ozs.
I attended the birth of him on Thursday of last week.
Yes, it was on the American holiday, Thanksgiving!


He is a precious blonde. He was born happy and alert- nursed beautifully, too!

Good job, mommy!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Latch On Animation Video



Wonderful animation on WHERE nipple needs to be for good latch.
Very informative for all breastfeeding moms!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Birth Circle next Monday!

Come together to explore this significant time in your life.

Pregnant Women at any stage and New Moms
and anyone interested in Birth in general!
This Birth Circle will give you the opportunity to
focus on your pregnancy and transition into Motherhood.
There will be time to ask questions and to share
experiences with other Mothers and Mothers to be.
I host a Birth Circle at my home in Staunton, VA- every 3rd Monday at 7p.m. Please join us, if possible. We would love to have you!
Email me here for more info & directions: kelly@doulasurround.com
Children are welcome & we will have light refreshments!

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Making Nursing Work, while Working

Photobucket



Women have always combined work and breastfeeding. You can too. Take at least 6 weeks to focus on your baby and breastfeeding, if you can. The longer you delay going back, the easier it will be for both of you!




Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC talks about Combining the two, for a smooth transition & a continued relationship. She discusses Timing, Equipment, Childcare, Expression of your Milk, Storing of the milk, Supplements, Bottles & a Working Mother's Rights. You have a recognized right to breastfeed your baby. If you need help protecting that right, contact your physician, La Leche League, or a certified lactation consultant. Read the full article here: