BREASTFEEDING
Alanis Morissette shows off I Voted sticker while breastfeeding daughter
Election Day is only days away, and many have already done their civic duty and submitted their ballot early. One such person is singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette. How do we know? The ‘brelfie’ she shared this week on Instagram features her breastfeeding her daughter, Onyx, while wearing her I voted sticker. Morissette is extra proud of her role in voting since the Canadian became a citizen in 2005. [Read more here.]
How to travel when you’re breastfeeding
Traveling as a parent is tough, no matter the circumstances. It’s a circus if they are in tow; it’s worrisome if you’ve left them behind. It’s very involved if you have one you are nursing; it takes special planning if you are pumping. This article covers TSA regulations for nursing as well as tips for international travel while nursing.
“It’s worth it to do research about the prevailing cultural norms of your destination, says Sedjenane Chang, IBCLC, a lactation consultant based in San Jose, California: ‘Breast-feed with respect to the local culture as much as you can. But if the culture wants you to go and nurse in the toilet, you have to decide if that’s somewhere you want to travel while you’re lactating.'”
The article goes on to cover tips for a mom who needs to pump while traveling as well. [Read more here.]
PREGNANCY
Dates during pregnancy: Do they really ease labor?
An easy, short (and early for many) delivery are ideal for moms–especially a mom who has experienced a hard and long delivery! A quick Google search will give you some possible tips and tricks for putting the odds for an easy delivery in your favor and it is likely one of those tips will be to eat dates in order to ease labor. But is it true?
“According to this study, women who ate 6 dates a day for the four weeks leading up to their due date were significantly more dilated and more likely to: Have intact membranes upon admission to the hospital, go into labor spontaneously, avoid pitocin, and have a shorter first phase of labor.”
Obviously, something so minor can’t hurt to try, but why these results? This article explains some of the reasons in less science-geek-style lingo. [Read more here.]
5 signs your baby is going to be late to the birth party
You are down to the final weeks of your pregnancy and it is understanding if you are getting a little anxious to see that baby’s sweet face. At the same time, maybe it is your first and you are nervous that you are not quite ready. Is there any way to know if you should be extra prepared for the baby’s arrival any time, or if you should just relax and not get too hung up on counting down the days, because you are likely to go past-due?
“According to Parents, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists noted that ten percent of all pregnancies go past 42 weeks.”
As with nearly everything in parenting and pregnancy, there is no hard and fast rule, but there are some indications that your baby isn’t going to arrive until your due date or later. [Read more here.]
MOTHERHOOD
World Prematurity Day is November 17
World Prematurity day is less than two weeks away and efforts are underway for raising awareness on the issue. Whether you have first hand experience with a baby born too soon, you know a close friend, or you have been blessed to never deal with the risks and effects, your help and support makes a difference. Premature birth is the number one cause of death in children under the age of five, worldwide. The World Prematurity Day Facebook page is asking people to join celebrations on the 17th.
“Here is an easy way to join the World Prematurity Day 2016 celebrations. Just download our newly designed cutting pattern of the famous socks line, cut out the ten pairs of socks, hang them on a washing line, and become part of the global movement. [Read more here.]
This is why we gave you siblings
Having more than one kid in the house has its good moments and bad moments–for everyone involved. If you are contemplating how many children your home can handle, this read will give you insight from the perspective of a couple who always knew they wanted more than one child and why.
“We know that you often grow frustrated that you have to share toys, food, and most certainly our time, but there is a reason for this. We just want the best for you and in our family’s case we believe that means co-owning all your stuff. Trust us when we say it’s better for you this way even though you will periodically scream at a wall or out an open window.” [Read more here.]
INFANTS
The AAP admits bed-sharing happens & offers tips to do it safely
It is a well-known recommendation that parents not bed-share with their babies in the first year, as stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, but it is also well-known that most parents do some level of bed-sharing–especially in the case of breastfeeding moms during the night. Recent changes to the AAP’s guidelines acknowledge this truth and are now trying to provide parents with clear guidelines on how to keep the baby’s safety in mind, even when bed-sharing.
“The new policy statement still emphasizes the importance of safe baby sleep basics like putting babies to sleep on their backs and not placing anything inside the crib other than a tight-fitting bottom sheet. ‘We know that parents may be overwhelmed with a new baby in the home, and we want to provide them with clear and simple guidance on how and where to put their infant to sleep,’ said Rachel Moon, M.D., FAAP, lead author of the report.”
Check this article for more details on the new policy statement. [Read more here.]
The heartwarming reason one college student brings her baby to class
Sarah Thompson, a mother and a college senior at Lander University, posted a photo to Facebook of her professor holding her newborn son, Isaiah, to share the amazing support she has received as a student and new mom. After beginning Dr. Josie Ryan’s class a week before giving birth, Sarah returned to class only a week after Isaiah’s birth.
“‘She knew I’d be overwhelmed so literally begged me to bring Isaiah to class and even showed me where the breastfeeding room in the health center was at Lander University,’ said Thompson. ‘It’s so reassuring to know there are professors out there like this. Not only is she an amazing person, she’s also one of the best math professors I’ve ever had. Brilliant, really.'” [Read more here.]
TODDLERS
Why encourage messy sensory play and how to enter America’s Messiest Baby Contest
Toddlers are a complete mess. Leave them to their own devices for any amount of time and the disaster capabilities are immeasurable. So if trying to avoid messes is the usual goal of a parent, why in the world would you set up activities for your littles that you know will result in messy surroundings and/or messy kids?
As this article begins… A happy baby/kid is a happy mom! The post also gives a doctor’s insight on the advantages to allowing a child messy sensory playtime. The post also shares how to enter the Dreft “America’s Messiest Baby Contest” for a chance to have their little one featured on the cover of Parent’s Magazine [Read more here.]
The Handpicked Doc McStuffins Gift Idea Guide
Choosing toddler and kid gifts can be a real nightmare with the toy market that exists today. What do they have and what don’t they have? What do they even like? What will just be a mess or clutter or re-gifted? Having kids of your own at least makes the decision making process easier, as you have real-life examples to base your decisions on.
Even if Doc McStuffins isn’t the hit character in the child’s life you are shopping for, you can likely get ideas from this article on what types of toys a real toddler is drawn to and make any upcoming holiday shopping a little less stressful. [Read more here.]
