Baby Wearing~ Ancient Tradition With Modern Benefits

Photo credit Lori Brian Photography

Women throughout history have traditionally practiced babywearing for many reasons. In today's society of busy lifestyles the benefits are still relevant.  

Benefits of Babywearing

• Hands are free to do daily tasks while still keeping baby close.

A common complaint for parents of infants is that mom is not able to go about her daily chores or get anything done because baby always wants to be held or is unhappy being left alone for long.  Mom is left with the option to either stop what she is doing and pick baby up or leave him to cry, hoping that he will eventually learn that this will not get him anywhere and he will learn to be content alone.  In both scenarios someone is left feeling resentful or disappointed.  Babywearing can solve this problem reducing stress and allowing everyone to get what they need.

• Babies cry less and are more content.

When a baby or child is in direct contact with their caregiver the non-verbal and verbal communication between both is strengthened, a baby's subtle cues are more easily read leading to less crying and a happier baby. 

"In a study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that baby wearing for three hours a day reduced infant crying by 43 percent overall and 54 percent during evening hours. " Hunziker UA, Garr RG. (1986) Increased carrying reduces infant crying: A random-ized controlled trial. Pediatrics 77:641-648

• Promotes bonding between dad & baby!
  Nothing is more heart melting than seeing an involved father wearing his child! Dads like to feel included when it comes to taking care of the baby. Letting dad wear the little one from time to time will help promote bonding. Babywearing is not gender specific so  take a load off and let dad have a try!
  
  

  

  Eli sleeping contently on his dad's chest

  
   

• Contributes to breastfeeding, making it more convenient and successful.

Breast feeding can be full of challenges and rewards, weather you have chosen to breast feed or bottle feed babywearing can greatly improve the closeness and ease of feeding.  While babywearing you are already in an ideal position for baby to latch and be supported during feeding time.  I am constantly seeing parents prop bottles up in front of their infant (no judgment here, I was guilty of the same thing) because hands-free is something moms have a need for sometimes.  This situation increases the distance and disconnect between a mother and her child, the nurturing that comes with the closeness of feeding time is gone.

• Helps parents of special needs children.

“Babywearing is holding or carrying a baby/young child using a cloth baby carrier.”¹ At the very basic level, babywearing has the potential to fulfill a child’s need for touch. Meeting this need allows the child to actively take on stressful challenges with greater ease, as often occurs for children with special needs. Babywearing provides correct physical alignment of the hip and spine for optimal development. It improves vestibular system activation and body awareness due to continual motion of the caregiver. It allows for positioning free of pressure on the soft cranium.  Babywearing is helpful in promoting general wellness by allowing the child to be in an upright position with improved respiration. Moreover, babywearing allows children with decreased immunity to remain within the caregiver’s personal space and away from harmful germs. Lastly, babywearing offers appropriate positioning for socialization and learning communicative cues. ~ Lift Me Up 

 Lift Me Up is a non-profit program dedicated to providing ergonomic babywearing carriers to families who have children with special needs. http://www.babywearingtothrive.org/

There are a lot of amazing benefits to babywearing that I haven't touched on, these are just a few!  For more information and support you can visit Babywearing International , this is a wonderful resource for families new to babywearing.  They even have a forum full of questions and answers where you can connect with others in your community.

If you have decided to give babywearing a try, there are many carrier options for every budget and style!

Here are some of our favorites~

• The Nuroo short sleeve babywearing top, perfect for newborns who still need skin-to-skin contact.

Nuroo

• The Moby wrap which is versatile and comes in several options.

• Woven wraps, these are long strips of woven fabric that are wrapped and then secured with knots- you can find these handmade on various sites.  Emmeline Textiles has beautiful hand woven wraps.

Emmeline Textiles

• The Je port mon bebe, French design cotton-spandex baby carriers that come in several styles perfect for front, side, or back wearing.

• The Baby Hawk Mei Tai's (Asian Baby Carriers) which are adopted from a Chinese-inspired idea that makes holding your little one on your front, back or hip safe and comfortable. This sling is easy and quick to put on or take off.

• Ring slings or double pouch slings can come in cotton or linen and are used without the need to tie, these slings are better for front carrying infants up to 35lbs.

 A few of our Doulas rocking their favorite baby carriers



Kristin



Erica

Amanda

In the end, all mothers want to nurture and raise up their child to the best of their ability.  We all have to find our way and what parenting style is best for us.  I end this blog taking a moment to send my love to all the mommas out their who are searching for wise and gentile ways to bring up their little ones.  You are beautiful and so are your children.

~Sophia



Resources:
• http://babywearinginternational.org/what-is-babywearing/babywearing-resources/benefits-of-babywearing-2/
• https://nuroobaby.com/product/nuroo-pocket/
• http://www.momsmilkboutique.com/baby-carrier-Moby-Wraps-Originals.html
• http://emmelinetextiles.com

Sick of Morning Sickness!

Nausea is probably the most famous and least favorite part of pregnancy. 

Many women experience morning sickness from around week 6 through week 12.  For some, it carries on to week 20 or beyond and is not always limited to a.m. hours.  I was blessed with 40 weeks of around the clock nausea during all four of my full term pregnancies.    While I LOVED being pregnant and growing life, I really struggled with this aspect.  It’s hard to embrace your pregnancy glow when it’s shadowed by clammy sweats. However, this is a normal part of a healthy pregnancy.  It is a sign that your hormones are kicking in to support your baby’s development.

For some, morning sickness leads them away from unhealthy choices. http://www.livescience.com/2531-morning-sickness-revealed.html

That worked for me on some levels.  Keep most fried foods far away from me!  Unless you’ve got corn chips.  Those are another story. 

For moms dealing with mild to moderate nausea, here are some natural remedies to consider:

Dietary Control:

• Small frequent, healthy meals- Avoid hunger!
• Adequate B vitamins.  I like these. 
• Fresh foods including fruits
• Salty starches (corn chips!)
• Adequate hydration- Drink before and after meals, but not during as this leads to poor digestion.
• Frozen slices of lemon to suck on.  Just slice and freeze in a single layer on a pan.  Transfer to a baggie once frozen and pull them out as needed. 
• Lavender Lemonade
• 2 Tbsp organic lavender (purchase lavender here)
• 1 cup organic sugar
• 1 cup organic lemon juice
• 2 two liters of soda water
• Recipe- Heat sugar and lavender in heavy saucepan over low heat.  Stir occasionally.  Once melted, remove from heat and allow to steep overnight in refrigerator.  Strain.  Add lemon juice.  Stir.  Add 2 two liters of soda water and ice to taste.

Herbal Support 

Before you ask for a prescription med, consider some of nature’s best resources.  Herbs!

• Digestion support tincture found here delivers potent dosages of anti-nausea herbs in a highly absorbable form
• Peppermint oil in the toilet to fight those nausea waves when you need it most!
• Cool compress soaked in peppermint decoction.  Purchase organic peppermint here.
• Decoction recipe: simply pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 Tbsp herbs and let steep for several hours, preferably overnight.  Strain and store in refrigerator.  Use as needed.  Will keep 3-4 days. 

Acupressure- P6  (press top and bottom)

  

Healthy Habits:

• Adequate sleep
• Improve circulation by propping your feet.  Poor circulation causes us to feel faint which often precedes a wave of nausea
• Fresh air

Some things make it worse-

• First pregnancy
• Multiples
• Lack of sleep
• A history of motion sickness
• Stress

When is it a problem?

When nausea and vomiting are keeping you from meeting the dietary needs of yourself and your baby, you need to address this with your healthcare provider.  You might be dealing with hyperemesis gravidarum.   

Sources:

http://sogc.org/publications/nausea-and-vomiting-during-pregnancy/

Can I afford a Doula ?

Guess what?  You can!  
Every woman should have a doula and it does not have to be a big deal to find the money to pay for one. It is worth investing in a doula that will help you in your birth journey!

Photo © Photographer's Choice/Getty Images

A doula will charge anywhere between $400-$1,200, depending on experience, services offered, as well as your geographical area. It may seem like a lot, but  a doula's fee covers many things.  For example, she will be on call 24/7 for at least 5 weeks toward the end of your pregnancy and will be available at a moment's notice. She will also have personal expenses that need to be covered, like child care and travel.  We don’t do this for the money. We do it because we love what we do: Empowering women to create and achieve a beautiful birth experience.


How am I gonna pay for this when I have all these other baby related items that need purchasing?  
Don't stress, if you truly want to have a wonderful, fulfilling & empowering birth, no matter your circumstances, you can make it happen. Most doulas offer some sort of payment plans and are willing to work with you to meet your needs. Sit down and figure out what works best for you.

                                          

                                                                                                                

Here are a few easy ways to save for your Doula:

• Save 10 dollars a week for 40 week (BOOM that was pretty easy!)
• Throw a pregnancy related party: gender reveal, a sprinkle, or a shower of some sort. Let it be known you will be collecting funds to help pay for birth support services. You can do this in the form of a raffle at one of these events to drum up more funds or just pass the hat.
• Ask your close family members and friends if they can donate to the cause. My in-laws lived two states away but they were willing to help pay a good chunk of the cost.
• Sell those unwanted items that you need to get rid of before baby comes on your favorite sale site or hold a garage sale. 
• Try cutting unnecessary things out of your budget that costs between $3 to $5, eating out, going to the movies, getting a coffee in the morning, or trying to lower the cost of bills like your phone or cable bill. 
• If you receive a tax return set some money aside from it.

A doula’s support is something every woman deserves to have during her birth and postpartum time.  What creative ways did you use to pay for your doula?  Let us know in the comments!

Preparing for Peace - Ways to Create A Sacred Birth Space

Humans are naturally intuitive beings, we can walk into a room or situation and automatically feel the vibes and emotional content. Women are particularly sensitive in this aspect, that is why it is crucial to prepare yourself and your environment for the birth of your child.
The last couple of weeks of your pregnancy are the most tasking. The anticipation of meeting your baby coupled with the feelings of being overloaded and obtuse can be unbearable. It is during these final weeks that you should channel your energy into preparing for your labor. This means more than just packing a hospital bag! It is time to start visualizing your labor and the atmosphere that you would like to create in order to have a smooth and peaceful journey.

Start With The Basics
You do not have to be in any particular place to create a sacred space for your birth journey! Make what ever situation you are in suited to your needs regardless of the location.

Make a Playlist!
Music is a great way to stay calm and centered during your contractions. It offers a distraction away from your body and allows your mind to fixate on the pulsing beat. Have your Doula or partner set up the speakers or have earphones ready. Relaxing music such as chants or yoga/spa soundtracks will help you release tension from your hardworking muscles.

Dim The Lights
Florescent lighting is unnatural and can inhibit your ability to relax. Soften the light and maybe light a candle or two. Remember that your labor does not have to be a clinical experience! Low light will help ease you into feeling one with your body, creating peace.



Time is an Illusion
One thing that helped me the most during my labor was removing all of the clocks. When you are in labor for hours you are tempted to look at the clock constantly. This creates anxiety. Remember that your baby and your body have things under control and labor is not on a schedule. If you are not able to remove the clocks from the wall simply hang a poster or paper over them. I printed out a photo of a lotus flower blooming, looking at the blooming flower reminded me of how I am too opening up to give life.

The VIP List
Knowing ahead of time who you want present in the room while you are laboring is very important. Having a mother-in-law who is not supportive or a creepy uncle walking in and out will throw you off balance. Hang a sign on the door asking that all visitors to kindly wait outside.

Aromatherapy
Did you know that certain smells can directly effect how you feel & your emotional well being? Using an oil diffuser in the room where you are laboring can radically alter your state of mind.

"Lavender Essential Oil-Lavender is a very versatile essential oil you can use all throughout your labor to promote relaxation and ease muscle tension. It's great to use in massage during labor or fantastic in the diffuser for birth!
Frankincense Essential Oil-Frankincense is an amazing essential oil for labor. Use it to calm your emotions by inhaling the aroma. You can rub frankincense on your lower back or tummy to ease labor discomfort. Also, if you tear “down there” you can apply frankincense directly to the area to help with discomfort and to aid the skin in recovering more quickly.
Rose Essential Oil-Rose essential oil for labor is relaxing and helps soften ligaments. Your ligaments have to soften up to allow your pelvis to expand for baby to pass through. You can put a few drops in a bath or use it with a massage for the lower back or abdomen.

Jasmine Essential Oil-Jasmine evokes feelings of joy, peace, and self-confidence. It can soothe discomfort and contribute to normal labor. Use with massage on lower back or abdomen."                                                                                

 -Stephanie Mitchell, Aromatherapist

Note- Essential Oils should be used with caution. They can be very potent. Read more about EO here: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/discover/essential-oil-safety

Purchase Locally here:

https://www.edenanaturallivingboutique.com/

Inner Peace is the Ultimate Power

Lastly, the most important thing of all is having inner peace. This peace is created by spending time mentally preparing for your labor. Think about it everyday, meditate and visualize yourself birthing the baby you have spent 9 months growing. Make a birth plan!!! Sit down and write out a birth plan. This is so beneficial to you and to your care providers. When you are in labor and your body is taking over your mind, you can not think clearly. This is the most vulnerable time for a woman. Knowing & sharing your birth plan with those around you will help you have a successful birth because everyone will be familiar with your personal needs. Don't know how to write a birth plan? Follow this template! http://www.thebump.com/a/tool-birth-plan

It Gets REAL, real fast

Just remember that the reality of giving birth is messy & unpredictable. You will undoubtedly be uncomfortable. Prepare ahead of time on how you choose to manage your pain. A great way to do this is by trusting your body. Birth is a rite of passage, the sensations you feel are natural and are spiritual. I suggest printing your Birth Affirmations asap to become familiar with them so they will be second nature when you go into labor. 

May you have a safe & peaceful journey!

-Hope