new parents

Baby Wearing ~ Simply put…

Mamma Chard

Baby wearing can meet the normal needs of infants resulting with a baby that cries less. Baby wearing provides a secure safe nurturing space of motion that contains the primitive reflexes and the disorganized neurological system. Baby wearing fosters neurological connections for brain development by providing intimate learning experiences while in a quiet alert state. Baby wearing can also be beneficial to calm an overstimulated baby to sleep! Parents & caregivers get an opportunity to have hands free! Parents of multiples get instant control when only one set of hands is available plus exercise!

Not Just Father’s Day, Everyday!

Mamma Chard

9 Ways New Dads Can Bond With Their Newborn by Kim West

While this article has language that applies to the traditional male role in a child’s life, we know that all parents will play their roles differently. How each parent accomplishes tasks their own special way, uses their voice, plays games, and shows affection and love demonstrates to the children how each parent is different and creates special memories with each parent. These bonding ideas apply to all partners not just dads.                         Be who you are,  Jacquie.         Read Kim West’s article here.

In regards to sleep…

Mamma Chard
…let’s remember that each baby has different needs. Each parent has their own tolerance and personality. Every family is unique. Everyday provides a whole new set of circumstances. Having a degree of flexibility and trusting instincts can help parents to navigate the sleep in their home. Be kind to yourself because there is not a one size fits all sleep coaching plan, but here is an article on some sleep basics from Kim West, The Sleep Lady ~ “Good sleep breeds more good sleep.”

It’s Nap Time! Your Essential Nap Guidelines for Ages 0-4

 

THE NITTY GRITTY ON ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY blog post by: nittygrittylife.com

Mamma Chard

Would you believe me if I told you that I am a trained aromatherapist who doesn’t really like to use essential oils very much?

Oxy-moron?

It’s the truth. I have a degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine through the American College of Healthcare Sciences, with a double major in both Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy. Roughly 100 different essential oils are currently in my possession. Furthermore, I love what essential oils can do and how they smell. I do use them in practice and when my client’s needs warrant them. But they aren’t the go-to in my holistic “war chest”. And they shouldn’t be the only tool in yours either. 

Why my aversion? It is all about strength. To illustrate my point– I love a good single malt scotch. I need to drink liquid. Scotch is a liquid. But I am not going to drink a single malt scotch to quench my thirst, when something else – water – is going to be just as, if not more, effective and altogether safer. So, why rub your feet with costly and potentially toxic essential oils when a cup of tea might do to ward off that nasty cold?

Essential oils are the highly concentrated, volatile essences of various plants, resins, and gums. While essential oils are reflective of the original plant matter, not all constituents are carried over during the distillation process. Most herbalists feel strongly that the “whole plant” is better than that sum of its parts – that there is inherent synergy in the natural state of the constituents. Distillation is thereby a refinement of sorts and a disruption of the plant’s natural synergy. As a holistic healthcare practitioner, my “front line” to address concerns of a client are always going to consist of nutritional, herbal and vitamin/mineral recommendations. Essential oils are an additional tool, but one that I put a lot of forethought and care into using.

I have been moved to write this post after biting my tongue too many times. Why? Because I see friends and family posting online about how they are using essential oils internally. Sometimes I overhear conversations about using essential oils on babies from other parents when picking the kids up from school. And finally (spoiler, I am gonna sound like a jerk here), when I mention that I am an aromatherapist, a frequent response is “oh, so is my mother/sister/brother/aunt/neighbor. She sells Doterra/YoungLiving/Melaleuca essential oils” (FYI, solely selling MLM oils does not a proper aromatherapist make). While this post is not intended to be derogatory to MLM companies or make people feel bad about their choices, it is intended to clear the air, give a little tough love, and offer real, actionable advice on the correct use of essential oils.

So, when we do decide that essential oils are appropriate, how do we use them correctly? Here is the nitty gritty on essential oil safety and use!                                   (Read the entire Nittygrittylife.com’s post)

Breast Feeding Education with Dr. Jack Newman

Mamma Chard

Dr. Newman shared some of his  breast feeding wisdom and experiences for a full day at the Nursing Mother’s Council Conference. As a certified lactation counselor I am energized and passionate about supporting new breast feeding parents so they can  achieve their breast feeding goals. All you have to do is reach out for support!

FRIDAY MYTH BUSTER: “A mother should not drink alcohol while breastfeeding.”

Mamma Chard

“Not true! REASONABLE alcohol intake should not be discouraged at all. As is the case with most drugs, very little alcohol comes out in the milk. The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does. Prohibiting alcohol is another way we make life unnecessarily restrictive for breastfeeding mothers.”      ~Dr. Jack Newman

Toasting during the holidays with occasional small amounts of alcohol does not create a need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than for mom’s comfort — pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of alcohol from the milk. Breastfeeding 2 or more hours after consumption is advised. The alcohol content in the breastmilk decreases at the same rate as it decreases in the blood level.

**Chronic, regular, heavy, or binge drinking of alcohol is NOT advised.

**Co-sleeping is NOT advised if the breastfeeding mom or partner are under the influence of alcohol.

**Mothers who have been drinking alcohol should never let themselves be in a situation where they might fall asleep with the baby; on a bed, chair or settee (this would also apply to other carers who have been drinking alcohol).

**Drinking alcohol reduces the ability of the mother to be aware of the baby’s needs, whether she is breastfeeding or not. It is safest to ask someone else to care for the baby. ~ The Breastfeeding Network

**Click on the link below for more facts for the breastfeeding parent to make informed decisions:

Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) does not appear to be harmful to the nursing baby.
Per Hale (2012), “mothers who ingest alcohol in moderate amounts can generally return to breastfeeding as soon as they feel neurologically normal.”                                  ~Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC @  www.Kellymom.com

Friday Myth Buster: Midwives only attend births at home. FALSE

Mamma Chard

Midwives practice in many different settings, including hospitals, medical offices, free-standing birth centers, clinics, and/or private settings (such as your home). In fact, because many women who choose a midwife for their care wish to deliver their babies in a hospital, many hospitals in the United States offer an in-house midwifery service. And because midwives are dedicated to one-on-one care, many practice in more than one setting to help ensure that women have access to the range of services they need or desire and to allow for specific health considerations. In 2012, about 95% of births attended by midwives in the United States were in hospitals.

Check out the link for more information about midwives as a provider!

http://www.ourmomentoftruth.com/mythbusting

 

 

AAP Has New Safe Infant Sleep Recommendations

Mamma Chard

New parents are very tired and the option of a partner or other help may not be available. Knowing the safest options for safe infant sleep and what to avoid is important.

“If you are feeding your baby and think that there’s even the slightest possibility that you may fall asleep, feed your baby on your bed, rather than a sofa or cushioned chair,” said Lori Feldman-Winter, MD, FAAP, member of the Task Force on SIDS and co-author of the report.

AAP Announces New Safe Sleep Recommendations to Protect Against SIDS, Sleep-Related Infant Deaths