Category: Newborn Tips

Wellness articles on newborn baby care regarding newborn development of fine and gross motor skills, how to bathe and groom baby, understanding the connection and cues of hunger and sleep and cuddling, dealing with teething, plagiocephaly, reflux, and colic.

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Bodywork for Babies

Bodywork can provide several benefits to newborns by promoting relaxation, relieving discomfort, and supporting healthy development. Here are a few ways bodywork can help a newborn:

1. Relaxation and stress relief: Gentle bodywork techniques such as infant massage or craniosacral therapy can help newborns relax and reduce stress. These techniques involve gentle touch and rhythmic movements that can soothe the baby’s nervous system and promote a sense of calm.

2. Improved digestion: Bodywork techniques like infant massage can stimulate the digestive system and help relieve common issues such as gas, colic, and constipation. Gentle strokes and movements on the baby’s abdomen can aid in the proper functioning of the digestive organs and promote healthy digestion.

3. Bonding and attachment: Bodywork, particularly infant massage, is an excellent way for parents to bond with their newborns. The physical touch and close contact during bodywork sessions can strengthen the parent-child bond, enhance communication, and promote feelings of security and trust.

4. Relief from discomfort: Newborns may experience various discomforts such as muscle tension, tightness, or misalignment due to their positioning in the womb or the birthing process. Bodywork techniques like gentle stretching, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, or chiropractic adjustments, when performed by trained professionals experienced in working with infants, can help alleviate discomfort and promote overall comfort.

5. Enhanced sleep patterns: Bodywork can assist newborns in establishing healthy sleep patterns. Techniques like infant massage or gentle rocking can help calm the baby, promote relaxation, and signal the body to transition into a restful state, facilitating longer and more peaceful sleep.

It’s important to note that when seeking bodywork for a newborn, it’s crucial to consult with a qualified professional who specializes in working with infants. They can provide guidance on the appropriate techniques and ensure the sessions are safe and suitable for the baby’s age and individual needs. Additionally, always seek permission from the baby’s healthcare provider before starting any new bodywork practices.

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Newborn Essentials

Nourish Birth Newborn Essentials White Noise Humidity Temperature Baby Sleep

There are so many newborn products on the market and it can be overwhelming for new parents to narrow down the list when everything is so cute. Here’s a basic list of newborn essentials so you can maximize your budget and filter through baby products that are most necessary for your newborn baby. Plan ahead so you can put any of these newborn essentials on your baby list registry and can avoid sending your partner or a friend to the store after Baby arrives!

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Newborn Care Kit

Newborn Care Kit

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Sound Machines

True, pure white noise is scientifically proven to help babies and children’s brainwaves when waking to lull back to sleep and sleep deeper.

The Homedics White Noise Sound Machine is what I commonly see parents using as their white noise sound machine. It’s super portable which makes it easy for on-the-go (great to have rechargeable batteries) however there is an included adapter when you don’t want to use the battery-operated feature, and the size fits well in your diaper bag. Use the pure white noise setting only because it helps baby’s brain waves settle back to sleep due to the higher frequency. Don’t use ocean waves, water sounds, or crickets, or intermittent sounds of any kind. It needs to be as loud as a shower or vacuum if you want it to be effective at all so don’t bother buying a white noise machine if you are going to play it quietly. Did you know that you’re trying to replicate the in-utero experience during this fourth trimester? The sound of your blood when your baby was inside you was very loud.

The Sound+Sleep SE machine contains a high fidelity speaker with timers, street, and nature sounds. As much as I love the soothing waterfall played during the day (yep, I have this machine), I actually fell in love with this machine because it grows with you – there is white noise for babies (higher pitch freqency), and pink and brown noise for transitioning to toddlers and for adult brainwaves.

This tiny white noise machine is portable and can attach to Baby’s car seat or stroller for when you’re on the go so you can leave your other white noise machine in the nursery. I love this one and it has great volume despite its small size.

The Baby Shusher is a must for parents! To be clear, this is not a white noise machine and it shouldn’t be used in place of one, but I have to throw it in this category as it’s a personal favorite, and all the families I introduce it to LOVE this – it actually shushes! It helps lull Baby to sleep and can be used in conjunction with a white noise machine playing in the background for when you first put Baby down to sleep – whether they’re a newborn you’re settling, or an older baby or toddler you’re comforting through a teething spell. It will also save your mouth and cheek muscles from hurting after shushing and your partner will love this tool, too.

Hatch Baby Rest Night Light and White Noise Sound Machine: This is my favorite white noise machine because it doubles as a night light, it’s loud enough, and it can be customized with various settings you design yourself. For example, when you want a new color with nursery songs during the day, you can click on one of your top 5 settings you previously created or you can choose a new hue and dim it all together via the Hatch mobile app. So when you’re nursing in a chair and then Baby is falling asleep, you can use the mobile Hatch app to change whatever setting it’s on to the red color for sleep (read further about lights and melatonin) and to the white noise setting – all by the push of a button on your phone, so you don’t have to get up while feeding Baby just to turn on the sound machine that’s all the way across the room. The Hatch white noise machine features a time-to-rise alert, and you can customize the brightness by dimming the red baby night light as well as by setting the programs to turn off and on automatically based on your family’s sleep schedule. During the day you can play with the other fun colors! It includes a toddler lock feature as well.

Nursery Lights

Did you know that red light is the only light that does not inhibit melatonin which is essential for sleep? Read more about Baby Night Lights and Better Sleep. There is a common blooper when choosing a nightlight and this article I wrote explains about various colors of lights and their different wavelengths which inhibit melatonin, and the correlation and evidence on disrupting sleep. Read it here before choosing your nightlights.

Lumie Bedbug Light: A multi-purpose bedtime light which features a low blue light, while still producing a white/peach colored glow. Lumie Bedbug Light is non-inhibiting without having to use a red light in the room while reading or brushing teeth. This baby night light also includes a sunset mode option which gradually darkens the room, dimming after bedtime over a period of 15 minutes. This is perfect for toddlers and older children as well.

Battery-Operated Electric Candles are beautiful, glow like real candles, and create a calm, cozy environment for bedtime. These are my favorite electric candles as their flames actually move and dance. They transform your home into cozy-feel-goodness, and YES, I have these at home, too!

Also, rechargeable battery chargers are a one-time, small investment and perfect for the bathroom in place of the main light at night, or reading area. Not only are you improving your child’s sleep, you’ll all wake less, and you’ll save money on your energy bill! Totally worth it. Update: I’ve found the Panasonic rechargeable batteries work better than the AmazonBasics brand.

This durable, Red Gummy Bear Baby Night Light is cordless, portable, and squeezable to turn on/off. It also has a sleep timer of 1 hour.

Red Fairy Lights are an effective, adorable solution when used in a lockable Kilner jar as a portable baby nightlight.

Greenic 0.5W Plug-in Light Sensor LED Red Night Light: This 2-Pack Red Night Light is mini-sized, and effective for hallways and bathrooms. It can be turned upside down to see less of the LED light. It’s bright enough but also dim enough for your nighttime feedings, quick wakeups for diaper changes, or toddler bathroom trips.

Humidity & Room Temperature

Your baby can wake if they’re thirsty or too hot, and learning to control and regulate the temperature and humidity is important for that extra sleep cycle (you’ll both get). Read this guide regarding the amount of humidity and temperature for a newborn’s area vs. a toddler’s area. This is important to know if you have an older child as the humidity levels and needs change with the age of the child, and it does vary. In addition, my article on Humidity and Temperature for Sleeping Babies and Children explains everything you need to know about setting up a safe sleep environment as well as the correlation between humidity, room temperature, and SIDS/SUIDS.

Humidity thermometers measure both humidity and the temperature of the room.

Diffusers

Diffusers mist cool air to keep the room slightly humid but have the ability to contain essential oil. Some diffusers can double as your red night light. A favorite diffuser for a smaller room is URPOWER’s Red LED Night Light Aromatherapy Essential Oil Humidifier/Diffuser which holds 300ml of water. It requires no filter for the GMO-free, pure essential oil. You just add a couple of drops of GMO-free essential oils directly in the basin like chamomile and lavender which are calming and effective for sleep. Again, only use the red light setting. You can also dim the brightness of the red light. Its wood grain cover is beautiful and it’s safe as it has a waterless auto shut-off feature so when all the water evaporates, it shuts off. I find babies and children of all ages sleep more soundly with a diffuser as the it helps with breathing. I wake up with a less stuffy nose myself! In my own experience of caring for babies as a Certified Newborn Care Specialist, babies who sleep in a room with a diffuser on regularly have boogies less often! A diffuser should really be used in any room where any human is sleeping. But I’m sure pets benefit from them, too!

I can’t live without my Pure Enrichment PureSpa XL Diffuser which has two misting settings and the ability to use it without the light display, or with the light rotating various colors. You can even choose one of the colors at the full brightness or at it’s dimmer hue. On top of all of that, it has a safety auto shut-off feature, you can add essential oils to it, and it holds 2,000ml of water! This larger tank will still be misting even when the sun comes up.

Another diffuser I also own and love is the TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifier because it has a very informative LED Display with a Humidistat, and you can change the range of the mist level with three different settings. The 1.06 gallon tank (that’s over 4000ml of water!) also has a safety auto shut-off feature.

Crane Humidifiers are large, cool-mist humidifiers, not a diffuser. Don’t pour water into the doughnut hole. Everyone makes this mistake! Remember to tell your partner. You need to lift the clear top portion off, bring it to the sink, and fill it from the bottom by turning it upside down and unscrewing the cap. You cannot use essential oils with Crane humidifiers.

 

Air Circulators

Fans for baby reduce SIDS/SUIDS by 72% according to research studies. They help with increasing the mix of the exhalation into the room air and improving room ventilation. This percentage is obviously very high and getting a small fan is worth the investment. In addition, you may want to invest in a fan guard, which is made out of fine mesh and fitted over the fan head to prevent little finger getting caught in the blades. This will also prevent your child from poking other objects in the blades. Place the fan away from Baby, ensure at least 3 to 4 feet between the tip of the ceiling fan blades and the edge of your child’s bed or other furniture, so if you have an older child who is tempted to jump on their bed or climb, they won’t reach the fan. A ceiling fan is ideal. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, using a stationary fan – or better yet – an air circulator (to rotate the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide) is ideal.

Swaddles

As a baby expert (Certified Advanced Newborn Care Specialist) and Postpartum Doula, swaddling is something I teach Parents in the fourth trimester when their baby’s Moro (startle) reflex is strong. Most parents are gifted beautiful receiving blankets which work great as what I call a swaddle coat 😉 for double swaddling/inception swaddling. Velcro swaddles are much more effective to reduce the startle reflex and help get your baby – and you – less disrupted, deeper sleep, even if the sleep is a short stretch! The problem with Velcro swaddles is that they’re so LOUD! This can be jolting for babies who are being woken up for feeds.

Nourish is proud to sponsor The Butterfly Swaddle – our pick as #1 swaddle for newborns (even 5 lbs and preemies) all the way up to 3 & 4 month old infants. Designed by a Registered Nurse, it’s uniquely designed to eliminate loud scratchy Velcro with a super soft, cloth-like material that magically still holds strong!

The Butterfly Swaddle

Created with your baby’s delicate skin in mind, it’s organic cotton and organic bamboo (think silky-soft and stretchy) can be used as a transitional swaddle.

What is a transitional swaddle? Use it from day 1 at birth, then use it with one arm out and eventually both arms out – without ever having to buy a 2nd type or 3rd type of swaddle as your bebe grows! The mesh butterfly wings placed between your baby’s sides and arms allow for controlled movement to keep babies comfortable, snug, and secure while reducing the startle reflex. Once your little one is ready to begin sleeping without a swaddle, the mesh-wing design helps to ease babies through the transition-phase without having to buy yet another swaddle, turning it into a sleep sack!

We also LOVE the 2-way zipper – diaper changes are easy without needing to unswaddle your baby!

www.thebutterflyswaddle.com

For quick layering advice, many mothers find “inception swaddling” or double swaddling super effective: first place Baby in a SwaddleMe Original, and then swaddle Baby in a muslin swaddle such as a lightweight Aden + Anais muslin cotton receiving blanket.

Many of my clients love to double swaddle with the Miracle Blanket Swaddle or the Halo Swaddle as well.
The Ollie Swaddle is also popular, but The Butterfly Swaddle has quiet velcro which doesn’t startle a baby!

Grooming

The oogiebear Ear and Nose Cleaner is a fun and tiny tool which is constructed of durable yet soft silicone, making it gentle on sensitive parts and also hypoallergenic since it doesn’t contain spores to harbor bacteria.

An Electric Nail Trimmer for Baby will be your or your partner’s favorite way to trim baby’s nails as they grow. It’s fast and baby’s fingers can’t get cut, and they can’t scratch themselves (or you) because the rotating trimmer simply massages the edges of their nails down to a smooth file.

For baby’s boogers: Baby Nasal Aspirator NoseFrida the Snotsucker by Fridababy.

Water Wipes (made in Ireland) for your Baby’s bumkin or American-made water wipes by Bets & Emy – these two are the gentlest, chemical-free wipes on the market… super important for your baby’s vulnerable, delicate membranes.

Baby can bathed in the sink, a basin, or the bathtub when they’re older. Newborns and mothers need a little more support before Baby can sit upright – these are the best I’ve seen in homes:

Require to be put in a bathtub:
Angelcare Baby Bath Support

Standalone tubs for on the kitchen counter top, on the floor or in the bathtub:
Frida Baby 4-in-1 Grow-with-Me Baby Bathtub
Collapsible Baby Bathtub with Soft Cushion & Thermometer is nice because it displays the temperature and is softer. The First Years Convertible Tub is also popular.

Use the softest organic baby washcloths.
Natemia Organic Baby Organic Washcloths 5-Pack
HonestBaby 10-Pack Organic Cotton Baby-Terry Washcloths
Channing & Yates Hooded Organic Bamboo Baby Towel and 6-Pack Washcloths

Preventing cradle cap:
DermaFrida Baby Bath Silicone Brush by Fridababy
Bella B Bee Gone Organic Cradle Cap Shampoo and Bella B Silky Conditioner

Brushes:
Wooden Baby Hair Brush with Soft Goat Bristles
When your baby grows older, the Tangle Teezer can be used on wet or dry hair. Don’t even buy detangling spray.

EWG Best Shampoo & Bodywash:
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap for Baby, Unscented
Pipette Shampoo & Bodywash, fragrance-free and nontoxic

I love Babo Botanicals and have had amazing results with it on newborns, babies, and toddlers. I’m proud to recommend these products because they’re effective and I’ve seen eczema disappear even in the worse cases which makes moms really happy.

There are two versions I love below, but they come in many scents, which I’ve listed as well. I recommend the Fragrance-Free version for newborns, and then switching to the Oatmeal & Calendula version as baby grows. When baby becomes a tot and is less sensitive, you can by the other varieties they come in like lavender meadowsweet and berry primrose.

BABO Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Shampoo and Wash, 16 Fluid Ounce: Perfect for newborns and babies with sensitive skin and their matching gentle lotion: Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Daily Hydra Lotion, 8 Ounce.

Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Baby Shampoo and Wash Oatmilk Calendula, 16 Ounce: Smells amazing and super gentle on babies and great for toddlers. Watch out Mom, you’ll end up using it yourself. Their matching natural lotion Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Moisturizing Baby Lotion, 8 Ounce – Best Baby Lotion for Soothing Sensitive Skin; Helps Relieve Eczema; Natural Oat and Organic Calendula has the same gentle, very moisturizing effect and the same amazing smell as the shampoo. Great for daily use to prevent dry skin and eczema.

If Baby does develop eczema, this product has saved many babies: Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby All Natural Healing Ointment, 4 Ounce. The product is thick and works almost immediately.

For daily follow up on eczema once it is under control, this lotion is effective: Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Daily Hydra Lotion, 8 Ounce

This diaper cream is natural, safe, and amazingly effective: Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Zinc Fragrance-Free Diaper Cream, 3 Ounce. Diaper cream with zinc will heal the rash. Using a petroleum alone jelly-like Aquaphor, Vaseline, or A&D Cream does not heal a rash. It just helps with chafing because it’s a crude (harsh) oil which creates a barrier between skin so it won’t rub. A real diaper rash needs non-nano, safe, zinc applied on the skin first before applying any creamy/oily lubricant. You can always apply the diaper cream with zinc first and “seal it in” with an oil like coconut oil, vitamin E oil, castor oil, or aloe vera. Weleda’s Diaper Care Cream also works effectively as it has zinc, and then sweet almond and sesamae oils plus lanolin to seal in the zinc while lubricating against chaffing. My favorite is to use a zinc base, and then use Alba Botanica jelly which is safer than Vaseline, as it is made only of plant oils (castor).

Babo Botanicals Lavender Meadowsweet Calming Baby Bubble Bath & Wash, 15 ounces: Lavender scent for older babies and its matching lotion Babo Botanicals Lavender Meadowsweet Calming Baby Moisturizing Lotion, 8 Ounce – and its matching lavender and chamomile hand and body wipes Babo Botanicals 3-in-1 Calming Face, Hands & Body Wipes Lavender & Meadowsweet (Pack of 3), 30 wipes each.

Babo Botanicals Smoothing Shampoo and Wash, Berry Primrose, 16 Fluid Ounce and its matching conditioner: Babo Botanicals Smoothing Conditioner, Pink, Berry Primrose, 32 Ounce and its matching detangling spray: Babo Botanicals Berry Primrose Instantly Smooth Detangler, 8 Ounce – Natural Conditioner, Smoothes Tangles and Adds Shine, Sulfate Free

Babo Botanicals Swim and Sport Shampoo and Wash Cucumber Aloe, 16 Ounce and its matching conditioner: Babo Botanicals Swim and Sport Conditioner, Cucumber Aloe, 6 Ounce for when Baby starts swimming or getting sweaty plus its matching detangler: Swim & Sport Cucumber Aloe Vera Detangling Spray 8 FL.OZ

Strollers

Sun Protection

I recommend Babo Botanicals Sunscreens. They have several that are very pure.
SKY & SOL Tallow & Zinc Sunscreen Water Resistant and comes in 30 SPF and 50 SPF Organic Olive Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter

Best cover for newborns is the Cozigo Cover from Australia – it clips on any type of stroller to create a nighttime type of coverage when you take Baby outdoors during daylight.

Coolibar makes lightweight sun hats for babies made with UPF 50+ cotton/viscose/bamboo/spandex fabric. Their ZnO SUNTECT technology protects against 98% of UVA and UVB rays and is the highest quality zinc oxide protection. They are super soft against the skin.

Laundry Detergent

All-natural, dye-free, fragrance-free, and suitable for baby:
Charlie’s Soap
Molly’s Suds Baby Laundry Detergent
Biokleen
Eco-Me Laundry Detergent
Puracy laundry detergent

Window Treatments

For temporary darkening your nursery’s windows: RABBITGOO Blackout Window Film is a cheap alternative to blackout curtains.

A Lovie will help Baby associate nap and sleepytime. This self-soothing tool used in sleep conditioning allows for earlier transition to falling back to sleep without help when waking between sleep cycles. Always buy 2 so you have a backup when one disappears, needs to be laundered, or for on-the-go in your diaper bag. You will not bring the lovie to them outside of the crib nor on their activity/play mat or during playtime. It’s to be associated with sleepy time only for conditioning purposes or it becomes a distraction and will not help with their sleep transition.

Loungers

On-the-go and baby loungers – always use supervised and do not place these inside a crib or bassinet. They are not for sleeping in unattended and not recommended by the AAP. Baby loungers like Dock A Tot and Snuggle Me are not sleep devices and are meant for lounging awake only due to recalls for infant deaths in loungers where they were sleeping in them instead of lounging in them awake. Never leave a baby unattended in one of these loungers to even step away to the restroom should they fall asleep. Again, supervision is necessary so if you’re going to supervise your baby, then there should be no problem with them lounging in these. Babies take many more breaths a minute than adults, so their chance of carbon dioxide and suffocation is higher if their face is too close to a bumper (not recommended in a crib) or a nonbreathable fabric like the Dock A Tot or Snuggle Me, should they turn and wiggle into the side of it.

Baby Bouncer seats are an upright way to lounge and play.

Bassinets

The HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper and the SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper are great because the sides are completely mesh and breathable. These two are larger and your baby can grow with them.
Smaller bassinets like the Snoo or the Baby Bjorn Cradle are suitable if you have a crib already, because Baby will outgrow the smaller bassinets a few months earlier – around 3 months old, although marketed for up to 6 months.

Probiotics for Baby

Check out my evidence-based article on Probiotics for Baby’s Best Health. The University of California Davis has done thorough research on probiotics and implemented Evivo in NICUs (Evivo Probiotics Starter Kit and Evivo Probiotics Refill Kit).

Bottles

Check out Bottles for Breastfed Babies!

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Travel Tips & Flying With a Baby

Nourish Birth Travel Tips & Flying With a Baby

How Do I Fly With My Baby?

Do you need travel tips? I’m often asked by new parents how to prepare for flying when they are about to travel by plane for the first time with their baby. A common question is… “How do I avoid my baby from crying on a plane?”

Babies tend to feel the most pain from the pressure of takeoff and landing. This is because the Eustachian tubes in their ears are much smaller. The act of swallowing helps to clear them, but they don’t know how to “pop” their ears like older children or adults. Nursing or sucking on a bottle can help as swallowing relieves the pressure in their ears, relieving pain caused by the inflammation from the pressure, thus relieving tears.

Nursing will give them the most relief as they’ll be held even closer to you, feeling your warmth, and receiving all the oxytocin or “love” hormones from your breast which then helps relax them further. Receiving a bottle can help as well. However, typically mothers find it more effective to calm their baby during takeoff and landing by nursing. A pacifier isn’t as effective, but it can also help.

Babies may still cry loudly because of the pressure. Another travel tactic takes a bit of teamwork, but it can help. You can ask a flight attendant for two cups and napkins prior to takeoff. Crumple napkins inside each cup and place each cup over both of baby’s ears (this works well for both younger and older children’s ears, too) when taking off/landing. This creates a “vacuum” and helps relieve pressure. This cupping helps that, and it may be a team effort of one parent holding the cups on the ears during take off and landing, while the other parent breastfeeds/pacifies.

To create a calm environment for your baby, you can wearing a nursing cover or blanket as well. In addition to providing privacy, it will create a dark atmosphere so that your baby isn’t as overstimulated by the movement of the cart going down the aisle on top of the already loud engine, service bell alerts, or a conversation someone is having the next row or even the next seat over.

Methods to keep your baby’s stimulation down are ideal. Think sensory. Everything that triggers your own ears triggers hers much more loudly. The bright florescent lights are brighter to your baby than they are to you. If you’re cold, your baby is colder. Bring a blanket, booties, hat, and swaddle your baby so they feel a boundary and feel safe.

Packing for Your Flight

Now let’s back up and talk about packing for your flight. Prepare large-sized resealable zipper storage bags: 1 bag for 2 burp cloths, 1 bag for an extra swaddle, 1 bag for an extra onesie, 1 bag for hand sanitizer in case it leaks, 1 bag for extra diapers, 1 bag for a wipes carrier, 1 bag for extra pacifiers, and 1 bag for diaper bags (think the small disposable trash bags like doggy poo bags). Have all of these zip-top bags in your diaper bag on the plane, plus 2 extra empty zip-top bags in case any clothes are spoiled and you can use the empty bags for holding dirty laundry.

Bring your portable white noise sound machine and extra batteries, rechargeable batteries, the rechargeable battery charger, etc.

Planning Seats

If an airline requires you to purchase a ticket for your infant, make sure to reserve two seats together, ideally near the aisle so changing diapers and using the restroom are easily accessible. As a general tip, first row seats and emergency exit rows are not suitable for passengers with infants.

Trying to decide if you should buy an extra seat? Think about these travel tips: your diaper bag is considered a personal item, not a carry-on. Your baby usually flies free on your lap. However, if you paid for a ticket for your baby, meaning your baby has a seat on the plane, then they also get a carry-on and personal item bag allowed through.

Arriving To The Airport

When you arrive at the airport, you still need to go to the desk to let them know you are traveling with a child under the age of 2, present their birth certificate, and they will give you a voucher for your baby which will be used as their ticket. At this point, you can check any bags you need and then head to security. Sometimes they don’t ask for your baby’s birth certificate, and sometimes they do.

Some agents may not allow your baby entry with just a mobile boarding pass so print your hardcopy boarding pass as a backup.

Avoiding Colds and Germs

Stay hydrated and drink lots of fluids, especially if you’re breastfeeding. As you probably know, the air that is being circulated is not well-ventilated. Some methods to stay hydrated and guard yourself against colds/viruses/flu include drinking coconut water, apple cider vinegar, Fire Cider, rosehip tea, taking a Vitamin C supplement or elderberry syrup, etc. Prepare these travel tactics a few days to a week ahead of your flight so you can bulk up your immunity. Remember to hydrate on the way to the airport. Bring your hand sanitizer. You are going to sanitize, sanitize, sanitize your hands.

Flying with Breastmilk

For breastfeeding mothers, remember that the regulations on liquids, which limit you to 3.4 ounces, do not apply to breast milk. Formula, breast milk, and juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Frozen gel packs, ice packs, and other accessories required to cool formula are also allowed in your carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they may be subject to additional screening. You may also bring gel or liquid-filled teethers (although I do not recommend this type of teether as they can break open and leak toxic liquid), canned, jarred and processed baby food in carry-on baggage. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. Use a clear toiletry bag for packing TSA approved liquids (other than breastmilk).

Did you know? You do not need to be traveling with your newborn to bring breastmilk. This means if you and your partner need to take separate flights for any reason, both of you can travel with breastmilk even if your baby is not present.

Do NOT let them send your breastmilk through the x-ray machine. “Medically-required liquids, such as baby formula and food, breast milk and medications are allowed in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight. It is not necessary to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the Transportation Security Officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the beginning of the screening checkpoint process.” – TSA

Listen to the TSA agent, but you should not be separated from your baby during security at any time. You will carry your baby through the metal detector for screening and send the stroller, blankets and everything that can fit through the x-ray machine. If items such as your stroller or car seat are too big, the TSA agent will physically inspect them.

Travel Tips at the Gate

Have your baby wear mittens so no one comes up and tries to kiss or touch her hands. Your baby puts her hands in her mouth. Don’t let anyone put their finger in her hands! Mittens!

Wear your baby in a baby carrier or wrap for extra privacy and comfort after going through security.

Boarding Advice

Most airlines let families who are traveling with young children board first, but this is a courtesy, not a right. Check with the agent beforehand to let them know you are traveling with a young child and when you should board. Southwest has a designated family boarding time, but Airtran does not, even though they are owned by Southwest Airlines.

You may ask the agent if they have a Baby Bassinet, also called a Sky Cot. This is sometimes available for passengers who purchase a seat for their baby, and fit babies under 8 months of age.

Pre-Boarding

Travel tips about boarding… don’t pre-board. It may seem convenient to get situated early before everyone else gets on, perhaps because you don’t want to stand in line behind all the other passengers, but once you are on the plane, you won’t have the opportunity to move around. If your baby starts crying and you’ve pre-boarded, you can’t just walk the aisle and rock your baby. Other passengers are now starting to board, and it will feel like a really long time for everyone to get seated before the plane takes off. It’s best to have your partner go on early with your bags and get a seat, and then you can meet them on closer to take off.

As soon as you get on board, place your baby bag under the seat in front of you for easy access to things you might need during the flight such as diapers, extra clothes, tissues, and wet wipes.

Avoiding Flight Flops

If you are using a pacifier, make sure you keep it secure by clipping it on to something. If the pacifier falls on the floor, not only will it be covered with germs, but your stress level will jump because now you’re annoyed that you had to bend over in your airplane seat to find it. A Wubbanub pacifier is easier to hold onto as it’s weighted down by the stuffed animal. Again, remember the plastic baggies or travel bags to keep them clean.

Moms are in charge of input and partners are in charge of output. For every poo diaper, Dad/your partner needs to bring it to the airplane’s bathroom so the entire cabin doesn’t smell. This can really annoy nearby passengers which will then annoy you with their comments. Simply whip out your zip-top bags full of individual poo bags, place the diaper inside, and Dad can discretely take that individual bag to the trash in the restroom. Done.

Ignore a**holes who roll their eyes or can’t sympathize or remember being a tiny human themselves at one point in their life. Sit at the window and have your partner sit next to you to buffer you from anyone who wants to talk or make inhumane comments.

Some travel tips for tackling stress include taking some deep breaths and visualizing easing through the rest of the flight. If you can, close your eyes… focus on your “happy place”. No need for arguments with your partner. You guys got this. You’re in this together. If one of you spills something or has a blooper, laugh about it, together. Turn it into a moment you can treasure… it’s your first flight together as a family.

Landing

When you ultimately arrive at your destination, hopefully you’ll have a chance to decompress before the festivities begin. A shower for you as well as a bath for your baby can have you both feeling refreshed, calm, and clean from any airline funk.

If you feel your throat is dry or feels swollen after landing, gargle with warm salter water. Osmosis! Sometimes the dry air from flying can cause a dry, stuffy nose. Both you and your baby can use sea salt/nasal spray/saline drops for dryness and congestion. Bringing your travel diffuser can also help with this!

Traveling by plane with an infant can be stressful but you will conquer it! Have a sense of humor about it with your partner and pat each other on the back when you get through it. Flying’s not easy, but you can “wing” it.  🙂

What are your travel tips when flying with a baby? Share with new mothers in the comments below.

Wishing you safe travels. xo

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Probiotics for Baby’s Best Health

Probiotics For Baby

Evidenced-Based Info and Essential Advice for New Parents or Soon-To-Be Parents

Spit ups, reflux, “colic”, and new mothers feeling that “something is wrong with me” – these are issues which are occurring much too frequently.  Avoiding too much coffee and brussels sprouts and cauliflower can only help so much.  It’s important to be informed and understand the evolution of the human body and what is needed for baby, so you can know:

  1. Why your baby is experiencing these symptoms and how probiotics can help decrease and diminish them
  2. You can get rid of guilt from thinking that something is wrong with your breastmilk
  3. Learn a solution which can restore baby’s gut microbiome, and decrease digestion issues and fussiness

Introducing Evivo probiotics for newborns and babies: Implemented in Hospital NICU’s with MCT Oil and given to preterm infants, Evivo Probiotics are now available to provide to your Little One at home.

“If we give a probiotic, their [a premature baby’s] chance of getting Necrotizing enterocolitis goes down,” says Mark Underwood, who is chief of Pediatric Neonatology at UC Davis and a professor of pediatrics.  In fact, at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, all preemies born under a certain birth weight are now given probiotics. It’s become a common practice in other countries including Australia, Japan, Sweden and Finland, Underwood says.  This is because probiotics can help prevent a very serious intestinal inflammation called Necrotizing enterocolitis in preemies.

Research on Evivo Probiotics

  • In Evivo’s Clinical Trial, Evivo restored infants’ gut microbiome 100% of the time
  • Babies given Evivo probiotics showed 80% reduction in potentially harmful bacteria such as E. coli, clostridia, Staph and Strep; babies who did not receive Evivo had more than 4 times the level harmful bacteria versus the babies given Evivo

Gone are the days that the word “bacteria” just means something bad.  This is because there is also good bacteria which is essential in balancing your gut flora.  Good gut environment equals better immunity and resistance to disease.  Research studies have shown that colic, eczema, allergies, diabetes, and obesity are all related to how much good vs. bad bacteria was collected within the first few months of life.  We need more good bacteria to be present in the gut to decrease bad bacteria.  Unfortunately, an increasing number of babies experience disruption in their bellies that actually cause bad bacteria to thrive.

Consequences of a Disrupted Gut

  • 9.6 million children under the age of 18 have eczema; of this total, 3.2 million children (33%) have moderate to severe cases (National Eczema Org)
  • There are at least two children with food allergies in almost every kindergarten classroom (FARE)
  • Over one million children in the U.S. have type 1 diabetes (American Diabetes Association)
  • The rate of obesity doubles as children grow from toddlers to teens (CDC)

Why is Evivo Important for Babies?

The first 6 months of baby’s life contain many critical developmental milestones.  The presence of B. infantis is vital during these crucial early months of life when baby’s metabolism and immune system are developing.  Unfortunately, due to modern medical practices and lifestyles, the vast majority (9 out of 10) of American babies no longer receive B. infantis at birth.

How does Evivo Work?

Evivo works to create a protective internal environment in your baby’s gut, and it’s clinically proven to do just that by significantly reducing the abundance of bad bacterias. Evivo probiotics reduce the presence of bad bacteria by restoring B. infantis, a good bacteria that thrives most in the intestines of infants as it helps break down the lactic acid in breast milk.  Are you a mom with a baby who exclusively breastfeeds?  Then it will be important for you to know that lactose is the only sugar which is naturally found in breastmilk, AND the only sugar babies should be consuming.  Evivo only contains lactose and activated B. infantis EVC001. It is gluten-free, and there are absolutely NO artificial additives, colors, dyes, flavors, or preservatives.

Evivo’s scientists are world-renowned experts in the infant gut microbiome and its critical interaction with human breast milk.  Over a decade of research and clinical trials at The University of California led to the important discovery that the nutrients in breast milk that have evolved over millions of years to become the perfect prebiotic, or food, for B. infantis, the key good gut bacteria in Evivo.  This research concluded that only one bacteria—the B. infantis in Evivo—takes advantage of this unique relationship.  The amazing breastmilk nutrients, Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), feed B. infantis in Evivo, and the B. infantis returns the favor by transforming the HMOs so they can serve as valuable nutrition for your baby.  Without B. infantis as much as 15% of the nutrients in your breast milk will be wasted in your baby’s diaper!

Conclusion

Evivo probiotics help you build a strong foundation in your baby’s gut by improving the good flora in your baby’s gut environment, improve digestion, further increases immunity, and decreases the probability of allergies and disease later in life.

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Tummy Time Instructions

Nourish Birth Tummy Time Instructions

Tummy time enables your newborn baby to receive several essential developmental benefits as your newborn engages their entire body to lay the foundation of all of their sensorimotor skills for their entire life.

How exactly do you do tummy time? Follow the timeline below and read the tummy time tips. It’s never too late to start tummy time exercises, and to give your baby all the tools they need to reap the tummy time benefits.

Tummy Time Timeline

  1. From birth to 3 weeks: Tummy time should start the day baby comes home from the hospital, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). A good time to play with your newborn in this position is after a diaper change or nap. Begin by placing your baby on your chest (practice Kangaroo Care), as often as possible and preferably skin to skin while you are laying down. In the first few weeks, try tummy time for 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times a day, at different times of the day. Your newborn can build up to 10-15 minutes a day.
  2. Around age 3 weeks to 1 month: One to two times daily, hold your baby upright with their belly against your upper chest and their head resting against your shoulder. Gently support your newborn’s neck and head with your hand. As they lift their head they are strengthening their neck and back. This simple exercise allows babies to develop the ability to move their face out of a blanket or mattress in case they accidentally roll to the stomach. When you do place him on his tummy, gently lift his head a tiny bit. Show him how to slowly swing his face to the side. Place safe objects and toys close to your newborn. Move them from side to side in front of her face. This encourages her to move, lift and turn her head.
  3. At age 2-3 months: It is easier for your newborn if you place your hand under their chest during the tummy exercise. This helps to lift your baby a tiny bit. Always put both of their arms in front to help them start learning how to use their arms to push up.

Tummy Time Tips

  • Supervise your newborn during tummy time. Never leave your baby alone. As they get stronger and start moving more, clear away dangerous objects like tables with sharp corners.
  • If your baby doesn’t like tummy time on the floor, do tummy time on a rolled-up towel or your lap. You can later transition to the floor.
  • Newborn babies have limited strength and poor head control. They tend to cry. Thus some parents fear and avoid it. Begin with brief sessions, a few minutes at a time. The key is to stay consistent. Then gradually increase the time as they grow through tummy time. Prepare to be amazed how quickly your newborn will gain strength and develop their vestibular system. They will improve coordination, sensory, oral and motor skills, all while they build self-confidence.
  • Get down on your baby’s level, interact by talking eye-to-eye. Sing songs, stroke their back, and tickle their hands. Engage in facial expressions, smile, and encourage touch. This enables your child to feel safe and secure in tummy time, ultimately enjoying the experience and benefits of learning to move and play.
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Newborn Development From Tummy Time

Nourish Birth Newborn Development From Tummy Time

In your tummy, your baby was curled up in a little ball shape. Tummy time exercises allow your baby to open up and gently elongate the front of their body for optimal newborn development. Tummy time itself does not hurt. However, it is a brand new, stimulating experience for babies to process as they engage their entire body to lay the foundation of all of their sensorimotor skills for their entire life.

Benefits of Tummy Time:

  1. Tummy time teaches your baby safety techniques. For example, routinely sleeping on their stomach raises a baby’s risk of SIDS about 4 times. However, SIDS risk increases 8-37 times when babies under 4 months sleep on their back and then accidentally roll onto their stomach. Naturally, your baby will flip over during sleep as they age, but the way you can protect them is to provide them with skills learned through doing tummy time exercises. These safety techniques will help them to free their face by arching their back and lifting their head when they do eventually roll over.
  2. Tummy time promotes visual development through building visual motor skills, binocular vision, two eye coordination, looking upward, and moving eyes side to side independent of head movements. This can influence later activities in life such as copying a teacher’s notes from a whiteboard and following a moving object such as a baseball.
  3. Tummy time eases tummy function to help reduce gas and reflux, decrease constipation, and encourage bowel movements.
  4. Tummy time builds motor skills of the arm, hand, neck, and shoulder for rolling over, crawling, and eventually walking. Tummy time also prevents torticollis, abnormal or asymmetrical neck positioning, due to tightness in the neck muscle. Babies may be having trouble with active head and neck movements when they do not turn their head or stare in one area without moving their eyes. Studies show a direct correlation linking thirty waking minutes of consistent tummy time with higher newborn developmental task scores and improved gross motor control of the neck and head when compared to babies who did not practice tummy time exercises.
  5. Tummy time produces the optimal head shape. Most babies sleep on their backs, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and long periods of time can create pressure on one area of the head. Then when awake, babies are often playing on their backs which reinforces that pressure. A baby’s soft skull molds easily, and this can create a flat spot on that area of the head. Daily tummy time exercises give the baby a break from their back, ensuring a round head and prevents neck troubles and imbalances flat spots can bring due to one side of their head weighing more than the other side.
  6. Tummy time engages oral function while strengthening throat, tongue, and oral skills for optimal latch and feeding. Without enough exposure to tummy time, baby’s tongue will not function optimally.
  7. Tummy time facilitates sensory skills and input for hands to mouth and lips, as well as vestibular skills which help the brain register and respond to whether an object they are looking at is moving or if their head is moving, how quickly, and in what direction. It also helps them have balance and equilibrium, equipping them to coordinate both sides of their body together for future activities like catching a ball, riding a bike, cutting with scissors, and zipping a jacket. Tummy time helps the vestibular system to also develop muscle tone for sitting still and upright in a classroom and holding their body parts in-position like when practicing ballet technique.
  8. Tummy time inspires self-confidence and establishes a connection when your baby is complemented after working so hard. Spending time praising your baby after even thirty seconds of exercises does wonders for your baby’s neurodevelopment. Research has shown that the single most important building block of self-esteem is the responsiveness of the caregivers to the cues of the infant. This means your reactions give meaning and importance to your baby’s impulses.

Tummy Time Methods

A Newborn Care Specialist can help you and your baby through tummy time to reach your baby’s newborn developmental milestones. Learn tips on how to do tummy time here.