Tag: breastfeeding

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Benefits of Eating Dates for Pregnancy & Birth

Benefits of Eating Dates for Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum

Our Divine Dates are in our Superfoods Snack Bundle! 🤤 Featuring deliciously healthy lactation snacks for moms who have only one hand to curb off hanger.  Perfect to eat during nursing👩🏻‍🍼or when rocking your #newborn to sleep. 😴 Read below about the evidence of dates and the benefits of eating dates for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

The Evidence of Dates

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 for 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆, birth, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗺:

1. Nutrition: Dates are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, Vitamin C, B6, magnesium, and potassium. These nutrients aid healthy skin, tissues, and collagen synthesis, which support tissue integrity during birth. Dates provide energy and help constipation, which can be beneficial in the early #postpartum period when women experience fatigue and discomfort during bowel movements.

2. Low glycemic: Dates are considered low glycemic due to their high fiber content, which slows down digestion and absorption of carbs, improving satiety and preventing spikes in #blood #sugar levels after a meal.

3. Labor Preparation: A 2011 Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology study found women who consumed dates in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy had a significantly higher chance of #spontaneous labor. It found those who ate dates had a reduced need for labor augmentation, and a shorter labor (latent phase) compared to the non-date group.

4. Cervical ripening: A 2007 Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology study showed those consuming dates had higher Bishop scores compared to the non-date group, a higher proportion of intact membranes and a lower need for pitocin augmentation. 

5. Shorter Labor Duration: A 2014 #Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health #study showed those eating dates during late #pregnancy had a shorter first stage of #labor compared to those who didn’t eat #dates.

6. Softening of tissues: Dates contain natural sugars and enzymes that soften the #cervix and promote tissue elasticity. Softening the cervix may reduce the risk of perineal tearing during #birth. Dates contain compounds that may help stimulate uterine #contractions and facilitate cervical ripening.

#postpartumMeals #postpartumMealDelivery #lactation #nursing #breastfeeding

Order our Superfood Snack Bundle at nourishmealdelivery.com>>

Posted on by — Leave a comment

15 Breast Milk Nutrition Secrets

Nourish Birth Breastmilk Nutrition Secrets
  1. Breast milk contains ingredients that kill cancerous cells.
  2. Your body identifies bacteria and viruses found in your baby’s body and environment. You then produce antibodies specifically tailored for those infections and deliver them to your baby through your breast milk. The more breast milk she drinks, the more antibodies she receives.
  3. Breast milk appears to switch on a gene in your baby’s body, which produces a hormone called Leptin. This hormone tells your baby when his tummy is full, protecting him against overeating.
  4. Breast milk contains Oxytocin, a hormone that induces relaxation, and feelings of well-being in your child and in you.
  5. Stem Cells divide and self-renew to create and repair different organs and systems. Your breast milk contains stem cells. These are cells that create and repair the body. These cells are absorbed by the baby, but their function remains unknown. Stem cells are being researched worldwide to cure conditions like Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
  6. Breast milk has millions of microbes (bacteria, viruses and fungi) that are critical to preventing babies from suffering diseases and other acute infections later in life (ear infections, meningitis, urinary tract infection, asthma, type 1 diabetes and obesity).
  7. Breast milk improves intestinal barrier function by increasing mucous which acts as a shield for the baby.
  8. Breast milk “teaches” the immune system, showing it good bacteria from the bad.
  9. Breast milk produce anti-inflammatory substances which keeps the gut alive and thriving.
  10. Breast milk aids digestion by determining how much fat a baby stores while breaking down sugars and proteins.
  11. Breast milk is often used topically to treat infections like pink eye, rashes, stretch marks, and eczema.
  12. Immune-compromised people, retired firefighters, and even male body builders admit to routinely purchase breastmilk, naming it the “greatest supplement ever”.
  13. People in European countries leave their breastmilk out all day and allow it to ferment, and then feed it to their older infants and toddlers.
  14. Some believe breastmilk to be Mother Nature’s archetypal probiotic (and perhaps even synbiotic) food.
  15. Studies on breastmilk, microbiota, microbiome, and probiotics are very new. Research for this field in America is limited due to the source of funding by most research studies being formula companies.

Read about breastmilk and formula here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bottles for Breastfed Babies

Bottles for Breastfed Babies

No Flow Bottle Nipples

“No flow” also known as “breast flow bottles” allow babies to completely control the flow of milk, unlike a “flow” nipple that drips when the bottle is held upside-down. The concept behind the “no flow” nipple is very innovative and conducive for mimicking breastfeeding while preventing nipple preferencing.

Second to breastfeeding, “no flow” nipples increase development of baby’s speech, oral muscles, and facial muscles and prevent babies from being instantly satisfied from milk dripping down their throats, which is what happens even with “preemie”, “slow flow”, or any other flow-type of bottle nipple.

No flow nipples also prevent suckling through bottle feedings as well as sleeping through bottle feedings, so babies are more likely to get in a whole feeding session in an appropriate amount of time. This also increases their chance of having a deeper sleep during their next sleep period. Why?

1) Babies are less likely to wake due to spit up, hiccups, or tummy trouble due to the improved digestion factor with the no flow nipple.

2) Babies are less likely to be waking due to hunger from not getting that whole feed in with a regular flow nipple because they didn’t have to work at it.

Since babies need to “work at” sucking and swallowing with no flow nipples, they do not have a high probability of becoming nipple preferenced by a bottle (nipple confusion doesn’t exist, it’s nipple preferencing from the satiety of a nipple that has a flow caused by not having to “work at” the bottle).

With a no flow nipple, babies have a lower probability of refusing the breast than they would with any other type of flow, even “preemie” or “slow flow” nipples.

The “no flow” is important, because even with “preemie” or “slow flow” bottle nipples, babies get more milk faster than with the breast because it’s still dripping/flowing.

No Flow Breast Flow Bottle Options

#1 MEDELA CALMA BOTTLE

The Medela brand is pretty genius, like the Dyson of the breastfeeding world. So much research went into their “calma teat” which helps babies create a vacuum between their mouth and the teat in order to allow the milk to flow. Similar to breastfeeding, this vacuum experience with the calma tea lets baby feed, and then pause and breathe. Since babies are “working” at extracting the milk due to the similar no flow, there is low possibility of nipple preferencing or getting frustrated when returning to breastfeed. Medela’s breast milk bottles are compatible with all Medela breast pumps and Calma, making it easy to pump, store and feed using the same container. Only one size of Calma teat available though; if your baby needs a bottle with a shorter teat due to a higher gag reflex, go with the above recommendations.

#2 FIRST YEARS BREASTFLOW BOTTLE

First Years Breastflow Bottle has a “double nipple” which require babies to make more effort in sucking and compressing the teat in order to extract milk. The benefit for breastfed babies and breastfeeding parents is that it helps minimizes nipple preferencing.

Paced Bottle Feeding

If you choose to breastfeed or support a breastfeeding parent, or have a partner supporting your decision to breastfeeding, have a conversation about the method of bottle-feeding which is actually conducive to helping establish and maintain your breastfeeding relationship for whatever duration you’ve deemed your goal to be; feeding a bottle without the paced-bottle-feeding method can disrupt and harm breastfeeding quickly. Paced bottle-feeding helps avoid overeating and spit up from large feedings or feeds that are simply fed too fast. Remember to hold your baby upright 10-15 minutes after each feed as well. Share this video with friends and family:

Paced Bottle-Feeding video by The Milk Mob

Slow Flow Nipples – Bottle Options

If no flow is a no-go, the next best options other than slow-flow bottles to reduce flow preferencing are slow-flow nipples BUT if you can get a no-flow bottle like the three bottles already mentioned, that is best!

The following slow-flow bottles are NOT no-flow bottles:

#1 MUNCHKIN LATCH

The Munchkin Latch bottle, recommended by speech pathologists and doctors, is not a no-flow bottle but it is a slow flow bottle which means it’s a faster flow than any of the no-flow bottles above but it’s the next best thing because it has a slow flow. This is preferred 2:1 over Dr. Brown’s because it helps encourage a wide latch which protects the breastfeeding relationship to prevent sore nipples since wide latches help the nipple hit the soft palette and not the hard palette of the baby’s mouth. It’s silicone nipple is BPA-free and it has an anti-colic valve which is uniquely located at the bottom of the bottle to reduce gassiness and fussiness. They even have a pump adapter which works with many popular pumps (purchased separately) so you can pump directly into the Munchkin Latch bottle.

#2 PHILIPS AVENT

Philips AVENT Natural Glass Bottle with the “newborn flow” nipple. This bottle has a leak-free vent which allows babies to control the flow very similar to a “no flow” nipple. Plus they make them in glass bottles, if you’re into being green and reducing plastic and like to wash bottles in the dishwasher without any extra parts. You can still pour pumped breastmilk inside and then place the bottle in a bowl of hot water to heat it until lukewarm, or pop it in your bottle warmer as usual.

#3 DR. BROWN’S WIDE NECK

Lastly, because the bottles aren’t mimicking the shape of the breast, a “preemie” nipple on Dr. Brown’s Bottles – with the wide neck. If you get the regular Dr. Brown’s Bottles, babies often start refusing the breast because they can help encourage a super shallow latch, so get the wide neck bottles if you’re going with these. The bottles only come with level 1 size nipple, so you should remove those, store them in a labeled baggie i.e. “size 1” and put them away until your baby is an older infant. You’ll need to buy the preemie level nipples to use with them for your newborn and younger infant:

It’s common for partners, grandparents, and other friends and family members to ask or even expect to bottle-feed your baby from the first week.

Yes, it is a way they can bond with your baby however most lactating parents do not want this after learning that the first 6-8 weeks are detrimental to building their supply and realizing it can interrupt the nursing relationship they are working on. The first 6-8 weeks for a new mother is imperative for building her maximum potential yield for her milk supply. It also can add the stress of figuring out how to time in a pumping session which can cause fear that they will not have enough to breastfeed if Baby wakes after pumping and it can lead to clogged ducts and mastitis.

Wonderful ways to connect beyond feeding can make for very special moments such as:

  • changing diapers
  • taking walks
  • babywearing
  • bathtime
  • cuddling skin-to-skin
  • reading books
  • singing

Check out these formula supplementing tips, and learn some secrets about breastmilk here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ayurvedic Super Food Lactation Snack

Ayurvedic Super Food Lactation Snack has six galactagogues and lactogenic super foods: sweet potatoes, hemp hearts, sesame seeds, cardamom, ginger, and ghee.

Sweet Potato + Hemp Hearts + Sesame Seeds + Pumpkin Seeds + Cardamom + Ginger + Ghee = YUM!!!

Sweet potatoes, a #superFood spud super magically loaded with:

🍠 Beta carotene, iron, and minerals to increase and improve a #newMum’s #breastmilk!

🍠 Magnesium, #protein, and potassium, lowering blood pressure which is usually higher in postpartum due to retained fluids! This radical root decreases water retention and balances electrolytes!

🍠 This galactagogue helps #newMother with muscle contractions and nerve signals needed when her #postpartumBody is going through uterine involution with lochia; her #uterus still cramping, reducing to prepregnancy size!

🍠 Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than yams and are full of Vitamin A and fiber so they don’t cause blood sugar levels to spike! 👍

Heavenly #hempHearts are high in:

🌱 Arginine; #hemp produces nitric oxide in your body, dilating and relaxing blood vessels (so great for #postpartum), leading to lowered blood pressure and reduced heart disease risk!

🌱 2 essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), good for heart health!

🌱 Vitamin A, E and minerals phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins: niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B-6, and folate!

🌱 Gamma-linolenic acid, reducing #inflammation and improving blood circulation for #milkSupply! Much needed for a #motherhood especially when engorged! A #lactogenic food, plus reduces breast tenderness!

🌱 #hempSeeds with shells on are a great source of soluble and insoluble #fiber, improving bowel function, pulling out hormonal & environmental #toxins, improving quality of #milkProduction!

🌱 And they’re a complete source of protein with all 9 essential amino acids + way more protein than flax or chia!

💕 #Sesame seeds, #pumpkin seeds, #ginger, and #cardamom are also #galactagogues helpful for #breastfeeding! 🤱 Hey #newMommy, don’t forget to add #ghee! All these amazing #nutrients will better digest and absorb deeper into your body’s tissues!!

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 3 Tablespoons ghee
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 inch chopped ginger
  • 2 Tablespoons hemp hearts
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 handful pumpkin seeds

Directions

  1. You may chop and boil the sweet potatoes on the stove for 20 minutes to reduce sugar levels, or just roast them wrapped in foil in the oven for about an hour. If you have an Instant Pot, pop them in on a trivet with a cup of water for 25 minutes under high pressure and then do a 10 minute natural release.
  2. Add ghee to a small pan and saute the ginger for a few minutes until the aroma delights you. Be careful not to burn and remove from heat.
  3. Place the sweet potatoes in a food processor for a creamy texture or for a chunkier consistency, mix with a spatula.
  4. Stir in cardamom, and ginger-infused ghee.
  5. Sprinkle the hemp, sesame, and pumpkin seeds on top when serving.
  6. Sweet potatoes are… sweet. If you desire to sweeten further, see below.

Sweeten for your dosha

  • Vatas: add honey at end when cooled
  • Pittas: maple syrup
  • Kaphas: honey, agave, ~2 drops liquid stevia

Prepare for postpartum recovery with Ayurvedic Meal Delivery

Posted on by — Leave a comment

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!

newborn products, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, newborn essentials, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, humidity temperature, swaddles, swaddles, swaddles, swaddles, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, white noise, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep, baby sleep

Newborn Care Kit

Newborn Care Kit

Shop now

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 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.

Baby Cameras & Monitors

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.

The Ollie Swaddle is also popular, but The Butterfly Swaddle has quiet velcro which doesn’t startle a baby!

The Nested Bean Swaddle is lightly weighted on the chest and sides to give the feeling of being held. The weights are filled with non-toxic poly beads (same as those used in children’s toys) and were created using physio-therapy standards to give just the right amount of pressure. Moms report longer sleep in 1-3 nights. It allows for transitioning from newborn size 0-6 months – the 2 sizes in 1 design means this swaddle lasts twice as long as regular swaddles. Babies legs go in the small inner pocket for the first few weeks and then in the larger pocket for up to 6 months. You can then transition with the arms out around 2-3 months. The Zen Swaddle has a TOG rating of 0.5 which means it is breathable for Summer days but still warm and cozy enough for night time sleeping.

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.

Use the softest baby cloths made from bamboo.

DermaFrida Baby Bath Silicone Brush by Fridababy: A baby essential for dry scalp and cradle cap and eczema! Use daily from birth to avoid dry scalp and cradle cap.

Bella B Bee Gone Cradle Cap Shampoo and Bella B Silky Conditioner: Great natural and gentle shampoo for dry scalp and cradle cap.

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.

  • Vegan, Pure Flower & Plant Extracts
  • Sulfate-Free
  • Formaldehyde-Free
  • Paraben-Free
  • Phthalate-Free
  • Tear Free
  • Allergy Tested
  • Dermatologist Tested
  • No Icky Chemicals
  • No Synthetic Fragrances
  • No Synthetic Colors
  • Dairy and Soy-Free
  • No High Allergy Nut Oils
  • Biodegradable Formulas
  • Recyclable BPA-Free Packaging
  • Color Safe

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

Puracy was developed by pediatricians

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

I also recommend Babo Botanicals Sunscreens. They have several that are very pure.

Great “brushes” that can be used on wet or dry hair and that don’t hurt! With the Tangle Teezer, you’ll never hear your child cry. Don’t even buy detangling spray. This is a must when your baby grows older.

Strollers

Sun Protection

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 is amazing, Biokleen is amazing, and Eco-Me Laundry Detergent is amazing. The Puracy laundry detergent was created by doctors.

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. Use at your own risk. I prefer the SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper because the sides are completely mesh and breathable. The other two I really don’t like (Dock A Tot and Snuggle Me) because babies have died in them from rolling into the side and suffocating. 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. Therefore I encourage you to choose the first option, SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper, as it has mesh on the sides, however many parents are purchasing the other two and still safely supervising their child. I know parents who love the other two, but they aren’t recommended. Again, use at your own discretion.

Sleep Positioners help within Baby’s carseat and also when napping to prevent flat head and they give Baby a feeling of security if their feet are touching a boundary.

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!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

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

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Baby Night Lights for Better Sleep

Baby Night Lights For Better Sleep

Baby Night Lights

A quick Google search for “baby night lights” brings you to many magical and cute animal baby night lights and heart-shaped baby night lights but 99% of these baby night lights you see are proven to actually inhibit sleep.

If you’re using a nightlight in your baby’s/toddler’s/child’s room, or plan to, you need to know which type of lights to avoid so you can create the best possible sleep environment for your Little One.

If you already have a night light in your child’s room, and it’s something that emits a dim glow, it may be causing disruption to your child’s sleep, and here’s why:

The wavelength of different colors such as white, blue, and green-based lights inhibit melatonin at night. Melon-what? Trust me, your honeydew will love you for altering your child’s night light situation and your precious babe will be able to sleep longer and stay asleep at night.

Melatonin Magic and Sleep

The sweet sleep hormone, melatonin, is released by the brain when there is a response to light sensitivity in the eyes. This hormone is essential for children to fall asleep and stay asleep overnight. If the world wasn’t clogged with electric lighting, research has shown children fall into slumber between 7:30pm and 8pm.

It’s common for parents to choose cute nightlights that might emit blue, green, white, pink, or purple hues. Blue is especially calming and used by most manufacturers of baby night lights but it’s a scientifically proven sleep disrupter and mistake to use them if you’re sleep conditioning or sleep training, or trying to get your baby, toddler, or younger child to stay in bed or sleep well throughout the night.

Cell phones, laptops, TVs, and almost all home lighting have blue and white-based lights need to be off and out of the area where your child is sleeping or away from your child at least an hour before they sleep. This is because these lights inhibit the body’s secretion of melatonin by tricking the brain into believing it is still daylight.

What’s the Sleep Solution?

Red light is the only light, shown by research, that does not inhibit melatonin because red-based light has a much higher wavelength than white/blue/green light.

The goal is to use no light in the nursery initially. When parents or caregivers come into the nursery for night feedings and diaper changes, you can then switch on a night light that is a red night light. This solution is perfect as red light does not interfere with the chemical building blocks needed for sleep.

However, you need to plan the environment and timeframe leading up to bedtime. Think about the light your child is exposed to before bedtime if you are giving Baby a bath or brushing your older Baby or younger child’s teeth. Is your bathroom lit by regular white light or energy-saving lightbulbs? These emit much more blue light than old-style incandescent bulbs. If so, you may consider investing in a battery-operated light which is more appropriate for preparing for sleep in terms of helping the brain prepare for sleep.

Lights Used When Prepping for Bedtime

In the bathroom when brushing teeth or giving a bath, or in the nursery when dressing into pajamas, when first putting Baby down, or when reading a nighttime story (or two books) to your child, here are options:

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!

Don’t forget 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.

Best Red Lights for My Baby’s Nursery or My Child’s Bedroom Nightlight

These are the top red baby night lights I recommend for parents when breastfeeding or bottle-feeding Baby throughout the night or when needing light to change Baby’s diapers during the night, or for your Big Boy or Big Girl when they get up in the middle of the night during potty-training:

Red Gummy Bear Baby Night Light: This red LED gummy bear light is cordless, portable, and squeezable to turn on/off. It has a sleep timer of 1-hour and is soft and durable.

Red Fairy Lights: Effective and 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 super cute and mini-sized, and very 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 nighttime feedings, and quick wakeups for diaper changes or bathroom trips.

Hatch Baby Rest Night Light and White Noise Sound Machine: This red baby night light doubles as a white noise sound machine, which is another recommendation for parents as pure white noise (do not use intermittent ocean waves, water sounds, crickets, etc.) is scientifically proven to help babies and children’s brainwaves when waking to lull back to sleep and sleep deeper. This machine is remotely controlled with your smartphone, 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.

Other solutions for sleep include how cozy your Little One is, and how much humidity is in their room. Dryness can cause a thirsty baby or toddler. Read more on how to fix the humidity in your nursery and child’s room for better sleep.

You may also consider BleepBleep’s Suzy Snooze.

Resources:

  1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12970330
  2. http://www.jneurosci.org/content/21/16/6405.full.pdf
  3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18838601
  4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11763987
  5. http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1081/CBI-100107515?journalCode=cbi
  6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14962066
Posted on by — Leave a comment

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.

[amazon_link asins=’B075JR5BZ5,B0752R8GQG,B075RDZ3WF,B075RFJLSG,B07CP6HCF3,B005LHN9S2,B00TGHNNES,B001PYXMV4′ template=’MyGrid’ store=’heartisticb05-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’447fd183-9d97-11e8-b042-0984654d5218′]

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Breast Milk vs. Formula

Breastmilk vs. Formula
NUTRIENTBREAST MILKFORMULACOMMENT
FATSRich in brain-building omega 3’s, namely DHA and ARA. Automatically adjusts to infant’s needs; levels decline as baby gets older Rich in cholesterol Nearly completely absorbed. Contains fat-digesting enzyme, lipase.No valid DHA. Doesn’t change with baby’s needs. No Cholesterol. Not completely absorbed. No lipase.Fat is the most important nutrient in breast milk; In Formula: absence of cholesterol and DHA, vital nutrients for growing brains and bodies, may predispose child to adult heart and central nervous system diseases. Leftover unabsorbed fat accounts for unpleasant stools in formula-fed babies.
PROTEINSoft, easily-digestible whey. More completely absorbed Lactoferrin for intestinal health Lysozyme, an antimicrobial rich in brain and body-building protein components rich in growth factors. Contains sleep-inducing proteins.Harder to digest casein curds. Less completely absorbed, more waste, harder on kidneys. None or trace lactoferrin. No lysozyme. Deficient or lower in some. Deficient in growth factors.Automatically adjusts to infant’s needs. (i.e., higher in premature infant)
CARBSRich in lactose. oligosaccharides that promote intestinal health.Some formulas contain no lactose. Deficient in oligosaccharides.Lactose is considered an important carbohydrate for brain development. Studies show the level of lactose in the breast milk of a species correlates with the size of the brain of that species.
IMMUNE BOOSTERSRich in living white blood cells, millions per feeding. Rich in immunoglobulin.No live white blood cells. Processing kills all cells. Dead food has less immunological benefit. Few immunoglobulin and mostly the wrong kind.When mother is exposed to a germ, she makes antibodies to that germ and gives these antibodies to her infant via hermilk.
VITAMINS + MINERALSBetter absorbed, especially iron, zinc, and calcium. Iron is 50- 75% absorbed . Contains more selenium (an antioxidant) than formula.Less absorbed iron, 5-10 percent absorbed.Vitamins and minerals in breast milk enjoy a higher bio availability; a greater percentage is absorbed. To compensate, more is added to formula, which makes it harder to digest.
ENZYMES + HORMONESRich in digestive enzymes, such as lipase and amylase. Rich in many hormones: thyroid, prolactin, oxytocin, and over fifteen others.Processing kills digestive enzymes. Processing kills hormones, which are not human, anyway.Digestive enzymes promote intestinal health. Hormones contribute to the overall biochemical balance and well-being of baby.
TASTEVaries with the mother’s breast milk.Always taste the same.By taking on the flavor of mother’s diet, breast milk shapes the tastes of the child to family foods.
COST$600 a year, extra food for mother.Around $1,500 per year for formula; up to $5,200 a year for hypoallergenic formulas.Breast feeding families save $600 to $2,000 a year and often much more in medical bills since baby stays healthier.

Educating yourself with evidence-based information is important, and without judgment is so important for your psychological and emotional well-being.  It can be stressful if you feel alone in this, but you’re not.

Already just reading this shows what a great Mother you are!  Go, Momma!

Here are some tips on formula feeding as well as tips on breastfeeding.

Learn more about how breastfeeding heals your breasts here.

Quiz:  Do you know the 15 Breast Milk Nutrition Secrets?

 

Breastfeeding vs. Formula
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Best Breastfeeding Position

Best Breastfeeding Position

Natural breastfeeding using the laid back breastfeeding method also known as the Turtle Method position can stimulate your baby’s pressure points to nurse and heal your breasts while getting a deeper latch! It is also a safer way for your baby to breastfeed if you fall asleep while feeding your baby.

With the Turtle Method, newborn babies can stabilize themselves naturally. This means your baby can already instinctively control certain parts of their body, and will naturally help manipulate your breast to suit their own feeding behaviors. The Turtle Method position gives your baby control of your breast by flexing his or her hands and fingers and then moving them to sculpt your nipples. This position makes it more suitable for them to feed, and it also releases scar tissue in your breast which eliminates the need for pumping because of inverted or flat nipples.

When your baby is faced down on your stomach in the Turtle position, they are touching certain pressure points with their knees, pelvic area, and feet while also allowing gravity to pull them into your chest instead of gravity pulling your breasts downward. Plus, being on their belly counts as tummy time toward their essential development!

The Turtle Method allows your baby to breastfeed much better than when they are laying on their back breastfeeding in your arms because they won’t involuntarily reflex backward when you guide your baby’s head toward your chest with your hand. When your baby is laying on their back in your arms, it is a gravity-fighting position and there is a shallower latch… ouch!

In addition, being on their stomach while in Turtle position actually allows your baby to help release the fluids in your own body which you received from IVs and also from engorgement as your milk comes in. This is due to your baby’s body pressure pushing against you while you lay in a reclined position. With your baby facing down, their body helps through this reverse pressure technique to decrease the swelling and fluids in the breast and draw out the nipple for easier feeding.

In terms of safety, the Turtle Method allows your baby to be fully resting on your body without the requirement of your arms. You don’t have to worry about your baby’s safety. However, if you fall asleep while breastfeeding your baby in your arms as they lay on their back, your baby would have no support.

Quick Turtle Method Tips:

  1. Lay back or recline in a chair and place your baby on your tummy, diagonally across your body with their cheek on the upper part of your breast. You should be fully reclined. If your baby starts slipping, you’re not laying back far enough. The natural curves of your body will support your baby sans props, and gravity will assist in a deep latch while your baby receives skin-to-skin contact.
  2. When your baby’s pressure buttons are pushed, their coordination improves. This was identified at Prague School by Scientists as Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization or DNS. To activate your newborn’s internal GPS so that your baby knows where they are and what they need to do, they need to feel their entire front against you and touching you with their complete body. This full frontal contact activates their pressure buttons located on their wrists, ribs, inside of their knees, and tops and bottoms of their feet, stabilizing their spine, which gives them better control over their own movements, so they can feed more effectively.
  3. Lastly, adjust your breast.
Breastfeeding Positions
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Breastfeeding Tips

Nourish Birth Breastfeeding Tips

Breast care and breastfeeding go hand-in-hand. A Newborn Care Specialist can help expected and new mothers with breastfeeding by discussing and demonstrating:

  • nutritional support for increasing milk supply
  • milk storage
  • nipple care and breast wellness
  • bottles for breastfed babies
  • nipple sizes
  • how often to feed
  • how much to feed
  • physical signs of your infant getting enough nutrition
  • guidelines for weight gain
  • signs of underfeeding and over feeding
  • safe breastfeeding tips
  • the most popular breastfeeding positions
  • best breastfeeding positions for c-section births
  • bottle temperature
  • converting CCs to ounces
  • choosing and using a pump
  • how to clean and sterilize bottles and equipment
  • benefits of nursing
  • the Kangaroo Care method
  • and any questions you have
Related Topics

* Read about better Breastfeeding Positions such as the Turtle Method in which newborn babies can stabilize themselves naturally. This means your baby can already instinctively control certain parts of their body, and will naturally help manipulate your breast to suit their own feeding behaviors.

* Bonding with your newborn baby can happen immediately after birthing through a method called Kangaroo Care. This promotes psychological and physical well-being for both your newborn and for you as the mother. Kangaroo Care includes skin-to-skin contact and exclusively breastfeeding.

* Learn the 15 Breast Milk Nutrition Secrets

* Compare the composition of Breast Milk vs. Formula

* Educating yourself with evidence-based information is important, and without judgment is so important for your psychological and emotional well-being.  It can be stressful if you feel alone in this, but you’re not.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bonding Naturally with Your Baby

Nourish Birth Kangaroo Care Skin to Skin

Bonding with your newborn baby can happen immediately after birthing through a method called Kangaroo Care. This promotes psychological and physical well-being for both your newborn and for you as the mother. Kangaroo Care includes skin-to-skin contact and exclusively breastfeeding.

Kangaroo Care is excellent for both parents, however. Studies show lowered testosterone levels when fathers experience skin-to-skin with their babies. All babies and all parents benefit from Kangaroo Care, regardless on the feeding method.

Kangaroo Care is wonderful for mothers who have problems breastfeeding, too, when needing to feed their newborn formula and/or through a tube. Having your baby suck and nuzzle on empty breasts can help stimulate your milk production. In fact, practicing skin-to-skin contact with the mother stimulates a specific part of the newborn’s brain, causing the baby to instinctively move to the breast, self-attach, and feed. This increases the baby’s physical development. Secondly, kangaroo care causes the baby to gaze at his or her mother, ensuring emotional and social development.

This should begin right after giving birth and is always a great benefit at any time during the first few weeks. For an infant in need such as a premature baby, it can be used continuously day and night however it is beneficial any amount of time it is experienced.

Kangaroo Care Bonding Benefits are amazing!

  1. Acceleration of your baby’s brain development occurs with bonding through Kangaroo Care, lowering levels of cortisol, the hormone produced when undergoing stress, after just 20 minutes of skin to skin contact.
  2. Your baby gets better sleep with lowered cortisol levels as well.
  3. Research shows a baby’s digestive system can be restored to perfect balance after one hour of skin-to-skin contact.
  4. Your baby will also cry less and be calmer through this bonding tool because your heartbeat and warmth remind them of the safe, familiar world they were once in when inside your womb.
  5. Thermal synchrony phenomenon occurs as the temperature of your chest increases to warm your cold baby and decreases to cool your overly warm baby.
  6. Antibodies will pass through your skin to your baby and strengthen your baby’s immune system.
  7. Kangaroo Care naturally stabilizes the newborn’s respiration and oxygenation, increases glucose levels (reducing hypoglycemia), regulates blood pressure and heart rate, and increases the quiet alert state.
  8. When you begin bonding skin-to-skin with your baby immediately following birth, they are more likely to breastfeed than a baby who has been swaddled immediately after birth. Furthermore, the more your baby breastfeeds, the sooner your milk comes in and the better your milk supply will be.
  9. Researchers have found that preterm infants who experience Kangaroo Care have longer periods of sleep, gain more weight, decrease their crying, have longer periods of alertness, and earlier hospital discharge.
  10. Babies held skin-to-skin by their fathers are proven to have higher temperature and glucose levels compared to those of babies left alone under warmers.
  11. Depriving babies of skin-to-skin can lead to ADD, colic, and sleep disorders.