Like childbirth itself, every childbirth class is a little different. Because of this, there is a lot of uncertainty about the necessity of the class itself. After all, your body knows what to do in labor, right? How necessary is a childbirth class? The thing is, a childbirth class prepares you for more than just what your body will do in labor (which itself is something that is worth preparing for – more on that later). A comprehensive childbirth class will help you and your labor support partner create a birth plan and learn about the options you’ll have during… Read More

sudden infant death syndrome, or sids, is every parent’s worst nightmare. october is sids awareness month; since sids most often occurs when a child is sleeping, we want to focus on sleep products and techniques that will help protect your child from this inexplicable tragedy. your child’s sleep environment is important not only for decreasing the risk of sids, but also for allowing your child (and you!) to get a full, restful night of sleep. when you’re purchasing a crib or bassinet for your child, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the wide array of options. we’ve done the… Read More

We’ve all done it: when you have a baby, it’s totally normal to frantically search and keep tabs on the general milestones, to help reassure yourself and give you an idea of what’s “within normal range,” as well as to see what’s in the near future. The key words, though, are within normal range. There is a broad spectrum of typical development, and what’s “normal” can be different for each baby. After all, each baby is unique, with individual characteristics and different environments and social interactions. Yes, there are some instances where not meeting milestones can signal something bigger, but in… Read More

You’re home with the baby – the hard part is over…right? Well, yes and no. Welcome now to the world of feeding schedules, night waking, and finding your way through this jungle called parenthood. But the good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. If you have a partner, they are there alongside you, and if you’re lucky, you have friends or family who are part of your parenting team. As with so many other daunting tasks, it helps if, right from the start, you have a plan and work together with your “teammate,” i.e., your partner. Communication… Read More

Watching your baby grow and develop new skills is one of the joys of being a parent. Your baby’s first 6 months are especially jam-packed with milestones and exciting transitions. If you’re a first-time parent, you might not know what to expect during this busy season of babyhood. Seasoned moms tend to compare new babies with older siblings, and we’re all guilty of looking at other babies and wondering, “Why isn’t my baby doing that yet?” We’ve researched a few stats and facts on the average baby for an unbiased look at what to anticipate in those first few months. Size… Read More

Confession: I have never been a minimalist. Whether it’s packing for a trip, or packing my daily purse/tote bag, I always, ALWAYS have more than I could possibly need. Which means I tend to overpack my son’s diaper bag – but somehow, in the beginning, I’d overlook simple things. Like underestimating the amount of diapers needed, or only packing one spare outfit (ha!), or packing 6 books for an infant. Now, ten months into the game, I’ve learned to pack smarter. I’m a big fan of learning what works for you, but here’s a checklist for packing the diaper bag. Read More

It seems like yesterday I was sitting in a college classroom dreaming about the day I would be able to put all of that medical input overload to use. Never in my wildest dreams would I have seen myself here. Many people are curious about what I do. As a breastfeeding consultant, I help prepare families for their journey, before baby comes. Once baby arrives, my real “job” happens. Breastfeeding journeys are beautiful, and hard, and wonderful, and emotional… and every journey is different. Some babies need a little more help figuring things out than others. That’s where I step… Read More

For the first few weeks of your newborn’s life, he or she has a lot of adjustments to make. Drinking milk, peeing, pooping, breathing air…there’s so much going on that it’s no wonder your newborn is exhausted. But while some things (like breathing) are quickly grasped, others (like relieving newborn gas pains) take a little more time and effort. Judging by an infant’s face, baby gas pains are quite possibly the most painful things in the world. While it’s hard to hear your little one howl, don’t panic! It’s likely that the screaming and tears are just your newborn’s way… Read More

Baby, it’s cold outside! No…seriously, it’s cold outside. If we’re shivering, what about our little ones? Babies can’t regulate their body temperature like we can, and so they tend to lose heat more rapidly. What’s the best way to go about keeping baby warm during the winter months? Read on to find out. In the Car There are all sorts of buntings and covers that attach to the car seat, but if you’re in a car accident, these can actually bunch up and cause injury to your baby, so it’s best to avoid them. And no matter how cute… Read More

There’s no doubt about it: being a mom is hard, hard work – which is why it’s so important that you take care of yourself, as well. You need to make sure your cup is full, before giving or sharing with others – including your kids and/or partner. The fourth trimester, or the first 12 weeks postpartum, can be overwhelming. You’re coping with sleep deprivation, the explosion of your typical routine, (possibly) colic, healing physically from birth, dealing with what feels like near-constant feeds, and adjusting to your new role as a mother. And somewhere in all of… Read More