6 Takeaways from Cultures Where New Mothers Thrive
A recent article in Pathways to Wellness examines those cultures where new mothers thrive and details six things every new mother needs. Creating a more positive, supportive culture for moms can start right here!
New mothers deserve recognition and support after making one of the biggest transitions they may ever experience. The cultures that best provide that support share some common traits that we can adopt to help new moms thrive.
“Culture, not biology, is what makes postpartum so hard for new mothers. ”
A recent article in Pathways to Wellness examines those cultures where new mothers thrive and details six things every new mother needs. Creating a more positive, supportive culture for moms can start right here!
Based on the traits of healthy postpartum cultures, here are six things we can do to emotionally and physically support new moms:
Change your language, from “having a baby” to “becoming a mother.” Whether thought birth or adoption, becoming a mother is a fundamental life change, not a single event at a point in time.
Embrace the fourth trimester. Postpartum is a transition, not a goal. Dismiss the notion of “bouncing back” and, before the baby is born, prepare to provide support
Feed her. Her body needs nurturing food, and she needs time to bond with and care for her baby. Providing her with meals is a wonderful way for a community to support her.
Manage the house. It’s unreasonable to expect a new mom to care for herself and her baby, all while also cooking, cleaning, and keeping up with other household needs. Pick someone to manage those details so the new mother can rest and focus on the baby.
Run errands. New mothers will spend most waking hours feeding and caring for their babies. Plus, all babies can be unpredictable, and overstimulated babies can be fussy, making it hard for moms to be out and about. You can help by running errands like picking up groceries and getting her other kids to school and activities.
Spend time with her. New mothers can feel isolated, lonely, and anxious. Call her up, sit with her, or video chat to check in and let her know you care. Hearing from other mothers can be reassuring, and simply sharing yourself is a gift.
You can learn more about ways to support new moms on our blog, 5 Ways Dads Can Support Breastfeeding Moms.
Read more in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, issue #61.
5 Ways Dads Can Support Breastfeeding Moms
You may not be the one feeding your baby, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bond with your child and be an active supporter of breastfeeding. Here, we discuss 5 ways dads can support breastfeeding moms. Please note that this isn’t exclusive to dads! Partners of any sex, relatives, and friends can also support and normalize breastfeeding.
You may not be the one feeding your baby, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bond with your child and be an active supporter of breastfeeding. There are plenty of ways you can be involved in nurturing and loving your baby and encouraging the breastfeeding relationship. Here, we discuss 5 ways dads can support breastfeeding moms. Please note that this isn’t exclusive to dads! Partners of any sex, relatives, and friends can also support and normalize breastfeeding.
Bond with your baby
There are plenty of hours in the day (and night!) to bond with your baby. Wear him or her in a carrier, participate in bath time and playtime, change diapers, rock your baby to sleep, and simply cuddle at every opportunity.
Related: The Father Effect: Being a Great Dad.
Tend to Mom (and the house!)
An excellent way for dads, partners, and others to support breastfeeding is to help take care of Mom and all those chores around the house. Prepare meals or bring snacks and a glass of water to her while she’s nursing. You can also run errands, take out the trash, sweep the floor, do the laundry . . . those tasks really add up, and anything you can do to help makes a bigger difference than you think.
Advocate for Mom at home
You may be surprised by the number of visitors who come by in the weeks and months after your baby is born! It’s wonderful to be surrounded by caring family and friends, but it can also be rather exhausting. Talk to each other and set some boundaries when you feel like you need the rest or quiet more than another guest. Also recognize that not everyone is as supportive about breastfeeding as you are. Many visitors will freely share their opinions about all things parenting - including breastfeeding - and you can help by speaking up and being an advocate for your partner and your choice to breastfeed.
Advocate for Mom in public
Let’s normalize breastfeeding! It’s so natural and beneficial to your baby, yet many strangers feel the need to make breastfeeding moms feel uncomfortable. This is when you can physically shield her from prying eyes by sitting right next to her (if she wishes to be discreet). Simply stand up for her. Breastfeeding is clearly within her legal rights, and interfering with that right is harassment. She can speak for herself but may appreciate you backing her up or speaking on her behalf if she’s feeling especially vulnerable.
Support the breastfeeding relationship
You’ll be a strong advocate in front of family, friends, and even total strangers. But you can also be her strongest advocate, even when no one is looking! Simply having a positive, encouraging attitude about breastfeeding is a great way to support her. Plus, other gestures, like bringing her nursing pillow to her, handling diaper changes and getting baby back to sleep after nursing, and keeping water and snacks on the bedside table or near her favorite chair, show that you support the breastfeeding relationship.
Read more from 5 Ways Partners Can Support Breastfeeding Moms ( a Dad’s Perspective), in Pathways to Family Wellness, Issue #58.
Our mission is to inspire families to live healthy and happy lives. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Breastfeeding Tips and Support for Moms
National Breastfeeding Week is observed every August, so it’s a perfect time to offer some breastfeeding tips and support for moms. Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, help us normalize breastfeeding.
National Breastfeeding Week is observed every August, so it’s a perfect time to offer some breastfeeding tips and support for moms. Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, help us normalize breastfeeding.
It seems like something as natural as breastfeeding your baby should be easy, but that’s not always the case. Every mom, and every baby, is different. You may find that breastfeeding one child is a breeze, but it’s a real struggle with another of your kids. Here, we’ll share some tips, some common problems to look for, and some local resources to help you and your baby with breastfeeding.
Tips for Moms
Get help early
Often, hospitals and birthing centers have lactation consultants on staff, so you can get guidance from an expert the very first time you nurse your infant - or at least before you head home with your baby. The nurse or lactation consultant can show you different nursing positions, check to see if your baby is latching properly, and answer your breastfeeding questions.
Related: Why Work with a Lactation Consultant?
Let your baby set the pace
Most newborns feed every 2-3 hours, round-the-clock. Your little one will show signs of hunger when it’s time to eat, so look for cues like restlessness, lip movements, and sucking motions. Then, let your baby nurse for 15-20 minutes on one breast, or until your breast feels soft, then burp your baby and switch to the other breast. (You may find it helpful to keep a notebook where you can jot down feeding times, and which breast you started on.)
Let your baby sleep in your room
One of the best ways to sense those hunger cues in the middle of the night is to have your baby sleep in your room. Having the crib or bassinet nearby also makes those nighttime feedings more convenient and may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Stay hydrated
This is so important for milk production. Try to drink a glass of water each time you breastfeed. Milk, juice, and water can all help keep you hydrated throughout the day, so your body will have the fluid it needs to work efficiently and to produce plenty of milk.
Eat well
Fueling your body with good nutrition is always a good idea! A healthy diet can also help you keep up your energy.
Get comfortable
Find the best position for you and your baby, so the only focus is breastfeeding. You’re going to be there for half an hour or so, so find.a position that’s comfortable. Your pediatrician or lactation consultant can show you different breastfeeding positions to help you find the ones you like best.
Relax
We know. It’s hard to relax when you’re feeling worried. But try your best to relax. Your baby can’t relax if you’re not relaxed. He or she can sense if you’re tense and nervous about breastfeeding and may not latch on correctly. Again, you’ll be here awhile! If you need help relaxing, play some quiet music that you enjoy, bring a book, or simply enjoy the quiet time with your baby.
Give it time
If you feel that something isn’t right, reach out to a lactation consultant and/or a chiropractor. If breast-feeding is tougher than you expected, try not to get discouraged. Feeding a newborn every few hours can be tiring.
Just remember that the more often you breastfeed your baby, the more milk your breasts will produce — and the more natural breastfeeding is likely to feel.
Improve Your Breastfeeding Success
Especially if you’re new to breastfeeding, you may not know when something isn’t working as it should. Pinching while feeding, favoring one side, and being gassy are not normal for babies. Other signs of trouble to look out for include:
Baby feeds better on one side
Baby turns head to one side
Pain with feeding
Shallow latch
Poor suckle
Latches on then slips off
Lip tie/ tongue tie
As pediatric chiropractors, we look for subtle misalignments and tension in the neck and cranium that may cause the inability for a baby to turn his or head head, which in turn, prevents proper positioning for feeding, a tight jaw that prevent baby from opening their mouth, and a decreased rooting reflex needed for suckling. Chiropractic care may improve latching, milk production, and overall wellness!
Chiropractic care is a safe, gentle, and natural way to potentially improve breastfeeding success.
Schedule a consultation with us to see how we may be able to help!
We also recommend these local IBCLC lactation consultants, for additional help with breastfeeding:
Christine Sneed, Life Circle Women’s Healthcare (Cleveland, TN)
Ashley Lucas, Chattanooga Lactation
Want to learn more about breastfeeding? You may also be interested in Chiropractic as a Solution for Torticollis & Breastfeeding Problems.
The Benefits of Babywearing
As much as you love your baby, carrying him or her in your arms all day simply isn’t practical. So what can you do to get things done while keeping your baby close? Invest in a sling or carrier so you can wear your baby! The benefits of babywearing are not only practical, they also help your baby’s physical and emotional development.
As much as you love your baby, carrying him or her in your arms all day simply isn’t practical. So what can you do to get things done while keeping your baby close? Invest in a sling or carrier so you can wear your baby! The benefits of babywearing are not only practical, they also help your baby’s physical and emotional development.
“Babywearing” is the revived custom of carrying infants in cloth carriers on the parent’s body. The two most significant advantages are parent-baby contact and varied baby positioning, but the benefits of babywearing are many:
It’s easier to move around wearing a carrier than pushing a stroller
Babywearing reduces postnatal depression
Breastfeeding is easy (and private) when wearing your baby
You and your baby get a boost of oxytocin from the physical contact
Babies who are carried three hours a day cry 43% less
Proper upright positioning can help your baby’s neuromuscular development
It can reduce colic
Choosing a carrier
“Structure determines function,” which also means the spine determines the function of the nervous system. Therefore, a nervous system stressed by a compromised structure will affect the body's overall ability to be healthy.
With so many options out there, how does one choose a carrier to maximize health benefits for both parent and baby?
For good ergonomics, look for a baby carrier that has a wide seat area. It should support your baby’s legs to the knees to take pressure off the hips. Avoid carriers only support the crotch and leave baby’s legs dangling.
This article does a great job of explaining the different carrier types, and we’re also happy to share recommendations with you!
In addition, Best Start recommends using the TICKS rules when wearing your baby. Your carrier should allow you to easily follow these rules for safely babywearing:
Tight Your carrier should fit snugly (but not too tightly) to keep your baby supported
In view always. You should be able to see your baby’s face all at times, just by glancing down.
Close enough to kiss. Your baby’s head should be as close to your chin as is comfortable. You should be able to kiss your baby’s head by tipping your head forward.
Keep chin off chest. Your baby’s chin should never be on his or her chest. That position can restrict breathing. Be sure to keep at least a finger’s width under your baby’s chin.
Supported back. This positioning varies based on the type of carrier you’re using. In an upright carrier, your baby should be close to you with his or her back supported in the natural position. In a sling, pouch or cradle carry, your baby’s bottom should be at the deepest part, so the baby’s chin and chest aren’t touching.
Significance to Baby
A baby has continuous contact, warm, and motion in utero for 9 months.
Babywearing is a great way to continue that motion and soothing contact once the baby arrives. Researchers are encouraging babywearing due to the impact it has on the emotional and neurological development of the baby.
At Inspire, we check all of our newborns for any spinal misalignments from birth that can contribute to potential postural deviations. In addition we help you choose the best way to carry for your baby’s physical, emotional, neurological and social development.
Alternative to Car Seat when not in the Car and Strollers
Car seats are great at protecting babies during motor vehicle accidents and should ALWAYS be used when your baby is traveling in a vehicle. Strollers are another common option for transporting babies.
However, if a baby is left in the stroller or car seat for long periods of time,, it can lead to undue postural disorders (like a flattened head) due to lack of varied body positions.
Why is this a concern?
Since an infant’s head is so soft and impressionable, a flattened head adds to cranial distortions and, neurological compromise for the infant. Additionally, back-lying seat carriers and strollers do not help infants develop and strengthen their neck muscles.
Once again, structure is being affected, so function will be compromised, as well.
Related: Is Your Nursing Posture Triggering a Stress Response?
Babywearing can be a great addition to vary positions for babies during waking and carrying hours.
It’s impossible to avoid all stress on your baby’s spine, but baby wearing is a great way to reduce the stress, and chiropractic can help improve your baby’s body’s ability to handle it.
Cesarean Awareness Month
Childbirth is an exciting time. You finally get to meet the baby who’s been sharing your body for the last nine months! However, it’s also difficult on your body, especially if you’ve had a cesarean delivery. Just in time for Cesarean Awareness Month, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations that will allow you heal and enjoy bonding with your newborn.
Childbirth is an exciting time. You finally get to meet the baby who’s been sharing your body for the last nine months! However, it’s also difficult on your body, especially if you’ve had a cesarean delivery. Though it is a common surgery (according to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2019, 31.7% of US births were via C-section), it is still surgery, and you need to give your body time to heal. That’s easier said than done when you’re caring for a newborn!
If you had any other surgery, there is a standard recovery protocol post-op, but for C-sections, many women are left to DIY their post-care. Just in time for Cesarean Awareness Month, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations that will allow you heal and enjoy bonding with your newborn.
Get plenty of rest and take it easy
As with any surgery, your body needs time to heal after a C-section. Expect to stay in the hospital for three to four days after your delivery (longer if there are complications), and give your body up to six weeks to fully heal. The advice to rest when your baby rests has never been truer than when healing post-C-section, so make every effort to sleep whenever your baby naps. Take extra care getting around while you heal; avoid going up and down stairs as much as possible, don’t lift anything heavier than your baby, and, whenever you have to sneeze or cough, hold your abdomen to protect the incision.
Get comfortable while breastfeeding
It is important to sit (or lie) in a comfortable position while feeding. Avoid bending while feeding, as that posture can lead to chronic backache. Also, try a pillow or breastfeeding pillow to find a comfortable position for nursing. Lastly, talk to a lactation consultant in the hospital; she can prepare you for any challenges that you may have to address. You may also be interested in our blog, Is Your Nursing Position Triggering a Stress Response?
Manage your pain
Ask your doctor what pain medicines you can take, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Depending on the level of your discomfort, the doctor might prescribe a pain reliever or advise you to take over-the-counter pain medication. In addition to pain medicine, using a heating pad may help to relieve discomfort at the surgical site.
Focus on good nutrition
Good nutrition is just as important in the months after you deliver as it was while you were pregnant. Eating a variety of foods, especially fruits, vegetables and lean meats, will help you get stronger. Also, drink plenty of water; the extra fluids will boost your breast milk supply while helping avoid constipation.
Get some exercise
Avoid strenuous exercise, but do take gentle walks as often as you can. The movement will help your body heal and can prevent blood clots.
Don’t ignore your mental health
As you take care of your physical health, don’t forget about your emotional health. Postpartum depression is real. Having a baby can bring up feelings you never expected. If you feel exhausted, sad, or disappointed, don’t ignore it. Call your doctor if you feel sad and your mood never seems to lift, especially if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby. Talk about your emotions with a friend, your partner, your doctor, or a counselor.
Watch for signs of infection
You’ll probably feel some soreness in the incision, and you may have bleeding or discharge for up to six weeks after the C-section. That’s normal, but the following symptoms warrant a call to your doctor as they could signal an infection:
Redness, swelling, or pus oozing from the incision site
Pain around the site
Fever of more than 100.4°F
Bad-smelling discharge from the vagina
Heavy vaginal bleeding
Redness or swelling in your leg
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Pain in your breasts
Most importantly, try not to compare your recovery to others you know who’ve experienced a C-section. Just as every pregnancy is different, so is every recovery.
Focus on your own healing, and give your body the time it needs to get back to normal. As the saying goes, don’t be a hero. There’s no shame in asking for help, particularly if it means a shorter healing time and a faster road to quality family time.
Related: Fourth Trimester: Planning for your Postpartum Recovery
Here at Inspire Chiropractic, there are so many options to help you recover - in conjunction with a chiropractor who works with postpartum women, we work with some of the best pelvic floor physical therapists, lactation consultants, and women health coaches. Our goal is to help you heal and move intentionally with purpose.
Contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Chiropractic Care Could be the Answer to Infant Reflux
As a parent, it can be overwhelming to meet all of your little one’s needs. If they appear to cry for no reason, suffer from gas and/or vomiting after eating, and have difficulty sleeping, they may suffer from infant reflux, and chiropractic care could be the answer.
As a parent, it can be overwhelming to meet all of your little one’s needs. Fussy newborns can usually be calmed with a quick fix - Are they hungry? Do they need a diaper change? Are they tired? Once these basic needs are met, they’re happy and satisfied. However, if they appear to cry for no reason, suffer from gas and/or vomiting after eating, and have difficulty sleeping, they may suffer from infant reflux, and chiropractic care could be the answer.
Infant reflux can occur for many reasons: diet, overfeeding, position while feeding, and misalignment of the vertebrae. The nervous system, responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body, must be able to communicate with other systems to function properly. Structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. A recent study has shown removing these shifts through chiropractic care could improve nerve function and resolve reflux and other health issues.
“In the case report presented, the infant was suffering from acid reflux, difficulty latching and breastfeeding, torticollis, and sleep disturbances that resolved under chiropractic care because of the nature of the nervous system and its relationship to the spine.”
Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, states “numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the various health challenges that infants experience.”
Read more: Study Shows Chiropractic Relieves Reflux Symptoms in Infants
If your infant is suffering from reflux, sleep disturbance, or any related health issues, contact us to schedule a consultation.
Why Work with a Lactation Consultant?
All babies naturally know how to breastfeed, right? Wrong! Breastfeeding is healthy and natural, but it doesn’t come naturally to all moms and babies. Even women who’ve successfully breastfed other children can be surprised at having trouble breastfeeding their new babies.
All babies naturally know how to breastfeed, right? Wrong! Breastfeeding is healthy and natural, but it doesn’t come naturally to all moms and babies. Even women who’ve successfully breastfed other children can be surprised when they have trouble breastfeeding their new babies.
That’s where lactation consultants come in. A lactation consultant is a trained expert in all things breastfeeding and will work with you to reach your personal breastfeeding goals. No matter what your concern or breastfeeding goal, a lactation consultant may provide the information, support, and advice you need.
Why work with a lactation consultant?
Some of the many concerns a lactation consultant can help with include:
baby refusing to breastfeed
milk production
baby falling asleep during feedings
trouble with breastfeeding positions
breast or nipple pain
physical or emotional barriers to success
baby not reaching weight gain milestones
pumping milk
engorged breasts
weaning
Every baby is different, so your breastfeeding experiences may be different with each of your children. Your lactation consultant is your coach and your cheerleader, guiding you at every step of the way.
Before the first sign of trouble, or even before your baby is born, it’s a good idea to connect with a lactation consultant. That way, you’ll have a support system in place if or when you need it. Feeling unable to feed your baby is scary, and you’ll want help right away.
Related: Is Your Nursing Posture Triggering a Stress Response?
Many hospitals have lactation specialists on staff. So, if you give birth in a hospital setting, you may get to see a lactation consultant before you go home with your baby. You can also contact a lactation consultant for in-home or telemedicine visits. No matter whether you meet in your home, birthing center, or hospital, insurance often covers some or all of your sessions with a lactation consultant.
The La Leche League is an excellent resource for finding information and connecting with lactation consultants in your area. If you live in our around Chattanooga, we suggest contacting Ashley Lucas, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, at Chattanooga Lactation, LLC.
Chiropractic Care for Newborns and Infants
How wonderful it would be if our little ones could verbalize their discomfort to us! Enter a skilled chiropractor with experience working with children to interpret distress and correct it without the use of medication or surgery. In fact, a recent article in Pathways to Wellness indicates “many chiropractors are saying that all babies need to have their spines checked to determine if vertebral subluxations are present.” The birth process itself can be traumatic for infants, so an excellent first step in caring for your newborn is to have him examined and adjusted by a chiropractor.
Being a parent to an infant is an amazing, albeit trying, experience. One week they’re sleeping through the night and the next, barely a wink. How wonderful it would be if our little ones could verbalize their discomfort to us! Enter a skilled chiropractor with experience working with children to interpret distress and correct it without the use of medication or surgery. In fact, a recent article in Pathways to Wellness indicates “many chiropractors are saying that all babies need to have their spines checked to determine if vertebral subluxations are present.” The birth process itself can be traumatic for infants, so an excellent first step in caring for your newborn is to have him examined and adjusted by a chiropractor.
Can chiropractic help infants?
The article references a study by German physician Dr. G. Gutmann, who has examined and treated over 1,000 children. From his own experience and research, he concludes that approximately 80 percent of all children are “not in autonomic balance” and suffer from subluxations or blocked nerve impulses. That’s an alarming figure, but Gutmann says “ chiropractic can often bring about amazingly successful results,” and he “has been ‘constantly amazed how, even with the lightest adjustment with the index finger, the clinical picture normalizes, sometimes gradually, but often immediately.”
What are the benefits of chiropractic care for newborns and infants?
The birthing process not only puts strain on mom, but it can also cause stress to baby’s cranium and spinal cord, contributing to numerous health problems, such as asthma and difficulty nursing. Chiropractic care for infants is an effective first step in your child’s health.
Additionally, regular chiropractic care can help relieve:
“It is no longer conjecture whether children can be helped under chiropractic care. Chiropractic can change lives.”
Ear infections and earaches
Colic and acid reflux
Fussiness
Asthma and allergies
Related: Why Infants Need Chiropractic Care
Is chiropractic care gentle enough for infants?
It’s natural for parents to be unsure about chiropractic care for their newborns and infants, but chiropractors take an even more delicate approach to adjustments for babies than they do for adults. Chiropractic for babies is gentle and many times goes unnoticed by the baby. The pressure applied for the adjustment is about the amount of pressure you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato - safe, gentle, and effective.
If your newborn or infant is suffering, contact us to schedule a consultation and get her on the path to wellness.
Read the full article, Newborns, Infants, and Chiropractic, in Pathways to Wellness, Issue #60.
Chiropractic as a Solution for Torticollis & Breastfeeding Problems
We love working with babies to help them function better overall. Often, that means we see babies who could benefit from gentle chiropractic care to treat issues like subluxations, torticollis, and difficulty breastfeeding. Recent research from the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic indicates that chiropractic care can help infants born with these health concerns.
We love working with babies to help them function better overall. Often, that means we see infants who could benefit from gentle chiropractic care to treat issues like subluxations, torticollis, and difficulty breastfeeding. Recent research from the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic indicates that chiropractic care can help infants born with these health concerns.
The infant in the study was a twin, who was head down, with his sister’s weight pressing on him, for must of his time in utero. As a result, he was born with torticollis, a condition that contracted his neck muscles and caused his head to tilt down. He also struggled to latch for breastfeeding, particularly on one side. A routine visit with their pediatrician wasn’t beneficial in addressing these concerns, so the parents sought chiropractic care.
Related: Chiropractic as a Solution for Breastfeeding Difficulties
After seven visits for chiropractic care, his head alignment was visibly improved, and his breastfeeding and sleeping had both improved, as well.
Read the full study to learn more about this child and other studies demonstrating that chiropractic care offers many benefits for babies with torticollis and breastfeeding troubles.
For local breastfeeding support, contact Chattanooga Lactation, LLC.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and COVID-19
COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the Coronavirus, is a new disease. We are still learning about its severity, how it spreads, and who is at most risk. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, naturally, are concerned about what it means for them and their babies.
While much is still unknown about the virus, what we do know about this virus is reassuring for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the Coronavirus, is a new disease. We are still learning about its severity, how it spreads, and who is at most risk. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, naturally, are concerned about what it means for them and their babies.
While much is still unknown about the virus, what we do know about this virus is reassuring for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Pregnancy
According to preliminary studies, it does not appear that pregnant moms can pass COVID-19 to their babies in utero. Babies born to moms with COVID-19 have not tested positive for the virus at birth. Additionally, a small study published in The Lancet, following cases of 9 pregnant women from early in the outbreak, showed their symptoms were mild to moderate, none of the women developed severe complications, none died, and their babies were generally healthy.
“Based on the data we have so far, it seems that, for some reason, women – including pregnant women – experience less severe infection than men.”
Pregnant women do still tend to be more susceptible to respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, especially if they have pregnancy complications or chronic conditions. That said, pregnant women don’t seem to be at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Regardless, protect your health and the people around you by washing your hands often and well, staying away from anyone who’s showing signs of illness, and contacting your doctor at the first sign of any symptom.
Related: Embrace Real Food for Pregnancy
Should you continue to visit your doctor for prenatal care? You don’t want to neglect your baby’s or your own health, so it can be hard to know what to do. Contact your doctor’s office to see what safety precautions they’re taking and what they recommend for you. Many doctors are shifting to more telemedicine appointments, so you may have the option of having a virtual visit.
Breastfeeding
So, what are the recommendations for breastfeeding moms who are showing symptoms or are confirmed to have COVID-19? The CDC has published Interim Guidance on Breastfeeding for a Mother Confirmed or Under Investigation For COVID-19 based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and the transmission of other viral respiratory infections. The CDC will continue to update the guidelines as additional information becomes available, so reading and following those instructions is a great place to start.
“Bottom line: with the rare exception of a severe infection in mom, breastfeeding is recommended, even if mom has COVID-19.”
COVID-19 has not been detected in the breast milk of mothers with confirmed cases of the virus. Currently, the primary concern is not whether the virus can be transmitted through breast milk, but whether an infected mother can transmit the virus through respiratory droplets while breastfeeding.
If you have confirmed COVID-19 or you’re showing symptoms, the most important thing you can do is take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to your baby. Wash your hands before touching your baby, and wear a face mask (if possible) while breastfeeding. If you express your breast milk, wash your hands before touching any pump or bottle parts and properly clean and disinfect the pump and its parts after each use. You’re probably doing these things already! Plus, if you have COVID-19, consider having someone who is uninfected feed your baby expressed milk with a bottle.
If you’re well now and are able to pump, it’s a good idea to ‘stockpile’ some breast milk and freeze it, in the event you do contract the virus. That way, you’ll have breast milk set aside and ready in case you need or want help feeding your baby while you’re unwell.
Learn more about COVID-19, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding from Dr. Aviva Romm.
5 Reasons to Hire a Postpartum Doula
Your family and friends may be able to help you when you bring your baby home. But adding the help of a postpartum doula to assist with your postpartum care can be an excellent option that’s beneficial to your whole family. Here are 5 reasons to hire a postpartum doula and make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood a smoother one.
Sure, your family and friends may be able to help you when you bring your baby home. But adding the help of a postpartum doula to assist with your postpartum care can be an excellent option that’s beneficial to your whole family.
If you think family dynamics can make holiday get-togethers awkward, then you already know how hard it could be to set boundaries or keep emotions in check when you’re exhausted, caring for an infant, and healing from giving birth.
From Pathways to Wellness, here are 5 reasons to hire a postpartum doula and make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood a smoother one:
Doulas aren’t emotionally involved.
Getting outside support and advice can help you find what feels right for you and your baby. A doula can also help you set boundaries and feel good about them, even when your family members don’t understand or agree with your choice.Doulas offer support for mom.
Your doula might be the only person who visits your home with no expectations. She’ll hold your baby so you can shower or eat, but she won’t be there just to cuddle the baby or take lots of pictures. She’s truly a support system to help you heal and care for your infant.Doulas foster a judgment-free zone.
A good doula will be a shoulder to cry on and a sounding board for your questions. She won’t judge you for your questions or decisions, but she will support you and will provide any information you need.Doulas provide information, not opinions.
Things have changed since you were born, so some information your mom or mother-in-law might offer is now considered unsafe, like baby’s sleeping position. A doula can provide best practices and the latest information to help you make informed decisions for yourself and your baby.
You may also be interested in Chiropractic as a Solution for Breastfeeding Difficulties.Doulas bring extra skills to the table.
Different cultures have different postpartum traditions. Your family may need help carrying out those traditions by bringing in someone with different skills, like massage therapy. There are many ways in which your doula can complement your care team.
Your friends may mean well and want to help, but they don’t always know how. Or, you may not feel comfortable asking a friend or relative intimate questions about breastfeeding or postpartum healing. That’s where an impartial doula can assist, by providing sound information and compassionate care.
Learn more about the reasons to hire a postpartum doula in Pathways to Wellness.
Chiropractic Shown to Help Infants Suffering from Failure to Thrive
Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic indicates that chiropractic care may help infants who are failing to thrive. The study followed a 3-month old who was delivered by C-section and was suffering from failure to thrive, colic, GER and acid reflux.
Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic indicates that chiropractic care may help infants who are failing to thrive. The study followed a 3-month old who was delivered by C-section and was suffering from failure to thrive, colic, GER and acid reflux.
“Numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the various health challenges that infants experience.”
Traditional treatments, including several medicines, weren’t improving her situation, so her parents sought help from a chiropractor. After an exam and X-rays, the chiropractor confirmed that the baby had structural shifts that could be interfering with healthy nerve function.
Following chiropractic treatment, her colic, acid reflux, GER and failure to thrive were all resolved. And, her parents also saw improvements in her sleep, weight gain and mood!
Learn more about Why Infants Need Chiropractic Care.
The researchers recommend further study on chiropractic care for infants who have suffered trauma at birth, but this case suggests that chiropractic is a safe, effective option to consider when an infant is failing to thrive.
Is Your Nursing Posture Triggering a Stress Response?
Parenting an infant is hard. Add hormones, sleepless nights, returning to work, and a busy family schedule to the mix, and it’s no wonder moms often feel stressed out and overwhelmed. But what if there’s another factor causing moms to feel tense? In this case, we’re looking specifically at the relationship between your nursing posture and how it could be triggering a stress response.
Parenting an infant is hard. Add hormones, sleepless nights, returning to work, and a busy family schedule to the mix, and it’s no wonder moms often feel stressed out and overwhelmed! But what if there’s another factor causing moms to feel tense?
“What if the unique stress cascade experienced by first-time moms is largely the result of one thing that most people overlook— the posture we take while nursing or bottle feeding our children?”
If you’ve ever sought chiropractic care, you may already be aware of the connections between our bodies and minds. In this case, we’re looking specifically at the relationship between your nursing posture - with your body rounded forward, leaning in toward your baby - and how it could be triggering a stress response.
Whether you’re nursing, pumping, or bottle feeding your baby, you’re most likely spending a good amount of time in a posture that’s activating your sympathetic nervous system. This rounded, forward physical position sends messages to your brain similar to the fight-or-flight signal. Spending too much time in this forward-leaning posture can create physical strain and pain, as well.
Related: The Fourth Trimester: Planning for Your Postpartum Recovery
If you think your nursing posture is triggering a stress response that keeps you feeling irritable or on edge, shift your posture while nursing and throughout the day to see if your mood shifts. Also try the natural breastfeeding position, lying down, with baby’s belly on yours. Your body will be more relaxed, while your baby has an easier time latching. Finally, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor, who can help you further correct any structural imbalances that are triggering your stress response or causing physical pain.
Related: Positioning Your Baby for Breastfeeding
The Pathways to Wellness article, Nursing Posture and Its Role in Sympathetic Dominance, offers these pointers for at-home remedies for improving your posture:
While feeding or holding your child, sit or stand tall, with your chest open and shoulders down and back. There should be a sensation of the body, lengthening upward and expanding outward, with the torso resting on a balanced pelvis and secure lower back.
If your feet don’t reach the floor while you’re feeding your baby, use a footstool.
Stretch your chest and your hamstrings, and take time to stretch your other muscles and ligaments when you can.
Invest in an ergonomic breastfeeding pillow for support. This shouldn’t be a substitute for ideal posture, but an aid to it.
Schedule at least 10 minutes of quiet alone time every day to help reboot your nervous system to autonomic balance.
Learn more about the relationship between your posture and your sympathetic nervous system in the Pathways to Wellness article, Nursing Posture and Its Role in Sympathetic Dominance.
For local breastfeeding support, contact IBCLC certified lactation consultant, Ashley Lucas.
Chiropractic as a Solution for Breastfeeding Difficulties
Moms set out with the best of intentions, but when breastfeeding difficulties arise, they often give up early, because they can’t find the support or solutions they need to successfully continue. Chiropractor Jeanne Ohm suggests that chiropractic care may be the missing link.
“Among other numerous benefits of chiropractic care for infants, the ability to successfully breastfeed has life long consequences for the baby’s future health potential.”
New, breastfeeding mothers worry about all kinds of things: ”Is my baby latching correctly? Why does she want to nurse so often? Is it normal for my nipples to be so sore? Why does she only want to nurse in one position?”
What moms may not realize is that chiropractic care for their infant could resolve many common breastfeeding difficulties. The birthing process can be traumatic for your baby, putting stress on his head and spine. As a result, your baby may have biomechanical injuries that are affecting his ability to breastfeed.
Some of the most common indicators of difficulty with breastfeeding are:
Babies who cannot latch firmly
Babies who can latch and not sustain sucking
Babies who are unable to smoothly coordinate suckling, swallowing, and breathing
Babies who can feed in only one position
Babies who seem dissatisfied when nursing or who remain fussy and distressed throughout the day
Babies who chew and damage the mother’s nipples
Babies who may not feed any better from other devices
Babies who have the need to suck 24/7
(excerpted from Breastfeeding Difficulties and Chiropractic)
Exclusive breastfeeding is best for the first six months, for all kinds of good reasons. Breastfeeding boosts your baby’s immune system, strengthens your emotional bond, and provides the nutritional support he needs for physical and neurological development.
Moms set out with the best of intentions, but when breastfeeding difficulties arise, they often give up early, because they can’t find the support or solutions they need to successfully continue.
Chiropractor Jeanne Ohm, in Pathways to Wellness, suggests that chiropractic care may be the missing link. Chiropractic addresses the underlying biomechanical causes behind your baby’s breastfeeding difficulties, so you and your baby can continue enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding. It’s one more excellent reason to schedule a chiropractic exam for your newborn, in support of his lifelong health and well-being.
Get more breastfeeding help in our blog, Five Breastfeeding Tips for Mom.
For local breastfeeding support, contact Ashley Lucas, RN, IBCLC.
Source: Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #11.