Baby "Gear" - What Do You Really Need?

One of the most popular questions among expectant parents is, "What do we need for our new baby?" Lists from major retailers, magazines and parenting books detail the latest must-haves. However, what a new baby really needs may actually differ from what your family may need for your new baby.  Let me explain...

We'll begin with the basics.  Here is my list of baby's needs:

What does a baby need?

1. Love & Nurturing
2. Nourishment
3. A safe place to sleep
4. A car seat
5. Protection from the elements
6. A feeling of security
7. Diapers, lots of diapers
8. Health and hygiene care

Now, we'll take a look at each item on baby's list and what your family may like to have to help meet your little one's needs.

Love & Nurturing
Of course, we know that a baby needs lots of love.  That is item number one on our list.  No one can provide that for your baby but you and those who love you and your baby; and, no special "gear" is required.  Just an open heart and open arms.  Skin-to-skin contact is one way that families are able to nurture their newborn right from the start.

Skin-to-skin contact is the primal form of nurturing that can begin immediately after birth.  It helps to facilitate breastfeeding and is also helpful for fathers and co-parents to bond with their new babies. Skin-to-skin contact is essential for baby's brain and it assists in the regulation of respiration, temperature and heart rate.

Nourishment
Breastfeeding is the biological norm for babies and is the primary mode of feeding recommended by the World Health Organization.  There is no more perfect food for your baby.  Breastfeeding does require support, though, and it is especially helpful when your partner has also learned about breastfeeding and how best to help you. His or her reassurance may be exactly what you need if challenges come up. Getting involved with an organization like La Leche League International and finding other breastfeeding mothers to build a support network will also benefit you.  You may also want to find out what other supports are available in your area.  (Lethbridge-area resources listed below.)

If breastfeeding is not possible due to health concerns, separation of mother and baby, or maternal medication, speak to your midwife or doctor about alternatives. Support, again, is key!  As a mother of one bottle-fed and one breastfed child, I know that it can be a difficult and even heart-wrenching decision to make; but, no one should ever make you feel guilty for doing what you need to do for your child's health and your family.  If you need to bottle-feed, the choices are endless.  Find what works for your baby.  If anything, your baby will teach you about flexibility.

Lethbridge Breastfeeding Resources:

Lethbridge Breastfeeding Clinic
La Leche League Canada: Lethbridge
Nursing Cafe Lethbridge

A Safe Place to Sleep
Where baby should sleep has become a bit of a hot topic in recent years.  Regardless of whether your baby sleeps in a crib, bassinet, co-sleeper or in your bed with you (bedsharing), the following guidelines should be observed:

1. Babies should be put to sleep on their backs.
2. Health Canada recommends that baby sleep in his or her parents' room for the first six months.
3. Baby should always sleep on a firm surface. (See here for safety regulations for cribs, bassinets, etc.)
4. Baby's bed should not contain loose covers, stuffed animals, pillows, bumper pads or sleep positioners.
5. Parents should not co-sleep with baby if they are smokers or have consumed alcoholic beverages or certain medications.
6. Babies should not sleep in a seated or semi-reclined position such as in an infant car seat.
7. Babies should not sleep on a sofa or other soft furniture.

More on sleep:

Health Canada's Safe Sleep Tips
Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory for Safe Cosleeping (Bedsharing) Guidelines

A Safe Car Seat
For Canadians, follow Health Canada and Transport Canada guidelines when choosing a car seat for your new baby.  Remember, recently, it has been recommended that children remain rear-facing for up to two years rather that the previous recommendation of 20-22 lbs or one year. See this article from the CBC.  Also, remember that it is illegal to use a car seat purchased outside of Canada. Make sure you familiarize yourself with up-to-date car seat regulations for your country, state or province.  Remember to never use aftermarket products with your car seat.  This includes bulky winter clothing such as snowsuits.

Protection from the Elements
Obviously, baby needs clothing. Shop for the season your baby will be born in and keep in mind that baby needs one more layer than you would wear.  Basic items to look for are diaper shirts (or "onesies"), sleepers, newborn hats to keep baby warm (not for sleeping), socks and wearable blankets or SleepSacks for bedtime.  If you choose to swaddle, muslin swaddling blankets are breathable and stretchy.  Make sure you research safe swaddling techniques to avoid hip dysplasia and also keep blankets away from baby's face. For winter transport, see this article for tips on how to keep baby warm and safe.  As cute as those fancy (and pricey) name-brand outfits are, they are not "must-haves," and baby may only wear them once or twice.  Invest in the basics.

A Feeling of Security
You and your partner are your child's security.  Learning to interpret and responding to his or her cues or cries in a timely manner builds secure attachment between you and your baby.  Utilizing skin-to-skin contact, as mentioned above, feeding with love and engaging in babywearing can also help your child to feel secure.  Investing in a few safe hip and spine-healthy baby carriers can not only assist in your bond with baby, but also enable you to carry out day-to-day activities with greater ease.  Research has shown that babies who are carried or "worn" by their parents cry less, sleep better and develop better socially.

Diapers, Lots of Diapers
What goes in, must come out.  This one is pretty self-explanatory.

Health & Hygiene Care
Keeping baby healthy and clean is definitely a priority; but, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money.  Invest in a good thermometer (ask your midwife or doctor what they recommend for accuracy) and learn how to do a "top and tail" cleansing of your newborn for those early days. Soft towels and washcloths can be added to your list of necessities.  A simple baby tub or even your bathroom or kitchen sink can be suitable for full immersion bathing.

The Essentials
To recap, here is my simplified list of essentials for your new baby:

1. Love
2. Breast Milk (or alternative if necessary)
3. Safe Sleeping Area
4. Car Seat
5. A Safe Baby Carrier (or two...or three...)
6. Basic Clothing (diaper shirts, sleepers, newborn hats and socks)
7. Wearable Blanket/Sleep Sack
8. Muslin Receiving Blankets (if desired)
9. LOTS of Diapers
10. A Thermometer
11. Towels and Washcloths
12. Somewhere Safe to be Bathed

Depending on your lifestyle, you may find additional items that may make your life a little bit easier such as a portable crib for travelling, a swing for a fussy baby, or a baby gate to wrangle some furry friends.  Just know that you already have the absolute essentials to parent your baby. They are love and your maternal (or paternal) instincts.  Trust in those and your baby will flourish!

One final note, when purchasing items for your baby, please remember to check your government's recall database.  For Canada, visit Healthy Canadians: Recalls & Alerts.

Meet the Doula - Our First "Vlog!"

© From Womb to Cradle Doula Services, Inc. and Michelle Maisonville, CLD(CBI) 2008 - 2013

Learning About Premature Birth

November is Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17, 2011 is World Prematurity Day.  As doulas, we work with families to support normal birth, but we are well aware of the special circumstances that may occur in a small number of pregnancies.  Join us this month as we share resources on premature birth and infants.



Do you know the risks of premature birth?  Do you know the signs of premature labor? Download our information sheet HERE.

Ripped Out: How Birth Trauma Affects Babies

Ripped out

Held tightly in my warm embryonic bubble,

I reminisce on the days when I floated freely

In this my mother’s womb, nourished by her life force,

This is the first home I have known.

As I stretch and long for freedom

Beyond the comforts of the womb,

I feel the walls compress around me

And I know the time is coming soon.

For many months I have grown stronger.

First helpless in this rhythmic sea,

Secured by this line to my belly;

Providing life, food and safety for me.

Now the ocean has closed around me,

And I’m hugged tightly, wrapped with warmth all around.

I reach up and imagine life beyond,

My mother’s voice is a precious sound.

She coos to me that soon we will meet,

And I will gaze into her love filled eyes.

I dream of her as another squeeze comes,

And I feel her heart rate rise.

As we continue, these surges together,

My mother comforts and we both know;

Our instincts will tell us what to do

This path we must travel before we say hello.

As mother prepares for my welcome,

Her strength falters as time marches on.

I hear voices and strange commotion;

A loud beeping that goes on and on.

The journey now becomes fraught with danger,

As I feel mother cry and give into fear.

With each surge I struggle to climb upward;

I don’t feel my mother so near.

As I fight on my way to the outside,

I struggle with fear and with pain.

My mother’s flesh numbs all around me;

I long to scream out her name.

My birth has killed my sweet mother, I fear.

These waves that pushed me closer to our meeting,

Now crash over and threaten to drown me;

My heart is scarcely beating.

Pain fills every joint in my body,

Loud noises crash all around and above.

I wonder shall I go on fighting,

If I have lost the sweet mother I love?

As the womb that was once my warm safe home,

Pummels and pushes me onward to life;

I long for the quiet and stillness before

This womb was in turmoil and strife.

All at once my previously safe cocoon,

Is breached by a sharp sundering assassin’s knife.

I scream as I’m dragged into glaring lights.

Has my mother forfeit, for me, her life?

My cord that gives life is severed,

And the cold rushes in. Oh it burns!

These new lungs expand as I fight for air.

The room all around me it turns.

I learn of fear and pain this day of my birth.

I am welcomed, bombarded, my eyes and my ears.

My mouth and nose are attacked by tubes that suck,

Eyes are blinded with goo that stops my tears.

“I am falling!” I scream. As I’m moved through this cool air;

Measured, poked and prodded, I cry.

But each cry falls on ears that are deaf

Maniacal smiles on their faces speak of joy and of pride.

My captors lay me down at last,

And with cloth bind me tight;

My legs and arms are unable to move,

They pass me around until I lose my fight.

In the arms of a large stranger I hear,

The deep sound that I have heard often before;

When safe in my bubble surrounded by warmth,

This man who I know loves my mother.

I stare around searching for her,

But alas she is nowhere in sight.

This man, who I’ll call Dad, laughs aloud;

And rocks me and smiles with delight.

When all is quiet and all is calm,

I learn that my mother’s not dead.

As I’m placed in her arms, she kisses me soft;

Her voice is as weak as a thread.

My mother cries as she holds me close,

I try to help; this body I cannot control.

Her body is broken, her spirit crushed,

By this place where birth is a toil.

I was born this way, torn from my mother;

The nature of life it has changed.

Where once I sought freedom and adventure,

Now only fear and anxiety remain.

I wrote this poem because through my study and research in my journey on the road to becoming a doula and in the future, a midwife, I have read and heard a lot about how the birth affects the newborn and wanted to write something from that perspective. Where the speaker, this earthbound newborn, talks of feeling pain and fear this is where I imagine that the mother has given in to the pain of labor and accepted medications which block her natural endorphins which would normally flow to the fetus, so that this new life feels all the pain and trauma associated with being squeezed through a birth canal. When the fetus feels the mothers flesh numb around him and fears that his mother has died, this is where I imagine that the mother has received an epidural and the drug numbs the connection between the mother to her fetus so that this little one experiences the withdrawal of his mother’s presence. As the fetus in my poem struggles to be born, the pounding of contractions along with the withdrawal of his mother’s presence soon overwhelms him and his heart rate begins to slow and an emergency c-section is performed. I tried to portray the feelings this infant might have being ripped from his mother, forced to breathe right away by the severing of the umbilical cord, and forced to endure the hospital protocol while being completely separated from his mother. I cannot remember my own birth so I can only speculate and look at the example of my own children. I could feel such a difference between the personality of my child who was born by cesarean before labor began and my natural homebirth baby. My oldest was afraid of everything and still panics at being away from me. My youngest has no fears and everything is an adventure that he can’t wait to experience. I hope this poem is read as it was intended and helps people to also think of the experience of the baby as choices are made regarding birth. Below are some of the resources that I read that helped to change my perspective in seeing birth through the newest person’s eyes.

References

Chamberlain, D. (1998). The mind of the newborn baby. North Atlantic Books; 3^rd Ed. ISBN- 10: 155643264X

Harper, B. (1994). Gentle birth choices. Healing Arts Press, ISBN-10: 0892814802

Leboyer, F. (1975). Birth without violence. Healing Arts Press, ISBN 0-89281-983-9

Odent, M. (2006). Prelabor intrauterine Life; The future of suicides. Retrieved Sept 10, 2011 from: http://www.wombecology.com/suicide.html

Verny, T. and Kelly J. (1982). The secret life of the unborn child: how you can prepare your baby for a happy, healthy life. Dell, ISBN-10: 0440505658

An Interview with Kaitlin Young, Birth Doula

We sat down with the newest doula in our practice for a brief interview so that you, our clients and friends, could learn more about her and why we feel she is such an amazing part of our team!

Tell us a little about your life aside from being a doula.

I am a stay-at-home mother of an awesome little boy and am also engaged and set to be married next year! I enjoy going to the gym and for walks and taking Zephran to the park as well. My son was born 5 weeks early with a cleft in his soft palate so he wasn't able to breastfeed directly so I pump for him, that used to take up a lot of my time before but now I don't have to pump as much!

Why did you decide to become a doula?

I decided to become a Doula after the birth of my son and realizing I couldn't have had a natural birth without the help of my Doula. They helped me learn A LOT about birth and parenting as well as to be informed on my decisions and what was in my best interest as well as my babies best interest. I realized the importance of being an informed mom to be as well as the importance of good labour support.

What do you think is the most important part of your job? 

I think the most important part of my job is to always be available and supportive, not everyone will want to do things the way I have but every woman still deserves the support and birth SHE wants. I feel another important part of my job is to help woman and families prepare for labour and parenthood and give them all the information they want and need!

How do you see your role as a doula?

I see my role as a rock metaphorically speaking. I am there to stay strong and grounded when sometimes mom and others cannot. I am there to help keep my clients grounded, to help them stay calm and centered and to aid them with coping with labour. I am also there to speak up for them when they cannot do so themselves and to offer them any information they require

What do you think the partner's role should be during labour?

I think a partners' role should also be supportive, we as doulas are there to help the partners help their labouring moms, I also think that we are there to help partners speak up for their wives/SO. We as doulas can teach partners certain massage techniques to use as well as have them help us get Mom into different positions. Some partners want to be very hands on while others don't feel as comfortable doing so!

What are the main skills and abilities you bring to a birth?

I can offer many skills and abilities to a labouring mom and her family. Firstly I am there for undivided and unconditional support. I can also offer many different massage techniques to help with contractions as well as different positions to help with speeding up labour as well. Not only do I offer physical support but also emotional support. There will be times that the mom does not think she can do it and I will be there for reassurance. I am able to stay calm and organized in chaotic situations. Also, after birth I am there to help establish breastfeeding between mom and baby. I feel that I can help many different moms in their journey through pregnancy, labour and early motherhood!

Breastfeeding Mothers ~ La Leche League Canada

Breast isn't "best," it is the way babies are born to be fed.  Nursing is more than feeding, it is nurturing.

Video courtesy La Leche League Canada

World Milksharing Week ~ September 24-30, 2011

News Release

Global Facebook milksharing network launches WORLD MILKSHARING WEEK 2011

Human Milk 4 Human Babies Global Network is ecstatic to announce the launch of the inaugural World Milksharing Week, to be held September 24 – 30, 2011, at hundreds of locations around the globe.

The incredible sense of community that is created among donor and recipient families who partake in milksharing is to be celebrated. Dani Arnold-McKenney, who has been an administrator of the milksharing Facebook page in southwestern Ontario, Canada, since the global network started last October, says, "It's a myth that we are all about anonymous milk drops in parking lots. Our donors and recipients support each other and learn from each other. We've had milk recipients rebuild their own milk supplies and turn around and become donors. I have seen milksharing friendships grow and watched bonds of motherhood bloom between mothers who didn't know each other a mere few weeks before."

Emma Kwasnica, founder of Human Milk 4 Human Babies Global Network, says "Breast milk is not a scarce commodity, it's a free-flowing resource. With the advance of social media, women who are willing to share their breastmilk can now easily connect with families who need milk for their children. We at HM4HB are thrilled to see women and families asserting their autonomy to do what is healthy, normal and ecological. Families are making informed choices to share breastmilk and babies everywhere are thriving as a result."

World Milksharing Week is to be held annually during the last week of September. There are a vast number of events your community can organize: hosting online discussions, a picnic in the park, an informational gathering at your work place, or a celebration at a favourite milksharing-supportive locale. 

Individuals and groups who wish to host an event this year can register at www.worldmilksharingweek.org. All who encourage milksharing and who support donor and recipient families are invited to participate.

HM4HB has a presence in 54 countries around the world. There are 130 Facebook community pages and over 20,000 community page members. These virtual communities are run by 300 hardworking, multicultural administrators who lovingly and graciously volunteer their time to keep HM4HB continually focused on its mission, vision and values. 

Media Contact:

Emma Kwasnica

emma.kwasnica@gmail.com
(514) 656-1560 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (514) 656-1560      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Do you have a milksharing story? We'd love to hear it! Post it as a commment or email wombtocradle@gmail.com. We may ask you to guest post! We're planning to organize a local celebration in the Medicine Hat area and can also use your help. Contact us to volunteer!  

Maternity & Newborn Photography 101 (Guest Blogger: Jenn Galloway)

We are proud to begin bringing you the voices of our colleagues working with families in Medicine Hat and area.  We will be showcasing guest bloggers on a monthly basis.  Today's topic is maternity and newborn photography.  Enjoy! 

Hi, everyone! I'm Jenn from A Day In The Life Photography. I am a maternity and newborn photographer located in downtown Medicine Hat.  I just want to quickly say thank you to Sherel and Michelle for teaming up with me to "guest blog".
I think that one of the most frequently asked questions that I get from moms, and soon to be moms is... When is the best time to have professional maternity and newborn photos taken?

I always tell my moms that the best time to come in for maternity photos is around 7.5-8 months. This really does vary from woman to woman though, with twins, you'll want to have photos taken earlier for sure, just in case those babies decide to come early, or in case there is bed-rest involved later on. You want to have a nice round belly, but before the babies foot gets permanently lodged in your ribs. I will try my best to take it easy on you, but you don't want to be too uncomfortable to move.

For newborns, the sooner you get in for photos, the better. If you want the curled up sweet, sleepy photos that you see, the ideal time to come is within the first 8 days. I know that no one is getting any sleep, and the last thing you want to do is comb your hair and put on something clean, but they are this tiny and cozy and sleepy for such a short amount of time, only days. You need to capture these moments, so that you can remember them this way, this size, forever.

You can check out my website here and visit me on Facebook here.

And because, let's face it, reading is always better when there are pictures, here are a couple of some recent clients - one of which was Sherel's client a couple of months ago.





What should I talk about next time? Send Sherel and Michelle some questions, or I'll have to make up my own, and you never know WHAT I'll come up with! ;)

Until next time!
Jenn

Guest Post Coming Soon!

We are thrilled to announce that we will be welcoming Jenn Galloway, from A Day in the Life Photography, to share with you some information and tips about maternity and baby photography.  Jenn has enjoyed photographing little ones since the birth of her son five years ago.  She is active in the photography community in Medicine Hat and also networks with other mom-entepreneurs.  Check back soon to read her first post!  In the meantime, you can also find Jenn on Facebook.