Sleep Advice for a Mum with a 4 month old

This is the link to a piece I did for Better Connecticut. 

Sleep advice for a mum with 4 month old with sleep problems.

Protecting Baby's Skin from the sun

I like the sunshine, let me clarify, I LOVE the sunshine but I don't like getting sunburnt. Here are some useful reminders for all of you.  Remember even for babies 6 months and younger the American Academy of Pediatrics now states that sunscreen is probably (ugh!) safe to use on younger children, especially if you just use it on small areas of your baby's skin that is exposed to the sun and not protected by clothing, such as the infant's hands and face.

Here is a link to some of the guidelines recommended by Healthy Children.org

Of course there are some great products available at Whole foods and even CVS that are organic and more gentle for baby's skin.  Here is one that I would recommend and it isn't going to break the bank.

Earth's Best Sun Block SPF30 70% Organic and Hypo-Allergenic Earths Best Organic protects baby's delicate skin from the sun with this SPF 30+ Chemical Free, Fragrance Free Sunblock created by JASON. This hypo-allergenic sun block is extra mild and safe for use on babies and sensitive adults. Enriched with Beta Glucan, Oat Oil and Lavender Extract this sun block not only protects but soothes. 

Happiest Baby

 
Did you know that I was a Happiest Baby Educator?  I have been teaching this way of calming your 
baby(ies) for many years now and wish I knew about the technique when I had my children.

It is by far one of the best ways I know of calming your baby from day one and in 99% of cases I have been successful in helping babies sleep for longer periods of time during the day and night.

By far the number one question I am asked by new parent's is, "When is my baby going to sleep through the night?"  I think that once you realize newborns are NOT supposed to sleep through the night initially, you will be less anxious and be able to focus on taking those baby steps towards getting you and your baby into a good sleeping pattern.  It may be a few weeks before you will see a solid 8 hours but it will come - I promise!

Dr Karp shows how to immediately calm a baby

Lots and lots to write about but just not enough time - Happy Mother's Day

There's been a lot happening around here but lately my head has been buried in my books as finals take over my life.  Thankfully this year I will have the whole Summer off before I begin school again in the fall.

This weekend is Mother's day and I have decided this year to take the boys away for the weekend.  We will be going with my friend Bev and her children to  Rhode Island.  It's going to be a blast but I am sure we will get a T-Storm somewhere along the lines.  It's almost guaranteed because whenever Bev and I decide to go camping we always get rained on LOL.  My husband decided that enough was enough one year and we bought a camper.  Unfortunately he's working this weekend and I just don't feel like towing that big thing all the way there for just one night. Actually it won't be as bad as in previous camping trips because we rented a log cabin.  Yay, no drips on our heads in the middle of the night.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, make sure you honor how wonderful and special you are.  Mother's make the world go around!



More photo's and blogs to follow - promise!

So what is a doula and why would I need one?

Doula is the Greek work for maid servant.  Throughout history women have been surrounded by the care and compassion of women who are experts in the field of maternity care.  I am proud to be considered one of those women.

Many women may have heard of the term doula when it comes to childbirth but did you know that there are postpartum doulas?  We are women who will come to you during those fragile transitional moments after the baby is born.  The role of a postpartum doula is to help a woman through her postpartum period and to nurture the family.

Unlike a baby nurse, a doula’s focus is not solely on the baby.  Our role is to help the entire family feel confident in their new roles. We are their to help the father and older children as well as the mother and the baby.

Knowing that the family is an evolving, connected unit enables doulas to do their job.  We gauge our success by how independent the family is at the end of the time we have with them. 

Preparing For Baby

So much time and effort goes into planning for baby but with all the millions of baby items available many parents can get overwhelmed by what is truly a necessity and what will be stuck in the closet only to be found in a couple of years when you are doing your spring cleaning.

Click the following Baby Essentials  and it will take you to the Babies "R" Us website.  I have compiled a baby registry to take the guess work out what you really need to welcome baby into your world. 

I have added in items for those of you that are expecting multiples and also those of you that are intending to bottle feed your babies.

I hope you will find it helpful but as always, if you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to comment below.

 

Welcome to Mum's The Word

For many years I have worked in the wonderful world of maternity care.


It is truly my life’s mission to work with new families. I feel so blessed to be able to help ease the transition for parents and their most treasured possessions - their new baby!

So why would you want to read yet another "guide" to newborn care. Well the truth is, you probably already have all the answers. Most parents I have worked with really do but what they also have is the lack of confidence to act on their intuition.

My intent by sharing this blog is to guide you and take some of the mystery out of those first few months of having a new little person come into your life.

Feel free to share with me any comments or questions - I'm only an email away