A new year full of new possibilities!

As we bring 2013 to an end, I am so grateful for all the new people creating this company has brought into my life. For all the women and families I was able to serve I say thank you. I look forward to bringing in the new year with the opportunity to service you in a greater capacity. Happy New Year. Happy 2014!

Baby's First Christmas - How to Make it a Milestone to Remember

Baby's first Christmas is one of the most memorable moments in your life as parents.  It's a milestone that many parents cherish and therefore it's important that you make your baby's first Christmas a great one.  Follow these great tips to make sure your little one's first Christmas is one to mark your formation as a new family.

Make Memories:

Many parents find that their fondest memories of their children are those from holidays past.  Likewise, many adults feel they their best memories from childhood are from the holidays.  Christmas is a great time to make memories.  When family and friends gather together to celebrate there is bound to be fantastic memories. 

Make sure your baby knows how happy you were to celebrate your first Christmas as a family by taking tons of pictures.  Be sure to include family and friends in your photos.  Another great way to make memories is to have everyone sign a Christmas toy or write a few words about their experiences with your family during the holiday season.  Wrap these all up and let your son or daughter read them when they are grown.

Go Back to the Past:
 
Think back to the good ol' days when you still believed in the magic of Christmas.  What were your favorite memories?  What didn't you like?  Anything you couldn't imagine doing without??  Consider all of these things and let your babies Christmas be a reflection of everything you loved.

Create Traditions:

Want to make a special family tradition that you can call your very own?  Your baby's first Christmas is the best time to start.  Not sure how to start a tradition?  A tradition can be something as simple as combining parts of Christmas from your childhood and your partner's childhood.  Traditions don't need to be elaborate, what is important is that they represent the beauty of Christmas and that they create fond memories for your child to pass on to his or her children.

Capture Memories:

The holidays are hectic and it's not easy to sit down and really appreciate your baby's first Christmas.  If you don't' have one already, begin a scrap book that documents each Christmas.  You can dedicate this scrapbook solely to the holidays and every year you can add to it.  Be sure to include pictures, cards, or any other sentimental things you feel your child should cherish forever.  Once your little one is old enough, they can help you continue the scrapbooking tradition.

Decorate for Baby:

You may not have put much effort into decorating when it was the two of you, but now that your family has expanded you should consider investing in some Christmas decorations.  Your child will no doubt be interested by the sparkling lights and the bright colors creating a true wonderland for them.  Be careful when choosing decorations and placing them.  You want to make sure baby can't get hurt so make sure all lights and decorations are well out of reach.  Leave only baby safe decorations like Christmas stuffed animals in places they can easily get to.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Babys-First-Christmas---How-to-Make-it-a-Milestone-to-Remember&id=837295] Baby's First Christmas - How to Make it a Milestone to Remember

Benefits of Prenatal Yoga

The timeless practice of Yoga is endlessly beneficial to everyone. Continuing with your Yoga
practice during pregnancy is absolutely recommended as long as you pay close attention to your limits and body! Prenatal yoga is safe enough to start if you have not practiced yoga before, yet in an ideal world it is of course better to prepare by practicing some yoga before getting pregnant. However, the sequences and postures used in prenatal yoga are soft and suitable for those that have and those that have not. During pregnancy your body is changing rapidly and Prenatal Yoga is a wonderful way to slow down and appreciate what your body is actually going through! After all, you are making a whole new person in there!

Prenatal yoga calms your mind and softens your breathing which is so valuable during times of anxiety and stress, which are well known to cause unwelcome and unwanted problems.
I would recommend that you do discuss with your doctor first your desire to practice prenatal Yoga, and any other forms of exercise during pregnancy, whether it be only once a week or more regularly. All forms of exercise during pregnancy are advised to be under an experts supervision for yours and your baby's safety. I recommend that you take it really easy and gently during the first trimester. Wait until your pregnancy has settled before you continue or start with more energized fitness and activity programs. Keep fit and well with activities such as walking, swimming and very gentle relaxing yoga that can encourage your pregnancy to settle and ground itself safely. Once you become more energized during your second trimester higher activity levels can commence. The third trimester will be slower again as you are much heavier and that makes you tired!

The breathing in prenatal yoga is slower than normal and more often than not is linked to a movement. These deeper and slower breaths will fill the lungs completely allowing vital oxygen and goodness to reach you and your baby. Deep breathing is a great way to calm down and relieve tension and anxiety from the body and mind, also excellent when in the middle of a row or crisis! Total exhalation and letting go of the breath allows you to feel calmer, more relaxed and afterwards more energized. Learning how to master this slower and more controlled way of breathing during prenatal yoga will help you to prepare yourself for labor, childbirth and being a new mum. Breathing will train you to stay calm when you need it most, especially during the contractions in labor, helping you to relax and let go.

Pregnant women need to practice yoga at a slower pace than usual. It is easy to get caught up in the not wanting to gain too much weight during pregnancy and wanting to stay fit by practicing at the same pace as before, but believe me, remember what your body is doing - it is making a baby and you will gain some weight like it or not. Nature designs it that way as you need the extra weight to nourish and feed your baby! Staying fit and well is vital yes but not to the point that you obsess about it! Listen to your body and avoid pushing or straining yourself beyond what you really need. Vital energy and goodness are needed for the formation of your child, not your ego!
Avoid poses that have any weight resting fully on your stomach, especially during the 2nd and 3rd Trimesters. Avoid including the Cobra and any full frontal and belly down poses!
Practicing yoga during pregnancy is a great way to enhance the possibility of birthing your baby naturally. Selected postures and movements are designed to assist in enhancing the chance of the baby moving into the optimum birthing position.

If you are sensible and careful, have checked with your doctor and do not have any reason to not practice prenatal yoga, 3 times per week would be ideal amount of sessions to try and fit in. What is important is that you listen to your body and intuition and do what feels right for you!
We are all different and no two women or their body's are the same! Listen to how 'you' feel and how 'your' body feels and then decide what you need the most! You will feel different on different days so rest when you need it, and practice yoga when you need it. No matter what, remember to breathe fully and deeply and keep energy levels up by eating well and drinking lots of water!

During your prenatal yoga sessions always take as many breaks as you need and alternate between the more challenging and relaxation poses. The hormone prolactin will be abundant in your body during pregnancy softening the joints and ligaments ready for childbirth, so it is really important to not overstretch or force into positions. Lying on your back when pregnant is always a concern. Firstly for thousands of years women have lied on their backs with no problems at all; however the reason it is not recommended today is because it does not encourage the baby to get into the optimum birthing position or to get the optimum oxygen flow from the placenta, lying on your left side does. Lying on your left side is highly recommended for sleeping and resting and it is recommended to not lie on your back after the 20th week of your pregnancy. Many women wake up on their backs and that is ok, don't panic. If you do lie on your back place something under your knees so the weight is not so dense into your back. If you do have a choice, lie on your left side.

During the second trimester your belly will begin to show and bulge (and remember all bumps are different shapes and sizes), and you will begin to detect movement from your baby. Massaging your belly is vital now to help with reducing stretch marks and to help with elasticity.
You will have more energy during this 2nd trimester so will most likely feel like doing much more, especially if you had nausea in the first trimester! This is when prenatal yoga comes into its own! Many women feel abundant and bloom during this time and prenatal yoga will help you to feel even more fabulous.

Strong standing postures are used for strength and alignment, along with squatting with the ball to help open the hips and assist with a more natural birth! Lots of mobility for the hips is needed to prepare them for birth and helps to get the baby into the correct, preferred birthing position!
In your 3rd Trimester your belly will be big! Prenatal Yoga during the 3rd trimester is all about making you feel comfortable. Your body will be continuing to expand and stretch (make sure you are massaging), and there will be much more movement from your baby which is really visible now.
This is when you need to modify poses and positions to suit you! You can use pillows between your knees, chairs, bolsters, blankets and blocks. These will help to take pressure from your lower back, legs and heart. Prenatal yoga during the third trimester helps to reduce fluid retention and cramping which can be common for women. Last and certainly not least, yoga at this point during pregnancy can shift and get the baby positioned correctly if it is not already. Certain positions really can turn baby's. It is important to mention here that you must not squat if your baby is in the breech position especially after 34 weeks!

Endless benefits include meeting other new mothers, sharing, gaining strength, gaining flexibility, relaxation and stress relief, connection to baby, time out, reduce inflammation and swelling, aid sleep, encourage better birthing position, keep fit, feel good about yourself and relief of nausea.Try it and see!

The Author of this article is Helena Bingham of http://www.mamababybliss.com a UK company that offers information, DVD's, baby massage, baby yoga, prenatal yoga, 100% natural baby products, pregnancy products & new mother gifts.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Benefits-of-Prenatal-Yoga&id=1322425] Benefits of Prenatal Yoga

Cant's into cans, and dreams into plans

Usually my blog post are educational and informational. This is a more personal piece describing my overwhelming gratitude to be on this journey doing exactly what I love! 

Yesterday as I stood in Inner Look, for probably the first time, I realized that I had not only taken the first steps, but that this train was now full speed ahead moving towards a grand opening (register here: http://villagematernitygrandopening.eventbrite.com/)

Never before had I experienced so much exhilaration, fear, joy, and happiness, so complexly rolled together! Would this be a success? Would anyone register for classes?? Am I READY for this??? Will it be great???? Can I help others????? Everything's lining up and in place. I'm meeting with great instructors, creating a schedule of classes, reading and working on my craft...... there's no time like the present. Carpe diem, seize the day! You can't sail the ocean without the courage to leave the shore..... RIGHT? These fears bring me back to the reason I'm doing all of this anyway!

SERVICE. It all balls down to being of service! Living in the wonderful city of Miami, FL, the only place I call home, has made me realize that, we don't have options. My goal, is to provide women of South Florida a more natural, in-tune with our bodies, put down the epidural, you can birth that baby, and sustain life the way you were created and magnificently designed to, kind of service. To empower your to be great and not afraid of pregnancy and childbirth. To create a support system, a sisterhood, a Village.  

The more I think about it, I realized, I am extremely grateful to be on this path. For taking the first, all be it, shaky. For making that decision over a year ago that I would follow my dreams. Thank you to all the people and women that have sowed into me! And to everyone woman that has allowed me to assist her, thank you.  You are helping me fulfill my life's' passion. For that; I'm  grateful. 

5 Labor Benefits of a Doula

In today’s society, a doula can benefit you in many different ways. Although these professionals do not replace your current midwife or physician, they are awesome and beneficial on a more personal level. You will be able to begin your relationship with your doula once you find out that you are pregnant. A doula is there to help you reach any goals that you have regarding the birth of your child. This type of professional can help you find child birthing classes, help you create a birth plan, and give you several different tips regarding pregnancy and the birth of your little one.

---

1. Experiencing Shorter Labor
2. Less Chance of Cesarean Section (C-Section)
3. Having a Healthier Baby
4. Decreased Need for Medications
5. Lower Risk of Post-Partum Depression

For a list of frequently asked question please feel free to visit our website. Click here

5 Tips for Breastfeeding After Breast Cancer

The Village Supports you 

Congratulations! You are a survivor and now you’re expecting. For many women, this time raises concerns. Many women who have survived breast cancer and go on to have children wonder if they can breastfeed. Breastfeeding can become challenging for a mother under the best circumstances, but breastfeeding after surviving breast cancer poses different concerns. Depending on how long after your battle with cancer and if any tissue was removed, will determine your success rate. But there is hope! 

1. Seek Needed Support

Find an IBCLC 

The #1 suggestion is to get support.  Even though you may feel as if you do not need any assistance, you may want someone other than family to talk to.  Having family and friends available for support is still a good thing. But, don’t be afraid to seek professional help! Seeking help in the beginning can prevent small issues from spiraling out of control.  Here is a link to the registry for International Board of Lactation Consultants.  Certified Lactation Consultants, Breastfeeding Counselors, Peer-Educators, and La Leche League professionals offer great advice in normal situations.  IBCLCs are considered the gold standard of expertise in breastfeeding. If you are experiencing a problem outside of the norm; as you may with breastfeeding after cancer; you will be advised to see an IBCLC.   I recommend starting there.   Finding a "village" of women who have successfully breastfed after cancer can provide additional feedback. 

2. Understand Breastfeeding

During the first month of breastfeeding, be prepared for the demand exclusive feeding creates.  Contrary to the belief of many, the first few months of breast feeding are difficult for any mother.  Keep in mind that breastfeeding runs on a supply and demand function.  The more frequent that you nurse, the more milk your breasts will produce. You can download a copy of Will My Milk Be Enough? 3 Tips for promoting successful breastfeeding. My free guide to getting you started on the right step!

3. Proper Care for Your Breasts

Your breasts are tender and need to be properly cared for, especially when you are breastfeeding.  It is a good idea to apply some form of nipple cream on your nipples to ensure that they do not become painful due to cracking and peeling.  You will want to apply this cream on a daily basis. Everyone has their preference. I like Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter. It is natural and non-toxic.  Also, self-expressing milk and

Great for soar nipples and is non-toxic

rubbing onto soar nipples helps with healing as well.  Don’t wash breast with soaps as this dries them out, and removes the natural scent of the nipples that aides a baby in breastfeeding.  

4. Staying Healthy

Many women do not realize how much breastfeeding takes a toll on your body.  Without the proper consumption of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, fatigue may occur.  To prevent this from happening, make sure that you have a plan that will nurture your body as well as your baby.

5. Your Plate

When you create your special breastfeeding diet, make sure that you incorporate all of the necessary food groups.  These essential food groups include grains, protein, meat, dairy, vegetables, and fruit.  These foods will provide your body with a substantial amount of energy and help your baby become strong. Breastfeeding women can consume up to an additional 500 calories during this time, as breastfeeding is a major calorie burner. The USDA has some updated recommendations for breastfeeding moms. 

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5 Steps That Need to be Taken When You Are Considering Leaving Your Abusive Partner While Pregnant

Staying healthy is an essential part of being pregnant.  If your spouse is abusive, whether verbally or physical, you need to consider your options of leaving. Stress is not good for you or your baby and there is a great chance that things will become worse.

1. Getting Back to You

In order to get “you” back, you have to be willing and ready to walk away from the situation. Although you may feel that things will get better with time, these chances are slim to none. You need to be able to walk away from the situation for the health of you and your unborn baby.

2. Setting the Limits

Emotional outbursts and criticism can take an extreme toll on you. In this instance, you will need to let your partner know that you are willing to discuss any concerns that he has, but there is no need to attack you to get your point across.

3. Consider All of Your Options

A lot of women are concerned about everything else but themselves. There is nothing wrong with being concerned about your partner because a relationship requires two people. In the same instance, he will need to understand what you are going through and the things that you are currently feeling.

4. Talk to Someone

Talking to someone can help a lot more than you imagine. Hopefully, you and your mate are able to come to a conclusion about the events that are taking place. Keep in mind that while being pregnant is stressful upon you, it is stressful for your spouse as well.

5. Letting Go and Moving On

In the event that you have taken several different steps to stop any physical and emotional abuse and nothing seems to work, make plans with a relative or close friend to move and have a place to stay. Take one to two days to only pack your essential needs. Items such as clothes, toiletries, and little odds and ins will need to be taken. If you decide to return for any reason, your spouse should undergo therapy or some form of counseling.
Get help: The National Domestic Violence Hotline 

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7 Exercises That You Can Do Now That Will Help During Labor

This article discusses 7 exercises that can be performed in order to ease the pains of pregnancy and easing the process of labor. This article also discusses how these exercises tone other parts of your body.

It is a fact that no one will be able to predict how your labor will turn out.  From pain to unpredictable instances during labor, no one will know until the process begins.  The good news is that there are a few exercises that you can do to help you prepare your body for the events to come.

Kegels

Kegels are one exercise that many expecting women perform on a daily basis in order to prepare them for the process of labor.  Kegals are an essential exercise to do to prepare you and your body for labor because when you perform this exercise, you are strengthening the muscles that are supporting your uterus, rectum, bladder, and urethra.  Strengthening these muscles will improve circulation to the rectum and vaginal area, which will help with the prevention of hemorrhoids.

Pelvic Tilt

The pelvic tilt is another exercise that you can do.  This exercise is also referred to as the “angry cat”.  In order to perform this exercise, you will need to be on all fours.  This particular exercise strengthens your abdominal muscles and helps with easing back pain that you may experience during pregnancy and labor.

Squat

Although this is not a favorite position or exercise for many expecting mothers, this exercise helps open your pelvis.  Squatting will also help strengthen your thighs.

Tailor

This exercise is able to help open your pelvis and help loosen the joints of your hip.  This exercise also has the ability to ease pain and tension in your lower back and improve your posture.  This exercise is also known as the Cobbler Pose.

Walking

For some expecting mothers, power walking is not in the forecast, but walking will benefit you a lot more than you may realize.  Walking will keep you fit without affecting your knees and your ankles the way running may. 

Swimming

Swimming has been deemed the best of the best when it comes to expecting mothers.  Swimming gives your entire body a work out without overdoing it.  This is a great way to keep pregnancy weight to a minimum.

Low-Impact Aerobics

These type of aerobics strengthen your heart and has the ability to tone your body.  This is a great way to prepare your body for the changes and process that will occur in the near future.


Each of these exercises and techniques are great to keep an expecting mother fit and healthy without overworking or burning out the body.  Make sure that you keep yourself hydrated and consume healthy foods.



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Labor with a doula

Since today is labor day, it would only be fitting that I dedicated this post to the birth doula. 

Birth doula's have made major headlines in the last decade. Not a new concept, doula; an ancient Greek term for "a woman who serves"; have been a integral element of childbirth for centureis. A doula is now viewed as trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. The emphasis remains on service.



A birth doula:

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life 
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor 
• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth 
• Stays with the woman throughout the labor 
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions 
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers 
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience 
• Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level 

Each women labors differently and there is a doula for every women.

If you would like to schedule a free consultation, here is our contact form.

Risk of Not Breastfeeding

If you are like most women, then you are well aware of the BENEFITS associated with breastfeeding. Here are just a few:

Decrease risk of SIDS

Decrease risk of childhood obesity

Allergy prevention

Not to mention, there is absolutely nothing in the world, that anyone can manufacture, that can ever be as easily digestible and homogenous to your baby’s digestive system as human breastmilk. But did you know that by not breastfeeding you and your baby are at a higher risk of developing certain diseases?

Risks for your baby:

Ear infections 

Gastroenteritis 

Pneumonia 

Atopic Dermatitis 

Childhood cancer 

Risk for you :

Menopausal breast cancer 

Ovarian cancer 

Postpartum depression 

On a larger scale, Author of The Politics of Breastfeeding, Gabrielle Palmer credits women for producing "the most ecological food product in the world." Breastmilk is a natural, renewable resource! According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, $3.6 BILLION would be saved if we increased the number of breastfeeding women 10%. So see, the benefits of breastfeeding don’t stop at your front door. Breastfeeding can have a major positive economic effect nationwide.

Key points:

Breastfeeding is good for baby, mommy, and our economy 

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for 1 year (only breastmilk for the first 6 months)

Infant feeding

It’s important to understand that newborns feed frequently.  It may be every 1-2 hours, or in 45 minute time spans.  Understand early hunger cues and it will be easier to feed baby. 

Early hunger cues:

¨ Smacking or licking lips

¨ Opening and closing mouth

¨ Sucking on tongue, lips, hands, etc

¨ Rooting (turning head to the side searching for nipple)

Late hunger cues:

¨ Moving head frantically from side to side

¨ Fussing and breathing fast

¨ Crying

Since the proteins in breastmilk are small, it is a lot easier to digest.  A breastfed baby will feed more often than a formula fed baby. Also, a newborn’s stomach is very small. At this time you will be producing about 30 mL of colostrum per day; more than enough to feed your baby.  3-5 days after birth, your milk will increase in volume.   Since your baby has retained fluid at birth water is not necessary.   Even after baby has lost the extra fluid, your breastmilk is designed to hydrate your baby. Your foremilk is thinner and will quench his thirst. The hindmilk is denser and calorie rich providing baby all the nutrients he needs for the first 6 months of life.   

Also, for the first 6 weeks resist the urge to use bottles or pacifiers.  This is especially important for mothers that want to exclusively breastfeed. By using a pacifier, you are satisfying your babies sucking need and decreasing the stimulation to your nipples needed to increase milk volume.  The use of bottles will create a preference; not confusion.  Babies are not confused.  It’s much easier to get milk out of a bottle. He has to work harder to massage milk from the breast and may begin to prefer the bottle over your breast. At about 6 weeks, a good breastfeeding regimen should be established, and introducing any of these items at this point should not interfere with breastfeeding.

The Importance of Skin-to-Skin

Skin-to-skin, also called kangaroo care, is a crucial first step in creating a bond between you and your baby that will promote the release of oxytocin and promote let-down.  Skin to skin regulates the baby’s temperature, blood sugar, breathing, heart rate, and calms a fussy baby.  Immediately following birth place baby on your bare chest between y our breast. Baby will lay there for a while and begin to familiarize himself with the new surroundings. It may take some time (1-2 hours), but a newborn can actually find, crawl to, latch, and breastfeed on their own! All around the world, women are experiencing the breast crawl phenomenon.  Here’s a link.  Discuss your wishes with your healthcare provider.   A good way to begin the conversation is by developing a birth plan.  A birth plan outlines your wishes for your birth experience.  Please visit our website for a printable birth plan worksheet.  

Key points:

¨ Skin-to-skin helps baby acclimate themselves with their new world

¨ Promotes release of “feel good” lactation hormones

¨ Skin-to-skin immediately after birth and as often as possible

¨ Create and discuss your birth plan with healthcare provider

You're a Bad Mom!

My breastfeeding journey isn't unlike that of many other women. I had some good days, some triumphs, disappointments and regrets. In retrospect, I realize I didn't do my due diligence as an expecting mother. I knew I WANTED to breastfeed and that was it. I thought it was something that would come automatically. After all isn't breastfeeding natural? Boy was I in for a surprise. Although I breastfed my son until he was about 9 months; I weaned after returning to work and starting nursing school; I was unable to produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed. Why you may ask? I didn't understand supply and demand. What’s worse, women who for whatever reason, don’t breastfeed exclusively face an ever growing stigma. They feel like bad mothers.

This weekend during the premiere of BREASTMILK, we were introduced to women from various social economic backgrounds and cultures that faced a similar dilemma. Women that felt scrutinized and unsupported at work, at home, and in public. Think about it for a moment:

If you were returning to work, would you be able to pump every 2-3 hours, in a stress free, clean room (cannot be a bathroom)?

At the hospital, did your nurses encourage formula?

Did you leave the hospital with a gift bag filled with formula?

Do you give women who breastfeed in public strange looks?

Do you have a support system?

Women in our society have so many options and we should support each other’s decisions. We don’t know what difficulties someone is facing until we walk in their shoes. My lactation instructor Gini Baker, would always say “You did the best you could, with what you knew”. This is a part of the reason I have chosen to work with pregnant women. To pass on the information I’ve learned on my own journey.Breastmilk is BEST. Nothing manufactured can compare to it. I am an avid supporter of doing so exclusively. There are so many resources available to help you on your journey. Seek the help of a IBCLC or CLC. La Leche League has weekly free meetings. If you’re having difficulty, don’t quit and don’t face it alone. Find a group of supporters; after all, they don’t say it takes a “Village” for nothing!

Breasfeeding Week is August 1-7.

Nicole Vascianna Momma of 1, RN, CLC (certified lactation counselor), Birth Doula, and founder of The Village Maternity Services.

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