Humans have been carrying their babies for as long as they’ve been giving birth to them. So that’s forever, then! This ancient parenting practice is as natural as breastfeeding and modern science is now backing it up. First, it should come as no surprise that, like our ape cousins, we give birth to infants that are designed to “cling” to our bodies. Okay, so we aren’t hairy a … [Read more...] about Science of Babywearing
Postpartum
Benefits of Babywearing
Babywearing is a necessity for women all over the world who carry their babies while they work and do domestic tasks. This practice has been around for centuries, but has seen a dramatic resurgence in popularity in recent years. Why? Touch is good for us. THE BENEFITS OF TOUCH According to a study in Pediatrics, babies who are carried cry less. Babywearing for three hours … [Read more...] about Benefits of Babywearing
The Postpartum Couple
Nurturing a relationship during the postpartum period can be difficult. Most experts suggest that you sustain your relationship in the same way you would at any other time in your lives together as a couple. The difference now is one of time and energy—think small. Here are some easy ways to remind your partner of how much he or she means to you: Spend a few minutes tog … [Read more...] about The Postpartum Couple
Tips for Postpartum Blues
Anyone who has suffered from any form of postpartum depression knows that it is nothing to be taken lightly. One in 8 suffer from Postpartum Depression (PPD), according to Postpartum International, and dads experience it too. Knowing that you are not alone, and that your feelings are not your fault, are important things to remember when trying to find a way to tackle your pa … [Read more...] about Tips for Postpartum Blues
Ginger Moon Food Doulas
Ginger Moon is the dream of three mothers who share a deep love of food, tradition and community, and a lifelong passion for social and environmental justice. During our pregnancies, we realized that without the support we received from each other, our physical and emotional health would have suffered immensely. We owed our health and sanity to that nutrient-rich, delicious … [Read more...] about Ginger Moon Food Doulas
When the Bough Breaks
One in 7 women experience Postpartum Depression (PPD). This is the story of how one woman turned her PPD into a resource for other women by participating in and helping to produce the film, When the Bough Breaks. MY DREAM I had a dream. My dream was to get married to the love of my life and have a family. I lived the good life in my twenties. I worked in the music … [Read more...] about When the Bough Breaks
Ayurvedic Postpartum
I love sharing the beautiful Indian cultural practice of postpartum "confinement" in which new moms and their babies stay home for 40 days after birth. I learned about this tradition because i was raised in a Sikh community and lived in India for 12 years. As a mother and a midwife who practiced in New Zealand for eight years, I am delighted about the resurgence of this p … [Read more...] about Ayurvedic Postpartum
Postpartum: 4th Trimester
Around the world, the postpartum period is considered a special time—a time in which a mother is born, as well as a baby. Many cultures have special practices and customs that serve to recognize this very special time in the life of a woman: the postpartum period. In many cultures, women are not expected to carry on their usual lives, but are revered and recognized for the n … [Read more...] about Postpartum: 4th Trimester
Digital Doula for Postpartum
What happens to a mother after she gives birth? Even after 35 years or working professionally with birthing women and their partners, this question continues to fascinate me. Once a mother gives birth it seems that all eyes turn to the baby, and she becomes almost invisible. Throughout her pregnancy she was the center of attention, glorified and pampered by the whole range of … [Read more...] about Digital Doula for Postpartum
Baby Took My Mojo
The wife and mother in me had ousted the lover and songwriter. Prenatal weight gain and hair loss led the putsch, and by the time I gave birth to my second irresistibly squeezable son I was firmly planted in the “all-mother-all-the-time” seat of power. I reveled in that postpartum grace period when visitors dropped in with treats to ogle my bundle of wonder, while he and I got … [Read more...] about Baby Took My Mojo