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
Postpartum
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 W.E.L.L.N.E.S.S.
One way of simplifying your life during the postpartum period is by creating a Postpartum Wellness Plan as a means of navigating the normal challenges that are a natural feature of those early days and weeks after birth. A postpartum plan is just as important as a birth plan: after all, it lasts a lot longer than the baby’s birth! The acronym that I created around Wellness c … [Read more...] about Postpartum W.E.L.L.N.E.S.S.
Protecting the 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 Protecting the 4th Trimester
Postpartum Guide For Fathers
"This post originally appeared on Parenting Pod" Did you know, if your partner is depressed after the birth of your baby, then there’s a 50% chance you will be too? [4] When you become a dad, you undergo an incredible amount of change. There’s a shift in your intimate relationship and your personal identity and you experience new emotions. It can be demanding and over … [Read more...] about Postpartum Guide For Fathers
Science of Babywearing
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
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
Your Network of Other Mothers
Some research shows that having a strong sense of community may be a factor that has greater health implications than nutrition and exercise. One of the biggest sources of support for mothers of babies is their network of other mothers. Often this network must be built over time with intention and effort. And for many mothers, this network includes real time friends as well as … [Read more...] about Your Network of Other Mothers
Parental Leave For Dads
"When I was on parental leave, I took care of cleaning, shopping, cooking, all the basic work.” Pekka, a 37-year-old Finnish journalist, is talking about what happened when he took solo charge of his one-year-old son during the day over several months, while his wife went back to work after maternity leave. It was, he says, “natural” to take on the broader household tasks. … [Read more...] about Parental Leave For Dads
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