Love Your Birth: Childbirth Prep Online Course FAQs

Birth Plan, Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Cesarean Prevention, Midwife, Homebirth, Pregnancy, Postpartum

Mom has a very successful VBAC delivery. Photo Credit/ Lindsey Meehleis, midwife

Why should I pay for this LOVE YOUR BIRTH course instead of just doing the free one my hospital offers, scrolling through social media and reading some books, or a taking a typical childbirth education series? 

First of all, scrolling brief videos, captions and comments on social media is no substitute for a comprehensive preparation class series. It is fine and encouraged to immerse yourself in positive birth stories in adjunct to a full preparation course with certain caveats, but by itself, is not preparation at all for what you need to know to succeed in having the birth you want in today’s western society.  Also, a brief video of a beautiful birth can give you a false sense of time as it does not include the hours or days of labor that proceeded it all nor does it give you any tools for doing that yourself. 

That positive birth experience took work, loads of preparation, and practice so tools become habitual and effective when the going gets tough, a certain mindset you may not yet have due to how we are cultured, especially if it was a first baby or VBAC.  Scrolling social media pictures and videos of birth actually alone does a disservice as you might think something is wrong or feel like a failure if you don’t have a birth like that. And what about preparation, information and support for everything else, the issues, common experiences and interventions in pregnancy, birth through to postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care you did not know existed?

So what makes this course so much different? Truth be told: In almost 3 decades of practice, having attended > 1000 births, I have never had to transfer a mom who could not handle the sensations of normal labor from home to hospital. Not once. It’s the way I encouraged the mamas in my practice to prepare &  shift their mindset. They come from all walks of life & don’t have different bodies. 

Also, I track my stats. My cesarean rate is 5%, my transfer from home to hospital is 7% - mostly from prolonged stuck labors and exhaustion after trying everything from A to Z, with the common denominator of lack of adequate preparation. I was blown away by these stats, so much so, to have a homebirth in my practice - especially for first time mamas or first time vaginal birthers planning a HBAC, it’s a requirement to take a comprehensive prep course like mine. 

The course has been designed by me, a holistic midwife, doula, childbirth educator, and yoga teacher with over 29 years of authentic midwifery experience and includes the way I help mamas in my practice succeed in having the healthy beautiful birth they want. That is what I want for YOU.  I’ve taken everything I’ve learned, trained and supported thousands of women with in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge and experience into creating something truly special for you.

VIdeo clip by @moanafilmes, taken by mama's sister @danicamata

I designed these lessons to cover everything you can possibly imagine, including preparing your mind, empowering yourself by learning and practicing the techniques of coping and relaxation, through to the physical aspects of labour and birth, and on into postpartum and breastfeeding. I cover how to tap into your strength, your power and your joy, so that you can not only ROCK but also LOVE your journey however it unfolds, whatever challenges you may face.

Your hospital classes will cover the bare minimum of what you need to know about the mechanics of giving birth, touch briefly on how to deal with it, and talk more about epidurals and cesarean births. There is likely to be discussion about the hospital policies and the forms you will have to sign.

Most independent childbirth courses focus exclusively on the process of birth, many do not include pregnancy, some don’t even include postpartum, newborn care and breastfeeding. Also they don’t go into much depth about everything in your life that has come before that will affect how you experience these things, as well as how these things will change who you are fundamentally. They don’t necessarily focus on YOU as a whole, but you as a pregnant human being. They don't usually focus on how you can birth with pleasure, tap into your sensuality and capabilities as a women, and really treasure your experience however it plays out. This all impacts childbearing and having a safe, deeply positive, rewarding, transformative and even joyful experience. 

Independent courses do not often incorporate all the varied the skills I teach in mindfulness, breath work, meditation, and visualization, which help tremendously in childbirth and the journey of motherhood. They do not often incorporate the wisdom and knowledge of a seasoned midwife who has helped thousands of childbearing families in close to three decades.

The Love Your Birth video e-course, with links and comprehensive downloads, I developed prepares you for YOUR birth. It address the needs of your your mind, body, heart, and spirit so you feel fully ready to birth your baby your way! I work to empower you to labor and birth your baby on your terms, and LOVE your experience.

photo by @hiddenemotionsphotography

I’m having an obstetrician or hospital midwife attend my birth, won’t they tell me everything I need to know?

This is course for planning a birth in all settings: home, brith center or hospital. Even if you are planning an epidural…as they do not always come when you want it, you have to still deal with pregnancy, postpartum, newborn care and breastfeeding, as well as labor before you get the epidural, and birth when dose is often lowered.  Also epidurals do not always work, or work partially like on one side, not the other. There is no reason you can’t do this course and also receive care from an obstetrician, doctor or other midwife. Knowledge is power as is tuning into your incredible inner wisdom! The more you know with your entire being, the more likely you will have the birthing outcome you desire.

Obstetricians are amazing at what they do and are who you want on hand if something goes so wrong that medical/surgical intervention is needed.  Many mamas who take my course have told me they found their voice and spoke up; some have really created wonderful change for themselves, their doctors and staff. One mama told me she was able to have the birth of her dreams after convincing her obstetrician to attend her natural childbirth at home! This is amazing as he did this even though he had no experience in natural birth or homebirth -  his expertise was mostly cesarean birth, or highly medicated birth; he is a changed man and I have no doubt that this experience impacts his care for other pregnant women in his practice. Mamas must be the change.

But most healthy pregnancies and births DON’T go wrong and that’s what this online course prepares you for! It prepares you for the normal birth most women are designed to have. And it prepares you to really enjoy it.

I’ve read some books, is it really necessary to do a childbirth class?

Yes! Books are great. Like My Natural Birth Secrets books 2nd edition. It is not at all meant to replace my Love Your Birth course as it is really different and best used in adjunct to it. My book includes in depth discussions on the hot topics so you can make informed decisions regarding what is best for you, as well as a comprehensive resource of effective holistic and natural remedies for all the common issues, discomforts and ailments throughout the whole journey. READ, and read and read! Definitely read what interests you and what makes you excited.

The difference with doing my LOVE YOUR BIRTH childbirth education course is that it follows a thorough curriculum and you are guided by a professional through your entire journey. You are given the tools necessary for really preparing yourself for the unknowns of labor, childbirth and beyond as best that you can, and feel deeply positive about it  even embrace the unexpected, when things did not turn out as planned.

I really want a natural birth but am afraid of pain. How will this help prepare me?

The best preparation is a solid education, and frequent practice of learned coping and relaxation techniques, so you can easily tap into them during labor or any life challenge. But it must include doing more of what you desire and tapping into your sensual so that you are living and birthing from a place of deep joy. I take you on a journey through your mindset shift to help you prepare mentally for the sensations of childbirth, which transforms your experience. I take you on a journey as I help the mamas in my practice (without the hands on care) from their first visit, through labor, birth until their final postpartum visit...and beyond.

I work through common worries and concerns to help you be as prepared as possible for your birth. Discussion of normal physiological childbirth and what your mind, heart and body experience during each stage helps to alleviate fear surrounding childbirth and your path to motherhood. 

I’ve given birth before and experienced trauma, how might this be helpful to me?

By taking control of your childbirth education and honing skills that empower you to relax and cope, you can be more in control of your experience.  Nothing can take away from the experiences you have already had and no one birth can replace another. Professional help may be needed to healthily heal (I offer this help via personal consultation, which can be scheduled separately or bundled with the course). However, by being as informed and prepared as possible, shifting your mindset and doing more of what you love, you can go into your labor and birth feeling confident and assured....and excited. Your beautiful healthy birth can be a huge healing and redemptive experience you will treasure forever. 

What else will I get if I register for this course, besides videos?

You will get supplemental materials to help you along on your journey. You will receive a downloadable workbook with prompts to encourage you to think deeply about the process and to give you starting points for conversations with your partner and care providers. You will receive an e-book, written by me (many families in my practice call it their pregnancy bible), on how to achieve optimal health during your pregnancy and beyond. You will also receive a handout with specific tips on managing nausea, one of the most frequent discomforts of pregnancy. 

My main resource on holistic remedies for common ailments pregnancy through postpartum is the Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition.  In the online course you will receive a list of my top-recommended resources. You will receive links to awesome movies and resources, such as how to have a birth that is ecstatic. And so much more!

Photo by @lindseymeehleis

Final thoughts:

The Love Your Birth video e-course can help you to feel stronger, more empowered, confident and upbeat — not just to deal with the challenges of labor and of life as a mom, but also embrace them with a deeper sense of joy and grace.  It will enhance your education so that you know the questions to ask your care providers in order to have a wonderfully positive experience. I discuss the pros and cons of interventions and what they mean for you, your baby and your birth. I include tips for your partner to use for him or herself, and to help you best deal with the experience as well.

When you are armed with knowledge, an ideal perspective and skills that work, you can approach your birth with the utmost confidence and excitement, and experience profound pleasure along this special rite of passage — your journey of a lifetime.

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Let Me Help You Create The Happiest Birth Experience Of Your Life...

Whether you're a first time or experienced momma,

Or a midwife, doula, or birth professional guiding mommas..

Regardless if you are planning a birth at home, a hospital, a birth center or need a cesarean section, or if you are taking another childbirth education class…

You Really Can Create The Delivery Of Your Dreams.

And have a blissful birth wherever you are.

More Precious Than A Wedding...A Birth Should Be A Celebration!

Let me show you how to…

• Understand the sensations of your body and connect your intuition with how your body is communicating and leading you towards what to do during labor

• Tap into your inner calm to deeply relax yourself,letting go of busy, stressful and fearful thoughts on demand for the health of baby

• Speak your truth from your heart in a way that deepens your relationships, sets clear boundaries, and has people listen to you and support you before, during and after pregnancy

• Trust yourself, connect with your body wisdom andcommunicate with baby in belly

• Connect with natural time and sync your body and mind up with your unique biological clock for ease from pregnancy to postpartum

• Reprogram negative patterns, stories, and beliefs that undermine your confidence, strength and self trust so you can rock your birth

Physicians and midwives around the world recommend my teachings to their pregnant clients and many Doulas across the country learn the secrets of blissful birthing from me to supplement their Doula Training & Certification process!

To learn more, visit:  LOVE YOUR BIRTH Online Childbirth Course!

It is based on my years of experience, as a midwife and yoga teacher, helping thousands of women tap into their calm and live and birth from a place of grounded relaxation and joy. 

Comprehensive Review and Endorsement of the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow

As a holistic midwife of nearly three decades, I am deeply invested in ensuring that pregnant mamas experience the most comfortable, safe, and supportive environment as they navigate the changes of pregnancy. A good night's sleep is crucial for physical well-being, particularly during pregnancy, when discomfort and pressure on various parts of the body can be overwhelming. When it comes to maternity pillows, I highly recommend the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow, a modern and thoughtfully designed solution to enhance sleep quality and support the pregnant body throughout its journey. 

Innovative Design for Enhanced Comfort

The Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow is a marked upgrade from traditional U-shaped pillows. Traditional maternity pillows often come with a fixed shape that makes it difficult for individuals to move or adjust the pillow to suit their changing needs. This can make nighttime positioning a struggle, as many expectant mothers find themselves having to climb over barriers or constantly readjusting the pillow throughout the night.

However, the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow introduces a groundbreaking feature: the slide leg pillow. This innovative design element allows users to customize the angle of the pillow, and more impressively, collapse the pillow when necessary. This freedom of movement eliminates the cumbersome process of trying to navigate over fixed barriers, which is especially beneficial during late pregnancy when movement can feel more restrictive. Expectant mothers can effortlessly adjust the pillow to suit their sleep posture, whether they are sleeping on their side or need extra support between their knees and hips.

Ergonomic Full-Body Support

Pregnancy comes with its own unique set of challenges, particularly as the body adjusts to accommodate a growing belly and shifting weight distribution. This is where the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow truly shines. The pillow is designed with 5-point contouring to provide comprehensive support for your body, cradling your head, back, belly, hips, and legs in optimal alignment. This design ensures that all pressure points are properly supported, reducing the strain on critical areas such as the lower back and hips.

Back pain and hip strain are common complaints during pregnancy, often due to the weight of the baby and changes in posture. The Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow addresses these concerns by promoting blood circulation, which can also reduce the likelihood of swelling in the legs and feet—a common issue in the later stages of pregnancy. The pillow helps to maintain natural spinal alignment, which is essential for preventing discomfort that can disrupt sleep.

As someone who works with expectant mothers, I know how important it is to get a deep and restorative sleep during pregnancy. Poor sleep can lead to fatigue, irritability, and even exacerbate physical ailments. The support that the Momcozy Dreamlign offers promotes not just comfort but optimal sleep posture, helping you rest in a way that alleviates strain on your joints and muscles. As the body undergoes significant physical changes, the ability to sleep deeply and comfortably can make a world of difference to your overall well-being.

Safe and Durable for Long-Lasting Comfort

Another essential aspect of the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow is its commitment to safety and durability. Expectant mothers are particularly sensitive to chemicals and allergens, and as such, it is crucial to use products made from materials that are safe and gentle on the skin. The pillow is crafted with OEKO-TEX certified fabric, which ensures that it is free of harmful substances and safe for direct contact with sensitive skin. This certification is a significant benefit for pregnant mamas who may experience increased skin sensitivity during pregnancy.

The filling of the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow is made from premium polyester, a material known for its durability and resilience. Unlike many pregnancy pillows that lose their shape over time, the Momcozy pillow retains its shape and firmness, even after repeated use. The polyester filling maintains its structural integrity under weight, ensuring that the pillow continues to offer the same level of support from the first night of use to the last.

This durability is particularly important for mothers-to-be who rely on their maternity pillow for consistent support. As pregnancy progresses, more support is often needed, and the Momcozy Dreamlign pregnancy pillow ensures that it will remain effective throughout the entire pregnancy. Whether you are in your first trimester or well into your third, this pillow will continue to support you in a way that enhances comfort and promotes restful sleep. It can even be used postpartum to help you find a comfortable position for resting on the sofa or sleeping in bed, and during breast-feeding. 

Versatility and Functionality

The design of the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow offers unparalleled versatility. It adapts to different sleep positions, making it ideal for side sleepers, back sleepers, or even those who prefer to sleep propped up. This adaptability is a crucial consideration for pregnant individuals, as their bodies and sleep needs evolve over time. The ability to reposition and adjust the pillow means that it can be used for multiple functions, including supporting your legs, back, or belly in various ways throughout the night.

Many maternity pillows are either too bulky or difficult to adjust, but the Momcozy Dreamlign provides the flexibility to support specific areas as needed. Whether you need extra support under your belly, between your legs, or around your back, the pillow can be customized to fit your unique body shape and sleep preferences. This functionality adds significant value to the product, ensuring that it remains useful and comfortable through all stages of pregnancy. It is an all in one pillow, so no more multiple bed pillows, tossing and turning, pulling and straining.

Conclusion

As a holistic midwife, my primary concern is the health and comfort of pregnant mamas, and I can confidently endorse the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow as a top-tier choice for anyone looking to improve their sleep quality during pregnancy. Its innovative design, ergonomic support, and durability make it a standout product in the realm of maternity pillows.

The slide leg pillow feature and the ability to customize the pillow's angle make it a revolutionary product in terms of functionality and ease of use. The 5-point contouring ensures optimal alignment and support for the body, while the OEKO-TEX certified fabric and premium polyester filling provide safe, lasting comfort.

If you are looking for a pregnancy pillow that offers not only physical support but also promotes a peaceful and restorative sleep experience, the Momcozy Dreamlign Pregnancy Pillow is an excellent investment. Whether you are in your early months of pregnancy or nearing the end, this pillow is designed to grow with you through to postpartum and breastfeeding, ensuring that you remain comfortable and well-supported throughout your journey.

This is a paid promotional post by Anne Margolis CNM of HomeSweetHomebirth.com

All About Placentas

Pregnancy, Childbirth, Homebirth, Birth Plan, Postpartum, Baby, Supplements

The placenta is the essential organ that forms during the womb in pregnancy and attaches to the baby via the umbilical cord. It belongs to the baby. It is the only organ essential for fetal survival, but is not needed by the baby post birth, after baby receives the cord blood (1/3 of the baby’s blood supply that backed up into the placenta during birth).

It is the organ that gives baby life; it provides oxygen and nutrients, and also filters waste products. It makes hormones that support the pregnancy, help baby grow and develop, and provides protection against bacteria and infection. Toward the end of pregnancy, the placenta passes antibodies from you to the baby, which can provide immunity for up to three months after birth.

But what happens to the placenta after pregnancy is over? Many people simply allow the placenta to go to medical waste in the hospital or want it to be discarded after a home birth.

However, for those who want to keep or use the placenta, there are several options out there.

Photo by @senhoritasfotografia

Ingestion

Placentophagia is the act of mammals eating the placenta of their young after childbirth. Most mammals, left to birth undisturbed in nature, will consume the placenta, even herbivores. Maybe they do that to prevent predators. It is also theorized that this is done instinctually, because the placenta contains high levels of prostaglandin, which stimulates the uterus to shrink back to its normal size. It also contains small amounts of oxytocin, which can ease emotions after the birth, as well as facilitate breastfeeding.

In humans, placenta ingestion is practiced most often in Chinese medicine, and the tradition is centuries old. Most often, it is dried, steamed, ground, and encapsulated, although some eat it raw in a smoothie or cooked into other foods. It can also be made into a tincture.

There have only been a few scientific studies on the benefits of placenta encapsulation, and they have not conclusively supported or dispelled the proposed benefits. Most information about placenta encapsulation is anecdotal.

In addition to helping the uterus shrink and increasing milk production, ingesting the placenta is said to restore iron levels in the blood, increase levels of stress-reducing hormones, and decrease the incidence of postpartum depression.

If you are interested in encapsulating your placenta, you can look for a certified encapsulation specialist in your area. Certified specialists will have completed encapsulation training. Be sure to research the techniques used to make sure safety and hygiene standards are upheld. More and more childbirth professionals are offering this service, and Dr. Aviva Romm, in her book “Natural Health After Birth” has helpful instructions how to do this yourself.

Art by @phatal_love

Lotus Birth

Lotus birth takes delayed cord clamping up a level. It is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord attached to the baby after birth until it naturally separates, which can take approximately 3 to 10 days days. It is not as essential as refraining from immediate clamping of the umbilical cord at birth, but does have some perks.

In addition to the benefits from delayed optimal cord clamping, of allowing baby to get back essential blood volume, oxygen, nutrients and stem cells for optimal transition to and long term survival earth side, lotus birth encourages baby and mom to stay in extremely close contact, and discourages others from unnecessarily moving the baby. It also encourages mom to stay still and quiet in the days following the birth. It honors the third stage of labor, and allows a more gentle transition from fetus within the womb, to a baby outside in the world.

The placenta does require some extra care for a lotus birth. It should be gently rinsed with water and patted dry, then placed in a sieve or colander for 24 hours to drain. Then, it should be wrapped in an absorbent material, such as a clean dishtowel or cloth diaper, and placed in a placenta bag. There are many different crafty options for these that can be purchased on www.etsy.com. The wrapping should be changed every day.

Alternatively, the placenta can be placed in a shallow bowl filled with sea salt, and sprinkled with sea salt daily to preserve it.

Ceremonial Burial

Many cultures honor the placenta by burying it. Some believe this will give the child a strong connection with the land. Others bury the placenta under a new tree, as a symbol for the placenta acting like the “tree of life” for the baby and believing the organ will bring richness to the soil to help the tree grow. The tree can then be looked upon in remembrance of all the placenta accomplished and the life of the child it nourished.

You can also make a placenta print keep sake. Take the fresh placenta and press  the side with all the blood vessels branching out like a tree, against a white canvas or art paper. This can then be framed when dried, or placed in a scrap book - along with a dried part of the umbilical cord shaped in a heart or spelling out LOVE.

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I’ve taken everything I’ve learned, trained and supported women with locally for close to 30 years in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge and experience into creating something truly special for you....

Let me help you have a deeply positive, empowering and joyful journey through pregnancy, birth and being a momma in postpartum with my LOVE YOUR BIRTH online course.

Educate and inspire yourself, ready your body, ready your mind, ready your heart with my list of TOP BOOKS of every category you can imagine listed  - with links on where to get them as books, listen on audio, or read them on kindle. The better prepared we are for a situation, the better the outcome will be. I feel passionate about empowering and educating women to get the most out of their womanhood, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, mama, yoga and life journeys!

Home Postpartum Care: Let’s Talk Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding, ask the midwife, holistic healing, natural remedies, newborn care, Postpartum, Supplements, Pregnancy pillow

Postpartum Care At Home: Your Breastfeeding Guide

Congratulations to you and your family on the birth of your baby!

You did it!! You are a rockstar, superhero, however and wherever you birthed. Now it is time for some postpartum care. But through it all, do what you can to go with the flow. Tune into your body and your baby’s natural rhythms. Embrace it all as a normal healthy phase of your life as a new mama, shared with mamas around the world since the beginning of time. Try to have fun with it and keep your sense of humor. 

Welcome to the postpartum period, the fourth trimester, a period of healing and adjustment, of getting to know and comfort your baby, and mastering breastfeeding.  All your baby needs now is love and breast milk. If you are unable or choose not to breastfeed, consider feeding baby pumped breast milk, or donor breast milk from registered milk banks. Breast milk is the ideal food for your baby, although organic goat milk formula is most similar to human milk and you can discuss best alternative options with your pediatrician. 

The rest will follow naturally, as you learn on the job, take guidance from wise experienced others, and let Baby be your teacher. As in pregnancy and birth, trust your instincts and your heart. But do not hesitate to ask for help and support as needed. Hopefully you prepared in your pregnancy so that you are well supported during this sensitive time, as it has always taken a village to raise a baby as well as new parents. A postpartum doula is a must if you do not have family and friends to help you. 

Below are some helpful hints to make the next few weeks of breastfeeding easier and more comfortable, so you are more able to heal, enjoy and reflect upon your extraordinary new miracle.

The most important advice is to slow down, stay in the moment, try to resist the temptation to do, do, do...and just be, be, be. Trust that you will heal and get into your breastfeeding routine, as you are perfectly designed to do, given the proper care and support.  Do not hesitate to reach out to an IBCLC lactation consultant sooner rather than later if there are breastfeeding issues beyond what your midwife or doula can help you with.

Nutrition for Postpartum Care & Breastfeeding

Maintain at least the same healthy nutrition as you did in pregnancy, especially now for recovery after birth, and during breastfeeding. This will help you to make good quality milk, and nourish your baby as well as yourself. Make sure to eat at least three whole food varied healthy meals and snacks, and even a little bit more than you would normally consume. And keep well hydrated with at least 64 ounces of water daily. 

Traditional foods for the early postpartum weeks across cultures typically include soups and stews with a lot of vegetables, including the starchy ones like sweet potatoes and winter squash, stew meat or chicken, and whole grains like barley and oats. Also, do eat plenty of eggs, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Much nourishment can be added to fruit/veggie smoothies, soufflés, whole grain hot cereals, and breads/muffins like zucchini-apple, banana-date or carrot-raisin, enhanced with almond flour or chopped nuts and seeds, nut milk, and eggs. 

Herbs and Supplements

Make sure to supplement your diet as in pregnancy, with herbs, vitamins, minerals, omega threes and probiotics to complete nourishment not supplied by diet alone. This will aid in your recovery and help supply all of your and your baby’s nutritional needs. Do increase iron foods and take an herbal iron, especially if you were anemic in pregnancy, have low iron stores, lost a lot of blood at birth, gave birth by cesarean, and/or are still anemic. 

Do continue your nourishing pregnancy herbal infusion to your diet but add alfalfa and red clover. You can have a support person make this by:

• Blending a handful of dried Nettle leaf, a handful of dried Red Raspberry leaf, a pinch of Alfalfa, large pinch of Red Clover, and several Rose Hips. 

• Add a pinch of Comfrey to help with healing. (optional) 

• Brew in a mason quart glass canning jar of boiling water 1-4 hours. The longer the brew, the stronger the taste and effect.

• Strain, and drink plain or lightly sweetened with Rose Hip infused honey and/or a splash of fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice.

• Enjoy hot or cold, up to 4 cups per day.

 You can make it in larger quantities and store in the fridge.

There are some nice herbal breastfeeding teas like those made by Earth Mama Organics and Traditional Medicinals. Use two bags per cup of tea to get the benefits.

You can have your special someone make your own delicious, nourishing combination of herbs that helps with breastfeeding and enhances the nutritional content of your breast milk: 

• Mix a handful each of dried Chamomile blossoms, Catnip and Blessed Thistle, a pinch each of Fennel seeds and Fenugreek powder or seeds, and a few dried Lavender flowers.

• Put 1 tablespoon of the mix in a cup, fill with boiling water, and steep for 10-15 minutes.

• Strain in the glass mason jar, and drink plain or lightly sweetened with Rose Hip infused honey, and a dash of anise. 

• Drink 1-3 cups daily.

Although it is a challenge postpartum, it is so important to avoid fatigue by making sure you are getting extra needed sleep by going to bed earlier, sleeping later, or taking naps when baby naps. A few hours of broken sleep each night is never enough to prevent that feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm from sleep deprivation.

When sleeping, lay down on a firm supportive mattress, on top of a bed board if needed. Some women find the floor or a futon helpful.  A MUST is to use an excellent full body pregnancy pillow for additional support.  An excellent pregnancy pillow is not only most supportive, they are also ergonomic and deliciously comfortable for safe sleep. Mamas say they make them feel like they are literally sleeping in a cloud each night. And they love that pregnancy pillows still helps them postpartum to find a comfortable position to rest, sleep and even breastfeed. 

My favorite pregnancy pillows are full body U shaped all in one pillow, with an attached pillow for between your legs or to wrap your legs around. They are designed to cradle your head, back, belly, hips, and legs in optimal alignment. No more tossing and turning, pulling or straining. 

Pregnancy body pillow adapts to your body’s pressure points, promoting blood circulation, reducing back pain and hip strain while maintaining natural spinal alignment for deeper, restorative sleep. It releases your body pressure, effectively relieves back and hip pain as well as leg swelling so you can sleep more deeply all night long. Full body pregnancy pillows are  designed to replace the need of multiple bed pillows. It hugs your entire body and conforms to both sides, perfectly support the head, shoulders, the entire back, belly, sides, legs - even the knees, feet, pelvis and hips.

If you can not fall asleep, practice savasana or “corpse pose”: yoga’s most important experience. Simply lie down in a quiet space for at least a half hour, keeping your focus on your breath or between your inner eyebrows, while allowing the muscles to melt and releasing any tension in your body with each exhalation. Even 20 minutes of this is like a 2 hour power nap for the body.

Breastfeeding

Your newborn baby’s stomach is tiny, like the size of a cherry the first few days, a small apricot at one week, and a large egg at one month of age. Only tiny amounts of milk are tolerated initially. Expect your baby to drink about 1-1 ½ tsp per feed on the first day, 1½-2 ounces by one week, and 2 ½-5 ounces per feed by one month of age.

The liquid gold colostrum that your breast produces makes no more than a few teaspoons per feed, but when your full breast milk comes in, you will have more than enough to accommodate. Often women have a misconception that they do not have enough milk when they have exactly what baby needs, and they get into a tension and supplemental feeding cycle that actually does decrease supply. 

If you had labor or birth complications, needed epidural or spinal anesthesia, baby was birthed by cesarean or had to be in the intensive care, establishing breastfeeding can be more challenging at first. Get help by a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) as soon as possible if there is any difficulty. Baby-friendly hospitals should all have them on staff, or you can ask your midwife, pediatrician or local La Leche leader for recommendations. If you need additional guidance to boost low milk supply first follow these steps.

All you may need to do is keep nice and calm with baby skin to skin and nurse more frequently, avoid formula and glucose water, and do not use pacifiers until your breastfeeding is well established. 

You can increase emptying if needed, which boosts your supply, by using a double electric breast portable Willow pump every 2-2½ hours for 15-20 minutes, but know that a healthy baby is the best breast pump. If you do pump,  freeze the milk for later use, like when you need to go out or want a break from a nightly feed. Take herbal combinations like More Milk Special Blend,  drink non alcoholic beer or Hops tea and several cups Sesame milk daily. You may need to add increased amounts of the individual herbs like Goats Rue, Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek, 2-3 capsules each up to 3 times per day, or add the tincture of More Milk Special Blend, 2 ml 4 times per day to increase your supply. 

Treating Breast Engorgement

Your breasts will begin filling with milk and can become engorged by the third or fourth postpartum day whether or not you are breastfeeding. Initially, you may notice that your breasts become larger, fuller, heavy, lumpy, slightly tender and warm. They may leak milk and you may notice a short-lived low grade fever. The skin of the breasts may be pulled tight and become shiny, hard, painful and throbbing, and the baby might be less able to grasp the nipple.  

Suggestions to minimize discomfort with breastfeeding:

• Practice early, frequent breastfeeding (on demand or every 1½-3 hours) without supplemental bottles for at least the first month. The breasts will learn to replace only what baby takes. (This is a good reason not to pump significantly in addition to nursing initially, as breasts will replace that too). Allow the milk to run freely into a bottle from one breast as the baby nurses on the other side. The bottled milk can be frozen for a later nighttime feed your partner can give Baby to give you some needed sleep once engorgement resolves.

• If Baby is having a hard time latching, try manually hand expressing a small amount of milk before nursing. You can also do so afterwards if still uncomfortably full after each feeding.

• Rub Arnica oil gently over breasts, except nipples, then apply a comfortably hot washcloth/compress or stand under a warm shower 5-10 minutes before nursing.

• Gently massage breasts downward while nursing using Arnica massage oil or lotion.

• If you are uncomfortable between feedings, you can let comfortably hot shower water run over your breasts and massage them downwards using a fine tooth comb dipped in soap, or gently hand express just a small amount, or soak your breasts into a sink full of comfortably hot water. If engorgement is severe add 1-2 ounces of Marshmallow root tincture to the water. 

• For severe engorgement, apply cold packs just during the short term period of extreme discomfort. Ideally, make these by defrosting frozen cabbage leaves rolled over with a rolling pin.

• Apply cold compresses of Comfrey (soak washcloths with the tincture and store in the fridge). You can try comfortably hot Comfrey compresses and add Parsley tincture.

• If you are not nursing and need help drying up your breastmilk, drink lots of Sage tea and do not pump. 

Report any areas of increased heat, redness, swelling and severe pain; fever over 100.4 after the first few days; and chills, headache and generalized aches like you have the flu.  

Sore Nipples

Your nipples may be tender or sore during the first week or so of getting accustomed to breastfeeding your baby, whether you are a first time mom or have nursed successfully before. You may also feel some pain, usually lasting no longer than one minute, each time the baby latches onto the breast in these early weeks, which lessens as baby nurses. If your baby is improperly sucking, or incorrectly positioned, your nipples can become very sore and the pain is intense the entire feed.

Suggestions to minimize nipple soreness are:

• Remember this pain is temporary as your nipples adjust to normal healthy breastfeeding, and use your tools from labor and breathwork to breathe and relax into the sensations rather than to fight them.

• Have an experienced person observe for proper positioning, latch and sucking during breastfeeding from the beginning, especially if you have severe nipple pain during the entire feed and your nipples are very sore.

• Release the baby’s suction with your finger before removing the nipple from the baby’s mouth anytime you need to stop the sucking, especially when the latch is shallow.

• Soak nipples in a cup of 0.9% physiologic saline solution, then expose breasts to fresh air 20 minutes after each feeding, ideally in the sun, in front of a 60 watt light bulb, or a blow dryer. Yes, spend some time topless.

• Apply some breast milk to the nipple.

• Avoid synthetic breast creams and nipple shields.

• If mild, massage plain organic Cocoa Butter, Almond oil or Vitamin E onto the nipples after each feeding. If without relief, apply homeopathic calendula cream or herbal salve made with Calendula, Marshmallow,  Aloe Vera, and Chamomile, or Lanolin designed for sore nipples after each feed and gently remove any residue before nursing. Apply pure Aloe Vera gel to the cracks and cuts, as well as Comfrey, but wipe off before nursing so baby does not ingest it. Try several formulas and see what feels best for you.

• Nurse more frequently for shorter periods of time.

• Alternate positions of nursing each feeding to vary pressure points on the nipple.

• Initiate nursing on the least sore side. You can nurse only one breast a day to allow the other to heal, pumping the sore breast to relieve engorgement during each nursing session. Then nurse the alternate breast the next day (pumping the other), and continue this until nipples have recovered.

• Take a daily bath or shower, washing nipples with water only (no soap).

• Wear all cotton bras, avoid tight bras, and minimize the use of breast pads. If breast pads are occasionally needed, use organic bamboo or cotton washables or nontoxic disposable breast pads without plastic, changing when wet to keep nipples dry.

Report to your practitioner if your soreness lasts longer than a week or is getting worse, if your nipples are cracked and bleeding, or severe nipple pain persists during entire feed indicating a latch issue.

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Need more help from me?

Check out my online Love Your Birth comprehensive prep course for pregnancy through birth, postpartum and breastfeeding  - an  insider’s Guide to the joys and challenges of recovering from birth and getting the breastfeeding in these modern times created by a seasoned holistic nurse midwife who has seen everything! Learn simple tricks of the trade to make the journey to motherhood more holistically healthy and fulfilling.
You will have direct access to me through the Love Your Birth course Guides if you bundle with a coaching call with me.

I can help you:

• Help yourself breastfeed healthfully and successfully

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• Answer questions and make informed decisions

My Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition has helpful tips as well, and is an excellent resource in adjunct to the Guide.