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Is It Worth Getting a Lactation Consultant?

Most nursing mothers face challenges and difficulties in their breastfeeding journeys. While some of them try reading up or consulting with their health care providers about the best tips for breastfeeding, some prefer to hire the services of a lactation consultant to guide them throughout their breastfeeding journey.

A lactation consultant is a well-trained health care professional who is focused on breastfeeding and milk production. These experts are specially trained to help facilitate breastfeeding and make it an enjoyable journey for both mother and baby.

A lactation consultant will help you solve many of your breastfeeding problems including sore nipples, and low milk production. He or she will also help you in case your baby is not latching properly, has additional needs, or isn’t gaining weight at the pace he should be gaining. If you need extra support during breastfeeding or you are finding challenges in breastfeeding multiple babies like twins, you can be sure that a lactation expert will be there to guide and assist you on the way forward.

Unfortunately, hiring the services of a lactation expert doesn’t come cheap. So it’s advisable for you to sort out your finances before going for one.

Nowadays, everyone can easily learn about breastfeeding. You could easily find answers to some of your questions on several pregnancy and breastfeeding platforms that are available online. Besides, your midwife, doctor, or OB-GYN could also guide and educate you about most of the things you need to know about breastfeeding.

The bottom line is that you can actually go through your breastfeeding journey well without having to consult with a lactation consultant. However, if you face serious breastfeeding challenges that you think may be taking a toll on your life or the life of your baby, then you might want to consult with a lactation consultant. A lactation consultant is indeed the best person to handle serious lactation issues as they have been trained specially for that. Rest assured a lactation consultant will give you an in-depth treatment plan, guidance, or counseling depending on your specific breastfeeding problem.

5 Alternative Birthing Methods You May Consider

With advancements in medical technology, childbirth has become a lot safer for both the mother and the baby. So far, most hospitals have responded to the changes in trends and that explains why women can now choose the best birthing method that is safe and convenient for them. Although it is granted that an easy and perfectly executed birth plan is ideal, there can still be sudden twists and turns, which can sometimes necessitate alternative delivery methods. Besides, women also have the rights to opt for the best birthing method as long as it is affordable and also safe for them and for their babies. Now, let’s look at the five alternative birthing methods you may want to consider:

1) Vaginal birth

This birthing method is highly recommended for pregnant women who do not have any complications nor are at risk of developing one. Vaginal birth actually involves three stages which include labor, pushing the baby through the vagina, and finally delivering the placenta. Vaginal birth is not only safe, but it also associated with benefits such as lower rates of infections, quicker delivery, and shorter hospital stays. More so, babies born vaginally have a lower risk of developing respiratory problems.

 

2) Cesarean delivery (C-section)

A cesarean section is a birth method that involves the delivery of a baby through a surgical incision in the abdomen and uterus of the mother. Some C-sections are emergency as a result of unforeseen complications that may arise during vaginal delivery, whereas others are scheduled in advance. Some of the circumstances that can necessitate a C-Section include multiple babies, a baby who weighs more than normal, a baby in a breech or transverse position, or placenta trivia. With innovations in medicine, C-sections are currently very safe.

3) Water birth

Water birth is another alternative birthing method. It is simply vaginal delivery that takes place in a waist-deep bathtub of water or in a Jacuzzi.  A water birth comes with a relaxing feeling and also reduces pain considerably such that there is no need for an epidural. Water birth is safe for the mother and also poses no risk to the baby whose lungs remain collapsed until he or she is removed from the water.

4) Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing involves training pregnant women to achieve complete relaxation right from labor until when the placenta is delivered. This method of birth involves courses alongside an instructor who teaches the mother-to-be self-hypnosis exercises that are geared towards eliminating the pain caused by labor. Through this method, mothers-to-be can easily stay focused and in control of the entire birthing process.

5) Home birth

This is a birthing method where mothers-to-be put to birth in the comforts of their homes. Even though home birth is safe, the American Pregnancy Association has excluded some groups of women from giving birth at home including the women who are suffering from certain health conditions like diabetes and chronic high blood.1 Women who are at risk of preterm labor or have experienced it in the past are also advised not to opt for a home birth. More so, you should not opt for a home birth if your partner is not fully in support of the idea.

Always discuss with your doctor before you make a decision on the birth plan.

 

Reference:

1) Home births. The American Pregnancy Organization Website. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/home-birth-652/. Last accessed April 22, 2021.

7 Best Push Gifts For Your Wife

A push gift is a present that a husband gifts his wife for giving birth to their child. The literal meaning is carrying the baby for thirty-eight weeks and then “pushing” the baby out. While the baby itself is a blessing from God, a little pampering gift to your wife is much needed.

A traditional push gift would be jewelry. However, one does not need to limit their push gift to jewelry. Here are some great ideas to consider:

1. Baby Book
This book is the only one a new mom would ever need. Although a baby book sounds like the cheesiest of all presents, your wife is going to love it! It is an amazing feeling when a mom get to document about every milestone in their baby’s life. Get her a beautiful and interactive journal that she can jot down memories in.

2. Chocolate Truffles
Cater to your wife’s sweet tooth and gift her a pack of milk truffles. Truffles taste like cake balls and are full of fun flavors.

3. Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oils are very calming and soothing. They help you in calming down when you are tired. Essential oil diffusers will allow your wife to choose the scents she prefers and add softness to the ambiance.

4. Diaper bag
Get your wife a stylish mummy bag that don’t look like a diaper bag. Because this is going to be the only bag she can carry around after delivery. Moreover, get one stylish diaper bag that has several zipped pockets, bottle holders, built-in diaper changing mat as well as it comes with adjustable straps that allowing to be hooked on the stroller. Do make sure it is machine washable if it gets dirty too.

5. Accessories
You should get her something that screams ‘proud mom,’ which can either be in the form of studs in her newborn’s birthstone or a locket that says, mom. Accessories are a very popular and elegant push present that she can wear later when her child is grown up.

6. Smart watch
A smart watch is a perfect present that every new mom needs to keep track of time and updates from the mobile. Make sure it is waterproof, though because You don’t want baby pee accidents ruining it.

7. Luxury Tote
All new moms need a carry all bag because they must carry baby stuff around daily. So why not just buy your wife a luxury tote that would be gorgeous and practical? She can keep her own and her baby’s belongings in it without any trouble.

Mommy Saab’s Word on Cord Blood Banking

More and more mommies are learning better about the benefits of cord blood and cord blood banking! Now let’s also find out why Cordlife continues to earn the trust of a growing number of Filipino families!

Join Mommy Saab Magalona-Bacarro once again in an informative True or False game with Cordlife Mom Anna Tantuico-Herrera and first-time mom-to-be, Mommy Danielle Brimo-Stern!

 

Safety Tips For Bathing A Newborn

Bath time is the best time for connecting with your little one, but don’t allow the serenity of the moment to take away your mother caution. You will need to take safety tips in your hand to ensure that your little one remains comfortable and healthy after bathing. Before bathing your baby, you should pack all the required supplies in time. Towels, washcloths, diapers body wash and clothes are some of the essentials you will need in bathing.

Week 39

This week is one of the last stretches of your entire pregnancy journey. The baby is known as a full term at this stage as the baby is fully developed. The baby is just waiting for the perfect moment to make an entry into this world. Many changes are still occurring within the baby and the mother’s body. When you are at week 39, you have completed the three weeks of the ninth month.

Preparing Maternity Bag

It’s almost time to bring your baby to the world and a perfect time to gather all the essentials for giving birth. Collect all your birth and labor necessities – And while you may not be planning a hospital birth, it’s still important to pack your bags during the 36th week of pregnancy.

BUSTED: 7 Common Myths of Cord Blood Banking

The umbilical cord is the lifeline between you and your baby – it connects your developing baby to your placenta, which helps to provide nutrients and remove waste. Cord blood, also called “placental blood”, is blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a baby and after the umbilical cord is cut after delivery.

Best Foods For Mom After Cesarean

The period after a cesarian surgery is straining both mentally and physically for a mother. You will need healthy food to bring back your health. Getting a rich diet will not only boost your health but also hasten your healing process. When it comes to food for post C-section mothers, others say they should take solid food while some say these mothers should not take solid food: So what foods should post C-section mothers take?

Postpartum Care Checklist

Immediately after checking out from the hospital, your attention is always focused on taking care of your newborn baby, and that’s when most mothers forget they have to take care of themselves as well. Remember, for nine months, you were carrying and nurturing your baby, and your body needs to recover from it all.

Why Postnatal Massage?

Postnatal massage therapy is an effective and all-inclusive approach to help adjust to motherhood. Massages are known to provide stress relief, pain relief, and stress reduction among other health benefits. Just after a mother delivers, her abdomen is flaccid and the skin is loose. Some stretch marks slow down the skin from returning to the pre-pregnant firmness.

5 Common Breastfeeding Myths

Nowadays, most parents are becoming increasingly conscious of the need to breastfeed their babies in a bid to keep them healthy. Even though producing breastmilk occurs naturally as early as during pregnancy, breastfeeding is considered a skill that both the baby and mother needs to learn.