Chandler, Arizona
Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
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Q&A with SPB: What do you feed your baby after breastfeeding?
| Posted on November 15, 2016 at 9:56 AM |
comments (214)
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 Q: What do you feed your baby after breastfeeding? A: Anything healthy!!! Bear in mind that the transition from breastfeeding to solids is a gradual one. Start with the mindset that "Food before one is just for fun!" Your body is wonderfully equipped to nourish your baby and help them grow tremendously through their first birthday. As long as your baby is peeing, pooping, and reaching their developmental milestones, then your breastmilk is doing the job of nourishing your Sweet Pea and helping them thrive. If you are having your doubts, schedule a visit with a local International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to see if they can help you reach your breastfeeding goals. So how does the transition happen? Typically, we start to replace one feed at a time with solids. Start by offering the breast first, so that you know your baby is getting some nourishment. Then offer them the solid food of the day. Many people start with vegetables first and then move onto fruits. Then offer the breast again after the feeding session to fill up any space that might be left in the tummy. Try not be offended if your Sweet Pea turns away...it just means that your efforts to feed solids were a success!! The transition from exclusively breastfed to eating solids is a gradual one for most families. You alone know when you are ready to night wean, then take away feeds throughout the day until you are left with an occasional nursing session at waking or before bedtime. Rest assured that I do not know anyone who was still breastfeeding their college-bound child! Once your baby is weaned from the breast, they simply need water. You do not have to feel pressured to continue on with another animal's milk for drinking. If you want to avoid other dairy foods altogether, there are many food based sources of calcium. Check out healthaliciousness.com for three different lists of calcium-rich foods: Top 10 Foods, 33 Vegetables, and 17 Fruits. More about solids: One of by-products of Bradley training is that our couples are much more aware (if they weren't already) that our body and our baby are what we eat. A healthy diet is one of the cornerstones of a healthy mom, healthy baby pregnancy. Once you are used to eating a whole food diet, picking up a box of baby cereal and reading the ingredients might be a scary proposition!! Here are some sites that have helpful information about introducing solids that skip over the baby cereal and go straight to whole food:
See our post HERE that answers the question: How do I know my Sweet Pea is ready for solids? It is exciting to see your baby learn to eat other foods! You can read our food chronicle with Otter HERE. Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
Q&A with SPB: When is it time to go to our birth place?
| Posted on September 21, 2016 at 7:47 PM |
comments (149)
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 We get this question a lot, and it came up again when we taught class on Friday evening. The most common answer uses the acronym "5-1-1".When you have this pattern established:
...then it is probable that a change in activity is not going to slow down your labor. There are other variations of this...some providers will say 4-1-! (four minutes apart, lasting a minute and in this pattern for an hour), and I have even known some hospital-based midwives say 3-1-1 (three minutes apart, lasting a minute, and in this pattern for an hour). However:
So hopefully that gives you a little better idea of what to plan for when it's time for your Sweet Pea's Birth-Day!! Here is another video from our archives that you might like...it offers some suggestions to make that transition from home to birth place as smooth as possible in order to continue the good work you have started at home.
Do you have any "going to the hospital" tips to share? Please leave us a comment below! Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
Q&A with SPB: Is there anything I can do to make more milk?
| Posted on August 30, 2016 at 10:01 AM |
comments (55)
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Today's question on Q&A with SPB:  We are joined by Jennie Bever, PhD, IBCLC at the Arizona Breastfeeding Center to answer that question: Recap: You are not alone! This is a common question/worry that many moms have during pregnancy and postpartum. There are many myths, tips and tricks that people share that may work for some moms, but really don't get to the core of the issue: how much milk is moving through the breast? The fact about milk production is that the more milk that is demanded, the more milk will be made. So a lot of the time it's not really a supply issue, as much as it is a removal issue. In order to make milk, the body needs the signal that more milk is needed. Some things to consider:
Krystyna's little side note about pumps to consider:
An IBCLC can help you with both evaluating how you and baby are moving milk, and also answer any questions you have about pumping. The bottom line: While some of the galactagogues out there may help, you don't want to create more milk that still can't be moved...that may cause another hurdle (i.e., pugged ducts, mastitis). So before you spend lots of money on the "magic" herbs, teas, and foods that help some moms make more milk, check in with a lactation counselor to make sure that you and your baby are doing your best to remove the milk that is already being made. Thank you again to Jenny for taking the time out of her busy day to answer today's Q&A with SPB!  Disclaimer:
The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional
medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider
to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own
situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and
Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the
consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain
information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is
not the official website of Birthing From Within or The Bradley Method®. The
views contained in this video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those
of Birthing From Within, The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth®.
Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson
|
Q&A with SPB: How does thyroid function affect breastfeeding?
| Posted on August 23, 2016 at 12:35 PM |
comments (29)
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 Today's question is answered by Jennie Bever, PhD, IBCLC* at the Arizona Breastfeeding Center: https://youtu.be/21HGacWaOCc Synopsis: Breastfeeding is an "energetically expensive" activity for the human body. In order for breastfeeding to work well, a mother's thyroid has to be working well to adjust for the mother's energy needs. Postpartum thyroiditis is more common than you might imagine. If you are tired (more than usual for postpartum), you notice that your hair is falling out more, and you suspect that your milk supply is affected and/or lower than you would expect, you might have a low functioning thyroid gland. Hypothyroid: low-functioning below normal levels for pregnancy+lactation Moms with a low-functioning thyroid typically experience low milk supply. If you suspect that you might have a low-functioning thyroid, have your thyroid levels checked by your IBCLC* or your primary care provider. Once your thyroid function is regulated, you will probably see your milk supply go back up. Hyperthyroid: high-functioning above normal levels for pregnancy+lactation Moms with a hyper-functioning thyroid typically experience the ability to make enough milk, but it won't come out. Basically, the ability to "let-down" is inhibited. If you suspect that you might have hyper-functioning thyroid, have your thyroid levels checked by your IBCLC* or your primary care provider. Once your thyroid production is regulated, you will probably be able to let-down when your baby latches as one would expect to when breastfeeding. Three notes:
I hope that you received some answers and/or validation if you have pre-existing thyroid conditions, or if you suspect your thyroid is a little off. Never hesitate to ask the questions that will get you the help you need so you can breastfeed your Sweet Pea and meet your breastfeeding goals. *IBCLC: International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant UPCOMING EVENTS: Phoenix La Leche League: Live, Latch, Love
As part of the LLL area conference August 26th, 5-7 PM Embassy Suites Biltmore
La Leche League Conference August 26-28, 2016 Embassy Suites Biltmore Register Here: www.lllofaz.org/area-conference  Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional
medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider
to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own
situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and
Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the
consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain
information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is
not the official website of Birthing From Within or The Bradley Method®. The
views contained in this video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those
of Birthing From Within, The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Q&A with SPB: How does finger-feeding work?
| Posted on August 16, 2016 at 2:55 PM |
comments (398)
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 Today's Q&A with SPB might be helpful to families who are anxious to avoid "nipple confusion", something that makes it harder for babies to breastfeed when they have had an early introduction to bottle feeding. Instead of supplemental feeding of breastmilk or formula with a bottle, this technique is one of the feeding strategies that a family might want to try in order to feed baby and keep things happy at the breast. Here is our Q&A with SPB question of the week, answered by our friend Michelle Hottya the IBCLC over at The Milk Spot.  If you should have questions about today's information, be sure to reach out to your local IBCLC for help. You can find one in your area by visiting www.ilca.org. I hope you enjoyed and learned something from today's special Breastfeeding Edition of Q&A with SPB. We'll be back next week with another installment with the IBCLCs from the Arizona Breastfeeding Center!  Do you have a question for the IBCLCs this month? Be sure to leave a comment so we can have them answer it for you. UPCOMING EVENT Phoenix La Leche League: Live, Latch, Love As part of the LLL area conference August 26th, 5-7 PM Embassy Suites Biltmore La Leche League Conference August 26-28, 2016 Embassy Suites Biltmore Register Here: www.lllofaz.org/area-conference Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information
provided. This blog and video contain
information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is
not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this
video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method®
or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Q&A with SPB: Is there hope to breastfeed baby number two if it was hard with our first?
| Posted on August 9, 2016 at 5:42 AM |
comments (5)
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 I had the pleasure of attending the Arizona Department of Health's LATCH-AZ event last Friday. The seminar was presented by Dr. Katie Hinde, Associate Professor at the Arizona State University School of Human Evolution & Social Change; Center for Evolution & Medicine. Her perspective on the biological and evolutionary development of lactation was fascinating!! Be sure to follow her blog, Mammals Suck...Milk!, to read her layperson's version of her published work, as well as insight into her work in progress. One of the gems that she shared from research (not yet published - and coming soon!!) confirmed the anecdotal evidence collected across years of teaching students who choose to breastfeed. The first breastfeeding experience is not necessarily a predictor or indicative of what a mother may experience with subsequent pregnancies/babies. Even if a mom had trouble with her milk supply the first time around, there may be hope if she wants to try to breastfeed the next Sweet Pea. It was encouraging to know that "the coming-soon evidence" shows there is quite possibly a chance for mothers who want to grow their families to have a different breastfeeding journey; even if the first breastfeeding experience didn't work out as expected. (I will update this post with a link to the published research as soon as it is available). To that end, I want to share a VLOG we did last year with our friends Desiree Allison, IBCLC at the Arizona Breastfeeding Center and Michelle Hottya, IBCLC, who is now at The Milk Spot. In this VLOG, they share ideas for mothers who do want to give breastfeeding another go as they grow their family: You can read the full text with "how-to" tips from the original post HERE. We will be back next week with a new VLOG and special installment of Q&A with SPB: Breastfeeding Edition; the Q&A portion will be answered by one of our amazing local IBCLCs. Do you have a question for our local IBCLCs? Leave it in the comments and we will get it answered as best we can this month! Breastfeeding Awareness Month events happening this August: Chandler-Gilbert La Leche League Live, Latch, Love August 13, 2016 from 4:30 – 8:30 pm Click HERE for
more info Phoenix La Leche League: Live, Latch, Love As part of the LLL area conference August 26th, 5-7 PM Embassy Suites Biltmore La Leche League Conference August 26-28, 2016 Embassy Suites Biltmore Register Here: www.lllofaz.org/area-conference  Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information
provided. This blog and video contain
information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is
not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this
video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method®
or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Q&A with SPB: Mother's Milk Bank of CO Donation and Outreach Center in Phoenix, AZ
| Posted on August 2, 2016 at 8:59 AM |
comments (7)
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 I am happy to kick-off our 2016 Breastfeeding Edition of Q&A with SPB with a very special announcement from The Milk Spot, a local lactation support resource, located in Phoenix, Arizona:
Mothers will undergo a screening process, and once they are accepted, their milk can be received and transferred to regional NICUs. Learn more about milk donation at the INFO NIGHT at The Milk Spot, this Wednesday, August 3, 2016:  We will be there live, broadcasting on Periscope. Be sure to follow our twitter handle, @sweetpeabirths, for exclusive access to this launch and info meeting. Michelle Hottya, IBCLC will be sharing information, answering questions, and facilitating a forum with area IBCLCs who work in the NICU. We will be able to hear the impact stories of babies fed with precious mother's milk. See you there or see you online! Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.    |
Q&A with SPB: Variations and Complications
| Posted on May 17, 2016 at 3:41 PM |
comments (1)
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Q: How can I tell the difference between a variation and a complication when I'm in labor? A: It's the difference between waiting it out with a variation; and choosing interventions for a complication. What ever the birth journey, give yourself permission to do what it takes to have a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome. Let's start with some basics: A "variation" in labor is something that is still within the range of normal, and just needs time to resolve
itself. With watchful waiting and allowing for time, a variation usually leads to the birth of the baby without any further intervention. A "complication" is something that would require an action or an
intervention. There may be a greater urgency for intervention since it may be outside the
range of normal. How will you know the difference? {Shameless plug} Take a Bradley class, or any other good childbirth preparation course to learn the difference. In the Bradley Method, part of our philosophy is to educate couples to be informed consumers. So in class, we talk about many of the different variations and complications not to scare you or burst your bubble of peace, but to equip you with knowledge so that if on the outside .02 percent chance that you would face some of the complications, you have a general idea of what your options are to preserve the intention of your birth journey. By the same token, by having a basic understanding of the different variations of labor that don't necessarily follow the flow chart your care provider is following, a couple is better able to decide whether they want to wait it out or "do something" to move labor along. There are two questions that will tell you the difference between a variation and a complication. Is Mom okay? Is Baby okay? Once you know the answer to those questions, you will have more information to use as you navigate the course of your birth journey. There are also some behaviors that will indicate the difference: Variation: lights stay low, you are just having a conversation with a nurse in the hospital or maybe the student midwife in a home setting. Concern: the nurse may bring in another nurse to look at the record from maternal/fetal monitoring. Lights may stay off or be turned on for a moment. Complication: the room starts to fill with people. Usually the lights are switched on and you are seeing a higher level of care providers. Interventions are suggested and you will need to choose a course of action sooner rather than later. I hope this helps you distinguish the difference between knowing you have time to "wait it out", and being in a situation where decisions need to be made along the birth journey. Please leave me a comment if you have any questions you would like to see answered on Q&A with SPB. Disclaimer: |
Q&A with SPB: Vitamin A
| Posted on March 22, 2016 at 10:25 AM |
comments (0)
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Give me an A!! Vitamin A is involved in
immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular communication . Vitamin A also supports cell growth and plays
a critical role in the normal formation and maintenance of the heart, lungs, kidneys,
and other organs. Most fruits and vegetables that are high in Vitamin A have yellow or orange-colored flesh. (We looked up bananas in class - they don't count! Sorry if you are banana lover - check them off in the fruit box if you are using a nutrition tracking sheet). Other sources of Vitamin A are meat and eggs. You can check the list on THIS page for foods that have Vitamin A. Find a pregnancy nutrition tracking sheet HERE One of the biggest advantages Dr. Brewer saw in Vitamin A was in its role in preventing infection. During
pregnancy, when the pressure of the growing uterus on the bladder is constant,
extra Vitamin A helps protect you against bladder and kidney infection and is
also good for the skin. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble
vitamin, so be sure to eat lots of good fats and oils to help your body use
this nutrient. One common question is "can I overdose"? Again, quotes from the same article referenced above:
Beta-carotene is a red-orange pigment found in plants and fruits, especially bright yellow, orange, and red colored vegetables. In short, if your source of Vitamin A is plant-based, you are not likely to consume more than your body can use. Vitamin A Info Sheet: Top 10 List from Healthaliciousness Disclaimer: The material included in this blog and video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.  |
Q&A with SPB: Salt
| Posted on March 15, 2016 at 10:05 AM |
comments (0)
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 Salt is
an essential nutrient. If you were to completely eliminate salt from your diet,
your body would cease to function. There is an increased need for salt during
pregnancy because of the extra demands the baby places on the mother's body. It helps to maintain an
adequate blood volume for a safe, healthy pregnancy. Dr. Brewer encouraged his patients to use common sense - let your body tell you how
much salt you need. You
will know that your body needs more salt when your food tastes flat. Women who
have conditioned themselves not to eat salt must be especially careful and may
have to look for the symptoms of hyponatremia (salt deficiency) in addition to paying
attention to their taste buds.
Adequate salt intake can help with some of the discomforts of pregnancy, such as swelling and leg cramps. Without enough salt, (hyponatremia), you could be more likely to develop either of these. The
salt that you shake on your food is just one source for the sodium you need.
There is also a good amount in most high-protein foods, such as milk, cheeses, meats,
and seafood, and in some vegetables. Kelp powder and non-GMO soy sauce, or other Asian sauces, can also be good
sources of sodium. HERE is a top-10 list from healthaliciousness.com. (Note that some of these are processed foods that may not be optimal during pregnancy). You
need extra salt if you live in a hot climate, do vigorous exercise, or perspire a lot. Your body loses salt and other essential nutrients when you sweat. Consider replenishing your body with la pinch of salt added to your drinking water, or water infused with trace minerals and/or electrolytes. Coconut water has been touted as a "natural" way to replenish the minerals the body needs. Read more: Truth about coconut water from WebMD Top 10 Foods Highest in Sodium from Healthaliciousness.com Avoiding Aluminum in Pregnancy from Dr. Group Emergen-C Electrolyte Mix - click on ELECTROMIX when you get to the page (not an affiliate link - nor are any of the links on our site!) Other posts in our nutrition series:         Disclaimer: The material included in this blog and video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The reader / viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |