It hurt so bad. I couldn’t make any milk. My baby just never latched. I tried…but I failed. If any of these statements sound familiar to you, then you’ve probably heard a breastfeeding horror story. Maybe you were even the main character of such a story. But if you’re an expecting parent hoping to successfully breastfeed your baby, stories like this can be scary. And if you’re tired of being scared, this blog is for you. It’s time to change the narrative. So read on.
Read MoreDid I really have a baby with this person??? Real talk - you may find yourself asking this question in the early postpartum period. That’s because the first year of marriage with a new baby is one of the hardest years in that marriage. This is the part of postpartum that nobody plans for. In our heads, we envision two smiling parents, cradling a brand new baby between them, staring lovingly into each other’s eyes. “Look, we did it. We made the most perfect baby in the world.” But the reality for many new parents looks very different. How can you navigate these sometimes choppy waters? Read on for some tips from us.
Read MoreThere I was..maybe 5 days postpartum..sprawled across my bed. My eyes were tightly closed, I was balled up in a fetal position, desperately trying to get some sleep. My parents had come to stay with us for a few days and sent me off to take a much needed nap. Except, I couldn’t sleep.
Read MoreLife is good! The baby showers have happened, the nursery is painted, and the infant car seat base is installed in your car. You just have a few weeks left before your baby is born! With that excitement also often comes with some nervousness about becoming a new dad. Let us help ease your concerns with our Top 5 Things for New Dads to Know!
Read MoreToday on the blog, guest writer Sarah DiVito shares her thoughts on the importance of affirming education for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The road to parenthood can be a challenging one for anybody. But when entering the uncharted waters of new parenthood as a queer person, there can be even more nuances to navigate. Check out today’s blog to read more about how education and preparation, notably LGBTQIA+ affirming education, can be essential tools for parents-to-be in this community.
I’ll never forget being in labor and in the car on the way to the hospital. I would have a contractiotn every few minutes and would have to focus all my attention on working through it. Believe it or not, that wasn’t even the hardest part. In between contractions, I had time to think. I started thinking, wow, this baby atually has to come out of me. That’s when the tears started rolling down my face.
Read MoreMy first Mother’s Day as a new mom was truly awful. Truly. It’s definitely a story, so buckle up. And if this day brings with it feelings of disappointment, anger, resentment, sorrow…I get it. I really do. We don’t say this enough but it’s okay to be disappointed on Mother’s Day.
Read MoreI just screamed, “SHUT UP!!!!” to my 17 month old toddler. Dear lord, what is wrong with me? How could a loving, attentive mother yell so loudly at her child? And for what? For saying “Mama” again and again and again while I tried to change his newborn sister’s diaper. WHO does something like that?
Me. I did that. And I did it more than once. I screamed at my toddler. I flew off the handle with my husband. I slammed doors. I screamed. I cried. I felt completely out of control of my emotions.
Over 13 years ago, I didn’t understand why. I was left to puzzle, alone and in shame, the question - Why am I so angry?
Read MoreDid anyone prepare you for feeling so completely blindsided by how your birth went? Yeah, you’re not alone. It is hard to be happy with your experience when your birth plan gets thrown out the window. Read our latest blog for some empathy and validation.
Read MoreWhat happens when breastfeeding straight up sucks?
And I don’t mean literally. I mean, what happens when you discover that the feeding goal you had - the one that is held up to be the ideal way to feed your baby - makes you feel absolutely horrible?
Are you even allowed to hate breastfeeding? Of course you are… And you’re not alone!
Read MoreI’ve never shared this with anyone.
When my midwife placed my baby on my chest after each of my births, I felt….nothing. Well, I definitely felt relief that labor was over. But that moment of instantly falling head over heels in love with my new baby.. I didn’t have that... What was wrong with me???
Read MorePre-eclampsia is diagnosed when you have high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy combined with protein in your urine. Pre-eclampsia is very serious and needs to be treated by your care provider. Read our latest blog to find out more about what to expect when you receive this diagnosis.
Read MoreTo swaddle or Not to swaddle - that is the question. And if you are a sleep-deprived, brand new parent looking for ways to get more sleep, you’re probably asking yourself that question right now. Today on the blog we’re breaking down all things swaddling so you can decide for yourself if this tool is right for you and your baby.
Read MorePssst….we have a secret and we want to share it with you! You may have questions about how to best prepate yourself for labor and birth. While there are certainly books to read, podcasts to listen to, stretches to do, etc…we are going to tell you the top way to prepare for birth.
Read MoreThere is something that we don’t talk about when it comes to postpartum. For those parents that have experienced it, they probably know. Yet, they’re hesitant to drop this not so pleasant truth on any pregnant person they come into contact with. For those expecting parents, waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) to meet their new baby, they might suspect and fear this about postpartum. But they don’t know who to ask, fearful of confirming what they already know is likely true. There is something about postpartum that we don’t talk about: Postpartum is lonely.
Read MoreFirst, know that it is OK and sometimes perfectly normal for folks to hang out in the same place in labor for awhile. It’s also normal for you to want to get the show on the road. Here are a few things to try if your labor has stalled.
Read MoreNew Year, New You? If you roll your eyes every time you hear that phrase, then this blog is for you, my friend. I always cringe a bit when each year people ask me what my New Year’s Resolutions are. There’s just something about them - maybe it’s the pressure? - that makes me sweat a little bit. I don’t need a new version of me! I like me! In fact, I have a different approach to the whole “resolution” thing. Check it out.
Read MoreWho said breastfeeding would come naturally? I’d like to have a few words with that person. But seriously, just because breastfeeding is “natural,” doesn’t mean establishing it happens easily. In fact, the first week can be the toughest for some people. That’s why we’re sharing some of our best tips to ease those first week challenges on today’s blog.
Read MoreTired of hearing the same Christmas songs over and over? We took matters into our own hands and wrote a little “Joy to the World“ parody all about labor and birth. Sing the words to the tune of the original song!
Read MoreThis special time of year can be one of the best times to create family traditions with your little ones. But it can also feel overwhelming when it seems like this is the time of year that is so hectic. Trying to make magic on top of everything else can be too much. So we’re here with some ideas for special holiday traditions that you can incorporate into your family, without breaking the bank or stretching your sanity to the breaking point.
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