Motherhood Archives | Page 5 of 23

Tips for Breast Milk Storage

One of the most bonding things between a mother and baby is breastfeeding. This can be one of the easiest ways to feed your baby. However, many women reach a point where they need to begin pumping their breast milk. Sometimes it is because their body produces more milk than the baby needs. Or they may need to return to work and want to provide the liquid gold for bottle feeding. For some mommas, keeping a stored supply of breast milk is done because they want to resume date nights with the hubby. Whatever your reason for pumping and storing your breast milk, we have compiled a few tips to help you get started. Organizing Your Pumped Breastmilk One of the most important things to remember when you are storing breast milk is to label your milk! There are many different types of storage bags you can purchase. Most of…

The Truth about Pelvic Floor Recovery: Postpartum Tips to Follow

We’ve all heard postpartum horror stories—hair loss, postpartum infections, difficulty breastfeeding, and the infamous “baby blues.” Among these common challenges include pelvic floor disorders (PFD). According to a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, almost half of women suffered symptoms of at least one kind of PFD, including bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction during and after pregnancy. There is a lot to learn about childbirth injury, and this article aims to shed light on pelvic floor dysfunction and how women can overcome it. What Happens to the Pelvic Floor Muscles Postpartum One of the key pelvic floor muscles, called the levator ani, is responsible for supporting and raising the pelvic floor and maintaining urinary and bowel functions. As a woman goes through pregnancy and delivery, this muscle becomes strained to support the process. Since the levator ani holds the pelvic organs together, the…

Pumping: When Breastfeeding Doesn’t Work Out

There are times when breastfeeding doesn’t work out for you and your new baby. Quite often, this is accompanied by a lot of guilt – especially for new moms. No need to worry, it’s not your fault. Besides, there are other options available to help feed your baby with your natural breast milk. Most new moms have been told that breastfeeding ALWAYS works, and that it is an automatic process after childbirth, but sometimes it does not always go as planned and that’s fine! Exclusive pumping is the next best option for new moms, if breastfeeding does not work out well. It applies to situations where your baby has to use extra effort to get breast milk, and it can be very relieving for both mommy and baby. The hormones prolactin and oxytocin are responsible for the production of breast milk, but milk production is highly dependent on how…

Top Picks for Breastfeeding Safe Protein Powders

Protein packed smoothies are a great way for moms to fill us with good calories, a good way to lose baby weight and help boost milk supply. Protein powder is safe for breastfeeding and can serve several purposes at once for both baby and mom. Protein shakes are such a great way to take in a lot of nutrients, which if you are breastfeeding, you need! Protein is so important for lactation and getting enough of it can be difficult for busy moms. Let’s talk about why protein powders are super helpful to breastfeeding moms. Are protein powders safe for breastfeeding mothers? Yes, here’s why: Protein powders offer high concentrates of essential vitamins and minerals that are normally difficult to consume Protein powders are filling and versatile for use in various shakes and recipes Protein powders are derived from organic and clean ingredients, not chemicals. Protein powders can be sweetened…

How to Sleep Better: Parents’ Guide to Healthy Sleep

In a survey done by Sleep Junkie, nearly 70 percent of the respondents were getting their recommended 7+ hours of sleep per night just prior to becoming parents. Fast forward to these same people having a baby — and only 10 percent of them were hitting that number of hours. In the first year of parenting, the majority of moms and dads were falling short of sleep by approximately three hours every night. And it’s not just parents of newborns who lose sleep. Everything from kids getting sick to dealing with teenage rebellion can mean sleepless nights for worried moms and dads. Unavoidably, being a parent entails some sleepless nights. But is losing sleep really one of the sacrifices that parents have to make constantly? Parenting is challenging enough as it is, and being sleep-deprived can only make it more difficult. To be happy and healthy, kids need happy and…

Breastfeeding Twins: Tips to Increase Your Milk Supply

If you’re a breastfeeding mom of twins, you know that it can be a little more challenging than breastfeeding a single baby. Not only do you have to worry about producing enough milk for both babies. But, you also have to make sure that they are getting the right amount of nutrition. Let’s discuss some tips to help increase your milk supply and make breastfeeding twins a little bit easier! How to know if your breast milk supply is low When breastfeeding twins, it is important to make sure that your breast milk supply is adequate. One way to tell if your milk supply is low is by the frequency and amount of wet diapers your babies have. They each should be having at least six wet diapers per day (or more). If not, then it is likely that your breast milk supply is not enough. Another sign that your…

How To Deal With Postpartum Hair Loss

You’re so excited about your new baby, and currently enjoying adapting to life with your bundle of joy, and boom! You notice that a handful of your hair seems to come off anytime you shower, or run a comb through your beautiful locks. Not only that, you’ve even noticed it is the same shocking reality for the hair in other parts of your body. This is the beauty challenge every new mom around the world faces. So, don’t worry mama, you’re not alone in this. For the most part, experts say that postpartum hair loss is absolutely normal and temporary. Even though it seems like you are creeping very close to baldness with each passing day. Hair loss after childbirth is called Postpartum hair loss, and it is just hair loss related to childbirth. It is caused by a quick hormonal shift, caused by a sharp drop in…

5 Blenders for Making Breast Milk Boosting Smoothies

Breastfeeding is not always as easy as it seems. Some mothers find themselves with a low breast milk supply, which can make breastfeeding difficult. Talks of having to supplement with formula when you really want to breastfeed exclusively can be frustrating. But you’re here because you’re not giving up just yet! There are smoothies that can help boost your milk supply, thankfully! Smoothies are very easy to whip up, made with natural ingredients, and delicious too! Though smoothies are not the sole solution to your problem, it can definitely help! In this blog, we recommend blenders that we found to be the best for this purpose. Whether you’re looking for a high-end blender or one that is more budget-friendly, we have you covered. Benefits of smoothies for breastfeeding mothers Smoothies are an easy way to get important vitamins and minerals into your diet. When you’re breastfeeding, you need more…

Tips for Getting Great Sleep While Pregnant

When you are pregnant, it is such a joy to feel the little life growing inside of you, picking out baby names, and thinking about nursery decor. One of the parts of pregnancy that isn’t so joyful is the difficulty in finding just the right sleeping position as your tummy gets bigger week by week. Between the changes in your body and hormones and the excitement of preparing for the arrival of your little one, sometimes getting good solid sleep while pregnant can be a challenge! Thankfully, there are many tips and tricks to help you catch those elusive z’s during this important stage of life. Sleep Hygiene One of the easiest ways to ensure you are getting enough GOOD sleep is to develop good sleep hygiene habits and a relaxing bedtime routine. Sleep hygiene refers to things such as how late in the day you have caffeine and refined…

How To Get Your Home Ready For Baby

I know what’s going through your mind right now. The beautiful home you’ve put your blood, sweat, and tears into now looks like a field of landmines and you’re about to throw everything in the trash! Stop… time out… HOLD UP! Baby-proofing your home IS necessary, but before you wrap everything in bubble wrap, let’s start with some simpler things. Registry List A baby registry is your first step in preparing for the new addition to your family. “Are you registered anywhere?” is one of the first questions you’ll be asked once you get to show that baby bump, so this will answer that very quickly! Most major retailers have a recommended list of things to get for your baby and that’s a great place to start. Consider purchasing an armoire to store things in until you’re ready to start putting everything together and in place. Many new moms are…

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