Kelley's Blog

When working with clients or even consulting with protentional clients, it's important to explore their expectations in feeding their baby. To do this, I like to help them formulate a plan by setting some long term and short-term goals. To flesh this out a bit, I like to start with what the needs might be of the parents first in order to create a level of sustainability in feeding methods. For example, starting with how the birth went, if a c-section happened, if the baby was

Diaper rash is no fun for baby's or their parents! To prevent diaper rash from happening, make sure to change baby promptly and not stay in a soiled diaper too long. Be very gentle when wiping to not irritate the skin. Instead of your standard diaper wipe, use "wet wipes" to avoid the alcohol that's in most diaper wipes, further irritating a rash. I like A & D ointment to add in as preventative care but am not a fan once a rash is already present. Once a rash is already prese

A postpartum doula is a person who is trained in supporting new families through the transition into life with a new baby. They are beneficial in helping through the rough spots of new parenthood i.e. sleep, breastfeeding, etc. A postpartum doula's ability can help in building confidence and easing stress levels for new parents. Every family's needs are different, so a doula can be hired for as little as one day or up to a year. You can choose daytime shifts, nighttime shif

When thinking about leaving the hospital or your birthing center with your new baby, what's the first must have item you will need? A car seat! Car seats can be pricey, so if you're having a baby shower ahead of your birth, be sure to register for one. Also, there are different locations for each county where you can make an appointment, have your car seat professionally installed, and they can also show you how to do it yourself and practice and repeat as many times as you n

The Golden Hour is the first hour after birth when mother and baby have skin to skin contact. This is a special and magical time because the baby is content and just wanting to nurse. While the baby stays warm and cozy on its mother, its heart rate, breathing and blood sugar are all stabilizing. The Golden Hour is important because it is the time the baby learns to nurse but also bonds with its mother while acclimating to the world outside of the womb and simultaneously de

There are 3 different kinds of healthcare providers you can choose to care for your new baby. The most commonly used is a pediatrician- a doctor who specializes in infants and children, many of whom will care for the child until the age of 18. There is also a Family Practice Doctor who as you probably already guessed, cares for the whole family. Once these doctors have completed medical school, they spend 3 more years in residence in the specialty of family practice which als

In the early days of bathing your baby, you will be doing sponge bathes until the umbilical cord falls out and then you can move on to submersion baths. I like to think of sponge bathes as less is more- after all, the baby (s) are not outside running around and getting dirty! So, to do a sponge bath, I take a baby washcloth, run it under warm water, squeeze out excess water and then wipe down from head to toe. A submersion bath is a little bit more involved, so I like to ma

breastfeeding is rarely easy Breastfeeding can have many challenges and often it starts with how it makes new moms feel physically- from nipple pain to cracked & bleeding nipples to hot/tender breasts to knowing when to seek help. Getting good education while pregnant is always helpful. For example, a breastfeeding basics class. Doing something like this can make new parents feel empowered. For now, I will give some helpful tips on how to troubleshoot the above issues as th

Colic is basically random fits of crying that certain baby's tend to do for no apparent reason. It speaks nothing to the health of the child and is more of a fluke than anything else. The symptoms a baby will show from colic are the look of distress by grimacing, raising their legs and clenching their fists. The main symptom is crying excessively and/or intensely for up to 3 hours, 3 times a week. Colic will usually subside between months 3-4. Even though there is no defi

Newborn acne typically appears around a baby's cheeks, nose or forehead and happens around 4-6 weeks which is when they start working out the hormones from being in the womb by way of their skin. The baby encounters these hormones from the placenta and then their oil glands become overstimulated causing the acne. Baby acne can also go as far as a baby's chest and back area and appear to be little raised bumps. Another possible reason babies can have acne is from yeast on thei

There are resources available for this Postpartum Depression is defined as sadness/crying, inability to bond, anger, lack of sleep/lack of appetite, guilt or shame, loss of interest in families/hobbies. It can be considered baby blues if disappears after 2 weeks. But there are other kinds of perinatal mood disorders (also known as PNADS) as well. There is Postpartum Anxiety, which is constant fear/worry, racing thoughts, anger/irritability/rage, inability to sleep. There is

I always suggest my clients have a birth plan in place and that they advise whoever will be with them during the time of labor and delivery whether it be a doula, partner, family member or friend, to help enforce it if the birthing person gets to a point where she cannot advocate for herself. This is my advice because a lot of emotional trauma comes from the birthing person feeling a lack of control. Some other common causes for emotional trauma are a long, difficult and pain

There are different types of perineal trauma that can occur during birth

pain management

Some things to consider when traveling by air with your baby are, do you have all of your essentials!?!

When considering overnight care as a new family, consider things that are important to you besides the obvious being sleep

It's recommended to avoid sex until you've been seen by your provider at your six week follow up appointment after birth

In the first six weeks of life, the average baby consumes between one and three ounces, sometimes four.

It is recommended to start introducing solid foods between 4-6 months when your baby can sit up independently, having enough head and neck control

This post is more of a pep talk in staying true to yourselves and your beliefs and philosophies