Trying different breastfeeding positions can help resolve nipple pain, difficulties with latch, and promote more complete emptying of milk from the breast.   Hey Mama! It’s World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) with the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and a great time to review the top five...

No family, friend or partner wants to think about the possibility of their loved one suffering from postpartum psychosis. And, the truth is, it’s rare, affecting 1-2 women out of 1000. Perhaps the most famous case of postpartum psychosis is that of Andrea Yates, a mother of 5, who drowned each of her children in the family bathtub. They ranged in ages from 7 years old to 6 months. 

In honor of Maternal Mental Health in May, let’s look more closely at postpartum anxiety, panic, and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). Postpartum anxiety, panic and OCD is part of a broader classification of postpartum mood disorders, which also includes postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.  Postpartum anxiety disorders are very common in women, often occurring immediately or within 4-6 weeks after giving birth. Postpartum anxiety is characterized by fearful and distressing thoughts or feelings after the birth of the baby.

Mamas sometimes forget… that since it took 9 months for your body to grow and develop a baby, it can also take months to feel “normal” again after giving birth. If you’re breastfeeding, you may not feel “back to normal” until after you’ve weaned. Many women never look and feel the same after giving birth. And, truly, why should we? A woman has grown, nurtured, and given birth to another person from her own body. As a result of this physiological process, some bodily changes will be temporary, others permanent. We encourage new mothers to embrace this reality and accept it as a loving initiation into motherhood.

Feeding your baby colostrum in the first hour of life gives your baby the best start in life.² If you’re a first time Mama or never breastfed your baby before, you may be wondering what colostrum is. And, why is it so amazing that it’s frequently called “Liquid Gold?” Colostrum is a liquid that comes from the nipples right after giving birth. It can range from watery to thick, from clear to yellow to white in color. When your milk comes in around day 3 or 4 after birth, colostrum is still present in the milk for weeks afterward.

Chronic pelvic pain and incontinence (leaking urine or feces) are not acceptable, long term conditions after childbirth.

What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction After Childbirth?

As women, we’ve all heard it many times, that leaking pee (urinary incontinence) is the way it is - forever - after childbirth. While urinary incontinence and pelvic discomfort can occur during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period, usually because of weight, posture, and hormonal changes, it’s an unacceptable outcome to suffer with chronic urinary incontinence for years and decades after pregnancy and childbirth.  

The postpartum period can be challenging for new moms.  Between the shifts in hormone levels, vaginal bleeding, and the newness  of caring for your newborn, it can be overwhelming.  Don’t neglect your own health and wellbeing. It’s so important that you prioritize your health as a new mom.   Here are 6 postpartum health tips that will get your new journey off on the right foot.

If you’re planning on breastfeeding, it’s important to understand the direct link between your baby’s health and your diet.  Just like during pregnancy, what you consume will be passed on to your baby.  Many new moms are aware of this, but aren’t sure what foods to avoid while they're breastfeeding.  This article will help you understand what foods could be a risk to your baby. 

Effective, frequent nursing speeds the recovery of clogged milk ducts and mastitis. The antibacterial qualities of breastmilk prevent the baby from getting an infection related to an inflamed or infected breast. The first week of August is World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) week, which brings awareness to the protection, support and benefits of breastfeeding. In honor of this agenda, it’s  important to dig into the challenges of breastfeeding, specifically mastitis. Mastitis is one of the most common problems related to breastfeeding. It usually begins with a clogged milk duct that leads to inflammation of the breast tissue and sometimes an infection of the breast.

Big changes are made one degree at a time, through small choices every day. Over time, these small changes lead to a 180 degree turn-around. This year, Mother’s Day kicks off a spotlight week on Women’s Health issues. For many women, stress management is a high priority on this list because it’s often an underlying factor in the development of physical and mental health conditions that affect women’s health.

Hey Mamas! Did you know that April 28th is a designated day to heighten awareness about workplace safety and health? For breastfeeding mothers who are returning to their workplace, this is an important issue. Long separations from your baby during work hours can affect breast milk production, even with the most diligent of pumping schedules and high quality breast pumps. But, challenges with employers to provide necessary breaks to express breastmilk, as well as less than desirable breastfeeding locations (say no to the bathroom!), can add significant stress to your postpartum body. The added stress can compromise your breastmilk supply and unintentionally shorten the period of time that you exclusively breastfeed your baby. This is why it’s important to know your protected rights about breastfeeding in the workplace.

January is Thyroid Awareness month. When it comes to women’s health, understanding what your thyroid is and how it should be serving – not stagnating – your health and wellness is crucial. This knowledge is especially important during pregnancy and the postpartum period, when hormone fluctuations can leave you feeling like you’ve been through the physical and emotional ringer.

The month of December recognizes people living with disabilities all over the world. We honor and acknowledge the struggle people with disabilities face in their daily living and consider how communities can reduce stigma and develop adaptations to support quality of life.   Disability as a result...

Did you know that there are specific risk factors for preterm labor and birth? Read on to find out what you can do to lower your risk!  Preterm labor is labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy. Labor is the process your body goes...

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis Theme natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Aliquam lorem ante, dapibus in, viverra quis, feugiat a, tellus. Phasellus viverra nulla ut metus varius laoreet....