Happy Mom, Happy Baby // Babywearing Series

Welcome back to our Babywearing Blog Series in honor of International BabyWearing Week! So far I've covered how to get started… if you’re new to babywearing and interested in a quick introduction to the types of carriers and how to find resources in your community, I recommend reading that first.

It should come as no surprise that we at the Doulas of Orange County support anything that promotes a happy and healthy mother and baby. The mother and baby are a unit, even after they’ve been physically disconnected at birth. They rely on each other for many things in the 4th trimester and beyond. Which is why we believe babywearing is such a wonderful asset to your family.

photo: TOPHER DELANCY

Today I want to touch on a few of those benefits specifically related to bonding and attachment.

Happy Baby, Happy Mama

It's true, babies who are worn and kept close are statistically happier babies. In a study published in the journal “Pediatrics”, researchers found that babywearing for three hours a day reduced infant crying by 43 percent overall and 51 percent during evening hours!

Babies spend these moments close to mom in "quiet alertness"... they are calm and aware, absorbing and learning from their surroundings. "In the kangaroo carry, baby has a 180-degree view of her environment and is able to scan her world. She learns to choose, picking out what she wishes to look at and shutting out what she doesn’t. This ability to make choices enhances learning."  - www.askdrsears.com

Researchers have also reported that worn babies show enhanced visual and auditory alertness. You can imagine how having a calm and happy baby can directly influence the overall physical and mental health of the mom. Mom and baby are connected. When baby is happy, mom is happy… and vice versa.

Healthy Baby

"Premature babies and babies with special needs often enter the world with fragile nervous systems. When a baby rides in a sling attached to his mother, he is in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements his mother makes—walking, bending, and reaching. This stimulation helps him to regulate his own physical responses. Research has even shown that premature babies who are touched and held gain weight faster and are healthier than babies who are not." - Babywearing International

Bill and Martha Sears note that babywearing stimulates the infant’s vestibular system, the parts of the inner ear that work like levels or sensors to control the body’s sense of balance. The stimulation "helps babies breathe and grow better, regulates their physiology, and improves motor development". This applies to both full-term and premature babies. I find this tremendously fascinating!

Creates a Womb-Like Experience

Baby is nice and snug, feeling mother (or father/caregiver) close, their rhythmic breathing & melodic heartbeat create a soothing environment.

This familiar rhythm, imprinted on baby’s mind from while in the womb, now reappears in the “outside womb” and calms and relaxes baby. Again, reinforcing this closeness, comfort, and connection; which is essential in helping a baby to thrive.

Increases Bonding

Babywearing makes “Kangaroo Care” (skin-to-skin) effortless. And it is not just for the mamas! In fact, babywearing is especially beneficial for fathers, doulas, grandparents, adoptive parents, babysitter, or any loved one for that matter, to help increase the bond between adult and baby.

There is much evidence-based research available which shows how powerful skin-to-skin time is. The philosophy of nine months in the womb and nines months out encourages recreating the womb-like experience as much as possible. This simple act of physical closeness can result in baby's regulation of body temperature, oxygen saturation levels, and respiratory and heart rates. Not to mention it elevates mom’s oxytocin which helps combat postpartum depression and can increase her milk supply.

There is an incredible amount of research that supports the benefits of bonding and healthy attachment in the first year of life. The needs of the baby are met easily and comfortably while being carried or worn by a loved one. But what happens when life’s other needs start to interfere? How can we cope when our baby needs our constant love and attention? Next up in our series we’ll talk about the joys and benefits of babywearing while creating a hands-free lifestyle! 

Get Started With BabyWearing 101

TOPHER DELANCY

Welcome to our first post in our series celebrating International Babywearing Week! In the words of Dr. William and Martha Sears, "Baby wearing does good things for babies, and it makes life easier for mothers." It's really quite simple as that!

So... where to start?

There are endless styles and types of carriers available to parents. It can definitely be overwhelming trying to choose the right one for you and making the financial investment. We recommend borrowing one from a friend or checking out your local babywearing lending library, they will have many to choose from!

When learning how to safely wear your baby carrier, don't underestimate the power of YouTube video tutorials or better yet, sign up for our Babywearing 101 workshop held every other month in Irvine.

Four Steps to Get Started Baby Wearing

1. Prepare Prenatally

We recommend an in-person class for hands on education and a chance to touch and feel all of the carriers before your little one arrives. Our workshop includes safety tips, the opportunity to see each carrier being worn and an optional add-on that allows you time with instructor & babywearing specialist, Ashley Mullen for hands on help!

2. Decide on the type(s) of Carrier to buy

Knit wraps are made of stretchy cotton or bamboo and geared towards 0-6 months of age depending on baby’s size and weight. Most can accommodate a baby up to 30lbs, but parents usually find them most comfortable during the newborn stage. Wraps are a wonderful addition to your babywearing stash because they allow for a very snug fit and are an easy way to get in skin-to-skin bonding during the 4th trimester. Some popular brands are Moby, Boba and Baby K’tan.  

Soft Structured Carriers distribute weight evenly to the hips and can be worn in a myriad of ways including facing inward on the front, back carry and hip carry. Some soft structured carriers (or SSCs) are set up to be worn with baby facing out in an ergonomic position such as the Ergobaby 360 model. SSCs are a very user friendly carrier with thick padded shoulder straps, a wide seat, buckle waist strap and a hood for sleeping and nursing on the go.  Some popular brands are ErgoBaby, Tula and Beco.

Ring Slings are a simple carrier that are quick and easy to use once you get the hang of it. They are made from one piece of fabric (typically linen, cotton, or silk) with two rings. The ring sling hangs like a sash over one shoulder and you tighten the fabric through the rings to create an appropriately tight and supportive fit around your baby. These are great for the newborn stage and like many of the other carriers can grow with your baby into toddlerhood. We adore the Sakura Bloom and Wildbird ring slings.

Woven wraps are extremely versatile and offer a wide variety of different carries for your baby from the newborn stage until 45-50 lbs. Machine or handwoven wraps provide a breathable and strong seat for your little one and come in an endless assortment of designs and colors. Since the wrap conforms perfectly to the wearer and baby, they are a perfect choice for both petite and plus size parents. The standard sizes come in 2-8.  Take a look at Kanthabae, Girasol and Risaroo wraps to get started.

There are also Mei Tei’s, Water Slings and External Frame Hiking Carriers available. All carriers have a learning curve and every parent/baby duo is different. Be patient with yourself and your baby as you learn. It will get easier and before you know it you’ll be wearing your baby like a pro!

3. Connect with other parents

Find a local or online group to connect with other babywearing families in your community. It’s a great way to meet other parents, gain insight on carriers and find your village. Babywearing LA aghas chapters all over Sourthern California, including a chapter in Orange County with meet ups often scheduled at local parks throughout the month. Babywearing International also has various groups and lending libraries.

4. Get Guidance from an Expert:

All of DOC's Postpartum Doulas are well-versed in the basics of babywearing and can help parents try on carriers and make sure baby is in a safe position and both are comfortable during your in-home care shifts.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post Happy Mom, Happy Baby about how babywearing encourages bonding, assists in soothing and promotes more skin-to-skin contact.

The Benefits of Babywearing Blog Series

International Babywearing Week is October 5th-10th and Doulas of OC is excited to celebrate with all of you. This week Tiff Delancy, Birth Doula & Babywearing Aficionado, is bringing you a series of posts dedicated to the joys and beauty of babywearing. She’ll touch on the physical and emotional benefits of wearing your baby as well as important safety tips to consider. Check back each day this week for a myriad of insight to the wonderful world of babywearing!

TOPHER DELANCY

Stayed tuned this week for the following upcoming posts: 

October 6th - Getting Started Babywearing    
October 7th - Happy Mom, Happy Baby
October 8th - The Ease of Being Hands Free
October 9th - Developmental Benefits
October 10th - Grow & Explore Together

The Pantry: Fall Flavors & Comfort Food

As the nights get cooler, I’m finding myself craving more comfort food and longing for the delicious aroma of Autumn foods permeating my home. With juggling full-time Birth & Postpartum work, Administrative Director duties, and having a personal life, I’m struggling with making the time to cook healthy, hearty meals. This is when my crockpot is crucial

I utilize crockpots a lot in my work as a Postpartum Doula. It’s an easy way to make large meals while still giving my clients the hands-on assistance they need. Just throw everything in and 4-6 hours later you have a delicious and nutritious meal! You’d be surprised at just how many things you can cook in a crockpot!

One of my favorite Fall crockpot meals is Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup. It’s inexpensive, freezes well, and is packed full of nutrients, not to mention it’s naturally gluten free and can be easily made with vegan ingredients.

My favorite recipe comes from Adventures in Wunderland mainly because in addition to being delicious, it’s also simple. There are a lot of good butternut squash soup recipes out there, but most of them require a ton of peeling, chopping, baking and the like before actually making the soup itself. Spending that amount of time on meal prep is not entirely realistic for new parents or busy professionals. If you have the time to prep it from scratch, I say go for it, but for those looking for an easier way to go about this meal, turn to your local Trader Joe’s or Sprouts. They typically have pre-peeled and pre-cut veggies to make your life easier!

The recipe is listed in the link above, however, I typically tweak it just a bit for my tastes. I add a ¼ of a teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, ground ginger and curry powder for extra flavor. I also use an immersion blender instead of a regular blender.

Once prepared, I like to top it with a dollop of greek yogurt or pair it with a slice of sourdough bread topped with goat cheese. A simple side-salad works too!

We hope you enjoy this delicious recipe and that the Fall flavors and warmth help inspire you to experience the fullness of this beautiful season.

We’d love to hear about your favorite recipes you rely on when you’re busy or wanting to avoid spending hours in the kitchen! Email us at admin@ocdoulacollective.com to have your recipe or meal prep tips featured on our blog!

(photo courtesy of Adventures in Wunderland blog)

Beat the Heat in the OC

Summer has officially arrived and with the heat wave we had a few weeks ago, it's clear that it is here to stay! Luckily the options to beat the heat in Orange County are bountiful. Whether you prefer to be near the beach, be indoors, or go exploring, the OC has it.

Scores of people are looking to get out of the sun without spending too much money. But the moviescan get a bit crowded during the summer months, so here are some of OC Doula Collective's favorite places and activities to enjoy the sunny weather without overheating.

Museums

Add a little culture to your day while exploring the museums in Orange County, many of which are kid friendly! We have the Bowers and OCCCA in Santa Ana, The Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and the Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach, just to name a few. Long Beach has the MOLAA and The Long Beach Museum of Art which has stunning views of the ocean. If you're feeling adventurous, head to Los Angeles to visit the ever-popular LACMA or the Zimmer's Children's Museum. Most museums have discounted pricing on certain days of the week as well as kids pricing. 

Splash Parks & Outdoor Water Play

These amazing venues are popping up all over Orange County and are a great way to cool in the middle of teh day when the heat is most unbearable. The amazing people at Fun Orange County Parks have compiled and updated a wonderful list for the Summer of 2016. Keep in mind that the drought may affect the parks openings, so check with the venue first before planning your trip.  

Low Cost Family Fun

Sticking to a budget this summer? Get together with a few friends and go in on some fun water toys – a kiddie pool, sprinklers, water balloons, etc. Plan a play-date once a week (or more) at someone's home and go to town with all your toys! Water balloon fights aren't just for kids, you know! Try making one of these homemade popsicles as a special treat for your guests. 

Stay Indoors

Need to get out of the house but want to stay indoors? There are a plethora of businesses that offer a reprieve from the heat, sometimes you just need to think outside of the box. Most people resort to the movies, but we love going bowling or to an indoor playground. Just a short drive down the 405, Long Beach has the INCREDIBLE Aquarium of the Pacific. Keeping costs to a minimum? Go window shopping at South Coast Plaza and treat yourself to an iconic ice cream cone at Hans' Homemade Ice Cream, just a short walk across the street!

Beaches, Beaches, Beaches

This is Southern California, so the beaches are a given. They're in high demand for tourists and locals alike, but really are the epitome of an OC Summer. Our biggest tip here is to get there early... and overpack. Pack a lunch, sand toys, extra clothes, lots of sunscreen and water, and a big umbrella to keep you cool. Make a whole day of it with friends and family and enjoy the cooler coastal temps. Sea and sand are good for the soul, that's a fact!

Whatever you do to beat the heat, be safe. Remember to drink lots of fluids and to let your body rest after a long day of fun in (or out of) the sun! And if you have any favorite local spots we missed, let us know!