10 Ways to Calm your Fussy Baby

1) Breathe and Take a Break

Before you do anything else, take a few moments to center yourself and recognize what emotional state you are in.  Babies are extremely perceptive and sensitive to their caregiver’s emotions, so if you're feeling frazzled, it’s likely your baby is too.  You might be amazed how quickly your child calms after you take a few deep breaths and reduce your cortisol levels. 

If you have another caregiver available (dad, grandmother, etc), pass the baby to them and give yourself a few quiet moments in another room.  Take a walk around the block, skim a magazine, or put on some tunes while you re-center.  If you are alone, it’s ok to put the baby in his crib and take a break.  It may be hard to walk away from your crying child, but you’ll be of greater benefit to him when you come back calmer in a few moments.                                                                

2) Play Music

Turn off the TV and turn on the tunes instead.  What to play?  Anything!  It doesn't have to be that classical music CD that supposedly makes your baby smarter.  Whether you’re rocking out to Beethoven or Coldplay, it really doesn’t matter.  Listening to music can distract baby from whatever she's worked up about, and sometimes the more complex musical tunes are best.  

3) Put Baby on Tummy

Your baby may be crying for a number of reasons, one of which could be that his tummy hurts.  This could be related to reflux, indigestion, or overfeeding, but in the moment the core reason doesn’t really matter.  If you’re holding baby on his back or over your shoulder, try flipping him over so that his tummy is lying across your forearm.  Walk with him like this for a few minutes~ the gentle pressure of your arm against his belly can alleviate discomfort.  Alternatively, you can put him on his tummy on a floor blanket or in his crib.  Be sure to keep an eye on your child at all times while he’s on his belly to make sure he’s breathing ok.  If he falls asleep like this, flip him to his back to keep in accordance with safe sleep practices.  The Happi Tummi warming wrap can also offer welcome relief to your little one: wrap one of these around your baby's belly and let the natural herbs and warmth do their work.  

4) Massage your Baby

We love infant massage and know what a wonderful way it can be to calm and soothe babies.  While there is an infant massage series you can learn, we’ll offer a few simple techniques here to help you in those frenzied moments of baby’s crying and I don’t know what to do:

Belly circles

Things you’ll need: 

• Thick blanket or towel

• Oil or baby lotion: use a natural oil, like grapeseed or olive oil if possible

• Optional: Relaxing music: calming for both parent and baby

Lay out a blanket or towel on the floor, and gently place baby upon it on his back.  You want to make sure the room is warm enough, as baby’s belly will be exposed and getting cold won’t do much to help his upset. Baby can be naked, in just a diaper, or wearing a shirt that you can pull up.  With warm hands, apply a little oil or lotion to her tummy and using two fingers, gently massage around the belly button in a clockwise motion.  Do this for a few moments using light pressure~ the clockwise motion is helping to ease out any trapped gas that might be in the intestines.

To see this and other tummy massage techniques, check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vseuKsNGmXs

Knees to chest

Keep baby lying comfortably on his back for this one.  Gently bend the baby's knees, bringing them up to the chest together, pausing for a moment once they are fully flexed, then releasing back to straight.  Repeat this a few times, then alternate each leg up at a time, in a bicycle riding motion.  Like the tummy circles, this can release gas and alleviate stomach cramps. 

To see the bicycle technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqEGc7oqcXc

5) Yoga Ball Bounce

You might not have known how useful that yoga ball you used during pregnancy can be after birth, but this is our favorite time to bring it out of the closet!  Babies LOVE the gentle rhythmic motion they feel while in the arms of a caregiver bouncing the lightly on the ball.  To do this, you’ll need a medium to large yoga or birthing ball that is well inflated.  Hold your baby in the cradle position or upright over your shoulder and sit with your legs wide apart and feet flat on the floor to support you.  If your feet can’t lay flat on the floor, the ball is too high for you and you could lose your balance.  Make sure the height of the ball is ok.  Put on some music and gently bounce to the beat with your baby.  This is not only calming for him, but also works to improve your posture and strengthen your back.  And bouncing is fun!

6) Mylicon or Gripe Water

They can help, but I wouldn’t put all your eggs in this basket.  We’ve found other techniques, like massage, to be more effective for eliminating gas.  But it’s good to have a bottle of gripe water or gas relief drops on hand, as it can be a useful addition to your cranky baby toolbox. 

7) Take a Walk Outside

A change of scenery can do wonders for the fussy baby.  Next time your little one works herself up and you know she’s not hungry or in need of a change, pop her in the stroller and go for a walk in the neighborhood.  Motion can be really soothing, and you’ll also benefit from a little fresh air.  Baby’s cries might wake up all the sleeping chipmunks, but go for it. 

8) White Noise Machine

Ahhh, aren’t they great for blocking out the buzzing refrigerator in your hotel room?

They work wonders in the nursery as well! Try putting on a white noise machine the next time your baby is fussy and rock her in the nursing chair. Most of them come with a variety of sound options, such as rain, thunderstorms, heartbeat, crashing waves, or nature sounds. But the actual white noise option is often the most effective.

9) Reach for the Pacifier

Yes, your baby might simply need to suck ~ remember that this is a natural reflex!  While your instinct may be to push the breast or a bottle on your baby, he is probably plenty full and doesn’t need the extra milk.  Overfeeding could make her even fussier, so reach for the paci if you feel she simply needs to suck.  It’s called a pacifier for good reason! 

10) Check Fingers and Toes

Believe it or not, a hair tightly wrapped around baby’s finger or toe can sometimes be the cause of crying, and you may not be able to see it easily.  Check to make sure all 10 fingers and toes are free and clear!  

Lavender nurses are expert baby calmers and can provide both hands-on guidance and email/phone consultations.  If you or someone you know has a fussy baby, we can help!  

Email us for more info: lavenderbabynurse@gmail.com

or visit our website: lavenderbabynurse.com

Grandmother Love

A special post from our guest blogger, Nonny

Nonny has had the privilege of nurturing 4 grandsons and 2 granddaughters, ages 2 through 14. They all love her fun and silly nature, and going to Nonny's house comes with the added joy of getting to play with yellow lab Hunter.  We recently asked Nonny to share her thoughts on meeting a new grandchild for the first time.  Aww, pure love.

Here's what she wrote:

The most special role of all....NONNY    

What does it mean to become a grandmother of a newborn? With each precious addition to my growing family, I become more and more awed at the miracle of life and the honor that my children bestow upon me when they hand me my new grandchild to look at and cuddle for the first time. 

Tears well up in me as I look into that sweet little face and see reflected back in their eyes the same love and sense of trust that I felt from their mothers when they were born.

I feel joy to know that my grown daughters and their husbands have become such competent parents who will nurture and cherish their new bundles of joy with passion, even if like me, they will not do it perfectly. 

What a lucky Nonny am I...times six.

Maternity Leave....over already?

Whether you have 4 weeks or 4 months of maternity leave, the time will fly and you may be one teary eyed mama while packing lunch for that first day back at the office.  While you might find yourself wishing you had that work-from-home job that your best friend does, there is many a mom who would love to get out of the house a few days a week and wear an outfit free of baby spit up.  So if it’s back to work you go, try and embrace it!  Your baby will be fine, and although you’ll miss your pumpkin like crazy, you’ll find that being back at work gives you a little breathing room that all moms need…. even the ones who won’t admit it!  But the transition can be emotional, there’s no question: so what can you do to make it a little bit easier?

• Arrange to have your first day back be mid-week if possible.  It will be a lot easier to cope if you know that the weekend is right around the corner. 

• Take a relaxing bath the night before your first day and visualize the transition going well.  Practice deep breathing and 10 minutes of meditation before bed to calm your mind and help you get centered.   
  

• If you’re breastfeeding and pumping, make sure there will be a clean, private room with an outlet available at your workplace.  By law, employers are required to provide one, and no, the bathroom doesn’t count. 
  

• Pack your breastpump bag the night before.  Make sure you have all the supplies you’ll need for a day of pumping: clean bottles, ice packs, breast pads, plastic bags, power supply, photo of baby. 
  

• Remember to nourish throughout the day to keep your energy up.  You will be tired during your first weeks back at work.  Being up at night with the baby, breastfeeding, and recovering from childbirth all add up.  You may not have the pep in your step that you’re used to while on the job.  If you are breastfeeding, remember that your caloric intake is increased, so pack a few healthy snacks, like fruit, hummus, or cheese and crackers.
  

• Make sure communication is established and fluid with your child’s caregiver.  Whether this is a nanny or daycare provider, you should feel comfortable being able to call and receive updates on your child as often as you like.

• Create a cooking plan. Unless you have a private chef, the cooking won’t get done magically.  You need to eat, yes YOU, not just your baby.  If you have a partner, try to work out a cooking duty schedule between the two of you.  Perhaps you alternate nights, or your husband is a Jamie Oliver in training and cooks all the meals (wouldn’t we all love that).  What works for a lot of families is to prepare a few meals in advance and freeze them.  It can be time consuming, but try setting aside a Sunday morning for cooking in bulk~ you can make it a fun thing for the whole family! 

• Go shopping. Picking out a new outfit for work can help make you more excited about going back.   

• Connect with other moms. You’ll feel better if you keep in contact with friends and other moms in the workplace who’ve been where you are.  You can exchange stories about breastmilk leaking through your shirt during meetings and have a good laugh.  Have lunch with friends as much as you can, even if you’re just eating at your desks together.
  

Check out these other helpful resources:

http://www.workingmother.com/new-mom-work/planning-tips-first-day-back-work

http://www.workandpump.com/checklist.htm

Pacifiers

Pacifiers

What’s all the fuss about?

 The use of pacifiers is controversial, and we have a lot of parents asking about the pros and cons.  Of course no one wants their 5 year old to be walking into Kindergarten with a pacifier, but is it ok to use them during babyhood?  Absolutely, yes!  It's up to you, but we believe there are more checks in the plus column. 

First of all, babies have a natural need to suck, called non-nutritive sucking….it’s a reflex, and they’re all born with it.  Isn’t it amazing how babies just know how to latch on to the nipple without being taught?  It’s the same with a pacifier, even though many parents report their baby not liking or taking to the paci.  If that’s the case, no worries!  You can skip it, and it’s one less thing to worry about packing in the diaper bag.  But a lot of babies love their pacis~ read on to discover some of the pros and cons when you’re considering whether to put a few in your shopping cart.

Pros

• Calms and soothes baby 

Allowing a baby to suck on a paci in between feedings and at bedtime is perfectly ok, and helps to comfort them.

• Satisfies the sucking reflex

It’s a reflex....to check it out, touch the roof of your newborn’s mouth. He will automatically begin sucking.

• Reduces incidence of SIDS

This is a big one!  Pacifier use has been shown in numerous studies to decrease the risk of SIDS, although the mechanism of action remains unknown.  A few theories are:

1. sucking on the pacifier prevents baby from entering too deep of a sleep state 
2. decreases gastroesophogeal reflux
3. maintains better airway patency

• Keeps baby from sucking on thumb

Your baby will likely end up sucking on something, whether it be the pacifier or his thumb.  Many parents find it easier to take away the pacifier vs. breaking the habit of thumbsucking.  

• Reduces risk of overfeeding

Your baby might be sucking for an hour at the breast, alternating nutritive sucking with non-nutritive, using mommy as a pacifier for much of that time. Best to unlatch baby after you feel he’s gotten enough and offer the paci if needed. Letting him nurse too long can lead to overfeeding when he really just needs to suck.

• Analgesia

Pacifiers can make painful immunizations and medical procedures a little bit easier.  They are often used in hospitals during circumcisions and add that extra needed comfort.

• Lowered risk of allergies

How is this?  Why of course, through a parent sucking on their child’s pacifier to clean it, instead of rinsing or boiling.  Surprisingly, a recent study has discovered a link between sucking on your child’s pacifier and a reduced risk of allergies, hay fever, and asthma.  Parental saliva appears to convey protective factors that help boost their kid’s immunity.  Interesting, right?  

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/06/why-dirty-pacifiers-may-be-your-childs-friend/

Cons

• Increased risk of ear infections

A few studies have shown an increase in ear infections among babies using pacifiers.  This could be caused by reflux of nasopharangeal secretions into the middle ear during sucking.  However, this was primarily found in babies over 6 months and when pacifier use is limited, the risk is reduced.

• Orthodontic problems

Yes, they can interfere with teeth alignment, but this is usually only an issue with pacifier use in children over the age of 2.  

What about nipple confusion?

You might have heard about this from your lactation consultant or pediatrician, as there is a belief that pacifier use leads to nipple confusion for a young baby.  There is, however, very little scientific evidence to support the theory that pacifiers interfere with breastfeeding.  In fact, pacifiers may actually help breastfeeding!

Read more about it here:

http://www.today.com/moms/no-more-nipple-confusion-study-says-pacifiers-may-help-breast-743227

What kinds of pacifiers are best? 

The pacifier section at the baby store could send you in a tizzy, as there a million to choose from!  Here are a few of our favorites:

The First Years Gumdrop

 Avent BPA free Soothie

MAM orthodontic silicone 

 Sources:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0415/p681.html 

http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=79

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10969091

What to Pack for Labor

The day is fast approaching, or maybe you’re still in your first trimester but are a Type A girl and want to be prepared early.  It’s never too early to begin thinking about what to pack in your labor bag.  This will avoid frazzled husbands running home from the hospital to pick up your Burt’s Bees lipgloss or that pair of slippers that you just can’t live without.

For baby

1) Going home outfit

You’ll be taking lots of photos of baby on homecoming day and if you’re the sentimental type, you might end up framing this outfit in a photo box one day.  Make it a cute AND practical outfit, so baby can be comfortable on her first car ride.  Pajamas with feet are a great option, or a two piece outfit with long pants.  Remember that the blanket can’t go between baby’s legs in the car seat, so if it’s chilly, you want to make sure baby is in a warm enough outfit. 

2) Warm blankets
Bring that Little Giraffe blanket to cover her up on the car ride home.  You’ll end up taking a few hospital blankets home, but it’s nice to have one of your own too.

3) Diapers

The hospital will give you plenty of Pampers to get you through the first day or two, but if you’re planning to use organic or cloth diapers, bring your own.

4) Car seat

Make sure you have your car seat installed in the car and ready to go at least a week before your due date. 

For you

1) Going home outfit

We know every new mom would like to be as cute and stylish as Princess Kate in her baby blue homecoming dress.  While you may not have the makeup artist and hair stylist to go with that look, you can still dress to the nines if you’d like.  Or you can be practical and comfy in your yogawear, up to you!  Just remember while choosing your outfit that you’re going to be sore and wearing a pretty bulky pad. 

2) Birth plan

Well….I’ve had many a mom review her birth plan with me before labor, and while I think it’s a great idea to make one, realize that it may very well become obsolete while you’re pushing.  It’s good to make everyone aware of your birth goals and preferences, but labor is unpredictable and you’ve got to pull out that “go with the flow” girl to some extent.  This doesn’t mean that you have to agree to unnecessary interventions….by all means, educate yourself during pregnancy and know what these are and how to avoid them.  But just remember that it’s not just you in charge in labor….baby has a plan of her own too!

3) Chapstick or lip gloss

Hospital air is very dry, and you’ll want to keep your lips moisturized.  I know how annoyed I can get when I realize I forgot my lip balm, and you want to avoid any extra frustrations in labor.

4) Jammies

I love my own cozy jammies, and for all those other comfort seekers, I recommend throwing a pair of your own in.  Although they will get yucky, so be prepared to toss after labor.

5) Pillow

I’m attached to my pillow and travel with it everywhere….which invites plenty of teasing from my family.  But if you’re like me, you may want to spruce up your labor bed with your own fluffy pillow from home.  Trust me, the hospital gems are not exactly what you’ll find at the Ritz Carlton, but then again, I am a bit of a pillow snob.

6) Maternity bras and nursing pads (no underwire)

If you’re planning to breastfeed, you’ll love the convenience and comfort of these

7) Toiletries and hairdryer

You won’t be greeted with cute travel size bottles of shampoo when you step into the bathroom of your hospital room, so remember to bring your own! 

8) Hairband

You’ll likely want that hair pulled back and out of your face for pushing.  Throw in your yoga headband and a ponytail holder.

9) Light reading material

Bring an Ipad or magazine, as there may be a little time for reading in between pushing baby out, sleeping, and chatting with visitors.

More Milk Please

word of the day: Galactagogue

Is it an exotic amphibian that lives off the coast of the Maldives?

How about a newly discovered astroid? 

Actually…. a galactagogue is a substance that promotes lactation in humans and animals.  A term likely only to be familiar to nursing mothers or those interested in helping them lactate.

Of course it’s every mom’s desire that she’ll produce plenty of milk, baby will latch on like a pro, and it will feel like the most natural thing in the world.  Sure, in the movies it does….but the reality is that many moms struggle with their milk production and envy the woman bragging about her milk supply cascading out of the freezer.  There can be a zillion reasons why a mom has lower than desired milk supply, but if it happens to you, try not to sweat it.  Here are some things that can help:

Nursing Tea

Domperidone (Motilium)

Fenugreek

Oatmeal

Nursing Teas

There are several brands on the market, but here are a few popular ones:

Traditional Medicinals: Organic Mother’s Milk

This is one that I recommend often, particularly for its refreshing lemongrass minty flavor.  The active ingredients consist of the herbs fenugreek, fennel, and aniseed.  This company makes high quality tea, and I also love that they’re “passionate about connecting people with plants"  

http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/about-us  

Yogi tea: Woman’s Nursing Support

This tea contains a soothing blend of lavender and chamomile,  and can easily be found at Whole Foods and other organic markets.  It also relies on fenugreek, fennel, and anise to help jumpstart the mammary glands and get things flowing. 

Earth Mama: Milkmaid tea

This one has the same trio of lactating herbs, plus raspberry leaf and orange peel.  It sounds yummy, but I have yet to hear feedback on it.

Neuner’s nursing tea

Available primarily in the UK, this is a great option for our overseas moms.  It contains the same primary ingredients plus caraway and verbena.  I’m curious to know if this tea is available in Australia as well. 

Domperidone (Motilium)

Domperidone, or Motilium, is a prescription anti-nausea and motility drug typically used to address GI disorders.  But it’s also been found to be extremely effective in increasing milk production.  How does it work?  It suppresses dopamine, which is a prolactin inhibitor.  Prolactin is the hormone involved in lactation, so more prolactin equals more milk.    

Is it proven safe?

The FDA has not yet approved it for use in the US, although it is prescribed in other countries, including the UK, Canada and Australia.  In recent years there have been concerns about its safety, due to cases in which the IV form of the drug caused cardiac side effects.   

For more info on the use of motillium for breastfeeding, read this article from an Australian pediatrician:

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/breastfeeding/motilium-breastfeeding-using-motilium-to-boost-milk-supply#.UlXZExZGuZY

*Talk with your doctor and/or lactation consultant if you are considering using domperidone to increase milk supply, and make sure you are educated on both the advantages and risks*

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has long been heralded for it’s benefits to the lactating mother, and can be taken in capsule form.  Another way to receive it’s benefits is by drinking one of the teas made for breastfeeding mothers.  Make sure to purchase herbs and tea from a reputable place, like Whole Foods.  

Oatmeal

Oatmeal for breastfeeding??  Crazy but yes, it appears to help!  Check out this list of other lactogenic foods to add to your diet:

http://www.justmommies.com/babies/top-ten-lactogenic-foods-foods-that-improve-your-milk-supply?slide=2

Reading to your Unborn Baby

A lot of parents are surprised to learn that they can read to their babies in utero.  Can my baby hear me? 

Yes, absolutely!  Hearing is well developed by the middle of the second trimester and babies not only hear your voice, but they can remember the words you spoke to them after birth. 

Check out this interesting article:

http://www.today.com/moms/unborn-babies-are-hearing-you-loud-clear-8C11005474

So you can have heart to hearts with your unborn baby, and although she may not talk back, she’s hearing you and internalizing what you say.  How much of it she understands, well, that remains to be discovered, but she definitely remembers and can show recognition of familiar words and speech patterns after birth. 

Reading to your unborn baby is a great way to let him get to know the sound of your voice and also helps the two of you bond.  More than that, reading helps to establish neural pathways in the brain, and what better time to do this than while your baby’s brain is forming. 

For some great ideas on how to establish a reading routine with your little peanut:

 http://thereadingwomb.wordpress.com/ 

What books to choose:

You can read anything you like, but if you want to invest in some books that will be great for baby after he’s born, these are some of our favorites:

  That’s not my Monkey by Fiona Watt

This is a brilliant series of little books that encourage baby to touch and feel.  Each page features an animal or thing that isn’t the familiar one….”That’s not my puppy, it’s coat is too hairy”… building anticipation towards the last page, in which baby finds the one that IS theirs.... “THAT’S my puppy!”  Little ones will delight in these books while developing sensory and language skills.

Sesame Beginnings

1. Bubbles Bubbles
2. At the Zoo
3. Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes
4. Nighty-Night

These books are the perfect length and full of bright colors and pictures that engage baby’s senses.  There is one for every time of the day.  Our baby nurses bring a set of these books to each family for them to keep.  They love them!

Milk Banking

We have made incredible progress in our ability to nourish babies with human milk, thanks to the establishment of milk banks.  30 years ago, formula was actually the gold standard and pediatricians were recommending it to new mothers as the healthiest option.  When the tides shifted and the benefits of breastmilk hit the press, there was no denying that it was pretty good stuff.  Breastmilk banks began to pop up, with the goal of nourishing those babies who didn’t have access to enough of their mother’s milk. 

What a great concept!  Neonatal intensive care units were now able to give premature babies donor breast milk and thereby reduce the risk of infection and other health complications.  Breastmilk boosts the immune system of these compromised neonates in a way that formula simply can not.   You can read more about donating milk to infants in need here:   https://www.hmbana.org/

Hospitals aren’t the only ones who benefit from milk donation, as breastmilk is now available to pretty much anyone who can afford it. The accessibility of donor milk has raised some controversy, however, with valid concerns about the health of those babies who receive it.  The underground milk market involves privately selling unscreened and unpasteurized milk to other women in need, often at a rate of $4 to $5/ounce. Pasteurization is necessary, as it gets rid of bacteria and viruses that may be present in the milk.  Human milk is a body fluid that can transmit diseases, and should be handled and treated with the same precautions as blood or other body fluids.  However, it’s not.  As http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/05/ff_milk/all/ explains: 

Most body fluids, tissues, and organs—semen, blood, livers, kidneys—are highly regulated by government authorities. But not breast milk. It’s considered a food, so it’s legal to swap, buy, or sell it nearly everywhere in the US. 

Alarming, right??  We think so.  While the benefits of breastmilk have rightly earned it the title “liquid gold”, you want to make sure that what you’re feeding your baby is clean.  You wouldn’t feed your child uncooked chicken, so why unpasteurized milk from a complete stranger? 

Breastmilk sharing is a great concept…. it just needs to be regulated and made a whole lot safer, and that may take awhile.  So if you need milk, best to stick with established milk banks that adhere to rigorous sterilization practices and screening.  Click here for locations established by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America: https://www.hmbana.org/milk-bank-locations. 

Keeping Baby Healthy this Fall

Fall is here, which means cold and flu season is right around the corner.  What can you do to protect your little one and keep her healthy this autumn? 

Ask visitors to wash hands

You’ve just brought your baby home from the hospital and anxious friends and family are wondering if they’ve given you enough nesting time before popping in to say hi.  While their visits may be welcome, their germs certainly are not.  Make it a habit to ask people to wash their hands upon entering your home.  Is antibacterial soap necessary?  Absolutely not….in fact, such soaps can perpetuate the growth of antibiotic resistant bugs.  We recommend a natural, pure and simple hand soap without harsh chemicals that could irritate baby’s skin. 

Take baby for walks

Although your instinct may be to keep baby protected and sheltered inside the home, getting out in the fresh air is actually good for his immune system….and yours!  Fresh air invigorates the body and there is no better way to enjoy the crisp fall air than by taking a stroll with your new bundle. Being cloistered inside can lead to cabin fever for everyone, and you’ll be amazed at how good you feel after just one lap around the block.  Of course, bundle baby up if there’s a chill in the air, but not too much!  And don’t forget to bring your camera….you’ll want to capture all of your little one’s beaming smiles! 

How soon can my baby go outside for walks?

As soon as you feel up to it!  There is no set age at which it is acceptable to leave the house with your newborn.  Whenever you feel strong enough and the weather is inviting, head on out!  If you’ve had a Csection, just take care to listen to your body and walk at a slow pace in the beginning.  You may think you are ready for more physical activity than your body actually is….be patient and take it easy! 

Get the flu shot

If you haven’t had a flu shot, you may want to go ahead and get immunized.  This is a personal choice and by no means necessary, but the flu shot can protect against certain strains that can be harmful to those with immature immune systems.  Babies don’t have the same immunity that adults do, so a virus that causes mild symptoms in mom or dad could be severe for baby and lead to hospitalization.  Premature babies are the most vulnerable, so if your child was born early, make sure and immunize all the members of your family against the flu. 

OJ and tea

Oranges and other citrus fruits are full of Vitamin C that fights off colds and flu all year round.  Freshly squeezed is best, so if you have a juicer put it to use!  (we know they’re a pain to clean, but your body will be grateful).  Green or black tea is also a great beverage of choice, as it’s brimming with antioxidants that support immunity.  Watch the caffeine if breastfeeding though~ choose decaffeinated when possible and mix it up with herbal teas as well.  Adding lemon, fresh ginger, and honey gives an extra health boost and yummy flavor! 

Limit shopping trips

While it can feel great to be out and about with your newborn at the mall, you may want to avoid public places like these for the first few weeks.  The same goes for grocery stores and other enclosed spaces with lots of people around.  If you have a partner or other family member who can do the shopping, nominate them for this task.  Best for you and baby to stick with nature walks in the great outdoors! 

Welcome to our new blog

All of us at Lavender love babies and are passionate about what we do!  This is a place where we can share our ideas, thoughts, and knowledge.  Lavender is a forward thinking company, and we are committed to keeping up to date with the latest research in infant care and development.  We're excited to be able to blog about it all right here!