Sound Birth Services
PO Box 886 V0R 1S0 Cumberland, BC, Canada

See you at 1:00 today for the FREE Milky Mondays - On-Line Lactation Support Gatherings! Get the zoom link here: https://soundbirths.as.me/milky-mondays

Join the group for New and Expectant Parents!

Last night I went out on one final adventure away from home before going on-call today for the next 2 months as I await 7 babies to make their way into the world. It was a glorious full moon snowshoe on Mt. Washington where my friend JoAnne lead me on a stunning trek with views of the Comox Valley down below. Seeing the moon was a good reminder to begin self-care and prepare for supporting these families! (Full moon babies are a thing! Usually arriving a couple days after) Moving my body and getting lots of sleep are my self-care go-to's. What are yours?

What a great visual of how movement helps baby navigate your pelvis during labour. https://fb.watch/2wTdNqWvrC/

My mother send this article to me when I was waiting on the arrival of my second son in July of 2013. I had just been through yet another night of false labour and was feeling exhausted and frustrated. Although I wasn't "overdue" by any means (he arrived 40 weeks and 3 days), I was so uncomfortable and anxious and READY. But here I stood, waiting for my baby to trigger the cocktail of hormones that start labour, and my spirit preparing to dive deep into the realms of labour land to bring my baby into my arms. The in between stage: Zwischen.

Parents often say the biggest shock they experience when their baby is born, aside from sleep deprivation, is the lack of control they feel. biologically normal sleep behaviour in babies can feel exhausting and frustrating. By understanding what to expect and creating ways of night time parenting (safe co-sleeping or room sharing) that allows the family to have fewer disruptions during feeds, parents can feel much more rested and able to go with the flow a bit easier. Babie...s are not meant to sleep through the night due to their small tummies and fast metabolism. Waking frequently to have their needs met also helps to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The breastfeeding parent produces a hormone called prolactin which makes milk but also helps to induce sleep in babies. Levels are higher at night to help babies get back to sleep quicker and easier. So breastfeeding your baby to sleep is biologically helpful and healthy! Babies then begin to produce their own melatonin by about 12 weeks of age. Melatonin is responsible for better quality of sleep, rather than inducing sleep. Daylight inhibits melatonin, as do electronic screens and other stimulants. You can help your baby understand when it is nap time or bed time by dimming lights, turning off the TV and any other screens, and breastfeeding your baby. By doing this you'll help the natural process of hormone release and gently encourage your baby to gain positive sleep habits. Just remember, as with any new skill, it takes time for babies to learn them! PS: This is a photo of me sleeping with my first son. He is now almost 11!

Your baby needs to go the full 40 weeks of pregnancy to grow and develop.While being done with pregnancy may seem tempting, especially during those last few we...eks, inducing labor is associated with increased risks including prematurity, cesarean surgery, hemorrhage and infection. A great handout from AWHONN. http://www.health4mom.org/zones/go-the-full-40 See more

When a birther is infected with COVID-19, it is not necessary to separate parent and baby! Immediately after birth, some healthcare providers have recommended that newborns should be isolated from their birthing parent until they have been observed for symptoms, particularly where the parent is suspected or known to have COVID-19. However, this is not evidence-informed. The Global Breastfeeding Collective (2020) outline several steps that should be taken by healthcare provide...rs when working with new parents who are suspected or known to have COVID-19: Maintain services that support new parents with lactation. Explore options for remote support when appropriate. All new parents should remain with their baby, regardless of their COVID status, and should be supported in skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in, especially while they are establishing lactation. Individuals who are breast/chest feeding and have COVID-19 should be instructed in practicing respiratory hygiene including wearing a mask, washing their hands before touching their baby, and cleaning and disinfecting any surfaces they touch. This is reinforced by the World Health Organization (2020, p. 1) who note: The numerous benefits of skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks of transmission and illness associated with COVID-19.

Join Pamela tomorrow at 1 for conversations about all things pospartum, including lactation! All parents and parents-to-be are welcome! Be sure to register and you can use the same zoom link each week. https://soundbirths.as.me/milky-mondays

Lets get birthy! Join the Comox Valley Doulas for a FREE Virtual Movie night where you'll have the chance to chat with many of the doulas afterwards! Please Register here: https://soundbirths.as.me/?appointmentType=18390272

Join Pamela tomorrow at 1 for conversations about all things pospartum, including lactation! All parents and parents-to-be are welcome! Be sure to register and you can use the same zoom link each week. https://soundbirths.as.me/milky-mondays

When you were planning to give birth, how many choices of location did you consider? 1, 2, 3? Today I share with you a birth story from the coast of Japan. Keiko, the birthing mother will amaze you. Keiko, her husband and children chose a magical setting under the full moon, in the sea a day after a Typhoon on an island. Knowing her body and what she needed to gently and safely give birth to her baby she carefully chose her midwife, and the location that would enhance her con...nection to nature to facilitate a gentle birth. Go to https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/birth-in-the-sea/ and read the full story! Posted with @DittoRepost #dittorepost @orgasmicbirth #birthinthesea #orgasmicbirth #organicbirth #debrapascalibonaro #birthinthewater #birthinthewild #beauitful

I am so thankful to still be able to support clients at the Comox Valley Hospital at this time. Be sure to get in touch if you'd like more details on how a doula can support you while you bring forth life during these tricky times.

What a great offering!

A must-read birth story of an undisturbed birth in a conservative, active management hospital! "Listen to your body, listen to your baby. Life is not dogmatic when you’re in it, for real. Intervention is only negative if you fear it; the true medicine can appear in any form, even though it can be humbling to our egos to admit."

Can you spare some items for the @cvtransitionsociety ?

Posterior tongue ties. They are such a mystery and can cause so much confusion for breast/chest feeding parents and care providers alike. It is often thought that a tongue tie baby cannot move their tongue past their gum line, which isn't necessarily true for a baby with a posterior tongue tie. Parents with tongue tie babies start to struggle with feeding their baby soon after birth and can be confused by the symptoms if their baby is thriving and gaining weight well. S...ymptoms can include: * Fussing/sleepiness at the breast * Unable or struggles to maintain a deep latch * Gas/reflux/colic/blood in stool * Baby feeding often, more like an all day snacker than a baby who takes regular meals. * Chokes and splutters on milk once the let down happens. * Slow or no weight gain * Difficulty taking bottles or pacifiers * Nipple pain * Late onset decreased milk supply * Clogged ducts/mastitis In this video, you'll see an older child being treated for her tongue tie - likely to help with the alignment of her teeth. You'll see that she is not in pain and that the mobility of her tongue is greatly increased after the revision (even though she could stick out her tongue prior to the treatment). Warning: It is a bit graphic, however, there is no blood. https://www.youtube.com/watch Seeing a lactation professional as soon as you encounter breastfeeding problems can improve your breast/chest feeding experience very quickly! If you are struggling, feel free to book a virtual appointment with Pamela at www.soundbirths.ca/lactation-support