Balancing Birth To Baby Blog
Collecting Colostrum During Pregnancy
By Bronwyn Addico |
If you’re expecting a baby, you may have heard about the benefits of collecting colostrum before birth, also known as antenatal colostrum harvesting. Colostrum is the first milk your body produces, often called “liquid gold” for its rich concentration of nutrients, antibodies, and protective properties. Collecting colostrum in the weeks leading up to your baby’s […]
Planning for your Postpartum
By Bronwyn Addico |
So much time, effort and energy goes into planning for pregnancy and planning for the birth of a baby. Often what is neglected is planning for the postpartum period. We get so caught up in waiting to have a baby that when they actually come there is an awful “Aha!” moment of “Well what do […]
Empowering Black Mothers: Overcoming the Barriers to Breastfeeding in the Black Community
By Christina Iaboni |
This post was written by Desiray Tynes, dietetic student and reviewed by Christina Iaboni, RD Black Breastfeeding Week 2024 runs from August 25-311. This annual event celebrates and supports Black mothers in their breastfeeding journeys. Despite the health benefits of breastfeeding, Black mothers often face unique challenges. To help, we need to address these barriers […]
Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy
By Christina Iaboni |
You probably know that food plays an important role in your pregnancy. You want the best for your baby, and that’s why you’re likely busy making sure you’re getting those extra calories from a well-balanced diet and taking all your prenatal vitamins. But did you know that there are foods you should avoid during your […]
Supporting Postpartum Mood Disorders
By Bronwyn Addico |
Welcoming a baby into the world is a life-changing experience filled with joy, excitement, and sometimes unexpected challenges. For some new parents, those challenges include navigating postpartum mood disorders, which are more common than many people realize. While the “baby blues” are short-lived, postpartum mood disorders like postpartum depression can last much longer and make […]
Postpartum Depression in Partners is Real
By Bronwyn Addico |
Postpartum mood disorders, such as postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety, can affect not only the birthing parent but also their partner. While postpartum mood disorders are often associated with mothers, it is important to recognize that fathers and partners can also experience emotional challenges during the postpartum period. Fathers and partners may not experience the […]
Recovering from the Heartbreak of Miscarriage
By Jane Hammond |
The first thing to know if you’ve had a miscarriage is that it was not your fault. Often when things like this happen, our first response is to try to figure out why. Unfortunately, it’s often impossible to know why a miscarriage has happened. It can be helpful to understand that miscarriages are extremely common – some estimates say 10-20 % of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Newborn Massage : Good for the whole family!
By Bronwyn Addico |
You are at home with your new bundle of joy. Whether it is your first or fourth, incorporating this little person into your household is a challenge for parents and siblings. Infant massage can be a wonderful way to bond with your tiny human. There are many studies that show how infant massage can improve […]
Dads, Partners, and Labour
By Bronwyn Addico |
Gone are the days of dropping the labouring mom off at the hospital and Dad waiting for the news that all was well and his new baby was here. Not only are Dads and Partners expected to be in the birth room, but they are also expected to support moms during an experience that they […]
Birth Plans 101
By Bronwyn Addico |
I am often asked about birth plans by the couples in our classes and by my doula and coaching clients. If you don’t know, a birth plan is something that women and their partners write about what they hope will occur during their labour, what they hope to avoid, and anything else they feel is […]
How Painful is Labour?
By Bronwyn Addico |
Questions and fears about labour pain are what I hear most often from doula clients, coaching clients and couples in my childbirth classes. I am not going to lie. Labour can be painful. How painful? Well, that depends. There is a wide variety of pain perceptions and stories about pain levels in labour. Your baby’s […]
Grandparenting – 5 Things That Have Changed Since Having Your Babies
By Christina Iaboni |
I have always believed that knowledge is power. And how wonderful it would be for Grandparents to support and help their children blossom into amazing parents themselves, by already having the best, up to date advice to give. So here goes:
