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 […]
Your Secret Weapon for Postpartum Healing
By Maggie Hilton |
As a labour and delivery nurse, I was fully aware that my body would go through some things when I had my first child. Even with my wealth of medical knowledge and experience teaching women, it wasn’t enough to prepare me for what I had coming. After 9 pounds of baby passes through your vagina, […]
Baby Sleep Advice
By Bronwyn Addico |
When I was expecting my first child, I lost count of how many times people told me “you’ll never sleep again!” Not only was that not helpful, but it was also not true. As babies get older, they have the ability to hold more food and potentially sleep longer. Until then, there are some things […]
Books for Babies
By Bronwyn Addico |
Books are a great way to help your baby develop and become a reader for life! At birth a baby has all the brain cells they need for life, but they need to develop the connections (or synapses) between these cells. These connections are the keys to learning. The brain’s ability to grow these connections […]
Thriving During Early Motherhood
By Bronwyn Addico |
Here are some tips, that I regularly share with postpartum mothers, to help them thrive during early motherhood. The emotional after-effects of birth and becoming a mother are huge and all-encompassing. You will be stretched in an infinite number of ways as you journey home from your birth experience to integrating your “old life” into […]
Summer To Do for You and Your Baby!
By Bronwyn Addico |
Here’s a Sumer To Do list we put together of some of our favourite activities to attend with our wee ones when the weather is hot: Strawberry picking (Herrles Farm is a favourite in St. Agatha) Check out the Butterfly Conservatory Hang out at the library – both KPL and WPL have great programs for […]
The Birth Box – Everything you need for a drug free labour in one box!
By Maggie Hilton |
Are you planning a drug-free birth? Or are you hoping to delay pain medications as long as possible during labour? Then check out our handy birth tool kit for rent: the ‘Birth Box”. Included in the Birth Box are essential items for pain relief during labour such as a “Rebozo Scarf”, a TENS machine, massage […]
