hatcheddesigns, Author at Nurtured Birth

Nursing Cups – Can They Help Breastfeeding Mamas?

Breastfeeding is such an important part of the mothering journey for many women. This is why Nurtured Birth offers a range of breastfeeding support products in our shop, including Silverette Nursing Cups.

Nipple pain can be a definite challenge when breastfeeding. Silverette Nursing Cups can make a big difference in ensuring you can carry on breastfeeding for as long as you wish.

Why does breastfeeding hurt sometimes?

For many new mamas, breastfeeding is hard.

Whether it’s your first or third baby, there’s no telling how your breastfeeding journey will turn out.

You and your baby might figure things out quickly and easily. Or you might have some bumps along the way.

Breastfeeding experts widely agree nursing shouldn’t hurt if your baby is positioned and latched correctly.

Yet this isn’t the reality for many mamas, especially those new to breastfeeding.

Pain and damage to the nipple isn’t normal and can very quickly interfere with breastfeeding, causing anxiety and stress.

Over time, ongoing pain can cause problems with your ability to nurse properly. This can interrupt your milk supply and potentially cause you to give up breastfeeding.

The best option is to see an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who can check latch, position and investigate the possibility of tongue or lip ties.

Or you can contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association for support.

When the cause of the nipple pain is found, the healing process can begin.

There are many choices for nipple healing today. At Nurtured Birth we want to offer mamas the best products available. Which is why we have added Silverette Nursing Cups to our range of products.

So why are they so good?

What are Silverette Nursing Cups?

First, what are these silver little cups? They’re crafted from 925 sterling silver and fit over the nipples to protect them.

Silver has long been known for its healing properties, used to protect against bacteria and fungal infections in wounds. It has anti inflammatory agents as well, soothing and healing cuts, cracks, wounds and infections.

The cups also act as a barrier to prevent chaffing. Many new mamas find they can’t stand having anything touch their nipples, whether they’re sore or not.

Sensitive nipples are very common during the early days of breastfeeding. Even the sensation of a nursing pad or bra against your nipples can make you want to scream!

Silverette Nursing Cups are crafted in Italy by licenced silversmiths.

How do you use a Silverette Nursing Cup?

You can use the cups to prevent or heal sore nipples. Simply place the cupdirectly over each nipple and keep on for as long as possible between breastfeeding your bub. It’s suggested to add a few drops of breast milk to the cup before placing over your nipple.

You remove the cups before nursing then put them back on once your baby has finished feeding. The silver cups don’t stick to your nipples which aids the healing process and reduces the pain you’d experience if trying to remove a nursing pad and your bra.

Can I use nipple creams with the nursing cups?

One of the best things about using Silverette Nursing Cups is you don’t need to buy any other products to use as well.

In fact, Silverette recommends not using ointments or creams with the cups as those products may react with the silver and cause the cups to be less efficient.

Do Silverette Nursing Cups come in different sizes?

The cups are a one-size-fits-all product. The rounded peak should comfortably fit any size nipple without causing compression.

During the early days of breastfeeding, if your breasts are quite engorged, you might find the cups leave a small imprint. This should fade within a few days as your supply settles down.

Will I leak milk using Silverette Nursing Cups?

Depending on your supply and how often your baby feeds, you might experience some leaking – just as you would without using the cups.

You can wear nursing pads over the top of the cups to catch any milk leaks. Your nursing bra or singlet will keep everything in place.

Do the nursing cups make your nipples look strange?

If you’re just wearing the cups under a nursing singlet then they might look a little hard and pointy! But at home, who cares what your nipples look like, as long as you’re getting relief from soreness and pain.

If you want to wear the cups while out and about, a nursing pad and structured nursing bra will soften the appearance.

Do I need to clean the Silverette Nursing Cups?

Once a day, you can clean the cups with warm water to get rid of any milk residue.

If you want the cups to keep their shiny silver look, you can apply a paste made of baking soda and water. Rub the paste on the cups before rinsing thoroughly and drying them.

For support during your early mothering journey, contact Nurtured Birth to find out about our postnatal doula services.

You can purchase products including Silverette Nursing Cups in our online store here.

Six Ways to Make Breastfeeding Easier Before You Have Your Baby. By Pinky McKay

Six Ways to Make Breastfeeding Easier Before You Have Your Baby
By Pinky McKay

“I will breastfeed –if I can.”

This is such a common phrase and with breastfeeding horror stories almost as prevalent as scary birth stories, is it any wonder pregnant women have their confidence shot even before they meet their newborn?

Yes, breastfeeding can be challenging at first – it’s natural but it’s also a learned skill like riding a bike or driving a car. And you wouldn’t simply hop on a bike or get in a car and expect to cruise off without any instruction or preparation, would you? By preparing for breastfeeding you give yourself a much better chance of beating the ‘booby traps’ and getting through the early days more easily.

1) Learn about breastfeeding
Before you have a crying, hungry baby in your arms and doubt in your heart. Read a good book about basic breastfeeding -how milk is made, how to tell when your baby is hungry(look for signs such as putting his hand to his mouth, sucking noises, and rooting towards your breasts), how to tell your baby is getting enough milk (tip: is he having heavy wet nappies? What comes out must have gone in), how to boost your breast milk supply (see Pinky’s ebook Breastfeeding Simply).

Go to a breastfeeding class – the Australian Breastfeeding Association offer antenatal breastfeeding classes and join a breastfeeding support group such as the ABA or an online group and talk to women who are breastfeeding happily so you can get positive, helpful information, rather than horror stories.

2) Get to know ‘the girls’
There are some factors that may make breastfeeding a bit more challenging but by being aware of how your own boobs look and any medical or physical issues that could affect or delay breastfeeding, you can see a lactation consultant before you have your baby and create a breastfeeding plan. This way, you are ahead of the game and ready to deal with problems as soon as they arise.

For instance, what shape are your nipples? Do they pop out easily for baby to attach or do you have flat or inverted nipples (this doesn’t mean you can’t breastfeed, just that you may need some extra help at first)? If you have PCOS, Diabetes or Thyroid disorders, have had late or minimal breast development during puberty or pregnancy, this could signal possible challenges too, so discuss these with a lactation consultant.

3) Plan your support team
All new mothers need support however you feed your baby. A supportive partner is a huge factor in your breastfeeding success so first up, discuss with your partner how they can support you: taking time off work, censoring visitors, allowing you to rest, feeding you and being positive about breastfeeding – never asking ‘are you sure you have enough milk?’
Surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you and offer practical help such as meals, laundry and shopping.

4) Express Colostrum
You can gain confidence in your boobs and your body by expressing colostrum (the yellowish fluid in your breasts before milk comes in) collecting in syringes and freezing it during the last few weeks of pregnancy (check with your health carers). This way, if there is any delay in your milk ‘coming in’ or your baby has low blood sugars (possible if you have gestational diabetes), you can give this to your baby and avoid formula top-ups that can negatively impact your baby’s gut environment and your early milk supply.

5) Understand the ‘Booby Traps’
Sometimes, in a busy hospital, you may be rushed into situations that aren’t helpful to early breastfeeding. For instance, if a midwife reaches for your baby and pushes it onto your breast, put your hand up in a stop sign and ask, “please can you guide me, I would like to try myself.”
If your baby seems to be having difficulty attaching to the breast, ask for a lactation consultant (most maternity hospitals have them on staff) to observe a feed, check your baby’s latch and suck and also examine baby for tongue tie (they need to feel inside his mouth, not just see that he can poke his tongue out).

Your baby is likely to be cranky on his second night (he’s just realized he is ‘on the outside’), so you may be offered a bottle of formula. This can affect your baby’s gut environment as well as interfering with your body’s messages to produce milk (see ‘expressing colostrum’ above).
Allow your baby to practice breastfeeding now, before your milk comes in (he is learning to coordinate sucking swallowing and breathing before he has to deal with a fast flow of milk, and he is stimulating your breasts to start making milk).

Offer skin-to-skin cuddles as this will help baby feel calm and will boost your milk-making hormones. If you are exhausted, get your partner to hold your baby to help him settle.

6) Prepare your feeding station
Plan to do nothing else but rest and learn to breastfeed for the first two weeks: Set up a comfortable space to feed your baby, a comfy chair with a basket of goodies such as a water bottle (for you), healthy snacks, breast pads, Tv remote, phone, a book or kindle (if you can manage to feed one handed) and download some podcasts or audiobooks on your devices.

If this isn’t your first baby, prepare some boxes of toys or ‘busy bags’ with simple activities or small treats for your toddler that only come out at feed times.

About the Author

Pinky McKay is Australia’s most recognised and respected breastfeeding expert. She’s an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, mum of five, best-selling author of Sleeping Like a Baby, Parenting by Heart and Toddler Tactics (Penguin Random House) and TEDx speaker. Pinky is also the creator of Boobie Foods, all natural and organic foods to nourish you as you breastfeed your baby.

For more comprehensive information about beginning breastfeeding and overcoming common challenges, check out Pinky’s ebook Breastfeeding Simply.

Buy Breastfeeding Simple

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How to Heal from Birth Trauma. By Lael Stone

Healing is possible at any age when we understand how to hold a space.

By Guest Writer Lael Stone

The doctor stood at the end of my bed with an incredibly somber look on his face.

“We don’t expect her to live through the night, and if she does she will most likely have brain damage”

This is not the news that you expect to hear once you have given birth. In my drugged post-caesarean state I took this information in and realised that the only thing I had control over was my blind optimism and faith in my daughter.

A few hours earlier during labour I had been taken to theatre as my baby was breech and not in a viable position for a vaginal delivery. I had a bad reaction to the spinal anesthetic which in turn caused my baby’s heart rate crash. The Obstetrician worked with incredible skills to get her out as soon as possible but she was deprived of oxygen for a very long time. Her prognosis was very grim and all we could do was wait, stay positive and trust.

She spent days in an induced coma cooling her body to ensure her brain didn’t swell. She had CAT scans, MRIs, every test under the sun and on the fourth day when they removed her intubation tube, much to everyone’s surprise, she miraculously breathed on her own. After many tests and much disbelief from nearly all the hospital staff, they couldn’t find anything wrong with my daughter. Whether it was her fighting spirit, our blind faith that she would be alright or really a miracle, she came through the ordeal and we got to take her home ten days after she was born. A normal, healthy baby, who had a very rough start.

The days she was in the NICU were some of the most challenging of my life. I learned about letting go and surrender on a scale that I had never experienced before. As I sat by her ICU cot, I kept reminding her that I trust her completely and she could do whatever she needed to do. Stay or go.

Leaving the hospital each night to come home and sleep was so hard. I would wake every few hours to express milk, thinking about the strangers that were looking after my baby. I wasn’t there when she cried, I wasn’t there to feed her, I wasn’t there to protect her. The feelings would sometimes overwhelm me and I would burst into tears that I wasn’t with my baby. I would cry in my husband’s arms.

“I don’t even know her, I don’t know what she smells like, what she really looks like. I don’t know her.”

So many overwhelming feelings that I had to push away in order to continue looking after my two other children and hold it together so I could concentrate on getting my newborn home.

The day we finally brought her home I remember walking in the door and knowing that it wasn’t over. We had all been through a very big experience and I knew enough from my work that all that stress, separation and trauma had to go somewhere and sooner or later it was going to come out.

As life settled down and I learned to juggle a newborn (as well as a 4- and 7-year-old), I started to see the cracks appearing. For the first time in my life, I started to become very anxious about my older children. I started to think that something was going to happen to them, that they would get hit by a car or someone might take them. I started to fret and worry about safety. Anxiety was starting to whisper to me about the trauma I was holding. Meanwhile, my beautiful newborn daughter started to show signs of tension and stress. Making constant movements with her hands and sucking furiously on anything that would go near her mouth as a stress release.

It was time for us to do some healing. I started by working on our bodies, having regular Cranial Osteopathy helped bring back some balance and thanks to a friend I stumbled across the work of Dr. Aletha Solter. Dr. Solter is a Swiss-American developmental psychologist, who is recognised internationally as an expert on attachment, trauma, and non-punitive discipline. When her first child was born in 1977 (following a traumatic birth) she did not find any parenting books that advocated attachment-style parenting and non-punitive discipline while taking into account the impact of stress and trauma on children’s development.

Dr. Solter’s book The Aware Baby was both groundbreaking and challenging for me. She spoke about a baby’s need to release stress and trauma through attachment, laughing and crying. It was a completely different approach to help babies and young children release their emotions. I was coming from a modern way of parenting which prizes a “good baby” – one that never cries and sleeps through the night. I had spent years and years with my older children trying to stop them crying and spending hours upon hours rocking them to sleep. In contrast, Dr. Solter was suggesting that if your baby cries or is upset once its needs had been met (hunger, sleep, etc), then the solution was to just be with them. Hold space for your baby to release any pent-up feelings or emotions.

A light bulb went off for me. Everything I read made complete sense. I didn’t like shutting my older kids down when they had big feelings, but I just didn’t know how to handle it. So I started slowly: each day when I had a quiet space I would take my baby into my room and hold her gently. I would look her in the eyes and say to her If there is anything you want to let go of, I am listening. Nearly every time she would start crying. Sometimes it would be for five minutes, sometimes half an hour, but each time I would hold her gently look her in the eyes and tell her I am listening.

Sometimes I could not help feeling overwhelming grief or emotions, and I would cry too. Other times I was able to sit there in such peace, just holding my baby who was letting her body do its thing, releasing all the stress and trauma. Every time my baby finished crying she would make long deep eye contact with me and either smile and engage or fall into a deep sleep.

Each day I would see and feel a difference with my her. The frantic tension in her body eased and I felt a connection with her that was so deep and profound. My osteopath would comment on how different her body felt and how relaxed she was. I was in no doubt: this was the path to healing. The change and healing within me were also incredible. My anxiety disappeared and I felt so deeply bonded and connected with my daughter.

As time went on, I learned more about Aware Parenting and started to work in different ways to help babies and children release their stress. I started to do attachment play with all my children, using play and laughter as a way to help them feel more powerful or deal with fears and anxieties. My baby and I would spend time rolling around on the floor engaged in laughter and connection as well as times when she needed to cry and release.

Extreme laughter, play and intense crying all became part of the norm in our house. I began to see shifts in not just my youngest daughter but also my older children. Instead of getting aggressive or using non-favorable behavior when they had big feelings, they would come to me and let it out. Sometimes through rough and tumble play, sometimes through tears. There was so much more harmony in our home because of it. Inspired and assured by the power of these techniques, I went on to become an Aware Parenting Instructor.

My beautiful baby is now a thriving, amazing 9-year-old. I have been listening to her feelings for every one of those years and what I witness is a child with extraordinary emotional awareness. She will often articulate in an instant what she is feeling and ask for what she needs: “Can you cuddle me, mum, whilst I have a cry?“ or “I’ve got some mad feelings going on. Can you rumble with me so I can get them out?”

Our journey from birth to now was a big one but by listening to her, and therefore listening to myself, the healing that took place was even more profound than the trauma that started it. I am so very grateful for the journey we had together. It taught me so much professionally and personally and showed me that no matter what happens in our world we can always heal.

About the Author

Lael Stone is a proud mother of three children who has worked as a Birth Attendant/Doula and certified Calmbirth Instructor since 2004. From a background in wellbeing, counselling, and research, Lael was compelled into the field of childbirth education by her own birth experiences. It has been her privilege over the years to witness and partner many couples achieving satisfying births. Lael has interviewed and collected birth experience data from hundreds of Australian women throughout her career. This data provided insight and motivation to develop the About Birth Online Education Program. A certified Aware Parenting Instructor, Lael brings her insights to the podcast “Aware Parenting”. To listen to this podcast or learn more about Lael, follow the buttons below:

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Why ‘the talk’ needs to start early! With Lael Stone

Why ‘the talk’ needs to start early!

By Guest Writer Lael Stone

Is this a conversation you’ve been dreading or do you feel worried that you have no idea where to begin?

For many generations, there has been a looming sense of pressure as a parent, that as your child moves into puberty you will have to face the awkward conversation and have ‘the talk’.

However, research shows that teaching Sex Education (bodily autonomy, consent, relationships) to children isn’t about one chat, it is many conversations, starting when they are young and it can set up positive dynamics in the home around sex and sexuality.

By teaching toddlers the proper names for body parts and helping them understand what parts of their bodies are private, we are helping to create awareness and safety around their bodies. We are also beginning a conversation at a young age that instills in our children that our growing bodies are a normal thing and it is ok to talk about it with us.

Talking about consent from a very young age also cements in children their rights around their bodies and helps them to establish a voice that can say “no” if something doesn’t feel right for them. They learn to dictate who is allowed into their personal space – including hugs and kisses.

It also teaches them to respect that in others too. Most importantly it is imperative in keeping our kids safe from unwanted touching. When a child is aware of what is private and understands consent, they are more likely to speak up about inappropriate touching or bring attention to a situation.

We can teach kids about consent by not making them kiss and hug adults to say hello or goodbye. Always giving our children the option to choose if they would like to touch someone, instills the inner barometer of honouring themselves. How many of us had to kiss old Aunt Jackie at family catch-ups and hated it because she smelled funny.

Offering our children alternative greetings can be a great way to model communication without having to use their bodies in a way that doesn’t feel good.

“Would you like to give Uncle John a fist pump goodbye, would you like to blow a kiss, would you like to wave.“

Fostering and supporting your child’s understanding of consent is more important than any adult’s hurt feelings because they didn’t get a hug.

Teaching this to our children at an early age, also helps them to navigate the teenage years which can be tricky around exploring sex. When they have a strong compass on what feels ok and what doesn’t, then they are more likely to trust themselves in situations and say what they need.

They also need a lot of practice when it comes to consent. If we expect teenagers to say no and have boundaries around consent, but they haven’t had any role modeling of what that looks like or have been able to practice it in the home, then it is very challenging when they are in a heated situation to set a limit and say no.

Bodily Autonomy and Consent are conversations that you will have over and over again. Using teachable moments such as siblings wrestling on the floor and one of them yelling “stop”.

If you can stop the play and say “ Did you hear that Charlie said a big loud Stop then, we need to listen and respect that stop.” (If you have more than one child there will be so many opportunities to practice this one)

Books are also a wonderful way to start the conversation. There are some excellent kids’ books on the market that discuss consent, body safety and respecting boundaries. All written in age-appropriate language.

It is also good to remember that kids learn about relationships and sexuality from us, so be aware of modeling good intimate relationships. Be playful, set boundaries and always be respectful to yourself and your partner. Talk about your own body in positive ways and model great self-care. As always in parenting, kids do what we do, not what we say.

Our goal is to raise sexually aware teens, who have good boundaries, respect their partners and explore safely, so they can experience pleasure, intimacy, and relationship in a healthy and satisfying way. So start the conversation early and equip your children with the tools and knowledge to have positive relationships.

Happy chatting!

About the Author

Visit Lael's Website

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Are Hospitals Setting Mothers Up To Fail At Breastfeeding? with Amberley Harris

Are Hospitals Setting Mothers Up To Fail At Breastfeeding?

By Guest Writer Amberley Harris

It’s dawn in Uganda and the golden sun is slowly sweeping over the bright green volcanic mountains.

A female Gorilla has just given birth to her infant. She scoops her baby boy up, cleans him for a few moments then lays down amongst the lush undergrowth with him in the centre of her chest.

In his own time, her infant begins the breast crawl and finds his way to his mother’s breast and self-attaches for his first breastfeed.

How does the infant know to do this?

Because just like other mammals, he is hardwired to do so.

Mammals share many features including hair, being warm-blooded, having a four-chambered heart and feeding their infants milk from their mammary glands. There are sub classifications of mammals and we humans reside in the primate’s category.

The breast crawl and the ability to self-attach to the breast is a process a primates’ offspring are very capable of doing and given we humans share 98.3 percent of their DNA, so too are our offspring.

So, if we trust that clever infant gorilla in the wild which I just described, is adept at finding his own way to the breast without a room full of professionals facilitating this, then why don’t we trust our own babies can also?

The “breast crawl” is a term to describe the process where a newborn baby is placed skin to skin with its mother following birth and instinctively finds its own way to her breast.

Whether you know about the breast crawl or not, I’m here to tell you it’s real and it’s AMAZING.

I’ve seen it unfold time and time again and every time it blows my mind in the best possible way.

I’ve witnessed babies just minutes or hours old, inch themselves to their mother’s breast and self-attach, even though babies can’t actually crawl until many months after birth.

I’ve watched on in admiration with new parents, all of us sharing a deep sense of reverence while witnessing their baby demonstrate his or her genetic blueprint for breastfeeding.

But here’s the thing, if I know anything about breastfeeding it’s this: the ONE thing a mother and baby need at that very first breastfeed post birth is … time … and that’s the one thing busy maternity wards simply don’t have.

The breast crawl takes on average 30-60 minutes. Some babies can find their way to the breast in less than 30 minutes, while others take two hours to get there.

It’s standard practice in hospital birth suites that following the birth of the baby, the Midwife will give the baby a brief period of time skin to skin, before “helping” the baby attach to the breast; the breast crawl sequence is interrupted, the baby is manually lifted to the mother’s breast and the Midwife will facilitate the attachment by shaping the mothers breast and guiding it into the baby’s mouth.

And the main reason this is done, putting aside well-meaning intent, is that it saves time. Because let’s be honest, hospitals are busy places, they don’t have time for all babies to complete the breast crawl, they need the Midwives to free up beds for the next labouring mama on her way in.

Now I’m not throwing shade at the Midwives here — Midwives are my heroes — but those who work in hospitals must succumb to the system (even if it pains them) and in many ways it’s a system as altruistic as they come.

While most babies are capable of the breast crawl and self-attaching, I want to mention there are some who do need a helping hand.

This is because there are many influences on the breast crawl, like medical interventions (which luckily Gorilla’s don’t have to deal with) including drugs in labour or surgical births, just to name a few.

There are also variables such as the mother’s anatomy (breast and nipple shape) or the baby’s anatomy (mouth, tongue and palate) which we must consider.

All of the above can create challenges with attachment and in these instances, support from a Midwife is essential, but ONLY if a baby hasn’t managed to self-attach after at least one hour, or more, of attempting (remember that!).

I’m not exactly sure when this happened along the way, but it’s happened. A combo of the hospital system majorly under the pump, plus so many clinicians who seem to have stopped recognising and appreciating what our remarkable species is capable of following birth. This has all slowly but surely seen the breast crawl following birth reach near extinction.

The breast crawl and first breast feed are SUPREMELY important and when we rush this, it effects a mother’s breastfeeding journey in enormous ways. Not necessarily in ways beyond repair, but it does undeniably put new mamas and bubbas seriously behind the eight ball.

Breastfeeding is challenging enough, so we must set women up to succeed, not fail.

So, if you’re planning to birth in hospital, clearly list your wishes for your baby to do an uninterrupted breast crawl and self-attach, in your breastfeeding plan.

Tell your partner, support people or Doula so they can guard you and your baby while this happens.

At the end of the day, your baby is like every other mammal. They are evolutionarily and biologically programmed to crawl to the breast and breastfeed after birth, he or she just needs to be given the essential time to do so.

And what’s more, watching it organically unfold is going to be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

x Amberley

References

https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-do-gorillas-eat-and-other-gorilla-facts

https://breastfeedingusa.org/content/article/amazing-mammal-mothers-making-milk

About Amberley Harris

Amberley Harris is a Melbourne based Registered Midwife (Endorsed) in private practice with her own breastfeeding consultancy business. Amberley has over 12 years experience working as a Midwife in both the public and private hospital setting and is a proud co-producer of two small humans. With a highly engaged audience of over 20k followers on social media, Amberley is also a micro-influencer in the world of motherhood & maternal wellness. Amberley’s move to entrepreneurship was for two reasons. Firstly, because it was where she knew she could make significant, impactful change to global breastfeeding statistics and secondly because she could be philanthropic every step of the way.

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Aware Parenting 101 with Lael Stone

Aware Parenting 101- The ins and outs, hows, and whys of raising your children with awareness.

By Guest Writer Lael Stone

If you asked a pregnant couple (before they actually become parents) what kind of parent they would like to be, most of them would say they want to be fair and kind, loving and responsive and raise their children with awareness. I do believe that this is the intent we all start with.

However, you know that once that baby arrives, it often becomes all about survival and doing whatever works. As that baby becomes a fabulous toddler with a strong will and ideas of its own, our democratic ideas on parenting can often be pushed aside as we are confronted with feeling out of control and before we know it, we are no longer parenting in the way we had ideally hoped for.

In my years working as a parenting educator, I have seen that the parenting paradigm seems to cover both ends of the spectrum. We have Authoritarian parenting which is often about very firm boundaries, punishments and rewards and using our power over children to get them to behave. This can often result in children feeling controlled, which leads to disconnection and consequently fear can run the relationship. On the other side of the parenting landscape, we have Permissive parenting which can be seen as letting the child call the shots, meeting every need of the child and never letting them get upset. This can play out in the later years with the child feeling entitled and the parents often feeling controlled.

Now there are often issues with both these styles of parenting and ideally, we like to sit somewhere in the middle, and work with what we call Democratic parenting.

A combination of loving limits and boundaries along with gentleness, close attachment, love and connection.

Over my 21 years of raising my 3 children, I instinctively looked for this middle ground when it came to raising my kids and it wasn’t until I discovered the work of Dr. Aletha Solter, who created Aware Parenting, that I felt I had found my guide to raising my kids with respect, empathy and connection.

Aware Parenting is a child-rearing approach, based on research in the fields of attachment, child development, psychotherapy, cross-cultural studies, and the neurobiology of trauma.

It’s founder, Dr. Aletha Solter, is a Swiss-American developmental psychologist who studied with Dr. Jean Piaget in Switzerland, before earning her Ph.D. at the University of California. She is the author of five books and is recognised internationally as an expert on attachment, trauma, and non-punitive discipline.

Aware Parenting is a form of attachment parenting and highly recommends breastfeeding, co-sleeping, babywearing and prompt responsiveness to crying. However, Aware Parenting adds another element by recognising the stress-release function of crying in addition to its communication function.

The core message of Aware Parenting is respectful listening and tenderly nurturing the full spectrum of our children’s emotions and feelings. Not shutting them down when they are mad or angry, but helping them process their big feelings by staying close, keeping calm and connected and modeling empathy as their emotions move through them.

It also supports the mechanisms of play and laughter to help children process stress and traumas as well as build strong connections between child and adult.

The foundation of Aware Parenting is based on connection. Attuning to our children’s needs, never isolating them or leaving them alone to cry or tantrum and always looking behind the surface issue to see what is happening for the child.

Aware Parenting also focuses on teaching parents how to maintain loving limits and boundaries and looks to solve behavior problems by addressing the underlying needs and feelings. It recognises disconnection, unmet needs, lack of information, stress, and unhealed trauma as primary causes of behavior problems. It also supports Non-Punitive Discipline, not using bribes, rewards or punishments to obtain certain behaviors.

So how does this look in practical terms? In my workshops, I like to explain that children are either In balance or out of balance. When a child is ‘In Balance’ they are usually chatty, happy with whatever they are doing, being kind and gentle with others, lots of eye contact and usually a pleasure to be around. When kids are ‘out of balance’ we see all the other types of confronting behaviors. Hitting, biting, throwing things, yelling, being mean to other children or their siblings and often very defiant in nature.

In making sense of why children act out, it helps to understand why children can be ‘Out of Balance’. According to Dr. Aletha Solter:

“Children cry spontaneously after having experienced any kind of stress or trauma. The more stress there is in a child’s life, the greater will be the need to cry. There are many sources of stress in children’s lives. Illnesses, injuries, and hospitalization are cause for pain, confusion, and anxiety. Quarreling, separation, or divorce of a child’s parents can be confusing and terrifying, as can the presence of a parent’s new partner or a stepparent. Stress can result from a move to a new home, starting a new school, or the birth of a sibling.

Added to these major life stresses are all the daily separations, accidents, frustrations, disappointments, and anxieties. In a single morning at nursery school, a child can have a toy grabbed from him by another child, fall from a swing, be served a snack that he dislikes, spill paint on his new shoes, and have to wait for a late parent after all the other children have left. Even happy occasions can be stressful if they are overstimulating. It is not uncommon for young children to burst into tears during their own birthday party, for example. As if this wasn’t enough stress in a young person’s life, many children also carry the burden of very early experiences of stress or trauma, that was caused prenatally or during the birth process.”

The day to day life of a toddler can often bring about feelings of powerlessness and stress and all those feelings accumulate in their little bodies. Toddlers will often hold on to those hurts and when a safe time and place presents itself, all the build-up tension explodes, all at once. So when your little one is angry and raging because you gave them the blue cup instead of the red cup or you were giving their little sister some attention, it is their body and the nervous system trying to reset.

What is great to understand is that tears contain cortisol, the stress hormone. When we cry, we are literally releasing stress from our bodies. Tears have also been found to lower blood pressure and improve emotional well-being, provided there’s a loved one close by for support.

When children have a build-up of feelings and are on the brink of a tantrum, you may notice that nothing is right. No matter what you do, it isn’t enough and they continue to whine or be frustrated.

The amazing natural healing aspect of the human body is to help the child come back into balance. You may have noticed that after the storm has passed, (once they have released all those big feelings ) they are in a much better mood. It helps if we let our kids tantrum without trying to interrupt the process, so they get to the end of their feelings.

From an Aware Parenting perspective, the goal, when our little ones are upset, is to welcome the emotions instead of shutting them down. When a child feels safe enough to offload all those feelings of frustration, fear, anger, etc, they are able to move past them quickly. The other bonus of staying calm and holding the space for these big feelings is that it teaches our children what empathy looks like. It also creates new pathways in their brain that says I can feel these feelings and let them go. Children develop emotional intelligence when we teach them that all their feelings are okay. As they grow and develop, understanding that feelings are welcomed and held, they develop skills to speak and process what they are feeling, instead of shutting down or numbing themselves out, or acting out using violence and aggression.

In an ideal world, we meet our children’s big explosions and meltdowns with calm and empathy. However, it is often easier said than done. When our child rages or tantrums it can trigger our own fight or flight mechanism. This is especially true if we grew up in an environment where there was yelling or violence. It can tap into our own nervous system, reminding us that we can still feel those danger signals going off inside. This can lead to a need to stop the feelings quickly, for both the parent and the child. That is why we move into yelling or wanting to punish our children when they get upset. We are often in our own state of panic.

An important aspect of Aware Parenting is recognising our own traumas and hurts from our childhood. Often our own unresolved stories will surface as we parent our children. It helps if we can look at our own reactions and work through them, which will then assist us in being able to maintain a calm and balanced connection with our child.

It’s always good to remember that our role as parents is to guide and teach our children. We do this in every moment as we go about our lives. Our children learn about the world by the way we interact with it. So when it comes to teaching our children about emotional wellbeing, feelings, empathy, and compassion – then modeling it to them when they are upset, is the best education possible.

As Aletha Solter states, “Aware Parenting is a philosophy of child-rearing that has the potential to change the world” and I have to say that I completely agree. I have witnessed incredible changes with the hundreds of families I’ve worked with, as well as my own personal experiences in raising my own children this way. It is possible to create harmony in the home and raise children to be the full expression of who they are.

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Meconium and Birth – What You Need To Know

As you prepare for labour, you might be told to watch for meconium if your waters break before birth.

It’s commonly thought the sign of green-stained waters is a sign your baby is in distress and needs to be born urgently.

What is the truth about meconium and how dangerous is it? We answer those questions here.

What is meconium?

Meconium is your newborn’s first poo. As your baby is developing in your womb, they practice breathing movements and swallow the amniotic fluid. The fluid has your baby’s hair and intestinal cells in it, among other things.

Over time, the debris left in your baby’s intestine builds up into a green black tar-like substance, called meconium. By the time your baby is ready for the world outside, their entire large bowel is filled with this sticky substance.

Your baby will usually pass the meconium as their first poo within the first 12 hours after birth. Your first milk, colostrum, has a laxative effect and helps to move this substance out.

Be warned – it’s quite sticky! Many new parents have been pooped on by their baby when having skin to skin after birth and find it hard to clean off.

What happens when meconium is passed before birth?

Sometimes babies pass their first poo before they’re born (statistics vary between 5-20% of births). If this happens, their skin is often tinged a green-yellow, thanks to the greasy vernix coating.

There’s two main reasons why babies poop in the uterus:

Their digestive system has matured
Something has triggered a sudden compression of the cord or head.

Do babies poop when distressed?

It’s believed meconium passed before birth is a sign your baby is in immediate danger.

But this isn’t always the case. If the baby’s head or cord is compressed suddenly and quickly, it can cause their sphincter muscles to relax. The poo can be pushed out. Compression of the head and cord happens during labour and babies can have a trail of meconium following their body.

If your waters break and are stained a green-yellow then these are called meconium-stained.

Your care provider will want to check your baby’s wellbeing. This can be done by measuring their heart rate, which is a good indicator of whether your baby is happy or having a hard time in there.

Can meconium be dangerous for babies?

Babies can swallow meconium while in the womb and it won’t hurt them as it’s sterile. The biggest concern is why your baby has pooped and if they’re in any distress.

There’s also the small possibility your baby will inhale meconium into their lungs. This is called meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).

How do babies inhale meconium?

When your baby is in your womb, they are receiving oxygen from the placenta via the umbilical cord. They don’t begin to breathe with their lungs until after birth.

Until then, your baby’s lungs are filled with amniotic fluid. The pressure of contractions pushing them out of the uterus causes this fluid to be expelled, in preparation for breathing.

If stress such as low oxygen or an infection causes your baby to gasp, they can potentially inhale fluid with meconium into their lungs.

What is meconium aspiration syndrome?

When a baby has inhaled meconium, it can block their airways, making it difficult to breathe and reduce oxygen levels.

The meconium can also irritate the airways, which also makes breathing difficult. There is also an increased chance of lung infection. The meconium can affect the special substance coating your baby’s lungs, called surfactant. Surfactant helps the lungs to expand properly when we inhale.

Only a very small number of babies born with meconium stained waters will develop meconium aspiration syndrome.

Signs of meconium aspiration

If it’s suspected your baby has inhaled meconium filled fluid during labour, your care provider will assist you to birth your baby as quickly as possible. It’s no longer recommended to suction babies once their head is born.

Your care provider will look for these signs in your baby:

Fast or rapid breathing
Grunting or laboured breathing
Long gaps between breaths
Low muscle tone, poor reflexes
Blue colour to the skin
Chest distended.

If your baby has inhaled meconium but is active, well and has a good heart rate, they will be unlikely to need suctioning. They will be monitored for signs of MAS for 24 hours after birth.

However, a baby that has inhaled meconium, isn’t responsive and has a low heart rate will need to be suctioned immediately after they’re born. Usually this means your baby’s umbilical cord will be clamped and cut, and they will be taken to a resuscitation table to have their airway cleared with a tube.

You can ask to leave the umbilical cord intact and your baby stays with you, This will allow your baby to receive oxygen from the cord blood while their airway is being cleared.

How is MAS treated?

After birth, babies with MAS usually need to spend some time in the hospital’s special care nursery. They can be monitored for infection and likely have antibiotics, blood tests and oxygen treatment.

Babies with severe MAS can develop pneumonia and need special care. They’re also likely to experience lung infections in their first year.

Seeing your baby in a special care nursery can be distressing. Neonatal nurses can support you to spend time and bond with your baby even while they’re in special care.

Usually most babies with MAS recover without any long-term effects.

Can you prevent meconium aspiration?

The best way to prevent meconium from being inhaled during labour and birth is to give birth in a calm environment with a supportive birth team.

Labouring women who are stressed or worried can find their contractions slow down and labour stalls. This might prompt care providers to try and get things going, leading to a cascade of interventions.

Fetal distress can be caused by any number of interventions such as artificial rupture of the waters or constant fetal monitoring.

So it’s important to ensure you have a solid support team to advocate for a positive birth experience and provide comfort in labour to avoid further stress.

Meconium can be passed by a baby who is simply just ready to be born! If you have meconium stained waters and your baby is doing well, talk to your care provider about wait and see options to avoid a labour induction which could potentially cause your baby more stress.

If you’re looking for support to have a calm, positive birth experience, consider the holistic services Nurtured Birth offers through pregnancy and birth, including massage, osteopathy and doula support. Please contact us for more information.

Image provided by Victoria Berekmeri- Adelaide Birth Photographer

Food During Labour: How to Nourish Mama

Food during labour is an important way to nourish and support your body. But there are many things to take into consideration when deciding what food to bring to labour.

We asked Lindy Cook, Naturopath, Herbalist and Nutritionist all about the best food and drink options to have on hand during labour.

How do we prepare food during labour when we don’t know what to expect?

You might not be hungry at all. But you might be! The only way to move forward is to be prepared. A good guide is to have plenty of snacks or small meals to choose from, so you can pick what you feel like in the moment.

When choosing foods, aim for light, nutritious snacks or meals that include complex carbohydrates, with protein and healthy fat to stabilise blood sugar and energy. This will provide your body with energy and nutrients, while eating and drinking small amounts more frequently is easier on digestion.

It’s a good idea to write your own list of what to eat during labour. I encourage you to go through the list of suggested foods below and write down a few things that really appeal to you.

But if you have no idea what will sound good, use these tips to plan ahead what to eat during labour:

Bring a variety of foods to ensure you’re able to find something that sounds good when you need it.
Have a variety of textures available: soft, crunchy, juicy. Pack it all.
Don’t forget your partner! Pack enough for them to eat too, without wiping out your snack supply.
Treat yourself. Choose items that are a little extravagant you don’t normally buy, like that premium organic juice or fancy European chocolate bar.

Of course the most important thing of all is to listen to your body and not force yourself to eat something that doesn’t sit well with you.

What food during labour do you suggest?

Some hospitals will have a refrigerator you can store your drink and food in. If this isn’t possible, a small esky bag can be useful. The following list isn’t comprehensive but it covers a wide range of snacks and small meals to choose from:

Greek yoghurt – rich in good fats and protein. Try adding some berries for a little extra sweetness and energy, can also be frozen into cubes
Homemade bliss balls containing protein powder
Mini frittata with spinach, carrot and goats cheese
Green smoothie with a plant-based protein powder
Frozen berries, grapes or bananas, as these fruits are refreshing and remain soft when frozen
Quinoa with avocado, or brown rice and an organic egg. Both are light but substantial and well balanced
Banana or apple with nut butter
Dried fruit and nut mix (preferably without sulfur)
Granola bars
Wholegrain toast or wholegrain crackers, with avocado or natural peanut butter or almond butter
A spoonful of raw honey, for a boost of energy
Peanut butter sandwich
Cheese cubes
100% applesauce. The individual squeeze packs are great during active labour.

What are the best options when it comes to fluid intake?

Your body uses a lot of energy during labour and it’s very important you stay hydrated during this period. Aim to take a sip of fluids every 15 – 30 minutes. Another good option is to make ice cubes out of your favourite fruit juice or smoothie and suck on them.

Also, make sure to have a few straws on hand! You’ll probably find yourself in various positions during labour and you may not want to move much. Having your support person hold the straw to your lips will make it much easier to consume.

Here are some of my favourite options of what to drink in labour:

Coconut water – an excellent source of electrolytes and an ideal, healthy option for staying hydrated in early labour
Miso Soup.
Bone Broth – nutrient rich, can assist with nausea
Diluted cloudy apple juice .
Frozen red raspberry ice cubes with honey or natural raspberry popsicles.
Raspberry leaf tea is wonderful during labour and it can gently stimulate productive contractions.
Protein smoothie.
Eating juicy fruits like watermelon and cucumbers will increase hydration. Frozen watermelon is very refreshing.
Sprinkle a little Celtic salt or other trace mineral salt into your water.
Lemon-lime labour aid provides electrolytes, required for muscle (uterine) contractions, particularly useful during active and later labour.

Lemon-Lime Labour Aid

2 cups coconut water
1 cup water
juice from 1 lemon
juice from 1 lime
2 tbsp organic honey
¼ tsp unrefined Himalayan salt
1 tsp good quality magnesium powder
A few drops of rescue remedy
optional: trace mineral/electrolyte drops

Mix all the ingredients together, refrigerate and sip on throughout labour. You could also try freezing it into ice popsicles or cubes in advance, which can be added to water or coconut water.

When are the best times to eat food during labour?

Eating light snacks and staying hydrated during labour has been shown to significantly reduce the length of labour! Awesome, right? This is why you want to make sure you’re drinking enough fluid during early labour to avoid dehydration, as it can cause ineffective contractions. For food, you want to eat foods that give you lasting energy.

Early labour is a great opportunity to eat deeply nourishing foods to fuel you for several hours. Protein is so important for pregnancy nutrition, plus it helps balance your blood sugar so you don’t have crashes later. If you can stomach protein during labour, try to eat some.

As labour progresses into the active stage, your appetite will naturally decrease. If you’re able to, eating small bites of easily digestible foods during pushing can help you to maintain your strength.

It’s wise to have a few options available because you don’t know what might seem appealing, or if you’ll have an aversion to certain tastes or smells.

Carbs are an excellent choice for that. If eating carbs feel too heavy for you, try having a smoothie, some fruit, a granola or protein bar. Avoid fried or greasy food in case you feel nauseous later in labour.

What foods and drinks should be avoided during labour?

It can be temping to just stock up on energy drinks for labour but it’s not a good idea as they’re high in sugar and caffeine. Some energy drinks have as much as 8 times the amount of caffeine as 1 cup of coffee. It’s not recommended to drink more than one cup of coffee a day while pregnant.

Other foods and drinks to avoid during labour include:

Oranges and orange juice. The acidity may cause an upset stomach or burning if vomiting occurs after consumption.
Protein and fat (late in labour). These slow the rate that your muscles use energy supplied from the sugar. Avoid foods like steak, fries or burgers.
High sugar and fat foods. Foods high in sugar may give you that quick energy boost but will leave you feeling tired and nauseous once your energy peaks. Avoid foods like doughnuts, pastries or cakes.
Try to avoid spicy food during early labour since it can cause you to have diarrhoea, which is no fun.
Avoid the sports drinks with artificial food dyes and high fructose corn syrup.
Energy drinks. These are high in caffeine which can affect you and your baby’s heart rate and blood pressure.

What should the partner or support person be eating throughout the labour?

Make sure your partner has snacks packed as well! Avoid anything that will linger unpleasantly on their breath (garlicky pasta is out!).

Partners may like to have some easy to grab, quickly nutritious snacks like trail mix, granola bars, peanut butter, nuts, fruit. They will especially be thankful for preparing a sandwich or other simple meal ahead of time.

Your partner is going to need a lot of energy and support to prepare for the journey with you while you are going through the intense stages of labour. You will need a lot of attention, patience and support, so your partner needs to be prepared with nourishing food to stay focused on you.

What are the best options for nausea during labour?

The feeling of vomiting and nausea, also known as morning sickness, is fairly common during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. However, sometimes a woman may experience similar symptoms when she goes into labour.

Most often, vomiting in labour happens around transition. This is near the end of the first stage, just before pushing begins.

Some women vomit throughout labour, which can cause dehydration and drain your much needed energy which may slow down contractions. So it’s important to have some tips on hand if you’re nauseous through labour:

Don’t limit food intake: Pregnant women are likely to feel hungry and thirsty during the initial stages of labour. It is essential to eat during early labour to ensure you have plenty of fuel to get through labour. Restricting food intake can trigger ketosis, when your body burns fat reserves as fuel. This can increase acidity and cause you to feel nauseous.
Avoid dehydration: Dehydration during labour can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as slowing down contractions and stalling labour.
Food aversions: Sometimes, specific foods or drinks can bring about nausea during early labour. Some women may be adversely affected by foods like peanut butter or beverages like juice.
Eat bland food: Eating bland food which is easier to digest, such as fresh fruit, rice, multigrain crackers, clear-based broths, yoghurt, bland multigrain cereals.
Essential oils : Essential oils like lemon, lavender, peppermint can work well to stop vomiting at the time of labour. Sniffing the oils may ease the sensation of vomiting.
Ginger: Ginger is known for its beneficial effect in controlling vomiting. You can use ginger tincture which may be an easy, effective and portable way to avert vomiting. You can add a few drops to your tea, broth, water or take it directly.
Hydrotherapy: Some women may find hydrotherapy advantageous when dealing with the sensation of vomiting. Sitting in a tub of water or standing under a shower can ease nauseous feelings.
Cold washcloth: Placing a cool piece of cloth on the face or back of neck can bring some respite from feeling nauseous. You may like to add a drop of essential oil like peppermint for a pleasing, cooling sensation. You can also put a frozen bag or ice cubes at the nape of the neck.

Nurtured Birth offers naturopathy support tailored to your pregnancy and birth needs. We’d love to nurture you on your journey, please contact us for more information or to book an appointment.

Comfort in Labour: 4 Ways to Nourish Mama

As you prepare for birth, take some time to think about what comfort in labour might look for you.

How will you meet the demands of labour, no matter how long it takes? What essentials will you bring to the birth to keep up your energy and cope with contractions? How will you remain supported, focused and encouraged? So many questions.

There is so much to think about, especially if it’s your first baby. It’s exciting and overwhelming and nerve wracking all at the same time.

There’s more to giving birth than packing a hospital bag and writing out a birth plan. Part of your preparation for birth should focus on one simple theme: nourishing mama during labour.

When we think of nourishment what immediately comes to mind is food. But humans are complex beings and we need more than just food for our bodies. We rely on many things for our mental sustenance and emotional wellbeing.

Here we have included 4 simple options to provide comfort in labour for mama: water, food, support and sensory. You can pick and choose the options that will work best for you and include these ideas for your baby’s birth.

#1: Water as comfort in labour

The source of life, the essential building block of life. Human bodies consist of up to 60% water so it’s no wonder we find it a source of nourishment.

During labour, your body works hard and uses up a lot of energy. It’s important to keep hydrated, to support your body’s efforts to give birth.

Drink small amounts of water often. Sucking or chewing ice cubes prevents taking in too much too quickly, which can cause nausea or vomiting. Using straws to drink liquids is preferable.

Water can be used in the form of hot and cold packs to ease pain and discomfort. Cool face washers or a spray bottle with a fine mist can be refreshing.

Water also offers comfort in labour in the form of the bath or shower. This can make you feel refreshed, cleansed, warm or cool. Taking a bath or having a shower can be relaxing and a form of pain relief, easing tension and backache during labour. Birthing in water is a popular option for some women.

#2: Food as comfort in labour

Lindy Cook, Naturopath at Nurtured Birth, offers the following advice when it comes to the food we should eat during labour for the best nourishment.

“Your best bet is to make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand that are super hydrating, highly nutritious, high in protein and easy to digest. As with the rest of your pregnancy, it’s best to stick with healthy foods that will provide your body with the energy and nutrients needed while giving birth to your baby.”

Research shows restricting nutrition and fluids during labour can make them more painful and last longer. If you are having a c-section you will be given specific guidelines on food and fluid intake.

In early labour, have regular snacks so you’re building your energy reserves. Eat foods that are easy to digest and give you a more consistent release of energy. Lindy suggests the following options for your labour:

Granola bars, protein balls, dried fruit and nut mix
Wholegrain toast or crackers with nut butter or avocado
Low fat yoghurt, add berries for sweetness
Apples or bananas, frozen grapes or berries
Smoothies – fruit or vegetable or green with added protein powder
Quinoa and avocado, or brown rice and an organic egg
Mini frittata with spinach, carrot and goats cheese
Drinks – coconut water, raspberry leaf tea, diluted cloudy apple juice, homemade labour aid. Sometimes other drinks are managed better than water. Avoid drinks high in sugar or caffeine
Clear soup such as bone broth or miso soup
If feeling like a sweet hit – spoonful of honey or piece of dark chocolate
Avoid fatty, rich or spicy foods, & strong smelling foods – this includes your support person too.

#3: Support in labour

Comfort in labour can come in the form of support, which might be emotional and physical. Who you have to support you during labour can impact your birth experience, either in a positive or negative sense. Studies show that women with good support have shorter, less painful labours, with less medical intervention.

Think carefully about who could offer you the support you need to feel comfort in labour. There will be moments you will feel very vulnerable, afraid, or even lost. You may need someone to ask questions, draw out information and make sure your wishes are being heard and honoured.

Choose someone who nourishes you in your daily life. Your partner, your children, your mum, your sister, a friend. You could also choose an independent midwife or doula to guide you through the experience of childbirth.

Sarah Goldberg, founding Director of Nurtured Birth, is a doula and she has shared some tips for support as comfort in labour:

Touch – simple and firm, holding the space, calming and soothing you, holding your hands.
Massage – of the back, shoulders and neck, legs. Especially the lower back and sacral region to reduce muscle tension and distract from contractions.
Encouragement – emotional support is key. A labouring woman needs to stay focused as she works hard to birth her baby. At times it’s normal to feel really confronted and tired. Encouragement and attention help you feel held, cared for and safe. This promotes the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin is the love hormone and needed in peak levels to cause contractions which open the cervix and bringing the baby down and out.
Environment – create a loving, relaxed space with the right team of people, where you can laugh and feel joy, and aim to make it a precious memorable life experience.
Physical support – helps to make you physically comfortable, stay connected to your breath, help you to stay active, perhaps even dancing, support in upright & active positions, encourage you to try new positions.
Support people – let others take on practical tasks, like getting heat packs or cool washers, making sure you are sipping water and nibbling food that will keep you going. Running a bath, hanging out in the shower, making sure the lights are low, adjusting music or applying tens machine.

#4: Sensory comfort

Our human spirit needs nourishment and encouragement, especially in challenging moments during labour. What lifts your spirit, affects you positively and fills up your cup? Bring those special elements into your birth space to provide comfort in labour.

Some sensory comfort in labour ideas you might like to explore:

Visual stimuli – pictures or photographs that evoke emotions, assist focus and meditation, affirmations practiced during pregnancy.
Breathing – practice deep breathing techniques during pregnancy to create a habit of using this in labour, to promote deep relaxation during labour.
Encouragement – appropriate encouragement in words or touch that is nurturing, supportive and strengthening.
Music – sound can be a good distraction and very relaxing, or uplifting to promote energy.
Rest and sleep – allow your body and mind to rest in between contractions, especially in the first active stage of labour, to build up energy reserves.
Scents – essential oils can offer support and calm, assisting you through each stage of labour, providing nurture, strength and positivity.
Pain management techniques – coping with contraction pain can be assisted with the use of a tens machine, acupuncture or acupressure.
Comfort items – these might be special to you, such as a blanket, clothes, warm socks, a favourite throw rug, your own pillow.

Make sure your time in labour is a positive experience by surrounding yourself with all forms of nourishment. Comfort in labour can be found with one or many of these 4 simple ways to nourish yourself.

If you need help in finding what are the right choices for you, consider some childbirth education classes. Nurtured Birth offers private birth education sessions in the comfort of your own home or via online conferencing. Please contact us for more information.

Written by Sharon Clarke, Remedial Therapist at Nurtured Birth

Sore Nipples and Breastfeeding: What You Need To Know

Sore nipples are one of the more common concerns new mamas face when beginning their breastfeeding journey.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful, natural way for a mother to bond with her baby, and breast milk is recommended as the only source of food for a baby’s first six months of life.

Whilst the production of breast milk occurs naturally, the art of breastfeeding doesn’t always go smoothly.

For many mothers the experience is simple and straightforward, but for some it can become a painful ordeal.

Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both mother and baby, and there are bound to be some hiccups at the beginning. Sore nipples are often dismissed as part of the process but pain definitely isn’t something new mamas should ‘put up with’. Sore nipples can be so painful that a mother gives up breastfeeding altogether.

Find out what you need to know about sore nipples and breastfeeding, and what we recommend for prevention and support.

Pre-pregnancy breast soreness

Breasts, areolas and nipples come in all shapes and sizes and will change throughout a woman’s life cycle, from adolescence through to menopause. We need to have an awareness of what is normal for our breasts by doing regular breast checks so we can spot any unusual changes quickly.

Breast soreness is very common. It affects most women at some time in their lives, usually in the form of swelling, lumps, bumps, general aches and soreness. Commonly felt at varying times of the menstrual cycle, breast soreness is usually regarded as normal. The soreness will vary from woman to woman, so it is important to be aware of what is normal for you.

If there is any unusual pain, extreme pain, or changes in the breast tissues (with or without pain) it needs to be explored further. This could be due to other factors such as cysts, tumours or mastitis. Seek advice from a medical professional for further investigation into the source of pain and treatment.

Pregnancy breast soreness

During pregnancy, your breasts undergo many changes, influenced by hormonal fluctuations.

During the first trimester your breasts may feel generally sore and tender. The breasts often increase in size and as the pregnancy moves forward the areola and nipples will usually darken and become larger.

It is important to make sure to be fitted with the right style and size of bra during pregnancy, to prevent not just soreness but long-term damage to the breast tissue.

During the third trimester the breasts will begin to make colostrum in preparation for milk supply for the soon to be born baby. This can be seen as a shiny, clear discharge from the nipples.

Some women may hand express this colostrum after consultation with their midwife, obstetrician or doctor. In certain situations babies need supplementation after birth and a supply of colostrum in the freezer can be used instead of formula.

Breastfeeding soreness

Breastfeeding is biologically the normal way to feed mammal babies and the production of milk (lactation) occurs naturally after giving birth. Breast milk contains everything your baby needs for nutrition for the first six months of life.

Breastfeeding begins soon after birth, often with mum bringing the baby to her breast within minutes after birth. Babies left on their mothers bellies after birth have an innate instinct to seek out the breast, and will crawl up to the nipple.

In the first few days, your breasts will produce colostrum and this provides everything your baby needs. Within a few days, your milk ‘comes in’ and changes in volume and composition. This can cause some discomfort as breasts become full and engorged, and your baby is increasingly hungry and more demanding.

Breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful. But in the initial few weeks, at the beginning of a feed, there may be some discomfort when the baby first attaches to the breast. The sensation should subside within a short time and as the feed continues it should not be painful.

There can also be other issues such as engorgement, mastitis, nipple vasospasm, thrush and other infections. Nipples may appear bright pink or red in colour, bleeding, dry, flaky, or have a white rash (thrush).

Causes of sore nipples when breastfeeding

Sore nipples most often occur if the baby doesn’t have the proper attachment or ‘latch’ to the breast.This can cause cracking, splitting and bleeding of the nipple. Sometimes these sores are obvious, but small cracks can be hard to see, even if very painful.

There can be other issues such as a baby with tongue tie, incorrect use of breast pumps, or medical conditions such as dermatitis or an infection. In these cases it is important to seek help from a qualified professional to properly diagnose the problem and offer the right course of treatment.

Even if breastfeeding is going well problems can still arise. Nipple soreness can occur if mum or baby become complacent about latch, the baby has a growth spurt causing a sudden increase in feeds, or baby begins teething.

What can be done to help breastfeeding and sore nipples?

Even if you have breastfed before, breastfeeding each baby is new and can take some adjusting to. Being prepared for breastfeeding before you have your baby is a good foundation to understanding what can go wrong and what to do about it.

Nurtured Birth recommends Born To Breastfeed, a comprehensive and accessible breastfeeding guide for mothers, answering all your questions and providing support for challenges. You can purchase this through Nurtured Birth’s shop here.

Seek advice straight away! The best person to help is a lactation consultant. They will have specialist training and knowledge on breastfeeding issues. Your midwife, maternal & child health nurse, postnatal doula or paediatrician can also provide some support.
Consider attending breastfeeding classes during pregnancy to prepare yourself and your partner. You can also make contact with a lactation consultant so they will already be on hand to assist once the baby is born.
Try to feed on the baby’s first cues of being hungry, not waiting until they are crying. You can try putting the baby to the breast more often, expressing some milk prior to feed and offering the less sore side first.
Finding the proper positioning while feeding. Getting the right set up of chair, pillows, baby’s position to allow for correct attachment to the breast.
Keep nipples dry between feeds. Make sure to change nursing pads frequently and use 100% cotton for best airflow, not plastic lined ones.
After a feed leave some fresh breast milk on your sore nipples and keep them open to air for a few minutes. Pat dry gently.
Products like the BodyICE Breast Pads provide relief for sore nipples. You can purchase these cleverly designed pads that fit into your bra through Nurtured Birth’s website here.
Soothing products to assist with the pain and healing: after a feed apply a saltwater rinse to the nipple or try a warm cloth compress. A lanolin ointment that is 100% medical-grade is also safe to use on your nipples after a feed.
Check your expressing technique – some electric pumps can be too harsh and may need to be adjusted. Sometimes a manual pump or hand expressing can be gentler on sore nipples.
Nipple shields can be used for short periods of time to ease sore nipples. They often lead to future issues with poor attachment so need to be used with advice and careful consideration.
Some causes of sore nipples need medical intervention. Thrush can be treated with an ointment that is safe for baby, mastitis may need antibiotics so it does not become serious and lead to hospitalisation. Always seek out advice from a medical professional.

Where do I find help?

You can contact the following organisations for more information:

Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ)

Australian Breastfeeding Association runs the National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 268

Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) – 13 22 29

Nurtured Birth postnatal doula available for home visits in Melbourne, even during Covid-19 times.

Written by Sharon Clarke, Remedial Therapist at Nurtured Birth