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Why You NEED to Know About My Booklet- for Your Labor

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

As you prepare to welcome your little one into the world, the importance of support during labor cannot be overstated. While you’re focused on the incredible journey ahead, it’s crucial to ensure that your partner feels prepared and empowered as well. Enter “Daddy Doulas“—a transformative booklet designed to help fathers and partners find their purpose during childbirth, and ultimately enhance your birth experience together.

Why Encourage Your Partner to Read “Daddy Doulas“?

1. Alleviating Feelings of Helplessness

Many fathers feel unsure of how to help during labor, often worrying about what to say or do. “Daddy Doulas” provides practical guidance that empowers your partner to be an active participant in the birthing process. With clear instructions and support strategies, he’ll learn how to navigate this crucial time with confidence, transforming feelings of helplessness into a sense of purpose.

2. Strengthening Your Bond

Labor can be an emotional rollercoaster, and having a supportive partner by your side can make all the difference. By encouraging your partner to read “Daddy Doulas,” you’re fostering a deeper connection between the two of you. As he learns how to support you effectively, you’ll both develop a stronger bond, turning this shared experience into a foundation for your new family.

3. Creating a Calmer Birth Experience

With “Daddy Doulas,” your partner will gain essential skills for creating a calm and supportive atmosphere during labor. He’ll learn techniques for managing stress, providing comfort, and helping you feel secure. This collaborative approach can lead to a more positive birth experience, reducing anxiety for both of you and allowing you to focus on what truly matters—welcoming your baby.

4. Empowering Him to Advocate for Your Needs

Communication with healthcare providers is vital during labor. “Daddy Doulas” equips your partner with the knowledge and skills to advocate for your wishes and needs. With this toolkit, he’ll feel empowered to speak up on your behalf, ensuring that your preferences are respected throughout the process.

What’s Inside “Daddy Doulas“?

  • Practical Techniques: Hands-on advice for comfort measures, breathing techniques, and supportive positions.
  • Effective Communication: Strategies for liaising with medical staff to advocate for your birth plan.
  • Emotional Support Tools: Tips on how to provide reassurance and encouragement during labor.
  • Resource Lists: Additional materials to further enhance your partner’s role as a supportive coach.

Testimonials from Mothers

Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what some mothers have to say about the impact of “Daddy Doulas” on their birth experience:

  • “I could see the change in my partner after he read ‘Daddy Doulas.’ He felt more confident and supportive, which made all the difference during labor.” — Sarah J.
  • “This booklet not only prepared my partner but also strengthened our bond. I felt more secure knowing he was ready to help.” — Emily T.

Conclusion

As you embark on this incredible journey of parenthood, ensuring your partner feels prepared is essential. Encourage him to read “Daddy Doulas,” and together you can transform the labor experience into one filled with confidence, support, and connection. By investing in this resource, you’re not only empowering him but also setting the stage for a positive and memorable birth experience.

Don’t wait—get your copy of “Daddy Doulas” today and take the first step towards a collaborative, supportive, and empowering birth journey! Your partnership during this time is the greatest gift you can give each other as you welcome your baby into the world.

How Can a Father be More Involved in the Birth of Their Child? – Everything a Dad Needs to Know

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

Daddy Doulas

Welcoming a new life into the world is one of the most profound experiences anyone can have. For fathers and mothers, the role you play during pregnancy and childbirth can be pivotal—not just for your partner, but for the entire family. That’s where my booklet, “Daddy Doulas,” comes in.

Why “Daddy Doulas”?

1. Empowerment Through Knowledge

In a world where information is often overwhelming, “Daddy Doulas” simplifies the journey. This booklet equips fathers and partners with essential skills and knowledge to support their loved ones during pregnancy and childbirth. You’ll learn about emotional support techniques, pain management strategies, and how to advocate for your partner’s needs in a hospital or birthing center.

2. Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

Hiring a professional doula can be expensive, often costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. While I always suggest a doula for everyone it isn’t always feasible. With “Daddy Doulas,” you’ll gain the tools to provide that same level of support at a fraction of the cost. This resource is an investment in your family’s birth experience, allowing you to save money while still ensuring a nurturing and supportive environment.

3. Create a Stronger Bond

Being involved in the birthing process fosters a deeper connection between partners. “Daddy Doulas” guides you on how to actively participate in labor, turning a traditionally passive role into one of support and involvement. This not only helps your partner feel more secure but also strengthens the bond you share as you navigate this life-changing experience together.

4. A Positive Birth Experience

Research shows that having continuous support during labor leads to better outcomes for both the birthing person and the baby. By mastering the skills outlined in “Daddy Doulas,” you can help create a calm and positive atmosphere, reducing stress and anxiety. This can lead to a smoother labor process, a quicker recovery, and an overall better experience for everyone involved.

What You’ll Find Inside

  • Practical Techniques: Hands-on advice for pain relief, relaxation techniques, and positions to support labor.
  • Communication Skills: How to effectively communicate with medical staff and advocate for your partner’s wishes.
  • Emotional Support Strategies: Tips on providing comfort and reassurance during one of life’s most intense moments.
  • Resource Lists: Access to helpful tools and materials that can further enhance your doula skills.

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what some of our readers have to say:

  • “I never thought I could play such an active role in the birth of my child. ‘Daddy Doulas’ made it possible!” — Brady J.
  • “This booklet helped me feel confident and empowered during the birth. I highly recommend it to any expecting dad!” — Mark L.

Get the Booklet

The journey into parenthood is filled with challenges and joys, and having the right support can make all the difference. “Daddy Doulas” is your key to becoming an integral part of this beautiful experience. Not only will you gain invaluable knowledge, but you’ll also save money and create lasting memories with your partner.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to transform your birth experience. Purchase HERE – “Daddy Doulas” today and take the first step towards becoming the supportive partner your family deserves!

What Postpartum Essentials You Need – From an Expert

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

Hey there! I’m Maddy, a birth educator, advanced doula, and lactation counselor, as well as a mom of (almost) three! The postpartum period can be a wild ride, and I’ve seen so many women unprepared for it. It’s an easy oversight in a world that tends to push moms aside once the baby arrives, shifting the focus entirely to the newborn.

Even during pregnancy, you’re bombarded with ads about what to get for your baby, but what about what you need? Trust me, the list of postpartum essentials is just as important—if not more so—than all that newborn gear companies claim you “need.”

What you will experience-

Let’s keep this short and sweet and talk about the PHYSICAL things you’ll need:

You will experience a lot of bleeding after giving birth, similar to a long and heavy period. This is completely normal; your body has just created life, and your uterus needs time to contract back to its original size, which takes about six weeks. When the placenta is delivered, it leaves behind a wound the size of a dinner plate, which forms a dry scab and will eventually heal. So, yes, expect a lot of bleeding!

Additionally, there’s a lot of stretching and sometimes tearing involved. There’s no need to be scared, but it’s important to be prepared ahead of time to help your cookie heal the way it needs to!

Here is what you will need for Postpartum-

I like to have all of these items in a caddy next to my toilet so I can easily access them all! Here is the link for a cheap one!

It costs quite a bit to stock up on everything BUT mom cozy has a postpartum kit that has everything you need and you ends up costing LESS!

There postpartum pack comes with 4 Instant ice pads, depends, peri bottle, essence foam, and a bag to put it all in! It’s a lot for the price and ends up being the perfect amount!

If you want to add pads like I do I recommend these ones! Here is how I like to do it. Take a pad, open it up and place it in the depends. Put the depend on for the day, then halfway through the day take the pad out and you have an unsoiled depend for the rest of the day!

I also recommend Tucks pads. They contain witch hazel which is great for healing your perineum and hemorrhoids if you get those! When you prep your pad/depend for the day add a couple of the tucks pads!

I hope these products work as well for you as they do for me! Happy Postpartum! Praying it goes well for you!!

If you have any other questions please feel free to reach out or check out my other posts!

-Maddy

Navigating Pain Management for New Breastfeeding Moms

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

Congratulations on your new arrival or soon to be arrival. Breastfeeding is a beautiful, way to nourish your baby, but it can also come with its share of challenges, including discomfort. Here’s a quick guide to help you manage and alleviate pain as you embark on this journey.

You will hear “if you have a good latch it shouldn’t hurt.” Which is true in a way. BUT you and your baby are learning how to do this together. Even if you are on your third kid. Trying to get the perfect latch takes time and practice. Nipples get sore! It just happens. Let’s get your pain under control before we talk about a perfect latch.

birthphotography wren bird maternity

1. Silver Nipple Shields!

Silver Nipple shields will ALWAYS be my top recommendation. Some are expensive and some are not. Silver is a medicine that helps with lots of skin conditions. Don’t use this if you have an allergy to silver. Let your nipple air dry and then place the silver shield onto your nipple, then place a comfortable supportive bra over the top. I recommend this bra. These nipple shields have saved SO MANY women’s breastfeeding journeys! Just look at the reviews!

2. Use Nipple Creams and Ointments

Nipple pain is common in the early days. Applying a lanolin-based nipple cream can help soothe and protect your skin. Look for products that are safe for baby ingestion, as you won’t always have time to wash it off before your next feeding. If you want more of a natural cream I love – earth mama. Its just as effective as a lanolin cream.

3. Try Breast Pads for Comfort

Breast pads can absorb any excess moisture and keep your nipples dry, reducing the risk of irritation and infection. Opt for soft, breathable materials to maintain comfort throughout the day. My favorite are these organic bamboo nursing pads.

4. Keep Your Nipples Dry

After breastfeeding, allow your nipples to air dry. Moisture can lead to chapping and increase discomfort, so keeping your skin dry is key.

5. Stay Hydrated and Nourished

Proper hydration and nutrition play a significant role in managing breastfeeding discomfort. Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet to support milk production and overall well-being.

6. Seek Support and Advice

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Whether it’s a lactation consultant, a support group, or even a trusted friend, discussing your challenges can provide valuable insights and emotional support.

Remember, it’s normal to experience some discomfort as you and your baby adjust to breastfeeding, but it shouldn’t be unbearable. With a little patience and the right strategies, you’ll find a rhythm that works for you. Keep these tips in mind, and don’t forget to take care of yourself as you nurture your new little one. Happy breastfeeding! Head to my breastfeeding tab for more breastfeeding tips!

Colostrum – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

Another word for Colostrum is “liquid gold.” Colostrum is the nutrient-rich first milk produced by a mother’s breasts during pregnancy and immediately after birth. This thick, yellowish fluid is packed with essential nutrients, antibodies, and growth factors crucial for a newborn’s health and development. Collecting colostrum can be incredibly beneficial for both the baby and the mother. Here’s a quick but detailed guide on why it’s important, and how to collect and store it safely.

Why Colostrum Matters

Immune Boost: Colostrum is loaded with immunoglobulins, particularly IgA, which help protect the baby from infections and build their immune system.
Digestive Health: It acts as a laxative, helping the baby pass their first stools (meconium) and easing the transition to regular feeding.
Nutritional Support: Colostrum provides a concentrated dose of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are easier for newborns to digest than mature milk.
Bonding and Comfort: Early feeding with colostrum fosters mother-baby bonding and provides comfort to the newborn. Low Supply at the beginning of nursing. Those first couple of days after baby comes can feel a little stressful. Trying to get baby to latch and worrying when your milk supply will come in. It can be nice to have a stash of colostrum on hand so you can provide baby with it while trying to figure out breastfeeding.


When to Collect Colostrum

Timing – During Pregnancy: It’s generally safe to start expressing colostrum around 36 weeks of pregnancy. Check with your healthcare provider before starting this process.

After Birth: Immediately after birth, you can begin to express and feed colostrum to your baby or store it for later use.

How to Collect Colostrum

Manual Expression: Use clean hands and a sterile container. This method is gentle and doesn’t require special tools.

1. Take your hand in the shape of a C. Place your thumb above your nipple and your fingers below it.

2. Press and compress- Press your fingers and thumb back toward your chest, then gently squeeze them together then release. Back, squeeze, release, repeat!

3. Switch breasts once the milk stops flowing from one breast, move on to the other.


Breast Pump: A breast pump can help too! Ensure all equipment is sterilized. Make sure to consult with your care provider about using a pump to collect colostrum while pregnant. Here are my recommendations for a pump

Colostrum collector: You can collect it with a syringe or you can use these colostrum collectors I am a HUGE fan of these!


Storage:

Container: Use sterile, BPA-free containers or breast milk storage bags OR keep them in the colostrum collectors Refrigeration: Store colostrum in the refrigerator (up to 4 days) or freeze it (for up to 6 months). Label each container with the date and time of expression.
Thawing: Thaw frozen colostrum in the refrigerator or under cool running water. Never use a microwave.
Safety Tips
Hygiene: Always wash your hands before expressing or handling colostrum. Ensure all equipment is clean and sterilized.
Comfort: Express colostrum in a comfortable, relaxed environment to avoid stress, which can impact milk flow.

Make Sure You


Regularly check with your healthcare provider to ensure the colostrum collection process aligns with your specific health needs and circumstances.Collecting colostrum is a proactive step in ensuring your baby receives the best start in life. By understanding its importance and following safe collection practices, you can provide your newborn with a strong foundation for health and development. Always consult with healthcare professionals to tailor the process to your unique situation and ensure the best outcomes for both you and your baby.

Leave a comment if you have any questions! Hope this post helped!! Head to my other posts to learn more!

How to Survive Morning Sickness from an Expert

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

Morning sickness is the freaking worst – I’m sure we could all agree on that. There are different levels of morning sickness. Some women have very mild symptoms, some have morning sickness last for the first trimester, and some have extreme sickness that makes them hospitalized called HG (hyperemesis gravidarum.)

Needless to say everyone struggles differently and this page isn’t about comparing but its about helping each other get through it! As a Childbirth Educator i get asked all the time – “how can I get rid of my morning sickness I am so miserable!” I can’t promise to take it all the way away but I can help your symptoms lessen.

In this post I will share with you what I have learned in my 7 years in the birth community about morning sickness! I will start with the things i think are the most effective and work my way down. Now, just because it worked for me or for others doesn’t mean it will work for you.

My advise it is to TRY different things out!

1. Stabilizing your blood sugar

Blood sugar is everything. In recent years experts have related morning sickness do to drops in blood sugar. When your blood sugar drops it causes your morning sickness to increase, leading to you not feeling good and not wanting to eat. Then it becomes hard to eat even though eating would help you and then the vicious cycle continues.

When I say eat I mean small snacks through the day. CARB snacks! Pregnancy isn’t the time to stress about gaining weigh. Eat what sounds good! even if it doesn’t sound good eat some carby snack – toast, cereal, crackers, etc. Small amounts throughout the day. Eat every hour!!!

Eat RIGHT when you wake up! Do not let your body realize that its blood sugar is low! Have small quick snacks on your nightstand.

The first trimester is not the time to be worried about eating! IF the nausea goes away for you, you can think about it more then. (if you want to) Don’t get caught up in the vicious cycle of “its not healthy enough i can’t eat it.” Then you don’t eat and then you feel sick! Just eat small snacks throught the day and who cares if they are all carbs!

ADDED TIP TO BLOOD SUGAR– if you can handle it had have a protein snack every 2 hours. This will help even more!

2. A really really good Prenatal Vitamin

I know you might be on a prenatal already. Which is awesome but if you’re on a prenatal that doesn’t have all the right ingredients it isn’t going to help you feel better. A good prenatal is going to help your morning sickness, digestion, fatigue and more. I am a first hand witness of this! In my first 2 pregnancies I took some generic gummy prenatal thinking “this surely should be good enough.” It wasn’t, the difference i feel in this pregnancy compared to the last is astounding!!

My morning sickness subsided at 15 weeks, for my other pregnancies it usually lasts up to week 20. My energy is up, my trips to the bathroom are regular! My body works so well when i’m taking Needed. Needed is the prenatal I swear by! If you cant swallow pills they have a powdered form you can put in drinks and smoothies!

If you want a discount here is my code! Talkbirthtome2

3. Magnesium

Okay, the prenatal i talked about above has magnesium. Which was a game changer but i added to this too! I loved this spray magnesium. I sprayed it on my feet every night before bed. It helped my nausea and it helped me sleep! It was a double win! Absolutely loved this stuff.

Make sure to try it out for a week or two before deciding if it works or not.

4. Unisom + Vitamin B

Unisom + B6 (25mg of each)

This may sound weird because unisom is a sleeping pill but studies have shown that unisom WITH vitamin B can reduce morning sickness. I found this to be true. I would take these at night before i went to bed and i felt like it helped loads.

5. Peppermint

Now, I don’t mean to sound like a broken record but i freaking love peppermint for morning sickness. I know you have heard of having it in the the oil form which is good but i love it in the form of mints, gum oil and tea!

Peppermint is great to take out and about! Have peppermint on hand at all times. Having a gum or mint ready when you need it is so helpful! It makes it easier to get through the day.

6. Ginger

I feel like everyone loves ginger. Im not a huge fan but i know it has helped many women and i think its worth a shot!

Here are some ways you can take ginger – one ginger capsule every two hours, in a candy form, in a shot, in a tea, or in a ginger drink link ginger ale.


7. Acupressure

You can preform your own acupressure on your wrists but I prefer sea bands! Acupressure is pressing on a point on your body. Some of these points can relieve some ailment. There is a pressure point on your wrist. When you wear the sea band it will help relief the nausea by pressing on that point!

Here is a bonus list you can try!

•Celery and beet juice
•Eat protein every two hours
•Chew on almonds
•Suck on lemons
•Sip high-quality electrolyte drink every two minutes
•cayenne drink: 1 qt water, juice of half a lemon, 1/8 – 1/4 tsp cayenne, honey to taste (optional)
•acupressure (sea bands, by hand, or with electric stimuli via TENS unit)
•acupuncture
•licking salted lemons or sucking on lemons
•wild yam tincture, 20-30 drops up to three times per day
•chamomile tincture or tea can help especially calm dry heaving 
•dandelion root tincture 15-20 drops per day

I hope any of this helps you! Good luck to you on your pregnancy journey and i hope the sickness subsides soon! If you want to learn more about pregnancy visit the rest of my blog or email me!

-Maddy

Top 5 Wearable Breast Pumps in 2024

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

I have never enjoyed pumping and you might feel the same. Pumping is so time consuming! It feels like all your time is spent pumping and then feeding and on repeat.

When I had my first baby 5 years ago I got a breast pump. I thought it was going to be perfect but it wasn’t. First of all it was HUGE!! It pumped just fine but the problem was – I had to stay in one spot while I pumped. It was bulky and had tons of cords. Does this problem sound familiar?

The other issue is that it costs $365!! I was only a poor collage student when I got pregnant with my first and had no money but I felt like i needed a pump. I was right and it did come in handy but the price killed me!

The new and upcoming product is cordless pumps! This is obviously a genius idea. There are so many brands to pick from now and they all range in prices and quality.

BUT WHICH ONE DO YOU GET?! Let me tell you my TOP 5 FAVORITE BRANDS.

Lets cut to the chase and start with:

Number One- Bioboo!

I reviewed this breast pump on Tiktok and instagram. Here is the link if you want to see it! My review is that – it holds a great amount of fluid, the suction is powerful, lots of different settings, great price, and easy to clean. The quality for the price is fantastic! Disclaimer – I am not currently breastfeeding but as a lactation councilor it checks all the boxes!

They sell them on amazon which is a plus cause it can come quickly to you and they sell single ones if you need just one!

Their breast pump comes with a nipple sizer so you can use the breast pump correctly based off of the size of your nipple! I can’t tell you HOW IMPORTANT that is! The breast pump will be way more effective if you use it with the right nipple size insert.

The reason this is number one is – its the best quality out of all the pumps and for the best price!

Go to their product and check out the reveiws! They are astounding!!!!

I do have a discount code for this one! Talkbirth11

Number Two – Mom Cozy

Mom Cozy is one amazing brand in general. Love all of their products and i love their breast pumps. Mom Cozy has quite a few breast pumps and this one is my favorite out of all of them.

This pump checks off almost all of the boxes. It holds a great amount of fluid, great suction, comfortable it is just more expensive but very comparable to Bioboo.

Still a great buy!! Love that this pump comes with a case!

Number Three – Mom Cozy 2nd kind

Love Mom Cozy so much! I like this one a lot but i prefer the other mom cozy one over this one because of the quality. It isn’t as amazing, still great BUT its cheaper! I think its worth the price. You get pretty good quality for the price. The thing with mom cozy is that you cant go wrong with which ever pump you buy but I do have personal preferences haha!

Number Four – Elvie

Amazing quality but a very high in price. They can even connect to your phone! Very cool feature. I think they are an awesome pump but if its not in your price range i wouldn’t say this pump is any better than the others. Other than the price it’s a good pump. If you’re into all the technology features then I would say this is the pump for you!

Number Five – BlueFair

This is a Mom Cozy Dupe! Cheaper than mom cozy and close to the quality! Obviously you’re going to get slightly less quality with a dupe but, I would still rate this one highly. This is cheap and a very comparable price to Bioboo!

You can’t go wrong with these pumps and my list is my own opinion BUT if you look at the reviews you will see similar options to mine! I hope this was helpful and helps you choose a pump that is right for you!

– Maddy (Talk Birth To Me)

6 products you NEED for breastfeeding

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

Hey Mama! Location councilor here! Breastfeeding is a wild ride. Some babies may get the hang of it quickly and some babies take longer to figure it out. And that’s okay! That being said every baby is different! Your first baby might be a great nurser and your second might really struggle latching. It can be hard to prepare for breastfeeding. Let me help easy your burden. People are always trying to shove products in your face of things you should get and it can feel overwhelming. I want to make it simple for you. There are only 5 products I think you need! These are products to heal your body when it needs healing and to help you successfully breastfeed.

Here they are-

  1. The Haakaa
  2. Lanolin Cream
  3. Dry Breastfeeding pads (reusable or Disposable)
  4. Gel Pads
  5. Nursing Pillow
  6. Silverttes

Let me explain why I think you need these things-

1. When you first start breastfeeding your breasts will feel sore and tender for a couple of days to a couple of weeks. This is normal! Your breasts are trying to adjust to babies needs. But at times your breast can become engorged. This typically happens on day 3-5 postpartum. It can be very painful and hard to nurse do to your breasts being engorged. Heres what you need to do – if you don’t plan on pumping then don’t right now. This is because you want your breasts to adjust to the amount of milk baby needs. If you pump and breastfeed this will tell your breast to make a ton of milk! If you want this that is great! But if you are just wanting to nurse and not pump- use the HAAKAA. This by far my favorite breastfeeding tool! The Hakka will help you pump breast milk out without stimulating your breast to produce more. But, that being said, if you use this for a full pumping session then yes it’ll stimulate your breast. But, if you use it to talk out some of the milk it will relieve the engorgement without stimulating the milk supply! Thats a win!
2. Lanolin Cream is by far the best nipple cream that you can get at any store. It is hypoallergenic and amazing at healing cracked and bleeding nipples. How to use it- (I have a great explanatory video on tiktok if you need a visual.) After baby latches off leave the breastmilk on your nipple and let it air dry. Breastmilk is healing! Now add the lanolin cream- a good amount then add —-
3. A dry Breast pad on top of the cream! Then cover breast with a loose bra or a more fitted tank top to keep the pad from rubbing (ouch.) You can choose between reusable breast pads or disposable ones! This is all preference! If you have sensitive skin I would recommend these bamboo ones!
4. An alternative option to the cream and dry pads are gel pads! These are ultra healing if your nipples are in a ton of pain. They are a little more expensive but they get the job done! These gel pads provided cooling pain relief in a manner of minutes! You can use these ones up to 72 hours! Like the directions above- latch baby off, let milk air-dry on your breasts then apply the gel pad!
5. A nursing pillow can be your BREAST friend lol. It ca be hard to get baby to latch right when you don’t have the right support. These pillows hold baby up for you so you can adjust baby to the breast with ease. There are different brands of pillows. Here are my top 2 favories!

1. Breast friend

2. Frida pillow

3. Boppy Pillow

6. Silverttes. These are super great for your breast and environmentally conscious! These don’t heal your nipples as fast as the other remedies but they still work great!

If you want more direction for breastfeeding visit this blog post!

What You Need To Know About Postpartum Depression

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

Postpartum depression is more common than you think. There is a difference between postpartum depression and the baby blues. The Baby Blues are very common, the baby blues are- being just very sad and emotional after you have a baby. There will be moments where you will start crying when you normally wouldn’t cry. The baby blues are short term mental condition that happens right after birth. They shouldn’t last longer than a couple of weeks to a month or two.

Postpartum depression is – depression that occurs after giving birth. It is a mix of emotional, behavioral, and physical changes. The symptoms can last from a couple of months to a year after you have a baby.

Ill list the signs and symptoms below but just keep in mind that everyone experiences Postpartum depression in different ways. So you may have some of these or you may have all but together lets figure it out.

Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

  • 1. You feel overwhelmed. Not like a, “This is hard and I am tired.” It’s more like, “I can’t do this at all. I don’t think I will ever be able to do this.” 2. You may feel like you can’t be a mother and may question why you became a mom at all.
  • 3. You don’t feel like you have bonded with your baby. And you may not want to bond with your baby.
  • 4. You feel guilty because you feel like you are not doing a good enough job as a mother. You may think that your baby would be better off without you.
  • 5. You feel irritable and angry
  • 6. You have no patience
  • 7. You feel nothing. Empty and numb on the inside. You are just going through life without feeling.
  • 8. You may feel sadness like you have never felt before. You can’t stop crying even when you don’t know why you’re crying.
  • 9. You can’t seem to eat or eating is the only thing that fills the void.
  • 10. You can’t focus or concentrate. Your brain feels constantly scattered. Cant remember what you were doing or what you were going to say.
  • 11. You can’t sleep. Not even when the baby sleeps. If you do sleep its restless sleep.
  • 12. You feel disconnected. You feel this weird barrier between you and everyone else and there is no expiation for it.
  • 13. You may think that something is wrong but you don’t know what it is. You feel like you’re going crazy.
  • 14. You may think that you are doing everything right. Or everything you would do as a normal person. Like, eating healthy, exercising, going out with friends, being spiritually minded but you just can’t get over the deep feeling that you have.
  • 15. You may feel like running away, taking pills, or crashing a car.
  • 16. You are afraid that if you tell someone else that they will judge you.

Something you need to know about Postpartum Depression-

If you are feeling any of these things above it isn’t normal yes 1 in 7 women suffer with PPD but its not something you can wait out. There are so many resources that will help you.

Therapy and group support are the best things that you can do for yourself.

My Story with Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression after my first baby –

Postpartum depression runs close to home. I struggled with it after I had both of my kids. After I had my first baby I knew that I had it but I was in denial. I thought that a happy person like me would never struggle with something like depression. Everyday I felt like there was a dark cloud that loomed over me. It made it hard to get out of bed and to leave the house.

I was slow to do anything which wasn’t normal for me. I was unable to focus on the small conversations that my husband and I would have, I was uninterested in anyones life and could care less about how anyone felt. The days turned into weeks which then turned into months. I felt alone and disconnected. I forced myself to get out of the house and to connect with other moms. This helped me immensely. I felt connection and I felt like we all count relate to the hardships of early motherhood. I never sought help but looking back I severely needed it.

Postpartum Depression after my second baby –

We moved to Arizona right before we had our second child. My husband was in grad school and we were not close to any family or friends. I was alone. I was prepared this time about for what was to come. Or so I thought. My postpartum hormones got the best of me. I was darker than I had ever been. My toddler was a mess and always screaming and crying. My newborn had a tongue tie and a lip tie. All 3 of us cried everyday for 4 months. There was no light in my life. I didn’t have anyone to watch my kids so I could go see a doctor to get on medication and I couldn’t leave the house to see a therapist. So I just pushed through everyday feeling like an empty shell just going through the motions.

Postpartum depression is a thief!

I was unable to enjoy my time with my babies. I couldn’t love my life and I felt unable to love my husband. On the inside I felt bitter and empty. I had no one close to help and I just stayed inside.

My biggest mistake was not taking advantage of ONLINE THERAPY. I Have so much regret about not doing that. Even if my kids were watching TV in the background I know it would have been something that I needed. I found a program that is online that I think would help a bunch of women please click here to check it out. It is called onlinetherapy.com.

Let me help you with postpartum depression

If you feel like you are struggling with anything that I listed above PLEASE reach out HERE.

I want to help you find a therapist in your area or a support group. There are MANY free support groups in every state. Please reach out!

If you feel like you cant go to therapy like I felt but click this link to check out online therapy HERE.

Don’t wait to get help! Get help NOW! I promise it will be worth it.

How to Successfully Breastfeed While Baby is in the NICU

Posted on by Maddy McGlinchy

The NICU, it is not for the faint of heart. If you are going through this or will go through this I am so sorry mama. I hope you are hanging in there. I want to help you as much as I possibly can. Lets talk about how you can successfully breastfeed while your baby is with you in the NICU.

How to successfully breastfeed in the NICU

Being Skin to Skin-

Being skin to skin with your baby is so important but I know it can be hard when your baby is in the NICU. And I know you have an ache in your heart to hold your sweet baby. But let me tell you this, your baby KNOWS you. They know your voice, they know your touch, they know your smell. When you are with your baby in the NICU they can feel your presence. You are doing enough. But any skin to skin you can get with your baby will increase the oxytocin in both of you to encourage your milk supply and to help them want to nurse. Ask the nurse when and how often you can hold him. When you get the opportunity be skin to skin with each other. wear a button down shirt so you can easily open it.

Milk Supply for your NICU Baby-

Now let’s talk about YOUR milk supply. This is key to being successful with breastfeeding. Get a hospital grade pump (most insurances pay for them.) Start pumping immediately. Put yourself on a pumping schedule to great a sufficient milk supply. I advise pumping every 2 hours. You can download an app to help you keep track or you can use a timer on your phone. Pump each breast for 20 minutes each or until the milk stops coming out. When you first start pumping you will not be seeing very much milk come out. You will only see colostrum come out which is liquid gold. High in fats and calories. Pumping everyday and multiple times a day will help your milk “come in.” Around day 4 postpartum you will start seeing more milk. Ask the nurses if you can give your milk to your baby via bottle or breast. If you can then great! If not store your breast milk in your freezer. My favorite pumps are made by Areoflow. Here is a link to look at there website!

Go Easy on Yourself-

There is only so much you can do when you have a baby in the NICU. Hang in their mama. Just do these little things and once your baby is home and in your arms we can work on the rest. Go to THIS blog post to learn more about breast feeding at home.

How to successfully breastfeed while baby is in the NICU