Sleep? What's That?

Do you remember the term "sleeping in?"  When was the last time you actually slept in? A new mom doesn't really have a sleep schedule. It's not "into bed at 10:30 pm and wake with the alarm at 7:30 am", it's more scattered throughout the day and night. Of course sleeping while pregnant, is when your body is warming you up to the crazy, infrequent sleeps that will occur postpartum.

What does that mean?

Well, first there is the possible nausea in the first trimester that comes in waves and may play around with your sleep. And as your baby grows inside and your body grows outside, there are the bodily changes that confirm you are carrying a little one inside. Usually your bladder will remind you of inside womb movement and with that comes interrupted sleep as you waddle to the bathroom for that all-important trickle at 2:30 am. 
Ahhh, but these are your warm-up days before baby.  You see, our body is incredibly useful, although we don't appreciate the wakefulness and lack of extended sleep during pregnancy; we must recognize this as a part of the mom-in-training schedule. What? Oh dear, you don't remember signing up for this class, do you?

Well you are soon to become a night watchman, a star gazer, a midnight YouTuber and even an early morning weather girl in your family. Congratulations and good luck!

But seriously, new moms are doing what they must do at those early wake times - feeding baby, nurturing baby and trying to heal too.  From the birth and the many emotions that come to the surface, sleep can be difficult.  With many changes to your body after giving birth and a new dependent little one, sleeping in or just sleeping is not happening, or it's not the restful sleep you need.

There are some nasty things that can creep up on a new mom who is truly sleep deprived, and the most significant thing is postpartum depression. I cannot stress enough how the lack of sleep can be one of the triggers that ultimately turn things upside down.  Mom and baby and the family suffer when a mom is distressed in this way.  Moms need more support than we realize and this is why I am working with families to be one additional arm and hug of support.

The fourth trimester is all about mom healing and baby thriving. I wish I could be with all the new moms I know, to just give support by holding the baby as mom closes her eyes, and relaxes into a few more hours of sleep until the next feeding. I think about the families that don't have a partner to rely on to offer that support, possibly because a work commitment, that is inevitable, keeps the household running.  This is where a postpartum doula would fit in nicely.

If you know of a pregnant mom or a new mom that you feel would benefit from this support, please reach out and talk to them. If the family is in the Toronto or surrounding areas, please offer them to connect with me. Even if the family is not within my area, I would be available to discuss how to help them find a postpartum doula in their neighbourhood.  We  need to support new moms and their families before, during and especially after when baby is born. 


Right here with you,
Christine

I Don't Know, What I Don't Know

I recently learned this phrase - I don't know what I don't know. 

And it speaks to me and will to you if you are a mom already or a mom-to-be.

It's the first day at your new job let's say, and although you've read through the employee binder and have done your research on your new role, there will be things that you will not know or even realize you should know.  

Imagine it's your first day as a mom or you are about to be a mom again for the second or third time. Childbirth and all that is connected to it before and during and after can be overwhelming. Perhaps you've read on your own or with your partner, several books, ebooks, websites, blogs, articles, etc...about giving birth and you are curious about how you will feel being a mom.

There are no books or websites or blogs etc...that can give you the exact feelings you will experience, as we are all different and feel differently. There will be wonderful midwives, nurses, doctors, doulas and more possibly assisting and offering all they can to prepare you for this life-altering event. It is truly the most incredible feat a human being can do - create and birth another human. But it's a subject you cannot possibly know all about until you are experiencing it. The best advice I can offer is to just feel good about what you have learned and trust yourself and your support team.

Sure, I read a few books. Talked to a few moms, as well as my mother who had 6 natural childbirths. I felt I had just enough information to go ahead and give birth and just go with the flow afterward. But I didn't know what I didn't know. 

Here is what I didn't know:

1.  I was being induced with my first baby (overdue by 6 days) and after 2 bags of the drip and all that fluid, I didn't know that my uncomfortable pain I was feeling wasn't just contractions but an extremely full bladder. I remind all my friends and clients to remember to go pee if they can, regardless if they are being induced or not. I just didn't know or realize.
2. After my second baby was born, I had gained a lovely 40+ pounds that were everywhere. My daughter was a healthy 6 lb 13 oz, however, I carried around 15 extra pounds after her birth.  I thought I would lose all the weight quickly what with running around with my first baby and now breastfeeding my second. But I didn't know that I would have these extra pounds over my back that would change my shape forever, or so it seemed. I had beautiful dresses that I just couldn't do up. It was frustrating to now be in a different size body that I have never lived in before. I kept this extra weight on for 2 years. I didn't realize how my shape would change and it was difficult to accept going up 2 sizes, not knowing this new larger body I now lived in.
3. Here comes baby number three and with it a complete meltdown and loss of milk. I knew about postpartum depression and was concerned that I was experiencing this but I didn't know that the production of my milk would suffer because of how I was feeling.  I thought I was eating and drinking enough however my family life was crumbling and I was losing myself. I wish I knew more moms back then to have as support.

If you are perhaps wondering about a certain part of the birth process or after giving birth, trust yourself to learn all you can. But also know that sometimes you just have to be okay with going through it as each day presents itself. Knowing how to get help or have a laugh along the way will make all the difference - a positive difference.

Right here with you,

Christine

And New Baby Makes Four

We've all seen the frowns, pouts and devilish grins on older brothers or sisters when Mom or Dad seemed to be paying more attention to the new baby and seemingly forgotten the older one. Picture this: a neighbourhood market where Mom had planned a quick grab and go of some fresh greens, then to drop off a few overdue library books and make it home in time to prepare a yummy family dinner. Now alongside the stroller is an extremely energetic 4-year-old, who can't wait to get back home to play with his friend in the backyard. The little one in the stroller, all of 4 weeks old, is burbling and cooing happily at Mom's face as she is chugged through the tiny aisles. Mom made sure her son had a decent snack before they left the house and baby had the breast just minutes before they were out the door too. All seems good.

As usual, Mom meets a few friends on this outing, but today, she is not expecting this meltdown from her son, as time and attention and laughter are ALL ABOUT his little sister.  Mom chats with smiles as she hears from her girlfriends how much her new baby looks like her, and Mom shares how she wants to be held all the time.  Mom didn't hear her son's whining about wanting to go home. Mom had learned to tune out whining and has 'already told him' that she wouldn't listen to it anymore. Now, a typical day would include a few minor tantrums and screaming.  However, Mom had learned a few tricks that keep her sane and to not fuel the tantrum (by allowing back and forth arguing) but to firmly state, "when you stop screaming and speak to me with a nice voice, I will listen to what you have to say".  She also knew that being consistent gave her strength, however, today she soon realized that what worked the other day, did not work today. Today was different. Her son didn't ramp up into a scream, or if he did, she didn't notice how many Mommmmmmy chants her son made in the aisles before this happened. On the way out, it happened. This high pitched scream with a sudden drop-n-roll, on the sidewalk outside the market. All eyes of the shoppers went from surveying the fruit and vegetables on the market tables to this 4-year- old boy falling apart.

We have all seen or heard similar episodes involving children and them acting out when they don't get what they want. In this instance, it is the older sibling screaming, "why aren't you paying attention to me?" and deep down feeling, "I want to play with my friends!"

Did this Mom forget her first born? Of course not. No mother would. He is a blessing and he's really grown into such an adorable little human. He had his favourite books, his favourite foods and even quite smart to remind his Mom that the bread bag clips can go in recycling.  He was the first to brush his teeth each day and neatly place the cap on the toothpaste too. He even knew that he needed down time. Mom and Dad enjoyed reading, so he too, chose a good book to look over and over quietly in his room.

Oh sure, this once little boy tot was a teething monster with drips from his nose and mouth that would easily use up a box of tissues. Daily whining in his bed covers, as he declared he didn't want to wake up, were and sometimes still part of his morning routine.  BUT ever since Mom gave birth and brought home his baby sister, he just hadn't been himself.  A few months prior to the new addition, Mom and Dad had reached out and resourced every possible book, website or mother/father friend about how to integrate a newborn into an already well-tuned family machine.

Did they miss something? Were the suggestions too vague and not specific enough to their family?

Mom had not forgotten her son, nor Dad for that matter. Mom had a similar birth this second time around, although did admit it felt different. The birth of the baby was without complications, other than a rush to Emergency for 3 false alarms to finally deliver just 1 week past her due date. With 1 week in intensive care to help with jaundice, Mom and baby arrived home to the rest of the family; Mom a bit cranky since her milk came in and unfortunately didn't receive much support in the hospital but the baby girl seemed very happy to be out of the incubator and in Mom's arms.

Mom knew this first week was going to be different this time around - baby and a 4-year-old.  She knew her parents had offered to help and could call on them but she was sure that she wanted just her cozy family handling everything.  What Mom didn't realize, even on the first day back home, was that she would miss dropping off her boy to school that morning. With Dad home for a few days, he was a fill-in for the drop-offs but that was the one thing she loved to do with him.

A preschooler is still trying to figure out the concept of time, so when you say you have to bath and feed the baby, he may not understand what is taking you so long to play with him.  Perhaps you could give your older child some fun things to be a part of the babies routine.  An excited preschooler will love to play house, bringing items to you as you prepare the area for the bath etc...A basket for them to fill with what you need would be a great way for them to get it all in one shot.  A soft toy and wash cloth are small items your child can use to interact with the baby at bath time.  Preschoolers have lots of questions and love to tell stories. Once bath time is over and the baby is quiet after a feeding, it could be a good time to ask your preschooler to tell you all the items that were used in the babies bath. Recalling events of the day give your child an opportunity to practice conversation skills, memory skills and perhaps will add some additional points in from their imagination.

Most of all your older child need to feel included, as he has been THE only child receiving all the attention for that last 4 years. Families that make time and take time and enjoy as many moments as they can, see positive changes in behaviour and overall healthy, growing connections between the children.



Right here with you,

Christine

Winging it with Baby No. 3 or Should I?

Figuring out things on your own can be a wonderful challenge. If you've ever bought furniture from IKEA, you know what I mean.  There are a few moments during the initial set up of pieces, along with the instructions, when several things run through your mind. Some people make a few wrong decisions, but soon get it right. Others call for help as soon as they get the boxes home, realizing it's way too complicated and time consuming.  And then there are some of us that just flop down on the floor, give up and call for help. Those of us that do this are not really giving up, we are merely calling out to the professionals in their field.We all know a friend or family member who has had great success with these do-it-yourself purchases and that's who we call on to help us. We don't return the item, we simply admit that we would rather be doing other greatly important tasks like soaking in a warm bath or changing the colour theme on our email. We make the call to our friend and by late that evening the corner shelf unit sits in the family room, awaiting books and other shelfy things. We are proud of our decision and strength we had to make that call, otherwise, we'd still be laying on the floor on-top of the supposed lost allen key.

I have had my share of challenges, as any Mom experiences. I've had 3 babies. All natural births, but had breastfeeding issues that involved cracked nipples and postpartum depression that resulted in the loss of my milk, and unfortunately a broken marriage. Although my family and friends were available and extremely helpful, I was alone with all the decisions. I had help yet I didn't help myself. I didn't think I needed more than what help was being offered. 

I should have called the professionals such as the  La Leche League and even the Public Health Nurse. I didn't realize until things came crashing down on me, that I needed more than I had imagined.  Doulas were not popular in North America until the late 1980's and that's when my kids were born; however I did not know about this amazing resource.

After working with several families and seeing their same yet unique challenges with a growing family, I wish I had had the help of a Nanny or a Postpartum Doula along with me for the ride. I would have loved someone to just make me a cup of tea and piece of toast. I would have appreciated their knowledge on how to properly latch my baby for breastfeeding, to avoid those cracked and sore (ah, don't touch) nipples.  The list goes on and on in my head how I would have truly benefited from the support and professional care.

My advice is simple: Don't wing it on your own. Don't wait to see if things get better.

DO something for you and your family to make things easier.

You are strong.

Make the decision to ask for help.  You will feel the relief of stress as soon as you do.

Right here with you,

Christine