Heritage Family Wellness

11/30/2021

Alright, which of you gorgeous angels mailed this to me?? 😆🙌🏻💕💕💕💕🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕

11/16/2021

Counting myself so lucky to have good friends who brave the snow even with chronic health flare ups to gift freezer meals (in jars that they won’t resent me for maybe never giving back) for my birthday. Thanks for not letting me waste away ☺️🙌🏻✨

09/13/2021

7 yo: When I leave for school, Mum, please take care of Parody
Me: Sure I can take care of Parroty
7 yo: Thanks. It’s “Parody”.

09/07/2021

Them: you juggle so much, how do you keep track of everything?
Me: I have a very sophisticated organizational system.

06/13/2021

Happy Sunday dear hearts. May someone delight in you ✨

06/08/2021

I recently had a conversation with a new parent who was asking whether they were over feeding their baby. I inquired about why they were wondering. “Well,” they replied, “I don’t really think my baby is eating too much, it’s just that I have the voice of my mom in my head saying so”.

Today’s TMI departs a bit from some of the body-er topics we’ve covered so far. I want to talk about spoiling babies.

For little babies, the world outside is so very big. Babies are growing rapidly physically, but they are also learning to adjust to life outside the perfect comfort of the womb. Hearing louder noises, feeling new sensations on their skin, smelling unfamiliar smells, experiencing for the first time what it’s like to be separate from their birth parent is all a lot to take in. Snuggles, drinks, and naps are one of the primary ways that babies are able to tap into the closeness they need to feel secure in the big wide world.

Here are some things to keep in mind when facing the myth of “spoiling the baby”:

The older generations didn’t understand that babies had feelings. In fact, up until the 1980’s scientists and researchers didn’t really believe babies even experienced pain. Our parents worked with what the experts told them about how to be good parents - and they struggled to make decisions for their new babies just the way we sometimes do.

Formula feeding babies was much more prevalent in our parents’ and grandparents’ generation, so lots of grands won’t know that unlike formula, the body regulates human milk to be the perfect food for our baby’s needs. It actually changes to suit our baby’s needs as they grow (think about the difference between colostrum, which is sparse and high in nutrients immunological components and low in sugars and fat, and the carb/sugar/fat rich milk of an older baby). Human milk also alters when we are exposed to illness by adding in more antibodies, and when our babies are going through growth spurts by adding in more fat. It is impossible to overfeed a baby on human milk.

Babies are connection machines. They are designed to make their worlds all about them because that is what helps them to thrive and grow as small vulnerable beings. It’s impossible to spoil a baby with too many cuddles, too much attention, or too many sessions at the breast or chest. We now know that responding to a baby when they indicate need actually helps them to self-regulate, because they learn to depend on a loving, prompt response when they are hungry, tired, overstimulated, or in discomfort.

So, if your new pal wants to nurse around the clock or never be put down, know that it is developmentally normal. They’ll soon grow into more rhythm and routine, but for now, it’s their privilege to be held close (for food and for comfort) and adored.

06/04/2021

See baby will hug

06/02/2021

No this week (should I double up for next week? Send me your questions!)

Meanwhile, did you know bodies are really smart, and weird pregnancy cravings usually have a meaning. (Yes, even that midnight craving-to-tears for the entire smoked meat aisle when you‘ve been a vegetarian for years... 😅)

What was your weirdest craving?

What are your cravings telling you?? 🍦🍟🥨🥛🍊

Pickles and ice cream and pregnancy they just go together right?
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All jokes aside, I don't know anyone who craved pickles and ice cream together during pregnancy 🤔 When the pregnancy cravings hit, it's a need it NOW kinda situation. They often turn into a running joke with your partner who is running to the store for the 5th time this week for you, but what if those pregnancy cravings were actually your body telling you, "hey, I could really use more of this _______." Would you look at them differently?
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In a research study conducted by Catilyn Placek on four evolutionary hypotheses for pregnancy cravings, the evolutionary theories proposed that food cravings seek foods that either satisfy the energy demand of the growing fetus and/or replenish nutrients lost from nausea, vomiting, and food aversions during the first trimester. Your body is pretty incredible, it knows exactly what foods you need to help fill nutrient deficiencies.
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Except what happens when those foods you are craving are not the healthiest choice?
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Ask yourself, what is my body telling me?
You want ice cream ➡️ baby's bones are growing and you might need more calcium
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🌟Acknowledged the craving- ignoring it will just leave you wanting it more
🌟Satisfy the craving- have the bowl of ice cream, being mindful to stop eating when you are satisfied.
🌟Know you might be needing more of something. In this example, calcium to support the baby's bone growth.
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p.s. adding a handful of nuts with your ice cream can help reduce blood sugar spikes!
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Now you can be mindful to add more calcium-rich foods to your diet! Dairy products, chia seeds, almonds, broccoli, and beans are all great sources of calcium!
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The goal is to create a balance between a nutrient-rich diet and your cravings to support both you and your baby without feeling deprived!

05/26/2021

This is one of my all-time favourite bits of birth-nerdery!

Who knew Monday 8am was such a popular time to have a baby?

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/monday-8-a-m-time-to-have-a-baby/

Share with us! When were your babies born?

Births peak on weekdays during daytime work hours

05/20/2021

Friends! June is coming! We want to celebrate Pride with you.
If you are 2SLGBTQIA and want to receive a postcard from my family, send your preferred name and mailing address to [email protected] and we will make sure to send you some fun mail 🌈💕🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🎈

05/18/2021

This answers a question submitted about lactation and s*x.
As a young nursing parent, another pregnant woman was chatting with me as I breastfed my son. She touched her belly, scrunched up her face and said “I’M not going to breastfeed. My husband says those are just for s*x - and I agree.” Earlier in my body feeding experience, a grouchy night nurse replied to my timid inquiry about whether feeding my baby for the first time was supposed to hurt with the curt retort “Of course it hurts. You haven’t had anyone suck on your ni***es before!” I remember thinking “speak for yourself, lady.”
Here’s the short version of my answer to today’s TMI Q: if ni**le, chest, or breast play was part of your s*x life before baby, there is no reason not to include it after, even if you’re lactating.
If you’re not sure if it’s something you want to explore, there are a couple things to consider:

💕Nipples tend to be more sensitive when lactating, which for some folks can be a turn on and for others is a cue to dial back on being touched there.

💕The same hormones that cause milk release (oxytocin) are the same ones involved in s*x. Especially for folks with a strong letdown reflex, s*x when breastfeeding or chest feeding can be, as one midwife advised me, “slick”. It’s a good idea to have a towel handy if you’re one of those folks whose shirt gets soaked the moment your baby cries.

💕Many partners enjoy breastmilk (and “breastmilk fetish” is a whole Google rabbit trail), and can be as much an enjoyed part of s*x as any other body fluid.

💕For folks that aren’t into milk, experimenting with s*x positions that minimize movement of the breasts can help (side-lying, missionary, and do*******le with chest support are good choices), or wearing a tight shirt/bra during s*x.
It’s also important to remember that our bodies are changed by birth, and by tending to a baby. Some folks are energized by nursing and feel ready for more intimacy with their partners, while others feel “touched out” and will need to seek intimacy in other ways. Both are totally normal, totally okay approaches to settling into the changes a new baby brings.

05/16/2021

Actual footage of me trying to act normal after being inside for 14 months