After the hustle and bustle of the holidays families are usually ready for daily routines to normalize.  If you don't have a daily routine for your baby you might want to consider the benefits.  Creating a daily routine for your baby helps them to feel more at ease.  Babies who are on a routine are usually less fussy and sleep better. But, experts agree that it is best to wait until baby is about three months of age before establishing a routine.  The reason is because, it is important for babies in these early months to feed on demand in order to support optimal growth and brain development. 

When you begin to develop a daily routine for your baby it is best to let your baby take the lead.  Observe their eating and sleeping cues for several days.  Many new parents find it helpful to journal daily activities in order to see baby's natural patterns. Then structure baby's routine around their needs. While establishing a routine it is important to remember that your baby's well-being

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In the mother baby support groups that I work with, many parents are educating themselves and taking action to reduce the amount of toxins their families are exposed to.  Several of them are making their own organic baby food.   Others are using cloth diapers and being mindful of the toys and plastics they bring into their homes.  I hear them talk about the many local stores and agencies dedicated to educating and supporting parent's efforts to be healthier.

Recently, I learned about the Healthy Family program which is sponsored by the Oregon Environmental Council.  I went to their website www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/tinyfootprints and found a vast amount of information regarding ways to create a healthier environment for children, babies and their families.  The site provides useful tips for the home, yard, nursery, schools, work place and more.  

For those of you who need to give a baby shower for someone check out the Tiny Footprints Baby Shower Kit on the OEC site.  It

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The amount of weight to gain during pregnancy varies from woman to woman.  Therefore, even though there are suggested amounts that women should gain during pregnancy, the best plan of action is to see your doctor or midwife and follow their recommendations.   They will determine an amount based on your current weight and medical history. 

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I gained 28 pounds and my baby weighed 5 pound 9 ounces at birth, full term.  She was considered small for gestational age.  The average baby weighs seven and a half pounds.  So, with my next pregnancy my doctor suggested that since I was in the low normal range for weight and had some medical issues that I should try to gain forty pounds in order to have a larger baby.  Well, it worked because; my next baby was six pounds eight ounces.  Thankfully, with breastfeeding and running after my two year old, the extra pounds were gone within about three months with very little effort.

If after visiting your

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It was the evening of the 4^th of July and I was eight and a half months pregnant. We had been at the Fort all day for the Independence Day celebration.   By the time we got home I was exhausted.  Just before bed I started to notice some early signs of labor.  I lost my mucous plug plus I thought my amniotic fluid was leaking. I called my doctor and he told me to go to the hospital to be checked.  At the birth center the nurse thought my bag of waters was still in tact.  She said that my cervix was dilated two centimeters and 50% effaced, my baby's head was at zero station and my uterus was contracting regularly but, that I was not "in labor."  She told me I should go home for now and that my baby could arrive within a few hours or a few weeks.  I went home and of course was too excited to sleep.  Until the nurse had said I was contracting regularly I didn't realize that the tightening I had been feeling in my uterus were contractions because, they weren't painful like I thought they

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I remember the very day when my sweet little girl began to have a will of her own.  Up until that moment I was easily able to distract or coerce her into doing what I needed her to do.  But, on that day she peered out from behind the dining room chair and I saw a mischievous twinkle in her eye that let me know she was becoming an independent little being who had a mission separate from mine.  She was only 18 months at the time but, I knew that each child was individual as to when they would reach specific milestones in their developmental.

I had read plenty of parenting books about two year olds. So, I knew this age of independence was a vital developmental stage. What I wasn't prepared for was my reaction to her testing of limits.  I had always been a patient, calm, in control person with a happy demeanor. But, this little one whom I loved with all my heart knew how to push my buttons.  At first it was kind of cute because, she was not doing it out of anger she was happily defiant.

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When I was 27 weeks pregnant with my second baby I was put on bed rest because, my cervix had begun to efface and dilate. I was given medication to control my contractions and was told to stay in bed at all times and only get out of bed to go to the bathroom or take a short shower every other day. These orders to be on complete bed rest with medication would be for the next ten weeks. My only thought was, "Oh my gosh, could we make it for ten weeks?"

I was not sure. This seemed impossible considering I had a two year old at home. Thankfully, my mother lived about a mile from my family and was willing to help. She came over every day to pick up my house a little and then took my little girl to her house. That part was difficult for me because, I felt alone and missed my daughter very much. However, I was not in a position to ask my mom for more than she was already giving. I needed focus on the positive because, I noticed when I became stressed my contractions would pick up to

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It was 10 pm on July 4^th  I was 38 weeks pregnant, just lost my mucous plug and  thought my amniotic fluid was leaking.  I called my doctor and he said I should go to the hospital to be checked.  At the birth center the nurse who checked me thought my bag of waters was still in tact.  She said my cervix was dilated two centimeters, 50% effaced, baby was at zero station and I was contracting regularly but, I wasn't "in labor."  She me I should go home for now and that my baby could arrive within a few hours or a few weeks.  I went home and of course was too excited to sleep.  Until the nurse had said I was contracting regularly I didn't realize that the tightening I had been feeling in my uterus were contractions because, they weren't painful like I thought they would be.  Now I was quite aware of the "tightening" and even though it was silly I became obsessed with counting my contractions.  Finally, at 1:30 am I went to bed and tried to get some rest besides, the nurse said it could

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Sleep is the basis for mental health. It is true that new moms need to sleep when their babies are sleeping. Lack of sleep can accentuate baby blues and depression in mothers. Almost every week I see new moms who are completely exhausted. Many are either in tears or on the verge, asking for help on how to get their babies to sleep more.

Having a new baby in the house is one of the greatest joys in life but, it is also a major adjustment. The first three to four months are usually the hardest because, for most it takes that long to settle in to a routine. With each passing week, it gradually gets easier but most babies will have variable sleep schedules for the first year. Everything from growth spurts, teething, and developmental changes to being over stimulated during the day can interrupt a baby's sleep.

Below are some techniques that families at our new parent support group have found to be helpful:

1. When Baby goes down for a nap, set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes. During

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My husband and I had two beautiful little girls. Both of my previous pregnancies had medical challenges but the babies and I all were healthy in the end. When we became pregnant with our third baby, from the beginning we were told that due to low progesterone levels and some bleeding problems I would likely lose the baby midterm. We decided to hope for the best and do what we could to help save our baby. Everyday I ate healthy, took my prenatal vitamins, and rested as much as I could without going on complete bedrest (which I had done for nine weeks with baby number two). I did what I could to protect our unborn baby physically. However, emotionally I stayed disconnected. I just couldn't let myself get too emotionally invested because, if something did happen to the baby I would be devastated and I didn't want to not put my other children and husband through that kind of sadness.

The pregnancy had its medical difficulties and at seven months, I was dilated to three and a

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Today I would like to share with you the advantage of going in to birth prepared and not just "winging it." Yes, your birth center will provide you and your baby a safe environment.  They will also provide individualized care that  supports  you and your family.  And it's true  the  baby will come out even if  you have not taken any preparation classes but,  the more information you have regarding the process and options of birth the better  your ability to relax and enjoy the  experience. 

The birth of a baby is an event that is etched in a mother's memory her entire life.  Because, giving birth is such an incredible event, it is only right that every woman have the opportunity to a positive birth experience. A positive birth experience is when a mother gives birth in an atmosphere where she feels safe, supported and an active participant in the decisions concerning the care of herself and her baby. Education helps to accomplish this goal. Having knowledge is power and being

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