HyggeMama
Sorauren Avenue M6R 2E7 Toronto, ON, Canada

We are still doing this. When she was little, I posted #brelfies all the time because I wanted to do my part to normalize breastfeeding. I loved this connection with my tiny human, and was thrilled that it had come easily for us in spite of my previous breast surgery. ... I have always understood it to be her favourite thing in the whole world, which is why, when I tried to start weaning her on her 3rd birthday, it did not go so well. That was November 2018, and we’ve had many ups and downs on our nursing journey since. Lots of emotions for both of us. Lots of boundary testing. Noticing that none of my kid’s peers were nursing anymore (that I knew of, at least). Many times when I was determined to be done with it, because I wasn’t enjoying it anymore, because I was convinced it was (is) a reason that I’ve been struggling with my sleep and my hormonal health. (And maybe it is, at least in part.) I consulted with multiple lactation consultants/fellow midwives/naturopathic doctors/therapists/attachment specialists with the idea in (my) mind that I could convince her that she didn’t need mup anymore. She was never (never) convinced. We’ve been down to just nursing at bedtime for a long while now. I was pretty clear that 4.5 was a good time to stop, but then the date came and went.... The pandemic has impacted us in many ways, but I’ve been feeling in these last few months that this bedtime breastfeeding is something we both need for comfort and grounding. So for now, there’s no longer a cut off date. Just this rare #brelfie, and the sharing of it with the intention to normalize something that’s even less popular than publicly breastfeeding an infant or toddler in this day and age. #brelfie #normalizebreastfeeding #attachmentparenting #babyledweaning #extendedbreastfeeding #feedingwithlove #bfar #gentleparenting #hyggemama #responsiveparenting #humanmilkforhumanbabies #breastfeedingjourney #solomama

I’ve been working on a thing. I think it might be an e-book. And this might be the cover. It’s about 25 pages and growing, with a number of worksheets to make the plan your own. It’s about, as you may well know already, a topic that is very near and dear to me: #postpartum wellness. An informed postpartum. A supported postpartum. An empowered postpartum. So tell me, if you’re pregnant right now, what are you concerned about for the time once baby arrives? Or if you’ve... experienced a fourth trimester yourself, what was a particularly valuable lesson or resource for you? What did your support people do that was particularly wonderful (or particularly unwonderful)? I want to be sure this guide is helpful and inclusive, without causing overwhelm. This research and writing project is particularly exciting to me because is been a while since I created something that felt meaningful, and it’s been satisfying to put my focus here. I’ll keep you posted on its development. #postpartumsupport #postpartumjourney #postpartummood #postpartumdoula #torontodoula #4thtrimester #fourthtrimester #postpartumrecovery #ontariodoulas #infantmentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #postpartumprep #queerpregnancy #ontariomidwives #postpartumwellness

SUMMER SUCKLING We all need additional hydration when it’s hot out and we’re sweating. For breastfeeding/ chestfeeding parent/babe dyads, as well as formula-fed bubs, there are a few things to consider. Babies receiving human milk don’t need to be supplemented with water when it’s hot out, because breastmilk is a natural electrolyte drink! Coming directly from the source (ie. not pre-pumped), milk will actually adapt to be more hydrating (higher water content) in hot ...weather. (Bodies are so smart!) Just be sure that baby has free access to nurse as often as they need. (You must remember though, you’re drinking for two, so keep that water, coconut water, or naturally sweetened lemonade - I like to sweeten with apple juice or just a small splash of maple syrup - on hand!) Signs of dehydration include a feeling of thirst, headache and irritability. In young infants Choose a shady spot for nursing, and if it's very sweaty between the two of you, wipe down with a dry towel as needed. Do your best to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm. A baby bath set up in a shady backyard can be a sweet relief for your little one, or for you to plunge your feet into. Formula-fed babies do need to drink extra water when it's hot out, so always keep a fresh sippy cup handy! In order to avoid chlorine intake, I am a big fan of families investing in a simple home water filtration system, like the installation of a carbon block filter, a @berkey_filters countertop system, or most simply and inexpensively, a @santevia pitcher kept in the fridge. Be sure to adhere to the maintenance guidelines for your filter to ensure its safety. How are you all doing? Any other strategies for staying happy and cool while baby-feeding in the heat? See more

Solo-mama-in-the-city brain during a pandemic. Just in case you were wondering.

LIBERATION FOR ALL, my loves. Here’s to more #authenticity in our #PRIDE celebrations with a greater awareness of the roots of this movement. The Stonewall Riots, fighting back against police brutality, is how the 2SLGBTQ+ Pride movement began in 1969 New York City, and Marsha P. Johnson (who was Black and Trans; see second image) and Sylvia Rivera (who was Latinx and Trans) were the helmswomen. You can’t have true Pride without centring Transfolx. Here’s to Que...er families in their many shapes and sizes, fiercely loving their littles and still working hard for adequate representation in picture books, kids TV shows and movies, on medical/daycare/school forms, and within their own families. If you’d share your favourite queer fam IG accounts, picture books and other resources for families with young kiddos below, I’d love that. 1st image by @jag.ink ; 2nd image by @micahbazant See more