The Mama Coach

Dropping a nap from 2 to 1' ! Let's talk about timing & cues first. When should you consider dropping a nap & what should you look for?... Babies can drop to one nap as early as 9 months to as late as 18 months, but the average is about 13 months. It's pretty common for your baby to go down for their first nap but you may have started to notice that putting your baby down for that second nap is becoming increasingly difficult. The frustrating part? Three or four days in a row, your baby won't take their nap but then for the next three days, they will have that second nap without any issues. It can definitely be confusing! If you notice your baby consistently fighting naps at least 5 days a week for at least 3 weeks, it may just be time to drop that second nap. The reason for waiting at least 3 weeks is that they may be going through a developmental milestone. If you think your baby is ready to transition to one nap, the best method of action would be to move the morning nap a half-hour later, every three days. The idea is to avoid skipping a nap, but rather shifting the first nap into an ideal mid-day nap. You may find that the best time works out to be at around 12:30 pm. Are you in the middle of a nap transition How is it going

Dropping a nap from 2 to 1' ! Let's talk about timing & cues first. When should you consider dropping a nap & what should you look for?... Babies can drop to one nap as early as 9 months to as late as 18 months, but the average is about 13 months. It's pretty common for your baby to go down for their first nap but you may have started to notice that putting your baby down for that second nap is becoming increasingly difficult. The frustrating part? Three or four days in a row, your baby won't take their nap but then for the next three days, they will have that second nap without any issues. It can definitely be confusing! If you notice your baby consistently fighting naps at least 5 days a week for at least 3 weeks, it may just be time to drop that second nap. The reason for waiting at least 3 weeks is that they may be going through a developmental milestone. If you think your baby is ready to transition to one nap, the best method of action would be to move the morning nap a half-hour later, every three days. The idea is to avoid skipping a nap, but rather shifting the first nap into an ideal mid-day nap. You may find that the best time works out to be at around 12:30 pm. Are you in the middle of a nap transition How is it going

How to build your freezer stash effectively! Now that we've talked about some of the things you should know BEFORE you get started building your breastmilk stash, let's talk about how to build your milk stash in the least amount of time. Make sure you check my last post in case you missed it. ' ! ... ? the minimum recommendation to build up to is at least a days feed (approx 750ml) the end goal is up to you use a medical-grade or high-quality pump use flanges that fit pump in the morning during your baby's first nap or after they have been fed you can also pump on one side while your baby is feeding on the other try avoiding underwire & use a comfortable & supportive nursing bra invest in a pumping bra or you can cut holes into a cheaper sports bra for hands-free pumping this mimics a growth spurt & can yield huge success its purpose is simply to stimulate the breasts enough to produce more milk later a rectangular container for storage store the new milk to the back, older to the front store milk as far away from the door as possible How is your pumping journey going? See more

How to build your freezer stash effectively! Now that we've talked about some of the things you should know BEFORE you get started building your breastmilk stash, let's talk about how to build your milk stash in the least amount of time. Make sure you check my last post in case you missed it. ' ! ... ? the minimum recommendation to build up to is at least a days feed (approx 750ml) the end goal is up to you use a medical-grade or high-quality pump use flanges that fit pump in the morning during your baby's first nap or after they have been fed you can also pump on one side while your baby is feeding on the other try avoiding underwire & use a comfortable & supportive nursing bra invest in a pumping bra or you can cut holes into a cheaper sports bra for hands-free pumping this mimics a growth spurt & can yield huge success its purpose is simply to stimulate the breasts enough to produce more milk later a rectangular container for storage store the new milk to the back, older to the front store milk as far away from the door as possible How is your pumping journey going? See more

Thinking of building up your breastmilk freezer stash? Here are some things to keep in mind before you get started. Milk production is relative to demand so it is important to try & allow your baby to create that demand in the first 4-6 weeks, otherwise, you could end up with an oversupply, which can make feeds a challenge for you & your baby. If you are exclusively pumping, you can create the demand as needed. If you skip a breastfeeding session, it's important to ...replace that feed with pumping if you're looking into maintaining your supply. Seeing the results of what you can pump can be celebratory or defeating but it's important to know that each & every ounce counts. It is completely normal to only pump around 3-4 ounces per pumping session. Moms who exclusively breastfeed may only pump 1/2 an ounce to 2 ounces per session. It takes time to build up a large stash so don't get discouraged if it seems like it's taking a long time. That's completely normal & research shows that breastmilk intake does not change much between 1 and 6 months of age. Once babies start eating solids at 6 months, their milk intake will slowly decrease. Looking for more tips to get your freezer stash started? Stay tuned for my next post which will help you gain the most out of your pumping sessions in the least amount of time. Do you have any questions about pumping #pumping #milkstash

How to create your baby's ! Baby naps on the go aren't really an option these days but since we are at home more, we can start to build a more consistent schedule for our babies around sleep. There's always a silver lining! So what's the secret!!??... The best way to help your baby fall asleep & have longer naps is finding a balance between their sleepy cues & the average awake time for a baby their age. ' : Make sure you do this for at least 3 days in a row. Record the time in the morning from when you take your baby out of their crib. Note the time when your baby starts to exhibit sleepy cues, like rubbing eyes, getting cranky, or yawning. Mark down how long your baby fusses when you put them down for a nap (which should likely take between 5-10 mins). Note how long your baby naps for. : If they fall asleep in under 5 minutes they were likely overtired & will naturally have a shorter nap. If they take longer than 10 minutes to fall asleep, they likely need more awake time. Once you've finished tracking these times for your baby, you'll start to see a pattern emerging. What timing appears to work best? What are the cues to pay attention to? You should be able to identify the proper timing to put your baby to sleep, but if you feel overwhelmed & don't see any sort of pattern, feel free to reach out. Have you hit that window of sleep opportunity with your baby or is it more like a hit & miss #sleepcoach #sleepconsultant

How are you all doing ? It's hard to believe that we are actually living through a pandemic but here we are! It's easy to slip into the endless thoughts of uncertainty but I find it really helpful to think about the things I'm grateful for. I think about them when things start to get overwhelming & it helps give me that extra boost of strength & hope. ' :... My health & the health of my family Sunshine on my face Hearing my children laugh A supportive & loving husband Food & shelter Being able to live in the country I do Spring flowers Technology to keep in touch Alone-time before bed Coffee What are you grateful for mamas #momlife #pandemic

How to create your baby's ! Baby naps on the go aren't really an option these days but since we are at home more, we can start to build a more consistent schedule for our babies around sleep. There's always a silver lining! So what's the secret!!??... The best way to help your baby fall asleep & have longer naps is finding a balance between their sleepy cues & the average awake time for a baby their age. ' : Make sure you do this for at least 3 days in a row. Record the time in the morning from when you take your baby out of their crib. Note the time when your baby starts to exhibit sleepy cues, like rubbing eyes, getting cranky, or yawning. Mark down how long your baby fusses when you put them down for a nap (which should likely take between 5-10 mins). Note how long your baby naps for. : If they fall asleep in under 5 minutes they were likely overtired & will naturally have a shorter nap. If they take longer than 10 minutes to fall asleep, they likely need more awake time. Once you've finished tracking these times for your baby, you'll start to see a pattern emerging. What timing appears to work best? What are the cues to pay attention to? You should be able to identify the proper timing to put your baby to sleep, but if you feel overwhelmed & don't see any sort of pattern, feel free to reach out. Have you hit that window of sleep opportunity with your baby or is it more like a hit & miss #sleepcoach #sleepconsultant

Do you find that your baby is nursing ALL the time? Breastfeeding can be pretty amazing but it can also be exhausting & frustrating, especially if you're at it for longer lengths of time than normal. Here are some reasons your baby might be marathon breastfeeding:... Babies love nursing but are they nursing for sustenance or are nursing for comfort? If it's for comfort, this is what we call "flutter sucking." Your baby isn't really getting milk but rather taking a nice nap at the breast. Cluster feeding is when your baby nurses frequently for a block of time but then will go a few hours without. This is not necessarily an issue as babies fill their tank & build up your milk supply, but it can be tiring & frustrating for moms. If your baby has a poor latch, they may be working harder for smaller results which means they are not quite getting enough milk. Common causes are tongue or lip tie, shallow latch, or positioning. If you think you have a poor latch, please do not hesitate to reach out to me so that I can watch a feed, check your latch, rule out issues & check for a tongue or lip tie. Common signs of low milk supply include poor weight gain, sleepy & fussy baby during & after nursing, decreased wet & dirty diapers & baby is nursing all the time. If this sounds familiar, please contact your doctor right away. If any of this sounds familiar feel free to reach out to me! I offer Virtual Support & would be happy to help. How many of you have experienced your baby "Flutter Sucking?" #breastfeeding #lactationconsultant See more

Over the age of 35? Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant? Here's some useful info regarding "Geriatric Pregnancy." ? Yup! That's actually the technical term for it because your maternal age is in its later stages. ... But that doesn't mean you can't have a completely healthy pregnancy. The trend in the US & Canada seems to be that more & more women are becoming pregnant in their 30's & 40's versus their 20's. Whatever the reason, women just seem to be waiting longer. : Fertility declines as we age, especially after the age of 35 We are born with 1-2 million eggs & do not produce more By menopause, we only have about 200 eggs left Age affects egg health Other conditions can come into play such as endometriosis, tubal disease, fibroids or polyps Screening can be done to identify & treat possible risks ? : miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, multiple births, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, hypertension, gestational diabetes, placental complications, intrauterine growth restriction & cesarean section : low birth rate, chromosomal abnormalities & non-genetic malformations Here's the thing, timing has to be right for everyone & there are risks with pregnancies no matter what. There majority of women that have completely healthy pregnancies after the age of 35. The smartest thing to do is to be aware of the risks, have open communication with your healthcare provider & to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible for you & your baby. At what age did you have your babies #pregnancy

Do you find that your baby is nursing ALL the time? Breastfeeding can be pretty amazing but it can also be exhausting & frustrating, especially if you're at it for longer lengths of time than normal. Here are some reasons your baby might be marathon breastfeeding:... Babies love nursing but are they nursing for sustenance or are nursing for comfort? If it's for comfort, this is what we call "flutter sucking." Your baby isn't really getting milk but rather taking a nice nap at the breast. Cluster feeding is when your baby nurses frequently for a block of time but then will go a few hours without. This is not necessarily an issue as babies fill their tank & build up your milk supply, but it can be tiring & frustrating for moms. If your baby has a poor latch, they may be working harder for smaller results which means they are not quite getting enough milk. Common causes are tongue or lip tie, shallow latch, or positioning. If you think you have a poor latch, please do not hesitate to reach out to me so that I can watch a feed, check your latch, rule out issues & check for a tongue or lip tie. Common signs of low milk supply include poor weight gain, sleepy & fussy baby during & after nursing, decreased wet & dirty diapers & baby is nursing all the time. If this sounds familiar, please contact your doctor right away. If any of this sounds familiar feel free to reach out to me! I offer Virtual Support & would be happy to help. How many of you have experienced your baby "Flutter Sucking?" #breastfeeding #lactationconsultant See more

Here are the your baby is fighting sleep. Feel like you have a stubborn baby that resists falling into a slumber? You know they are tired & need sleep but for some reason, they just don't want it to happen. :... If your baby is overtired or under tired, you are missing the "window of opportunity" for a successful slumber. Under tired babies may require an additional 15-30 minutes more of awake time in order to be tired enough to fall asleep. What's more common is that babies are often overtired. If they enter "fight or flight" mode due to higher adrenaline & cortisol production, this will make it difficult to fall asleep & stay asleep. If you have a perceptive & social baby who has a Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), this may be a reason why they won't sleep. They can't fathom missing a minute of having fun & spending time with you. Though this is is the least common reason your child might be resisting sleep it's important to note because it can occur in surges. This is often presented around 9-10-month-olds & can peak around 18 months. Bottom line, they just want you to be there! Check-in & provide comfort but try to avoid adding in new things or reactions at this point. Babies & toddlers resisting sleep is a common issue but recognizing behaviors for resistance is helpful in providing the right solution. Feel like this is a common struggle for you & your baby? Let me know if you have any questions. So, who's better at staying up late? Is it you or your baby these days #sleepconsultant #sleepcoach

& ! In 2019, the Canadian Paediatric Society updated its food allergen guidelines for babies. Previously, it was advised to introduce allergens between the ages of 1-3. New studies show that eating allergens early is preventative & recommended at the same time as the introduction of solids, which is around 6 months of age.... ' : Wheat Eggs Milk products Mustard Peanuts Tree Nuts Fish & seafood Sesame seeds Soy Sulphites ? Introduce allergens at home Introduce food allergens one at a time only Introduce new food in the morning or early afternoon Ensure foods are introduced at an age-appropriate texture & consistency : A reaction can develop within minutes or up to 2 hours after eating Mild symptoms: rashes or hives around the mouth Stop giving food & talk to your baby's doctor Severe symptoms: swelling of lips, eyes, face, vomiting, widespread hives, coughing, wheezing difficulty breathing, pale or blue skin colour, lethargic or limp Call 911 immediately Introducing allergens can be intimidating & if you have a history of family food allergens, you'll want to proceed with caution. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. ? ? See more

Are you a MOM & a Healthcare Worker or Essential Services Employee? Know someone who is? Tag them & let them know they are our HERO! Thank you for helping those who are sick & injured during this pandemic. Thank you for making it so that we can get the necessary items we need to stay home. Thank you for continuing to be the best mom you can be, we know it must be hard.... YOU are doing an AMAZING job, even though it might not feel that way all the time! Please know that we appreciate you & all you do. , ! #healthhero #essentialservices

- It's something moms should consider introducing to their baby in light of COVID-19. It's not something that we want to think about, but if a mother who breastfeeds contracts the virus, it is a good idea to have a backup plan in case someone else will need to feed your baby. If you are sick, or there is a need to separate you from your baby, knowing your baby can be fed via bottle will certainly be a relief to you.... : use paced bottle-feeding & a slow flow nipple try a short breastfeed before offering a bottle best times are in the morning when they are happy, or middle of the night when they are sleepy use a freshly pumped bottle warm the bottle nipple under warm water make sure your baby is hungry, but not starving baby at a 45 to 90-degree angle on your lap (more upright than breastfeeding) tickle the roof of their mouth to get them to suck hold the bottle parallel to the floor, just enough tilt to allow milk to fill the tip of the nipple It is possible to both breastfeed & bottle feed at the same time & many babies can transition between bottle & breast or from breast to bottle without issues. If you are worried as to the best way to go about this & need a little extra support, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have. I am a Registered Nurse & Mama Coach & can provide you with both group & personalized consulting. If you are worried as to the best way to go about this & need a little extra support, please feel free to reach out to me with any concerns you may have. Questions Let me know! #lactationsupport #breastfeeding

You don't have to be an adult to go on ! Has your baby or toddler suddenly refused to breastfeed out of nowhere when things were going great? Do they scream, cry & push away from you when they are put on the breast?... This is what we call a " ." Don't take it personally! It's usually only temporary & may pass but it is important to find out why the strike is occurring in the first place. I also wanted to mention that a Nursing Strike can often be confused with "self-weaning." Keep in mind that a baby or toddler that is self-weaning usually does so gradually over a period of weeks versus quitting cold turkey. : Increased Maternal Stress Low Milk Supply due to Maternal Hormonal Changes or Medications Unfamiliar Odours Unusual Taste of Milk A Change in your baby's routine Illness or Teething If you think any of these might be a contributing factor, it's most important to ensure you feed your baby & protect your supply. Monitor diapers & pump if you are having to replace your breastfeeding sessions. Feeling frustrated or just having a tough time with breastfeeding in general? Feel free to reach out. I offer trusted by a Registered Nurse (me) & we can find a way to get things back on track for you. . Has your baby ever gone on strike #lactationconsultant #breastfeeding

Here are the your baby is fighting sleep. Feel like you have a stubborn baby that resists falling into a slumber? You know they are tired & need sleep but for some reason, they just don't want it to happen. :... If your baby is overtired or under tired, you are missing the "window of opportunity" for a successful slumber. Under tired babies may require an additional 15-30 minutes more of awake time in order to be tired enough to fall asleep. What's more common is that babies are often overtired. If they enter "fight or flight" mode due to higher adrenaline & cortisol production, this will make it difficult to fall asleep & stay asleep. If you have a perceptive & social baby who has a Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), this may be a reason why they won't sleep. They can't fathom missing a minute of having fun & spending time with you. Though this is is the least common reason your child might be resisting sleep it's important to note because it can occur in surges. This is often presented around 9-10-month-olds & can peak around 18 months. Bottom line, they just want you to be there! Check-in & provide comfort but try to avoid adding in new things or reactions at this point. Babies & toddlers resisting sleep is a common issue but recognizing behaviors for resistance is helpful in providing the right solution. Feel like this is a common struggle for you & your baby? Let me know if you have any questions. So, who's better at staying up late? Is it you or your baby these days #sleepconsultant #sleepcoach

& ! In 2019, the Canadian Paediatric Society updated its food allergen guidelines for babies. Previously, it was advised to introduce allergens between the ages of 1-3. New studies show that eating allergens early is preventative & recommended at the same time as the introduction of solids, which is around 6 months of age.... ' : Wheat Eggs Milk products Mustard Peanuts Tree Nuts Fish & seafood Sesame seeds Soy Sulphites ? Introduce allergens at home Introduce food allergens one at a time only Introduce new food in the morning or early afternoon Ensure foods are introduced at an age-appropriate texture & consistency : A reaction can develop within minutes or up to 2 hours after eating Mild symptoms: rashes or hives around the mouth Stop giving food & talk to your baby's doctor Severe symptoms: swelling of lips, eyes, face, vomiting, widespread hives, coughing, wheezing difficulty breathing, pale or blue skin colour, lethargic or limp Call 911 immediately Introducing allergens can be intimidating & if you have a history of family food allergens, you'll want to proceed with caution. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. ? ? See more

- It's something moms should consider introducing to their baby in light of COVID-19. It's not something that we want to think about, but if a mother who breastfeeds contracts the virus, it is a good idea to have a backup plan in case someone else will need to feed your baby. If you are sick, or there is a need to separate you from your baby, knowing your baby can be fed via bottle will certainly be a relief to you.... : use paced bottle-feeding & a slow flow nipple try a short breastfeed before offering a bottle best times are in the morning when they are happy, or middle of the night when they are sleepy use a freshly pumped bottle warm the bottle nipple under warm water make sure your baby is hungry, but not starving baby at a 45 to 90-degree angle on your lap (more upright than breastfeeding) tickle the roof of their mouth to get them to suck hold the bottle parallel to the floor, just enough tilt to allow milk to fill the tip of the nipple It is possible to both breastfeed & bottle feed at the same time & many babies can transition between bottle & breast or from breast to bottle without issues. If you are worried as to the best way to go about this & need a little extra support, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have. I am a Registered Nurse & Mama Coach & can provide you with both group & personalized consulting. If you are worried as to the best way to go about this & need a little extra support, please feel free to reach out to me with any concerns you may have. Questions Let me know! #lactationsupport #breastfeeding

This year, Easter might look a little different for your family as we get used to this new normal. How are you celebrating Easter differently? Are you using real eggs instead of chocolate? Are you planting flowers in pots instead of doing outdoor hunts? ... HAPPY EASTER MAMAS!!! See more

You don't have to be an adult to go on ! Has your baby or toddler suddenly refused to breastfeed out of nowhere when things were going great? Do they scream, cry & push away from you when they are put on the breast?... This is what we call a " ." Don't take it personally! It's usually only temporary & may pass but it is important to find out why the strike is occurring in the first place. I also wanted to mention that a Nursing Strike can often be confused with "self-weaning." Keep in mind that a baby or toddler that is self-weaning usually does so gradually over a period of weeks versus quitting cold turkey. : Increased Maternal Stress Low Milk Supply due to Maternal Hormonal Changes or Medications Unfamiliar Odours Unusual Taste of Milk A Change in your baby's routine Illness or Teething If you think any of these might be a contributing factor, it's most important to ensure you feed your baby & protect your supply. Monitor diapers & pump if you are having to replace your breastfeeding sessions. Feeling frustrated or just having a tough time with breastfeeding in general? Feel free to reach out. I offer trusted by a Registered Nurse (me) & we can find a way to get things back on track for you. . Has your baby ever gone on strike #lactationconsultant #breastfeeding