Category:

The Parent Pod Featuring Suzan Scharr, IBCLC & RN from Monumental Beginnings Doula

8/11/2020

Join us weekly on Thursday nights for "The Parent Pod"! This weekly live virtual show on Facebook and now YouTube explores local family friendly businesses, highlights local parents, discusses important topics, spreads some kindness and more! Episode has been uploaded below.

This week we will be joined by local mom, RN, IBCLC, Suzan Scharr! What many people don't know is that Suzan is part of the reason Cape Cod Moms even exists! She helped inspire us 10 years ago and now she has joined our friend Krista Sullivan over at Monumental Beginnings Doula! We will be chatting about the struggles of being a new moms/parents; breastfeeding, the importance of support, virtual support groups and more!

So pencil in on your calendar that this week at 8pm-this hour is for you!
Join us at 8pm with your bevi of choice like a Blueberry Lemonade with or without spirits-no judgement here and come connect and have fun with us!

Check out our delicious bevi of the week courtesy of our friends at Pickle Jar Kitchen in Falmouth! This Blueberry Lavender Lemonade can be made with or without spirits and is quite refreshing!

As we move forward Cape Cod Moms will continue to help connect our families and caregivers to amazing resources and locals in our community. Each week we will go LIVE on Facebook (soon to YouTube but replays available on website and YT and Instagram) with a special guest. We will also be sharing giveaways and a bevi of the week brought to you by local businesses and bartenders.

If you want to nominate someone for a giveaway or share a funny story see our links below:
Quotes/ Stories Parenting Stories
(we keep it anonymous)
Random Acts of Kindness
Submit your questions for a guests here

If YOU or your business is interested in being featured or you want to join our team please email us at info@capecodmoms.com

0 Comments

Holiday Giveaway Festiview with Heidi of Tiny Sprouts Lactation Services

11/25/2018

0 Comments

In honor or our Annual Festivus Holiday Giveaways, Cape Cod Moms will be featuring all the participating businesses in a Festiview, a.k.a Festivus Interview to help our community get to know the owners, their passions and their favorite holiday events! Be sure to purchase a calendar to enter this amazing annual giveaway beginning 11/17/2018 for your chance to win any or even all of the 32 prizes donated by local Cape Cod Small Businesses! Each SINGLE entry is eligible for all 32 prizes (or all remaining prizes if purchased after start date). If you win once, your name goes back in and you can win again! Remember by supporting local small businesses, you keep the money here, which in turns allows the business to support all local communities and fundraisers
#ShopLocal #SaveLocal #SupportLocal

Meet Heidi Creighton, owner of Tiny Sprouts Lactaction Services. She has been practicing as a nurse for 10+ years in the fields of pediatrics & maternal child health. She has worked at Boston Children’s Hospital as a nurse on their in-patient neuroscience unit, as well as practicing as a home health nurse focused on pediatrics and maternal child health.

Her inspiration for starting Tiny Sprouts Lactation Services, is the positive and fulfilling experiences she had with nursing her two sons & the people that supported her during her breastfeeding journey.

Tiny Sprouts Lactation Services
Prize: Lactation Basket
Includes Lansinoh Day & Night disposable breast pads, Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter, Medela HydroGel pads, Lansinoh Therapearl 3 in 1 breast therapy, Milkmakers Lactation cookie/bars, and organic Mothers Milk herbal tea
Value: $60
Awarded on:
December 15, 2018
Purchase Your Entry Here

What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

My favorite thing about this time of year is the magic! I have two young sons (3 &6), and I love experiencing the holiday season and all the fun and wonder it brings through their eyes. It brings a whole new feeling of excitement that can sometimes get lost as we grow older.

Over the years, what is the best example of local kindness you have
experienced or seen?

One of the most powerful examples of kindness during the holiday season I have ever been part of over the years was being able to volunteer at My Brother's Keeper in Easton, MA. I was able to give back to the community by "shopping" for Christmas gifts, wrapping them, and then delivering the gifts and a holiday meal to families in need. The smiles on the recipients faces and their gratitude for such a simple gesture embodied the true feeling of the holiday season.

What is your recommendation for a local family “must attend” holiday event?

A must attend family event to attend for my family is Edaville in Carver, MA! My parents took me as a child and I now bring my children. Taking the train ride to look at all the holiday lights is something that I loved as a child and my kids now love it too! Such a fun, festive, and family friendly place to help get you in the holiday mood!

Would you share with us a family tradition?

A family tradition for us having a yummy Christmas morning breakfast while opening gifts. What makes this breakfast a "tradition" is that it ALWAYS has to include Monkey Bread! It is the only day of the year that we eat it. I look forward to it every year...yum!

What are your words of advice for families during this special time?

A word of advise for families this time of year is to slow down. Take time to enjoy the simple things. Enjoy each other. Enjoy the fun and magic of the season. It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the craziness and feel pulled in a million directions with a million tasks to accomplish. Be mindful of being present in the moment and create memories and traditions that will be passed on through the years.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?

My favorite holiday dessert is my husband's Aunt's amazing Italian Christmas cookies! She makes them for his family's Christmas party every year. I tried to make them myself...not even close to hers! I always bring a few extra home for later too :)

Do you have a favorite holiday song? If so, which one and why?

My favorite holiday song is "Do you Hear what I Hear? I find no matter what version I hear, I love it! It also makes me think of the innocents of children and the importance of teaching them about world peace and love for everyone.

Get in the Cape Cod Festivus Spirit with
Tiny Sprouts Lactation Services
Tiny Sprouts Lactation Services
39 Duck Plain Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
(617) 922-2792
Website
Surviving Breastfeeding for the Holidays

Purchase Your Entry Here

0 Comments

5 Reasons you need a Moms’ Group

12/17/2015

2 Comments

By: Liz Libby, CLC, CCCE, HBCE

The whole “it takes a village” saying is a nice idea. I thought I knew what it meant…… until I had premature twins and a partner that worked all the time. And then I realized that I wasn’t going to survive this parenting gig without some backup from other exhausted moms. I literally went to a different moms’ group every weekday when my guys were babies, and that was my lifeline. Eight years later, I’m still friends with some of the ladies I met in those groups. If you haven’t yet found yourself a moms’ group, here are some reasons you need to:

If you’re going to talk about baby poop, you might as well do it with people who are interested. Let’s be honest: no matter how often you’ve told people that you will never be ‘that’ parent that talks about baby poop, it’s gonna happen. Because seriously… baby poop is weird. And when you are the sole source of digestive input (whether it’s breastmilk, formula, or solid food), you become a bit obsessed with your baby’s digestive output. So if you’re going to talk about that time your baby let out a huge poop geyser all over the living room wall, you might as well talk about it with other moms who will laugh and exclaim appropriately.
Two words: breastfeeding help. In the beginning, breastfeeding a new baby can be so hard and so demanding and so bewildering (I hope it wasn’t just me!) that having a professional offer you good, evidence-based advice can make all the difference in the world. And to be able to talk to other moms who have been through the same experiences, who can tell you that you and your baby are totally normal, is priceless.
Two words: feeding help. In the beginning, just having a new baby can be so hard and so demanding and so bewildering (I hope it wasn’t just me!), whether or not you are breastfeeding. And once you add solid foods, it’s a whole new ball of choices. Having a professional offer you good, evidence-based advice can make all the difference in the world, because breastfeeding moms aren’t the only ones with questions, and sometimes even with the best preparation in the world, moms don’t meet their breastfeeding goals. A good group will support you whether you never intended to breastfeed, breastfeed past infancy, or had to stop before you were ready.
Sisterhood. I know it sounds hippy-dippy, but this is the real deal. Motherhood, and particularly early motherhood, is such an intense experience. When you find a group of ladies who are in the same boat and you ‘click’ with them, you are in it together. This is how sisterhoods are forged, and oftentimes the friendships will last way beyond the diaper days.
You have to laugh or else you’ll cry. Don’t get me wrong: there is a lot of laughter and sweetness and joy in early motherhood. But there will also be moments where you’re ready to strangle your partner, or when you realize you haven’t showered in three days and may find yourself on People of Walmart, or when you open the door to pay the pizza guy without realizing that your boob is still hanging out. In those moments, it’s indescribably comforting to think that you have buddies who will think it’s hilarious and have a good laugh with you. Or who will hug you and bring you a cup of tea when you skip the laughter and go straight for the tears. Buddies who get it. Who can joke with you about being on #teamnosleep or #teamyogapants or #teammessybun.

And now that you know WHY you need a moms’ group, I have some good news for you. If you are on the Mid or Outer Cape, I have a moms’ group for you to attend (with tea)! There is now a weekly Outer Cape Moms’ Group that meets on Thursdays in Eastham! So come hang out, meet other moms who are wearing yoga pants and wrangling babies all day, and get some breastfeeding support if you need it.

Outer Cape Moms’ Group
Thursdays from 10am to noon
220 Samoset Rd in Eastham, right next to where they are building the new library
BirthingYearCapeCod@gmail.com or 774-207-7124 for more info
Or visit our Facebook Page!

Liz is a Certified Lactation Consultant, a CAPPA certified childbirth educator, and a HypnoBirthing childbirth educator at The Birthing Year. In between running after her three wild and crazy children, she is currently preparing to sit for the IBLCE exam in October of 2016 to become an IBCLC and offers a variety of prenatal classes, birth preparation and support, and postpartum and lactation support. She facilitates the Outer Cape Moms’ Group, which meets weekly and offers evidence-based breastfeeding information as well as support and solidarity for all moms.

BirthingYearCapeCod@gmail.com
774-207-7124
Facebook

2 Comments

Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby

3/4/2013

0 Comments

By: Gabrielle Hathaway M.S., IBCLC

I often see mothers who are taking medication, either during pregnancy, lactation or throughout both. I also see mothers who have decided not to take their regular medication because they are concerned about the effect on their baby. There is more and more research and information available about medications in pregnancy or lactation and I urge women to talk with their doctor about their choices. As a lactation consultant, I have access to studies and guidelines that your physician may not be aware of and can supply information for my clients to take to their doctor. It pains me to see mothers denying their own mental or physical health needs in order to be the best mom for their baby. A happy, healthy mom is the best mom!

What to do if you are taking medication and find out you are pregnant:

·        Talk with your OB or midwife right away about your choices
·        Make sure you have added support if you are going to forego medication
·        Watch for a recurrence of symptoms; talk with your doctor again if you are concerned about your health
·        Do NOT rule out breastfeeding! Surprisingly, some meds that are contraindicated during pregnancy are deemed safe during lactation (and vise versa). Often the amount the baby receives is very slight or the medication is not well absorbed orally. Still, consult your doctor or lactation consultant well before you deliver, so that you can make a plan that works for you. Sometimes mental health issues that were controlled during pregnancy can change in the postpartum period, due to a change in hormones. Thyroid disorders can also worsen after delivery and should be followed closely.

What about those “other” drugs?

If you are struggling with substance abuse, smoking, or alcohol, please don’t be afraid to talk with your provider. There are options during and after pregnancy that can help to increase the likelihood of a healthy baby (and healthy mom). Pregnancy is a perfect time to make changes toward a better life for you and your baby.

Here are some resources for information about medications during pregnancy and lactation:

Brigham and Women’s Hospital -
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/departments_and_services/psychiatry/services/womens_mental_health.aspx

Mass General Hospital -http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/

The Infant Risk Center at Texas Tech - http://www.infantrisk.com/

National Institutes of Health - http://health.nih.gov/topic/PregnancyandSubstanceAbuse

0 Comments

On Strike!

1/14/2013

0 Comments

By: Gabrielle Hathaway M.S., IBCLC

Every so often, I will get a call from a frantic mom whose baby (usually 3-6 months old) has suddenly and inexplicably stopped nursing. Mom has tried coaxing, cajoling, and even begging baby to nurse, but she is adamantly refusing the breast.

What’s going on??

What is probably NOT going on is: Mom had onion soup for lunch or the baby is ready to wean (younger than 9-12 months).

Nursing strike

We often call this a“nursing strike” and there can be a variety of causes. Assuming that your milk supply is adequate and baby was nursing well up until now, here’s what could be happening.

·        Teething:
Is your baby drooling, fussier than normal, chomping on her hands, and might even have a diaper rash (excess saliva can cause a more acidic output)? Babies can start teething as early as 2-3 months and not even get their first teeth until much later. Teething is uncomfortable and your baby will want to nurse for solace, but can be frustrated if nursing hurts her gums. Try comfort measures like a cold washcloth to gum on, a teething ring, or if your pediatrician approves, some teething gel. Then, try to get baby back to the
breast. You will find that teething is an ongoing process but hardest with the first teeth (gravity – they are on the bottom, and the newness of the sensation).

·        Ear Infection:
If your baby has a fever, is tugging at her ear, or is crying more than usual (often high pitched), she could have an ear infection. Breastmilk has been shown to reduce the risk of ear infections, but they can still occur. If you suspect your baby has an ear infection, consult your pediatrician for their recommendation. In the meantime, try nursing in an upright position so your baby isn’t laying flat. You can also massage the breasts so that she doesn’t have to work as hard to stimulate let-down.

·        Thrush
Does your baby have white patches in her mouth that don’t rub off? Are you or she on antibiotics? Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of yeast and can affect both baby’s mouth and mom’s breast/nipple area. Some babies can have thrush and it doesn’t seem to bother them, while others are very uncomfortable and won’t want to nurse. Thrush is easily treated by your health care provider and nursing can continue during
treatment.

There are other reasons your baby may be “on strike”. Older babies with teeth sometimes try biting mom and the resultant response (“AHHHH!!”) scares the baby off the breast (Pavlov, anyone?). Babies may also
react negatively to a new perfume or lotion or may have a stuffy nose from a cold (try some saline and a nasal aspirator before nursing). In most cases, you have to gently encourage the baby to return to the breast. If pain is the issue, relieving the discomfort before nursing should help. If there is a psychological cause, try nursing in the bathtub (you would be surprised how well this works!) or when baby is sleepy and calm (often
nighttime).

**Two Important Notes

*If your baby is not nursing at the breast, you need to pump! Sometimes babies will take the pumped milk via bottle – if your baby is older than a month, she should return to the breast once the ‘strike” is over.

*Offer the breast frequently rather than trying to wait the baby out – this will keep baby familiar and you are more likely to catch her when she’s ready.

If none of these suggestions work, check in with your pediatrician or lactation consultant, especially if you have a young baby (under 3 months). Take heart, though –strikes are often short-lived and baby will return to the breast with gusto. Keep up your supply and don’t give up!

0 Comments

Is it Enough??

11/21/2012

0 Comments

I have been working in the field of lactation for more than 12 years. The question that I hear the most, year after year, is: “How do I know my breastfed baby is getting enough milk?”

· First, let’s start with the size of a newborn’s stomach. It’s TINY! Day one is about the size of a small marble, day three is a larger, “shooter” marble, and day
seven the newborn’s stomach measures about the same size as a ping pong ball.

Photo Credit [LLLI, 2006] http://www.lalecheleague.org/faq/colostrum.html

Breastfed babies need to be fed, on average, every 2-3 hours in the newborn period. When I hear that a baby is “so easy, she sleeps all day!” that is a warning sign that baby may not be getting enough. A newborn who is hungry may quickly adapt by sleeping more to conserve energy and what looks like placidity may actually be hunger. So, I tell moms to feed the baby on demand (even if it means waking a sleeping infant), but not less than every 3 hours, day and night. If a baby has been struggling to gain weight, I advise feeding every two hours until weight gain steadies. This may seem like a lot, but remember that by day 7, the stomach is only as big as a ping-pong ball and breast milk is used and digested very quickly (about 20 mins). It may feel as if you are nursing all the time, but this initial period is so important in establishing breastfeeding and building the milk supply. If your baby is not meeting these“diaper goals”, consult a member of your health care team, as babies can quickly get into trouble with dehydration, especially in the newborn period.

·
Still not sure baby is getting enough? What comes in must come out. An easy way to see if your newborn is getting milk is to watch her wet and poopy diapers (better smelling with breast milk!). By day 3-4, babies should be stooling at least a couple of times a day and the product should resemble seedy mustard. Babies this age should also have at least 3-4 wet diapers. At the one week mark and for weeks beyond, you should see 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 stools per day. It is not uncommon for breastfed babies to reduce their stooling frequency after the first month and, as long as it is still soft, it is not usually a problem.

What about the baby that is nursing 8-12 times a day but is losing or not gaining any weight? It is normal for babies to lose some weight in the newborn period, but pediatricians like to see a return to birth weight by the two-week mark. If baby has not regained, we first look at the latch. It is possible for a baby to be sucking frequently but not effectively. The baby’s mouth should be over the dark area surrounding the nipple (the areola), so that the sucking will reach the milk ducts, not just the nipple itself. If a baby is sucking only on the end of the nipple, the result will be like biting on a straw – a closing off of the milk flow. Sucking on the nipple is also likely to cause pain for the mom, so if you are experiencing pain and/or your baby is not gaining well, evaluate your latch, ideally with the help of a lactation consultant, La Leche leader, or WIC peer counselor. Many visiting nurses are also trained in breastfeeding support and I urge mothers to take advantage of the free VNA postpartum visit that is usually offered through the hospital.

Breastfeeding is a natural process, but doesn’t always come naturally. Remember, taking the time to fix small problems at the beginning can help ensure a successful breastfeeding experience for both you and your baby.

Still have questions? Email me at ghathawaylactation@gmail.com and check out my blog at www.hathawaylactation.blogspot.com

0 Comments

The Parent Pod Featuring Suzan Scharr, IBCLC & RN from Monumental Beginnings Doula

Holiday Giveaway Festiview with Heidi of Tiny Sprouts Lactation Services

5 Reasons you need a Moms’ Group

Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby

What about those “other” drugs?

On Strike!

Is it Enough??

Parent Resource Guide

Travel & Vacations

Cape Cod Birthdays

Cape Cod Family
Hot Spots

Shop Mom
Local Cape Cod Business

Cape Cod Parent Resource Fair

Cape Cod
School Directory

Sign Up Monthly Newsletter

Cape Cod
Advertisers

Island Advertisers

Archives

Categories

What about those “other” drugs?

Cape Cod ​Advertisers

Island Advertisers

Archives

Categories

Cape Cod
Advertisers