BEST BEGINNINGS START WITHIN
TOP 4 YOGA POSES to PREPARE & SUPPORT A POSITIVE BIRTH OUTCOME
There is blossoming research that some birthing positions far outweigh others. It all comes down to something called a flexible sacral position (FSP). These, often upright alignments, take weight off a woman’s sacrum and may lead to better birth outcomes and a safer vaginal birth.
As a prenatal & postnatal yoga teacher, I quickly saw that FSP often mirror many yoga asana/poses. Practicing some yoga poses, with support and variations, may help support a safer vaginal birth when used during labor.
WHY SHOULD BABIES CRAWL BEFORE THEY WALK?
If walking is the end game, why should my baby crawl first? Crawling helps promote positive motor, sensory & neurological development. From eyes to hands, and the ever-important core, crawling it truly baby’s first total body workout.
CONTAINER BABIES: Bouncy Seats, Standers & Swings Oh My!
Containers may be convenient, but only good in moderation and at the right stage in development. A good moto is less is more. The more time your baby spends on the floor exploring their environment the better it is for their gross and fine motor development, vision development and foundational muscle balance for speech development.
PACIFIERS: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
To use a pacifier or to skip the pacifier? is an ongoing question and debate among moms.
There are many benefits to non-nutritive suck, including decreasing SIDS risk and better self-regulation, among others. Using a pacifier beyond a year may increase your baby’s risk of future orthodontic issues and may impact their language development. In the end it is a personal decision, however the more information you have the better equipped you are to make the decision that is right for you and your little one.
PLAGIO-WHAT? PREVENTING & ADRESSING FLAT HEADS
The easiest way to address a flat head is to prevent it! If your baby has plagiocephaly or another cranial deformity there is help, but the faster you address the issue the better. Communicate with your pediatrician and start the six easy prevention tips above as soon as possible. Even if your baby does not have flattening, the prevention techniques will not only prevent deformity, but they will also enhance your baby’s development. Remember the first 6 weeks is a critical window to begin reshaping.
ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING HELPS DECREASE YOUR HOLIDAY STRESS
Is alternate nostril breathing just another fancy new-age yoga fad? Quick Answer: Maybe, but that is because ANB actually works. Alternate nostril breathing, officially known as Nadi Shodana or “channel purifying” breath is an ancient breath practice (aka pranayama in Sanskrit) that dates back to the 15 century and has modern research to back it up. This alternating breathing practice may help reduce stress and for your science geeks, like me, the list goes on.
THE SEASON OF GRATITUDE: GRATITUDE JOURNALING FOR HAPPIER PARENTING
Being grateful is not just for Thanksgiving, and November is a great month to try to remember the daily practice of giving thanks. There is budding research on the impact of structured gratitude, such as journaling, on maternal mental health. Although research is emerging, it never hurts to try the simple practice of keeping a gratitude journal.
EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD MASSAGE, INCLUDING YOUR BABY!
Infant massage is an easy way to help you and your baby become healthier and happier. It is an inexpensive and valuable activity, and it does not take long to start seeing the rewards. Remember infant massage is supposed to be fun and relaxing, so don’t stress if it is wiggly work in progress.
THE POWERFUL CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR BREATH & YOUR PELVIC FLOOR
Yoga is breath practice first! Breath is the first & last thing we do in life, and it is powerful. Most of us know that our breath fuels and cleanses our body through our pulmonary and circulatory systems, but did you know your abdominal diaphragm and pelvic diaphragm work together as a team? If you are a woman who has had a baby, you might identify this link more than you even know!
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE ART OF PRENATAL YOGA
Prenatal yoga is more than a trend, it is an ancient practice, that has science to back up the many benefits for both mama & baby.
Why Should I Take Prenatal Yoga?
Finally, there is some solid evidence that prenatal yoga is as beneficial as yoga teachers and pregnant yogi’s have long suspected. The many advantages range from better sleep to improving birth outcomes, and so much more. If you are a dorky science girl like me, I have referenced the research below if you’d like to take a more in-depth look.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
What does community mean to you? The answer is not the same for everyone. For me it is the bond in society that we share with those whom we support and cooperate with to move towards a collective greater good. The connection and collaboration with our village does not require everyone to think the same way, but instead have a common overall goal of helping others within the community to make our village stronger overall. A stronger village means a stronger future for our kids.
HEART HEALTH LATE-PREGNANCY & POST-PARTUM…ARE YOU AT HIGHER RISK?
Your heart works harder during pregnancy. If you experience sudden fluid weight gain with shortness of breath, late in your pregnancy or postpartum, it might be a sign of a weakened heart muscle making it harder for your body to pump blood efficiently and effectively. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a dangerous condition that requires immediate attention from your physician.
SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR BABY REGISTRY: FOUR COMMON ITEMS NOT REGISTER WORTHY
Preparing for a new little person is both exciting and overwhelming. Everyone has an opinion on what you need, including the baby product industry, which is currently valued at $215 Billion and projected to grow. So, take it from a pediatric physical therapist, who sees both the benefits and the aftermath of baby product choices, less is more!
YOGA TWISTS A CAUTIONARY TALE:
Yoga twists and trunk rotations are great, but it's important to approach them with caution and listen to your body. These moves can be dangerous if done incorrectly; they can aggravate or create low back and SIJ (sacroiliac joint) pain and dysfunction. When done mindfully and in moderation, twists can be a beautiful addition to your practice and help to relieve tension in the spine.
WELCOME SPRING BY PLANTING SEEDS OF MINDFULNESS
Parenting is not for the faint of heart. Parenting is a hard, but rewarding job. Mindfully parenting makes it easier to ride the roller coaster of raising little people with grace. It is a tool you can return to over and over again, to anchor your parenting style. You don’t have to be perfect!
WHY ALL NEW MAMAS SHOULD ROLL TO THEIR SIDE
Abdominal separation aka Diastasis Recti (DR) happens in nearly 100% of women in their third trimester of pregnancy and it is common to linger postpartum. A mild DR might resolve on its own, but if it lingers beyond the first 6-8 weeks post-partum, DR can begin to create a range of unwanted symptoms.
TUMMY TIME — A BABY BOOTCAMP WORKOUT
Tummy time is one of the best whole-body activities for your baby’s early development, unfortunately their belly is often not a favorite position. Tummy time is a workout because babies typically spend more time in baby equipment than on the floor developing motor skills.
DASHA WHAT?
Dasha Chalana is an Ayurvedic series of eight joint movements done 10x in each direction. Dasha means 10 in Sanskrit, and Chalana means churning, which refers to the fluid motion used to achieve a fuller range of motion at each joint. These ancient moves help to decrease swelling and joint stiffness during pregnancy & beyond.