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What is responsive feeding?
Nursing moms are often pummeled with Do’s and Don’t to maintain a healthy nursing relationship. There are times when baby needs to be fed when mom is away and it can be stressful for moms to filter through conflicting information. They are faced with questions and terms such as:
How soon should they introduce the bottle?
What pumping schedule should I follow?
What is the best baby bottle?
What are best practices for bottle feeding a breastfed baby?
How to avoid nipple confusion?
What are the best baby bottle for breastfed baby?
What are good baby bottles for newborns?
What are best practices for introducing a bottle to breastfed baby?
What to do when breastfed baby is refusing bottle?
How to combine breastfeeding and pumping?
When to start bottle feeding expressed breast milk?
Do I have to pump every time baby gets a bottle?
Often times moms come across a technique called “Pace Feeding”. It’s a term nursing moms hear about when they research bottle feeding a breastfed baby and it's claimed to mimic breastfeeding.
Pace feeding was a feeding technique used for medically complex and premature babies so they could bottle feed without aspirating milk into the lungs. It is parent-led and controls the milk flow. This technique gained popularity even among term infants despite their ability to manage the milk flow (with the right technique) and advancements in the market for nipple flow, nipple types, and bottles. This feeding technique involves limiting the milk flow.
Have you heard the term “responsive feeding”?
Responsive feeding is child-led and allows the baby to set and regulate their own sucking pace while parents respond to their baby’s hunger and fullness cues. It is interactive between baby and caregiver and often a very positive experience.
What are the benefits of responsive feeding?
Encourages child to self-regulate their milk intake and set their own pace for feeding
Develops trust when responding to your baby’s feeding cues
Supports a loving relationship with caregiver
Helps baby develop healthy eating habits
Positive experience
Bottle feeding can be a positive, loving experience that develops trust and does not threaten a healthy nursing relationship. Check with your pediatrician to ensure there are no special circumstances around feeding.
To learn more about the difference between “pace feeding” and “responsive feeding” check out this article from the Fed Is Best Society
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New SAFE SLEEP GUIDELINES: American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics has just released new SAFE SLEEP GUIDELINES. Those families using infant hats, weighted sleep sacks, blankets and swaddles, or monitoring devices must pay special attention to the new guidelines below.
New safe sleep recommendations can help pediatricians guide families
June 21, 2022
Rachel Y. Moon, M.D., FAAP
An updated AAP policy statement and technical report on reducing the risk of sleep-related infant deaths reiterate previous safe sleep recommendations and offer some new guidance.
The AAP continues to emphasize the importance of placing infants on their backs in an uncluttered crib next to the parents’ bed in a nonsmoking environment. The policy and technical report also address the use of noninclined sleep surfaces, short-term emergency sleep locations, substance use, home cardiorespiratory monitors and tummy time.
The policy Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment is available at https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-057990. The technical report Evidence Base for 2022 Updated Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment to Reduce the Risk of Sleep-Related Infant Deaths can be found at https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-057991. Both are from the Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the Committee on Fetus and Newborn, and will be published in the July issue of Pediatrics.
Following is a summary of the updates and responses to common questions asked of the Task Force on SIDS.
Sleep surfaces
Use a flat, noninclined sleep surface. A crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard should conform to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Recent biomechanical analyses have demonstrated that sleep surfaces that are inclined more than 10 degrees from horizontal are unsafe for infant sleep. Additionally, the CPSC recently passed a rule that any infant sleep product, including those marketed for sleep or with images of sleeping infants, must meet federal safety standards for cribs, bassinets, play yards and bedside sleepers. Products that do not meet these standards (e.g., inclined sleep products, cardboard baby boxes, in-bed sleepers, baby nests and pods, and hammocks) are not recommended.
The Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021, signed into law May 16, bans the manufacture and sale of crib bumpers or inclined sleepers.
In emergency situations when a CPSC-approved surface is not available, an alternative device with a firm, flat, noninclined surface with thin, firm padding can be used temporarily until a CPSC-approved surface is available.
Sleep location
Infants should sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for at least the first six months.
The AAP has shortened the period recommended for room-sharing. Although it is difficult to stratify the data based on age in months, the AAP recognizes that the highest risk is in the first six months (when 90% of sudden and unexpected infant deaths occur).
Bed-sharing
Although the AAP cannot recommend bed-sharing based on the evidence, it also respects that many parents choose to bed-share routinely for a variety of reasons.
It is important for clinicians and parents to have frank and nonjudgmental discussions about the family’s bed-sharing circumstances. The policy provides a risk-stratification analysis to guide these discussions.
Because of the extreme (up to 67 times greater) risk, the AAP strongly recommends that infants never be placed for sleep, with or without another person, on a couch, sofa, armchair and similar cushioned surfaces (despite the multitude of pictures posted on social media of adults sleeping with a baby on their chest on a sofa).
Bedding
Do not place any soft objects, including pillows, blankets or bumper pads, in the infant’s sleep environment.
Families concerned that their infant will be cold should add layers of clothing, as this reduces the risk of head covering or entrapment. Wearable blankets or sleepers also can be used. The AAP does not recommend any weighted objects (e.g., weighted blankets/sleepers/swaddles) on or near a sleeping infant.
Pacifiers
Pacifier use is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.
For infants who are not directly breastfed, pacifiers can be introduced at any time. For breastfed infants, the pacifier can be started once breastfeeding is firmly established — meaning that milk supply is sufficient, the infant is latching effectively and the infant has demonstrated appropriate weight gain.
Monitoring devices
Home cardiorespiratory monitors should not be used to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Wearable heart rate and pulse oximetry monitoring devices sold to consumers are certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as wellness devices, which do not meet the criteria for medical devices. They are defined as devices intended “for maintaining or encouraging a healthy lifestyle and … unrelated to the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, prevention, or treatment of a disease or condition.”
Data supporting their use to prevent sudden and unexpected death are lacking. Parents who use these monitors at home still should follow safe sleep recommendations.
Tummy time
Supervised tummy time should start soon after hospital discharge and increase slowly to at least 15-30 minutes total daily by 7 weeks of age.
Other recommendations
Avoid smoke and nicotine exposure — and the use of alcohol, marijuana, opioids and illicit drugs — during pregnancy and after birth.
Pregnant people should obtain regular prenatal care.
Infants should be immunized in accordance with recommendations from the AAP and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There is no evidence that swaddling reduces the risk of SIDS.
Physicians and others should model safe infant sleep guidance from the beginning of pregnancy.
To read about the new guidelines, click here.
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Happy 4th of July!
What better way to celebrate independence than taking advantage of my Prepare for Sleep Coaching Success Course! This self-study program is the perfect solution for sleep-deprived and overwhelmed parents that want to improve the chaotic sleep situation in their household.
Prepare for Sleep Coaching Success starts here: Prepare for Sleep Coaching Success
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Your Sleep Situation is NOT HOPELESS. Here are success stories from my hardest clients
Your Sleep Situation is NOT HOPELESS. Here are success stories from some of my hardest clients....
Over my 11 years of experience, I have seen the most difficult sleep challenges and have SUCCESSFULLY guided these families through a total family sleep transformation!
Many families come back to me saying "If you can help us, you can help anyone".
Are you considering any drastic measures to get your child to sleep?
I CAN HELP!
Do you have an alert baby with serious FOMO?
I CAN HELP!
Do you think your child is "too old" to sleep train?
I CAN HELP!
Does your child have behavioral issues and learning differences?
I CAN HELP!
With my 1:1 Sleep Coaching Packages, I take the time to learn about YOUR child, YOUR family and YOUR goals. I am not afraid of a challenge! I customize each step of the process to ensure success so there is no need for you to "fit the mold" to experience this total family sleep transformation.
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
The Importance of Tummy Time for Newborns
Lately, I have been getting LOTS of questions about Newborns. In the video below I talk about the do's and don'ts of TUMMY TIME.
Tummy time is HARD WORK and a lot of babies fuss and complain during the process but it is so IMPORTANT!
Do you wonder WHY everyone is pushing tummy time so much? WHEN do you do tummy time? HOW LONG you should be doing tummy time? Watch this video to find out this and more!
Celebrate Dad with a Life Changing Gift!
Let's celebrate all the wonderful Fathers, Grandfathers, and Father-figures we have in our lives this Father's Day! This year Father's Day is Sunday, June 19th!
Good sleep should be a priority for Dad too! This means 7-9 hours a night for a healthy adult. Celebrate Dad with the gift of Sleep this Year with our Prepare for Sleep Coaching Success Course!
Listen to a few incredible fathers talk about how getting beautiful blissful sleep changed their life!
Beyond the benefits for the child, Gentle Sleep Coaching has provided Father's with:
Increased bonding and more meaningful interactions between child and father
Relaxed evenings
Time for themselves and their partner
Restored marriages
Ability to schedule date night and vacation trips
Energy to exercise
A predictable schedule
A focused mind for work productivity
More love and patience so they can enjoy all the moments that matter!
Give Dad the Gift of Sleep this Year with our Prepare for Sleep Coaching Success Course!
This self-study program is the perfect solution for sleep-deprived and overwhelmed parents that want to improve the chaotic sleep situation in their household. Prepare for Sleep Coaching Success Course starts here.
Sleep Tips for Dad
Get 7-9 hours a night of sleep
Stick to a sleep schedule every night (even weekends).
Choose a supportive mattress and quality pillow.
Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Limit caffeine intake
Exercise regularly
You are one click away from giving the Father in your life one of the most life changing gifts they can receive.
Sleep Success Story: From ONLY wanting “Mommy” to loving Dad doing bedtime. Sleeping all night & easy naps.
Can you relate to being in a situation where your child "only wants mommy"?
Do you feel like you are "on duty" 24/7?
Does your husband want to help you, but your child makes it impossible for Dad to step in?
Well, this was the story of Stephanie and Dennis who had a 25 month-old-son who would wake multiple times per night and require nursing to go back to sleep. He ONLY WANTED MOM. Often times, they would think he was asleep for the night and he would run out of his room looking for mom. In fact, if dad came to help, their son would push dad away and say "no, mommy". Consequently, mom was nursing around the clock to help her son get to sleep and go back to sleep, but mom was not getting any sleep herself. Stephanie also had an important business trip where she needed her son to be sleeping well so it would be easy for dad to care-take both boys when she was attending to her professional work commitments.
The family reached their tipping point and knew they needed some help! After some research, they decided that working with a sleep coach and receiving one-on-one support and guidance was the best fit. They needed and wanted a Total Family Sleep Transformation.
I am so happy this family reached out for sleep support! Watch Stephanie and Dennis's story in the video below to see how working with a Sleep Expert was instrumental in helping solve ALL the sleep struggles.
Stephanie and Dennis want to encourage people to work with a sleep consultant.
"Don't hesitate to sign up. It's certainly worth the investment. I frankly was of the belief that, I don't think this is going to change given the stubborn nature of our child, but lo-and-behold, he's sleeping peacefully and we aren't battling with him over sleep anymore. It works!"
Thank you for watching Stephanie and Dennis' story and I hope this inspires you to realize that it is possible to become a well-rested family. Please share this with any friends that need some help, hope and support right now! Don't ever hesitate to contact me.
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected so you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Does your child suffer from ear aches, constipation, reflux, plagiocephaly, problems with latching, or torticollis?
Does your child suffer from ear aches, constipation, reflux, plagiocephaly (flat head), problems with latching, night terrors, mastitis, torticollis and disrupted sleep?
What if I told you that ALL of these are BIG-TIME CHALLENGES could be solved with building a trusted relationship with a trained and certified Pediatric Chiropractor?
I am delighted to have another informative conversation with Dr. Elise Hamilton, a Perinatal and Pediatric Chiropractor. In this conversation, we outline by age and stage all the medical conditions where adding Pediatric Chiropractic to your child's health protocol can be incredibly beneficial.
Pediatric Chiropractic can help with the following:
ear aches
constipation
reflux
plagiocephaly (flat head),
problems with latching,
night terrors
mastitis
torticollis
disruptive sleep
You will definitely want to watch this video for all the incredible and helpful information. Pediatric Chiropractic is SAFE!!!!
Dr. Elise loves to share her knowledge by educating her patients to live a healthier life and to truly appreciate their body. She strives to help her patients feel optimal during pregnancy and post-partum. Then once the baby arrives, Dr. Elise provides exceptionally safe and gentle Pediatric Chiropractic care so more people have successful transitions into parenthood.
Dr. Elise welcomes any questions about the benefits of chiropractic care for pregnancy, postpartum and infancy.
Even if you are not in the San Francisco Bay Area, she can answer your questions and help you find a trained and certified colleague in your city or go to this resource to find a Pediatric Chiropractor in your area please go to: https://icpa4kids.com/
You can find Dr. Elise Hamilton at:
Hamilton Chiropractic
215 N. San Mateo Dr., Suite 10
San Mateo, California 94401
doctorhamiltondc@gmail.com
650-394-6045
Social Media is @hamiltonchiros
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Formula Shortage Resources
The struggles families are facing finding the appropriate formula for their babies is heartbreaking!
If you are having trouble finding your baby's formula these are the most recommended places to find formula.
Manufacturer websites have location finders to see what retailers typically carry your specific kind (they don't currently have current stock data at this time) i.e similac.com
Call your pediatricians office - they may have samples on hand
Moms or parenting facebook groups - many are posting photos of local store shelves, adding retailer shipment updates from those who work there. I LOVE the power of moms helping moms!
Make a facebook post - Lean on your tribe! If friends/family see what you are looking for they may be able to help!
The formula mom - a great resource for all formula related questions https://www.facebook.com/theformulamoms
WIC participants - call the 800 number on the back of your card if you are not able to find formula
Local Diaper Banks
Nextdoor App
Facebook buy nothing groups - find one in your local area
Donor milk bank - look for a reputable milk bank that screens donors to ensure safety. https://www.hmbana.org/find-a-milk-bank/overview.html
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should never feed homemade formula to babies or water down the formula. Formula is made to ensure important nutrients for an infant’s physical and neurological development.
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.