Bringing Up Baby

Send us a Text Message.I have a bit of a theme going on this month and it’s all about taking care of your Postpartum Self.And for today’s episode, we’re diving deep into your postpartum hormones so you can understand more about what’s to be expected in relation to shifts in your mood or when it might be time to reach out for help.To help us break it all down, I sat down with Dr. Ashley Margeson - co-owner and Naturopathic Doctor at Cornerstone Naturopathic in Tantallon and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Dr. Ashley talks about all the postpartum hormonal shifts or “blips” as she calls them, that happen right up until 18 months after delivery.If this is the first time you’re hearing of her, I hope you immediately (well, immediately after listening here ;) go follow her podcast - The Superwoman Code. But first, trust me when I say, there is a lot to take away from this episode!Hope you can take a listen, and maybe some notes ;)Ashley Cooley, MAHPBirth, Baby and Sleep Specialistwww.birthbabysleep.caInstagram @birth_baby_sleepFacebook @birth_baby_sleep

Send us a Text Message.Swaddling infants has been happening for centuries but there has been a growing controversy about its safety.It’s not that it’s illegal or that it’s one of those things that’s NOT recommended, but it does pose some risks. And we are going to talk about those risks but more importantly, how to MINIMIZE risk - because the last thing anyone needs is to feel guilty for doing something that might be extremely helpful for their baby and how they choose to parent. I am going to tell you what the research tells us - what the evidence is when it comes to swaddling and what you should keep in mind should you choose to swaddle. The rest is up to you and I hope this conversation helps! What is swaddling?As mentioned, swaddling has been a long-standing, traditional practice of wrapping a baby up gently in a light blanket. Seems simple enough, but swaddling doesn’t come without its challenges.How does it work to calm babies and what is the best way to swaddle?So swaddling really is a tried and true way of calming babies because it helps re-create that womb-like situation which has shown to be very comforting for them. And Yes, swaddling is safe when implemented correctly. While swaddling for short periods is generally fine (meaning baby isn’t kept in a swaddle all day long), you might want to consider a swaddling sleep sack - which is basically a pre-wrapped blanket that might have velcros or something that keeps it together. This can actually really help if you find your baby loves a swaddle but breaks free from it easily. But regardless if you’re using a blanket to branded swaddle, definitely be sure to at least keep it loose around their hips. Swaddling too tightly here and when legs can barely move can actually lead to developmental dysplasia of the hip.  The other big risk associated with swaddling infants is overheating, which increases the risk of SIDS. All of these recommendations come from the most up-to-date research, with which Health Canada obviously supports. They actually even add that you’ll also might want to consider having their hands free or at least near their face so they can show you hunger cues. When should you stop swaddling?Around 3 months of age or when baby starts rolling, whichever comes first. How do you transition them out of a swaddle?One arm out at a time. Both arms out but wrapped with the swaddle with a bit of “gentle pressure” around the abdomen.Use what’s called a “transitional swaddle” of which there are several that are almost part swaddle, part not. For example, the Zipadee Zip which kind of makes your baby look like a starfish and the Merlin Magic Sleep Suit which actually has a bit of weight to it but can help baby manage that “startle reflex” when being placed on their back.Cold turkey. Switch to a sleep sack/bag or maybe add a layer under their sleeper and call it a night!Summary of how to best minimize any risk associated with swaddling:Swaddle securely to minimize risk of unwrappingNot too tightly around the hips, legs still able to move freelyAvoid overheatingAlways place babies on their back to sleepAnd discontinue swaddling when infants show signs of rolling over or by about 3 months of age, whichever comes first.

Send us a Text Message.It’s almost a right of passage… At some point (or at many points), babies will wake up earlier than most of us would like.But wanting your baby to “sleep in” is not at all selfish. Well, maybe it is a little bit, but you’re allowed to want and need good sleep too! Because you do!Keeping in mind that each baby has their own thing going on and waking up really early isn’t really that uncommon or unrealistic. But, if there is anything you can do to help improve or lengthen their sleep and you want to explore those options, that’s what we’re here to talk about today ;) Now, as always, I need to say that this conversation does not apply to newborns or infants under 4 months of age (adjusted if they were born before their due date). These babies can wake up any time they want and it’s all normal. They probably need to be fed, so just keep on trucking and later morning wake-ups will be coming soon!Why you want them to wake at a more reasonable hour:And by the way, when I say “reasonable hour” I mean, let’s get them sleeping until AT LEAST 6am. A wake-up time between about 6-7:30am is generally what works and what most babies/families strive for. If not later, later is fine too. But this is what tends to fall more in line with their natural circadian rhythms and it’s pretty important to help them preserve it, and here’s why:It helps ensure they’re getting enough sleep overnight.It also helps with the QUALITY of their sleep.It helps them with their naps during the day.It helps the WHOLE FAMILY get some much needed rest. Why they are waking early and how to help change that:-->They’re Overtired. Staying awake too late/long between naps and bedtime. THE SOLUTION: Make sure your baby isn’t staying awake longer than what’s appropriate for them for their age and stage, including naps and bedtime. Making sure your baby isn’t too overtired can help them fall asleep easier, stay asleep longer for better quality sleep, and sleep in a bit later into the morning. -->On the other end of this, another reason why your baby could be waking up too early is because they’ve already gotten enough sleep! They’ve reached their quota of maximum amount of sleep that they need for the day and just can’t sleep any more. THE SOLUTION to this problem could be either to start limiting their daytime sleep, possibly pushing their bedtime a bit later OR maybe shifting their entire schedule ahead.-->Hormones. Our bodies actually produce hormones.. Hello cortisol! Yes, I’m talking about that stress hormone again but it isn’t all bad! It actually starts to accumulate in our bodies (and your baby’s too!) a few hours before we’re meant to wake up and this is actually why we wake up in the morning. THE SOLUTION to this problem is to either alter their sleep schedule, for instance helping them to rearrange when/how long they’re sleeping, OR to implement sleep-training techniques to help them with getting back to sleep upon waking too early. Mental Health MinuteI’d like to take a minute to talk about your mental state when YOU don’t get enough sleep, because with less sleep makes it a lot tougher to be our best selves. We have a ways to go everybody and I want to help you through it. So all this to say, and trying to bring it back to this episode on babies who wake up really early.. Is that YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS.  YOUR SLEEP MATTERS TOO.Halifax Perinatal Support Network Facebook Group - HEREBirth Baby Sleep Education and Support Services - HERE

Send us a Text Message.If you have twins or multiples, you already know you are part of a special group. But this episode can really be for anyone with children because the group of ladies who joined me brought the Real. Talk. The stuff that I know many other moms and new parents have experienced or would be experiencing right now. How they would describe their pregnancies with twinsWhat it was like to spend time in the NICU after they were born, ANDThey walk us through some of the big CHALLENGES and JOYS of having twins.So these three ladies I spoke with… are all friends of mine and they all happen to have twin boys!Veronique Trottier is mom to 8 year olds Cade and Didier Alana Woods is mom to 4 year olds Rory and Ewan as well as big sister CeciliaAnd Amy Lowry is mom to 5-week old boys Declan and Hunter as well as big sister MaeraEach family has their own unique set of circumstances but they also experienced a lot of similarities. They’ve certainly shared some personal and heart-felt stories that anyone having babies would appreciate, but especially those with multiples.Here is my conversation with Vero, Alana and Amy about their sweet little boys and their experiences as moms of twins...Follow Ashley on Facebook and Instagram @birth_baby_sleepFor more information about the podcast and all of Birth Baby Sleep's offerings, head to www.birthbabysleep.ca. 

Send us a Text Message.When babies are first born, they need time to adjust.While your baby was in the womb, you were feeding them constantly, they were sleeping when they needed/wanted to, and they were physically attached to you. So, think of this time right after they’re born and for the next few months as them getting used to not needing you every single second of the every day… but as someone helping to keep them fed and rested, you’ll have to see yourself as having to almost constantly continue to meet your baby’s needs in the beginning. For today’s episode, we’re going to dissect some of my best tips to help you through the newborn phase, especially when it comes to helping your little one get their best sleep!The National Sleep Foundation states that on average, newborns need about 14-17hrs of sleep in a 24hr period but by no means is this sleep organized in any sort of way.  What is driving their sleep-wake cycles isn’t their circadian rhythm, but rather their growth/hunger/feeding needs are in the driver’s seat at this point in time. When talking about your average, “healthy” newborn, they’ll often go home from the hospital slightly under their birth weight and this is completely normal.. But they are expected to get back up to their birth weight by 2-weeks of age, then they need to double it by 4-6 months and triple it by a year! This is the fastest growing time in their extra-uterine lives - even faster then when they’ll go through puberty! So, babies need to be fed frequently to meet their growth demands and this undoubtedly impact YOUR sleep needs, which can be really tough. When you’re only getting a couple of 1-2 or maybe a 3hr stretch of sleep all night long, it can make those days feel a lot longer and tougher than we’d all like them to be.Your newborn’s sleep may seem a bit erratic and often unpredictable, but this is normal in those first few months as they adjust and work on gaining that weight they need. Luckily, there are still some things you can do to help your newborn get their best sleep possible and even help them to regulate it a bit more efficiently… so, let’s get into those, shall we?! Help them fall asleep. Because baby sleep is relatively disorganized, you have to help them work it out! Feeding, holding, bouncing, swaying, rocking or walking with them are all common, proven, and natural ways to help babies fall asleep.Encourage regular napping.  Newborns under about 6 weeks of age usually need to sleep every 45 minutes to an hour. For babies over 6 weeks of age you might aim for closer to 1-1.5hrs of awake time between naps during the day. If you find this to be a struggle, listen this next tip:Wear your baby. Use a carrier, wrap or sling to wear your baby if you canSleep on-demand. Let them sleep when they want, however long they wantSleep when they sleep (at least once a day)Even if you’re already thinking you might like your little one to be more of an independent sleeper later on when they’re capable of learning that skill, wearing/holding them and helping them sleep now WILL NOT ruin this dream of yours. You all just need some sleep right now, there’s a time and a place for practicing and working on those skills later on if need be. Dr. Links:- Harvey Karp is a pediatrician and writer of The Happiest Baby on the Block - Follow Ashley on Instagram and Facebook @birth_baby_sleep- Birth Baby Sleep Education and Support Services:

Send us a Text Message.When transitioning through naps can be a problem:Dropped too soon - thinking because they’re supposed to be sleeping a certain amount, because you heard that from someone, somewhere or because of circumstances like going to daycare.A nap is skipped once or twice, or perhaps you see your baby struggling through a nap, not napping as well or as long as they maybe used to, that kind of thing. While these can be reasons or a sign that your baby is ready to drop a nap, that doesn’t mean they are ready to fully commit. Here's what you should do (and not do!) to help support your baby during a nap transition:Keep as many naps, as long as you can. What I mean here is that even though there may have been a time or two when your baby skipped a nap or didn’t nap as well as you’re used to, jumping right to dropping a nap is unlikely to be the answer. So, what can you do instead? Provide an opportunity for that nap to happen when circumstances allow, like for instance on the weekends at home if a nap is dropped while at daycare, or on days when naps somehow weren’t as long as usual, so getting that 3rd nap in will be key to helping baby get to bedtime, for example. Speaking of, when it comes to dropping that last nap of the day, it’s good to have a cut-off time for when daytime sleep should end and time to switch to bedtime mode. This time frame is usually around 5:30pm for babies under 6 months, or 5pm for those over 6 months. So, you’ll be deciding on whether or not you’ll be aiming to put your baby down for another nap or bedtime, based on how long they typically stay awake for at that time and when they woke from their last nap - can you conceivably help your baby to fall asleep and know they’ll wake up again (from at least a 20-30 minute cat nap) by 5pm? Then go for the nap. If the answer is No, then opt instead for an early bedtime!And this definitely needs to happen when naps are being dropped. This is the 2nd thing you should do to help support your baby through a nap transition is to bring bedtime forward by at least an hour on days when that last nap is missed. This is essential to ensuring your baby doesn’t get too overtired which can lead to tougher bedtimes, more frequent overnight wake-ups or an earlier than desired morning wake-up call!The thing with the 2 to 1 nap transition is it’s not the last nap of the day that’s actually being dropped, it’s the first. But while many babies will wake early enough that waiting until midday to get some shut-eye again is just too long of a stretch, so they end up with a later morning nap which creeps too late into the morning, pushing that afternoon nap back to start too late in the afternoon, making it so baby ends up skipping this afternoon nap. And then they're loosing their minds by late afternoon and bedtime either also goes to shit or they do pass out pretty well but then they’re up all night or waking super early again, continuing with the cycle of crap naps!So, what should you do? Cap that morning nap. This is one of the only times I would say to cap a nap to ensure that afternoon nap is had. It’s that afternoon nap that needs to stick around and it’s that afternoon nap that will keep them from losing their shit!While the timing of this can look different for different babies, but depending on the situation I’ll generally advise to cut off the morning nap by 10:30p-10:45am to ensure a 1:30-2pm start to the 2nd nap. Usually this is about as late as you can go (just to START the 2nd nap) without it messing with bedtime and most babies will still be able to get to sleep by then. IF THIS MEANS YOU HAVE TO WAKE THEM UP BY A CERTAIN TIME IN THE MORNING, THEN DO IT. 

Send us a Text Message.Breastfeeding may be a natural way to feed a baby, but that doesn't mean it always comes easy. In fact, the more you're in the know about breastmilk, how your body responds to baby and just really how beneficial it is, the better prepared you'll be and the more likely you can achieve your breastfeeding goals.When I asked the @birth_baby_sleep followers on Instagram and Facebook what stressors they've encountered on their breastfeeding journey, a large majority of them were based on breastmilk supply and baby's latch on the breast. I might know a thing or two about breastfeeding - I do teach a class on it and I breastfed all of my three children for a combined 4 years of my life. But, who better to engage in conversation about this with then a Certified Lactation Consultant? Kylie Field, IBCLC of The Nurturing Touch has been an amazing resources for those in the Halifax area for many years. She and I met very early on in my career as a birth, baby and sleep specialist and I've heard nothing but positive things from those who've sought out her services. If you are someone who is breastfeeding, or hope or plan to breastfeed, this episode is a must-listen. Here are the links to the website mentioned and info on menstruation and breastfeeding:https://breastfeeding.support/https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/natural-treatments/http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2020/5/25/milk-production-and-menses-whats-the-connectionFor more information about Ashley and all that Birth Baby Sleep has to offer, head to www.birthbabysleep.ca 

Send us a Text Message.Welcome to Season 2 of the Bringing Up Baby podcast! I’m so happy to be back on a more regular basis after taking some time to enjoy family visits and camping trips… But today we are chatting yet again with Maria Radelich and Shannon Platt of Pelvico Fitness and Rehabilitation!For this episode we focussed on the postpartum period - specifically the process of your body and pelvic floor “re-grouping” after labour and how to properly ease back into exercise, or even just moving your body more - which as we know, has plenty of benefits.You’re in for a treat with this episode because whenever I get together with these ladies, our conversations tend to REALLY GO THERE. So get ready for a raw and honest conversation on BIRTH, your PELVIC FLOOR, and the POSTPARTUM period… with a special little announcement from yours truly, as we embark on a new kind of support for women having babies. 2:13    -     Shannon talks about how's she's doing during her postpartum period this time around as a 2nd time mom. 4:44    -     A bit of Shannon and baby Cole's birth story now that she has so much more knowledge of her pelvic floor. 15:40  -   "Bearing down" during the pushing phase of labour - how you breathe or hold your breath in a helpful way.17:16  -   We're talking about POOP! 23:18   -   Rehabilitation after labour and delivery - Shannon's postpartum check-up in Maria's office. Find them on Instagram @pelvicofitness - it's in their account highlights!25:20   -   Why and how mama's who've had a planned C-Section should think about their pelvic floor as well.28:33   -   Pelvico's programs - find them at pelvico.ca    -    A new offering for women during the prenatal and postnatal stages through the early parenting years. Mental health and staying connected is really, really important. Check out the Halifax Perinatal Support Network group on Facebook and join us NOW!For more about Ashley and Birth Baby Sleep's services, head to birthbabysleep.ca and follow her on Facebook and Instagram @birth_baby_sleep. 

Send us a Text Message.While we’re not talking about babies here today, we are talking about having those babies - more specifically, how to prepare for labour and delivery from the standpoint of exercise and your pelvic floor.Learning about anything having to do with the pelvic floor during pregnancy was just NOT something that was discussed when I started having babies just over 8 years ago. Actually, the only thing I do remember hearing about is how important it is to do your kegels, but apparently there is way more to it than that.Also, when I started having babies, I was so nervous to exercise. I was fairly active pre-kids and I did try to keep it up during my pregnancies, but after having struggled a bit to actually get pregnant, I was just way too worried because I didn’t have enough GOOD information.Well, lucky for you - that’s why we’re here today and why this podcast is here! To give you all the info I wish I had ;)Anyway, I’ve been really looking forward to sharing this conversation I had with the Pelvico team not too long ago, with Maria Radelich and Shannon Platt.Maria found her passion for rehabilitation and fitness when she completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology with Honours from Acadia University and then went on to complete her Masters in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University.Maria then went on to specialize in pelvic floor and core dysfunction, which led her to realize that many women and men didn’t really understand the core system and how to rehabilitate the core after injury or having a baby.Maria wanted to find ways she could help those of all body types, and dysfunction to workout in a way that was mindful of the core systems!One of her favourite groups to work with are postpartum moms learning about their bodies again and returning to exercise like running, Crossfit, weight lifting and sport!Shannon is a Life-long athlete. Grew up playing basketball,soccer, rugby but basketball was her passion as she played at St.FX for 4 years (co-captain), George Brown in Toronto for 1 year and then semi-pro in Toronto for one season. She’s done almost every kind of fitness in some capacity whether it's crossfit, spinning, cycling, marathons, or strength training. Shannon now has a 2 year old daughter, Sloane. And having been 'athletic' all her life she felt fairly body aware but still had questions as to what was safe/not safe during her pregnancy while working out. To help answer these questions, Shannon got her pre and postnatal fitness specialist certifications and personal training certification and soon after started Pelvico with Maria - all during her maternity leave! At the time of our recording, Shannon was about 37 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and as of our release date - baby is still hanging tight but will be here soon! So we’ll actually be chatting with Shannon a bit about how she’s preparing for her 2nd round of labour and delivery, knowing what she knows now.Maria, Shannon and I dove into topics like,Why is exercise important during pregnancy?What’s up with the pelvic floor during pregnancy? How does it change and how can you best help support it?What are the risks to exercising in pregnancy?What exercises are recommended during pregnancy and which are not?And we wrap up by learning more about what Pelvico has to offer you, both prenatally and postnatally, for all your exercise and pelvic floor needs.Find out more or get in touch:PelvicoBirth Baby Sleep 

Send us a Text Message.Have you felt this way too?Take these steps:Step #1: Listen to this bonus episodeStep #2: Listen to the Taking Care of You episode (#6) to fill in any blanks if you haven't yet!Step #3: Check out Wendy McCallum and listen to her Bite-Sized Balance PodcastFor more information about Ashley, the Bringing Up Baby podcast, and all of Birth Baby Sleep's offerings, head to www.birthbabysleep.ca and follow along on Instagram and Facebook @birth_baby_sleep .

Send us a Text Message.Do you want to know how to make the most of your baby's naps?How often should they be napping?How long should they be napping?How to lengthen their short naps? Are there particular times of day that are better for babies to nap? Breakdown of wake-windows, number of naps and general/ideal lengths of napsMonths 0-1 (until around 6-8 weeks of age)Wake windows (45mins - 1hr)Napping 24/720 minutes to 3hrs+ (wide range!)Months 2-3Wake windows (45-1.5hrs)Up to 5-6 naps per day30 minutes - 2hrs+ (depends on the baby, depends on the day!)Months 4 &5 - start to see a bit of regularityWake windows (1.5-2/2.5hrs)3 or 4 napsAiming for 2 longer naps (first 2) and 1-2 short, “cat naps” Months 6-8Wake windows (1.5 - 3hrs)Biological ‘Sleep Waves’ (around 9am and 12pm)3 naps going down to 2 (at least 1-1.5hrs long each)Months 9-12On 2 naps a day (at least 1-1.5hrs each)Roughly around 9am and 1pmWake windows look like 2-3-4 or up to 3-3-4Months 13-18Dropping down to 1 nap a day, which will end up being somewhere within 12-1pm Ideally at least 1.5hrs but sometimes short at first or at daycare! → There is no need to count or restrict naps before 4 months of age.  → After ~4 months of age, it is great if babies can get at least 2.5hrs of daytime sleep (min) → There is no limit to daytime sleep! Unless it could be causing an issue overnight. → Make sure your baby is sleeping regularly, based on their (adjusted) age  → Wake Windows are KEY to naps Please remember that it is very COMMON and NORMAL for younger babies to have shorter naps. Some babies are perfectly capable and do have longer naps (over an hour) by 4 months of age, but honestly, most aren’t doing that, until well into their 4th, 5th or sometimes even 6th month. So just because your baby is having short naps, even if they’re older than this… go back and ask yourself those three questions:  How is my baby’s behaviour throughout the day? How easy/challenging is it to get my baby to sleep?Is their overnight sleep being impacted (more wake-ups, difficulty getting back to sleep, super early wake-up calls) If everything’s going just fine and the only issue with those short naps is a bit of a nuisance, you’re still in good standing there,  mama ;)  But, if you’re not sure or you think some changes do need to happen in the nap department, Please get in touch and I may be able to help out ;)Ashley Cooley - Birth Baby and Sleep Specialistwww.birthbabysleep.caInstagram HERE  Facebook  HERE 

Send us a Text Message.I’m not going to spend much time telling you about this episode, because you just need to listen to it. Not too long ago, I had the amazing opportunity to catch up with Wendy McCallum. Wendy is a Professional Coach & Corporate Wellness Expert and the host of the Bite-Sized Balance Podcast.Wendy teaches busy professionals (many of whom are approaching burnout) how to reclaim time for themselves, reduce stress, build healthier habits, and increase their daily joy in the process.  She is also a Certified Naked Mind Alcohol Coach who helps clients find freedom from alcohol and other unhealthy coping habits.As a Coach & Corporate Wellness Expert, Wendy speaks with honesty & empathy, and has helped hundreds of people cultivate healthier habits & coping mechanisms.She supports her private clients in preventing and recovering from burnout, and establishing a healthier, more satisfying work/life balance.More information on her coaching & consulting services can be found at www.wendymccallum.com. You can find her podcast, Bite-Sized Balance wherever you listen to podcasts.Wendy and I had THE BEST conversation and we tied our discussions around burnout and balance as they pertain to the busy lifestyles we have as parents/caregivers. But I do want to say that the line between burnout and something like postpartum depression can be a little grey, so if you’re feeling like maybe this could be something more then you should absolutely make an appointment with your doctor to discuss (or better yet, if you’re not sure, check on it anyway!). Trust me, it’s worth it. Now, normally I do a Mental Health Minute at the end of each episode, where we tie in our topic and relate it to our mental health, but well, This entire episode is a mental health minute! Actually, it’s more like an hour - so definitely longer than my other episodes, but there was no way I was going to break up this conversation and have you miss ANYTHING. But by the end of it, I bet you’re going to feel really empowered to help bump yours up a couple more notches ;)After listening to this episode, I’d love it if you’d share what resonated most with you. As always, you can always find me at www.birthbabysleep.ca or on social media @birth_baby_sleep. And for Wendy’s burnout checklist, head to www.wendymccallum.com/checklist 

Send us a Text Message.How to work about baby's sleep needs while getting outside or working around travel or appointments. Follow Ashley onInstagram @birth_baby_sleepFacebook @birthbabysleepTo find out more about her services and to get the New Baby Sleep Guide, click hereGuests:Jenn Currie - mom@outdoorsyjennChris Surette - dad@chris_suretteHutton - babynot yet on the Gram.A-For-Adventure site Parks Canada article Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site CampingIsn’t it nice when you get to take baby to the beach or walk a favourite trail nearby? Actually, taking a walk Anywhere or just getting out of the house is going to prove to be beneficial to you and your baby. BUT…Do you ever feel like you’re a slave to all the naps?!Maybe you have a newborn and you’re wondering how you might start venturing outside now that you have your baby and his/her needs to consider?Maybe you recently “sleep trained” or your baby is on a pretty regular sleep schedule and you’re worried how to continue this great sleep somewhere other than their own crib all the time?Or maybe your baby and your situation don’t fit into any of these categories but you’re wondering about how to best help them sleep during times like:Staying somewhere newTravelling - on those long car ridesWorking around appointmentsAnd yes, Bringing Baby Camping - because the season is coming and what a great way to get out and enjoy all the benefits being out in nature has to offer!But listen, some babies seem to have a bit more of a go-with-the-flow vibe, but I’ll tell you, that’s not the norm. Unless they’re an infant because usually infants are pretty portable - but honestly many babies do prefer a solid routine/schedule/pattern to their sleep. It’s what keeps them in balance, allows them to be their most pleasant selves during waking hours and are better able to sleep soundly when needed. So, for anyone out there with a baby and you’re looking for ideas on how to get that baby out without it totally messing up their sleep or vibe, this one’s for you!

Send us a Text Message.To find out more about Ashley, visit birthbabysleep.ca or find her on Facebook and Instagram @birth_baby_sleep. What we know about babies and how to best meet their needs has come a long way over the past few decades. While I can throw out at least a dozen changes and myths that have gone on in the sleep world, I think there are even more misconceptions in the baby-feeding world. So When I first started thinking about who I might have as a guest on this show, my mind immediately went to Edwena Kennedy of My Little Eater.Edwena is a mom of two and the registered pediatric dietitian behind My Little Eater™, a platform that helps families feel confident raising healthy little eaters. She offers online courses for Baby Led Feeding and Feeding Toddlers and has helped thousands of parents reduce stress and set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating.Edwena and I dove into a number of different topics, from whether or not the number of teeth your baby has matters when it comes to their eating certain solid foods to when/how often baby should getting solids while still incorporating breastmilk or formula. We also get into what the deal is with offering water to babies and what this whole debate is about when it comes to sippy cups?!Did you know that the only food a baby needs in the first 6 months of life is breastmilk or formula? The answers to all of these topics might surprise you, and Edwena breaks it down in a way that we can really understand it. She gives us practical tips on how best we can support baby on this journey to eating solids and what THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOVE ANYTHING ELSE IS when it comes to food. Edwena and I started our conversation with discussing the recommendation by Health Canada, The WHO, AND the American Academy of Pediatric’s that the introduction to “other” foods or solid food not be before 6 months of age. Here’s what Edwena had to say about why that is and why you might actually be hearing different advice out there.Now onto this week’s Mental Health Minute, Edwena actually joined me in this conversation as we talked about the social pressure that many parents feel when it comes to the kinds of foods to offer baby - whether that be starting baby on purees or going the baby-led weaning way where you’re giving baby properly portioned piece of food… Or homemade food vs. store-bought… Edwena has had tons of experiences talking to her clients about this and she has something really valuable to share that I hope helps bring you peace of mind.I love how Edwena talked about that it’s really about the experience, the coming together as a family to eat meals together whenever possible, and the conversations that are being had about food.This is the stuff that they carry with them through adulthood that can have a profound impact on their health and well-being… not necessary the fact that they had rice puffs for dinner that one time ;)  That’s all for today’s show! For more information about Edwena Kennedy and the My Little Eater program, check out mylittleeater.com and find her on Facebook and Instagram As always, if you have any questions about our topic today or ANYTHING baby related, head on over to birthbabysleep.ca/podcast and fill out an entry form. Don't forget to check out the New Baby Sleep Guide and New Baby Support Package!

Send us a Text Message.For more information, check out www.birthbabysleep.ca Katherine is a Health Promotion Specialist for Child Safety Link – a children’s injury prevention centre at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With unintentional injury as the leading cause of death in Canadian children, with injuries to children in motor vehicle collisions being at the top of this list...Katherine’s work focuses on child passenger safety.  She is also the president of the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada, a national not-for-profit that focuses on training and advocacy.I’m fortunate to have had Katherine as my trainer when becoming a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (aka “car seat techs”) - we are volunteers that can help you safely install your child’s car seat. I’ve since had the pleasure of speaking with Katherine about car seat safety for children and we dove into a very important topic that comes up a lot with babies - namely how long is too long to be in a car seat and what should you do (and not do!) if your baby falls asleep in said car seat. Because we know that happens. Sometimes we go for a drive or a walk with a baby in the car seat for the sole purpose of getting them to sleep, so I totally get the struggle here… but there are some safety risks to be mindful of and we’re going to dive into that a little bit. ...Mental Health MinuteI DO NOT want you to feel like you can NEVER allow your baby to sleep in the car seat. Going down this rabbit hole will only make you feel less than a great parent, but you are a great parent! We’re all going to make decisions based on our own experiences, knowledge and cultural or environmental influences. As always, I want you to have all the facts so that you can make the best informed decisions you can when necessary.So, what are the FACTS?Well, The safest position for babies to sleep in is on their backs on a firm, flat surface. For babies under 1 year of age, you should always place your baby on his/her back for sleep.Babies MUST be in a certified car seat that is approved by the country of origin and they must be in the car seat at all times when travelling in a motorized vehicle. So now, how do we make decisions based on this information? Here are just a few options to give you some examples:If you are planning on going for a walk with baby with the hopes of he/she squeezing in a nap…Can you use a carrier instead?Or if you have the equipment, some stroller/seat combos have a bassinet that lays flat instead of the traditional car seat. So lying flat while out for a stroll might be an option for some people. If these are not options, or if you are driving while baby fall asleep in the car seat...Limit travel time as much as possible, definitely not going over 2hrs Take breaks when necessaryTake baby out of the car seat once you’ve reached your destination and transfer them to a safer sleeping surface, like their cribIf for some reason baby had to stay in his/her car seat while sleeping (FOR A SHORT PERIOD), do not unclip them as their harness helps to keep them in a safer position.And AS ALWAYS when it comes to babies in car seats - make sure they are installed correctly and baby is harnessed safely every time, for every ride.Links:For more information about safety regulations and information on anything related to babies and children, check out Child Safety Link’s website here.And to find a Certified Car Seat Tech, visit the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada’s website

Send us a Text Message.While Bringing Up Baby is technically a bi-weekly show, I just had to bring you this extra bit of uplifting info from Sharyn Timmerman. Sharyn is a Child Behaviour Specialist, who works in children’s behaviour from birth to the early teen years. Her career began over 30 years ago with an Early Childhood Education degree and she is now the founder of The Early Years Family Development Center and she coaches parents through a wide variety of childhood stages She has created and delivers many parenting workshops, like the “Tools in your Pocket” series, as well as staff training programs in the pre-school and elementary school environment. She’s also the Founder and Director of “The Child Behavior Certification Program”.  Which is a 14 week course specializing in certifying child behavior specialists across Canada, The United States, Russia and Europe. Sharyn is a faculty member of the “Family Sleep Institute” which is actually where we were first connected, as well as the National Association For The Education of Young Children, the Canadian Association of Early Childhood Educators and the International Association of Child Sleep Consultants. Her guiding principles come from the idea that “there are answers to every problem. She provides a safe place where parents can see the great things they are doing, learn new skills along the way and bring life to learning for their children.” If you want to feel good about your parenting and hear about some ways to foster secure attachment as baby grows up, this is a must listen!If you have any questions about today’s show, or any of our shows, please head over to birthbabysleep.ca/podcast and fill out the entry form. Questions about baby in general? Throw them in there too and I just may do an episode for them ;) Ashley's website: www.birthbabysleep.ca New Baby Sleep Guide: found here(10% off code: newbaby)

Send us a Text Message.I think you’re going to like this one. It’s important, it can be really simple and what we’re about to talk about will probably squash a lot of myths floating around out there.Today we’re talking about Attachment. Attachment is the relationship your baby has with you, their primary caregiver  There is an ever growing body of research that tells us THIS is the really important part about parenting. As explained by attachment theory, this relationship that we cultivate with our children during their first years of life plays a key role in how they develop socially and emotionally… even how they experience their own relationships as adults!In this episode, we uncover all kind of things about secure attachment, for instance...- what it is, how to get it and foster it as your baby grows - how it differs from "attachment parenting"- what types of insecure attachment there are and where they come fromAnd we'll uncover some popular myths, like:*Secure Attachment and How You Feed Your Baby - 12:36*Secure Attachment and Sleep Training - 13:53Read more about Attachment on my blog here: https://www.birthbabysleep.ca/blog/secure-attachment-how-to-foster-itMental Health MinuteWhether you have one baby on your hands or several, juggling the demands of life and parenthood is constantly evolving but pretty is consistently busy for most of us. We can’t be expected to be all things at all times to everyone. No one is expecting you to be super-human and catch every cue and have the ideal response every single time.And sometimes creating and fostering secure attachment with your baby feels challenging or maybe even impossible…Mom guilt is a real thing, But sometimes this stuff affect us more deeply and it’s something that needs attention. More of YOUR attention, and more of your health care provider’s attention. It’s important to be honest with yourself and others, and to reach out for help if you need it. Talking to your partner or a loving family member, and your doctor are great places to start. Remember, it takes A LOT to break attachment. Whether you are away from your baby for a short time, are having an “off” day, you’re needing to give your baby a bottle or decide to sleep train… these won’t break it, and you’ve got everything it takes to foster it :)Want my New Baby Sleep Guide? Or maybe a full on New Baby Support Package that includes a Q&A with me?Visit www.birthbabysleep.ca Instagram @birth_baby_sleep Facebook @birthbabysleepIf you find you are struggling to achieve or maintain secure attachment (or any attachment for that matter) with your baby, please reach out for help and support. Contact your doctor, or call 911 or visit an emergency room if your care should be immediate. 

Send us a Text Message.This episode breaks down all the potential reasons your baby could be waking up in the night, so you can play detective and maybe even start to learn how to decrease those extra or "unnecessary" wake-ups. We'll be covering things like:- Hunger- Illness- Diapers- Temperature- Light vs. Darkness- Bedtimes- Daytime SleepAnd all the while, I'll be giving you tips on how to work around these potential issues.**Disclaimer: Any reference to age refers to a baby’s true or adjusted age. This means that if a baby was born more than a week before his/her due date, it’s usually best to adjust their age based more on their estimated due date when it comes to expectations regarding being ready for certain things like solid food or reaching milestones - including sleep ones! Also, these tips are geared towards babies over 4 months of age. The reasons listed above for waking overnight can still be applied to newborns/infants (first 3 months), but it's important to never try to restrict or eliminate wake-ups for this age group. Looking for more? Check out birthbabysleep.ca where you’ll find new baby resources, prenatal classes and sleep support during the childhood years. You’ll also find me on Facebook and Instagram @birth_baby_sleepDon’t forget to Subscribe! And remember to leave a review or a rating so that others can find us.www.birthbabysleep.ca

Send us a Text Message.There are a lot of great resources and information out there for us to take in to help us learn about babies, there’s also a lot of noise and MISinformation. I’m here to help you sift through it all so that you can make the best INFORMED decisions possible for YOUR baby and YOUR family. Your days are busy and your time is precious, so each episode is designed to be short and sweet so the information is easily digestible and something to take in on-the-go if necessary. We’re going to explore a wide variety of topics and breakdown top recommendations on things like feeding, sleep, attachment, safety and so much more. We are here to share information and give practical tips to help you get through baby’s first year and beyond. If you’re looking to learn more about your baby, gain more confidence in your parenting, and get as much sleep as you can through it all, you’ve come to the right place.