Recent Articles
The Power Of Goal-Setting
Goal-setting is an important and powerful process for seeing your dreams realized. In order to be successful in the goal-setting process, you should set SMART goals. These goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realizable, and time-bound. Goals help provide direction and give you a sense of control over your life.
Maternity Leave Rights According to the FMLA
According to law, you cannot be fired for being pregnant. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) strictly regulate U.S. employers, preventing them from laying off employees because of pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions. Read on to find out more about your rights during maternity leave.
The Best Breastfeeding Positions
Breastfeeding a newborn is very different to breastfeeding a six-month-old or even a 3-month-old baby. Learn which positions are best for breastfeeding your newborn, what a good latch feels like, different techniques for achieving a deeper latch, and how to know when your baby is full.
Let’s Talk About Change
One thing we can be sure of is that change is the only constant in our lives. Change often creates fear, uncertainty, and insecurity about our future. However, our resistance to this change either causes us to stagnate, or it causes us to be battered by unforeseen circumstances. It’s analogous to a surfer in the waves. You are either riding the waves or failing to act, you will be dumped by them.
Your Baby At Five Months Old
The fifth month is usually a transitional time of exciting developments in your baby's life. His muscles have developed in preparation for sitting, crawling, and even standing with support. He can roll from his back to his tummy and is starting to make sounds reminiscent of speech. You will also have noticed that your baby has almost doubled her birth weight. Read on to find out more about what you can expect in the fifth month.
Diastasis Recti Exercises
During pregnancy, our bodies do a lot of incredible things to accommodate our growing baby. Our abdomen muscles expand and separate as the linea alba (or connective tissue between the abdominis recti muscle) stretches. After giving birth, you may notice an indentation in the middle of your belly, in the region of your “six-pack” area. For some moms, this separation is excessive and is known as diastasis recti.
Abdominal Distension in Babies
Abdominal distension occurs when substances, such as air (gas) or fluid, accumulate in the abdomen causing its expansion. It is typically a symptom of an underlying disease or dysfunction in the body, rather than an illness in its own right.
Your Baby At One-Month-Old
You’ve made it through four weeks of parenting a new-born! Most parents don’t realize how difficult having a baby can be, and the first month of parenting can be a shock to the system. The sleepless nights, trying to get used to the two-hourly feeding sessions, worrying about the color of your baby’s poop can all be overwhelming, to say the least.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Human beings have compared themselves to others since the beginning of time. It is an inbuilt tendency of the mind, and in some ways, it can be helpful. It can give you a blueprint for improvement and inspire you to change, but at other times, comparisons can be a means to pick yourself apart. For example, recognizing the similarities you have with others can help you feel connected, validated, and supported. But for the most part, comparing yourself to others can leave you feeling inadequate and alone.
Letting Go of Mom Guilt
Most of us wonder (all the time) if the way we are parenting our children is right. Worsened by the consistent bombardment of parenting advice through social media, parenting blogs, well-meaning parents, and friends, we’re left feeling completely inadequate. Add a global pandemic, which means working from home AND homeschooling children, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for mom-guilt.
Your Baby At Two Months Old
The eight-week mark is usually an exciting milestone for new parents. At this stage, you may notice that your baby occasionally flashes you an adorable smile and is beginning to recognize different faces. You've also made it through the toughest stage of newborn parenting, with the sleepless nights, learning how to breast (or bottle) feed, and adjusting to a new family dynamic. You'll be glad to know that within four to six weeks; your baby will begin to sleep through the night (or at least give you a bigger break between feeds) and learns new skills every day.
How Many Naps Should My Baby Get?
Let’s dive deeper into four different age categories and discuss your child’s sleep as they transition through each developmental stage. Often, the number of naps will be dictated by the amount of awake time they can tolerate. So as your child grows month by month, they can slowly add more wake time to their days.
Bullying in the Workplace
The Workplace Bullying Institute estimates that approximately 54 million American workers are victimized by bully behavior at some point in their careers. Dr. Judy Blando of the University of Phoenix found that up to 75% of workers are impacted directly or indirectly by bullying in the workplace. Dr. Hornstein, a social psychology professor at Columbia University Teachers College, noted that as many as 20 million Americans face daily workplace abuse.
Postpartum Exercises
After the birth of your baby, there’s a good chance that you are keen to get moving again but are feeling overwhelmed with all the new challenges the postpartum period presents. You may be reeling from pregnancy hormones, swelling in your feet, excess weight, and a heavy feeling in your pelvic floor, never mind recovering from a C-section, diastasis recti, or postpartum depression.
Improving Your Feelings of Self-Worth
Can you really and truly say that you love yourself and are proud of who you are? If that’s not something you can fully embrace, you are not alone—and there is nothing wrong with you! Lacking self-confidence and experiencing feelings of low self-worth are actually more common than most of us realize, especially for women. And this is compounded tenfold when we become mothers.
Returning To Work While Still Breastfeeding
One of the biggest concerns you may have about returning to work after maternity leave is maintaining your breast milk supply. For most moms, the only option is taking out time every few hours to pump. Many organizations realize the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and their infants and have discovered the cost savings and increase in productivity are worth creating supportive breastfeeding environments. Talk to your boss and co-workers about your decision to breastfeed and what you need to make this possible.
Meaning Over Happiness
Few things seem more natural than wanting to be happy. In fact, most people strive for happiness over many other life goals. While it may seem reasonable that happy people have more friends, enjoy more career success and live longer happier lives, there are some surprising negative consequences to seeking happiness alone. Happiness is essentially a narrow and short-lived experience related to what is happening in our immediate circumstances. Meaning is a culmination of our past, present, and future experiences, and its earnest pursuit results in emotional resilience, grit, and personal development.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Prolapse is a common condition where the pelvic organs (such as the bladder, uterus, and sometimes bowel) drop down into the vaginal space. About a third of all women are affected by prolapse or similar conditions over their lifetime. It can be a devastating condition that affects one's emotional health and causes social discomfort and isolation. The good news is that in most cases, it can be successfully treated.
Pumping Tips - Pump like a Pro
Breast pumps have come a long way in recent years, and you now no longer need to sacrifice style or convenience. Studies show that pumping reduces stress and releases endorphins, the chemicals that regulate feelings of love and happiness. Regardless of whether you are pumping to initiate milk supply or maintain an established supply, use these tips to work out the kinks and Pump like a Pro.
All About Swaddles
Swaddling helps babies transition from being in the cozy confined space of the womb to adapting to the outside world. It provides comfort, security, and warmth in the early months. The slight pressure of the swaddle around their bodies gives newborns a sense of security. As they grow, babies need to be weaned off the swaddle. Read on to find out more about swaddles and how to transition your baby off the swaddle.