Bringing Up Baby: Recent Episodes
Ashley
Ever notice how much information there is out there on what's best for your baby? Trying to sort through it all might leave you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated to say the least. This show is dedicated to helping you clear out the noise so you can figure out what is best for YOUR baby and YOUR family.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.
It's hot out there!
Let's get into some ways you can help Baby stay cool and comfortable so we can all rest easy.
From how to keep your house as cool as possible (if you don't have AC) to some safety concerns/guidelines when hanging out outside. This episode has it all!
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Perinatal Support Network | Membership
More than just giving you some options for preparing/helping your little one adjust to the upcoming time change, I’m sharing what scenarios could be best for who, but why even in some “best case scenarios,” there’s still going to be some kind of an adjustment. It’s all about how to adjust as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
This episode is my side of the discussion. Also highly recommend listening in to learn how to make this upcoming time change work for you if you’re currently dealing with early morning wake-ups!
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website | Instagram | Facebook
First, you really need to know that short naps aren't bad!!
BUT..... If you're looking for more information on how you can help your baby being to lengthen some of their naps, then this is the episode you need!
While the timing of naps and the pre-sleep routines you have in place can also play a role in how long a nap might be, I'm diving into the how-to's of how to help your little one nap a little longer.
Take some notes! This is a good one.
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Another quick episode to give you the goods on all things WHITE NOISE.
I'm diving into my top 5 tips for white noise, from the sounds that are most helpful to those that aren't, keeping baby safe and making sure it's effective.
For any questions or to continue this conversation, reach out any time or join our Bringing Up Baby Community! Details HERE.
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Instagram | Facebook | Website
In this episode, I'm chatting with counselling therapist and music therapist Mackenzie Costron. Mackenzie approaches her work with clients in a very unique and interesting way, so we wanted to highlight this aspect of her work, while also discussing certain ailments or struggles we may find ourselves with during pregnancy + beyond.
I hope you get something from this episode! Whether that's acknowledgement that this can be a challenging time in our lives (as much as it is also joyous), understanding that we can look at symptoms or challenges as our bodies trying to tell us something, or learning about how music therapy could be beneficial.
Guest: Mackenzie Costron, owner of Find Your Voice Music Therapy
Find her on Instagram, her website or with the Perinatal Wellness Centre
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Join us in our Perinatal Support Network. It's free and we're here for information, support and resources along your pregnancy & postpartum journey.
It's about time we dove into this topic, isn't it?!
Meet Amanda Kingsmith. She and her husband travel ALL OVER and with their little one in tow! So, if there was anyone who could speak to traveling with babies, it's Amanda!
We're diving into topics like the best toys and ways to keep Baby busy while traveling, sleeping arrangements, traveling by plane and vehicles both short and loooonnnngggg distances. Basically, this episode has it all!
Guest: Amanda Kingsmith
Instagram | Website (The World Wanderers)
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Instagram | Website | Membership
This episode brings you a conversation I had with Danielle Abbott about budgeting with Baby!
Danielle gives us some really insightful tips and strategies to save for big ticket items (like maybe fertility treatments or a particular item for Baby), how to plan for things like parental leave or what you can do if you're deciding whether or not to go back to work after your leave, and so much more!
This is not a conversation to miss and I think really timely given the New Year. Let's take a look at our financial situation and see if we're in tip top shape! If not, Danielle is someone you definitely should meet.
Guest: Danielle Abbott, owner of Damsel Financial Coaching
Website | Instagram
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website | Instagram
Join our Perinatal Support Network! It's free and it's where you'll find a HUGE list of resources to support you along your pregnancy/postpartum journey, and how you'll find out about our in-person drop-in groups. We're also there to share info, ask questions and get support, Come join us!
I know what you're thinking... How is Perimenopause related to what you're going through right now??
Well, to some of you, this is EXTREMELY relevant.
To others, it will be relevant much sooner than you may think.
So today, Dr. Jennifer Salib Huber, RD ND is going to help us understand what perimenopause is and how will we know we're in it (especially if we're newly postpartum!!).
We also get into some of the myths about peri/menopause and what women can do to help minimize their side-effects when the time comes.
Save this episode for future reference!!
GUEST: Jennifer Salib Huber, RD, ND
The Menopause Nutritionist
Instagram
Website
HOST: Ashley CooleyBirth, Baby and Sleep Specialist
Instagram
Website
Join our Perinatal Support Network! It's FREE!!
This one's for the "older" babies... Those 10-11-12+ month olds who are skipping their afternoon nap but ARE NOT READY to drop to one nap a day.
Listen to this episode first, BEFORE you decide they're done with their 2nd nap.
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Instagram
Website
Join my conversation with Registered Social Worker, Alison Sanford Thomas as we discuss perinatal anxiety --> That anxiousness that can pop up when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and/or postpartum.
We're chatting about Intrusive Thoughts, how this can affect men as well and how it might present itself, and most importantly... where you can get support and treatment!
For more information about our Perinatal Support Network, come check us out!
Guest: Alison Sanford Thomas
Instagram
Website (Bloom Psychotherapy)
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Instagram
Website
In this episode, Birth and Postpartum Doula, Shandelle Ferguson and I are chatting about infant formula - from the different types to how to safely prepare it. We also chat a bit about the impact that feeding your baby formula can have on a parent, whether that's something that needed to happen or was chosen.
For more information about feeding your baby formula, check out these resources:
Health Canada - Preparing and Handling Powder Infant Formula
IWK's Infant Formula: What You Need To Know
GUEST: Shandelle Ferguson
Blossom and Birth Website I Instagram
HOST: Ashley Cooley
Birth Baby Sleep Website I Instagram
Join the Bringing Up Baby membership for just $34/month!! Inside you'll learn even more about your baby (especially their sleep!!) and get all the support and guidance you need from an amazing group of parents and a certified baby and sleep specialist.
In this episode, we're uncovering:
- What overtiredness is
- How it can present itself in babies and kids
- How it impacts their sleep
- What you can do about it!
If you have any questions or want to learn more about how we can help you reach your sleep dreams, reach out anytime over on Instagram @birth_baby_sleep or check us out on birthbabysleep.ca
If you have a pet and you'll someday be coming home with a baby (or two or more), this is a MUST LISTEN!
Janis Wall is a local Veterinary Technician and expecting her first baby very soon, so I was pumped to get the chance to speak with her about preparing cats and dogs for Baby's arrival. She goes into a lot of great detail for both animals so there are lots of options for everyone.
Here are the articles she referenced for more information:
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=9109329
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8878633
For questions about the show, suggestions for episodes or to touch base about how Birth Baby Sleep can be of service to you, get in touch!
Ashley Cooley, HOST and owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Janis Wall, GUEST and Veterinary Technician
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch!
Instagram
Email: janisrwall@gmail.com
Whether you've already spent some time with your baby in the NICU or you're wondering what it may be like should you ever do - this episode will put you at ease!
Kate MacMillan is a nurse and IBCLC here in the Halifax area. She's been a nurse at the IWK Health Centre for 8 years and has some info to share!
Questions about the show or want to share your experiences with us?? Reach out any time on our website or social channels:
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website... Instagram... Facebook
Guest: Kate MacMillan, owner of Mayflower Lactation
Website... Instagram
Babies will actually wean from breastfeeding on their own, usually sometime between the ages of 2yrs and 5yrs.
But sometimes, WE want to get the ball rolling on this for various reasons.
This episode uncovers a few ways you can help you baby wean from the breast, and we even get into a bit of the cow's milk discussion FYI.
Curious about our Brining Up Baby community membership? Check out the details HERE.
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca
Instagram and Facebook @birth_baby_sleep
What did you learn about birth growing up?
Was your only experience with birth coming from the stories of others or what you saw in movies?
The messages we've received, the experiences we've had, the movies we've watched, the stories we've heard from others... These can all shape how we expect or think about how our own labour and delivery will go.
We're chatting with Birth and Postpartum Doula, Liz Burns about birth stories --> How we take them in, how we can process them and make sure they don't affect us in a negative way, and the importance of sharing our own.
Guest: Liz Burns, owner of Driftwood Doula
Website: www.driftwooddoula.com
Instagram @diftwooddoula
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca
Instagram and Facebook @birth_baby_sleep
Kristy and Kelsey are two physiotherapists in Halifax NS and they both work with individuals post-C-Section. Why might you want to see a physiotherapist after surgery? Take a listen!!
Host- Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
www.birthbabysleep.ca
Instagram
Facebook
When planning and preparing to have a baby, we don't often learn or know much about what it could be like if we need to have surgery to meet our little ones.
This episode is full of insightful and practical suggestions from two moms who've been there. While their stories may not reflect all the ways the labour and delivery process can go, there is still so much that you'll relate to and can understand even if you haven't had a C-Section yourself.
Thank you to Megan and Melissa for sharing their stories and insights with us!
Grab your headphones and head out for a walk, cuz this is a good one ;)
Host: Ashley Cooley, Owner/Operator of Birth Baby Sleep
Find out more about our services and offerings here:
Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca
Instagram & Facebook @birth_baby_sleep
This is a conversation you don't want to miss!
Abigail Barth is back to chat with us about the idea of Reparenting, which is essentially meeting the needs of your child-self that were not met when you were actually a child. This is available to anyone, but particularly used regarding childhood trauma AND/OR when people have their own children and begin to reflect on their experience of childhood.
Grab a pen and paper, and take a listen!
Guest: Abigail Barth, owner of Two Birds Counselling
Website
Instagram
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep Education & Support Services
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Curious about our Bringing Up Baby Community Membership - More info HERE.
Dayna, Lindsay and Katarina are all moms of toddlers and have also been or continue to be the only parent to their little ones.
They graciously opened up about navigating through life as the primary caretaker while transitioning back to work, dealing with daycare germs, decision making, middle-of-the-night-shenanigans, and about grieving the ideal of the typical nuclear family.
A really great conversation for everyone.
Would love to hear your thoughts! A rating or review go a long way for us :)
Host: Ashley Cooley
Birth Baby Sleep
website
instagram
facebook
The relationships we have with others can change over time, and nothing could be more true than when it comes to our friendships as we start having babies. Even more so if you're the first of your group of friends to have a baby!
In this episode, Lindsey and I are chatting about what we've noticed with our own friendships and how we've navigated these evolving relationships over the years. A big reason we're putting these conversations out there is so that we can all feel a little less alone or different for having experienced them :)
To find out more about Birth Baby Sleep or the Bringing Up Baby podcast, find us on our WEBSITE birthbabysleep.ca on Instagram or Facebook @birth_baby_sleep or email ashley@birthbabysleep.ca. We'd love your feedback and recommendations for future episodes if you have any!
We may not be therapists, but we're moms, professionals in the "baby world" and we're passionate about sharing what we know to help others along their journey through parenthood.
On this episode, Lindsey (new member of the BBS team!!) and I are chatting about what it's been like to navigate relationships with family members when it comes to caring for our little ones. We think a lot of you find yourselves in similar situations, so we thought we'd get the conversation started! We're also sharing some info & tips on how you can help keep those lines of communication open :)
Have questions or comments about the show? We'd love to hear from you! Please find us over on Instagram @birth_baby_sleep, over on our website or send us an email to ashley@birthbabysleep.ca.
This episode is full of so many ideas and practical ways parents can help support their little ones to meet their milestones. From rolling over and sitting up, to crawling and so much more.
Members of the Bringing Up Baby Community also have access to over 20 minutes of additional VISUAL content from Sam! For this and so much more, head over HERE to learn more about the BUB membership.
Guest: Sam Dawe, Physiotherapist and Owner of Halifax Kids Physio
Website: kidsphysio.ca
Instagram @halifaxkidsphysio
Host: Ashley Cooley, Owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website: birthbabysleep.ca
Instagram: @birth_baby_sleep
Serena Haines, a sex, intimacy and relationship expert is back! This time, she's sharing some really helpful suggestions and tips for parents to maintain or re-ignite their libido or "sex drive" for themselves and/or with their partners.
EVERYONE should give this a listen.
To follow Serena and learn more about her offerings, find her on:
Instagram @serena_haines
Twitter @serena_hanes
Website: serenahaines.com
Host: Ashley Cooley, Birth Baby Sleep
Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca
Instagram and Facebook @birth_baby_sleep
Join our Perinatal Support Network on Facebook or find out more about our Bringing Up Baby membership HERE.
Partners, listen up!!
Share this episode with your partner. They may relate and it might be helpful in some way :)
My husband and I are chatting about the births of our daughters, how different they were when we knew what we needed to know all along, and what it was like bringing home a newborn.
This is not an exhaustive list by any stretch, but these three truths get asked/talked about quite often in the business I'm in and I'd like to share them with you.
One has to do with sleep.
One has to do with breastfeeding.
One has to do with you.
Host: Ashley Cooley with Birth Baby Sleep
Instagram and Facebook @birth_baby_sleep
We all have those moments of overwhelm or feeling like we can't handle something, like the 3rd tantrum of the day or Baby's (and your) interrupted sleep.
But Nikole MacLellan, ND (aka, Dr. Kokes) approaches motherhood and her life in general with a very practical, supportive and motivating lense. So, I asked her to come on the show to talk about all of that and she shares some really helpful ways that we can all build more resiliency.
Find Dr. Kokes on Instagram @sportsdockokes
Her website: drkokesnd.com
Or at PROactive in Burnside, Dartmouth
Host of The Off Season Podcast
Host: Ashley Cooley of Birth Baby Sleep
Instagram
Facebook
How long your baby can stay awake for before they need to sleep again is always evolving.
They get older, their sleep needs change so their naps lessen and become less frequent, their ability to stay awake for longer periods increases… But this can literally be so different from one baby to the next.
In this episode, I'm going to breakdown the signs your baby may be ready to extend/change their wake windows and how you can do that without risking quality sleep!
Follow me on Facebook or Instagram @birth_baby_sleep !
For more information about our memberships and all that Birth Baby Sleep has to offer, head to birthbabysleep.ca
This episode is a great introduction to having a lower waste pregnancy and life with baby!
Meet Kate Pepler, owner of The Tare Shop in Dartmouth, NS.
Website: www.thetareshop.ca
Instagram: @thetareshop
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep Education & Support Services
Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca
Instagram: @birth_baby_sleep
Access to childcare has long been an issue here in Nova Scotia, but so has the cost. The Government has been rolling out a plan over the past year or so to make childcare not only more accessible to families, but to really be set up in a way that will best help little ones thrive.
Info from provincial government on finding child care: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/earlyyears/families/findchildcare.shtml#step1
NS Child Care Directory: https://nsbr-online-services.novascotia.ca/DCSOnline/ECDS/loadSearchPage.action
Information for families regarding changes to child care including a place to sign up for a newsletter: https://childcarenovascotia.ca/families
Guest: Jessie-Lee MacIsaac, Associate Professor at Mount Saint Vincent University
Find the Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre on Instagram HERE.
Host: Ashley Cooley, Birth Baby Sleep
Find me on Instagram HERE or on Facebook HERE.
Website www.birthbabysleep.ca
Membership www.birthbabysleep.ca/membership
From specific foods you can enjoy that will give you a boost to simple ways to make bumping up your nutrition game - our guest today is introducing us to small, simple and effective ways nutrition can help our post-baby selves.
For a bit more info on your Postpartum Hormones, check out that episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Guest: Rachel Hilts, RD
Website: rachelhiltsnutrition.com; pelvico.ca
Instagram: @rachelhiltsnutrition
Host: Ashley Cooley, owner/operator of Birth Baby Sleep
Website: Bringing Up Baby Community Membership
Instagram: @birth_baby_sleep
Facebook: @birthbabysleep
We're chatting with Halifax's The Toilet Training Coach on signs to look for for readiness, how-to's and best practices.
Guest: Victora Cernjak
The Toilet Training Coach
Find her on Facebook & Email to toilettrainingcoach@gmail.com
Host: Ashley Cooley
Birth Baby and Sleep Specialist
Instagram
Facebook
Website
We need to be having more of these kinds of conversations. So, this is me practicing what I preach!
It's not particularly jaw-dropping, but it might resonate with you more than you think.
Please share! You never know who may benefit <3
Host:
Ashley Cooley
Follow Birth Baby Sleep on Instagram or Facebook.
Check out our website HERE.
Find the Halifax Perinatal Support Network Facebook group right HERE.
Learn more about the Bringing Up Baby Membership HERE.
Keeping our little ones safe and staying on top of all the things they can get into can feel like a daunting task!
In this episode I'm chatting with Parachute Canada's President, Pamela Fuselli to learn about how we can help keep our kids safe, but not bubble-wrapped!
It's important that kids have the freedom to explore and learn through things like risky play, or walking to school, or playing with certain toys... But what are the dangers and how can we keep them safe while also letting them explore and learn? There's a balance, and we're diving into it!
Guest: Pamela Fuselli
Parachute Canada
Website
Podcast: Popping the Bubble Wrap
Host: Ashley Cooley
Birth Baby Sleep
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Halifax Perinatal Support Network
Bringing Up Baby Community Membership
Mabel was my low-intervention/zero-medication birth. It was a wild ride but I was PREPARED.
It's important to note that this labour (as well as my other two) were considered "normal" and "healthy" labours. There was never any concern over the baby's wellbeing or my own in these situations, which is a big reason why I am able to reflect back on those experiences with awe and amazement.
Sadly, this is not the case for everyone. Your right to feel seen, heard and valued during your birth experience can sometimes be pushed aside. This is not right by any means, but it does mean that you should prepare yourself so you'll be equipped to make informed decisions and be able to advocate for yourself if necessary. This is what I offer in my prenatal classes, offered virtually and in-person.
For more information on Birth Baby Sleep's prenatal classes, head over HERE.
Learn more about the Halifax Perinatal Support Network HERE.
Learn more about the Bringing Up Baby Community Membership HERE.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
www.birthbabysleep.ca
It's happening!
In less than a week, we'll be moving our clocks backwards by an hour. This means that those 6am wake-up calls become 5AM.
Take a listen to a straight-to-the-point episode to grab my top 3 strategies for dealing with the Fall time change, and 3 more tips to help you through any time change, any time ;)
Happy Sleeping!
For more information about Ashley and Birth Baby Sleep's offerings, head to www.birthbabysleep.ca or follow on Instagram @birth_baby_sleep
And for more information about the Bringing Up Baby Community Membership, head HERE!
This is an interesting one - at least to me!
Have a listen to the day I had my 2nd daughter, middle child, Frankie.
"She came out kissing the world."
Enjoy ;)
Host: Ashley Cooley
Birth Baby & Sleep Specialist
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Today we're talking about tongue ties with Halifax Chiropractor, Dr. Madison Baile.
We're breaking down what a tongue tie is, how to identify it in your baby, how to decide if it should be clipped or lasered and what treatment usually entails.
Guest: Madison Baile
Find her on Instagram or at Choice Health Centre or Brickyard Health in HRM.
Host: Ashley Cooley
Find her on Instagram or Facebook
Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca
Join the Bringing Up Baby Community Membership! Find out more HERE.
I've been asked a few times to share the stories of my daughters births, and you know I'm an open book! More importantly than that, I think there's always something to learn from our experiences.
Enjoy!
Reach out to Ashley any time for questions, feedback, or to inquire about Birth Baby Sleep's services!
Find us on Instagram, Facebook, or on our website.
Breastfeeding or chest-feeding is a job in and of itself but if you add pumping to the mix, it's a whole other ball game!
Listen in to this episode to get my Top 5 Tips for Pumping so that you can pump with confidence!
Here's a summary of what we're getting into in this episode:
- Try to wait until after the first 6 weeks to pump
- Milk-making hormone, prolactin surges overnight - best time to have baby on breast/chest
- Pumps are not as effective as a baby
- How long to pump for depending on if you're away from Baby or just building up storage
- How to yield more milk from the pump
If you're a breastfeeder/chest-feeder and are planning to pump, this is a must listen!
Questions about the show? Ask me!
Reach out any time via email ashley@birthbabysleep.ca
Check out our website www.birthbabysleep.ca
And follow/send me a DM on Facebook or Instagram @birth_baby_sleep
I welcome any and all questions and always happy to hear from you!
This episode is really eye-opening.
In the past, when I heard the term Birth Trauma, I never really understood what it meant but I figured it had to be bad. Something bad or really invasive went on during childbirth that would be a lot for someone to take in.
But now, after learning more over the years and talking to people like our guest, it's actually not so much what has happened, but more about how it may have affected someone.
So today, I chat with Abigail Barth, owner of Two Birds Counselling to talk about what Birth Trauma really is, how expectant parents can help set themselves up for a positive birth experience as much as possible, and ways they might be able to unpack how it made them feel.
Guest: Abigail Barth
Two Birds Counselling
Website
Instagram
Host: Ashley Cooley
Birth Baby Sleep
Website
Instagram
Facebook
We're taking the guilt and shame away from giving your baby a bottle.
Birth Baby Sleep
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Bringing Up Baby Podcast
Bringing Up Baby Community Membership
It's time for Part Two of my conversation with Serena Haines, Halifax's one and only sex and intimacy coach to talk about intimacy after baby.
Whether it's soon after the 6-week postpartum check-up or months/years later, sex and intimacy with ourselves and/or partner tends to take a back seat to the demands of parenthood and raining a new little human - and that's okay!
BUT, sex and intimacy is a very important part of our lives and shouldn't be ignored. So, Serena and I are bringing up topics that you NEED to think about and talk about with your partner...
What's the best lube to use for sex post-baby and which ones should be avoided?
How do you stay connected as a couple or stay in touch with yourself when mother/parenthood takes over?
There's soooo much good stuff in this episode. It's a conversation we're not having nearly enough and I hope gets you thinking about it more, in a good way ;)
For more information about our guest and where to find her:
Serena Haines
Website
Instagram
Ashley Cooley - Host
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Have questions about the show or want to share some feedback? Email ashley@birthbabysleep.ca .
In this 2-part series, I chat with Halifax's one and only Sex and Intimacy Coach, Serena Haines.
Serena shares a TON of helpful tips... so many that we had to split this up into two episodes!
So, for this first episode, we're talking about sex during pregnancy. 'Nuff said, am I right?
Part two on sex post-baby coming next!
Find Ashley (host) on Instagram and Facebook.
Find Serena (guest) on Instagram and Twitter.
Questions or comments about the show? Share them HERE.
Give us a follow and share this episode with a friend! Please tag @birth_baby_sleep as I'd love to see it ;)
Postpartum sexual health is such an important topic that we're just not talking enough about, am I right?!
Meet, Dr. Rachel Ollivier. She's a maternal and women’s health researcher and practicing Registered Nurse. She currently works as a travel nurse on various acute medical-surgical units across British Columbia and Nova Scotia and is also employed as a nurse on the women’s surgical unit at the IWK Health Centre.
She has also completed nursing work in both Zambia and Tanzania. Some of her previous awards include being named a Vanier Scholar and being recognized as one of Optimyz magazine’s Top 100 Health Care Leaders for 2021.
In March of this year, she completed her PhD in Nursing at Dalhousie University, where her research focused on exploring sexual health after birth using feminist poststructuralism.
Rachel and I dove into what her research is all about and some pretty significant findings. Take a listen and let me know what you think on Insta or Facebook @birth_baby_sleep.
Ashley Cooley
Birth Baby and Sleep Specialist
Website: BirthBabySleep.ca
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Instagram
One of the most googled searches for new parents or parents of young ones is HOW TO GET MY BABY TO SLEEP. And when you google this, A LOT is going to come up.
But what you’ll probably end up focussing on are these two things right here: sleep cues and wake windows.
Check out the Bringing Up Baby Community Membership!
Join the Halifax Perinatal Support Network group on Facebook!
Follow Birth Baby Sleep on Instagram and Facebook!
Check out our Website!
This show is all about normalizing seeking help.
Psychologist Madeleine Stobbe and I are talking about what it's like to struggle with mood or anxiety issues during the perinatal period (pregnancy and postpartum), also referred to as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).
Get in touch with Madeleine and to check out her resources HERE
Halifax Perinatal Support Network Facebook group
Postpartum Support International Website
Ashley Cooley, host.
Birth Baby & Sleep Specialist
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Edwena Kennedy of My Little Eater and I had a chance to reconnect recently for the Bringing Up Baby Community Membership (more info on that HERE) and I wanted to share a really detailed and helpful conversation we had around introducing solids to Baby.
Specifically, Edwena gives us some insight into the top allergenic foods and if/when/why/how to introduce them to your Baby. She also give us some concrete and practical examples of what to feed Baby along their journey of solid food introduction - so you don't want to miss it!
Host: Ashley Cooley, Birth Baby Sleep
Instagram
Facebook
Guest: Edwena Kennedy, My Little Eater
Instagram
What I’m bringing to you today is a little discussion on INFERTILITY.
I know this doesn’t seem like the typical thing you’d find on a podcast called Bringing Up Baby - but I know there are a lot of you out there who, like me, struggled to start or grow their family.
Whether or not you have, I can almost bet you know someone that has or maybe is currently (and you might not even know).
My husband and I were in the “trying but not trying” phase for a little while shortly after we got married, but then after a while thought, hmm we maybe should try a bit harder? We really want this!
So we did…
In the end, we’re very fortunate to have these three healthy girls - and while it both scares and excites me to watch them grow up, it’s not lost on me that it’s an absolute privilege to get to do so.
I know many women who have struggled to have a baby, some I’ve known for years, and others are new friends. One such friend, is the lovely Jessica Palmquist of Turquoise Compass Wellness. She’s a Doula living in Halifax, NS but she’s invested in helping families all over Canada along their journey through infertility.
Jessica Palquist, Guest
Turquoise Compass Wellness
Website
Instagram
Ashley Cooley, Host
Birth Baby Sleep Education & Support Services
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Find out more about the Bringing Up Baby Membership HERE!!
To participate in the MUMS research study, email Research Coordinator, Kathryn Stone at **Kathryn.Stone@dal.ca
MUMS on Instagram MUMs Website Halifax Perinatal Support Network Facebook group
Ashley Cooley,** Birth Baby & Sleep Specialist
Instagram
Facebook
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When it's time for Baby to go to Daycare and/or you're going back to work, it can feel like a daunting transition. You might have some questions around how breastfeeding will continue (if you want it to) and how your little one's sleep may change...
This episode will help you understand what is really common at this stage and I'll share some ways you can make it as smooth a transition as possible.
For more information about Ashley and all that Birth Baby Sleep has to offer, head to www.birthbabysleep.ca and give us a follow on Instagram and Facebook @birth_baby_sleep.
Learn more about the Bringing Up Baby Community Membership HERE
- When babies typically get teeth and what's happening at their first Dentist appointment.
- What we should do to protect those teeth.
- How feeding your baby milk (formula or breastmilk) and solid food can affect their growing teeth.
- How a soother or thumb sucking affects their teeth and what to do if your baby/child does this!
So, to help us navigate the world of Baby teeth, I connected with my dentist - Dr. Trish Brady. - she also see’s our daughters and we were all in recently for cleanings and check-ups … even little miss Mabel who’s just 3.5yrs old!
Take a listen for our chat!
Spring Garden Dentistry
Ashley Cooley, Birth Baby and Sleep Specialist
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Bringing Up Baby Membership Community - Find out more HERE
Our little show here has been around for one whole trip around the sun, which means that some of your babies aren’t just little babies anymore!
Some of you might be expecting baby #2 or #3 and some of you are new here, either getting ready to have your baby or they’re already here but still nice and fresh ;)
No matter your situation, this episode is one for the books.
Because we’re actually getting into some really helpful strategies for supporting the bigger kids - the older siblings or other toddlers/preschoolers that your little ones will be eventually.
And to help us navigate this journey, I’ve enlisted the help of Caron Irwin, owner of Roo Family in Toronto, Canada.
Caron and I had a chat the other day about how to help your toddler or preschooler navigate big changes, like when a new baby brother or sister is expected.
We also had a chat about how to help them transition from one activity to the next - especially when the next activity isn’t necessarily something they want to do, but have to do! You know what I mean?
Lastly, we got into a really common situation or phase that almost all kids tend to go through at some point that I bet you’ve all gone through or are about to at some point… when your child seems to “prefer” one parent over the other… This is some very developmentally appropriate behaviour in most cases but it can be frustrating or tough to navigate. Luckily Caron’s going to walk us through it…
Questions I had for Caron:
- What can parents do to prevent or work through a sibling's potentially big feeling when Baby comes along?
- How can parents navigate when the sibling/child prefers one parent over the other? For instance, if one parent is primarily taking care of Baby/newborn so the other parent is up for putting the older sibling to bed, but the older sibling is not down for this.
- One of my favourite posts of yours - you talked about the 3 C's for helping your child transition from one thing to the next. This is a big one because how many times are parents going to be trying to get baby ready and out of the house, but now we’re working with a toddler’s struggle with going from one thing to the next. Can you share these with us and how we can make them work in our homes?
Caron Irwin with Roo Family
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Ashley Cooley with Birth Baby Sleep
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Halifax Perinatal Support Network HERE
Bringing Up Baby Community Membership! More info HERE
A bonus episode for you today for a couple really quick, but really important things.
First - We’re 1 Year Old!! Happy 1st Birthday to the Bringing Up Baby podcast. We officially launched our first episode on February 13th last year and while I had no idea what I was really getting into but we’re still here and still going strong with many amazing episodes still to come.
Throughout this past year, Bringing Up Baby has been providing you with evidence-based information to help you learn more about your baby, gain more confidence in your parenting, and get as much sleep as you can through it all.
But we can’t stop there. There’s something missing.
Community.
We need to go out and find those people that are going to help us navigate this parenting journey. We’ve always heard that it takes a village to raise a child - but they aren’t just going to show up at your door unannounced.
But where is one to start? Well, here’s one place:
Introducing the Bringing Up Baby COMMUNITY - an extremely valuable membership group to take this all to the next level.
This is where SUPPORT gets a front seat. This is where you’ll find your people.
By joining this exclusive membership group, you’ll have access to:
- A virtual community within our membership portal and private Facebook group.
- Weekly, LIVE, virtual education sessions with Q&A
- We’ll even do some Q&A’s off the topics discussed in this podcast as new episodes drop - so you can get even more specifics on a particular topic
- A growing resource page with educational and how-to videos, recordings of live sessions and helpful PDFs like my New Baby Sleep Guide! Yes, it’s yours for Free when you join our membership :)
Now, we are doing things a little differently than you might expect to kick-start this new program… so, let me explain…
We’re doing a bit of a “soft launch” that’s going to run from March 1st to June 30th of this year. We won’t be totally shutting down for the summer months, but there will be more of an OFFICIAL launch come September 2022. But get this - you can join as early as TODAY because we’re allowing for EARLY ACCESS!! This is going to allow you to jump in right away, access our Facebook group and preliminary resources and you’ll also be able to help inform what topics we dive into! That’s right - you have an opportunity to help to inform the content of our membership so we can tailor it exactly to your needs.
This introductory offer won’t last forever! So head on over to www.birthbabysleep.ca and follow the links to our community membership
I’m so pumped! This is going to be such a great way to keep the conversations going and to really get a sense of what community is when you’re a young, growing family.
See you there!
Whether you consider yourself an organized person or not, this episode is going to help you bring more order to the chaos; more calm to the storm; and this feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day, knowing that you were productive & present.
Today we’re talking with Brianne MacKenzie - She’s a teacher, a mom of 4 and a BOSS when it comes to getting shit done. She’s the GetShitDone Mom and she’s going to share some of her top tips for managing our nagging to-do lists especially when we have little ones in-tow.
So, if you’re ready to learn some really amazing and practical ways to not feel so overwhelmed with all there is to do… Listen up! Let’s get into it.
Brianne's top tips for getting shit done and staying organized:
1. Narrow your focus to your TOP 3 PRIORITIES
2. Implement SYSTEMS AND ROUTINES based on the season of life you're in
3. Incorporate MOVEMENT into your day to create energy
Guest: Brianne MacKenzie
- Get Shit Done Checklist HERE
Host: Ashley Cooley
Birth, Baby and Sleep Specialist
- Website
Welcome back to the Bringing Up Baby podcast. We’ve got another episode for you today focusing on Your Postpartum Self. Because once again, if we want to really show our little ones how to be, it’s to always remember to look after ourselves and show them what it means to actually do that!
We have to be at or near the top of the list but as new parents or parents of young ones, I know that you know that we often forget about this. We have to put our own mask on first, before we can even begin to help, connect or grow with another person.
So for today’s show, I’m going to share a conversation I had with Amy MacAulay. Amy is the owner of Embrace Doula Services in Halifax, Nova Scotia. And she and her team are actually among a myriad of Postpartum Doulas in our communities and they are truly an invaluable resource.
In this show, Amy’s going to share how to really prepare for what’s to come after baby arrives and where you may need some extra help. We get into when the right time is for visitors vs. helpers, and what specific tasks are actually helpful for others to do for you because trust us, the helpers really want to help!
→ How to handle unsolicited or unhelpful suggestions from loved ones:
- Communication (Who & How)
- Create boundaries
- Leave out reading material (Loving Care books)
- Blame your doula/prenatal educator/consultant
Birth Baby Sleep: website... facebook... instagram
Embrace Doula website: https://www.embracedoula.ca
Instagram and Facebook: @embrace_doula
Nova Scotia Doula’s Association: https://www.novascotiadoulas.org
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, MAHP
Birth, Baby and Sleep Specialist*www.birthbabysleep.ca* Instagram @birth_baby_sleep Facebook @birth_baby_sleep**
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 unwrapping
- Not too tightly around the hips, legs still able to move freely
- Avoid overheating
- Always place babies on their back to sleep
- And discontinue swaddling when infants show signs of rolling over or by about 3 months of age, whichever comes first.
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 Minute
I’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 - HERE Birth Baby Sleep Education and Support Services - HERE
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 twins
- What it was like to spend time in the NICU after they were born, AND
- They 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 Cecilia
And Amy Lowry is mom to 5-week old boys Declan and Hunter as well as big sister Maera
Each 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_sleep
For more information about the podcast and all of Birth Baby Sleep's offerings, head to www.birthbabysleep.ca.
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 can
- Sleep on-demand. Let them sleep when they want, however long they want
- Sleep 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: birthbabysleep.ca
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.
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-connection
For more information about Ashley and all that Birth Baby Sleep has to offer, head to www.birthbabysleep.ca
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.
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
Have you felt this way too?
Take these steps:
Step #1: Listen to this bonus episode
Step #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 Podcast
For 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 .
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 naps
Months 0-1 (until around 6-8 weeks of age)
- Wake windows (45mins - 1hr)
- Napping 24/7
- 20 minutes to 3hrs+ (wide range!)
Months 2-3
- Wake windows (45-1.5hrs)
- Up to 5-6 naps per day
- 30 minutes - 2hrs+ (depends on the baby, depends on the day!)
Months 4 &5 - start to see a bit of regularity
- Wake windows (1.5-2/2.5hrs)
- 3 or 4 naps
- Aiming for 2 longer naps (first 2) and 1-2 short, “cat naps”
Months 6-8
- Wake 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 9-12
- On 2 naps a day (at least 1-1.5hrs each)
- Roughly around 9am and 1pm
- Wake windows look like 2-3-4 or up to 3-3-4
Months 13-18
- Dropping 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:
1. How is my baby’s behaviour throughout the day?
2. How easy/challenging is it to get my baby to sleep?
3. 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 Specialist*www.birthbabysleep.ca* Instagram HERE Facebook HERE**
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
How to work about baby's sleep needs while getting outside or working around travel or appointments.
Follow Ashley on
Instagram @birth_baby_sleep
Facebook @birthbabysleep
To find out more about her services and to get the New Baby Sleep Guide, click hereGuests:
Jenn Currie - mom
@outdoorsyjenn
Chris Surette - dad
@chris_surette
Hutton - baby
not yet on the Gram.
A-For-Adventure site
Parks Canada article
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site Camping
Isn’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 new
- Travelling - on those long car rides
- Working around appointments
- And 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!
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!
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 Minute
I 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 necessary
- Take baby out of the car seat once you’ve reached your destination and transfer them to a safer sleeping surface, like their crib
- If 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 here to find a tech in you area.
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)
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 from
And we'll uncover some popular myths, like: ***Secure Attachment and How You Feed Your Baby - 12:36
*Secure Attachment and Sleep Training - 13:53
Read more about Attachment on my blog here: https://www.birthbabysleep.ca/blog/secure-attachment-how-to-foster-it Mental Health Minute**Whether 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 @birthbabysleep If 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.
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 Sleep
And 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_sleep**
Don’t forget to Subscribe! And remember to leave a review or a rating so that others can find us.
www.birthbabysleep.ca
T**here 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.**