It may seem that newborns sleep a lot and their new parents do not. Especially for the first weeks, the best strategy is to forget about schedules and nap when your baby naps.

Newborns move through varying levels of alertness. The ‘least alert’ is their deep sleep, when they are unperturbed by any noise or fussing. This deep sleep is important for their brains as they are adapting to this world.

Next, a newborn’s sleep will be lighter; they’ll make faces, snort, fidget, though they are still sleeping. Eventually they’ll move to a drowsy state, when they open their eyes half way, close them for awhile. If you pick them up at this time, they may move slowly into a more wakeful state. Then they are quiet and alert, gazing at the world, listening and absorbing (as the lovely newborn is doing in the photo). That’s a great time for nursing.

The most ‘alert’ state is when they are crying: very vocal and hopefully not getting too red in the face. That burns up a lot of energy. Crying is the last signal of hunger.

Watch your baby unfurl and you’ll catch those hunger cues a lot sooner. Both you and your baby will be calmer in general and calmer about feeding.

Newborns have no schedule or rhythm for night and day and they won’t for several weeks. You should nap whenever your baby naps so you can rejuvenate yourself. This is a unique and sensitive time, an opportunity to observe and learn more about your amazing, unfurling newborn.

Robin Snyder-Drummond, CD(DONA), IBCLC
Prenatal classes and Home visits
617-435-0693

photo c. Katherine Lew

Did you know little bumps on a mother’s nipple secrete a substance that smells like amniotic fluid?  That’s a familiar scent that compels your newborn to find your nipple as he/she rests on your chest.

Did you know that when you hold your newborn baby on your chest, your body temperature rises seven degrees between your breasts? Direct skin to skin with your baby helps him/her stay warm, breathe easier and have a more regular heart rate.

Did you know that oxytocin is abundant in labor and breastfeeding? It’s the Love hormone that promotes our sense of connection with others and our instincts to hold and protect. Mothers, newborn babies and fathers all experience rises in oxytocin.

In these and many other ways, you are a simple, low tech and important source of warmth and comfort for your child, right from the start.

Prenatal classes and Home visits
Robin Snyder-Drummond, CD(DONA), IBCLC
617-435-0693

Zeus had an affair with a mortal woman and from that union, Hercules was born. Because Hercules was half mortal, Zeus wanted his wife Hera, an immortal, to give the baby some immortal powers through breast milk. (Well, he had the right idea… the immune factors in breast milk are sort of like special powers for babies).

So he snuck Hercules in with the other children while Hera was sleeping and nursing. Of course she woke up, was angry with Zeus and pushed Hercules away. As she did this, the milk from one breast spurted up to the heavens and that became the Milky Way. (The word galaxy comes from the root word gala, which means milk).  From the other breast, the milk spurted down to Earth and that became lilies!

As you nurse your child, look up to the sky, smell the lilies and consider your connection to other mothers and goddesses.

Robin Snyder-Drummond, CD(DONA), IBCLC
Prenatal classes and home visits
617-435-0693

“I really appreciated having someone come and be hands-on with us to be sure the latch, position, etc. were OK. It was much easier to be able to stay in our home environment, where we were nursing, than to have to go somewhere else to meet with a consultant. It really felt like Robin could understand the full picture that way as well.” Carrie, East Boston, 2011

“The students and I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to come to NSCC and present your “Postpartum Support” class! We all learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the presentation … Students made a point of finding me after class and through e-mail to say how much they enjoyed your thoughts and suggestions.”  Judith Maxwell, RN, MS Prof. Nurse ED. North Shore Community College,  2011

“You watched what my baby was doing to help me problem solve. You were so calm, and so eager to try anything without ever making me feel like I was incompetent. Your calm demeanor made it feel like best possible kind of support.” Kate, Boston, 2011

“Having Robin look at what was happening with my baby and myself during breastfeeding and offering tips was invaluable and most of all helped me to relax and allow my baby to relax as well. Practicing in our own home without having to pack up and take the baby elsewhere, especially with another young child along, was very helpful”.  Victoria , Boston, 2011

“Robin was very flexible to our needs and provided us with a wealth of information and support. She is excellent!”  Tamar, Brookline, 2010

“Because of what we learned in your class, we were able to make more educated decisions. Thank you for the very informative class, your real life stories and down to earth personality. I am glad we took it, it was so helpful.”  Patti, Wilmington, 2009

“The class was way more than what I expected. It passed what I needed which is great. She explained everything in good details and did not use complicating words. Everything was helpful. Everything was covered plus more. I loved the way she taught so much I wanted more. I love the way she explains things.  She uses sounds and uses her sense of humour.  That relaxes me for what is to come.”  Michelle, Salem, 2007

“We both enjoyed the class and have a greater sense of empowerment because of what we learned in class. Robin is a great instructor, very knowledgeable!”  Lt. and Mrs. W, Burlington  2009

“Thank you are two little words to wrap around our grateful, big feelings.” Paula and Alex, Cambridge, 2005

Robin Snyder-Drummond, CD(DONA), IBCLC
Prenatal classes and home visits
617-435-0693

Congratulations on your blossoming family. I’m Robin Snyder-Drummond, I’m a board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) who makes home visits in the Boston area. Here’s a little about why and how I work with families.

Guiding Principle
Each child’s birth is a transition and opportunity. It’s an important time to recognize your abilities as a woman, a man, a couple and a parent. I find inspiration in Nature’s amazing designs for success and I hope you do, too.

I focus on meeting parents in their homes because that’s where you’re comfortable, use your new skills and grow your family.

Background Experience and Training 
Trained by midwives in 1985, I began as a ‘labor coach’ and immediately saw what a difference personal support made to a laboring woman.  This inspired me to become a certified childbirth educator and later, a DONA certified birth doula, CD(DONA).

Since 1993, I’ve taught prenatal classes in community settings (high school, air force base, women’s shelter, lesbian moms group and more) and four area hospitals. I’ve  facilitated moms groups, parent workshops and trainings for other professionals. As a birth doula, I’ve attended to over 200 families in six Boston area hospitals, one birth center and met many more families during home visits for postpartum care.

I’m keenly aware how your informed choices make a difference for postpartum. Women often remarked  ”I wish I’d known about that when I was pregnant.” BirthReady began in 2000 to promote prenatal education and support with practical, positive workshops. I continually draw from my experience with many different families as well as my training.

Breastfeeding Help
In 2009 I passed the exam to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The IBCLC credential is the only internationally recognized accreditation for lactation consultants. This required college level courses, breastfeeding specific education and 2500 hours of one on one counselling. Many of those hours were spent one-on-one with families in classes, in labor, in their homes. The most important learning, I feel, is in the informal conversations in classes and during home visits.

Professional Associations
I’m a member of the
International Lactation Consultants Association
DONA International
Partners in Perinatal Health conference planning committee
Nursing Mothers Council
I’m current in my CPR certification and am a certified Basic Life Support Instructor.

Let’s keep in touch.
Please sign up for my e-mail list and feel free to contact me. I’m glad to talk with you about home visits, prenatal classes and workshops.

This is the cimicifuga plant, in the middle of Summer. It’s a plant that grows well in our New England climate, especially in damp areas. The leaves are wide and there are arching spires of clustered blooms about four feet high.

In late Summer and early Autumn, it gives off a sweet, earthy aroma. I think that’s appropriate for this plant who’s roots and leaves are used for pregnancy and menopause: fundamental, earthy energy.

There are many other plants and food that are especially nourishing and restorative for postpartum women. Fenugreek, thyme and Goats Rue are said to help with milk supply. Honestly, your best bet is frequent nursing and rest in the first two weeks.

For postpartum, some particular foods to have are:
Orange vegetables such as sweet potatoes, yams, squash, carrots. All of these are roots and roots draw alot of energy from the Earth. That’s good for restoring your own energy after birth.

Oats and rice are whole grains, full of b-vitamins and easy to digest.  Good for you and your nursing baby.  Oatmeal for breakfast may help with your milk supply and certainly is a sustaining meal to start the day. Mochi (pounded brown rice) dumplings in miso soup is a traditional Japanese food given to mothers after birth.

Warm spices such as ginger, garlic, coriander, cinnamon are all good for your circulation and restoring your energy.  Many cultures have soups and hot drinks with these spices in them.

Whole nutrition and specific herbs can influence your well being and recovery. Take good care of yourself and enjoy your meals.

Robin Snyder-Drummond
Prenatal classes and home visits
617-435-0693

There are several guidelines that recommend slightly different times for storing and freezing breastmilk. It’s fine if you are close to, but not exactly on target with the schedules.

Stick this guideline on your refrigerator and/or with your baby’s daily supply. That way, everyone who cares for your baby can refer to it.

When expressing and storing milk, always remember to:
• Wash your hands before expressing or pumping milk.
• Use clean containers, glass is preferable.
• If it’s plastic, check that it is BPA free.

Here are general guidelines for storing breast milk:
Freshly Expressed at Room Temperature 4-10 hours.  (There’s time to relax a little).
Refrigerator: 5-8 days.
Freezer: 3-4 months.

• Before you store the milk, write the date on it. Then put it in the back of the freezer where it’s coldest.

• Store small amounts, two to four ounces at a time. That thaws more quickly and you’ll have fewer leftovers. Some  women use ice cube trays to make handy little ingots of breast milk.

• To warm milk, leave it at room temperature or put it in a bowl of warm water. A microwave’s uneven heating creates hot spots that can burn a baby’s mouth. Never use a microwave for breast milk or other baby food.

• Once thawed and at room temperature, use it within an hour. Otherwise, store thawed milk in the refrigerator for another day (24 hours).

• Once it’s thawed, you can’t refreeze it. Use it or discard it. Oh my, this is liquid gold…so give it to your plants or a tree. That is some mighty compost.

A simple wash in hot soapy water and then a thorough rinse will do the trick.  There’s no need to sterilize the bottles every time. Is your house sterile?  Really, it’s okay. The dishwasher is okay for glass bottles. (Plastics in hot dishwashers and microwave ovens degrade and leech chemicals.)

Expressing milk for a baby at the hospital, while you’re at work or to have reserves is an excellent and very practical idea. I hope these guidelines help you simplify a routine so you can enjoy more of your day. Simplicity is key to happiness, indeed.

Link

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also reccommends the “the mother and baby be left skin-to-skin, undisturbed, until the first feeding is accomplished”  The weighing, eye drops, vitamin K shot and bath can all wait. (AAP Policy, “Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk”)

This is always a good thing to discuss at your prenatal meetings and with whoever is attending to you during labor.

The AAP also reccomends that mother’s milk is the very best nutrition for premature and sick infants.  Mothers should be encouraged and supported in breastfeeding. If she isn’t able to breastfeed right away, the next alternative is to help her express milk (by hand or with a pump). The third alternative is donor milk. The fourth choice is artificial infant formula. For a baby who is premature or ill, for the mother who is having difficulty with nursing, support and help with breastfeeding is what they need.

You can be proud that your mother’s milk is still the best nutrition, and sometimes the best medicine, for your infant.

Robin Snyder-Drummond, CD(DONA), IBCLC
Prenatal classes and Home visits
617-435-0693

Getting ready for your newborn includes eating whole food, drinking clean water and promoting a positive attitude: eat, drink and be merry!  Take care to understand what your body needs and trust your instincts. That will help you adjust and be more resilient as a new parent.

In the first two weeks, what your body needs is very specific: skin-to-skin contact with your newborn, frequent nursing and napping. Holding your newborn is calming, gets you in synch with your child, stabilizes your baby’s body temperature. And, with frequent nursing in the first two weeks, it helps a mother establish an abundant milk supply. (*If your baby is in the Special Care or Neonatal Intensive Care, nursing, frequent expressing or pumping will help establish your supply.)

You are learning and responding on an new hormonal level and your gut feeling is important information. Both partners have varying hormonal fluxes, both partners are fatigued. Around the world, there are many traditions that honor this transition with four to six weeks for recovery. It’s important in the first two weeks, at least, to follow the Golden Rule of Postpartum.

Two Naps and One Event. One nap in the morning, one nap in the afternoon. At night, more naps. One event means a pediatrician appointment or a friend’s visit, only one each day. That ‘schedule’ will respect your body and mind at this time. You’re less stressed and that builds your resiliency as a parent.

Your child’s birth is, essentially, a major career change (maybe it’s a promotion). In an article about managing personal and career changes, Dae Williams, a career consultant, outlined six elements for a successful transition. These are entirely relevant to postpartum.

The six elements are :

• good health
• support at the time of transition
• emotional security
• prior transitional skills
• supportive environment
• economic security

Reviewing previous changes in your life, what worked, what would you have changed?  Consider what’s supportive to you now, what else you need. You do have strengths, you may not see them as such.

The first weeks are like riding a bike. You learn as you continually adjust your balance. Someone can help you with your stability at first. Eventually, these will be easy habits and you’ll be on your way.