PREGNANCY AND BIRTH

New life is the most precious miracle you will ever experience.

The miracle of pregnancy is a remarkable process where a tiny human develops and grows within you, supported by the body’s natural systems. It’s a process that requires your body’s innate intelligence and wisdom, a rhythm of life that unfolds without conscious effort, it is truly a divine realisation.

As you connect with your baby, allow your mind to calm, and let moments of awe wash over you. As you begin to connect with your growing baby, these moments of stillness deepen your awareness and connection. This sense of calm is not only important for your emotional well-being but also for the sacred bond between you and your baby. What you feel, your baby also feels. Through this journey, trust in your body’s strength and its ability to support both you and your baby.

FIRST MOMENTS

Each birth is a unique journey, shaped by the individual circumstances of both mother and baby. Some births unfold smoothly, while others may present more challenges. Regardless of the experience, what remains constant is the importance of having a supportive and trusted team around you. Private Midwives or Community Midwife Programs (CMP) by local hospitals ensure that you have continued care with the same midwife throughout your pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Once your baby is born, skin-to-skin contact is essential for the first hour, uninterrupted. This sacred time is not only an opportunity for bonding but also allows for your baby’s first feed. The first feed, rich in colostrum, is vital for your baby’s immune system, helping to establish early digestion while deepening the emotional connection between you and your newborn. Your healthcare team will also perform assessments, including reflex checks and other tests, to ensure that your baby is healthy and thriving.

In the case of a vaginal birth, your baby will be naturally exposed to essential bacteria in the birth canal, including Lactobacillus, Bacteroides and other microbes. These beneficial microbes help to "seed" the baby’s microbiome, playing a crucial role in developing their immune system. Babies born via C-section are not exposed to these same bacteria, which can impact the development of their gut and immune system. A practice called "vaginal seeding" involves swabbing a C-section baby with the mother’s vaginal fluids to provide similar microbial exposure. For more details on this, speak with your GP, Midwife or Obstetrician.

PARENT HEALTH

KEEP CALM

• Reduce stress
  Creating a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere is the first step to ensuring a happy, healthy baby. When a mother is stressed, her body produces higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. These hormones can pass onto the baby, leading to issues such as fussiness, feeding difficulties, and sleep disruptions. It's equally important for fathers to manage their stress. If a father is away from home, stressed, or struggling to adjust to new family dynamics, his mood can also impact the well-being of the entire family. Leaning on your support networks, and encouraging parents to seek support, is crucial for the health of the whole family.
  
  
• Taking a moment 
  For fathers, it’s essential to take a moment to unwind and ground themselves before engaging with the mother and baby, especially if they’ve had a challenging day. This pause can create a calmer atmosphere for everyone. Both parents should be mindful of how their energy and mood influence the family dynamic. Awareness is key here - of each other’s needs and supporting each other through challenges strengthens the family unit and promotes a harmonious home environment.
  
  
• Avoid trauma triggers 
  In today’s world, news, social media, and even certain conversations can be overwhelming. To protect the peaceful environment of your home, avoid trauma triggers such as negative media or stressful interactions with friends or family members. Replace these with calming, mindful practices such as playing soothing music or healing frequencies (e.g., 11 hours of calming jazz or healing frequencies on YouTube or Spotify). This can help create a serene atmosphere that nurtures both mental and emotional well-being.
  
  
• Good GUT health
  Gut health plays a crucial role in emotional and physical well-being. For new mothers, maintaining a healthy microbiome through prebiotics, probiotics, and fermented foods can help support both the mother’s and baby’s health. Good gut health is essential for increasing serotonin, the "feel-good" hormone, which helps both mum and baby feel calmer and happier. This is especially important after taking antibiotics, whether by the mother or baby, to replenish and support the microbiome. Naturopaths and Functional Medical Practitioners can assist with this.
  
  
• Breastfeeding
  Breastfeeding is a new skill that both you and your baby learn together, and it can be challenging at times. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Seeking support from a lactation consultant can be incredibly helpful, as they offer personalized guidance and techniques to navigate any difficulties you may face. They can provide valuable assistance before considering formula feeding, giving breastfeeding the best chance for success.
  
  
• Low Milk Production
  If you're experiencing low milk production, the first step is to reduce your stress. When you’re calm, your milk ducts can relax, promoting milk flow. Hold your baby close to your skin to encourage bonding and stimulate milk release. Gentle breast massage before and during breastfeeding can also be helpful. Remember to switch breasts during each feeding to encourage milk production and offer frequent feeds (8-10 times a day). Proper nutrition is essential for milk production, so ensure you're eating a balanced healthy diet to support both your health and your baby’s needs. Certain foods, such as oatmeal, fennel, papaya, and nuts, are believed to support lactation.
  
  
• Heavy Milk Production
  If you have an oversupply of milk, consider expressing a little before breastfeeding to relieve pressure and save the milk for later. This can also help prevent your baby from taking in too much air while feeding, which can lead to colic. When breastfeeding, try placing the baby on your chest and allowing them to choose which breast to latch onto, rather than directly positioning the nipple. This can help reduce the likelihood of discomfort during feedings.
  
  
• Colic Relief
  For babies with colic or gas, express milk to relieve pressure and allow your baby to feed slowly. After feeding, keep your baby upright for about 30 minutes to help with digestion. Gently rubbing or tapping your baby's chest can help release trapped wind. You can also try gently massaging under their ribs (on the left side, near the stomach) to help release any gas.

Tongue Tie

Tongue tie issues have become more prevalent in recent years, and medical professionals have varying views on the risks and benefits of surgical release due to the limited research available. If your baby is struggling to feed or develop properly and is unable to push their tongue to the roof of their mouth (as they need to for breastfeeding), it's important to consult with a lactation consultant or medical professional for potential surgical options, if necessary.

However, if your baby is feeding and developing well, and the tongue tie diagnosis doesn’t seem to affect their overall well-being, you might consider trying some oral release techniques before making any decisions about surgery:

• Gently run your little finger along the front and back of your baby’s lower teeth or gums. Then, gently rub under the tongue to loosen or stretch the lower frenulum. Repeat this process on the upper teeth, both in front and behind the gums, and gently rub in front of the upper teeth to loosen the upper frenulum. Perform this several times a day.
• Another technique involves gently placing your little finger on the baby’s tongue and pressing down to encourage them to push their tongue to the roof of their mouth. You can also run your finger from the back to the front of the tongue to stimulate the tongue thrust reflex.

Food Sensitivities/Allergies

Food sensitivities can affect both mothers and babies, leading to symptoms such as hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and dermatitis. In some cases, a mother can pass on food antigens through her breast milk, potentially causing reactions in the baby. If you suspect food sensitivities, the mother can try eliminating certain foods from her diet. Common culprits include dairy, soy, nuts, eggs, shellfish, fish, and gluten. To identify the source of the sensitivity, try eliminating one food at a time for 5-10 days to observe any changes. If no difference is noted, move on to the next suspected food to see if it causes an issue.

It’s important to remember that food sensitivities may change over time. Just because your baby has a sensitivity to a particular food now, it doesn’t mean that the same sensitivity will persist in the future. As your baby’s gut matures, there may be the possibility of reintroducing certain foods back into the diet without any adverse reactions.

For babies, certain formulas can also trigger sensitivities. While breast milk is the preferred option, some mothers may struggle with breastfeeding. If this is the case, try offering a different formula for about a week, preferably one that is dairy- and soy-free, to see if a change occurs.

Tips for Calming a Baby

• Ensure both parents are relaxed and free from stress.
• Hold your baby close to your heart to calm their heart rate.
• Use a soothing voice and gently rub or stroke their chest or tummy.
• Distract with a toy or comforting sound – humming also can help.
• Offer a dummy or breast for comfort.
• Make playful faces—babies love expressions!
• Calming Tips for Parents
• Focus on the present moment with deep breaths and calming music.
• Take a moment for deep breathing to soothe your nervous system.
• Consider infant-safe magnesium (like Diasporal) to help both you and baby relax and sleep better.
• Nap when your baby does to catch up on rest.
• Nighttime feeds are normal for development—try to rest when you can.
• Lean on your support network for advice and reassurance.
• Every baby is unique—avoid comparisons and embrace the journey.
• Remember, it's about supporting and nurturing your precious baby—not about being perfect.
• Celebrate small wins and trust your instincts—you’re doing great!