Sister Melanie Breastfeeding and Baby Wellness Clinic

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“I'm now 29 and have 3 kids with my wife, Franziska, who carried and birthed them all like a pro. Here's what I would tell my childless 24-year-old self about how to be a supportive partner during the ‘becoming parents’ phase:

1. Wifey carried baby IN her belly for 9 months. So, you carry baby ON your belly for 9 months every chance you get. Not only does it help her recover but it bonds you to your kid more than imaginable.

2. Wifey is breastfeeding and--while beautiful and fulfilling for her--it's exhausting. So, you change EVERY diaper you can. From diaper #1 onward. You will get over the grossness fast. And you will prevent imbalances and resentment in the relationship; in fact, when all your wife's friends are complaining about how absent and unsupportive their husbands are, your wife will be bragging about you.

3. Make her the decaf coffee every morning. Even if she leaves it cold and forgets to drink it most mornings because she falls back asleep while you're working or (later) taking the kids to school. She was up all night feeding the baby so help start her day in a way that helps her reset.

4. Tell her she is beautiful and help her see that in the moments when she is feeling most self-critical and hopeless about her body. Remind her of times when she achieved goals in the past. Remind her she is a superhero. She literally just moved all her organs around and gained 20 + pounds to give you a child that will be a gift to you for the rest of your life. Help her see past her body image issues and stay focused on a positive goal, one day at a time.

5. Take the heat. Hormones are crazy, both pre and post birth. She won't seem like herself every day and sometimes she will say things she wouldn't say if she didn't feel like she was hungover, caffeinated, and on steroids every day. Remember your job is to be her rock through all of this, so toughen up and keep perspective when her tongue is sharper than you know her best self intends. Normal will return soon and you want her to be grateful that you kept it together when she wasn't, not resentful and disappointed that you hijacked her emotions by making her problems yours.”
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"Did you know that human babies are the most vulnerable, contact dependent, slowest developing social mammal on the planet?

Compared to other mammals, the human brain is tiny at birth; a mere 25% of its ultimate adult size.

Animals born into hostile environments tend to have larger infant brains to help them survive. Zebras, for example, need to be able to run with the herd just hours after birth – their relatively mature brains help them run and respond when a lion appears.

But, mother nature always has a survival strategy. So, what is the survival strategy for human babies? Easy. Mum and Dad. Without their parents, they couldn’t survive and so much of their behaviour is designed to keep us close most, if not all the time.

So, we need to give babies enormous amounts of love, touch and attention to allow them to thrive, not just survive, both day and night. And we should feel good about it - it’s what we’re instinctively driven to do. Despite what our society may say it’s biologically impossible to spoil a baby with love.

The first 3 years of life represent the most rapid period of brain development in our children’s lifetime. In the first 1000 days of life, a staggering 1M neural connections are made each second. These connections determine what kind of brain your baby grows. A brain that is balanced, stable, and resilient to stress. Or a brain that is unbalanced, over reactive and struggles to cope with stress.

While genetics provides a blueprint for brain development, it’s a child’s environment and their experiences that carry out the construction, forming the essential wiring of the brain. Repeated use of particular pathways strengthens individual connections.

Neural connections in the brain are vital in developing emotional regulation abilities. This is why it’s critical that we provide our children with experiences that contribute to healthy brain development.

So hug your baby, pick them up, hold them, nurture them, be with them.”

words 💛
artwork: 💜

A loose harness cannot protect a baby adequately in a crash. It wshould be tightened until you are no longer able to pinch the webbing.

There is no magical age when your child "should" be sleeping through the night. Even as adults, we don't sleep through the night. What happens is that when we get older, we eventually just learn how to put ourselves back to sleep (or we get up and p*e or get a glass of water).

This ability to put ourselves back to sleep quickly is a developmental milestone. This milestone happens at different times and for breastfed children (where the comforting happens at the breast with a cuddle), this milestone usually happens later than what Western cultures expect.

Western cultures are OBSESSED with babies and toddlers being independent. This makes no sense. Independence is not a thing when mammals are little. They are completely dependent on their caregiver. For humans, this stage of infancy lasts longer than any other mammal on the planet. Our babies don't even walk or talk for a year!!!

So don't stress if someone says your child "should" be sleeping through the night. Because it's just simply incorrect.

How to Strap a Newborn Safely into a Car seat #shorts How to Strap a Newborn into a Car seat show a short step by step guide of how to make sure that your child is safely strapped into their car seat.

This is such a powerful post for me!

Pregnancy, birth, stepping into the shoes of a Mom, breastfeeding, juggling different roles....

It is a PROCESS!

To husband/partner/family/friends etc. during this process you take on a supporting role - without interference or judgement.

To you amazing, strong Mama -
Give yourself time,
Be gracious with yourself.

Repost
(Very wise words)

At a time where many of us around the world are worried about COVID-19 and every sick symptom we might be feeling, it’s important to remind everyone that YES…you can keep breastfeeding if you’re sick! Even if you have COVID-19.

From the World Health Organization:
“WHO recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged to initiate or continue to breastfeed. Mothers should be counselled that the benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission.”

They are two healthy babies, three months old, both exclusively breastfeeding and, believe me, neither the one on the left is obese, nor the one on the right is undernourished. They are variations of normality! Most likely, when they start crawling, the one on the left will slim down a little and the one on the right will gain muscle mass.
Do not compare your child to other children.
Each of us is different.

Supplementing with formula while you breastfeed? You’re still breastfeeding!!! ❤️

🧴What you never knew about Aqueous cream 🧴

You find it among almost every baby shower gift. It’s on nearly every new mom’s shopping list. Your gran is a firm believer. Aqueous cream is the wonder cream. Right? Uhm, I might burst your bubble.

🧴What is aqueous cream?🧴

I’m sure you have all seen this “wonder cream” on every shelf in the shops. It has been used as an emollient for many decades, since 1958. It was initially produced as a wash product, but it has become a common soap substitute and emollient. Previously it was the mainstay of treatment for eczema.

🧴What is an emollient?🧴

An emollient is a cream used to prevent dry skin and restore the skin barrier. It plays a significant role in the management of skin conditions. It is the first-line in the management of dry skin.

There are many different types of emollients on the market. Aqueous cream is one of them.

🧴What does aqueous cream contain?🧴

Aqueous creams usually contain SLS.

🧴What is SLS, and why is it not recommended?🧴

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is an emulsifier. It emulsifies oil into a cream formulation, acts as a stabiliser and cleaning agent. BUT, it is a compound that has been found to profoundly irritate the skin and make eczema worse.

Several studies have shown that even if products containing SLS are applied to healthy skin, it may damage the skin barrier and make the skin susceptible to irritants. It may cause tingling, itching, burning, or redness in previously healthy skin. These reactions are not serious but may cause discomfort.

Therefore, it has been removed from all current guidelines in the management of skin conditions and eczema. Several emollients have been reformulated to remove SLS.

🧴What else does it contain?🧴

Since there are different brands of Aqueous creams on the market, they may contain different ingredients. It may often contain other irritating ingredients such as chlorocresol, cetostearyl alcohol, and parabens. These may also cause or contribute to adverse skin reactions.

🧴Is it still a good moisturizer?🧴

It is actually a poor moisturizer, and there are much better products on the market. It is also not recommended as a soap substitute in patients with eczema and irritative skin conditions.

Luckily with research, these days, other emollients are much less damaging to the skin.

🧴Why should I worry about my baby’s skin?🧴

A baby’s skin is much more fragile and sensitive than adult skin. It is, therefore, more prone to irritation and requires unique products to remain healthy. Soaps and creams for adults should not be used on the skin of babies.

🧴What should you look for in a good soap substitute or moisturizer?🧴

Look for products with a Ceromacrogol, Petrolatum/Parrafin, or Urea base. There are also other compounds that are better than SLS.

Together with the University of Cape Town and the UCT Lung Institute, the Allergy Foundation South Africa compiled a list of various emollients in South Africa.

The following products are recommended.
Those marked with a * are approved by the Allergy Foundation of South Africa.

🔆Products with a Cetomacrogol base:🔆

🔰Cetoderm all-purpose Moisturising cream*
🔰Epimax Cream, Plus, Baby & Junior
🔰Epizone E and A
🔰Epy Derm G, B, U, and O*

🔆Products with a Petrolatum/Parrafin base:🔆

🔰E45 cream
🔰Epizone Dispersable Bath & Shower Milk
🔰Bioderma Atoderm intensive and Ultra-soothing balm
🔰Eucerin Original Healing cream
🔰Dexeryl Emollient and Cleansing cream*
🔰Avene Xerocalm A.D lipid-replenishing balm
🔰Uriage Xemose Lipid Replenishing Anti-irritation cream
🔰Crème Classique Bath oil, Coal Tar, Dry skin moisturizer, ointment for psoriasis & eczema
🔰Oliatum Emollient liquid bath additive
🔰Sanex Atopicare Shower care
🔰Bionike Triderm Alpha Rich Cream base
🔰Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula daily lotion
🔰Noreva Xerodiane Plus Nourishing Balm

Products with a Urea base:

🔰Epimax Plus Body cream
🔰Eucerin Urea repair
🔰Bionike Proxera Keratoff 10% Urea cream
🔰Epy Derm B or U*

🔆Products containing other active ingredients:🔆

🔰Cetaphil Restoraderm skin restoring body moisturizer*
🔰Mustela Stelatopia Emollient and Cleansing cream
🔰Bioderma Atoderm Preventative Nourishing cream
🔰Eucerin AtoControl Body care lotion and Bath & shower oil
🔰SVR Topialyse Crème Lavante, Emolliente and Barriere
🔰Uriage Xemose Gentle Cleansing Syndet
🔰Dermikelp Skin Cream
🔰Healing hands Body glove
🔰Sudocream Baby care cream
🔰Bepanthen Sensiderm cream
🔰Pure Moisturiser and soap*
🔰Aveeno Daily moisturizing lotion, Dermexa Emollient cream, and body wash*
🔰Dexpan HydraRepair cream*

This list is available athttps://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AFSA-EmollientsSA_8Oct2018.pdf

🧴Should you throw out all your aqueous cream?🧴

There is no need to panic; finish the pots you have at home. Aqueous cream has been used successfully in many people without effects. But when you know better, you do better. Instead, get a better emollient on your next shopping trip. If you or your child experiences irritation with aqueous cream, rather avoid it altogether.

This post was reviewed by our family dermatologist, Dr. Marietjie van Aswegen in Bloemfontein. She is amazing with children and adults alike. Contact her office at 051 880 0084 for an appointment, or you can do a virtual consultation on Dr Derma at https://www.drderma.co.za/dermatologists/dr-marietjie-van-aswegen/

Pic by Munro studio on Unsplash

I’m always seeing new products to help mimic the womb or trick baby into thinking they’re close to mom and it’s totally okay if you use those things. I get how little sleep mamas get in the early days, I know how hard it can be. I just also think if society treated newborns as ya know, newborns, we wouldn’t feel so pressured to push for longer sleeping hours. Babies are supposed to wake frequently. Their bellies are tiny and can’t hold much so they fill up quickly but also get hungry quicker too. They need to be close often, especially those first 3 months (look up the 4th trimester). I know those nights of extra sleep feel so good but also, don’t feel like you or your baby are doing something wrong if you haven’t gotten to those longer stretches of sleep yet. You guys will get there. ❤️

THIS ❤️

I've been rocking and cuddling my baby to sleep since that day he was born. I mentioned this to a nurse at my clinic recently. She said that she did the same thing with her son, and everyone warned her that she would still have a teenager sleeping in her bed.

And then she told me that, a few weeks ago, her teenage son came home from school very upset. He didn't want to talk, and just went to his room and listened to his music, typed on his phone and cried.

The mother gave her son space, and night time came and she went to bed. Just as she was about to turn off her side light, the door opened, and her 15 year old padded into the room.

He climbed into the bed with her, laid his head on her shoulder and cried. He told her all about the girl that broke his heart, all about the friends who laughed, all about the stresses of being him. She told him about her first broken heart, about friends who'd been cruel, and told him she understands. They talked in the dark for hours, until he feel asleep in her bed. Still sad but relieved after their talk.

'So you see' she said to me, when she finished the story. 'I was so scared that I wound wind up with a teenager who would 'need me' at night, that I never stopped to consider how beautiful that would really be.' .

Words by the beautiful ✨
Photo by the talented ✨

Reposted from

It’s true...

1/3 of the babies born are born with the cord around their neck. This is just a normal aspect of birth.

Great photo of the caregiver unwrapping the cord.capturingbirth

We know some babies and adults do need Nexuim (esomeprazole) and other Proton Pump Inhibitors ( PPI’s) but this need to be taken with caution and certain measures need to be in place .

The reason : it has an increased risk of sub clinical acute nephritis with the use of this PPI’s leading to chronic renal inflammation and reduced renal function

We received a letter from twelve manufacturers to warn us and inform patients .

If you need this PPI your renal function should be monitored , and regular urine checks should be done ✔️ You need to report decrease/ increase of urine volumes to your dr PLEASE !

Did your newborn have baby acne?
Baby acne is a collection of small red bumps, usually found on the face. It is often concentrated on the cheeks, chin or forehead, but can also pop up on baby’s eyelids, chest or neck. Baby acne tends to crop up two to four weeks after a baby is born and should clear on its own in a matter of months. Baby acne shows up on breast fed and formula-fed babies at equal rates and is more common in babies born full-term. Research suggests that it is most likely the result of leftover maternal hormones from birth in the baby’s bloodstream, that cause an increase in oil production.

[Image: Photo of newborn with small spots on their face. Text: Baby Acne: Is it related to breastfeeding or something I'm eating?]

Home Sometimes though, a mother is not able to provide the breastmilk her baby needs – and what alternative is used matters.