Birth, Baby! | Guidance for Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, and Parenting

Baby’s First Bites: Tips on Introducing Solids

In this episode we chat with Naiomi Catron of Milk Diva about how and when to introduce solids to babies! We discuss the recommended age to start solids, the importance of meeting developmental signs, and the role of breast milk in complementing solid foods. We also touch on the risks of starting solids too early, the window of opportunity for introducing new flavors, and the order of feeding breast milk and solids. The conversation covers topics such as nutritional value, digestive issues, allergies, and choking prevention. In this conversation, Naiomi discusses the importance of introducing solid foods to babies and provides tips on how to do it safely and effectively. She emphasizes the need for babies to develop hand-eye coordination and chewing skills by offering them soft, easily mashable foods. She also explains the difference between choking and gagging and offers guidance on how to handle each situation. She discusses the best first foods to offer babies, focusing on nutrient needs and debunking myths about introducing sweet foods. She also addresses the balance between food and milk consumption and sets reasonable expectations for the transition to mostly solid foods by 12 months of age.There are some awesome take aways from this episode and don’t forget to go take the “Are we ready for solids?” quiz (get a free Intro to Solids Checklist).https://www.milkdiva.com/nutrition.html   Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby! Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Vaginal Steaming - Embracing Your Cycle

In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha interview Chantal Blake, a womb steaming therapist, about embracing menstrual cycles and the benefits of vaginal steaming. They discuss the connection between honoring cycles and honoring births and postpartum experiences. Chantal shares her personal journey with vaginal steaming and how it has helped women with various reproductive health issues. They also talk about the importance of introducing girls to vaginal steaming and promoting body literacy from a young age. Vaginal steaming can support women throughout different stages of their lives, including menstruation, fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and even after a hysterectomy. Steaming after menstruation is recommended for one to three consecutive days to support a healthy period. Steaming is generally not recommended during menstruation or most of pregnancy, but can be safely done to prepare for labor once full term. Steaming can help relax and prepare the pelvic floor for labor, reduce the risk of tears, and promote a steady labor pattern. After birth, steaming can help clear out lochia, reduce the risk of infections, and support the return of a healthy menstrual cycle. Steaming can also be used to treat and prevent UTIs, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and other infections. It is important to use the appropriate herbs and follow protocols based on individual needs and conditions. Steaming does not disrupt the pH balance or vaginal flora, but rather restores balance and resilience to the vaginal microbiome.Chantal Blake is a Womb Steaming Therapist and Writer with a professional background in nursing, environmental engineering, and peristeam hydrotherapy. She weaves the fields of medicine, environmentalism, and holistic self-care into fascinating and practical instruction for women of all ages. Since 2019, Chantal has helped hundreds of women experience healthier periods and greater allyship with their female design through consultations, courses, and private coaching. Her work continues to reach an ever-growing audience through published articles, podcast interviews, and speaking engagements. As a world traveler and serial expat, Chantal has learned how to communicate her heartfelt desire to see women flourishing in their female design across cultures, contexts, and languages. And as a wife and mother of three, she is extremely passionate about nurturing a legacy of women who love their periods, honor their wombs, and protect their fertility for generations to come. Chantal’s first book, Peaceful Periods: Holistic Womb Care for Teens, is championing an international movement of empowering and positive menstrual health education backed by science and traditional wisdom. You can download a free excerpt at http://www.honoredwomb.com and follow her events on Instagram and Facebook: @‌honoredwomb.Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby! Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Vaginal Steaming for Pregnancy and Postpartum

In this episode we talked with Theresa Swan. Theresa is a Peristeam Hydrotherapist (and a Peristeam Facilitator) through the Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute.  During this intensive training she learned how to use steam therapy with over 350 pelvic health situations. Her mission is to see a revival of every household using steaming to help support and rebalance their bodies. She came to talk to us about using steaming in pregnancy and postpartum!Vaginal steaming is an ancient practice that has been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years in many different cultures. It is a practice that involves using steam therapy to support and rebalance the body. Vaginal steaming has a wide range of benefits, including increasing blood circulation, reducing pain and inflammation, promoting relaxation, and aiding in the healing process. It can be used during pregnancy for labor preparation and postpartum for faster recovery and healing. Steaming can help clear lochia, reduce postpartum contractions and cramping, and promote the healing of wounds and sutures. It is a safe and effective practice when done under the guidance of a certified peristeam hydrotherapist. Vaginal steaming during labor and postpartum can have numerous benefits, including reducing tearing, assisting with the first elimination of the bladder after giving birth, reducing water retention, and potentially reversing prolapse. It may also help prevent hemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis, and embolism. Steaming during labor can soften the perineum and vaginal muscles, increase dilation, and shorten labor. It can also provide pain relief and restart stalled contractions. Steaming is contraindicated during pregnancy until full term, and it is important to work with a certified parasteam hydrotherapist. Finding a parasteam hydrotherapist can be done through the Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute. Consultations and personalized steam plans are available globally.Get in touch with Theresa and use the discount code BIRTHBABY to get 15% off! website: www.luminouscreatrix.comInstagram: @‌LuminousCreatrixStudy mentioned:Fourth Trimester Vaginal Steam study: https://fourthtrimestervaginalsteamstudy.com/Our Research - Fourth Trimester Vaginal Steam Study - Steamy ChickSteamy Chick InstitutePlease feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby! Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Birth Stories: Katie’s Fertility and Pregnancy Journey

Katie Phillips comes on to share her birth story. The fertility journey, pregnancy experience, and birth of her son are so inspiring to those that haven’t had a straightforward experience of their own! She shares the process of egg retrievals, IVF rounds, and the travel involved. She also shares the emotional process of experiencing a pregnancy and preparing for a birth, and how childbirth classes, birth doula services, and an amazing birth team impacted her journey. Please feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Jaundice: What it is and how to get rid of it

In this episode we chat with Dr. Elissa Gonzalez of Blue Monarch Pediatrics about jaundice! Does delayed cord clamping increase the risk of jaundice? How do you know if your baby's bilirubin is truly high enough to warrant staying longer in the hospital? Can you effectively eliminate jaundice at home? She helps us break down what it is and how you can help your baby get rid of it.Dr. Elissa Gonzalez is a board certified and integrative certified pediatrician and lactation consultant (IBCLC) practicing at Blue Monarch Pediatrics in Lakeway, TX. She specializes in behavior, social/emotional development, ADHD and newborn care. She understands that each child is a one-of-a-kind individual, and their health is influenced by various factors, including physical, emotional, and social elements. Her approach is all-encompassing, focusing on nurturing every aspect of a child's well-being. She looks beyond the symptoms to find the root causes, and collaborates with families to create a customized care plan that promotes balance and harmony.Website: www.bluemonarchpediatrics.comInstagram: @bluemonarchpediatricsPlease feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

A Pediatricians Guide to Fevers in Newborns

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Whitaker, a direct care pediatrician in Austin, Texas at the practice Blue Monarch Pediatrics! He’s here to talk to us all about fevers in newborns. What constitutes a fever in a newborn? At what age is it less dangerous for a baby to have a fever? What can a parent do for a newborn with a fever and is it always necessary to go to the emergency room? Dr. Whitaker answers the questions so many new parents have. Dr. Whitaker is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  He completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Rice University, Medical Degree at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center.  He has over 20 years of experience in a variety of settings including newborn hospital, emergency and urgent care facilities, outpatient clinic for children with complex health needs and mental health difficulties.http://bluemonarchpediatrics.comPlease feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Diastasis Series: Infants and Children

This is Episode 6 in a 6-episode series. In this episode, Dr. Katherine Melot joins us to chat about diastasis in infants and children. Many people don't realize that anyone can have diastasis, not just after pregnancy. She discusses how this happens, it's effects, when it's something to be concerned about, and how to help correct diastasis in children. Dr. Katherine Melot is the owner and creator of Defeat Diastasis and BirthCo. in Austin, Texas. Defeat Diastasis has an at home program you can do from anywhere! To learn more:www.defeatdiastasis.comwww.birth-co.comPlease feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Diastasis Series: Understanding Hormones and Building Muscle

This is Episode 5 in a 6-episode series. In this episode, we have Dr. Michelle Meija. She explains how hormones play a role in healing diastasis and building muscle. Dr. Michelle is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) with a Master’s of Science in Functional Nutrition. She practices as the Functional Nutrition Practitioner for BirthCo., dedicated to promoting optimal wellness from the inside out. Her comprehensive approach revolves around delving into specific laboratory testing to pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms. She is dedicated to ongoing professional development and is currently pursuing certification as a Functional Medicine Practitioner, expected to be completed by the summer of 2024. This additional certification expands her expertise in holistic medicine practices and enhances her proficiency in laboratory analysis.She specializes in comprehensive hormone, nutrition, and gut testing, to aid clients struggling with various health challenges, including fertility issues, postpartum fatigue, endometriosis, PCOS, constipation, IBS, thyroid imbalances, post-birth control syndrome, perimenopause, and menopause. With a wealth of knowledge and dedication to individualized care, Dr. Michelle is committed to empowering and guiding her clients to an optimal state of health and well-being.www.defeatdiastasis.comwww.birth-co.comdrmichelle@birth-co.comPlease feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify! 

Diastasis Series: Amy’s Story

This is Episode 4 in a 6-episode series. In this episode you will hear the birth stories and postpartum journey of Amy Ferrara. Amy is a faith-based speaker, Bible teacher, and homeschooling mom. She's a native Texan who spent nearly 20 years in Washington, DC, where she met and married her husband, Mark. They have 3 kids, ranging in ages from 4 to 14. Amy and her family moved to Austin in 2020 and are thrilled to call the hill country "home." Amy has been on quite the health journey over the past decade and is deeply grateful to all the holistic health practitioners who partnered with her for healing and recovery.Website: www.amyferrara.comDr. Katherine Melot is the owner and creator of Defeat Diastasis and BirthCo. in Austin, Texas. Defeat Diastasis has an at home program you can do from anywhere! To learn more:www.defeatdiastasis.comwww.birth-co.comTo learn more about Neux: http://www.neuxtec.comPlease feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!

Diastasis Series: Defeat Diastasis Program and the Pelvic Floor

This is Episode 3 in a 6-episode series. In this episode you will learn about the Defeat Diastasis program and how diastasis can affect the pelvic floor. Many people don't realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can be a symptom of diastasis. They're very much connected. Dr. Melot educates us on the connection between the two and how to start your journey to healing.Dr. Katherine Melot is the owner and creator of Defeat Diastasis and BirthCo. in Austin, Texas. Defeat Diastasis has an at home program you can do from anywhere! To learn more:www.defeatdiastasis.comwww.birth-co.comTo learn more about Neux: http://www.neuxtec.comPlease feel free to reach out to us with any recommendations for show episode ideas. If you'd like to be a guest, email us with some information about yourself and what type of podcast you'd like to record together. Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to follow and review our podcast, Birth, Baby!Instagram: @‌BirthBabyPodcastEmail: BirthBabyPodcast@gmail.comWebsite: www.BirthBabyPodcast.comIntro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!