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7/27/2022

PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION VIDEO FOR BIRTH

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Recording: Christelle Hagen
Images: Pixabay and Unsplash
© 2022 Christelle Hagen

Progressive Relaxation 1 is a progressive relaxation session focusing on tensing and releasing the muscles under your conscious control so that you can learn how your muscles feel when they are tense and relaxed. This will help you release the tension in your muscles to conserve energy for the work of birthing your baby and activate the relaxation response.
​8 minutes, 46 seconds.

Note: there is no background music during this video so that you can use any music you find relaxing, if you choose. If you use the same music during your relaxation sessions, you will condition yourself to respond to the music with relaxation. If you then choose to play the same music during your birth, you are more likely to be relaxed!

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5/26/2022

SUPERMOM-IN-TRAINING SUMMIT RECAP

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I had the opportunity to answer questions and answers about Bonding with Baby yesterday at the free online SuperMoms-in-Training Summit. It was a great experience! Since the actual recording is reserved for summit participants, here's a recap of what I discussed.
To bond with baby (as well as older children!) I suggest new parents look into attachment parenting (AP). I would argue that AP is simply instinctive parenting that has been practiced since the beginning of the human race, but it has been promoted in recent decades by Dr. William Sears and his wife, Martha Sears, RN. In their book, Attachment Parenting,* the Searses promote the "Seven B's" of AP:
  • Birth Bonding
  • Breastfeeding
  • Babywearing
  • Bed Sharing
  • Belief in the signal value of Baby's Cries
  • Beware of Baby Trainers (practices that might reduce your responsiveness to your baby)
  • Balance and Boundaries
In my Summit Q & A, I discussed a little bit about each of these practices. One reason I encourage mothers to work toward a natural, unmedicated birth without routine interventions is because such a birth usually provides the best conditions for normal breastfeeding, and breastfeeding is an important factor in bonding. Another important part of Birth Bonding is skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby -- and also dad and baby! And skin-to-skin is something you can do with your baby anytime, not just at birth.
Research suggests that Breastfeeding is an important factor in mother-baby bonding. It's important to add that breastfeeding doesn't guarantee bonding, and other feeding choices certainly don't prevent bonding! However, breastfeeding releases bonding hormones in baby and mother, and is known as an important factor in bonding.
There was a question about what can be done to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy. Make sure to get a lactation consultant lined up before you have a need! If needed, it is much easier to make a call for help to someone with whom you have already established a relationship than cold calling in what might feel like a very emergent situation. A second suggestion I have is to make sure you take a good breastfeeding preparation class!
The third B is Babywearing. Babies who are "worn" (carried in a sling or infant carrier) cry less and are perceived as "easier" / happier babies. This can make bonding easier. In addition to babywearing, I also recommend Infant Massage! Infant massage is a wonderful way to promote your baby's physical and emotional health while growing in your bond.
I spoke the longest about the fourth B: Bed Sharing because many have concerns about bedsharing safety. It is important to follow safe bed sharing guidelines! If bedsharing isn't something that you are interested in doing, it can be beneficial to sleep close to baby, for example, with baby in a "sidecar" arrangement or with bassinette in your room.
I add Baby Sign language to the fifth B: Belief in the signal value of a Baby's Cries. The parent or caregiver recognizes that babies want to communicate their needs and it is our job to observe our babies and learn what their signals mean. Baby Sign language facilitates this process by giving babies a way to communicate their needs, thoughts, and emotions before they are able to speak!
A mom asked how many signs to start with. I responded to say that in my Baby Signs classes (designed for babies 6-24 months), I teach about 6 signs per week and that seems to be enough variety without overwhelm. I also recommend starting with the mealtime signs because this is such an important area where parents and babies need to communicate every day!
Similar to the Bedsharing B, I recognize that "Beware of Baby Trainers" is one of the more controversial AP practices. To make this less confrontational, I like to explain this one as avoiding those practices that force you to be less responsive to your baby. For example, there are some methods that are designed to "train" a baby not to cry...ever. This is the kind of practice that should be avoided if you want to practice AP, because it interferes with the previous B: recognizing the signal value of a baby's cries. (This B does not mean using gentle methods of weaning or helping your toddler learn to sleep through the night at an appropriate age. Of course all children should wean from the breast and sleep through the night!)
The final B, which in my opinion is the most important, is Balance and Boundaries. Parents who gravitate to AP tend to be (like me haha) Type A perfectionists. It is important to be gentle with yourself and make sure your own needs are met: physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. AP can be intense and it is something that requires a lot of energy and commitment for the long-haul. You absolutely need to meet your own needs to be a long-term AP parent. You matter! And your baby does, too! Blessings to you and your baby.

  • *This is an affiliate link. I will get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Your purchase helps to support this non-profit alliance in our mission to accompany families through the joys and sorrows of birth and parenting. Note: I truly love this book; check it out from the library if you don't want to purchase it!

RESOURCES

  • Birth Matters classes: online birth classes that help prepare you and your birth partner for an informed and empowered natural childbirth
  • Breastfeeding Matters class: an online breastfeeding education class
  • Infant Massage Basics class: an online infant massage class that teaches you the benefits of infant massage, as well as basic strokes to massage your baby
  • Baby Signs Sign, Say, and Play series: a fun online playgroup that help you teach 37 signs to your baby about topics such as mealtime, bedtime, bath time, getting dressed, pets, and park play
  • Ask Dr. Sears: the official website of Dr. William and Martha Sears that answers many questions about attachment parenting
  • Baby Signs: the website for baby sign language questions and products
  • Kelly Mom: one of our favorite go-to sites for evidence-based breastfeeding questions
  • Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory: Dr. James McKenna's official website summarizing his research into the benefits of bedsharing

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4/19/2022

"WHAT IS ECOLOGICAL BREASTFEEDING?" A SHORT INTRODUCTION

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One of my most popular posts in this blog is about ecological breastfeeding. Earlier this year, I was asked by Natural Family Planning International to produce a short video about ecological breastfeeding. I wrote the video, filmed it, acted in it, and edited it. This was a fun experience and I hope to produce more parenting videos in the future! Contact me or comment below if you have ideas for parenting videos, or questions I can answer with a video!
Because they go by kind of fast, here are the Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding:
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Do you have comments or questions about ecological breastfeeding (sometimes called eco-breastfeeding)? Do you have eco-bfing experiences to share? Comment below!

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4/4/2022

THE IMPACT OF PITOCIN DURING BIRTH ON NEWBORN REFLEXES

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Once a month, Gina Peterson, IBCLC, and Lexy Backstrom, BfNA (two Catholic Nursing Mothers' League leaders) work with me to support Catholic breastfeeding mothers in two online breastfeeding support groups. We launched these groups in March of 2021, and just celebrated our first anniversary of providing free online breastfeeding education and support. This month's topic is "Working with Your Baby's Natural Instincts to Breastfeed." 
In preparing for our meeting, I took some time to refresh and expand my knowledge of the many instinctual reflexes newborns have at birth that help them to locate, attach, and breastfeed successfully -- when new mothers are given the freedom to hold their healthy, full-term babies skin-to-skin  in laid-back, tummy to tummy positions.
My interest was piqued by a 2015 research study, "Intrapartum Synthetic Oxytocin Reduce (sic) the Expression of Primitive Reflexes Associated with Breastfeeding." In this study, the researchers observed that those babies exposed to synthetic oxytocin (i.e., "Pitocin") during birth exhibited fewer primitive neonatal reflexes that are favorable to getting started with breastfeeding as compared to the group of babies with no exposure to synthetic oxytocin.
The reflexes that appear to be most affected by exposure to Pitocin include all of the rhythmic reflexes that were studied (suck, jaw jerk, and swallowing). As a group, all the primitive neonatal reflexes that were studied were observed less in the group of newborns exposed to synthetic oxytocin as compared to the newborns who were not exposed.
The researchers suggested that it may be possible that synthetic oxytocin could cross through both the placenta (which protects the baby from some harmful substances) as well as the barrier that protects the fetus from substances that could damage his or her developing brain.
There were several limitations to the study. The group without synthetic oxytocin exposure included more experienced mothers, and the group with exposure had much higher epidural anesthesia rates. However the researchers did not observe any differences in the rates of newborns exhibiting primitive neonatal reflexes based on these two variables.
My intention in sharing this information is to encourage healthy mothers to make it a goal to have a natural, unmedicated birth whenever possible -- with a supportive birth team (including a birth doula if possible), in a birthplace that has a track record of good support for natural birth experiences.
For healthy moms and babies, a natural birth is the usually the best foundation for breastfeeding. Assuming mother and baby are healthy, mothers can help baby to get started breastfeeding by laying back, supporting her body in a semi-reclined ("laid-back") position and place baby skin-to-skin and tummy to tummy, allowing baby to self-attach.
Of course, even if Pitocin is necessary during a particular mother's birth, this does not mean she and her baby will be unable to breastfeed! My first birth was augmented with Pitocin and my fifth birth was induced with Pitocin, yet both of these babies successfully breastfed into early childhood. In any birth requiring the use of medications, (as well as all natural births!) make sure to get some of each of the four components that help you to succeed when you breastfeed:
  • Support from experienced mothers
  • Counseling from a peer counselor / Consulting with a lactation professional
  • Education on the normal breastfeeding process and any current issues (if applicable) / Example of other breastfeeding mothers
  • Determination
As I know from my own experiences, breastfeeding is NOT always easy. And despite doing everything "right", it can be frustrating, exhausting, and sometimes just plain hard work that seems impossible. Your breastfeeding journey is unique to you and your baby; and as always, what works for both of you is what's best for you. Contact me if you need a listening ear or another perspective!

resources

  • Cited Research Study: "Intrapartum Synthetic Oxytocin Reduce the Expression of Primitive Reflexes Associated with Breastfeeding," Gabriel et al, Breastfeeding Medicine, 2015 May 1; 10(4): 209-213
  • Research Study on various positions for breastfeeding: "Optimal positions for the release of primitive neonatal reflexes stimulating breastfeeding," Colson, Meek, and Hawdon, Early Human Development (2008) 84, 441-449
  • Biological Nurturing: the website of laid-back breastfeeding pioneer and researcher, Dr. Suzanne Colson
  • Birth Matters birth classes: the most flexible, affordable, and encouraging online birth classes that help prepare you for your natural childbirth
  • Birth Together -- the Complete Catholic Childbirth Preparation course: an evidence-based online course for Catholic couples covering everything from tips for a healthy pregnancy, natural childbirth preparation, newborn care and characteristics, breastfeeding education, and preparing for your vocation as Catholic parents
  • Breastfeeding Matters class: a one-time online breastfeeding education class that will help you to succeed when you breastfeed
  • Catholic Nursing Mothers' Groups: free, online evidence-based support groups for Catholic breastfeeding mothers
  • Catholic Nursing Mothers League: local breastfeeding groups, Facebook groups, a blog and more for Catholic breastfeeding mothers

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11/30/2021

November 2021 community sponsor

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Chris Hagen gave another donation this month and became a Gold Community Sponsor. SCBP is a nonprofit registered in the state of Minnesota. A very large portion of our income is made of financial gifts from individuals like you! Chris's gift will help us keep our doors open so we can continue to provide free and low-cost birth, breastfeeding, and parenting services to growing families and families of loss throughout the USA. Thanks, Chris!

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10/22/2021

OCTOBER 2021 COMMUNITY SPONSOR

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Chris Hagen became St. Croix Birth & Parenting's newest Crystal Community Sponsor. SCBP is a nonprofit registered in the state of Minnesota. A very large portion of our income is made of financial gifts from individuals like you! Chris's gift will help us keep our doors open so we can continue to provide free and low-cost birth, breastfeeding, and parenting services to growing families and families of loss throughout the USA. Thanks, Chris!

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8/12/2021

supporting new MOTHERs during a loCkdown: a guide for friends and extended family

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A mothers' group: the good old days?
The coronavirus pandemic has changed life as most of us once experienced it. Many areas of the world are in lockdown, and even in areas where things have opened up, as the number of COVID-19 cases spikes again, we will likely face more social distancing measures or quarantines to try to slow the spread (if we aren't already).
For some new mothers, this slower, more home-based pace of life has been a good thing. These moms report that being quarantined with their babies has helped them breastfeed, since - just to mention one thing - being separated from a nursing baby tends to make maintaining a milk supply more challenging and if nothing else, lockdown gives us lots and lots of time with our immediate family members. But in other and important ways, social isolation is not great for new mothers. Many important services that mothers need, including lactation help, have been more difficult or impossible to access during lockdown. Aside from access to healthcare, all mothers need other mothers, friends, sisters, cousins, grandmothers, aunts...we need our sisters and our sage femmes to let us know we're not alone; we're loved; we're doing a good-enough job; our kids are normal (usually); and, if they're not, to have faith that eventually, this too shall pass. Lockdowns put a lock on these face-to-face and side-by-side moments...natural social interactions which normally serve to lower our stress levels and restore us - "enhope" us. ​And all this goes quadruple for new mothers.
Dealing with lochia, sore nipples, night feeds, blow outs, the constant guessing games that a newborn brings (a/k/a no instruction manual), keeping a brand new non-verbal human thriving and growing, and caring for everything "down there" is just a lot. In some idealized past, we imagine our ancestral mothers got to lie around while their loving, supportive kin waited on them hand and foot. Sure, maybe that happened sometime, somewhere, but envying our long-departed great-great-grandmother's "lying in" is not really going to help you get through this painful feed, on this lonely day, at this ungodly hour.
So let's break this down. New mothers have physical needs. Food, water, monster sized maternity pads (in the beginning), menstrual pads later on, baths or showers, and (eventually) clean clothes. If you love her, ask about these things. If she needs something, help or ask someone else to help. Leave things on her porch, in her mailbox, send it unaccompanied up the elevator, or throw it through her window if you have to! (Or you could just give to the baby's dad, but that's not as fun.)
If she's good with her physical needs, I guarantee she has emotional needs. Call and ask about her birth. Listen. Bite your tongue if you find yourself starting any sentence with the words "at least." Listen. Celebrate the good stuff with her. Mourn with her anything she found sad. Share her anger if anything made her mad. Don't tell her what she should have done differently. Listen. Are you listening? Keep listening. No matter what, make sure to let her know how amazing she is. No one in the history of the world had her birth. It was her adventure and she is a heroine for having done it!
Call another time and ask how things are going with the baby. Celebrate the joys. Mourn the things that aren't going so well with her. Did I mention don't tell her she should have done anything differently? She is probably already beating herself up about something. If her baby is growing and developing, she's doing a great job. Tell her.
If her baby is struggling, offer to help. If she's got other kids, depending on your local situation, you might be able to have someone in mom's social bubble bring the baby's older siblings somewhere outside for a socially distanced / masked playdate so she can visit (whether in-person or virtual) with the doctor, or the chiropractor, or the lactation consultant, or whoever it is she thinks can help. Moms grow in confidence and feel capable when the people around them support their decisions about their baby's care. Be that person (even if you secretly disagree). Being a great friend / sister / mother / mother-in-law, etc., means supporting the new mom's efforts to become a mother, a big part of which is taking responsibility for her baby. And chances are very good that if the baby continues to struggle, even after that visit with [insert name here] she will try something else, and something else, and something else, and maybe, when she's tried everything else, she may even ask you for your advice! Now is your moment.
A few days or a week later, call her again. And then again. And yet again. And pretty soon she will blossom and her tiny baby will become a chunky monkey, roll over and crawl and take his first steps, and life will settle and she will never forget that you were there, on the sidelines, cheering her on the whole time. Maybe you never carried a meal to her bedside on a solid-gold tray, but you were there. And maybe she'll tell her great-great-granddaughters about you and how you were there for her when great-grandpa was born, during the time of the world coronavirus pandemic.

ways st. croix birth & Parenting can help

  • Twin Cities area Birth Place visits (where permitted)
  • ​Virtual breastfeeding counseling
  • Breastfeeding support groups (for Catholic mothers)

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3/27/2021

3 Minute Infant Massage Video

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Quick Baby Rubdown! 3 minute massage for baby. Easy to fit in after a bath or to relax baby before bedtime. Infant Massage has many benefits for your baby, including better mental health into adulthood!
This video is a mini version of the full body infant massage in our Infant Massage Basics class! Check our schedule for our next online class. Contact us to register!
This video is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult your baby's doctor or medical care provider for specific advice about the care of your baby. It is not recommended that you use any oil on babies under 6 weeks of age. Consult with a certified aromatherapist or your baby's doctor concerning the use of essential oils on babies younger than three months old.

c. Christelle Hagen 2021
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Music Credits:
Birthday
Musician: LiQWID
​URL:
http://soundcloud.com/liqwid

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2/7/2021

Bosom Buddies: tummy to tummy, skin to skin (BONUS Tummy Time Activity Video)

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Did you know holding your baby tummy to tummy and skin to skin counts as tummy time?
​
In Bosom Buddies: Tummy to Tummy, Skin to Skin (BONUS Tummy Time Activity Video) you will learn:
  • The benefits for baby and their caregivers of the tummy to tummy position, especially when skin to skin
  • How holding your baby tummy to tummy is the easiest way for your baby to get tummy time
  • How to make tummy time comfortable for you
  • Baby signs you can use during tummy to tummy time
Sign up for the next Rumble Tumble Tummy Time four-session online playgroup!
This video is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult your baby's doctor or medical care provider for specific advice about the care of your baby.
Music Credits:
Call Me
Musician: LiQWID
URL:
http://soundcloud.com/LiQWID​

Birthday
Musician: LiQWID
URL:
http://soundcloud.com/liqwid​

Someday
Musician: Alexander Delarge
URL:
https://icons8.com/music​

Words
Musician: Jason Shaw
URL:
https://audionautix.com​
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...​

Ice cream
Musician: Ilya Truhanov
URL:
https://icons8.com/music

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1/2/2021

Up, Up, and Away! (Tummy Time Activity Video #4)

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Help your baby's tummy time take off with the Airplane Game! No equipment needed.
In Up, Up, and Away! (Tummy Time Activity Video #4) you will learn:
  • A traditional game to help make tummy time fun
  • Alternative positions for the airplane game
  • A great way dads and other significant people can play with baby during tummy time
This video is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult with your baby's doctor or medical care provider for specific advice about the care of your baby.
Music Credits

Folk Bed
Musician: Jason Shaw
URL: https://audionautix.com
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Lazy Day
Musician: Jason Shaw
URL: https://audionautix.com

Ice Cream
Musician: Ilya Truhanov
URL: https://icons8.com/music

Don't Stop Now
Musician: ASHUTOSH
URL: https://soundcloud.com/grandakt

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    Christelle J. K. Hagen, BfNAE, ICI, SBD is a certified birth doula, certified Baby Signs instructor, Certified Birth & Bereavement Doula, fertility educator, and the President and Founder of St. Croix Birth & Parenting. Christelle helps mothers develop strategies to get pregnant naturally, give birth with confidence, and succeed when they breastfeed!
    ​
    "Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit." ~Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NRSV-CE)

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