Swaddled with Love: Postpartum & Lactation Support

11/10/2024

Why Lavender Bloom? 🌿

Lavender itself has really no connections towards breastfeeding or other closely related topics in the realm of infant feeding. Instead in the instance of Lavender Bloom Lactation it has more personal meaning for me. I love flowers/plants, one of my favorite coffees is a honey lavender latte and I love the smell of lavender. It is known for its calming and stress relieving properties which could of course be beneficial when you are a parent at any age and stage.

I considered just Lavender Lactation but that fell short for me. The addition of the word Bloom felt fitting, besides the fact they it sounded nice together, I think “bloom” is a great word to describe what a parent and child go through in the first days and weeks following birth. From pregnancy to birth to the postpartum period it all truly blooms into something beautiful. Those first days and weeks can often set the scene for the continuing months. I hope to be a source of positive support to help parents and babys get off to the best start possible and help when difficulties arise. 💜

10/23/2024

Check out my new page 💜🌿

I’m finally in a place I feel ready to start the path to pursing my IBCLC! Follow along for updates, information, education, and insight to the process of becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Counselor 😊

12/08/2023

It's been a moment since I have been able to hop on and give updates to what Swaddled with Love will be going forward. The shortest answer is I don't really know!

I do still have a strong desire to begin working toward my IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Counselor) but am still trying to feel out when I will be ready to take that on. I am hoping early on into the new year I will be able to begin. I imagine leaning most into lactation support going forward and do not know what in person postpartum support will look like or when I might be able to return to it. I LOVE supporting families in their homes but giving the energy and dedication families deserve in their postpartum period is not something I can do presently. I myself am 5 months postpartum with my 4th child and very much still "in the thick of it." All of my current mental and physical energy and passion is directed towards my own family, as it should be!

I know in the last year there have been a lot of potential offerings that I have mentioned such as adding to my team along with pursuing bereavement support and those are both very much still on my mind, unfortunately, not something I have been able to see to completion yet. I like to be transparent so trust me I KNOW that these items are unfulfilled. As I come out of the fog of the immediate postpartum period, or 4th trimester, as you might hear it referred to, I plan to get some blog posts up on my website and also do some updates on there so it more accurately reflects what I can currently offer.

I have had several inquires from individuals looking for help and have been able to direct them to other resources than myself so please continue to reach out even if you think its not something I am currently doing. I do not at all mind getting you to the correct place and it helps me to keep a pulse on what's going on in the pregnancy/birth/postpartum community. Keep a look out for upcoming blog posts as I think they will be relevant to almost all parents, new and old to the game.

Have a wonderful and healthy holiday season! ❤️

Jessica

12/08/2023

❤️ you matter too mama❤️

👩‍🍼New Mamas!

Unfortunately, our culture has a tendency to glorify pregnancy and sometimes drop the ball when it comes to the beautiful and challenging transition into motherhood and postpartum.

During pregnancy, expecting mothers are carefully monitored and have regular appointments to check on the physical and emotional health of both mom and baby. The questions and inquiries from friends, family and even random strangers come pouring in.. “How are you feeling?” “When is baby due?” “Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?” “We are so excited for you!”..

After the buzz of your new bundle of joy has died down, new moms are often left with a 6 week postpartum check to make sure birth wounds are healing properly (or at least starting to), running the baby around to all of their appointments, lots of unanswered questions and sometimes feelings of inadequacy as they’ve entered into an entirely new realm of being someone’s ENTIRE world and the demands of meeting every need can be a lot! (Even for consecutive children!)

The postpartum season is a sacred season. It should be a season to surround the new parents and offer help and support (not to just hold the baby—but to help them focus on rest, healing, nourishment, household tasks and focusing on their new family relationships between parent and child and between the new parents.)

It’s SO important to surround yourself with the proper team of professionals to help support you in all of the things!!
👏🏼Find yourself a chiropractor with knowledge in postpartum care who can help assist in the healing process and nervous system regulation
👏🏼If you plan to breastfeed—find a board certified lactation specialist (IBCLC)
👏🏼Consider pelvic floor therapy from a women’s health focused therapist
👏🏼If resources allow, hire a postpartum doula to help with your transition within your home (or ask for as a gift on your registry instead of ‘non-useful’ baby gifts)
👏🏼And more!

Remember that your body has just gone through an incredible but massive transition physically, emotionally and spiritually.. REST. REPLENISH. HEAL. CONNECT with your partner and your baby and your other children.

We’re here to help!
📞701-356-0080

10/22/2023

HAAKA - A great tool to assist on your breastfeeding journey by helping you to collect milk with minimal effort. ✨

I love to use these when I’m feeling full but don’t want to use my electric pump. A few reasons I personally don’t want to pump…. It’s more work and more dishes. Also, our milk supply is based on a supply and demand system it can be easy to take out more than you need with an electric pump. However, you don’t want to wear a haaka for extended periods of time or every time you nurse because if the supply and demand effect mentioned above. With all breastfeeding experiences being different it’s important to ask questions and know your own body! Do what works for you and make sure you are finding appropriate resources to assist in whatever ways you are needing help. 🥰

I typically use the haaka during a nursing session on the opposite side. In this photo I had just collected 4 oz (early morning session…so, there was a lot more milk but I usually get about 2 oz with it! This doesn’t sound like a lot but it can add up quick and with little work.) 🍼

Haaka also makes another type of milk collector called a lady bug which some people prefer over a traditional haaka. They fit a little more easily in your bra and are a bit more “mobile.” You really couldn’t walk around with a regular haaka on and not have anyone notice or cover yourself well, but it’s whatever you are comfortable with and works best for you! 🩷

(Nothing I post on my page is medical advice, always reach out to a trusted and reputable professional when necessary. I am happy to provide what I can and refer out when needed.)

10/02/2023

What tiny baby features get you every time? For me it’s the itty bitty toes and their perfect little feet 😍 I have a lot of photos of my kids baby feet! They are just the best.

Tell me or share a photo of something you can never get enough of with babies ❤️

09/11/2023

Louder for the people in the back 📢

HOLDING YOUR BABY DOESNT CREATE BAD HABITS!!!!

Hold. Your. Baby.

Don't let anyone tell you that holding and soothing your baby is "spoiling them" or "creating bad habits."

Babies' need to be held is as important as their need for food.

#56560

09/09/2023

I had a session with Audrey today and it was amazing! The best part was she came to my home saving me a lot of effort! Leaving the house with 4 kids isn’t easy. I’ve also been dealing with a significant amount of back pain since giving birth and I can tell this will be very beneficial for me! Absolutely recommend! 🤍✨💆🏼‍♀️

09/04/2023

Baby wearing has never really suited me, I lacked the patience for practicing and could never get the wrap or carrier right when I did try it and would be so frustrated. With baby #4 it is clear it is going to be a necessity for several reasons. You really have to catch her at the right time for her to tolerate being put down and then it’s a mad dash to try and get done as much as I can. Also, the most obvious being I have 3 other kids with needs to still be met.

Today we got the wrap right and she even fell asleep in it! It’s the little things that are big wins when you have a new baby. 🤗

If you are frustrated with the baby carrying game keep trying. Watch the tutorial videos for your specific wrap and make sure your are following weight/age guidelines for that specific carrier. Lastly, ensure the carrier is hip safety certified for your little one, SO IMPORTANT! I am by no means an expert at baby wearing but know a few things 😉

This particular wrap is a and I’m a fan! ❤️

08/27/2023

08/22/2023

Ever felt a sense of unease, dread or panic when you sit down to nurse your baby? This has a name! 😫

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER).

You may have heard of milk ejection reflex which is necessary to release milk and is caused by oxytocin. D-MER happens when your milk is letting down/at the beginning of a nursing session as baby latches and causes those negative and uncomfortable feelings. It typically lasts only a few minutes or less.

I have personally found drinking ice cold water can help alleviate this some and also remembering it is a very temporary feeling! 🫶🏻

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Photo credit 📸

08/22/2023

Trying to figure out how to organize bottles and/or pumping supplies? I’ve found a pretty great container for doing so! 🍼👌🏻

I’ve been keeping bottles and storage containers on the top. Any type of bottle can be accommodated on the top depending on where you are keeping the container. I’ve been using the bottom for pumping flanges, my hand pump parts, haakas, and extra pacifiers. The container also comes with separators if you want to keep it even more organized. 🙌🏻

This would also be great for baby food later on! 🍓🥑🍌

If you would like me to share this product with you comment LINK and I will DM you! 👩🏼‍💻

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