Leanai Birth and Postpartum Services

02/04/2022

Babies CAN NOT manipulate. Repeat that to yourself until you believe it. ❤❤

And an underdeveloped mammal at that. I remember as a student being told that really babies should be born at about 18 months old: able to walk, speak, and feed themselves (well, put food in their mouth, not pop to Tesco, rustle up a three-course dinner and do the washing up).

Of course, given the size of a toddler and the size of the human pelvis, that would be unfeasible to say the least, so babies are born sooner. This means, however, that most of their first year is devoted to brain development and getting the hang of key skills like holding their head up and eventually being able to move around.

Other baby mammals, such as giraffes or cows, can walk and feed themselves soon after birth and spend most of their early months growing bigger. Of course, human brains are also more complex (we have rational thought, more developed language skills and can think in abstract terms about the future and so on) and babies need time to develop their brains too.

Not to freak you out or anything, but this means that your small person is pretty much totally dependent on you (and anyone else who cares for them). Unlike a baby giraffe, they can’t walk, feed themselves or run away from danger. So they need to be absolutely sure that you are going to care for them and help them out a bit.

Don''t let anyone tell you that a small baby is 'manipulating you' or 'needs to be in a routine for their own good' or 'you're making a rod for your own back'. They're only 'manipulating' if getting support is manipulative!

When they cry it’s because they can’t do things for themselves.

When they don’t want to be put down, it’s because they’re afraid of being left alone and you're their safe space.

When they feed all night, it’s because they’re growing so quickly.

It’s not wrong (or unusual) to start to find this frustrating over time. It's not wrong to vent to anyone who will listen about how tough this is. Or do be desperate for a break. Or to draw on all the support available to you so you can make time for yourself.

But it will change as they grow and develop. And by meeting their needs you're showing them that they can trust you and the world is a good place.

09/23/2021

Just saw this and wanted to share. I used one of these with my boys, and thankfully they are alive and well. But if this had happened back then, I wouldn't have chanced it.

: Over 3 Million The Boppy Company Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers After 8 Infant Deaths; Suffocation Risk. Get refund. Contact: 800-416-1355 or www.boppy.com. Full recall notice: https://bit.ly/3lVXlYf

11/28/2020

This will never NOT amaze me. The power of birth is strong, even if you feel like giving up. ❤❤❤

10/16/2020

So often, parents giving birth encounter people who put up roadblocks. A good majority of those people are medical staff.

If you have given birth before, think about your last birth...if it was in a hospital, did they insist upon starting an IV? Depriving you of food? Trying to keep you in bed? Offering (probably more than once) some pain meds or to call for an epidural?

Giving birth puts a person in a highly vulnerable state. Though you know the mechanics of what is happening, it does not lessen the feelings of fear, nervousness or vulnerability. When those feelings pop up, we tend to go along with suggestions from a person or persons we feel has more of a grasp on the situation, aka the staff.

A doula helps put the power and confidence back into your hands and heart. A doula possesses the information they pass on to you to make informed decisions. A doula reminds you that YOU are in charge...you can decline the processes a medical staff consider to be mandatory because of their policies.

Barring special circumstances (like medical issues for birthing parent or baby), most "normal" procedures are unnecessary and in some cases, scientifically proven to be counterproductive.

But at the end of the day, whether you choose all, some, or none of the procedures, it should be because YOU thought it was the best option, not someone else.

09/23/2020

09/12/2020

I am a pro-feeding doula...meaning I support you whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed. There are so many reasons a parent may choose to breastfeed (easier for them, maybe they didn't get the experience with their previous children, easier on the purse-straps, etc), and there are so many reasons a parent may choose to bottle-feed (past trauma, body unable to produce milk, easier for their life situation if they work outside the home, just because they want to, etc).

But I will say this...if you choose to breastfeed in public in the United States (not sure about internationally, but I'd love to know), YOU ARE PROTECTED BY LAW. No one can force you to:

*cover up while feeding
*quit feeding
*move somewhere else because it is "indecent"
*chastise you
*threaten to call the police or security if you refuse to follow their direction

Breastfeeding in public is protected by law in all 50 states. There will be some parents who prefer to feed with a cover, while others won't. There will be some that want privacy (either because of their own preference or because being in a private area makes it less distracting for their baby) and others who have no problem feeding wherever and whenever the need arises.

I have a unique experience of having three boys who all had their own experience with the way they were fed. My oldest didn't want to latch on and I admit, I was terrified, anxious, worried, and disappointed. I lacked the knowledge despite attending childbirth classes, and I found it easier on my mental health to bottle-feed formula. My middle son didn't latch either, so I started pumping because my Lactation Consultant advised me to do so while we tried to successfully latch. In the end, I wound up exclusively pumping for 18 months and bottle-feeding him breastmilk. My youngest was a champ at nursing...I wound up nursing exclusively for over a year, before he self-weaned at 18 months. But I lacked the outside support. Family criticized my lack of wanting to cover up (by the time he was 6 months old he was pulling it off anyway, so I found them pointless), and would make comments I attribute to how they were raised. Because of this, I only ever felt truly comfortable nursing at home.

Long story short, no one else has to make YOUR decisions. They are yours and yours alone. I support no matter what, and provide info from unbiased sources to help you make an informed decision. If others decide to voice their opinions, just tell them you are not breaking any laws and they can have a nice day.

I do not recommend doing what is in the picture, though...I think that IS illegal. (But it IS hilarious. Lol)

09/01/2020

I know of some who have said they liked this drink. I look at the picture and have flashbacks of the nausea this drink caused. All in all...this statement is accurate.

07/27/2020

Every parent who has given birth, and those who are in that homestretch currently, know this feeling all too well. Add in humid, hot days, and I give you all permission to eat as many popsicles as you want, and sit in a fridge if it makes you comfortable. 😂

I know when my mother was pregnant with my baby brother (who was overdue, by the way), it was the hottest August on record and the rest of us slept in winter coats because she had every fan in the house on. 😂

07/13/2020

If you're pregnant and having a hospital birth COVID19 does not give providers permission to strip you of your rights.

1. You do NOT have to be tested. Period. You don't have to explain why, and you don't need any kind of excuse.

2. They CANNOT take your baby from you if you refuse to be tested.

3. They CANNOT take your baby if you test positive for COVID.
*Both the WHO & RCOG strongly recommend keeping mother and baby together, even if mom tests positively. You can show this resource to your provider if they say otherwise:

WHO- https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/clinical-management-of-severe-acute-respiratory-infection-when-novel-coronavirus-(ncov)-infection-is-suspected?fbclid=IwAR3F5ceFqT9yj-jd9_SlPa88EYF6pCHOP2vkW1LH99Rw1c6j6k2-QrJJwlk

RCOG- https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/?fbclid=IwAR0Ncyovu935FEoZ11D8U46JioR3i5N_A0bR-bBb70rOxewybtccw5f3EyE

4. There is NO known medical reason to stop breastfeeding if you test positive. Current research shows no evidence of the illness being transmitted via breast milk. Breast milk does however have valuable antibodies to build your baby's immune system. If you planned to breastfeed, it is still recommended by the WHO.

WHO link about COVID & breast feeding- https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/breastfeeding-and-covid-19

CDC link about COVID & breast feeding- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fpregnancy-breastfeeding.html

5. They CANNOT make you wear a mask while laboring/pushing. You can voice that you are uncomfortable, and take it off.

YOU get to decide what you consent to, COVID does not change that.

—— https://evidencebasedbirth.com/covid19/

This has A TON of evidence based links and info. Evidence Based Birth is a very solid source of information.

—- https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/clinical-management-of-severe-acute-respiratory-infection-when-novel-coronavirus-(ncov)-infection-is-suspected?fbclid=IwAR3F5ceFqT9yj-jd9_SlPa88EYF6pCHOP2vkW1LH99Rw1c6j6k2-QrJJwlk

07/13/2020

06/23/2020

If you've ever been at the tail end of pregnancy and feel so uncomfortable you feel like you could have the baby right then and there...

But in all seriousness, being told you haven't dilated can be a source of disappointment. Luckily, cervixes aren't a crystal ball...you could be at 5 cm for two weeks or be 1 cm dilated and have the baby later that night. So take heart...if you're in your birthing window, the time will arrive quicker than you think. ❤🤗❤🤗

06/18/2020

I've been researching maternal mortality, and I'm honestly astonished that Georgia hasn't been talking about this. And I'm mad.

Not only are 60% of maternal deaths PREVENTABLE, but a majority of these deaths are related to cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

As Black folx, we already know that we are more apt to be diagnosed with heart disease due to living with racism, among other things.

The research I've found has said that not only are people dying who had heart disease before pregnancy, but many of the folx who died from heart disease were not diagnosed, even though they have previously presented with symptoms of cardiovascular disease (heart palpitations, shortness of breath, persistent cough).

What this means is that people came to their providers with known symptoms of heart disease and weren't listened to. Period.

(Btw, if your doc tries to pull this, tell them you want it noted in your chart that they didn't screen you for heart disease).

Remember that you can always change providers regardless of how far along you are. Always listen to your gut and don't let these whyte doctors keep killing us.

Anywho, I'm mad all over again. Read the infographic.

06/08/2020

Racism extends to unborn babies...

The answer to the disparity in death rates has everything to do with the lived experience of being a black woman in America.

04/29/2020

Even though right now hospitals are on lockdown for guests post-birth, these rules are so important to follow once parents have returned to their home postpartum. Each parent has their own reasons for any of the rules on this list, so do your absolute best to respect them.

04/21/2020

Anyone else a Brooklyn Nine-Nine fan? This episode had me laughing particularly hard. 😂

04/04/2020

I haven't spoken much about the pandemic spreading worldwide and hitting the U.S. particularly hard. I figure that we are being bombarded with it from every side, and I didn't need to add to it.

But...I am coming to you in a fervent effort to protect innocent newborns and immunocompromised parents. If you have recently had a baby, please:

*Don't let anyone other than house occupants near the baby.

*Dont let well-meaning family and friends make you feel guilty about maintaining a quarantine.

*Reassure everyone that there will come a time they will be able to hold the baby, but in the meantime you are willing to talk on the phone, text, Zoom, Skype, or any other form of communication that doesn't involve being face-to-face.

*Don't hesitate to ask people to respect your wishes.

*Ask for help, even if it is just having someone grab a package of diapers and a gallon of milk and leaving it outside your door.

And if you're a family member busting at the seams in excitement about a new member of the family, please:

*Respect the parent's wishes of maintaining distance.

*Don't take it personally when they tell you not to come over.

*Don't show up unannounced, thinking you'll be able to talk your way in.

*Encourage other family members to give the parents and baby their space.

*Offer to pick up groceries and supplies to drop off outside their door so they don't have to leave the house.

*Offer opportunities for video chats or exchanging pics so you can still see the little one and help the parents maintain a level of sanity in the midst of chaos.

*Don't make them feel guilty about not having visitors.

*Check in on whomever is home 24/7. In most situations, it is the birthing parent. In normal situations, having a newborn and the first couple months can feel disorienting, lonely, and suffocating. Now? Parents CAN'T leave the house. Checking in via phone call, video chat or text messages can help an isolated parent have a connection outside of the house.

If you yourself are a parent, you remember the first few weeks of having a newborn, and chances are the circumstances were much better. And yet, you still worried. You counted breaths, watched them sleep, worried about them getting sick. Please don't invalidate another parent trying to make the best decision for their child and their family.

03/10/2020

Know someone who is expecting or just had a little one and is struggling? Send them my way, or send them the link to my page...I'd love to be a support to those who need and want it. 🤗🥰