WHY DOES MY BABY HATE THE CAR?

WHY DOES THE BABY HATE THE CAR????!! AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. 

No parenting class can prepare you for this moment. You are in the backseat of a car next to your baby, who is screaming himself blue in the carseat while you are travelling at 110km/h on the freeway.

It's one of those truely magical parenting moments that forgets to get a mention.

What does get a mention is how much babies LOVE the car. Puts them right to sleep. You'll drive around for hours.

Deceptively calm car baby.

Not necessarily.

So why do some babies hate the car and what can be done to help them, you and the general population on the road?

Let's have a look at some possible reasons for 'Screaming Car Baby'.

1. Car Sick

What is it?

This would suck wouldn't it. You've just been born mum keeps putting you in the seat that makes you want to hurl. Sometimes you do. Mainly you scream.


What to do about it?

- When the baby is old enough,  forward facing can help.

- In the mean time try and restrict car trips to nap time to avoid staring out at the constantly moving scenery.

- Keep the car cool.

- Try to avoid bumpy or winding roads.

- Avoid stop/start peak hour traffic as much as possible.

- Have a break or escape plan set up. Know the parks and cafes along the drive if you need to hop and and have a break until baby is tired or calm.

- Do not stop on the side of the freeway or motorway if you can avoid doing so. It is dangerous, attempt to exit the road first.

- Install an anti-static car strap. 

- Use other modes of transport. Trains and buses seem scary and difficult to navigate. But you have grown and birthed life. You've got this. 

Freshly washed car seat cover. Luckily they aren't too tricky.

2. Bored

What is it?

This bubba wants stimulation and there isn't much happening facing the back of the car. 

What to do about it?

- Toys on rotation. And more toys. It's great if they make noises or have buttons/ sound effects. 

- A mirror to see mum.

- Some fantastic mind-numbing music. Try Disney's Frozen album (NB: do not let the steering wheel go).

3. Lonely

What is it?

This little one just wants a hug. 

What to do about it. 

- Mirror mirror on the carseat - adjusted so that baby can see your beautiful face. The mirror comforts the baby that you are there. It is also reassuring for you to be able to see your baby.

- Constant singing of a favourite nursery rhyme. Try the wiggles or anything from play school. Keep it up for duration of trip. 40mins of singing vs 40 mins of crying. It's not pretty, but I know which one I'd pick. 

4. Reflux/ Gassy

What is it?

If this is your baby... you probably know all about it. Fussing and crying is their game, with or without a carseat. These bubs are most comforted by being held upright, so a carseat is basically the opposite of what makes them feel better.

What to do about it?

- Wait. As the baby grows and the digestive system matures the symptoms should reduce.

- If you think your baby has undiagnosed reflux, it might be a good idea to check in with your GP.

- Avoid the car when you can. This baby does best in an upright baby carrier or sling, which coincidentally makes public transport a more achievable option.

5. Hot and Bothered

What is it?

Have you ever gone to get your baby out of the car and realised that they are really sweaty? Babies are still learning to regulate their body temperature, and since there is less surface area on them than an adult they can get really hot (and really cold) very quickly.

This can quickly become a problem as the weather heats up. Especially if your baby is screaming and using lots of energy.

What to do about it?

- If you have a capsule a refacing car seat may have better airflow.

- Use a stroller fan. But please use common sense and be safe when attaching this one. 

- Keep the a/c on the down low on hot days- it probably needs to be a degree or two colder than is comfortable in the from to reach the back at a decent temp.

Bonus hint: point air con towards roof so that you don't freeze but air reaches the back seat.

- Try to park in shady places.

- Place a reflective cover over the car seat while you are parked so that it stays as cool as possible.

- Check in with your baby frequently. If you are worried, stop the car in a safe place and check the baby.

6. Uncomfortable

What is it?

Pretty self-explanatory. Some carseats you can just look at and see that they will not be comfortable. Others look comfortable, however as the baby 'uncurls' from newborn to baby the ergonomics of comfort change. 

What to do about it?

- Try a rear facing car seat instead of a capsule.

- Consider getting baby checked by an osteopath or chiropractor in case there are alignment issues causing discomfort.

7. All of the above

What to do about it?

- Abandon your car for at least 6 months.... Save the planet and your sanity. 

Thank you for reading!!! And safe travels. 






xxxxx

10 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR PLACENTA

POST-BIRTH OPTIONS: YOUR PLACENTA PLANNING GUIDE

The placenta is often viewed as an unpleasant albeit necessary part in the pregnancy and birth process. On first inspection it can even elicit feelings of shock or disgust. 

But things aren't always what they appear to be- and that bloody, vein covered placenta? It is amazing.

What if I told you that the placenta actually forms during the very beginning stages of cell division?  Some cells divide to become your baby, and the other cells go on to form the placenta.

Take a moment to consider all of what it has done for your baby. Delivering nutrients and filtering out unwanted wastes, delivering hormones. The placenta is attached to both mother and baby in the most basic, beautiful, reciprocal relationship. It is the baby's lifeline. 

The branch-like appearance of the veins has inspired images of the placenta being likened to the tree of life. 

Your placenta has been what your baby has first touched, a soft, warm, tactile comfort that it has known and grown with since your baby's very existence.

OK AWESOME: you know how incredible the placenta is... now what to do with it?

Options:

1. Eat it: There is speculation that immediate consumption of placenta, and/or chewing on the umbilical cord, results in less blood-loss immediately postpartum.  This option is sometimes recommended immediately after the placenta has been delivered.

Alternatively, you could cut a slice off and make it into a smoothie. Any way you like your smoothies- just pop a bit in for a nutritious boost (If giving birth in a hospital you may like to organise a (really good) friend, family member or doula to take some of the placenta home and prepare and bring the smoothie back to the hospital). 

2. Encapsulate it: there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that consumption of the placenta leads to less postpartum anxiety/depression, increases milk supply, stabilises mood swings and is overall amazing. And it's almost impossible to distinguish from its original form in those lovely little capsules so.... bottoms up!?

3. Print it: You can D.I.Y. this or leave it in the hands of the professionals. There are birth-centric Doulas and artists out there who will creatively print your placenta onto paper for you to frame. So why not decorate your baby's room with a likeness of it's previous womb-mate?!

4. Take it Home and Bury it:  If the thought of eating something that was once half of your baby's first cells puts you off, but you want to thank that beautiful placenta for sustaining your baby's pre-natal life, consider taking it home and burying it. This is actually also appropriate disposal of the placenta for a variety of cultural and religious groups. 

Keeping placenta buried close to baby is also meant to create a feeling of well-being and good attachment for the baby.

5. Make a Homeopathic Tincture: This is cool because it can literally last a life-time. Once you have the 'mother tincture' it can be used to create an ongoing supply. In a nutshell the placenta/cord is added to an alcoholic solution (e.g. Brandy). A drop is then taken from this mixture and added to a smaller bottle (1/100 drop ratio) and succussed (tapped/shaken). This is then repeated again and again- the shaking of the smaller bottle is repeated, the stronger the remedy is said to become (here is a more detailed explanation).

People use these tinctures in times of stress/anxiety/unrest to remind their child of the closeness and bond that was shared with their mother in the womb. A sort of bringing-back-to-family tonic. It can also be done with just the cord, which is great if you want to combine it with the other options.  

6. Make Jewellery: There are women who, if you send them a capsule or three of your placenta will create the most beautiful rings and charms for you to wear your baby's placenta with you. If you are worried that this is a little unusual never fear, no-one else has to know why your jewellery is so gorgeous if you don't want them to. 

7. Make a Dream Catcher: This combines the assumed protective power of that life-bringing placenta, with the Native American practice of creating dream-catchers to ward off bad dreams. Basically the cord is shaped and then wrapped in wool/silk to form the outer circle. These can be truly beautiful to look at too.

8. Make Umbilical Cord Art: While it is soft you can create a word/shape with the cord and then dry it out so that it retains this shape. This service can also be done by professionals.

9. Practise Lotus Birth: Another practice that has a lot of symbolic meaning is to leave the placenta and cord attached to the baby until it falls off naturally. Women chose to do this as a way of letting nature take its course. Should you wish to do this you would need to salt the placenta, sometimes with herbs. You would also need a bag to keep it in and make sure that it dries in an appropriate position for changing and bathing (Sarah Buckley gives an in-depth introduction to Lotus Birth here).

10. Do Nothing: You have to deliver it (here is an excellent article on the third-stage of labour) - but after that, if you don't want to ever see it you don't have to. The hospital will take it and most likely incinerate it.

Also known as standard procedure- it's the less romantic option- but I'm sure it's appealing to some.

Bonus option: 

Take some photos: then send it on its merry way to the incinerator.

There you have it! Now all you have to do is make the decision.

6 HOT TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH CARE PROVIDERS

How to communicate with care providers

I wrote this with the occasion of labour in mind, but the tips are useful for many encounters with healthcare professionals.

Communicating effectively improves your chances of getting the birth you want, as well as increasing satisfaction.

These awesome tips are not just for mum!  During labour it can be difficult to do things such as establish eye contact or talk. They are practical things that Dad can do to help keep communication clear, enabling informed decision making.

TIP 1- EYE CONTACT
Making and maintaining eye contact (as culturally appropriate) is a way of building a connection and trust with healthcare professionals. Eye contact is an important body language signal and demonstrates that you are listening and thus prompts further conversation. You will also be more likely to notice any hesitation or reluctance from your care provider, and will be able to then verbally explore the possibility and reasons behind any of their hesitations.

TIP 2- REMEMBER THEIR NAMES AND USE THEM
Midwives are busy. Very very busy. Using their name, and in particular remembering their face and name can interrupt their the cycle of 'doing the job' and refocus the midwife onto your individual situation. One way to remember a name is to repeat it, for example, "nice to meet you, Janis" as opposed to just "nice to meet you" on multiple occasions when you first meet your midwife.

TIP 3- BE GLAM WITH A PLAN
Have a birth plan/preferences/wishes/flowchart/map/roulette wheel (you got me... not the last one).  Know what you want and what you don't want (in an ideal world) so that if your situation deviates from that path you can step purposefully forwards having made a decision about your preferred alternatives, rather than being pulled along with the tide. Creating a plan with someone experienced in birth planning creates options and alternatives you may not have known existed.

TIP 4- ASK FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO THINK
When conversations get tense, or there is a change in the plan, if you are feeling even the slightest disquiet about a decision, ask for time! It can be difficult to communicate with your birth partner effectively with an audience of a doctor, midwife, nurse or all of the above. In lieu of a genuine medical emergency, your healthcare providers should be more than happy to provide you the privacy you need to take a moment to think and communicate as a couple before committing to a decision.

TIP 5- BRAIN ACRONYM
The art of asking the right questions! SPOILER ALERT- this tool is fabulous!

Benefits- what are the benefits of the procedure/change in plan
Risks- what are the risks of the procedure
Alternatives- are there any alternatives (this could be as simple as choosing more time)
Intuition- what does your gut say?
Nothing- what if you do nothing?

TIP 6- COMPLIMENT THEM... WITH A TWIST 
Twist your compliments up with a little bit of advocating (Bonus points for using their name here!). 

Check this out:

Birth Partner:  

"I just want to say how grateful I am to have you here supporting (mother's name) to achieve her natural birth. It really means a lot to us."

If possible- it's best to have your healthcare provider on your side. Sugar talking is great, but be genuine... and keep your compliments relevant, even if they do have nice hair.

There you have it! 'Birthy' communication in a nutshell.






If you have used these or have any more tips, feel free to add to the comments section below!

LACTATION BLISS BALLS

LACTATION BLISS BALLS! 

~ Increase milk supply, naturally~

When life's too short to wait for cookies, make bliss balls!

These bliss balls are for those times when you are run down, tired, or just want a milky boost!

Please note- most women have perfect milk supply. A lactating mother's milk supply is regulated on a supply and demand basis with baby.

Lactating mothers are so amazing. Did you know that their milk changes composition from day to night, differentiates for boys or girls, age and is even sensitive to weather? Check here for more details about milk supply. Please contact a reputable lactation consultant if you have any further questions.


LACTATION BLISS BALLS RECIPE 
(Makes approximately 20 balls)


Ingredients
2  Cups Pitted Dates
1 Cup Fine Desiccated Coconut
½ Cup Oats (I used Quick Oats)

½ Cup Almonds

¼ Cup Cocao
2 Tbs LSA mix*
1 Tbs Brewers' Yeast (do not substitute for other yeasts)
1 Tbs Coconut Oil
1 Tbs Water

For Rolling (optional):

Desiccated Coconut
Freeze dried strawberries (turn into a powder using a food processor on high speed)
Melted Dark Chocolate
Or leave them naked as the day they were rolled

Method

Blend all ingredients in a food processor on a high speed until you reach a desired consistency. 

You may need to scrape the sides of bowl and re-blend to get an even texture.
Roll into balls, size to your preference.
For added taste and pizazz, choose to coat in one of the listed rolling ingredients- or get creative with your own!

Refrigerate for 2 hours to harden if you wish. If coating in chocolate refrigerate balls on baking paper spaced out on a flat surface.

Will last for up to one week in an airtight container in the fridge... if they haven't been eaten. 

*I chose LSA mix (Linseed, Sunflower Seed, Almonds) for taste and as something that will be more versatile for other baking. You can sprinkle on cereal, muesli or add to smoothies. Buy and store in the fridge for best results.

Enjoy!!