The Basics: Pumping and Bottle Feeding This month we are going to take it back to basics - with a focus on pumping and bottle-feeding! Keep an eye on our facebook and instagram pages throughout the month for additional tips and guidance! If all is going well with breastfeeding, I often recommend waiting to introduce pumping/bottles until at least the two week doctor appointment, where baby should be back to birth weight (ideally!) Introducing a bottle somewhere around week

This month we are going to take it back to basics - with a focus on latch and positioning! Keep an eye on our facebook and instagram pages throughout the month for additional tips and guidance! A good deep latch starts with positioning that helps baby instincts to kick in! Think about alignment of ear, shoulder and hip as baby is brought in to the breast tummy to tummy. It is ok for them to sling diagonally across your body, and have them give you a "hug," tucking that pesky

I've recently had a family find success with a baby who was struggling to latch - in a Koala Hold! It has been a while since I have featured this position, so I wanted to take the opportunity to share this card from the IBCLC Masterclass. It gives some detail on how to get into this position. Some parents find it awkward at first, and others fall into it more easily, but it is worth a try since it encourages that extension we often talk about in sessions, and helps the chin t

I am a certified Labor and Postpartum Doula working on Chicago’s Northwest side. I focus on informing, supporting, and uplifting families through the transitions they face in labor and postpartum. In labor support, I focus on informing families of their care options in every situation so that every family member feels prepared and empowered to have an informed, safe, and intentional birth experience. Expecting parents can anticipate learning how to move through labor with de

I often recommend positions for breastfeeding that encourage extension, with chin tucked deeply into breast and mouth opening up and over for a deep latch. Positions such as koala and side-lying set baby up for this well. With a little practice, breastfeeding while babywearing accomplishes this same goal. Get baby positioned vertically on your chest, tuck them in nice and snug, use strap adjustments to drop them down, and if needed, give the breast a lift. Add some movement i

Sometimes families need or choose to use formula for a variety of reasons. I like to emphasize proper formula prep, including boiling water to kill harmful bacteria in the powder, and considering the pitcher method - batch preparing a days worth of formula in a pitcher designed for that method! Formula prep machines (that look like coffee machines) do not always use proper temperatures or ratios, and this can cause some trouble for babies. Here is some deeper information abou

This post is a note of thanks to all the wonderful families who have had me back for 2nd and 3rd babies, and who have referred me on to their families and friends! I have had a streak of these over the last few months, and I greatly appreciate seeing these beautiful growing families again, and getting to know those in your networks. This is essential for a small business such as 4th Trimester Baby to grow, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Bodywork! I have had the pleasure of chatting with some wonderful chiropractors who work with babies, and have learned a lot about how beneficial this can be for a variety of reasons! "Tension" is one of the most common things I observe in babies who are struggling to latch at breast. Sometimes it shows up in neck and shoulders, sometimes in hips, sometimes assymetries in head shape, face, ability to turn head left and right easily, use of arms and legs, and more! Birth is