The Birth Song Botanicals Blog

Baby's First Foods

Baby's First Foods
You may have heard that your baby will be ready for solid food when she is six months old. You may have also heard that a good first solid food is a bland single ingredient food like rice cereal. While these general guidelines are not necessarily harmful, they are not true for all babies, and rice cereal generally isn’t the best thing to give your baby as a first solid. There are signs you can look for that will indicate when your baby is ready to start solids. And you can most likely forgo the prepackaged baby foods altogether if you want to. Continue reading

How Breastfeeding Changes As Baby Grows

How Breastfeeding Changes As Baby Grows
Breastfeeding changes as your baby gets older. But how, exactly? One of the amazing things about your breastmilk is that it does change in composition based on what your baby and growing child needs. But beyond that, how does your experience of breastfeeding change? Once you have moved beyond the first three months of non-stop nursing and are more out and about, what is it like then? Once you have gotten your latch down, when you can just put your baby in the general area of your breast, what are the challenges then? Well, there are still some. They aren’t as challenging as the sore nipples and latch issues of the first couple of weeks, and they may even be kind of funny, but they are still there. Continue reading

How to Achieve A Proper Breastfeeding Latch

How to Achieve A Proper Breastfeeding Latch
A good latch is the strong foundation you need to have a successful breastfeeding experience. A healthy breastfeeding latch will reduce nipple soreness and encourage your baby to suckle deeply, which stimulates your milk to flow. Sometimes a good latch comes easily, but in many cases, you will need to work with your baby to get the latch you need. This is the first time for your baby to breastfeed too! And don’t worry, soon enough you and your baby will be breastfeeding easily, and you won’t even have to think about it. It may take some work to get there, but you can most likely meet your breastfeeding goals. Continue reading

Newborn Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies

Newborn Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies
If there is anything a new momma wants more than anything else, it is for her baby to be healthy and thriving. One of the main ways that we can tell your baby is healthy is through her weight gain. Knowing what to look for, how much your baby should be gaining, and how to know what is healthy goes a long way towards relieving any worry you may have. Continue reading

Do I Need A Breast Pump?

Do I Need A Breast Pump?
Do you really need a breast pump? It’s become a standard assumption that most moms will need a breast pump to increase their supply of breastmilk. Here we explore the reasons why you may or may not need a breast pump so you can make your own decision about this sometimes pricey and frustrating piece of equipment. Continue reading

8 Things I Wish I Knew About Breastfeeding Before Giving Birth!

8 Things I Wish I Knew About Breastfeeding Before Giving Birth!
We all have our ideas about how breastfeeding will go for us, especially if we haven’t breastfed before.  Well reality is usually much, much different. And there is not that much glowing. There are latch issues, and fussy babes, and tired mamas, and sore nipples, and everyone is worn out and cranky and in need of some food and a nap. Continue reading

Oriana's Beautiful Home Birth Story

Oriana's Beautiful Home Birth Story
When Oriana found out she was pregnant with baby number two she knew right away she would have another home birth.   Giving birth naturally at home seemed to her them most normal way to give birth. Listen to her story and find out why home birth was the obvious choice for her. Continue reading

Self Care Must Have Items for Birth

Self Care Must Have Items for Birth

...taking care of yourself during your labor and delivery and immediate postpartum period is so vitally important. Birth calls upon your strength in ways you may not have experienced before. Providing the environment for that strength to fully emerge is what self care is all about.

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Know the Difference Between a Midwife vs Doula

Know the Difference Between a Midwife vs Doula
You may have heard that a doula is a huge help when delivering your baby. This is completely true, and there are even different kinds of doulas to assist you in the birth of your baby. You may also be considering a midwife for your delivery and care, which is a wonderful choice for low-risk women. However, do you know the difference between midwives and doulas? Midwives and doulas often have very similar philosophies of care, but the care they give is very different. Continue reading

Nourishing Breastfeeding Snacks

Nourishing Breastfeeding Snacks
Breastfeeding nutrition does not have to be complicated. Simple, whole food, with a focus on nutrient dense ingredients, will help to give you what you need while you are healing after the birth of your baby and building your milk supply. And it can be delicious! Bon appetite to you - and your nursling! Continue reading