What’s the best way to prepare for your baby?

The best way to prepare is to have healing salve on hand, the help of family and friends and some tips I’m going to share with you.

A friend of ours just had their first baby a few weeks ago.

It’s been 7 ½ years since our 5^th baby arrived but boy did I flash back to that experience!

I was totally worn out after delivering our 10 lb 4 oz baby girl naturally, at home with my husband and our midwife.

She was a big baby and delivery left me with some serious road rash that burned and stung.

My emotions were up and down and baby Rachel couldn’t seem to latch on to nurse no matter what we did.

I was so out of alignment from delivering such a big baby, that I could hardly walk!

How did we get through that?

Here’s how we did it and how you can when your baby arrives!

1. There’s a great salve you can make from 7oz of raw honey and 20 drops of helichrysum mixed together.  It’s easy but powerful. This mixture numbs and heals vaginal tissue!

It’s amazing how quickly the pain leaves.

Ever since I used the salve it’s been my go to gift for moms who have just delivered a baby.

With everything else overwhelming and bombarding you, it’s a real gift to be pain free.

2. For my emotions I would take a few drops of Frankincense in my mouth until my emotions evened out.
3. We have an amazing chiropractor who specializes in adjusting babies.  He was willing to do a house call and adjust Rachel and I.  I was able to walk again without pain.

We also found out when he adjusted Rachel that a small bone in her throat was out and that’s why she wasn’t nursing.

What a blessing that he would do a house call an hour and a half away on the weekend.

How do you know if your baby needs an adjustment?

Look to see if your baby’s hands are relaxed and open.

If their hands are clenched then your baby could be uncomfortable or in pain. Possibly out of alignment.

It’s pretty forceful and traumatic coming through the birth canal.                                                                                                                                Your baby might need a chiropractic adjustment from a chiropractor that specializes in babies.

4. We also had the support of family who took our older girls to swimming lessons on that summer morning. My mom came to stay for a week or so to help us adjust by caring for our 4 older girls and preparing food!
5. Our friends brought food over every evening for the first week or so.  If your community doesn’t currently do this I would invite you to rally everyone to do so for the next family who has a baby! It’s such a blessing. When your turn comes it will bless your socks off!

First babies can be hard.

Your life is turned upside down. In a good way but turned none the less.

Sleep deprivation sets in and it can be a little hard to handle at times.

Definitely take off as much time from work as you possibly can, both mom and dad.

Community is so important and even more so during life changing times.

Back to my friend and her newborn baby girl, she said the salve was working great and she had tapered off using it because she feels so good!

That’s awesome.

Here are a few more tips to make your life easier.

1. Remember newborns typically need one more layer of clothing than you’re comfortable in. There are exceptions to the rule.   Just take note if your baby is sweating on their head. You can also check their feet and hands to see if they’re chilled.

2. By putting your baby in one piece outfits you’ll help their back stay aligned.

When babies wear the cute little pants over a onsie, the waist band is so thick it can knock out a vertebrae in the back.

Also, check the baby’s car seat.

Under the liner is typically foam to make the seat more comfortable.Make sure the foam is covering the whole space where the baby will be.

If there is foam at the top and the bottom but none in the middle the difference between the foam and the hard plastic can knock the spine out as well.

 Why does it matter if their back is a little out?

It only takes one vertebra out to mess up their digestion. Poor digestion equals an unhappy baby and then you have stressed parents!

3. Be aware of lose strings anywhere on your baby clothes.

One time our baby Naomi was screaming.

I could tell she was in pain but I had no idea why.

After having recently changed her diaper, I had put her in fresh pajamas. So I laid her down and undressed her to see if  I could see what was going on.

She was 5 months old at the time and I had her in footsy pajamas.

A long string in the foot of one had wrapped itself around one of her toes and was cutting off circulation.

We were able to get it off quickly, returning blood flow to her toe.

It only happened that one time but that was plenty!

I felt so bad for her but was so grateful we discovered the issue quickly.

It’s really an evaluation game.

Is she fed?  Check. Is she dry? Yes, she has a fresh diaper, check.

She must be sleepy.

Also, note the sound of her cry.

There’s a great video to watch on a lady who studied the different cries of babies.

She discovered that particular cries mean certain things like being tired, hungry or in pain.

Several of my girls were older and they loved trying to decipher why their baby sister was crying.

This was so helpful when we learned it.

Google-Dunstan Baby Language.

You’ll find videos and information on her theory.

 

I invite you to take good care of yourself after your baby arrives.

One way you can do this is to rest when the baby is. Sleep when the baby sleeps.

Be in a place of rest for the first month and your recovery will be speedy.

Remember all the energy that went into your growing baby and how  hard you worked to bring your baby into this world.

You deserve a rest. Take care of you.

At the one month mark you’re going to feel like a new woman.

As your baby sleeps longer each night and you get more sleep you’ll gain your former strength back.

There’s really no experience like having a baby and definitely none like having your first!

I wish you every joy as you and your family grows together. You’re on the adventure of a lifetime!

Blessings!