Exercising after Childbirth

By Ari Brown MD and Michele Hakakha MD
Adapted from their new book, Expecting 411

One of the most common questions we get from women is this one: “After I deliver, when can I start exercising again?” We’ve all see the Kate Hudson types in Hollywood go back to being stick thin just weeks after having a baby. Many of our patients expect to do the same.

We recommend, for women who had an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, that you wait six weeks before getting into a regular exercise routine. C-section deliveries and personal health history are two factors that can change this time equation, however. Occasionally, practitioners might give the green light a little earlier, so check with your healthcare provider before you start doing any kind of exercise after delivery.

Women can gradually resume exercising when they feel ready. Some women who have had uneventful vaginal deliveries with little perineal trauma feel well enough to take a light, brief walk a week or so after delivery. But if you have a third- or fourth-degree laceration, you may need to hold off exercising for up to eight weeks.

Once your practitioner gives her official blessing, you can resume all prepregnancy activities and exercise regimens. But remember, START SLOW. Begin with walking, yoga, mild hiking, and swimming. You can’t expect to jump back into the 60-minute weight and cardio routine that you were doing prior to getting pregnant. Remember that all of your joints and ligaments can be loose for up to five months after delivery.

And let’s talk about those abdominal muscles. Most women develop some degree of a gap between their abdominal muscles as their pregnancy progressed. That gap (called diastasis recti) takes about two months to close. In some women, it never closes and there’s always a gap. It’s important to let your body heal and close the muscle separation prior to beginning any intense abdominal workouts. Start easy and save the heavy-duty crunches for eight to ten weeks after delivery.

Once you do start exercising again, here are some tips:

Stretch for five to ten minutes before and after exercising.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Keep well hydrated with water or a sports drink.
Wear a comfortable and supportive bra.
Clear your mind of all the other things going on.
This is your time to relax, think, and meditate; give yourself this gift.
Getting back in shape takes time, so don’t rush it.

A final word from Dr. Michele. She had a patient who was determined to get back on her treadmill after a C-section. “I told her that after her six-week postpartum visit, we would decide when she could go back to exercising. But she didn’t heed this advice.” The patient decided that she felt great at two and a half weeks. When she returned to Dr. Michele’s office, her previously closed surgical incision was now gaping open. She had to wait another month to have the wound surgically repaired!

So moms–really do ease back into exercise. You have plenty of time to work off that belly. And don’t worry too much, because when your baby becomes a toddler, he or she will keep you plenty active!

* * * * *
Dr. Michele Hakakha is an award-winning obstetrician/gynecologist practicing in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician in Austin, TX, an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and health advisor for WebMD, Parents Magazine, and ABC News. She penned the best-selling Baby 411 and Toddler 411 book series before coauthoring Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy (Windsor Peak Press, 2010, www.expecting411.com).

7 Old Wives’ Tales about Pregnancy

By Dr. Michele Hakakha and Dr. Ari Brown
Adapted from their new book, Expecting 411

About 6 million US women will get pregnant this year. Women used to get their pregnancy information from other women–the “old wives” of old wives’ tales fame. Today, however, the most common source of information for pregnant women is their obstetrician. But 3 out of 4 will also look for health answers online, and that’s where the problem starts. According to womenshealth.gov, the accuracy of pregnancy information on the internet varies widely.

Virtually everything about pregnancy has changed since our mother’s time–nutrition and exercise recommendations, pre-term screening tests, and what goes on in the delivery room, for example. What hasn’t changed is that old wives’ tales still abound!

Here are seven untruths we hear all the time from mothers-to-be.

You can tell whether it’s a boy or girl by how you are carrying.
False. The way you “carry” (the shape and distribution of your baby bump) is based on a few things, such as the depth of a mom’s pelvic cradle or the mom’s weight, but it won’t predict your baby’s gender.

Avoiding peanuts during pregnancy will keep my child from developing a food allergy.
False. A recent definitive study in the New England Journal of Medicine put this myth to rest once and for all. It’s okay to eat known allergens while you’re pregnant.

Pregnant women shouldn’t fly because of radiation risk.
False. The amount of cosmic radiation is negligible and not a health concern.

Fatty acid supplements like DHA increase your risk of bleeding during pregnancy.
False. There is no valid evidence to support this theory. You can take DHA supplements all the way up to delivery.

Women who are flat-chested can’t nurse.
False. While there are some women who do not make enough milk to exclusively nurse their babies, it’s not because they have small breasts.

A miscarriage can be caused by exercise or carrying around a toddler.
False. You can’t have a miscarriage from carrying a toddler or any other heavy object. And you can’t have a miscarriage from exercising during the first trimester, either. Miscarriages happen commonly and are often due to genetic reasons where the chromosomes are abnormal.

Epidurals cause autism.
False. Neither do cell phones, high fructose corn syrup, or vaccines.

* * * * *
Dr. Michele Hakakha is an award-winning obstetrician/gynecologist practicing in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician in Austin, TX, an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and health advisor for WebMD, Parents Magazine, and ABC News. She penned the best-selling Baby 411 and Toddler 411 book series before coauthoring Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy (Windsor Peak Press, 2010, www.expecting411.com).

How to Treat Baby Acne Naturally

Pimples and blackheads can be distressing enough as a teen or an adult, but what about your perfect little baby? Babies can suffer from acne as well. If you suspect that your baby has acne, here are some facts that will help.

What is acne? It is a condition of the skin. Pores become clogged and form white pustules filled with what the body is trying to excrete. Some people are more prone to acne than others. In teen years, a mix of hormones and trapped oils can seem like the beginning of the end when those bumps start to appear.

But, we are talking about a different kind of acne here. Some babies can be born with acne. It looks the same as acne that you might have – red spots and pimples on the nose, cheeks and forehead.

It can be distressing to see your child’s face covered in red painful-looking bumps, but baby acne is not the same as we stated above. While in the womb, pores can get clogged. Once baby is born the results show up as pimples. It has also been suspected that elevated hormone levels before birth contribute to the appearance of acne in some newborns.

Now, don’t get acne confused with milia. This is another condition of the womb where dead skin is trapped on baby’s skin and doesn’t get sloughed off. A white bump forms over it that you can see when baby is born. When the surface of the bump opens, the dead skin is released and the area goes back to what is to be its normal appearance.

Baby acne is not painful. It may appear that way, but baby is not bothered by it in the least. They haven’t learned to recognize their face so they don’t even know it’s there. If you can handle the appearance, there are treatment options for baby.

How to Treat Baby Acne Naturally

One traditional acne treatment that isn’t an option is medicated creams. A baby’s skin is sensitive and using such harsh creams on them can cause irritation that wasn’t there before.

Wash baby’s skin with warm water and a soft washcloth. You can use a tiny bit of a natural soap if you like. Dr. Bronner’s baby soap would be a good choice, making sure to dilute first . Don’t scrub because of the acne. The bumps are not caused by a dirty face so scrubbing will only damage the skin.
Some moms have reported that putting a little breastmilk on baby’s face helps clear up the acne.

This state of acne has nothing to do with baby’s body. If you remain patient, the condition will rectify itself in about three weeks. Some babies are affected for a few months but that is also a normal time frame. Consult a doctor if the condition worsens or irritates baby. They can suggest another course of treatment based on what they find.

Dex Baby Food Processor

Breastmilk is the perfect food for baby. But once baby starts grabbing your spoon and looking with envy on the food you’re eating, it’s time to start solid foods. You still want baby to have the “best”, so now what?

More and more parents make their own baby food instead of relying on store bought baby food jars. Homemade food ensures that your baby gets the best quality, freshest and most nutritious food available. No more additives, extra sugar and sodium. Homemade food tastes much better and your baby will discover, from a very young age, the pleasure of eating high-quality food.

The Dex Baby Food Processor helps you to make your baby’s food very quickly. It comes with a heavy-duty stainless steel blade, which processes the food evenly and thoroughly. The processing bowl can be used for making, storing and even serving the meal.

The food processor is easy to use and clean. It comes with safety features, such as sturdy no-tip base, and no splashing or spilling. The processor only works when all the parts are properly attached. It can then easily be activated by pushing down the top.

Making your own healthy and nutritious baby food couldn’t be easier.

For more information on this product, go to Dex Products Baby Food Processor

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Starter Kit

The Baby Bee Starter Kit from Burt’s Bees is a great way of trying out various samples of Baby Bee products on your baby. This starter kit is ideal to take on vacation or to sample at home. It would also make a fantastic gift.

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee products cater for baby’s delicate and soft skin. They are made from the purest and mildest ingredients to ensure your baby’s health. The products are also made to keep our environment intact. The products are manufactured using 100% natural preservatives instead of parabens and are also phthalate and SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)-free.

The kit includes the following:

* Baby Bee Apricot Baby Oil (1 fl. oz)
* Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion (1 fl. oz)
* Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash (1 fl. oz)
* Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap (.80 oz)
* Baby Bee Diaper Ointment (.56 oz),
* Baby Bee Buttermilk Bath (.14 oz)
* Baby Bee Dusting Powder (.14oz)
* Baby Bee Comb

Pamper your baby with only the best natural products to keep your precious bundle of joy safe and healthy.  The Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Starter Kit is available at health food stores and Amazon.com

Organic Baby Scalp Oil
Where to buy: www.naturesbasin.com

If you are anything like me, when I first saw the flaky bits of scalp on my otherwise perfect newborn, I desperately tried to get rid of it. I subsequently found out that it wasn’t actually that easy to rub off. I also learned that it didn’t seem to bother my baby very much, nor was it dangerous or contagious. Cradle cap doesn’t look very nice, but it is totally harmless and affects lots of newborns. It generally clears up, on its own, within a year, but there are a few things that can be done in the meantime.

The Organic Baby Scalp Oil is a product that can help to ease and reduce cradle cap. It is made from a certified organic blend of natural oils, which include geranium and lemon eucalyptus. The oil, when rubbed onto the baby’s scalp, softens the flaky skin/cradle cap. With a soft baby brush, the bits of skin can be brushed away and over time this can help reduce your baby’s scalp cradle-cap.

Overall, it is a good quality organic product made from natural and pure ingredients.

A note of caution: If cradle cap turns red or looks inflamed, it would be advisable to contact your physician.

Weleda Nursing Tea

Weleda Nursing Tea is a specialty tea for nursing mothers made with the finest ingredients. A nicely brewed cup of this tea should aid in your digestion and help soothe your baby’s tummy pains. The taste of the tea will be enjoyed by most, with its anise & fennel flavors.

I like that the ingredients are certified organic to give you and your baby only nature’s best ingredients. The ingredients include: fenugreek, anise, fennel, caraway and lemon verbena. Fenugreek helps to increase the milk supply. Anise seeds, fennel seeds and caraway give you and your baby good digestive functions. Lemon verbena is a popular ingredient in herbal teas to help your digestive system but it also helps you to de-stress. Together they make a fantastic blend to support your breastfeeding and give you relief with any digestion problems.

A note of caution: if you think you might be allergic to any of the above mentioned ingredients or are pregnant, it is always advisable to talk to your physician beforehand.

Overall, if you like herbal teas with a distinctive anise/fennel flavour, this tea is certainly worth its money. It tastes great and helps you and your baby feel good.

Weleda Nursing Tea is available on Amazon.com and in large natural health grocery stores.

How to Treat Mastitis Naturally

If you’ve ever breastfed your baby, then you know that there can be issues that arise. One of those issues is mastitis. It can be painful and alter your breastfeeding experience with your child. But, there are ways to treat it naturally without stopping nursing.

Mastitis is an often painful condition where the milk ducts in the breast are clogged. The ensuing infection can leave a mother with flu-like symptoms and feeling too tired to continue breastfeeding. While the condition is distressing, the milk is still okay for baby even with this infection.

When it comes to treatment options, reach for your grandmother’s advice. Before it became common to treat this condition with medications, more natural remedies were used to give the mother comfort.

A doctor may want to prescribe antibiotics, but in light of the fact that you are nursing, it should be a last resort. Antibiotics are not necessary to heal mastitis. Here are some natural treatments to try:

* Breastfeed more often – Continuing to nurse often can help the infection run its course faster. It is not pleasant for you but encourage your baby to latch on as much as they can to help unclog the ducts. Even if they don’t want to drink a lot in the beginning, use a breast pump to empty the breast a bit more after each feeding.

* Heat– Heating pads may burn, but you can take a warm shower as hot as you can stand. Massage the breast tissue at the same time. The warm water can assist in removing clogs from your milk ducts.

* Try cold compresses – These are not your normal cold compresses either. Use a cold head of cabbage. Many women have found this remedy to work for them. After the cabbage is sufficiently chilled, remove a leaf and cover the affected breast. This technique can soften the tissue and bring pain relief. For engorgement, you can try putting a little camphor on the leaf before applying to help with pain relief and release the milk easier.

* Garlic – Garlic, along with other vegetables in the allium family, contain antibiotic properties. Instead of a prescription remedy, eating garlic can help to clear up the infection in your breast. The milk may have a slightly different taste to your baby for a little while, but you will feel better and the garlic won’t hurt them. In fact baby may nurse with more gusto when enjoying garlicky milk!

Check with your doctor before using natural remedies to be sure they don’t interfere with any other medications you are taking or will harm baby. You can find relief, continue bonding with baby and avoid traditional treatments by using natural remedies to treat mastitis.

Mastitis

Your baby is finally here and you have decided to nurse. Somewhere in the midst of this bonding experience, you feel pain or discomfort in your breasts. It could be the beginning of a condition called mastitis.

What Is Mastitis?

Mastitis is a condition of the milk ducts in the breast. They can become inflamed and painful during breastfeeding. This infection is bothersome and has caused some women to stop breastfeeding their infants, which isn’t necessary to heal the mastitis.

During breastfeeding, bacteria can enter the nipples through cracked skin. The milk ducts become infected leading to pain, swelling, fever, chills and other symptoms associated with an infection. This makes it hard to breastfeed, not only due to the pain but also the tiredness from fighting the infection.

What You Can Do

It may feel like the end of the world, but it is not. You can actually continue to breastfeed with mastitis. In fact, keeping the flow of milk going can be a treatment for the infection in itself. Some women find that it clears up once they continue. The milk may have a slightly different taste to your baby but it is not harmful to them in any way.

Mastitis is often associated with engorgement. This is a common condition when the breast fills up with milk and turns hard and painful. Babies that can’t keep ahead of the milk production or only feeding on one side can lead to engorgement.

Watch how baby latches on to the breast. Make sure that they have a good seal and are sucking well. It can be hard if the breast is engorged, but feeding empties the breast of milk and you can get some relief.

Risk Factors

Some women are more likely to experience mastitis than others. Here are some of the risks that may be putting you in line for it.

Tight clothing – This mainly refers to bras. Even if you are wearing a nursing bra, open the flaps to let the nipples dry after feeding. If you use breast pads to catch dripping, clean the milk from around the breast often. Breast pads can get stuck to the nipples when the milk dries and irritate them when they are removed.

Cracked nipples – Having a baby latch on to dry nipples is not pleasant. Keep the nipple area free from milk when baby is not feeding. Also keep them massaged and moisturized. It could also be a sign that baby is not latching on properly. Check with your lactation nurse for more information.

Infrequent feeding – Even if baby hasn’t developed their appetite yet, the milk will keep flowing. When baby feeds on only one side, use a breast pump to empty the other. At the next feeding, begin with that breast.

Mastitis is painful but not harmful to your baby. And, there are ways that you can lower your risk of developing it.

Heal Sore Nipples (Essential Oil) Review
Where to buy: www.amoils.com

Nursing a baby is a very rewarding and wonderful experience. Breastfeeding gives the baby the best start in life, but it also gives the baby and mother time to relax together and create a strong bond. If you are or have been a nursing mother, you also might have experienced certain breastfeeding issues, such as extremely tender and sore cracked nipples. This can be a very painful condition and can stop mothers from continuing to breastfeed their baby and instead rely on formula.

In my opinion, Heal Sore Nipples is a high quality product that is effective in healing painful nipples. It can be used safely by nursing mothers for a prolonged period of time. It is blend of essential and natural oils without any pesticides or other chemical fertilizers. You can also use it before symptoms appear as a precautionary measure to make nursing an enjoyable experience for both mother and baby.

Overall, I think this is a must-have nipple care product for nursing mothers.

Another benefit is that you have nothing to lose when buying the product as it comes with a 60 day unconditional money back guarantee.