Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Bringing a baby into the petri dish that is NYC can be pretty scary. Even as adults, we try not to touch the subway poles, and we’re always tempted to put on a hospital mask when passing through Times Square. It’s no wonder that when many New Yorkers get pregnant, they hightail it for the suburbs, stat.

Totally unnecessary, says Dr. Deena Blanchard MD, a pediatrician at Premier Pediatrics. “There is no evidence to suggest that living in NYC increases your infant’s risk of illness,” she reassures us, adding that a little old-fashioned hand-washing, and avoiding crowded or enclosed spaces early on is your best defense. But before you hit the subway with your fresh-out-of-the-oven newborn, you may want to brush up on a few germy guidelines for city-living.

Here, Dr. Blanchard calms our concerns about bringing baby up in the big — and germy — city.

Why is it important to be careful about exposing my newborn to germs?
Until two months of age, your baby will not have received the vaccines that protect against certain bacteria that can produce serious illness in infants. Fever (defined as a rectal temperature 100.4 degrees (F) or above) in infants less than two months of age is taken very seriously. If your child were to have a fever, it would require a complete medical work-up and possibly hospitalization, so we recommend a little extra caution when dealing with young infants.

So does that mean I’m stuck in my apartment for the first two months?
Absolutely not! You can definitely leave your house with your new baby. You can take walks outside or go to a park. In nice weather, you can even sit outside at a café or restaurant. I would recommend avoiding any crowded or enclosed spaces until after the two-month vaccines. This includes movies, malls, subways, airplanes and other similar places.

Everyone I’ve ever met wants to come meet the baby. How do I keep my baby safe from all those dirty hands?
It is best for people to wash their hands before holding your baby. If a friend or family member is sick, I would recommend they refrain from being around the baby until they are feeling well. The most common way to catch an infectious disease is by touch. The hands pick up germs and then transport them to the eyes or mouth. By keeping your own — and your child’s hands — clean, you greatly reduce the chances that he will get sick. Although soap and water is always preferred, alcohol-based hand sanitizers work well, too.

I feel like I am getting a cold, is it safe for me to breastfeed?
Absolutely. When you are sick, your body makes antibodies that are then passed to the baby through the breast milk. Practice good hand-washing and continue to feed your baby while you are feeling sick. This allows your baby to get the antibodies you are making and actually helps protect him from getting sick as well.

Do I need to sterilize my baby’s pacifiers and bottles?
No. As long as you don’t use well water, a good thorough cleaning with soap and hot water is all you need to do to protect your baby.

I’ve got a busy little toddler. What do I do about my older child touching the baby?
It is important for your older child to bond with your new baby. That being said, many toddlers and school-aged children are often sick with viral illnesses, so use your judgment when it comes to close contact. If you child is sick with a febrile illness, please don’t allow her to come in close contact with your infant until she is feeling better. Otherwise, when your child is well, encourage him to talk with the baby and entertain the infant. You can also suggest kissing the baby’s feet and avoid the face and the hands.

A Final Note:
Even when we do our best to avoid illness, sometimes children get sick. Remember germs are a part of our world and can’t be completely avoided at all times. If your infant does get a fever, it is usually NOT you fault and does not mean you did something wrong or failed as a parent. Take the proper precautions as outlined above, and if you have concerns about your infant’s health, contact your pediatrician right away.

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

View Post

Demystifying the 4 most common sleep training methods for baby.

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

As natural as sleep is, it sure doesn’t come naturally for most families. It’s actually a source of constant frustration for many, and it gets magnified when your child doesn’t sleep. Your foggin’ noggin goes into overdrive along with your nerves. So you turn to google. After much research, it’s decided: you want to try sleep training. But where to start?

First, know that the method itself is only about 10 percent of what you need to focus on. The key to your child’s slumber begins with good sleep hygiene, which means syncing his bedtime routine with his natural circadian sleep, aka his internal sleeping clock.

Not all sleep-training techniques are right for every baby and every parent, but all of them work to some degree. The most crucial aspect of sleep training is consistency. So it’s important that you take the time to review all options. Choose the one that feels right to you and your child and the one that you can stick with.

So if you’re ready to nip bad nighttime habits in the bud, now is the time to decide on a strategy. Here are 4 techniques to teach baby how to snooze on his own and through the night.

GRADUAL METHODS: I’d like to begin with the methods that have the least amount of protest (or crying). They do take longer to achieve sleep success, but they are particularly great for parents who cannot bear the idea of leaving their babies to cry alone. For fewer tears, try one of these techniques.

1. No-Cry method.
Also known as: Pick-Up/Put-Down Method

How it works: With the No-Cry method, you pick up baby everytime he cries and place him back in his crib when he stops crying. If he starts fussing again, you pick up and soothe baby again and repeat the process until he actually falls asleep — which is why this method is also called Pick-Up/Put-Down. Make sure that baby is drowsy but awake. Not only will this teach him to self soothe, it will also keep him aware of his surroundings and allow him to know not to expect you when he wakes up. The No-Cry method can last an hour or so and even continue multiple times throughout the night. Needless to say, it takes a lot of patience, repetition and consistency.

Perfect for: This method works particularly well for parents who are trying to stop the rocking-to-sleep association or who want take it slow and be present throughout the whole process.

The book you need to read: The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, by Elizabeth Pantley and William Sears.

2. Sleep Lady Shuffle
Also known as: the Chair method, sleep-in-the-room-and-slowly-leave method, slow-and-steady method

How it works: The Sleep Lady Shuffle method asks that you use a prop, like a chair, that will be associated with sleep training. Place the prop by the crib or toddler bed for two to three nights. Gradually move your way out of the bedroom by slightly moving the prop away from the bed each two to three nights. Once you are out of the room and if needed, you can comfort baby with your voice, from outside the bedroom.

Perfect for: This method is perfect for babies that are used to having a parent sit by their bed or that are sensitive and have separation anxiety.

The book you need to read: The Sleep Lady®’s Good Night, Sleep Tight: Gentle Proven Solutions to Help Your Child Sleep Well and Wake Up Happy by Kim West and Joanne Kenen

DIRECT METHODS: If baby is so spirited and strong-willed that he simply won’t give, you may want to opt for a more direct approach. Yes, it will involve more nightly crying, but it usually provides a faster response to achieve sleep success. Once again, you just want to make sure that it complements your child’s temperament.

3. Ferber
Also known as: Check and console, timed intervals, the 5-minute man, and modified CIO

How it works: This method wants to gradually teach your child to fall asleep without your help or presence through a series of incremental check-ins. When you are done with your sleep routine, place your child in bed, give him a goodnight kiss and leave. If he starts to cry, come back in the room after three minutes and soothe him like you normally would (although it is best to try and avoid picking him up or feeding him). Leave the room, and if baby starts to cry again, wait 5 minutes before going back in. If the crying persists, repeat the process, gradually increasing the amount of time between your check-ins.

Perfect for: This method is very popular and, in my experience, is good for practically everyone. Plus, it’s a flexible technique that you can adapt according to what you think works best for your child.

The book you need to read: Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems: New, Revised, and Expanded Edition by Richard Ferber

4. Cry it out
Also known as: Cold Turkey, Extinction, Go the f*** to sleep, and “love you and peace. See you in the morning.”

How it works: In this method, you finish your sleep routine, put baby down in his bed, give him a goodnight kiss and leave — ignoring all cries until the morning. There is ongoing controversy about this technique, but it happens to work beautifully, especially for children that are stubborn or spirited.

Perfect for: If you start sleep training your child at an older age (9 months and over), Cry It Out may be for you. For this technique to work though, you need to be consistent: caving in and re-entering the bedroom is likely to give baby false hope and cause more shrieking. To make the process a little easier, you can use a video monitor and still “check” on baby from the distance.

The book you need to read: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, 4th Edition: A Step-by-Step Program for a Good Night’s Sleep by Marc Weissbluth M.D.

If you feel like baby’s behaviors are changing, you can start with a gradual approach and, later on, switch to a more direct technique. Again, it’s all about how baby evolves and what feels right for you as a family. Also, the method itself is not the end-all of sleep training. A healthy bedtime routine is in fact the foundation to raising a good sleeper. Reading a bedtime story singing a lullaby, softening your voice and dimming the lights are all great ways to get baby drowsy and ready for some ZZZs.

This article is by Carolina Romanyuk, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

View Post

View Post

3 tasteful baby shower themes for an event that will get everyone talking.

Articles & Photos courtesy of Well Rounded NY

The funny thing about baby showers is that they’re not actually for baby. It’s actually about you. So you might as well have fun planning since this just might be the last adult party you throw for a little while. What better way to have that last pre-baby bash than to give it a fun grown-up theme? With just a few little props, you can make a big impact.

Below, the owners of event-design firm Poppies & Posies and prop shop The Trove give us 3 tasteful themes for the baby shower of your dreams.

1. TEA TIME
What: We love tea time over here at the Poppies & Posies office, and there’s no better time to put on a proper low tea than to honor a mom-to-be. Antique cake stands, elegant china and yummy tea sandwiches create the perfect lady-like atmosphere to celebrate this exciting occasion.
Props: An easy way to figure out what you’ll need for your tea party is to make a list of all of the items you plan on serving. Choose a few different cake stands in various heights and sizes, paired with a few serving trays to display your tea sandwiches, scones and sweet treats. Next, set the table for each of your guests. Use luncheon-sized plates paired with a fork, knife for spreading jams, and a spoon for sugar or honey. Each guest will need a water glass along with a tea cup and saucer for their tea. Colorful or patterned napkins are always a great way to punch up the table-scape. The same goes for a table runner or tablecloth. Lastly, you’ll want to find a bevy of fun tea pots. It’s especially nice to have enough on hand that each guest may have their own. This way everyone can enjoy the tea of their choice.
Flowers: No party or tablescape is complete without a touch of flora. If your table is filling up from all of your fabulous props, add a sprig of something (not too fragrant) to each place setting. If you choose a delicate flower, place it in a petite bud vase beside each place setting to keep it fresh and lively throughout the entire event.
Photography by Jen Huang Photography; Desserts by Lael Cakes; Props by The Trove.

2. MOCKTAILS & COCKTAILS
What: It’s important to remember that although the mommy-to-be won’t be drinking, most of her guests would appreciate a yummy cocktail. Creating a baby shower focused around fun mocktails and cocktails will make for a fete that everyone will enjoy!
Props: You’ll want to style a bar to display both the cocktail and mocktail options. Use a collection of decanters in various sizes and shapes to hold your boozy items. To make it easy on yourself, choose two to three fun cocktails for your guests to make themselves. People love to customize their own beverages so the DIY portion of this theme will be much appreciated. Use a large drink dispenser to hold your non-boozy items so that your guests can mix themselves a mocktail or cocktail easily. Along with your ingredients, put out an ice bucket (we love antique silver or glass), ice tongs, trays and unique glassware. Other fun items to spruce up the display are straws, signs to identify what you’re serving, and pretty bowls to display garnishes (think mint, berries, citrus slices).
Flowers: One of our favorite garnishes for a cocktail bar are edible flowers. They look gorgeous and are fun to add to any drink, boozy or not. Offer your guests a variety to choose from so they can create their perfect combo.
Photography by Jen Huang Photography; Props by The Trove.

3. GARDEN PARTY
What: There’s nothing more enjoyable than a garden party. If it is not the season to host one outdoors where you live, then use props to transform your indoor space into a garden-like oasis.
Props: We love using aged lanterns to set the scene for a garden party whether it’s taking place inside or out. Garden urns in a variety of finishes, sizes and shapes filled with plants from your local nursery will turn your space into the perfect setting. If you want to really go all out, strung cafe lights and a plethora of candlelight provide the perfect finishing touches to a fabulous fete.
Flowers: No garden party is complete without flowers! If you’re not in the mood for arranging something, pot miniature rose bushes in aged terracotta pots and place them on each table. At the end of the evening, guests can take them as a favor. Everytime the mom-to-be sees her rose growing she’ll remember her wonderful shower.

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

View Post

The Mindful Child (NY Times): A study of 4th and 5th graders participating in a 4-month meditation program showed improvements in cognitive functions and better grades.

In One Tweet, John Legend Perfectly Nails The Hypocrisy Of Mom-Shaming (Mic): “Funny there’s no dad-shaming. When both of us go out to dinner, shame both of us so Chrissy doesn’t have to take it all. We’ll split it.”

This Dad Sent The Funniest Photoshopped Baby Photos To His Wife (Elite Daily): What happens when mom goes back to work

The Most Whimsical Children’s Rooms And Nurseries In Vogue (Vogue): More room and nursery envy.

NEA’s Lily Eskelsen Garcia On What Teachers Do (Campaign For America’s Future): Teachers do more than just teach reading, writing, and math.

In This City, Parents Must Now Pay Up If Their Child Is A Bully (Huff Post): A new approach to tackling the bullying that occurs off school grounds.

Donating An Organ To My Son (NY Times): One mom’s story of feeling the clash of her identities as a mom and a physician.

View Post

While it may seem like you will never get your abdominal muscles back after pregnancy, your muscles are actually quite resilient! With the proper rehab, you can absolutely get your core back to its pre-pregnancy (or better!) state. The great news is you can begin your core rehabilitation process as soon as you feel comfortable following delivery, and it is most likely easier than you think. The following 7 simple tips can help significantly speed up your recovery following delivery, and get you on the right path to safely and effectively rebuilding your core!

1. Avoid any sort of crunching or twisting movements: These movements place excessive pressure on your already weak outer abdominal wall, which could potentially lead to Diastasis Recti (a separation of the outer abdominal muscle), or worsen it if you have it. So yes, this means absolutely NO sit-ups for quite a while! Beyond this though, try to avoid these movements in your everyday life. For example, sit up tall and avoid slouching. If needed, place back support behind you when seated (i.e. using pillows or blankets) to keep you upright, yet comfortable. This is especially important when feeding your baby given the sheer amount of time you spend in this position each day! Another tip is to remember to roll to your side first when transitioning from lying down to sitting up (and vice versa). Finally, if you need to bend over, do so by bending at the hips – pushing your butt backward and softening your knees to bend forward with a flat back.

2. Re-connect with your “inner girdle”:To effectively rebuild your core, start by focusing on your largest and innermost abdominal muscle – your transverse abdominis (TVA). This muscle wraps around your entire mid-section from your spine to the front of your abs (like a girdle), and is responsible for basically “pulling everything in” (AKA giving you a lean, flat waistline!), and supporting and stabilizing your back. One of the most effective ways to begin rebuilding this muscle is by performing these simple, but effective techniques of Belly Breathing and TVA Holds.

3. Kegels! Kegels! Kegels!The muscles of your pelvic floor form the “floor of your core” and are extremely weak after 9 months of pregnancy and any type of delivery (vaginal or C-section). Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to incontinence, bladder or rectal prolapse, and overall core instability. Kegel exercises can be an excellent way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles – if, and only if, they are performed properly. Learn the proper way to perform Kegels HERE, and try to perform several sets a day. Performing one set each time you feed your baby will help you get in plenty per day!

4. Consider wearing an abdominal splint:In most cultures outside the U.S., it is actually common practice to use an abdominal splint for the first 4-6 weeks following delivery. A splint wraps around your mid-section, and places the stretched out muscle tissue of your abdominal wall in the optimal position to promote fastest healing. It also helps to support and protect your back while your core is still too weak to do so. There are many manufacturers of abdominal splints. We recommend ones from The Tummy Team because they have a variety of splints to fit different needs and body types, and are also a good blend of being appropriately supportive and comfortable.

5. Squat on the pot!This one may sound funny, but it’s important! Weak inner core muscles can lead to intestinal issues, which can lead to difficult bowel movements, which most likely leads to forceful and damaging belly-bulging “bearing down.” If you are having any sort of constipation issue, try placing an 8-12” stool beneath your feet to place your body in more of a squatted position. This position opens up your colon and allows for easier waste excretion. The Squatty Potty® can be an excellent tool for this because it adjusts in height, blends in with your toilet, and pushes back under the toilet when not in use.

6. Get checked for Diastasis Recti: Diastasis Recti is a common condition that occurs in about 30% of pregnancies in which the excessive outward pressure from your growing belly causes your rectus abdominis muscle (or “6 pack” muscle) to partially or completely separate at your body’s midline. Diastasis Recti can lead to a number of complications, including low back pain, hip or pelvic pain, incontinence, bladder or rectal prolapse, and what looks like a “pooch” in your belly. Everyone has a bit of a separation in the immediate aftermath of labor, but it should close for most women within 4 weeks following delivery. So, it is best to wait for a few weeks to check. Ask your doctor to check you at your postpartum visit. If needed, you can also perform a self-check. If you do have it, it is best to correct it as soon as possible to avoid further core damage or injury, and also avoid complications in future pregnancies. Seek out a physical therapist who specializes in this. PROnatal Fitness also offers PROnatal Ab-Rehab — a one-on-one rehabilitation program designed to correct Diastasis and strengthen weak core muscles.

7. Transition properly into core exercises once you are cleared:Once you are cleared by your physician to resume exercise, it is important to follow a proper core exercise progression. Your core muscles need to be rebuilt from the inside out, beginning with the critical inner core muscles of your TVA and pelvic floor. Try following the progression of these 7 Moves for a Stronger Core, making sure to master moves in one phase before moving onto the next.

Brittany Citron is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and a pre/postnatal exercise specialist. She is also the founder of PROnatal Fitness, which offers prenatal and postpartum group fitness classes, personal training, and Diastasis Recti rehabilitation — all developed with input from experts in the fitness, medical, and healthcare fields. Brittany lives in Manhattan with her husband and 3-year old son, and a little girl on the way!

Medical Disclaimer: The above information is for a healthy postpartum woman with no complications or risk factors. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to offer medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

RELATED POST

• 4 Steps To Understand (And Loving) Your Post-Baby Abs
• Safe Ab Work For Pregnancy – PROnatal Fitness
• Together Again: Diastis Recti

View Post