Rumina, the Roman goddess of breastfeeding, protected all nursing infants–whether they were animal or human. In addition to nursing women, she is particularly noted to have watched over dairy cows with her consort Rumino. The name “Rumina” means “the nourisher,” and offerings to her were never wine, but rather milk. Rumis or Ruma is latin for breast, and the Ficus ruminalis is the latin name for fig tree–which plays into her mythology.
Read MoreWith each of our children, there are things that I feel like we did very well in the first month and things that we could have done differently that would have helped for a smoother transition, less stress, and more new baby bliss. Here are five insights on simple strategies that can make a big difference those first 30 days with your sweet, new baby!
Contributed by Kristy Martin Hale, Mother/Writer
Read MoreGrowing a baby takes a lot of nutrients! For nine months, you have been supplying your baby with every bit of goodness it needs to grow and prepare for a brand new life. After the birth of your baby, it is important to replenish and give yourself the nourishment you need to embrace motherhood.
Written by Karen Van Dyck Herbalist and Natural Formulator Extrodinaire!
Read MoreThe journey out from the womb seems like such a short distance, but in reality, navigating the passage through the pelvis is a long journey for a baby! Your muscles, tissue, and bones guide the baby’s positioning throughout labour and birth, and as the baby descends actually assist in signalling when to rotate its head or shoulders or extend to flex its neck. You can help your baby along the way by changing your positions for labour frequently.
By Selina Boily, RM
Read MorePassing clots of blood is not uncommon during the first two weeks postpartum and clot size can range from the size of a pea to a golf ball – and can be quite shocking if you’re not prepared.
Blood clots form when you are sitting or laying down – remember that blood we talked about pooling in the vagina? As it pools, the blood may clot. Some women experience discomfort walking or using the toilet and many report that after passing a clot the discomfort goes away. Typically the rule of thumb is golf-ball sized clots are fine but baseball-sized clots require follow up with your midwife or doctor.
However, if you have prolonged red bleeding and clots after the first week postpartum and are experiencing pain in your abdomen or have any sign of fever or chills you should contact your care provider.
Written by Gill Polard
Read MoreContributed by Guest Blogger: Cate Black
Read MoreContributed by Guest Blogger: Lindsay Campa
Read MoreContributed by Guest Blogger: Kristy Martin Hale Mother/Writer
Read MoreManda Aufochs Gillespie, founded The Green Mama in 2007, bringing 15 years of environmental planning and research to the issue of raising healthy children. She has been described in the media as “the green guru” and “serious, but not absolute.” Her work has most recently been showcased on the televsion shows Save My Planet (on ABC’s Living Well network) and The Lazy Environmentalist (on HBO). She is currently writing a book on the environmental impacts on pregnancy and birth.
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by Sheila Leclerc
Read Moreby Selina Boily
Read Moreby Dominica
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