https://simplecast.com 40 Weeks to Forever 40 Weeks to Forever is a podcast that helps you navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and your journey into parenthood with confidence. Rest assured - you are not going through this thing alone. A Snuggle Bugz podcast. 2021 40 Weeks to Forever, A Snuggle Bugz Podcast en Tue, 23 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000 Tue, 23 Aug 2022 04:00:14 +0000 https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com 40 Weeks to Forever https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/42585b26-e5df-4a3f-962f-53a037fc2105/f106cf00-1525-4763-888a-9338d25cee92/3000x3000/40weekstoforever.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com episodic 40 Weeks to Forever is a podcast that helps you navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and your journey into parenthood with confidence. Rest assured - you are not going through this thing alone. A Snuggle Bugz podcast. Snuggle Bugz Baby no https://feeds.simplecast.com/GkYGlX52 baby, baby products, expert interviews, babywearing, fourth trimester, birth, breastfeeding, cesarean birth, doula, first foods, gentle parenting, kids, labour & delivery, momlife, motherhood, parenting, pelvic floor, postpartum, pregnancy, reparenting, toddler Snuggle Bugz Baby marketing@snugglebugz.ca 01852913-b132-418d-a1b1-370850c1415b When It Doesn't Go As Planned Episode Highlights

[01:30] Defining a Cesarean Section

  • There are multiple reasons why a patient might have a cesarean section. Listen to the full episode for a comprehensive list!
  • The entire cesarean birth process takes about 45 minutes to an hour; it takes less time if everything goes well and longer if complications arise. 
  • Preparation for a c-section includes ingesting preoperative antibiotics, establishing anesthesia, placing the catheter, and cleaning the belly through antiseptics. 
  • Doctors open the patient in layers; if the baby is well, the OBGYN will attempt delayed cord clamping and proceed to close the patient's skin. 
  • The patient will be transferred to the recovery room if no complications arise. 

[07:37] Birthing Support for Cesarean Patients 

  • Dr. Kelly shares that their center currently allows up to two support people for the birthing patient. 
  • If the patient needed a general anesthetic, the partner or support person would not be allowed inside. 
  • In cases when the patient is uncomfortable, the standard practice is for the OBGYN or their nurse to inform the support person that they will not be allowed to enter.
  • The partner or support person may enter the room once the baby has emerged.

[09:37] Emergency Vs. Planned Cesarean Sections

  • Labour and delivery can be very unpredictable. 
  • Dr. Kelly shares that the practice is to move quickly in case of an emergency cesarean section; patients might not have the time to get comfortable with the regional anesthetic. 
  • The support person is also not allowed in an emergency cesarean birth. 
  • Delayed cord clamping is also more challenging for emergency cases.
  • Skin-to-skin contact between the mother and infant during an emergency caesarian is also slightly more complicated.

[11:52] Advice for Mothers Planning to VBAC

  • Patients with non-recurring indications such as a breech baby or a placenta previa are typically better candidates for VBAC.
  • Patients who haven't given birth for two years or longer are also good candidates.
  • Dr. Kelly emphasizes that discussing VBAC is a risk-benefit discussion.

Dr. Kelly: "Everyone is willing to tolerate different risks and make informed decisions, and then we make an informed decision and we sort of have some backup plans… It's just an informed discussion to the whole pregnancy about what they feel is best for them and what are the possible outcomes depending on if things change in labour."

[14:43] Dealing with Cesarean Section Scars 

  • Due to medical advancements, cesarean incisions are now only slightly larger than necessary to remove the baby's head. 
  • There’s little difference in the scarring whether a patient receives staples or stitches.
  • Dr. Kelly recommends keeping the incision open in the air to dry it out. She advises against swimming, bathing, and sitting in a tub until the skin heals fully. 
  • Ointments in the incisions are also not advised except in cases of infections that may require topical antibiotics.
  • Listen to our episode with pelvic health physiotherapist Aliya Dhalla for more information on the cesarean scar healing process. 

Judith: “Women are very sensitive when it comes to the scar and I think everyone needs to remember: it’s just so important that your baby made it here earthside regardless of how that happened.”

[18:59] Recovery for Succeeding Cesarean Sections

  • The difficulty of the second cesarean section depends on how the first one went. 
  • Most patients find succeeding cesarean sections easier to handle. 
  • According to Dr. Kelly, OBGYNs recommend vaginal birth for both the mom and baby.

[22:14] A Mother’s Journey into Parenthood

  • Many people think the mother is not given much attention after giving birth. However, the mother's health is also a priority
  • Dr. Kelly encourages mothers to take time away from the baby, take a break, and get enough sleep. 
  • Find the grace to feel what you feel and talk to people about your feelings.
  • Talk to your friends or opt for counseling so you can find someone to connect with and process all changes. 

Judith: "Birth can be a very empowering process, so it's important to work through any fears or disappointments you may have surrounding the process. For some even if things did go smoothly, it's still important just to chat things through."

About Dr. Kelly

Dr. Kelly Katherine Strode, MD, is an OB-GYN specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. She is currently in Guelph Obstetrics and Gynecology, a clinic in Ontario that offers preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care. She also has privileges at Guelph General Hospital, where she attends deliveries, admits patients, and performs surgeries.

Learn more about Dr. Kelly’s work at Guelph Obstetrics and Gynecology or reach her at (519) 265-7477.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help mommies prepare for cesarean sections, whether planned or unintentional!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Tue, 23 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Dr. Kelly Strode, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/when-it-doesnt-go-as-planned-idUeGKLF Episode Highlights

[01:30] Defining a Cesarean Section

  • There are multiple reasons why a patient might have a cesarean section. Listen to the full episode for a comprehensive list!
  • The entire cesarean birth process takes about 45 minutes to an hour; it takes less time if everything goes well and longer if complications arise. 
  • Preparation for a c-section includes ingesting preoperative antibiotics, establishing anesthesia, placing the catheter, and cleaning the belly through antiseptics. 
  • Doctors open the patient in layers; if the baby is well, the OBGYN will attempt delayed cord clamping and proceed to close the patient's skin. 
  • The patient will be transferred to the recovery room if no complications arise. 

[07:37] Birthing Support for Cesarean Patients 

  • Dr. Kelly shares that their center currently allows up to two support people for the birthing patient. 
  • If the patient needed a general anesthetic, the partner or support person would not be allowed inside. 
  • In cases when the patient is uncomfortable, the standard practice is for the OBGYN or their nurse to inform the support person that they will not be allowed to enter.
  • The partner or support person may enter the room once the baby has emerged.

[09:37] Emergency Vs. Planned Cesarean Sections

  • Labour and delivery can be very unpredictable. 
  • Dr. Kelly shares that the practice is to move quickly in case of an emergency cesarean section; patients might not have the time to get comfortable with the regional anesthetic. 
  • The support person is also not allowed in an emergency cesarean birth. 
  • Delayed cord clamping is also more challenging for emergency cases.
  • Skin-to-skin contact between the mother and infant during an emergency caesarian is also slightly more complicated.

[11:52] Advice for Mothers Planning to VBAC

  • Patients with non-recurring indications such as a breech baby or a placenta previa are typically better candidates for VBAC.
  • Patients who haven't given birth for two years or longer are also good candidates.
  • Dr. Kelly emphasizes that discussing VBAC is a risk-benefit discussion.

Dr. Kelly: "Everyone is willing to tolerate different risks and make informed decisions, and then we make an informed decision and we sort of have some backup plans… It's just an informed discussion to the whole pregnancy about what they feel is best for them and what are the possible outcomes depending on if things change in labour."

[14:43] Dealing with Cesarean Section Scars 

  • Due to medical advancements, cesarean incisions are now only slightly larger than necessary to remove the baby's head. 
  • There’s little difference in the scarring whether a patient receives staples or stitches.
  • Dr. Kelly recommends keeping the incision open in the air to dry it out. She advises against swimming, bathing, and sitting in a tub until the skin heals fully. 
  • Ointments in the incisions are also not advised except in cases of infections that may require topical antibiotics.
  • Listen to our episode with pelvic health physiotherapist Aliya Dhalla for more information on the cesarean scar healing process. 

Judith: “Women are very sensitive when it comes to the scar and I think everyone needs to remember: it’s just so important that your baby made it here earthside regardless of how that happened.”

[18:59] Recovery for Succeeding Cesarean Sections

  • The difficulty of the second cesarean section depends on how the first one went. 
  • Most patients find succeeding cesarean sections easier to handle. 
  • According to Dr. Kelly, OBGYNs recommend vaginal birth for both the mom and baby.

[22:14] A Mother’s Journey into Parenthood

  • Many people think the mother is not given much attention after giving birth. However, the mother's health is also a priority
  • Dr. Kelly encourages mothers to take time away from the baby, take a break, and get enough sleep. 
  • Find the grace to feel what you feel and talk to people about your feelings.
  • Talk to your friends or opt for counseling so you can find someone to connect with and process all changes. 

Judith: "Birth can be a very empowering process, so it's important to work through any fears or disappointments you may have surrounding the process. For some even if things did go smoothly, it's still important just to chat things through."

About Dr. Kelly

Dr. Kelly Katherine Strode, MD, is an OB-GYN specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. She is currently in Guelph Obstetrics and Gynecology, a clinic in Ontario that offers preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care. She also has privileges at Guelph General Hospital, where she attends deliveries, admits patients, and performs surgeries.

Learn more about Dr. Kelly’s work at Guelph Obstetrics and Gynecology or reach her at (519) 265-7477.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help mommies prepare for cesarean sections, whether planned or unintentional!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> When It Doesn't Go As Planned Dr. Kelly Strode, Judith Little 00:26:00 Twenty-eight percent of births in Canada are cesarean sections — a 50% increase over the last 20 years. Labour is an unpredictable process, and patients must keep the prospect of a c-section in the back of their minds. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, local OBGYN Dr. Kelly Strode joins us to answer our questions on cesarean birth. Listen as she walks us through every step of the cesarean birth procedure, from preparation to recovery. Building on her years of expertise, Dr. Kelly discusses the difference between planned and emergency cesareans, the healing process, and the qualities of a good VBAC candidate. If you are considering a cesarean section or want to be ready for the possibility, this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out if cesarean delivery or VBAC is an option for you. 2) Learn OBGYN-proven ways to deal with cesarean incisions. 3) Discover helpful advice as you prepare for motherhood after a cesarean section. Twenty-eight percent of births in Canada are cesarean sections — a 50% increase over the last 20 years. Labour is an unpredictable process, and patients must keep the prospect of a c-section in the back of their minds. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, local OBGYN Dr. Kelly Strode joins us to answer our questions on cesarean birth. Listen as she walks us through every step of the cesarean birth procedure, from preparation to recovery. Building on her years of expertise, Dr. Kelly discusses the difference between planned and emergency cesareans, the healing process, and the qualities of a good VBAC candidate. If you are considering a cesarean section or want to be ready for the possibility, this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out if cesarean delivery or VBAC is an option for you. 2) Learn OBGYN-proven ways to deal with cesarean incisions. 3) Discover helpful advice as you prepare for motherhood after a cesarean section. mother’s journey into parenthood, cesarean birth, planned and emergency cesareans, healing process, obgyn, giving birth, birthing support, skin-to-skin contact, advice for motherhood, pregnancy, advice and tips, labour no full 8 2 fc17619b-b1d1-4c32-a4a6-d57a47bca059 Don't Be Trashy Episode Highlights

[01:24] Defining Minimalism

  • Tara is a believer in progress over perfection.
  • Minimalism is about defining your own way of living with less. This style of living can look different for each person.
  • Tara is currently trying to embrace minimalism even as she enters a new season in life with a baby.
  • One challenge of being a parent is the increasing amount of things in your home.

[04:24] Parenting with Reduced Environmental Impact

  • Tara reached out to her other friends who are parents to share and exchange whatever they have and need.
  • When buying new items, invest in quality over quantity. You can also find baby items secondhand, borrowed, or from gifts.
  • Buy with longevity in mind. These quality items can last longer and be kept for future children or passed along to others.
  • Using cloth diapers helps reduce waste.
  • For toys, keep only a limited number that was just right for the family.

[08:40] Reduce What You Buy

  • Reducing is an old way to refer to minimalism. Tessa set boundaries with family and friends about what they want or don’t want for their family.
  • You can buy cute things, just don’t overshop. This decreases how often you have to declutter and maintain order in your home.
  • If you want to buy fast fashion, don’t view it as fast fashion. Enjoy it and make good use of what you bought.
  • You can also choose to buy second-hand or avoid shopping as a hobby altogether.
  • Before buying, filter what you truly need and will actually use.

[12:59] Respectfully Refusing

  • Sometimes we may need to refuse what others are offering before it becomes too much.
  • Refusing includes setting boundaries with your friends and family.

Tara: “Refusing is really setting boundaries. I think that’s ultimately what it is — boundaries about what you want to bring into your life and what you don’t want and setting those boundaries with friends and family.”

  • Tara was able to do this during Christmas by making clear what they truly need for their daughter.
  • Another way you could refuse is by accepting only what you need. You can return the remaining items to pass them on to someone else.

[15:56] Making Cloth Diapering Work For You

  • There are different types of cloth diapers. One kind uses removable inserts, allowing you to change the lining as needed.
  • If you’re going to start cloth diapering, create a setup that is easy and convenient for you to use. Tara’s setup makes the diapers easy to reach, replace and wash regularly.
  • While you’d have to do more laundry, reusable and washable are a worthy investment. You can use them longer and for more than one child.
  • When going out, be prepared and have all the supplies that you need including enough inserts, covers, and a wet bag.
  • Explore and figure out what works best for you. Listen and share experiences with other parents for their tips.

Judith: “It doesn’t have to be perfect, and I love that. That’s what we’ve weaved through this entire conversation. Little things make a difference.”

[20:18] The Convenience of Reusables

  • Tessa has experienced using both reusable and disposable diapers.
  • Tessa has found that reusable is more reliable in avoiding diaper overflows.
  • Using reusable diapers is an investment that saves you from having to buy disposable diapers constantly.
  • People perceive the learning curve as intimidating, but you could say the same thing about every aspect of parenting. Once you’ve done it, it’s easy to maintain your system.

Tara: “It’s just like clockwork. We have the system set up. It’s a routine, it’s a habit. It’s literally seamless at this point where we don’t even think about it.”

[22:49] Invest in Quality Over Quantity

  • Parents should look into investing in high-quality baby gear. Tune in to the episode to hear some of Judith’s recommendations from Snuggle Bugz!
  • These days, there are more cheap and low-quality items that are easily disposable.
  • It’s better to buy a good quality item to save money and energy in the long run.
  • Investing in quality products can benefit not just your wallet but also the planet and your sanity.
  • You can choose to save money through swapping, sharing, and buying secondhand.

[26:28] Using a Wish List

  • Many new parents take on the hobby of browsing for items in magazines, online stores, and malls. Unfortunately, this can end up being quite expensive.
  • Using a wish list allows you to make calculated purchases — things you need and will actually use. It also reduces clutter.

Tara: “Shopping with a wish list is helpful because if you’re only buying the things that you know you [want and need], then you focus on making those purchases and not browsing and potentially adding a bunch of stuff that you don’t need."

  • If you end up seeing something you want to buy, you can add it to your wish list. Give it time to see if you truly want to buy and use that item.
  • Find other hobbies that you can enjoy that don’t cost money.

[30:39] The Zero Waste Collective

  • The Zero Waste Collective is a blog Tara created to talk about reducing waste, decluttering, and minimalism.
  • Continuous consumption stops you from living your best life.
  • Tara’s book Don’t Be Trashy helps you live your best life by reducing your waste.
  • It’s a journey of progress over perfection. What works for you before may change over time depending on your season of life.

About Tara

Tara McKenna is a sustainability entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She is the founder of the blog The Zero Waste Collective, where she inspires others to live a life of zero waste, sustainable living, and minimalism. Tara is also the author of the book, Don’t Be Trashy: A Practical Guide to Living with Less Waste and More Joy.

Tara has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning with her specialty in environmental planning. Through her work, she helps and teaches others to live their best life by lessening their waste and creating more joy.

Learn more about Tara on her website and her blog. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also send her an email at info@thezerowastecollective.com.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help you define minimalism in your parenting lifestyle!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Tue, 16 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Tara McKenna, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/dont-be-trashy-XQXEi_f8 Episode Highlights

[01:24] Defining Minimalism

  • Tara is a believer in progress over perfection.
  • Minimalism is about defining your own way of living with less. This style of living can look different for each person.
  • Tara is currently trying to embrace minimalism even as she enters a new season in life with a baby.
  • One challenge of being a parent is the increasing amount of things in your home.

[04:24] Parenting with Reduced Environmental Impact

  • Tara reached out to her other friends who are parents to share and exchange whatever they have and need.
  • When buying new items, invest in quality over quantity. You can also find baby items secondhand, borrowed, or from gifts.
  • Buy with longevity in mind. These quality items can last longer and be kept for future children or passed along to others.
  • Using cloth diapers helps reduce waste.
  • For toys, keep only a limited number that was just right for the family.

[08:40] Reduce What You Buy

  • Reducing is an old way to refer to minimalism. Tessa set boundaries with family and friends about what they want or don’t want for their family.
  • You can buy cute things, just don’t overshop. This decreases how often you have to declutter and maintain order in your home.
  • If you want to buy fast fashion, don’t view it as fast fashion. Enjoy it and make good use of what you bought.
  • You can also choose to buy second-hand or avoid shopping as a hobby altogether.
  • Before buying, filter what you truly need and will actually use.

[12:59] Respectfully Refusing

  • Sometimes we may need to refuse what others are offering before it becomes too much.
  • Refusing includes setting boundaries with your friends and family.

Tara: “Refusing is really setting boundaries. I think that’s ultimately what it is — boundaries about what you want to bring into your life and what you don’t want and setting those boundaries with friends and family.”

  • Tara was able to do this during Christmas by making clear what they truly need for their daughter.
  • Another way you could refuse is by accepting only what you need. You can return the remaining items to pass them on to someone else.

[15:56] Making Cloth Diapering Work For You

  • There are different types of cloth diapers. One kind uses removable inserts, allowing you to change the lining as needed.
  • If you’re going to start cloth diapering, create a setup that is easy and convenient for you to use. Tara’s setup makes the diapers easy to reach, replace and wash regularly.
  • While you’d have to do more laundry, reusable and washable are a worthy investment. You can use them longer and for more than one child.
  • When going out, be prepared and have all the supplies that you need including enough inserts, covers, and a wet bag.
  • Explore and figure out what works best for you. Listen and share experiences with other parents for their tips.

Judith: “It doesn’t have to be perfect, and I love that. That’s what we’ve weaved through this entire conversation. Little things make a difference.”

[20:18] The Convenience of Reusables

  • Tessa has experienced using both reusable and disposable diapers.
  • Tessa has found that reusable is more reliable in avoiding diaper overflows.
  • Using reusable diapers is an investment that saves you from having to buy disposable diapers constantly.
  • People perceive the learning curve as intimidating, but you could say the same thing about every aspect of parenting. Once you’ve done it, it’s easy to maintain your system.

Tara: “It’s just like clockwork. We have the system set up. It’s a routine, it’s a habit. It’s literally seamless at this point where we don’t even think about it.”

[22:49] Invest in Quality Over Quantity

  • Parents should look into investing in high-quality baby gear. Tune in to the episode to hear some of Judith’s recommendations from Snuggle Bugz!
  • These days, there are more cheap and low-quality items that are easily disposable.
  • It’s better to buy a good quality item to save money and energy in the long run.
  • Investing in quality products can benefit not just your wallet but also the planet and your sanity.
  • You can choose to save money through swapping, sharing, and buying secondhand.

[26:28] Using a Wish List

  • Many new parents take on the hobby of browsing for items in magazines, online stores, and malls. Unfortunately, this can end up being quite expensive.
  • Using a wish list allows you to make calculated purchases — things you need and will actually use. It also reduces clutter.

Tara: “Shopping with a wish list is helpful because if you’re only buying the things that you know you [want and need], then you focus on making those purchases and not browsing and potentially adding a bunch of stuff that you don’t need."

  • If you end up seeing something you want to buy, you can add it to your wish list. Give it time to see if you truly want to buy and use that item.
  • Find other hobbies that you can enjoy that don’t cost money.

[30:39] The Zero Waste Collective

  • The Zero Waste Collective is a blog Tara created to talk about reducing waste, decluttering, and minimalism.
  • Continuous consumption stops you from living your best life.
  • Tara’s book Don’t Be Trashy helps you live your best life by reducing your waste.
  • It’s a journey of progress over perfection. What works for you before may change over time depending on your season of life.

About Tara

Tara McKenna is a sustainability entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She is the founder of the blog The Zero Waste Collective, where she inspires others to live a life of zero waste, sustainable living, and minimalism. Tara is also the author of the book, Don’t Be Trashy: A Practical Guide to Living with Less Waste and More Joy.

Tara has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning with her specialty in environmental planning. Through her work, she helps and teaches others to live their best life by lessening their waste and creating more joy.

Learn more about Tara on her website and her blog. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also send her an email at info@thezerowastecollective.com.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help you define minimalism in your parenting lifestyle!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Don't Be Trashy Tara McKenna, Judith Little 00:33:14 Becoming a parent means being responsible not just for yourself but for your little one as well. Part of your duty is to ensure their needs are all met, as well as to make room for some of their wants. You might find your closets and rooms filling up with baby clothes, toys, and all the baby gear you need to raise your child. Unfortunately, this can also lead to mountains of items you won’t need as your baby grows bigger and older. How can you minimize all these items you need for your baby? In this episode, Tara McKenna inspires parents to live their best lives with their children with less waste. She shares her tips and tricks in navigating a minimalist lifestyle even with the challenge of parenthood. If you want to practice minimalism by living with less and decreasing your waste, then this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Discover how you can embrace minimalism in your lifestyle as a parent. 2) Find out how you can reuse, reduce, refuse and recycle when you’re caring for your baby. 3) Learn to invest in quality items for you and your child that can last a lifetime. Becoming a parent means being responsible not just for yourself but for your little one as well. Part of your duty is to ensure their needs are all met, as well as to make room for some of their wants. You might find your closets and rooms filling up with baby clothes, toys, and all the baby gear you need to raise your child. Unfortunately, this can also lead to mountains of items you won’t need as your baby grows bigger and older. How can you minimize all these items you need for your baby? In this episode, Tara McKenna inspires parents to live their best lives with their children with less waste. She shares her tips and tricks in navigating a minimalist lifestyle even with the challenge of parenthood. If you want to practice minimalism by living with less and decreasing your waste, then this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Discover how you can embrace minimalism in your lifestyle as a parent. 2) Find out how you can reuse, reduce, refuse and recycle when you’re caring for your baby. 3) Learn to invest in quality items for you and your child that can last a lifetime. convenience of reusables, cloth diapering, decluttering, the zero waste collective, parenthood, baby, embrace minimalism, parenting with reduced environmental impact, reduce what you buy, quality over quantity no full 7 2 4868ae87-3919-4ea3-a7ad-a9ef10d6a304 The Ultimate Stroller Shopping Guide Episode Highlights

[02:38] Finding The Right Baby Stroller 

  • Melissa and Haleigh believe that quality all-terrain wheels and suspension are non-negotiable.
  • Strollers with a broad canopy are crucial for protecting the infant from the sun.
  • The right baby stroller for you depends on your preference and needs. 

Judith: “...things change as you change and, as you kind of dig into parenthood, you realize what features are maybe more important or maybe you're willing to downgrade versus an upgrade.” 

[05:53] On Travel Systems 

  • A baby stroller’s travel system must be compatible with the car seat.  
  • Children can quickly outgrow their infant car seats, and parents need to switch to convertible ones.  
  • Choose a car seat that will last a long time.
  • Personally visit stores to know how the product works and feels.  

[07:44] Defining Travel Systems 

  • A travel system is a multi-piece set. It includes a stroller and a compatible baby car seat that attaches to the stroller.
  • Travel systems make it easy for parents to bring the baby into the car and do their errands. 
  • Choosing a travel system depends on your baby’s needs and your goals.  

[11:35] Single Strollers Versus Double Strollers 

  • Home space is crucial in choosing between a single or double stroller.  

Melissa: “And realistically, most families will have more than one stroller throughout their kind of evolution. So I knew that even if we did have our second and if we did go to a double stroller that single stroller would still be very helpful.” 

  • Every type of stroller has its unique function. 
  • Plan for the present and buy only based on what you know. 

[15:47] Strollers for Small Spaces 

  • A stroller with sturdy wheels is best for parents who live in tiny areas and take public transportation.
  • A separate baby stroller with a broad canopy that doesn't need an additional bassinet or pram can broaden your options.

[19:11] Expandable Strollers

  • There is no answer to which is the best expandable stroller. 
  • It’s best to check options that suit you and your child’s needs. 
  • Consider which style of expandable stroller you’ll be comfortable with, a side-by-side or tandem one. 

[22:14] Tandem Versus Side-by-Side 

  • Side-by-side strollers allow for greater maneuverability. 
  • Tandem strollers are great for small spaces, but it's sometimes difficult to use them uphill or in bumpy areas.  
  • Consider the weight limitations of your baby stroller and how long you'll use it. 
  • If you have twins, find a stroller with an equal weight limit on both seats. 
  • Tune in to the entire episode to know how Melissa and Haleigh describe their favorite strollers in emojis! 

[29:43] Strollers for Airplane 

  • Make sure you can fit a full diaper bag in the basket of your travel stroller to keep your hands free.

[33:33] On Running Strollers 

  • Running strollers are suitable for everyday use as well as running.
  • Consider where you’ll use the stroller and its weight. 
  • Use running strollers only when your child has complete head control already. 

Haleigh: “There are strollers that check a lot of boxes, strollers that check various specific boxes, and, ultimately, it comes down to what you want. What feels right for you? What are you happy with? And you go from there.” 

About the Guest

Melissa Kriz is a proud mother of two. She is currently the Director of Marketing at Snuggle Bugz, where she demonstrates her experience in marketing and eCommerce.

Haleigh Ryan is the Social Media Marketing Manager of Snuggle Bugz. She's an experienced traveler who knows how to navigate an airport with a newborn in tow. She flew with her son for the first time at three weeks old! 

Melissa and Haleigh are both passionate about anything baby-related. You can connect with Melissa and Haleigh on LinkedIn if you want to reach out.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help you choose the best baby stroller for you and your lifestyle!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Tue, 9 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Haleigh Ryan, Judith Little, Melissa Kriz) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/the-ultimate-stroller-shopping-guide-vRfd8OSR Episode Highlights

[02:38] Finding The Right Baby Stroller 

  • Melissa and Haleigh believe that quality all-terrain wheels and suspension are non-negotiable.
  • Strollers with a broad canopy are crucial for protecting the infant from the sun.
  • The right baby stroller for you depends on your preference and needs. 

Judith: “...things change as you change and, as you kind of dig into parenthood, you realize what features are maybe more important or maybe you're willing to downgrade versus an upgrade.” 

[05:53] On Travel Systems 

  • A baby stroller’s travel system must be compatible with the car seat.  
  • Children can quickly outgrow their infant car seats, and parents need to switch to convertible ones.  
  • Choose a car seat that will last a long time.
  • Personally visit stores to know how the product works and feels.  

[07:44] Defining Travel Systems 

  • A travel system is a multi-piece set. It includes a stroller and a compatible baby car seat that attaches to the stroller.
  • Travel systems make it easy for parents to bring the baby into the car and do their errands. 
  • Choosing a travel system depends on your baby’s needs and your goals.  

[11:35] Single Strollers Versus Double Strollers 

  • Home space is crucial in choosing between a single or double stroller.  

Melissa: “And realistically, most families will have more than one stroller throughout their kind of evolution. So I knew that even if we did have our second and if we did go to a double stroller that single stroller would still be very helpful.” 

  • Every type of stroller has its unique function. 
  • Plan for the present and buy only based on what you know. 

[15:47] Strollers for Small Spaces 

  • A stroller with sturdy wheels is best for parents who live in tiny areas and take public transportation.
  • A separate baby stroller with a broad canopy that doesn't need an additional bassinet or pram can broaden your options.

[19:11] Expandable Strollers

  • There is no answer to which is the best expandable stroller. 
  • It’s best to check options that suit you and your child’s needs. 
  • Consider which style of expandable stroller you’ll be comfortable with, a side-by-side or tandem one. 

[22:14] Tandem Versus Side-by-Side 

  • Side-by-side strollers allow for greater maneuverability. 
  • Tandem strollers are great for small spaces, but it's sometimes difficult to use them uphill or in bumpy areas.  
  • Consider the weight limitations of your baby stroller and how long you'll use it. 
  • If you have twins, find a stroller with an equal weight limit on both seats. 
  • Tune in to the entire episode to know how Melissa and Haleigh describe their favorite strollers in emojis! 

[29:43] Strollers for Airplane 

  • Make sure you can fit a full diaper bag in the basket of your travel stroller to keep your hands free.

[33:33] On Running Strollers 

  • Running strollers are suitable for everyday use as well as running.
  • Consider where you’ll use the stroller and its weight. 
  • Use running strollers only when your child has complete head control already. 

Haleigh: “There are strollers that check a lot of boxes, strollers that check various specific boxes, and, ultimately, it comes down to what you want. What feels right for you? What are you happy with? And you go from there.” 

About the Guest

Melissa Kriz is a proud mother of two. She is currently the Director of Marketing at Snuggle Bugz, where she demonstrates her experience in marketing and eCommerce.

Haleigh Ryan is the Social Media Marketing Manager of Snuggle Bugz. She's an experienced traveler who knows how to navigate an airport with a newborn in tow. She flew with her son for the first time at three weeks old! 

Melissa and Haleigh are both passionate about anything baby-related. You can connect with Melissa and Haleigh on LinkedIn if you want to reach out.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help you choose the best baby stroller for you and your lifestyle!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> The Ultimate Stroller Shopping Guide Haleigh Ryan, Judith Little, Melissa Kriz 00:39:27 Every parent needs a reliable baby stroller. It not only provides a safe spot for your kid to sleep but also serves as a storage for all of your baby's essentials. However, it can be tough to anticipate what kind of baby stroller you need. Choosing one can also be overwhelming, especially with tons of alternatives available in the market today. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Melissa Kriz and Haleigh Ryan share their experience picking strollers for their babies. They impart what travel systems are and how they help parents adjust to a life that's always on the go. They also recommend numerous baby stroller products and brands for new parents out there. If you want to find the ideal baby stroller, this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out what features to look for in a reliable baby stroller 2) Understand what travel systems mean 3) Discover what type of stroller suits your family’s lifestyle Every parent needs a reliable baby stroller. It not only provides a safe spot for your kid to sleep but also serves as a storage for all of your baby's essentials. However, it can be tough to anticipate what kind of baby stroller you need. Choosing one can also be overwhelming, especially with tons of alternatives available in the market today. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Melissa Kriz and Haleigh Ryan share their experience picking strollers for their babies. They impart what travel systems are and how they help parents adjust to a life that's always on the go. They also recommend numerous baby stroller products and brands for new parents out there. If you want to find the ideal baby stroller, this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out what features to look for in a reliable baby stroller 2) Understand what travel systems mean 3) Discover what type of stroller suits your family’s lifestyle stroller shopping, strollers, airplane approved strollers, running strollers, baby, tandem versus side-by-side strollers, travel systems, guide, baby stroller products, stroller accessories no full 6 2 784052ae-4117-4415-bc2b-700e57673b0e Optimizing Your Health During Pregnancy Episode Highlights

[01:13] Preparing the Body for Pregnancy

  • The preconception period is very optimal.

Dr. Courtney: “Preconception—so the time before you're trying to conceive is so optimal because we can change our health and our future baby's health.”

  • Optimize your egg quality, hormones, and overall health.
  • You can optimize your health with naturopathic medicine. It combines nutrition with movement, lifestyle, supplements, and herbs.

[02:36] Handle Morning Sickness With Naturopathic Medicine

  • Many women experience morning sickness. It can happen in the first and second trimesters.
  • Naturopathic medicine can help with morning sickness by reducing nausea and taking the edge off the symptoms.
  • Ginger, B6, and acupuncture are three things that can help.
  • It’s hard to eat during the first trimester. Simple proteins can keep nausea and mood swings at bay.
  • You must get enough complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats on top of having ginger, B6, and other supplements.

[04:09] On Prenatal Vitamins

  • Naturopathic medicine is not only about supporting people with their symptoms but also about education.
  • Prenatal vitamins are not all the same. Some have more non-medical than medical ingredients.
  • Stay away from supplements with a long list of food colouring, corn starch, sugar, and other sketchy ingredients.
  • Find prenatal supplements that have more absorbable forms of vitamins. For instance, methylfolate, B12, magnesium, and iron may be more bio-available to the body.
  • 60% of women can have a methylation mutation and can’t absorb folic acid as well as they can methylate folate.

[06:51] Getting the Support of a Naturopath

  • Instagram is a powerful platform. It allows people to share information about ways to support pregnancy.
  • Collaborations with midwives and OBs are significant.

Dr. Courtney: “If you're not getting necessarily what you need from your medical provider, there's definitely someone who will advocate for you. It’s just it can be a little bit of finding them, which is the hard part.”

  • Courtney tries to work with local birth providers, so they know the services she provides.
  • Naturopathic medicine is recognized as a way to support, advocate, and find something that works for people.

[09:30] Why a Balanced Diet and Nutrition is Important During Pregnancy

  • The first trimester must involve optimizing the diet by adding more protein, fats, and fiber that can don't exacerbate morning sickness.
  • Food and sleep are foundational for setting up the rest of the pregnancy and postpartum.
  • Gaining the nutrition values in preconception or early pregnancy will make you feel confident and encouraged in the postpartum stage.
  • It’s best to work with a nutritionist or a naturopathic doctor who focuses on nutrition.
  • You can find good healthy fat and fiber-rich snacks that can help ensure you're getting adequate nutrition instead of restricting anything.

[12:00] Exercising in the First Trimester

  • Every person is different. You can try to continue what you've been doing during preconception.
  • Jumping into a new exercise program, like CrossFit, in the first trimester is not ideal.
  • Movement is essential, but it's critical to go easy during the first trimester. You can explore yoga, stretching, walking, hiking, or swimming.
  • The second and third trimester is when you can find a movement technique that will work for you.
  • You don't have to do your chosen activity every day; it can be a couple of days a week.

[14:11] Natural Ways to Induce Labor

  • Many naturopathic medicines and modalities can help induce labour naturally. Dr. Courney usually starts working with midwives around the 30 to 34-week mark.
  • Red raspberry leaf tea can help prepare the uterus and prevent labour complications. It's rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus.
  • Another big thing is acupuncture. Specific acupuncture points can help soften the cervix, help tone the uterus, and engage the baby.
  • You can also do things at home like exercise balls, movement, walking, stairs, and primrose oil combined with intercourse.
  • Pelvic floor physiologists can give individualized movement plans for specific patients.

[18:17] Acupuncture and Flipping Breech Babies

  • Dr. Courtney used to work at a clinic with an 85% success rate with flipping breech babies.
  • Combining acupuncture with moxa increases the success rate up to 70% for flipping breech babies naturally.
  • The earlier you know the baby is in a breech position, the better. It can be around the 36 to 37-week mark.
  • Studies show that you can still flip the baby and have vaginal births at the 39-week mark.

[20:33] Preparing for the Changes in the Fourth Trimester

  • Try to seek out positive birthing experiences to lessen the fear and anxiety, especially if you're a first-time mom.
  • Dr. Courtney recommends reading the book Ina May's Spiritual Guide to Childbirth.
  • Prepare for what will happen postpartum and how to get physical and mental support.
  • Focus on eating nutritious foods and recovering from vaginal birth. Tune in to the episode to learn more!
  • Set up your team with a pelvic floor physiologist and a lactation consultant if you need them.

[25:19] Postpartum Healing

  • A woman undergoes tons of bloodwork and assessments during the fertility stage and more testing in the first, second, and third trimesters on top of labour.
  • Low iron correlates with low energy and hair loss, while a bad thyroid may cause postpartum anxiety and depression.
  • Ferritin levels in pregnancy are usually low and carried forward in postpartum. It's where the importance of proper nutrition and vitamins D and B12 comes in.
  • Bloodwork gives us a big glimpse into someone’s health.
  • For nutrition, it's helpful to have bone broths and stews, quinoas, nuts, seeds, and energy balls on hand.

[29:06] Dr. Courtney's Final Advice

  • Get support from a professional team that can resonate with and has your back at all stages of your pregnancy journey.

Dr. Courtney: “Getting yourself set up with someone if you have the means, I think, is so important. It doesn't actually have to be a naturopath—it can be a pelvic floor physio, a psychotherapist, even a chiropractor, or someone again who just knows your story, knows your journey, and knows you and what you want, and can support you no matter what.”

About Dr. Courtney

Dr. Courtney Clayson-Russell is a naturopathic doctor, birth doula, and entrepreneur. Courtney has a special focus on women's health, particularly fertility and pre/postnatal care, and is sensitive to the unique challenges women face today. Specifically, she specializes in nutrition, supplementation, botanical medicine, acupuncture, and physical therapy. She is also the creator of Well Baked Box and Fecunditas Fertility.

If you want to know more about Dr. Courtney and her work, you can connect with her on her website or on Instagram.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help mommies optimize their health and prepare for all stages of pregnancy. When you’re pregnant, nutrition is a paramount concern — naturopathic supplements may be what you need for a healthy pregnancy!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Tue, 2 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Dr. Courtney Clayson-Russell, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/optimizing-your-health-during-pregnancy-ofhQnHYP Episode Highlights

[01:13] Preparing the Body for Pregnancy

  • The preconception period is very optimal.

Dr. Courtney: “Preconception—so the time before you're trying to conceive is so optimal because we can change our health and our future baby's health.”

  • Optimize your egg quality, hormones, and overall health.
  • You can optimize your health with naturopathic medicine. It combines nutrition with movement, lifestyle, supplements, and herbs.

[02:36] Handle Morning Sickness With Naturopathic Medicine

  • Many women experience morning sickness. It can happen in the first and second trimesters.
  • Naturopathic medicine can help with morning sickness by reducing nausea and taking the edge off the symptoms.
  • Ginger, B6, and acupuncture are three things that can help.
  • It’s hard to eat during the first trimester. Simple proteins can keep nausea and mood swings at bay.
  • You must get enough complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats on top of having ginger, B6, and other supplements.

[04:09] On Prenatal Vitamins

  • Naturopathic medicine is not only about supporting people with their symptoms but also about education.
  • Prenatal vitamins are not all the same. Some have more non-medical than medical ingredients.
  • Stay away from supplements with a long list of food colouring, corn starch, sugar, and other sketchy ingredients.
  • Find prenatal supplements that have more absorbable forms of vitamins. For instance, methylfolate, B12, magnesium, and iron may be more bio-available to the body.
  • 60% of women can have a methylation mutation and can’t absorb folic acid as well as they can methylate folate.

[06:51] Getting the Support of a Naturopath

  • Instagram is a powerful platform. It allows people to share information about ways to support pregnancy.
  • Collaborations with midwives and OBs are significant.

Dr. Courtney: “If you're not getting necessarily what you need from your medical provider, there's definitely someone who will advocate for you. It’s just it can be a little bit of finding them, which is the hard part.”

  • Courtney tries to work with local birth providers, so they know the services she provides.
  • Naturopathic medicine is recognized as a way to support, advocate, and find something that works for people.

[09:30] Why a Balanced Diet and Nutrition is Important During Pregnancy

  • The first trimester must involve optimizing the diet by adding more protein, fats, and fiber that can don't exacerbate morning sickness.
  • Food and sleep are foundational for setting up the rest of the pregnancy and postpartum.
  • Gaining the nutrition values in preconception or early pregnancy will make you feel confident and encouraged in the postpartum stage.
  • It’s best to work with a nutritionist or a naturopathic doctor who focuses on nutrition.
  • You can find good healthy fat and fiber-rich snacks that can help ensure you're getting adequate nutrition instead of restricting anything.

[12:00] Exercising in the First Trimester

  • Every person is different. You can try to continue what you've been doing during preconception.
  • Jumping into a new exercise program, like CrossFit, in the first trimester is not ideal.
  • Movement is essential, but it's critical to go easy during the first trimester. You can explore yoga, stretching, walking, hiking, or swimming.
  • The second and third trimester is when you can find a movement technique that will work for you.
  • You don't have to do your chosen activity every day; it can be a couple of days a week.

[14:11] Natural Ways to Induce Labor

  • Many naturopathic medicines and modalities can help induce labour naturally. Dr. Courney usually starts working with midwives around the 30 to 34-week mark.
  • Red raspberry leaf tea can help prepare the uterus and prevent labour complications. It's rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus.
  • Another big thing is acupuncture. Specific acupuncture points can help soften the cervix, help tone the uterus, and engage the baby.
  • You can also do things at home like exercise balls, movement, walking, stairs, and primrose oil combined with intercourse.
  • Pelvic floor physiologists can give individualized movement plans for specific patients.

[18:17] Acupuncture and Flipping Breech Babies

  • Dr. Courtney used to work at a clinic with an 85% success rate with flipping breech babies.
  • Combining acupuncture with moxa increases the success rate up to 70% for flipping breech babies naturally.
  • The earlier you know the baby is in a breech position, the better. It can be around the 36 to 37-week mark.
  • Studies show that you can still flip the baby and have vaginal births at the 39-week mark.

[20:33] Preparing for the Changes in the Fourth Trimester

  • Try to seek out positive birthing experiences to lessen the fear and anxiety, especially if you're a first-time mom.
  • Dr. Courtney recommends reading the book Ina May's Spiritual Guide to Childbirth.
  • Prepare for what will happen postpartum and how to get physical and mental support.
  • Focus on eating nutritious foods and recovering from vaginal birth. Tune in to the episode to learn more!
  • Set up your team with a pelvic floor physiologist and a lactation consultant if you need them.

[25:19] Postpartum Healing

  • A woman undergoes tons of bloodwork and assessments during the fertility stage and more testing in the first, second, and third trimesters on top of labour.
  • Low iron correlates with low energy and hair loss, while a bad thyroid may cause postpartum anxiety and depression.
  • Ferritin levels in pregnancy are usually low and carried forward in postpartum. It's where the importance of proper nutrition and vitamins D and B12 comes in.
  • Bloodwork gives us a big glimpse into someone’s health.
  • For nutrition, it's helpful to have bone broths and stews, quinoas, nuts, seeds, and energy balls on hand.

[29:06] Dr. Courtney's Final Advice

  • Get support from a professional team that can resonate with and has your back at all stages of your pregnancy journey.

Dr. Courtney: “Getting yourself set up with someone if you have the means, I think, is so important. It doesn't actually have to be a naturopath—it can be a pelvic floor physio, a psychotherapist, even a chiropractor, or someone again who just knows your story, knows your journey, and knows you and what you want, and can support you no matter what.”

About Dr. Courtney

Dr. Courtney Clayson-Russell is a naturopathic doctor, birth doula, and entrepreneur. Courtney has a special focus on women's health, particularly fertility and pre/postnatal care, and is sensitive to the unique challenges women face today. Specifically, she specializes in nutrition, supplementation, botanical medicine, acupuncture, and physical therapy. She is also the creator of Well Baked Box and Fecunditas Fertility.

If you want to know more about Dr. Courtney and her work, you can connect with her on her website or on Instagram.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help mommies optimize their health and prepare for all stages of pregnancy. When you’re pregnant, nutrition is a paramount concern — naturopathic supplements may be what you need for a healthy pregnancy!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Optimizing Your Health During Pregnancy Dr. Courtney Clayson-Russell, Judith Little 00:31:07 Women undergo a lot of changes throughout the entire pregnancy journey. We try to ensure that everything we do and consume from this point on is healthy and beneficial to our budding little one. But not all have access to the information needed to navigate these transitions and adjustments properly. Fortunately, there are ways to keep the journey from preconception to postpartum as smooth sailing as possible — and one of these is naturopathic medicine. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Dr. Courtney Clayson-Russell talks about preparing your body for pregnancy through naturopathic medicine. She also discusses navigating the early pregnancy period, including morning sickness, prenatal vitamins, and movement. Then, she shares natural ways to induce and how to prepare mentally and physically for postpartum healing. If you want to find out how to optimize your health and prepare for all stages of your pregnancy, then this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out the benefits of naturopathic medicine in all stages of pregnancy. 2) Learn natural ways to induce labour. 3) Discover crucial aspects of navigating the fourth trimester and postpartum healing. Women undergo a lot of changes throughout the entire pregnancy journey. We try to ensure that everything we do and consume from this point on is healthy and beneficial to our budding little one. But not all have access to the information needed to navigate these transitions and adjustments properly. Fortunately, there are ways to keep the journey from preconception to postpartum as smooth sailing as possible — and one of these is naturopathic medicine. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Dr. Courtney Clayson-Russell talks about preparing your body for pregnancy through naturopathic medicine. She also discusses navigating the early pregnancy period, including morning sickness, prenatal vitamins, and movement. Then, she shares natural ways to induce and how to prepare mentally and physically for postpartum healing. If you want to find out how to optimize your health and prepare for all stages of your pregnancy, then this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out the benefits of naturopathic medicine in all stages of pregnancy. 2) Learn natural ways to induce labour. 3) Discover crucial aspects of navigating the fourth trimester and postpartum healing. prepare, postpartum healing, prenatal vitamins, health, acupuncture, nutrition, exercise, naturopathic medicine, morning sickness, pregnancy, labour no full 5 2 797629d9-a756-492a-84b0-a67d91b2d084 The Mental Load of Motherhood Episode Highlights

[01:50] Parenthood and Spousal Relationship

  • Research has shown that marital satisfaction decreases after three years of marriage. 
  • Priorities and demands have changed, and your attention moves to your dependent new little being. 
  • There must be intentionality in building connection and intimacy in the relationship during this time.
  • Sit with your partner and talk about the small things you do together. Then, incorporate these rituals into your daily routine. 

[03:51] Respecting the Differences in Parenting Experience 

  • Always ask yourself, 'Would you speak to your friend or co-worker the way you speak to your partner?'
  • Dr. Tracy emphasizes the importance of having compassion for each other. Give your partner the same kindness you give yourself and other people. 
  • Both your parenting experiences are dynamic and natural. Never tell your partner that they never help out.

Dr. Tracy: "It's also important to recognize that when it comes to [parenthood], it's not going to be equal between you and your partner, but you need to find a way to find what feels fair."

  • Acknowledge that your partner’s experience of the world is different from yours. 
  • Be sure to vocalize your concerns to understand your parenting experience better. 

[07:24] Dealing with Resentment 

  • Feeling resentment means that you or your partner has unmet needs. 
  • It is crucial to address resentment because it can slowly erode the health of your relationship. 
  • Motherhood can be overwhelming — especially when you’re not communicating with your partner and don’t have an agreement regarding your plans. 
  • Communication is important. You have to have an agreement and plan with your partner. 

[11:29] Effectively Communicating Your Needs 

  • Relationships have complex dynamics because of differences in upbringing, experience, and culture.
  • Have a values-based conversation with your partner and discuss the values you want for your family. 
  • Do not carry the mental load. Instead, be fair and onboard your partner.  
  • According to Dr. Tracy, sitting shoulder to shoulder instead of across each other can help foster communication. This position makes your partner feel you are working together.
  • Celebrate your partner. Remember not to put the blame. Instead, make a plan and decide how to move forward together. 

[14:22] Eve Rodsky’s CPE Method

  • Eve Rodsky, in her book Fair Play, shares a system for people looking to couples looking to find balance in their domestic life. 
  • In dealing with partner issues, Eve recommends the CPE method: conceptualization, planning, and execution. 
  • Resentment often builds up in women when they feel their partners only execute tasks instead of completing them.
  • Learn to step back and trust that your partner will fulfill their roles and complete their tasks.

Dr. Tracy: "[If I] over-function, the only space that is left for my partner is to under-function. And if I step back, then that means he's going to learn and grow. So, I don't have to carry all of it. And on top of that, then he gets to build the relationship with our kids."

[20:04] Supporting Your Partner and Child’s Relationship

  • Dr. Tracy shares that it is essential to acknowledge that children have different relationships with each parent.
  • Understand that it is not going to be perfect all the time, but that is good enough.
  • Have a conversation with your partner and identify what matters most for you. Having this kind of conversation is essential, but not in front of your kids. 
  • Your children need to see you as a strong parenting team. This will enable them to share feelings and learn boundaries.
  • Let your partner have a unique relationship with your child. Understand that they will learn to develop that with each of you.

[25:01] Understanding Differences in POVs

  • Learn each other’s non-negotiables and be in understanding positions. Practice being good listeners. Listen to understand and not argue. 
  • Dr. Tracy recommends having a bridge conversation where you see the situation from each other's perspectives or lenses.
  • Communication with your partner may not be a one-time conversation. You may have to peel back every layer of the onion.
  • Remind yourself that not you won't resolve every relational issue right away. There may be recurring problems that show up repeatedly. 
  • Understanding breeds empathy and relationships need more empathy. 

[30:10] Tackling Postpartum Intimacy

  • Postpartum intimacy makes mothers desire closeness from their partners. It is a part of birth processing and emotional recovery ⁠— even for non-birthing parents. 
  • Do not push for sex if one of you isn’t ready, even if your OB-GYN gives you the clear.
  • You will experience many changes in the first few years of parenting. Focus on other ways to build intimacy with your partner. 
  • Reassure your partner that they are still your person and that you want to be intimate with them. 
  • Have a conversation with your partner about what intimacy can look like — may it be emotional or physical intimacy. Broaden the definition of intimacy in your relationship.  

[34:27] Making Time for Each Other

  • Making time for each other is challenging if you have a child interrupting constantly.
  • Dr. Tracy shares that it is practical for partners to schedule sex so that you can focus on being intimate.
  • It is also vital to have a regularly scheduled time for communication when you can build emotional intimacy.
  • The meeting can offer an opportunity to deposit into the Love Bank. Listen to the full episode for what that is and tips for facilitating your conversations!

Dr. Tracy: "It's also about emotional intimacy. Can you and your partner make sure you spend 10 minutes on the couch at least once a week, talking about how grateful you are for each other?"

[40:39] Dr. Tracy's Advice for Parents-To-Be

  • Start your communication before the baby arrives. Discuss how you deal with struggles and how each partner can help. 
  • Remember that you are both ready for the baby you will have. 
  • Learn to trust that challenging moments are going to pass. Take things slowly. 
  • Take a lot of pictures in good moments. 

About Dr. Tracy

Dr. Tracy Dagleish, C.Psych is a psychologist from Ottawa, Ontario, with over 15 years of experience working with women and couples. She is also the owner of Integrated Wellness: a mental health clinic that provides assessment and treatment services for various emotional, cognitive, or behavioural issues, as well as couples and sex therapy. 

She hosts 'I’m Not Your Shrink,' a podcast designed for women. Dr. Tracy also contributes to popular media sites, including Motherly HuffingtonPost, PsychCentral, Circle Around, and Bustle. 

If you want to know more about Dr. Tracy and her work, you can connect with her on her website, LinkedIn, or Instagram. 

Resources

Enjoyed This Episode?

If you did, subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help parents practice healthy communication and maintain emotional intimacy even during the stress of parenting.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Tue, 26 Jul 2022 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Dr. Tracy Dagleish, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/the-mental-load-of-motherhood-WlJ31sNW Episode Highlights

[01:50] Parenthood and Spousal Relationship

  • Research has shown that marital satisfaction decreases after three years of marriage. 
  • Priorities and demands have changed, and your attention moves to your dependent new little being. 
  • There must be intentionality in building connection and intimacy in the relationship during this time.
  • Sit with your partner and talk about the small things you do together. Then, incorporate these rituals into your daily routine. 

[03:51] Respecting the Differences in Parenting Experience 

  • Always ask yourself, 'Would you speak to your friend or co-worker the way you speak to your partner?'
  • Dr. Tracy emphasizes the importance of having compassion for each other. Give your partner the same kindness you give yourself and other people. 
  • Both your parenting experiences are dynamic and natural. Never tell your partner that they never help out.

Dr. Tracy: "It's also important to recognize that when it comes to [parenthood], it's not going to be equal between you and your partner, but you need to find a way to find what feels fair."

  • Acknowledge that your partner’s experience of the world is different from yours. 
  • Be sure to vocalize your concerns to understand your parenting experience better. 

[07:24] Dealing with Resentment 

  • Feeling resentment means that you or your partner has unmet needs. 
  • It is crucial to address resentment because it can slowly erode the health of your relationship. 
  • Motherhood can be overwhelming — especially when you’re not communicating with your partner and don’t have an agreement regarding your plans. 
  • Communication is important. You have to have an agreement and plan with your partner. 

[11:29] Effectively Communicating Your Needs 

  • Relationships have complex dynamics because of differences in upbringing, experience, and culture.
  • Have a values-based conversation with your partner and discuss the values you want for your family. 
  • Do not carry the mental load. Instead, be fair and onboard your partner.  
  • According to Dr. Tracy, sitting shoulder to shoulder instead of across each other can help foster communication. This position makes your partner feel you are working together.
  • Celebrate your partner. Remember not to put the blame. Instead, make a plan and decide how to move forward together. 

[14:22] Eve Rodsky’s CPE Method

  • Eve Rodsky, in her book Fair Play, shares a system for people looking to couples looking to find balance in their domestic life. 
  • In dealing with partner issues, Eve recommends the CPE method: conceptualization, planning, and execution. 
  • Resentment often builds up in women when they feel their partners only execute tasks instead of completing them.
  • Learn to step back and trust that your partner will fulfill their roles and complete their tasks.

Dr. Tracy: "[If I] over-function, the only space that is left for my partner is to under-function. And if I step back, then that means he's going to learn and grow. So, I don't have to carry all of it. And on top of that, then he gets to build the relationship with our kids."

[20:04] Supporting Your Partner and Child’s Relationship

  • Dr. Tracy shares that it is essential to acknowledge that children have different relationships with each parent.
  • Understand that it is not going to be perfect all the time, but that is good enough.
  • Have a conversation with your partner and identify what matters most for you. Having this kind of conversation is essential, but not in front of your kids. 
  • Your children need to see you as a strong parenting team. This will enable them to share feelings and learn boundaries.
  • Let your partner have a unique relationship with your child. Understand that they will learn to develop that with each of you.

[25:01] Understanding Differences in POVs

  • Learn each other’s non-negotiables and be in understanding positions. Practice being good listeners. Listen to understand and not argue. 
  • Dr. Tracy recommends having a bridge conversation where you see the situation from each other's perspectives or lenses.
  • Communication with your partner may not be a one-time conversation. You may have to peel back every layer of the onion.
  • Remind yourself that not you won't resolve every relational issue right away. There may be recurring problems that show up repeatedly. 
  • Understanding breeds empathy and relationships need more empathy. 

[30:10] Tackling Postpartum Intimacy

  • Postpartum intimacy makes mothers desire closeness from their partners. It is a part of birth processing and emotional recovery ⁠— even for non-birthing parents. 
  • Do not push for sex if one of you isn’t ready, even if your OB-GYN gives you the clear.
  • You will experience many changes in the first few years of parenting. Focus on other ways to build intimacy with your partner. 
  • Reassure your partner that they are still your person and that you want to be intimate with them. 
  • Have a conversation with your partner about what intimacy can look like — may it be emotional or physical intimacy. Broaden the definition of intimacy in your relationship.  

[34:27] Making Time for Each Other

  • Making time for each other is challenging if you have a child interrupting constantly.
  • Dr. Tracy shares that it is practical for partners to schedule sex so that you can focus on being intimate.
  • It is also vital to have a regularly scheduled time for communication when you can build emotional intimacy.
  • The meeting can offer an opportunity to deposit into the Love Bank. Listen to the full episode for what that is and tips for facilitating your conversations!

Dr. Tracy: "It's also about emotional intimacy. Can you and your partner make sure you spend 10 minutes on the couch at least once a week, talking about how grateful you are for each other?"

[40:39] Dr. Tracy's Advice for Parents-To-Be

  • Start your communication before the baby arrives. Discuss how you deal with struggles and how each partner can help. 
  • Remember that you are both ready for the baby you will have. 
  • Learn to trust that challenging moments are going to pass. Take things slowly. 
  • Take a lot of pictures in good moments. 

About Dr. Tracy

Dr. Tracy Dagleish, C.Psych is a psychologist from Ottawa, Ontario, with over 15 years of experience working with women and couples. She is also the owner of Integrated Wellness: a mental health clinic that provides assessment and treatment services for various emotional, cognitive, or behavioural issues, as well as couples and sex therapy. 

She hosts 'I’m Not Your Shrink,' a podcast designed for women. Dr. Tracy also contributes to popular media sites, including Motherly HuffingtonPost, PsychCentral, Circle Around, and Bustle. 

If you want to know more about Dr. Tracy and her work, you can connect with her on her website, LinkedIn, or Instagram. 

Resources

Enjoyed This Episode?

If you did, subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help parents practice healthy communication and maintain emotional intimacy even during the stress of parenting.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> The Mental Load of Motherhood Dr. Tracy Dagleish, Judith Little 00:42:57 Partners prepare for pregnancy, labour, and breastfeeding, but how do we prioritize the new baby while maintaining a healthy marriage? Parents often neglect their partners in favour of taking care of the baby, but that shouldn't be the case. Communication is vital if you want to maintain physical and emotional intimacy. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Dr. Tracy Dagleish shares the importance of dealing with the mental load of parenthood with your partner. Listen as Dr. Tracy builds on her 15 years of experience as a couples therapist and shares practical tips for healthy communication with your partner. Remember: your partnership should still be a priority alongside the changes that come with the new baby. If you want to discover how to enjoy the parenting experience while being the best partner, this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Learn about the importance of onboarding your partner in parenthood. 2) Find out how to deal with resentment in your relationship through healthy and intentional communication. 3) Discover practical tips to understand differences and effectively communicate your needs. Partners prepare for pregnancy, labour, and breastfeeding, but how do we prioritize the new baby while maintaining a healthy marriage? Parents often neglect their partners in favour of taking care of the baby, but that shouldn't be the case. Communication is vital if you want to maintain physical and emotional intimacy. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Dr. Tracy Dagleish shares the importance of dealing with the mental load of parenthood with your partner. Listen as Dr. Tracy builds on her 15 years of experience as a couples therapist and shares practical tips for healthy communication with your partner. Remember: your partnership should still be a priority alongside the changes that come with the new baby. If you want to discover how to enjoy the parenting experience while being the best partner, this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Learn about the importance of onboarding your partner in parenthood. 2) Find out how to deal with resentment in your relationship through healthy and intentional communication. 3) Discover practical tips to understand differences and effectively communicate your needs. relationships, intimacy, postpartum, baby, expert advice, breastfeeding, parenting, motherhood, pregnancy, labour no full 4 2 242dfad4-4d6e-4530-81fd-0fbd8e8290e8 Baby Basics + Building Your Registry Episode Highlights

[01:26] Most Obsessed-Over Baby Product

  • Melissa spent the most time researching the stroller, car seat, and baby monitor.
  • Haleigh was obsessed with searching the car seat, bassinet, baby monitor, baby bath, and mattress.

Melissa: “People think that just because we work in baby, the decisions might be super easy, but actually it's so much harder because we know all the options and all the advantages that different brands and products have and trying to converge all of those best of the best into picking the ultimate solution that works for your family is so difficult whether you work in baby or not.”

[04:28] Top 3 Most Used Products in the First 30 Days

  • Haleigh used the BabyBjörn Bouncer and a portable sound machine the most.
  • After nine months in the womb, a newborn is still not used to silence, so a sound machine can provide great comfort to the baby.
  • Haleigh experienced getting an emergency C-section, and the Skip Hop Diaper Caddy helped move essential items, even when changing floors.

Judith: “We're making this happen because these products exist to help you. They're [not] as crutches or as a hindrance. You get to choose how you want to go about this.”

Haleigh: “I think about it from the baby's perspective, too. They are used to being in the womb. That's all they've ever known so, of course, there's gonna be quite a shock to them coming into the world. As much familiarity as you can provide them with as possible to ease the transition, I was all for it.”

  • Don't spend so much money on cute baby outfits since the baby will be in sleepers most of the time.

[11:28] Best Swaddle or Sleep Sack for Newborns

  • Melissa and Haleigh recommend the ErgoPouch Cocoons.
  • Haleigh used the ErgoPouch Cocoon in the baby's first three months. Once the hands and arms were out, she used the Woolino Sleep Sack and rotated three sleep sacks.
  • Get the ErgoPouch Cocoon at 0.2 TOG at cooler temperatures.
  • Melissa uses three sleep sacks: one actively used, one in the laundry, and the other one as spare if the first one gets soiled by the baby.

[13:48] Diaper Pails

  • Melissa has the Dekor Plus Diaper Pail, which has a convenient foot pedal and a continuous bagging system.
  • Haley uses the Munchkin Diaper Pail because it is good at containing the smell and can hold up to 80 diapers.
  • The Ubbi Diaper Pail doesn't need a specific diaper bag to go with it — you can even use grocery bags.

[20:13] Baby Monitor

  • Haleigh uses the Nanit Baby Monitor, which helps her husband see the baby even when travelling. Its insights can also help parents give the baby a better night's sleep.
  • Melissa used the Vtech Baby Monitor because of its handheld device and Wi-Fi. It also has an app that enables her to check her baby even when she’s out.

[24:52] Breast Pumps

  • Melissa rarely used the pump with her first son, but it became essential when she had her second baby.
  • When the baby was in NICU, Melissa needed to pump both in the hospital and at home. She was glad to have a personal pump in the first few days before seeing the lactation consultant.
  • Haleigh's baby liked feeding on the bottle, so she needed to pump out milk for storage.
  • Haleigh used the Medela Freestyle Flex Breast Pump, which was game-changing for her because it's very portable.

[30:32] Top Advice for Transitioning Mothers at Home

  • Do not wean yourself off of Tylenol and Advil earlier than is required.
  • Melissa relied heavily on her diaper bag while her baby was in the NICU.
  • Have a car seat manual ready, so you don't have to rely on a nurse for help. Even if you're exhausted, getting it right the first time is important.

About the Guests

Melissa Kriz is the Director of Marketing at Snuggle Bugz and a proud mother of two. 

Haleigh Ryan is the Social Media Marketing Manager at Snuggle Bugz. She’s happily taking care of her six-month-old baby, which she birthed with an emergency C-section. 

Both moms are passionate about all things baby.

If you want to reach out, you can connect with Melissa and Haleigh on LinkedIn. 

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help you complete your baby registry!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Tue, 19 Jul 2022 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Melissa Kriz, Haleigh Ryan, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/baby-basics-building-your-registry-ER_3GTdx Episode Highlights

[01:26] Most Obsessed-Over Baby Product

  • Melissa spent the most time researching the stroller, car seat, and baby monitor.
  • Haleigh was obsessed with searching the car seat, bassinet, baby monitor, baby bath, and mattress.

Melissa: “People think that just because we work in baby, the decisions might be super easy, but actually it's so much harder because we know all the options and all the advantages that different brands and products have and trying to converge all of those best of the best into picking the ultimate solution that works for your family is so difficult whether you work in baby or not.”

[04:28] Top 3 Most Used Products in the First 30 Days

  • Haleigh used the BabyBjörn Bouncer and a portable sound machine the most.
  • After nine months in the womb, a newborn is still not used to silence, so a sound machine can provide great comfort to the baby.
  • Haleigh experienced getting an emergency C-section, and the Skip Hop Diaper Caddy helped move essential items, even when changing floors.

Judith: “We're making this happen because these products exist to help you. They're [not] as crutches or as a hindrance. You get to choose how you want to go about this.”

Haleigh: “I think about it from the baby's perspective, too. They are used to being in the womb. That's all they've ever known so, of course, there's gonna be quite a shock to them coming into the world. As much familiarity as you can provide them with as possible to ease the transition, I was all for it.”

  • Don't spend so much money on cute baby outfits since the baby will be in sleepers most of the time.

[11:28] Best Swaddle or Sleep Sack for Newborns

  • Melissa and Haleigh recommend the ErgoPouch Cocoons.
  • Haleigh used the ErgoPouch Cocoon in the baby's first three months. Once the hands and arms were out, she used the Woolino Sleep Sack and rotated three sleep sacks.
  • Get the ErgoPouch Cocoon at 0.2 TOG at cooler temperatures.
  • Melissa uses three sleep sacks: one actively used, one in the laundry, and the other one as spare if the first one gets soiled by the baby.

[13:48] Diaper Pails

  • Melissa has the Dekor Plus Diaper Pail, which has a convenient foot pedal and a continuous bagging system.
  • Haley uses the Munchkin Diaper Pail because it is good at containing the smell and can hold up to 80 diapers.
  • The Ubbi Diaper Pail doesn't need a specific diaper bag to go with it — you can even use grocery bags.

[20:13] Baby Monitor

  • Haleigh uses the Nanit Baby Monitor, which helps her husband see the baby even when travelling. Its insights can also help parents give the baby a better night's sleep.
  • Melissa used the Vtech Baby Monitor because of its handheld device and Wi-Fi. It also has an app that enables her to check her baby even when she’s out.

[24:52] Breast Pumps

  • Melissa rarely used the pump with her first son, but it became essential when she had her second baby.
  • When the baby was in NICU, Melissa needed to pump both in the hospital and at home. She was glad to have a personal pump in the first few days before seeing the lactation consultant.
  • Haleigh's baby liked feeding on the bottle, so she needed to pump out milk for storage.
  • Haleigh used the Medela Freestyle Flex Breast Pump, which was game-changing for her because it's very portable.

[30:32] Top Advice for Transitioning Mothers at Home

  • Do not wean yourself off of Tylenol and Advil earlier than is required.
  • Melissa relied heavily on her diaper bag while her baby was in the NICU.
  • Have a car seat manual ready, so you don't have to rely on a nurse for help. Even if you're exhausted, getting it right the first time is important.

About the Guests

Melissa Kriz is the Director of Marketing at Snuggle Bugz and a proud mother of two. 

Haleigh Ryan is the Social Media Marketing Manager at Snuggle Bugz. She’s happily taking care of her six-month-old baby, which she birthed with an emergency C-section. 

Both moms are passionate about all things baby.

If you want to reach out, you can connect with Melissa and Haleigh on LinkedIn. 

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help you complete your baby registry!

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

]]> Baby Basics + Building Your Registry Melissa Kriz, Haleigh Ryan, Judith Little 00:47:01 Completing your baby registry while still pregnant will help prepare for your baby's arrival. Giving birth isn't easy, but we can make it easier on ourselves if we have a checklist of items we need. We want to take care of our own and our baby's health during this critical period, so we want to be prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Melissa Kriz and Haleigh Ryan, proud moms at Snuggle Bugz, share their experiences completing their baby registry and how it helped them when and after giving birth. They also discuss the products and brands they have used and happily recommend them to pregnant moms. If you want to ease your mind on the absolute must-haves for your baby registry, this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Discover the essential baby items and brands to check out. 2) Gain confidence when choosing products that fit you and your baby’s needs after giving birth. 3) Complete your baby registry so you're prepared for any scenario when caring for your baby. PS: Use PODCAST10 for 10% off* your next online order at Snuggle Bugz! Completing your baby registry while still pregnant will help prepare for your baby's arrival. Giving birth isn't easy, but we can make it easier on ourselves if we have a checklist of items we need. We want to take care of our own and our baby's health during this critical period, so we want to be prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Melissa Kriz and Haleigh Ryan, proud moms at Snuggle Bugz, share their experiences completing their baby registry and how it helped them when and after giving birth. They also discuss the products and brands they have used and happily recommend them to pregnant moms. If you want to ease your mind on the absolute must-haves for your baby registry, this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Discover the essential baby items and brands to check out. 2) Gain confidence when choosing products that fit you and your baby’s needs after giving birth. 3) Complete your baby registry so you're prepared for any scenario when caring for your baby. PS: Use PODCAST10 for 10% off* your next online order at Snuggle Bugz! checklist, baby registry, essential items, prepare, baby essentials, must-haves, brands, products, pregnancy, advice no full 3 2 c9fc0173-d10c-4478-b6e5-07e095786bcd Organizing Your Home For Baby Episode Highlights

[01:30] Getting Started with Decluttering

  • One common reason behind clutter in many homes is the lack of room for organization.
  • It’s important to take everything out before putting it all right back. This creates a sense of mental and physical clarity.
  • After taking everything out, rebuild the space by only putting in the things that are top priority.
  • We have to go back and address the exciting milestones in our lives because these big events usually bring in the clutter.

Megan: “My big advice would be: don’t get in your own way. When you’re ready, you’re ready, but don’t be your own enemy. Get after it, and do it right, and just address the issue, which is usually clutter.”

  • Keeping clutter is costing you.

[08:54] How to Store Important Documents

  • Get a small bin once you know how much you have and label it.
  • We never touch twice much of the paperwork we keep. You can instead scan and access these documents online.
  • Designating a place for them helps avoid anxiety and enables you to find things easily.
  • Establish organization systems before the baby — or even the next baby — comes.

[11:20] Systems in Diaper Changing and Closet Organizing

  • Create a cart containing all the essentials. You can wheel or move this around the house.
  • Keeping it simple and only having the essential items make it easier to stay organized.
  • It also helps you avoid getting overwhelmed or taking too much time looking for and organizing your things.
  • We all have different organizational styles, so the first thing to do is to identify your style.
  • Always have a bin in the nursery labelled too small, for donation, or giveaway.

[17:16] How to Organize Baby Clothing

  • When you rebuild a room, take everything out and rebuild the space from highest to lowest priority.
  • Less is more. You get to enjoy your time with your baby and not waste time managing the things around you.
  • When something comes in, another thing has to come out.
  • Sometimes it’s easier to declutter while telling your story out loud, which gives you permission to let go of it.

[24:51] Why It’s Hard to Let Go of Things

  • It comes from our evolutionary feature as hunters and gatherers, but we no longer live in the wild. Our lifestyles have evolved as well.

Megan: “Sometimes you hear your parents’ voices too, and they were raised a certain way. It’s so ingrained in us, so we almost want to protect them by hanging on to things. But you need to realize you’re your own person, and you are allowed to live the way you want to live, not out of guilt or shame.”

  • Many people hang on to things because of perfectionism.
  • Some people have made poor purchase decisions, and it’s easier just to keep them than to admit they made a mistake.
  • Learn to let go. You can give these things to other people who need it more.
  • There is joy in giving.

[29:56] Instilling Good Cleaning Habits in Your Kids

  • Parenthood is a new season of life. It’s okay for things to get messy, especially for first-time parents.
  • It’s a wild ride, but there are a lot of ways to build good habits in our kids.
  • Start teaching them responsibility while they’re still young to help set them up for future success.

[31:44] Toy Rotation

  • It can be hard to get rid of kids’ toys.
  • Toy rotation is great because it only lets them have a few bins at a time. Megan recommends having a maximum of six bins and putting the rest away for a week or a month.
  • This practice helps kids avoid feeling like they’re drowning from their toys during play.
  • Having fewer toys or employing toy rotation makes the child more focused, most especially for sensitive children.
  • Flip the mindset and dig deep. It won’t be easy or comfortable, but don’t get in your own way. Your kids don’t need all their toys at the same time.

Megan: “Remember that things need to earn the right to be in your lives, whether they're people, whether it's feelings, whether it's friends, whether it's toys. And, it needs to be there for a reason, not just because it showed up in a box and someone gave it to you, and so you feel guilty and you need to keep it.”

About Megan

Megan Golightly is a professional organizer and the Founder of Simplified. Megan believes that if your life is simplified and decluttered, then you can then enjoy the small moments. 

Megan’s interest in home organization has evolved from a lifelong fascination with how our brains work. She has a degree in psychology and an ongoing interest in neuroscience.

If you want to know more about Megan and her work, you can connect with her on her website or on Instagram.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help mommies declutter their homes as they prepare for a new baby.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

 

]]> Tue, 12 Jul 2022 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Megan Golightly, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/organizing-your-home-for-baby-qpIQg9lN Episode Highlights

[01:30] Getting Started with Decluttering

  • One common reason behind clutter in many homes is the lack of room for organization.
  • It’s important to take everything out before putting it all right back. This creates a sense of mental and physical clarity.
  • After taking everything out, rebuild the space by only putting in the things that are top priority.
  • We have to go back and address the exciting milestones in our lives because these big events usually bring in the clutter.

Megan: “My big advice would be: don’t get in your own way. When you’re ready, you’re ready, but don’t be your own enemy. Get after it, and do it right, and just address the issue, which is usually clutter.”

  • Keeping clutter is costing you.

[08:54] How to Store Important Documents

  • Get a small bin once you know how much you have and label it.
  • We never touch twice much of the paperwork we keep. You can instead scan and access these documents online.
  • Designating a place for them helps avoid anxiety and enables you to find things easily.
  • Establish organization systems before the baby — or even the next baby — comes.

[11:20] Systems in Diaper Changing and Closet Organizing

  • Create a cart containing all the essentials. You can wheel or move this around the house.
  • Keeping it simple and only having the essential items make it easier to stay organized.
  • It also helps you avoid getting overwhelmed or taking too much time looking for and organizing your things.
  • We all have different organizational styles, so the first thing to do is to identify your style.
  • Always have a bin in the nursery labelled too small, for donation, or giveaway.

[17:16] How to Organize Baby Clothing

  • When you rebuild a room, take everything out and rebuild the space from highest to lowest priority.
  • Less is more. You get to enjoy your time with your baby and not waste time managing the things around you.
  • When something comes in, another thing has to come out.
  • Sometimes it’s easier to declutter while telling your story out loud, which gives you permission to let go of it.

[24:51] Why It’s Hard to Let Go of Things

  • It comes from our evolutionary feature as hunters and gatherers, but we no longer live in the wild. Our lifestyles have evolved as well.

Megan: “Sometimes you hear your parents’ voices too, and they were raised a certain way. It’s so ingrained in us, so we almost want to protect them by hanging on to things. But you need to realize you’re your own person, and you are allowed to live the way you want to live, not out of guilt or shame.”

  • Many people hang on to things because of perfectionism.
  • Some people have made poor purchase decisions, and it’s easier just to keep them than to admit they made a mistake.
  • Learn to let go. You can give these things to other people who need it more.
  • There is joy in giving.

[29:56] Instilling Good Cleaning Habits in Your Kids

  • Parenthood is a new season of life. It’s okay for things to get messy, especially for first-time parents.
  • It’s a wild ride, but there are a lot of ways to build good habits in our kids.
  • Start teaching them responsibility while they’re still young to help set them up for future success.

[31:44] Toy Rotation

  • It can be hard to get rid of kids’ toys.
  • Toy rotation is great because it only lets them have a few bins at a time. Megan recommends having a maximum of six bins and putting the rest away for a week or a month.
  • This practice helps kids avoid feeling like they’re drowning from their toys during play.
  • Having fewer toys or employing toy rotation makes the child more focused, most especially for sensitive children.
  • Flip the mindset and dig deep. It won’t be easy or comfortable, but don’t get in your own way. Your kids don’t need all their toys at the same time.

Megan: “Remember that things need to earn the right to be in your lives, whether they're people, whether it's feelings, whether it's friends, whether it's toys. And, it needs to be there for a reason, not just because it showed up in a box and someone gave it to you, and so you feel guilty and you need to keep it.”

About Megan

Megan Golightly is a professional organizer and the Founder of Simplified. Megan believes that if your life is simplified and decluttered, then you can then enjoy the small moments. 

Megan’s interest in home organization has evolved from a lifelong fascination with how our brains work. She has a degree in psychology and an ongoing interest in neuroscience.

If you want to know more about Megan and her work, you can connect with her on her website or on Instagram.

Resources

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help mommies declutter their homes as they prepare for a new baby.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

 

]]> Organizing Your Home For Baby Megan Golightly, Judith Little 00:37:07 Decluttering is essential in any household, especially for parents who have kids on the way. You need a system in place so that you can focus on taking care of and enjoying your time with your baby instead of feeling overwhelmed by our messy surroundings. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Megan Golightly shares how you can get started on clearing out your spaces as you welcome your little ones. She also talks about the psychology of decluttering and how you can organize the nursery and all your baby items for maximum efficiency. If you want to find out how to clear out your home to prepare for the birth of your baby, then this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out how to declutter your home for the new baby. 2) Learn about the psychology of decluttering. 3) Discover mindset shifts and tricks to make house cleaning and organizing easier. Decluttering is essential in any household, especially for parents who have kids on the way. You need a system in place so that you can focus on taking care of and enjoying your time with your baby instead of feeling overwhelmed by our messy surroundings. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Megan Golightly shares how you can get started on clearing out your spaces as you welcome your little ones. She also talks about the psychology of decluttering and how you can organize the nursery and all your baby items for maximum efficiency. If you want to find out how to clear out your home to prepare for the birth of your baby, then this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out how to declutter your home for the new baby. 2) Learn about the psychology of decluttering. 3) Discover mindset shifts and tricks to make house cleaning and organizing easier. psychological benefits, decluttering, baby, organization, home organization, nursery organization, newborn, mindset, pregnancy, priorities no full 2 2 61420452-7f18-49b4-893a-73263a29c9c8 Pregnancy + Nutrition 101 Episode Highlights

[01:46] Foods to Eat When You’re Nauseous

  • Change your mindset around food and know that any food will give you energy, macronutrients, protein, fat, and carbs — which you and your baby need.
  • When you’re pregnant, your blood sugar gets out of whack.
  • Keep your blood sugar steady by eating protein as much as possible.
  • When you wake up, stay in bed for 15 minutes and eat something rich in protein.

[06:01] What’s For Lunch and Dinner?

  • Base your lunch, snack, or dinner around protein.
  • Some protein-rich foods are peanut butter, almond butter, cheese, or seeds.
  • If you feel an aversion to vegetables, you can still get the core nutrients from vegetables by eating fruits!

[08:43] Getting Back to Healthy Eating

  • Don’t pressure yourself to eat healthy.
  • In creating an effective pregnancy diet plan, keep your meals the same and add one or two things to that meal.
  • Even if you’re not eating the most nutritious foods in the first trimester, your body has nutrients stored from before you were pregnant.

Lindsay: “... your body is so ready for this pregnancy journey. And even if you’re not eating the most nutritious foods in the first trimester, your body has nutrients stored up all over your body from the foods that you ate before you were pregnant. So those nutrients will start to be pulled into the placenta to be delivered to baby so that those key nutrients for growth and development can be met. So your body is really smart and is helping you out during that time.”

[11:03] Foods to Avoid

  • Understand the risks of not eating certain foods.
  • Consider your feelings around those risks since we have different risk tolerance.
  • Think about how you can lower the risks.
  • Look at policy changes around food safety and management.

Lindsay: “Nothing we can do will bring our risk down to zero, but it can almost bring our risk down to the same level of risk we get while eating any food because there is inherent risk of foodborne illness on even the safest foods that we have available to us in the grocery store.”

[16:11] Spilling the Coffee on Caffeine

  • Pregnant women can have 200mg of caffeine per day.
  • Be careful just before pregnancy and in the first semester due to the risk of miscarriage.
  • Figure out how much caffeine you have throughout the day.

[20:10] Producing More Milk

  • Calories and water are the things that contribute most to milk supply.
  • Have a well-balanced diet and stay properly hydrated.
  • Weigh the pros and cons of the culinary foods that might be galactagogues; even if they don’t contribute directly to milk production, they may still be beneficial.

[24:21] Quick, Healthy Snacks

  • Eating well is important for your physical and mental health.
  • In your pregnancy diet plan, pack anything you can with nut butters, seeds, oats, and dates.
  • You can stock up on sweet snacks, such as granola bars, as well as savory snacks, such as egg muffins and meatballs.
  • Prepare snacks to keep in the freezer for the seventh and eighth months.
  • Keep in mind that you might feel more hungry, and hunger may come at random times.

[31:37] The Food Doula Cookbook

  • Many people feel confused about food and nutrition during pregnancy.
  • The Food Doula Cookbook contains a hundred recipes designed to make it way easier to eat during the whole pregnancy journey.
  • It also tackles the different struggles and how to overcome them.
  • Her favorite recipe is the Golden Mama Healing Stew.

[31:37] Taking Baby Steps

  • During postpartum, food and nutrition become harder.
  • Meet yourself where you’re at and take small steps towards eating healthier.

Lindsay: “It doesn’t need to be all or nothing. One small step to improve your nutrition to eat more, to eat better, to start to live that and feel the consequences of it, the benefits of it, because there’s nothing more motivating than seeing the difference in your life.”

About Lindsay

Lindsay Taylor is a pre & postnatal nutrition expert, health researcher, and doula who supports pregnant women to get confidently nourished before, during, and after pregnancy.

She is the author of The Food Doula Cookbook, which contains easy, delicious recipes for preconception, all three trimesters, and postpartum. She believes that we deserve to feel good and eat the food we love throughout our pregnancy journey.

If you want to know more about Lindsay and her work, you can connect with her on Instagram!

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help aspiring and soon-to-be parents become more informed about staying healthy during and after their pregnancy.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or shop with us online at snugglebuz.ca. 

 

]]> Tue, 5 Jul 2022 12:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Lindsay Taylor, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/pregnancy-nutrition-101-_as8spiz Episode Highlights

[01:46] Foods to Eat When You’re Nauseous

  • Change your mindset around food and know that any food will give you energy, macronutrients, protein, fat, and carbs — which you and your baby need.
  • When you’re pregnant, your blood sugar gets out of whack.
  • Keep your blood sugar steady by eating protein as much as possible.
  • When you wake up, stay in bed for 15 minutes and eat something rich in protein.

[06:01] What’s For Lunch and Dinner?

  • Base your lunch, snack, or dinner around protein.
  • Some protein-rich foods are peanut butter, almond butter, cheese, or seeds.
  • If you feel an aversion to vegetables, you can still get the core nutrients from vegetables by eating fruits!

[08:43] Getting Back to Healthy Eating

  • Don’t pressure yourself to eat healthy.
  • In creating an effective pregnancy diet plan, keep your meals the same and add one or two things to that meal.
  • Even if you’re not eating the most nutritious foods in the first trimester, your body has nutrients stored from before you were pregnant.

Lindsay: “... your body is so ready for this pregnancy journey. And even if you’re not eating the most nutritious foods in the first trimester, your body has nutrients stored up all over your body from the foods that you ate before you were pregnant. So those nutrients will start to be pulled into the placenta to be delivered to baby so that those key nutrients for growth and development can be met. So your body is really smart and is helping you out during that time.”

[11:03] Foods to Avoid

  • Understand the risks of not eating certain foods.
  • Consider your feelings around those risks since we have different risk tolerance.
  • Think about how you can lower the risks.
  • Look at policy changes around food safety and management.

Lindsay: “Nothing we can do will bring our risk down to zero, but it can almost bring our risk down to the same level of risk we get while eating any food because there is inherent risk of foodborne illness on even the safest foods that we have available to us in the grocery store.”

[16:11] Spilling the Coffee on Caffeine

  • Pregnant women can have 200mg of caffeine per day.
  • Be careful just before pregnancy and in the first semester due to the risk of miscarriage.
  • Figure out how much caffeine you have throughout the day.

[20:10] Producing More Milk

  • Calories and water are the things that contribute most to milk supply.
  • Have a well-balanced diet and stay properly hydrated.
  • Weigh the pros and cons of the culinary foods that might be galactagogues; even if they don’t contribute directly to milk production, they may still be beneficial.

[24:21] Quick, Healthy Snacks

  • Eating well is important for your physical and mental health.
  • In your pregnancy diet plan, pack anything you can with nut butters, seeds, oats, and dates.
  • You can stock up on sweet snacks, such as granola bars, as well as savory snacks, such as egg muffins and meatballs.
  • Prepare snacks to keep in the freezer for the seventh and eighth months.
  • Keep in mind that you might feel more hungry, and hunger may come at random times.

[31:37] The Food Doula Cookbook

  • Many people feel confused about food and nutrition during pregnancy.
  • The Food Doula Cookbook contains a hundred recipes designed to make it way easier to eat during the whole pregnancy journey.
  • It also tackles the different struggles and how to overcome them.
  • Her favorite recipe is the Golden Mama Healing Stew.

[31:37] Taking Baby Steps

  • During postpartum, food and nutrition become harder.
  • Meet yourself where you’re at and take small steps towards eating healthier.

Lindsay: “It doesn’t need to be all or nothing. One small step to improve your nutrition to eat more, to eat better, to start to live that and feel the consequences of it, the benefits of it, because there’s nothing more motivating than seeing the difference in your life.”

About Lindsay

Lindsay Taylor is a pre & postnatal nutrition expert, health researcher, and doula who supports pregnant women to get confidently nourished before, during, and after pregnancy.

She is the author of The Food Doula Cookbook, which contains easy, delicious recipes for preconception, all three trimesters, and postpartum. She believes that we deserve to feel good and eat the food we love throughout our pregnancy journey.

If you want to know more about Lindsay and her work, you can connect with her on Instagram!

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will help aspiring and soon-to-be parents become more informed about staying healthy during and after their pregnancy.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or shop with us online at snugglebuz.ca. 

 

]]> Pregnancy + Nutrition 101 Lindsay Taylor, Judith Little 00:39:17 As any pregnant woman knows, you are eating for yourself and your growing baby. While there’s no such thing as a “perfect” pregnancy diet plan, there are some basic guidelines that will help keep you and your little one healthy. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Lindsay Taylor talks about how to get the nutrients you and your baby need during pregnancy. She shares foods that can help with nausea, how to minimize food risks, and tips on prepping snacks. With the right info, you can give yourself and your little one the healthy foundation they need for a bright future. If you want to find out how to stay healthy and stock up on essential nutrients in your pregnancy diet plan, then this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out what foods can help with your nausea and morning sickness. 2) Learn how to get the nutrients you need during pregnancy — and how to get back to healthy eating after pregnancy. 3) Discover how to produce more milk and make healthy snacks. As any pregnant woman knows, you are eating for yourself and your growing baby. While there’s no such thing as a “perfect” pregnancy diet plan, there are some basic guidelines that will help keep you and your little one healthy. In this episode of 40 Weeks to Forever, Lindsay Taylor talks about how to get the nutrients you and your baby need during pregnancy. She shares foods that can help with nausea, how to minimize food risks, and tips on prepping snacks. With the right info, you can give yourself and your little one the healthy foundation they need for a bright future. If you want to find out how to stay healthy and stock up on essential nutrients in your pregnancy diet plan, then this episode is for you! Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: 1) Find out what foods can help with your nausea and morning sickness. 2) Learn how to get the nutrients you need during pregnancy — and how to get back to healthy eating after pregnancy. 3) Discover how to produce more milk and make healthy snacks. pregnancy nutrition, the food doula, healthy eating, first trimester, nutrition, pregnancy diet plan, morning sickness, pregnancy, nausea no full 1 2 a9f2f377-7b3a-4f99-a880-a7c5ac905459 Season 2 - Coming Soon! Tue, 28 Jun 2022 20:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Lindsay Taylor, Megan Golightly, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, Dr. Courtney Clayson-Russel, Tara McKenna, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/season-2-coming-soon-SEu_3oGl Season 2 - Coming Soon! Lindsay Taylor, Megan Golightly, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, Dr. Courtney Clayson-Russel, Tara McKenna, Judith Little 00:01:20 This season we are back and bigger than ever [just like your growing belly] — with another informative 8 episodes. We’ll be chatting with some amazing Canadian authors and experts about all things pregnancy, postpartum, and your journey into parenthood. This season we are back and bigger than ever [just like your growing belly] — with another informative 8 episodes. We’ll be chatting with some amazing Canadian authors and experts about all things pregnancy, postpartum, and your journey into parenthood. baby registry, optimizing your health during pregnancy, stroller shopping, the mental load of motherhood, postpartum, zero waste collective, parenting, pregnancy no trailer 2 1cdd6ff1-c181-4c59-9b1d-248c3bf58cf2 Attachment- Bond, Boundaries, & Bringing Up Baby
  • 0:48-Mom Montage | reflections on meeting baby for the first time
  • 2:44- The reality around meeting baby and bonding with them for the first time 
    -expectations vs. reality 
    -1/3 of birthing parents deal with birth trauma 
    - the parent-child attachment bond is critical for social, emotional, and cognitive development
    -does not rest on any specific moment in time or one singular experience [including the birthing moment]
  • 6:46 – We create and cultivate secure attachment beyond that first meeting moment by using the 3 R’s
    1. Reflection- using narration
    2. Responding [sensitively]
    3. Rupture & Repair
  • 11:35- Why we should strive to embrace the messy and to be okay with a relationship rupture
    -children learn to trust through rupture and repair
    -we are teaching them to learn that we can move from a negative to a positive
    -we are teaching them emotion regulation 
    -they are learning about resilience because they didn’t feel alone as you helped them through these emotions
  • 15:47- Our children are hardwired from birth to seek the responses they need 
    -the child plays a role in the relationship
    -it takes 2 to tango
  • 19:09 – Daycare separation and the want and desire to be with your child for every “first” moment
    -the key to a secure attachment is proximity in order to explore
  • 22:35- Does perfect parenting actually exist?
    -The notions of “reparenting” and becoming conscious of how you were raised 
    -Ask yourself, what did I need growing up that I did not receive?
  • 25:21 – Self-Compassion 101
    -use your inner voice to encourage and lift yourself up not to be a critic 
    -speak to yourself the way you speak to your children
  • 29:58– The importance of boundaries and limit setting with our children
  • 32:20 – Why we should stop striving for perfection
    -It’s okay to step on toes as you navigate parenthood
    -Advocate for yourself as a parent 
    -The hardest part of the identity shake-up of Motherhood is learning to find your voice
  • 34:55- Confidence Corner 
    Product 1: ERGObaby Embrace Carrier 
    Product 2: Stokke Tripp Trapp Complete +  Newborn Set 
    Haleigh’s Baby Registry Product Picks 
    Top Carriers of 2021
    StokkeTripp Trapp Product Review
     

    • About our Guest 
    Dr. Tanya Cotler is a Clinical Psychologist, author, and speaker who specializes in reproductive mental health, infant mental health, and parent-child attachment. 
    Through nearly 20 years of clinical and research experience, Dr. Cotler has honed her particular interest in the emotional bond between parent and child – including how it is formed and the role it plays in lifelong capacities for emotion regulation, empathy, and social-emotional development.

    Connect 
    @drcotler 
    tanyacotlerphd.com 

    Learn More 
    @snugglebugzbaby
    snugglebugz.ca 

    ]]>     Tue, 20 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Judith Little, Dr. Tanya Cotler) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/attachment-bond-boundaries-bringing-up-baby-pVkkXmpH
  • 0:48-Mom Montage | reflections on meeting baby for the first time
  • 2:44- The reality around meeting baby and bonding with them for the first time 
    -expectations vs. reality 
    -1/3 of birthing parents deal with birth trauma 
    - the parent-child attachment bond is critical for social, emotional, and cognitive development
    -does not rest on any specific moment in time or one singular experience [including the birthing moment]
  • 6:46 – We create and cultivate secure attachment beyond that first meeting moment by using the 3 R’s
    1. Reflection- using narration
    2. Responding [sensitively]
    3. Rupture & Repair
  • 11:35- Why we should strive to embrace the messy and to be okay with a relationship rupture
    -children learn to trust through rupture and repair
    -we are teaching them to learn that we can move from a negative to a positive
    -we are teaching them emotion regulation 
    -they are learning about resilience because they didn’t feel alone as you helped them through these emotions
  • 15:47- Our children are hardwired from birth to seek the responses they need 
    -the child plays a role in the relationship
    -it takes 2 to tango
  • 19:09 – Daycare separation and the want and desire to be with your child for every “first” moment
    -the key to a secure attachment is proximity in order to explore
  • 22:35- Does perfect parenting actually exist?
    -The notions of “reparenting” and becoming conscious of how you were raised 
    -Ask yourself, what did I need growing up that I did not receive?
  • 25:21 – Self-Compassion 101
    -use your inner voice to encourage and lift yourself up not to be a critic 
    -speak to yourself the way you speak to your children
  • 29:58– The importance of boundaries and limit setting with our children
  • 32:20 – Why we should stop striving for perfection
    -It’s okay to step on toes as you navigate parenthood
    -Advocate for yourself as a parent 
    -The hardest part of the identity shake-up of Motherhood is learning to find your voice
  • 34:55- Confidence Corner 
    Product 1: ERGObaby Embrace Carrier 
    Product 2: Stokke Tripp Trapp Complete +  Newborn Set 
    Haleigh’s Baby Registry Product Picks 
    Top Carriers of 2021
    StokkeTripp Trapp Product Review
     

    • About our Guest 
    Dr. Tanya Cotler is a Clinical Psychologist, author, and speaker who specializes in reproductive mental health, infant mental health, and parent-child attachment. 
    Through nearly 20 years of clinical and research experience, Dr. Cotler has honed her particular interest in the emotional bond between parent and child – including how it is formed and the role it plays in lifelong capacities for emotion regulation, empathy, and social-emotional development.

    Connect 
    @drcotler 
    tanyacotlerphd.com 

    Learn More 
    @snugglebugzbaby
    snugglebugz.ca 

    ]]>     Attachment- Bond, Boundaries, & Bringing Up Baby Judith Little, Dr. Tanya Cotler 00:39:23 How is it that we have the ability to love someone so fiercely that we’ve never even met? Once a child comes into your life; they have a way of stealing your heart. In this episode 40 Weeks to Forever podcast, Dr. Tanya Cotler walks us through the importance of rupture and repair, trusting your intuition, and how to create a warm, loving, and healthy bond with your babe. How is it that we have the ability to love someone so fiercely that we’ve never even met? Once a child comes into your life; they have a way of stealing your heart. In this episode 40 Weeks to Forever podcast, Dr. Tanya Cotler walks us through the importance of rupture and repair, trusting your intuition, and how to create a warm, loving, and healthy bond with your babe. attachment, parent child-attachment, infant mental health, 4th trimester, postpartum, bond, birth stories, limit setting, boundaries, parenthood is messy, daycare separation, rupture and repair, parenting, motherhood, snuggle bugz, birth no full 8 1     580857bc-0c97-4327-b860-fdb54ab421a2 Parenting - The Good, The Bad, & Taming Toddler Tantrums
  • 1:02- Mom Montage
  • 2:52- How to identify your parenting style 
    -get on the same page as your partner 
    -ask yourself what you want to take from your own upbringing and what you want to leave behind
  • 4:28- Understanding the difference between right from wrong 
    -will see a cognitive shift around the age of 3
  • 6:15 – Strategies for dealing with challenging behavior and big emotions in your kids 
    -minimize your reaction
    -redirect
  • 10:22- How to deal with a meltdown when your parenting tactics aren't working -label emotions
    -validate + label your child's feelings and emotions 
    -we are teaching them all emotions are welcome but not all behaviors are welcome
    -rate or scale your child emotions 
    -ride it out with them to help them calm their body until they are ready
  • 14:25- Why parenting during the toddler years takes patience and consistency 
    -self-regulation takes time and repetition 
    -keep doing it despite how difficult it is 
    -check-in with yourself [get enough sleep, stay hydrated, eat well] to set yourself up for success
  • 16:19 – Experiencing fake crying? This is how you should respond. 
    -get curious, what is this behavior trying to communicate?
    -what happened right before this fake crying?
    -is the child bored? Then provide them with choices of alternate activities.
  • 20:03 – How to deal with your “slow to warm up” child
    -be relaxed, our kids pick up on our energy 
    -use a gradual approach—don't rush things
    -allow them to stay close to you as their “safe person”
    -validate what they might be feeling 
    -read their body language and cues + follow their lead 
    -narrate how proud you are of them when they do warm-up or take on the activity
  • 25:00 – Tips for transitioning your child to daycare
    -use personal stories 
    -use images to narrate - this is your pre-school, and this is your teacher 
    -use a transition object [if allowed] 
    -ask the pre-school about their approach
    -always talk about the reunion so that your child knows what to expect  
    -remember that separation anxiety and crying [at first] is normal
  • 29:53 – How to get your little ones to become independent with age-appropriate tasks 
    -at first, you may need to prompt them often
    -as they begin to get better remove the number of prompts you are providing 
    -know that it is going to take a lot of repetition and trials for them to become independent
  • 33:25- So, you screwed up? Michelle explains why the repair with your children is so important.
  • 35:40- How to break the cycle of anger or to make changes in how you want to parent your children.

    • Confidence Corner 
    Product 1: Toddler Monitor 
    Product 2: BabyBjorn Potty Chair

    About our Guest
    Michelle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who is passionate about educating parents. She shares evidence-based strategies that will have you feeling confident and empowered to raise happy, healthy, and emotionally balanced children. Michelle is also the voice [and scientific brain] behind Thriving Toddler and co-hosts the podcast Parenting Understood. She is also a mom of two so she “gets it.” 

    Connect 
    @thriving.toddler
    @parentingunderstood

    Learn More 
    @snugglebugzbaby
    snugglebugz.ca

    ]]>     Tue, 13 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Michelle Tangeman, Thriving Toddler, Snuggle Bugz, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/parenting-the-good-the-bad-taming-toddler-tantrums-i1tjkvkv
  • 1:02- Mom Montage
  • 2:52- How to identify your parenting style 
    -get on the same page as your partner 
    -ask yourself what you want to take from your own upbringing and what you want to leave behind
  • 4:28- Understanding the difference between right from wrong 
    -will see a cognitive shift around the age of 3
  • 6:15 – Strategies for dealing with challenging behavior and big emotions in your kids 
    -minimize your reaction
    -redirect
  • 10:22- How to deal with a meltdown when your parenting tactics aren't working -label emotions
    -validate + label your child's feelings and emotions 
    -we are teaching them all emotions are welcome but not all behaviors are welcome
    -rate or scale your child emotions 
    -ride it out with them to help them calm their body until they are ready
  • 14:25- Why parenting during the toddler years takes patience and consistency 
    -self-regulation takes time and repetition 
    -keep doing it despite how difficult it is 
    -check-in with yourself [get enough sleep, stay hydrated, eat well] to set yourself up for success
  • 16:19 – Experiencing fake crying? This is how you should respond. 
    -get curious, what is this behavior trying to communicate?
    -what happened right before this fake crying?
    -is the child bored? Then provide them with choices of alternate activities.
  • 20:03 – How to deal with your “slow to warm up” child
    -be relaxed, our kids pick up on our energy 
    -use a gradual approach—don't rush things
    -allow them to stay close to you as their “safe person”
    -validate what they might be feeling 
    -read their body language and cues + follow their lead 
    -narrate how proud you are of them when they do warm-up or take on the activity
  • 25:00 – Tips for transitioning your child to daycare
    -use personal stories 
    -use images to narrate - this is your pre-school, and this is your teacher 
    -use a transition object [if allowed] 
    -ask the pre-school about their approach
    -always talk about the reunion so that your child knows what to expect  
    -remember that separation anxiety and crying [at first] is normal
  • 29:53 – How to get your little ones to become independent with age-appropriate tasks 
    -at first, you may need to prompt them often
    -as they begin to get better remove the number of prompts you are providing 
    -know that it is going to take a lot of repetition and trials for them to become independent
  • 33:25- So, you screwed up? Michelle explains why the repair with your children is so important.
  • 35:40- How to break the cycle of anger or to make changes in how you want to parent your children.

    • Confidence Corner 
    Product 1: Toddler Monitor 
    Product 2: BabyBjorn Potty Chair

    About our Guest
    Michelle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who is passionate about educating parents. She shares evidence-based strategies that will have you feeling confident and empowered to raise happy, healthy, and emotionally balanced children. Michelle is also the voice [and scientific brain] behind Thriving Toddler and co-hosts the podcast Parenting Understood. She is also a mom of two so she “gets it.” 

    Connect 
    @thriving.toddler
    @parentingunderstood

    Learn More 
    @snugglebugzbaby
    snugglebugz.ca

    ]]>     Parenting - The Good, The Bad, & Taming Toddler Tantrums Michelle Tangeman, Thriving Toddler, Snuggle Bugz, Judith Little 00:42:26 Kids don’t come with a manual—but wouldn’t it be nice if they did? In this episode, Judith chats with Michelle from Thriving Toddler about how to keep your cool while taming toddler tantrums. You’ll learn all about self-regulation, getting curious about behaviors, how to deal with separation anxiety—and so much more! Kids don’t come with a manual—but wouldn’t it be nice if they did? In this episode, Judith chats with Michelle from Thriving Toddler about how to keep your cool while taming toddler tantrums. You’ll learn all about self-regulation, getting curious about behaviors, how to deal with separation anxiety—and so much more! tantrums, behaviour analyst, toddler tantrums, toddler, parenting, child behaviour, threenager no full 7 1     a6d87d5c-5a9a-4f61-ba4c-bdb9d6fb81f0 Car Seat Safety 101 - Protecting Your Precious Cargo
  • 0:42 – Confidence Corner | moms reflect on their car ride home from the hospital 
  • 2:59 – Explanation of what a Child Passenger Safety Technician is (CPST) 
  • 4:00 – Why a properly used car seat is the solution for saving lives
  • 5:01 - Things to remember when putting baby in your car seat for the first time
    1. Read your manual & pack it in your hospital bag 
    2. Highlight information in your manual that is important
    3. Practice installation with a stuffed animal or a doll
    4. Note the weight limitations of your infant insert to ensure a proper fit 
    5. Straps need to come from at or below the baby’s shoulder
    6. Have the chest clip at armpit level 
    7. Ensure the 5-point harness passes the pinch test 
    8. Ensure the bays bum is at the back of the seat to avoid slouching 
  • 6:08 -Why you should install your base in the car 2-3 weeks before your due date 
  • 9:42 – Why you should practice installing your seat before baby comes and how you can use manufacturers and CPST’s as a resource
  • 11:00 – Where is the safest spot to install the car seat in your vehicle?
    -the back seat of the vehicle
    -rear-facing 
    -a safe installation is the best installation 
  • 13:27 – seatbelt install vs. UAS anchors 
    - always remember that lower anchors have a weight maximum
    -don’t use BOTH the seatbelt install + the UAS – one or the other 
  • 16:26- TRUE or FALSE Q’s 
    1. Q: Are all car seats created equal?
      -All car seats pass strict Canadian safety standards
      -Canada works on a pass or fail system
      -Added safety features are what sets apart car seats that are in different price ranges 
    2. Q: I need to move my child out of their bucket seat once their legs dangle over the edge?
      -FALSE 
      -this is not a reason to move to your second stage car seta 
      -move your child out once they have outgrown the height, weight, or fit requirement
      -why extended rear-facing is so important 
    • 22:25- laws vs. best practices 
      -a child should stay rear-facing for as long as possible
      -these vary from province to province
      -some manufacturers have limited 
    • 23:36 – Tips for keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible 
      -toddlers are just big babies who are flexible 
      -slip off muddy wet winter boots 
    • 25:35- Why you shouldn’t have your child wear a puffy winter jacket in their car seat 
      -a bulky winter coat doesn't allow you to tighten the straps tight enough 
      -consider having a car seat fleece 
      -consider using a blanket once they are installed 
      28:14 – What you should know before using a winter “cocoon” or car seat cover with your infant bucket seat 
    • 29:35- Car Naps 101 
      -always ensure you are following the correct recline when installing
      -visually confirm that baby's head is not chin to chest 
      -limit your child time in the car seat 
      -consider babywearing to give your little ones a break from being snug in the car seat once you’ve reached your destination 
    • 33:30 – Baby must always be buckled up fully whenever they are in the car seat—here's why. 
    • 35:30 - Evidence-based recourses to help you share car seat safety knowledge and advice with others in a respectful way 
      Canadian Pediatric Society 
      Parachute also has resources that they've developed that you may find valuable. 
    • 39:44 - Confidence Corner 
      Product 1: Pehr pint
      Product 2: Seat Protector 

    Learn More 
    cpsac.org 
    snugglebugz.ca
     

    ]]>     Tue, 6 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Judith Little, Haleigh Ryan, Katherine Hutka) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/car-seat-safety-101-protecting-your-precious-cargo-q4ho_puk
  • 0:42 – Confidence Corner | moms reflect on their car ride home from the hospital 
  • 2:59 – Explanation of what a Child Passenger Safety Technician is (CPST) 
  • 4:00 – Why a properly used car seat is the solution for saving lives
  • 5:01 - Things to remember when putting baby in your car seat for the first time
    1. Read your manual & pack it in your hospital bag 
    2. Highlight information in your manual that is important
    3. Practice installation with a stuffed animal or a doll
    4. Note the weight limitations of your infant insert to ensure a proper fit 
    5. Straps need to come from at or below the baby’s shoulder
    6. Have the chest clip at armpit level 
    7. Ensure the 5-point harness passes the pinch test 
    8. Ensure the bays bum is at the back of the seat to avoid slouching 
  • 6:08 -Why you should install your base in the car 2-3 weeks before your due date 
  • 9:42 – Why you should practice installing your seat before baby comes and how you can use manufacturers and CPST’s as a resource
  • 11:00 – Where is the safest spot to install the car seat in your vehicle?
    -the back seat of the vehicle
    -rear-facing 
    -a safe installation is the best installation 
  • 13:27 – seatbelt install vs. UAS anchors 
    - always remember that lower anchors have a weight maximum
    -don’t use BOTH the seatbelt install + the UAS – one or the other 
  • 16:26- TRUE or FALSE Q’s 
    1. Q: Are all car seats created equal?
      -All car seats pass strict Canadian safety standards
      -Canada works on a pass or fail system
      -Added safety features are what sets apart car seats that are in different price ranges 
    2. Q: I need to move my child out of their bucket seat once their legs dangle over the edge?
      -FALSE 
      -this is not a reason to move to your second stage car seta 
      -move your child out once they have outgrown the height, weight, or fit requirement
      -why extended rear-facing is so important 
    • 22:25- laws vs. best practices 
      -a child should stay rear-facing for as long as possible
      -these vary from province to province
      -some manufacturers have limited 
    • 23:36 – Tips for keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible 
      -toddlers are just big babies who are flexible 
      -slip off muddy wet winter boots 
    • 25:35- Why you shouldn’t have your child wear a puffy winter jacket in their car seat 
      -a bulky winter coat doesn't allow you to tighten the straps tight enough 
      -consider having a car seat fleece 
      -consider using a blanket once they are installed 
      28:14 – What you should know before using a winter “cocoon” or car seat cover with your infant bucket seat 
    • 29:35- Car Naps 101 
      -always ensure you are following the correct recline when installing
      -visually confirm that baby's head is not chin to chest 
      -limit your child time in the car seat 
      -consider babywearing to give your little ones a break from being snug in the car seat once you’ve reached your destination 
    • 33:30 – Baby must always be buckled up fully whenever they are in the car seat—here's why. 
    • 35:30 - Evidence-based recourses to help you share car seat safety knowledge and advice with others in a respectful way 
      Canadian Pediatric Society 
      Parachute also has resources that they've developed that you may find valuable. 
    • 39:44 - Confidence Corner 
      Product 1: Pehr pint
      Product 2: Seat Protector 

    Learn More 
    cpsac.org 
    snugglebugz.ca
     

    ]]>     Car Seat Safety 101 - Protecting Your Precious Cargo Judith Little, Haleigh Ryan, Katherine Hutka 00:42:34 Helping you find the right car seat for your vehicle and keeping your little ones riding safe is our top priority at Snuggle Bugz. So, in episode 6 of the 40 Weeks to Forever podcast we are chatting all about car seat safety. In this episode, Judith chats with Katherine Hutka, President of the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada, about protecting your precious cargo. Katherine has YEARS of experience educating parents & parents-to-be about the importance of car seat safety. Plus, our very own in-house product expert and registered Child Passenger Safety Technician [CPST] Haleigh Ryan also joins us to dispel some common car seat myths, discuss laws vs. best practices, and even set the record straight on a question that we get asked all the time-- are all car seats REALLY created equal? Helping you find the right car seat for your vehicle and keeping your little ones riding safe is our top priority at Snuggle Bugz. So, in episode 6 of the 40 Weeks to Forever podcast we are chatting all about car seat safety. In this episode, Judith chats with Katherine Hutka, President of the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada, about protecting your precious cargo. Katherine has YEARS of experience educating parents & parents-to-be about the importance of car seat safety. Plus, our very own in-house product expert and registered Child Passenger Safety Technician [CPST] Haleigh Ryan also joins us to dispel some common car seat myths, discuss laws vs. best practices, and even set the record straight on a question that we get asked all the time-- are all car seats REALLY created equal? safety for kids, child safety, britax, car seat, child passenger safety technician, parenting podcast, car seat safety, rear-facing, transportation, parenthood, cpsac, car seat check, booster seat, child passenger safety, buckle up, parenting, car ride, motherhood, boy mom, cpst no full 6 1     cae5dc46-f2eb-4a01-943b-e9b9df28ddb2 First Foods & Toddler Table Manners - with Feeding Littles
  • 0:39- Mom Montage | moms reflect on babies first foods
  • 2:54 – baby-led weaning explained.
  • 4:09 – solid food readiness ques to watch for 
    1. Can they sit well when you place them on the floor?
    2. Can they bring things to their mouth?
    3. Are they showing interest in food?
    4. Do they still have a tongue thrust? 
  • 7:20 – how food has changed since the 1900s and why iron-rich foods are important for infants.
  • 8:45 – how baby-led weaning helps promote independence with food.
  • 9:42- how to deal with anxiety around choking and choking hazards to avoid. 
    -hard food
    -sticky foods
    -small round foods 
  • 11:44 – the convenience factors of baby-led weaning 
  • 12:33- why introducing allergens into you’re your child's diet may help reduce the risk 
    -early and often is recommended 
    -be prepared if they do have a reaction
    -watch for a rash to swelling
  • 16:47 – what to do when your child is throwing food and other things during mealtimes. 
    -a sign that they want to be included in the meal
    -a sign that they are done
  • 17:48- shares some exclusive advice for avoiding mealtime mayhem taken from their toddler feeding course
  • 18:48 – why having “safe” food served at mealtimes is important to mealtime success.
  • 20:28 – why serving small portion sizes keeps children from visual overwhelm at mealtime.
  • 22:24- tips for getting your little ones to engage with their dinner and why serving dips will help bridge kids to eat new foods.
  • 23:20- tips for how to keep sugar and sweets from having control over our lives and our kids 
    -sweets are a way to enjoy life for some people 
    -we want to teach our kids that we can have sugar and that it's not a huge deal
    -do not use it as a punishment or reward 
    -try not to elevate sugar 
    -the more we obsess about it the more kids want it. 
  • 27:45 – thoughts on what to do in a toddler standoff at the dinner table if your child refuses to eat what's being served 
    -don’t narrow their palates so significantly
    -it’s okay for kids to skip a meal 
    -more information on this in the Feeding Littles courses 
  • 30:38 – Megan shares her thoughts on offering a bedtime snack
    Pro: this can be used as a safeguard 
    Con: sometimes kids will learn to expect the snack and continue not eating dinner 
  • 31:31- how to get parents and grandparents up to date on baby-led weaning and how to include them in the process. 
  • 33:15 – Confidence Corner 
    Product 1: OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder
    Product 2: Bumpkins Silicone Dipping Spoons

    • About our Guest

    Megan and Judy are the dynamic duos behind Feeding Littles. 
    Judy is an Occupational Therapist. 
    Megan is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. 
    They both specialize in pediatric feeding, and their combined expertise in behavior, oral-motor and sensory development, real food nutrition, and cooking/meal planning are what make them an unstoppable combo.

    Connect 
    @feedinglittles
    feedinglittles.com 

    Learn More
    @snugglebugzbaby
    snugglebugz.ca 

    ]]>     Tue, 29 Jun 2021 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Judith Little, Megan McNamee, Feeding Littles) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/first-foods-toddler-table-manners-yG3lcVzl
  • 0:39- Mom Montage | moms reflect on babies first foods
  • 2:54 – baby-led weaning explained.
  • 4:09 – solid food readiness ques to watch for 
    1. Can they sit well when you place them on the floor?
    2. Can they bring things to their mouth?
    3. Are they showing interest in food?
    4. Do they still have a tongue thrust? 
  • 7:20 – how food has changed since the 1900s and why iron-rich foods are important for infants.
  • 8:45 – how baby-led weaning helps promote independence with food.
  • 9:42- how to deal with anxiety around choking and choking hazards to avoid. 
    -hard food
    -sticky foods
    -small round foods 
  • 11:44 – the convenience factors of baby-led weaning 
  • 12:33- why introducing allergens into you’re your child's diet may help reduce the risk 
    -early and often is recommended 
    -be prepared if they do have a reaction
    -watch for a rash to swelling
  • 16:47 – what to do when your child is throwing food and other things during mealtimes. 
    -a sign that they want to be included in the meal
    -a sign that they are done
  • 17:48- shares some exclusive advice for avoiding mealtime mayhem taken from their toddler feeding course
  • 18:48 – why having “safe” food served at mealtimes is important to mealtime success.
  • 20:28 – why serving small portion sizes keeps children from visual overwhelm at mealtime.
  • 22:24- tips for getting your little ones to engage with their dinner and why serving dips will help bridge kids to eat new foods.
  • 23:20- tips for how to keep sugar and sweets from having control over our lives and our kids 
    -sweets are a way to enjoy life for some people 
    -we want to teach our kids that we can have sugar and that it's not a huge deal
    -do not use it as a punishment or reward 
    -try not to elevate sugar 
    -the more we obsess about it the more kids want it. 
  • 27:45 – thoughts on what to do in a toddler standoff at the dinner table if your child refuses to eat what's being served 
    -don’t narrow their palates so significantly
    -it’s okay for kids to skip a meal 
    -more information on this in the Feeding Littles courses 
  • 30:38 – Megan shares her thoughts on offering a bedtime snack
    Pro: this can be used as a safeguard 
    Con: sometimes kids will learn to expect the snack and continue not eating dinner 
  • 31:31- how to get parents and grandparents up to date on baby-led weaning and how to include them in the process. 
  • 33:15 – Confidence Corner 
    Product 1: OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder
    Product 2: Bumpkins Silicone Dipping Spoons

    • About our Guest

    Megan and Judy are the dynamic duos behind Feeding Littles. 
    Judy is an Occupational Therapist. 
    Megan is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. 
    They both specialize in pediatric feeding, and their combined expertise in behavior, oral-motor and sensory development, real food nutrition, and cooking/meal planning are what make them an unstoppable combo.

    Connect 
    @feedinglittles
    feedinglittles.com 

    Learn More
    @snugglebugzbaby
    snugglebugz.ca 

    ]]>     First Foods & Toddler Table Manners - with Feeding Littles Judith Little, Megan McNamee, Feeding Littles 00:35:48 In this episode, Judith chats with Megan from Feeding Littles about the science behind baby-led weaning, how to deal with picky eaters, and tips for making family mealtimes with your toddler trouble-free. Megan is a Registered Dietitian & Nutritionist, so we also get her thoughts on sugar [doo-doo-doo-do-do-do] and how to keep it from having control over your life and little ones. In this episode, Judith chats with Megan from Feeding Littles about the science behind baby-led weaning, how to deal with picky eaters, and tips for making family mealtimes with your toddler trouble-free. Megan is a Registered Dietitian & Nutritionist, so we also get her thoughts on sugar [doo-doo-doo-do-do-do] and how to keep it from having control over your life and little ones. high chair, kids nutrition, oral-motor development, first foods, food allergies, mom life, canadian mom, kid friendly food, toddlers, feeding littles, toddler meals, toddler mealtime, sensory development, sugar and kids, starting solids, tongue thrust, baby-led weaning, occupational therapist, pregnancy, kids allergies no full 5 1     b26fb920-7c6d-4fb5-8e9d-6630b9be13ea Good Night, Sleep Tight!
  • 0:38- mom montage | real moms discuss navigating lack of sleep.
  • 3:19- The misconceptions and dangers of putting your little one to bed drowsy not awake.
  • 4:38- A proper sleep environment for a newborn 
    -a cool room
    -a dark room
    -consider using a noise machine
  • 5:22 –  White noise machines and what kind type of sound works best
  • 6:34- How much sleep does a newborn need?
  • 8:28 - The difference between sleep training and sleep shaping.
  • 11:15- Tips for helping to ease a parent's anxiety around sleep schedules.
  • 13:17 – How social media causes sleep stress and comparison in parents.
  • 16:32- When to move baby into their nursery for nighttime sleeping.
  • 19:42- How a sleep coach can help your family get the rest they need.
  • 22:30- How long it should take for your little one to fall asleep?
  • 23:30- How to handle the crying and what does it mean?
  • 27:38 – How to flexible with napping on the go or changing up your sleep environment
  • 30:00- What to do if it’s not working for you and how to get the help you need.
  • 32:54- Confidence Corner 
    Product 1:  4moms mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet
    Product 2: ErgoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Pouch

    • About our guest

    Janey Reilly is an expert Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant who consults families around the globe. WeeSleep™ launched after she realized how important infant & toddler sleep is, and after struggling with her son’s sleep issues and seeing and hearing about so many families having difficulties.

    Connect with Janey

    @weelseep
    wee-sleep.com 

    Learn More

    @snugglebugzbaby
    snugglebugz.ca
    Snuggle Bugz Learning Centre 

    ]]>     Tue, 22 Jun 2021 04:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Janey Reilly, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/good-night-sleep-tight-IdevizvV
  • 0:38- mom montage | real moms discuss navigating lack of sleep.
  • 3:19- The misconceptions and dangers of putting your little one to bed drowsy not awake.
  • 4:38- A proper sleep environment for a newborn 
    -a cool room
    -a dark room
    -consider using a noise machine
  • 5:22 –  White noise machines and what kind type of sound works best
  • 6:34- How much sleep does a newborn need?
  • 8:28 - The difference between sleep training and sleep shaping.
  • 11:15- Tips for helping to ease a parent's anxiety around sleep schedules.
  • 13:17 – How social media causes sleep stress and comparison in parents.
  • 16:32- When to move baby into their nursery for nighttime sleeping.
  • 19:42- How a sleep coach can help your family get the rest they need.
  • 22:30- How long it should take for your little one to fall asleep?
  • 23:30- How to handle the crying and what does it mean?
  • 27:38 – How to flexible with napping on the go or changing up your sleep environment
  • 30:00- What to do if it’s not working for you and how to get the help you need.
  • 32:54- Confidence Corner 
    Product 1:  4moms mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet
    Product 2: ErgoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Pouch

    • About our guest

    Janey Reilly is an expert Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant who consults families around the globe. WeeSleep™ launched after she realized how important infant & toddler sleep is, and after struggling with her son’s sleep issues and seeing and hearing about so many families having difficulties.

    Connect with Janey

    @weelseep
    wee-sleep.com 

    Learn More

    @snugglebugzbaby
    snugglebugz.ca
    Snuggle Bugz Learning Centre 

    ]]>     Good Night, Sleep Tight! Janey Reilly, Judith Little 00:36:40 Navigating sleep [for both you and baby] is no easy task and we know that no one is their best self when they are sleep deprived. In this episode, Judith chats with Wee Sleep Founder and CEO, Janey Reilly, about all things sleep. What is a wake window? How much sleep does a baby need? We answer these questions and more like how to create a safe and suitable sleep environment for baby, the difference between sleep shaping and sleep training, and how to emerge from the fourth-trimester fog. Navigating sleep [for both you and baby] is no easy task and we know that no one is their best self when they are sleep deprived. In this episode, Judith chats with Wee Sleep Founder and CEO, Janey Reilly, about all things sleep. What is a wake window? How much sleep does a baby need? We answer these questions and more like how to create a safe and suitable sleep environment for baby, the difference between sleep shaping and sleep training, and how to emerge from the fourth-trimester fog. 4th trimester, sleep shaping, newborn sleep, nap schedule, sleep, wee sleep, napping, nap, parenting, motherhood, infant sleep, sleep training, pregnancy no full 4 1     ca97218d-227b-4620-b6d0-f6d1cc9a8c05 Pushing, Poop, & Your Postpartum Body 0:42 - Mom montage | real moms discuss their postpartum bodies. 
    2:25 – How your pelvic floor supports you in everyday life.
    4:13 – What happens “down there” during the pushing process.
    6:28 – Ways to prepare your mind and body for labour and delivery.
    9:00 – How to tap into your mind and body by exploring what we feel and fear.
    10:19 – Judith and Aliya discuss a very common silly pre-birth fear.
    10:42 – Why pooping on the table during delivery is normal.
    13:25- How to take an effective first postpartum poop.
    -pack a stool softener 
    -drink a lot of water 
    -get your knees higher than your hips 
    -use your breath 
    16:48 – additional tips that are applicable for those recovering from a caesarean.
    18:50 – Judith and Aliya discuss the need for additional postpartum care beyond the 6-week check-up.
    20:50 - How to know if your cesarian scar is healing properly.
    21:57 - Why some dissociate themselves from their caesarean scar.
    23:20 – How to desensitize your caesarean scar.
    25:28 – Why you should unpack emotions related to your birth 
    25:56 – Ways to help you heal and recover from a tear in the perineum or episiotomy
    28:42 – 5 pieces of advice for having sex after having a baby. 
    32:08 – Why breastfeeding and hormones can sometimes decrease lubrication
    32:52 – Why postpartum incontinence does NOT need to be your new normal 
    36:00 – How pelvic floor therapy can help you regain quality of life. 
    37: 58 – Why having grace and patience with ourselves as we heal, and recover is so important. 
    39:41 - Confidence Corner

    ]]>     Tue, 15 Jun 2021 04:05:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Judith Little, Aliya Dhalla) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/pushing-poop-your-postpartum-body-lzaGKjMZ 0:42 - Mom montage | real moms discuss their postpartum bodies. 
    2:25 – How your pelvic floor supports you in everyday life.
    4:13 – What happens “down there” during the pushing process.
    6:28 – Ways to prepare your mind and body for labour and delivery.
    9:00 – How to tap into your mind and body by exploring what we feel and fear.
    10:19 – Judith and Aliya discuss a very common silly pre-birth fear.
    10:42 – Why pooping on the table during delivery is normal.
    13:25- How to take an effective first postpartum poop.
    -pack a stool softener 
    -drink a lot of water 
    -get your knees higher than your hips 
    -use your breath 
    16:48 – additional tips that are applicable for those recovering from a caesarean.
    18:50 – Judith and Aliya discuss the need for additional postpartum care beyond the 6-week check-up.
    20:50 - How to know if your cesarian scar is healing properly.
    21:57 - Why some dissociate themselves from their caesarean scar.
    23:20 – How to desensitize your caesarean scar.
    25:28 – Why you should unpack emotions related to your birth 
    25:56 – Ways to help you heal and recover from a tear in the perineum or episiotomy
    28:42 – 5 pieces of advice for having sex after having a baby. 
    32:08 – Why breastfeeding and hormones can sometimes decrease lubrication
    32:52 – Why postpartum incontinence does NOT need to be your new normal 
    36:00 – How pelvic floor therapy can help you regain quality of life. 
    37: 58 – Why having grace and patience with ourselves as we heal, and recover is so important. 
    39:41 - Confidence Corner

    ]]>     Pushing, Poop, & Your Postpartum Body Judith Little, Aliya Dhalla 00:42:37 Is it normal to pee a bit during my workouts? Can you actually have sex after just six weeks? How do I know if my Caesarean scar is healing properly? In this episode we chat with Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Aliya Dhalla, to answer these questions [and more] including why so many women afraid that they might just poop on the table during delivery. You'll learn about ways to prepare your body for labour, what happens “down there” during the pushing process, and how to regain your quality of life post-baby. We also talk a lot about poop. Is it normal to pee a bit during my workouts? Can you actually have sex after just six weeks? How do I know if my Caesarean scar is healing properly? In this episode we chat with Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Aliya Dhalla, to answer these questions [and more] including why so many women afraid that they might just poop on the table during delivery. You'll learn about ways to prepare your body for labour, what happens “down there” during the pushing process, and how to regain your quality of life post-baby. We also talk a lot about poop. c-section scar, hospital birth, belly birth, pregnancy anxiety, poop, 4th trimester, postpartum, pelvic floor physiotherapy, incontinence, delivery, baby, dilated, c-section recovery, pelvic floor, caesarean, parenting, midwives, motherhood, newborn, pelvic floor therapy, pregnancy, birth, c-section, labour no full 3 1     c0bec88f-5763-4459-9e7f-0a1b08571db4 Is Breastfeeding Supposed to Suck? 0:45 - Mom Montage 
    2:27 – The benefits of breastfeeding for both the baby and the breastfeeding person
    3:41 – What to do if breastfeeding isn’t coming naturally and you are struggling to make it work
    5:02 – Tips for keeping baby alert and engaged at the breast.
    6:20- How to advocate for yourself and your baby to get the help and support you need.
    12:05 – How to assess milk supply issues and get through those first few days at home 
    18:37 – Dispelling common breastfeeding myths
    20:48 – How long is too long?
    23:29 – Judith reflects on her “extended”breastfeeding journey.
    24:33- How to train your body to stop producing milk and begin weaning 
    27:19 – Should you “pump and dump” when consuming alcohol?
    31:20 – Mental health + breastfeeding. How to be gentle on yourself 
    33:37 – Encouragement and advice for those who choose to breastfeed 
    35:17 – Confidence Corner 

    About our guest
    Angela Grant Buechner
    BA, BScN, RN, IBCLC

    Angela is the President of the Canadian Lactation Consultant Association and is a Registered Nurse, Lactation Consultant, and NICU Doula.

    Let's connect!
    nutmegconsulting.ca | @nutmeg_lc
    snugglebugz.ca | @snugglebugzbaby 

    Read more in our Learning Centre article!

    ]]>     Tue, 8 Jun 2021 04:05:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Angela Grant Buechner, Judith Little) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/is-breastfeeding-supposed-to-suck-o9N40IBj 0:45 - Mom Montage 
    2:27 – The benefits of breastfeeding for both the baby and the breastfeeding person
    3:41 – What to do if breastfeeding isn’t coming naturally and you are struggling to make it work
    5:02 – Tips for keeping baby alert and engaged at the breast.
    6:20- How to advocate for yourself and your baby to get the help and support you need.
    12:05 – How to assess milk supply issues and get through those first few days at home 
    18:37 – Dispelling common breastfeeding myths
    20:48 – How long is too long?
    23:29 – Judith reflects on her “extended”breastfeeding journey.
    24:33- How to train your body to stop producing milk and begin weaning 
    27:19 – Should you “pump and dump” when consuming alcohol?
    31:20 – Mental health + breastfeeding. How to be gentle on yourself 
    33:37 – Encouragement and advice for those who choose to breastfeed 
    35:17 – Confidence Corner 

    About our guest
    Angela Grant Buechner
    BA, BScN, RN, IBCLC

    Angela is the President of the Canadian Lactation Consultant Association and is a Registered Nurse, Lactation Consultant, and NICU Doula.

    Let's connect!
    nutmegconsulting.ca | @nutmeg_lc
    snugglebugz.ca | @snugglebugzbaby 

    Read more in our Learning Centre article!

    ]]>     Is Breastfeeding Supposed to Suck? Angela Grant Buechner, Judith Little 00:38:33 In this episode, Judith chats with Angela Grant Buechner, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Nurse, and Birth Doula about all things babies and breastfeeding. We dispel some common breastfeeding myths, chat about what to look for if things don’t feel right, and how to let go of the guilt when it is time to end your breastfeeding journey. In this episode, Judith chats with Angela Grant Buechner, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Nurse, and Birth Doula about all things babies and breastfeeding. We dispel some common breastfeeding myths, chat about what to look for if things don’t feel right, and how to let go of the guilt when it is time to end your breastfeeding journey. medela, 4th trimester, new mom, delivery, baby, pumping, breastfeeding, lactation consultant, motherhood, breastmilk, bottle feeding, newborn, snuggle bugz, labour no full 2 1     f1a338db-f725-45b7-ab0f-48934211dd3a Delivery, Doulas and Diapers [for Mom] Doula, Rhiannon Langford joins Judith to chat about how to advocate for yourself during the labour and delivery process. Rhiannon puts parents-to-be at ease with her advice on how to let go of pre-birth fears and shares practical ways to talk to your care providers about your wants, needs, and desires as a birthing person. We chat about evidence-based birth, how to work through fear and anxiety, and we even dig in on the challenges of caesarean recovery and the 4th trimester.

    0:40 - Mom Montage | moms share about their labour and delivery fears
    1:56 – The difference between a midwife, doula, and an OB
    4:10 – Things to ask or to look for when searching for a doula
    6:14 – How to prepare for the unknowns of labour and delivery
    9:15 – How to advocate for yourself as a birthing person
    12:48- How to communicate with your care providers  by using the acronym “B-R-A-I-N" 
    15:57 – Why having a postpartum plan is just as important as your birth plan
    17:58 – How a postpartum doula can help your family transition to parenthood 
    20:16 – Judith reflects on her caesarean recovery and  first few weeks of motherhood
    20:58 – Rhiannon and Judith discuss “redemption births” and how to help couples overcome birthing fears
    23:14 – How to use fear release exercises to prepare for birth
    25:37 – Judith reflects on how reviewing birthing notes after a traumatic birth experience can bring healing 
    26:08 – Rhiannon shares how it feels to be on the other side of the aisle now that she is expecting 
    27:56 - Confidence Corner | Haleigh shares her top product picks for the fourth trimester 

    About our guest

    Rhiannon Langford is also known as the Birth Boss. She is a birth and postpartum doula, fertility coach, and maternal mental health advocate. She has a passion for helping growing families feel empowered on their journey to parenthood.

    Let's Connect!

    @birthbossco | thebirthboss.com
    @snugglebugzbaby | snugglebugz.ca
    Read more in our Learning Centre article
     

    ]]>     Tue, 1 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Judith Little, Rhiannon Langford) https://40-weeks-to-forever.simplecast.com/episodes/delivery-doulas-and-diapers-for-mom-awfHtAjR Doula, Rhiannon Langford joins Judith to chat about how to advocate for yourself during the labour and delivery process. Rhiannon puts parents-to-be at ease with her advice on how to let go of pre-birth fears and shares practical ways to talk to your care providers about your wants, needs, and desires as a birthing person. We chat about evidence-based birth, how to work through fear and anxiety, and we even dig in on the challenges of caesarean recovery and the 4th trimester.

    0:40 - Mom Montage | moms share about their labour and delivery fears
    1:56 – The difference between a midwife, doula, and an OB
    4:10 – Things to ask or to look for when searching for a doula
    6:14 – How to prepare for the unknowns of labour and delivery
    9:15 – How to advocate for yourself as a birthing person
    12:48- How to communicate with your care providers  by using the acronym “B-R-A-I-N" 
    15:57 – Why having a postpartum plan is just as important as your birth plan
    17:58 – How a postpartum doula can help your family transition to parenthood 
    20:16 – Judith reflects on her caesarean recovery and  first few weeks of motherhood
    20:58 – Rhiannon and Judith discuss “redemption births” and how to help couples overcome birthing fears
    23:14 – How to use fear release exercises to prepare for birth
    25:37 – Judith reflects on how reviewing birthing notes after a traumatic birth experience can bring healing 
    26:08 – Rhiannon shares how it feels to be on the other side of the aisle now that she is expecting 
    27:56 - Confidence Corner | Haleigh shares her top product picks for the fourth trimester 

    About our guest

    Rhiannon Langford is also known as the Birth Boss. She is a birth and postpartum doula, fertility coach, and maternal mental health advocate. She has a passion for helping growing families feel empowered on their journey to parenthood.

    Let's Connect!

    @birthbossco | thebirthboss.com
    @snugglebugzbaby | snugglebugz.ca
    Read more in our Learning Centre article
     

    ]]>     Delivery, Doulas and Diapers [for Mom] Judith Little, Rhiannon Langford 00:31:34 Helping you navigate parenthood with confidence. Doula, Rhiannon Langford joins Judith to chat about how to advocate for yourself during the labour and delivery process. Rhiannon puts parents-to-be at ease with her advice on how to let go of pre-birth fears and shares practical ways to talk to your care providers about your wants, needs, and desires as a birthing person. We chat about evidence-based birth, how to work through fear and anxiety, and we even dig in on the challenges of caesarean recovery and the 4th trimester. Helping you navigate parenthood with confidence. Doula, Rhiannon Langford joins Judith to chat about how to advocate for yourself during the labour and delivery process. Rhiannon puts parents-to-be at ease with her advice on how to let go of pre-birth fears and shares practical ways to talk to your care providers about your wants, needs, and desires as a birthing person. We chat about evidence-based birth, how to work through fear and anxiety, and we even dig in on the challenges of caesarean recovery and the 4th trimester. diapers, doula, delivery, obgyn, midwife, newborn, infant, labour no full 1 1     aa5d3f47-8b8b-49cf-a08a-e35f01f4ab59 40 Weeks to Forever - Trailer Thu, 29 Apr 2021 14:02:01 +0000 marketing@snugglebugz.ca (Judith Little) https://www.snugglebugz.ca/pages/40-weeks-to-forever-podcast 40 Weeks to Forever - Trailer Judith Little 00:01:15 40 Weeks to Forever is a podcast for the modern millennial mom who is navigating parenthood for the first time. On this season we're chatting with both moms and experts, who are sharing encouragement, advice, and answering some of the most common questions all parents have (some you didn’t even know to ask)! Nothing is off the table as we cover important topics like birth, breastfeeding, and learning to love a body that sometimes doesn’t feel like your own. Join us as we chat about the all-consuming ride that is parenthood. Episode 1 - coming this spring. 40 Weeks to Forever is a podcast for the modern millennial mom who is navigating parenthood for the first time. On this season we're chatting with both moms and experts, who are sharing encouragement, advice, and answering some of the most common questions all parents have (some you didn’t even know to ask)! Nothing is off the table as we cover important topics like birth, breastfeeding, and learning to love a body that sometimes doesn’t feel like your own. Join us as we chat about the all-consuming ride that is parenthood. Episode 1 - coming this spring. baby registry, first foods, labour and delivery, toddler mom, doula, sex, parenthood, baby, sexuality, stretch marks, baby led weaning, baby gear, toddlerhood, breastfeeding, lactation consultant, parenting, midwife, motherhood, infant sleep, newborn, snuggle bugz, pregnancy, momlife, birth, baby wearing, labour no trailer 1