The Birth Lounge Blog

Can my baby go to the pool? You’ll never hear me tell you what to do with your child. They are your child. However, I will share with you a few things that you may not know. This is to help you make a more informed choice as a parent.  When it comes to babies and pools there are two things to remember: Your baby's skin is super duper sensitive --everything is so brand new to their skin. From the temperatures to the wind to the light to soft and deep touch--everything is new to your baby. Now the question is, do you want one of the first chemicals your baby’s skin comes in contact with to be chlorine? This actually leads to the second thing.  Chlorine is a harsh chemical intended to kill things and can actually work against our immune systems. Not only that, but Chlorine is actually a mixture of other chemicals. It’s made up of Trihalomethanes and Chloramine. In a pool, there are two free radical agents that go break off and bind to things, like sweat and sun...

(This is a two part series! Check last week for Part One: birth to 6 months!) Toys have so many great benefits! They bring joy, concentration, and education for children of all ages. Even adults can’t resist a good toy, like a new high-tech blender for the kitchen or a cool solar powered lawn mower for the yard. But when it comes time to build that baby registry and fill that nursery with toys for your expected baby, parents find it so difficult to choose the “right” ones from the thousands of toys out there on the market today. But it really doesn’t need to be that hard! You don’t need the newest addition of baby toys. Knowing what stage of development your baby is in and how to use the toys you have is the key to success when playing with your child during their first year. We are going to help you navigate that! I am going to break down the major developmental milestones of your baby’s first year of life and a few toys that can help foster that development. Playtime is going t...

(This is a two part series! Check back for part two 6 months to 12 months next week!) Toys have so many great benefits! They bring joy, concentration, and education for children of all ages. Even adults can’t resist a good toy, like a new high-tech blender for the kitchen or a cool solar powered lawn mower for the yard. But when it comes time to build that baby registry and fill that nursery with toys for your expected baby, parents find it so difficult to choose the “right” ones from the thousands of toys out there on the market today. But it really doesn’t need to be that hard! You don’t need the newest addition of baby toys. Knowing what stage of development your baby is in and how to use the toys you have is the key to success when playing with your child during their first year. We are going to help you navigate that! I am going to break down the major developmental milestones of your baby’s first year of life and a few toys that can help foster that development. Playtime i...

From Conception to Postpartum - Keeping You in Alignment (This is also a podcast episode on The Tranquility Tribe if you prefer, listen  here .) Hey Tranquility Tribe! This week, we’re getting into all things chiropractic with Dr. Lizzie Sobel, a low force, gentle chiropractic based in Massachusetts who has been practicing since 2012. We know the idea of going to a chiropractor can send shivers up the spine for some of y’all, but Lizzie is here to settle all your fears and misconceptions and get you thinking about how chiropractic care could be an essential part of your pregnancy, postpartum, or even your newborn’s life! Lizzie had her first experience with chiropractic care when she was 12 years old and experiencing daily headaches and back pain. After being referred to a chiropractor, she quickly became a believer in how helpful holistic approaches to health can be. Lizzie knows there can be fear and hesitation when it comes...

HeHe's Top 10 Baby Picks { Snag your seat in our  FREE TRAINING  to master your mindset for birth without the fear and anxiety! } When I looked around my home and office, I actually had more of a hard time deciding what not  to include rather than struggling to come up with 10 items. I, at first, had a list of over 20 items. Then, I began to narrow it down to items that had multiple uses and one that could be replaced or substituted by something else. That left me with a list of about 16 items. Whew, this was freaking hard.  Alas, I had narrowed it down to what I couldn't live without. Well, I don't live without these items. I don't own every one of these items.. yet. Since I am a doula that hasn't yet had kids, my experience and preference for things like the strollers and bassinets comes from working with hundreds of families over the years. Here goes... The Good Stuff Soft Wrap : This is different than a carrier. Personally, I love the boba !...

Another Perspective, Support for the Midwifery Bill with Diana Snyder [This is also an episode of Friday Free Talk on The Tranquility Tribe Podcast on iTunes. Listen  here .] Hey Tranquility Tribe! Thanks for joining us for this episode of the Tranquility Tribe podcast. Last week, Hehe talked to Joyce Hunt-Kimball about Bill H. 1189, more recently drafted as H. 4655, about why she opposes the bill and the impact that it could have on women’s health. Today, Hehe is speaking to Diana Snyder, who is a strong supporter of the proposed bill. Who is Diana? Diana Snyder is a healthcare attorney who graduated from BU school of law in 2011 with a focus on the intersection of healthcare and women’s rights. After she graduated, she moved to California, where she practiced for four years. During her time in CA, a friend who worked in a hospital asked her for legal advice on forced compliance issues that she had observed in her workplace, including forced cesareans and forced...

When Your Fur Babies Meet Your Human Babies with Danielle Engel  [This is also an episode of Friday Free Talk on The Tranquility Tribe Podcast on iTunes. Listen  here .] Hey Tranquility Tribe!  For those of you out there who are wondering how to introduce your fur baby to your new baby, this episode is for you!  Today, Hehe spoke to Danielle Engel, the owner of For the Love of Paws and an expert who is full of tips and tricks for helping your pet adjust to life with your newborn.  Danielle grew up riding horses and learning about dogs from her aunt, who is a dog trainer.  For her whole life, animals have been her passion, and now she works with families and their pets in a wide variety of ways!  From helping to incorporate pets into weddings to making your pet’s introduction to your tiny human go as smoothly as possible, Danielle offers experience-backed knowledge to allow you to have the best possible relationship with your pet....