I am excited to be a part of this wonderful workshop series by Empowering Births. This three part, recurring workshop is focused around supporting, educating and empowering women in the period of time after birth, a time when mothers are often in need of much support.

Mothers can receive guidance, expert advice and support during these workshops.

My contribution to these workshops is a 3 part infant massage class, teaching you how to massage your baby safely and confidently. I will also be available to answer any Naturopathy questions you may have.

Friday 16th, 30th November & 14th December 2018.

Empowering Births team Cat & Melissa open & hold this space with a nurturing postnatal workshop, helping you ease into your 4th trimester. We will be sharing knowledge & support for you as new mothers to gain strong bonds with your babies.
Each session includes a 45 min baby massage & naturopathy Q & A.

Over the 3 days this workshop will cover breastfeeding, bathing, settling, sleep & more…

Includes FREE baby massage oil

Call or email for more information
Cat – empoweringbirths@outlook.com
0400 458 699

The post Post Natal Workshop appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

As I move on to breastfeed my second child my love and admiration of breast milk continues to grow. I am always in awe of the amazing benefits that breastfeeding provides, both for mother and baby.

In the same breath I also think of the challenges it can face, how hard some mothers have to fight to be able to breastfeed and how devastating it can be for mothers who want to, but for one reason or another cannot breastfeed their child. I also acknowledge that formula feeding can be challenging as well (such as sterilising bottles and the cost of formula), and that while I will dedicate this article to the benefits of breastfeeding, I want you to know that if you weren’t breastfed or you can’t breastfeed your babe, it will still be okay.

I want to share some of the benefits of breastfeeding with you, as well as some information about your nutritional requirements during breastfeeding, and things which your diet can and cannot change about your breastmilk.

In fairness, I also discuss some of the less awesome things about breastfeeding (mostly from personal experience) and share some breastfeeding resources.

Some awesome benefits of breastfeeding.

Better bone health for Mum

While your calcium stores might drop down in the first few months of breastfeeding, as you continue to breastfeed your bone density is actually strengthened.

Prebiotics

I know I’m repeating myself but I can’t help it, I just love the amazing prebiotic goodness of breastmilk for babies tummy. There are a vast amount of prebiotic sugars and fibres in breastmilk which encourages the growth of the good bacteria in the digestive system, and thus improves their immune system, skin health, digestion, behaviour, sleep and more. Having had to have a c-section for my first son I felt very reassured that I was doing wonders for his tummy by breastfeeding (which I have continued to do so).

Improves babies iron stores

There is a protein called lactoferrin in breastmilk which improves iron absorption, but also inhibits the growth of harmful micro-organisms which can steal iron for their own growth (such as E. coli, Candida spp. and Staphylococcus spp.). As young babies receive minimal iron from breastmilk this is a very handy feature, and it also means that when they do start receiving solids in addition to breastmilk it is better absorbed and utilised.

Protects against cancer in mothers

A study published in The Lancet in 2016 found that breastfeeding mothers had greater protection against breast cancer, as well as possibly ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes. The authors estimated that is breastfeeding was more universally established it could 20 000 annual deaths from breast cancer.

Individualised immune support

Whenever the mother is exposed to a pathogen of some form, she will start making protective antibodies which she will then transfer to the baby via her breastmilk. And what if the baby was exposed to these pathogens before mum? Baby will send some of these into the breast via a backwash mechanism, which then allows the mother to start making antibodies against. So baby gets the benefit of an experienced adult immune system to help them fight against infections, via breastmilk.

The same study mentioned above predicted that universally established breastfeeding could prevent 823 000 annual deaths in children younger than 5 years.

Better development of sleep-wake cycles.

Babies don’t have a natural day-night hormonal until a few months of age, but breastmilk actually delivers different hormones in the day and night that teaches baby when it’s time to be awake, or to sleep.

Better reaction to vaccinations for babies

Babies who are exclusively breastfed, and to a certain degree partially breastfed, have been shown to have less of a negative reaction to vaccinations. They are less likely to get a high fever or discomfort after the vaccinations, and breastfeeding during or immediately after the vaccination can also reduce the discomfort of the process.

The immune response to the vaccination is also better for a breastfed baby, making the vaccination more effective.

There is also a better metabolism of the less positive components of vaccines, in particular ethylmercury. Because of the prebiotic effect of breastfeeding, better gut flora can also protect against other negative effects of vaccinations and improves the immune response.

Breastfeeding burns calories.

Exclusive breastfeeding burns approximately 500 additional calories for the mother per day. It is thought that the fat stores from the thighs are what are used for this source first, however not all mothers notice a dramatic difference in their body shape or weight from breastfeeding.

Your nutritional requirements while breastfeeding.

Just as you did while you were pregnant, it’s important to make sure that you’re eating well so that you look after both yourself and baby. Even women (and men) who are formula feeding their baby need to look after themselves, as it’s very important for parents to take care of their health.

Breastfeeding mothers who aren’t able to access quality food can still provide excellent breastmilk to their babies, however it is often depleting their own nutritional reserves, which can result in fatigue, mood swings, hormonal imbalances, and also reduces the nutrient stores for future babes (which can be built back up, but may be an issue if the mother conceives again quickly).

The nutritional composition of breastmilk

Breastmilk is largely made up of carbohydrates in the form of lactose. It also contains a significant amount of fats and protein. It is the carbohydrates within the breastmilk that provide some of it’s wonderful benefits in boosting babies immune system, these are the prebiotic, the fuel which feeds the good bacteria in babies digestive tract. The growth of this bacteria is vital for their immune health in particular, but has a big role in almost every other facet of health including digestion, metabolism and impacts on future mental and hormonal health.

When infant formula was first created in the early 19^th century scientists worked hard to make it as close as possible to the composition of breast milk, however babies were not thriving on it. Over time it was discovered that the key to this different was the prebiotics, in particular the oligo-saccharides (of which breast milk contains >200 different forms), and various forms of prebiotics are now often added to many brands of infant formulas in the attempt to provide this benefit. Unfortunately the ability to replicate this diversity of prebiotics is still lacking and so there is still a discrepancy between the gut flora of breast fed and infant fed formulas (but much less so than in the past before the addition of prebiotics to formula).

There is a small amount of protein in breast milk, and a substantial amount of fat, which makes it very energy dense. The protein content increases as the child ages, and is often made up of more specific immune boosting proteins.

Our breasts cleverly change the composition of breast milk over various stages of babies life.

Initially we produce colostrum, which is much lower in the carbohydrates but richer in the protein and fat to boost immune health.

After the placenta is passed our progesterone levels decrease dramatically, causing our milk to ‘come in’. As part of this, levels of lactose increase. (This is why things such as a retained placenta or use of progesterone medications i.e. the mini pill, can impact on the milk supply as progesterone essentially ‘holds the milk at bay’.)

Eventually the hormones have less of a role and our breasts will respond to ‘supply and demand’ – the more they are emptied they more they will fill. (Many women worry that their breasts feel softer during this time and that this means their supply is dropping – don’t worry, for most women it means your breasts are actually getting smarter at feeding).

If you are still breastfeeding your child into their second year there is an increase of protein (specially the immunoglobulins), which means that while your toddler is getting less milk quantity they are getting just as much of the immune boosting properties.

The milk will often change in composition during a feed as well, and the more the breast is drained the higher the fat content.

Your Diet and Breastmilk

As a general rule your breasts will keep the composition of breastmilk the same regardless of diet, for as long as possible (the repercussions of a bad diet fall onto the mother more so than the baby). But there are ways that your diet can impact on breast milk.

I see many mothers who cause themselves a great deal of stress about the potential of their diet harming baby, and I feel that it is important to remember that even with a sub-par diet, you are providing a wondrous array of benefits with breast milk. But if possible, eating well will provide many additional benefits to mother and baby.

Things that your diet CANNOT change

Lactose content

Your breasts will carefully regulate the amount of lactose in the milk and if you have been told that your baby many be lactose intolerant (an unfortunately common and incorrect piece of advice) your breasts will maintain lactose levels regardless. Lactose overload is more commonly the issue, rather than lactose overload, and this is likely due to insufficient drainage of the breast.

Things that your diet CAN change

The quality of the fat.

The omega fatty acid balance of your diet will have an impact on the milk, with women who consume more DHA have higher levels in the breastmilk. Women who have more DHA in the third trimester of pregnancy have higher fat levels in their breastmilk later on. For women who are vegan or do not consume omega fatty acids it may be worth considering to take a DHA supplement, as this is an important nutrient for brain and nervous system health, however dietary sources are better utilised than supplements.

Trans fats, which are predominately from junk food can also pass into breastmilk, so avoiding junk food is advisable.

To ensure you’ve got plenty of good fat, try to consume 2-3 serves of low mercury seafood per week, such as small fish like sardines. Vegan mothers may choose to supplement with algal DHA, (they may also benefit from supplementing with zinc, vitamin B12 and choline).

These micronutrients

Vitamin A, C and E, and B vitamins (except folate), Iodine, Selenium, B12, Vitamin D and Choline

Nutrients not in this list are still important for you, but your breast will closely regulate levels of regardless of intake.

Intolerance reactions

Some foods may potentially cause a reaction to baby. The protein within dairy, wheat and soy, chilli, and some cruciferous vegetables are common examples. I have provided a list of these foods here.

If you suspect that baby is intolerant to a food you are eating try eliminating one food at a time and then rechallenging. It is important to do this as thoroughly as possible tog et the best results. I don’t recommend taking a lot of foods out of your diet at once while breastfeeding as it is a time of increased energy requirements and you are often struggling to prepare good food at the best of times, so do it slowly and gradually. Speak to a health care practitioner for guidance if you’re struggling.

Medications and breastfeeding

Have you ever been told that you need to stop breastfeeding due to medication use?

There is a large difference in what medications are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and some people are unfortunately told to stop breastfeeding when this might not be necessary, or decide by themselves to “pump and dump”. Doing this unnecessarily can reduce the amount of amazing breastmilk that your baby gets, and is also very stressful, and hard work, for the mother.

There can also be natural medicines that may be safe and effective as an alternative whilst breastfeeding, talk to your natural therapist about this if this is something you might consider.

Some things which aren’t so great about breastfeeding

Of course there are some downsides. I don’t believe they outweigh out the benefits, however I feel that in fairness I should mention them, mostly just so that other mother’s don’t feel like they’re alone if they experience these things too.

• It can hurt. Breastfeeding in the early days can be painful while your nipples get used to the process. If baby has a poor latch (perhaps due to tongue tie or an incorrect technique) this can also cause pain, contributing to nipple damage, which lengthens the duration of pain. If baby does not take enough nipple into their mouth it can rub against the hard palette, and this can really hurt. It is important to establish good technique from the start to reduce this, and getting consistent advice from a lactation consultant is a great way to do this.
• Breasts can leak. Oh boy, can they. The amount of breast pads I went through was ridiculous, and I still don’t understand why there aren’t more pattern breastfeeding friendly shirts available (because solid colours show the stains so much more). Thankfully the leakage situation does settle down – for me it took about 8 months.
• You can get ‘over-touched’, where you feel like all you want to do is sit by yourself and have no-one touch you for a while. Newborns like to nurse a lot. And the more you feed them, the better your supply, and the more a baby is held and carried the more settled they are, so of course we indulge them. And as baby ages, they can get a bit handsy. Mothers who have continued to feed their toddlers are likely well aware of the ‘twiddling’ that toddlers love to do, which for many mothers can drive them a little crazy.
• Many mothers notice a significant lack of libido whilst breastfeeding, at least until their period returns. This can be combined with vaginal dryness due to the hormone changes involved, meaning that even if you do want to have sex it can potentially be painful.
• It can be stressful. There are so many doubts that breastfeeding mothers can experience – ‘is my baby receiving enough milk’, ‘is my milk good enough’, ‘did something I eat/drink affect my baby’ and this can cause a mother significant stress and worry. There are so many benefits to breastfeeding that it would be a real shame if a mother were to stop feeding unnecessarily, without getting quality advice from a lactation consultant first.
• It can be embarrassing. A newborn baby will have no concept of when or where is an appropriate place to feed, and so mothers often will feed their baby is situations that might be a little awkward. I remember the feeling of ‘everyone is looking at me’ from the early days of feeding that can be very off-putting for some Mums. I have realised in retrospect that nah, most people are just looking at your cute baby and anyone else that is looking at you with judgement can bugger off.
• Mastitis. This is an infection of a milk duct in the breast. It doesn’t happen to all mothers but for those who do experience it, it’s pretty damn awful. A blocked duct can lead to infection, resulting in fever, chills, pain and lethargy. The whole thing can be incredibly painful and unpleasant. Thankfully there are natural methods to prevent and/or treat it, so if you are prone to this, see a naturopath for support.
• Juggling work and breastfeeding can be difficult. While women are within their rights to ask for allowances in the workplace to express, this can be easier said than done. It is also not always easy to express enough milk to maintain supply and provide a good feed for baby. Many mothers can produce bountiful amounts of milk when their baby is feeding, but expressing produces little to none. Even if they do manage to express, the storage and handling of the expressed milk can be a nuisance.

Breastfeeding resources

Australian Breastfeeding Association

ABA provides a free 24 hour hotline to answer questions about breastfeeding issues or provide support. This service doesn’t require you to be a member.

There are regular talks held on various topics by local groups. You can attend 3 without joining as a member. They also hold playgroups and catchups occasionally.

I attended ABA meetings for the first year of feeding Ash until work commitments stopped me from going, and they were an enjoyable and valuable experience. You can find local groups by contacting ABA directly or searching on facebook.
1800 686 2 686 / 1800 mum 2 mum
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

La Leche

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LLLSydney
Email: sydneylll@outlook.com
Website: http://www.llli.org

Find a lactation consultant

https://www.lcanz.org

www.ilca.org

Information on attachment:

Watch this video before baby is born:       

How to increase milk supply:

More links on breastfeeding attachment:

ABA – Attachment to the Breast

Biological Nurturing

Baby Led Attachment – How to Awaken your Babys Breastfeeding Instincts

Baby Led Attachment – Renee Kam

Some great resources to check medications:

LactMed: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov

Medications and Mothers Milk Online: http://www.medsmilk.com

The post The amazing benefits of breastfeeding appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

It may alarm you to realise that in countries such as Australia and America there are very limited regulations on the safety of which chemicals* are used in household and beauty products, and that this lack of protection can have a significant impact on not only your health, but also your babies and even your grand babies.

Chemicals that we are exposed to can be pass through our to offspring, and can even cross generations. This can unfortunately have a mutli-generational effect on health and fertility. Fertility rates are declining through generations and while there are many factors responsible for this, chemical exposure that passes through to our babies and affects their fertility and their children’s fertility is something that we need to become educated about and take responsibility for.

In a article I have written for Casa de Karma I discuss the benefits of reducing and removing chemical exposure from your diet and lifestyle, for both yourself and for your children. You can read a preview below, or click the link to read the full article which also discusses the relationship between chemicals and genetics, which chemicals to watch out for, the effect of chemicals of sperm health and some ways to reduce chemical exposure.

Read the full article here: http://casadekarma.com.au/why-choose-chemical-free-products-mum-baby/

Chemicals found in newborns

A study by the Environmental Working Group in 2005 examined the umbilical cord blood of 10 newborn babies and found a total of 287 chemicals, with an average of 200 chemicals present per baby. 28 of these were waste byproducts such as Formaldehyde, PCBs, Mercury, Petroleum and Dioxin 1, 4. 47 of these were consumer products such as Bisphenol A, Dioxins, Pthalates, Triclosan, Brominated Flame retardants, Pesticides and Preservatives.  Of these, 212 chemicals and pesticides had actually been banned or restricted in use 30+ years ago, giving us a scary insight into how chemicals can be stored in our bodies and be passed onto our offspring despite not having current exposure to them.

Other studies have shown that many of these chemicals were passed down the line from the grandmothers generation, however the chemicals were present in higher amounts in the children, suggesting that they are transferred across the placenta and breastmilk.

A precautionary approach

What does this mean? One of the lessons I take from this information is that chemicals which are currently viewed as safe but are not inert, are still best to avoid, as many of the harmful chemicals detected in this test were at one stage viewed as safe.

In Australia, the approach to chemical regulation is different to countries more progressive in this area – an absolute evidence of harm is required before a chemical is removed by use in Australia, compared to the EU where a more precautionary principle is in place – they believe that “When human activities may lead to morally unacceptable harm that is scientifically plausible but uncertain, action shall be taken to avoid or diminish that harm.”

In order to navigate this lack of protection we must take more responsibility ourselves.

Penelope Jagessar said in her Ted Talk: The Toxic Baby “It is only a parent’s awareness that stands between chemicals and our children”…

You can read the rest of the article here: http://casadekarma.com.au/why-choose-chemical-free-products-mum-baby/

*I would like to address the often presented argument that “everything is a chemical”. I agree that this is very close to the truth (with the exception of sound and light which is actually matter). However, in this article I am using the term chemicals for the sake of convenience, and actually referring to toxic and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, substances which are known or suspected to be capable of interfering with hormone receptors, hormone synthesis or hormone conversion which are in commercial use and have been proven or suspected of contributing to disease and dysfunction in humans, and chemicals which have shown to cause damage in ways such as mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodevelopmental toxicity, immune toxicity, oxidative stress and various levels of inflammation.

The post Why You Should Choose Chemical-Free Products For You & Your Baby appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Health & Wellbeing Podcast #28

I had the privilege to interview the wonderful Kathleen Murphy from Mama Care Health about the importance of the fourth trimester and care of the new mother. This period of time is technically classed as the 6 weeks after the birth of baby, however as you will learn this period can actually extend for almost a year after birth.

In a time where the focus is all on the newborn baby, the new parents can often get neglected in care. This is exacerbated by being in a culture where asking for help is often seen as weakness, particularly when we have spent the last decade or so of our lives establishing ourselves as strong, independent people.

In this episode we talk about the services Kathleen provides through MamaCare, and how and why we need more focus on the care and support of the mother and father during this period.

Listen on the Soundcloud website here or in the embedded player below.

Want to subscribe to get podcasts automatically? You can do that here:

iPhone   Stitcher   Youtube   Soundcloud

About Kathleen

Kathleen is a clinical naturopath and acupuncturist, who has been in practice since 2009. Over that time, Kath has worked in several large multi-modality clinics, first in Brisbane and then Sydney, where she now lives. Her current practice is in Sydney’s inner city, but she also travels to patients’ homes, visiting new mothers and their families as part of MamaCare Health, the service she launched last year. Outside of practice, Kathleen lectures to naturopathic and nutrition students, works with community and corporate healthcare programs, and sits on the board of the NHAA. She is also the mother of a busy 3 year old and married to a fellow naturopath and public health academic.

The post Caring for Mama appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

It seems like only yesterday that I was sending out my maternity leave announcement for Ash, but here I am again.
I’ve been so fortunate to have a smooth pregnancy so far, I’ve been taking all my supplements and was exercising consistently until a few weeks ago. Baby girl is due late April, and similar to last time I’m finishing up around 38 weeks. Hopefully this time I won’t have to wait as long.

Here are my planned final dates for clinic and details of who will be filling in for me:

Dural

My last day at Dural is Friday the 30th March (Yes that’s Good Friday).

Laura Yen will be acting as locum for me on alternate Saturdays at Dural starting from the 21st April, and she will be offering both Naturopathy and Massage. Naturopathy consults can be performed in person or via Skype.

Many of you will know Laura already as I was her locum when she went on leave to have cutie pie Akira. She is a wonderful massage therapist and naturopath and I know that if you don’t already love her, you will now!

You can book in with Laura via this link: www.burtonhealth.cliniko.com/bookings or call 0405 123 852.

Windsor

My last day at Windsor is 7th April.

Simone Davis was my locum at Windsor and Bella Vista when I went on leave to have Ash. She did such a wonderful job and I’m thrilled she has agreed to come back.

Simone will be doing one Wednesday and one Saturday a month at Windsor for me offering Naturopathy services only, as well as continuing her existing days at Bella Vista and Rouse Hill.

Her Windsor clinic dates are:
April – Wed 18th, Sat 28th
May – Wed 16th, Sat 26th
June – Wed 20th, Sat 23rd
July – Wed 18th, Sat 7th
Aug – Wed 15th, Sat 4th
Sept – Wed 12th, Sat 1st
Oct – Wed 17th, Sat 13th
Nov – Wed 21st, Sat 10th

If you would like to book in to see Simone, call 4577 6215.

For massage consults you can see any of the existing acupuncturists or massage therapists at Windsor such Adrian, Ernestina or Rafat.

Skype Consults

If needed I plan to be available for Skype consults approximately a month after baby is born, however the timing of these appointments needs to be flexible as I have no idea what her sleep is going to be like, and I also need to fit in into Ash’s sleep/preschool days. It might need to be a rough appointment for a day during which I email you to say that I’ll call you in 10 minutes. The availability of these will be limited, and if you need a set time due to work I suggest booking in for either Simone or Laura. Both of these lovely ladies can also do Skype consults.

Email Support

I will still be available for limited email support however the speed at which I reply may be a bit slow, so if you need something urgently I again suggest contacting Simone or Laura.

P.S….. Belly photo!

The post Maternity Leave News appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

I’m going a bit out of my ordinary style of posts here, and sharing some kid related content – rest assured, these type of posts will be only occasional. Ash is now 20 months (18 months when this photo was taken) and my efforts at coming up with fun things to do are often directed by my desire to keep harsh chemicals to a minimum, mostly because he likes to put things in his mouth.

One of these adventures involved my making a batch of edible finger paint, which got smeared around a roll of butchers paper (as well as his face and the table), tada, Art. Thank goodness it was easy to wash off and it didn’t bother me that some of it was ingested. This recipe is made from items you can find in your pantry, and is quick  (and kind of fun!) to make. Even though it’s ‘edible’ it’s not actually a food, so I would try to discourage kiddo from eating it, but not being concerned if he gets it in his mouth or does actually swallow some.

I’ve shared my recipe below. Let me know how you go, or even better share your piccies!

Ingredients

4 tablespoons of corn flour

a splash of cold water

1 1/2 cup of boiling water

Liquid food colouring

Method:

1. In a medium saucepan, mix the cornflour with enough cold water to make a paste.
2. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water and stir thoroughly so there are no lumps.
3. Turn the stove on to medium heat, and keep stirring. Soon you will see the colour start to change, and some sections may become thicker. Turn the heat off but keep stirring, and eventually it thicken.
4. You may want to add some more water if it is too thick, up to an extra 1/2 cup. Keep stirring well while you do this.
5. Spoon equal amounts into empty containers and add food colouring. I chose shades of blue and green (because the red was missing!) Aqua is 2 drops of green, 4 of blue. Lime Green is 3 yellow, 1 green. I did a straight blue, green and yellow (however the yellow wasn’t that visible on the paper). Mix until completely combined.
6. You can keep it in the fridge for about 2 weeks, covered with a lid or gladwrap. I suggest using it up sooner if your kiddie has a tendency to put it in their mouth.

Tips:

If the mixture has harden from being in the fridge, adding a little bit of boiling hot water or sitting in a warm spot will soften it again.

Use a few layers of paper on top of the table or put some plastic in between, as the paint will soften the paper and it may tear, particularly if bub is rough.

Have some wipes or a wet cloth handy so they don’t then take off and smear hands everywhere (speaking from experience here).

The post Edible Finger Paint Recipe appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

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Welcome Ash.

My little man finally made his arrival into the world, on the 21st October 2015 at 2.51pm, 10 days past his estimated due date. (Both his Dad and I are quite chuffed that it was on Back to the Future Day!)

The birth turned out to be an emergency caesarean which while not as I planned, I am grateful for, as without it my boy may not have arrived safely.

Both Ash and I are doing well and floating around in an oxytocin bubble at the moment. I have been taking my healing herbs and feel that my recovery has been going nicely.

Thank you to all that have given well wishes and congratulations.

Appointments, Locum, and Updates

Simone Davis will be continuing to act as my locum during this time, however I am still in the background, discussing cases and treatment plans (with the exception of this month of course 😉 ). So essentially you’re getting two naturopathic brains taking care of you!

At this stage I plan to return to clinic part time around April, however in the mean time I will still be sharing articles, videos and podcasts here on my blog. I am also working on meal plans which will be for sale on my site in the New Year. You can also expect this website to get a make over, with a new look and improved format – I am excited to share this with you when it is finished.

From December I will also be offering Skype consults to a select number of patients to those that require it after a few months, if this is something that you are interested in then please email me via the contact form and I will get back to you.

Infant Massage Classes will be available again from December.

The post Baby Announcement – Welcome Ash appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Here’s a completely unselfish reason to ask for a back rub before you breastfeed – it helps lactation and means you have a more satisfied baby.

In the attempt to find a cost-effective way to help with breast feeding, a study was done to test the theory that back massage for new mothers, along the lines of acupressure and shiatsu would help with breastfeeding. The results were impressive!

The study was based in a hospital in India, and a group of 220 new mothers were split into two groups (Group A: 100 received a back massage and Group B: 120 who didn’t; both groups received normal hospital care).

The study excluded mothers and babies with issues that would affect breastfeeding, this included:

• Newborns with poor neonatal reflexes
• Newborns with prematurity, congenital anomalies or any neurological conditions leading to poor sucking reflexes.
• Mothers with any acute or chronic illness
• Mothers with nipple or breast abnormalities or attachment difficulties
• Mothers on medications affecting lactation or breast feeding

In many of these instances, these are the mothers and children who need additional breastfeeding support but it is understandable for an initial study such as this, that those fitting these categories would be excluded from the study as it would skew the results. In future a study focusing on those that fit these exclusions would be very interesting to see.

The massage was applied for 15 minutes before a feed, 4 times a day, consisting of small circular motions with the thumbs along either side of the length of the spine.

How effective this was in supporting breast milk production was gauged by the difference between the groups of the mean(average) weight gain, number of wees and poos by the baby, hours slept after a feed and ‘satiety of baby’ at the end of the feed (a combination of some subjective and objective assessments). As the quantity and quality of breastmilk production cannot be measured, weighed or analysed under a microscope because it’s getting swallowed by the baby, these methods of assessment give us a good idea about how effective the massage is in increasing breast milk production.

The weight gain difference between the groups was the most notable, with a massage group gaining a lot more weight on the first day after birth compared to the non massage group, and this difference continued for the next two days they were studied.

The number of wees and poos was only different after the second day (increased in the massage group).

There was more babies in the massage group that slept for longer than 2 hours after each feed, and this increased with each day studied.

The satiety of the baby assessment was based on whether they fussed or cried after a feed, and whether the mother felt the baby was ‘satisfied’ after the feed and went to sleep easily. This category showed a significant difference between the groups in particular, for crying and fussing. 35% babies in the test group (A) compared to only 10% of babies from the control group (B) were satisfied after breastfeeding on first day, where as 69% from Group A compared to 43.3% babies from Group B were satisfied after breastfeeding on day 2. On third day 93% from Group A and 56.6% from Group B were satisfied from breastfeeding!

All of these factors indicate that breastfeeding was improved significantly by the back massage.

Works Cited:

Patel, U., Gedam, D.S. Effect of back Massage on Lactation among Postnatal Mothers.  International Journal of Medical Research and Review. 2013 Jan-Mar, 1(1).  http://www.academia.edu/3486501/Effect_of_back_Massage_on_Lactation_among_Postnatal_Mothers

The post A massage for Mum means a better feed for bub. appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Preconception care offers support to couples with fertility problems and also for those who simply want their child to have the healthiest start to life. Our aim is not only to improve the chances of conception, but to also improve the chances of a natural and healthy pregnancy, birth and baby.  Starting by providing you and your partner’s bodies with nutritional ‘building blocks’ necessary for a healthy embryo we then work through the following:

• Toxicity and detoxification
• Healthy ovulation and charting the menstrual cycle
• Male fertility
• Reproduction dietary guidelines
• Stress management
• Optimizing conception- timing and techniques

At present it is estimated that 1 in 6 couples are infertile. This statistics are staggering, and unfortunately on the rise each year. It is thought that many of these issues are related to a Western lifestyle that has deteriorated rapidly. We live in a ‘toxic’ society. Environmental pollution, polluted water, toxic farming methods, chemicals, radiation, heavy metals are frequent problems. Nutrient levels in the soil are poor, we live sedentary lifestyle and don’t compensate with adequate exercise. Sugar, caffeine, alcohol and food additives are high in our diets. Add onto this the stress of progress and it becomes obvious as to why our modern lifestyle is affecting fertility levels. The approach is quite obvious- we simply want to bring prospective parents health back to optimal before conception takes place thereby giving your child the best chance of health and start to life!

The program consists of a monthly appointment for 4 months prior to conception. The reason that we advise on at least 4 months of preconception health care is to ensure optimal health of the sperm and egg. Sperm can take 116 days to generate and during this time are easily susceptible to damage. Similarly, the egg is vulnerable during maturation for around 100 days leading up to ovulation.

Fertility complications

 It is becoming more and more common for couples to experience difficulty conceiving a healthy child.

 Factors which can affect fertility health include but are not limited to:

• Environmental and lifestyle toxicity
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Age
• Stress
• Infection
• Immune problems

The same problems which lead to increased rates of infertility in developed nations also lead to increased rate of chronic health problems in our children, and the adults they become.

Conditions that natural medicine can be of assistance to which affect fertility include but are not limited to:

• Endometriosis
• PCOS
• Hormone imbalances
• Thyroid disease
• Blood sugar levels problems
• Obesity
• Immune problems
• Fibroids
• Amenorrhoea
• Problems with sperm (e.g. motility, morphology, count, etc)
• Varioceles
• Stress

Preconception Care

Preconception care involves the promotion of optimal health of ideally both partners in the time before conception.  This may include detoxification, nutritional and herbal supplementation, acupuncture and diet and lifestyle changes.

There is research showing the benefits of a good preconception care program in chances of conceiving, reduction of complications during pregnancy and birth and promotion of excellent health in the fetus and child, which continues into adulthood.

Preconception care aims to:

• Prevent congenital defects
• Prevent chronic health conditions such as asthma, allergy, immune dysfunction
• Support a healthy robust immune syndrome
• Support your child’s ability to resist damage from environmental and lifestyle toxicity
• Support the nutritional health of your child
• Ensure good fertility of your child

Couples are having children later and later (for various reasons) and a consequence of this is an increased difficulty conceiving, and increased risks of pregnancy complications and health problems in the child.  The good news is that the factors that cause this can be reduced with a good preconception care program.

Epigenetics

Diet and lifestyle has a big role to play in fertility.  Not just for you, but for your children and grandchildren’s fertility.  What you eat, drink and do in the 4 months leading up to conceiving affects the genetics of your offspring and their fertility health.

It can be pretty scary to think about, but what your grandparents ate and were exposed to can have an affect on the DNA of your offspring. There isn’t much you can do about that, but now we have the awareness of epigenetics it’s ideal to take steps to do everything to can to set up a good environment for conception.

For a bit of extra reading on epigenetics check out my previous article here.

If you are thinking of having a baby and you want to give yourself the best chances and give your child the best start in life, contact us today to start a preconception program.

Preconception Care Frequently Asked Questions

What is preconception care?

Put simply, preconception care is to ensure, as much as possible for any given couple the presence of all the factors required for fertility and creation of the healthy fetus and the absence of all the factors detrimental to fertility and for formation of a healthy fetus

Preconception care aims for the optimum general and reproductive health of both partners to ensure good fertility and the health of the egg, sperm and the womb.

It is the ultimate preventative medicine.  By undertaking preconception care you are reducing your risks of complications and promoting the health of your future child.

Who should do preconception care?

• Anyone planning to conceive can benefit, whether there have fertility issues or not.
• Both prospective parents (see below)
• Older parents
• Those who are overweight or obese
• Those with a history of environmental toxin exposure
• Those with a history of fertility problems, miscarriage or still births
• Those with a history of genetic defects, physical or mental health problems in their previously conceived children.
• Women who have previously been on medications which can cause nutritional deficiencies such as the oral contraceptive pill or methotrexate.
• Those undergoing IVF. Couples undergoing IVF are often having problems with egg and/or sperm quality, older in age, or have other factors affecting fertility health.  IVF is also associated with increased risks of genetic problems, pregnancy complications and miscarriage rate –  preconception care can help to reduce these.  Preconception care can also improve the success rates of IVF (saving you time, anguish and money).

What are the benefits of preconception care?

It can reduce risks of fertility, miscarriage, fetal defect, and unhealthy children.

It can also improve the chance of healthy conception, a healthy and full-term pregnancy, a natural, intervention free birth, reduce problems post birth such as post natal depression, and support long-term breastfeeding.

Comprehensive preconception care may reduce the risk of age-related sub fertility, miscarriage and fetal defects.

Diet and nutritional supplementation can affect genetics, reducing the rate of genetic conditions.  Essentially this means that good preconception care can switch off faulty genes in the developing fetus (like a light switch) and this benefit is passed onto their offspring as well.

By providing an optimally healthy environment, your child’s genetic blueprint will be strong and robust.  Not only will they be healthy children but that health continues into adulthood.  What a great gift for your child.

How long should I do preconception care for?

Preconception care should begin well before conception (minimum of 4 months) and continue through pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It takes 100 for eggs to mature and 116 for sperm to generate, so it is recommended that preconception care be undertaken for at least 4 months before you attempt to conceive.

The instant that egg and sperm combine an irreversible blueprint is formed for the development of the baby.  This blueprint is reflective of the health and toxicity levels of the egg and sperm in the 4 months prior to conception.

It is enough to just take Folic acid?

No.  Folic acid (the synthetic form of folate)  is well known for its ability to prevent neural tube defects – however folate is important for much more than this and it is NOT THE ONLY nutrient required during preconception and pregnancy. There are many other nutrients that have such as many important effects in preconcetion and pregnancy and are often forgotten – Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Iodine, Iron.

Additionally, too much folate taken without the rest of the other B vitamins can actually mask a deficiency of vitamin B12 – this can actually cause spinal development problems as well!

Some people have a genetic problem called MTHFR which affects their ability to convert folic acid to its activated form.  These people need folinic acid (the activated form available in Australia) and folate found in food (the naturally occuring form, not synthetic added form found in some packaged foods) and again this must still be taken with the other B vitamins.

While folate is very important, we require COMPREHENSIVE preconception care.

Should my partner do it too?

YES!  Sadly, many women incorrectly blame themselves for fertility problems and/or miscarriage.  Poor sperm health can contribute to miscarriage, genetic defects and fertility issues.  Problems related to sperm health do not end at conception.

• Sperm are more vulnerable than eggs because they are smaller, more exposed and are developed entirely within the present environment.
• Some studies have found that 75% of infertility is due to male factors.
• Sperm is at least 50% responsible for the health of the baby and the pregnancy.
• Studies have found certain conditions are linked to the health of the sperm such as leukemia, asthma, bronchial/respiratory system and mental development/disease.
• Not only does it affect fertility, miscarriage rate and the health of the baby, but poor sperm health can also affect the health of the mother during pregnancy. Partners of older males have been found to have an increased rate of pre-eclampsia, regardless of the age of the mother. So just because you have fallen pregnant in the past doesn’t mean the guy doesn’t have to help out too.

What is my partner doesn’t want to come to the appointment?

Ideally preconception care involves both partners.  However if for some reason the male partner cannot or will not undergo preconception care…  One partner is better than none.

What is I’ve already fallen pregnant?

Congratulations! Now take a deep breath, relax: just because I’ve been talking about how I think it is important for couples to undergo preconception care if they have the opportunity it does not mean that NOT doing it will mean you have an unhealthy baby or terrible pregnancy. There are plenty of healthy babies out there that were conceived accidentally or under non-ideal health situations, the human body is amazing!

Remember that preconception care is about doing the best you can do, and if you’ve already conceived then take the steps now to work on your health, read more about naturopathic support in pregnancy here.

If you are thinking of having a baby and you want to give yourself the best chances and give your child the best start in life, contact us today to start a preconception program.  

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All the work that you have been doing in pre-conception care, eating well and taking your supplements doesn’t stop now, but it does change slightly.

Nutrition and Supplements

Your body has a high demand for nutrients during pregnancy.  You are the only source of nutrition for your growing baby. The baby is growing inside your womb and it forms its whole body from yours.  The baby will take what it needs and whatever is left the mother then uses (getting you ready for the selflessness of motherhood).

Some factors such as stress, inadequate diet, the effects of morning sickness, undiagnosed allergies, heartburn, constipation, long term deficiencies, stress or other pre-existing conditions may mean your intake of essential nutrients is inadequate to cope with the needs of both you and your growing baby.

If you are low in nutrients your baby will take what it needs from you, often leaving you in a deficient state.  Many conditions that occur during pregnancy (e.g. pregnancy brain, leg cramps, constipation) are caused or worsened by nutritional deficiencies, so it makes sense that ensuring you have ample supplies of nutrients not only means your baby is getting everything they need, but so are you.

When breastfeeding nutritional demands are as great, and sometimes even higher than during pregnancy.  It can take 2 years to nutritionally recover from a pregnancy!  If you are planning to concieve again during this time, then it isessentialto ensure you are stocked up well.

Did you know that during your pregnancy, you will create several extra kilograms of your own uterine muscle, as well as the nerves, bones, organs, muscles, glands and skin of your baby? In addition, you will make several kilograms of amniotic fluid, a placenta and produce a significant increase in your own blood volume. In addition, your own kidneys and liver have to work overtime, as they have to process the wastes of you and your baby!

A balanced diet should include a good variety of foods and provide all nutrients the body needs. The emphasis should be on eating a higher quality diet rather than simply eating more.   We can provide you with nutritional education and advice specific to you and provide meal suggestions or plans to support you and your baby.

All pregnant women require nutritional supplementation to some extent, due to the lack of essential nutrients in our soil and food supply.

The most well known nutrient that we require during pregnancy is folate, however it’s not that simple.  A lot of pregnancy multi-vitamins you can find in supermarkets and chemists contain plenty of folate, but lack or are extremely low other nutrients essential in pregnancy.  We can assess your individual requirements and recommend the right supplements for you.   It is important not to self medicate, especially during pregnancy.

Click here to read about some of the key nutrients required in pregnancy

Not only does nutritional supplementation help to prevent and manage deficiencies, it is also helpful in managing conditions.  Some nutritional supplements such as probiotics have been shown to be beneficial in preventing allergies in eczema in the newborn.

Some general tips during pregnancy:

• Avoid junk food and refined sugar and food completely.
• Avoid raw eggs, meat, chicken and seafood
• Avoid foods which you are allergic or intolerant to.
• Avoid foods high in mercury or other heavy metals such as swordfish, shark, tuna.
• Eat LOTS of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Eat legumes and beans for fibre and protein.
• Eat foods rich in calcium and iron.
• Eat lots of foods containing soluble fibre, rather than insoluble fibre (such as wheat bran) as this can worsen constipation.
• Aim to have at least 2 serves of protein each day.
• Make sure you are hydrated, drink plenty of clean filtered water and avoid using water bottles which contain BPA.
• It is best to avoid caffiene during pregnancy.  Some women can be particularly sensitive to this, so should avoid tea, coffee, dark chocolate and soft drinks.  Caffiene can decrease blood flow to the baby and regular intake has been associated with low-birth weight.
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs and any unnecessary medications.

Common Conditions during Pregnancy

There is much that naturopaths can offer to women during pregnancy.  Conditions such as leg cramps, morning sickness, pre-eclampsia, reflux, colds, sinusitis, constipation and more can be managed with natural medicines.

Click here to read more about the common conditions of pregnancy and what we can do.

Pregnancy Program

Continued naturopathic care throughout pregnancy will help to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy, happy outcome.  The pregnancy program is designed to support you and your baby during this time of rapid growth and change.  The emphasis will be on your nutritional status and your changing nutritional requirements through each trimester, while addressing any queries, complaints or issues that may arise.  Towards the end of the pregnancy we can begin to introduce remedies which prepare for your for labour, as well as providing you with your tool kit for after the birth.  Regular massage throughout the pregnancy is also recommended.

A typical pregnancy program includes:

During the 1^st Trimester we will address

• Giving suggestions for good dietary and lifestyle habits and continuing clean, toxin free environment
• Advice on a nutritious and individualised food plan for your pregnancy to support you and your baby
• Optimising your nutritional status,  promoting and nurturing a lush and healthy environment in which your baby can grow
• Reducing any uncomfortable symptoms of early pregnancy that may arise such as morning sickness
• Treating any threat to the pregnancy such a bleeds or threatened miscarriage
• Acupuncture is fantastic during this time for helping to manage morning sickness

2^nd Trimester

• Continue to monitor your nutritional status with particular emphasis on iron and blood nutrients as well as zinc status
• Treat any pregnancy problems that may be arising
• Review your activity and exercise

3^rd Trimester

• Prevent or treat any problems typically related to the later stages of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, constipation, and oedema (fluid retention).
• Begin birth preparation.  Specific nutritional and herbal treatments are introduced to support labour, delivery and lactation.  Herbal medicine has a long history of use in the last trimester of pregnancy.  Specific nutrient supplementation and individualized herbal homoeopathic formulations will promote a more comfortable birth, post natal and breastfeeding experience as well as reducing likelihood of complications and improving recovery.

Post-partum

• Herbs to improve healing, reduce inflammation
• Support breast-feeding if there is any issues with flow, failure to thrive, mastitis or cracked nipples
• Giving suggestions for a healthy, nutrient dense diet for breastfeeding as well as advice on introduction to solids and management of common conditions for infants such as colic

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