Most new parents take great joy in their baby’s accomplishments. Each new milestone is marked with joy and excitement - baby’s first smile, first words, first steps. While it’s great to celebrate these achievements, it is important to allow your baby to develop at their own pace without interference.
Often well-intentioned parents try to encourage their babies to reach these milestones before they are ready or put their babies in positions prematurely. This can interfere with the child’s natural development and is actually counterproductive to their learning. While some parents are competitive with their child’s development, most parents simply are not consciously aware of what they are doing.
Let’s take a look at a baby’s natural development and some of the ways we tend to undermine it!
Natural Development
Babies learn to move best by simply having the opportunity to move on their own. While they need plenty of time in mama’s lap (and daddy’s, grandma’s, grandpa’s, etc.), they also need plenty of time to explore movement in a safe environment on their own. You can still interact and be with them during these times, but they should have autonomy over their body.
According to Lindsay Mumma DC, “Children need to get a sense of how their bodies function in a gravity environment. This helps them coordinate and activate muscles in the proper sequence to initiate complex movements.” We can not do this for the baby, it simply takes time!
Babies will not learn how to do movements properly if we interfere in this process. Babies simply must learn these movements on their own to develop properly and learn to move in the most efficient manner.
Read more ...
There are many nutrients that your body needs to function at an optimal level. Many of these nutrients get a lot of attention - everyone has heard about vitamin C! But we rarely talk about some other nutrients even though they are vital to your health.
Three of the lesser-known nutrients are Iodine, Choline, and Selenium. Let’s take a look at these nutrients and the important role they play in your health.
Iodine
Iodine is crucial for many systems in your body. It significantly impacts the body’s hormonal systems such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. Iodine is important in balancing the forms of estrogen in a woman's body. It is especially important for women while they are pregnant or breasfeeding. Nearly every tissue in the body needs this nutrient including the breast, prostate, ovaries, brain, stomach, and pancreas. It is an antioxidant, an antiviral, and can help reduce the toxic metal burden from your system.
It is thought that over 70% of the population does not get an adequate amount of iodine. More research is needed to explore how much iodine is needed for optimal health. Since the current recommended daily allowance was only designed to prevent goiters, the dose needed for optimal health is much higher (probably between 5-15mg).
Iodine is a fairly rare mineral and can be difficult to find in a good food source. Adequate amounts are not found in land-based food. In addition, there are many things that compete with iodine for absorption in the body. Things such as fluorine, bromine, and chlorine are considered antagonists that keep us from absorbing this vital nutrient. For this reason, it may be important to consider a good quality supplement.
Read more ...
Looking for a yummy Valentine's Day treat??? Try making these coconut fat bombs! They are a delicious not sweet treat without all of the sugar and processed ingredients in most boxed chocolates! My sister introduced me to them years ago, and I just love them!
Ingredients:
***This Recipe was adapted from the RESTART Cookbook by Jeni Hall, NTP
2½ c. unsweetened shredded coconut
1 t. vanilla
⅛ t. cinnamon
1 pinch of nutmeg
½ c. coconut oil (melted)
2 T. cocoa powder (optional)
Almonds, Walnuts, or other nuts of choice
Directions:
- Simply blend the unsweetened shredded coconut in a food processor with the vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- When it starts to form a butter, pour in the melted coconut oil. Continue to blend until smooth!
- Pour half of the mixture into silicone mini muffin molds or heart-shaped molds.
- Mix 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the other half (if you want to make the chocolate version).
- Pour the chocolate mixture into the molds.
- If you choose, add a nut of your choice to each fat bomb for some additional crunch.
- Throw them in the fridge and they harden right up!
- Enjoy!
I hope that you will be intentional about taking care of yourself this Valentine’s Day! Whether you love the holiday or not, take some time to think about how you can show yourself some extra care. This may be something little or something big (getting a massage, curling up by the fire, making a healthy meal, spending time with a friend, etc.) Decide on a couple of things you can do to show yourself kindness and make the holiday enjoyable.
Dr. Jamie
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be extremely stressful. Your body is changing, and your lifestyle and relationships are about to go through a major transition. If we are honest, at times it can tap into some deep fears and insecurities.
But what if there was a way to prepare your body for birth? A technique developed specifically for the pregnant mom to prepare her for a safer and easier birth.
That’s just what the Webster Technique was created to be!
What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster technique is a specific assessment and chiropractic adjustment developed for use with expectant moms throughout their pregnancy. It was designed to balance the structures in the pelvis and sacrum, in preparation for a safer and easier birth!
How was it Developed
This technique was created by Dr. Larry Webster after he attended the birth of his granddaughter. Although he had used adjustments during the long difficult birth, he felt that a more specific approach of addressing subluxations throughout pregnancy would lead to easier births for both mom and baby.
This led him to develop this very specific assessment and adjustment. This technique focuses on the alignment of the pelvis, as well as relieving the tightness in the ligaments that support the uterus. The Webster Technique prepares your body for the birth of your baby.
The Webster Technique for Preconception (and General Health)
The Webster Technique restores proper alignment and nervous system function to the pelvis, making it appropriate for use in many different types of patients. In fact, you don’t even have to be pregnant to benefit from this technique.
Since the nervous system sends messages from the brain to the rest of the body, having clear communication pathways are essential for optimal functioning. This is important for everyone, but especially those who wish to conceive. This can affect the woman's cycle and restore healthy uterine function, which may positively impact conception outcomes.
The Webster Technique can be applied all throughout the preconception and prenatal experience. Greater alignment is always a good thing!
My Story
During my first pregnancy, knew that the Webster technique was useful towards the end of pregnancy if the baby was not in an ideal position (such as breach). But even as a chiropractor I didn’t realize how beneficial this technique would be throughout my entire pregnancy.
Since I wasn’t in pain, I did not seek out chiropractic care. I didn’t realize that pain is not a good measure of health, because by the time you feel symptoms you likely have already lost 50-60% of function.
I won’t share the details of my difficult birth here other than to say, I ended up having a 43-hour labor that ended with an epidural and the use of forceps.
During my second pregnancy, I was convinced that there was a better way. This time I prioritized being evaluated and adjusted by a chiropractor. I had the Webster technique done throughout my entire pregnancy. Let’s just say that my second delivery was a much different experience!
This time, my body was in alignment and the baby was in an ideal position. In fact, after a much faster, more manageable labor at home, my baby was born in the car on the way to the hospital! (For more of that story read here.)
During my third pregnancy, I came to believe meditation, regular chiropractic adjustments, and the Webster technique were all valuable for an easier delivery. Rather than have another baby in the car, I planned for a home birth. (Read more about my homebirth experience here.)
Facebook Live Video
If you would like more information about the Webster Technique, here is the Facebook Live video.
Knowledge is power when it comes to optimal health, especially through the preconception, prenatal, and postpartum stages. Chiropractic care is a key component in care for every mom. Even without symptoms, so much is changing in a woman’s body throughout pregnancy so extra support is important! The Webster Technique can support you in having your ideal birth, whatever that means for you!
Also, if someone you know is pregnant or trying to conceive, please empower them by sharing this message. Even if they don’t live close to our office in Warrenville, they can search for a local Webster Certified Chiropractor on this website!
Dr. Jamie
Sometimes we make things too complicated. There are all kinds of elaborate programs on the market telling you how to get in great shape. But what if I told you that the foundation to being fit and strong was so easy a baby could do it? It would be hard to believe, but it's true. And babies everywhere are doing it! 