A few giddy hours after your child's birth, the monumental significance of your responsibilities as a parent begins to seep in. Maybe the hospital staff or the midwife will tackle that first diaper, but after that everything is up to you. These days the art of parenting is rich with ideas, products, and practitioners drawing from holistic, natural, spiritual, and emotional wisdom. Here is a sampling to get your newborn off to a good start.
Breast Is Best
Mothers are still battling disapproving glances and verbal reprimands when breastfeeding in public, but even conventional medical authorities now encourage what nature intended. That's because breast milk is loaded with exactly the nutrition a human infant needs and provides antibodies that are a baby's surrogate immune system for about the first half year of life. Physical health benefits, as well as emotional ones, extend to later life. "There is a greater incidence of allergies and chronic illnesses among adults who were not breastfed," says Stacy Mapstone, co-leader (along with Lynn Ojarovsky) of our region's La Leche league. "SIDS [Sudden Infant Death Syndrome] is lower in breastfed babies as well," she adds, "maybe because mother is attending to the baby more often, since breastfed babies are fed more often."
Not every mother finds breastfeeding easy or relaxing, which is why a specialty called "lactation consultation" has appeared, and why La Leche League sponsors weekly support groups in several communities (those gatherings also aid women and families in many other aspects of parenthood). Dads who want to participate in feeding by offering a bottle may be soundly rejected by baby, but can create an intimate bond through other activities.
Mapstone's approach encourages breastfeeding mothers to trust intuition and use common sense, without strict rules or comparisons among babies. "Society has imposed worries on us like 'How much is he getting?' and 'Do I have enough milk?' Comparing your child to everyone else's isn't necessary, and it can just add stress. If your baby is reasonably content, is growing, thriving, and hitting milestones, then he's doing great."
A working mom can pump breastmilk and keep a supply in the freezer, so the daytime caregiver can offer it in a bottle. Some women will need to pump milk while at work because going for hours with milk-laden breasts is uncomfortable and hampers sustained milk production. "Some women are afraid to ask for the time to do that," Mapstone says, "but the data supports breastfeeding as giving more productivity, because babies are sick less often when they are breastfed." That means fewer days missed by the mother to care for a sick child.
The caveat with breastfeeding, of course, is that mother's milk delivers potentially harmful substances like alcohol, medications, food additives, pesticides, inhaled toxic residues, heavy metals, and more—whatever the mother has been exposed to. For example, neurological damage has been documented in children exposed to heavy metals or PCBs through breastfeeding (or in utero). A nursing mother who eats organic foods will minimize the infant's exposures to these. Inhalation of toxic chemicals like cleaners, exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, pesticides, and herbicides must be avoided. (Pregnant women also should follow these guidelines to prevent placental transfer to the fetus, and starting even before pregnancy helps clean out mother's system.)
The Digestion Connection
Much of baby's health depends on a healthy digestive system. One of the most frequent challenges to that is allergy to foods, which can begin through breastmilk. Naturopathic doctor Tom Francescott (Dr. Tom) in Rhinebeck finds many manifestations of allergy in his young patents. "If an infant is nursing and comes in with something like colic, diarrhea, constipation, or asthma, getting mom off certain foods can really help." Among the most common allergy triggers are wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, corn, citrus, sugar, peanuts, chocolate, and various synthetic food additives. Deciphering which might be causing symptoms in the baby is best evaluated by having the mother eliminate them all, then add each back into her diet one by one, noticing the baby's responses.
As breast milk is replaced by foods, allergic reactions may be triggered directly in the baby's digestive tract. It's a good idea to keep a record of what foods are added, one at a time, to the baby's repertoire. A new food should be given in small amounts (like a teaspoon a day), working up to a tablespoon after a couple of weeks. Adverse reactions suggesting allergy can include things you'd expect like diarrhea, constipation, colic, and rashes, but less intuitive reactions can include unusual odor of the body or diaper, runny nose, and behavior changes like hyperactivity, lethargy, or irritability.
Digestive problems may arise from something other than a food allergy. For example, factors in the baby's environment may be causing stress, ranging from noise and disruption to the emotional state of the mother or other people around baby during feeding. A naturopath, nutritionist, or MD with nutritional training will help diagnose baby's digestive problems, treat them as needed with homeopathic and herbal remedies, and help families to identify and remedy environment factors. Dad can greatly assist here by protecting a distraction-free nursing time for mom and infant.
Supporting Infant Immunity
As a nursing infant relies less on mother's milk, its own immune system is taking over the job of keeping pathogens at bay and helpful microbes in proper balance. One way that parents can proactively support their child's immune system is keeping added sugars out of baby's diet. Scientific research has linked sugar intake with suppression of normal immune function and a corresponding increase in the incidence of a variety of ailments.
The low sugar guideline means minimizing consumption of that once-touted favorite, fruit juice. Most are sweetened with added sugars, whether fructose, corn syrup, honey, or other natural sweeteners. Don't substitute with cow's milk, which is increasing linked with childhood illnesses (see, for example, Don't Drink Your Milk by Frank Oski, MD). Water is a sufficient source of fluids, though for variety and an added nutritional and wellness support, try herbal "juice" (such as chamomile, red clover flowers, and lemon balm steeped in hot water, then cooled to room temperature or chilled), or a fruit smoothie made of pureed fruits and unsweetened juice or water.
Dr. Tom raves about cod liver oil to boost immunity, aid in digestion, and provide essential omega 3 oils. That's not just any cod liver oil, but an ultra-pure product devoid of heavy metals and other toxins. Another of his immune support staples is probiotics (acidophilus bacterial cultures). "A lot of immune cells line the digestive tract, and more and more research is showing that probiotics help the immune system. Also, if there is a food allergy, digestion is not optimal in the gut. Probiotics are a piece of the treatment." He has concocted some recipes for baby that have nutritional and immune benefits, like a smoothie of banana, yogurt, flaxseed oil, frozen berries, unsweetened juice or water, protein powder, and acidophilus.
An increasingly common problem in infants is an overabundance of yeast (candida), especially in the digestive tract, mouth (called thrush), and as diaper rash. Candida normally is present on and within a healthy body in small amounts, but populations can flourish when digestive health and immune function are compromised. A common cause of yeast overgrowth ("infection") is antibiotic treatment, which kills off beneficial bacteria that normally keep yeast growth to a minimum.
Megan Park is a client of Dr. Tom who is battling yeast infections in both her six-month-old, Tess, and herself after both received antiobiotics prophyllactically in the hospital. "The baby went through a period of being really cranky, gassy, and constipated for two weeks. All the flora in her intestines were off balance." Park had infections in her milk ducts as well. She and her daughter both have taken probiotics, fish oil, and homeopathic remedies. "It's not a quick fix," she says, "but it's working."
Cosleeping
Cosleeping is the ancient practice that other mammals do: sleeping with their young. Also called "the family bed" because it can include dad and maybe some other kids, the practice is a sleep-saver for parents who otherwise would be getting out of bed to tend to an infant's around-the-clock needs. But it's also proving better for baby.
"From the minute you bring baby in—it may be right after birth or later, [she or he] does better when sharing a bed," says Stacy Mapstone. "In sleep studies, babies developed regular, deeper sleep when they slept with mother. Their respiratory and heart rate patterns become the same. That tells you there's a natural relationship." Note that if mom is sleeping poorly, it's a good reason for her to get help with that.
Fears of injury to a baby while cosleeping are unfounded in most cases (but never cosleep on a waterbed, or if the adult's arousal may be hampered by alcohol consumption or drug use, or if a parent is severely obese or a smoker). "I've been doing this a long time and I've never had anybody who woke up on top of their baby," assures Mapstone. "It just doesn't happen." In fact, the incidence of SIDS is lower in babies who have a combination of cosleeping, breastfeeding, and better immunity, though it's hard to extricate the independent effects of those. (For useful tips on cosleeping, contact La Leche League.)
Eventually children do move out and sleep apart, when it seems natural. As Mapstone recalls about her son, "At around six moths old, he was taking up tons of space. When his feet were in my husband's liver, it was better to move him out. I would nurse him to sleep in our room, then move him to his crib. And he did fine with that."
The Power Of Touch
Focused time with baby that includes attentive, caring touch is not just enjoyable for baby (and parent), it's essential for normal growth and many aspects of development. Infant massage, for example, has been shown to improve baby's sleep, soothe colic, enhance immunity, improve skin texture, promote endorphin release in the brain (associated with a sense of well being), and more. It's also a great time to provide vital emotional and psychological connection through soothing words, music, and eye contact.
"You're actually building neural pathways and connections in the brain that are associated with nourishing touch and kind words," says Jan Bergaven, a massage therapist and mother of three in Tivoli. Like many parents, Bergaven is very busy, sometimes overwhelmed. How does she find time for infant massage? "I started nighttime routines early," which included infant massage for as long as the baby seemed to like it—a few minutes to half an hour—a few nights a week, at least. She scheduled it in after bath time. "I use a little chamomile and lavender essential oil in a gentle carrier oil, and put the baby in a warm cozy towel in a warm room, like just on the bed. Use steady, slow, calm strokes. They like pressure, but not too deep. Just firm, like you are trying to mimic the womb."
Books such as Hands on Baby Massage by Michelle Kluck-Ebbin teach techniques of infant massage, and include this important reminder: massage is something you do only if baby responds well to it—and some don't. Never force touch on a child who shows disapproval or struggles.
Like other aspects of baby care, there is a role for fathers in giving baby nurturing, safe touch. It can be through massage, bathing the baby or cobathing (together in the tub), baby-wearing (slings are great, parents report), cosleeping, holding baby while singing, chanting, or meditating, or other soothing activities. Burgaven mentions works by Riane Eisler (Chalice and the Blade, and Sacred Pleasure) and David Loye (Darwin's Lost Theory of Love and The Partnership Way, coauthored with Eisler), which place loving nurturance in a context of human social evolution. Men who experience the physiological, emotional, and spiritual benefits of nurturing their children will better aid in weaving a more peaceful, cooperative, social fabric.
Opening New Channels
These are just a few of a wealth of natural and holistic tactics for nurturing a newborn's health. Talk to other parents and natural health practitioners to learn more. Incorporating those that most appeal to you can enrich your health as well as your baby's. Then surround yourself with support for your choices. Enjoy the help of friends and family, but inform them, as well as babysitters and caregivers, about how you do things.
And very importantly, design your child's first day—the birth day—as you would most like it to be. Birthing options are more diverse than ever, so fantasize about what would best welcome a new being. Things probably won't go exactly as planned, but aim for an environment and attendants that both support mom and allow for undistracted nurturance and celebration of the new life. Being held, soothed, wanted, and unconditionally loved at birth is an irreplaceable beginning for a healthy lifetime.