Wellness & Birth

Midwife Explains: Latching 🤱

One of the most common questions new parents ask is, “How do I know if my baby has a good latch?”

A good latch is important because it helps your baby feed effectively and can make breastfeeding more comfortable for you.

Here are 5 signs of a good latch:

1️⃣ Your baby has a wide-open mouth.Before latching, your baby’s mouth should open wide, allowing them to take in not just the ni**le but a good portion of the ar**la as well.

2️⃣ Feeding feels comfortable.You may feel a gentle pulling sensation, especially at the start of a feed, but ongoing pain or pinching is not expected. If breastfeeding continues to hurt, it’s worth speaking with your midwife or a lactation consultant.

3️⃣ You can hear or see your baby swallowing.As your milk flows, you may notice slow, rhythmic sucking with little pauses to swallow. This is a good sign that your baby is transferring milk.

4️⃣ Your baby’s cheeks stay rounded while feeding.Rounded cheeks and a steady sucking rhythm often indicate a good seal. Cheeks that pull in deeply or frequent clicking sounds may suggest the latch needs adjusting.

5️⃣ Your baby seems satisfied after feeding.Many babies naturally relax, release the breast on their own, or appear calm after a good feed, though feeding patterns can vary from baby to baby.

Breastfeeding is a skill that both you and your baby learn together.

If latching doesn’t feel right, don’t struggle in silence. A small adjustment and the right support can make a big difference. Every parent deserves encouragement on their feeding journey. 🤍

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Your baby isn’t the only one growing during pregnancy. 🤍

When people talk about pregnancy, they often focus on your baby’s growth.

The tiny fingers.
The heartbeat.
The weekly milestones.

But something else is growing too.

You. 🌿

Here are 5 ways you’re growing during pregnancy:

1️⃣ You’re growing in patience.
Pregnancy teaches you to wait in ways you’ve never had to before. One appointment, one week, and one milestone at a time.

2️⃣ You’re growing in strength.
Your body is adapting every single day to support new life. Even on the days you feel tired, it’s doing incredible work behind the scenes.

3️⃣ You’re growing in confidence.
With every question you ask, every appointment you attend, and every decision you make, you’re learning to trust yourself a little more.

4️⃣ You’re growing emotionally.
Pregnancy can bring excitement, uncertainty, joy, and vulnerability. Each emotion is part of preparing your heart for motherhood.

5️⃣ You’re growing into a new identity.
Long before you hold your baby, you’re becoming their parent. That transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It happens little by little throughout pregnancy.

Pregnancy isn’t only about bringing a baby into the world.

It’s also about becoming the person your baby will call home, comfort, and love.

And that growth deserves to be celebrated too. 🤍

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Midwife Explains: Birth Plans

A birth plan isn’t about planning every minute of labor.

It’s about helping your care team understand what matters most to you and making sure your voice is part of the conversation. 🌿

Here are 5 things to know about birth plans:

1️⃣ A birth plan is a guide, not a guarantee.
Birth can be unpredictable, and sometimes plans need to change. A birth plan helps communicate your preferences while leaving room for flexibility if circumstances change.

2️⃣ It’s about your preferences.
Your birth plan can include things like who you’d like in the room, your preferred pain relief options, positions for labor, music, lighting, skin-to-skin contact, and infant feeding preferences.

3️⃣ It starts important conversations.
Writing a birth plan encourages you to ask questions, understand your options, and discuss your wishes with your midwife or healthcare provider before labor begins.

4️⃣ Flexibility is part of a good birth plan.
The goal isn’t for everything to happen exactly as written. The goal is to feel informed, respected, and involved in decisions if plans need to change.

5️⃣ Your voice matters.
Whether your birth is straightforward or more complex than expected, you deserve to be listened to, kept informed, and involved in decisions about your care whenever possible.

A birth plan isn’t about controlling birth.

It’s about preparing for meaningful conversations, understanding your options, and helping create a birth experience where you feel informed, respected, and supported. 🤍

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