Mon, 04 Apr 2011 02:35:54 +1000WeeblyFri, 27 Aug 2010 18:09:58 +1000http://www.douladevotion.com/1/post/2010/08/mothering-the-mother.htmlI am the keeper of the birthing space; I am the minder who focuses solely on the mother and her birthing experience.
 When I enter the Birthing space it is my job to help the mother to create her Birthing room
 I dim the lights unpack her birthing bag. I drape sarongs, sheets or shawls over medical equipment so she doesn’t have to look at it.
 I have even hidden the clock as time is not at place in a birthing room. I watch over her and hold the energy in the birthing room be it at hospital or at home be it on the floor, in a bed, near a river or on the surgery table.
 I am like wall paper staying in the background yet holding the space to let mother and partner be and only going to her side if she calls for me.
 I will feed her food, water or ice chips place hot packs on her belli or back. Should she start too panic I am there to ground her holding on to her feet and talking to her gently rubbing her legs or massaging her back. She will centre her self and feel her body’s strength
 I am full of information I have researched for her I hold her birthing wish I don’t call it a Birth plan because plans can be broken.
I remind her of all that she has learnt in her preparation and path way to her birth. I take her back to the beach where we sat and learnt how to breathe the baby down. How we watched the oceans waves roll in to shore and and relate them to the surges of contractions she is experiencing and together as a team we will row our way over them together.
 I have worked with the mother in her home I have stayed by her side in hospital I have cared for her partner when he is exhausted or is having trouble coping in the birthing room.
I have spoken to Midwifes about options to void intervention if possible. I have politely asked people to leave the birthing room as they are a distraction to the mother. It is also my job to care for the needs of these people and when I pop out of the room I go to tell them what is happening should the mother ask me to do so.
 I have told people to be silent, turn off there phones, put on deodorant, or eat a mint, or not to eat in the birthing room for in fact all these things are a turn off they heighten the mothers senses and mother needs to be solely focus on her primal brain for as soon as the neocortex brain is turned on her birthing process will slow or even stop.
 I have waited in the waiting room for mothers who had to birth there babies vie caesarean or should I know her room she is to be staying in I will unpacked her birthing bags set her room up with flowers and add aromatherapies to the room, so when she comes out of theatre it is all done and she can spend quiet baby moon time.
 When a mother births her baby naturally she reaches down, her hands are the first to bring her baby up to her chest I stand back and hold the space for them in silence for this is the connection of new life and new love that no one should interfere with, it is Sensual ,it is Sacred, it is BIRTH.

So who am I you ask I am A DOULA a registered labor Doula. Typically, Doulas meet with you in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy.
 I will help you develop a birth wish list, teach relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labor.
 Most importantly, I will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options.
 I will also point out the benefits of breastfeeding and assist the mother should she need help in doing so.
 I serve as an advocate, labor coach There are a variety of titles used by women offering these kinds of services such as "birth assistant," "labor support specialist" and "Doula".

My name is Larissa Salton I am A Registered Doula should you like to email me with any questions or you would like a Doula to support you at your Birth please call me at DOULA DEVOTION 0403687128, larasalton@gmail.com 
]]>Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:46:55 +1000http://www.douladevotion.com/1/post/2010/06/tips-of-how-to-take-care-of-babys-skin.html The market in baby care is a big business and it is growing larger too. In America the baby care has brought in about 7.5 billion dollars per year. Now because the baby care industry has gotten so much larger over the years, mothers are now being more educated about what they put on their baby's skin.

Baby skin is a lot different then adults skin and it needs to be cared for differently. Infant skin is formed before they are born so it is in the dark and it is in liquid until the baby is born.

The skin of the infant needs to adjust to a lot of changes. As people get older their skin also get older and thickens, so therefore a baby's skin is finer than paper and has a smooth texture. So a baby's skin has a lot of challenges to keep it's moisture and to protect itself from the harsh environment.

You must try to keep your baby's skin pH between 4 to 6, this will ensure that the acid mantel is surly supported. You should not use any products that contain animal products or have any by-products in them. It is also a good idea to not use any fragrance because this can irritate the baby's skin. You should be certain that any product that you are considering has been tested and is approved by a peadration and a dermatologist.

There are many products that just stat that they are hypoallergenic and that they are recommended. Some things that would be good for your baby's skin is vitamin A, vitamin E, oat extract, and Shea butter. Be sure to use very mild soap when you clean your baby. Sodium Laural Sulfate clogs pores so avoid it at all costs. Be sure to enjoy bath time and make skin care a ritual.





]]>Wed, 19 May 2010 18:00:00 +1000http://www.douladevotion.com/1/post/2010/05/all-about-babies-teething.html Babies start to teething when they are around two months of age. The first sign is when they start to drool, at this time you should put a bib on your baby to prevent any irration that may happen because of the wetness.

When you baby is able to grip a rattle they are old enough to hold a teething ring. It is a good idea to have a few in the fridge for when your baby starts to fuss. Do not freeze the teething ring because it will cause the baby to frost bite their hands and gums.

Around the age of six to nine months the first tooth will appear. However if you or any other close family member had teeth sooner your baby's teeth may erupt sooner too. No matter what, when that tooth come out it will need to be cleaned. You can clean your baby's teeth using a washcloth or a soft toothbrush.

It is time to start flossing your baby's teeth when they have many teeth that have erupted out of the gum. When your child tries to floss it will teach them some fine motor skills. Studies done by the American Dental Association have proved that; tooth brushing alone only removes about forty percent of food that will stick to them. When flossing is not done daily cavities will appear sooner.

Children should see their dentist two times in a year. Your child should see their dentist when they are able to sit for as long as ten minutes. But this should be done by the time that they turn three.




]]>Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:00:00 +1000http://www.douladevotion.com/1/post/2010/04/how-to-handle-baby-bottles.html If you are planing on bottle feeding your new born or you already are bottle feeding your infant it is important that you handle the bottles correctly to avoid your baby from being unhealthy. You want to have a healthy and a happy baby.

 Keep your baby's bottles clean and stored in the fridge to prevent any harmful bacteria or germs that could cause stomach problems.Wash all bottles, nipples, and bottle caps in warm water with a mild soap, or in the dishwasher. When you have washed the bottles rinse then and out them in boiling water for five minutes prior to filling them with formula or breast milk.

Prior to mixing the baby's formula you should boil the water that you will be using and let it cool. This takes the additives out of the water that could make your baby sick. When you use a new clean bottle use it one time only then it will need to be cleaned again.

If you have to take the baby out for a long period of time and need formula, make certain that your baby drinks it within an hour if it is mixed formula or if it is breast milk. Another great option if you are formula feeding your baby is to use powered formula and take the boiled water separately this will let you mix the formula when it is needed.

Any formula that is opened will not keep very long. Amy formula that is mixed and not used within a twenty four hour period should be thrown away. Ready use formula that is opened is good for 48 hour after it has been opened.

Power formula is good for thirty days after it has been opened. If our baby has not drank all the formula in their bottle, you need to throw the unused portion away, germs will go into the leftover milk.




]]>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:00:00 +1000http://www.douladevotion.com/1/post/2009/08/the-reason-why-your-toddler-bites.html Every toddler has bit or has been bitten but if you have a child that has bit it dosn't mean that they are a biter. In daycares studies have proven that around half of the children have been bitten about three times a year.

So toddlers biting is in fact a very common thing.
Biting happens in many stages. The first is when the teeth start to come out
of the gums. This is when your toddler will bite to make their gums feel better.

 This should be done on a rattle or a teething ring. If your baby tries to bite you while breast feeding quickly remove the infant and set them down in a safe place. When an infant gets a negative response from their mother they will soon stop biting.

Around the time that your toddler celebrates their first birthday is when they may experiment with biting again. They may bite to show their excitement. When this stage that they are going through your toddler may try to bite you be certain that your respond firmly each and every time and the biting should stop.

Again your toddler may start to bite around the age of two. Your toddler bites at this time to show that they want to be independent. When your toddler bites to prove that they are in control then you need to give the child a time out and explain that it hurts.

 Teach your toddler commutation skills that they may be lacking. When your toddler has the skills that are needed the biting should stop. If your toddler is going through a biting stage make certain that you closely watch them. It is best to acknowledge good behaviour. It wouldn't hurt to offer your toddler something to chew on at this stage either.

 If you catch your toddler biting you need to immediately respond with a firm toned voice and put your toddler on a time out.










]]>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:00 +1000http://www.douladevotion.com/1/post/2009/07/things-your-baby-doesnt-need-and-you-will-not-use.html When buying baby gear it is so fun and it is easy to be sucked in by advertisers. All parents want their baby to own the best, safest, and the cutest. But the truth is that babies do not need a whole lot, and there are lots of things that your baby doesn't need.

Fancy crib sets need to be avoided because they are not safe. Any
professional will advise you to not use pillows, bumper pads, comforters,
stuffed animals, or anything else that is soft in the baby's crib. It is fun to decorate the nursery but do not add unneeded items to the crib.

While you are out clothes shopping for your baby, be sure that the clothes
you buy are going to be comfortable. Remember that there are many high
priced uncomfortable baby clothes. Any baby is more comfortable in loose
fitting clothing without any elastics. Clothing should be made of cotton this is because it can breathe and it is soft not like any synthetic material that could be found.

In my opinion a changing table and a wipes warmer are wasted money. When I
changed my children when they were babies I found it a lot easier to do it
on the floor with them laying on a blanket. It is also safer for when the
baby starts to roll. Wipes warmers dry out the wipes and you also have to
bring your baby to where it is.

Physical therapists and paediatricians both do not recommend that you put
your baby into a baby walker. Using a walker hinders the natural development
of the baby and they are related to many injuries and even death each year.

Another thing that is not needed for your baby is special baby laundry soap.
The only difference between your laundry soap and baby laundry soap is fragrance. If you baby happens to have a reaction to laundry soap try using
less or using only hot water.




]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:00:00 +1000http://www.douladevotion.com/1/post/2009/06/-information-for-buying-the-best-baby-toys.htmlWhen anybody is buying baby toys it can be overwhelming, this is because
there are so many to choose from. Baby toys should keep your baby amused and
also provide some educational factors.

 All babies will learn from the toys that they are playing with, so the more toys that your baby has the more that your baby will learn.Sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch are the five senses and this is how babies learn.

 You should keep these senses in mind when you are buying baby
toys, the baby toy you are considering should have at least one thing that
will stimulate one of the senses.

We now live in an electronic age where digital toys with flashing lights are
all the rage. Baby toys with the flashy light feature are not the best
because they do not offer any stimulation of the five senses.

It is good to ask yourself a few questions before you buy any baby toys:

• Will the toy hold the baby's attention?
•  Will the toy survive the baby?
• Will the baby be able to figure out how to use this toy?
•  Will the baby get bored easily while they are playing with it?
• Can the baby toy be played with in more then one way?

Be certain that the baby toys you are planing on buying are going to be
safe, not too large or too small, any basic colors are a good choice, and be
sure that they will clean easily.

Now it might seem that buying baby toys is
overwhelming, but now you know what the best to choose from is. The next
time you are looking to buy a baby toy it will be a lot easier. Keep in mind
to have fun while you do this because buying baby toys needs to be a fun
experience.]]>