Miracle: “Kangaroo Care Method” Saves Preemie

How many employers do you think are actually aware of this law?

Unfortunately, I’m sure many employers are unaware of this Federal law and are probably unaware of the NYS law that has been in place for a couple of years with similar requirements.  

Here is what the NYS law states, “An employer shall provide reasonable unpaid break time or permit an employee to use paid break time or meal time each day to allow an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for up to three years following the child’s birth. The Employer should make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location in close proximity to the work area, where an employee who chooses to express breast milk in the work place.”

What was your experience like when you returned to work? Was your employer supportive? We’d love to highlight some of our local businesses.

Sources: Fact Sheet #73: Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the FLSA, United States Department of Labor; Going Back to School or Work, Breastfeeding partners.org;

Picture Source: Parenting Magazine

Knowing about the risks for preterm birth is important for all moms. Some risk factors should be managed before a woman becomes pregnant or early during her pregnancy. Some moms in the study were not told that having a previous premature birth would put them at risk for it to happen again. 

If you would like to learn more about preterm labor read our past blog posts Risks for Preterm Labor and Preterm Labor Can Happen to You .

Local pregnant women or moms who recently had a baby: when did your doctor or midwife talk to you about preterm labor?  How did learning about preterm labor make you feel?

Source: New Survey Reveals Communication about Preterm Birth is Too Little, Too Late

Skin-to-Skin Contact is between your baby’s front and your chest. If possible, place your baby on your chest right after he or she is born. Skin-to-skin contact is good to do any time, day or night. However, remember to place your baby on his or her back on a firm surface for sleep at night and for naps. 

Exclusive Breastfeeding  means that your baby only needs breast milk either by drinking directly from you or drinking your expressed milk.

Support to the dyad means that even if medical tests and procedures need to be done, health care providers will try not to separate you and your baby.

 Benefits of KMC

• You and your baby are able to begin bonding right away      
• Your baby’s oxygen, breathing and heart rates stabilize 
• Your baby’s temperature stabilizes
• Your breast milk production is signaled to start
• Your baby can breast feed easily and more often
• Your baby will smell breast milk and begin rooting (looking for the nipple)
• Your breast milk provides nutrients and antibodies that promote the health of your baby
• Your baby is less stressed and cries less often                     

The picture in this post is of a mom who delivered at one of our local hospitals. She gave us permission to use her photo to help promote skin-to-skin and breastfeeding.

Do you have any experience with Kangaroo Mother Care? We’d love to hear your stories.

Source: Kangaroo Mother Care Promotions

After hearing local NICU stories today at our Premature Infant Health Network meeting, I have realized that these families go through so much. They need our support and understanding.

It is frightening to think that many premature babies are born to mothers who are healthy and have no risk factors. That’s why knowing the signs of pre-term labor are so important. Please refer to our past posts to learn more about pre-term labor: Preterm Labor Can Happen to You and Preterm Labor: Know Your Risks.

Do you have a preterm labor story? We’d like to hear from you.  

Source: Discovery Health 

Think you already know it all? You’d be surprised how helpful the text for baby tips can be even for a mom of 7! Watch the clip below to find out more.

Eye on New York: On Family

 For more information visit www.text4baby.org

 Have you tried this service? What did you like best about it? What did you like least about?

1. Eat regularly and nutritiously and drink lots of water.
2. Rest when you can and when your body needs it.
3. Exercise (with your health care provider’s OK).  Exercise helps keep pregnant you fit, helps prevent some common discomforts of pregnancy (such as backache, fatigue and constipation) and relieves stress.
4. Resist any urges to drink alcohol, smoke or take herbal products or drugs (except those prescribed by your health care provider).
5. Stay away from stressful people and stressful situations, when possible.
6. Consider cutting back on unnecessary activities when you are uncomfortable.
7. Ask for and accept help from people who are close to you. Having a good support network, including your partner, extended family and friends can help relieve stress.
8. Go to all your prenatal care appointments. This will give you the reassurance that everything is okay with your baby or let your health care provider know about a problem while there is still time to do something about it. You’ll feel less stressed because you know you are doing the best for your baby.
9. Relax by meditating, listening to music, writing in a journal, or taking a prenatal yoga class.
10. Take a Childbirth Education class. Some classes teach relaxation techniques and help reduce anxiety by educating parents-to-be about what to expect during labor and delivery.

For a Healthy Pregnancy Class, Childbirth Preparation or Breastfeeding Class, call one of the following locations:

Canton-Potsdam Hospital: (315) 261-5965

Carthage Area Hospital: (315) 493-1005 ext. 2445

Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center: (315) 393-5998

E.J. Noble Hospital: (315) 287-1000 ext. 273

Lewis County General Hospital: (315) 376-5602

Massena Memorial Hospital: (315) 769-4349

Samaritan Medical Center: (315) 785-4050

Do you have any healthy pregnancy tips for other moms-to- be? What worked, what didn’t, how did you make it through?

Source: “Stress,” March of Dimes, 2008  “Stress and Pregnancy,” March of Dimes, 2010

Yes, we all experience stress, but it is especially important for pregnant women to try to reduce their stress. High levels of stress can contribute to preterm birth or low- birthweight. Refer to our last post to see how you can recognize when you’re stressed.

 Sources: Mental Health America ; March of Dimes

Stress Signals

1. Feeling angry, irritable or easily frustrated
2. Feeling overwhelmed*
3. Change in eating habits
4. Problems concentrating
5. Feeling nervous or anxious
6. Trouble sleeping
7. Problems with memory
8. Feeling burned out from work
9. Feeling that you can’t overcome difficulties in your life
10. Having trouble functioning in your job or personal life*

* If you feel overwhelmed, unable to cope and feel as though your stress is affecting how you function every day, it could be something more, like depression or anxiety. Don’t let it go unchecked. Contact your health care provider.

Once you have identified that you’re stressed, the next step is to find healthy ways to cope with it. In honor of National Mental Health month, we will be sharing with you several stress management tips, signs of post-partum depression, and more. Please visit soon, learn more.

Source: Mental Health America 

Were you self-conscious about your body before you got pregnant? I’m sure the weight gain, enlarged breasts, food cravings, mood swings, and increased fatigue are not helping. It is natural for your body to change during pregnancy to help support the growth and development of your baby. Even though the changes may be tough, especially if you had a low body image before, it is reassuring to know that the changes are happening so you can have a healthy baby! Here are some tips from The National Women’s Health Information Center to help you love and accept your pregnant body. 

1. Concentrate on your baby. Your body is changing in order to help your baby grow and develop. It is a natural process.
2. Express your feelings. Talk with your partner, family, or friends about how you are feeling. Keeping your feelings bottled up will only make you feel worse.
3. Try to get out for some enjoyable exercise. A light swim or walk can help you clear your mind and get the focus off your body.
4. Take up prenatal yoga. Yoga focuses not on how your body looks, but on the link between your body and your mind. Make sure it is yoga that is safe during pregnancy, because some positions can be dangerous during pregnancy (check with your doctor to be safe). 
5. Learn as much as you can about pregnancy. By educating yourself, you will know what to expect and feel more in control.
6. If you are really having serious issues, seek out mental health counseling.

 Sources for entry: Women’s Health, National Eating Disorders Association,

Source for picture:

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/sex-doctor/css/pregnant-couple-embrace.jpg