When my kiddo started sleeping through the night, I stopped sleeping. After 6 months of losing sleep due to the usual — night feeds, diaper changes, comfort cuddles — we decided to do some version of sleep training. It was successful, although tortuous for me (I’m not a cry-it-out kinda gal) and finally we were able to see 5 – 7 hour stretches of sleep for everyone in the house. Then… I developed Postpartum Insomnia. I’d sleep maybe 3 hours a night (this went on for months), even when I had the opportunity to sleep.
As a parent and caregiver myself, I know what the most valuable gift is for a new family. Spoiler alert: it’s not the tiny little onesies, classic books or soothing stuffies. Don’t get me wrong, I loved those too, but the most valuable gift I received when I was pregnant and postpartum, was the gift of support.
My lineage and ancestors are no strangers to pregnancy loss and the grief associated with it. Between my grandmother, mother, aunt, and myself we hold the wisdom and grief of 7 miscarriages, and 1 stillbirth. Three generations of loss, that I hold in my DNA, in my bones and my heart.
20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, that’s no small number. And even though it affects over 23 millions birthing people across the globe every year, it’s still one of the least discussed topics when it comes to reproductive health.
Unless you have lived experience of pregnancy loss or training that guides you in supporting people who have, knowing how to hold friends and family through such tender times can feel heavy. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with grief can take your breath away—it’s human nature to want to back away from that. Sometimes, that resistance is immobilizing, other times it helps create space and time to process your own emotions.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month — it’s almost certain someone in your life has been touched by pregnancy and/or infant loss. This includes miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss and abortion. 1 in 4 pregnant people will lose a baby in pregnancy, birth or infancy.
Pregnancy loss is unique in that many people might share the experience but only the pregnant person is physically, cellularly metamorphosed. This can be hard to navigate if you’re supporting someone through miscarriage and abortion: learning how to hold your own feelings both away from and in relation to is something that comes with self-work and compassion—things we have to learn and practice.
Early in my doula career, I supported a family through an unexpected stillbirth. At the time, since I was so new in practice, I felt completely lost with how best I could support this family now moving through grief. It was a stark reminder that no one can ever truly prepare for what grief and loss feels and looks like.
It’s almost certain someone in your life has been touched by pregnancy loss. This includes miscarriage of any kind, through to stillbirth, and infant loss. 1 in 4 pregnant people will lose a baby in pregnancy, birth or infancy.
Step away from the casseroles! Whether you are asking your friends and family to help stock your freezer or doing it for yourself or someone else, casseroles, and one pot meat and veg in sauce dishes are generally the go to meal.
Welcome to the world of baby formula – a topic that might seem overwhelming at first glance. If you're a parent-to-be or someone interested in or needing to formula feed, we're here to break it down for you. Let's dive into the facts about baby formula, decode things like the 'Gold' and 'Gentle' labels, and compare North American and European brands and pricing.
Plan for parental leave - If you are eligible for employment insurance, you may be entitled for up to 78 weeks of parental leave. You can find more details about this program on the CRA website here. Also ensure you determine your employer’s parental leave policy and plan how you will financially manage the time off. You may be eligible for a top up which can supplement your income during this time.
Are you a parent-to-be or already navigating the challenging waters of parenting? If so, we have some exciting news for you! Brood is proud to announce the expansion and relaunch of our online family membership program, offering a wide variety of invaluable resources and support for families.
We work and live on the unceded and occupied territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. Since time immemorial, the original peoples of these lands have cared for their families and communities. We are committed to honouring their teachings, legacy and their sovereignty.