Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
October 22, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
A new category of products that create a false sense of security with parents of infants and has been linked to infant deaths. “In-bed sleepers” are being used by parents who want to “safely bed-share” in order to facilitate easier nighttime feedings and comfort for their babies. Examples of popular brands of these products include “DockATot,” “Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Infant Sleeper.” and “SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper” which have all been linked to fatalities by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Learn more on Connecting the Dots.
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October 17, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Childbirth educators and other perinatal professionals work hard to share evidence-based information and resources in a culturally sensitive manner. They also strive to strike a balance with families’ expectations and the accurate realities faced during the transition to parenthood with a young infant. This webinar, “Lullabies and Lactation: Navigating Breastfeeding and Safe Sleep” presented by Lyndsey Hookway, Bsc, RNC HV, IBCLC, is an amazing resource for childbirth educators and other perinatal professionals who want to provide families with resources grounded in research while acknowledging the challenges that having a new baby brings.
October 15, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, and today, October 15th is World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day. If you work in any capacity with pregnant and new families, you will have an opportunity to support a family at some point who will experience the tragic loss of their baby during pregnancy or as an infant. Here are ten things the childbirth educator or perinatal professional can do to provide resources and support should this happen to a family you are working with.
October 10, 2019 | by: Cara Terreri
The United States has a problem with expectant and new parents dying. A big problem. We are one of only two countries where the rate of maternal death is going up instead of down. The United States is ranked 55th in the world for maternal mortality, despite being #1 in the world for the amount of money being spent. And what's worse: African American parents are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth than non-Hispanic white women. It is estimated that 60 percent of maternal deaths are entirely preventable. Here is how you can help!
October 08, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Connecting the Dots and Lamaze International are delighted to learn and share with you all a new resource, Expecting More, being launched today by Ariadne Labs. Ariadne Labs is an organization that is part of a school of public health, where, much of their work to date has focused on the challenges health systems face in delivering safe care for people who are trying to start or grow their family. Neel Shah, MD, one of the co-founders of Expecting More along with Jocie Fifield, states that families expect more than emerging from childbirth unscathed. This campaign is being launched to engage leading thinkers and influencers like Lamaze International and you in exploring what #ExpectingMore could and should look like, alongside the families we all aim to serve.
October 04, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
One of the valuable benefits for Lamaze International members is a subscription to Lamaze International's official journal - The Journal of Perinatal Education (JPE). The mission of the JPE is to promote, support, and protect natural, safe, and healthy birth through education and advocacy. The journal publishes peer-reviewed articles and evidence-based, practical resources that childbirth educators and other healthcare professionals can use to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their care or teaching to prepare expectant parents for birth.
October 02, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
In the United States, September 29th through October 5th is National Midwifery Week. This recognition week was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) in order to celebrate and recognize midwives and midwife-led care. The 2019 theme is "Midwifery is the Answer!"
September 26, 2019 | by: Mallory Emerson, LCCE
Regardless of how a family ends up in my childbirth class, no matter who they are, one thing I want them to walk away with is a solid grasp on what their own strengths are that will help them as they navigate labor, birth, and parenting.
This Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators idea aims to give families in your classes a concrete memento that they can keep with them to remind them of those strengths and give them confidence as they navigate their journey.
September 24, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
September is Baby Safety Month and this is a great time for childbirth educators and other perinatal professionals to do a quick review of the material and information that they share with families for both accuracy and relevancy. Recommendations change and new information comes out all the time, so staying up to date with an annual spot check is good practice. Baby Safety Month is a great time to do that. If you want to reread Connecting the Dots’ previous suggestions on this topic, you can find that information here.
September 19, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza
Connecting the Dots is inviting you to share your writing with a link to your blog in the comments below. Share the main blog URL or a direct link to a favorite recent post that you have written. I am excited to read what you are sharing and have others get a peek too. Who knows, maybe we will make a connection and you might consider writing a guest post for Connecting the Dots. Either way, I know I will enjoy “meeting” you through your writing. And others will too!
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