SHOW NOTES

Episode Summary:In this episode of The Dr. Nurture Podcast, we cover effective physical therapy techniques that can help relieve colic in newborns. Colic is a common, challenging condition, but with the right approaches, you can create comfort for your baby and reduce colic crying. Discover how to soothe a colicky infant using evidence-based strategies like tummy time, infant massage, bicycling legs, and positional techniques, such as the colic carry and babywearing.

Key Topics Covered:

• What is colic, and why does it happen?

• How to prevent colic while pregnant: Learn steps that may help, like supporting maternal gut health.

• Using tummy time to relieve colic: Apply gentle pressure on the belly to stimulate digestion.

• Infant massage for colic relief: Techniques like the "I Love You" stroke aid digestion and reduce colic symptoms.

• Bicycling legs and pelvic tilts: Gentle movements to help release trapped gas.

• Positional techniques and babywearing: Using the colic carry and baby carriers to soothe digestive discomfort and reduce crying.

• Creating a calming environment: Use swaddling, white noise, and dim lighting to help reduce overstimulation in colicky infants.

Highlights & Takeaways:

• Tummy time isn’t just for motor development—it’s also great for alleviating colic symptoms.

• Infant massage can help stop colic crying by supporting digestion through stimulating the vagus nerve.

• Simple leg movements like bicycling can promote gas release, helping soothe a colicky infant.

• The colic carry and babywearing provide comforting pressure and reduce colic crying.

• Studies show that carrying babies more often can reduce colicky crying significantly.

COLIC WORKBOOK: strategies for Reducing Colic Mindfully and calming your anxiety (scroll to the bottom for the freebie or buy the E-book for comprehensive guidance!)

EVIVO-baby probiotics to reduce colic discomfort (use code NURTURE for 15% off)

NEEDED-high quality prenatal and perinatal supplements (get 20% off your first subscription)

Connect with Dr. Nurture:

• Website: nurturehealthhome.com

• Instagram: @nurturehealthpt

Subscribe & Share:If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, please subscribe and share it with other parents managing colic. Leaving a review helps more parents find our show and benefit from these insights.

Episode Summary: In this episode we dive deep into self-care routines that genuinely transform your health and well-being. Self-care goes beyond the quick fixes and spa days – it’s about building routines that make a long-term impact. Today, I’m sharing a physical therapist’s perspective on three key self-care strategies that will make you feel more connected, balanced, and resilient:

1. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy – Discover why caring for your pelvic floor muscles can improve everything from core strength to lower back health, especially if you’re postpartum.
2. Regular Exercise – Understand how building a consistent, manageable exercise routine (even just 15-20 minutes a day) can reduce stress, increase strength, and improve mental clarity.
3. Eating Nutritious Foods & Key Vitamins – Learn about the essential nutrients, foods, and vitamins that fuel your body’s recovery, enhance muscle health, and support energy levels. AND learn about why I am loving NEEDED's prenatal/perinatal products to support my own fertility and motherhood journey.

Whether you’re just beginning to prioritize self-care or looking for ways to deepen your existing routines, this episode provides actionable insights and tips to start feeling your best, one day at a time.

NEEDED Prenatal Powder: Use this link and get 20% off! ⁠thisisneeded.com/macybassler⁠

Help your little one master sitting easily with the Happy Sitters Course. Email macy@nurturehealthhome.com with a screenshot of your 5-star review and get FREE access! Valid through 11/20/24.

Help your little one overcome developmental obstacles with one-on-one milestone coaching. nurturehealthhome.com/coaching

Instagram: @nurturehealthpt

nurturehealthhome.com

Dr. Nurture's Etsy Shop: workbooks, guides, and other products to support mamas and their babies through gross motor development and lactation.

Reed J, Ones DS. The effect of acute aerobic exercise on positive activated affect: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2006;7(5):477–514.

Yeung RR, The acute effects of exercise on mood state. J Psychosom Res 1996;40(2):123–41.

Let’s explore one of the most transformative moments after birth: The Golden Hour. This precious period, the first 60 minutes after birth, is vital for bonding, breastfeeding, and the emotional well-being of both mother and baby. Join us as we break down the science and emotions behind skin-to-skin contact, how it helps regulate baby’s heart rate, temperature, and breathing, and why it plays such a pivotal role in successful breastfeeding and bonding.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

1. What is the Golden Hour? – Learn how uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth boosts bonding and stabilizes your baby’s vital signs.

2. The Importance of Skin-to-Skin – Discover how this simple practice supports baby’s adaptation to the outside world, from temperature regulation to stress reduction.

3. Breastfeeding During the Golden Hour – Understand how the "breast crawl" and early breastfeeding within the first hour help improve long-term feeding success.

4. Emotional Bonding and Oxytocin – Find out how the "love hormone" oxytocin strengthens the emotional connection between mother and baby, setting the foundation for secure attachment.

5. Tips for Expecting Parents – Get actionable advice on how to prepare for and protect this essential time, even if a C-section is planned.

Special Offer for Listeners:

Learn actionable tips for how to protect and optimize your golden hour!

⁠FREE Guide: How to Protect Your Golden Hour ⁠

AND leave a 5-star review for the Dr. Nurture podcast by November 20, 2024, and get FREE access to the Happy Sitters: Independent Sitting Course for Infants! This course, designed by a pediatric physical therapist, offers step-by-step video exercises to help your baby sit independently while troubleshooting common developmental issues. Just send a screenshot of your review to macy@nurturehealthhome.com to claim your free course.

Help your little one overcome lactation and bonding obstacles with one-on-one milestone coaching.

Does your child STRUGGLE when it comes to tummy time? Maybe you’re an expecting mama and have heard how this struggle can be so real and want to start off on the right foot. And therapists, if you have those kids who just have no tolerance for prone play—tummy time help is here!

Why is tummy time important?

Learn the foundations of tummy time—the science behind why it’s so hyped and most importantly the ways you can make it playful and effective!

What are the best tummy time exercises?

There are many strategies for tummy time, and this particular episode explores:

-Best approaches-cry it out or gentle strategies?

-Tummy time modifications

-Equipment and toys for tummy time success

-Tummy time as measure of readiness for other milestones

-Tummy time and digestive issues

-And more!

Visit nurturehealthhome.com for more resources.

This episode explores the different styles of attachment and how we can be mindful of the ways that we influence how our children relate to us as they grow and develop. We talk about the four major types of attachment which are anxious, avoidant, disorganized, secure. Join us as we explore an overview of each.

Also, we touch on attachment repair, or the ways that we can learn to be conscious of our own attachment styles as parents and repair any issues as needed when it comes to our own tendencies in relating to others. This is also useful to be aware of in the context of other relationships as well, including romantic relationships and friendships.

Attachment style quiz: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/relationships/relationship-attachment-style-test

Follow upcoming episodes for deeper dives into each of the styles of attachment!

This episode dives into 3 simple objects that you probably already have in your home and how they can be leveraged as tools for supporting the development of motor skills. We talk about how couch cushions can be used to milestones such as transitions in/out of sitting, crawling, weight bearing through arms, knees, or feet, and more! Water bottles can also be used as means of developing fine motor strength and coordination. And the last item--spoons!--can be used to foster both gross and fine motor development. Tune into this episode to learn specific strategies for how to make these strategies work for you and your little one!

In this episode we explore things that we can do in the early days postpartum to best set ourselves up for a successful breastfeeding journey. Part of this is making sure you get a solid milk supply, most of which is driven by supply and demand. I talk about crucial strategies to help make this happen, including initiating breastfeeding within an hour postpartum, protecting your golden hour, skin to skin contact, removing sufficient milk every 2-3 hours, and hand expression. The early hours and days will affect outcomes weeks and months down the road when it comes to milk supply in particular, so it's important to start out strong with a good plan and commitment to making the most of the early postpartum period.

I also give little tidbits about infant reflexes at work via the breast crawl and how this is a not widely known (but highly awesome and natural) avenue for feeding and specifically latching. Additionally, I talk some about cases where adding extra pumping in the beginning might be a good idea to explore with your qualified lactation professional.

WHO/UNICEF Breast Crawl Video (Warning: this is a video of an actual birth with actual images/footage)

https://www.ccbirthcenter.com/unicef-breastfeeding-crawl-video/