Swaddling

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Swaddling, the practice of tightly wrapping a baby in a light blanket, is an age-old technique that not only calms babies but makes them portable. The technique is growing in popularity in the United States.

In 2008, the medical journal Pediatrics has weighed in with a commentary, noting that there is a wrong way and a right way to swaddle. The right way has a seemingly wondrous effect. Fussy babies, with their arms wrapped tightly to mimic the effect of the mother’s womb, stop crying almost instantaneously. The technique has been popularized recently by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block.” But several medical studies, including one report in The Journal of Pediatrics, also show that swaddling can decrease crying time. Other studies show it prolongs sleep and even reduces a baby’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS — but only if the baby is on its back. Swaddled babies placed on their stomachs are at higher risk for SIDS, as noted in a review article published in Pediatrics last October.

But there is a wrong way to swaddle. The wrong kind of wrapping can affect a baby’s hip development and increase risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip.  The key is to leave plenty of room for baby’s legs to move around. 

 “Babies have an on and off switch for crying, but like any other reflex it requires very specific technique,” said Dr. Karp. “For the last 30 years pediatric books have talked about swaddling, and rocking and white noise and all that stuff, but they never taught parents how to do it. These techniques have to be taught very specifically.”

At Lamaze Family Center, in our Infant Care Class, we have a workshop going over each of these soothing techniques where we watch and practice.  Our experienced instructors will offer hands on assistance and answer any questions. Our goal is to have you leave the class, feeling confident and capable of soothing your newborn the day he or she is born.

To register for an Infant Care Class, go to our website at www.lamazefamilycenter.org or call us at (734) 973-1014.

Birthing Plan

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Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting experiences in life. It’s a time of change, excitement and new experiences. With so many changes occurring it’s always helpful to have a plan. During pregnancy creating a birth plan helps to reduce some anxiety from the unexpected and gives some focus when baby is ready to come. It also ensures that when the time comes your wants and needs during labor are expressed to everyone involved. There are several things to consider when creating your birth plan: such as a home birth vs. a birthing center, the use of a doula vs. a midwife and many other great things. It’s also a great way to bond with your significant other as you work together to create the plan. Have you created your birthing plan? Here's a sample you can start with or you can create your own! Care to share what you are most excited about?

 

Birth Plan

  

Name:

Partner’s Name:

Your Labor Support People:

Do you want visitors during labor? o Yes o No
Do you want to receive phone calls during labor? o Yes o No
What are your plans for pain relief during labor? (Please check all that apply)
o Non-medicated, natural childbirth with use of relaxation, massage, breathing techniques, shower
and/or Jacuzzi, birthing ball
o Use of pain medication
o Epidural
o Unsure at this time

How can our staff best support you?

Are there any special requests for your birth experience?

What are your expectations?

Baby Care Plan
Baby’s name if chosen:

Baby’s doctor:

Breast-feeding: o Yes o No
Do you have any previous experience breast-feeding? o Yes o No
Do you plan to return to work while breast-feeding? o Yes o No
Do you have concerns about breast-feeding? o Yes o No

Bottle-feeding? o Yes o No
Would you like your baby to have a pacifier? o Yes o No
Are there any siblings? o Yes o No
Names and ages:

Do you have any concerns or special requests about the care of your newborn? o Yes o No
If yes, please explain:

We encourage you to discuss your birth plan with your doctor, doula or midwife during your prenatal care. We understand that a birth plan must be flexible and that you may want to make changes or additions during your stay with us.

MD / CNM Review:

Admitting RN Review:

Free Car Seat Safety/Baby Carrier Workshop Tonight

Confounded by car seats? Baffled by baby carriers? Get the scoop in our informative and free workshop tonight, April 25, at Lamaze Family Center at 7:00pm.

Presented by The Little Seedling, Child Passenger Safety Technician Torey is ready to show you the basics of car seat safety and answer any questions you may have. This workshop  is great for first time and experienced parents alike. When you're done, you'll have a working knowledge of choosing, installing and using your child's car seat, as well as an opportunity to schedule a car seat check with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Baby wearing is a safe, intimate way to transport your baby. Getting started can be a little overwhelming. This interactive class is designed to help you ease into baby wearing, with a hands on approach to getting started. The ladies from The Little Seedling will show you the many different carriers and explain how each works. There will also be a chance for you to try different types of carriers and get a feel for what you think works for you. 


Preregistration is encouraged, but not required, and we offer a workshop every month if you miss this one!

Lamaze Family Center's Grand Opening Celebrates New Space

Here's a great article posted on annarbor.com about our new space.

Special thanks to our Events Committee who planned the event, pictured at left: Beth Simon, Bonnie Kerber, Julie Lubeck-Hofer, Meredith Lovelace, Elizabeth Satterley and Jodie Hughes.

http://annarbor.com/business-review/ann-arbor-family-lamaze-center-opens-in-new-location-after-georgetown-malls-closure/

Car Seat Safety/Baby Wearing Workshop Premieres on Jan. 25

Don't miss Car Seat Safety/Baby Wearing Workshop, this free class specifically designed for expectant and new families! The first class is being held on Wednesday, January 25 from 7:00-8:30pm. Sponsored by The Little Seedling, Lamaze Family Center is pleased to offer this new 1.5 hour workshop, which compliments our Infant Care class, and is open to all families. This workshop is free, but advance registration is requested.

Car Seat Safety Basics

The most dangerous thing our children do is ride in a car, and they do it every day. Learn how to protect your most precious cargo from birth through adulthood during every car ride. Child Passenger Safety Technicians Torey and Susan are ready to show you the basics of car seat safety and answer any questions you may have. This workshop  is great for first time and experienced parents alike. When you're done, you'll have a working knowledge of choosing, installing and using your child's car seat, as well as an opportunity to schedule a car seat check with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Britax is sponsoring our January and February workshops and will be giving away a free B-Safe Infant Safe to a lucky family in attendance.

Introduction to Baby Wearing

Baby wearing is a safe, intimate way to transport your baby. Getting started can be a little overwhelming. This interactive class is designed to help you ease into baby wearing, with a hands on approach to getting started. The ladies from The Little Seedling will show you the many different carriers and explain how each works. There will also be a chance for you to try different types of carriers and get a feel for what you think works for you.

Our sponsor Sakura Bloom will also be giving away one free Sakura Bloom Sling per class.

Pregnant families, as well as ones with babies in arms, are encouraged to attend this free workshop.

Advanced registration is requested, but not required.

LivingSocial Deal: Grab It and Save at Lamaze!

We're rather pleased with ourselves at Lamaze, as we have entered into a new age of social media: we have a LivingSocial deal on now! Save $30 off any class at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor by purchasing a $15 voucher. That's a 50% savings! Current customers can use this deal, and the credit is good until May 23, 2012.

Check it out:
http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/94/deals/228708-30-to-spend-on-prenatal-baby-or-family-classes

Lamaze to Teach Childbirth Classes at new UofM Hospital

Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor will begin teaching their premier, comprehensive childbirth classes at the new University of Michigan Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital in January.

“We look forward to continuing our strong ties with Lamaze,” says Dr. Timothy RB Johnson, Bates Professor of the Diseases of Women and Children & Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Michigan.

Pregnant women and their partners will enjoy this in-depth, interactive 12-hour series held at the new hospital on Tuesday nights beginning January 17, 2012, and offered thereafter monthly. The series covers a wide range of topics based on Lamaze International's Six Healthy Birth Practices, including:

• the various stages of labor, birth, and early postpartum including early breastfeeding overview;
• relaxation and breathing techniques, comfort measures and positions for labor and delivery;
• partner's role with laboring mom; 
• pain management options and birth interventions; hospital procedures, and Cesarean birth.
• The class fee also includes a separate free breastfeeding class, offered at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor, 2855 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

“We are proud and appreciative of our strong support from the University of Michigan and its care providers around the area,” says Stephanie Schaldenbrand, Executive Director of Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor. “Teaching at the new hospital, as well as at our new center, will help us continue to offer evidence-based childbirth education to a greater number of growing families.”

All of the childbirth educators are highly trained, active in the birth community and are Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE).

Classes run for four weeks, and meet Tuesdays from 6:00-9:00pm in the Family Resource Center in the Von Voiglander Women's Hospital. Class series are offered monthly, and pregnant moms and their partners are encouraged to register for a class that is completed 3-4 weeks before their due date.

Other offerings at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor include:

• Childbirth classes on Monday and Thursday evenings, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays at Lamaze Family Center;
• Breastfeeding;
• Infant Care;
• American Red Cross Infant CPR;
• Support groups for new moms; and
• Toddler playgroups and art classes.
• Free monthly Miscarriage and Newborn Loss support group on the second Tuesday evening of the month;
• Postpartum Depression Support Group of Greater Ann Arbor twice-monthly meetings;
• Doulas Care orientation sessions.

Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor empowers, educates, and supports families from pregnancy to preschool.  To learn more about us and our classes and programs, call 734.973.1014 or visit www.lamazefamilycenter.org