Packing Your Hospital Bag

It's birth bag packing time.

Whoever said packing for your baby's birth is like packing an overnight bag for a quick vacation might need a little more support and education. There's a fine line between necessity and luxury items and frankly, you might just need both to stay as comfortable as possible. The biggest concern is you never quite know how long your stay will be. 

Getting your hospital back set up and ready to go is one great way to be physically prepared for birth and to give your partner some confidence when it comes time for them to gather all your belongings on the big day. 

No two births are the same. 

No two hospital bags are packed the same way. Not every list is a checklist of every single thing you'll have to bring with you to the birth center, but it will still give you a great place to start. Just as your birth preferences are uniquely tailored to you and your family, you are the one who has the last say of what would make you feel comfortable to bring with you for your baby's arrival.

Your partner needs a birth bag too.

If you have a partner that will be attending your birth, they should be just as prepared for a few nights away from home. This bag is custom catered to their specific needs and has everything they need to help them rest, recover, clean up and energize. 

So get your bags packed up and by the door so they're easy to grab and go. 

The Bump has an awesome list for hospital bag packing parents to use as a guide as they get all the essentials together. As you pack, think about what you're packing and if they fall under these three main categories:

Comfort

Are these things going to help you feel more comfortable or secure in an otherwise unfamiliar or uncomfortable space? Birth isn't the most comfortable experience, but there's some items you can keep on hand to feel more comfortable along the way. 

Hygiene

Do you have all the items that will make you feel clean and refreshed? This includes all those toiletries and self care essentials that you use on the day-to-day.

Preparedness

Do you have all the paperwork and items that your hospital or birth center to be prepared to take baby home? There's a lot of paperwork required for birth certificates and you'll need insurance information and your birth plan to make the process as efficient as possible. 

The Bump's Top Picks for Your Birth Bag:

The Basics

• Photo ID, insurance info, hospital forms and birth plan (if you have one)

• Eyeglasses (if you wear them)

• Cell phone and charger

• Two or three pairs of warm, nonskid socks (for walking the halls before and after labor)

• A warm robe or sweater you don’t mind sacrificing to the cause

• Lip balm (hospitals are very dry)

• Headband or ponytail holder (avoid clips—they’ll probably poke you)

• Sugar-free hard candy or lozenges to keep your mouth moist during labor (candy with sugar will make you thirsty)

• Non-perishable snacks and change for the vending machines

• 2 maternity bras (no underwire) and nursing pads (whether or not you plan to nurse, you’ll appreciate the support and leak protection)

• Toiletries and personal items: hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, contact lens case and solution (remember, travel-sized products are your friends)

• Loose, lightweight clothing (maternity wards can often be hot)

• Comfortable going-home clothes in six-month maternity sizes, and flat shoes (or just wear the clothes you came in—sorry, but they’ll probably still fit)

Optional hospital bag checklist items for mom

• Very light reading (think magazines and newspapers, not War and Peace)

• Earbuds to listen to music on your phone

• Bath towel (the hospital will probably supply a very thin, small one)

• Hairdryer

• A comfy pillow from home (with a case that can get ruined, in a pattern distinguishable from hospital white)

• A few pairs of maternity underwear that can get ruined (the hospital will have disposable pairs, which some women find handy and others find gross)

• A ruin-able nightgown (you can use those lovely hospital gowns, but your own might help you feel more human)

• Breastfeeding pillow

Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby

• Approved infant car seat

• A coming-home outfit (bring clothes in different sizes to make sure they fit!)

• Warm blankets (for the ride home)

• Outdoor gear like a snowsuit and hat, as seasonally appropriate (newborns are extra sensitive to cold)

Hospital Bag Checklist for Partner

• Cell phone and charger

• A change of clothes

• Toiletries: toothbrush, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, contact lens case and solution

• Snacks (you don’t want your partner eating all of yours!)

• Entertainment, whether it’s something to read, listen to or watch

• Camera or video camera with batteries, charger and an extra memory card

• Any daily prescription medication

Portland Picks for Autumn Apple Pickin'

Nothing kicks off the fall season in Maine quite like apple picking with the family. 

Apple picking strikes all of our senses to bring us back to crisp autumn days in search of that perfectly ripe apple. Maine is apple country and once August hits, this fall fruit is ready to go. 

The season begins in August and runs well into October, making it one of America's favorite fall pastimes for families of all ages. We're fortunate to have over twelve different varieties of apples and even some hybrids that add some extra pizzazz to your cakes and pies. 

We collected some of our favorite apple orchards within driving distance of Portland that offers so much more than just a few bushels of apples. So grab those farm shoes and your wagon and head over to some of the region's most celebrated apple orchards.

Sweetser's Apple Barrel 

Sweetser's Apple Barrel has been an apple picking staple for over 200 years. They have tons of incredible apple varieties available for picking and orchards of native peaches. You can pack a picnic lunch and enjoy some treats from their farmer's market. They have some freshly pressed ciders, fresh bakes cookies and pastries and local honeys and Maine maple syrup. 

Hansel's Apple Orchard 

Hansel's is one of the Portland area's favorite apple farms that kicks off their pickin' season right after labor bay. The mature trees at this farm delivers some of the most incredible McIntosh apples you'll find. When you arrive, choose your basket size and collect anywhere from a few to a few bushels of these gorgeous apples. This gives the kids their own little basket to collect the sparkling apples that catch their eye. This is a classic orchard to give you your fall fix.

Randall's Orchard

If family friendly is your top priority, Randall's Orchard is worth the drive. Stop by and browse their impressive fleet of apple trees or check out what fresh produce this family farm has to offer. Sip on some cider, take a walk through the farm or even gather a few bouquets of fresh cut flowers! This is one orchard that you won't want to miss this year. 

Pie Tree Orchards

If you don't mind a weekend drive, Pie Tree Orchards is a great apple adventure to kick off your fall festivities. They have hayrides, a view that will absolutely take your breath away and a farmer's market full of goodies and treats. This family farm also grows their apples au-natural and within the national organic guidelines for produce. 

Wherever you begin your fall fun, amazing apple picking is right in our own backyard. Tell us some of your favorites!

 

Back to School Breakfasts

It's that time of year again.

As much as we're all hanging on to our summer vacation white knuckled, the back to school season is just around the bend. Settling into the new school year routine is hard enough for your kids and the last thing on your mind is dishing out a balanced breakfast. 

There's a reason they say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 

A new school year is overwhelming! New faces, new curriculum, new classroom, and processing all that change takes some fuel. We've put together a list of our favorite quick breakfasts that will get your little ones right on track to their brand new school year! 

Photo Courtesy: Aprons and Stilletos 

Bacon Egg and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

• (1) Package of Homestyle Aunt Jemima frozen waffles (14 ct.)
• (7) Large or extra large eggs
• (7) Slices of turkey bacon, ham, bacon or turkey slices
• (7) Slices of cheese 
• (2) Tablespoons of butter
• (1) Tablespoon of milk
• Salt & pepper

Directions

Cook the bacon on a cookie sheet for about 10 minutes on each side in a 400 degree oven or on the stove until browned. 

Whisk the eggs together with a splash of milk, salt and pepper and pour into a baking dish. Bake the eggs at 400 degrees or until the eggs firm up. Once the eggs are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool. 

Using a round cookie cutter, cut eggs into waffle-sized shapes and lay onto waxed paper. Cut your cheese slices into circles to help them fit better on the waffle sandwich. 

Assemble your sandwiches by putting a slice of cheese on two waffles. Put your egg on one side and meat on the other. Close up your sandwiches and brown the assembled sandwich on a buttered griddle or frying pan. Cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted. 

Photo Courtesy: Well Floured.com

Blueberry Muffin in a Cup

• Muffin:
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp sugar {I used raw sugar}
• 1/8 tsp baking powder
• 3 Tbsp milk
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil {melted}
• 1/4 blueberries {fresh or frozen
• Topping:
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp flour
• 1 Tbsp raw sugar

In a microwave safe mug combine the flour, baking powder, and sugar. Stir in the milk and coconut oil and place the berries on top.

For the Topping; Crumble together the coconut oil, flour and sugar and sprinkle on top of the blueberries.

Microwave on high 90 seconds then cool slightly before removing the mug will be HOT!

Photo Courtesy: Skinny Mom.com

Two Step Oatmeal Cookies

• ¾ cup plain quick cooking oats OR 2 packets low-sugar strawberries in cream oatmeal
• 2 very ripe bananas (mashed)
• 1 tsp cinnamon (if using plain oats)
• 2 tsp Stevia®, or your favorite sweetener (if using plain oats)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix oats and mashed bananas. If using plain oats add in cinnamon and sweetener. Using a spoon, spoon small amounts of oatmeal mixture onto cookie sheet to form bite size cookies.

Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container.

Photo Courtesy: Happy Together By Jess.com

Apple Sandwiches

• Apple (Mac or Granny Smith)
• Chocolate Chips
• Raisins
• Granola
• Peanut or almond butter
• Cinnamon sugar 

Slice the apple into disc shaped slices. Take a metal cookie cutter and cut out the center to remove the core and seeds.

Spread nut butter on one or both sides of your apple sandwich. Add raisins, chocolate chips and granola on top of the peanut butter. Finish the creation with a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

Vocalization Nation

Trust your body and the process. 

Many women are surprised how their body acclimates to the stress of birth and all the simple strategies that encourage a more empowered birth experience.

Vocalization is a powerful strategy that helps many women self soothe and transition their body through sensations or contractions. First time mothers tend to associate making noise during birth with losing control, when really vocalization harnesses a ton of power within! 

What does vocalization mean?

While in labor, your body naturally wants to produce sound in response to the intensity of each contraction. The pitch in these sounds are the key to transforming this natural urge into a useful comfort measure. The higher pitched yells actually trigger our muscles to tense, causing more discomfort and stress. Lowering the tone of your voice into a controlled mantra-like repetition can help ease your baby along and relax your pelvic muscles through contractions. 

These sounds are different for everyone because no two birthing mothers are exactly the same. In early labor, lower and slower vocalization techniques help the body relax and open while the sounds in active labor are often more intense and loud while still being deep and within. 

So much more than sound. 

These low sounds and vibrations create a physiologic connection between the vocal cords, the respiratory diaphragm, and the pelvic floor. Vibrations from these low vowel sounds help your body relax and keep you feeling in control of your body through each contraction.

Let your doula be your guide. 

Your doula is there to guide you through the process and encourage these natural sounds to manifest. She can help you take those sounds that are instinctual and help you harness them into something truly powerful as you progress through every phase of birth.

More often than not, a noisy birth is a happier birth! 

Vocalization techniques allow parents to feel more confident along the way and vocal coaching can help partners feel more engaged in the process. Don't be afraid to make noises which feel comforting, soothing, encouraging and more.

When you take control of your body and trust in yourself, your strength, your partner and your baby, you'll unleash strengths you didn't know you had. 

Photo Credit: Luke Cheser

What Does Non-Judgemental Really Mean?

Taking the first steps to growing your family begins a whole new journey of choices, decisions, preferences and opinions.

One of the bigger challenges to navigate along the way is unsolicited advice and judgement of their parenting preferences for birth and postpartum. When you have total strangers giving you their two cents about the way you're choosing to parent, there's definitely no room for judgement from your birth and postpartum team.

But what does judgement-free really mean?

Having a doula by your side every step along the way means you have an extra layer of defense to arm you against judgement as you settle into your new role as a parent. 

To understand it better, your doula is quite literally an acronym for the way our support creates a more confident and affirmed birth and postpartum experience.

D O U L A.

Different Choices

Doulas aren't just there to support, they also educate. Many parents are unsure about what options and resources are available for their child's birth. It can seem overwhelming to organize a birth plan that includes a little bit of everything but your doula is there to help. Doulas use their experience and training to help parents navigate the options that are right for them without the stress of judgement or bias. 

Overcoming Obstacles

Obstacles come in all shapes and sizes and your doula is your guide as you find your way. Doulas help new parents overcome different obstacles without implementing biases or judgement on the way you choose to parent. You know what is best for your baby and a doula is there to help you overcome the obstacles lying in the way of your parenting goals. 

Understanding

Birth and postpartum can be confusing and it's your doula's job to help you understand the process and make informed decisions. Understanding is also the way your doula empowers you to change your mind. Nothing is ever set in stone and your doula is understanding and compassionate of your power to take a different path or direction. You aren't a bad parent if you change your mind, you're just finding what fits you best!

Learning

Having a baby is a learning experience. Not just for you, but your doula too! They take the time to learn about your family and it's preferences, culture and ideals before you deliver to ensure that you're feeling as comfortable and confident as possible. Taking the time to learn each client's story and creating a foundation of trust between the doula and birthing parents is the cornerstone of a non-judgemental birth experience.

Affirmation

Doulas keeps the laboring mother in control with affirmations that sync with her body as it transitions through the different phases of birth. Affirmations help parents become comfortable with the space and feeling confident that they're on the right track. Affirmations activate the body and promote a swifter and more comfortable labor experience. These affirmations and comfort measures are a reflection of the needs and preferences of the parents.

Your birth is yours.

Welcoming your new addition is the next big step in your lives and it's through the comprehensive support that a doula provides that fills in the gaps and empowers parents as they acclimate to their new roles. Doulas aren't there to judge your choices, put you down or disagree with the decisions you make for your birth.

Your doula is the foundation that holds you up at your weakest and assures you that you CAN do this and you're doing an amazing job already and the journey has just begun!

Photo Credit: Tim Graf