Would you let your baby sleep with a knife? The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Health Department thinks that if you co-sleep with your baby, it’s just as dangerous. At least that’s the impression the city is implying in a recent public service announcement that shows an infant sleeping in an adult bed with a butcher knife nearby. Accompanying the photo is the tagline: “Your baby sleeping with you can be just as dangerous.’’ According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee commissioner of health, Bevan Baker, introduced the anti-co-sleeping campaign by stating, “Is it shocking? Is it …

Teaching American Sign Language (ASL) to a hearing baby was once viewed as a fad, but parents now realize it is a valuable tool for communication with their children. Studies show hearing children who use ASL tend to have larger vocabularies, higher IQ scores, and learn to read sooner.  My Smart Hands - Atlanta now teaches baby sign language classes to parents and children in Vinings, Smyrna, and Atlanta areas. I am very honored to be part of a wonderful educational company like My Smart Hands. I have used sign language with my 18-month-old since she was a baby and have seen wonderful …

What is a doula? How can a doula help during my pregnancy and birth? These are the two most common questions asked by moms-to-be, especially those who are considering natural birth options. Doulas have been around for a long time, but they didn’t always have a title. The earliest “doulas” were sisters, mothers and best friends of the laboring mom. As a profession, personal labor assistants have been around for decades. The word doula is from a Greek word meaning woman servant. A doula helps a laboring mom gather information, educates her about birth and beyond, provides emotional support and …

When the pregnancy list of “to-do” and “to-buy” starts getting lengthy, it can be tempting to free up time and expense with one stroke of the pen across “childbirth class.” After all, you’ve got a doctor or midwife who will be in control of your birth, right? Maybe you are hiring a doula who knows all about that stuff. And, car seats are required by law, so that makes the cut. You might tell yourself, “We’ll read a couple birth books. We’ll be fine!” Consider a few reasons why a quality childbirth class is essential preparation for the big day. It’s your birth! Of course, you trust the team …

With the big day approaching, expecting couples are faced with the question, “What do we pack for the birth?” Thankfully, the hospital has most of what you will need. If by chance you forgot to bring anything at all, you would be okay. The hospital provides a gown, bedding, towels, diapers, etc. However, this is an important time in your life and one which should be special and where you should feel comfortable. Your items that you pack should have the purpose of either making the experience special or making you feel comfortable. Try breaking down the packing list into three groups: Labor, …