We have all seen the ads that show that picture-perfect moment as a third-trimester mama lovingly gazes and admires her growing belly. But what those ads don’t always touch on is the other feelings that a lot of soon-to-be mamas keep inside them. The struggles, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, around body image.
You have made it this far through your pregnancy and can hardly wait to meet your new bundle of joy. This is the point where you begin to prepare for your pregnancy journey to close and to begin your newborn postpartum journey. Here are our top tips.
Congratulations! You’re pregnant. The day you’ve been waiting for. We know that taking care of your health needs and the health needs of your growing bundle of joy is extremely important to you. We also know that a quick Google search can leave your head spinning with less clarity than you had before. Read more to learn how to navigate prenatal information.
Have you ever noticed that you have your blood pressure checked at each prenatal visit with your healthcare provider? This is because it is important to monitor for gestational hypertension throughout your pregnancy. Read more to learn about gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
Pregnancy and birth are beautiful, yet messy experiences! Read on to learn about some top myths about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum based on the very things every mama wish they had known!
Having worked in maternal child health care for my entire career, I’ve seen first-hand the knowledge and education gaps that exist for first-time parents when it comes to labour, birth and the transition into postpartum, including caring for their newborn. The PUSH Prenatal Program is designed to revolutionize prenatal education— here’s what makes our program stand out.
Partner support during pregnancy is so important for many reasons. For one, it helps to strengthen your relationship and teamwork skills, which will come in handy when your new baby arrives. It also promotes both yours and your baby’s mental and physical health and well-being. Here are some ways your partner can offer support.
Whether you’re taking a relaxing babymoon, planning a big family vacation for the summer, or heading on a business trip— travelling while pregnant can certainly conjure up some questions. We’re here to highlight a few key considerations to help make your trip as stress-free as possible!
Are you wondering about Braxton Hicks contractions? Braxton Hicks are often confused for real labour contractions. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions to help clear up any confusion surrounding this common pregnancy symptom!
Prenatal Care
Pregnancy is a time of excitement, but it can also be filled with questions, especially about nutrition. One common question that I often get as a prenatal registered dietitian is “can I eat fish during pregnancy?”. As an expecting mom, it can be challenging to know what’s best. So let’s dive in!
One of the top questions that I get asked as a prenatal dietitian is “how much should I be eating to support a healthy pregnancy?”. This is a great question, since a traditional anecdote suggests that you should be “eating for two” during pregnancy. Hint: It doesn’t actually involve eating double what you usually eat!
If you’re planning a pregnancy or are an expectant mama, you’ve probably heard from some source or another that you’ll have to give up your morning coffee during pregnancy. However, the good news is that you may not need to give it up altogether. Here’s everything you need to know about caffeine and pregnancy.
During pregnancy, experiencing food cravings is natural. However, when it comes time to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, it might be a bit more challenging. Mindful eating can be a great tool to help you find the right balance.
When you’ve been trying to get pregnant and you finally see that little line on the test you first feel overwhelming excited. This is followed closely by that pesky little thing we call ‘morning sickness’. Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy typically start around week 6. So, what can be done to help manage this unpleasant pregnancy symptom?
Food plays a particularly huge role in supporting your well-being during pregnancy, as well as your baby’s. Here are 3 ways that healthy eating can help to support your pregnancy.
Vitamin D is known as “the sunshine vitamin” because it’s not found in many of our foods and our body actually synthesizes most of our vitamin D from sun exposure. With shorter days and less sunlight, vitamin D is something that many people aren’t getting enough of– yet it plays such an important role in prenatal health!
One of the most common questions from expectant mamas is what foods need to be avoided during pregnancy. And while there definitely are foods that should be avoided if you’re pregnant, there’s also a ton of misinformation out there. Read to learn more about the foods that do need to be avoided in pregnancy.
The sun is out and we’re all craving a refreshing cocktail on a patio to beat the heat. However, you may not be able to partake in these revitalizing drinks during your pregnancy. If you want to get that same great “Ahhh!” taste without the alcohol, try this delicious Watermelon & Lime Mojito Mocktail.
In the weeks leading up to labour and delivery, there are many ways you’re probably planning and preparing for your baby’s arrival—but have you thought about what you’ll be eating postpartum? Here are our top tips for preparing for healthy eating postpartum.
While the holiday season has many wonderful aspects to enjoy, holiday foods typically stand out as a highlight. But the holiday food environment can feel daunting during pregnancy, as you might feel like there isn’t room in your prenatal diet for your usual favourites. Try out these mindful eating tips to enjoy foods this holiday season.
With too many prenatal vitamin brands on the market to count, each boasting different benefits—from ease of digestion to most optimal absorption—and different formulations (from tasty, sweet gummies to easy to swallow tablets), it can be difficult to decide which prenatal vitamin is best for you. Here’s everything you need to know.
Whether you’re expecting your first baby or you’ve already been through it before, pregnancy comes with a lot of nutrition questions! Knowing what foods to eat will help support a healthy pregnancy, all while dealing with potential “morning” sickness and struggling to eat anything at all. At PUSH Mama Care, we’ve got you covered!
Prenatal Nutrition
Hey Mama! Is your breastfeeding journey coming to an end? You may be feeling a little emotional and overwhelmed and wondering where to start. The decision to wean is personal, not always easy and can look very different for every mom and baby. Here’s how to get started.
Building a freezer stash of breastmilk while exclusively breastfeeding is something a lot of new parents wonder about. And it’s nice to be able to plan for when you want or need to be away from your baby for an extended period. This guide can help you navigate breastfeeding and building a freezer stash, without running the risk of having an oversupply.
Welcome to the newborn world of cluster feeding! Just when you are starting to find a rhythm with your new baby, they throw this exhausting curveball at you. And honestly, it can be hard not to think your baby is conspiring against you! Understanding what cluster feeding is all about and finding ways to survive it will help you better navigate this tricky time.
So, you just found out you’re expecting, and surprise! You go to your first ultrasound and find out it’s twins! Double the cuteness, double the excitement, and double the feeding. If you planned on breastfeeding your baby, the idea of breastfeeding two babies might feel even more daunting and maybe impossible. Here’s some important information to consider in planning for breastfeeding multiples!
Whether you choose to bottle feed your baby right from birth or introduce it in combination with breastfeeding, bottle-feeding is a learned skill just like anything else. Your baby has never done it before, and you might be new at it as well! It can be overwhelming to try and figure the ins and outs of bottle-feeding as a new parent. Learn all about introducing a bottle to your baby.
Let’s face it—if you’re a new parent, it’s probably safe to say that you have experienced a stressful life event at some point in time. Finding ways to manage these stressors in daily life can be challenging, but so important—especially for the breastfeeding mama! Here’s a complete guide from our lactation consultant and registered nurse.
Painful breastfeeding can be one of the most frustrating and distressing things to experience as a new mom. Learning more about what could be causing your pain and some strategies to treat it will help you recognize your symptoms early and get the right support.
In the breastfeeding world we talk a lot about the struggles involving low milk production and finding ways to boost your supply, but did you know it’s possible to have too much milk? While it’s great to have lots of milk, having a breastmilk oversupply can be just as stressful as not having enough. Here’s how to manage oversupply.
As you prepare to welcome your new baby into the world, there are many things to consider and decisions to make. More and more parents are incorporating antenatal colostrum collecting, also known as colostrum harvesting, into their prenatal plans. Here’s what you need to know about milk before baby.
Congratulations! You have just been through the marathon of labour and birth and now have a precious little bundle of joy in your arms. You likely find yourself with a lot of questions about feeding in the early days, no matter how much you prepared beforehand. Here are some common questions that new mamas have on breastfeeding.
As a new or soon-to-be mom, you're likely aware of the impact of alcohol on a developing fetus during pregnancy. However, with the holiday season upon us, you may be wondering about enjoying that long-awaited glass of red wine while breastfeeding. Let's dive into all you need to know for a joyful and safe breastfeeding experience this holiday season.
Welcoming a little one into the world is a magical experience, and the journey of breastfeeding is a significant part of that adventure. While the concept of lactation is a natural physiological process, the art of breastfeeding and milk expression is a learned skill for both you and your baby and can come with many challenges. Here’s how a lactation consultant can help you.
Lactation
The kitchen is more than just a place to prepare meals– it’s a space where families can bond, and children can learn important life skills. Involving your child in cooking from an early age not only helps build positive memories but also fosters essential developmental milestones. By engaging your child in the kitchen, you're giving them tools they'll use for a lifetime. Here’s how to get started!
Once your little one has started on solid foods and is consuming iron-rich foods each day, you can start to get a little bit more creative with what you offer them. This can include offering complimentary foods and combining foods to make new meals. Here are 3 recipe ideas to offer your baby between 9 to 12 months.
As your little one approaches 6 months of age, they’ll be getting ready to start solid foods. You may have started to wonder what this process might look like for your family. One of the most common questions on introducing solids is whether or not baby-led weaning (BLW) is the best method to use. There are a lot of different (and strong!) opinions out there, so it can become overwhelming to make a decision. We’ve got you covered!
Is your toddler refusing to eat foods that they previously accepted well, and even seemed to enjoy? This is a huge struggle that many parents face and can truly put you to the test. The good news is that there are steps you can take as a parent to support your child in becoming a well-rounded eater. Here are our top tips.
When it’s time for your little one to make the transition from breast or bottle feeding to solid foods, there’s a lot to prepare for to help make the change as seamless as possible. Here are our top 7 product must-haves for supporting your family in introducing solids to your baby.
Are you a parent starting to worry about the Halloween sugar rush? Lots of parents feel stress about finding the right approach to navigate Halloween. Here are 4 tips from our registered dietitian to help you find the right balance as a parent.
Halloween is just around the corner! Have you thought about how you’re going to manage treat season with your children? As a parent, I’m sure you have felt the stress over needing to limit how much candy your child eats. However, this can do more harm than good. Here are 5 tips for navigating treat foods!
PUSH Registered dietitian Bradie, and Certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant from Plume Sleep, Rosalie, join together to answer frequently asked questions on sleep and nutrition for your 6-month old.
Starting your baby on solid foods can be exciting—but it can also come with a lot of questions and uncertainties. At PUSH, we want to make sure you feel comfortable and confident. Here are some important aspects to consider in starting your baby on solids.
Infant and Child Nutrition
The End of your Breastfeeding Journey: Tips for Smooth Weaning
Hey Mama! Is your breastfeeding journey coming to an end? You may be feeling a little emotional and overwhelmed and wondering where to start. The decision to wean is personal, not always easy and can look very different for every mom and baby. Here’s how to get started.
How to Get Your Kids Involved in the Kitchen: Simple Age-Appropriate Tips to get Started
The kitchen is more than just a place to prepare meals– it’s a space where families can bond, and children can learn important life skills. Involving your child in cooking from an early age not only helps build positive memories but also fosters essential developmental milestones. By engaging your child in the kitchen, you're giving them tools they'll use for a lifetime. Here’s how to get started!
The Ultimate Fall Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe
Along with the cooler fall weather comes my favourite recipe season. From pumpkin baked goods, to cozy soups and stews, to warm breakfast bakes— fall cooking can be so comforting! One of my favourite meal prep strategies is having some high-fibre, high-protein baked goods on hand to stock the freezer. In honour of fall, it’s time to get out the recipe for pumpkin spice muffins!
A Pumping Mama’s Guide to Building a Breastmilk Freezer Stash
Building a freezer stash of breastmilk while exclusively breastfeeding is something a lot of new parents wonder about. And it’s nice to be able to plan for when you want or need to be away from your baby for an extended period. This guide can help you navigate breastfeeding and building a freezer stash, without running the risk of having an oversupply.
Can I Eat Fish During my Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a time of excitement, but it can also be filled with questions, especially about nutrition. One common question that I often get as a prenatal registered dietitian is “can I eat fish during pregnancy?”. As an expecting mom, it can be challenging to know what’s best. So let’s dive in!
Summer Salmon Bowl
A summer salmon bowl is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh and flavorful seasonal ingredients. Not to mention being able to pack in a variety of nutrients into one meal! You can also include a variety of nutrient-rich toppings in your bowl to help round out your meal. We’ve included sweet potato for a high fibre energy source, lots of antioxidant-rich vegetables, and healthy fats. Try out our summer salmon bowl recipe!
Cluster Feeding: Everything New Parents Need to Know
Welcome to the newborn world of cluster feeding! Just when you are starting to find a rhythm with your new baby, they throw this exhausting curveball at you. And honestly, it can be hard not to think your baby is conspiring against you! Understanding what cluster feeding is all about and finding ways to survive it will help you better navigate this tricky time.
Understanding Sleep Regressions in the First Year: What to Expect and How to Cope
Sleep regressions can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenthood, especially in the first year. Just when you think you’ve got your baby’s sleep routine figured out, they suddenly start waking up more often, fighting naps, or struggling to fall asleep. Understanding what sleep regressions are and how to manage them can help you navigate these tough phases with confidence and ease.
3 Meal Ideas to Offer Your Baby from 9 to 12 Months
Once your little one has started on solid foods and is consuming iron-rich foods each day, you can start to get a little bit more creative with what you offer them. This can include offering complimentary foods and combining foods to make new meals. Here are 3 recipe ideas to offer your baby between 9 to 12 months.
Expecting twins? A Mini Guide to Breastfeeding Multiples
So, you just found out you’re expecting, and surprise! You go to your first ultrasound and find out it’s twins! Double the cuteness, double the excitement, and double the feeding. If you planned on breastfeeding your baby, the idea of breastfeeding two babies might feel even more daunting and maybe impossible. Here’s some important information to consider in planning for breastfeeding multiples!
How to Cope with Sleep Deprivation in the Early Days of Parenthood
Becoming a new parent is a beautiful, transformative experience, but let’s be real—it’s also exhausting! Those early days can leave you feeling like you’re running on empty. But fear not, we’ve got you covered. Here are some practical strategies for managing sleep deprivation and tips to have you feeling your best as a new parent.
Beat the Summer Heat with a Balanced Smoothie
Meal planning breakfasts can be a struggle in the summertime when the heat can make us feel less inclined to warm foods. A question that I get asked as a dietitian is whether or not smoothies are a good meal option. Smoothies can be a great option to help you beat the summer heat– if they’re properly balanced. Here’s our formula to help you get the right balance of nutrients in your smoothie!
Many women who have experienced a summer pregnancy have said that it’s not a walk in the park. It leaves you feeling hot, hot, and oh, did I mention, hot. If you’re currently pregnant and dreading the summer heat we know is coming then check out these 5 tips for surviving the summer during pregnancy.