Resources for parents

No more Googling in distress, here are lists of things and support for new families

Local Resources in Snohomish & Skagit counties

KB Acupuncture- Dr Kyle Baek is not only an acupuncturist but also practices traditional Oriental medicine. Dr Kyle supports everything from fertility issues, PCOS, morning sickness, mastitis and much more. Also accepts some insurances.

Mount Vernon Birth Center- Angie Hotz is an amazing midwife, serving the community in a gorgeous birth center near downtown Mount Vernon. Angie also offers hearing screens for babies (even those not born at the birth center) and pre and post-natal care. Most insurances are accepted.

Diversified Movement- Judy Rosevear-Pusey, OTR/L is also an incredible Myofascial Release therapist (in fact she has been teaching the Pediatric Myofascial Release course all over the country for decades!). Judy works with all ages, from newborns to elderly, supports neurodiversity and those on the spectrum or with sensory issues. For newborns, Judy’s myofascial release is instrumental in relieving tension in tongue tied babies pre and post release, and aiding in functional breastfeeding. Located in Bellevue, accepts all insurances.

Green Therapeutic Bodywork- Valerie Green practices myofascial release to support babies and adults to decrease tension for optimal body movement. Located in Lynwood, self pay only.

Marysville Pediatric Dentistry- Dr Amelia Chim, DDS, MMD is not just a great pediatric dentist, but also a very knowledgeable tongue tie release specialist. Dr Amelia understands the importance of a team approach to tongue tie, and requires bodywork and lactation therapy to be started pre release for the best results possible. Her passion for learning shows through when you talk with Dr Amelia about airway health and tongue ties!

Local Resources in Olympia

Bodywork Providers:

Andrea Shaw at Olympia Family Chiropractic

Jessie Young at Young Spines

Celeste Norelius at Compass Pediatric PT

Magan Harris at Evergreen Natural Bodywork

Products to help new parents

We always say you don’t need to buy nearly as much as you think. Everyone has a favorite “gadget”, toy, or baby thing that saved them. Some love the swing, others the bouncy seat or Bumbo. But you can’t know what will work (and not only are many of those baby gadgets not helpful, many can cause harm and limit movement)

My first suggestion is always share and trade with friends or family. Consignment stores and Craigslist/Offer-up and sites like that are great for used things too. But here are a few things that are great to help breastfeeding go easier and you feel better:

Medela gel pads- usually $8-10 at Target or Amazon. They will feel as wonderful as Aloe on a burn and they help you heal faster. If your nipples only hurt the first few seconds of latching, then just use Lanolin or a natural nipple butter/cream. If your nipples burn all the time, if your shirt rubbing on it hurts or if it hurts to shower, then you need these! We also recommend an appointment to make sure the latch is ok and the baby is using their mouth correctly. Get 1 box, it comes with 4 pads. You put 2 on, and put the other 2 in the fridge. Then when feeding or showering, take them off and put the little plastic sheet back on them and put them in the fridge. Rotate this way for 2-3 days, or until they don’t feel cool anymore as they fill with leaking milk. If you need another box, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT because you are still creating more nipple damage and it should be better by then.

Moby wrap, Solly, Boba or other carrier- Skin to skin is the most helpful and easiest thing you can do for your breast-feeding experience and your baby. It works like duct tape. If baby is fussy, try skin to skin. If baby isn’t feeding enough, try skin to skin, If you need your hands free, try skin to skin! It works for everything. The reason we mention these specific carriers is that they allow you to have baby basically swaddled to your chest, without any fabric in between. This means you can do skin to skin while walking around the house, or playing on the floor with your toddler. Especially if you have a toddler, this is the most useful tool in the first 3 months. *Have one already? Great, bring it to your appointment and we will help you feel comfortable getting it on and baby snug against you.

Hands-free pump bra- If you will be going back to work, have a NICU baby, or just pumping to have saved milk, this bra is a game changer! Pumping is hard to manage without having something to hold the pump parts on. You can get these at Amazon or Target or many other shops for usually $20-30. Such a life saver.

Videos and Links for Resources

First Droplets

First droplets- EVERY pregnant mama should watch this BEFORE the baby comes! Great information on colostrum and how to maximize the first few days. A great way to set yourself up for success.
Jack Newman videos

Jack Newman is a wonderful Pediatrician and IBCLC in Canada. He is incredibly knowledgable Breastfeeding Medicine doctor and has many useful protocols for IBCLC’s to follow. On his website he has wonderful videos. The link here is for you to watch some of his videos. When you are trying to make sure your baby is getting enough, being able to tell when they are drinking at the breast is very important. Watch and listen to these and you too will be able to tell when your baby is drinking well or “snacking and playing” and the breast.
Hands-on Pumping video

This video demonstrates the technique for using your hands to increase your milk supply while pumping. In the study there was a 48% increase in milk production! Wow! I recommend this technique to ALL pumping moms.
Paced bottle feeding

A video on how to pace bottle feed a baby. If supplementation is needed and finger feeding or SNS isn’t an option, or even if you are just going back to work, having paced bottle feeds is important. This is a way to help a bottle feed be more similar to breastfeeding.

Doulas-birth and postpartum

A doula is a knowledgeable professional who helps support, educate and walk this journey of pregnancy, birth and postpartum with you and you support person. Doula help lower your rate of c/s, increase your rate of vaginal delivery and help make the whole process less scary. A doula is about knowledge and power- which should both be yours, especially during this time. Here are some wonderful doulas out there just waiting to walk with you:

California -Golden Gate Doulas, Birthing Babies, Kitchen Doula, Ashley Regala Doula, Lifted in Birth, Family Focus Doula Care, Sweet Bee Services, From Pregnant to Parent-Connie Sultana Doula, Community Supported Postpartum, Birth Realm Doula, Doula Care Collective, Marin Doula Circle, Lyla Moore Doula -Dragonfly Gentle care , Arrival Birth Doula , Birth with Empathy , Doula Star