It is often said that children are life’s greatest teachers, and this seems to be truer than ever during this doubtful, social-distancing spring season. Despite the hardships we are currently facing as a society, there are so many silver linings shining through the overcast of uncertainty. Case and point? These...
Although childbirth is an experience that unites women across every border, the way societies celebrate this momentous event varies immensely. Here in America, gender reveals, baby showers, sip and sees and newborns being swaddled in pink and blue striped blankets used in hospitals nationwide are just a few of the...
Ina May Gaskin is a midwife, author, public speaker, and has been long-crowned the “most famous midwife in the world.” Ina May has been working as a midwife since 1971, where she began a midwifery center within the self-sustaining community that she helped found, known as “The Farm” in Summertown,...
When most women recount their postpartum recovery experience, there usually isn’t much to remember. I mean sure, there are memories of peri bottles, engorged breasts, and busted blood vessels in their eyes. But what about the aftercare aspect of recovering from childbirth? Many nations, specifically America, are still severely lacking...
When my family and I decided to take a 10-hour road trip to Tenessee, we took all the necessary precautions to ensure that our journey would go as smoothly as possible. But still, even the best-behaved toddler’s unwillingness to sit in a car becomes overwhelmingly apparent around the fourth hour....
In the true spirit of being a strong, independent woman who don’t need no man, a female Komodo dragon at the Chattanooga Zoo has given birth to three live hatchlings- without the help of a male partner. This phenomenon, known as parthenogenesis, is a natural form of asexual reproduction in...
My daughter was scared. It was nighttime. “I’m so lonely, Mama,” she sobbed, coming into my room for what felt like the hundredth time. “You have to sleep, sweetheart,” I coaxed, guiding her back up the steps once more. But still, she wilted in my arms, a little flower bowing...
When I first began thinking about what it would be like to be a parent, part of my vision involved close family dinners. Laughter, passing second helpings around, maybe some classy-funky French music playing in the background. Charming. Delightful. Something that we would look forward to each night. You can...
I gave birth to my second baby about five months ago. Before he was born, I knew I would be re-entering the world of breastfeeding. I breastfed my daughter until she self-weaned at 18 months and have wonderful memories of our breastfeeding bond. The thing is, breastfeeding didn’t necessarily start...
Bassinets are big business. Ask any mom-to-be what she has on her baby registry, and she’ll likely have some variation of such portable sleepers topping her list. But not all bassinets are created equally- and apparently, the FDA agrees. The SNOO Smart Sleeper is an automated bassinet that promises to...