Pregnancy

 · 4 min read

Why Women Don’t Lick Their Babies Clean After Childbirth

Many animal mothers instinctively lick their newborns to clean them. This act of grooming is important for several reasons. One, it removes amniotic fluid, which conducts heat away from the body and warms the baby. Plus, it stimulates the newborn and brings their attention to their mother. Another possibility is that licking removes the smell […]

Sarah Biren

Sarah Biren

Founder of The Creative Palate

 · 5 min read

95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested in the United States Revealed Toxic Metals

According to a report published by Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF), 95 percent of baby foods tested in the United States contain toxic heavy metals. HBBF is a group composed of non-profit organizations, scientists, and donors, and their goal is to reduce babies’ exposure to toxic chemicals in their first 1,000 days of development [2]. […]

Jenn Ryan

Jenn Ryan

Freelance Health & Wellness Writer

 · 4 min read

It’s a … Boy?! Photo Captures Mom’s Surprised Look After Delivery

Nancy Ray was certain she was pregnant with a girl. However, after a laborious birth, the parents were shocked by a newborn baby boy. The photo of that moment—full of heart and joy—went viral, but most people don’t know the full story behind it, which includes a heavy snowstorm and two strains of flu as […]

Sarah Biren

Sarah Biren

Founder of The Creative Palate

 · 3 min read

6 Reasons December Babies Are Special

We have no control over our birth month. But of the twelve months, if you were born in December, science is on your side. Whether you’re supposed to give birth to a December baby or you are a December baby, we’ve got some good news. December babies are extra special! Many parents have anxiety over […]

Maria Sykes

Maria Sykes

The Hearty Soul Team

 · 4 min read

Hospitals Need ‘Baby Cuddlers’ to Help Babies With Opioid Withdrawal

This article was originally published on February 26, 2019, and has since been updated. An opioid epidemic is affecting millions of newborn babies, nationwide. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that a baby is born suffering from opioid withdrawal every fifteen minutes [1]. These babies experience pain and suffering before they can experience anything […]

Sarah Biren

Sarah Biren

Founder of The Creative Palate

 · 4 min read

What Expecting Parents Should Know About the “Gentle” C-Section

When this photo shared by a doula went viral last year, we embarked on this new trend of a “gentle” C-section. This wholesome and raw photo depicted how heartwarming it truly is for parents to welcome their newborn in a clear drape or window cesarean section.  This option is now being offered in many hospitals, […]

Maria Sykes

Maria Sykes

The Hearty Soul Team

 · 3 min read

13 Potentially Harmful Teas to Avoid During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of careful consideration of everything that goes into your body, including beverages like tea. While tea is generally considered a healthy beverage, not all types of tea are safe for consumption during pregnancy. It’s crucial for expectant mothers to be knowledgeable about the potential risks associated with certain teas. Let’s dive […]

Julie Hambleton

Julie Hambleton

The Hearty Soul Team

 · 4 min read

Kyrstyn Johnson: An Open Letter to Parents About Infant and Pregnancy Loss

In life, sometimes the hardest and heartbreaking stories are the ones we need to tell. They’re the ones that are raw, make us vulnerable, and lead us down the paths we fear most. But they are the stories and experiences that can be followed by immense growth. This is one of those stories… Kyrstyn Johnson […]

Sarah Biren

Sarah Biren

Founder of The Creative Palate

 · 5 min read

Mom Claims Epidural was Stuck in Back for Days After Giving Birth

Most women expect pregnancy and childbirth to be difficult, while post-birth is where you can start to enjoy the baby that you brought into this world. This was not the case for Selena Gray, because post-birth was when her nightmare began. Gray, 18, from Milton, Florida, delivered a healthy baby girl on June 26, 2019. […]

Sarah Biren

Sarah Biren

Founder of The Creative Palate

 · 5 min read

Baby Dies with High Alcohol Level in Blood. Should Drinking be Off Limits while Breastfeeding?

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: finding her baby girl motionless in her crib with blood trickling from her nose. This was the fate of two-month-old Sapphire, in Ahipara, New Zealand. The coroner suspects the cause of death was alcohol poisoning via breastmilk ingestion. The toxicology report showed alcohol levels of 308 milligrams per 100 milliliters […]

Sarah Biren

Sarah Biren

Founder of The Creative Palate

 · 5 min read

Mothers Who Give Birth to Premature Babies—What Life Is Like in the NICU

Azizah Rowen gave birth to her son more than two months before his due date. At 30 weeks pregnant, she woke in the night to find that she was bleeding profusely. At the hospital, she was placed on full bed rest and told that she would have to deliver her son prematurely. Rowen, who says […]

Jenn Ryan

Jenn Ryan

Freelance Health & Wellness Writer