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EMERGENCY CARE
EMERGENCY CARE
One-pagers to print and keep posted at home.
Reminder: Postpartum risks for the birthing parent can show up anytime one-year after childbirth.
ParentHealthInformation-EN-2022-final.pdfCredit: 4th Trimester Project, Español
BabyHealthInformation-EN-2022-final.pdfBIRTH SPACING & BIRTH CONTROL
BIRTH SPACING & BIRTH CONTROL
Reminder: Your first period can be as early as 5-6 weeks after birth or as late as 18 months after birth depending on your breastfeeding status. Breastfeeding can delay your menstrual cycle and for some it won't return until breastfeeding reduces or stops. This is true for those who are breastfeeding majority of the time with little supplementation of formula or other foods.
You CAN get pregnant before the return of your menstrual cycle - your first ovulation prior to menstruation is hard to predict. If you do not want to get pregnant, you should take other precautions no matter your breastfeeding status.
Credit: Pickles & Ice Cream Georgia
BirthControlAfterBaby-EN-102621.pdfCredit: 4th Trimester Project
LACTATION SUPPORT
LACTATION SUPPORT
La Leche League Breastfeeding A to Z
LactMed Database - Medication safety during lactation
SUPPORT GROUPS
SUPPORT GROUPS
Maryland, Delaware & DC La Leche League groups: North Arundel, Reisterstown, Columbia meet-ups
Luminis Health, Annapolis, MD: pump rentals, breastfeeding classes, phone-support, free group-support
Milky Moms Support Groups: Locations in Arnold, Prince Frederick, La Plata, St. Mary's, & Prince George's
TruCentered, Annapolis, MD: breastfeeding support group with IBCLCs every Tuesday at 10am
MedStar, Leonardtown, MD: free group-support, registration required
The Womb Room, Baltimore MD: monthly groups, in-person & online
The Rumina Center, Baltimore, MD: weekly groups, in-person & online
GBMC, Towson, MD: in-person support, warm phone line, pump rentals
UMD, Upper Chesapeake, MD: in-person support, warm phone line, classes
The Breastfeeding Center, Washington, DC: classes, rentals, consultants, groups
FIND A LACTATION CONSULTANT
FIND A LACTATION CONSULTANT
Breastfeeding Works with Kim Knight - Annapolis, MD
Laura Burch Lactation - Annapolis & Central MD
The Balanced Boob - Annapolis & Eastern Shore, MD
The Rumina Center - Baltimore, MD
Milky Moms - Across Maryland
Metropolitan Breastfeeding - Across Maryland
Birth & Milk Co - Bowie, MD
The Breastfeeding Center - Washington, DC
United States Lactation Consultant Association - Provider Search
The Lactation Network - Get Matched
*Lactation services and pumps are now covered by many insurers, including TRICARE. Make sure to check your coverage and reach out if you need support.
BABY & TODDLER SAFETY
BABY & TODDLER SAFETY
As baby continues to demand your time, it can be difficult to keep a watchful eye on older children in the home. It's a good time to reassess safety measures!
Safety tips to remember for baby...
Stop swaddling once baby begins rolling or at 8 weeks old, whichever comes first
Move baby from bassinet to larger sleep space once pushing up on arms or hits the bassinet weight limit
Nothing in the bed until at least one year old
No toys with safety eyes or button batteries
Baby remains rear facing in car until 3 years old
Safety tips to remember for toddler...
Remove access to stairs, banisters, and areas with fall risks
Cover plug outlets
Secure cords or remove from reach
Secure cabinets and drawers
Lock or move medications/vitamins, alcohol, and cleaning supplies from lower cabinets
Firearms should be locked and ammo should be stored & locked separately (lock info)
No toys with safety eyes or button batteries
SOOTHING BABY
SOOTHING BABY
Babies are at their fussiest typically in the 4-6 week age range and crying gradually decreases until around 4 months old. Baby's developmental milestones can impact their fussiness, as well as their growing gastrointestinal tract, microbiome, and nervous system.
Tips for soothing baby (and your sanity) during this time:
5 S's - Swaddling, Side Position, Shushing, Swaying & Sucking
Babywearing
Go outside
Take a drive
Take a break - baby will be OK if you put them down crying in their bassinet for a few minutes
Take baby in the bath or shower
Run warm water over their head while swaddled
It's recommended you wait until the 4-week mark to introduce a bottle to give breastfeeding and your milk supply the strongest start. This is recommended for parents' whose milk comes in by day 3 and babies who are transferring milk well at the breast. Some parents may need to introduce bottles earlier if they have mental or physical health concerns.
Introducing a bottle - La Leche League
Food Allergies & Breastfeeding
Dairy Free Breastfeeding FB Group
PARENT MENTAL HEALTH
PARENT MENTAL HEALTH
Our mental health is most at risk during pregnancy and postpartum than in any other time in our life. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are the #1 complication of childbirth, can affect someone no matter their gender, and they are all treatable. Your body has been doing the hardest work its ever done, you are operating on less sleep than normal, your role has shifted, and your pesky hormones are raging! It's crucially important to have an understanding person you trust to listen and support you during this time.
You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.
Hotlines & Warmlines for Immediate Support
Call or Text National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 988
US National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - Dial or Text 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS)
Postpartum Support International - Dial or Text 1-800-944-4773
Anne Arundel County Warm Line - 410-768-5522
Find a Provider:
Perinatal and Postpartum Mood & Anxiety
Park Wellness Group - Severna Park, MD
The Collective Healing Center - Arnold, MD
Building Beyond Therapy - Largo, MD
Silverleaf Counseling - Arnold, MD
Anchored Hope Therapy - Annapolis, MD
Johns Hopkins Reproductive Mental Health Center - Baltimore, MD
University of Maryland Women's Mental Health Specialists - Baltimore, MD
Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infertility and Infant Death
Silverleaf Counseling, LLC - Arnold, MD
Loveland Therapy Fund - Financial assistance for black women
Psychology Today - Find a Therapist
Brightside Health - Find a Therapist
Support Groups
The Postpartum Pack - Free virtual support group for expecting individuals, those who have been pregnant, or those who have given birth in the last year.
Postpartum Support International - Free virtual support groups with many topics (military, queer, black & POC) and times
Postpartum Support International - Support groups for dads
NAMI Maryland - Support and peer-to-peer groups
Video credit: Kayti McDaniel, LCSW, PMH-C
PELVIC FLOOR
PELVIC FLOOR
Origin - Towson, MD
Rhythm & Ritual Pelvic Health - Baltimore, MD
Motion Evolved - Baltimore, MD
Elevate Life - Annapolis, MD
Personalized Physical Therapy - Arnold, MD (cesarean recovery)
Blue Sky Wellness - Severna Park, MD
Practical Pelvis - Olney, MD
New Woman Physical Therapy - Pikesville, MD
Indigo Physio - Locations Across MD
FX Physical Therapy - Locations across MD
Sinai/LifeBridge Provider Directory Across Maryland
Rehab to Perform - Columbia & Crofton, MD
Oasis Pelvic PT - Columbia & Bethesda, MD
Bloom Physical Therapy & Wellness - Berlin, MD
Tidewater PT - Eastern Shore, MD
BODY CARE - Chiropractic, Massage,
BODY CARE - Chiropractic, Massage,
Craniosacral & Acupuncture
Craniosacral & Acupuncture
TruCentered Chiropractic Care with Dr. Bryant Harris - Annapolis, MD
Northern Birth Roots Massage - Arnold, MD
Hu Acupuncture - Arnold & Baltimore, MD
Thrive Chiropractic - Baltimore, MD
Fruit of the Womb - Baltimore, MD
Blue Green Acupuncture & Body Work - Baltimore, MD
Charm City Craniosacral - Baltimore, MD
First Step Chiropractic - Baltimore, MD
Indigo Restorative Health - Columbia, MD
Awaken Wellness - Columbia, MD
Dover Chiropractic - Towson, MD
Video credit: Holland Hospital
Video credit: Pregnancy & Postpartum TV
PARENT & BABY PLAY GROUPS
PARENT & BABY PLAY GROUPS
Anne Arundel County Library: Babies in Bloom Story Times (ages 0-5)
Music Classes: Music Together Chesapeake, Naptown Sings & Plays
Mom Walk Co: Annapolis, Baltimore
Hike it Baby: Outdoor family hikes
Baby & Me Yoga: Yoga Barn, The Womb Room
MOPS: Motherhood support groups
Annapolis Moms Network: local events
Macaroni Kid: events, guides, articles
Fit 4 Mom: Prenatal & Postpartum fitness programs created by moms
Postpartum Support International: Support for Dads, Support for Moms, Queer & Trans Support Groups
DMV Kid-Friendly Google Maps List
Maryland Adventure Map by local dad Frank Bolinsky
CHILD CARE RESOURCES
CHILD CARE RESOURCES
Locate Childcare by Maryland Family Network
Find Childcare by State of Maryland
Childcare by the Bay on Facebook - Anne Arundel, MD
Childcare Around AA County on FB
Nanny & Parent Connection of Central MD on FB
Maryland Nanny Group on FB
YOUR POSTPARTUM HEALTH & BEYOND
YOUR POSTPARTUM HEALTH & BEYOND
As your body recovers from pregnancy and birth, there are check-ups you should consider in the next year to two years. Unfortunately, there are health complications that can look and feel a lot like the postpartum fog - irritability, exhaustion, irregular menstrual cycles, depression, anxiety, and weight fluctuations. Double unfortunately, pregnancy can trigger autoimmune disease in some bodies.
Things to keep an eye on...
Nutrient Levels - Iron, Vitamin D, Iodine, Vitamin B12, Calcium & Magnesium
Many of these can be increased through diet, supplement or infusion
Always consult with your health care provider when considering supplements & nutrient adjustments
Hyper- and Hypothyroidism
Fibroids & Cysts
Breast health
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