UPDATE Breastfeeding Moms will now be permitted to bring their nursing children to the Tokyo Olympics! Early last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan would be closing its borders and NOT allowing fans to travel from other countries to attend the Games. These restrictions also included athlete’s family members. This, however, served

It is every professional athlete’s dream to potentially represent their country in the most prominent sporting event in the world- the Olympics. And like most dreams, it does not come without hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. These concepts are no stranger to Canadian basketball player Kim Gaucher, who has been playing with the senior women’s national team since 2001. Thanks

Parents to teachers, students to employees, it’s no secret that COVID-19 profoundly impacted EVERYONE’S way of life. From social distancing to virtual learning, individuals were swiftly expected to adapt to the “new normal”- and without much prior warning. There is one demographic in particular, however, that faced a highly distinctive set of challenges. When the news of the COVID-19 pandemic

No birth is alike, and all birthing is genuinely out of our control and up to mother nature. Even if we plan for an unmedicated birth, emergencies can arise that need the intervention of modern medicine. I have experienced both sides of the spectrum, from an epidural due to horrible back labor to a blissful unmedicated birth with the help

When we had our first baby, I had my breast pump and bottles all ready. I had studied up on how to store breastmilk and was excited to involve my husband in the process of feeding, especially at night so I could get some extra sleep. Seventeen months later when I weaned my daughter, the breast pump was still in

At the risk of sounding ungrateful, needy, or just plain whiny, here is the truth: Mother’s Day is usually a let-down. Last year, I was looking forward to a day of feeling pampered and rested. Like all moms, I was navigating the first few weeks of the pandemic, which meant extra stress, more to do, less help, and the pressure

A lot of relationships change when you have a baby, and over this past year, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting over those changing relationships.  As May 9th grows closer and closer, there seems to be one relationship I keep circling back to–my relationship with my own mother. Well, let me rephrase. My relationship with my mother probably didn’t

When I officially planned to wean my seventeen-month-old daughter I was prepared for her to push back. After the last time I breastfed her, I assumed that a moment would come when she would ask to breastfeed, and I would be forced into the decision of refusing or giving in. But the days went by and she never asked –

Although I receive the quintessential “you’ve got your hands full!” comment frequently, the most accurate and true response I give is “You should see my heart!” I have five kids under the age of eight, and I LOVE having a big family! Is it full of chaos, noise, and mess? You bet! Is the laundry endless? Oh, yea. Is it

Whenever I told someone I hired a doula to be there with me for the birth of my son, a lot of the time it was followed up with: “What’s a doula exactly?”  The dictionary definition is: “a woman, typically without formal obstetric training, who is employed to provide guidance and support to a pregnant woman during pregnancy, labor, and