Arrow and Root

10/16/2023

https://www.thehotline.org/

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

10/04/2023

Important message for domestic violence situations. For anyone with a secret phone, the phone will make sound on October 4th at 2:20 pm EST. FEMA is testing the National text alert system and will override your sound settings. Turning that phone off is the only way to avoid it making a sound.

10/04/2023

Important message for domestic violence situations. For anyone with a secret phone, the phone will make sound on October 4th at 2:20 pm EST. FEMA is testing the National text alert system and will override your sound settings. Turning that phone off is the only way to avoid it making a sound.

There’s no opting out of this one.

03/01/2023

✨✨POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION ✨✨
If you are in crisis or know someone who is, please reach out to the Postpartum Support International helpline:
1 800 944 4773 or www.postpartum.net or 1 800 273 TALK (8255).

You are also ALWAYS invited to reach out to me! You are not alone.

Postpartum Support International is dedicated to helping families suffering from postpartum depression, anxiety, and distress.

02/20/2023

Try to pick a person you can commit to sharing your thoughts with.
I always feel like PPD thrives in the dark. Women often feel embarrassed, ashamed, or scared of what others would say or do if they knew the thoughts they struggled with. These feelings often silence them and the darkness seems to grow.

If you can find one partner to get some light on your thoughts, you can often be in a safer spot. Some people pick a best friend or family member. Some feel more comfortable with a complete stranger. Counselors and support groups can also provide an avenue for sharing hard thoughts.
Bottom line is, you do not have to hide your thoughts and you deserve a voice.

02/19/2023

Many newly postpartum moms are low on calories. Often when I'm working with moms I'll be struck by the fact that she is completely depleted.
Breastfeeding and recovering your body from birth takes a considerable amount of energy!
You are working so hard to feed and care for your babies that you forget or simply can't find the time to consume enough calories.
One thing I commonly recommend is finding a source of drinkable calories. I see moms with their big water bottles and water is great but if you are struggling to find time to eat and drink, try something with calories instead of just water all day.
You can make even just one high calorie smoothie and add in avocado oil, peanut butter, protein powder, fruits, etc...
If you feel you are crying more than usual, try to stop and see if your body needs more calories.
I tell women to aim for 500 calories more than at their hungriest stage of pregnancy.
When your body is starving, coping with your thoughts can feel impossible.

02/18/2023

After seeing some pretty serious situations in recent weeks, it seems necessary to spend some time focusing on mental health. For the foreseeable future we're going to be sharing and listening to ideas aimed at caring for the mental health needs of moms. Please feel free to share privately or on these threads if you have ideas or questions. Also, if you ever find yourself struggling please know you are not alone. I'm inviting you to reach out anytime you're struggling. You'll be met with open ears and an open heart.

09/09/2022

Good morning to all the husbands, fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, cousins, best friends, and all the other people who are currently playing that role of supporting a new mom! Please do your best to make rest possible for her. She needs to heal, even if she looks like she could go run a marathon.
The world kind of goes from doting on a pregnant mom to doting on baby in what seems to be a matter of seconds but MOMS NEED CARE! Moms need care. It is so easy to visit and grab that baby up to help care for him but, in most situations, the baby is probably being well cared for by mom already. Care for Mom. She needs to heal emotionally, physically, and mentally.

Here are some ideas to get you started. (feel free to add to this list in the comments below)

Bring her a drink
Cut up some fruits and veggies for her to snack on
Pick up a few groceries
Wash the dishes
Run a load of laundry
Make her a snack basket with easy to grab snacks
Go play with her toddler
Heat her up a hot pack for her back
Bring a meal that she enjoys
Are her feet on the floor? Bring her an ottoman or some pillows so she can lay back on her couch in a more restful position

Special note!! Don't overwhelm her with questions. If you ask if she wants this or that, you will often get a no, even if all of her might really want to say yes.
Try this!
Instead of, "Do you want a drink?"
Try, "What can I get you to drink?"
Try, "Do you have a water bottle going? I want to top it off for you."

Instead of, "You really need to be resting!"
Try, "What can I do to help you rest? I am going to grab you a few more pillows for your legs and one for your back" (she almost always needs one for her back.)

09/08/2022

Engorgement! I work with so many moms who are suffering through engorgement often due to well meaning but out of date advice.
Engorgement is a serious issue that requires immediate treatment. If you are experiencing engorgement, reach out and you will be bumped up the list and given an urgent appointment.
Engorgement creates a lot of pain. With that pain comes a lot of tears and overwhelming sadness that no one can really understand unless they have experienced it. An engorged breast can be incredibly difficult to nurse off of. Engorgement can lead to mastitis, tissue damage, and other problems.