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  <channel>
    <title>Dr. Daniella Perri's Blog</title>
    <description>Evidence-based naturopathic care specializing in prenatal care, childbirth education, and breastfeeding support.</description>
    <link>https://www.motherwellacademy.com</link>
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    <lastBuildDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 22:19:09 GMT</lastBuildDate>
    
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Why Does Breastfeeding Hurt?: Risk Factors and Resolutions]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially for first-time moms, but it shouldn't be painful! Discover the common causes of discomfort and effective solutions to help you and your baby find your rhythm. Dive in to learn more!]]></description>
      <link>https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/why-does-breastfeeding-hurt-risk-factors-and-resolutions</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/why-does-breastfeeding-hurt-risk-factors-and-resolutions</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <category><![CDATA[postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[breastfeeding]]></category><category><![CDATA[prenatal care]]></category><category><![CDATA[childbirth education]]></category><category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category><category><![CDATA[mental health]]></category><category><![CDATA[stress support]]></category><category><![CDATA[naturopathic medicine]]></category>
      <category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. Daniella Perri]]></dc:creator>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[### Breastfeeding Should Not Hurt, Yet Pain is Common!

Pain during breastfeeding is not okay, yet it is a common symptom felt, especially in first-time moms. The important factor is differentiating between self-limiting sensitivity (discomfort that goes away) and pain associated with each and every feed.

As a first-time mom, breastfeeding can bring a whole host of new sensations. A tiny baby tugging at your nipple doesn’t feel like nothing, yet it shouldn’t feel painful. In the early days of breastfeeding your newborn, you may feel this discomfort, but it generally subsides as baby latches and you both find your rhythm and routine.

This is why breastfeeding support is so crucial. Not knowing that this discomfort will subside or, worse, that there is significant pain at each feed is the leading cause of early weaning!

Furthermore, pain is amplified by common psychosocial events such as sleep deprivation, anxiety, feeling alone, inadequate or frustrated, and having no support. So, in reality, pain is a combination of both physical stimuli and psychosocial factors. 

### What Causes Breastfeeding Pain?

Mechanical trauma from an improper latch is the leading cause of nipple pain. When your baby has a shallow latch, the nipple rubs against the hard palate at the roof of the baby’s mouth. This leads to nipple compression and results in the commonly known lipstick-shaped nipples.

A shallow latch and the high vacuum a baby creates within their mouths cause a lot of friction between the nipple and the roof of the mouth. Nipple tissue damage, cracks, bleeding, and, of course, pain are the result.

So what can you do to prevent nipple trauma?

Recent evidence suggests that the laid-back breastfeeding position significantly reduces nipple trauma and pain and is conducive to a healthy latch. 

### Why Does Breastfeeding Hurt Even With a Proper Latch?

On the outside, it may look like your baby is latching well to your nipple. However, on the inside of their mouth, their tongue mechanics might prove otherwise. A tongue tie is when the baby has a short lingual frenulum (piece of tissue that tethers the tongue to the lower jaw).

A tongue tie may be the reason why your baby cannot latch properly, which leads to sharp, biting pain and therefore, nipple trauma. One solution is a frenotomy—a surgical procedure where the frenulum is cut to allow more tongue movement.

Recent research has concluded that a frenotomy may cause short-term reduction in a mother’s nipple pain. However, there isn’t enough evidence to show that this procedure will result in longer-term breastfeeding success. The point is that surgery is not your first go-to.

This is where a lactation consultant and breastfeeding assessments are essential. Implementing a multidisciplinary approach can help to remove all roadblocks to breastfeeding so that you can reduce pain and aim for continued breastfeeding success.

### Other Sources of Breastfeeding Pain

Sometimes, there are things happening in the breast and nipple tissues that cause breastfeeding to hurt. Below are some physical signs that something may not be right within your own breasts.

1. **Nipple dermatoses**: eczema, psoriasis, and Raynaud’s syndrome—vasospasms in the breast that cause lightning bolt pain—can contribute to breast pain, making it difficult to enjoy breastfeeding.
   
2. **Infective mastitis**: inflammation in the breast tissue with a bacterial infection can cause significant pain. Knowing systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and overall malaise (in addition to localized breast pain) can help to identify if an infection is present.
   
3. **Milk blebs**: these are tiny blisters at the end of the nipple—also known as hyperkeratosis of the ductal opening—can cause nipple pain. The best way to resolve these is to continue to breastfeed. Never pop them!

### Steps to Resolution

If your goal is to experience a healthy long-term breastfeeding journey, then resolution of breastfeeding pain should be a priority. At the onset of pain, a trip or phone consult to your healthcare practitioner is the first step.

Identifying associated symptoms such as breast redness, tenderness, lumps, cracks in the nipple, and even stress and anxiety can help to diagnose underlying conditions that cause breast pain. Infective mastitis and postpartum anxiety can amplify breastfeeding pain.

We also can’t forget that breastfeeding is a dyad relationship between mom and baby. Assessments of latch, oral development, and breastfeeding positions can also help to improve the breastfeeding experience.

Wherever you’re at in your journey, there is support. Your naturopathic doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant can lead you on the path to having a breastfeeding success story. Don’t suffer in silence. Get help sooner rather than later!

### References

[1. Jones, L. E., Amir, L. H., Shi En Chew, N., Yun Low, S., Yu Ting Woo, V., Fok, D., Peng Mei Ng, Y., & Amin, Z. (2025). Do Lactating Mothers' Descriptions of Breastfeeding Pain Align with a Biopsychosocial Pain Reasoning Tool? A Qualitative Study. Brain sciences, 15(10), 1087.](https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15101087) 

[2. Wang, Z., Liu, Q., Min, L., & Mao, X. (2021). The effectiveness of the laid-back position on lactation-related nipple problems and comfort: a meta-analysis. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 21(1), 248.](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03714-8)

[3. Thomas, J., Bunik, M., Holmes, A., Keels, M. A., Poindexter, B., Meyer, A., Gilliland, A., SECTION ON BREASTFEEDING, SECTION ON ORAL HEALTH, COUNCIL ON QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND PATIENT SAFETY, COMMITTEE ON FETUS & NEWBORN, & SECTION ON OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY (2024). Identification and Management of Ankyloglossia and Its Effect on Breastfeeding in Infants: Clinical Report. Pediatrics, 154(2), e2024067605.](https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-067605) 

[4. Moore, H., & Stevenson, A. Breast and Nipple Dermatoses During Lactation. The Australasian journal of dermatology, 66(7), (2025) e386–e407.](https://doi.org/10.1111/ajd.14586) ]]></content:encoded>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Natural Lactational Mastitis Treatements During Breastfeeding]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Navigating lactational mastitis can be challenging, but understanding its symptoms and treatment options can empower you to continue your breastfeeding journey. Discover natural remedies and simple strategies to find relief and keep your baby happy!]]></description>
      <link>https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/natural-lactational-mastitis-treatements-during-breastfeeding</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/natural-lactational-mastitis-treatements-during-breastfeeding</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <category><![CDATA[postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[breastfeeding]]></category><category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category><category><![CDATA[stress support]]></category><category><![CDATA[supplements]]></category><category><![CDATA[naturopathic medicine]]></category><category><![CDATA[lactational mastitis]]></category><category><![CDATA[nutrition]]></category>
      <category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. Daniella Perri]]></dc:creator>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[### What is Lactational Mastitis?

Lactational mastitis refers to the inflammation of breast tissue during breastfeeding. Women are often told that they have a “clogged milk duct” or a “plugged milk duct.” In reality, the surrounding tissue is inflamed, and that pressure narrows the milk duct, causing poor milk flow. 

If left unattended, this creates a breeding ground for bacteria to proliferate. A small percentage of women go on to develop an abscess (localized infection), which takes a lot more time to heal. The discomfort is also a deterrent for breastfeeding, which makes for unhappy babies and the unintentional switch to formula. 

As a result, the challenges that women face ultimately lead to their breastfeeding journeys ending prematurely. However, there are many ways to treat mastitis! It’s good to know that mastitis doesn’t always mean that an infection is present. This can help differentiate what treatment options may be best for you so you can continue to breastfeed without hesitation. 

### Lactational Mastitis: What Are the Symptoms?

Some common symptoms of lactational mastitis include localized symptoms such as pain in a specific spot in one breast, redness or a wedge-shaped pink area over the painful spot, and a palpable lump (“clogged duct”) that feels smooth and is tender to touch under the area of redness and swelling. 

What does a “clogged milk duct” feel like? 

Depending on the size of the “blockage,” you can feel either a pea-sized ball or a lump the size of a golf ball! It has a smooth feeling to it, and it is tender to touch because of the surrounding inflamed breast tissue. 

When an infection is present, generalized symptoms may appear, such as overall malaise, fever, body aches, and chills. It feels like you are down with the flu! These symptoms will appear in conjunction with the localized symptoms mentioned above. 

### Lactational Mastitis: Common Treatment Options

Based on the current definition of lactational mastitis, the [Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM)](https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/36-mitchell-et-al-2022-academy-of-breastfeeding-medicine-clinical-protocol-36-the-mastitis-spectrum-revised-2022.pdf) revised their Mastitis Spectrum protocol and shifted from heat and deep massage to ice and inflammation reduction. Let’s explore some other treatment options! 

#### Conventional Treatments

The most common treatment strategy for recurrent mastitis (mastitis that keeps happening) is antibiotic administration. In fact, current research suggests that if a woman’s symptoms are mild or show resolution within 48 hours, she may not need antibiotic treatment at all. This is good news since antibiotics are ineffective against drug-resistant bacteria.

#### Non-pharmaceutical Treatments

When symptoms are mild, there are a few best practices that you can follow. First and foremost, get lots of rest! As with any type of pain and inflammation in the body, it’s necessary to rest to allow the body to heal.

Whether there is an infection or not, continued breastfeeding/milk expression is completely safe for the baby, even if mom is on antibiotics! Gentle lymphatic massage (towards the armpit) can also help with milk flow by draining excess fluid in the breast tissue. 

In some cases, overexpression could be a trigger for mastitis, but that could be something that you talk to your healthcare provider about. 

If the discomfort from the tenderness is preventing you from resting, then over-the-counter pain-relieving medication like Ibuprofen can help. Give yourself permission to feel good and relax your body. Stress prevents healing! 

### Lactational Mastitis: Alternative Treatment Options

Now more than ever, women are looking for alternative options to help with symptoms of mastitis. Current research suggests a few supplements that may help resolve mastitis and are completely safe to take while breastfeeding. They are also very easy to obtain online and at local health food stores.

- **Probiotics (L. fermentum and L. salivarius)**  
  A meta-analysis of recent clinical trial data concluded that the use of probiotics containing Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus salivarius significantly reduced the bacterial count in human breastmilk, thus reducing the incidence of mastitis. Further studies demonstrated that supporting the gut microbiome can reverse symptoms of mastitis.

- **Allicin (from Garlic)**  
  This is nature’s antibiotic. Emerging research demonstrates its potent antimicrobial activity, which has the potential to treat mastitis and prevent abscess formation. Not only does it act as an antimicrobial, but it also has the ability to reduce inflammation as well. A win-win situation. 

- **Therapeutic Ultrasound Therapy**  
  Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound has been demonstrated to reduce inflammation in breast tissue. In a recent case study, it was observed that a significant reduction in inflammation, swelling, and redness occurred after 5 consecutive treatments of 5 minutes each. The patient was able to continue breastfeeding comfortably.

The purpose of ameliorating the symptoms of lactational mastitis is to allow mothers to enjoy their breastfeeding journeys. Probiotics, garlic, and therapeutic ultrasound provide women with non-pharmaceutical treatment options. The aim is to prevent early cessation of breastfeeding to allow women to achieve their breastfeeding goals. 

### Your Mastitis Action Checklist

If you think you have a “clogged milk duct” or the start of mastitis, follow these steps:

1. Rule out infection: any fevers, chills, body aches, or general malaise?
2. Rest, continue regular breastfeeding.
3. DON’T overexpress or pump too much.
4. Allicin & probiotics: talk to your naturopathic doctor for the right dose for you.
5. Therapeutic Ultrasound: find a naturopathic doctor that can offer this service.
6. Ice and gentle massage: helps to reduce tissue inflammation and drain excess fluid.
7. Antibiotics: if symptoms don’t resolve in 48 hours, you may need antibiotics.

### References

[Wilson, E., Woodd, S. L., & Benova, L. (2020). Incidence of and Risk Factors for Lactational Mastitis: A Systematic Review. Journal of human lactation: official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association, 36(4), 673–686.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32286139/)

Louis-Jacques, A. F., Berwick, M., & Mitchell, K. B. (2023). Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatment of Lactational Mastitis. JAMA, 329(7), 588–589.

[Yu, Q., Xu, C., Wang, M., Zhu, J., Yu, L., Yang, Z., Liu, S., & Gao, X. (2022). The preventive and therapeutic effects of probiotics on mastitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 17(9)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36084006/)

[Che, H. Y., Zhou, C. H., Lyu, C. C., Meng, Y., He, Y. T., Wang, H. Q., Wu, H. Y., Zhang, J. B., & Yuan, B. (2023). Allicin Alleviated LPS-Induced Mastitis via the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells. International journal of molecular sciences, 24(4), 3805.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36835218/)

[Lavigne, V., & Gleberzon, B. J. (2012). Ultrasound as a treatment of mammary blocked duct among 25 postpartum lactating women: a retrospective case series. J Chiropr Med, 11(3), 170–178](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23449233/)]]></content:encoded>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Postpartum Hair Loss]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[If you’re navigating the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum hair loss, you're not alone. Discover the causes behind this common experience and learn five simple ways to manage shedding while nurturing your hair back to health. Dive into the full article for insights and support!]]></description>
      <link>https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/postpartum-hair-loss</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/postpartum-hair-loss</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <category><![CDATA[postpartum health]]></category><category><![CDATA[hair loss]]></category><category><![CDATA[postpartum hair loss]]></category><category><![CDATA[telogen effluvium]]></category><category><![CDATA[maternal wellness]]></category><category><![CDATA[anxiety and hair loss]]></category><category><![CDATA[postpartum nutrition]]></category><category><![CDATA[iron deficiency]]></category><category><![CDATA[vitamins for postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[scalp health]]></category><category><![CDATA[hair care tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[breastfeeding hormones]]></category><category><![CDATA[postpartum thyroiditis]]></category><category><![CDATA[emotional well-being]]></category><category><![CDATA[maternal mental health]]></category>
      <category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. Daniella Perri]]></dc:creator>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[### The Scary Story of Postpartum Hair Loss

Have you watched countless clumps of hair spiral down the drain while taking a shower? You are not alone in this postpartum hair loss journey, or dare I say, nightmare! A recent study published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics found that nearly 92% of women experience postpartum hair loss! Whoa!

What’s even more interesting, but not surprising, is that the severity of postpartum hair loss is directly associated with increased postpartum anxiety. This is a double whammy of obstacles that postpartum moms have to deal with. Let me help!

### What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?

For most women, pregnancy was a time when their skin was glowing and their hair was thick and shiny. This is mainly due to the high estrogen levels that are produced to help maintain the pregnancy. After giving birth, the estrogen levels plummet, triggering what is called *Telogen Effluvium*.

*Telogen Effluvium* is a term used to describe the thinning of hair as a result of changes in the hair cycle. Hair follicles go from the growth phase (*Anogen*) and enter the resting phase (*Telogen*), especially after birth, causing an increased amount of hair shedding.

In addition to changes in the hair cycle, fluctuations in *Prolactin*, the breastfeeding hormone, can also influence the timing of postpartum hair loss.

### When Can I Expect My Hair to Grow Back?

Since so many women experience postpartum hair loss, a hair shedding timeline has been established. On average, this is what it looks like:

- Onset of hair loss: ~3 months postpartum  
- Peak of hair loss: ~5 months postpartum  
- Hair Returns: ~8 months postpartum  

However, every mom is different. Your onset, peak, and return can happen at any time; some sooner, some later. Below are some tips on how to manage the hair loss.

### Here are 5 Easy Ways to Manage the Shedding!

1. **Ferritin Levels:** This refers to your stored iron levels. Hair follicles require at least 60 ng/ml of iron for optimal hair growth. Talk to your naturopathic or family doctor to get tested!  
   
2. **Vitamins:** Being deficient in vitamins and minerals is common during the postpartum period. Continue to take your prenatal vitamins and eat a nutrient-dense diet.  
   
3. **Scalp Health:** Using a silicone scalp massager can help stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles to enhance hair growth.  
   
4. **Gentle Haircare:** Use healthy shampoos to wash hair and avoid heating your hair when you can. Try going for a wash and wear look!  
   
5. **Low Tension Hairstyles:** Use silk scrunchies and clips instead of elastic bands to reduce the tension on the follicles. It also helps to prevent breakage.  

### What Happens If the Shedding Doesn’t Stop?

If you don’t notice hair regrowth by the approximate timeline of 8 months postpartum, there may be underlying causes to the postpartum hair loss. *Postpartum Thyroiditis* affects about 5-10% of mothers and often presents with severe hair loss, fatigue, and cold intolerance.

Iron deficiency anemia from previous medical history or even from blood loss after giving birth can also contribute to postpartum hair loss. Restoring iron levels to above 60 ng/ml is essential for optimal hair growth. The main symptom that will help to identify low iron is fatigue, but this can overlap with so many things! You won't know it's low iron until you get tested!

### Embracing the Postpartum Baby Hairs

So, now you’ve gone from thinning hair to crazy flyaways! Seeing baby hairs at your hairline is a good sign. It means that the hair follicles are in the growth phase (*Anogen*) again. Your body knows how to rebalance itself, but if you need to support it along the way, that’s okay! 

### References

1. [The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research vol. 50,12 (2024): 2239-2245.](https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jog.16130)  
   
2. [“Investigation of exacerbating factors for postpartum hair loss: a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.” International journal of women's dermatology vol. 9,2 e084. 16 Jun. 2023](https://journals.lww.com/ijwd/Fulltext/2023/06000/Investigation_of_exacerbating_factors_for.9.aspx)  
   
3. [Carlson, Karen, and Beverly A. Mikes. “Postpartum Thyroiditis.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 8 November 2025.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557646/)  
   
4. [Madison J, and Mark A Bechtel. “Considerations for cutaneous physiologic changes of pregnancy that fail to resolve postpartum.” International journal of dermatology vol. 62,2 (2023): 190-196.](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.16105)  ]]></content:encoded>
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      <title><![CDATA[Postpartum Mental Health: Baby Blues vs. Depression]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Navigating the postpartum period can be a whirlwind of emotions, making it tough to distinguish between baby blues and postpartum depression. Understanding the signs is crucial for moms and their loved ones to find the support they need. Discover how to recognize these symptoms and ensure a healthier transition into motherhood.]]></description>
      <link>https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/postpartum-mental-health-baby-blues-vs-depression</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/postpartum-mental-health-baby-blues-vs-depression</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <category><![CDATA[postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[prenatal care]]></category><category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category><category><![CDATA[cycle health]]></category><category><![CDATA[mental health]]></category><category><![CDATA[stress support]]></category><category><![CDATA[naturopathic medicine]]></category><category><![CDATA[newborn care]]></category>
      <category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. Daniella Perri]]></dc:creator>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[### Your Immediate Postpartum Period

Your immediate postpartum period can be overwhelming! Sleep deprivation, elation, daily visitors, and newborn cries can affect your mental health and ultimately, your physical wellbeing. So many moms experience postpartum symptoms, yet they can overlap with those of postpartum mood disorders. That’s why it’s difficult to identify if a loved one is actually experiencing postpartum depression or the baby blues. Knowing the signs and symptoms can help partners and family members get that postpartum mom the help she needs and deserves.

### Baby Blues: What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of baby blues typically surface within the first few days after giving birth. The important thing to know is that these symptoms are temporary and should improve within 2 weeks postpartum as you and your baby find a routine and rhythm to feedings and sleep.

Common symptoms are:

- Irritability
- Having crying spells or tearfulness
- Sorrow/weeping
- Unstable mood
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Loss of appetite
- Poor concentration

### Postpartum Depression: What Are the Symptoms?

Postpartum depression may include all of the symptoms of baby blues with the following additional symptoms listed below. These symptoms typically last longer than 2 weeks. The likelihood of developing postpartum depression is greater if you have a personal medical history of depression and anxiety, and especially if you have active symptoms during your pregnancy. More on risk factors later.

Common symptoms are:

- Loss of interest in things you usually loved or enjoyed
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Obsessive thoughts over baby’s health, feeding, and bathing safety

### Postpartum Anxiety

Moms who are stricken with anxiety over motherhood tend to get brushed aside as just being frantic and sleep-deprived. In reality, this occurs alongside postpartum depression. The sadness and loss of interest are felt in tandem with hyperactivity and obsessive worrying.

If these symptoms also last more than 2 weeks postpartum, you should seek professional help. This is important, especially if you experienced anxiety during pregnancy and were taking medication for it.

### Postpartum Psychosis: What Are the Symptoms?

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but dangerous psychiatric emergency. It may start with baby blues and postpartum depression, but it evolves very quickly. The drastic hormonal fluctuations during the postpartum period are a trigger for this disorder, and a major risk factor is if you already suffer from bipolar disorder.

What to look out for:

- Intense symptoms of mania and depression
- Hallucinations: your brain not knowing the difference between real or false sensory input
- Delusions: holding strong beliefs even if there is evidence to falsify those beliefs

### Postpartum Mental Health: Risk Factors

Knowing the risk factors can help make it easier to identify the signs and symptoms of a postpartum mood disorder. When you know the risk factors, you heighten your awareness.

1. **Personal history of mental health concerns**: If you suffered from anxiety and depression before pregnancy, you are at risk of developing postpartum depression, especially if there is a lack of support and/or delayed treatment management.

2. **Traumatic birth experience**: Even without a personal mental health history, having a traumatic birth experience puts you at risk for developing postpartum anxiety/depression. Fear for your life and/or your baby’s life can create anxious feelings that can last well into the postpartum period.

3. **Lack of social support**: Pregnancy, birth, and new parenthood can be very overwhelming even to the even-tempered. Not having a social circle to rely on can make the transition into postpartum more difficult.

4. **Stressful life events**: A major move, financial difficulties, relationship issues, domestic abuse, or a loss can increase the propensity to experience postpartum baby blues and/or depression.

5. **Delay or pause in treatment medication**: If you were taking anti-depressants or anxiolytics prior to pregnancy but stopped because of the pregnancy, the delay in resuming your treatment can increase your risk of mood disorders in the postpartum period.

### Where Do You Go From Here?

The first step is to acknowledge that you need help. Talking with your naturopathic doctor, family doctor, or postpartum doula is the first step. If you don’t know where to go for help, the following list may be helpful to find the resources you need. You don’t have to bear this alone while trying to be the perfect mom. Get the help you deserve so you can thrive and elevate your motherhood experience.

### Local Resources

- Crisis Services Canada: call or text 988
- Connex Ontario: text 247247
- Mind Beacon: [www.mindbeacon.com](http://www.mindbeacon.com)

### International Resource

- Postpartum Support International: [www.postpartum.net](http://www.postpartum.net), download the app ‘Connect by PSU’]]></content:encoded>
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      <title><![CDATA[How To Trust Your Baby]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Navigating the early days of motherhood can be overwhelming, but trusting your baby is key to building a strong bond. Discover how to tune into your baby’s unique cues and silence the noise around you for a more confident motherhood experience. Read on to unlock the wisdom you already hold within!]]></description>
      <link>https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/how-to-trust-your-baby</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.motherwellacademy.com/blog/how-to-trust-your-baby</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 09 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <category><![CDATA[postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[prenatal care]]></category><category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category><category><![CDATA[hormone health]]></category><category><![CDATA[cycle health]]></category><category><![CDATA[mental health]]></category><category><![CDATA[stress support]]></category><category><![CDATA[baby feeding]]></category>
      <category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. Daniella Perri]]></dc:creator>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[How To Trust Your Baby: The Ultimate Guide

Trust comes easy when you love someone, right? If that’s true, then why is it so hard when it comes to putting trust in your baby? When self-doubt floods your mind, it can prevent you from recognizing your baby’s subtle cues—cues for hunger, cues for closeness, cues for attention. 

This is such a vicious cycle: if you can’t trust yourself, you can’t trust in your baby. Intuitive maternal instincts kick in the moment you realize you’re pregnant and probably even before then. You have that gut feeling you’re pregnant even before you pee on a stick! So, what happens to that intuition when baby arrives? 

During the immediate postpartum period, the crash of hormones wreaks havoc on your mental health. Without sufficient support, your recovery takes longer and that means your confidence wanes. So, the first step in fostering the ability to put trust in your baby is getting the support that you need and deserve for your postpartum healing. 

Feeling good physically and emotionally directly translates to thinking clearly! The second step is quieting the periphery so you can focus on what’s right in front of you—your baby!

### To Trust in Your Baby, Drown out The Noise

In the early days of motherhood, we're often encouraged to do a lot for our babies. Do this for their sleep, do that for their feeding, do this for their development. Everyone is giving advice on sleep training methods, feeding schedules, and developmental milestones – this can be overwhelming, making you question every maternal instinct. 

Not to mention that your baby is constantly changing. Advice at one time in a baby’s life isn’t automatically relevant for another time. Ever heard of the 3-6-9 rule? This outlines a general timeline of when major changes happen, like sleep regressions, growth spurts, and speech development. It generally happens at 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months! 

While the intentions from family and friends are good, the constant incoming advice can unknowingly drown out the most important voices: your baby's and your own. Ask yourself this: what if your greatest parenting advice isn't found in a book or on social media, but in the quiet wisdom of your own baby?

### Baby Communication: Learning to Trust Your Baby’s Cues

Babies are born with an innate ability to communicate. Long before they can form words, babies use cries, gazes, movements, subtle cues, and touch to tell us what they need. A cry doesn't always mean hunger; it could be that your baby wants you close. A brief startle isn't always a sign to intervene; sometimes, they're just stretching. 

The problem is that modern life often trains us to look for external solutions rather than listening to these inherent signals. When we see a statistic, listen to an expert’s podcast, or scroll past a perfectly scheduled routine on social media, we doubt the unique dance happening between us and our baby. 

When you tune into your baby’s rhythm, you gain the confidence to dismiss unnecessary expectations. So, let’s replace that self-doubt with confident intuition!  

### Why Putting Your Trust In Your Baby Elevates Your Postpartum Confidence

1. **It Builds Your Self-Trust:** When you learn to decipher your baby's unique language, you implicitly build trust in your own intuitive abilities as a mother. You learn to recognize their sleepy cues before the overtired cry or understand their "I'm just observing" glance. This process strengthens your maternal instinct, which is a powerful force.

2. **It Fosters Connection:** A baby whose cues are consistently met learns to trust their caregiver and the world around them. This deepens your bond and creates a secure attachment, forming the foundation for their emotional development.

3. **It Reduces Overwhelm and Guilt:** When you trust your baby's signals, you're less likely to fall into the trap of "shoulds" and "musts." You'll learn to differentiate between genuine needs and fleeting phases. This freedom from constant external comparison is a huge relief and a powerful antidote to postpartum guilt.

4. **It Allows for Flexibility:** Life with a baby is unpredictable, and rigidity can breed stress. When you trust your baby's rhythm, you can adapt more gracefully, knowing that some days will look different, and that's okay. You learn to ride the waves rather than fight them.

5. **It Honors Individuality:** Every baby is unique. What works for one baby (or one mom on Instagram) may not work for yours. Trusting your baby means celebrating their unique personality, pace, and needs, rather than trying to fit them into a preconceived mold that society has created.

### How to Cultivate Trust in Your Baby and Strengthen Your Own Maternal Intuition

- **Observe Actively:** Spend time simply watching your baby without immediate intervention. What are their subtle hunger cues before they cry? How do they self-soothe? What does their "I'm tired but fighting it" look like?

- **Respond, Then Reflect:** Respond to their cues, then take a moment to reflect. "Did that help? What was their reaction? What did I learn?" This creates a feedback loop that builds your confidence.

- **Tune Out the Noise (Sometimes):** Give yourself permission to limit exposure to conflicting advice. Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate. Remember that parenting "experts" (sometimes, family members) provide general guidance, but you are the expert on your baby.

- **Talk to Your Baby:** Narrate what you're doing and what you think they're feeling. "Are you getting sleepy, little one? Let's snuggle." This strengthens your connection and helps you interpret their responses.

- **Trust Your Gut (Even When Scared):** Your intuition is a powerful tool, especially in motherhood, but use it! If something feels off, or if you feel a strong urge to do something (or not do something), honor that feeling. Of course, always seek professional medical advice if you are concerned about your baby’s health.

You are your baby's first and most important expert. By learning to listen to their unique language, you're not just parenting; you're cultivating a bond built on mutual trust, equipping yourself with unwavering confidence, and truly experiencing the joy of motherhood.]]></content:encoded>
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