Communication

Encourage Infant Speech Learning, Security & Confidence Through Communication and Play

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It makes intuitive sense that communication and play during the first 0-12 months of a baby’s life help set the tone for the child’s relationship with the world around them. But how do we proactively and thoughtfully communicate with a baby in a way that encourages learning, emotional security and confidence? 
Here’s what you’ll learn on episode 51 of Fourth Trimester Podcast:
+ How to support early communication – from birth and beyond!
+ How to be musical with your baby (even if you don’t consider yourself “musical”)
+ Tips for raising a bilingual/multilingual baby
+ Why the tools to support your baby’s development are already in your home
 

Postpartum Support

What Postpartum Doulas Do

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If you are even remotely considering hiring a doula to help you out after you’ve had a baby, we highly recommend listening to Monique Cowan (a.k.a. Monique The Doula) share her first-hand experiences in a typical day in her job. She talks through the practical offerings of helping families prepare for a birth and thrive after baby has arrived. 
Monique was inspired to become a postpartum doula after her own birth experience. She saw the potential to help women in her Southern California locale, particularly women of color and inner city areas.  She works with all people who need postpartum doula services and her website is https://moniquethedoula.wordpress.com/

Childcare

One Simple Move Parents Can Make To Save Money, Time & The Planet

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One of the major contributors to that feeling of overwhelm for expecting parents is the notion of having to hurry up and prepare for their little one’s arrival.
A major tickbox for that preparedness is BUYING TONS OF STUFF. That can be a fun part, and also a hugely EXPENSIVE and EXHAUSTING experience.
So here’s the simple thing you can do: buy a charming, high-quality (new or pre-loved) clothing set that you can sell-back to a community of like-minded parents. 

Recovery

A Detailed Explanation of Vaginal Steaming AKA “Peristeam Hydrotherapy”

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Ever heard of Vaginal Steaming? Neither had we! Turns out, V-Steaming is a well-known and well-loved practice around the world. People love the practice for fertility, cycle cleanses, postpartum recovery & menopause. File it under “feels good and has potentially awesome benefits.”
 
We invited a V-Steam expert, Keli Garza, to join us on Fourth Trimester Podcast and share all the juicy – dare we say, steamy! – details.
Here’s the best part, Keli and the Fourth Trimester Podcast have teamed up to offer listeners of the podcast all of the following perks: 
– free shipping ($40 value) plus another $20 off on the Vaginal Steam Sauna Package (http://www.steamychick.com/sauna)
– $20 off an e-course called Postpartum Peristeam Care: How to Use Vaginal Steaming for Full Recovery After Birth (http://www.steamychick.com/302)
To benefit from these offers, use coupon code fourthtrimester when checking out at www.steamychick.com.
 
Steam facials are amazing … why not luxuriate other parts of our bodies? Enjoy the show! This is a fun one!

Body , Mental Health

‘Pregnant With the Stars’ Writer Renée Cramer on How Celebrity Image Plays Into the Psyche of Modern Parents

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Renée Ann Cramer is our guest on episode 45 of the Fourth Trimester Podcast. She wrote “Pregnant With The Stars: Watching And Wanting The Celebrity Baby Bump” as part of her research into the culture around pregnancy and celebrity. She shares personal stories about her experience as a mother, as well as her fascinating perspective on how celebrity image plays into the psyche of modern parents.

Birth

Why Healthcare Professionals Choose Home Birth

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‘Why Not Home: The Surprising Birth Choices of Doctors and Midwives’ is about “changing the conversation about birth in America and spreading evidence-based information about birth across settings.” The short answer to home birth or hospital birth question is that there is no right answer. “Both options carry risks”, Jessicca is quick to point out. However, some of the risks of a hospital birth are introduced by the fact that most hospital births come with an increased risk of interventions that would not have occurred at home. If you’re considering a home birth, or just researching in general, we’d recommend listening to the episode and watching ‘Why Not Home’ on iTunes, Amazon or Vimeo.

Childcare

An Introduction To RIE Infant Parenting

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This episode of the podcast is a high-level introduction of RIE infant parenting. Some of the themes discussed are about slowing down, truly connecting with your baby by giving them your full attention, and creating some predictability for your infant as part of the day-to-day routines. Listen to learn how to apply some of these principles to your own experience as a new parent.