Category: Breastfeeding

Adulting, Breastfeeding, Musing, Natural Childbirth, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy

El Dia Internacional de la Matrona

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Today is May 5th. Some folks think of it as a good day for margaritas and tacos. It’s also International Day of the Midwife. This is a day, acknowledged all around the world, where we honor the people who quietly walk through fire as a way of life and a profession. Midwives are the attendants for most births around the world. In some places they are traditionally trained by their elders. In many or most places (and in ALL the places that have better maternity and neonatal outcomes than the USA…) Midwives are very highly trained in sitting on their … Continue reading El Dia Internacional de la Matrona

Adulting, Breastfeeding, Musing, Natural Childbirth, Parenting, Pediatrics, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Self CareLeave a comment

Why Does My Brain Feel Like it is Leaking?

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

An interesting article was published this past Summer on the very real, little-discussed changes that occur in the brain of a pregnant, postpartum, and/or caregiving person.  There are a number of rapid and monumental changes that happen to the portion of our brains that control social-emotional processes or the “ability to atttribute emotions and mental states to other people- key to raising a human.” “The more brain change the mothers experienced, the higher they scored on measures of emotional attachment to their babies, a finding that echoed past studies. And the changes in most brain regions remained two years later.” Whoa.  Two years?! … Continue reading Why Does My Brain Feel Like it is Leaking?

Breastfeeding, Natural Childbirth, Nutrition, Parenting, Pediatrics, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Women's HealthLeave a comment

Postpartum ‘Must Haves’ That Have Nothing To Do With Buying Stuff

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

I would love to replace the typical birth registry of items that all new parents “need”. Instead, I want new parents to receive a different kind of checklist.  A checklist that would include ways to prepare for parenthood and postpartum that could actually help prevent postpartum depression, isolation, and suffering.  And yes, hand-me-downs would still be incredibly helpful! I have no doubt that baby swings and swaddle blankets have saved sanity and have probably saved lives. But if we are really concerned about healthy families and getting off to a good start, why don’t we talk more about what families … Continue reading Postpartum ‘Must Haves’ That Have Nothing To Do With Buying Stuff

Adulting, Breastfeeding, Musing, Natural Childbirth, Parenting, Pediatrics, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Self Care1 Comment

Birth and rebirth

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

This week my son turned 4 years old.  It seems like he has been here for a minute and at the same time that I have known him my entire life.  Of course this has me thinking about my pregnancy, what I was doing when I went into labor, my labor, my labor, my labor (that’s one ‘labor’ for each day), his birth, our first night all snuggled into bed together, and those postpartum weeks.  I have to say-  it was glorious. It wasn’t glorious because I ‘did everything right’.  It was glorious because I was just able to be. … Continue reading Birth and rebirth

Breastfeeding, Immune Health, Natural Childbirth, Pediatrics, PostpartumLeave a comment
Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Check out this blog post regarding Cesarean sections and childhood obesity….http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=4875&cpage=1#comment-12116 This is not about demonizing mothers who have ended up with or elected a Cesarean section.  I see this as an opportunity to be aware of challenges on the horizon for a newborn and growing child, and what we can do to mitigate some of the potentially lasting effects. Continue reading

Breastfeeding, Events, Healthy Eating, Parenting, Pediatrics, Women's HealthLeave a comment

Eastside Natural Medicine is making changes

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Many of you have had the opportunity to be in the (relatively) new space in the last five months and not only are we staying put, we are expanding! Beginnning July 1st we will be taking over Suite 104 and with this expansion will come some new faces…. In addition to Eastside Natural Medicine and my practice, there will be another family practice naturopathic physcian, a nurse midwife and lactation consultant, a massage therapist, a reiki and energy pracitioner, and nutritionists. All of these wonderful people are ‘hand picked’ and I am excited to have them in one place to … Continue reading Eastside Natural Medicine is making changes

Breastfeeding, Healthy Eating, PediatricsLeave a comment

Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula

Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM

Many of you have heard and even asked about the ‘recall’ of Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula.  It is carried locally in the Seattle area at PCC and Whole Foods, and recently PCC removed it from the shelves.  After a chat with PCC to clarify the ‘recall’, I wanted to confirm with you that it was not taken off the shelves for safety reasons.  The company (Earth’s Best) had changed some of the ingredients, and these new ingredients were apparently not USDA Certified Organic.  Thus, to be compliant with their own labeling, the company actually enacted a ‘voluntary recall’ until … Continue reading Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula