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The role of the Registered Nurse or Newborn Care Provider is to feed, soothe, bathe, change & provide all other gentle care to baby through the night.

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Maternal Health Advocacy: If We Can Do it, You Can Do It!

Maternal Health Advocacy If We Can Do it You Can Do It!
Maternal Health Advocacy If We Can Do it You Can Do It!

Updated October 28, 2022: Maternal Health Advocacy: If We Can Do it, You Can Do It! details ways that any of us can stand up for sensible postpartum care. Below is the latest on national legislation, as well as groups you can support if you wish!

What’s Going on with Legislating Paid Leave?

Four weeks of paid family and medical leave is now part of the Build Back Better legislation currently in front of law makers. Maternal health advocacy has been a cause championed by many that is now becoming a reality. In addition to helping postpartum mothers heal and adjust to their new role, paid leave allows all family members to have better mental health, economic outcomes and long term benefits.

Paid leave can also be used for individuals to recover from a serious illness or provide care for another family member. The caregiver’s job will still be there after leave. This is an unfolding situation so we recommend following @paidleaveus on Instagram for the latest.

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Maternal Health Advocacy in the Postpartum Phase

November 2020 – My team and I visited Capitol Hill to lobby about the importance of postpartum care, specifically in support of H.R. 34 – the 21st Century Cures Act, “Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows.” This Resolution is all about the need to continue to recognize postpartum issues.  Going hand in hand with this is having qualified professionals helping those struggling in the postpartum phase. 

Like everyone who works in mother/baby care, we’ve known for years here at Let Mommy Sleep that early support and intervention just home from baby’s birth are the key to keeping mothers healthy, parents confident and babies safe.  The data in support of even one 2 hour postpartum visit also shows cost effective benefits across the board. 

These early days home with baby are when everyone is at their most vulnerable. By visiting parents just home from the hospital, Registered Nurses, Lactation Consultants and other trained providers head off issues before they become problems. Troubleshooting breastfeeding challenges before they snowball into an issue that makes a parent quit nursing is one example.  Identifying postpartum depression versus baby blues before these emotions spiral into darkness is another. Lastly, we share evidence based safety and newborn care education to build confidence and support for new parents.  Postpartum visits help parents see that not only are they “good enough” for their baby…they are amazing!

In a political climate that has become extreme, we remain a nonpartisan company that supports all families trying to do their best just as we did in 2014 with President Obama’s Summit for Working Families, as we will do on the Hill and as our night nurses continue to do in homes every night. 

How You, yes YOU! Can Support Postpartum Health

If you would like to support maternal health, learn about active legislation in your state and speak up for families, here are 3 ways to get started:

  1. March for Moms. They work every day educating about maternal death, and how it can be prevented.
  2. Did you know diapers are NOT covered under state or federal child safety-net programs? Donate diapers or funds for diapers via the National Diaper Bank.
  3. Be a hands-on or phone support to new and postpartum families by volunteering with Postpartum Support International.

Thank you to everyone who continues to work for healthy pregnancies, families and their babies.

-Denise Iacona Stern

CEO, Let Mommy Sleep

How to Ease Daylight Saving Sleep Loss

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is when clocks are moved forward or backward by one hour to make better use of daylight. For parents of newborns, infants, or twins this one-hour shift can disrupt sleep schedules, feeding routines, and daily rhythms. But with a few simple strategies, you can make the transition smoother for both you and your baby. Our guide shares how to ease daylight saving sleep loss for newborns, infants and yourself.

Quick Tips to Ease Baby Sleep During DST

  • Adjust Bedtime Gradually: Move bedtime 10–15 minutes earlier each night in the week leading up to DST.
  • Shift Daily Activities: Adjust meals, naps, and playtime slightly earlier to support the new schedule.
  • Keep the Environment Dark: Use blackout curtains or shades in the evening to help your baby wind down naturally.

If you want to review safe sleep, read 10 Steps to Safe Sleep for Baby.

How DST Affects Babies

Even though clocks “fall back” or “spring forward,” your baby’s internal clock hasn’t adjusted. You might notice:

  • Early-morning wakeups or fussiness for a few days
  • Slight disruptions in nap times or bedtime routines
  • Increased crankiness until your baby adjusts

Remember: Early wakeups are normal and don’t necessarily mean something is wrong. This is true all year.

Step-by-Step Bedtime Adjustments for Autumn (End of DST)

Gradual changes work better than sudden ones. For a baby who typically goes to bed at 7:00 p.m., try the following in the 10–14 days leading up to DST:

  • Saturday–Monday: Bedtime 7:10–7:20 p.m.
  • Tuesday–Thursday: Bedtime 7:20–7:30 p.m.
  • Friday: Bedtime 7:40–7:50 p.m.
  • Saturday (DST day): Bedtime 8:00 p.m. (which will be 7:00 p.m. on the clock)

Keep a consistent bedtime routine: Bath, final feed, quiet time, and bonding. Predictable routines help babies adjust and develop healthy sleep habits.

Pro tip: Leave your baby alone if a nap seems long. They’re often making up the lost hour!

Ease Daylight Saving Sleep Loss: Don’t Forget Your Own Sleep

Sleep is crucial for parents too. Try these strategies:

  • Swap full nights of sleep with your partner when possible
  • Shift your bedtime and wake time 15 minutes at a time to match your baby’s new schedule
  • Avoid screen time before bed and create a dark, quiet sleep environment

Sleep deprivation affects alertness, mood, immune function, and even decision-making—so protect your rest as much as your baby’s.

Why Do We Have Daylight Saving Time?

DST was introduced to make better use of natural daylight. But since it started, at least 45 states have considered or passed legislation to shift to stop changing the clocks. Key facts:

  • Energy Savings: Extending daylight hours may reduce electricity use (though results are mixed).
  • More Daylight for Activities: Longer evenings allow more outdoor time and boost recreational opportunities.
  • Safety Benefits: Some studies suggest reduced car accidents and crime rates in daylight hours.
  • Work & Agriculture Adjustments: Many find DST disruptive, especially in parenting and farming routines.

FAQ: Daylight Saving and Baby Sleep

Q: How long will my baby take to adjust to DST?
A: Most infants adjust within 3–7 days, though some may take up to two weeks.

Q: Can I start adjusting my baby’s schedule before DST?
A: Yes! Gradual bedtime and wake-time shifts help prevent early-morning fussiness.

Q: How do I help my own sleep during DST?
A: Swap nights with your partner, shift your schedule gradually, and maintain a dark, quiet sleeping environment.

Q: What if my baby refuses to sleep on the new schedule?
A: Stick to predictable routines, use blackout curtains, and remember that short disruptions are normal. Newborns often set their own rhythms.

Key Takeaways

  • Gradual adjustments to bedtime, meals, and daily activities help babies transition smoothly.
  • Predictable routines, darkness, and gentle approaches work better than sudden schedule changes.
  • Protect your own sleep to maintain health, mood, and alertness.
  • Early wakeups, fussiness, and nap changes are normal during the first week after DST.

Regarding infant sleep, sleep training and plans are rarely perfect. If following the baby sleep schedule feels forced, it’s okay to just….stop. Newborns in particular are on their own schedule and that is perfectly normal. Daylight Saving time is a parenting reality that can go into the this too shall pass category.

Newborn and infant twins sleep tips during the time change
Daylight Savings Sleep Tips for Babies

DC Monument Walk for Families

You’ve baked all the bread, gone to all the drive-thru’s and watched Hulu, Netflix and Amazon. You even figured out Apple TV. So for DC, Virginia and Maryland families looking for a COVID-safe activity, we’re sharing a DC Monument Walk for Families. This is a kid-friendly tour of some of Washington DC’s amazing outdoor monuments and memorials. This walk takes about 2 hours and is 2 miles long, but your mileage may vary (literally!), depending on the time you take at each location or if you spend extra time in any of the wide open fields! 

For your GPS, the easiest public parking is at: 455 Rock Creek Trail. There’s lots of spaces and you’ll be right next to the Potomac River, which is a fun start for the kids after being in the car.

DC Monument Walk for Families with newborns infants and toddlers

Here’s the family friendly route we took:

Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial – Most people naturally think of the Stone of Hope statue when they think of this Memorial, but the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial actually encompasses another 4 acres.

Korean War Veterans Memorial – The 19 stainless steel statues representing the service members who fought in the Korean War are a memorable part of this memorial.

Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool – No tour of the monuments is complete without an up close view of the iconic tribute to President Lincoln and the Reflecting Pool.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Three Soldiers are right before The Wall, as is the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. Both are smaller but worth seeing for sure.  If you’d like a little side trip, visit the Albert Einstein Memorial at 2101 Constitution Ave. It’s in the opposite direction, but only a 2 minute walk from The Wall. It’s very easy to get back to the original route.

Constitution Gardens – This is one of the lesser known park areas but is very scenic and has a little island on the park area. The island is a Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence. You can easily see it but it may be closed due to coronavirus safety restrictions. 

World War II Memorial – Gentle reminder to little ones that this is an actual Memorial because it might be tempting to splash in the pools or run around.

Ash Woods, also known as the District of Columbia War Memorial to honor DC residents who served in World War I.

Back to the car for a picnic on the Potomac! Bonus that you’re bound to see lots of low flying helicopters and maybe a few planes taking off. 

What about the Washington Monument…shouldn’t that be in the DC Monument Walk for Families?

You may notice we haven’t included the Washington Monument. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to run to it from the WWII Memorial and you’ll see it very easily for most of the walk. As for restrooms, if the public buildings are closed, there will be port-a-potties along the route. As of this writing, masks and social distancing are required. We hope this helps your lockdown to be a little easier. Any tips we should know?

What Foods Should Be Avoided When Breastfeeding?

updated December 29, 2023 What Foods Should Be Avoided When Breastfeeding? is a common question for night nurses and lactation counselors. As the primary food source for their baby, it’s natural that a parent would worry that the foods they eat could irritate their newborns stomach, or affect milk production. But don’t worry, the short answer is that you can eat almost anything!

mother breastfeeding a newborn outdoors

How Does What I Ingest Affect My Baby?

Conventional wisdom keeps reinforcing the myth that spicy foods, gassy foods and acidic ingredients ingested by a breastfeeding mom make a fussy baby. But this is just not true.  Breastmilk is made from what passes into your bloodstream, not from what goes into your stomach or digestive tract. That’s why ingesting alcohol and then breastfeeding affects your infant, but eating spicy Tandoori does not. 

For example, broccoli and cruciferous vegetable are known for making people feel a little gassy. But, while broccoli may make your stomach feel gassy, it does not affect your newborn or infant. KellyMom explains: Neither the gas nor the undigested carbohydrates (whose breakdown can cause gas in mom) pass into mom’s blood, so it is impossible for these things to pass into your milk to make your baby gassy.

Breastmilk is made from what passes into your bloodstream, not from what goes into your stomach or digestive tract.

What Foods Should Be Avoided When Breastfeeding?

Jordan Seidel is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) at Stone Springs Hospital. Here she breaks down foods that can affect breastmilk:

newborn care expert and certified lactation counselor Jordan
Our own Jordan Seidel, CLC

Most breastfeeding mothers can really continue to eat as they normally do, unless baby has symptoms of a sensitivity. Sensitivities are rare but symptoms can include: excessive gas or spitting up, colic, rashes or diarrhea. The key to healthy eating while nursing is moderation, having a well balanced diet, and having an additional 330-400 calories a day. Breastfeeding is a lot of work so your body needs the calories as fuel!

There are a few substances to be aware of when breastfeeding:

  • Caffeine – Caffeine may affect your baby if ingested in larger quantities, meaning about 3 or more 8 ounce cups per day. However, most experts agree that having 1-2 cups of coffee/soda per day will not affect your infant’s mood or ability to sleep. This is especially true if you consumed caffeine during pregnancy. Again, moderation is the key to staying healthy and balanced when consuming caffeinated beverages.
  • Seafood – The CDC and others recommend being particular about eating seafood. While it’s a great source of protein and essential nutrients, most fish does contain mercury which can be passed through the breastmilk. Too much can affect the brain and nervous system of the breastfed baby. 
  • Alcohol– We know that alcohol passes through the bloodstream and into breastmilk. If you’re breastfeeding and would like to drink alcohol, it’s important to know that giving your body enough time to break down alcohol is the best way to lower blood alcohol content.

Are there foods that help me while I’m breastfeeding?

There is no evidence that one specific food will increase a mom’s milk supply across the board. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help milk production. Proven ways to increase milk production are stimulation and feeding at the breast and pumping often. The nature of breastfeeding is supply and demand, so the more demand you put on your body, the more supply your body will make.

More good news is that there are many foods that affect mother’s milk and health in a positive way! Oatmeal for example is high in iron and protein and usually has a calming, cozy association to boot. While we search and search for reasons baby may be fussy, your own diet is not usually the reason. 

Hydration also plays a huge role in breast milk production. Help your body by taking in lots of healthy fluids throughout the day.

What Foods Should Be Avoided When Breastfeeding?
your diet and breastfeeding
breastfeeding tip from a night nurse

50 Things To Do With Babies During the First Year

Early parenting inevitably feels like “Groundhog Day”. In addition to breaking up the feed-change-sleep grind, an outing can build parents’ confidence! Around week 8, when babies begin to be more wakeful for longer periods, parents may wonder What do I do with my baby? Or what activities are stimulating to for my little one? 50 Things to Do with Babies During the First Year, gives ideas of everyday activities that we hope baby -and you- will enjoy.

All major medical organizations agree that infants age 2 and under should not use screens unless they’re engaging in video chats with loved ones. In addition to being associated with behavioral changes and speech delays, children can also experience sleep disruptions. You Should Know: Blue Light, Screen Time and Babies explains this is greater detail. The good news is that your baby is interested in everything so even simple activities, like sitting on the porch listening to birds is an screen free activity.

Baby Activities Around the House

The activities below are all things you can easily do in your home or hopefully close to it. For example, there’s no need to go on a daylong outing to the zoo if you’re not up to it…the pet store with it’s up close views of fish and small animals can work just as well! You also don’t need expensive toys; soft books that make crinkly noises, homemade maracas or using a sensory mat during tummy time are all interesting science experiments to your infant. Of course, your baby should always be supervised during any activity.

Bonus activities:

  • Grow a Kitchen Scrap Garden!– Place stump of a celery in water and new growth will start after just a day or 2
  • Throw a Kitchen Dance Party – We made you a playlist and everything
  • Make a Homemade Sensory Tray – Use cupcake tray and put different sized toys and balls in each of the cups.

50 Things To Do With Babies During the First Year

A Word About Screens

According to KidsHealth.org, “toddlers 18 months to 24 months old can start to enjoy some screen time with a parent or caregiver” and by ages 2 and 3, it’s “OK for kids to watch up to 1 hour a day of high-quality educational programming.” Little ones should be monitored by an adult who can reinforce the lessons shown in this programming. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children ages 2 to 5 should get an hour or less of screen time per day. The exception to these rules is video chats with loved ones.

Please download the PRINTABLE PDF version of this checklist below! For more ideas check out Toys Siblings Can Play with Together. As always please let us know your ideas too!

Download here: 50 Things To Do with Babies During the First Year

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