PVHC Childbirth Education

03/03/2026

Some helpful exercises for the first postpartum year.

02/25/2026

Often everyone (even baby) sleeps more the first night after baby is born because they are exhausted. But the second night baby becomes more interested in this world they have been born into so they wake more. Sleep when you can, mama 😊

Did you find your confidence a little shaken that second night? You're not alone.

[Image Description] Photo of a sleeping infant. Text reads, "Nobody told me...the second night after your baby is born can be really difficult! The second night can take many parents by surprise. After a calm and mostly peaceful first night, some babies experience what’s known as “Second Night Syndrome,” a period when they seem to be fully waking up to life outside the womb." The LLL USA logo is in the bottom right corner.

02/16/2026

Babies need skin-to-skin time with dad as well as with mom.

Nothing resets a newborn faster than a warm chest and a steady heartbeat.

Skin to skin with fathers in the first hour has powerful science behind it. Studies show oxytocin rises sharply, crying drops, and babies sleep more deeply through their first day. This early contact helps stabilize their temperature, breathing, and heart rate. It also gives fathers a grounding role from the very beginning, strengthening their confidence and emotional connection. The newborn nervous system adapts quickly, and having both parents as safe anchors creates a strong foundation for regulation.

As babies grow, the benefits of that early closeness continue. Fathers who engage in skin to skin often feel more attuned to their babies cues, which supports calmer routines and smoother evenings. Families describe a deeper sense of teamwork when both caregivers share in the earliest soothing moments. These first hours are not about perfection but about presence. The simplest start often builds the strongest bond.

02/13/2026

Drink water. Some caffeinated beverages or juices are ok, but you need plenty of water to stay hydrated.

02/10/2026

Breastfeeding is good for mom, too!

A new observational study published in BMJ Open suggests an association between breastfeeding and lower long-term risks of depression and anxiety for mothers.

How do you think research like this should inform conversations around maternal health and long-term support for families?
https://www.ucd.ie/medicine/news/2026/breastfeedingmaylowermotherslaterlifedepressionandanxietyrisksforupto10years/

02/06/2026

Postpartum is something to work through, not fix. Your brain is primed for learning how to be a parent. It's a good change, but not necessarily easy.

02/05/2026

Until your baby can roll over on their own, put them to sleep on their back.

Learn how to help babies sleep safely.

02/02/2026

Breastfeeding builds your baby's immune system.
(And it's good for mom, too!)

The immune system does not develop in isolation. From birth, it is trained by the microbiome, the community of bacteria living in and on the body. In early childhood, especially before age three, this relationship shapes how the immune system learns what is safe and what is a threat.

During this window, the brain and immune system are closely linked. Everyday experiences like birth method, feeding, environment, and exposure to microbes send signals that guide immune development. These early signals help the body learn balance instead of overreaction.

Neuroscience and immunology show that diversity matters. Contact with nature, animals, varied foods, and normal childhood germs helps the immune system mature properly. Over sanitization and limited exposure can confuse this process, making the immune response either too aggressive or too weak.

Parents do not need perfection. The goal is healthy exposure, not avoidance. Outdoor play, varied diets as children grow, and reduced fear of everyday mess support immune learning. Early childhood is not just about protection. It is about education. The immune system learns from experience, and those early lessons shape resilience for life.

01/29/2026

Listen to what your body is telling you. Eat wisely. And don't forget those prenatal vitamins!

Pregnancy cravings often get framed as quirky or emotional, but the biology underneath is serious. When nutrient intake drops or demands rise, the body prioritizes the fetus. The brain redirects resources to support growth, even when it costs the parent.

Research shows that during pregnancy, minerals and nutrients can be pulled from muscles, fat stores, and bones. In some pregnancies, studies have documented up to 10% bone loss. This is not a flaw. It is an adaptive survival system designed to protect developing life.

Hormones drive this redistribution with precision. The body increases absorption, shifts storage, and mobilizes reserves when food intake does not meet needs. Cravings can reflect signals for missing nutrients, energy, or balance rather than random desire. Fatigue, aches, and weakness are often part of this biological tradeoff.

Understanding this changes how pregnancy should be supported. Nutrition, rest, and recovery are not luxuries. They are protective care. Supporting the body before, during, and after pregnancy helps restore depleted systems and long term health. The body gives deeply during this process. Respecting that cost allows families to prioritize nourishment, medical guidance, and compassion instead of minimizing what pregnancy truly requires.

01/28/2026

Postpartum is not a time to push yourself. Here are some things you should look for to determine how ready you are to resume more demanding activities.

01/26/2026

40 weeks is an average pregnancy. Do you know these reasons for a longer pregnancy?