Bringing the absurdity of motherhood to the page: A conversation with Ceridwen Dovey and Eliza Bell

Bringing the absurdity of motherhood to the page: A conversation with Ceridwen Dovey and Eliza Bell

In this latest 2020 Baby podcast, Dr Pamela Douglas enjoys a conversation with the co-authors of the remarkable book Mothertongues, Ceridwen Dovey and Eliza Bell.  Mothertongues, published in April 2022, is described as an experimental book of bio-autofiction about early motherhood.  It blurs the boundaries between different modes of expression - including prose, poetry, theatre and song - to bring the absurdity of motherhood to the page.

Sleeping baby safely and enjoying nights as best you can: a conversation with Professor Helen Ball

In this podcast, you’ll hear all you ever wanted to know about sleeping baby safely at night! Professor Helen Ball, the world’s leading infant sleep researcher, established the Parent-Infant Sleep Lab at Durham University in 2000. Helen begins this conversation with Dr Pamela Douglas by outlining the trajectory of her professional life, then by addressing the historical forces which have shaped safe infant sleep guidelines internationally. Helen goes on to discuss the positive things that have been achieved concerning infant sleep policies and guidelines in her lifetime and the things she’d like to see changed. Finally, she and Pam look very closely at what the research tells us about how to sleep our babies as safely as possible, with Helen addressing common questions asked by parents, including about formula feeding and sleep, sleeping baby between parents, and the parent who is a ‘heavy sleeper’. Access Professor Ball's full bio here. [https://education.possumsonline.com/professor-helen-ball-durham-infancy-sleep-centre-conference-2021] Associate Professor (Adjunct) Pamela Douglas isfounder of the evidence-based Neuroprotective Developmental Care (or 'Possums') programs [https://education.possumsonline.com/] (possumsonline.com) and author of The discontented little baby book: all you need to know about feeds, sleep, and crying [https://www.amazon.com.au/Discontented-Little-Baby-Book-ebook/dp/B00M6G1ABO].

Giving birth: what can I do to be ready?

In this conversation, Dr Sarah Buckley, Ms Karen McClay and Dr Pamela Douglas discuss what you might do to prepare for birth, and what you might expect. In the extraordinary passageway of birth, our mind, body, and spirit embark upon a liminal journey, a heroic journey of great significance in most women’s lives. Sarah and Karen draw on their formidable knowledge of the Australian health system and women’s birth experiences to help you navigate your own way through, so that you feel confident and empowered. Dr Sarah Buckley is a GP with qualifications in GP-obstetrics and family planning (www.sarahbuckley.com). She is author of the bestselling bookGentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor’s Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting Choices [http://www.sarahbuckley.com/gentle-birth-gentle-mothering/]. Sarah has an ongoing interest in the hormones of labour and birth, which culminated in her groundbreaking reportHormonal Physiology of Childbearing [http://transform.childbirthconnection.org/reports/physiology/](2015Childbirth Connection, a program of the National Partnership for Women and Families). She has presented at over 120 workshops and conferences in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the UK, the US and Canada. Sarah is also a PhD candidate at theUniversity of Queensland, [https://www.uq.edu.au/] where her research is focused on oxytocin and the autonomic nervous system in labour and birth, and the impacts of interventions. Ms Karen McClay is an experienced midwife and the Director of Calmbirth (www.calmbirth.com.au [http://www.calmbirth.com.au/]). Calmbirth was the first Australian childbirth education program to recognise the interrelationship between mind and body in birth. Calmbirth® uses thismind-body connection to help couples replace fear, stress and anxiety about giving birth with the knowledge andskills to birth their babycalmly, fearlessly, safely and confidently. There are now about 100 registered Calmbirth educators in Australia, New Zealand, and France. Dr Pamela Douglas is a GP-researcher and founder of the evidence-based Neuroprotective Developmental Care (or 'Possums') programs [https://education.possumsonline.com/] www.possumsonline.com [http://www.possumsonline.com/], which offer care for new families facing breastfeeding, baby cry-fuss, and sleep challenges. All NDC programs integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy strategies, especially adapted by Possums for the perinatal period to support parental emotional well-being. Pam is also author of The discontented little baby book: all you need to know about feeds, sleep, and crying [https://www.amazon.com.au/Discontented-Little-Baby-Book-ebook/dp/B00M6G1ABO].

Pumping breast milk for your baby

Most women use a breast pump at some stage during their breastfeeding experience, or many find themselves pumping all the way through. Pumping is demanding work. In this discussion, Pam and Emma explore the role of pumping breast milk, including for increasing supply and returning to work. We explore strategies which support successful pumping, and also discuss problems which might arise and how to deal with them. We discuss when and how you might return to only feeding your baby directly from your breasts, and those situations when pumping might actually undermine your supply. Emma McCabe [https://www.emmamccabecbc.com/] is a popular breastfeeding counsellor in New York City, USA, and mother of two. Dr Pamela Douglas is Founder of Neuroprotective Developmental Care (or the Possums programs) [https://education.possumsonline.com/], a GP-Lactation Consultant, and Breastfeeding Medicine Specialist. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor with the Transforming Maternity Care Collaborative, Griffith University, and Senior Lecturer with the Primary Care Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, Australia. Dr Pam and her team have developed a new gestalt approach to breastfeeding [https://education.possumsonline.com/programs/gestalt-breastfeeding-online-program], which draws on the latest ultrasound, vacuum and MRI studies of breastfeeding biomechanics to support effective, pain-free breastfeeding . Pam is also author of The discontented little baby book: all you need to know about feeds, sleep, and crying [https://www.amazon.com.au/Discontented-Little-Baby-Book-ebook/dp/B00M6G1ABO].

The functional anatomy of sucking and swallowing in breastfed babies: Part 3

Dr Nikki Mills is a New Zealand based paediatric ENT surgeon, who has a special clinical and research interest in breastfeeding and is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Nikki worked for many years at the Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, moving in 2020 to Nelson Hospital in Nelson, New Zealand. In this third and final episode of an in-depth conversation, Pam and Nikki continue their deep dive into our biomechanical understandings of infant suck during breastfeeding. This episode considers ultrasound studies of infant suck, and the implications for the clinical support of breastfeeding mother-baby pairs. Dr Pamela Douglas is a GP who works in breastfeeding medicine at the Possums Clinic Brisbane, with special clinical and research interest in breastfeeding, having first qualified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 1994. Pam is a GP-researcher and founder of the evidence-based Neuroprotective Developmental Care (or 'Possums') programs [https://education.possumsonline.com/] www.possumsonline.com. Pam is also author of The discontented little baby book: all you need to know about feeds, sleep, and crying [https://www.amazon.com.au/Discontented-Little-Baby-Book-ebook/dp/B00M6G1ABO].