Blog

"Natural" is Now a Bad Word, says AAP Journal Article

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem   In an article in the journal Pediatrics (April 2016, released late March), Jessica Martucci and Anne Barnhill discuss the "Unintended Consequences of Invoking the "Natural" in Breastfeeding Promotion". As parents and professionals around the US balk at this, I just wanted to illustrate how preposterous this really is by using the authors words but with a twist… Read more

How to be the perfect parent: Let go of any notion of being perfect.

  GUEST BLOG POST by Jessica Curtis   In those first few years of parenting, I focused my energy on being the best parent that I could be. I set high expectations for myself and for others. I worked hard to create a safe and engaging environment that would help my kids to flourish. I provided social opportunities and activities to enhance their experiences. I read Dr. Sears and Dr. Brazelton.… Read more

The Art of Self-Care

GUEST POST by Jessica Curtis In the first few years of parenthood, I made the mistake of equating who I was with the roles I played: mother, spouse, household manager. I worked hard to be the best mom and the best partner that I could. And how did I measure my success? I measured my success (read: worth) by how happy my family was, by how well I was meeting their needs.   I was putting one foot… Read more

An Anesthesia Doctor's Wish: an Unmedicated Birth

GUEST POST by Rebecca Zanconato, MD By the time I completed my first month of obstetric anesthesia training, I had concluded that every woman admitted to labor and delivery was a disaster waiting to happen.  No one ever specifically said this to me during any of my training, but in speaking with fellow residents I found that just based on our experiences in training we had all come to the same… Read more

Babywearing: local and online resources

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem It's been busy over at Babies in Common. Expectant parents. Babies. New parents. Massage. Cookies. Toddlers. But something changed recently. I asked Button Tree Kids in Worcester to take over the responsibility of being the babywearing hub of Central Massachusetts! I still have Tula Ring Slings, Sakura Bloom Ring Slings and Boba Wraps if anyone needs them, but… Read more

Mother's Day: a Time for Peace and Pride

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem I often wonder, as I hear all the ads on my local NPR station encouraging us to purchase flowers to be sent to our mothers for Mother’s Day, why flowers are involved. They don’t last very long. Why not potted trees…the symbolism is stronger there: the apple not falling far from the tree or how we are rooted in our families but yet branch out?   We send cards and… Read more

Taking Shots at Each Another

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem Slight corrections made to this article on 3/29/15 Shots. A topic that is getting a lot of attention right now. Many parents feel strongly about shots, one way or another. Others aren't as passionate about the subject. But a rise in measles cases in the US has sparked an outbreak of anti-anti-vaxxers fever, if you will, in news and social media. On Facebook, some just… Read more

I understand my baby's cues so why do I need to use sign language?

GUEST POST by Sheryl White Occasionally, I come across a parent that will tell me that they don’t need to use sign language with their baby because they are really in tune with and understand what their baby is trying to tell them. Here are a few of the points that I convey to them to help them understand why signing with your baby is useful.   Peacefulness A baby that can use sign language can… Read more

7 Ways to Make Travel Easier with a Little One

GUEST POST by Laura Clark, mother of Nora (age 2) When I was pregnant, it seemed that everyone who looked at my belly told me that my traveling days were over.  The prospect of spending the next eighteen years cooped up in my house after spending the majority of my adulthood traveling was simply depressing.  That, coupled with the fact that my husband’s job requires 50% travel, made us even… Read more

Parental Romance

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem   It's Valentine's Day. If you are like most parents, if you made it out last night (or if you don’t live in New England you might be out tonight) you ended up talking about the kid(s). Especially if you spent the better part of the last two weeks in New England buried in 3-5 feet of snow. With more on the way. Hmm…that’s also Mother Nature’s way of ensuring… Read more