The Weekly Newsletter for Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Families and Friends
Season of Traditions
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you are all enjoying this chilly, wet weather. Thank goodness the sun decided to peek out today. Now that baseball season is over and there's no chance the Texans are going anywhere, the city will now turn it's attention to various holiday celebrations. If this is your first holiday season with a kiddo prepare for a resurrection of childhood magic. As an adult I found myself dreading this time of year and all the pressures of gift giving, holiday parties, airports and weather delays. Then I had a baby and everything changed. Just like that the magic of this season was back and I was seeing all the festivities through the eyes of a child again. Thanksgiving with ALL the cousins, twinkling lights everywhere, reindeer with red noses, and a real tree in the living room. The excitement is infectious and I'm so thankful for it! For the past few years COVID has put a huge damper on all the fun events around the city but this year we are planning on going hard! What are your go to Houston activities and what type of traditions are you planning to start for your family?
Max, Magdalene, and Kevin
Oof, the holidays can be tough. There’s a lot of expectations that we put on ourselves, that our families put on us, and that we put on our sweet babies and kids. We want everything to feel magical and perfect, and having that expectation often gives us the exact opposite result.
My advice: lower the bar. This doesn’t mean “don’t celebrate at all” – it means “celebrate in the way that will actually bring you and your family the most joy.” Lower the bar, drop your expectations, and focus on the things that will actually make your holiday feel magical.
For us, family is the most important part of celebrating Thanksgiving. We’re putting our energy into making sure we can host our families and everyone is comfortable and prepared to share a house for a few days. We aren’t putting our energy into an elaborate Thanksgiving meal that takes hours to prepare. Instead, we’re serving spaghetti, red sauce, and meatballs (all from a family recipe), nice wine, and some classic desserts.
We’ll all be just as full and content after carbo-loading on noodles, and be able to spend more time together if we don't have to run back to the kitchen every few minutes to rotate something through the oven or baste a turkey.
I think it's the start of a great family tradition. ~Magdalene
Core Classes
This Week's evening Core Class will cover newborn care. This class won't cover diapering or swaddling but it will cover the most common questions our experts get from their patients. This week we are joined by pediatrician and lactation consultant Dr. Sharifa Glass, MD, IBCLC. Dr. Glass is owner of The Vine Pediatrics and Lactation. Class starts at 6pm please RSVP. Hope you'll join us!
Meet Dr. Sharifa Glass, MD, IBCLC
Who are you?
Dr. Sharifa Glass, MD, IBCLC
CEO, Pediatrician, Lactation Consultant
The Vine Pediatrics and Lactation
Clinical Assistant Professor
Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine University of Houston
How do you serve/help the pregnant and postpartum communities?
As a board-certified pediatrician and an international board-certified lactation consultant, I provide 100% in-home concierge medical care to children and lactation support to breastfeeding moms. My services include general check-ups, sick visits, visits for injuries, prenatal and postpartum lactation support, inpatient and outpatient comprehensive lactation consultations, inducing lactation, tongue-tie release, and newborn care classes. I also serve as a pediatric and lactation expert for national media sources.
How did you get into this line of work?
Both of my children were breastfed thanks to the support of my family and my children’s pediatrician. As a result of my breastfeeding journey, I was inspired to start this medical practice to support all mothers in reaching their breastfeeding goals. I desired to open a pediatric office that would provide evidence-based medical care for children in the comfort of their own homes and where caregivers could have their questions answered in a relaxed environment. What do you wish everyone knew about your area of expertise?
As an IBCLC (international board-certified lactation consultant), I am trained to evaluate and assess parents for all lactation issues; but, the scope of an IBCLC does not extend to diagnosis and treatment (such as medications and procedures). With my additional certification as a medical doctor, I can also diagnose, order labs and imaging, and treat lactation issues such as a tongue-tie that is contributing to latch issues. My patients never have to be referred to a physician or dentist for lactation issues.
What is most rewarding about your work?
The most rewarding times of being a pediatrician and lactation consultant is being able to celebrate with mothers when they accomplish their breastfeeding and pumping goals or when an infant latches successfully after I perform a tongue-tie release. I also find great enjoyment in seeing relief on parents' faces when I can provide them diagnoses and treatments quickly and in the comfort of their home.
Tell us about something (or someone) you love. I absolutely love my family. I met my husband during pediatric fellowship training, and he has been the biggest blessing to my life. He is the greatest supporter of my practice and my pursuit of every goal. My children are amazing as well. My first child started me on the path of becoming an IBCLC, and I have learned so much from nursing both of my children and pumping at work. They have also taught me how to be a patient, empathetic mother which has carried over into my care of patients.
Follow Dr. Glass on Instagram, Facebook and learn more about her practice on her website.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelactationdoctor
This Week's Events
This donation based class will be offered at our center this Saturday! Please email the instructor for more information.
Birthday Bulletin!
Upcoming Events
Clinic Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Please use the on-call midwife number if you need to speak with someone. Non urgent questions can be sent through client portal.
Pregnancy Core Class, Stages of Labor: Sunday the 27th 6-8pm on Zoom. We'll cover ways to support the laboring person at each stage of the laboring process. Register here to receive link. Open to current Heart of Houston clients and Whole Heart Collective Members. To learn more visit our membership page.
Stretch and Breath for Labor and Birth: Saturday December 3rd and 10th 10:30-12pm Joanna Zepeda will lead a practice of gratitude and guidance as you prepare for your journey into parenthood. This event is $15 for HOH and Whole Heart Collective members and $20 for the public. Please RSVP!
Pregnancy Core Class, Comfort Measures: Sunday December 4th 3-5pm. This interactive class will be great practice for game day! Bring your support person(s) and cycle through the six comfort stations set up throughout the birth center for hands on practice. This class is free to current HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective Members. Please RSVP
Prelude Prenatal Music Class : Monday December 5th 6:30pm Join us for a new class! You will learn songs to soothe and bond with your baby before you welcome them into this world and for years after! his class free and open to the public! Space is limited, please RSVP
Prelude Music for Babies of All Ages: Wednesday December 7th 11am In our “Babies Class”, babies will learn to embrace, enjoy, and express their inborn musicality, and you will learn how to stimulate and support your baby’s development through music! This class free and open to the public! Space is limited, please RSVP.
New address 6550 Mapleridge Ste 100
Ongoing Events
Postpartum Support Group: Alternating Wednesdays 10-12 on Zoom. Every Thursday in person 10-12. Link to zoom room has been sent to all HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective members. Email Jessica if you need more information.
Feeding Clinic: Twice a month during Postpartum group. Keep an eye on schedule for specifics
Queer Parent Circle: Second Sunday of every month 2-4pm Open to the public!
Birthworkers Circle: Second Sunday of every month 11am-1:30pm
Various Childbirth Education Curriculums starting soon: Rebel Birth weekly series or weekend intensive,and Bradley Method with Anne Zwicky. Birthing from within.
That's all for now! Have a great week everyone.
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