During labor, many women enjoy the counter-pressure of the Double Hip Squeeze (How-To: http://youtu.be/mjSgavbCDHU).

Another roundup of links that first appeared on Williamsburg Mothering’s Facebook page – “LIKE” Williamsburg Mothering on Facebook to get the latest links as soon as they’re up!

• I’m so tired, why won’t my baby stop crying? An approach to crying the in breastfed newborn.  Do you have a newborn who cries and cries? Pediatrician and lactation consultant Dr. Jenny Thomas offers this perspective on calming the crying baby. Also, don’t miss the link at the bottom of the article to the Dr. Harvey Karp post on “The Fourth Trimester”! (Lakeshore Medical Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic)

• The Double-Hip Squeeze: Comfort During Labor.  Have you heard of the Double Hip Squeeze? It is an awesome labor comfort technique that took my contractions from “overwhelming” to “manageable,” and I am its biggest fan! The instructions and videos in this post can help your birth partner learn to perform it. The Double Hip Squeeze can be pretty tiring for your partner, so don’t miss the video explaining how to use a rebozo (or similar sturdy fabric) to make it easier! (A Little Bit of All of It)

• Spanking: Parenthood’s Dirty Little Secret is Alarmingly Common. A new study reveals a link between being spanked (or slapped, hit, pushed) as a child and developing mental illness (anxiety, drug/alcohol abuse, mood disorders) later. Below is a pediatrician’s thoughtful take on the study, and on why parents spank and why they should consider stopping. Also, here is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ position on the paper and on spanking.  (Claire McCarthy, M.D., at Huffington Post)

• Why Women Still Can’t Have It All.  If you haven’t yet had a chance to read it, here is the Atlantic article that made such a huge splash recently. I thought it was very good; much of it really resonated with me. What did you think? (The Atlantic)

• Evidence-Based Practice Bulletins.  Looking for the scientific evidence to convince your OB that it is best practice for you to, for example, eat/drink during labor, have a water birth, avoid IV fluids (or a hep-loc for an unmedicated labor), or avoid Pitocin augmentation of your labor? When you talk with your OB, take along these 1-2 pg practice bulletins that summarize the research you need to make your case! (Evidence Based Birth)