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11.15.2015 The last class of the year has just ended.
Although there were mothers whose due dates were at the end of December to February, the 5 week class ended peacefully. Since it'll be a cold season during childbirth and parenting, please make sure to keep warm. I truly hope your child is born safely.
10.11.2015 The sixth class of the year has just ended.
This time, 8 couples participated and learned a lot during the five week period.
In the survey that was passed out at the end, there were many positive comments such as "understand the flow of childbirth now,""understand how important breast milk is,"and " learned how to care for my baby.
I hope that whatever was learned in class serves you well in your new life. Good luck!
08.23.2015 The fifth class of the year has just ended.
Today, Dr. Inouye of pediatrics visited to talk to the students.
The students questioned “when would it be alright to take your baby outside?”and Dr. Inouye answered “you may start taking him/her on a walk, however, it is best not to take him/her to crowded places such as airports and shopping malls until he/she is 2 months old.
Those who are planning to return to Japan should make plans for after their baby is 2 months old.
07.17.2015 Infant Massage!
Today, I participated in an infant massage class in Torrance. The instructor, Ms. Airi, is a nurse in Japan and a Loving Touch Certified Infant Massage Instructor. An infant massage is said to encourage the development of the infant's mind, body, and brain. It's probably mommy's gentle hands and voice that are soothing to the baby.
After learning in the classroom, you can try the massage at home by reading the textbook, so hopefully massage time becomes a relaxing moment for both mommy and baby.
Ms. Airi's Contact info:
babyclover968@gmail.com
07.03.2015 Newborn hospital visit
Today, I went to visit a newborn in a hospital in South Bay! The baby that was born on 6/30 got checked for jaundice, went through a blood test, and is being discharged with the mother today. (Congratulations!)
Because the length of hospitalization in the US is short, and since you are only taught how to give breastmilk and care for your baby once, there is a lot of work to do after going home.
I helped the mother practice giving breastmilk several times, however, the first time is the most important.
If you are patient and give your baby breastmilk properly, breastfeeding is sure to go smoothly, so please don't give up and try your best.
06.28.2015 The fourth class of the year has just ended!
The 5 week long class ended on a high note and there was a maternity tour in the afternoon.
In the US, there are many things that are different from Japan such as birth certificates, social security, and insurance. As for insurance, please be aware that you must register your baby within 30 days or you may not be able to register him/her anymore.
After living in the US, I realized how great the national health insurance has been in Japan and how high of a value it has.
05.17.2015 The third class of the year has just ended!
I apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused you for class being rescheduled midway.
Also, on the morning of the last day of class, one of the students' water broke; however, the next day, she delivered her baby safely. (Hearing news about a baby's birth is truly exciting and makes me very happy. Congratulations!)
As for everyone else, I truly hope you give birth safely.
03.22.2015 The second class of the year has just ended!
This time, 11 couples participated, and just a few days before class ended, one couple's baby was born safely!
On the last day of class, the baby's father came and talked about what it was like during the birth. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to participate. And congratulations!
As for everyone else, I truly hope you will give birth safely. Just relax and do your best!
03.04.2015 Designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital!
Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance, the hospital I work at, has been designated as a baby-Friendly?? birth facility! This means it has been recognized for its efforts to encourage breastfeeding, making it the first and only hospital in South Bay to receive such honorable recognition!
>Read the original news
I hope to continue helping out mothers in order to ensure that breastfeeding goes smoothly.
02.08.2015 The first class of the year has just ended!
The first class this year has just ended. And there was exciting news as well; one of the students' baby was born. Congratulations, Mrs. K! I truly hope your baby grows healthily. As for everyone else: please have a wonderful birth.
(Regarding the maternity tour)
Because the tour that was scheduled for last week was rescheduled due to the absence of the person in charge, I would like to apologize in place of Providence for the inconvenience it may have caused you. It was decided last minute that I do the tour, so I showed around the hospital and explained about some of the necessary things. I hope I was able to serve you well.
01.23.2015 I was introduced in Weekly LALALA!
My job article was published in Weekly LaLaLa(Jan23.2015 Vol. 574). If you are interested, please feel free to check it out.
or visit to
Weekly LaLaLa's official website
01.01.2015 Happy New Year!
I would like to continue teaching Childbirth Education Classes that students can enjoy this year. I also hope to be of help when it comes to childbirth and breastfeeding support.
I look forward to your continued good will in the coming year!
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12.10.2014 BS care training in Japan
I recently visited Japan to participate in a seminer about BS Care (Care based on the breast-feeding infants' suckling mechanisms) and was able to update my knowledge. This is a method that is approved in Japan to not be painful, feel comfortable, and increase milk supply. This breast massage is a method unique to Japan; however, I believe it is very effective when breastfeeding doesn't go well even with proper latch on and positioning.
Since this is also effective as self-care, I hope to teach this method to mothers and help them out so that breastfeeding goes smoothly.
11.09.2014 The last class of the year has just ended!
Today, Dr. Inouye came to lecture about how to deal with newborn babies who aren't feeling well, vaccinations, and a wide range of topics. Since the students actively asked questions, I'm sure they were able to learn a alot. When your baby is born, please remember today's lecture. Best of luck!
Dr. Inouye's contact info:
Address: 3440 Lomita Blvd., Suite 144 Torrance, CA 90505
Phone: 310-326-3396
10.14.2014 The Momiji Gallery has been updated!
I often receive emails saying "my baby was born" along with pictures from students who attended my Japanese Childbirth Education Class. (Thank you for the wonderful news!) Among those, I only post the ones that I have gotten consent for on Momiji Gallery. All of the babies are so adorable that I can't help but smile!
10.05.2014 The fifth childbirth education class this year has ended!
On the last day today, I talked about baby care and had the students practice caring for a newborn. One method that may be helpful when your baby cries is swaddling. It is used to soothe your baby who makes fluttering movements when he/she is surprised (a physiological reaction that is said to be uncomfortable for the baby).
Since everyone has been practicing hard with baby models, I'm sure everyone will do well in a real-life situation!
I sincerely hope that you will have a wonderful birth. Good luck!
10.01.2014 Latch on!
When breastfeeding your baby, there is one important thing to keep in mind, and that is the proper latch on. After holding your baby in the correct posture (positioning), and after your baby opens his/her mouth (150° position) have him/her latch on firmly to the areola. If the latch is shallow you may feel pain on your nipples and since your baby isn't feeding properly, he/she may not gain weight.
Please take a look to see if your baby's mouth is wide open like Donald Duck's.
8.24.2014 The fourth childbirth education class this year has just ended!
On the last day of class, Dr. Sumi, who has a pediatric office in Torrance came to give a lecture about the baby’s condition immediately after birth and treatments in the hospital. Vaccinations and treatments may sometimes vary between Japan and the U.S., so you can prepare yourself by knowing the differences in advance.
It was a childbirth education class with 4 English speaking people this time, but thank you to everyone who eagerly participated until the end. I hope you face childbirth with confidence and I sincerely pray that you will give birth safely.
8.23.2014 I was invited to the after-birth gathering of mothers who participated in the January childbirth education class!
The babies who were born between February and April are full of energy. They were absolutely adorable drinking their mothers’ milks, laughing, and crying, and I am sincerely delighted that they were born safely.
Dear mothers and fathers working hard to raise a child: “There may be many difficulties later on in life; however, please stay as a family with a beautiful smile!” And to the babies: “Thank you for coming to this world! Please stay healthy and keep growing steadily!”
8.20.2014 I have made it possible to display the website in two languages (Japanese and English).
To switch, refer to the flag button in the upper right corner if necessary. I added on this option so that the English-speaking partners may also read the contents on the website. I hope this option helps you in some way, shape or form.
7.18.2014 I have updated my CPR/AED certificate!
As a professional in the medical field, it is necessary for me to regularly update my CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)/AED (automated external defibrillator) certificate. This time, I took a class for health professionals sponsored by the American Heart Association. During the class, I was able to learn how to deal with emergency situations for infants to adults and how to resuscitate, via videos and hands-on practice, and overall update my knowledge. If you are interested, there are classes for the general public, so it may be a good idea to participate in one. With the knowledge, you too will be able to act quickly if your baby or child chokes on food, stops breathing, or has no pulse.
7.10.2014 Recent birth situations in Japan
While in Japan, I was able to speak with an active midwife about recent birth situations in Japan, breastfeeding support, and such. In Japan, "freestyle birth" is common, and in order to use this method, pre-natal mental training is required. If your husband will be present at birth, participation in a class is essential. As for the length of hospitalization (vaginal birth and cesarean section), apparently many hospitals are changing the common length of 7-10 days to 5-7 days, so someday they may shorten it to that of hospitals in America (usually 2-4 days).
5.18.2014 The third childbirth education class this year has just ended!
Since it was a small class, I was able to let everyone have a hands-on experience on the sponge bath method and changing diapers. Thank you to everyone that eagerly participated until the end! I sincerely pray that you will have a wonderful birth.
5.10.2014 I watched the movie"The Promise: Prenatal Memories of Children"!
This movie that was screened at the Japan Film Festival is a documentary film about prenatal memory, parenting, and that explains the theme of "inner child" pursued in the pure perspective of director Norio Ogikubo (pictured right). Because this movie was work-related, I found many of its contents very interesting!
4.14.2014 I took part in Dr. Akira Ikegawa's "Prenatal Memory" lecture!
Dr. Akira Ikegawa (pictured left) has been studying babies' prenatal memories since 2000. According to him, children select their own parents before birth, and 30% of children under the age of 3 seem to remember the time they were in their mothers' wombs. Out of those children, some even have memory of the time before they were in their mothers' wombs. (Please try talking to your baby too!)
4.10.2014 I have finally set up a website!
I hope to share various information from now on. (some parts still in testing)
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