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Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
Blog
Inside Look: FlexiStash
| Posted on October 19, 2016 at 10:08 AM |
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I am pleased to introduce you to FlexiStash, every babywrapping mamas dream!! If you love wraps, or if you love the idea of wrapping your baby, read on!! Have you ever wished for all the wraps? These ladies can literally make your wrap stash dreams come true!! From their website:
I had the pleasure of interacting with the founders of FlexiStash at the Babywearing International of Phoenix "Main Event" in celebration of Babywearing Week. They were kind enough to take the time to share more about their company...thank you so much, Nadia and Elyse! Tell me about FlexiStash. Elyse and I love babywearing. For each of us, it transformed our together time with little ones in different ways. We wanted to share it with as many people as possible, and learned that the high cost of entry, combined with the variety of options available, meant many caregivers may never find the wrap that fit their needs or might never babywear at all. We wanted to change that. Late night messaging and working on it piece by piece led to the creation of FlexiStash. Elyse is an engineer, whereas Nadia is a finance person. Elyse is tall and fair; Nadia is short and dark. Elyse is one of those fiercely independent and loyal once in a lifetime friends; Nadia is a social butterfly who will connect you with random people. We are very different yet we both love our children fiercely and believe anyone can do anything with the right support network. That's what we are to each other - great friends, amazing mentors, and champions of saving a joy or overcoming a challenge motherhood, one moment at a time. Who would use the service/products that FlexiStash provides? Any caregiver can benefit from FlexiStash. Social babies who cannot hold their heads up completely can get outdoor walks and learn to begin appreciating the world in a woven wrap. A fussy baby who needs cuddles can get quality skin to skin or hugs while the caregiver continues on their day. A toddler who wants to see things at the level of adults can get lots of "ups" (pick-ups, how children refer to being carried) without tiring out a caregiver's back or arms. A parent who needs to get some errands done after a long day of work can wear their child and share their world without getting slowed down. A hiker can enjoy a mountaintop sunset without trying to figure out stroller logistics. A daycare provider can offer comfort to a child missing their parent while also feeding or attending to another. We have seen stories of successful naps, workouts, gardening, travel, and so much more because of babywearing. What are the benefits of using wraps for babywearing? Scientifically speaking, from Elyse's world, babywearing is great for any caregiver and child. With similar results of skin-to-skin studies, babywearing studies demonstrate that children who are given affection and physical reinforcement or reassurance are often more emotionally intelligent and more independent as they mature. Elyse's baby was born a month early (100% healthy and awesome), and babywearing was essential for his first month of getting used to being in the real world a bit earlier than planned--he needed more mama cuddles. Financially speaking from Nadia's perspective, babywearing works well for those who do not have a car or a stroller or the means to get there, since all you need is one wrap to secure your baby to you! Nadia recently moved and is now a carless public transportation urban dweller. She has traveled thousands of miles with a backpack and a wrap and her baby successfully! As we answered earlier, children get more exposure earlier and often are able to acclimate or socialize as a result. Nadia began her baby outings on Day 3 of her son's birth. Notably, people are much less likely to lean into your personal area near your chest if your baby is worn than they are to lean into a stroller and touch your baby, which can be a concern in the early days pre-vaccination. Those are only the benefits for the children! Besides the caregivers being able to get other mundane tasks done, the freedom offers so much mental relief. Elyse could enjoy her social life or doing more than being a portable baby bed. Nadia could get out into the fresh air and get rid of her cabin fever. Although maternity leave is fantastic, when you do not have others with which to share it or if your friends are all at work full-time, you need to develop your own activities or events--babywearing helps facilitate that and so much more! How do you counsel someone who loves the idea of babywearing, but is too intimidated to try wrapping their baby? This question is perfect because we both were exactly in this place at one time! Meet your local VBE (volunteer babywearing educator). Babywearing International (BWI) is an amazing worldwide group of caring people who are willing to help you try! Types of carriers, types of carries, types of ways to soothe or comfort your baby...they are the experts! They showed Elyse how to enjoy all of her baby time and to share the love of babywearing with her family. They showed travel-addict Nadia how to enjoy travel WITH her baby so she could show him her favorite places and people in different places. We were both SO SO intimidated and now look at us! We also LOVE meeting people and learning more, so please feel free to connect with us on any social media. We will happily tell you about our favorites - carriers, methods of carrying, moods of carrying - we could go on for hours! ;) What age-range of child does this wrap-stash service work for? How old is "too old" to be carried in a wrap? Love this questions because the true answer is never! Certain wraps are designed to be easier with more or less weight, and we note where sensitive skin would very much benefit from a wrap (for example some of our silk and cashmere blends are perfect for those early days of soft soft newborn skin). Thicker twills and cottons are sometimes described as toddler-worthy, but honestly are good for any wiggly or very active or heavier child (Nadia's son loves to try to lean as horizontal as he can get, so he is a perfect test of this even though he is still a newborn). We have actually seen VBE demonstrations for adult caregivers who use wearing as a means of comforting their charges - these are of course professionals who are trained in this. The true answer is that it has to work for all parties. Sometimes caregivers and their charges take a break from wearing, to come back to it later. Some do it during the early years only and hold fond memories of it. The fact that this changes for every family is why FlexiStash is a good option - it gives you the flexibility to enjoy the wearing without worrying about the potential countdown. What makes FlexiStash unique? The flexibility. every child is different and every situation is different. You won't know if your baby will refuse to be wrapped or if your toddler will refuse once you have invested in that one-of-a-kind custom. Since wraps average around the $250 mark (in our collection) and can run into several thousands of dollars, we see people who won't sign up for custom wraps or who are afraid to buy their dream wrap "in case their child wrap strikes" (refuses to be wrapped). It's stressful financially to think about that. We offer flexibility to avoid that. You can rent monthly so the timing does not matter at all, or you can pick a specific wrap for a shorter period if you know exactly what you want to try. You can change your mind month to month and upgrade or try different options. It's perfect for all types of wearers. What motivated you to start FlexiStash? Our own children, honestly. We wanted to show them the world and we are both very active people. Babywearing offered us the ability to do that, complementary to both of our personalities and schedules. It's been an amazing part of our motherhood experience. Our children love playing with the wraps, napping with the wraps, and are starting to associate the wraps with new adventures. We love everything babywearing has brought to us, because it has only enhanced the experiences we already would be having. Is there anything else our readers should know about FlexiStash? We love being social with our fans and followers and encourage you to join us for our GuessTheWrap days or conversations on Instagram or Facebook. We are a young and growing business and take our customers very seriously - every improvement and growth decision we have made has been based on customer feedback. We just completed some giveaways in honor of International Babywearing Week and are always looking for more ways to engage with babywearers out there! As we tell everyone - it's our stash, but it's also your stash. That's the beauty of FlexiStash. What inspires you? We are inspired by strong women, by those who are professional successes but who also find the time to be caring, kind individuals. We are always drawn to respect those who can command a room and be productive but who can also recognize the contributions of others and to promote good work by all toward a positive endeavor. We hope to take the lessons from our mentors and exemplify them so that we can instill these strong values and character attributes in our own children. Thank you again, Nadia and Elyse, for taking the time to give our readers an "Inside Look" at your amazing service! Okay readers - which wrap are you going to try first?? Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
Breastfeeding Your Newborn
| Posted on August 25, 2016 at 9:57 AM |
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 Photo by Erin Rudd Photography Wardrobe provided by Modern Mommy Boutique Breastfeeding is biologically designed to keep us wired to our newborns so that they stay warm, safe, and alive. All those glossy, shiny pictures that show ethereal mothers and sleeping babies - they are nice. Realistic? Not so much. The immediate postpartum period is hazy. We are coming out of the birth journey through labor land, our hormones are adjusting to being not pregnant, we are minus the placenta that has been a hormone factory since it formed in utero to support the pregnancy; oh, and we have a tiny little human to look at in wonder and keep alive every day. Add in all the leaking from our eyes, our breasts, and our vagina...and the possibility that everyone wants to come over and see the baby so now you have the pressure of cleaning a house and being presentable yourself...it's a chaos and adjustment period like no other. Like today's quote says, breastfeeding meets all of our newborn's needs: safety, security, and nourishment. I have said this before and I will say it again...the only thing you *have* to do in the immediate postpartum is rest and get to know your baby. Dim the lights, stay in bed, do lots of skin-to-skin with your newborn; get up only to use the restroom or shower. Let everyone else take care of you: all meals in bed, and limit visitors to the ones that are comfortable seeing you naked and/or breastfeeding (and that you are comfortable if they see you naked and/or breastfeeding!). The only thing you need to do in the days after your baby is born is recover from the birth journey and feed your baby. I ask my students to at least consider a minimum "lying-in" period of 3-7 days. It is important for everyone to get sunshine. Along with lying in, we also did about 30-60 minutes outside during indirect sunlight hours to go for a walk and get some fresh air while keeping baby skin-to-skin. Once you have gotten lots of sleep to recover from the birth journey and have breastfeeding established, start adding more to your routine. If you have older children, it is definitely okay to ask for help with them so at the very minimum mom and the new baby can bond and get organized with living, breathing, and breastfeeding together. This is a great time for the partner to step up and do bonding time with the older siblings so that they feel attended to and seen even though there is a new person in the house. You can also switch roles! We would have a nap time when Bruss would do skin-to-skin with the new baby while I stayed out of the bedroom. I would use that time to connect with the older sweet peas in the house. Maybe we would go outside together, read a book, play games, do a craft; something to let them know that they were still seen and loved by me although I had the new sweet pea to nourish, too. In this age of information, it is easy to read too much and get overwhelmed with all the do's and don'ts that are available on the internet and on-line forums, including this post you are reading right now!! My best advice: read your baby. The baby books are general information. YOU KNOW YOUR BABY BEST. Never, ever doubt your mother's intuition. You know what your baby needs, your baby knows what (s)he needs, just do that. You cannot spoil a baby by holding them too much. You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby, even if it was just 20 minutes since the last time they ate: you are giving them a LIVE fluid that is easily digested and used efficiently by the body...yes, they might *really* be hungry again. The last idea I want to leave you with is the two magic words: FOR NOW. This phase you and your baby (and the family) are going through is FOR NOW. It is not forever, it is not for a lifetime...it is FOR NOW. The baby is eating around the clock FOR NOW. The baby is not sleeping FOR NOW. You are feeding around the clock FOR NOW. You are cluster feeding FOR NOW. You are leaking everywhere FOR NOW. The phases will pass and you will be onto the next FOR NOW before you realize it. By the time your sweet pea is 6 months old, you will have a good handle on this keeping them safe and alive thing that is also called parenting. Ask for help when you need it from the people who will do what needs to be done without passing judgement on your choices for your family. Seek out and become involved in support groups (they are available online and IRL) that align with your parenting philosophy and breastfeeding goals. Best wishes as you make your way in the world with your sweet pea - you've got this. You are the parent that your baby needs. UPCOMING EVENTS: Phoenix La Leche League: Live, Latch, Love As part of the LLL area conference August 26th, 5-7 PM Embassy Suites Biltmore La Leche League Conference August 26-28, 2016 Embassy Suites Biltmore Register Here: www.lllofaz.org/area-conference  Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional
medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider
to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own
situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and
Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the
consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain
information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is
not the official website of Birthing From Within or The Bradley Method®. The
views contained in this video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those
of Birthing From Within, The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Holiday Safety Tips
| Posted on November 27, 2015 at 4:39 PM |
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 This was first published in 2011 - sharing it again today since the holiday safety tips are still relevant. Click HERE if you would rather watch the VLOG instead of reading this post :)It’s the most wonderful time of the year… It is such a gift to enjoy this season with our
children. They are filled with wonder at
the sight of our Christmas tree. They
love to look at the ornaments, especially the ones with their pictures in
them. They are so excited about Santa
and presents and at the top of the list, the family coming to visit them from
all across the country. This year is especially poignant – like us, our older two
children recognize that this Otter’s first
Christmas. They wonder what she is
thinking as she sees the activity, and they are telling her all about the
family that she will be meeting for the first time. No matter what your faith, I encourage you to take the time
out of the hustle and bustle, the imposed rush of the season, to slow down and
enjoy this time of year with your children.
The root of the word holiday is “holy day”; so if your faith tradition
has a holiday this month, strive to make that the central focus instead of the
commercialism of the season. Get down on the floor with your children and look up at the
decorations you have put up in your home.
Tell your children the significance and why these symbols are important
to you. Take the time to tell them about
their first holidays in your family. If
this is your first holiday with your child, tell them your favorite childhood
holiday memory – you can keep this tradition going as they get older. Even if you have an infant, know that they
hear you and that you are imprinting their mind. Though they may not have a conscious memory,
you are helping to plant their roots that bind you together long after they
have children of their own. The season will be much more enjoyable if you take some
common sense precautions. I wish you all
a holiday away from the emergency room or urgent care. Here are the usual tips with my
modificaitons for families with mobile infants and toddlers. I am ever mindful that we now have students
who are parents to curious, mobile and walking one-year olds! - Use
ornaments that are not fragile, easily breakable, or that present choking
hazards. This is not the time to
break out your heirloom decorations.
Although they may not be as elegant, use adornments that can survive a
bounce and that won’t shatter and cut your child’s skin. Also keep in mind this tip: if it can fit
through an empty tube of toilet paper, it’s a choking hazard. We found some
lovely, larger ornaments at IKEA that are pretty, as well as safe and functional. Until our youngest children loose the
fondness for touching all the moving parts (most of which break off and fit
through that tube of t.p.), my collector series ornaments are safely stored for
a few more seasons. Speaking of
choking hazards, watch out for small gift bows, packing peanuts and other
packaging materials like twist ties and loose pieces of tape. Wrapping paper, ribbons and bows can also be
a suffocation hazard. - Hang
string lighting and place candles where little hands won't be able to reach. This seems self-explanatory. Remember that children are extremely curious
and very creative – think about how motivated they are to reach what you are
setting out, and make sure that you have lights and candles out of the reach of
a “stacking things so I can climb” child.
A note about candles: their fragrance may be overwhelming for
underdeveloped senses. The chemicals
used to create that fragrance are not regulated, which is another reason we personally
keep “the stink” out. We have no idea what is really causing that odor and
whether or not it’s good for us.
Flameless candles are easily found these days – they are a great way to
create ambience, thereby passing on the chemical or fire hazard component. - Check your electrical outlets and cords. Parents usually keep outlets covered with
safety caps. During this time of year,
you may pull them out to put in cords for string lighting. Make sure that you are aware of your children
around all the extra cords and open outlets.
Place the strings high enough so they don’t go in their mouths. Depending on how mobile and/or curious they
are, they may try to pull out the cords from the socket, which can also be an
electrocution risk. - Keep
poisonous plants out of reach. Speaking
of mouths…colorful plants might be a temptation to your child. After a cursory look at THIS LIST of plants, a rash or an upset stomach seem to be the main symptoms. Given a child’s smaller size and the fact
that each person’s reaction is individual and varied, it’s probably best not to
take any chances. - The force
of gravity does not take a vacation.
Evaluate your space and see where the safest places are for your
decorations and furniture so that your children will not run into them in the
normal course of their day. If you
rearrange furniture to accommodate decorations, make sure that the pieces are
not a tip-over hazard in their new location. If you move side tables, watch
their placement and don’t put anything to heavy or unstable on top of
them. If you move larger furniture, make
sure it is steady in its new position.
If you put up a Christmas tree, it can also be a tip-over hazard. You can secure it to a wall with an eye-hook
and twine, or block it off with a safety gate. Hot, hot,
hot – hot chocolate. I couldn’t resist the reference to the Polar
Express! Slow down and be aware in the
kitchen. Accidents happen - burns and
spills happen when we are rushing and when the kitchen is full of people. Take your time preparing and moving hot foods
and liquids. Be very aware of where your
children are, or maybe you can assign someone else to entertain them outside of
the kitchen if you are in charge of your holiday meal. Along the same
lines, children don’t know that tablecloths aren’t stationary – all they see is
something on which they can pull up. The
next thing you may hear is the crash of china and silver, or the screams of
pain if they are burned by food placed on top of the tablecloth or an
overhanging runner on a sideboard buffet.
You may want to skip on the tablecloths and runners and use placemats
and doilies for the time being. They
will grow up and you will deck out your holiday table again some day. I close with
this thought today: you may have seen our past posts about pregnancy and child loss. As
much as holidays are a time of joy, they are also a time of amplified sorrow
for families grieving the passing of a loved one. I invite you to take some time this season to
say a prayer for those families that have lost a loved one this year,
especially those whom have had their children called to the next journey. Their loss is ever present as they watch
other families enjoy the holidays and wonder what place their child may have played in their own holiday traditions. From our home
to yours, may you have a safe, blessed and joyous holiday season! Do you have any holiday
safety tips to share – what are they? Disclaimer: The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. We are now enrolling for our Spring Series March 11, 2016 to June 3, 2016 For more information or to register, please call us at 602-684-6567 or email us at [email protected] |
Q&A with SPB: Crying It Out
| Posted on November 24, 2015 at 8:55 AM |
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  It is so tempting to an exhausted parent...putting their Sweet Pea in a crib and closing the door to let them cry it out so that they can all get some sleep. We encourage our students to nurture instead of ignore their infant's cry in class, and in today's VLOG we share why we suggest our students find other options: Here is the presentation we share in class:        For more reading on biological infant sleep patterns: "Normal,
Human Infant Sleep" via Psychology Today
http://bit.ly/QkH2Dr   Links to explore: •Co-sleeping resource: Dr. McKenna http://cosleeping.nd.edu/ •Dr.
Sears’ Website: http://www.askdrsears.com/ •Dr.
Jay Gordon’s Sleep Information for Night Weaning AFTER ONE YEAR: http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html Disclaimer: |
Upcoming Event: Baby Bonanza Showcase
| Posted on October 2, 2015 at 11:12 AM |
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Baby Bonanza Showcase Scottsdale WESTWORLD Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM Event details at the end of this post We are excited to participate in the second event hosted by PB&J Events that is specifically geared towards and designed for new and expecting parents. We had the pleasure of showing at their first event - so much fun that we are back again! We will be sharing information for families interested in having healthy pregnancies, as well as ideas for families who are interested in preparing for an unmedicated birth. We also encourage families to at least know what to expect and how to ask good questions so that if and when they want or need to use interventions or medication, they can make informed consent decisions. Now for the fun stuff...Mention FALL BONANZA for your choice of one of the following items when you stop by our table tomorrow:
What you see is what you get, so come see us early and grab what you want from our fan giveaway box :) I will also be raffling off two copies of Rhondda Evans Hartman's new book, Natural Childbirth Exercises. You can fill out one entry at our table, and I will be raffling off the second book at the end of my seminar presentation.  And last but not least, please come get one of these beautiful natural birth mantra cards created by Jon Garza, an SPB alumni, with one of my favorite Rhondda quotes:  From the organizer: PB&J Events and Promotion is happy to announce its second Babies Bonanza Showcase & Expo, targeting new and expecting parents on Saturday Oct. 3 inside the 120,000 square foot North Hall of Westworld in Scottsdale. It is the largest baby expo in Phoenix providing information and products useful to new parents. The Babies Bonanza Showcase & Expo provides a day where parents can prepare from planning to prenatal to preschool. The event, FREE and open to the public, will feature between 150 – 200 exhibitors showcasing their products and services. Expo highlights include:
Get FREE Tickets (Click HERE) WHAT: Baby Bonanza Showcase 16601 North Pima Road Scottsdale, AZ 85260 WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
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Q&A with SPB: Laying down a sleeping baby
| Posted on September 15, 2015 at 9:13 AM |
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 One more breastfeeding question on this week’s Q&A with SPB:My baby falls asleep nursing at the breast. How do I get them to stay asleep so I can lay them down? Our answer features Desiree Allison, IBCLC, RLC at the Arizona Breastfeeding Center. Thank you to her for taking the time to answer our viewer question today!! The contact information is listed at the end of the post if you need her help with other breastfeeding questions: In other words, “How can I run away from my sleeping baby?”;) NOTES FROM DESIREE: Babies like the feel of breast in mouth when they are sleeping. It’s actually okay since good for jaw development. Not so good for our sanity when we really have to go to the bathroom! When it’s not the early days when we want to try to catch a nap ourselves, gently pull breast out and/or break suction. Press up under the chin up so that they suck on their own tongue. You might just be able to run away!!
Do you have any tips for laying down a sleepy breastfed baby? How about a question for next week's Q&A with SPB?  Do you like this series? Click on the Q&A with SPB link on the left side of the blog for past Q&A with SPB videos, or check out our YouTube channel HERE Disclaimer: |
Q&A with SPB: Will I ever sleep again?
| Posted on September 1, 2015 at 9:37 AM |
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Today's question is from new parents who feel like they are feeding their Sweet Pea all the time, and are wondering if they are ever going to get some much-needed sleep...  Since we enjoyed having them join us during Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we invited our friends at the Arizona Breastfeeding Center to join us again this month. Joining us today is lactation pro Desiree Allison, IBCLC, RLC: Here is a summary of Desiree's answer: It's all about stomach size. As the itty bitty stomach stretches, so will the amount of time between feedings. If at the end of 6-8 weeks, your baby is still nursing around the clock, then it is probably a warning sign to get some help from an IBCLC. Infant stomach size visual 1-day old - through 1st week: capacity is 5-7 ml, about the size of a marble. Researchers have found that the day-old newborn’s stomach does not stretch to grow more. Since the walls are firm, any extra milk is most often spit up – colostrum is just the right amount for the baby’s first feedings. By the end of 2nd week: Capacity has grown to .75-1 oz – size of a shooter marble. Small, frequent feedings assure baby is consuming what (s)he needs. By the end of first month: Capacity is now the size of a ping pong ball, around 2 - 4 ounces. Continued frequent feedings will insure baby is eating what (s)he needs – milk production meets baby’s intake. How do you stay sane until your baby starts sleeping in longer stretches? 1.) Involve the Dad/Partner - have them hold the baby while you get (at least!) a 45-minute nap. 2.) Try wearing your baby in a baby carrier - it lets you feel like you are not married to your couch! 3.) Sleep when the baby sleeps - it's not the right time to get all the projects done that you couldn't do when you were uncomfortably pregnant. 4.) If you do need help, be sure to get professional help to be an extra set of eyes that can guide you. Disclaimer: |
Inside Look: Rockabye Mommy
| Posted on June 17, 2014 at 8:54 PM |
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 Club MomMe Report: One of
the contacts I made at the Club MomMe Spring Family Fest was Stephanie Avila ("SA"),
designer and co-founder of Rockabye Mommy.
What stopped me in my tracks was this stunning flower wall. It is a Tonia Fischer creation, and it is a design element they have used in some of their nurseries (not the whole wall - usually only a few flowers per room). I’m glad I stopped for a chat – she is a
great resource if you are a SoCal mama and can enlist her services. If you are not in SoCal, you can take
advantage of her design sensibility by following her on Pinterest or connecting
with her on Facebook or Twitter. About Rockabye Mommy:
Be sure to scroll down to the end of the post to see the special offer available to SoCal families.
SA: I have over 10 years experience in Residential
and Model Home interior design. So when a friend of mine approached me with the
idea of starting a business catering to expectant mothers I knew immediately
that this niche would be such a fun experience and would allow me to expand my
design expertise in a new way. SPB: Where do you draw your design inspiration? SA:I find inspiration in anything unique and beautiful. It can be
nature, a piece of furniture or a fashion magazine. The great thing about
designing children's rooms is that inspiration can come from anything that
brings a smile to your face because the end result should be a happy, magical
space for a child. SPB: Are there common denominators
across the different nurseries you design? What are those elements? SA: Yes and it's funny
because I try to start every new project with a clean slate but it's my natural
design sensibility to keep an element of sophistication in each room I design.
It always ends up working its way back into the design in some way! The fabrics
I choose have a more modern aesthetic than the typical novelty prints you
usually see in a child's room. That's where the element of sophistication comes
in. I rarely use themed juvenile prints or storybook characters. I feel that a
whimsical space can be achieved without looking childish by selecting
children's motifs in a sophisticated color palette or by using a bright palette
in a modern style. SPB: Do you have a favorite place(s) to shop with new mommies? Which
ones and why? SA: Yes, my go-to locations are The Land of Nod,
AFK Furniture and Restoration Hardware Baby & Child. This is my dynamic
trio! The Land of Nod offers a modern selection with bold colors and graphic
patterns while RH Baby & Child offers a more neutral, soft sophisticated
color palette and transitional furnishings. AFK Furniture manufactures
beautiful French-inspired furnishings. The level of detail in their custom
woodwork and hand painted motifs is absolutely stunning and what puts them in
the higher price point category. SPB: When is the best time for a mommy to start working together
with you to create their Sweet Pea's space? SA: I have started projects
at many different times during a mommy's pregnancy but it's ideal to begin
during their second trimester because it's a more enjoyable time for mommy. The
nausea has usually passed and she is generally in a good state of well-being
which makes it easier to get through all of the design decisions. It also
leaves us plenty of time to get any items on order, schedule any contractors
and have the room completed before baby arrives. My goal is to have the room
ready at least three weeks before baby is due so that mommy can relax and be
worry free knowing that the nursery is complete. SPB: What sets your concierge service apart from other
designers? SA: I think what sets any
designer apart from the other is their personal design sensibility. I love
creating whimsical spaces for children with a sophisticated feel. The other
thing that sets us apart is that, not only will you get a well designed room,
we also offer personal styling and design packages with entry to the exclusive
ACCESS lounge at South Coast Plaza. Our goal is to provide a VIP experience for
our clients during this special time in her life. As members of the exclusive
South Coast Plaza personal stylist program, Our VIP Mommy Treatment is an experience
like no other for the mommy to be! This package includes a two hour design
shopping trip throughout the plaza where we'll help you pull your room concept
together and suggest our favorite items that work with your scheme. A two hour
personal styling session in the ACCESS lounge and a
personalized Tiffany & Co. gift. We also offer three additional packages
and have created them especially for mommy, knowing that she deserves to be
pampered! Where to connect with Rockabye Mommy How about you...what was the inspiration piece or color for your nursery? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. Special Offer for SoCal Families:   The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Special Feature: Club MomMe Spring Family Fest
| Posted on June 1, 2014 at 11:17 AM |
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Club Mom-Me Spring Family Fest: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa Huntington Beach Club MomMe is a social, educational and wellness community for moms and moms-to-be. They provide a place for women to meet each other, make friends, learn about pregnancy and motherhood, and share unique experiences together. All attendees at each event receive a gift bag and a chance to win great giveaways like strollers, car seats, gear and more!
SPB is very excited to announce that we will be at the Club MomMe OC Spring Fest event. In case you cannot attend in person, you can follow us on Twitter for live-tweets from the event, see views from the inside the event on Instagram, and we will be sharing presenter notes in future blog posts. Here is our virtual interview with Aubrye Foote, Vice President of Club MomMe Orange County, with your inside scoop on the event coming up this Saturday, June 7, 2014. SPB: What's new at the Spring Family Fest? AF: This year we've added our Daddy Lounge with fun activities, a Style Lounge where you can see and shop for different clothing, bags, etc. and added some interactive areas for the kids. Spring Fest truly is an event where you can learn about parenthood, explore products & gear, sample goodies during the event and in the *huge* gift bags you'll take home, and connect with not only experts but other families as well. SPB: Tell me more about the inspiration for the Daddy Lounge. It sounds amazing - are MomMe's and Babies welcome, too? AF: We wanted our Family Fests to be something every member of the family could enjoy and what better way for Dad to have a good time then to set him up with a fantastic microbrew (Beach City Brewery) and a taco bar! Of course MomMes and Babies are welcome to enjoy the Daddy Lounge. Besides, we're having Micro Kickboard races and diaper changing races that MomMes will just LOVE to watch and a craft where littles can decorate a tumbler for Daddy for Father's Day from Daddy & Company. SPB: What can a family expect to find, see and learn about? AF: At Spring Fest, families can listen to various speakers and panels such as Dr. Harvey Karp, Natural Parenting Panel, Entrepreneurship for Parents Panel, Healthy Child Healthy World's Understanding Labels workshop, Daddy Panel, and the Hot Baby & Toddler Products session. They'll be able to see and shop at exhibitors ranging from baby/toddler products & gear, clothing, skincare, food and more. We have an Activity Zone with lots of amazing activities for the little ones, a Pamper Lounge where you can enjoy a manicure, a hand massage and juice bar, a Daddy Lounge by Daddy & Company with a microbrew and races with prizes, a Style Lounge featuring gorgeous clothing & bags and last but not least the Lansinoh Lactation Lounge where MomMes can go to nurse or break away to feed & change their babies. SPB: How can they get the most out of the event? Are there other breakout sessions besides the main speakers? AF: There's the main speakers/panels and as a part of each session parents get the opportunity to ask whatever questions they have! I encourage them to do so because these speakers are fabulous! In addition to those sessions, I would recommend that families take advantage of having the ability to see and test new products on the market, learn about what's available to them, visit with the local resources to make parenthood easier and even do some shopping to take these great products home. Not only that, but MomMes ... take some time in the Pamper Lounge and get a manicure or hand massage while Daddy and the little one are off kicking a soccer ball. SPB: Do you have any survival tips to share for families attending with toddlers and/or more mobile children? AF: The great part about Spring Fest is that we have 4 different craft areas, musicians that are performing for the kids, Super Soccer Stars soccer area, a face painter, balloon artist and Urban Sitters will be there to keep an eye on the little ones should MomMe and Daddy need some help. We wanted parents to be able to enjoy the event, but also have the kids enjoy it as well. That's why we set up so many activities in our Activity Zone to keep those "active" ones happy. They may not even want to leave!! SPB: What are the ticketing levels? Which do you feel is the best value? AF: The levels that are still available are:
Each ticket level receives an amazing amount of "swag" that they get to take home. The VIP level ticket has a gift bag worth over $500 and the Celeb ticket has almost $1,000 worth of items. With that, I'd have to say the Celeb ticket is the best value, but you can't go wrong with any of them! SPB: Long term, what is your vision for the Family Fest events? AF: Our biggest passion in what we do is being able to bring resources to parents that they may not have access to on their own. At Family Fest we are able to bring all of that together in one location. Currently we have our Spring Fest in Orange County and Fall Fest is Los Angeles, but our long term vision for our Family Fests is to be able to expand them into other areas in the US so that we can provide these fantastic speakers and brands to an even greater number of families. Thank you, Aubrye, for giving our readers the inside scoop on the event! To learn more about the speakers and panels, please visit the event website HERE http://clubmommeevents.com/. Ticket Giveaway Contest: If you would like to win the Family Ticket which includes 2 Adults and one gift bag with a ton of product & goodies, please leave a comment below and tell me which is your *must see* session. I will choose a winner on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at noon. The winner will be selected by Random.org by assigning each comment a number in order of receipt and letting the Random Number Generator choose a winning number. Please be sure to leave me your email address in the comment so that the Media MomMe can email you your Family Ticket. Event Sessions: Dr. Harvey Karp Author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block" & "The Happiest Toddler on the Block”  The technique is designed to recreate the essential elements of the experience of living in the womb. The first three months of life Karp calls the “fourth trimester”. Karp believes there is a “calming reflex” that causes babies to instantly relax when they are given clues that they are safe inside the womb. There are five parts of the technique he calls the “five S’s”. Then comes the Toddler stage. Baby calming is great, but before you know it your tot will be 8 months old! That’s the perfect time to start this clever approach to boost cooperation – build patience – and stop tantrums before they begin happening!Want a career and balance parenthood? Looking to be a “mompreneur”?  As moms we have always been savvy leaders, innovators, and jugglers who make executive management decisions on a daily, if not hourly basis. While we may have extensive professional training, the jobs available to us may not fit our needs, family demands, or fulfill our passions. The same, many times, goes for dads who are looking to have an active role in parenthood. For both, if we are going to spend time away from our families, it better be worth it!With emerging trends in business, innovative new technology, social media, and the shifting cultural expectations about careers and work/life balance, presents the perfect opportunity for a new generation of entrepreneurs or “mompreneurs”. There is no roadmap for establishing a business or career that you’re passionate about AND supports motherhood. You often have to create it yourself, which can be a daunting task. Join us to be inspired, motivated and moved to become a Mompreneur yourself, and learn how our panelists started on their journey to becoming Mompreneurs! With Jill Ettinger & Alexandra Spunt Healthy Child Healthy World is hosting its second annual Educational Workshop at Spring Fest, “Understanding Labels,” to help the public navigate this increasingly ambiguous landscape. The event will welcome top experts and personalities in the consumer products and environmental health space to address label confusion and coach attendees on how to effectively read labels, what “red flags” to watch for, ingredients to question, and how to be a smarter, more conscious shopper. Want information and tips on Natural Parenting?  Natural parenting is based on a desire to live and parent responsively andconsciously. While families may define it differently, there are several principles that are widely agreed to be part of this lifestyle. These are ideals that natural parents tend to hold … even if we don’t always live up to all of them. Attachment/Responsive Parenting, Breastfeeding, Ecological Responsibility, Holistic Health Practices, Natural Learning, Living a Healthy Lifestyle and more are areas these amazing speakers will cover. Did you ever want to hear tips, information and just the Truth from other Dads?  Then you’ll love Club MomMe’s Daddy Panel!! We will discuss the changes men experience as they become dads, how to meet other dad friends so you don’t feel so lonely in your new role and have someone to vent to and get advice from. How to understand what your wife is going through during pregnancy and breastfeeding and supporting her. Learn how to change a diaper, swaddle and carry baby, without being told you are doing it wrong. And some other topics just for DadDes!This is the Panel where Dads will become DadDes! Learn about the latest Baby & Toddler Products … and WIN them!  Club MomMe & Favored.by are bringing their ever-popular products events to Spring Fest! Join us as we share the NEWEST, COOLEST & HOTTEST Baby & Toddler Products on the market! From the latest stroller trends, toys, educational products, gear to make life easier as a parent, state-of-the-art technology, amazing innovations and more!Check out the latest Baby & Toddler Products and Gear + WIN them! We GIVE AWAY almost all featured products at the end of the talk!! Club MomMe gets the hottest NEW products and we are sharing them first with you! Find out what new products are worth checking out and will make your life easier Please leave us a comment below and tell me your *must see* session for a chance to win a Family Ticket (2 adults plus gift bag) to the Club MomMe Spring Fest on Saturday, June 7, 2014. Transportation and accommodation not included. Disclaimer: |
The Dirt on Diaper Wipes
| Posted on May 30, 2014 at 10:59 AM |
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Diaper Wipes – A closer look at what are you putting on your Sweet Pea's bum As a Bradley Method® instructor, we teach our students to avoid harmful substances in order to have a healthy, low-risk pregnancy. Our own green journey started when we were Bradley Method® students nine years ago...so naturally, we continued the effort to keep our environment healthy and low-risk once our Sweet Pea was earthside. Little did I know I was going to be in for a rude awakening when I read a Healthy Tips
List from Environmental Working Group that listed the top ingredients to avoid in
personal care products. On a whim, I
decided to check our products, because seriously, we weren’t at risk…we used
products labeled “natural” and “-free”. I was devastated to discover that labeling and product marketing
had duped us, the trusting consumer. I
learned to read every label…including the labels on products that were going to
touch any part of our children. Part of
our “going green” journey included a switch to reusable wipes and having a cleaning
solution in a bottle.  If after reading through the ingredients you decide to make
the switch to reusable products like we did, there are many options. We have seen them in the “big box” stores,
however since we strive to shop local, we support a mama-preneur and buy our
reusable cloth goods from Shannon’s Cloth and More. You can see her on our blog HERE and HERE. So today I am sharing a list of what is in the “natural” line of the most
recognized names in diapers, Huggies™ and Pampers™, plus a big box brand.
If you want another motivation to switch, HERE is
an eye-opening article from WebMD about the little thought of ingredients in conventional
wipes – preservatives that are added to the product to minimize bacteria in a
perpetually moist environment. Children are breaking out in rashes due to
an allergic reaction in supposedly harmless ingredients. Ingredients to avoid from the Healthy Tips article. I take an in-depth look at what they are and
the motivation to avoid them HERE.
Also from the EWG database: I included a quick synopsis of each ingredient in the list
below, as well as the ingredient rating. Huggies™ Natural Care – Kimberly Clark  WaterAmodimethicone (0) - Amodimethicone is a silicon-based
polymer – used as a hair conditioning agent Polysorbate 20 (3) - a surfactant and emulsifier used in
cleaners and personal care products Other HIGH concerns: Contamination
concerns; Other LOW concerns:Data gaps, Organ system toxicity
(non-reproductive) Sodium Methylparaben (4) - Parabens mimic estrogen and can
act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors. Other HIGH
concerns: Endocrine
disruption; Other MODERATE concerns: Biochemical
or cellular level changes; Other LOW concerns:Data gaps  Malic Acid (3-4)- Irritation
(skin, eyes, or lungs)Sodium Laurel Glucose Carboxylate (no rating available) – surfactant derived from
coconut or corn - More about this HERE Lauryl Glucoside (0) - Surfactant - Cleansing Agent - This
ingredient is a sugar- and lipid-based surfactant. Methylisothiazolinone (5) - It is a
widely-used preservative; has been associated with allergic reactions. Lab
studies on the brain cells of mammals also suggest that methylisothiazolinone
may be neurotoxic. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (1) - Aloe vera leaf extract
is produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe barbadensis Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E in the form of tocopheryl
acetate) (3) - Skin-Conditioning Agent - Human skin toxicant or allergen
- strong evidence; One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high
doses Huggies™ Simply Clean – Kimberly-Clark  Water Potassium Laureth phosphate (2) - Surfactant - Cleansing
Agent; Contamination
concerns with ethylene: Irritation
(skin, eyes, or lungs), Organ system
toxicity (non-reproductive); and The carcinogen 1,4-dioxane
contaminates up to 46% of personal care products tested (OCA 2008, EWG 2008).
The chemical is an unwanted byproduct of an ingredient processing method called
ethoxylation used to reduce the risk of skin irritation for petroleum-based ingredientsGlycerin Polysorbate 20 (3) - a surfactant and emulsifier used in
cleaners and personal care products Other HIGH concerns: Contamination
concerns; Other LOW concerns: Data gaps, Organ system toxicity
(non-reproductive) Tetrasodium EDTA (2) - a chelating agent, used to sequester
and decrease the reactivity of metal ions that may be present in a product;
Other MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) Methylparaben (4) - in the paraben family of preservatives
used by the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care product industries.
Parabens mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system
disruptors. HIGH concerns: Endocrine disruption; Other MODERATE
concerns: Biochemical or cellular level changes Malic acid (3-4) – Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) Methylisothiazolinone (5) - It is a
widely-used preservative; has been associated with allergic reactions. Lab
studies on the brain cells of mammals also suggest that methylisothiazolinone
may be neurotoxic. Aloe barbedensis leaf extract (1) - Aloe vera leaf extract
is produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe barbadensis Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E in the form of tocopheryl
acetate) (3) - Skin-Conditioning Agent - Human skin toxicant or allergen
- strong evidence; One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high
doses Pampers™ Sensitive – Proctor & Gamble Claim: Alcohol Free – Hypoallergenic  WaterGlycerin Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (1) - Aloe vera leaf extract is
produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe barbadensis Disodium EDTA (0) - is a chelating agent, used to sequester
and decrease the reactivity of metal ions that may be present in a product.
GRAS  Citric Acid (2) – alpha hydroxyl acid - used in personal
care products to adjust the acidity or promote skin peeling and re-growth in
the case of anti-aging productsPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (3) - polyethylene glycol
derivative of castor oil; may be contaminated with potentially toxic impurities
such as 1,4-dioxane. Sodium Citrate (0) Cosmetic manufacturers use sodium citrate
to adjust the acidity of a product. Citrate, in the form of citric acid, is
also found in citric fruits and juices. Phenoxyethanol (4) – preservative – suspected neurotoxin - More about that HERE Ethylhexylglycerin (1) - Ethylhexylglycerin is a glyceryl
ether used as a weak preservative and skin conditioning agent. HIGH
concerns: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) Benzyl Alcohol (5) - Benzyl alcohol is a naturally ocurring
and synthetic ingredient used as solvent and preservative; has been associated
with contact allergy. Xantham gum (0) - Binder; Emulsion Stabilizer Sodium benzoate (3) – preservative – low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity BIS-PEG/PPG-16 Dimethicone (3) - lubricant and conditioning
agent. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (1) - Fragrance Ingredient;
Skin-Conditioning Agent Bisabolol (0) - Fragrance Ingredient; Skin-Conditioning
Agent Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract (0) -
Fragrance Ingredient; Skin-Conditioning Agent Parent’s Choice Baby Wipes – Walmart  WaterGlycerin – generally considered non-toxic Phenoxyethanol (4) – preservative – suspected neurotoxin - More about that HERE Sodium benzoate (3) – preservative – low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity Potassium sorbate (3) – preservative - low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity  Sodium cocyl Apple amino acids (0) – no info availablePentadecalactone (1) - Other MODERATE concerns: Organ
system toxicity (non-reproductive); Suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or
bioaccumulative Aloe barbadensis leaf extract- (1) - Aloe vera leaf extract
is produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe barbadensis Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract - (0) -
Fragrance Ingredient; Skin-Conditioning Agent Tocopheryl acetate (3) - Skin-Conditioning Agent -
Human skin toxicant or allergen - strong evidence; One or more animal studies
show tumor formation at high doses; Other HIGH concerns: Contamination
concerns; Other LOW concerns: Data gaps, Ecotoxicology Citric acid (2) – alpha hydroxyl acid - used in personal
care products to adjust the acidity or promote skin peeling and re-growth in
the case of anti-aging products Ology Bamboo Baby Wipes – Walgreen’s  Purified Artesian Aquifer Water Polysorbate 20 (3) - a surfactant and emulsifier used in
cleaners and personal care products Other HIGH concerns: Contamination concerns; Other
LOW concerns: Data gaps, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) Vegetable glycerin (0) GRAS Lavandula angustifolia (lavender oil) (0)  Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) oil (0)Aloe barbadensis (organic aloe vera) leaf extract (1) - Aloe
vera leaf extract is produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe
barbadensis Calendula officinalis flower extract (1)
- Fragrance Ingredient Potassium sorbate (3) – preservative - low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity Sodium benzoate (3) – preservative – low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity Citric acid (2) –
alpha hydroxyl acid – used in personal care products to adjust the acidity or
promote skin peeling and re-growth in the case of anti-aging products  Baby Bits Wipes Solution Coconut oil glycerin soap (0) organic plantain herb (0) chickweed herbs (0) virgin olive oil (1) – may cause irritation pure essential oil of tea tree (0) pure essential oil of lavender (0) I hope it goes without saying...just in case...please refer back to this post if you are going to share the information - thank you for respecting the time and effort it took to pull this information together. ~Krystyna The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |