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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
Postpartum Wellness Series: Nutrition
| Posted on November 16, 2017 at 10:23 AM |
comments (119)
|
Postpartum Wellness Series – Nutrition Welcome to our Postpartum Wellness
Series. Each week we will look at one
area you can influence to help the days and weeks after you bring your baby
home be just a little bit smoother. These early days with your sweet pea are the
most precious – they will never be this small again. It is a good and worthy
endeavor to make these first memories as well as they can be made for your
family. My goal with this 8-week series is to offer some practical tips that
you can employ without any extra purchases outside of your normal postpartum
needs. Hopefully all that these tips will require is a little attention and a
slight shift in perspective. It is my intention that you can find at least one
small thing each week that will improve your postpartum experience.  Postpartum nutrition is just as important as
prenatal nutrition. We encourage our students to continue following “The Brewer
Diet”. This “diet” was designed by Dr. Tom Brewer to teach his patients to eat
healthy, whole food long before it was the “it” thing to do. You can find a link to The Brewer Diet
website HERE. The holistic approach to postpartum invites
the woman and her family to treat this time as a recovery period from pregnancy
and childbirth. The following five ideas
will help you treat your body gently and ease back into the non-pregnant state. Avoid Sugars and Caffeine Take heart, mamas...not forever...just “for
now”! I am raising my hand over here – I
do enjoy the occasional caramel and mocha coffee.
The issue with sugars and caffeine in the
immediate postpartum is the way they affect normal body functioning. Sugar can contribute to mood swings at a time
when you are already adjusting to a new normal after pregnancy. Caffeine is a
well-known stimulant that keeps you awake, the opposite of what needs to happen
in the immediate postpartum. Your body
does a lot of work to repair itself while you are sleeping, so find a non-caffeinated
beverage to enjoy for at least six weeks after your sweet pea arrives. THIS article outlines some of the amazing things that happen within your body when
you are not awake. Avoiding sugars and caffeine keeps you on a
fair playing field as you adjust to life with a newborn. And if it makes it
easier, circle a date six weeks out from the birth-day on the calendar when you
can go get your favorite sugary and caffeine-rich treat!! Eat Real Food Circling back to The Brewer Diet…the foundation
of postpartum nutrition is a diet rich in protein, fluids, fruits and
vegetables. You can also continue taking your prenatal vitamin. Believe it or
not, if you are going to breastfeed, you need 500+ calories a day than you
needed when you were pregnant. Protein: for cell growth and repair…all the organs
that have been squished in the last months of pregnancy, the uterus that has to
heal, the vagina and/or cesarean birth scar that have to heal from their part
in the birth journey…all these body parts need protein so that your cells can
do their work to rebuild all that has been bruised and stretched through the
course of pregnancy and birth. Fluids: it never ceases to amaze me that the
human body is about 60% water! So keep that water bottle handy and refill it
often. In addition, breastmilk is a live fluid that is created out of your
bloodstream for your sweet pea. Breastmilk is 88% water (https://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/baby-water/),
so this is another reason why you may feel thirsty all the time if you are not
paying attention to your water intake. Ample hydration is one of the ways to
ensure you are making enough milk for your sweet pea – give your body what it
needs to make that breastmilk. Fruits and Vegetables: these are the most bioavailable vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants designed by Mother Nature just for you. Not everyone can afford to eat all organic all the time, so we offer the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" lists from the Environmental Working Group as a resource. It may help you decide how to spend your grocery budget - spend a little more to eat organic and save where you can buying conventional growth foods. They now have easy smart phone apps that you can download and access as you shop. Keep One-handed Snacks Handy However you feed your baby – hands are going
to be occupied. In the early days, both hands. As you get more comfortable, you
will find yourself becoming an expert at one-handed eating (and finding things
on menus that can be eaten with one hand!). My postpartum shopping list included of
apples, carrots, celery, crackers, nut butter, hummus, and hard cheese (sharp
cheddar is my favorite!). Here is a quick list of snacks you can stock
or have someone prepare for you with these seven ingredients:
I specifically avoided ranch dressing and
soft cheeses. Some newborns are sensitive to the large milk protein found in
cows’ milk. The hard cheeses are easier
to digest since the protein is broken-down differently in the preparation
process. And some newborns will not tolerate any dairy…unfortunately, the only
way to find out is through trial and error. We also had lots of yogurt and flax seed, plus
sandwich fixings in the refrigerator. Yogurt is an easy snack to sprinkle with
ground flax seed for a protein and good-fat boost between feedings. Someone can
also make-ahead sandwiches or tortilla wraps for the times you are ravenous and
don’t have time to make a full meal. My
favorite sandwich was hummus and avocado with lettuce between two slices of
whole grain bread. That combination worked equally well as a wrap. Yum!! My last suggestion is to try out all the “Just
A Handful” snack bags that can be purchased at Trader Joe’s. They have several
different varieties that include dried fruits and nuts in a snack pouch. Not so
great for the environment…so after postpartum you can buy the bigger bag and
serve yourself. In the short term, please do the little things that make life
easier and buy these handy packs!! Funny side note: I always kept several snack
size pouches in my diaper bag or my purse…our older kids always knew where to
go to find snacks when we were out and about. They bemoaned the day when I was
no longer breastfeeding around the clock and stopped stocking them, “You never
have good snacks anymore!” Probiotics and fish oils We are learning about the benefits of
probiotics and fish oil as more research is done into postpartum mood and
anxiety disorders. Here is some information from THIS study from the University of Auckland:
Taking probiotics may reduce postnatal depressionwww.auckland.ac.nz A small study that was presented in 2011
found that:
So while you are no longer pregnant in the
postpartum period, the benefit of the omega-3s found in walnuts, flax seed,
fatty fish, and fish oils can still be an advantage.
THIS article makes sense of the alphabet soup and may help you decide what you want
to eat or how to supplement going forward. Placenta encapsulation I included placenta encapsulation in the nutrition
portion of this series because however you may consume it, the placenta is
being processed by the digestive tract. Observation of other mammals indicates
that placenta consumption is common and “natural” in the animal kingdom. Anecdotal information from a placenta encapsulation
website:
HERE and HERE are some blog posts I have done
on placenta encapsulation if you want to learn more about our experience and
the different methods of preparing the placenta for consumption. That Basket Again… As I mentioned in the first post, the “breastfeeding
basket” was a time and sanity saver in the postpartum period. I would keep some
“just a handful” treats from Trader Joe’s in it at all times. If you missed the sleep installment, here is “the
basket”: Gather the most-used items that you need when you sit down to
feed your baby so that you don’t have to get up and find them, or have someone
bring them to you. This is what I kept
in my basket: water, one-hand snacks that do not need to be refrigerated (bars,
nut packs, fruit leather, etc.), diapers, wipes, change of clothes for the
baby, burp cloths, bottom cream and nipple cream. I hope that out of these 5+1 tips, there is at least one that
you can embrace whole-heartedly. I
invite you to jot down or type yourself a note of one small thing you can do to
make that tip happen for you this postpartum. Try to start one journal page or
virtual note that you can add to as we progress through this 8-week series for
a better postpartum experience. Previous Installments: Coming up next week: Exercise And check back for the rest of the series: Physical recovery Social Support Practical Support Emotional Support Medical Intervention Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and posted. References: Probiotics and Postpartum Depression Study
from The University of Auckland New Zealand https://goo.gl/dYQKgo Time Health: “Study: Fish Oil May Prevent
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression” http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/12/study-fish-oil-may-prevent-symptoms-of-postpartum-depression/ WebMD: “Omega-3s May Cut Risk of Postpartum
Depression” https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20110412/omega-3s-may-cut-risk-of-postpartum-depression#1 Dietary omega-3 fatty acids aid in the
modulation of inflammation and metabolic health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4030645/ Placenta Benefits Info: http://placentabenefits.info/articles/ Steamed, Dehydrated or Raw: Placentas May
Help Moms’ Post-Partum Health https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/steamed-dehydrated-or-raw-placentas-may-help-moms%E2%80%99-post-partum-health UNLV Study Finds No Iron Benefit from Eating
Placenta https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/unlv-study-finds-no-iron-benefit-eating-placenta 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®. Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale |
Q&A with SPB: DIY Padsicles
| Posted on January 17, 2017 at 6:27 AM |
comments (117)
|
 Here is PART II of our VLOGS with guest doula, Michelle
Ludwig from Modern Mama Doula Services. Last week, she showed us her TOP 5 picks for postpartum. Today she is going to share her DIY tutorial for you to make
soothing postpartum “padsicles” right at home during pregnancy so that they are
ready for you when you are home holding your sweet pea! What you need: -Witch Hazel ~ we both really like the Humphrey’s brand –
available in regular or organic) -Maxi-pads ~ if you can find them, get some chemical-free and
bleach-free; usually available online -Cookie Sheet -Freezer Storage Bags How to: 1) Open up all the pads and leave them on the wrapper so
that they don’t stick to each other later 2) Lay them all out on your cookie sheet 3) Spray the witch hazel on to the pads until they are wet
BUT not dripping 4) Put the whole cookie tray into the freezer for about two hours 5) Once the witch hazel has frozen, take them back out of
the freezer and fold them back up for storage.
Place them in a freezer storage bag and back into the freezer while you
wait for your Sweet Pea to make their appearance. 6) Use them during the postpartum period on top of the large
postpartum pads you will receive in your birth kit or from the hospital. They will be a little chilly at first, but after the initial
freeze they will feel great on your bottom. I did ask Michelle what her experience was with other “add-ons”.
Some info out on the internet suggests using lavender essential oil or aloe
vera gel along with the witch hazel on the pads when you are preparing them. As Michelle so wisely answered, less is more. Witch hazel is
an extremely effective healing agent, and it would be a bummer to find out that
you are allergic to lavender or aloe vera when you are trying to heal from
birth, learning to breastfeed and figuring out your mothering. The witch hazel and pads are part of Michelle’s especially
prepared Bump Boxes. Along with the items
for padsicles, you will also receive some hand crafted postpartum essentials
that she makes herself. You can order Michelle’s specially
made with love package from her HERE Would you
like to interview Michelle as a doula? Please read her meet the doula feature
HERE Contact
Michelle: WEB http://www.modernmamadoula.com/ CELL OR TEXT 7204098977 EMAIL [email protected] Disclaimer:
Birthing From Within and Bradley
Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler,
Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale
|
Miracle Product
| Posted on August 31, 2016 at 8:30 AM |
comments (65)
|
 I love this quote...articles pop up on a regular basis that another published study shows that breastmilk and breastfeed benefit the mother, the baby, the family, the environment, the employer, the health care system... Here are links if you would like to read more Breastmilk: Feeding the Microbiome http://goo.gl/aPCiQj Immunization value: How breastmilk protects newborns http://goo.gl/M35Ay8 Family planning: LAM - Lactational Amenorrhea Method http://goo.gl/t9BZSJ Reduce cancer: Good for mothers, too http://goo.gl/zy2q3Z Why Breastfeeding is Important from womanshealth.gov 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®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
Upcoming Event: Sibling Class
| Posted on February 18, 2016 at 11:23 PM |
comments (0)
|
 We are so excited to be offering Sibling Classes at Modern Mommy Boutique this season. I want to spend a little time explaining our Visual Birth Plan class to give you a better idea what to expect. We will share a children's book about what happens during pregnancy, labor and birth. The main thing we want to get across to the siblings is that they can be part of the process, too. What are some things they can do now? RIght now, they can help Mother and Father/Other Partner to get ready for labor by helping the mom practice breath awareness and relaxation ideas every day. They can make sure Mother is eating well and getting enough rest. For those that can answer, we will ask them to name one small thing they can do to help mommy every day so that she doesn't have to get so tired :) What do we share about labor? We talk about different working faces, what kind of noises they might hear if labor starts at home; those kinds of things. We have the family practice some contractions together - always with the understanding that you can know what to do IF IF IF you feel like you want to do them. IF NOT, that is OKAY, too. There is no expectation, simply an invitation to participate as they feel comfortable. What's this "visual birth plan"?? The visual birth plan is a tool we used with all of the births after the first one. Depending on the age of the children, it may just be one or two simple words (or phrases, maybe) along with pictures that you draw together or pictures you print/cut out and paste onto the paper. With older children, they may want to have sentences written - we have done both depending on the ages of the children. The point is - the children have some idea of what to expect, and having the birth plan posted where they can see it and think about it creates space for conversations and clarification to keep happening. If you are birthing at a hospital or birth center, there will be a point when you are going to transfer in labor. Knowing ahead of time that this is going to happen may help them: they may not feel completely abandoned when you leave, or totally misplaced when you come back with a baby in your arms. If you are birthing at home, it may be helpful to know when different people arrive, what that means about what may be happening next. HERE is a simple example. If you would like to take advantage of this class for your family, please join us at one of the upcoming classes:
Tuition: $10/family Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Place: Modern Mommy Boutique, Chandler, AZ Time/date subject to change Click on link for driving directions to Modern Mommy - major cross streets are 101 Freeway & Chandler Blvd. 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®.  |
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Maps/Directions are informational only. User assumes all risk of use. MapQuest, Vistaprint, and their suppliers make no representations or warranties about content, road conditions, route usability, or speed.
Inside Look: East Valley Infant Massage
| Posted on February 5, 2016 at 8:46 AM |
comments (84)
|
 I met Michelle Cordero last year when we both participated in PB&J Events' Pregnancy + Baby Fair. She is a wealth of information about infant massage, an amazing tool to help parents bond with their Sweet Peas. Infant massage can also help with common hurdles in the childbearing year: fussy tummies, teething, and bonding with siblings, to name a few. What makes Michelle's classes unique is that she is willing to work with families who have toddlers. Most Infant Massage classes only welcome families with non-mobile children, making you ineligible once your Sweet Pea is 6-months old. Not so with Michelle - since she is a licensed massage therapist, she is able to tailor classes especially to the group. I wish you enjoy this month's Inside Look with Michelle! Her contact information is at the end of the post if you want to enroll in an upcoming class, or take advantage of her FREE monthly intro classes. Tell me about East Valley Infant Massage. East Valley
Infant Massage (“EVIM”) provides private and group classes to
teach parents and caregivers how to massage their babies. I provide nurturing
touch skills to parents to impact children for a lifetime. What kind of clientele does EVIM serve? EVIM classes are
designed for parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers who want to include
a powerful tool in their care giving to help promote healthy bonding, growth
and development. Parents with babies who have tummy issues report that regular
massage has been helpful in minimizing digestion discomforts. Regular massage
also promotes better sleep and relieves other issues such as teething and
congestion. What age range of client does this service
care for? Is there anything you do not provide for? Our typical class participants range from 3 weeks
old to pre-crawling, mostly because we then have a captive audience. We do
welcome children up to around 3 years of age, but the more mobile the child,
the more creative we have to get in class. It makes for an interesting
session! Even though I am also a licensed massage
therapist and can massage the babies myself, I do not provide the massage to
the baby directly (I bring demo dolls with me to class) because I want to
empower the caregiver with the skills to massage baby not only in class, but
long after. There are some interesting studies out there that show that infant
massage can help parents become more confident in their abilities as
parents. What makes EVIM unique? I tailor each class for the needs of the
participants. I'm currently working on adding new classes at different times of
the day/week to best accommodate moms and dads with different schedules.
Because not one time is perfect for all babies, I understand that sometimes baby
will be sleeping or fussy during class. I encourage participants to tend to
their babies' needs, such as feeding, changing or rocking baby while watching
the instruction. I always send parents home with great handouts to help them
practice at home and welcome any follow up questions (during the next class in
a series or by phone/email/text in case anything was missed during class. What motivated you to start EVIM? I have been a massage therapist for almost 14
years and have worked on clients of all ages, including babies and toddlers.
When I had my son 4 years ago, I joined different mom groups online and in
person and saw a lot of moms asking for help in different areas with their
babies, including sleeping issues, tummy problems and advice for helping dad and
siblings bond with baby. I knew that infant massage can help immensely in these
areas and more, so I decided to get my certification to teach infant massage to
parents to give them more tools to help their babies and their families. Is there anything else our readers should know
about EVIM? I'm often asked for the magic massage routine
that will make all babies sleep through the night or get rid of gassy tummies
completely. I wish I could say that there is one surefire way to accomplish
these things. However, I know that touch is a simple, yet powerful and
underutilized tool that can be added to routine care giving and can make a huge
difference for families. Even if baby is a relatively "easy" baby,
the family can experience many benefits from massage. I love to facilitate
those benefits for my class participants. What inspires you? Tough question, since I have many sources of
inspiration. My son and husband inspire me daily; as they remind me to slow
down, enjoy the day-to-day and find joy in simple pleasures. I'm also inspired
by those who do for others with no expectation of getting anything in
return. Michelle's contact informtation PHONE: 480-269-1531 EMAIL: [email protected] SOCIAL MEDIA: WHERE TO FIND MICHELLE: **Free
intro class for expectant parents at the Ahwatukee Babies"R"Us on the
2nd Thursday of the month
from 6-7 **Group
classes held at Modern Mommy. Check the website as new classes will be added soon. 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 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 in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.  |
Upcoming Events: Spring 2016
| Posted on February 5, 2016 at 7:37 AM |
comments (0)
|
Upcoming Events with Sweet Pea Births!! We are so excited to announce that we have lots of new classes coming up at Modern Mommy Boutique during our hiatus from teaching Bradley Method® Classes. (We start our next session in March!) Sibling Prep - New baby Bruss will talk to the parents about strategies for the transition: phrases to use, how to talk about the new baby, reminding the older siblings that they are important, too! I will be doing story time with the littles and a craft. We will be emphasizing how BIG they are and how your newest Sweet Pea is "just too little!" Date: February 6 ~ 10 - 11 am Place: Modern Mommy Boutique 3355 W Chandler Blvd, Suite 3, Chandler Tuition: $10.00/family RSVP - call or text 602.684.6567 Healthy Pregnancy ClassFor families in any trimester of pregnancy. Come learn about the basics of exercise and nutrition to build the foundation of a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, plus comfort measures to relieve some of the common discomforts of pregnancy. Date: February 13 ~ 9 - 11 am Place: Modern Mommy Boutique 3355 W Chandler Blvd, Suite 3, Chandler Tuition: $10.00/family RSVP - call or text 602.684.6567 Sibling Prep - Family Birth Plan We will be facilitating the family as they create a visual birth plan for their upcoming birth Story time, discussion, creation of family birth plan to take home Date/Time: February 20 ~ 10 - 11 am Place: Modern Mommy Boutique 3355 W Chandler Blvd, Suite 3, Chandler Tuition: $10.00/family RSVP - call or text 602.684.6567 Signing Story Time Come enjoy "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" read aloud with sign language. We will teach you 5 basic signs first, and then read the book together. We will also do a craft that goes along with the book to help reinforce the ASL words Date: February 26 Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm Place: Modern Mommy Boutique 3355 W Chandler Blvd, Suite 3, Chandler Tuition: FREE RSVP - call or text 602.684.6567 Our next Bradley Method® childbirth preparation session starts on March 11, 2016. Enrolling now! Email: [email protected] Call or Text: 602.684.6567  Ongoing: Birth Story Listening sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays Read more about those HERE |
Prenatal Connections
| Posted on May 12, 2015 at 7:31 PM |
comments (27)
|
 I never cease to be amazed at the way science catches up to what we know intuitively about mothers and children.We have a "mother's intuition". Mothers dream their children's dreams. They can feel emotions or sense danger across miles of separation. Why? Because their fetal cells literally reside in our bodies. THIS blog post outlines many of the different ways our children's cells remain in us after we give birth, and how our bodies benefit from being pregnant. I believe it is never too early to start connecting with our babes. One of our favorite things to share with our students on the first night of class is the reminder to connect with their children now, in-utero. We know that a baby’s sense of hearing develops at 24 weeks. It is such a neat phenomenon of pregnancy to know that your child(ren) can hear your voice and they will recognize it once they are born. An anecdote we share in class demonstrates how you can connect with your child before their due date. Puma was having a hard time accepting that Charger was going to be a boy, because she was really counting on having a baby sister. Knowing that he could hear her voice, and concerned that he would hear that she did not want a brother, every time she voiced that opinion I would reminder her that he was a gift to our family from God, and that I loved him already and she would learn to love him, too.  I also encouraged her to sing to him as often as she wanted to. The song she chose to sing to him was her
version of, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Although the words came out in all manner of variations, her tone and
melody were consistent. Wouldn’t you
know…she sang to him when we came home from the hospital and as a two-day old
baby, he turned to the sound of her voice!We found out that he really liked her song. There would be times when we were driving and he was crying, or maybe I was busy trying to prepare food (I do not feel comfortable babywearing in the kitchen), and Charger would be upset. The minute Puma started singing to him, he would settle down. Coincidence? No! He knew his sister’s voice and it soothed him. If a sister can have this effect on a child, imagine how much more a mother or father could connect. There are so many ways to connect if just talking to your child in-utero feels weird to you. (Did anyone else watch Modern Family on Wednesday night?) You can do any of things with intention and show your child now that they are loved. Here are some things you can do out loud with intention to connect with your child before they are born: **Read your favorite book **Read your favorite children’s book(s) **Sing your favorite song(s) **Pray **Chant
In these ways, a child can make a connection not just with the voice of the
mother who it hears all the time; (s)he can also connect with other family
members. Puma sang about once a day for
three minutes…imagine the connection with more time and intention put towards
the effort. I also believe that there is an emotional connection that mother’s can make
with their children. When I was pregnant
with Puma, I spent time doing yoga practice.
I had already been doing yoga for a few years before we conceived, so I
used that knowledge to create different practices with help from “The Prenatal
Yoga Deck”. Within the cards, there were several meditation cards with which to close the
practice, or to do individually for that matter when I did not have time or
energy for a full practice. I had not
really made the conscious thought to connect with the baby until I read these
cards. Each meditation card had a
different affirmation to read mindfully connect with the baby. What a gift that was! In meditation, I would intentionally “speak”
with the life growing inside me. It made
me realize that every action, every emotion, every thought was being felt be
the living being, the soul, that I was carrying. My time was never the same with subsequent pregnancies, so I did less and less
yoga as we added children. What I did
remember and apply from the first pregnancy was the connection with the life
inside me. I paid attention to what we
said and did when I was pregnant. I
tried to fill myself with as much positive and light energy as I could. Bruss enjoys telling people about prenatal connection. He feels like we got to know our babies
in-utero by paying attention to their actions before they were born. We actually changed our name list for Puma if
she was going to be a girl (we didn’t find out gender until her Birth-Day)
based on the personality we perceived from her.
We suspected our second child was going to be a Night Owl based on his
activity pattern (he is).
With our third and fourth children, we had Puma singing songs to the babies
and Night Owl liked to “listen” to their heartbeats with a stethoscope. The kiddos also helped with relaxation
practice and we involved them in making their own birth plan for their care
while Bruss and I were in labor.
The younger children have also been true to their inutero personalities. I got a laid-back vibe from Charger, and he
is pretty laid back and happy (unless you get his ire up). I wonder about his temper. While I was
ecstatic to be welcoming another child to the family, my “A” personality that
did not plan for the timing of his pregnancy may have given him an unintended
negative vibe. As far as Otter goes, her pregnancy was intentional and we were overjoyed to
learn that Puma’s prayer for a little sister had been answered. We all participated in her prenatal care once
we switched to midwifery care, Puma sang again; she got the benefit of hearing
all the read-aloud books we read to the older children. She seems to be very connected to Night Owl,
who was the first person to see her in our family when she was being born. He talked to her while I was pushing and he
was the first sibling voice she heard. I
have a hard time believing their connection is a coincidence. We also used flower essences in her last tri-mester. She, more than any of our other children, seems very charismatic. Family and strangers alike seemed to connect with her in her infancy in a way that I had not seen before. After hearing Katie Hess speak on the characteristics and benefits of the essences, I wonder if that is the difference.
Link List
 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. 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®. |
Inside Look: CredibleCravings
| Posted on January 16, 2015 at 9:29 AM |
comments (27)
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 I got to sample CredibleCravings at the Club MomMe event I attended in June 2014. I wish these had been around when I was growing Sweet Peas - green, clean *and* yummy!! While we try to eat whole food as much as possible, life happens! When you need a snack on the run, these may be just the thing you are looking for. These are great for the diaper bag, and for hungry siblings who are always looking for a snack! Here are some of the things that Stephanie Baker, Founder of CredibleCravings, shared with me so that I could offer some information about her delicious products to our students and readers: CredibleCravings is the first certified organic whole food bar developed to support the nutritional needs of women before, during and after pregnancy. At CredibleCravings, we believe that proper perinatal nutrition is foundational to lifelong health. Each and every ingredient in our line of bars was selected for a specific nutritional benefit during the perinatal period, providing moms and moms-to-be with perfect sustenance through wholesome ingredients in a convenient package:
Credible Cravings bars are available in three delicious flavors:
 What was the inspiration behind the flavor profiles for CredibleCravings? A: Each Ingredient. On purpose. That’s the CredibleCravings way. All three flavors—Lemon Ginger Greens, Cacao and Cranberry Oatmeal—contain ingredients that were intentionally selected with the health of mom and baby in mind. Here is a breakdown of each flavor. We hope you enjoy!
What drove you? I founded CredibleCravings on a desire to improve the health of our next generation by inspiring proper nutrition during the time it matters most – before, during and after pregnancy. Why the perinatal period? Quite simply, because there is no other time
period where proper nutrition has such a significant impact on our lifelong
health. Every body system in the fetus develops under the nutritional environment
provided by mom, and how fetal organs develop impacts the health of baby for
life. Yes, women have cravings during
this time period; but it’s the worst time to be introducing junk food to the
body. We developed a bar to satisfy
cravings, while also supporting mom’s health and the healthy development of her
baby. Why now? With so many options and so many products on
shelves today, honest healthy snacks are hard to find and more important than
ever. For women who keep busy schedules with multiple social and
work obligations, the modern world of synthetic convenience foods can beset
even the purest of nutritious intentions. CredibleCravings is about
making the nutritious choice an effortless choice for moms and
moms-to-be. How did you design your product? Our team was determined to develop a bar especially for the perinatal period with integrity: clean, purposeful, and comprised of the highest quality ingredients. We started by ensuring every single ingredient that went into our bars had a purpose. We were unwavering in our mission. We leveraged diverse ingredients. We included the best probiotics. We kept all artificial sweeteners, preservatives and fillers out. We like to think of our wholesome snacks as nature’s gift to Mom, and Mom’s gift to her growing little one! Partner Profile: CredibleCravings
was founded on one intention: To promote mindful nourishment before, during and
after pregnancy. The best nutrition is pure and simple…but
in modern society, it’s not easy. It’s
not easy to put first: amidst the hectic juggling of work, family and social
obligations. It’s not easy to
understand: adrift aisles of synthetic convenience
foods and confusing health claims. It’s
not easy to promote: in a society that normalizes unhealthy and unmindful
eating. However, proper nutrition is the most
critical element of lifelong health and directly influences your energy, your
vitality, and your physical well-being.
Our hope is that every person would personally experience the benefits
of a properly nourished body and to know the beauty, the vitality, and the
prosperity that permeates every aspect of a nutrition-centered life. CredibleCravings,
the first truly nutrition-centered bar focuses on nutritional needs at the time
it matters most: the beginning. A mother’s nutritional status during the
perinatal period has a significant impact not only on her own health, but
leaves lifelong footprints on the health of her child: through both nature and
nurture. Through collaboration with nutritionists,
midwives, and obstetricians, CredibleCravings identified the essential vitamin
and mineral needs and ideal energy sources for the perinatal period then went
to the field to find natural, fresh ingredients to meet those needs. The intent is that consumers not only feel
asssured that they are supporting their very vital nutrient needs every time
they open a CredibleCravings wrapper; but also that they know exactly what is
in the bar and why it is in there. What is your favorite on-the-go snack? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and posted. 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®. |
Life after the Birth-Day
| Posted on July 18, 2014 at 10:04 AM |
comments (0)
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Since we are between series right now, I do not have any
student questions to inspire our blog posts.
So I thought I would share this list of questions that I came up with
when a student asked for some guidance on how to develop their parenting style.  We joke in class that the 12-week series for childbirth preparation should segue way into a 12-week series about parenting. In reality, although there are lots of parenting books, there is NO parenting manual that will tell you how to parent your unique child. My personal mantra is to put away the book and read your child - they will tell you what you need to know about how to love them, nurture them and guide them into adulthood.Along the way, it helps if you and your partner are on the same page about what I would call the "big stuff". I am by no means a counselor or therapist, so as always,
these questions are offered in the spirit of providing a starting point for further
exploration. At the end of this post are
some resources if you feel that you do need professional help to aid you and
your partner resolve any conflicts you may have in your parenting style; or if like us, you simply want to enrich your marriage to be a strong union for your Sweet Peas. This is not a complete list. Feel free to add your own questions to the
discussions you have with your partner.
Let us know what helped you so we can refine our list for future students
and readers!
I hope these questions are a great starting point for you
and your partner. This is a long list, so
maybe you can print them, cut them into strips, and then take turns pulling
them out of a jar once a night/week/month; however long it takes you and that
you have the emotional wherewithal to discuss them calmly. If you would like additional resources for
mediation/counseling/marriage enrichment, here is a group we have used in
Gilbert, AZ:
If you would like to look up a therapist in your area,
Psychology Today offers a good search database.
Start HERE *NOTE: Sweet Pea Births does not support or believe in spanking, hurtful tickling or child abuse. These questions are offered to facilitate an honest discussion between co-parents. Did you add any questions to your discussion list? Tell us about them. Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and posted. 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. 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®. We are now enrolling for our Fall 2014 series
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Inside Look: SpenceBaby
| Posted on July 11, 2014 at 10:24 AM |
comments (48)
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InSide Look:Spence Baby   One of the priorities of The Bradley Method® is to stay Healthy and Low-Risk during pregnancy by avoiding harmful substances. Many families who learn about all the different toxins we are exposed to, and how to avoid them, choose to continue to stay healthy and low-risk after their Sweet Pea’s Birth-Day. The fabric we put on our Sweet Peas exposes all of that soft, sensitive skin
to whatever is in the fabric. Whatever that is then gets absorbed directly into the
bloodstream. When you think about the
impact that makes over a person’s lifetime, it makes sense to invest in high
quality, truly organic "from source to fabric to dye" garments. I am so excited to introduce our students and readers to
SpenceBaby. This clothing company offers
the benefit of organic clothing along with timeless design and attractive
colors. We are thrilled to be able to
feature them in today’s Inside Look feature. We first heard about SpenceBaby when I went to the Club
MomMe Spring Family Fest in June. I had
the pleasure of visiting with founder Sandy Barton (“SB”) at the end of the day.
She took the time to share some of their story and walk me through her
designs and fabrics. She was kind enough
to agree to do this virtual interview with us so that we could share their
story and their amazing products with you. SPB: What was the
driving force behind Spence Baby? SB: It was almost
meant to be in many ways. My sister-in-law, Rachel, was pregnant with
my now beautiful niece Evelyn (Eve). Rachel was very much into raising Eve in a
green home and I wanted to get her some cute, fashionable, organic baby
clothes. Clothes, not just basics. Needless to say my search came up
empty. My husband and I decided this was crazy and set out to fill the void in
the market. About 4 months into research, my husband Paul and I found
out we were pregnant with our daughter Spencer Grace Barton (Spence
baby). Spencer was confirmation I was on the right track and opened up the
possibility of being able to work from home and spend more time with
Spencer. Something very important to Paul and I. SPB: Tell me more
about how you source the fabrics and the dyes you use to create premium organic
baby apparel. SB: Our early
research surfaced that the definition for
organic fabric and textiles is not really transparent. The USDA and
the Federal Trade Commission only require clothing and fabrics
wearing the organic title be made with USDA-certified organic crops, but it
ends there. This seemed crazy to us since that essentially meant you
could purchase organic fabric and treat it with toxic and harmful dyes.
Needless to say, our eyes were opened to what "Organic" and even
"Certified Organic" baby clothes really meant and it was not what we
thought. This led us to want something better and eventually to the
Global Organic Textile Standard or GOTS. GOTS raw materials must be
certified organic under National Organic Program standards but it also puts
strict limits on the types of fabric dyes that can be used and prohibits toxic
fabric finishes, including sand-blasting of denim (which poses a health threat
to workers), chlorine bleaches, formaldehyde-based finishing treatments, and
nanoparticles intended to make a product “antibacterial.” A factory’s effluent
water must be treated and filtered before release. As for worker welfare, the
certification addresses workers’ ability to unionize, forbids child labor, and
requires that workers are paid a living wage. Not even zippers (no chrome or
nickel allowed) and screen printing (no toxic PVC-based inks can be used in
T-shirt designs) escape scrutiny. And throughout the entire process, all
GOTS-certified items must be kept separate from non-GOTS-certified products to
prevent contamination. So it's simple really, we only work with GOTS certified
partners and fabrics =)  SPB: Where do you
draw your inspiration for the designs? SB: I have always
had a eye for design and really pull from a number of sources. I spend a lot of
time on sites like Pinterest, Instagram, Fromupnorth, and flipping through
countless magazines. I love classic looks and try to use that as a style guide
but always add a little something unique to each item.  SPB: Can you tell me
a little about how you choose the color palette for your clothing? SB:Sure, I find
my color inspiration mostly from the nature that surrounds me in my
every day life. A day at the beach, a walk through a garden in spring,
the sky when it randomly has red, orange or purple streaks. When I see a
color that catches my attention I use websites like design-seeds.com to help put together
some complimentary colors. SPB: The clothing is absolutely adorable - will you eventually
expand the line to include larger sizes? I can especially see big sisters
wanting to coordinate with little sisters :) SB: Absolutely! In fact, our company is actually Spence Apparel.
Our first collection is Spence Bay but we plane to offer Spence Kids next and
possible Spence Toddler (Fingers crossed!).  SPB: Do you have a
favorite item in your shop? Which one is it, and why? SB: My favorite
item has to be the pink and white striped bubble romper that Spencer is wearing
in the website. I think all babies look adorable in them but what I love
about this one is the soft and sweet details like the ruffle trim on the collar
and plaid trim in the placket.  SPB: We have lots of
mamas that are planning on going back to work, or are back to work already and
trying to do the family/work juggle. Do you have any words of wisdom to
share with working moms? Or, aspiring mamapreneurs? SB: There are a
couple things that have really helped me. 1) Date night. Getting away from it
all and spending time with my husband. Even if it's just dinner, it always
helps me clear my head and refocus. 2) Don't let frustration and fear
of failure win. I used to worry about how I would be as a Mother and if our
business would fail (and still do at times). I realized the only thing I can do
is continually strive to grow and educate myself and never stop trying. My
husband has been amazing at helping me with this. SPB: What sets your
brand apart from other offerings on the market? SB: Our focus on
making a complete line (not just basics) of fashionable apparel from
only the highest quality organic and eco friendly materials. We also
really value our customers feedback and actually have a few items inspired by
comments from we received in our next line. SPB: What is your
vision going forward as you grow your business? SB: At this point
we are taking it day by day. It is our 3-year goal to have a complete
collection of Baby and Kids apparel available for everyone who appreciates our
brand. SPB: Personally,
we can’t wait for the Kids apparel to hit the market. SpenceBaby can count on at least one customer
for their growing product line! Find SpenceBaby on
the web: Web Page http://www.spencebaby.com/ Instagram http://instagram.com/spenceapparel Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/spenceapparel/ Do you have a favorite children’s garment that you would
like to see in an organic clothing line? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. 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. 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®. |