The UPPAbaby Vista V3 came with several exciting upgrades while maintaining the signature style and functionality that the Vista line is known for. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s changed:
With the Vista V3, you’re investing in a stroller that’s designed with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and long-lasting use. Its multiple configurations adapt to your growing family’s needs, allowing Vista V3 to fit up to 3 children of different ages.
We personally chose the UPPAbaby Vista for our family and we’re here to help you make the informed decision when choosing a stroller for your baby! If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to reach out. And don't forget to check out our selection of UPPAbaby strollers at theprestonagency to find the perfect fit for your family!
]]>If you haven’t registered your baby car seat with the manufacturer, your child could be at risk without you knowing. Did you know that millions of car seats are recalled each year? How would you know that your car seat isn’t one of them?
Manufacturers are required to contact customers if their car seats are recalled, but they’ll only have the contact information if the car seat is registered.
So, how can you register your car seat? You have two options:
According to a study (Car Seat Recalls: What Every Parent Needs to Know) while 96% of people think it’s important to register a car seat, only 42% actually do it. If you’ve gone through the expense and effort of getting a car seat to protect your child in the event of a car accident, consider registering your car seat to ensure your child is not riding around in a defective one.
]]>The Tripp Trapp High Chair² will still be featuring Peter Opsvik's iconic, yet classic Scandinavian design. You can still count on its well-known strength, durability, and flexibility, as it can hold up to 300 lbs. Its sturdy construction from sustainably harvested European beech and oak woods has made this chair the No. 1 family choice for years!
The real update was made to the Baby Set, which now comes with an upgraded 5-point harness. Designed for ease of use, the harness features a simple two-click buckle system that’s a breeze to fasten. If you found unbuckling a bit difficult with the old harness, Stokke has your back! The new quick-release button ensures the process of unbuckling is as simple as possible, making it more user-friendly!
It’s important to note that if you’re planning to use the new Baby Set² with a cushion, you’ll need to purchase the Cushion² specifically made for this updated seat model. If you have the older version of the Baby Seat the new cushion will not be compatible with it.
The Tripp Trapp High Chair² offers a variety of accessories that allow it to be used from birth to adulthood. It still features water-based, non-toxic paint that’s free from harmful chemicals (including bisphenol and phthalates), and it’s easy to clean! With multiple color options available, you’ll have no issue finding a chair that will effortlessly move from room to room of your home as your child grows.
]]>Before we begin, a couple of pro tips:
For parents that like to accessorize, look no further than the UPPAbaby REMI playard. Out of the box, REMI is ready from birth with its zip-on bassinet attachment, and ready to go anywhere with its included travel bag. It's got a unique-to-REMI window on the front that zips open to help with cleanup, as well as to easily access your child. Our favorite add-on accessory is the sunshade canopy, which allows you to give your child a little extra shade in sunny rooms for naps, or even create a sun and bug barrier while you're outside! It also has a changing station accessory that clips onto the side, and conveniently folds back over when not in use. Add on the changing station organizer to store all of your wipes, creams, and diapers to have the ideal setup. You'll also find a padded travel bag for those who travel on planes often, which provides a safe barrier for check-ins. This play pen is GREENGUARD Gold certified, and has an organic mattress cover included so your little one can rest in a non-toxic nest.
If you will be spending a lot of time outdoors at sports games, porch chilling, or gardening and don't want the bugs or sun to bother your little one, REMI is for you.
Meet the winner of the reddot award, the Nuna Sena Aire travel crib! This innovative crib features a zig-zag frame and skid-proof feet that make it extra sturdy. This GREENGUARD Gold certified pack and play includes GOTS-certified organic sheets, as well as a clip on changing station as an optional accessory. If you're not interested in the changing station accessory, or your little one is past that stage, you can always opt for the Nuna Cove Aire Go, which includes all of the features of the Sena Aire (sans changing station accessory) and is one inch larger for more play space. This travel crib is super breathable, with a ventilated mesh mattress that pulls away both heat and humidity. If you love the Granite color, and want the changer accessory, the Cove Aire Go + Bassinet bundle will save you €10! There is also an insect net accessory, sold exclusively at nunababy.com, for outside fun without the bugs!
If you're looking for a sturdy travel crib and changing station that will be ideal for staying with the grandparents, the Sena Aire from nuna will be sure to impress them with its quality!
If you're always traveling, you'll want to meet our lightest travel crib from BabyBjörn - weighing in at a mere 14 lbs, and with an included travel bag, this travel cot is ready for any adventure. While the Travel Crib Light doesn't include a bassinet for infants, its design is geared towards babies and toddlers and is unique in that it doesn't have a bottom (it rests on the floor) so you don't ever have to worry about a weight limit! The Travel Crib Light is extremely easy to assemble, with users raving about it being the best pack and play travel cot for traveling to hotels and beyond.
If you're on the market for a lightweight travel crib companion, and one that'll never max out on weight, the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light won't let you down!
The lightweight Stardust from Bugaboo is one of the easiest folding travel cribs we've ever seen. In one second, your Stardust travel crib opens and folds up without even needing to bend down. The built-in mattress folds up in it as well, no need to pull anything out! Ready to be your companion from birth, this play yard includes a zip-in bassinet attachment. The Stardust is the smallest in this lineup of play yards, so if you have a small space, that's a big plus!
If you're looking for a no-fuss play yard that will never make you bend down, the Bugaboo Stardust is the travel crib for you!
Having twins? The Daydreamer from Venice Child is the ideal option, and the largest option for parents that want more space for their child to play. Although slightly more involved than the others listed above to set up as its double-wide setup needs extra support to ensure your little one is stable, the installation is still very simple and definitely worth it for the extra space you'll get. The ample space on this play pen is ideal for filling with non-toxic balls and toys to keep your little one(s) entertained. This play yard is also geared towards babies and toddlers, though you might want to wait if you have a newborn, as the crib does not come with a bassinet attachment.
If you're having multiples, or want more space for your little one to play, the Venice Child Daydreamer Play Pen is the one for you!
ⓘ Click the image below to view a full sized play yard comparison chart
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You'll find FRs in many items that have the potential to catch on fire: building materials, furniture, upholstry, cars parts, etc. The most unsettling part of this study was the fact that many small children have more exposure to these chemicals than their own parents do. HOW? Well, to meet the ASTM standards to pass into the US market, you have to meet their flammability standard. Baby products, especially, must meet it.
Unfortunately, instead of opting for the safe, but more expensive, naturally fire-resistant options, some companies cut costs and use cheaper materials that they then spray with toxic chemicals in order to meet the standard by coating car seats, foam mats, crib mattresses...even baby pajamas and clothes.
It was absolutely wild to find out that these chemicals are even present on some GREENGUARD Gold Certified products. The reason for this is GREENGUARD Gold tests for chemical emissions, but it isn't focusing on the actual components. So, as long as the fire retardant-soaked foam in a mattress is covered with chemical-free fabric and remains untorn, "you're great" - certified safe. They even state to "Keep existing infant car seats, foam mattress pads and furniture cushions completely encased in protective fabric that is not treated with flame retardants, as torn and exposed foam allows the chemicals to escape more quickly." We are not on board with this.
In order to gain a fire retardant free badge in our collection, the product must be completely clear and free of these unsafe chemicals.
Further Reading
At your most recent appointment, you were probably told by your midwife or OB the position of your baby. Most providers will use an ultrasound to determine your baby’s positioning, but skilled practitioners can also use palpation (feeling with their hands) to check with confidence!
Before 24-26 weeks, it is normal for the baby to be in the transverse lie position. Usually, by 24-29 weeks babies will turn to be either vertex or breech, ideally vertex. Most babies will flip their heads down on their own, even if they were previously breech, by 28-32 weeks, getting them ready for a descent into the pelvis! It is at this time that the baby’s head is heavy enough that gravity pulls them into a head-down position.
If you’ve been told that your baby is breech (or transverse or oblique), the great news is that there are still things you can do to create room in the pelvis and encourage the baby to flip on his/her own!
Multiple factors can contribute to a baby not turning its head down. One of the biggest contributing factors is imbalance and/or tightness within the mother’s body. While there are other possible contributors, this category is likely responsible for most breech situations.
Other possible contributing factors could include placenta positioning, the amount of amniotic fluid, and the length or positioning of the umbilical cord.
If you get to 35+ weeks and the baby is still breech, some midwives/OBs will suggest an external cephalic version. This procedure involves the practitioner using their hands on the mother’s abdomen to apply pressure in an effort to manually turn the baby. While it can help the baby turn and allow the mother to have a vaginal birth in some instances, it can also be a painful procedure and can carry risks.
There are other options that could potentially give the baby the room needed to move into a vertex position on his/her own. These options are all focused on improving the imbalances and/or tightness that may be preventing the baby from having enough room to move around and flip its head down.
Sometimes babies will go vertex and then at some point flip back into the breech position. I don’t come across this often in my chiropractic practice, but anecdotally it seems to be correlated with mom being under a lot of stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or like there is a lot to do in preparation for the baby, take some time to relax, enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy, and trust that everything will be okay!
Remember that babies are innately intelligent. If you do everything you can to support them having enough room to turn and they STILL don’t, perhaps they innately know they were meant not to go head down. For example, a baby with a short umbilical cord or a low-lying placenta may not be able to flip.
One thing to note: If the baby was born breech or spent a significant amount of time in the breech position before turning head down, there could be some physical signs of the way they were stuck in the uterus. Make sure to get their cranium and hips checked by a pediatrician and a pediatric chiropractor.
You’re almost there, Mama! You’re doing a great job!
Looking for weekly pregnancy updates & advice from industry experts?
Dr. Annamarie Nardini, a dedicated mom to her son Luke, practices family, pediatric, and perinatal chiropractic in Scarsdale, NY at The Homestead Family Chiropractic alongside her husband. With additional certifications from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (Webster Technique, Perinatal, & Pediatrics), she focuses on serving pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants, and children. Dr. Anna's mission is to empower families through education and nervous system-based chiropractic care, helping them reclaim their health.
Two times, it seemed that our babe was super super grouchy and we speculated that it might be due to teething so we gave her a breast milk popsicle and she immediately calmed down.
One time, she fell and hurt her mouth, and her gums started to bleed, poor babe. She did the hurricane cry - does anyone else know what I mean when I say this? It’s when they cry so much that in the middle of the cry you just see a wide mouth but it’s completely silent! Anyway, thank goodness I remembered about the popsicles and gave her one as she pretty much calmed down straight away and was happy as a clam. It was the perfect way to soothe her and get something cold in her mouth to help with the pain / swelling!
We also loved having the popsicles in the middle of the hot hot summer, or when our baby had a little fever. Perfect for cooling our little babe down!
These are the food feeders I used to make the popsicles in my bio. I like them because they are easy for Willa to grip her little hands onto and are made of safe materials. I just fill the whole cap with breastmilk and then freeze it upside down, handle up. When taking out of freezer to use I just run it with the cap on under some warm water, and the cap comes off easily and then it’s ready to go!
Top tip: make sure that you’re using fresh breastmilk as you’re not meant to re-freeze breast milk that has been defrosted.
Another bonus - I loved learning about how naturally healing breastmilk is! You can use it to help with diaper rash and other skin issues baby might have, and it REALLY helps with healing sore nipples from breastfeeding!
Looking for weekly pregnancy updates & advice from industry experts?
Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
]]>If this is your first time having a baby, I’m sure the thoughts you’re currently having about labor and delivery are varied. You might be scared, excited, nervous, overwhelmed, calm, or a combination of all of the above. One of the weirdest parts is that unless you’re having a planned induction or c-section, you really just have no idea when baby will make their appearance. You hit 37 weeks and suddenly it’s like… baby could come, like, tomorrow, or in 5 more weeks. So wild.
One of the best ways to fill your time as you wait is to prepare yourself for labor and delivery. I’ve heard plenty of mamas say, “Oh, there’s just so much that will be out of my control so I’m just going to see how it goes,” and to be frank, I don’t really agree with that statement.
Labor is a marathon. You wouldn’t run a marathon without any training, right? Sure, there are tons of things about a marathon that are out of your control, like the weather, who else is running the race, and what spectators will be shouting at you from the sidelines. But you would definitely be training your body and mind before that marathon, right? I think the same for labor and delivery.
It truly is incredible what the female body goes through during labor. I chose to experience labor and delivery with my daughter unmedicated, so I was really able to feel every sensation as I worked through many hours of contractions, and then pushed my baby out. But even if you go the epidural route and have less sensation, that really doesn’t take away from the fact that physiological birth is AMAZING. And so so so taxing on the body! For this reason, I find it imperative to train the body in advance to prepare yourself for successful labor. Here are some of the things I recommend all pregnant women do in preparation for labor and delivery:
Just like with a marathon, birth requires a certain level of mental preparedness! There are many ways to go about training your mind for labor, but I don’t recommend just avoiding the thought of labor and delivery until the moment it arrives. There are many excellent resources and birth courses out that that help you prepare yourself for the intensity, beauty, unexpected, and sometimes trauma that can come with labor and delivery. Here are some of my favorite resources:
Labor and delivery can be VERY unpredictable. But there’s also a *lot* you can do to keep yourself grounded even when you don’t know what to exactly expect. You’ve got this mama.
Eventually, labor and delivery will be over, and it’s on to the postpartum season! For many moms, this part is much harder. Your hormones come crashing down, you’re physically recovering, exhausted, and learning to take care of this new tiny human. It’s a lot. Here’s a list of some random things I recommend having on hand to make the postpartum season just a bit easier:
**Please note, nothing in this article is medical advice; it is purely educational. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have questions.
Looking for weekly pregnancy updates & advice from industry experts?
Kristen is a Christ follower, wife, mama, and holistic living enthusiast, with a passion for birth photography. Kristen's journey from illness to wellness led her to embrace toxin-free living. She shares her expertise through photography services and valuable tips for holistic living.
]]>You’re in the third trimester and it’s time to start preparing for the baby to arrive! One of the most important things you’ll have to buy: DIAPERS. And from your research, you’ve probably realized that there are a million different options that all look like dollar signs leaving your wallet. You never thought you’d be spending so much of your time, money, and energy on someone’s poop, right? Trust me, you’ll be celebrating it way more than you expected too!
Let me (not so subtly) convince you that cloth diapers are a fantastic option that truly deserves your consideration. You’re probably thinking, “CLOTH diapers? You mean the type of diapers my grandmother used and that require pins to keep them closed?” No, no no. We’ve come a long way and cloth diapers are now the sustainable, non-toxic option for modern moms.
There are a bunch of cloth diapering brands on the market, but the one that we love and use is the Esembly cloth diapering system.
What separates Esembly from all the other brands? A few things:
Cloth diapering is honestly very similar to using a disposable diaper. With a few small differences!
I’ll admit, cloth diapering does take a little extra work and forethought. You’ve got to do a few extra loads of laundry in a week and you’ve got to make sure that the laundry gets done so that you don’t run out of diapers.
For our family, we were willing to do a little more laundry for all the benefits that cloth diapering offers! At the very least, give cloth diapers a fair chance and consider how they might work for your family too! Remember, you can always keep a few high-quality disposables on hand as a backup!
Looking for weekly pregnancy updates & advice from industry experts?
Dr. Annamarie Nardini, a dedicated mom to her son Luke, practices family, pediatric, and perinatal chiropractic in Scarsdale, NY at The Homestead Family Chiropractic alongside her husband. With additional certifications from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (Webster Technique, Perinatal, & Pediatrics), she focuses on serving pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants, and children. Dr. Anna's mission is to empower families through education and nervous system-based chiropractic care, helping them reclaim their health.
Personally, I like to prep four different categories:
As a person who loves packing and organizing - there is nothing that makes me more happy than having everything packed and ready to go. To me, a packed hospital bag is a love note to a future self about to have a baby. Every time you look at those bags, future you can thank current you for all you’ve done to make the birth process a simple and straightforward day.
So what should you pack in each of these categories anyways?
Items to keep you comfortable during birth:
Your partner won’t need as many supplies as you, but they don’t want to be running back and forth from the hospital every time they need something either. Here are a few things partners should have with them in their go bag.
The hospital will have almost everything your baby needs, from onsies and hats, to diapers, to diaper cream and formula if you are planning on supplementing or not breastfeeding. Literally, all you really need for your baby is a car seat to bring them home in.
You have worked so hard every day to create this baby. I hope you get the chance to celebrate and enjoy the significance of welcoming a new life. Thank you for all you are doing mama! You’ve got this!
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Suzzie Vehrs is a mama of two vibrant and growing kids. As a certified doula she loves helping moms know how to prepare for birth and create beautiful beginnings. Her goal is to help moms dream about, align with and experience a healthy, happy birth.
]]>For both of my pregnancies, I had an elected c-section planned so I was well aware and happy about my choice. The total opposite often happens to many - an unplanned c-section that you may not be so happy about, which is completely understandable as well! Whatever the situation, today I’ll be going through the prep that I did for my c-section in hopes that it may help you!
I am a complete over-planner so please do not feel like you need to do all of these things! The important thing is that you feel as healthy, happy, supported and as ready as possible for this transition into mama-hood! Take what you think might work for you, and leave the rest behind. Reach out to close family and friends who will be able to support you and provide you helpful tips and advice from their own experiences.
Alright, so here are the things I did to prepare for my c-section birth and recovery…
Physically, I wanted to be as strong as possible going into the surgery, as it is known that the recovery can be easier and faster if this is the case. I did a lot of prenatal yoga, prenatal massages, prenatal acupuncture and my favorite pregnancy friendly exercises. For my 2nd pregnancy, I was not as fit as I simply did not have the time or resources - or energy! I definitely felt that it was a longer recovery the second time around so I think being as physically strong as possible going into it is helpful for sure.
Mentally, I wanted to be as prepared as possible. I read a lot of books, but The First Forty Days was the most helpful with regards to focusing on recovery. I made and froze a lot of meals that were focused on birth recovery, including one that was specific to c-section recovery! Looking back, having nutritious meals frozen and ready was a huge win for us and our family. We also joined a prenatal circle which had meet-ups for partners which my husband found to be extremely useful. I loved having my partner be informed, on the same page and I liked that we entered this “having a baby” thing as a true team vs. me on my own and him coming along for the ride. Oh - and my wonderful doula sent me a playlist that I still sometimes listen to called 'You’ve Got This, Mama!' - very empowering!
It (ideally) takes a village!... to make things easier, smoother, better - that’s for sure! For us, we really embraced the idea that we would like to have as much support as possible, particularly as both of our families were in a different country. We hired a birth and postpartum doula who was also a chef and was set to bring us meals, chose doctors who we felt would take the very best care of us, hired a baby nurse who would be with us for the first 6-8 weeks, had our housekeeper lined up and ready to go, etc. etc. etc. We were really happy and excited about this village and team that we created to help us bring our 1st baby into the world…. And then enter COVID! Long long LONG story short, we ended up doing pretty much all of it on our own which was… what it was! We did it, we survived without the village, our beautiful baby girl was and is happy and healthy - but I definitely would recommend the village option if you can go for that!
The more and more I learn about babies and births and pregnancies, the more I see that every single story is so vastly different. For me and my first pregnancy, I was completely “prepared” for my c-section birth and recovery and then a (COVID) bomb went off and we had to pivot, be flexible, adapt, deal. If that’s not a very accurate description for what becoming a parent is like, I don’t know what is! Whatever your story, however you welcome your baby, I wish you health and happiness and all the good things! I love sharing my story with others and I love to hear others’ stories, in hopes that we can all connect on this amazing and crazy thing called “having a baby!”
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Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
]]>As mentioned when talking about our favorite new sibling books earlier, nothing can really properly prepare any of us for a new baby to enter our lives. However, there are definitely helpful things that we did to prepare, and things that we still do daily (and will continue to do) to encourage a good and positive sibling relationship! Every child is very much their own individual person, so of course these are things that we decided to do based on who we know our daughter to be, and what we felt would work best with her. Always trust yourself - you know your babies best. Do the things you think will help your child, and if something doesn’t resonate with you, feel confident in leaving it behind or amending it to suit your family!
I read this tip in an Instagram post when I was pregnant with my 2nd baby and once I looked further into it, it made so much sense. It sounds like something you’d read and say to yourself, “of course, I’m not going to blame the baby!” but I think we can fall into it more easily than we’d imagine! One example is saying something like “we can’t go to the park right now, I have to feed the baby”. The new big brother or sister feels that the new baby is preventing them from doing something fun, and so understandably they might feel resentful towards the new baby! You can see where it can result in the older sibling eventually feeling like they don’t like the new baby at all! Of course, they feel that way if everything fun they want to do is being blocked because of the new baby! I’m really glad I saw the post before our 2nd baby was born because it made me reconsider and rephrase the way I explained things to my daughter when the new baby was here so that we were not ‘blaming’ the new baby. Some examples below:
Instead of “We can’t go to the park right now, I have to feed the baby”, try “We can go to the park after nap”.
Instead of “We can’t be so loud right now, the baby is sleeping”, try “Let’s have some quiet time together, shall we read a book?”
This idea kind of leads on from the tip above. An alternative to “let’s have some quiet time together, shall we read a book?” might be to just explain why we need to be quiet. With our daughter, we’d explain, “When you are taking a nap, we all try to be quiet - just like how we all try to be quiet when your brother is taking a nap!” If our daughter has to wait because of the new baby before doing something she wants to do, we then make it a point to vocalize a time when the new baby will have to wait for our daughter. This brings in the idea that our family is in this together and we all work to help each other out. Our daughter has always done really well with explanations so navigating the new baby together with her as part of our team was really helpful. If our new baby son was fussing, we’d bring our daughter into the conversation. We’d talk about how babies cry when they need something and we’d try different things to help the baby calm down. Eventually, our daughter would start suggesting things the baby might need to help calm down, and she continues to look out for him in this way today! The idea that our family is a team and that we are all trying to get to know this new family member together seemed to really help our daughter build her own connection.
We tried not to take the attitude of “you’re a big girl now, you’re not a baby anymore”. Instead, we introduced the idea that we have two babies now! I think this language helped our daughter to not feel replaced. She didn’t feel like, “Oh I used to be the baby but now this new baby has taken my place” which could feel quite jarring, I’m sure. In our family, we embrace the idea that we have two babies, and that our older daughter is just a bit of a bigger baby so has learned more things, and she can help our smaller baby to learn just like she did. I think this also helps her feel like not only can she help her younger brother with new things but they can also be babies together, they’re in the same boat - fostering a good and positive sibling relationship between them!
We encouraged more and more independent play as the new baby’s due date approached! This might seem counterintuitive as you might be trying to get all your snuggles in before the new baby and yes, of course, please do cherish this special time! At the same time, try to encourage increasing amounts of independent play with your child as this will really help everyone once the baby is here. If your new big brother or sister is able to play independently, they won’t feel as much of a shock when you have to divide your attention, and it’s something you can schedule in throughout the day. Instead of, “I can’t play with you right now I have to breastfeed / change / rock the baby” you can try, “oh, it’s actually time for some independent play - look what I set up for you! After, we can play together!” If you’ve already introduced the concept of playing independently, your child will know what that looks like and what to expect - hopefully resulting in a happier version of everyone involved!
If a stranger walked into your home, and then everyone immediately descended on you to ask, “do you LOVE this new person? Do you? How much do you love this stranger? Tell me how much! Do you want to kiss this new person? Hold them? Come on, say hi, you love this person right?”, how would you feel? I’m laughing as I write this but it’s kind of how many people approach new older siblings and the new baby, isn’t it? With this in mind, we had more reasonable expectations when our daughter met our new son for the first time. We tried to avoid any pressure that she might feel, and allowed her to develop her own relationship with the new baby on her own time. We tried to narrate what she might be feeling and this seemed to help a lot as well. We let her know that it was okay to be unsure, and that with time she would get to know and love her little brother, but only when she was ready.
My babies are 1 and 2.5 years old and I am still doing this as of 1 minute ago! At the moment, my 1 year old is starting to talk so we are all beyond smitten with him - as you can imagine it is VERY cute! Through all of this, we are very mindful to always give our 2 year old attention as well, giving them both kisses and giving them both cuddles. We are always reminding them that if ONE of them does something that we are so happy and proud of, they are BOTH loved. We’ve done this from day one and I really can see that it prevents a lot of those negative feelings like jealousy, negative competitiveness, resentfulness, etc.
As I read through the above tips, I realized a lot of it is a shift in the mindset of how we viewed the whole transition. A lot of it comes from a view of respectful parenting, seeing everyone in your family as a whole person with valid thoughts and emotions! Everything I mentioned above continues to be in effect in our household, and we really are so proud of the loving, caring and close bond our babies are developing. Hopefully, these tips resonate with you and help you and your family, too!
Looking for weekly pregnancy updates & advice from industry experts?
Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
]]>Usually sometime between 24 and 28 weeks, your healthcare provider will have you come in for a pregnancy glucose tolerance test. Glucose (sugar) screening is a blood test that is checking you for gestational diabetes, meaning diabetes that specifically appears during pregnancy. If you’re unfamiliar with diabetes, it is a condition where your body does not regulate sugar properly because it cannot make enough of the hormone insulin. Insulin is released from the pancreas to regulate the amount of sugar in your blood. If not enough of it is being produced, then the levels of sugar in your bloodstream will be too high, which can cause high blood pressure which is unsafe for both mama and baby. This can also lead to a pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia (symptoms including high blood pressure, high levels of protein in your urine, significant swelling, and more) which can lead to serious issues for baby and potential organ damage for mama. If your doctor finds pre-eclampsia, they will most likely want to induce you early, which may lead to other interventions during labor and delivery.
Long story short, it’s important to prevent and check for gestational diabetes!
So what is this test, exactly? You consume a sugary drink given to you by your care provider, wait for at least an hour, and then have your blood drawn. Sounds easy, right? When I was early in pregnancy I remember asking other women about their experience with the test, and I heard things like “it was horrible,” “I felt so sick,” “I almost passed out,” etc. So that led me to ask… why does it seem to be the worst thing ever?? So it seems to be boiled down to 2 main things:
… and it seems like for lots of women, this is a very problematic combination. The nasty sugar drink combined with not being able to eat anything afterwards leads many women to nausea, dizziness, headaches, and jitteriness.
Out of curiosity, I asked my care provider if I could see the label on the glucose test drink when I was near the start of the second trimester. The ingredient list said: purified water, 50g Dextrose (D-glucose derived from corn), Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Benzoate, 0.1%, FD&C Yellow #6.
So what should we make of all that? The information about these ingredients might not personally bother you, and that’s okay! For me, I personally feel pretty strongly about avoiding unnecessary chemical exposures through food and drink, especially during pregnancy. So that’s why I started to figure out if there were any alternatives to this dreaded drink.
There’s 4 other options to this orange or lemon flavored “nasty drink.” They are:
For my first pregnancy, I personally opted to use The Fresh Test for my glucose tolerance test. For future pregnancies I may opt out of the test since I am at very low risk for GD, but time will tell for sure on that decision! Whatever you decide to do, it’s probably a good idea to make a decision now, because your healthcare provider will likely schedule you for a screening in the next couple of weeks.
**Please note, nothing in this article is medical advice; it is purely educational. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have questions.
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Kristen is a Christ follower, wife, mama, and holistic living enthusiast, with a passion for birth photography. Kristen's journey from illness to wellness led her to embrace toxin-free living. She shares her expertise through photography services and valuable tips for holistic living.
]]>Kombucha!
It’s a fermented drink that dates back thousands of years to China. It is made with tea, sugar and a bacterial culture called a SCOBY (that’s the big blob thing). We love to flavor ours with different types of fruit juice too!
Not only is it delicious, but Kombucha has many health benefits:
Brewing your own “kombo” is really inexpensive! An entire batch costs us about 50 CENTS between the tea and the sugar and the fruit juice! In fact, according to a study at Asbury University in Kentucky (Analysis of the Antioxidants in Homemede vs Commercial Kombucha) home brewed kombucha has up to seven times more antioxidants than what you get in the store! We estimated a savings of about €33 per batch to make these yummies at home!
Looking for a great organic kombucha starter kit? Click here
]]>They may make you feel like the barrier to entry in Montessori (or even being a good parent to begin with) is a million dollar replica of your house (sized adorably for your child) and about 27 hours in a day to endlessly thoughtfully interact with your babe. But fear not! We're here to gently guide you into the gray zone.
Here are our top five tips for introducing Montessori techniques into your busy schedule that don’t feel intimidating and will help you play the long game of raising an independent, self-sufficient, problem-solving little person.
Now is a good time to pause and reflect back on the pregnancy journey, embrace the moments you have left without a newborn in the toe and also take advantage of this time to “nest” and wrap up any loose ends so you can give your full mental, emotional and physical energy towards transitioning into the epic newborn-postpartum stage.
If you have not already, begin to strategize how to get through the labor and childbirth process as it does take both physical and emotional strength to navigate. I highly recommend hiring a birth doula (like myself!) and taking a childbirth class that covers a multitude of topics so you will learn what to expect and reduce your fear of the unknown. Check out this awesome, full-spectrum online class by Mama Natural.
Alternatively, if you have scheduled a cesarean section, take time with your medical provider in advance to go over what the surgery will be like, including pre-op and post-op, and then you can better prep on some cognitive strategies below to get into the right headspace for a calm, confident birth.
Let’s go over some labor comfort techniques, grouped into different methods and beginning in the order that I feel is most helpful!
What will you think about during labor and how can you think about labor pain differently?
Firstly, remember pain has a purpose. Watch this video for perspective.
Secondly, I want you to contemplate a time in your life that you have done something physically taxing or extremely painful and reminisce on what tactics helped you get through the experience. For example, what gets you through running a marathon? Do you mentally break down the run into sections and keep telling yourself to make it just a couple more minutes to the next mental marker? Do you visualize somewhere you feel safe or envision yourself completing a difficult task? Do you stick with the present moment or focus on your breath (breathe in relaxation and breathe out the tension) to keep you distracted? Many of these methods of mental stamina or distraction also work wonderfully while experiencing labor.
I also suggest downloading a meditation/ hypnobirthing app to get yourself in a good headspace for labor.
Body movement during labor is crucial. Your body may want to tense and freeze up when feeling pain or uncomfortable sensations but moving through each contraction actually stimulates receptors in the brain that decrease pain perception. Additionally, using upright, forward-leaning, and hip-opening positions will help open up the pelvis and drop the baby down. If you try to instinctually listen to your body, you will be surprised at how much your body will help guide you into getting into particular positions that will facilitate a smoother, faster birth too.
Here are a couple of ideas to try out:
Patterned breathing during labor is essential as it not only helps increase the oxygen flow in both yourself and your baby but also releases endorphins - the body's own natural pain reliever - which eases your discomfort. Additionally, it can help you generally feel more focused and in control. Remember there's no single right way for moms to breathe during labor and delivery, so experiment beforehand and see what works best for you.
The theory is that your mind can only process so many sensations at once, so your brain will override the painful sensations if you focus your attention on other, more pleasant sensations. For example, when you hit your funny bone and immediately start rubbing the elbow and the new sensory input makes the pain suddenly go away.
When experimenting with this concept for labor, I tell my clients to use their five senses to plan what they will need or want within their birthing environment. Do you love scents? If so, make sure you bring an essential oil diffuser with your favorite oils to diffuse into the air or a favorite scented lotion or massage oil. Do you feel warm and fuzzy with a good ambiance? Plan to turn off those terrible fluorescent hospital lights and bring in some tea or string lights. Set up pictures of loved ones, crystals, and affirmation cards with mantras that give you mental strength. Also bring in things from home that make you feel comfortable such as your favorite sweatshirt, blanket, or pillow. Do you vibe well with some good music on? Create a couple of different playlists, such as upbeat music you would do cardio to, soft piano music to calm, or spa music to soothe your nerves. Do you crave physical touch? Be vocal to your partner or doula beforehand about desiring light touch and massage throughout. Also, consider cold packs and heating pads for potential pain relief. Hydrotherapy is another huge form of pain relief for childbirth, quite possibly one of the best, so try to plan on taking some showers or baths during early and active labor.
The idea behind this is to create minor discomforts that you can control to distract you from the labor pain which you can’t control.
Here are some methods you could try:
And remember, FIND YOUR RHYTHM! If that means using deep moans and vocal sounds during surges, rocking or swaying, using whatever tools that are working, repeating whatever affirmations or mantras in your head that are clicking best, use them! Good luck :)
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Allison (“Aly”) Petrides is a married mother of three currently living in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She is a certified birth and postpartum doula who also works as a paralegal when not running to a birth! After experiencing three births within a five-year time span, Aly couldn’t help but recognize how overwhelming and difficult pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period can be. Once she discovered doula work, she dove in head-first and is extremely passionate about empowering, educating, and assisting families. When she isn’t busy with doula clients or spending time with her husband and children, she can be found snuggling with a pet on her lap reading a true crime novel, taking a nature walk, or doing pilates.
]]>What if I told you that you could feel more prepared, more confident, and more supported during your pregnancy and birth just by taking the right childbirth education class for you? What if I told you that you could reduce or even eliminate birth trauma because you are simply informed of evidence-based information and can advocate your yourselves and your baby better knowing your rights and needs?
Yes, there are amazing providers and nurses out there but some only see birth as a pathology and something that needs intervention and needs to be “fixed”. They fear birth therefore, they present fear to their patients. It’s called the Nocebo Effect” When we look for something wrong, we can typically find it. Birth is natural and normal for mammals to experience and guess what?! We are mammals! We always forget that we have this whole other side to us and this is a function that the body knows how to do quite well without intervention outside of special circumstances.
Birth operates best with a patient, less is more attitude so only listening to your provider’s suggestions and desires to move things along, and speed things up can cause the “cascade of intervention.” For instance, it is normal for labor to slow or stop and it’s a sign you need rest, food, sleep. Doctors do not want things to stop so they will give you Pitocin (the artificial form of oxytocin) which makes things feel more intense and can cause distress in the baby, which then causes you to get an epidural, which then slows things down more and then you need more Pitocin, which causes the baby to get more distressed and sometimes cesarean is then “needed” to save the baby from distress. This is the perfect example of a cascade that happens most often in a hospital setting. It’s important to know your other options to avoid these unnecessary interventions that can derail your birth preference and effect how you feel about your birth for years to come.
Other benefits included:
All these things create safety and calm in the body which allows birth hormones to flow more freely and there’s less fear. When we are less fearful, we are less tense therefore we feel less pain over all. Natural endorphins flow to aid the process and relax the body and heighten Oxytocin which is what the uterus and body need to make more endorphins. Some women even go into a euphoric state paired with the right circumstances, environment, knowledge base, mindset, and relaxation techniques. Many of my HypnoBirthing students report that they went into an “altered state” or “labor land” and that they moved through labor more relaxed.
Since HypnoBirthing is a 5-week class broken into 2.5 hours each class, I usually suggest people start a HypnoBirthing class any time between 20 and 33 weeks so starting the process of finding the perfect class and teacher for you early is an important step. Some people like more time to practice relaxation techniques and some people want the info fresh in their minds so figuring out what your best learning time will be is important.
Other classes like the Bradley Method are 12 weeks, there are more data-driven classes like Evidence Based Birth that is sometimes broken into a few classes. Spinning babies which are mostly focused on position and supporting physiology is usually one day. I have a hard time with hospital-based classes because I find people do not learn much about what birth is and what it needs. They learn about how to be a good patient which should not be a point of a birth class.
Personally, I like families to have options so aside from teaching HypnoBirthing in a hybrid format (You can join online or in-person), I have a self-paced course that is called Birthing Bravely and I also teach it as a one-day in-person class for busy parents and a Partner Prep class that goes over advanced comfort measures like counter pressure, how to use the various birth tools and when to do what, how, and where. These options have made education more accessible to families so be sure to look in your area for your perfect class or reach out to me and see how we can work together to get you prepared and confident!
Reach out today if you need a consultation or need help planning your birth preferences or postpartum! It’s my life’s mission to help families during the prenatal and postpartum time!
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Ailish is a mother of a daughter and stepmom to 3 sons. She is a Certified Holistic Doula, Birth Consultant, & Educator as well as Reiki Master & Gentle Pediatric Sleep Coach. She has always been passionate about helping families in the perinatal time. Her goal is to provide her clients with the best education & support so they feel prepared & confident.
]]>As NIN expands its chapters across the nation, their Ambassadors play a pivotal role in providing targeted support and expertise. Through fundraising initiatives, collection events, and the dissemination of NIN's mission on social media and peer-to-peer networks, these ambassadors work tirelessly to ensure that every newborn receives the essential support they deserve.
By participating in our GIVE sale, you're not just getting a discount; you're becoming part of a compassionate movement that uplifts and supports the most vulnerable among us. Together, we're making a difference — because every newborn deserves a beautiful beginning.
Donate directly to Newborns in Need here.
]]>While it is common to register for all of the feeding gadgets - nursing bras, formula warmers, bottles, etc., something that many people miss is the education piece about HOW to feed the baby and what to expect during the early days and weeks.
If you are planning on breastfeeding, the first few weeks of the third trimester is a great time to start educating yourself. If you wait to start learning about breastfeeding while you are sleep deprived and sore from your delivery with a crying baby, you will feel more overwhelmed!
Ready to start learning? Let’s dive in! Here are my best tips to help you be as successful as possible during your first week of breastfeeding:
Believe it or not, you started making milk early in the second trimester. That’s why the question that people often ask after delivery, “has your milk come in?” is a silly one- you already have milk! This first milk is called colostrum and it is jam-packed with nutrients for a brand new baby. The volume of this milk is small, but that is all baby needs. This small volume is normal!
Around 2-3 days postpartum is when your milk should start transitioning to “mature milk” and the volume will increase. You will notice that your breasts feel very full and it can be uncomfortable! While a lot of this fullness is milk, it is also swelling in the area. To manage the engorgement, you should feed frequently, apply cold compresses to the breasts for 20 minutes at a time, and do some gentle massage to move the inflammation out of the breast and into the lymph system. If your breast is so full that it is difficult for baby to latch on, you can soften it with hand expression and something called reverse pressure softening (ask your nurse or lactation consultant to show you how)!
Hand expression is an extremely valuable tool for the early hours and days after birth! Simply, it is using your hands to remove the milk. Hand expression is very effective for removing colostrum, and moms that hand express soon after delivery have been shown to have a better milk supply later on! Hand expression is something that you can do in addition to nursing your baby and you can offer the milk to them as an “appetizer” or “dessert” on a spoon before or after nursing. (BONUS TIP: Offering milk this way can be very helpful for babies that are having trouble latching, who are extra sleepy, or are having issues with their blood sugar!)
The best time to practice hand expression is late in your pregnancy, starting around 37 weeks (discuss with your provider). This way, you can get a feel for it and what techniques work for you. (Remember- learning things BEFORE delivery is more effective than trying to learn them after!) Head to firstdroplets.com for a great video about it!
The more you feed your baby, the more milk you will be telling your body to make. And feeding at every opportunity you can helps baby to get all of the milk they need.
A newborn should be feeding at LEAST 8-12 times in 24 hours (often they will feed more than this!) Doing skin to skin with your baby can help you to catch their earliest feeding cues. Early feeding cues include things like baby opening their eyes, opening their mouth and/or moving their tongue, and moving their head. Crying is a late sign of hunger, baby is “hangry” at that point! The nursing session will be more successful and enjoyable if you offer the breast before baby is upset.
The best way to know if your newborn is getting enough milk is by counting their diapers. On their first day of life they should make one wet diaper, on day of life two they should make two wet diapers, three wet diapers on day three, and four on day four. Easy to remember! Each of these diapers should have about 3 tablespoons of urine in it. After day four, baby should be making at least 6 wet diapers per day, and should be having at least one large poop. Most babies will lose weight after delivery, but with appropriate milk intake, they will gain this weight back by 2 weeks of age.
It can be easy to doubt your supply if baby is cluster feeding or showing signs of fussiness at the breast, and many new moms start supplementing with formula when this happens. The best thing to do if you have concerns about your babies milk intake or hydration status is to get in touch with your pediatrician and an IBCLC who can assess your milk supply and baby’s breastfeeding ability and can help you make a plan for supplementation if necessary.
Proper positioning helps baby to get the most milk possible and helps breastfeeding to be more comfortable for you. Positioning basics:
Some discomfort can be normal in the beginning, but breastfeeding should never, ever be painful or cause bleeding. If you’re in pain or noticing nipple damage, get some help from a lactation consultant who can help you troubleshoot. (PRO TIP: If you have nipple damage, Silverette is an amazing product that can aid in healing!)
I know this tip might seem random and not really related to breastfeeding! But hear me out: If you are entertaining visitors all day, it doesn’t allow you the freedom to feed your baby on demand and you might miss a lot of those early feeding cues we discussed earlier while baby is being passed from person to person. Not to mention, you probably won’t be comfortable being half-dressed in front of most visitors!
So try not to be shy and be honest about if you are up for having visitors and how long you’d like them to stay. You can even establish “visiting hours” and let people know the specific times you’re having people over. That way you don’t have to feel bad about kicking people out if they are overstaying their welcome! Not only will limiting visitors allow you to feed baby more freely and frequently, it will allow you to not feel like you need to entertain people and you can get more rest!
I hope those tips are helpful to you as you begin your breastfeeding journey! Remember, prenatal breastfeeding education is so important in helping you to increase your knowledge and confidence about feeding baby. If you have any questions or concerns as you and your baby are learning how to breastfeed, please reach out to an IBCLC lactation consultant for support.
Come say hi on my instagram page or join my email list at goodbabylactation.com. Take care!
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Jessica is a NICU Nurse, Lactation Consultant, and mother of three. She loves educating and supporting families so that they can feel more confident about taking care of their babies!
]]>That’s why we were thrilled to find Smiling Tree Toys. This is a children’s toy company that understands toys are most stimulating when they bring out a child’s natural curiosity, rather than doing the stimulating for them. Their beautiful hand-made wooden toys are specifically designed to put the child at the center of play and learning while providing some of the safest and most natural materials that we have found in any toys.
We love Montessori learning as it views children as naturally curious and looks to conduct learning by engaging the interests that they already have. Smiling Tree Toys gets this.
One of our favorite toys is their Picture Alphabet Block Set. The blocks are made in three distinct shades which allows for a Montessori-style discovery of categorization and color recognition. Children can stack the blocks according to color or create any other setup that comes into their little imaginations. On each of their 26 hand-cut wooden blocks is the lowercase and uppercase version of a letter, a word that starts with that letter, as well as a picture that the word represents. For example, the “K block” has “K”, “k”, the word “key”, along with the picture of a key. We have found these a helpful tool for teaching our baby the ABC’s and a great way to help him hear the sounds of letters as we pronounce them for him. Of course, we find that our little guy also likes to tap them on the floor to discover their unique sound as well as create little sculptures of blocks of his own creation. At this stage, playing is learning, and these beautiful wooden ABC blocks are a great way to do it!
Commercial toys can contain synthetic materials that are harmful to the human body such as plasticizers, flame retardants, colorants and fragrances. As any parent knows, one of the ways babies learn about things is by putting them in their mouths. So, little humans are more prone to getting these toxic substances in their bodies than the rest of us. Since their bodies are rapidly developing, what they put into their bodies may be of concern to you.
Smiling Tree Toys designs their products to ensure that playtime and learning is safe for a growing child. They use a total of two ingredients (that’s right, only TWO ingredients!) to finish their wooden toys. Both of these are organic and as safe as the food in your kitchen: organic jojoba oil and organic beeswax. Also, all of the wood used in their products is raw, untreated and doesn’t splinter. This means that these toys are quite safe for babies to put in their mouths and can even be used as a teething aid. We love to see our little guy playing with his wooden abc blocks knowing that these materials are safe for his body and beneficial to his cognitive and emotional development.
]]>Bringing a new baby into your home is a joyous occasion, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility, especially when it comes to their safety and well-being. One essential tool that can provide peace of mind for parents is a baby monitor. But how do you choose the right baby monitor?
5 reasons why the Bebcare Motion baby monitor will help you keep your little angels safe!
A baby monitor is a valuable tool for parents, providing a sense of security, and allowing you to keep a close eye (and ear) on your little one. Consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing the right baby monitor for your family, and you'll be better equipped to provide the best care for your precious bundle of joy.
PS: to discover more ways the Bebcare Monitor keeps your baby safe and sound, click here!
]]>For me, I approached pregnancy and having a baby like I do with anything in my life - wanting to be as prepared as possible. I wanted to be ready, but I also did not want to buy things that we really did not need. I found shopping / creating a registry for a new baby to be so daunting - navigating all the different products and gear, wondering what was really necessary and what was just a company using amazing marketing to take my money!
I am often approached by friends and people in my community for recommendations on baby products - usually because people who know me know that I have done ALL the research, read all the reviews, looked at all the ingredients, so they don’t have to! I love it because I feel confident in the decisions I make for my family and am always beyond happy to pass along ideas and tips on things that we love!
I’ve created a short list of ‘my favorite things for a baby’. It could also be named ‘my favorite random things for a baby’ as I am not sure that it’s the typical things you’d find on this type of list. While making this list, I could have gone on and on, but I tried to focus on the items that I found the most helpful to have in those first few months. For some of these things, I went through so many different brands and types and felt so happy when I finally found baby essentials that worked really well for us - so I’m excited to share in hopes that I’m making it an easier journey and experience for other new parents!
FAVORITE NAIL FILE: Baby Blue Giraffe Nail File
It may seem random but I’m starting with this one because I think I bought almost every single baby nail file available before FINALLY getting this WINNER! It was actually effective in filing my baby’s nails pretty quickly while being gentle. I found I would have to file with the other ones for so long before actually seeing any progress, which is never fun with a tiny new squirmy baby.
FAVORITE NAIL CLIPPERS/ SCISSORS: Rubis Infant Nail Scissors
This was a recommendation from a friend who had gone through a similar nail clipper / scissor journey to me. We both bought so many different nail clippers and found most to be very tricky to use on our sweet new moving babies - cue one million heart attacks about possibly cutting our babies’ skin! She found these scissors and swears by them. I tried them and found them to be sooo much easier to use than clippers. I still use them regularly with both of my babes (1 year old and 2.5 years old) and really love them. They are on the pricier side but worth it - super high quality! The elephant case is also very cute.
FAVORITE VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT: Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3
I’m super passionate about this one! When we were in the hospital having just delivered my first baby, the doctors recommended a vitamin D supplement and provided one on the spot that we agreed to give to our brand new baby without even thinking. After the whirlwind of bringing our babe home and settling in, I finally had a moment to look at the bottle and was so shocked to see that it had so many ingredients, many of which I’m sure were unnecessary. The long list included butterscotch flavoring, caramel color and methylparaben, along with many other things I have never heard of! I did a bit of research and found one that only had 2 ingredients - vitamin D3 and organic extra virgin olive oil - and feel so much better about giving this type of vitamin D to a brand new human.
FAVORITE HUMIDIFIER: Canopy Humidifier - this links to €10 off!
I bought a humidifier for my first baby but never used it because to me, the risk of mold was worse than having a dry room! It also had 3 million parts that I did not want to deal with, haha! Luckily, we lived in an apartment where the humidity was usually pretty good. Then we moved to the house we are currently in (had another baby in the midst of it all) and boy does it get dry here in the winter! I went on a hunt and was very excited to find the Canopy humidifier, and then loved it so much I purchased one for each baby plus one for my own bedroom! We really like it because it has an auto feature so it will adjust accordingly to the humidity of the room. It is easy to use and also has ZERO place for mold to grow so there is no worrying about that at all. It also has a filter that is super easy to replace so you don’t have to store gallons and gallons of distilled water (just me?), you just use tap water - v v v convenient. Those are the main reasons why I like it so much, but there are other things too - it’s dermatologist recommended, it has hydrated air that comes out instead of a wet mist, and you can use it as a diffuser too!
FAVORITE MULTI-PURPOSE OINTMENTS: Waxelene Multipurpose Ointment and Burt’s Bees Multipurpose Healing Ointment
Aquaphor, Aquaphor, Aquaphor! This was recommended to me by a lot of people, for any sort of skin issue my baby may have had. Not that I have anything against it, however it is not the most ‘clean’ product out there and I do not love some of the ingredients in it. I looked into some non-toxic options and Waxelene and Burt’s Bees are the ones that we have liked the most. They are nice to use and I like that they are made with safer ingredients!
FAVORITE BABY CLOTHING (rental) COMPANY: UpChoose
Cute, safe, organic baby clothes that are delivered at each phase of your babe’s growth, and you get to choose when you swap! For me - this was exactly what I was looking for, especially in a small apartment with no storage. Here’s an interview I did with UpChoose that provides a bit more information about why we chose to sign up and why love them, and if you’d like to try UpChoose out, the code FRIENDSOFCHRISTINEHANRUTLEDGE will get you €21 dollars off!
FAVORITE BABY FEEDING PILLOW: Holy Lamb Organics Nursing + Feeding Pillow
I own a few different feeding pillows and my favorite one has been this one. It is made of all organic materials (inside and out!) - this was important to me because my brand new babies were spending so much time in it! It also has a washable cover (you can purchase the covers separately too) so it’s easy to keep clean. I used it for breastfeeding, bottle feeding and it makes for the perfect nap pillow for a sleepy mama who has somehow, miraculously managed to lay down for a quick and rare rest. When my 1 year old is not using it for his bottles, my 2 year old will go get it to snuggle up in for stories or a movie - I love that it is really growing with us and not just something that is just for feeding!
FAVORITE BABY MONITOR: Bebcare Motion Digital Video Baby Monitor
This baby monitor made the favorites list because it has the lowest possible EMF radiation levels, and it’s an easy plug and play monitor (you don’t need to connect it through wifi) which makes it great for travelling! I also like that it has a parent monitor unit so you don’t have to pull up the app on your phone if you want to check on your baby. I do a comparison video which features the Bebare baby monitor if you’d like to hear more! If you are going to opt for the Bebcare baby monitor, I would definitely recommend this universal baby monitor mount. It is a great tool to position your baby monitor so you can have the perfect angle, otherwise you’ll be stacking books on top of books on top of boxes like I did before I got this mount.
FAVORITE… SNOT SUCKER (odd item to have a favorite of, I know!): Fridababy NoseFrida Snotsucker
I know, it’s not the most loveliest of thoughts, but there were a few times where I was so happy I had this in the drawer because there is sometimes just NO OTHER WAY to clear a booger from your baby’s nose! Baby boogers are VERY slimy and sticky and hard to get out, and baby noses are teeny tiny. This snot sucker does the trick every time, and I assure you there is NO possibility of baby snot getting into your mouth, NONE. I promise!! There’s a filter, and the booger usually doesn’t even get anywhere near the filter. And then you have a lovely baby who can breathe easily!
FAVORITE DIAPER (and wipe!): Coterie
Hands down, best diaper ever! It’s always the one people end up raving about in the new parent group texts I’m on, so you know it’s tried, tested and true! You get less leaks and blowouts, they help keep diaper rashes away and you don’t need to buy separate overnight diapers because they hold up amazingly throughout the night! Coterie is also very much committed to sustainability, which I love, of course. They work to fund renewable energy initiatives which in turn helps to offset the environmental impact of disposable diapers and they donate returned unused diapers to those in need. No waste! My code COTERIECHRISTINEH will get you €20 off your first order. I also made a video about our diaper change set up if you’d like to check it out.
As we all know (and hear all the time), it takes a village! I am always asking friends and family for their thoughts, advice, favorites, etc. so when writing this list I naturally reached out to see if others had found their must have items that they are so happy they found after searching far and wide. See below!
FAVORITE SWADDLE: Pehr Organic Swaddle Blanket
“Best swaddles, perfect size and thickness!”
FAVORITE BURP CLOTHS: Burt’s Bee Burp Cloths
“Odd thing to be picky about, but these burp cloths were the best!”
There you have it, my list of baby stuff that you might find helpful in the first few months! Becoming a parent is insane enough as it is, so as I always say, I like to try to pass on what has worked for me in hopes that it will make someone else’s experience a little easier!
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Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
]]>Self care can look different for many.
Some of my clients need to make checklists to feel like everything is coming together. If that’s the case, write out some lists and feel that accomplishment with each mark off!
Example lists:
All preggos need calm. Take time to step away and filter from the outside chaos going on in the world and tune inward to find your silence. Deep breathing, warm baths, meditation, journaling are all great methods of centering yourself. Try downloading a pregnancy/meditation/hypnobirthing app to support this necessity.
Exercise is an amazing tool regardless of how much or little you worked out prior to getting pregnant. Don’t get down on yourself if you feel the need to slow down from your usual flow as the weeks tick by, but do try to modify wherever possible to make sure you don’t become completely idle. Try implementing daily walks or daily stretching at the same time each day to quiet the mind and get the body warmed up and moving. Swimming is another great exercise that’s much easier on the joints. All this movement will also help you have an easier, smoother pregnancy and birth!
Here are some daily exercises that I recommend my clients do daily throughout pregnancy.
Stay hydrated and eat well. Despite whatever food cravings or food aversions you may be experiencing, aim for eating whole versus processed foods. You only need on average 300 extra calories per day during second trimester, but make sure to focus on nourishing rather than counting calories. And don’t forget your prenatal vitamins!
Relaxation. Sleeping can get tricky as your body starts shifting in size and weight. Here are a couple ideas to help you stay as comfortable as possible:
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Allison (“Aly”) Petrides is a married mother of three currently living in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She is a certified birth and postpartum doula who also works as a paralegal when not running to a birth! After experiencing three births within a five-year time span, Aly couldn’t help but recognize how overwhelming and difficult pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period can be. Once she discovered doula work, she dove in head-first and is extremely passionate about empowering, educating, and assisting families. When she isn’t busy with doula clients or spending time with her husband and children, she can be found snuggling with a pet on her lap reading a true crime novel, taking a nature walk, or doing pilates.
]]>If you’re thinking, “Huh? Like milking myself?” the answer is yes, exactly! While it takes a bit of practice and can feel strange at first while you’re getting used to it, the benefits of hand expression are many, and everyone should learn how to do it!
Hand expression can be done prenatally starting around 37 weeks (check in with your provider, as nipple stimulation is a technique sometimes used to help induce labor… though your fingers shouldn't be close to your nipple while you’re doing it- more on that later!).
The number one benefit to practicing hand expression before baby comes is that you can become more confident in your technique! It’s always easier to learn things in a relaxed environment, and if you wait to learn until after baby is born, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Some people are able to collect large amounts of colostrum (the first breastmilk that you’ve been making since the second trimester!) prenatally, and others are not. But don’t worry, the volume you collect is not an indication of what your milk supply will be when baby arrives. Even if you aren’t able to collect much milk, you will at least have practiced the technique, which will be beneficial when baby is born!
If you are able to collect some milk, you can freeze it in syringes or in these colostrum collectors from Haakaa and you can feed it to baby later on.
Now that you’ve had a chance to practice hand expression while pregnant, you’re ready for the main event!
Hand expression in the early hours (particularly the first hour!) and days after delivery is linked to a better milk supply and increased confidence in breastfeeding overall.
Feeding babies extra breastmilk in addition to latching can be beneficial for babies who are very sleepy, babies who need supplementation because they are not latching well, or babies who are having trouble with their blood sugar. You can offer them the milk you collected while pregnant or the milk that you express after delivery on a spoon, out of a medicine cup, or from a syringe (ask your nurse or lactation consultant for help!)
A question I often get is, “do I need to hand express even if baby is latching and everything is going well?” Even if none of the issues I mentioned above are present, think of hand expression like an insurance policy for your milk supply. The amount of milk you make is based on the amount you demand- the more milk you remove, the more your body will make. So hand expression before, after, or between feedings gives your body some extra stimulation for increased milk production.
Hand expression is a learned skill- the more you practice, the better you will get! There is a great video at firstdroplets.com if you want to learn more.
If you try hand expression, I would love to hear how it goes! Come say hi on my Instagram page or join my email list at goodbabylactation.com. Good luck!
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Jessica is a NICU Nurse, Lactation Consultant, and mother of three. She loves educating and supporting families so that they can feel more confident about taking care of their babies!
]]>First thing to note is that, as it is for any human (however young or old), nothing can really properly prepare any of us for a new baby to enter our lives. There are definitely things that can help of course, and one of the things we did was introduce books about becoming a sibling to our big sister to be! We liked reading books because they were a gentle way to start talking about the baby on the way, and we could reference them as we began to have chats about our new family member!
There are so many sibling books out there, and quite honestly I found it to be a bit daunting to navigate which ones might be most useful to us. Our first child was going to be 18 months old when our second was born, so I was looking for books that she could understand and relate to. We certainly went through our fair share of them! The first thing we did was to ask friends and family if they had any favorites. Then we chose some of our own from what was out there. We found some to be more helpful to us than others, and below are the ones we liked the most!
Our daughter was 18 months old when our son was born - she’s 2.5 at the time of writing this and she still loves this book as much as she did when we first got it. The book has short, simple and sweet rhyming phrases about being a big sis and what sort of ‘big sis things’ she might do, and all the things she might expect to happen. Once the new baby was here, our daughter loved pointing out all the things in the book that she did / does in her big sis role!
This was just a really nice, cute book with lovely and simple illustrations. It has simple rhyming phrases that detail the different things we might see with the new baby in a positive way!
What we liked about this book was that it talks about perhaps not having the most positive of emotions when the baby comes, which is definitely something that could happen and is totally normal! We referenced this book a lot when we talked about forming a relationship with the new baby. We talked about how it’s okay to feel uneasy or unsure, and that we will all be getting to know the new baby and that it may take some time!
Our daughter LOVED flipped through this one and still does! It is interactive (you can open the flaps to see where the baby in the belly is) and it is just a sweet book that shows the growing belly that your child may be familiar with!
I’ll be back in a few with more tips and ideas for helping to prepare for a new sibling on the way, but for now these books are a great start! Go take a moment to snuggle your baby (or babies!) on the outside of your belly. It is so wonderful to cherish these many lovely memories now, and so many lovely memories to be created as your family grows!
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Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
]]>I’ve really enjoyed working with my current pelvic floor therapist, Dr. Kat Castro, and I thought I would do a little Q & A with her to help you with any questions you might be having about this area of health!
Hi Kat! Thanks for doing this with me! What brought you to pelvic floor therapy?
I was introduced to this field in PT school - I have a history of midwifery in my family so working with women in their childbearing stages was of interest to me. This, along with my own experiences being in fitness, working with pregnant and postpartum women really drew me in. I also have experienced and worked through my own pelvic floor issues and really believe that everyone needs access to this type of therapy!
At which point in pregnancy is the best time to start pelvic floor therapy? Do you need to start working on pelvic floor before you give birth?
Any time! Actually, even before pregnancy would be great, just to get a sense of where you’re at and to learn exercises/ strategies to keep your personal pelvic floor healthy! I would recommend working on your pelvic floor before giving birth. You can do a lot of manual release work such as perineal massage, breathing techniques, exercises and stretches to help prepare this area for birth. It will help with recovery and can minimize tearing, making your birth experience more positive and empowered.
When and how long do you need to work on the pelvic floor postpartum?
It depends on what kind of birth and delivery you experienced. You can start working on your pelvic floor as early as the week you come home. For how long, again it depends. Women typically work on it for their first year postpartum, ranging from beginner to more advanced strengthening exercises. Pelvic floor health and strength is life long!
How is the work you do different with c sections vs. vaginal births?
In terms of the work and rehab program, the timeline is different in general. A c-section is a major abdominal surgery so we need to allow time for the scar to heal, which is usually 8-10 weeks and with OB clearance. With vaginal births, you can start exercise after being cleared by an OB at 6 weeks.
What would the 1st session with you look like?
We would get to know your birth and medical history, evaluate your posture, check for diastasis recti, check your hip mobility, hip strength, functional movement and pelvic floor. We would then work on simple and gentle pelvic floor and core re-training exercises. For c-section patients, you may receive scar massage.
What sort of advice would you give this mama?
When she was pregnant, she was peeing her pants during pregnancy as well as 6 months postpartum. It has since subsided but she would like to know how to prevent this from happening next time!
I would recommend that she see a pelvic floor therapist and be evaluated to learn what her baseline is in terms of her pelvic floor and core function, mobility and general strength. She could start on some pelvic floor and core centered workouts as well as progressive strength training. If she is planning on having another child, it would be important to treat this period as “pre-hab” where she can focus on getting body strong and build pelvic floor awareness . The stronger you are going into it, the more positive recovery will be.
Are there any common misconceptions or myths about pelvic floor therapy that you find yourself addressing regularly?
That everyone has to do Kegels! The fact is not everyone is a candidate or may need to do Kegel exercises because it depends on the state of your pelvic floor - which is why it’s recommended to see a pelvic floor therapist at pretty much any point in your life. It’s good to get a sense of how your muscles are functioning - some people can be more tight in their muscles vs. others who may struggle with pelvic floor strength.
What are some of the most asked questions you get from patients?
The biggest one I get is ‘when can I go back to running?’ Right now, it’s recommended by the research that women can start running again once they are 12 weeks postpartum. Again and as always, it depends on the person, what kind of birth they have experienced and their recovery process. However, in order to prepare, I would recommend women to do a strength training program that is focused on restoring their pelvic floor, core and hip strength and overall posture before they start a running program.
Are there alternative therapies that complement pelvic floor therapy/ prenatal/ postpartum that you love that people may not have heard about?
As you know I’m always interested in this!
Yes! I love Visceral Manipulation & Craniosacral Therapy. Both are really gentle therapies to get your body back in balance. Also - acupuncture! It really helps with the emotional side of recovery as well as digestion, fertility and hormones. Lastly, The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage - this is an ancient technique that works on rebalancing the womb - good for fertility, pregnancy and postpartum.
Any pelvic floor therapy related products that you have tried, tested and love?
Yes! For lubricants, Slippery Stuff and Maude. You use the lubricant with a pelvic floor wand. I like Intimate Rose for pelvic floor wands as it was developed by a physical therapist and is made of medical grade silicone. For pregnancy, I like the belly band from Bao Bei Maternity because it relieves pressure from pelvic floor. I also always recommend getting any pilates ball for exercises!
Are there any apps that people can use that you recommend?
I was recommended the Every Mother app by my wonderful OBs and really liked it… it was especially helpful in the first few weeks of recovering at the height of the pandemic!
Yes, I also recommend the Every Mother App! This is a great intro to all the things you would do in PT, and they have programs for pregnancy and postpartum. The app starts super slow and gentle with easy things you can do like breathing (which is really very important!). Moms are busy and you’re probably not thinking about leaving the house for the 1st 6 weeks. The app is safe enough that you can do it on your own, although you may get to a point where you want to see someone in person. But we get it, you just had a baby!
Where can people go to for more information or to connect with you?
You can find out more info at our website and feel free to follow me on Instagram!
Looking for weekly pregnancy updates & advice from industry experts?
Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
]]>Not to mention, your baby is also practicing making facial expressions. Though the smiling, frowning and furrowed brows are completely random and not expressions of emotions yet, soon enough those little expressions will be reactions to your kisses, hugs and snuggles.
And… if you feel any feelings like butterfly wings in your belly - those are likely the first sensations of your baby kicking. Sometimes moms describe those first movements like tapping, bubbles popping, tiny spasms or flickering. If you haven’t felt it yet, be on the lookout, you will soon.
Now, at 16 weeks, other than looking for those first movements, what else should you be thinking about?
A birth plan! It may seem early, but getting ready for birth does take time, and the sooner you start understanding your options and making choices about what you want, the sooner you can start lining up the puzzle pieces to make your choices work.
Don’t worry, though it might feel like a big process to make a birth plan, I’ll show you how to make it really simple at the end of the article.
A birth plan is a simple one page summary of what you would like your birth to be like. I know when I was pregnant the first time, I thought all births were pretty much the same. I was surprised to learn how many options I had and how many choices I had to make - or would be made for me if I didn’t make them. A birth plan simply states what you as an individual desire for your birth.
Many people believe that a birth plan is simply a document that you bring with you when you go into labor. And yes, it is great for that.
But, a birth plan is useful far before your due date. Creating a plan early on helps you understand your options and make educated decisions about your care during pregnancy and birth. It also helps you develop stronger and more trusting relationships with your care providers, as they can get to know you as an individual much better than they can a person who doesn’t really know what they want.
Of course, sometimes plans have to change. But it’s always easier to get where you are going if you know what the desired destination is from the beginning.
A birth plan should cover a few basic questions.
A scheduled c-section is usually a pretty straightforward surgery. But, do you need a birth plan? You can absolutely make one if you want. When you give birth by surgery, you still have a few options.
You may be able to make a few simple requests, such as having your baby brought to you immediately after birth, asking for support with breastfeeding and potentially having a clear drape so you can see your baby as soon as they are born.
You will also want to let your team know what care you want for your baby. Depending on the reasons for having a scheduled c-section, you may want to discuss what options are available to you and your baby before, during and after surgery.
Sometimes birth doesn’t go the way we want. Emergency c-sections can happen. If you feel passionate about having a clear drape maybe note that on your original birth plan. In my experience, if you have any desires written out for skin to skin postpartum or help with breastfeeding, those wishes will be honored after the surgery if possible. A simple phrase or two on your birth plan can sum up that you still want as much of your plan as possible, especially after delivery, if you have to have a c-section.
Once you know what you want, a birth plan can be summed up pretty quickly in one page. I know it seems like there are a lot of options, but midwives, doctors and nurses have worked with thousands of moms. If you sum up what you want, they will know what it means.
And don’t worry, if you feel overwhelmed with all of these options, I’ve got you covered. I made you a simple 5 day challenge called Make A Birth Plan That Works. Inside you will find done for you and editable birth plan templates plus tips on making birth plans of all kinds work.
It also teaches you the most common reasons birth plans go sideways and how to make sure that your team is supportive of your plan.
Are you ready to get your birth plan checked off your list? Let’s do it together. Join the challenge today!
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Suzzie Vehrs is a mama of two vibrant and growing kids. As a certified doula she loves helping moms know how to prepare for birth and create beautiful beginnings. Her goal is to help moms dream about, align with and experience a healthy, happy birth.
]]>Around the beginning of my 2nd trimester, I was feeling pretty good in my body but really wanted to do anything I could to keep it that way! I remembered someone mentioning chiropractic care for pregnancy in one of my birth education classes and reached out to Dr. Randi Jaffe who came highly recommended. She looked after me for most of my first and second pregnancies as well as postpartum and I really loved her approach. When I mentioned going to see Randi to my pregnant/ postpartum friends, many were surprised to learn about it so I decided to ask her all the questions on behalf of all of my friends!
Here’s my chat with Dr. Jaffe below, hopefully it’s a helpful start for those who might be interested in looking into chiropractic care during, before or after pregnancy!
There are so many changes going on in your body during pregnancy. Postural changes come with pregnancy, and the curves in your spine change and create pressure. Hormonal changes happen first and straight away. Relaxing starts straight away - your joints get looser and your body ends up with a less stable structure. Most people think of low back or low back pain but it can also be all over. What happens is that your muscles get tight because the ligaments get loose. During pregnancy, you can’t take much medication but you can do body work/ physical treatment. Chiropractic care can help to create a stable, symmetrical and balanced structure in your pelvis and spine.
Absolutely. The key is finding someone who has experience, additional training and someone who specializes in prenatal care.
I started in general practice. While treating a lawyer, they asked if I could help their pregnant daughter. I was not specialized at the time, but she was in a lot of pain and got better very quickly once she came to see me. It was really exciting to see the huge difference I could make in prenatal care. It was very rewarding to help make birth a better experience and be part of the prenatal care team.
Christine: "I did not necessarily have any pain or issues before coming to see you but I wanted to be proactive and focus on my wellness as much as possible…"
Prenatal chiropractic care is extremely beneficial on many levels. It can aid in the prevention of pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic care can not only keep you feeling good throughout your pregnancy, but it can also help to decrease pain in labor, as well as shorten labor times and prevent dystocia (difficulty during the labor). We work on creating better alignment and balance in the pelvis, allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for labor. Chiropractic adjustments can also aid in recovery for both vaginal and c-section births. So many of my patients state that they wish they had come in sooner. It is never too early to begin chiropractic care in pregnancy and it is safe to come in the first trimester.
Percussor guns or massagers can be used during pregnancy safely. I like the Hypervolt at the lowest setting. There are many other brands as well. Be sure to utilize them carefully, as some can be very intense. You can just hover over the muscle as you find the right amount of pressure. I like to have patients work on their hamstrings, quads, gluts and hips as well as the lower back and upper back muscles. You can have your partner help you with hard to reach areas but be sure they don't use excessive pressure and continue to give them feedback on how much pressure to utilize. You can also use the percussor to aid with leg cramps. Never use the massage gun on your abdomen.
A support belt is great for supporting your lower back, hips, pubic bone and round ligaments. If you have another child, it’s great to use during bath time. Also helpful during standing, cooking, long walks, big outings, errands, cleaning, etc.
I would encourage them to do their research. Speak to friends and family members who have been to a prenatal chiropractor during their pregnancies and ask them about their experience. Why did they go? Did it help? Did they feel comfortable during their treatments? Chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe and gentle. Many of my patients are a bit anxious at their first session and afterward they often report that it was much gentler than they had imagined and they feel significantly better as well. The anatomy makes sense. If areas of the spine and pelvis are misaligned and imbalanced and the chiropractor can correct that, our bodies will be feeling and functioning at a higher level. My goal is always to promote a healthy pregnancy and a better birth experience for the expectant mother.
Dr. Randi Jaffe’s website: https://www.theprestonagency.com/
Looking for weekly pregnancy updates & advice from industry experts?
Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
]]>Jen and Derek Woodgate started cuddle+kind after watching a documentary about childhood hunger. As parents of three young children, they were devastated to learn that 66 million primary-school aged children attend classes hungry every day. With a background in health, they knew that nutrition plays a key role in a child’s development: children who receive proper nutrition are better able to fight disease, succeed in school, and more equipped to break the cycle of poverty.
After learning how hunger affects so many children around the world, the Woodgates were inspired to start a company whose purpose is to help improve the lives of children and to make a difference, with a business model that would create a sustainable stream of giving without relying on donations.
They developed a line of hand-knit dolls that would give meals with every purchase, and set a big goal: to donate one million meals per year. In order to achieve this dream, cuddle+kind partnered with several respected humanitarian organizations to ensure that these meals would be distributed where they were needed most. Many of the organizations that they partnered with focus on school meal programs, which give children the fuel they need to learn and develop cognitively. Additionally, statistics show that girls and young women are disproportionately affected by hunger, and are less likely to attend school. School meal programs provide an incentive for girls to attend school, giving them the opportunity to receive an education they might not otherwise get.
Armed with their convictions and their original collection of nine adorable, hand-knit dolls, Jen and Derek started a crowdfunding campaign to jumpstart their journey. To their joyful surprise, their message resonated with so many people and cuddle+kind reached their funding goal in just one day! Since launching in 2015, over 27 million meals have been provided to children in need in 63 countries around the world.
In 2018, The Woodgate family was invited by one of their Giving Partners to travel to Kenya to see firsthand the impact that cuddle+kind was making in the lives of children. It was deeply moving to meet so many of the bright, kind students in these remote villages of the Maasai Mara region, where more than 11,000 children receive school meals provided by cuddle+kind.
School meals are not the only way that cuddle+kind is supporting these communities in fighting hunger - it’s important to help establish self-sustaining solutions in areas where hunger is greatest. With a difficult climate and frequent droughts, farmers in Kenya often suffer from poor crop yields, which creates food insecurity for rural families.
To combat these barriers, cuddle+kind helps fund Oleleshwa Farm, a facility that focuses on the long-term goals of ending world hunger. Oleleshwa is a 60-acre working farm that provides fresh produce for the schools and communities in the Maasai Mara, and just as importantly, serves as an educational center.
Here, students can learn about modern agriculture and farming practices that will give them the tools to continue on a journey towards sustainable food production in the face of a challenging environment and changing climate. They benefit from 24 greenhouses, a diverse range of plants and fruit trees that provide healthy produce, and a pollinator garden that supports the growth of crops.
The mission to help feed children drives every decision at cuddle+kind, but Jen and Derek’s commitment to giving back extends even further. From the start, they were determined that cuddle+kind would be built on their deeply-held values of kindness and fairness. They chose to have their dolls handmade by incredible artisan knitters in Peru, where there is a rich history and culture of knitting that is passed down through generations. This partnership gives rural working mothers access to flexible hours and fair pay for their work. Over 1,000 artisan knitters have been empowered to care for their families, plan for their futures and for many, it brings meaningful change to their lives.
This World Hunger Day, we’re humbled to reflect on the ways we can make a difference in even the smallest ways. When you buy a handmade, heirloom-quality cuddle+kind doll from theprestonagency, you’re getting so much more than a beautiful gift for a special little one: you’re making a tangible difference in the life of a child and supporting ethical business practices that empower women.
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Here is a Q & A I did with Brandi Ryans, covering everything I could think of related to fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and baby! Just a reminder: everyone’s body is different and the following information is based on personal experience - always consult your medical professionals before taking any advice!
I got into essential oils when I was a teenager. I was a bit of a tomboy and essential oils were cooler than perfume. I started making shampoos after collage and was interested in what essential oils could do for my body and brain. This all led to using essential oils as a vehicle to support me as a massage therapist. I studied in a small department at a large acupuncture school. We learned about both Western and Eastern techniques, acupressure points, meridian theory, traditional Chinese medicine and how to use essential oils to heal.
As much as possible, yes. Especially for oils that come from peels such as lemons or oranges, it is crucial that they are organic.
It’s always a good idea to dilute as essential oils are powerful. For 1 oz of carrier oil, you can put around 15-20 drops. You can also adjust if you find it is too strong or too weak, you just don't want to irritate the skin. Grapeseed oil is a nice light carrier oil. If you don’t have a nut allergy, almond oil is also great. Coconut oil is particularly good for prenatal massage as it is cooling - helpful for swollen feet, etc.
They are all pre-diluted which is useful because you don’t have to deal with the ratio. Working at a yoga studio, I learned a lot about chakras. There’s a set for chakras, moon, cleansers, calmers, coolers - it’s all about looking for balance.
It’s for when you’re at the end of your pregnancy and ready for it to be done. Clary Sage has a very downward motion so it will ask your body to release towards your feet if you put the oil on them. Clary Sage is also antispasmodic so helps to release tension in uterus - it’s the number one oil for labor, and you can rub it on your back. Jasmine oil is good for being brave in vulnerable situations. Lavender balances the nervous system and helps to calm the body.
For females, geranium oil! It helps with regulating hormones, supports kidneys, drops levels of cortisol so you’re not as stressed. It pushes into your brain’s limbic system and takes you out of your ‘thinking mind’ and puts you in your ‘feeling mind’ - help your mindset become less intellectual and more instinctive. Geranium is also a flower and flowers are aphrodisiacs!
For both partners together, neroli! It supports long relationships, sexually and intellectually. It helps stabilise the heart through the ups and the downs. It helps you find the connection, the idea that “we’re in this together”. Neroli is a great pre-labor massage oil and is good for relieving anxiety as well.
Vetiver oil. It is anti-inflammatory and everything is inflamed when you’re pregnant! Vetiver is also restorative - it helps support you to be a strong mama, supporting yourself and your baby.
Frankincense is great for post surgery and scars. It supports the kidneys and lungs, helping you to breathe after a major loss of energy. You can also put frankincense on before a surgery, and it will ask your diaphragm to release and take in more air into lungs, enhancing your lung capacity.
Orange. It’s uplifting in the case where you might be getting bluesy. It is really good for depression, promotes abundance and asks you to look at what parts of your life you are grateful for. It can also help get you out of a funk, and it also helps you ask for help so you don’t feel like you have to do it all alone.
Roman chamomile is amazing for calming sensitive hearts, headaches, muscle aches and is safe for baby’s room.
Cedarwood gives strength and a grounded presence, helping turn vulnerable situations into things you can learn from and love from. It’s great during any new experience not just parenting - traveling somewhere new or a starting a new job, etc.
Some people not to get one until the end of your 1st trimester because the threat of a miscarriage goes down a lot then. Massage promotes circulation, and sometimes circulation is linked with miscarriage. It’s important to listen to your body (and consult with your medical professionals of course!).
It depends. 3 weeks for vaginal delivery, 6 weeks for c-section but I have seen people before. Listening to your body is the main message.
When your body starts to expand, and you have the hormones that are helping release tension in your connective tissues - Relaxin makes it so your connective tissue loosens up. Then you also have areas of tension in your body from other things and this muscle tension is running up against the hormone that helps you relax. They are up against each other. Massage finds areas of resistance and releases them so it is easier to sleep, walk around, etc. Release of tension helps support healthy blood flow and calms the brain and nervous system.
Générique - BOF “Ascenseur pour l’échafaud” by Miles Davis
https://www.theprestonagency.com/
Gian, Marc J. Holistic Aromatherapy : Practical Self-Healing with Essential Oils. Ryland Peters & Small, 2017.
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica : A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. London ; Philadelphia, Singing Dragon, 2016.
Mojay, Gabriel. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit : A Guide to Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance through Essential Oils. London, Gaia.
These are some of my favorite books on oils.
The last one by Mojay is a classic and is a great source for beginners to get into spiritual healing.
Looking for weekly pregnancy updates & advice from industry experts?
Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
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