Babywearing

Mommy Moments

May 4, 2014

The mommy moment contest came to me as I realized so many of my photos were with me behind the camera! Taking photos is something I have a lot if fun doing…. But sadly I’m not in many.

The contest is based on voting alone and we have 16 families entered. You can vote for them on my Facebook page and you can give them a BONUS vote here. Take a look at these Mommy Moments and when you have picked a image, write the number in the comment section.

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

#16

find me on FB @ www.facebook.com/RidgMeadowsDOulaServices

**Once vote per email address, play fair and have fun**

Baby, Belly and Kid Show

March 18, 2014

I was asked to host a table at the Belly, Baby and Kid Show at the Act in Maple Ridge. It was first a shock that someone knew who I was to contact me. I started my little business formally in May 2013. That’s when my website and blog went up and when I decided to try and turn this passion into a career. So for me to know in less than a year I have a) made enough money to afford a table and b) get recognized in the community makes me very proud I followed my heart.

Besides over 40 vendors a few other things are happening…

-interactive family fun zone
-stage performers (dance, karate, magician)
-mini seminars (sleep consultant and nutritionist)
-the Easter bunny!
-queen Elsa is visiting
-200 swag bags

Come out to support local businesses in our community and to spend time with family and friends.

Oh, and don’t forget to come by and say Hi… Maybe buy an essential oil or book a birth doula interview. My and my assistant will ready to help you!

Attachment Parenting by guest blogger Kristy Y

July 20, 2013

I asked Kristy to share a few things about her parenting style with a Q and A style blog post. Kristy has been a big support and a reminder of why our family chose to parent the way we are, gentle parenting, vaccines, breastfeeding and babywearing are all topics I have gone to Kristy for her point of view. Our families are entirely different– a big difference is I am a mother of 1 and Kristy is a mother of 9 and a grandmother to 1. Even though I have not met Kristy in person I feel blessed to have her in my life, she is constantly reinforcing my decisions with evidence based information and a caring heart. check out her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LittleGreenEarthlings

attachment parenting: noun

a style of child rearing aimed at developing a strong emotional bond between the child and primary caregiver.

Would you consider yourself an attachment parent?

-Yes—— While I do consider myself an attached parent, I am also human. I am not a robot and therefore I also have emotions. I can lose my temper. I yell. I always tell my children that I am in a bad mood for whatever reason and if I am snarky with them I apologize for my behavior. We need to be good examples to our children. If we treat them how we would like to be treated, everything will be ok. Love, compassion, patience, empathy, understanding and fun make a good recipe for raising wonderful humans

What does attachment parenting mean to you?

– I am very emotionally and physically attached to my kids. I have evolved SOOOOO much as a parent over the (almost) 23 years that I have been a mother. It’s amazing the amount I have had to UN-learn! When my oldest daughter was a baby, she was born in the hospital and taken to the nursery during the night. I was told to only feed every 4 hours and supplement with formula so she would get everything she needed. As she got a bit older, in order to train her to sleep through the night I was advised to let her cry. ……. Alone…….. In her room

Sadly I did what our doctor and parents recommended and I STILL feel the guilt. It is so disturbing that we are still taught by some old school thinkers out there NOT to trust our natural animal instincts!

When I had my second child I knew that I did NOT want to do that to her. She slept in my arms from day 1. She didn’t touch a bottle in the hospital. I listened to her and responded to what she needed. She was happy and content.

With each child after, (I birthed 9 babies) I learned more and more to let go of societies expectations and to tune in to what my babies were expressing to me. THEY are my priority. It has taken a long time and I am nowhere perfect…….I am human………

Babies have feelings that matter JUST AS MUCH as adults. Children have feelings that matter JUST AS MUCH as adults. I truly believe that their feelings need to be put first and we need to respect the feelings they have whether it makes sense to us or not. If a child is frightened about something that makes no sense to us, we need to comfort that child rather than brush it off and dismiss them.

have you like Our Facebook Page? https://www.facebook.com/RidgeMeadowsDoulaServices

Babywearing

July 4, 2013

I am a huge fan of babywearing! I get so excited and passionate about this topic. I feel like babywearing could change your life.

I want people to realize that a newborns life is disrupted by birth. I mean the environment in utero is automatically regulated to the baby and suddenly (or 4 hours of pushing later) the environment changes. Besides having to breath and eat by themselves, babies are now in a bright, noisy world…..They are no longer being gently rocked back in forth with the soothing sound of their mothers voice present. Imagine being carried in a sling or an ergonomically correct carrier? Really it is similar to being in the womb. Mom is walking, baby is rocking and comforted by the sound they have heard all along, the sound of their mothers voice and their mothers heartbeat. You grew this baby inside of you for 9 months and change is hard. Don’t expect your tiny brand-new baby to adjust to the world so quickly.Ease them into it.

Others benefits of babywearing are:

Babies that are worn, cry less and therefore they learn more. They are learning more because babies spend more time in a quiet alertness and they are able to connect with the new world around them when they are not crying. Dr. Sears also says “It may be called the optimal state of learning for a baby. Researchers have also reported that carried babies show enhanced visual and auditory alertness.” Parents are more confident. With your baby close to you it helps you get to know them. You’ll learn their cues before they want to eat, sleep and poo. Because you are so close you notice their facial expressions and body language. This is all part of the attachment between a parent and child. It helps the baby learn that their parent follows their prompts and they are rewarded with a snuggle, milk or a clean diaper.

Convenience- as your baby gets bigger and you feel ~~motivate, inspired, empowered~~, ok fine…… obligated to clean the house. This a challenging as you are breastfeeding or caring for siblings, but in a carrier you still have your hands free (YES, you can breastfeed with practice in a carrier with no hands!) This gives you time to eat, pee and check your Pinterest account.

Baby carriers are also surprisingly enjoyable to use with older babies and toddlers. Some carriers are designed to carry up to 45 lbs. There are many times where I pull my Ergo out of my car in a panic because I am late and have to walk somewhere quickly. I can get out of my car, put my 3 1/2 year old in the ergo, run up a flight of stairs, zig-zagging across the mall dodging shoppers faster with the carrier than if I had my stroller. Hiking and navigating through busy airports all can be done with ease when you use a baby carrier.

Lastly enjoy… Your baby/toddler/preschooler will not want to be carried across the stage at their High School graduation. So relax and take pleasure on holding your child close to you and cherish the little moments.