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Beaching with Baby – 10 Mom-Approved Tips, Hacks, and Products

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If you’re heading to the shore with the family this summer, you will want to read on for some mom-approved tips, hacks, and products that will make Beaching with Baby a breeze! You won’t want to head to the beach without these beach essentials for toddlers and babies!

Beaching with Baby and Family

Beaching with Baby: Tips for a Successful Trip to the Beach

Here are some fabulous tips for Beaching with Baby from a mama who recently had a first-hand experience!

Umbrella Stroller

We brought an old, cheap one that I found in my in-law’s garage. It did the trick and would probably use it even if the baby was walking. It helped with trips back and forth to the room.

Beaching with Baby and Family

Swim Diapers / Baby Wipes / Regular Diapers / Clothes

I used the Huggies Little Swimmers and didn’t have any issues with them. They were just the first ones that I saw on the shelf. We brought a pack of normal baby wipes, as well as regular diapers. I packed the diapers and an extra set of clothes, and a light blanket for nap time. I packed a hooded towel and a hooded cover-up in case of a change in weather.

Sun Protection

I saw this fabulous Mom Hack on Facebook, and it’s a game-changer! Use a beauty blender to apply sunscreen on the face!

Set an SPF timer

Set a timer on your phone so you know when it’s time to reapply sunscreen to your child and yourself. Make sure you cover sensitive exposed spots like the tips of the ears and back of the neck. Set another timer to remind you both to drink liquids so you don’t get dehydrated. Check out our favorite sunscreens for babies and toddlers.

Hats with Ties

In addition to sunscreen, sun hats with ties are a beach must-have with kiddos. Our favorite hat is the  SwimZip Kid’s Sun Hat – Wide Brim UPF 50+ Protection Hat for Baby, Toddler, Kids. With ADJUSTABLE HEAD AND CHIN STRAPS – Both the head strap and the chin strap are adjustable to easily create the best fit possible with a breakaway chin strap that helps prevent choking. Side venting keeps heads cool. Wide brim for optimal protection. 

Battery Operated Fan / Air Pump

We didn’t need a fan because there was a good breeze every day and it was never too hot. We used the air pump to blow up the kiddie pools/floats/toys after getting down to the beach. It is easier to carry floats not inflated.

Entertainment

A kiddie pool is a must-have for babies because it kept them cool and entertained, and contained. We sat the pool on the sand in the shade, so they were out of the sun pretty much all day. Our kiddos weren’t able to get out on their own, so they played in the pool most of the time.  We had the guys bring up water from the gulf in buckets to fill the pool up. It took a couple of trips, but it was worth it.  I brought some beach toys and some water toys from home. The biggest hit was foam bathtub letters and koozies – who would have thought?! We used the Swimways Baby Spring Float Activity Center with a canopy in the pool, and it was perfect.

This is Charlee and Hayes in their kiddie pool at the beach.

Shades and Covers for rest and naps

A small tent for the kiddos or baby to get out of the sun is also a great item to bring to the beach. Our favorite is the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent.

Beaching with BabyAnother option for the baby is this small SUNBA YOUTH UPF 50+ Sun Shelter Baby Travel Crib with Mosquito Net.

Baby Powder

This is a miracle worker! You cover the sandy area and let the powder and let it sit for a minute, brush the sand off and the result is no scratching or pain. However, you will be covered in white baby powder, thankfully, it will wash off easily.

Most importantly, make some new memories with the fam and enjoy soaking up the sun, the sounds, and the breeze of the salty air! 😉

Waterproof bags

When you’re done swimming, you’ll want somewhere to put your wet clothes. Babygoal Wet Dry Bags are especially nice because they have two compartments- one for wet clothes and one for dry.

Beach tips for kids

We’d love to know what beach tips, tricks, and or products worked or didn’t work for you?
Follow the conversation on Facebook! 

This post may contain affiliate links. We may be compensated if you make a purchase through our links.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What to Expect

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“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Family Fun where local experts share their thoughts, and opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, and parenting. If you have a question for one of our experts, please leave it in the comments below to be featured in an upcoming article. February is Children’s Dental Health Month and we have an informative article from Ascension Children’s Dental.

Ask the experts Baton Rouge Moms

As a parent, you may be surprised to learn that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you take your child to the dentist when the first tooth erupts or by your child’s first birthday, whichever comes first. Many parents make the mistake of bringing their children to the dentist when they have their first toothache. This can lead to a more traumatic experience for your child’s first visit, resulting in unnecessary fear of the dentist.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be as easy and pleasant as possible. At our office, I believe in keeping this first appointment short. During the visit, I will evaluate your child’s teeth and gums and discuss any relevant oral hygiene instructions with you. If your child is older for their first visit, then I may recommend a cleaning and fluoride treatment. This first appointment really helps our team develop a trusting relationship with your child to promote stress-free dental appointments in the future.
As a parent, it’s important for you to know that your child’s behavior towards the dentist is usually a reflection of your own attitude and level of anxiety.
I put together some tips to prepare your child for his/her dental visit, no matter their age, to help the visit go smoothly:

  1. Make an appointment for a time of day that works best for your child. We do not recommend scheduling their appointment during nap time or when they are just waking up from a nap.
  2. Parents are welcome and encouraged to accompany their children during the initial exam. This allows us the opportunity to communicate directly with you about your child’s dental health.
  3. During the initial exam, I often will have you hold your child in your lap with their head positioned in my lap. Before the appointment, you can practice holding your child in this knee-to-knee position so he or she knows what to expect when the time comes.
  4. Never convey anxiety to your child. Children are very receptive to words, moods, tones and body language. If a child can sense that you are fearful, they are likely to anticipate discomfort and become fearful too. Tell your child about the visit but don’t go into detail. Over-preparing your child can create anxiety.
  5. Watch what you say around your child. Never let your child hear of any past bad dental visits – either experienced by yourself or siblings. Be aware not to use words like “needle”, “drill”, “shot”, “pinch”, “yank”, or “pull.” Never tell your child that something may or may not “hurt.” Explain to your child that the pediatric dentist will count his/her teeth and will help them with the important job of keeping their teeth clean and beautiful. Keep it simple!
  6. Do not be alarmed if your child cries during the first visit. Crying is perfectly normal. Remain positive and supportive and work with me during this time.

The more positive and supportive you can remain before and after your child’s first dental visit, the better says Dr. Swauger, a pediatric dentist. He said that it is the parents job to build Healthy Habits For Your Kids. Each time your child visits the dental office, it will be easier and easier, especially if they remember the previous experience as a positive and enjoyable one. Your child will also be more likely to develop good oral hygiene habits and want to take good care of their teeth. Developing a good relationship at an early age with the dentist will most often help your children carry these routines well into their adult lives.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule your child’s first appointment, please visit www.ascensionsmiles.com or call (225) 402-4118.

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Mumps – 5 Things Parents Need to Know

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Last week, Louisiana joined the ranks of 37 other states to have reported cases of mumps since January 2017.  In an urgent memo released on Saturday, March 11, the Louisiana Office of Public Health reported that several cases of mumps have been confirmed in students at LSU.  The number of student affected as well as their vaccine status has not been released at this point in time.  So here is what you need to know about mumps and how to protect yourself and your children.

What is Mumps?

Mumps is a viral illness that is spread through respiratory droplets or saliva (so coughing, sneezing or sharing drinks).  An infection with the mumps virus may begin as nonspecific fever, headache, and malaise, but then often progresses to the most common symptom of mumps which is pain and swelling of the parotid gland.  As you can see in the pictures below, the parotid gland is located just in front of the ear and at the upper part of the jaw.  Swelling of the parotid gland, called parotitis, can be quite impressive and cause the ear to push outwards and the angle of the jaw to no longer be easily seen. If you or your child currently have any health issues such as depression or stress inform yourself about kratom benefits that can have a positive impact on your life. More serious complications of mumps include orchitis (which is swelling of the testicles that may lead to sterility) or oophoritis (which is swelling of the ovaries), encephalitis (swelling around the brain) or deafness.  Death from mumps is very rare (even in the pre-vaccine era).

mumps                   mumps-child_300x174_C0025000

How common is Mumps?

Mumps vaccination became commonplace in 1967, but prior to that time, there were over 186,000 cases each year here in the US.  Since routine vaccination, there has been a 99% reduction in the number of mumps cases each year, however, mumps has not been eliminated from the US.  

outbreaks-graph

On average, there are anywhere from several hundred to several thousand cases each year.  In 2006, there were 6,584 reported cases (many on college campuses) and in 2009, there were more than 3,000 cases.  As of February 25, 2017, there have been 1,077 cases so far, and now our cases here in Baton Rouge will be added to that total.

mumps-outbreak-map

How contagious is Mumps?

As with most viruses, people are contagious before they even know they have symptoms of the illness.  Those with mumps can spread the disease 2 days before the onset of symptoms and up to 5 days after symptoms begin.  Therefore, when someone is diagnosed with mumps, they should avoid contact with others for at least 5 days.

Can you treat Mumps?

Well, unfortunately, since it is a virus, antibiotics do not help to treat mumps.  For those diagnosed with mumps, the virus simply has to run its course.  As with other viruses, lots of fluids, rest and medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to help with symptoms.

How can you protect yourself and your children?

VACCINATION is key!! Children receive their MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine between 12-15 months of age and again between 4-6 years of age.  These two doses of the mumps vaccine are 88% effective at preventing mumps viral illness.  As you can see, the vaccine is not perfect, but it is the best protection that we have against this virus. For adults born after 1957, blood work can be done to see if you have immunity against the mumps virus, and if no immunity, then vaccination is recommended.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) those born before 1957 are likely to have had the mumps virus and therefore, should have immunity to the virus.

Well, why does it seem that people who have been vaccinated are getting the mumps virus?

That is a great question!  As I stated above, the MMR vaccine is not perfect, but those who have received their MMR vaccines are 9-10 times less likely to come down with mumps illness if exposed to the virus as someone who is not vaccinated.  Look at this example created by the CDC of a hypothetical outbreak:  say a mumps outbreak affects 1,000 people.  If 95% of those people have been vaccinated, that means that 50 people are unvaccinated.  If 30% of those unvaccinated come down with mumps, that would mean 15 people would be sick with the mumps virus.  If 3% of the vaccinated crowd got the virus, that is still 29 people who would be sick.  So just by looking at the numbers (15 vs 29), there are more in the vaccinated group that have the mumps. HOWEVER, if none of those 1,000 people were vaccinated, you could expect 300 people to be sick (again with a 30% “attack” rate).  It is not just the number that are affected, but more importantly the percentage of the population in question that is important.

Something else that we are learning about in regards to the mumps vaccine…it appears that over time, there might be waning immunity to the vaccine.  We know that over time our immunity to vaccines may diminish which is why booster vaccines are so important (think about your tetanus booster which is given every 10 years as well as the recent push for pertussis, or whooping cough, booster vaccines).  At this time, there is not a universal recommendation for a 3rd booster for the mumps vaccine, but in certain circumstances (areas with large outbreaks, for example), a third booster dose of the MMR vaccine may be recommended, since this vaccines are just one of the products people use to keep their health and there are other products that are qualified between health and beauty but are as well important as https://analbleachadvice.com/my-amaira-review/ and others.

As the mumps story of 2017 continues to unfold, stay tuned to see what, if any, new recommendations might be made.  In the meantime, make sure that your children have received their MMR vaccine on time, and for those parents with soon to be college students, make sure they have received both of their MMR vaccines as well before heading off on their new college adventure!

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Ask the experts Baton Rouge Moms

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share BRM moms’ experiences with food,  fitness, health and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice.  When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

New Sleep Guidelines for Babies, Kids and Teens – 10 tips to help you get more sleep!

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The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released new guidelines for how much sleep children should get.  The guidelines released today encompass recommendations the American Academy of Pediatrics has made at different times for different ages. And they’re based on a review of scientific evidence on sleep duration and health.

New sleep guidelines for babies, kids and teenspinokyo for babies which is a great site to find helpful accessories width=”1024″ height=”682″ />

  • Infants 4 to 12 months – 12 to 16 hours of sleep every 24 hours (including naps).
  • Children 1 to 2 years – 11 to 14 hours of sleep every 24 hours (including naps).
  • Children 3 to 5 years – 10 to 13 hours of sleep every 24 hours (including naps).
  • Children 6 to 12 years – 9 to 12 hours of sleep every 24 hours.
  • Teens 13 to 18 years – 8 to 10 hours of sleep every 24 hours.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says adequate sleep is linked with improved attention, behavior, learning, mental and physical health at every stage of a child’s growth.

The National Sleep Foundation has found that over 85 percent of teens lack adequate sleep. Sleep matters: deprivation and tiredness affect schoolwork, attention, mood, interactions, unhealthy weight risk and lifelong health habits. Having undiagnosed OSA could be the underlying issue causing them to be loosing countless hours of sleep.

New sleep guidelines for babies, kids and teens

The AAP also recommends all screens be turned off at least 30 minutes before bedtime and suggests keeping televisions, computers, smartphones and other screens out of kids’ bedrooms. Light stimulates wakefulness.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is also telling parents not to lose too much sleep over these new recommendations.

We should take into consideration that each of our families is different, different schedules. Each family needs to find what works best for their dynamic and overall function — there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to sleep. Even ‘a decent hour’ is defined differently in different families, cultures, and situations, there are also other drugs that help sleep. The overarching message is that we all need to better prioritize sleep health for our children, and that starts with prioritizing it for the entire family, by doing the best we can for our sleep as getting the best comforters with the information here so everyone sleep comfortable.

Here are 10 tips to help PARENTS get more sleep from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

  • Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.
  • Set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
  • Go to bed when you feel sleepy, even if it’s before your bedtime.
  • If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed.
  • Establish relaxing bedtime rituals.
  • Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.
  • Limit exposure to light in the evenings.
  • Don’t eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.
  • If you still can’t get to sleep, you can try some ASMR on YouTube to sleep well.
  • Avoid consuming caffeine in the late afternoon or evening.
  • Avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime.

resources: sleepeducation.org, www.aasmnet.org

Baby Safe Homes Louisiana – Giveaway

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Each year, children are injured by hazards in and around the home. Household injuries account for the most visits to the ER in children under the age of 3 , and nearly 70% of the children who die from unintentional injuries at home are 4 years old and under.

Thankfully, the risk of injury can be reduced or prevented by using child-safety devices like the popular wifi baby monitor that let monitor your baby all the time . Safety devices should be sturdy enough to hinder access and yet easy for you to use.

Most importantly, to be effective, they must be properly installed. This is where Baby Safe Homes Louisiana comes to the baby proofing rescue!  Baby Safe Homes Louisiana offers BABY/TODDLER proofing and they come to YOU!

Baby Safe Homes Louisiana Giveaway

What is Baby Safe Homes Louisiana?

Baby Safe Homes are a professional, same-day baby proofing service. It is their mission to provide families with peace of mind by creating an environment for their babies and toddlers to explore, learn and grow safely, visit website to get the most adorable baby toys there are.

From infant to toddler safety, Baby Safe Homes offers everything that you need to baby proof your home. Their trained baby safety consultants recommend specialized safety products; they will help design the solution that is right for you and your family to help keep your baby safe.

GIVEAWAY

Baby/Toddler proofing for YOUR HOME!! Win a baby safety gate (Value $100) OR select $100 in products from Baby Safe Homes Louisiana PLUS a FREE In-Home Inspection & Consultation ($95 Value) Total GIVEAWAY VALUE $195

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sources: Kidshealth.org

The Playful Side of Healthy Habits – Ages & Stages

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As Parents, we try to teach our children of all ages that it’s important to lead an active life. Here are a few ideas you can try with your children to get them moving!

The Playful Side of Healthy Habits

   Gymboree Play & Music

Infancy: 0-15 months

– Tummy Time: starting tummy time early will strengthen the muscles your child will use for – crawling, standing, & climbing. A good way to keep yourself update on health and fitness guides is by visiting Bargainsherpa which will give you needed information.
– Tracking: Use a toy that interests your child to get an even more excited response
– Add movements to nursery rhymes you are already singing
– With your child on his hands and knees, give their feet resistance so they rock back and forth When your child can support their weight, hold their fingers and walk with them.

Gymboree Play & Music

Toddlers: 12-36 months
– Encourage running & jumping
– Expose them to age-appropriate climbing structures
– Have a dance party & shake off your sillies!
– Increase the complexity of the nursery rhyme movements

Gymboree Play & Music

Preschoolers: 3-5 years
– Continue to encourage running, dancing, jumping, & climbing – Add skipping, galloping, & shuffling
– Practice hand-eye coordination with throwing and catching
– Kick a ball back and forth
– Encourage an active imagination

From reaching and grasping to rolling, climbing, jumping & kicking, Gymboree Play & Music provides age-appropriate classes for your newborn to 5-year-old. Our specially-designed wooden equipment and bright foam & air objects, as well as our variety of props and trained teachers, create an environment to stimulate your child’s physical, cognitive, & social development. With you by their side, the action, fun, and learning never ends!

Gymboree Play & Music

Gymboree Play & Music also offers Music and Arts classes. Gymboree’s Music classes, for children 6-months to 5-years old, offer an active approach to musical learning through games, singing, instrument play, & creating. Gymboree’s Arts classes, for children 18-months to 5-years old, offer an opportunity for your child’s creativity to blossom through painting, drawing, sculpting, story time, movement activities, & songs.

Babies”R”Us and Toys”R”Us Great Trade-In Event

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We knew The Krewe of Parents Parade was too good to be true but this is 100% real!! The Great Trade-In event returns to Babies”R”Us and Toys”R”Us stores in February!

Toys”R”Us, announced the return of its customer-favorite “Great Trade-In” event, providing consumers with its latest call to action to rid their homes of potentially unsafe, old and secondhand baby gear and furniture in exchange for savings on a new item that meets the latest safety standards and were also giving more baby gifts. This event will take place at Babies”R”Us® and Toys”R”Us® stores nationwide beginning Monday, February 1 through Monday, February 29. And, new this year, the company’s Rewards”R”Us® loyalty members can take advantage of early access to the in-store event beginning Friday, January 29, by showing their Rewards”R”Us card during checkout.

Babies”R”Us and Toys”R”Us Great Trade-In Event

Babies R Us Trade-In Event

During this time, stores will accept any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, high chairs, infant swings, bouncers, travel systems, walkers, entertainers, play yards and toddler/twin beds, in exchange for a 25% discount on the purchase of a new item*, in any of these product categories. In addition, “R”Us Credit Card holders can receive 30% savings when using their “R”Us Credit Card*. Come help  and contribute to the best baby cribs list. Customers who do not have an item to trade in can take advantage of a 15% discount in-store and online with a coupon available at Babiesrus.com/GreatTradeIn, beginning February 1**.

“One of our cornerstones as the world’s leading dedicated baby products retailer is our commitment to help keep kids safe. We are extremely proud that through our Great Trade-In program, we have enabled parents and caregivers to remove more than 1.1 million potentially unsafe items from the marketplace,” said Reg McLay, Senior Vice President, Babies”R”Us. “As we strive to help parents make the best possible choices as they care for their babies, we look forward to once again hosting this program at our stores nationwide. We strongly encourage parents to use this time to check their baby gear and trade in old items for new ones that meet or exceed current safety standards.”

Since its inception in August 2009, this national safety event has served to draw attention to used baby items still in circulation that are non-compliant with today’s more stringent safety requirements while continuing to raise awareness among parents and caregivers about ways to be proactive where children’s safety is concerned. Many items traded in over the past six years were missing parts or damaged, while others were decades old and showed obvious signs of wear and tear. To date, more than 1.1 million items have been removed from circulation through these efforts.

Babies R Us Trade-In Event

Brands participating in the Great Trade-In event include Baby Trend®, Britax®, Chicco®, Evenflo®, Graco®, Safety 1st®, Sorelle™ and more. Daycare centers or other organizations that wish to exchange items in bulk are encouraged to contact their local “R”Us® store prior to returning their used items to ensure adequate availability of new merchandise. There is no limit to the number of items a customer can trade in.

Keeping the Focus on Children’s Safety
Toys”R”Us, Inc. offers the following resources to help parents and caregivers keep their children safe:

  • Dedicated Safety Site: Toysrus.com/Safety features information on the company’s industry-leading safety standards for products sold through its stores and websites, product recall information and a “Safety Experts Say” blog with advice from experts on important child safety initiatives.
  • Recall Notifications: Consumers can sign up for product safety and recall alerts through Toysrus.com/Safety. Current recall information is also posted on easily visible Safety boards at each store location.
  • Tools and Resources: A Product Record List and Eight Steps to Keep Kids Safe checklist are available online at Toysrus.com/Safety and in stores upon request. These tools are designed to help parents keep track of the products in use in their homes so they can act quickly to remove unsafe products from use in the event of a recall.

SOURCE Toys”R”Us, Inc.

Getting Things Done with a Toddler

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Seriously, if I only knew how productive I could have been before having a toddler.  I thought I was busy with a baby and I even thought I was busy before I had a child.  How naive I was, truly silly. 

We just moved, with a toddler. Two weeks after the move we tore down two walls, with a toddler.  I’m pretty sure we’re going crazy, with a toddler.

  Working with a Toddler

How to Get Things Done with a Toddler

There are a few things I’ve learned since our little man became more mobile, into everything, way too smart, and somehow insanely sneaky….

  • Be prepared
  • Use time wisely
  • Cut yourself some slack
  • When all else fails, go to the zoo or Chic-fil-A.

Being Prepared…

It’s way easier said than done and I fail at this a lot (see reference to cutting yourself some slack). 

Working with a Toddler

Ways I Try to Plan and Prepare

  • My planner. I’ve tried to keep up with things on my phone, but I’m a paper and pen type of gal.  I used the Simplified Planner by Emily Ley.  It’s simple, it’s pretty, and there’s plenty of space for just what I need. 
  • Meal Planner. I use a May Designs notebook especially designed for meal planning and grocery shopping. Since I’ve started using this template it’s been life changing. 
  • Laundry Ever Morning. Dishes Every Night. Since we moved this hasn’t been happening exactly as I hope but we will get back into the routine.
  • Prepared Snacks. Our toddler loves to eat. He now knows that the bottom drawer of the fridge is dedicated to him.  If he wants a snack he runs to the fridge and mumbles something about the handles.  Once the door is open, he opens the drawer and grabs a snack.  This makes the process easy and quick.  No fussing child and parents trying to figure out the problem.
  • Busy Games. Let’s be honest, as moms we have things to get done.  I don’t want to use the tv all the time so having simple little games (mostly found through Pinterest searches) give me 5-10 minutes to finish my hair or prepare dinner. 

 

Working with a ToddlerUsing My Time Wisely

  • Busy Games. These 5-10 minutes or sometimes longer that simple things like a paper towel roll and the pouch lids give me are tremendous helps. In five minutes, I can finish up something that really needs to be done.
  • Nap time. That 1-2 hour period of our afternoon is crucial.  This is when mom gets office work done.  I sometimes shower and fold laundry also. Then when I see or hear movements on the monitor I quickly wrap up what I’ve got left.
  • Getting Up Earlier. I’ve started waking up a little earlier to allow myself some time for a short workout, shower, and some quiet time.

Cutting Yourself Some Slack

  • Done is better than perfect
  • “Grace Not Perfection” – Emily Ley
  • Seriously, you don’t have to be perfect. The Pinterest Mom….if you’re not her, then don’t try to be her.
  • You are the ONLY mom for your child(ren).

When All else fails….

  • Grab your purse and leave the house.
  • Go to the park, the zoo, or CFA.

The Second Time Around – Birth Story

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I’ve heard it so any times, “every pregnancy is different”, and boy was that true! This pregnancy was proving to be the total opposite of the one before it. With Landen, I wasn’t sick, didn’t vomit, didn’t have weird cravings, wasn’t sensitive to any smells, nothing! Yet, here I am in the second pregnancy and I used pregnancy gear. I can’t keep anything down, the smell of coffee, and cologne both result in my face in the toilet, and speaking of my face, I looked like I had just hit puberty (severe acne!) Don’t even talk about weight gain. My pants literally looked like I had stuffed two basketballs in them.

I mean These pregnancies couldn’t be more different.

Baton Rouge Moms

I couldn’t believe all the changes I was experiencing that didn’t exist the first time around. Nonetheless, we were excited. That excitement soon went to a whole new level when we learned we were expecting a daughter. Before We knew Our son’s gender we had two names picked out, Ava and Landen. We of course chose Landen for him and gave him the same middle name his dad has. We wanted to keep the name Ava for our daughter and since everything I know about being a mom, and everything I hope to be as a mom comes from the amazing mother that I have, I wanted her to have Marie as her middle name which is my mother’s name.

Time was passing by quickly and before we knew it the due date was upon us. My back hurt so bad and everything was so swollen that we did not want to go too far past the due date and had an induction the following day. Emotions were running high but we just prayed for a complicated free delivery and a healthy baby girl.
We were at the hospital July 2nd at 6:00 a.m., and I got pitocin at 6:45. It didn’t take long for things to get going. When they did, the pitocin was kicked up a notch and those contractions began to kick my butt. My pain tolerance is zero on a scale of anything so I was in agony. At 10:30 I couldn’t take it anymore and got the epidural. At 10:45 my water broke. I started feeling like I had to poop and kept thinking please God, no! But nope, that was just Ava making her way down and letting me know it was almost time to push. The tables were being set up for the Dr, everybody’s getting suited up, and my feet go in the stirrups.

Baton Rouge Moms

My Dr then asks if I want to use the mirror. I quickly said oh God no, but she encouraged me. She said, “I think you’ll enjoy it, Come on, use the mirror. So I did. It’s 10:59 and I start to push, and I’m looking in the mirror, and time stood still. Every time I ever threw up gone! Every back ache, gone! Every pound I gained, gone! Watching my daughter make her entrance into the world took away every pain I ever had, every complaint I had during this pregnancy, every complaint I’ve ever had in life!!!!! It was an indescribable feeling. I would push and then break down in tears, push again and bawl some more! I think I pushed 3 times and at 11:02 Ava Marie Henry was here. We were in love as soon as we laid eyes on her. God gave us more than we prayed for. Her birth was one of the most amazing moments of my life and one I’ll never forget.

Baton Rouge Moms

Ava’s been here for one month and has already made such a huge impact on our family. Her brother adores her and her father and I are just crazy for her. She’s just perfect in every single way. I wouldn’t change anything about this pregnancy or her delivery. We are so grateful that God chose us for another parenting journey. Our children make us so whole and they both fill our hearts. Landen started our family, and Ava completed it. Dear children we love you both endlessly!

World Doula Week – Empowered Birth of Baton Rouge

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World Doula WeekMarch 22-28 is World Doula Week and I am thrilled to tell you more about what we as doulas do, but first I’d like to tell you why I am so passionate about this work. I have been involved in the informed birth movement for over seven years, but despite my best efforts I still wasn’t satisfied with my first two birth experiences. For my third pregnancy I hired a doula and my world was forever changed. With her help I achieved the childbirth experience I always dreamed of and a passion for serving as a doula was born in me. She gave me a gift I had never known I was missing, and I was determined to give that gift to as many other women as I could.

Shortly thereafter I became certified through Childbirth International, started my business (Empowered Birth of Baton Rouge), and jumped headfirst into birth work. It is my goal to educate and empower women to work through their fears, believe in their bodies and have their most desired and beautiful birth experience possible. Childbirth is my greatest passion outside of mothering my own children, and it is my privilege to help other women experience the same joy I have found.

“There is a secret in our culture, And it’s not that birth is painful, It’s that women are strong.” -Laura Harm

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So what is a doula anyway? The word “doula” comes from the Greek meaning “servant.” A birth doula is a trained labor coach who assists you during labor and delivery, providing you with continuous emotional support, confidence, awareness, information and assistance with other non-medical aspects of your care.

The most important thing a woman needs during labor is continuous support; this means that you have someone by your side continually from start to finish. A doula never leaves your side! While medical professionals are wonderful, they also have other responsibilities and cannot attend to one patient during every minute of her labor and birth. The doula’s one and only obligation is YOU!

Women who have continuous support are also more likely to report being satisfied with their birth experience. One theory is that mothers who have continuous support produce lower levels of stress hormones during labor than women left alone or attended by inexperienced coaches. Though women in labor experience pain, your doula can help you not to suffer.

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The benefits of the presence of doulas for birth and the post-partum period include (but are not limited to):

-Reduced incidence of cesareans

-Shortened length of labor

-Reduced epidural and analgesic requests

-Increased breastfeeding initiation and continuation

-Increased satisfaction of the birth experience

-Reduced incidence of post partum mood disorders

-Increased confidence in new parents of caring for their newborn

Your doula can help you before labor and delivery by answering your questions about what to expect, easing your fears, helping you develop a birth plan, and generally getting you ready for the arrival of your baby. During labor and delivery, she will provide constant, knowledgeable support physically, mentally and emotionally. She can make suggestions about positions during labor, help you with breathing through contractions, remind you to stay in control, help your relax and provide massage. She can also answer questions you and your partner have about what’s happening or any decisions that may arise.

Is a doula there to take the place of your spouse or partner? Absolutely not. We are there to serve both of you! As a doula, I both help coach Mom through labor and Dad through being the partner he desires to be. My goal is to make Dad the hero and increase the happy hormones between both partners. I talk moms through anything they don’t understand, encourage them when they feel unsure of their abilities and even run interference with family! Doulas aren’t just here for natural labor, but we serve with medicated births and cesarean sections as well. I wish for the laboring woman to feel safe, supported, confident and to have the birth she wants. You will never receive judgment, but instead support, love and a hand to hold.

I provide birth doula and post-partum doula services, placenta encapsulation, consultations, classes and am currently the only person in Baton Rouge offering belly casting! I am currently accepting clients with due dates between June-September 2015 and offer free initial consultations to answer any questions you may have!

Now have a great week, and go hug a doula!

Meghan Matt is a homeschooling mom, wife, blogger, natural-living enthusiast, director/producer of Listen To Your Mother: Baton Rouge, birth advocate and certified doula. She is married to an amazing, supportive dreamer and together they have four beautiful, dynamic children. She can be found via her website Empowered Birth of Baton Rouge, as well as on Facebook.

Meghan is currently hosting a giveaway to celebrate World Doula Week!

Enter here—> http://www.empoweredbirthbr.com/blog/2015/3/24/world-doula-week-giveaway

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