Category: blog

Maria & Chuck Reiss

Meet Maria and Chuck Reiss

Founders of The Reissential Oils Team

Maria and Chuck began their natural journey about 6 years ago when their college daughter was ill with mono.  After learning about all the health benefits, they’ve made a lifestyle change to have, virtually, a chemical free home!

What do you do?

Maria and Chuck are Independent Distributors of Young Living Essential Oils and Wellness Products. Their extensive knowledge of the products can help you make the change to a more natural, healthier way of living.

How do I help newborns?

“Our hope is for you to start your newborn’s life in a toxin free environment using Essential Oils and natural household products.”

How do I help parents?

“Living a toxin free lifestyle with Essential Oils can provide better sleep, less stress and hopefully less trips to the doctor for you and your newborn.”

Interested in working with Maria & Chuck?!

Contact us at : https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Alexandra (Ali) Joyce

Meet Ali Joyce

Real Estate Agent at Jack Conway Cityside

A Massachusetts native, Ali moved to Boston to start a career in financial sales. This knowledge, coupled with her undergraduate’s degree in psychology from Holy Cross has provided her with valuable skills that she uses daily in real estate negotiations, working with buyers and sellers, and successfully marketing her client’s homes for sale. Her passion for both the business and her clients has made her one of the top 1% of agents at Jack Conway & Company.

What do you do?

As a REALTOR®, Ali believes her job is to make sure her clients are fully involved, fully informed, and have all the data needed to make the best real estate decisions for themselves and their families. Her clients often describe her as honest, thorough, responsive, and genuinely interested in making the whole process smooth and pleasant.

Buying or selling a home is one of the most emotionally charged and financially critical points in a person’s life. Ali is dedicated to customer service and the consumer experience. She understands both the people-side and numbers-side and is honored to have the skills to be a successful part of this process for her valued clientele.

Is it possible to find a house with a newborn?

“Newborns are always welcomed on showings, especially if I get to hold them. 😉 It’s truly up to the parents’ comfort levels and we work around that. Sometimes we will do staggered showings so one parent can stay behind with  the baby. We discuss all of these beforehand and create a customized plan that works for the parents.”

How do I help parents?

“I often work with parents who are looking to up-size because of a growing family. This process usually involves a simultaneous sale of their existing home and purchase of the next home. I strive to make it a stress free and seamless process by creating a plan ahead of time and being as proactive as possible so when the moment comes, we can mobilize and get their existing home on the market ASAP. I take care of the details so all the parents have to worry about is finding the right home to suit their families’ needs.”

Interested in working with Ali?!

Contact us at : https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Dr. Linda Hurley

Meet Dr. Linda Hurley

Founder of Magnetic Moment, LLC

Today we are excited to interview Dr. Linda Hurley! Dr. Hurley is professionally trained and certified as an Intuitive Chakra Energy Healer.  She currently resides in California with her husband and three daughters.

What do you do?

Dr. Hurley specializes in the navigation of third through fourth trimester energetic transitions. She nurtures and enables new mothers to establish healthy boundaries to help radiate their internal grace and beauty.

Dr. Hurley has trained extensively with Shila Moa in the healing modalities of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing. She has a PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences with an emphasis on the Earth’s magnetic field. Dr. Hurley uses her academic background to make geoscience videos for elementary aged school children. The intention of these videos is to increase diversity in the sciences by providing high quality science education to children everywhere.

Why is it beneficial to newborns?

Energy healing clears the energy centers of birth related trauma. The lower three energy centers are present in babies at birth. These energy centers are linked to the development of emotional characteristics including creativity, a sense of belonging, empathy, and self-love.

Why is it beneficial for parents?

Parents need an emotional reset after a birth. Moms in particular will benefit from deep energy work focused on the muscles and tissues affected by pregnancy, birth, and caring for their new addition. Energy healing enhances the body’s natural ability to heal.

Interested in working with Dr. Hurley?

Contact us at: https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Heather Smidt, LicAc, LMT

Meet Heather Smidt

Owner of Wander Well Acupuncture

We are so excited to interview Heather Smidt, LicAc, LMT, and Reiki Master Teacher!

Heather holds a Masters of Acupuncture in both Chinese and Japanese Style Acupuncture from the New England School of Acupuncture, the oldest and most regarded acupuncture program in the United States.

What do you do?

As someone who personally struggled with PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility, Heather strives to empower patients about their health and supports them on their family building journey and beyond. She understands the sense of being completely alone in the struggle, and understands the psychological toll that many experience. She has ridden that hormonal roller-coaster and knows just how irksome it is when someone tells you to “just relax”. She gets it. This is why she is more than just a medical professional; she is also your cheerleader, your guide, and your comrade when it comes to your fertility journey.

What are the top 3 reasons it is beneficial for newborns?

1. The heart of the mother is the body of the child and the body of the child is the heart of the mother. The health of a mother and her child are intertwined. We are our best when we are able to fill our cup first so that we can be there for our children.

2. One of my clinical rotations was at BMC in Pediatrics. During that time, I worked with newborn babies who had neonatal abstinence syndrome. The protocols that we used had universal application for calming newborns so that they were able to better eat, poop, and sleep.

3. When babies are constipated or gassy, it can be frustrating for parents. Acupuncture and acupressure gives parents another tool in their toolbox to help soothe their little ones.

What are the top reasons it is beneficial for parents?

1. It provides self care, support for nursing/ letdown of milk/supply issues

2. Empowerment by providing tools for care of self and littles

3. Helps support better menstrual cycles to better support conception and supports folks who are in treatment using ART by helping with medication side effects/guidance on supplements

4 .Labor preparation acupuncture is great for those who want to naturally support labor or help make induction smoother

Interested in working with Heather Smidt?!

Contact us: https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Newborn Care Expo

Newborn Care Birth & Postpartum Wellness Expo

This week on the blog I will be talking about my virtual expo that is quickly approaching this December 6th from 11 AM-4 PM. 

The Gentle Giraffes Newborn Care Birth and Postpartum Wellness Expo curates a one of a kind experience for new and expecting parents that will give them access to trusted professionals to cover every pre and post-birth need. This expo is the perfect opportunity to meet with professionals that will help you develop a rock-solid support system to ensure a healthy, safe, and smooth pregnancy.

For all new and expecting parents… 

This is a time of eager anticipation for the bonding experience between you and your baby. You may be feeling overwhelmed, confused, and exhausted. You may feel overloaded with information. This expo is not only for support after your pregnancy experience, but also during it. We are here to take you from the very first moment you thought of growing your family, to the first several months of postpartum. Mark your calendars because you do not want to miss this. This expo will guide you and support you through this process as well as help you find professionals that can ease your transition into the fourth trimester and ensure that you and your child are receiving top-notch care.

We have carefully cultivated a group of renowned professionals to fit your pre and post-delivery needs. We have navigated this process for you so that you can just show up and choose your support network. You will be in contact with acupuncturists, pediatricians, IBCLC’s, pediatric dentists, birth doulas, and pelvic Pts. We have curated this experience to become a one-stop-shop for all of your pre and post-delivery needs.

The expo will consist of raffles, discounts, question and answer periods. The cost of the expo will be $10. Register here to grab your spot now! Just show up and Choose your support network for your family and your baby!:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gentle-giraffes-newborn-cares-birth-to-postpartum-expo-tickets-124304697697

For all practitioners… 

There is no better feeling than working with expectant parents or babies who are there to support you and your business. Are you ready to level-up your business? Are you passionate about working with new parents or babies? The goal of this expo is to create a space for business owners who work with parents and babies and to rise together.

The Gentle Giraffes Newborn Care Birth and Postpartum Wellness Expo is your moment to gain exposure to your ideal clients: parents specifically seeking out what YOU provide. You will have the chance to network with like-minded professionals and to get in front of parents to be and babies who need your services. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to create connections and to highlight what you have to offer.

We are currently seeking businesses who want to participate as sponsors and speakers. Click the link below to be a sponsor. (Space is limited)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gentle-giraffes-newborn-cares-birth-to-postpartum-expo-tickets-124304697697

For more information on Sponsor Packages and Information please email: info@gentlegiraffes.com and put “Sponsorship Package” in the Subject line.

* For those sponsors who register for the VIP package there will be a surprise bonus!*

Interested in working with Erin?! Contact us at https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Ariana Witkin

Meet Ariana Witkin

Owner of Ariana Witkin, LLC

Today we are excited to interview Mama MD, Ariana Witkin! Ariana is a board-certified pediatrician Fourth Trimester Coach and Motherhood Mentor.  She started her business after experiencing firsthand the lack of coordinated care and support for new mothers.

When she isn’t educating, empowering and holding space for new Mamas you can find her examining Massachusetts’ newest and cutest residents in her local community hospital, chasing after her sassy toddler, spinning on her Peloton, or stargazing on the deck with her husband.

What do you do?

What is a Fourth Trimester Coach and Motherhood Mentor? Think: round-the-clock practical and emotional support of a postpartum doula combined with the expertise of a pediatrician who gets your needs and your baby’s needs.

Why is it beneficial to newborns?

What newborns need, more than anything else, is to have caregivers who are held and supported. When we, as a community, nurture the mother, we are nurturing the baby and their family.

Why is it beneficial for parents?

In a time that is often talked about as crazy, chaotic and the hardest thing you’ll ever do, it is possible to feel nourished and empowered moving into this sacred postpartum phase. The value of having someone in your corner supporting you and guiding you on your postpartum journey is immeasurable. I work with women in the transition from pregnancy to postpartum so they can feel equipped and empowered during the most important time of their lives.

Interested in working with Ariana Witkin?

Contact us at: https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Coronavirus and Newborns

Coronavirus and Newborns

This week on the blog we will be talking about Coronavirus and newborns. Mainly, how this new virus could potentially affect newborns, what symptoms to look for in newborns, and what precautions to take to keep you and your infant safe.

As Covid-19 is such a new virus to us, many questions may be unanswered regarding this virus, and I am sure that many people have questions.

What we do know is that Coronavirus is potentially dangerous to newborns but it seems to be much milder in children and babies than it is in adults. Serious illness is possible though, and parents should be on alert if their child tests positive or shows signs of any type of illness.

Children and adults may suffer from similar symptoms, but be sure to be on the lookout for more cold-like symptoms in your child like fever, runny nose, and cough.

The most common symptoms to look for in your newborn…

• Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, such as coughing, sore throat, runny nose, and sneezing.

• Fever

• Muscle Pain

• Muscle pain that may cause frequent crying, trouble sleeping, or moodiness in young babies.

• Changes in mood or behavior – such as sleeping more or less often, feeding difficulties, or more frequent tantrums-because of pain or a fever.

• Digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, or diarrhea.

• Loss of sense of smell that, in infants who are too young to express this symptom, may manifest as changes in eating habits.

• Dry cough in symptoms of mild pneumonia, such as more rapid breathing or shortness of breath.

 

If your baby starts to develop more serious symptoms these symptoms may include…

• Intense new shortness of breath that may cause a child to gasp for air

• Signs of low oxygen, such as blue lips or tongue, white fingernails or rapid heart rate

• Severe organ failure

• Oxygen saturation of 92% or less

The most common ways to prevent COVID in your newborn are…

• Avoid going out

• limit/ ban visitors

• Wash hands

• Wash hands any time you or your newborn come in contact with anyone

• Disinfect all surfaces like doorknobs and changing tables

• Wear a mask while out in public

• Practice physical social distancing

• Quarantining anyone in the household who gets sick in one room a frequently disinfecting any surfaces they touch

If your child starts to show any life-threatening symptoms get medical attention immediately by dialing 911.

Photos Owned By:

www.healio.com

www.huffpost.com

Interested in working with Erin?! Contact us at https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Meet Danielle Bujnak

Meet Danielle Bujnak

Founder of Child Magic, LLC

Today we are excited to interview Danielle Bujnak, an experienced Early Childhood Educator. Danielle has many years of experience caring for and guiding infants and young children in various environments including: individual family settings, homeschooling, day care, preschools, and Montessori and Waldorf-based early childhood programs. She is licensed by the state of California at the “Master Teacher” and “Site Supervisor” levels, permitting her to run a multi-classroom preschool or daycare for ages birth to 7 years, and to guide and mentor other teachers in best practices for these ages.

What do you do?

“My goal as an early childhood and family development professional is to collaborate with parents to identify the best strategies and approaches to match each family’s preferences and needs, supporting each child’s unique path of healthy development.”

Why is it beneficial to newborns?

“When we begin supporting a newborn’s development with curated intentionality, we allow their development to unfold at the infant’s personally optimal pace. We provide an environment of sensitive and responsive care to allow the infant to explore and experience themselves and their world at the appropriate pace for their brain and body to be ready to take on the new and exciting challenges of physical and mental growth. The neural pathways that are laid down and solidified in early infancy are the core and foundation for lifelong learning.”

What are the top 3 reasons it is beneficial for parents?

1.) Our society and culture dramatically underestimate the potential and capabilities of infants and children, so parents can easily miss key opportunities to support their infant’s optimal development; consulting with Child Magic, LLC can provide context and foundation for parents to understand their infant’s needs and abilities in order to notice and support each nuanced stage of development.

2.) An intentional approach to parenting requires a broad array of techniques and approaches, which we can borrow from a variety of traditions and pedagogies, and cross-reference with the current research in the neuroscience of infant development to provide a bespoke and evidence-based approach for each infant and family situation.

3.) Many parents are interested in ideas from Montessori, Waldorf/Steiner, RIE, and Reggio Emilia, but aren’t sure how to implement them, or some aspects match well with their families’ needs and other aspects are not as helpful. Providing a la carte access to various practices and elements of each of these philosophies can help parents choose an integrated approach that works for their own family.

 

Interested in working with Danielle Bujnak?

Contact us at: https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Dr Bonnie Wims

Meet Dr. Bonnie Wims

Founder of Wims & Associates

Today we are so excited to interview Virtual Therapist, Dr. Bonnie Wims!  Dr. Wims was professionally trained as a Counseling Psychologist in London, England where she founded her private practice and began working with individuals from various backgrounds who were seeking guidance in understanding and harnessing emotional and behavioral difficulties they encounter.

What do you do?

“As a UK trained Counseling Psychologist, I work with clients to help identify areas that are difficult, validate concerns, assist in challenging perceptions, and encourage change where possible. Through a supportive and trusting virtual relationship, we can begin to move into acceptance of ourselves and allow an openness to the exciting possibilities in our lives.”

Why is it beneficial to newborns?

“I provide therapy to adults so I can be useful for newborns by giving the parents a place to sort through challenging emotions as a result of having a baby. Although it can be a beautiful time, it is also challenging and parents can often struggle with anxiety and depression.”

What are the top 3 reasons it is beneficial for parents?

1.) A safe space to talk about fears and challenges of having a child

2.) Relationship counseling

3.) Postpartum

 

Interested in working with Dr. Bonnie Wims?

Contact us at: https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

Queen of the Pantry Concierge Chef & Wellness Services

Meet Yvette Saulnier Taylor

Founder of Queen Of The Pantry

Today we are so excited to interview GG Expert Yvette Saulnier Taylor! Yvette is a culinary nutrition expert with over 12 years’ experience as a professionally trained chef drawing on these classical cooking techniques to design customized menus and a focus on nutritionally balanced meals for a variety of clients.

What do you do?

“I am a culinary nutrition expert with over 12 years’ experience as a professionally trained chef drawing on these classical cooking techniques to design customized menus and a focus on nutritionally balanced meals for a variety of clients. I am also a fitness and nutrition enthusiast certified in nutrition by several organizations in the areas of healthy aging, sports and weight management. QOTP is an exclusive holistic nutrition, wellness & lifestyle company offering chef-prepared meals and concierge nutrition services for people who value a personalized experience and approach to food including expecting or new moms, tricky diets, picky eaters, professional athletes or medical conditions.”

“As a chef, I make sure expectant moms, dads and the entire family are nourished properly which benefits the newborn as well. However, I work closely with new moms to develop a healthy relationship with food (if needed) and to design and provide menus specific to their nutritional needs.  Recipes and menus are creatively prepared as tolerance and tastes vary throughout pregnancy and beyond. . I co-authored the revision of the Beaba USA cookbook working closely with them to create healthy simple and nourishing recipes.”

What are the top 3 reasons it is beneficial for parents?

1) I give them back their TIME and energy

2) Take the stress out of meal planning

3) Take the stress out of daily nutrition needs during pregnancy, nursing stages and toddler years

 

Interested in working with Yvette?! Contact us at : https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/contact

(headshot) Sonya Highfield, Real World Creatives

(kitchen shots) Stuart Beeby Photography (Sudbury, MA)