After a 10-month-old baby died from asphyxiation in the MamaRoo straps, two of the last surviving go-to rockers, which move the baby in different patterns like gliding or figure eights to calm them, were recalled on Monday, Aug. 15. The problem is that the straps behind the seat that hang down put newborns at risk of being hooked, strangled, or hurt.  A free strap fastener that will stop the straps from dangling down and creating a risk while the device isn’t in use is available as a repair for parents who have purchased this product.

Erin Carroll-Manning, a Newborn Care and Infant Sleep Specialist, and Founder of Gentle Giraffes Newborn Care and Family Services says, “My take on it, it’s a user error. People need to be more mindful of where their baby is crawling. People need to create yes spaces for their children if they choose to not stay with them at all times and see where their children are crawling and getting into.”

Baby rockers and swings should not be used unattended, and parents are advised to keep a watchful eye on their children as they use them.

Read the entire article here.

Parenting & Newborn Support 101- The New Normal

 

I remember the feeling of isolation and all the things that came with being a new parent. The days were a whirlwind, and the nights were long and exhausting! How I worried if I was doing everything right or wrong, when my baby cried. As all new parents do, I was frantically trying to figure out why my baby was crying, and how I could soothe her. I remember thinking, “Was she hungry?”, and would try to feed her. “Was she cold?”, so I added more layers. “Was she too hot?”, I’d take them off or turn down the heat, or did she just need me to rock her while I held her in my arms? I did all the things, and it was exhausting! I was unable to sleep or take care of myself properly. I quickly realized how vital having support and key people I could count on was. During this time, I would have given anything to have access to something like “Your Baby Hotline”, a service that gives you support and the peace of mind you need, when you need it!

Imagine during those late nights, early morning feedings or soothing sessions, when the rest of the house is quiet and not a soul in your world is awake. To have someone be there for you, when you need it the most. Well there is! There is a support system right at your fingertips. It’s Just a text, email or video chat away. Now more than ever families are finding their new normal. One thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that every parent needs support when their baby (s) comes home from the hospital, and even beforehand.

I know how daunting and emotional it is when you bring your baby home for the first time. I wouldn’t have made it without having an extra set of hands or legs! Not everyone is fortunate to have the help of family/relatives who live nearby, that’s where my job becomes so vital. During this very delicate time of transition, I have made it my life’s passion supporting families by helping them find their footing as new parents. Watching families learn to connect and bond with their baby(s) brings me joy.

My personal parenting journey has helped me to create services which support and educate families. They ensure a smooth transition home from the hospital or birthing center. I know first hand how it feels, to leave a place with so much help and support, and then to be on your own. Support looks different for every family.

Perhaps, you don’t need or want someone in your home, especially with Covid still lingering around. All you know is that you need some type of support to help you get through those first couple of weeks and/or months. I have you covered, as virtual support has rapidly become a part of our everyday lives.

With so much information and opinions out there, it can be overwhelming to navigate. There is something for everyone! Perhaps, you need a Newborn Bootcamp to give you the knowledge and confidence to care for your baby upon arrival. Another option is a New Parent Consultation, which is a customized plan right from the start, just for you and your baby. You may just have burning or unique questions when trying to apply what you’ve read or learned. It can be quite challenging but when you have access to an expert, it’s a total game changer! Your head may be spinning from the marketing madness of baby products! Trying to figure out, which ones are really the “best” or “easy to use” or just a complete “waste” of money. As a traveling Elite Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), I have the knowledge and experience to provide you with those answers. I will get you started with the necessary essentials of what you’ll actually need, what you won’t, and so much more!

As you begin to build your community of support, consider all your options. Who can provide you with all the unknowns of parenting? Who will educate you on the ever changing safety guidelines of products or sleep? Who are you able to turn to when you need a shoulder to lean on or can hold space for you when you’re having a hard day? You will find there are a variety of services which may be beneficial to your personal parenting journey. As an expert, I’m here to support you, and answer your questions, when you need it. You’ve got this!

Marisa Newborn care & Consulting

Newborn Care Specialist & Consultant Parent Educator

What do you do?

There’s more + more data every day that toxins are adversely, affecting our health. Expecting Moms, infants + children are some of the most vulnerable groups. This inspired me to search for cleaner products which wasn’t that easy until I found Pure Haven. They make the only products on the market that are 100% toxin free + made in the USA at their own USDA certified organic facility, in Rhode Island.

How I help newborns?

Our specially formulated, natural botanical, baby wash + lotions are extra mild, gentle + soothing to keep your newborn clean + comfortable. So many times it’s the harsh chemicals in commercial baby products that’s irritating their delicate skin.

How I help parents?

You can have peace of mind knowing your keeping your family + your home safer by eliminating hundreds of toxins. You can be proud of leading the movement to improve the health of our planet because all the products are biodegradable + eco friendly. Several ways to save money on your purchases. Personal consultation + follow through to guarantee your getting excellent results. Complete transparency of product ingredients + suggestions for multiple uses.

 

Interested in working with Maria Murphy? Contact us today!

I am a huge fan of powerful purees! Purees are a great way to get more nutrition into your favorite recipes and help you and your family meet your daily needs for veggies, fruits and proteins. They go beyond the smoothie, but we’ll start here.

Smoothie and puree cubes are a great tip to make a quick smoothie ahead. While smoothies and protein shakes are an easy breakfast for both you and the kids, most require several ingredients in order to be well balances (and not a morning sugar-bomb). Just add a few cubes to your blender with liquid, and serve!

Smoothie cubes can easily be made ahead and stored in the freezer up to one month. I suggest using a combination of protein, healthy fat, fiber, greens and some fruit. 

• Protein – Use your favorite protein powder or yogurt as your base.
• Healthy Fats – Scoop of nut butter, coconut oil, MCT oil, tahini, avocado or hemp hearts (my fave!) TIP – buy frozen avocado chunks instead of fresh.
• Fiber – Ground flax, chia, psyllium husk powder, acacia fiber powder, pumpkin seeds
• Greens – A good quality greens powder or frozen greens. I prefer frozen over raw as they are easier to digest. Frozen greens are quickly blanched and frozen at the height of their season which make them a great option.
• Fruit & Veg Puree – For one smoothie serving I would stick to about 1/3 cup of berries and 1/3-1/2 of banana if needed (for a workout, extra satiety for the kids etc). Fruit is an excellent source of healthy carbohydrates but we want to keep it balanced.
  A fun way to switch it up is to add a 1/3 cup of pumpkin puree, cooked sweet potato, frozen cauliflower, squash. Incorporating vegetable purees is a great way to get extra servings into your day and more nutrition into your smoothie!

There is no real science to it, make a blend with your favorite ingredients and make sure it’s tasty, then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. The silicone trays are great because you can easily pop them out. Here is an idea of what you can do.

Smoothie Cubes

2 cups berries (or a veggie here)

1 banana

1 T maple syrup or 1-2 dates (optional for extra sweetness)

2 T favorite nut butter or ¼ cup frozen avocado

2 T ground flax (I prefer ground as its easier to digest)

2 T cinnamon (Ceylon is anti-inflammatory)

Handful of frozen spinach OR 2 scoops green powder

A few drops vanilla extract for flavor (optional)

2-3 scoops of protein powder or 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

A small splash of water or milk of choice if needed to blend

Blend and pour or scoop into trays to freeze overnight until you are ready to use them.

When you are ready to make a smoothie, try 4 cubes + 1 cup of liquid and adjust from there to desired umber of servings and consistency.

 

Enjoy!

2021 spring market is a challenging one. The inventory is at its lowest ever and homes are selling for as much as hundreds of thousands over asking. There is no denying this is a tough time to buy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done and that there aren’t advantages as well. Interest rates although volatile are still at all-time lows, so even though the market is competitive and prices are rising your monthly mortgage payment will still be relatively low. Rates are expected to rise next year and what your payment is now could be 25% more expensive assuming prices only increase 10% and, in some areas, values are increasing at a 40% clip and have long eclipsed that 10% increase. Long story short, buyers still have strong buying power due to financing.

For many expanding families out there, do not despair! There are ways you can still find value in this market!

Here are 5 tips to help you do just that!

1. Work with a buyer’s agent!

I know this sounds self-serving but it’s more important than ever that buyers have an agent who is active in the market and is advocating for them. Many buyers are taking on unnecessary risk and not understanding the implications. Furthermore, the market is rising faster than the data, meaning recent sales are not indicative of future pricing. For example, let’s say there are three identical homes, one closed last week at $500,000, one is under agreement after being listed at $500,000 and one is new to the market listed at $500,000. The home that is under agreement might have accepted an offer at $550,000 which is a more accurate indication of pricing than the home that just sold but if you’re not active in the market in that area, you wouldn’t know that. If you want a chance of submitting a competitive bid, it’s vital to work with an agent who is an active participant in the market.

2. Focus on the bones of the house.

Many buyers are getting swept up by the homes that are decorated and designed to today’s latest style. These are the homes that are getting bid up to astronomical prices. If you want to have a competitive edge in this market it’s important to have an open mind. In the grand scheme of things, the most important elements of a home are its structure and layout. Everything else can be fixed and changed predictably. What kind of foundation does the home have? Is it a layout that you can work with? The most expensive part of a renovation is when you are changing the layout. When renovations are cosmetic only (paint, refacing cabinets, replacing countertops) is when costs are predictable and manageable. In my experience, most buyers do not use their imagination enough when looking at homes and miss opportunities to buy a home that is less expensive because they can’t see past its dated aesthetic.

3. Concentrate on homes that have been on the market longer than 2 weeks.

The person who has the most options is the person who has the most negotiating power. If you are one of thirty buyers bidding on a house, the seller holds all the cards. If the home hasn’t sold right away, it’s still important to act with urgency but we can actually negotiate in these situations versus succumbing to the sellers’ whims. Most homes haven’t sold right away because they are over priced and then buyers assume there is something wrong with them and refuse to see them. I cannot tell you how many opportunities are missed because of this mindset!!! If you want to find a “deal” or at least have some negotiating power, I strongly encourage you to focus on homes that are NOT new to the market!

4. Make it at least a 5-year home.

If you are buying in this market, it’s important that you plan to stay there for at least 5 years. A lot of homes are not appraising at the time of purchase, but are in a few months when the market data catches up to the market! No one can predict the future so the best way to hedge your bet is to plan to purchase a home where you can live there comfortably for at least 5 years.

5. Get clear on why you are buying and have conviction in your decisions.

You are going to kiss a lot of toads in this market meaning put in offers and not get them accepted. It’s inevitable so brace yourself! Real estate is about taking on calculated risk in order to achieve your goals. There are no winners and losers and there is no right or wrong. To not be discouraged focus on why you are buying! Is it the school district that is going to open up possibilities for your children’s future? Is it to be close to family? Is it to have that gorgeous entertaining space so you can host Thanksgiving for years to come? These are things that we can put a monetary value on and are what will make this a home and not just an investment. Honor your risk appetite and what the home value is to YOU not the market.

I have helped over 100 buyers find their perfect home – we lose some offers along the way – but EVERY SINGLE TIME when they find “the one” we are so grateful for the ones we lost along because it eventually brought us to the path of that perfect home.

Need help finding the perfect home for your family? Get in touch with Ali today.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Studies show the leading cause of physical child abuse is Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). There are many parents who had no intention of hurting their child. Frustration with baby crying is the number one cause of Shaken Baby Syndrome. With 20% of infants having colic, even the calmest parent can act out of frustration. This month is the perfect opportunity because research shows that giving parents sound information and supporting them decreases the incidence of SBS.

What is Colic?

Colic is Crying. Excessive crying. Providers use this diagnosis/symptom when they do not know why the baby is crying. Old rules used were if a baby cried 3+ hours a day, 3+ days per week, for 3+ weeks. New rules don’t necessarily make babies have all these. If they are crying more than normal, they also get this label.

 

What can be causing the crying?

There are a few theories as to what causes colic and why babies grow out of it. Some of these are an immature immune system, immature nervous system, immature digestive system, and since humans are the only mammals that talk, the way we learn to regulate our breathing for this purpose and how there is confusion that includes crying. These theories pose that when the body develops more, the crying will go away. One example of this is the inability to break down certain proteins in food because the body is not making enzymes for that food until 4 months old. When the body starts making these enzymes to digest the protein, there is no longer pain and crying stops).

What about other diagnoses?

Only 5% of colic is found to have a confirmed diagnosis. Most major diagnoses are ruled out when the provider at the pediatric office does a thorough history and physical. These include inborn metabolism issues caught on a newborn blood screen, heart defects, and things like hernias. Viral and bacterial infections are also ruled out. But there are some things that are not found on exams nor do we have tests to check like silent reflux or food “intolerances”.

How do we treat colic?

Of course, if a diagnosis is identified, treatment can be given specifically for that. BUT, there are things to try in the case that a cause is not identified. There is promising research that a few probiotics have shown promise in decreasing crying in babies: L. reuteri and B. breve. There can be elimination of certain foods to check for sensitivity to these. After an elimination diet of the mama who is breastfeeding or change in formula to one with easier proteins to digest, reintroduction of these can occur as the baby grows.

If we don’t have a diagnosis, how can I calm the baby?

Some ways to soothe a colicky baby include swaddling, loud white noise, bouncing while you hold them on an exercise ball, change the stimulation (less or more), football hold your babe, or take a drive. Parents find success in changing baby bottles, holding upright after eating, skin to skin contact, bathing in warm water, belly massage, or using a gas releasing tube.

What if nothing is working, and the baby is still crying?

Most importantly, take care of you! It is NORMAL to feel super stressed and decreasing your stress and energy is key to prevention. Call a friend, take three breaths before picking up your baby, leave your baby in a safe place (bed) and take a shower. You can put in headphones and listen to music. Plan time for you away from the baby. This can be with friends, a counselor, or a trip alone to the grocery store. Taking care of your mental health IS being a good parent to have the energy and patience to care for your little one. You also can go to https://www.childhelp.org/hotline/ where they offer and also get text support! Reach out and know that you are not alone. 

What do you do?

“Most people I know have been touched by cancer in one way or another.  When I learned the products I was using on myself and my family were filled with toxins, I was angry!  If I didn’t know all of this, most others didn’t either.  I have now made it my mission to share this with others.  I love making an impact in people’s lives each and everyday helping them and their families live healthier!”

Why is it beneficial to newborns?

“These products help with eczema, cradle cap, chapped skin, chapped lips, rashes, cuts, scrapes, bug bites, and more.  Many of the skin conditions babies have are related to the toxic ingredients being put on their skin and their reactions to them.”

Why is it beneficial to parents?

“Our baby care products bring together everything you need to care for your little bundle of joy.  Plus, you get uncompromising peace of mind that your baby is safe and protected because our special, extra gentle formulations are all 100% free of toxins. Guaranteed. Scented with lavender, which is calming to your baby!”

 

Interested in working with Kristen Jeznach?

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

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

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

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