Today I’m speaking with Elysia Contreras Springer, owner of ReggioBaby LLC. Elysia is an artist, educator, and mother of two little "studio assistants." She founded ReggioBaby while developing provocations and creative experiences as the atelierista at an early childhood center in St. Paul, MN.
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
ReggioBaby houses a collection of beautiful, high quality sensory toys for infants, toddlers, and people of all ages and abilities that are greatly inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early education. We help new moms by providing uniquely curated toys for their infants and toddlers to safely explore a wide range of materials.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Time management is undoubtedly the hardest part of running my business and being a mom. We chose to homeschool and virtual school which has certainly been a shift that wasn't anticipated these last two years.
I carry a lot of guilt when I feel like I'm not "getting enough done," or that I "should be working." I have to remember that being a mom is a full time job in and of itself, and that I won't get this time back. I am learning to treasure the moments in play where I take in the spark in their eyes.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
How has motherhood changed you?
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
About Elysia Contreras Springer
Elysia Contreras Springer, owner of ReggioBaby, LLC, is an artist, educator, and mother of two little "studio assistants." She founded ReggioBaby while developing provocations and creative experiences as the atelierista at an early childhood center in St. Paul, MN. After relocating to Bentonville Arkansas in 2019, Elysia took the leap into running her handmade business full time.
Elysia started her business as a solution to the challenge of finding safe materials for babies to explore that were provocative and easy to clean. When she saw how much they were loved, and how well they held up to wear and tear, she knew she had something to run with.
Find Elysia Contreras Springer:
Website: www.reggiobaby.com
Instagram: @reggiobaby
Today I’m speaking with S. Alie Al-Jadda, owner of MEMEENO. Alie is a certified pediatric sleep consultant and mother of two. She loves to work with parents and their children to go through an extensive learning and assessment process to help guide them towards achieving their sleep goals.
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Being able to control my work time so it doesn't fall into the time I have with my kids. I am always trying to finish everything before the kids come from school or their practices or games.
My 6 year-old son will sometimes tell me, "Your orders are more important than us!" The guilt is real. But I have learned to slow down and not want the fast wins.
Take time doing things because there will always be work but my kids will grow older and I don't want them to remember me staring into the screen while they needed me most.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
How has motherhood changed you?
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
About S. Alie Al-Jadda
Find S. Alie Al-Jadda:
Website: memeeno.com
Facebook: MEMEENO
Instagram: @mymemeeno
]]>Today I’m speaking with Dawn Lundin, owner of Restore Ease Dietetics. Dawn is a registered dietitian and owner of a virtual nutrition private practice. She also teaches nutrition for the School of Nursing at the local university.
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
Restore Ease Dietetics is a virtual nutrition private practice that focuses on mental health and sports nutrition. I work with individuals to improve their relationship with food, recover from disordered eating or an eating disorder. I have ran through three pregnancies and have personal experience navigating running through pregnancy and in the 4th trimester (post partum).
In a world where diet culture encourages women to "get their body back", I encourage expecting and new moms to embrace their body where they are at and how nutrition counseling can help with post partum mental health conditions.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
The hardest part of running a business and being a mom is the mom guilt. It took me by surprise when my older two sons returned to in person school this fall.
Last school year was hard - SO HARD and I often dreamed of having them back in school so I could spend one on one time with my youngest son. The mom guilt took me by surprise.
I mean I spent every waking moment with my children since March 2020 BUT all of a sudden I feel like the minute my boys get home from school should be devoted to them. Which just isn't practical, sometimes I have late clients, their dad can bring them to swim lessons or need to run a specific workout without the jogging stroller. So I am acknowledging it and taking it an hour, day, week at a time.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
How has motherhood changed you?
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
About Dawn Lundin
Dawn Lundin, owner of Restore Ease Dietetics, LLC, is a registered dietitian and owner of a virtual nutrition private practice. She also teaches nutrition for the School of Nursing at the local university.
Dawn has run 18 marathons, mountain bike, cross country ski and stand up paddle board. Dawn and her husband have been married for 15 years. They have three sons ages 7, 6 and 2 years old. They love to travel and spend time outdoors.
Find Dawn Lundin:
Website: https://www.restoreeasedietetics.com/
Facebook: Restore Ease Dietetics, LLC
Instagram: @restoreeasedietetics
]]>Today I’m speaking with Natalie Perkins, owner of Bella Ballerina. Natalie is Founder and CEO of Bella Ballerina. She grew the concept for the storybook themed boutique dance studios out of a need in the marketplace when her own daughter was a toddler back in 2011.
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
Too often new moms find themselves dreading returning to a 9-5 job and yet can’t find something that fits within the needs of their ever changing family. Flexible, profitable ventures are difficult to come by as “work from home” opportunities typically don’t yield the kind of salary replacement women are searching for.
Bella ballerina not only gives new moms an activity to enroll their child in, but also provides studio ownership opportunities for women who crave an entrepreneurial experience with unending support and guidance, so that they can be a mom first and a business owner simultaneously.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
My company has grown and changed as my family needs have changed. That concept is something we’ve woven into the fabric of our business so that other mom studio owners can enjoy the same benefit.
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
At times I’ve felt torn, but not for the reason you’d think. Most women feel torn because they’d rather be at home with their family and a job that’s required of them is taking away that ability. I feel torn because I love what I do so much, I wish there was more time in a day to work at it! My family plays a big part in growing this business so family time and business time can often be one in the same, not competing aspects of my life.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
How has motherhood changed you?
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
About Natalie Perkins
Natalie Perkins, Founder and CEO of Bella Ballerina grew the concept for the storybook themed boutique dance studios out of a need in the marketplace when her own daughter was a toddler back in 2011.
Since the opening of her first studio, Bella Ballerina has grown to multiple corporate locations, franchised locations, the creation of a private label dancewear line, and online coaching and consulting that have helped hundreds of studios level up the way they do business.
The Bella Ballerina family of brands has become a trusted resource in the industry and is synonymous with pairing passion, profits and potential for family owned studios everywhere!
Find Natalie Perkins:
Website: www.bellaballerina.com
Facebook: bellaballerinastudios
Instagram: @bellaballerinastudios
]]>Today I’m speaking with Nicole Blosser, owner of Heartbeat Keepsakes. Nicole is a mom of 3 young children, ages 10, 8, and 5 years old.
Nicole and her husband own 2 mom/pregnancy based businesses. They started out in business in 2015, and enjoy new challenges every day. It's definitely never boring for Nicole!
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
We make custom heartbeat jewelry, allowing moms to keep their baby's heartbeat with them no matter where they are.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
We started as business owners in 2015, which means my kids pretty much grew up in and around our business. Now that they're getting older, we always have conversations about the ins and outs of owning a business. It's amazing how much they take in!
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Doing both to the best of my ability! It feels like it's a constant struggle of not having enough time. Also, childcare has been especially difficult with COVID. Health care is also always a stressor!
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
How has motherhood changed you?
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
About Nicole Blosser
Nicole is a mom to 3 young children who are 10, 8, and 5 years old. She owns two mom/pregnancy based businesses with her husband. One business was a spin off from another.
We started out in business in 2015. Our first business was an elective ultrasound business for expecting moms. Heartbeat Keepsakes was born because I wanted to offer our clients custom heartbeat jewelry, but no one had what I wanted, so I decided to teach myself to make what I had in mind.
It was a far bigger learning curve than I anticipated, but I came out of the other side with another business.
Find Nicole Blosser:
Website: Heartbeatkeepsakes.com
Facebook: Heartbeat Keepsakes
Instagram: @heartbeatkeepsakes
]]>Today I’m speaking with Rebecca Branham, owner of Rebecca Branham Holistic Life and Health Coaching. Rebecca is a R.N, Life, Health and Freedom Coach.
She works with you on all aspects of your health journey and is hyper-focus on helping moms who are ready to quit making BS excuses and release the mom guilt so they can take care of themselves while feeling AMAZING and teaching their kids it is selfless to do so.
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
I help those who are ready to leave the mental exhaustion behind and overcome self-sabotaging behavior by learning to accept all parts of yourself while building your confidence so you can stop experiencing cycles of holding yourself back.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
I really focus on the true needs of my clients. They often tell me you HEARD me and truly take the time to acknowledge my needs without making me fit into your mold. Listening and then celebrating wins with my clients is an honor.
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Exhaustion. It is so easy to make excuses and let our children see us make those excuses and let things get in the way of a healthy mindset.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
My purpose work is to help you rise above your negative self-talk and shine as the most vibrant version of you possible. When that version of you learns it’s ok to be seen, heard, and cared for you will embody self-care, self-love, and self-respect on a deeper level.
You will become the woman who truly cares for herself and models that behavior and those ideals to her children, her family, her peers. You will literally change the vibration of this earth for the better - all because you said yes to yourself.
How has motherhood changed you?
I can't even begin to list it all! Everything has changed including my mindset, my habits, and the way I communicate with my clients.
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
About Rebecca Branham
Rebecca Branham left her nursing job in 2015 after feeling like her job was consuming her. She knew a change had to be made. She now focuses on being a Health & Lifestyle Coach specializing in Joy and Freedom Coaching (+ Registered Nurse), and her passion is helping women feel empowered and tuned in to their bodies, by helping them show up for themselves like never before.
Find Rebecca Branham:
Website: https://www.rebeccabranham.com/
Instagram: @beccabranhamhealth
I’d love for you to read the full interview here. We also discuss:
There are few things that are truly essential after childbirth – mesh underwear is one of those things. That is why I wanted to make mesh underwear more available to women everywhere. For women having home births, for women whose hospitals don’t provide mesh underwear, and for women like myself – who just wanted my supply to last longer.
If you’re ready to try them, use the Coupon Code: Undies 2021 for $2.00 off your purchase. You can redeem your code here.
Today I’m speaking with Lindsay Madsen, owner of Little Otter Press. Madsen is a writer, business developer, and mother to four young children. She recently funded a Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign for approx. $9k USD for the first print run of her book, The Lovely Haze of Baby Days.
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
In January 2021, I launched my first board book, The Lovely Haze of Baby Days - to show love and support for a new & expectant moms. The Lovely Haze of Baby Days is a playful tribute to the chaos of motherhood and life with babies.
I wrote it to remind moms they aren't alone using soothing rhymes and relatable moments, that are sure to entertain little eyes and ears too! I wanted to create a beautifully illustrated board book that would truly captures the tender love and messy reality of mom-life.
This honest, funny, and sweet little book is a symbol of solidarity for overwhelmed moms with babies and toddlers. As a twin mom who knows that every mom experiences many of the same pressures/stress points, I made sure this book celebrates diversity, twins/multiples, and the importance of the motherhood community from baby's bookshelf. The Lovely Haze of Baby Days launched on Kindle January 13th, 2021. Hard copies are also in stock.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
I am a Canadian mom living abroad with my 4 little ones, including 16 month old identical twin girls, all born within 5 year.
I am a Business Developer focused on Health Innovation, and I've rediscovered the power of words in my post partum struggles. I hope that the publications I make will be a support for maternal mental health, and put something beautiful into the world.
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Juggling the demands of a busy household and small kids while pursing my passions in the publishing space.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
How frequently I look like a DISASTER (messy hair, sweatpants, various food spills...) while trying to be professional in my business.
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
When you find something in this world that lights you up, and that you'd rather be working on MORE than watching Netflix, cling to it. Nurture it. Never let it go.
How has motherhood changed you?
I am a different human. My priorities have changed, and I realize how much of my decisions were made with a self-centered focus. Having children made me more sensitive and vulnerable, while simultaneously becoming invincible. It has been a magical paradox of change that I have loved.
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
Podcast: The Birth Hour (this was especially useful for me as a twin mom, feeling lost and alone), Dear Mama Project (a beautiful tribute to motherhood and matrescence… this has been eye opening for me about the changes that happen in a woman as she shifts through motherhood).
About Lindsay Madsen
Lindsay Madsen is originally from southwestern Ontario. She currently lives with her family in the Danish countryside where they explore, go on adventures, and thrive in their everyday chaos.
Find Lindsay Madsen:
Website: www.lindsaykmadsen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.madsen.littles/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsaykmadsen
I’d love for you to read the full interview here. I also talk about:
There are few things that are truly essential after childbirth – mesh underwear is one of those things. That is why I wanted to make mesh underwear more available to women everywhere. For women having home births, for women whose hospitals don’t provide mesh underwear, and for women like myself – who just wanted my supply to last longer.
If you’re ready to try them, use the Coupon Code: Undies 2021 for $2.00 off your purchase. You can redeem your code here.
Today I’m speaking with Maike Mancuso, owner of Maike Mancuso Coaching. Maike is a Certified Health Coach, Fitness and Yoga Instructor and Speaker. Her passion is to help individuals to create a healthy balanced lifestyle and elevate their quality of life.
Over the last few years she started focusing on Mamas-to-be and New Moms to support women in this unique transition with fitness, health and wellness programs. Maike is a mom of a little boy and gave birth to her second baby in January.
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
I love to work one-on-one (in-person and now mainly virtually due to COVID) and offer a mix of personal training, health coaching, yoga and meditation for my mama-clients. All of the above have shown to be valuable components in the transition into motherhood and all carry their own power. I am very passionate about educating moms about core engagement, the importance of proper alignment in every day life and during workouts and much more, to empower women to feel confident and strong on a daily basis.
Every mom (to-be) can adjust her program with my support based on those components and find the right mix for each stage of pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
As an addition to my one-on-one session I also run weekly group classes stretching from Mindful Mama MeetUps, to pre and postnatal fitness classes and yoga sessions.
To support and reach more Mamas, I am currently working on offering more on-demand services and well researched information that I share on my blog and social media.
Overall I am aiming to build a community of confident Moms and Moms-to-be, who feel good and healthy in their bodies and ready to take on motherhood and so much more.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
Aren't we all beautifully different and unique? I honestly don't know how to answer that question. What comes to mind are all things I hope are not just unique to me: like wanting the best for my family and clients, hoping to thrive in all of my rolls and responsibilities, and being able to raise respectful and loving children all while building a vibrant business. Again, I dearly hope I am not alone with that approach.
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Finding the right balance, I would say. My family is my #1 priority, yet following my passion and doing what I love gives me energy and purpose and fills me with joy. In the last months during COVID it was tricky to find the balance between working from home and continuing to offer services, being their for my family and taking care of myself during my own pregnancy.
Also, I have high expectations towards myself and my work. It can be a stretch. Luckily I've learned to put boundaries and structures into place that help me recover that balance whenever my schedule gets too crazy. This remains a working progress - balance is something I sometimes have to lose to than reset and regain.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
That is a trick question. You are asking me to share something publicly that I 'would never share in public'? Well, I am not sure there is a piece of information that would fit this criteria.
Being open and honest about the 'messy' stuff often is what connects us with others and what makes us human and relatable. My best answer (and I would totally share this in public), is that I create a lot of content for my own sake, because I need structure and community to stay accountable. I need reminders and I certainly fall of the wagon.
If I could follow all of the great advice and tips I put out there, that would be amazing. But just like everyone else, I fall in and out of 'good routines', life gets 'messy', and I slack on my meals or workouts or simply don't feel like meditating. As a result, I feel agitated and overwhelmed, till my husband reminds me to do what he just read in my last post on IG.
We often have a laugh and I feel more encourage to get back on track and take care of myself. This all ties back in with an earlier questions of finding balance and setting boundaries and building structures. I want people to know that 'knowing better' doesn't always mean we 'do better'. I too need support and reminders and that is perfectly fine.
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
Both of those roles very effortlessly capture my attention. Being a mom is amazing and I absolutely love how it has changed my life and myself - even on the messy days. And it has been a similar experience in my business.
Working for myself has been the best motivation and natural fuel to my creativity and productivity. It has been so rewarding to connect with my clients (many of who I now call friends and my community) and I am grateful for all I was able to learn in the process of moving to the US, starting from 0 and building up my business while growing my family.
In both positions I have a urge to step up and that feels good. It gives me so much energy in return for hard work, which is priceless
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
Where to start? My biggest tip would be to 'seek out community'. While we might be able to manage on our own, I believe it to be a relief to simple connect with other moms and build connections. Yes, there are great books and online resources and doctors, but sharing some thoughts or experiences with other women in a similar state of their life can be a blessing.
Building social connections for anyone has been proven to be beneficial for stress relief and so much more. During pregnancy and postpartum it can do the same and so much more.
How has motherhood changed you?
Massively. It is somewhat hard to put into words as it feels like a internal shift more than 'change'. Here are a few ways how I can describe the experience or shift. I feel more present on a daily basis, more excited about the little things in life. I often have a warm feeling of gratitude vibrating in my heart and at the same time I have more worries. It also feels much easier for me to focus and prioritize on what's really important.
On a personal level, it made me feel strong in a totally new way! The appreciation for my body and the beauty of the process has given me a new perspective on 'beauty' or on my 'body image' overall.
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
In short, meditation.
It is a great tool and go-to practice to center yourself and stay calm during overwhelming times. This is something I would recommend to anyone. Yet, as a mom and during pregnancy it can be a powerful tool to recharge your energy, patients and focus.
I am a big fan of short sessions (5 min) rather than long ones. I enjoyed my meditation practice during those stages, especially as many physical sensations felt foreign and my body felt foreign a times: hormones would take over and everything was 'new' and that's totally fine and absolutely expected, which didn't make it easier to cope with.
Meditation was like coming home. Reminding myself that inside, I am still myself and I can return to that comforting place at any time.
About Maike Mancuso
Maike Mancuso is originally from Germany, where postnatal care for mom and baby is extensive and organized. When she moved to the US and started teaching yoga and fitness classes Maike learned that the pre and postnatal care here was far from what is ideal. She decided to fill that gap and build safe and fun programs for pregnant clients and new moms.
Find Maike Mancuso:
Website: https://www.maikemancuso.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maike_mancuso/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaikeMancusoCoaching/
Today I’m speaking with Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel's Labels. Julie is a recovered lawyer and mom of six who has helped her company bring their product to a worldwide market, gain media recognition, and win countless entrepreneur awards.
Julie is a serial entrepreneur, regular television contributor, published author, sought after speaker and emcee, digital influencer, and blogger.
Tell us about your business. How do you help expecting or new moms?
Frustrated by my children’s things getting lost, mixed up and leaving home never to return, along with my co-founders, I knew we could do better than the scribbles on masking tape that were being passed off as labels. From there, the idea for the product was born: the very best personalized waterproof name labels and tags that were equally cute and durable.
Mabel’s Labels started humbly out of a basement and has grown to be an award-winning, market-leading company loved by Moms and kids alike.
Today, Mabel’s Labels is the best-known brand of durable labels for families, and our growing line of products features baby bottle labels, allergy and medical alert products, sports labels, household labels and seasonal items. They’re extremely durable, they're laundry, dishwasher and microwave safe – and they’re 100% guaranteed.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
I started Mabel's Labels 17 years ago from a basement and it now does 12M in sales a year and employees 40 full-time team members. I also have six children which has made growing a business and a family a very interesting journey!
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
In the early days, it was managing a start-up while also providing an incredible ABA program for my son who is on the autism spectrum. Oh, and also his five siblings! The most difficult thing is making time for everything that needs to be done, learning how to prioritize and knowing when to take an opportunity and when to say no!
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
I have been very transparent about the realities of being a mom and entrepreneur. Now that I have teenagers, I am respectful of their privacy so if there are any teen related issues, I get their permission before sharing.
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
It is the flexibility - but as I often tell anyone who will listen... flexibility does not get your work done for you! Sure, you can volunteer at the school or go to the park in the afternoon, but you will be on your laptop at midnight making up for it. That was the life I chose and I wouldn't have it any other way.
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
I know when you are in the thick of it, this can be difficult, but there are a few things:
You are the expert of your child. Take on what people share with you, read books, chat with friends - but you were given mama guts for a reason. Don't be afraid to use them.
Cut yourself some slack. If you have a newborn and are stressing about the toddler having too much screen time or your family has had cereal for dinner, that's OK! There are times we just have to get through the day. It won't last forever and your family won't get scurvy if they've had hot dogs three nights in a row!
Know your needs. If you need a break, don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are managing just fine, don't let others tell you to take a break. Everyone has different tolerance levels. Know yours and honour them!
Perspective is my secret sauce. When life gives me lemons, I make a gin and tonic! :) Your perspective is the only thing you can try to control. Don't take life or your parenting too seriously. Lose the mommy guilt. I gave it up four kids ago. When I make a mistake, I apologize and try to do better the next time. That's enough. The kids are alright!
How has motherhood changed you?
I think I am essentially the same person I always was, just busier, tired but with way more mom friends!
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
Well, Mabel's Labels of course! There are so many great products, blogs and podcasts out there. I always try to support those created by MOMS!
About Julie Cole
Julie Cole is a recovered lawyer, mom of six and co-founder of Mabel’s Labels. She has helped her company bring their product to a worldwide market, gain media recognition and win countless entrepreneur awards.
Cole is a serial entrepreneur, regular television contributor, published author, a sought after speaker and emcee and a digital influencer and blogger
Find Julie Cole here:
Website: https://mabelslabels.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/mabelslabels
https://www.instagram.com/cole.julie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mabelslabels/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mabelhood
https://twitter.com/juliecole
I’d love for you to listen to the full interview here. We also discuss:
There are few things that are truly essential after childbirth – mesh underwear is one of those things. That is why I wanted to make mesh underwear more available to women everywhere. For women having home births, for women whose hospitals don’t provide mesh underwear, and for women like myself – who just wanted my supply to last longer.
If you’re ready to try them, use the Coupon Code: Undies 2021 for $2.00 off your purchase. You can redeem your code here.
And, as an extra bonus here’s a guide about ALL the things that everyone else ignores (or kindly forgets to mention) when you have a baby. Click here to read 10 Things I Learned After Giving Birth That No One Tells You!
]]>Today I’m speaking with Denise Gassner, owner of There's a Monster in My Closet. Denise is a child sleep specialist and educator, that helps new or soon-to-be mamas understand sleep and how it develops over the first 5 years of life.
She is a scientist first and a sleep professional second, allowing her to disentangle the most trusted, most evidence-based information when it comes to developing sleep. This lets Denise focus on the most important aspects of each family’s values and environment and tailor a more proactive approach to sleep behaviour.
Tell us about your business? And how do you help expecting or new moms?
I offer a wide variety of resources and services that help new or soon to be mamas understand sleep and how it develops over the first 5 years of life. I focus on building trusted resources for moms (both free and paid) and offering education packages to help moms understand sleep developments (think of it like the wonder weeks of sleep). This lets moms know what to expect and also how to cope in a way that is both empowering and informed.
I have one-on-one consulting packages targeted to parents ranging from expecting to having children up to 5 years of age. I also offer a series of educational workshops to provide the most foundational information regarding childhood sleep development. I have quick reference downloads, an active blog, and a website full of the most up-to-date Pediatric sleep science. And, I have a series of lovable sleepy time plush pals that represent the 5 stages of sleep development and come with my comprehensive eBook - Healthy Sleep, Healthy Start - to help new moms get off on the right foot.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
I am a scientist, an entrepreneur, and a mama of two. I have a PhD in Biology and Anthropology, teach at the University of British Columbia, and have been studying and teaching on various aspect of behaviour for nearly two decades. Upon becoming a mom myself, I became privy to the discombobulating world that is baby sleep. Like many others, I sifted through all the “how tos” to get myself and my family a few more zzzzzs, but I wanted more. I wanted to know “why”. I wanted to truly understand sleep and how such a natural state can feel anything but natural in the early years. It has been my mission to help families understand sleep from its core - how it functions, how it develops, and how we can help our children and ourselves to get the healthiest most restorative sleep possible, without rigid or prescriptive methods.
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Time. Always time. I’m an educator, a mom of two and an entrepreneur. I wear all the hats in both my business and my household. I have big dreams that I feel like I’m just scraping away at half the time without major traction because there are not enough hours in the day. I’m also a workaholic so balance can be a challenge - I want to be my best self no matter what hat I’m wearing.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
Sometimes I feel like a major poser because my kids are not perfect and their sleep I’m not perfect. And I’m super awkward and uncomfortable when it comes to posing Instagram images/videos (though maybe I’d share that because I feel like I’m definitely not alone on that front).
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
The two are so intertwined and I looooove learning. My background is in primatology and I see my kids as my little primates that I love to try and deconstruct - Their behaviour, their development, their thoughts and feelings and ways of viewing the world. It’s fascinating and it energizes me. I can’t help but look at them as a scientist and I adore finding creative ways to communicate everything I see to other mamas.
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
Sleep is not something that your baby can do well or poorly. It’s a behaviour like all other behaviours that takes time to learn, practice to hone, and patience as it develops. Don’t let anyone tell you there’s a “right” or a “wrong” to it, but if you’re struggling to find your sleep groove you do not just have to grin and bear it
How has motherhood changed you?
Motherhood hit me like a ton of bricks. I have always excelled at academics and work life. When I was on maternity leave, I felt like I lost my sense of self. I didn’t know how to be “good” at being a mom. Now I realize that I’m the best mom that I know how to be, and that may not look like how anyone else does it, but I have happy, healthy, loving children that are going to take this world by storm. And that’s something I can be proud of.
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
My Sleep Monster plushies! Eco-friendly, fair trade, sleepy time pals for the littles with access to jam packed, evidence informed sleep info for parents - a “what to expect” and “how to cope” gift to ease the transition and improve mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
About Denise Gassner
Denise Gassner has been researching aspects of behaviour for nearly two decades. She turned her attention to sleep after having her own little humans and becoming fascinated by how unnatural sleep can feel in those early years. Denise is driven to help make sleep less of a mystery for new parents and empower them to make informed decisions that adhere to their unique parenting styles. When not spilling about all things sleep, you can find her heading undergraduate classrooms at the University of British Columbia or hanging out with her husband, two kids, and their pup in beautiful Squamish BC.
Find Denise Gassner here:
Website: https://theresamonsterinmycloset.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleep.monster/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresamonsterinmycloset
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-gassner-75405030/
]]>
Today I’m speaking with Lulu Lincoln, owner of Teaching Mums, Ltd. Lulu provides support, coaching, and resources to mothers through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Her motto of "Each Mum, Teach Mum, Reach Mum "alone shows her desire to reach every mother through every part of their journey. Her main purpose is to fill each mother with confidence and support to create balance in business, motherhood, and connection.
Tell us about your business? And how do you help expecting or new moms?
I offer Professional 1:1 Coaching for mothers and I focus on motherhood, business, and education. I am passionate about connecting mums (expectant incl.) with their purpose and passion, whilst still enjoying being a full-time mum. For some mothers this could be returning to work or staying at home and building an income around that. Some mums want to upskill and retrain. This is where I come in. My coaching sessions help mothers to understand how to manage their priorities without negatively impacting their commitment to their homes. I offer resources and support...I work with each family until they no longer need me...then I know my job is done.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
I am a qualified teacher, coach and pregnancy counselor, as well as a mum, so my business is evidence and experience based. More than a third of mothers are having to give up work because of the cost of childcare. It is a privilege to be able to care for your family, but support has to be provided for mothers that would like the best of both worlds.
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Time management, juggling priorities (well) - that's why I have created resources that work, but do not overwhelm.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
The short-comings of my husband or children. I don't mind sharing my own, but not theirs, it's just not fair.
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
My favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner is being able to serve my family each (with joy) and help other families, via online resources, tools and apps.
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
The best piece of advice that I was NEVER given is to be kind to yourself... your body, sleep as often as possible, journal, speak out loud about your desires, dreams, and issues. You are loved and powerful. This power is not stolen by our children, but it increases as we adapt to having a brand-new life. There will be difficult days, but nothing compares to the joy you will feel when your child arrives, says your name, says thank you, I love you…the list is endless. My point is the good days do eventually outweigh the bad days. Decide before it gets tricky that you will never give up.
How has motherhood changed you?
Yes, I was so selfish before I became a mother. It has completely humbled me and made me grateful for everything that I have. I take it a day at a time. I live by my values, to the best of my ability, and teach my family to do the same. What a gift!
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
(1) A journal. (2) A soft toy for baby. (3)A breast pump (if you decide to breast feed). (4) A memory box for keepsakes.(5) Re:Vitalise Podcast. (6) Pregnancy Birth and Beyond. (7) The 6-Figure Mompreneur. (8) Teaching Mums Ltd time block weekly calendar.
About Lulu Lincoln
Lulu Lincoln is a mumpreneur (former teacher) and now homeschooling. Lulu is happily married, has 1 daughter and desires to expand her family. She has worked in education for almost 20 years. Lulu is a Christian, a keen linguist (German & Italian), bibliophile, writer and loves to spend time with her family. Motherhood can often be accompanied by loneliness and low confidence. Lulu support mothers through pregnancy, birth and beyond through coaching and resourcing. Her motto is Each Mum | Teach Mum | Reach Mum. From her experience and education, Lulu offers training, tailored coaching, and resources for mothers, as well as educational resources and coaching for children.
Find Lulu Lincoln here:
Website: www.teachingmums.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/officialteachingmums/
]]>Her passion for photography and her experience gives insight to new moms on how to capture those little moments that you will treasure for life.
]]>Today I’m speaking with Tabatha Hartman, a personal brand photography coach, that focuses on teaching others how to utilize the one thing we use most...our phones...to capture those beautiful moments of life, work, and especially our children.
Her passion for photography and her experience gives insight to new moms on how to capture those little moments that you will treasure for life.
Tell us about your business? And how do you help expecting or new moms?
I believe it is important to capture the little moments in life with your kids (they grow so fast!) I was tired of missing out on great shots because I didn't have my big Nikon with me (I truly thought that was the only thing that could take a great photograph!) I learned that by using the tool I always had in my hands (my iPhone) I wasn’t missing those moments, and they were captured so beautifully. I challenged myself to learn everything I could about using my iPhone camera to take the best photos possible. I am not a professional, I am just a mom with 20+ years of knowledge, experience and a passion for photography. (Just like you, I have my camera in my kids face all the time!) And I want to inspire other moms (like you!) to capture those little moments with your kids (whether it be those tiny little toes of your infant or your kindergartener working on making letters, or candids just living daily life). I will teach you that you don’t need some big fancy camera and equipment to capture those memories with your family! Also, I promise to not overwhelm you! Photography can easily get very technical, I want to steer clear of that and keep what I teach simple and attainable. Very soon all your friends will be asking you to take their photos because your photos will be that amazing!
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
There really is no one else out there doing what I do, the way I do it. I've found a lot of men to be the ones teaching about mobile photography and the material is very matter-of-fact, and not geared towards family and capturing memories. That is my focus. I want to look back on more than just the celebrations in our life. I want to look back at old photos and see the day-to-day candids we lived. You might say I'm documenting our life.
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
I would have to be honest and say consciously putting down the phone and closing the laptop. I could talk photography and pictures all day. So when I see notifications that people are asking me about a photo I posted or asking me to be a part of their Facebook Live or be a guest on their podcast, it doesn't 'feel' like work, so it can be hard to put it down. I'm aware of this, so I tend to close up shop shortly after the kids get home from school. And if I feel the need to, I will check back in after they go to bed.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
There can be a lot of self-doubt at times, in both areas. Am I raising my child right? Am I creating something people are going to want? Yes to both. We are our own worst critic in all areas of life, including motherhood and being business owners. It's hard to admit, but at first my husband had more confidence in me and my abilities than I did in myself when it came to my ideas and my business. As moms, and as business owners we need to realize that it is ok to ask for help and bounce ideas off of someone else.
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
I love that I get to be home with my kids and I never have to miss the mornings, or dinners or after school activities. I can be there if they are sick at school and have to come home. It has been a dream of mine for as long as I could remember, and definitely since I had my daughter a little over 11 years ago. I love the flexibility in my business. And for the most part, my subjects are my own kids, so they are there for the journey and I will have beautiful photos to look back on. Also, my older two girls see me working and building a business from the ground up, so they are getting a taste of the entrepreneurial world as kids!
Why did you start your business?
I realized that the best camera was the one I had with me, and that didn't have to be my Nikon. (and truth be told, I could never get out of automatic mode!) After I challenged myself to only use my iPhone for all of my photos, I quickly realized it potential. And that I could teach others that they too could take amazing photos only using their phone. I started to write down my ideas for a digital course and hired a branding coach to help get me organized. I believe everyone deserves to know how to take a great photo.
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
You are doing a great job, even if you think you aren't. My mom once told me that if you are questioning whether or not you are doing a good job as a mother, then you are. Motherhood doesn't come with a manual. If only you were handled a 'how-to' guide as you left the hospital with your new tiny human. Don't be afraid to ask for help, or ask questions. None of us have all the answers, but we have experience.
How has motherhood changed you?
For sure it has changed me. I'm not a very good cook (ok, I don't like to cook) but I've had to learn to make things other than chicken nuggets because I can't serve that for dinner every night. You are no longer caring for just yourself. You have a whole other human life to think about, care for, raise to be another decent human. It's a big job!
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
I would recommend First Time Parent Magazine. You can download it from your app store. They have great interviews with experts in various fields regarding parenting and kids. It's free to download, but you can subscribe and get some extra perks!
About Tabatha Hartman
Tabatha is a wife, mom, step-mom and a lover of all coffee. She lives on the east coast of central Florida, but was raised in the colder waters of Massachusetts. She is pretty sure she was born with a camera in her hand (it was probably disposable, it was the early 80's she mentions lol). In addition to her 2 kids and her 2 step-kids, she has a dog, 3 cats, 1 hamster and 1 gerbil.
Find Tabatha Hartman here:
Website: www.tabathahartman.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tabatha_hartmn/
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/betteriphonephotos
Freebie: The Secret to a Perfect iPhone Shot Every Time
]]>
Today I’m speaking with Michelle Goitia, owner of JC Bump and Baby, who has dedicated herself to teaching prenatal and postpartum yoga, leading self-care workshops and offering her support and guidance for pregnancy and motherhood.
Motherhood is such a life changing experience. While everyone is usually focused on the baby, the mother goes through a huge transformation. Having support and understanding from others is crucial in those first months (and beyond!). I love the work that Michelle is doing to help new mothers learn more about themselves and navigate the highs and lows that women face during pregnancy as well as postpartum.
Tell us about your business? And how do you help expecting or new moms?
JC Bump and Baby offers support through yoga, labor/birth workshops and support groups. We provide guidance for women at every stage of motherhood.
What makes you unique as a mom & business owner?
My kids are older, 22 and 17, so I can offer guidance for moms that I have experienced. Empowering women with knowledge and support. Guiding them to trust their instincts instead of all that they see on Social Media. Bringing them back to the basics of motherhood.
What's the hardest part of running your business and being a mom?
Managing my time. Its easy to always keep working on the business.
What is one "messy" thing about being a mom/biz owner that you would never share in public?
That I suffer from anxiety and am not always so even keeled as one might think.
What's your favorite thing about being a mom/biz owner?
I left the corporate world when my son was 5 and my daughter was 10 - although I missed some time, being around for them now after school to pick them up and take them to activities was truly a highlight of their lives and mine.
Why did you start your business?
My passion for supporting pregnant women and new mothers.
What advice and words of encouragement would you give to expecting or new moms?
Trust your instincts. You know better than anyone what your baby/kids need. Get away from reading and searching online for the answer. Read YOUR baby.
How has motherhood changed you?
I realized that I love to take care of my loved ones, my kids, husband, family, and friends.
What is one toy, item, product, book, resource, podcast that you would recommend to a new or expecting mom?
Yoga/Birth/Babies with Deb Flashenberg Podcast
About Michelle Goitia
As a young girl growing up in New Mexico, Michelle found that riding horses gave her a sense of calm; a sense of calm that she later found on her yoga mat, as well. Michelle began practicing yoga in 2000, but since when her daughter was born in 1998, she had not yet discovered how yoga could enhance her pregnancy. Her son’s birth in 2003 was greatly impacted by the benefits of yoga as her pregnancy progressed. This contrast between her pregnancies is what inspired her to share her experience with other women. In doing this, she has dedicated herself to teaching prenatal & postpartum yoga, leading self-care workshops, and offering support and guidance for pregnancy and motherhood.
Find JC Bump and Baby Here:
https://www.instagram.com/jcbumpandbaby/
Thankfully; I had a strong support network from friends and family, but it would be a lot better if moms-to-be can be aware of some of the unexpected twists that could happen during the big day.
We don’t want life to catch you off guard (or worse, in a state of panic), so allow us to break down the differences between natural and C-section delivery in terms of procedure and recovery. As a bonus, we also threw in handy tips to help you get back to your feet faster and easier.
You might not have a clear reason to expect a C-section ahead of time (i.e. the baby is not in a breech position). While you may have already spent weeks on yoga or kegel exercises to prepare for vaginal delivery, it wouldn’t hurt to learn about C-section too!
Let’s dive in and explore what happens in the operating room in either birthing process.
Did movies with screaming, miserable mothers ruin natural delivery for you? Don’t worry, painkillers such as epidural are available, if you want them.
Basically, your body itself is the boss during natural delivery. Uterine contractions will act as a neon sign screaming “HERE COMES THE BABY,” but it’s also responsible for moving your baby’s head towards your vaginal opening. These ultra-strong cramps are accompanied by the dilation of your cervix, often measured to check how many more hours you’ve got to wait before popping.
Once the baby is out, the umbilical cord will be cut and the placenta you’ll expel, just a few moments after, will also be removed.
This entire birthing journey can take an average of 12 to 14 hours for first-time mommas, but generally a lot faster for succeeding deliveries.
Advantages:Generally, moms are kept awake during a C-section delivery. You’d be prepped with a spinal block or epidural that will help numb your body’s lower half. No pain. All that’s left to feel is a form of pressure during the operation, and a tugging sensation once they pull your baby out.
A screen will be put up blocking your view of the entire operation, but here’s what will happen... your doctor will make several incisions - on your skin just above the bikini line, through your abdominal wall, and into your uterine wall. After they successfully remove the baby, the doctor will cut the umbilical cord and clean out the placenta. Incisions made will then be stitched closed.
While natural delivery can take long hours, a C-section operation generally lasts for 45 minutes with the baby born within the first 10 to 15 minutes.
Advantages:Take note that each pregnancy and birth is unique, so your exact recovery time is impossible to predict.
But generally, mommas who undergo natural delivery will find healing faster and easier. After a 24-48 hour stay at the hospital, you’d be advised to lay low from your usual hectic routine for at least two weeks.
With a C-section, you’ll have to take it easy for a bit longer. You’ll stay at the hospital for your doctors to closely monitor your stitches. For about six weeks, try to focus on nothing but resting and caring for your wound. Pain medication will also be given to help make healing less of a torture.
You’ve read about all the pregnancy issues, and it’s smart to learn about the possible complications you’d have to deal with during your postpartum recovery. Here’s a quick list of healing issues you might want to prepare for:
For Natural Delivery:The length and intensity of your postpartum struggles will greatly depend on how you spend the first succeeding weeks after birth. We know you’re excited to be the best mom ever, but you can’t be one if you’re still in pain or if you’ve acquired preventable complications.
Take it easy and consider this checklist of tips for speeding up your healing process:
Rest. A LOT.
We understand the pressure of entertaining visitors or keeping up with new chores, but don’t give in to the guilt. You just conquered a GREAT life milestone! You deserve all the sleep and rest you can get.
It can be stressful to understand what your baby wants and needs in those first days and weeks and caring for them just after a major operation can be exhausting. Some days you’ll feel lucky to be able to take a shower. So don’t feel guilty to ask for help from your partner or other loved ones - you don’t have to go through it all alone!
Practice Self-Reflection
Beyond all the physical complications we’ve discussed, women can also be at risk of postpartum depression. Your birthing process might have been a very emotional experience - perhaps even traumatic.
It’s important to process all of your feelings and thoughts. After all, this is just the beginning of another phase of life that is parenthood.
Talking to your partner, a therapist, or even just a trusted friend can go a long way. There are even online meetings you can consider joining. What matters is for you to get the mental health support that you need to get by.
Find Ways To Manage Pain
You will be given pain medications, but there are times that they can only do so much. From your daily routine to even your wardrobe, they must be strategically planned to help ease discomforts.
Actually, I was surprised that there wasn’t much attention given to ladies’ need for postpartum underwear. After all, they’re among the first line of defenses for our sore, bleeding genitals or tender incisions! Your regular panties won’t fit, and its elastics could amplify the pain even more.
Consider investing in mesh underwear that are especially developed to be your postpartum recovery companion. Take Brief Transitions™ for example. It’s light and breathable fabric that’s free of any elastic waistband will be gentle on your sore midsection. Even better, it’s large enough to secure large pads or even ice packs in place.
Your pregnancy and even birthing process could’ve been #meshy enough - your healing process doesn’t have to be!
Go On Light Walks
It’d be too much to ask you to lift weights or do intense calisthenics. A great alternative for your exercise needs would be walking. As a light cardio workout, this can help protect you from blood clots and other heart complications.
A breath of fresh air can do wonders for your mental health too! It can be a great bonding moment for you and your partner, or you can grab it as a chance to meet fellow momma neighbors as you push your baby strollers around the block.
Stay Alert for Recovery Red Flags
Try to monitor yourself as closely as they did in the hospital. Most likely, you’ll be asked to check your temperature everyday to check for possible infection. Other warning signs include intense pain, chills, red streaks from your stitches (in case of C-section), and swelling. Reach out to your doctor as soon as you notice any of these symptoms!
Apart from infections, your recovery can be made worse by constipation. This can be unbearable especially for those who underwent C-section. Hours of lying down can take its toll, and your weakened stomach muscles plus hormonal changes will back your bowel issues up. Fight back by drinking plenty of water and eating fiber-rich meals.
Stay In-Touch With Friends and Family
It’s important to have a support network around you while you recover. Be open with friends and family about what you need and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Receiving pre-made meals or having someone help with cleaning around the house can be very helpful, but remember it’s ok to say no to visitors that want to be entertained by you. You’re the one that had the baby so you get the final say!
Are you feeling ready for delivery? Let us know in the comments!
]]>Today I’m speaking with Avani Sarkar, co-founder of Modi Toys, who made the first-ever mantra-singing plush toys (super cute Ganesh and Hanuman plush toys you have seen on IG) inspired by their Indian culture. Her goal is to inspire appreciation for their culture onto future generations through these Indian toys, books and kits.
On Avani's website, their mission is clear " We want to create a (modi)fied version of what you and your kids already know and love. By introducing these toys at an early age, we hope to spark curiosity about their culture. The gift of knowledge may last a day, but the gift of wonder lasts forever."
Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for your little one or looking for ways to diversify your playroom, check out these interactive Indian inspired interactive plush toys and books. And now, onto the interview with Avani!
What does your business do? How do you help expecting or new moms
I focus on reaching out to moms-to-be and new moms by sharing my love for our toys and books and what the meaning is behind our products. In turn, mothers love to share these gifts with their children because it allows them to be immersed in our Indian culture in a fun and subtle way.
Why did you start your business?
I started this business to create the type of toys I wish I could give to my kids. I wanted to spark curiosity into my children and other children about their Indian roots.
Even our logo is steeped deep in meaning. The parentheses denote the need for inclusion. It means we’re inserting ourselves into toy bins and book shelves as early influencers in your children’s development. The 'namaste' symbol signifies the respect we teach our kids towards our elders, culture and faith.
What advice would you give to expecting or new moms?
My number one advice would be to just take it one day at a time. Listen to advice from experts but only take from it what you want -- make it your own.
How has motherhood changed you (if at all)?
Of course. Both... the #momguilt and stretch marks, have now become a permanent part of who I am.
About Avani Sarkar
Avani spent over 15 years accumulating B2B marketing and brand-building experience at various corporations before bringing her expertise to Modi Toys. She is the co-founder of Modi Toys and the makers of the first-ever mantra-singing plush toys inspired by their Indian culture.
Find Modi Toys Here:
]]>Pregnancy varies from one expecting mom to another. In this article, you'll learn all you need to know about Braxton Hicks contractions.
]]>While the first months could’ve had you dealing with morning sickness or headaches on a daily basis, prepare for a new set of challenges as your not-so-warm welcome for reaching the third trimester. Constipation, swollen feet, and pesky hemorrhoids can be pretty self-explanatory, but there’s one thing that could cause confusion or even panic to unsure mommas - Braxton Hicks contractions.
Is the baby okay? Does it mean you’re about to give birth? Can you get rid of the discomfort completely?
In this guide, allow us to help cast your fears away by dropping all 8 things that every expecting mom must know about Braxton Hicks contractions.
If you can’t get enough of feeling your baby bump, you might have noticed that there are times when it feels kind of tight. Not only does your popping belly look like a whole watermelon, but it can also feel as hard as one!
Usually, playing around with your abdomen might be responded to by a gentle kick or even complete silence if your little one is snoozing. But when you’re experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, you’ll be greeted by what could feel like a solid wall instead.
The tightening will usually start at the upper portion of your uterine muscles until it gradually spread downwards. This can go on for about 30 seconds until it goes away.
Here’s a quick exercise to help you picture it clearly. In normal instances, poking your baby bump will feel similar to when you poke your thighs. It bounces, right? But with Braxton Hicks, it can be comparable to feeling your knees instead.
Have you ever been fascinated (or weirded out) by how your abdomen can get contorted to a cone-like shape? It’s cute to imagine that it’s just your little angel doing yoga, but that could also be a signal that you’re having Braxton hicks contractions.
Some mommies compare it to having mild menstrual cramps. While Braxton Hicks contractions can be quite uncomfortable, they usually aren’t accompanied by any pain. In fact, first-time moms might not even notice having them at all! However, they do get more intense and frequent as you get closer and closer to your big day.
Your body might be preoccupied with facilitating your baby’s growth, but it also has another important job - prepare you for giving birth.
If this is your first pregnancy, Braxton Hicks can make its debut as early as your second trimester, somewhere around your 20th week. It can be really subtle, so you might not know you’re having them until you cross the third trimester mark.
For later pregnancies, these false labor contractions can start way earlier at about your 16th week.
As your due date comes near, your brain will start sending signals for your body to get on with the beautiful process of childbirth. Consider Braxton Hicks as practice tests before the real deal.
So don’t worry, there’s no need to panic. These tightening sensations are normal and do not mean your baby is demanding to come out pronto.
While Braxton Hicks is often your own hormones’ doing, it can also be triggered by other factors:
If you want to know for sure that you’re not having a preterm labor, consider these factors that can help you differentiate Braxton Hicks from what to expect on your big day:
If you’re actually about to meet your little angel, true contractions will occur at regular intervals which usually lasts for about 30 to 70 seconds. Moreover, you’ll experience them more often as actual labor comes near.
In contrast, Braxton Hicks contractions can be quite unpredictable, barely following any pattern at all. They could occur once or twice each hour, or as rarely as just a few times every day. Both its frequency and duration greatly depends on the mom-to-be. Be careful not to get confused though, since these false contractions can also occur more often as you approach your due date. Some women even get them every 10 to 20 minutes!
It all boils down to the purpose of these two types of contractions. Notice how the dilation of a momma’s cervix is measured to confirm if she’s really about to give birth.
In actual labor, the persistent and regular contractions are meant to expand your cervix for your baby’s arrival. Meanwhile, Braxton Hicks contractions are just your body’s way of practicing. It won’t stimulate your cervix and will definitely not trigger actual birth.
Basically, real contractions will be painful and grow more unbearable over time. Expect that it will intensify at a steady pace. The discomfort from labor will peak whenever your uterine muscles tighten, then you’ll get a quick breather when it relaxes.
Conversely, Braxton Hicks are hardly painful at all. Sure, they can be uncomfortable. But they won’t cause you to tear up and scream as actual labor would. Moreover, the intensity of discomfort you’ll feel is as sporadic as its frequency and duration. Some moms describe theirs as generally weak, while others experience strong tightening that gradually gets lighter.
For real contractions, mommies usually feel the pain all over their abdomen as well as their lower back. It could also be intense enough to reach your thighs and legs! As for Braxton Hicks, the location of discomfort is just concentrated in front of your belly.
Changing your position or pausing the work you’ve been doing usually gets rid of Braxton Hicks contractions. However, doing the same would barely help if you’re under actual labor.
While Braxton Hicks can be barely noticeable, real contractions come with other green flags for labor. It’s usually followed by a streak of pinkish discharge caused by your water breaking along with blood flow.
We know it’s already hard to doze off when you’re pregnant, but you have to know that Braxton Hicks contractions can occur more often when all you need is some peace and quiet.
Blame it all on your hormones. The cocktail of estrogen, oxytocin, and melatonin that peaks when the sun is down will stimulate more contraction in your uterine muscles.
Reality check - it’s almost impossible to control the occurrence of Braxton Hicks. That dull ache will come and go without your approval, mommy. The best you can do is manage its usual triggers and control your reaction too. Here’s how:
Be wary of all the symptoms we’ve mentioned attributed to real contractions. If you’re at the 38 to 40 weeks mark, simply take note of the instructions your doctor or midwife gave about monitoring the first signs of childbirth. However, give them a call immediately if you’re only at 37 weeks or earlier as these can be red flags for premature labor.
Regardless of how long you are into your pregnancy, seek medical help whenever you:
Consider this article as a guide, but never a basis for self-diagnosis. When in doubt, the best thing to do is to contact your doctor.
Is your pregnancy what you expected it to be or have you been surprised by any of your symptoms? Let us know in the comments below!
]]>We wanted to hear from moms that provide products or services to women during pregnancy or postpartum. What do you provide? How is it helpful to new and expecting mamas? How did you get started with your business and what are you most proud of? We asked, and they answered
Read on below to get insights, tips and resources from these amazing small businesses. And, when you're in the market for something, shop local if you can!
Company: Stowaway Collection Maternity
What they do/provide: Maternity clothes
Follow on Instagram: @stowawaycollection
Follow on Facebook: @stowawaycollection
Connect on LinkedIn: Stephanie Mcinerney Manganelli
Visit their website: http://stowawaycollection.com
Kid count: 4 year old; 1 year old
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
We dress mamas during the biggest transition of their lives- becoming a mom. When a woman feels like herself (through confidence brought about by clothes), it changes her entire outlook.
How did you get started with your business?
When I was pregnant with my first son I couldn't find anything that fit my style that showed off a bump so together with my mom, we started Stowaway Collection Maternity. We design to show off a pregnant bump and manufacture in the U.S.A.
What are you most proud of with your business?
The ability to join customers in the most important time period in their life as they grow their family and help them through it.
Company: AntiNa
What they do/provide: Anti-Nausea Organic Chew
Visit their website: http://anti-na.com/
Kid count: 2 fur babies (cats)
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
A natural and organic chewable formulated to calm discomfort caused by morning sickness safely without an expensive doctor’s prescription. Current products on the market are filled with sugar, potentially harmful to the baby, and do not address the loss of energy in a safe way.
How did you get started with your business?
I am an outdoor enthusiast that unfortunately gets Altitude-Sickness. While preparing for my Mt Whitney hike, I researched different natural solutions to address nausea and loss of energy while at elevation.
I became passionate about addressing the discomfort of morning sickness (and chemotherapy induced nausea) when witnessing friends and family struggling to not only take care of themselves, but also their families as a result of nausea. I want to help the strong, driven, family caretakers find a safe solution to keep them motivated, energized, and ready to take on the world.
Through combining the different raw ingredients used to get me to the top of Mt Whitney, I have formulated a chew that is safe for everyone while also replenishing depleted energy.
What are you most proud of with your business?
Actually going through with it!
Trust me, as a CPA and traditional Corporate Controller, who is relatively risk averse, transitioning to an Entrepreneur is TERRIFYING!
In the Fall of 2019, I took an Entrepreneurship class, as part of the UCI MBA requirements, where my idea began to be shaped into an actual business
With the combination of my professional network, classmates (Diana Ramos, OB-GYN), and family I have not only been given encouragement but also a feasible path to make my startup a reality.
I am incredibly proud of how quickly my idea is becoming a reality. I am scheduled to have formulated sample chews at the end of April to begin efficacy testing.
Company: Emilia George
What they do/provide: Sustainable Maternity Wear
Follow on Instagram: @Emiliageorgeofficial
Follow on Facebook: @emiliageorgeofficial
Connect on LinkedIn: Emilia George Official
Visit their website: http://www.emiliageorgeofficial.com
Kid count: Boy - 1
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
100% sustainable and healthy maternity workwear for expectant and new working moms. Fabrics are healthy for both moms and babies and our smart nursing detail designs enable working moms to pump freely and elegantly at work.
How did you get started with your business?
I started Emilia George when I was 7 months pregnant out of pure frustration with a lack of high quality, professional looking and functional maternity workwear. I was so passionate about this issue that I became so committed to providing solutions to moms’ maternity wardrobe.
What are you most proud of with your business?
As a 4-month brand, I’m most proud of the amount of love we have received from moms and other businesses who want to partner and list our products already.
Company: Kunik
What they do/provide: Community support and expert coaching for working parents at every stage - from trying to conceive through the teenage years
Follow on Instagram: @getkunik
Connect on LinkedIn: Elizabeth Gulliver
Visit their website: https://getkunik.com
Kid count: 1 (9 months) and 8 weeks pregnant
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
We offer small group coaching for new and expecting parents. You will be placed in hand selected groups of 8-10 other expecting parents, each week you will have group sessions and access to an expert coach for the group. Our coaches cover topics including: nutrition, fitness, doulas, birth prep, sleep. lactation, leave coaches, career coaches, maternity concierge - a huge range. By participating in a group you enjoy learning from the questions of others and have a built in group of peers sharing the same experience.
How did you get started with your business?
As I started my own journey I realized there was very little that was community focused and targeted specifically to the needs of working parents. Our peer network has over 1K parents from across the country, and is inclusive of all parents (adoptive, LGBTQ+, Dads, etc
What are you most proud of with your business?
I am proud of serving working parents at a time that is incredibly stressful. Both working parents and expecting parents are facing immense stress and uncertainty, I am thrilled we can support them with a virtual community and digital coaches
Company: Finding the Fabulous Inc.
What they do/provide: Finding the Fabulous is a nonprofit with the main mission to inspire girls to live bold, confident, purposeful lives; innovate the way girls are educated, mentored and supported; and impact women and girls in underserved communities.
Follow on Instagram: @findingthefabulous
Follow on Facebook: @findingthefabulous
Connect on LinkedIn: Lauren Curiotto
Visit their website: http://www.findingthefabulous.org
Kid count: 1, 6 months old
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
The impact part described above comes through our Inner Beauty in a Bag program which, among other things, provides Inner Beauty bags to new or expecting moms who are in need. Usually this is done by partnering with Pregnancy Resource Centers and our bags include beauty products, hygiene necessities, accessories and more ... all the basic things we think a woman needs to start her day feeling valued and dignified.
How did you get started with your business?
I started my nonprofit when I was 17 to provide a sisterhood of support that would equip girls with the tools, resources and inspiration needed to define success on their own terms and achieve their goals.
What are you most proud of with your business?
I am most proud to see the young women who have grown up in our sisterhood return to create an even bigger impact in our community
Company: Mindful Return
What they do/provide: 4-week online course and community to help new parents transition back to work after parental leave (whether during COVID or not!)
Follow on Instagram: @mindfulreturn
Follow on Facebook: @mindfulreturn
Connect on LinkedIn: Lori Mihalich-Levin
Visit their website: https://www.mindfulreturn.com/e-course
Kid count: 2 Boys - 7 &
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
Helps them navigate the identity shift to "working parent" and makes going back to work after baby less anxiety producing. In addition to providing high-quality content, they also go through the program as a cohort, with other new parents in the same situation they are in. 64 employers currently offer the program as a parental leave benefit
How did you get started with your business?
After my second son was born, I realized that there were *so* many resources focused on the baby, but few on the professional identity of the new parent. I set out to create what I wished had existed as a support to help me with the transition to being a working mom
What are you most proud of with your business?
That over 1,000 new parents have been through the Mindful Return program in the past 5 years, and of those whose employer was known when they took the course, 85% are still with their same employer, and 93% are still in the workforce. I truly believe the course helps new parents have the confidence to continue to advance their professional goals while having childre
Company: Alyssa Kane, MS CCC-SLP, IBCLC LLC
What they do/provide: I provide speech/language and feeding/swallowing evaluations, consultations and ongoing services. I also provide educational seminars for families, daycare providers, and professionals.
Visit their website: https://alyssakane.wixsite.com/alyssa-kane
Kid count: 2 kids; 3 year old and 1 year old
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
I provide in home evaluations and therapy for individuals who may be struggling with bottle and/or breastfeeding
How did you get started with your business?
I had worked in a variety of hospital and outpatient settings doing speech and feeding therapy. One of the most frustrating parts of my job was that many parents were getting upset that they would perform well while in therapy but once they got home they were unsuccessful. I decided that it was important to start to provide in home therapy so that I could actually see what was going on in the home and see better results in terms of carry over. I started small by getting my name out there to a variety of local pediatricians and other professionals in the area. My first client was in Hoboken and from there it just took off by word of mouth.
What are you most proud of with your business?
I am truly proud of the services that I provide families. I love helping families accomplish their goals and relieving their stress about their children's challenges
Company: Sleepy Mama Sleep Consulting
What they do/provide: Sleep Consulting for Infants and Toddlers
Follow on Instagram: @sleepymamanj
Follow on Facebook: @sleepymama
Connect on LinkedIn: Nicole Cannon
Visit their website: https://www.sleepy-mama.com/
Kid count: 3; ages 7,4,
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
I help educate new and expecting parents on proper sleep science. As babies grow, I work with parents to help solve any "sleep issues" that may be leading to long-term sleep deprivation.
How did you get started with your business?
I worked as a nanny before getting certified as a consultant and I found such a remarkable difference between the babies before they were getting proper sleep and after. Once I found a certification program, I knew I wanted to help families achieve better sleep health for both their physical and mental well-being.
What are you most proud of with your business?
The families who tell me I've literally changed their lives. These are people who were maybe getting an hour of sleep at a time and couldn't parent let alone function day-to-day. I love being able to help parents enjoy their children more because they aren't so clouded by fatigue.
Company: Choice Parenting
What they do/provide: Nanny placement and childcare coaching
Follow on Instagram: @choiceparenting
Follow on Facebook: @choice.parenting
Connect on LinkedIn: Holly Flanders
Visit their website: http://www.choice-parenting.com
Kid count: 2 year old boy; 4.5 year old boy
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
I guide expectant and new parents in finding the best suited childcare for their families (daycares, nannies, nanny sharing, au pairs
How did you get started with your business?
After many years working in the realm of childcare as a nanny, childcare/ parent coach and director of a daycare-preschool, I found that many parents were misinformed about the benefits and challenges of the different childcare options and struggled as new parents to articulate what they wanted for their children and families. I created Choice Parenting to educate parents on the children market; help them identify their parenting philosophies and expectations for their child's care; and teach them how to safely find, hire and keep a healthy relationship with a quality daycare or nanny. Choice parenting started as childcare coaching service but has grown into a full service nanny placements agency in addition to coaching.
What are you most proud of with your business?
This business has given me the freedom to do what I love and feel passion for as well as the flexibility to enjoy and be there for my own kids in a way that a traditional job does not always allow for.
Company: Work & Mother
What they do/provide: A network of fully equipped mother's rooms, with an associated app, support community, and educational resources.
Follow on Instagram: @workandmother
Follow on Facebook: @workandmother
Connect on LinkedIn: Work & Mother
Visit their website: https://www.workandmother.com/
Kid count: 1 - 12 months
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
Work & Mother provides the space and resources to enable working mothers to continue breastfeeding. In addition to the facilities and equipment, Work & Mother provides support resources to aid in the transition back to work.
How did you get started with your business?
I witnessed too many women struggling in isolation to try to pump after returning to work. I heard countless horror stories of women having to use closets, empty offices, bathrooms, or cars to pump; stories of women being walked in on or harrassed... it just sounded horrible. I began talking with companies and realized that either companies weren't aware of the problem or their legal obligation to provide a mother with a proper place to pump, or they simply didn't know how best to accommodate. That's when I realized there was a better way to solve the problem--and to do it in a way that benefitted both employees and employers.
What are you most proud of with your business?
I've received so many thank you's from moms who struggled to breastfeed because of a lack of support in the workplace. Returning to work during a very emotional postpartum period of time, trying to prove to your company that you're all in, while also caring for your baby and trying to meet your breastfeeding goals... it's a lot. It makes me so proud that we've been able to increase corporate awareness, and to take working mothers who are breastfeeding out of closets and cars and bathrooms, and provide them with a clean, safe, and supportive environment to pump
Company: Hypnotherapy with Leah Crescenzo
What they do/provide: I’m a hypnotherapist and coach, who helps anxious, tired, mom-to-be's feel grounded and confident by harnessing the power in thoughts.
Follow on Instagram: @heyleahc
Follow on Facebook: @heyleahc
Connect on LinkedIn: Leah Crescenzo
Visit their website: https://www.heyleahc.com/
Kid count: 1 girl - 10 years old
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
I help expectant mamas harness the power of their thoughts and energy to create pregnancy and birth experiences they deserve. Women have a tremendous power and we just need to be reminded of this intuitive energy to break the societal hypnosis that this time of "unknown" is expected to be a powerlessness.
How did you get started with your business?
I studied and trained in many different modalities for almost 20 years in the hopes of "feeling better". It wasn't until I began working with my mind, through hypnosis and meditation, that I began to shift out of fear, sadness and lack of potential. Hypnotherapy has impacted my life so profoundly that I am excited to be sharing it with women - moms and soon to be mothers. Working with pregnant moms is exciting because when a moms nervous system shifts so does the babies. I wish I had found hypnosis before I was pregnant.
What are you most proud of with your business?
I'm proud, and amazed, of the cumulative effect that working with pregnant women has had on not only their unborn child but also their entire family. The emotions pregnant women feel are passed down to their children. When a woman can feel calm and grounded during pregnancy and labor we have a better chance at having calm, grounded children
Company: Founder of Brief Transitions and The Transitions Collective
What they do/provide: Brief Transitions mesh underwear support women after childbirth and surgeries; The Transitions Collective is a membership community providing resources, accountability and collaboration for moms building businesses from the ground up.
Website: www.BriefTransitions.com and www.TheTransitionsCollective.com
Follow on Instagram: @BriefTransitions and @TheTransitionsCollective
Connect on LinkedIn: Mary Clavieres
Kid count: 2 total — 6 and 3.5
How is your business helpful to new and expecting mamas?
Brief Transitions provides postpartum mesh underwear for women recovering from childbirth. Similar to mesh underwear from the hospital, Brief Transitions are super stretchy and do not put pressure on your midsection. They provide comfort and relief after C-section as well as vaginal deliveries.
How did you get started with your business?
After being in labor for 20+ hours I ended up having a C-section for medical reasons. I was extremely sore from my incision and I couldn’t wear regular underwear for quite some time - they didn’t fit and it hurt to have any kind of elastic covering my incision.
Before I went into labor one of my friends told me that I was going to get mesh underwear from the hospital, that they are life-saving and I should take as many as I can home with me. She was right and I did. I wore them as long as I could until I had to throw them out. Then, I missed them terribly. I tried to find more, but with no luck. My mom went to the store and bought me granny panties that I had to cut at the waistline so the elastic wouldn’t bother my incision too much. Yes, really.
There are few things that are truly essential after childbirth – mesh underwear is one of those things. After giving so many of my friends the same advice that my friend gave me, I wanted to make mesh underwear more available to women everywhere. For women having home births, for women whose hospitals don’t provide mesh underwear and for women like myself – who just wanted my supply to last longer.
What are you most proud of with your business?
My business started with a question to myself - why can’t I find these mesh underwear to buy? I eventually also asked myself - can I bring these to market for other women. There are so many challenges about pregnancy and childbirth that women deal with. I am proud to provide this product for women during a pivotal time in their lives. We deserve to have the products we need for postpartum recovery and it means the world to me to be able to provide a small comfort to new moms. I am also extremely proud that I attended NPR’s How I Built This Summit as a 2019 Fellow Recipient. I met other entrepreneurs and also got to learn from some of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time. It was definitely a pinch me moment.
Having a baby is a joyous time that can also be stressful. Helping moms navigate the early days of motherhood and supporting small businesses are both near and dear to our heart, especially during this challenging time. Let’s spread love and support each other as best as we can.
Which products and services did you love during pregnancy and postpartum recovery? Tell us in the comments below!
From everyone at Brief Transitions, we’re sending you love and strength during this time of uncertainty. We’re here for you and can’t wait to see how we all come out of this stronger once it’s over.
]]>At Brief Transitions, we believe life can be messy. We coined the phrase "Life is Meshy" as it goes right along with our postpartum mesh underwear made for new moms or those who want to continue to enjoy the first few months of motherhood in (extreme) comfort. We were even listed on What to Expect as The Best Postpartum Mesh Underwear to Keep You Comfortable After Delivery — a BIG highlight for us!
During this time of shifting all work to remote work, we spoke with our community of working moms about how they're handling the transition.
What are you doing to stay productive and get your job done while we're all in quarantine during the corona outbreak? How are you creating boundaries with your kids (and maybe partners, too)? How are you sharing household responsibilities or taking shifts with their partner to make things work? Or, are you losing it? We asked for full transparency, and we got it!
Read on below to get tips, inspiration, and a slice of our reality as working moms during this very surreal time.
Profession: Pediatric and mom physical therapist
Follow on Instagram: @littlemoverspt
Kid count: Girl - 5 & Boy - 3
I’m trying to do the kids “work” in the morning time after breakfast. I have converted my therapy clients into telehealth and see my patients in the afternoon. My kids help me as models for my clients, for better or worse. My husband typically works from home and needs as much quiet as possible.
When not on a call, he will pop in and hang with the kids so that I can telehealth quietly. Since he has always worked from home, he has a full work week, where my caseload has significantly diminished. I have taken on all of the responsibility with homework, cooking, cleaning, and outdoor time.
Thankfully, we have a yard where the kids can play and climb! The main obstacle I have run into is the fact that the kids don’t see me as a teacher, so they are less willing to do work and are less patient with themselves and me.
Profession: Owner, Tame the Sweet Health and Lifestyle Coaching Company; Clinical operations consultant for a small, science-based company in Cambridge, MA
Website: www.tamethesweet.com
Follow on Instagram: @gina.m.newton
Kid count: Girl - 5.5 & Girl - 4
Right now, I'm navigating my consulting job during the day, and teaching my girls while navigating their virtual activities, too. I explain to my kids that I can't play with them when I have to get work done; I encourage them to get their school work done to enjoy free play time like imaginary play, TV, and crafts.
My husband supports when he can but is frequently on conference calls right now. He can watch them if we coordinate our meetings so that I can be in my office alone. I'm on a roller coaster. Many of the days, I've felt like I have it under control and empowered — earlier today, I got real negative around the uncertainty.
I shut the computers and schoolwork down, we had a dance party, and that made us all feel better! It's surely a day by day, hour by hour way of managing it. I set an intention each day for the day to look a certain way but when something arises like a bomb in the middle of it, I troubleshoot as needed. I've been staying up much later than I want and should, but we've kept the momentum in every area thus far (I hope!).
Profession: Public Relations
Website: www.jjbpr.com
Follow on Instagram: @bickertonprgirl
Kid count: 3 total — ages 9, 11, and 12
It’s been hard to stay motivated and productive. Luckily, I'm busy with work. I'm trying to keep my mind clear (thank god for workouts) and my head up, despite the sad news of the virus.
I'm creating boundaries. I help my kids from 8-9:30 am (they start at 8 am), and then I go into the home office (or bedroom cause my husband and I are sharing space, and that alone has its challenges) as if I'm leaving for NYC to head to meetings/work. I come out for lunch and eat with the kids if I can, then I go back to work until 5 or 6 pm. The kids understand I have to work and keep the business going. Thankfully, they also understand what is happening in the world and know the show must go on. I can't say we do not have our moments, cause like any family, we are. My daughter is having a meltdown here and there because learning from home is not the norm, and she isn't feeling as secure with her schoolwork as she does when she is in the classroom.
I'm forcing myself to get a workout once a day, whether it's on the Peloton bike or using the Peloton app in my bedroom to do a weight lifting exercise or yoga. My kids will join in on the yoga and weights, which has been a bonding experience.
Chores. I can't say I'm great at delegating, but the kids and my husband are doing the things I ask them to do, such as making the bed, Clorox down xxx, change the trash. I'm handling the bigger chores around the house (cause I'm not so patient with waiting for chores to get done!).
Profession: Associate Director of Operations in a higher education institution; Owner of Ponderlily
Website: https://ponderlily.com/
Follow on Instagram: @weareponderlily
Kid count: 2 total — 5 year old twin girls
I'm a Brazilian-born, Arabian Gulf-raised, Brit-wed, higher-ed executive, business owner, and twin mum with a plan: to ignite joy, purpose, and empowerment in women striving for a life of fullness, not busyness.
I chose to pivot my rhythms and routines to stay productive, positive, and calm. I co-created a new, family schedule with my husband so we can alternate working hours (because the couple that Zooms together for work in nearby spaces...gets on each others' nerves, friends), share responsibility homeschooling the twins now that they're schools are closed, and have time for ourselves alone. We wouldn't have necessarily done this before, but seriously...these are different times and we have to do what we can do create some sense of normalcy in these weird, weird, times.
I'm doing all the cooking because that's something I always had to rush through so I'm enjoying that time now. The children do chores like setting the table, making their bed, etc. My husband and I are sharing homeschooling responsibilities and when we need a grocery run, he's the one getting that sorted for us.
I explain to the children why we're working from home and how happy we are we get to have lunch all together. They also know that when the office door is closed that means mummy or daddy are working but if it's important they can come in. I also established boundaries with my colleagues, too by communicating that hey, sometimes my kids may come in the room when we're talking because hey, I have kids and this is the reality they get to see. It's happened a few times and they're cool about it.
Profession: Self-employed founder
Website: www.thepalettecafe.com & www.saratogapaintandsip.com
Follow on Instagram: @catherinehover
Kid count: 3 total — 5, 2, and 7 months
Every day we are on the verge of losing it, but we keep it together for our kids. We've created a schedule, and we are trying our best to stick to it, bringing in the oldest (5 years old) to help out. This experience has forced us into a schedule we've always tried to enforce. My partner is unemployed now, so he is stepping up more so on the home front, but with that comes a lot of its own gender guilt for not doing the home life tasks. It's hard, but we are staying positive!
Profession: Owner of Amber Budd Atelier and myEsthi app/website.
Website: www.myesthi.com or www.amberbudd.com
Follow on Instagram: @amberbudd
Kid count: Boy - 4 months
So far, I'm getting up early in the morning to feed him; then, when he goes back to sleep, I'm banging out as much work as possible in that quiet, focused time. I've started working through his naps, and anytime I can get him to play in his play ring, or with his musical toys!
My son EJ is going through a "mama" phase, so my husband hasn't been able to help with him, especially lately, but he can help with housework, so he keeps me sane by making sure counters get wiped down, dishes keep flowing, and bottles are ready.
I've had a few moments of complete meltdown — who hasn't?! My business got shut down a week ago, and we have no real indicators of when we can go back! God bless the USPS because they can pick up packages from my front porch — we've been utilizing the app (myEsthi) to have people do consultations and shipping their products from home. (I frantically moved all the products from my office to my house and set up a makeshift warehouse).
Having a newborn has its own set of challenges. Boundaries aren't something they understand, and he truly NEEDS me right now, so it's just about being flexible in my day. I may PLAN to go live for a skincare boot camp at 10 am, but it might end up being 10:15 because he needs to eat, or my husband is on a conference call. We are making it work!
Profession: Founder of SmartSitting
Website: www.smartsitting.com
Follow on Instagram: @narrativesuzie
Kid count: Boy - 3 & Boy - 9 months
I have a schedule with my husband, where we share responsibilities. Every morning we take a walk before the day gets started. We're missing our babysitter but are enjoying the time with the kids.
We created a schedule for academic time, creative time, and free play time — and are adjusting more every day. It's a challenge! I'm happy to discuss the details with you all! It's a fun and challenging time, and I definitely miss seeing people! I would say having set expectations is really helpful, also being flexible. Making sure dinner prep doesn't take more than 15 minutes is key!
Profession: Founder & CCO of Beauty+Content photography studio specializing in beauty and wellness.
Website: www.beautypluscontent.com
Follow on Instagram: @beautystealsinward
Kid count: Girl - 8
I'm losing it! But we've found a few helpful things — 2x daily bike rides, starting the day with outdoors stretching and meditation, adding chores into our daily routine and lots and lots of FaceTime playdates! My partner is super supportive, his working hours are a little more rigid, but he does all the cooking and cleaning after-hours, and I work late!
Profession: Founder, SSR Digital Group
Website: www.ssrdigitalgroup.com
Follow on Instagram: @the_suss
Kid count: 2 total — almost 5, and almost 1
We're fortunate to be able to have childcare nearby. I've spent my days doing work out of my home office, which is also my bedroom. If I position my video camera just right there's a gorgeous window behind me. I take small breaks and eat lunch with the kids. We also do short activities during the day to break up what I call groundhogs day. Every day I write out a schedule with some new ideas to do.
Profession: Founder, Seasoned Moments
Website: www.seasonedmoments.com
Follow on Instagram: @seasonedmoments
Kid count: Girl - 11 & Girl - 8
I'm actually really enjoying this time. Since we can't rush anywhere, there's a lot less stress. I have firm boundaries with the girls. They know that they have to show up for virtual school, complete their homework, and practice the piano before they do anything else. That means they're occupied from 8 am - 2 pm. This way, I have a decent chunk of time to do my work, make calls, have virtual meetings, etc. everyone chips in.
Sometimes the girls make their meals, and sometimes they cook for the whole family. My husband and I have been splitting up cleaning and laundry so that no one bears the entire brunt of it. We let each other have a break or alone time when needed. And we make time for just us — we take a nice walk alone, go to a separate area of the house away from the girls, etc.
Profession: Founder, Do More Stress Less
Website: www.alexishaselberger.com
Follow on Instagram: @do.more.stress.less
Kid count: Boy - 11 and Boy - 9
We've created separate workspaces for each person in the house, including kids. So, we all have a place to be that's not underfoot of anyone else. I've also created a master schedule each week that shows when each parent is in meetings and when kids are in remote school classes. This way, we know not to interrupt each other.
In terms of sharing responsibilities, my husband has taken the lion's share of being available to the kids as his work schedule has fewer meetings than mine. He's also handling "PE." I've been cooking three meals a day. And for cleaning, I've designated a couple of rooms per person, including kids, and we're all responsible for keeping our areas clean.
The other helpful thing is that we do a debrief every night over dinner. We talk about what went well, what didn't, and what to improve or test the next day.
Profession: Mindset Coach
Website: www.louiseheite.com
Follow on Instagram: @louiseheite
Kid count: 2 total — 7 and 4
We created a schedule together with the kids with a bunch of different activities — each day, we decide together which of those activities we will focus on for the day — ensuring two blocks of independent learning.
Although we are still very much finding our flow, it does get better every day. We focus on encouraging our kids to become independent learners, guiding them to find the answer. From a household and meal prep perspective, it's an all hands on deck i.e.; cooking class is a daily item on the schedule. 😉
To keep my focus, I optimize my early morning hours and during the kids' work time. I'm looking for the opportunity at every moment.
Profession: Founder, Brilliantly
Website: www.brilliantly.co
Follow on Instagram: @brilliantly.co
Kid count: Boy - 11 & Girl - 9
We time block. That way, we know when we're all working, when we're doing something fun together, and when we have solo time for reading, drawing, or writing.
Our kids go to a school where many children don't have internet access at home, so they mostly have worksheets. In an attempt to make that less boring, we've been doing other things. Baking bread, planting a garden, learning how to do laundry and dishes, going on nature walks, and having FaceTime dates with my friends who teach mini-lessons about their area of expertise.
I'm a single mom, but we spend some time with their dad every day. His work schedule is much less flexible, so I generally pick up the slack with the kids. I'm not losing it (yet). 🙂
Profession: Founder, Rawly Bold
Website: www.rawlybold.com
Follow on Instagram: @heypamd
Kid count: 2 total — 6 and 3
The first week was a disaster. I got overwhelmed fast and became anxious on day three. I don’t usually suffer from anxiety so I knew the workload and constant attention to the news must have triggered it.
I started guided meditations and at-home workouts or went for a long walk once a day, but kept my distance from others. It all helped and kept me distracted. The weekend after week one, I bought supplies to do craft projects at home and created a schedule. One schedule for me and my husband because he needs a routine and another for the kids.
I mostly split the day. I have more responsibilities in the morning, and he takes over after lunch. My 3-year-old still naps, so luckily for him, he just has to focus more on finishing school work with our 5-year-old. During that time is when I have a few hours to work from home for my 9-5.
Profession: Entrepreneur, author, doctor & mama
Website: http://www.drjjpursell.com
Follow on Instagram: @drjjpursell
Kid count: Girl - 9 & Boy - 3
Like all of us, when we realized what was upon us, it required repeated pivots in both our schedule and businesses. I went into hyperdrive, trying to create a plan for my husband and me to tag team the kids and various learning or activities and time for ourselves to keep working.
That lasted one day. Over the next week, when I wasn't with my kids, I felt like I was a computer being downloaded with a flood of new data. Fear, business failure, decrease in raising capital, manufacture house closures came at me from every angle, as did the first wave of virtual forums to discuss how to handle everything going on. So I stopped working for three days and allowed myself to be angry, confused, and sad about everything that is happening around me.
I gave myself time and space to be present with my kids, my garden, my goats, and I realized — I got this. I love being a Visionary in business, and without it, I wouldn't feel fulfilled. I love my kids seeing me work and teaching them that when I have my earplugs in at my computer, it's better to find Daddy.
But I also love to be able to give them a hug or cuddle, even during that virtual meeting if they need it — because timing is everything, and being present is priceless.
Profession: Founder, Jasmine + Marigold
Website: www.jasmineandmarigold.com
Follow on Instagram: @jasmineandmarigold
Kid count: 2 total — 4 and 21 months
I work for another company, run my own business, and am now home full-time, figuring both these out while also caring for my four year old and my 21-month-old.
I'm a business development manager for an employment law firm full-time. My side hustle is an apparel business. Typically, I'd have worked all day in the office and come home at night to do business things. Now, I feel like I have no break!
My MIL is coming over to help us. She wasn't here last week since we wanted to protect her from getting anything from us. My husband is not helping much (shocker!), and he's also working remotely. He isn't capable of coming up with kids' crafts or things to keep them occupied. It's HARD!
Profession: CEO & Founder of Sage Spoonfuls
Website: www.sagespoonfuls.com
Follow on Instagram: @lizahuber
Kid count: 4 total — 13, 11, 9, and 7
I'm finding it difficult to focus on work right now, but I have to keep things moving. I've found that writing down the five critical tasks that need to happen for work that day on a sticky note and putting it on my computer helps keep me focused. I'm also trying to segment my time. When it's time to work, it's time to work, and when it's time to be with the kids, they get my full attention.
Profession: Sales Enablement Principal
Connect on LinkedIn: Stephanie Grimm
Kid count: 2 total — 5 and 3
We have a homeschool schedule for the boys who are both home. We are tag-teaming them hour by hour. Last week I had massive anxiety about working with the kids home. I haven’t been sleeping well. And I cry every day over something silly. I have started using Marco Polo to see my friends.
Profession: Founder of Brief Transitions and The Transitions Collective
Website: www.BriefTransitions.com and www.TheTransitionsCollective.com
Follow on Instagram: @BriefTransitions and @TheTransitionsCollective
Connect on LinkedIn: Mary Clavieres
Kid count: 2 total — 6 and 3.5
My husband and I are trying to split our workdays. Generally, he works in the morning while I help our kids with school and then we switch for the afternoon. We started reviewing our schedules the night before to make sure we don’t have any unexpectedly overlapping calls come up, but if we do we make adjustments.
It’s definitely stressful so we’re taking it day by day. If one of us needs a break we let each other know and carve out some space. It’s a lot to try to keep up with the schoolwork plus get our own work done, so we’re trying to focus on the most important tasks first.
Sometimes it feels challenging to not be hard on myself, but I try to remind myself that I'm doing my best given the unexpected circumstances.
Working during this time can be a challenge all on its own for your patience, mental health, and general well being. Adding a whole new routine and extra humans interfering is a surefire way to kill your productivity. However, there’s also a silver lining. It’s a chance to spend more time with your loved ones, see more of their day-to-day at school or work, and take a minute to slow down and be present today.
How are you dealing with the transition? Tell us in the comments below!
From everyone at Brief Transitions, we’re sending you love and strength during this time of uncertainty. We’re here for you and can’t wait to see how we all come out of this stronger once it’s over.
]]>Today I’m speaking with Sandy Green, founder of Taking Care of Mama, who provides training and services exclusively pumping moms.
I first met Sandy through a mutual friend and let me tell you, when I found out she works with pumping mamas, I wished I’d known her when I had my first daughter! As someone that exclusively pumped for 6 months, having professional support in this capacity would have been amazing.
As Sandy points out on her website, “pumping moms do double-duty every day. You breastfeed and bottle feed. You worry about supply and using formula correctly. You cut your favorite foods out of your diet and clean your pump parts every night.” There’s definitely a lot going on when you exclusively pump and I wanted to highlight this for any of the exclusively pumping mamas out there.
Whether you’re exclusively pumping now, or considering it for the future, learn more about the process below. And now, onto the interview with Sandy!
What does your business do? How do you help expecting or new moms
I help moms pumping breast milk make their daily pumping routines easy while maximizing their milk supply through my online program, Empowered Pumping. Through short videos, printable resources, and live coaching, moms learn to drop pump anxiety and get back to prioritizing what matters most in their lives. Taking Care of Mama's Empowered Pumping program is unique because we take all of the one-size-fits-all technical advice that is floating around online and help moms personalize and customize that advice to fit their needs and lifestyle.
Why did you start your business?
I love new moms. There's no experience in the world like the first few weeks and months of motherhood. It's scary and exciting and you've never felt more love or anxiety in your life! I wanted to create a business where I could embrace new moms and give them tools to have successful postpartum experiences.
What advice would you give to expecting or new moms?
It's ok to not enjoy every moment, this stuff is hard. But try to soak in those beautiful moments as much as you can. Because everything in life is only for now - both the beauty and the struggles.
Can you please share some common questions about pumping?
1. How long should I pump for?Get more pumping tips from Sandy here.
How has motherhood changed you (if at all)?
Motherhood has given me a mirror to see myself in a way I never had before. It has changed me in all the best ways and I feel so honored for the responsibility of raising two young girls.
About Sandy Green
As a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Postpartum Doula (CAPPA), and Health Coach (ACE), Sandy uses her personal experience and professional expertise to help moms all over the world have successful and positive postpartum and pumping experiences. Sandy was inspired to do this work after exclusively pumping for her son. She was surprised by how difficult it was to find a professional who had a deep understanding of the particular needs of new moms who are also pumping. Sandy's goal is to fill that gap and ensure that all breastfeeding moms have positive experiences and find the support they need.
Find Taking Care of Mama here
]]>Today I’m speaking with Whitney Williams Rowell, founder of Miracle Milkookies. Miracle Milkookies provides breastfeeding moms with delicious lactation cookies to help boost their milk supply. Miracle Milkookies are baked fresh weekly and delivered right to your door. How awesome is that? As a mom, convenience is definitely key!
I first met Whitney through a mutual friend and I then had an opportunity to meet her in person when she was visiting New York City. Whitney is a ROCKSTAR and an amazing human. She helps new moms and also female business owners in so many ways, which you’ll learn more about in the interview below!
Miracle Milkookies started out as a recipe that Whitney herself made after she gave birth. A few years later that recipe turned into a company! I’m so happy that Whitney is part of the movement to bring postpartum products to moms in such an incredible way. And now, onto the interview with Whitney!
What does your business do? How do you help expecting or new moms?
It's our goal to give mamas everywhere a little boost. We do this by shipping handmade, all natural, fresh baked lactation 'Kookies' to doorsteps across the street and around the world each week. We also have a podcast on iTunes called Message from Mom, where we interview healthcare providers, mompreneurs, influencers and other inspiring moms about topics (often around shame or real 'mom' issues) that need to be discussed.
Why did you start your business?
I started my business because I am so passionate about supporting new moms. When a friend dropped fresh baked lactation cookies on my doorstep after having my first baby in June of 2015, the gesture meant everything to me during such a vulnerable phase of life. I tried to find fresh baked lactation cookies online, but all I could find were recipes for lactation cookies that included brewers yeast, oats and flaxseed. I had created a recipe for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies when I was younger, so I decided to try adding brewers yeast and flax to that same recipe. Once I made the cookies, I was blown away by how much milk I was producing. I decided to post the recipe to a blog I started when I lived in NYC called Lifestyle Hunting. I don't think anyone other than my mom actually read my blog but I thought I would share the recipe with friends when they started having babies. A year and a half after I posted the recipe, I was pregnant again with my second baby and I checked the backend of my blog to see if I should keep it live or take it down (my last recipe was for the Miracle Milk Cookie). I couldn't believe it, but that one post had over 300,000 visits. So many other moms were benefiting and PopSugar and Health Magazine wrote about it as well! I created a survey asking the blog readers if they would prefer to buy the cookies vs baking them themselves. After an overwhelming response of moms asking to buy the cookies, I decided to turn the Miracle Milk Cookie recipe into a business!
What advice would you give to expecting or new moms?
Give yourself grace. Every single day.
How has motherhood changed you (if at all)?
Motherhood has given me a mirror to see myself in a way I never had before. It has changed me in all the best ways and I feel so honored for the responsibility of raising two young girls.
About Whitney Williams Rowell
Whitney is founder of Miracle Milkookies, co-founder of Collective Thirty One, and the host of the Message from Mom podcast. Born in Nashville & raised in Dallas, Whitney went to college at TCU where she was named Entrepreneur of The Year after launching her first business, a jewelry company called Tramonti by Whitney. During her senior year, Tramonti by Whitney was labeled by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s Coolest College Start-Ups. After college, Whitney moved to New York City where she worked in lifestyle and travel PR, representing luxury boutique hotels around the world and overseeing brand collaborations, events, and social media for her clients ranging from The Surrey in Manhattan’s Upper East Side to OPUS in Vancouver. In 2015, Whitney moved back to Dallas and launched her own marketing consulting company, focusing on representing ‘organizations with heart.’ Several of Whitney’s clients included, Council for Life, Elizabeth Toon Charities, and The Halftime Institute. In 2017, after Whitney discovered that a recipe she posted for her homemade lactation cookies had gone viral, she decided to create a fresh-baked, all-natural, direct to your doorstep lactation ‘Kookie’ company, called Miracle Milkookies. Through the process of meeting with other female entrepreneurs as she grew her own ‘Kookie’ business, Whitney and a friend decided to start an invite only networking group for local female entrepreneurs in Dallas to support one another. The group, called Collective Thirty One, hosts monthly coffees for members, pop-up events and an annual Collective Thirty One Holiday Market that takes place every November. With a passion for moms, female entrepreneurs, and others who are really trying to juggle it all, Whitney launched a podcast on Mother’s Day called Message from Mom. She uses her podcast as a platform to chat with healthcare professionals, mompreneurs, influencers and other inspiring women about the real-life topics that we sometimes feel shame around, trying to bring to light that many of these feelings and experiences are actually normal. When she’s not working, networking, or podcasting, Whitney loves nothing more than spending time with her husband and their two young daughters, going on long runs, baking, and spending time at the lake.
Find Miracle Milkookies here:
www.instagram.com/miraclemilkookies
www.instagram.com/whitneywrowell
www.facebook.com/miraclemilkookies
Contact Whitney:
Via DM's on Instagram or whitney@whitneyrowell.com
]]>Today I’m speaking with Abbey Donnell, founder of Work & Mother, about pumping breast milk at work. Work & Mother provides a network of fully equipped lactation facilities that not only supports working mothers but makes it easy for employers to be in compliance with FLSA regulations. Pumping breast milk at work can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be!
]]>
Today I’m speaking with Abbey Donnell, founder of Work & Mother. Work & Mother provides a network of fully equipped lactation facilities that not only supports working mothers that want to do breast pumping at work, but makes it easy for employers to be in compliance with FLSA regulations.
I first met Abbey through a community that we are both involved in and we connected immediately! We both work in the postpartum space and shortly after I met her she gave birth to her son.
I love what Work & Mother is doing to provide fully equipped pumping facilities for new moms who want to do breast pumping at work. It’s challenging to go back to work after having a baby and employee retention is a big concern for companies. According to Work and Mother, “even though 75% of women plan to return to work after becoming mothers, 43% of new mothers end up leaving their jobs. Work & Mother helps prevent workplace attrition associated with childbirth, while also helping mothers reach their breastfeeding goals and keep their children happy and healthy”.
Let’s face it - going back to work after having a baby is hard. Breastfeeding and pumping are also hard. Put them together and you have a lot more things to think about such as how often to pump, where to pump, where to store the breastmilk, etc. It can be overwhelming! Side note - I felt so passionately about pumping while working that I wrote a post about my top tips for breast pumping at work when going back to work a while back.
I’m so happy that Abbey is part of the movement to support working moms in such an incredible way. And now, onto the interview with Abbey!
What does your business do? How do you help expecting or new moms?
Work & Mother is a network of fully equipped pumping facilities for working moms. We have everything (privacy, equipment, cleaning, refrigeration, support, etc.) a woman needs to pump during the workday so that she is freed up to concentrate on her career when she's at work and her baby when she's at home. No more fretting over pumping logistics or carrying heavy pump bags every day! It operates much like a building gym--but instead of treadmills we have hospital-grade breast pumps! In addition to the facilities, we help moms through the 4th and 5th trimesters through our support network, programming, and healthcare professionals.
Why did you start your business?
When I was in business school, all of my closest friends began having babies. We’d get together and it seemed like the conversation constantly revolved around the difficulties of breastfeeding and going back to work. I heard countless horror stories of people having to pump in closets or bathroom stalls. Getting walked-in on or harassed by coworkers. And these things were happening at big, prominent firms--the type that should have had the space and resources to provide better solutions.
I didn’t have kids at the time. But I knew I wanted to have them soon and that breastfeeding was an important part of the equation. I just thought to myself, there’s no way I am going to pump in that kind of environment. So, I decided to create the space and supportive community that I wished had been around for my friends and that I wanted for myself. I now have a 5 month old little boy and I feel so lucky to be surrounded by all these awesome, hard working moms!
What advice would you give to expecting or new moms?
Don't hesitate to ask questions of other moms, we love sharing. And when it comes to breastfeeding, relax. Seriously! Stress inhibits the oxytocin reflex (the "letdown reflex"), which can affect supply. So many of us are so frantically worried and anxious about milk production/transfer, latch, etc. that we actually get in our own way. So, stop watching the clock and the drops and instead, light a candle, play calming music, breathe, have some skin-to-skin time with your baby, and relax. And if you're ever having trouble, get help. Even professional lactation consultants call other consultants for help - yours truly included ;) You've got this!
How has motherhood changed you (if at all)?
It's taught me patience and love beyond what I could've ever imagined. It also helped me re-prioritize my time. I used to say yes to everything, now I'm much more selective and efficient with the things I commit time to. Oh, and I continue to surprise myself with how much I can accomplish on so little sleep! haha
About Abbey Donnell
Abbey Donnell is the Founder and CEO of Work & Mother. Before devoting her work full time to Work & Mother, Abbey served as Creative Director for a marketing firm. Abbey completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has an MBA from Rice University, and is a Certified Lactation Counselor.
Find Work & Mother here:
Additional resources:
Read about Abbey’s experience using Brief Transitions postpartum mesh underwear during her recovery
Check out this blog post about five top tips for pumping breastmilk at work
I first heard about Michal and Graceful Ease from a friend of mine. She had a baby recently and told me how much Michal was able to help her with Pelvic Floor Recovery work during her postpartum days. I hadn’t heard of the Paula Method before and turns out it’s pretty well known in other parts of the world. Michal explains, “The Paula Method is holistic in its approach, efficiently treating a wide range of ailments and helping with a variety of physical symptoms and challenging conditions. Different issues are usually treated simultaneously as they tend to be related or connected to each other.”
Graceful Ease treats a variety of common ailments related to digestion, urinary tract, the reproductive system, pregnancy, childbirth and more. I love what Michal is doing to support women from pregnancy, through childbirth and during postpartum recovery. Let's get started with the interview!
Tell us about yourself and your business.
I'm a mother, wife, and certified teacher of the Paula Method (CTPM) and a licensed massage and bodywork therapist (LMT). I work in the NY-NJ metropolitan area with women, children and men to help them heal and regain their well-being through a gentle and mindful approach to their bodies and needs.
What does your business do? How do you help expecting or new moms?
I teach childbirth education classes, postpartum classes, and individual sessions.
My prenatal work focuses on women achieving a quick and easy natural birth. I teach simple exercises women can use during childbirth to assist the natural flow of the body while avoiding unnecessary injuries.
In postpartum we honor the body after the hard work it has done. We learn what to avoid and how to protect the body while it regains its strength and abilities. I teach gentle exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. My work is non invasive, and highly effective in healing injuries like incontinence, prolapses, and separation of the abdominal muscles.
Why did you start your business?
I started my business because I wanted to work with new and expecting mothers. Birthing and caring for my baby was an amazing period of my life. I wanted to stay connected to this time of life by supporting and helping other women find the same joy I had.
What advice would you give to expecting or new moms?
It's ok to not enjoy every moment, this stuff is hard. But try to soak in those beautiful moments as much as you can. Because everything in life is only for now - both the beauty and the struggles.
How has motherhood changed you (if at all)?
Motherhood has made me a more patient person. It's made me more kind and less judgmental. It's made my relationship with my husband even more of a partnership. It also changed my entire career! I left my 15+ year career as a nonprofit professional to work with new moms.
Find Graceful Ease here:
https://www.facebook.com/gracefuleasenj/
https://www.instagram.com/paulamethod/
Contact Michal at:
Phone: (973) 996-8144
Email: paulamethod@gracefulease.com
]]>I am SOOOO excited to announce our new packaging for Brief Transitions Disposable Postpartum Mesh Underwear and the #WhatAMesh campaign!
Brief Transitions originally started with a question to myself - why are postpartum mesh underwear not easily accessible for women after childbirth? Little did I know that this question would lead to an adventure of a lifetime (aka: a roller coaster ride).
As a small (but mighty!), woman owned business, I launched Brief Transitions doing everything myself - from rolling the disposable postpartum underwear to labeling the bags and shipping out product. I am happy and proud to say that Brief Transitions is evolving into a new phase of its journey.
This new packaging relates to all facets of life. Life is messy, parenthood is messy and childbirth is definitely messy. Enter #LifeIsMeshy. See what I did there? ;)
Postpartum Mesh Underwear may seem like a simple thing, and they are in some ways. But just because something is simple, doesn’t make it less important. You may already know my story - I ran out of mesh underwear at the hospital and couldn’t find more to purchase. My mom bought me oversized granny panties and I had to cut the elastic waistband to avoid pressure on my c-section incision. Only a few days postpartum, feeling like crap, exhausted, bleeding from my privates, and leaking milk from my boobs - and I had to cut my underwear. I mean really people. How is this ok?! It’s not!
Brief Transitions is part of a movement. To talk about postpartum recovery. To support new moms. To provide products that women need and deserve to have easy access to.
I believe wholeheartedly that women supporting women and moms supporting moms are critical to our collective success - in life, family and business.
At Brief Transitions we are committed to talking about the postpartum struggles that people usually avoid. We’ll be sharing stories and experiences in a variety of ways including blog posts and interviews.
In our new Mommin’ It business series you’ll hear from moms that own businesses related to pregnancy and parenthood. Our goal is to provide you with useful and helpful information throughout all of your pregnancy and postpartum stages.
Owning a business is a labor of love and I love Brief Transitions as if it was my third child (my husband would likely agree with that too!). I am excited to be on this journey with you!
Share your postpartum story with us using the hashtag #lifeismeshy. We’d LOVE to hear from you!
Xo,
Mary
Pregnancy definitely has its ups and downs so get ready for a roller coaster. You might be lucky and not experience nausea during your first trimester (I stress very lucky). If you do suffer from morning sickness (or All Day Sickness as most moms like to call it) here are some tips for fighting morning sickness:
Remember to go easy on yourself. You’re growing a little human in there and hormones are no joke! #WhatAMesh! Our Brief Transitions disposable postpartum mesh underwear are one of the best kept secrets for new mothers, and they can help you feel more comfortable and in control when the little one arrives. Why not prepare in advance and shop today>
Do you have tips for fighting morning sickness? Share with us in the comments below!
]]>
I first met Lauren and Chandler online after they heard my interview on the So You Had A Baby podcast with Krista and Nkiru. A couple of months later I was traveling to Portland and had the opportunity to meet them in person! We had so much fun and I always love meeting online friends in person.
Tell us about yourself and your business.
My business partner Chandler and I were living parallel lives before we joined forces and began AVYN. We were both pregnant and in the middle of a giant home remodel project, scrambling to get it 'done' before our babies arrived within a week of each other. After I had my son and was breastfeeding, I became frustrated with my matronly Nursing Bras and began researching apparel design and manufacturing, often in the middle of the night while nursing my son. I pitched the idea to Chandler and she jumped on board without skipping a beat. After three years of work and dedication, we officially launched AVYN in March 2019.
What does your business do? How do you help expecting or new moms?
AVYN is a maternity bra company specializing in athletic style nursing bras. We created AVYN to support women, particularly moms, as they tackle all the obstacles and challenges motherhood presents without thinking twice about what bra to put on for the day.
Why did you start your business?
We started AVYN because after having our own babies we saw a need in the market for an athletic style nursing bra. I didn't feel like myself in the nursing bras I had purchased and I found myself spending too much time changing my clothes and bra for each activity (work, yoga, happy hour, nursing, etc), when I didn't really have extra time to spare. I wanted to see a sophisticated, sporty nursing bra that could be thrown on and make a mom feel confident, strong, and ready for anything.
What advice would you give to expecting or new moms?
Take extra care of yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself for your family.
How has motherhood changed you (if at all)?
Motherhood has opened my eyes to see the world again through the eyes of a child, full of wonder, simplicity, and excitement. With each age and milestone my son passes through, it is so fun to relive experiences with him and feel the 'newness' of it all again.
Find AVYN here:
Website: www.shopavyn.com
Instagram: @avynnation
If you haven’t been following one of our favorite new moms, Amy Schumer, you may have missed her Instagram post this summer where she shared the realities of postpartum life, which included her pushing a stroller wearing nothing but a bra and postpartum mesh underwear!
We applaud Amy for sharing the struggles and recovery process post-baby that are often not shown. We’re even more excited that she highlighted the greatness that is mesh underwear - something that doesn’t really make the news too often, but something we clearly stand behind!
There are MANY reasons why we love our Postpartum Mesh Underwear - and why they are a MUST in any hospital bag for giving birth to your new baby!
]]>We applaud Amy for sharing the struggles and recovery process post-baby that are often not shown. We’re even more excited that she highlighted the greatness that is mesh underwear - something that doesn’t really make the news too often, but something we clearly stand behind!
There are MANY reasons why we love our Postpartum Mesh Underwear - and why they are a MUST in any hospital bag for giving birth to your new baby!
Brief Transitions are stretchy and breathable. Since they go up and over the C-section incision area, they don’t put pressure on your sensitive midsection (I had to cut my granny panties at the elastic waistband when I ran out of mesh underwear. You can read more about that story and how Brief Transitions came to be here).
Brief Transitions is typically used after childbirth are designed to be short term, but you CAN reuse these! We recommend that you warm wash these, don’t use bleach and air dry for the best care and to last you longer!
We know all the messes that can come along with postpartum healing, so that’s why we’ve offer Brief Transitions in two colors, white and black. I like to think the black underwear feel a little more normal (and a little less medical seeming) than the white, but to each her own - we’ve got you covered with both!
Recovering at home? Strolling the aisles of Target? Wherever you go these underwear are super stretchy and soft to allow for maximum comfort. We’ve been told women love wearing our disposable mesh postpartum underwear for weeks (and sometimes months!) after childbirth.
Amy isn’t the only celebrity mom who isn’t afraid to share photos of their post-pregnancy, new baby world either! Chrissy Teigen has been very vocal about her recovery process after her son, Milo, was born. More recently, Snooki posted about all of the postpartum supplies you need after her third child was born.
We’ve even had our very own customers share their photos wearing Brief Transitions. We love this pic of Jessie from TwentyTwoAndDue sporting Brief Transitions while pumping!
Let’s keep rockin’ the undies and keep having the postpartum recovery conversations!
Have you heard about postpartum mesh underwear or tried Brief Transitions? Let us know in the comments below!
Expecting Mamas – wondering what to pack in your hospital bag? Look no further than our Baby Hospital Bag Checklist. We’ve put together our favorite hospital bag essentials so you’ll be prepared to welcome your little one.
Childbirth is incredible and amazing, but it can also seem overwhelming. Growing and delivering a human being is an experience like no other. What we’ve noticed though, is that most people forget to mention the less glamorous, but very REAL parts of childbirth. Our Hospital Bag Checklist covers the essentials and comfort basics, along with some nice-to-haves for your postpartum recovery after labor and delivery.
Below are items that we like to consider comfort basics.
The hospital may give you some of these postpartum recovery items, but we’ve heard from a lot of women and hospital supplies vary quite a bit. It is better to be prepared – plus, you’ll definitely need these things when you return home so be sure to stock up!
The postpartum mesh underwear needs another brief mention.
If you don’t know our story, part of how Brief Transitions came to be is that I ran out of these precious things at home. I couldn’t find any to purchase and I would have given my right arm to be able to buy some (not my baby though, don’t worry). I ended up buying granny panties and cut the elastic so I wouldn’t have too much pressure on my incision. Now, some women wear them for a short time and are ok with that, but I wore them until they wore out or got too gross and I had no other choice but to throw them away. After I had my daughter I wanted to be able to provide these essential postpartum mesh underwear to other new moms. On a road to recovery, it is the small things that get you through and that is what the mesh undies mean to me.
So if you aren’t pregnant right now, but your BFF is and you want to be an incredible friend – get her some of these undies – STAT! You might even win the best/most unique gift at her shower! 😉
Did you pack your hospital bag yet? Let us know in the comments below!
]]>