Blossom welcomes and honors Dads this June!

On Friday, May 28, we had the pleasure of hosting a talk with Suzanne Arms, author, birth activist, mother, and grandmother.  She brought her usual passion and vigor to the topic “How did our experiences at the start of life shape us today?”  I have known Suzanne personally for many years and have heard her speak both formally and casually on similar topics.  As always, her words got me pondering (as I have since becoming a mother) how to heal from my own difficult first birth, what happened at my own birth that shaped who I am as a person and the relationship I have with my mother, and even how my mother’s experience of birth shaped how she experienced my daughter’s birth!  During this particular talk, however, a new question arouse for me…what about my husband’s role in all of this?  Is it possible his own birth had an effect on how our daughter came into the world?  What may have been difficult for him in becoming a father that has shaped everything that has come after?  Does he have something to process as we get closer to the birth of our third and final baby!?  

While I have always considered Kevin such an important part of my birth team and admire his dedication and involvement as a father, I had never before considered his experience of birth and how it may have had an affect on our own birth experiences and everything that followed.  I don’t mean to sound so self-centered, but it has almost felt like he was just a “supporting role” in my personal “movie” about my experience of birth.  Suzanne acknowledged that men, of course, can have birth experiences to process, whether their own or that of their children, but they do it in a completely different way than women do.  And often, they are completely at peace with their experiences of birth, but have other challenges as they navigate the seas of fatherhood.  This turned out to be the case for Kev.

Blossom is not just a place where women are supported as they become mothers.  We are a place for the entire family to grow.  Dads are involved in most of our prenatal classes, from Breastfeeding Basics to Childbirth Prep (actually, as a prenatal educator I’ve always said birth classes are more for the dad then the mom), and they are welcome to participate in our Parent- Baby Groups in the postpartum.  That said, it has been a rare occasion when I have seen a dad come in for our Parent-Baby Groups, and it has always been to accompany mom.  The truth is, dads just have different needs and different concerns than new moms.  And so, with this in mind, we started our BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) Dads’ Gathering and found an experienced father of two, Ollie Moore, to lead it.  

Since I’m not a dad, I’ve never attended BYOB, but I hear that all sorts of topics come up.  It’s definitely a place where dads can ask their questions, make friends with other new dads, and give mom a couple of hours all to herself.  BYOB happens monthly on the third Sunday at 11:00am, except for June.  This month, we put the group on hold for a week, since it falls on Fathers’ Day and we figure many dads will have special plans with their families.  The following Sunday, however, we honor our Dads with our first annual BYOB Dads’ Day Hike.  

Most dads don’t get an opportunity to do “dad stuff” with other dads- here’s the chance to get out in the fresh air, hang out with other dads and kids and just plain have a good time.  The hike is Sunday, June 27 at 10am at the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve in Cupertino, just 20- 25 minutes from Blossom.  The trail offers gorgeous views of the South Bay, yet is easy enough for toddlers and all-terrain strollers.  For a $25 donation (just $20 until June 15), dads will participate in the hike lead by Ollie, receive a cool BYOB T-shirt, snacks, a light lunch, and a ticket into our Dads’ Hike Raffle.  Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each or 3 for $10 with cool dad prizes like a DadGear Diaper Bag (worth $90), a San Jose Giants family pack worth $134, a $100 gift certificate to the NFL shop and more!  (We will call the winners afterwards, so if you can’t make it to the hike, you can still participate in the raffle.)  For more Hike details, please visit our Dads’ Day Hike webpage.  

As Fathers’ Day approaches, we at Blossom honor all of the dads in our community.  We remind our families that we are here for all of you, mom, baby, and dad alike.  Have a current Parent- Baby group card?  Dad can use it to attend BYOB!  And if there is any other way we can serve our dads, don’t hesitate to let us know!  We look forward to seeing you at our Dads’ Day Hike and hope your entire family has an awesome Fathers’ Day this June.

How Did our Experiences at the Start of Life Shape us Today?

Blossom Birth is excited to welcome Suzanne Arms, author of Immaculate Deception and founder of Birthing the Future to present on the topic:

How Did our Experiences at the Start of Life Shape us Today?

Please join us for this fascinating discussion on:

Friday, May 28, 2010
7-9pm
at Blossom Birth, 299 S. California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Suggested Donation $10-$25

Please RSVP to Blossom at 650-321-2326, blossom@blossombirth.org.

Suzanne Arms will present groundbreaking scientific evidence which supports ancient indigenous wisdom about the life from conception to the first birthday. She will also present on preventing and healing birth-related psychological trauma.

Suzanne Arms is a familiar name to many from her 7 groundbreaking books (on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and adoption), films, photographs, and the hundreds of talks she has given at conferences worldwide since 1975. She has been an inspiration behind the Birth Movement. Her 2nd book, Immaculate Deception was named a New York Times Best Book of the Year and inspired thousands of midwives, nurses and physicians, as well as parents-to-be.

Arms is an advocate for holistic, sustainable health policies and practices and conscious parenting. Her focus - and the focus of Birthing The Future, the U.S. non-profit she founded in 2003 and directs - is birth and the mother-baby connection, which lays the foundation for love and trust, health and resiliency, cooperation and community. Arms presentations range from large multi-media events, using films and her photographs, at conferences and colleges to workshops for professionals and students, and intimate sacred circles for healing and deepening community. She weaves a tapestry of knowledge from ancient and cross-cultural wisdom to modern science (cellular biology, neurobiology, psycho-immunology and attachment theory), with ecology, feminism and spirituality. She is currently finishing a television documentary called "Birth."

To learn more about Suzanne, see her website at or Mothering Magazine's June/ July 2009 Living Treasure.

Happy Mother's Day!

Blossom Birth invites you to celebrate Mother's Day with us!
Open House
Saturday May 8, 2010
www.blossombirth.org/pamper

Join us for a day full of fun, relaxing and informative classes
especially designed for moms and moms-to-be. We will also have a
silent auction, door prizes and a raffle every hour between 9am and
5pm, so bring a friend, come on by and celebrate being a Blossom Mom!
You must preregister for these free sessions. Space is limited, first
five people to register for each session will receive a gift bag worth
over $50.

Sessions with a few open spots include:
Work Life Balance (11am)- come explore the ever vexing challenge of
balancing it all and finding time for yourself.

Prenatal Nutrition and Stress Reduction (noon) - simple techniques to
enhance your diet during pregnancy.

Yoga and the art of Surrender (1pm) - take yoga off your mat and into
your life.
What do you do with your photos (1pm) - great tips on
taking your 1000s of photos from digital to print.

BabySpirit Meditation (2pm) - connect with your baby in a soul nurturing way.

Eating for Conception and Good Health (3pm) - recipes, samples and
more to start you off on a healthy road to conception.

Women's Red Tent (5:30pm) - Join us for an exploration of motherhood.
Thousands of women around the world have joined each other under the
Red Tent to inspire, empower and celebrate each other- we are excited
to bring you our own version of this amazing gathering!

Online Pampering Store
Open Now!
 www.blossombirth.org/pamper
Browse through our Online Pampering store to find the perfect gift for
yourself or the one you love! All the products in our pampering store
are generously donated by local businesses, so every dollar you spend
will support Blossom’s services for new and expectant moms. Keep
checking back regularly as we will be updating the lists often.

A big thank our sponsors for their generosity: 
Supporting Sponsors:
Whole Child Wellness, Watercourse Way, Barefoot and Pregnant 


Community Sponsors: Naturell, Align the Self, Cypress Natural Medicine, SwaRay,
Karen Amor Photography, Heshmat Pain Management Clinic, Patricia
Weltz, DO, Anna Hurty, Laurie Schmiesing, Bug and Bean Photography,
Peninsula Ultrasound, Mammography & MRI, PhysioFit, Hygeia
--

Transforming Birth in the Web 2.0 Era: A Workshop for Advocates

Join Amy Romano for a workshop on Monday, May 10 from 7-9pm at Blossom Birth on the topic of "Transforming Birth in the Wed 2. 0 Era"

I have gone from a vague understanding of social media to a deep conviction that, leveraged properly, it represents one of the most potent threats to our dysfunctional maternity care system. I have come to believe that power is up for grabs in our new connected world, and consumers and their advocates are in a better position than ever to seize it." - Amy Romano

The internet has been called a disruptive technology because it has shifted power and altered the economics of doing business - whether that business is selling books or providing health care.

Web 2.0 has accelerated the pace of disruption by enabling interactive information sharing and blurring the lines between the "producers" and "consumers" of knowledge, goods, and services.

Find out what these trends mean for those of us advocating for safer, healthier, and more mother-friendly maternity care. In this interactive presentation, evidence-based maternity care expert and social media consultant, Amy Romano, will discuss several case studies that demonstrate the power of social media to "bend the curve" toward safer, healthier birth. She will also discuss effective use of the current crop of social media tools: blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. Whether you're a social media guru or these concepts are brand new, come find out how we all can work together to push for change.

Amy Romano is a midwife, mother, and author of the Lamaze research blog, Science & Sensibility. She coordinates blogger outreach for Lamaze International and won the 2010 National Advocacy Award from the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services for her social media efforts. She is co-author with Henci Goer of the second edition of Obstetric Myths versus Research Realities and co-editor of the 9th edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves, both due out in 2011. Her work has been published in several peer reviewed journals, and at RH Reality Check, e-Patients.net, DrGreene.com, The Unnecesarean, and Our Bodies Our Blog. You can find her on Twitter at @midwifeamy.

Suggested donation between $10-$25. Space is limited, please RSVP on Facebook or directly to Blossom at 650-321-2326 or blossom@blossombirth.org

Blossom's Mother's Day Pampering Celebration

Long gone are the days when I get to stay in bed and sleep in – I’m a mother now. My cute, adorable alarm clock, also known as my 5-month-old daughter, wakes me up around 5:00am to start our day. This consists of round-the-clock feedings, diaper changes, playing, napping, going for a walk, laundry, bath, story time and bed. Our days can also include melt-downs (sometimes her, sometimes me). It’s a 24/7 job, no vacation time, but lots of perks (like the smile she greets me with each morning, hearing her laugh and squeal with delight, and our “chatting” time while she’s on the changing table).

While motherhood has been one of the most rewarding experiences, I sometimes miss components of my former pre-baby life such as curling up for hours with a good book, taking a nice long shower, and dressing up. Now my daily wardrobe usually consists of sweats (with one of a kind designer spit-up patterns) or maternity wear (I still don’t fit my pre-pregnancy jeans, or as I now call them, my “skinny jeans”). Winter has given way to spring and I can no longer use the excuse that the hair on my legs will help keep me warmer when the reality is I can’t find my shaver or the time to use it! Sleeping a consistent 5 hours has become like a little slice of heaven. And pooping is now a glorious event in our house, complete with a song and dance! Maybe it’s just me, but some days I’m still in my morning pajamas when my husband gets home from work in the evening. Yup, life sure is different – in a good way!

Through it all, I keep hearing “mothers also need to take care of themselves.” With all the care-taking and giving mothers do, it’s sometimes easy for us to forget to give to ourselves (you know you’re a new mother when basic grooming has become a luxury!). I understand the need to indulge once in awhile, it’s just the actual follow through that gets lost in translation. Lucky for us mothers and mothers-to-be, Blossom has the solution. It’s that time of year again – Blossom’s Mother’s Day Pampering Celebration!

This is an annual event held in honor of mothers. It’s a chance to celebrate and pamper ourselves – and support Blossom all at the same time! There are two components to this year’s event: an Open House and an Online Pampering Store.

Blossom’s Open House on Saturday, May 8^th provides the perfect opportunity get together with other moms and soon-to-be moms for a little R & R!  Throughout the day, enjoy workshops designed to de-stress, enrich, and support you on your journey to and through motherhood. Topics include

·         Prenatal Yoga

·         Body Talk

·         Birth Practice

·         Prenatal Nutrition and Stress Reduction

·         Yoga and the Art of Surrender

·         What do you do with your photos?

·         Organic Garden Facials

·         BabySpirit Meditation

·         Eating for Conception and Good Health

·         Women's Red Tent: Welcoming the Great Mother

If you’d like to sign up for a session, do so by going to the Open House webpage and clicking on the registration button to the right of your chosen workshop. All sessions take place at our Blossom office. Workshops are free of charge, but pre-registration is required as space is limited. Your registration includes a free gift bag filled with goodies and coupons valued at up to $50.

Can’t make it to Blossom for the Open House, or want more pampering? Check out Blossom’s Online Pampering Store. It’s packed with wonderful gift certificates and products all generously donated by businesses in the area. Any dads or dads-to-be in need of a little help finding the perfect mother’s day gift for their special woman? There’s bound to be something for every mom, with services and products in several categories. Choose from Spa and Massage, Baby Products, Health and Wellness, Around Town, Dining Out, Gift baskets and Blossoms, Household Products and Services, Birth and Early Parenting Services, and Miscellaneous Fun.  All the proceeds from the pampering store directly benefit Blossom’s work to support growing families – so go on and splurge, and feel good about it!

In the spirit of honoring mothers, join us by coming to the Open House and/or pampering yourself, Blossom style! Thank you to our event sponsors: Whole Child Wellness, Watercourse Way, Barefoot & Pregnant, Naturell, and Align the Self.

Other ways to celebrate moms and help Blossom keep its doors open and its programs and services expanding:

• Make a donation to Blossom in honor of a special mom in your life
• Shop Blossom Affiliates – Blossom receives a percentage every time you purchase goods or services through our merchant affiliates

So, mothers out there, for all you do – give the gift of pampering to yourself (or better yet, let your significant other give it to you!) Hope you can join us!  Happy Mother’s Day!

Michelle de Jesus

Registration Coordinator

The Benefits of Infant Massage

My son Michael and I took Reenie McCaffrey's Infant Massage Series here at Blossom when he was a baby. We both really enjoyed this four week class, as Reenie made each class supportive and informative for the moms, and the environment calming and nurturing for both the moms and the babies. The Yoga Room was transformed each week into a sanctuary. The lights were dimmed, the room was warm and there was beautiful quite music playing in the background. Reenie is so great at setting the tone in the room, and in her class, into a safe and nurturing space for moms to bond and connect with their babies, as well as for the moms and Reenie to connect and get to know each other.

Infant Massage is a wonderful and powerful way to bond with your new baby. It has also been found to have many benefits for infants and babies, including: assisting with relief from Colic and constipation, aid in digestion, improve blood circulation, stimulate neurological development, help to reduce stress hormones and to release oxytocin, the nurturing hormone. 

There are many benefits for parents as well when they give their baby a massage. Here are some of the many benefits: assists you in learning your babies cues through their body language, helps parents in feeling more competent and confident in caring for their babies, it relieves stress for both the parent and the baby, it enhances your ability to understand your babies unique needs, and it is a special way to bond with your little one. 

It was such a great experience for me to learn how to do infant massage in class, and then to practice doing it at home with Michael. We started a beautiful bonding ritual at home of taking a bath and then doing the massage with grapeseed oil. Michael really responded to the massage and I feel that he really enjoyed receiving it and it was so relaxing for us both. When we would return to class, during the four week series, we would learn some more massage strokes and techniques from Reenie and we were able to ask questions that came up for us during the week. Needless to say, I highly recommend this class!

Please join Reenie with your baby for her next Infant Massage Series at Blossom which begins on Wednesday, April 21st or for her Infant Massage Workshop on July 17th. To register for this class, you can do so online or by seeing us in the office at Blossom during our office hours, Mon-Fri 10am-1pm.

Rachel Cooley

Community Outreach Coordinator

Safely wearing your newborn in a sling

As if you don't already have enough stuff to worry about as a new parent, there has been a recall of several slings and warnings about carrying your newborn in a sling.  When my daughter was a newborn, being able to carry her in a sling was crucial.  There were days when she did not want to be put down, but I really needed to go to the bathroom or do the laundry.  I also really believe that being able to wear my baby helped her feel more secure in those early days out in the big wide world.  

While there are some slings and positions that do pose a hazard to your baby, there are a many options available for safe, comfortable babywearing.  The recent warnings are in regard to a specific style of sling, called a "bag sling", basically a baby duffel bag.  These slings include the Infantino Slingrider, Munchkin Jelly Bean Cargo Sling , Eddie Bauer Infant Sling , Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling and the Boppy Carry in Comfort (examples are shown about half way down this page: www.sleepingbaby.net/safety.php).  These slings are dangerous because they cause babies to be positioned in such a way that their airway is compromised and they are unable to breath.  This occurs in several ways - the baby is curled up into a c-position, which causes their chin to be too close to their chest and closes off their airway (which is only the size of a drinking straw), the baby rolls to one side and their nose and mouth are pressed against the fabric of the sling and their caregiver's body or the baby is completely covered by the sling fabric, decreasing the amount of oxygen available to the baby.  In addition to the dangers to your baby, bag slings are also quite uncomfortable for the wearer because the baby is held at hip level, instead of at chest level at/near the wearer's center of gravity.

So, now that you know what to avoid, which baby carriers are safe?  There are many, many options for newborns - ring slings, pouches (both fixed and adjustable), stretchy wraps, woven wraps , mei tais and soft structured carriers , which can all be used with older babies as well.  Since ring slings and pouches are the most similar to bag slings, in that the baby can be in a reclined position and they are worn on one shoulder, I will focus on those.  The preferred position for a baby in a ring sling is upright, although a reclined/cradle position can also be used.  In the upright position, the baby's head should be close enough so that you can kiss the top, their face should not be smooshed into your body and their body and back should be well supported by the ring sling.  Stretchy pouches, such as a Kangaroo Korner  adjustable pouch, can also be used to carry your baby upright, but provide less support for your baby's body.  Instructions for the cradle carry in both a pouch and a ring sling can be found here  (warning - it's a pdf, but the best information I've found).  Here are the important items to remember when wearing your newborn baby:

• you should always be able to see your baby's face and no fabric should cover their face
• you should be able to fit 2 fingers between their chin and chest (ie. their neck should be straight and not bent or curled in any way)
• your baby should be well supported so that their head can not roll into your body or the fabric of the sling

There are numerous additional resources available to help you figure out if your baby is safe in your sling.  The best way to make sure that your carrier is safe and that you are using it correctly is to get in-person assistance.  Blossom Birth has a 2 hour Slings & Things Workshop  on April 18th and June 27th and also holds a more informal monthly Babywearing meeting on the 2nd Monday of every month (next meeting, Monday, April 12 between 2:30 and 4pm).  In addition to the resources already mentioned, here are a few more:

• babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/
• www.thebabywearer.com/
• parentsvillage.blogspot.com/2009/10/safe-positioning-in-slings.html
• www.nurturebabynaturally.com/2010/03/what-is-bag-sling.html
• sakurabloombabyslings.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/educate-yourself-proper-infant-positioning-in-a-baby-sling/
• www.facebook.com/BabywearingSafety?ref=ts

Here's to many months and years of safe babywearing!

--Serena Weingrod, Blossom Volunteer and runs our monthly free Babywearing meeting.

Neither Blossom nor Serena were paid to endorse any baby wearing manufacturer for this blog. We have no affiliation with any particular babywearing company or website mentioned above.