Isis Parenting and Feeding Baby Green

My recent trip to my hometown in Pennsylvania could not have come at a better time, these days I think I tend to forget that I live in a city. I take for granted the fact that I have amazing resources as a first time mother. When you live in a small town or even in the suburbs of a large city, information and support can be hard to come by. I feel so that much more lucky to have had Isis Parenting in Boston to guide me through everything from childbirth to stroller selection to (just today) night weaning my toddler. Isis Parenting currently has 4 Boston locations open in Back Bay, Needham, Arlington, and Brookline. I hop on a train to the Back Bay store whenever I need anything from a drop in breastfeeding chat or a baby shower gift.

Until today, I had never really thought about how far a trek that would be to a parent on the South Shore, but not for much longer. Isis Parenting will be opening their 5th location in just a few weeks in Hanover. This is fantastic news for all parents in that neck of the woods. I think it is a great step for Isis to bring their experts, advice, care and support to an entirely new group of new parents.

I was thrilled to be invited to a special event to kickstart the hype for the new store complete with an amazing talk by Dr. Alan Greene of "Feeding Baby Green". As always, Isis Parenting delivered an amazingly laid back chat on childhood nutrition with a prominent pediatrician. I can not wait to dive into this book and learn some pretty interesting information on what children should eat, why and how. In his talk today over lunch Dr. Greene gave so many interesting tidbits on how children learn to eat well via watching adults and peers. A few things stood out for me today: 1. Here in the United States the first "solid" food we give our children is white rice cereal, a food with little to no nutritional value. 2. Babies do not need special "baby food". 3. The foods we eat during pregnancy can indeed imprint onto our children, making a lasting impression on their future food preference.

Food is an important issue here in America because we have an overwhelming obesity epidemic. I feel so lucky to have been raised in a house where good food was made available to me and bad food, was not at the ready or an everyday occurrence. I learned so much from my own early eating habits making me a confident mother. Cora ate rice cereal for about a month before she decided she wanted an upgrade, but that was organic brown rice cereal.  Coraline would choose a strawberry over a cupcake any day but I still have so much to learn. I will definitely post some updates as I work my way through "Feeding Baby Green". I would love to read along with all of you, I highly suggest you all pick up your own copy! If you don't have time for books...let's be honest we have children ripping pages out of our hands on a daily basis, you can get some great information at Dr. Greene's Website.

All of you Boston mamas, spread the word that Isis Parenting is soon to be open in Hanover. The store looks amazing. If you are pregnant, a new mom or know someone that is, check out Isis Parenting. Classes are already open for registration! JP and I took the Natural Childbirth class when I was pregnant and I credit that preparation with my calm demeanor during 53 hours of labor. Coraline and I loved our Great Beginnings class and our Next Step Baby Group, I am looking for a new experience for us after the holidays.

Oh, Isis Parenting now offers online an Baby Registry! I would have loved to have had this when I was expecting, instead I registered at like, 3 different places in an attempt to get the things I wanted. Pregnant mamas from all over can now register for the best of the best, chosen by Isis Parenting experts, tested and approved of my mothers everywhere.

I'd love to hear from you all in the comments! Do you have an Isis Parenting story? Do you have something like Isis Parenting in your area? Would you give anything for a resource like this in your town? Where do you get your information and support? Do tell!

World Breastfeeding Week!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week! To all the breastfeeding mamas and babies, to all the mamas and babies who successfully breastfed already, congratulations! I truely believe that breastfeeding your baby is the best possible thing you can do for your child, it is no small task. I know it is not possible for everyone to have a successful breastfeeding story, and my heart goes out to every mother who tried but for whatever reason was unable to exclusively breastfeed. I was among a very lucky few mamas who had it easy. Coraline is now 10.5 months old, we will have no problem continuing to nurse past her 1st birthday. This was a major parenting goal that I have accomplished. Like accepting an academy award, I have many people to thank for my amazing breastfeeding journey.

My daughter, for making it easy on me by having a great latch and healthy appetite. My husband for being an amazing support, for all the night feedings he sat through with me in those early weeks, rubbing my shoulders and telling me I could do it. My mother for not just encouraging me but letting me know that giving up was simply not an option. My aunt for the phone calls checking in with us, the laughs provided during those first weeks of new motherhood. My friends for never once being weirded out when I popped a boob in Cora's mouth. My very good friend Ida who was always available to talk and cry with me over chat and for the late night email conversations we had when our babies were small enough to hold in one hand.

Without a strong support system, no mother can be her best. Everyone needs to find people to encourage them, hug them, and make them laugh. If you are a new mom, the best thing you can do is to read a lot about breastfeeding your newborn. Like childbirth, no amount of reading can actually prepare you for the adventure but it really can help you learn what to expect. There are supports out there for new moms, if you are like me and your family is far away, your friends don't have children, reach out; I promise there will be loving guiding hands for you to hold if you simply take that step. I am always ready and willing to do everything I can for a new mom having a hard time of it!

Here are some really great resources, please use them! International Breastfeeding Symbol

Le Leche League

Mothering Mothering has an awesome community of moms, check out the community section and get support from other moms breastfeeding! This is where I met Ida, who is one of my best friends today!

Giveaway! Baby Bond for Nursing day 4 of 5 days of giveaways

I am not remarkably modest when it comes to breast feeding Coraline in public. The one time that I tried to cover her  head with a blanket while she ate, she had a complete meltdown, I never did that again. I think breast feeding my child is natural and wonderful. The more people who see mamas feeding babies in public, the more common place it will be. 

That being said, there is something a little bit strange about whipping a boob out in front of your brother or dad.  I know it makes my male family members a tad bit uncomfortable for sure. They will simply avert their eyes, they never make a fuss. Since we were coming to Anguilla I knew I would already be wearing very little by way of clothes and covering Cora in this heat is just not going to cut it. 

Did you know there is a way to modestly breast feed your baby in public without covering baby? I had no idea, which is why finding Baby Bond was so exciting. 

 

Baby Bond is a total revolution in being modest while breast feeding. Instead of covering your baby's head, Baby Bond covers just your breast. Made kind of like a double sash, the pieces of fabric cover your breast on top and bottom while baby eats from the opening in the center. It's simple to use and just makes so much sense. 

I used this a few times while out and about and had no problem with the ease of use. There are two things I really love about the Baby Bond. The first thing I really like is that there is a built in burp cloth that slips under a strip of fabric on the your shoulder. It's soft and really absorbent. The second thing I love is that the Baby Bond folds up into a tiny ball with it's own little bag. It easily fits into my purse or diaper bag, so I can always carry it. 

I'm still not modest about breastfeeding but this is great to have, we all have times when we feel a little iffy about feeding. Be it around family or maybe just lurking strangers, Baby Bond makes it possible to not feel embarrassed or exposed when feeding your baby. 

Buy It!

Visit Baby Bond Nursing to buy your very own!

Win It!

I'm so excited that Baby Bond was nice enough to offer one lucky reader a Baby Bond all their own! ( $35 retail value)

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disclaimer: I did receive a free product for review. I was not paid for my opinion. The opinions expressed above are my own, based on my experience. Your opinions may differ.