Needs:
Water resistant container (sealing)
Wipes (can be flannel squares, thin infant wash cloths, we’ve even used washed “disposable” wipes!)
Jug of distilled water (plain tap water doesn’t cut it…eventually gets moldy…trust me)
Tea tree oil (antibacterial properties…nice!)
Lavender essential oil (mmmm…pretty…)

Place the wipes in whichever container you will use for storing. In a separate container mix the distilled water with the oils (a few drops to each cup of water you will be using). Pour over your wipes and you are set! You can even take some in a resealable plastic bag for trips away from home. This has worked well for us, and we use the container that some disposable wipes came in. Thin washcloths fold up nicely into it and our wipe solution just needs two cups of water. Go for it, mommas! You can do it!

Jennifer Fuentes
http://www.milagrosboutique.com

I tend to be a moderate in almost every way (except when it comes to intolerance!). My need for respecting individuals and honoring inner wisdom trumps any idealistic version of reality that I encounter. I just don’t think there in one right way to do anything.

Lately, I have felt concerned about how much judgment I experience in the natural parenting philosophies. Often, we only think of dogma as a conservative stick in the eye. But the truth is, you can find rigidity in almost any belief system when you encounter the extreme versions.

We have all seen it.  A new mother feels alienated because she elected to have a Cesarean birth (for whatever reason; and is it really any of our business anyway?) or gets a snub from Attachment Parenting advocates because the family bed just does not work for her family. She is embarrassed to bottle feed her baby (even after trying for months to breastfeed) during a playgroup or scared to admit her son is getting vaccinations.

For a philosophy based on connection, a lot of separation is taking place.

There are so many positive, progressive and brilliant ideas in the natural parenting movement. But when it becomes a check list that leaves many feeling excluded from the club, it begins to feel a lot more like a religion than a philosophy that empowers parents. And it is so easy to get sucked in! The longing for a tribe, the natural desire to fit in, can leave some mamas feeling like they better toe the line (or hide the “indiscretions”) rather than follow their guts.

Mothering from the heart (your own heart) can often be a lonely place.

Here are the distinctions that are important to me when considering a parenting philosophy:

* Places the emphasis on connecting with a parent’s instincts and intuition
* Connects with what a family might already being doing skillfully
* Instills confidence and a sense of progress rather than guilt
* Honors the reality that each life situation is unique
* Offers versions or options rather than just one-way-fits-all

Feeling empowered to make choices, comfortable making mistakes, and welcomed to express an individual voice makes for a vibrant, creative parenting community.

It takes dedication to keep a baby close while performing daily tasks and strength to keep them there on a regular basis- especially if you have older children who want to be lifted. It also takes research to find the proper fitting sling or carrier. Thankfully, Portland has a many locally owned stores that provide such a variety of makes, models, styles and sizes that it is not difficult to find one to your (and your baby’s!)liking- used or new.

Some women become interested in baby wearing at the beginning of the fourth trimester as they realize the soothing effect it has on their newborn. Others begin baby wearing as the babe grows and they realize their wrists or back cannot take holding them for extended periods of time.

If you wear your baby frequently, buy at least 2 different carriers. Having a variety supports your body in using different muscle groups depending on the style. Your partner may need his/her own for different sizing and comfort. Secondly, make sure your carrier is properly fitted. Too big a sling causes big back problems and then you won’t want to use it!

Some exercises/ tips for proper body positioning and recruitment are as follows:
(Try these first without holding your baby to get the feel)

- Exhale on exertion: Whether you are lifting your baby or placing him in the car seat, always exhale with the work and engage your abdominals. Draw your belly towards your spine as you release your breath, imagining an inner girdle wrapping around in front, cinching tighter with each exhale.

-Recruit your abdominals: When you are wearing your baby, draw your belly to your spine 100% with each exhale. After all, wearing your baby can be exerting work! Do not engage your low back.

-Stand tall: Lift out thru the crown of your head and stay lifted whether your baby is in front or on your back. Lift your ribs away from your hips and do not sink into your low back.

-Stay open through your chest: Try not to collapse the front of your shoulders together. Keep them wide and open.

-Relax you neck and upper shoulders: If your neck is tight, your abdominals are probably not working.

- DON’T carry your baby on your hip, swinging it out to the side. Keep your hips forward and weight evenly distributed on each leg

- DON’T hold your breath: Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

- DO keep your wrists straight when lifting and caring for your baby.

Hopefully, these tips are helpful. One other suggestion would be to do some kind of upper body strength training and core work as soon as possible after your baby is born: light weights (5 lbs), Pilates, or yoga. Try to stay a step ahead of your growing baby so a big growth spurt doesn’t catch you and your body off guard!

For Slings and sling fitting: http://www.milagrosboutique.com

For a handout of Pilates core strengthening exercises for baby wearing or to register for a Mamalates (mama and baby Pilates) class contact wendy@divinepilates.com
http://www.divinepilates.com

1. “Lap Child” or paid seat?
Most airlines will allow a parent to carry children under 24 months without having to purchase a separate seat. Please keep in mind that it is ALWAYS safer for your child to travel in an approved restraint device (car seat). However, cost is certainly a factor, so here is a tip: Bring your car seat with you to the airport. If there is space on the flight, airlines will almost always allow you to use one of the vacant seats for your infant seat free of charge. If it turns out the plane is full, you can always gate check your seat at the last minute. The Customer Service Agent at the boarding gate can help you with this.

Explaining your situation and asking politely will go a long way when dealing with airline employees. Especially since most of the customer interaction they get is from unhappy passengers. The best way to guarantee that you won’t get accommodated is to be rude and demanding – this goes for dealing with Flight Attendants as well. I can guarantee you there is not a Flight Attendant out there who wants to worry about an unsecured infant during an emergency landing – so if we can help you out, rest assured we will do so!

If it turns out that there is an available seat, chances are it is not next to you. There is something you can do about this if you are traveling on a larger aircraft. When you book your seats (most websites will allow you to do this, or you can request it at check-in) select an aisle and a window seat with an empty middle seat - of course, this only works if you are traveling with another person. Middle seats are the last to get booked, so odds are the middle seat will either be empty, or occupied by a solo traveler. Solo travelers are much more likely to move when asked than someone traveling with a larger party. Plus, who wants to be “stuck” between two parents with a small child? If you need to ask someone to move, get a Flight Attendant to help facilitate. That way, you don’t accidentally start a chain reaction of people seated in the wrong place, which may delay the flight.

One last thing, there is only one lap child permitted per adult, so you won’t be able to travel with two lap children (twins, close siblings) by yourself unless at least one of them is in a car seat.

Approved Child Restraint Devices
The CRS (Child Restraint System) must bear two labels, although typically the text for these two required labels is merged onto one label. The labeling must include the text “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards” and “THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT”, in red lettering.

It is imperative that your infant/child seat is FAA approved for use in aircraft. If it is not, or the sticker (printed in red) is partially torn off or missing, you will not be able to use the seat on the aircraft. Nearly all infant seats are approved. It is helpful if you know where the sticker is on your seat so that you can direct the Flight Attendant right to it. He or she is required by law to check for the label before allowing the seat on board.

2. Installing your seat on the aircraft
Your infant seat should be positioned on the aircraft as it would be in your car - rear facing for smaller infants and forward facing for larger infants. Regulations require that the seat is secured next to a window. It is not allowed in the center seat or in an aisle (to prevent possible obstruction during an evacuation).

If you have a seat that can be used without a base, select that option when traveling by air. It can be difficult to remove the base once you have arrived at your destination because of the difference between airplane and automotive seatbelts – there often is not enough room to get your fingers under the base to release the seatbelt by pulling up on the metal flap if it has been tightened appropriately. If your seat requires the use of the base, by all means use it, but plan for a little hassle when you get ready to deplane.

If you are using an infant seat (even if you didn’t pay for the child’s ticket) it is required for the baby to be placed in the seat and buckled in for taxi, take-off, landing and whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated. This means you cannot hold/nurse your baby during these phases of flight. The Flight Attendants may choose not to notice that you are holding your baby during cruise when the seatbelt sign is on, unless there is turbulence, but the take-off and landing rule should be strictly adhered to. Eighty-five percent of aircraft accidents happen during these phases of flight, often with no warning, so the rule is for your child’s safety.

3. Unapproved devices
Many booster seats are NOT approved for use on aircraft. Check for a label before you haul it through airport security. This will save you a lot of headache! There will usually be a label that states the seat is not approved for use on aircraft, so read carefully. Only seats with an independent harness system (not relying on the aircraft seatbelt to secure the child to the device) are approved.

You may not secure your child in a sling, front carrier, or any other type of device that binds your child to your body for taxi, take-off or landing. It is also NEVER safe to secure yourself and your child using the same seatbelt. In the event of a crash, or even a short stop or hard landing, your body weight would be thrown against your child, possibly causing severe internal injuries. Belly belts and vest harnesses are also prohibited.

4. Ear pain on take-off and/or landing
Hopefully, your baby will be in her car seat during take-off and landing. This is the safest spot, but it means you can’t nurse during these phases of flight. Keep a pacifier handy, or if you aren’t using pacifiers, make a paste with a little sugar and water (or spit J) and put it on your baby’s lower lip. This will encourage her to suck and hopefully allow her ears to equalize without pain. You can always ask a Flight Attendant for a sugar packet if you don’t have one. Any kind of sweet/sticky substance would have the same effect.

5. Airsickness
You won’t often know if your child will be airsick until you fly. Always assume that he will be and pack accordingly.  Parents often forget to pack a change of clothes for themselves in their carry-on bag, but doing so (even just a spare shirt) can save you a lot of grief later. Having lots of wipes with you can also be a big asset in this situation.

Don’t hesitate to use your call button and ask for help – even if it is just to request a garbage bag to but soiled wipes and napkins in. Flight Attendants are trained to don gloves whenever they assist in cleaning up body fluids, so don’t be offended when he/she puts on a pair. At many carriers, it is the Flight Attendants who are responsible for cleaning the aircraft between flights, so however yucky and embarrassing it seems, you are doing them a favor by helping dispose of the mess properly instead of hiding the evidence in a seat pocket.

6. In-flight entertainment
Bring a few toys with you for the flight. It is extra helpful to mix old favorites with toys that are new to the child and more likely to grab their attention. For the sanity of yourself and your fellow passengers, please don’t bring toys that make loud or incessant noises. In a pinch, unused airsick bags make great hand puppets.

Above all, check your seating area carefully when you land. You don’t want to create a crisis later because a favorite toy or security blanket was left on board the aircraft.

7. Changing baby / using the lavatory
Very few aircraft lavatories have changing tables, but some do, so be sure and ask or check it out for yourself. Often Flight Attendants can direct you to the best spot on the aircraft to use for changing (there is almost always a better spot than at your seat). Don’t use the airplane blankets for a changing pad – they are used on many, many flights and rarely (if ever!) washed.

For older kids, don’t ever let them go to the lavatory without their shoes on. That nastiness on the floor is NOT all water, despite what we would like to believe.

8. Snacks and meals
Be sure to bring your own snacks on the plane. It is basically a given that anything you get on the flight (if anything) will be unhealthy. Don’t be shy about asking a Flight Attendant to cut your child’s apple juice with water or to ask for warm water to mix formula with. Depending on the Flight Attendant’s experience with children, you may have to be very specific about the water. Asking for a quarter cup of hot water for “tea” and then topping off with regular bottled water should do the trick. I would advise you to just get the water and mix the formula yourself – that way you don’t waste formula with water that is far too hot. Forget about getting food micro-waved, very few airplanes have this capability (airplane meals are loaded already hot into insulated carts). NEVER, EVER use water from a lavatory sink for a bottle, to mix cereal or even to brush your teeth with, it is not safe to drink and is meant for washing hands only.

Happy Travels!
Camille Mülchi RYT, CCE
http://www.motherwiseyoga.com/

It is a gray Portland day, the clouds hanging like hammers over the heavy green arms of the trees. It is June. Can it really be June?

I am pounding forward furiously (must move fast to keep the toddler interested), pushing the stroller with one hand, gabbing into my headset, shoving a Cliff bar into my mouth with the other hand that has the dog leash looped around the wrist. The 85 pound dog is pulling on my wrist so that every time the nutty edge of the bar hits my lips, it is yanked away. My toddler is writhing in the stroller, straining against the buckles and mumbling “outside, outside, outside” under his breath. I am listening to my teenaged son tell me about his finals through my headset while cursing the dog for every squirrel focused lunge. The drizzle coats my glasses and I can no longer even see the sidewalk in front of us.

We live three blocks from the park. By the time we get there (and we must go at least once a day, rain or shine, or the wild toddler climbs the walls) I often feel harried and worn out.

This time, this gem of a Northwest summer will never arrive afternoon, I stop in the middle of the sidewalk and and break into hysterical laughter. Look at me. I mean really, look at me. I am about as mindful as a Wall Street broker chasing the numbers. I am about as present as a kid in the fun house.

So, I hang up the phone, tuck the gnawed Cliff bar back into the soggy wrapper, slow down the pace fifty notches and breath. The toddler settles. Of course. The dog still lunges but I am no longer so frustrated that I long to kick her like that guy last week kicking his black lab in the street while I stared from the window and secretly felt better than him (and mortified for the dog).

Likely, I will find myself right back in this frenzy tomorrow. Here is my recipe for instant presence in the midst of daily chaos:

* Stop, breath and notice my body. When I am in the pace of the march of death towards the park, my shoulders are usually elevated, my breath is shallow (especially if I am talking on the phone AND eating at the same time) and my belly is tight.
* Ask myself what I am needing right in that moment. On the park charge day is was just a few minutes of down time. It had been a long day and we were all a little punchy. Knowing that my husband would be working late was causing me extra stress.
* Consider what might happen if I slow down. Usually the pace is fast when I feel I must get something done or when I am trying to stay one step ahead of my toddler’s next meltdown. Just noticing that If I don’t get that precious thing done that minute, I can come back to it later. And if my little guy has a fit, well, he might be needing to let off some steam anyway.
* Give myself some empathy. Right after the hysterical laughter were a few tears. I needed to give myself the love that no one else was offering in that moment.

Savannah Mayfield
http://www.mindfullymothering.com
http://www.nurturelifecoaching.com

But how to actually wash? It is tricky to decide how to wash diapers and covers when there are so many different recommendations by the various makers and a common belief that the natural detergents should be avoided (due to natural oils that may leave residue), yet we also want to be friendly to the earth…aaaarrrr! So, I’ll share what has worked for us.
Before you begin: No need to dunk the diapers of babies who aren’t yet eating solids. But once they are eating solid foods, shake those poopy diapers out over the toilet to get the solid poop off, or consider using biodegradable flushable liners ( http://www.bummis.com/en/Products/covers/BioLiner.html ), or attach a sprayer to your toilet.

Now to begin!

Step 1: Cold rinse and spin with Bac-out (about a cup, or two). This will do wonders to prevent stains. The only time I did encounter stains after washing was the time I didn’t rinse! Folks who rinse (as opposed to using a wet pail) often have their own methods. Some use baking soda, others prefer vinegar, or Bi-O-Kleen’s Bac-out (stain & odor eliminator), and others use just plain old water.
Step 2: Warm-warm wash (would choose hot but my machine lacks that option…) with the Bi-O-Kleen detergent (tip: use less soap then you think you need). Through two kids I have never had negative results from using this detergent on either the diapers or covers. Occasionally I will do an extra rinse. Too much soap can linger.
Step 3: Dry diapers and all in ones in the dryer, or once summer has decided to stay, air dry! The sun really does remove lingering stains!_Dry covers per manufacturer’s instructions. If it says I can dry them, I do, but I often just air dry the covers since they are generally made with quick drying fabrics. I also have a general feeling that it will prolong the life of the cover.

Note: Pocket diapers can conceivably get a build up of the natural detergent over time, suddenly making them seem leaky. Now, I haven’t had this happen from washing, but did indeed experience a leaky pocket a couple of times after needing to use rash ointment on my son. I followed “stripping” suggestions on the Happy Heinys’ website and then they worked fine.

And Another Note: If you have a front loading washer, remember to really use less soap than you think you need (sort of the general rule for diapers anyway, but especially so with front loaders). Be sure not to overload the washer because the diapers need to move in the water. And if you can do a second rinse you can ensure that any extra detergent is gone.

You may find some more tips on http://www.diaperpin.com.
Happy Diapering!
Jennifer
http://www.milagrosboutique.com

As a therapist working with pregnant and postpartum mothers, I have witnessed over and over the power of taking some conscious breaths and settling into onself. Perspective changes, relationships deepen into wisdom, and clearer pathways are forged.

As mothers we often feel both internal and external pressures to make certain that our children don’t “miss out” on experiences. We try and provide our children with many opportunities to discover their interests and as a result, we have become harried and busy mothers and families. We fill our time up so that we are perpetually rushing to the next activity…

It is difficult to navigate the many obligations and demands for our time and energy. I am grateful that I have finally discovered the importance of slowing down. I notice that as mothers create nurturing time for themselves, when they slow down, they naturally become more mindful of their relationships with their children and their loved ones. They become less reactive and more resonant with their values. There is the room for creativity, spontaneity, and the spaciousness for their wisdom to blossom.

As mothers we can teach our children the value of quiet, the importance of taking time to fully take in our experiences. It is challenging to get off the merry-go-round of how we “should” be as mothers and value connecting with ourselves, but the benefits are abundant for our families and our world.

Gaby Donnell

I love the farmer’s market in the spring!

I feel so wonderful about giving my money directly to the farmers who grow this bounty that I can easily spend far more there than I would at the grocery store. I have such respect for people who grow and tend food.

I respect them not just because they care for our environment and are passionate about their work, but also because growing food is hard to do well!

I have tried.

I plant a garden every year. Sometimes things grow, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes the deer eat everything before I can harvest it. Sometimes pests ruin my crops. Occasionally I plant the wrong thing (last year we “fertilized” with some old grass seed that someone had mislabeled--one of my more infamous gardening moves). Sometimes I just neglect things and the weeds overtake them. Regardless, it is just hard to grow food. Yummy, edible, pesticide-free deliciousness is a challenge to bring to fruition, and I feel comfortable paying more for the good stuff in life when someone busted their chops to create it!

On Mother’s Day I spent my money filling my bag with farm fresh delights at the farmer’s market and buying hanging baskets from the garden store so I can enjoy the beauty of spring every day.

One woman told me she keeps “happy pots” full of flowers by her walkway. I now do the same.  A little burst of color, fragrance and sweetness really helps me to extract the joy from everyday life. And after coming home to reflect on the bounty I collected at the market, it was easy to feel thankful, not only for my wonderful kids and the giant privilege of being their mom, but also for the wonderful gifts we have been given in our life together. And eating the juiciest strawberries all day was a nice way to remember the sweetness of being a mom and the sweet love I feel from my kids.

Kimberly Bepler http://www.abcdoulaservice.com

After photographing hundreds of newborn babies we have discovered a very sweet little window – the first two weeks – that begs for portraiture. Here is why:

A mellow baby makes for mellow parents. The temperament of a newborn baby with a belly full of milk is most often sleepy. We always schedule enough time that if a feeding or two is necessary during the appointment parents will not feel rushed.

In the first couple of weeks of life, babies often have clear skin.  Baby acne usually kicks in around three to four weeks of age. A few spots are easily retouched but a constellation can be challenging and expensive to remove.

Kim Campbell http://www.campbellsalgado.com

It is your one chance to capture their delicate beginning. This itty bitty little baby is going to be growing so fast in the first year! The image of a tiny hand wrapped around papa’s finger, little feet tucked between an older sibling’s or the innocent gaze of a child new to the world can take your breath away.

Some of our most memorable sessions are with babies only a few days old.

When Mila was 4 weeks old we made it to our first La Leche League meeting in Portland. Frequently mamas and nurslings will attend their first meeting with a burning issue to address. I was fortunate that at that time, our nursing relationship was going smoothly. But I was itching to meet other nursing women and found a smiling room of them! Now nearly six years have passed and I am still connected to mamas I met that morning in June. I have loved being able to share what I have learned as a nursing mother and in turn learn from others. And it isn’t uncommon for pregnant mamas to attend!

With Mother’s Day around the bend, I’d like to share this valuable resource that my own mother shared with me. Happy Mother’s Day!

Meetings in Portland:

North/Northeast Portland:

La Leche League of North/Northeast Portland meets on the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Rose City Park Methodist Church, 5830 NE Alameda. (One block South of Sandy Blvd.) Meetings are not church affiliated.

Toddler Meetings (appropriate for babies who are becoming mobile and beyond) are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., at Augustana Lutheran Church at NE 15th and Knott. Feel free to bring a snack to share, if you like.

For more information contact a North/Northeast Leader:

* Mary (503) 282-1950 * Summer (503) 667-4791 * Jude (503) 283-9579

Southeast Portland:

La Leche League of Southeast Portland meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Epworth United Methodist Church 1333 SE 28th. (Just North of SE Hawthorne) Meetings are not church affiliated.

For more information contact a Southeast Leader:

* Ginny (503) 236-7564 * Sara (503) 201-1607 * Sierra (503) 235-8140 * Louisa (503) 231-6371 * maijarr@hotmail.com

To find meetings outside of Portland, choose the banner “find local support” on the La Leche League International website. http://www.lalecheleague.org

Jennifer Fuentes
http://www.milagrosboutique.com