Family First

FAMILY FIRST You’ve Got This, Mama!

By Alecia Humphreys

As most new moms can relate: Motherhood is a beautiful blend of excitement and exhaustion – both physically and mentally. Thankfully, the St. Louis area has a slew of resources for the season you’re in, regardless of whether you need a simple postpartum pick-me-up, a little help lulling that little to sleep or something more significant. ln

Community builders

St. Louis Mom is a locally focused parenting website and newsletter with articles by more than 45 metro area-based mamas with a goal to connect fellow moms to relevant resources, family friendly activities and local businesses. Pop in online to explore an assortment of subjects – from youth sports to dining deals and birthday parties.

St. Louis Mom, stlouis.momcollective.com

Lactation consultants

Breastfeeding isn’t always the breezy experience you anticipated, which is precisely where lactation consultants come in. Whether you are experiencing poor milk supply, pain or other problems, experienced experts available through Mercy, Barnes Jewish Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center are here to help.

Mercy Birthplace St. Louis, 314-251-6781, mercy.net/practice/mercy-birthplace-st-louis/ mercy-birthplace-patient-resources

Barnes Jewish Hospital Women & Infants Center, 877-447-1496, barnesjewish.org/Medical-Services/Women-Infants

Missouri Baptist Medical Center, 314-996-5747, mobapbaby.org/Breastfeeding-Resources/ Our-Certified-Lactation-Consultants

Self-care savers

Birth Order is a St. Louis-based marketplace made by a mom for moms. Whether you need something to aid in healing or breastfeeding or a self-care treat, Birth Order offers curated products supporting expectant and new moms’ comfort and recovery.

Birth Order, birthorder.shop

Postpartum counseling

Giving birth comes with some intense emotion – everything from joy to anxiety to, sometimes, even depression. Marble Wellness has a team trained in maternal mental health, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, to help you over the hurdles that hinder you in this precious season of motherhood.

Marble Wellness, 301 Sovereign Court, Suite 115, St. Louis, 636-234-3052, marblewellness.com/counseling-for- postpartum-moms

Sleep-training solutions

Sleep can be a struggle in the initial stages of motherhood. Thankfully, infant and child sleep consultant Renee Wasserman created SleepyHead Solutions to happily help. Whether you want to be prepared before baby’s arrival, need a sleep plan customized to your kid or something in between, SleepyHead Solutions wants to provide tools, strategies and confidence in your sleep situation.

SleepyHead Solutions, sleepyheadsolutions.com

Tracking tools

Mom brain having you questioning what time your last feeding took place? Try TinyTracker: a planner, memory book and infant development guide all wrapped into one pretty, linen-wrapped place.

The TinyTracker, thetinytracker.com

Postpartum fitness

Materra Method founder Abby Erker doesn’t want women to just “bounce back after baby” – she wants to bring every mother home to their body through mindful movement. Pregnant and postpartum clients are encouraged to exercise by participating in on-demand or in-studio classes, or by scheduling a private training session.

Materra Method, 7638 Gannon Ave., University City, materramethod.com