NW Kids Magazine May 2014

L I V E • PLAY • DO

magazine

THE BABY ISSUE BABY SAFETY | HIKE IT BABY 10 FUN THINGS TO DO WITH BABY SUPPORT GROUPS BACK CARRY BASICS

nwkidsmagazine.com

May 2014

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EDITORS’

Corner

Ah babies, how do we love thee? For me, it has been a life long love, from a young girl who thought it would be the BEST thing to have a new brother, to the one at any gathering asking to hold the tiniest baby she could find (yep, I’m still kind of like that). What joy it brings me to now be a professional doula and educator, serving families, teaching them about their babies, and helping to support new parents as they adjust to the often tough (buy joyful!) transition to newborn life.

That is why I am so proud to be a part of NW Kids this May, bringing you the 2014 Baby Issue. We have compiled some of the best resources in the Portland metro area for new parents, with articles written by doulas, educators, facilitators, baby gear pros, and everyone’s favorite experts, mommies! All year long I keep copies of this resource with me to pass out to expectant and new parents, so they know what Portland has to offer when raising a new baby, and when they ask me the question that inevitably comes: What now?

In addition to being a great collection of information on local businesses that support families, don’t miss the Top 10 Outings with a New Baby, Hike It Baby, and a wonderful related how-to on Back Carry Basics for those heavy littles. When baby is getting into everything, check out the safety feature about babyproofing your home (and car!). And last but not least, be sure to find the listings of support groups for everyone under the sun (and rain) who is parenting tiny babes.

I wrote about some of the most asked questions in my moms groups, but I want to leave you with one more resource. If you are a new parent struggling with sleep or need safe swaddling options, my other big project this past year was to produce videos for parents who need a customized swaddling approach for their baby (find them all at 7swaddles.com). They are free to watch (over and over until you get it down with ease) and you can often find a swaddle that is safe for your baby, and also helps baby sleep, therefore making your world a happier place.

So now you know why I do what I do…because happy babies make the world better.

Kimberly

Cover and Contents Photography courtesy of AMY CLOSE PHOTOGRAPHY amyclose.com 4 | NW Kids Magazine

Contents MAY 2014

8 Newborn and Mama Essentials: Top picks from Whole Foods

16 Secrets Overheard in Moms Group

9 Want to make more milk?

Eat Lactation Cookies!

20 Best of Portland and Beyond: Our Top Picks for Getting Out with a New Baby

10 6 Ways to Keep Your Baby Safe 14 New Baby?

Need a Support Group?

26 Back Carry Basics 32 Hike it, Baby NW Kids Magazine | 5

Listings Aadland Dental...........................................................17 ABC Doula Service......................................................11 All Star Dance Academy.............................................35 Amy Close Photography.............................................19 Baby Boot Camp.........................................................13 BabyFest......................................................................19 Barre3............................................................................3 Beanstalk.....................................................................25 Bella Stella..................................................................12 Bennett Suzuki Violin Studio......................................28 Big Lake Youth Camp..................................................35 Black Wagon...............................................................11 Catlin Gabel.................................................................38 Child’s Play Toys..........................................................17 City of Hillsboro...........................................................31 Clean Energy Works....................................................21 Coffee Kids..................................................................13 College Nannies..........................................................12 Cornerstone Montessori..............................................28 Cotton Babies..............................................................25 Delphian School..........................................................31 Do Jump......................................................................30 EcoMaids.....................................................................17 Fit4Mom.....................................................................11 Glendoveer Tennis.......................................................38 GoodTime Chinese School..........................................30 ID Tech.........................................................................30 Kidopolis.....................................................................11 Laurelwood...................................................................7 Little Fruit Farm Montessori........................................21 Mamalates..................................................................17 Metro Arts Inc.............................................................36 Metropolitan Pediatrics, LLC.......................................27 My MasterPiece Art Studio.........................................33 Ninja School................................................................35 North Portland Orthodontics..................................... 21 NW Children’s Theater.................................................38 Northwest Mother’s Milk Bank...................................11 NW Surrogacy Center.................................................13 Oregon College of Art and Craft.................................29 Omega Gymnastics.....................................................35 Oregon Artist School...................................................28 Oregon Children’s Theatre.............................................3 Oregon Hope Chinese School.....................................17 Oregon Zoo..................................................................33 Placenta Power...........................................................11 Portland Aquarium.......................................................7 Portland Early Learning Project..................................19 Portland Global Initiatives..........................................28 Portland Language Arts.............................................28 Portland Parks & Recreation.......................................36 Portland Trampoline...................................................39 Rising Star Chinese School.........................................28 Royal Ridges................................................................33 Schoolita Alegria.........................................................29 Schoolyard Farms........................................................37 Soccer Shots................................................................40 Spielwerk Toys.............................................................17 Southwest Community Center...................................33 The Circuit Bouldering Gym........................................38 The German American School..................................... 7 The Goddard School...................................................37 The International School.............................................36 The Kids’ Backyard Store.............................................39 The Vintage Pearl........................................................21 Tidee Didee.................................................................19 Trinity Lutheran...........................................................29 Washington County Museum.....................................28 Westside Montessori International............................37 WeVillage....................................................................25 Whole Foods Market.....................................................2 World of Smiles...........................................................28 Yoga Continuum.........................................................27 Zenana Spa.................................................................13 6 | NW Kids Magazine

magazine Publisher / Advertising Director Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editorial Beth Friesenhahn beth@nwkidsmagazine.com Kelley Schaefer-Levi kelley@nwkidsmagazine.com Guest Baby Issue Editor Kimberly Bepler kimberly@abcdoula.com Account Manager Laurel Ackerman laurel@nwkidsmagazine.com Client Services Coordinator Brenna Burke brenna@nwkidsmagazine.com Design Robyn Barbon robyn@folkloremedia.com Client Ad Design Karel Chan karel@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com Accounting & Business Services Heather Rex heather@nwkidsmagazine.com Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Twitter: @nwkids • Pinterest: pinterest.com/nwkids NW Kids is published monthly by Miche Media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies.

Printed locally; Please recycle.

Kimberly Bepler photograph on p. 4 courtesy of Campbell Salgado Studio.

CORRECTIONS: In the April issue we spelled Trackers Earth founder’s name incorrectly. It should have been Tony Deis.

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NEWBORN AND MAMA ESSENTIALS:

Top picks from Whole Foods by JUSTINE PARK

NORDIC NATURALS PRENATAL DHA Great for pregnant women, Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA will help satisfy your need for omega-3 DHA as it increases during pregnancy and lactation, while also helping with mood and nerve support. $29 and up

HYLANDS TEETHING TABS & GEL Hyland’s Teething Tabs & Gel are a must when you suspect your baby is teething. Homeopathic tiny tablets that dissolve in their mouth; make nights more bearable. Keep the gel cold in the refrigerator & then apply to irritated gums. $10 and up

NEW CHAPTER PERFECT PRENATAL MULTI-VITAMIN Made with organic vegetables & herbs, New Chapter’s Prenatal non-GMO project verified multi-vitamins are formulated specifically to nourish mama & baby. They are easy to digest, even on an empty stomach. $20 and up

WISH GARDEN HERBALS Using certified organic & wild-crafted quality tested ingredients, herbalist and chair woman of Wish Garden Herbals, Catherine Hunziker, has created a line of amazing formulas that are safe during pregnancy and lactation.

Check out Wish Garden’s special line of infant & children formulas too. $12 and up

WELEDA CALENDULA SHAMPOO & BODYWASH Formulated for delicate skin with natural and organic plant-based cleansers, Weleda’s Calendula Shampoo & Bodywash is the perfect combination of creamy and moisturizing. $12.50

ANGEL BABY® BOTTOM BALM Made with organic olive oil, organic herbs, shea butter and pure essential oils, Angel Baby® Bottom Balm is pure magic. It soothes every thing from minor rashes to bug bites, scratches, chicken pox and burns. We use it on everything! Certified organic

by Oregon Tilth. $15

Justine Park is a mother, gardner, bike riding, yoga loving, tree hugging, Oregon kind of gal.

She happens to work in the best smelling section of Whole Foods. wholefoodsmarket.com 8 | NW Kids Magazine

Want to make more milk?

EAT LACTATION COOKIES! Adapted by KIMBERLY BEPLER from a well-loved recipe on food.com

Yes, indeed, mothers swear that these tasty cookies help them make enough breastmilk! Some moms eat them as they go back to work to maintain their pumping supply, some eat them while they are working on milk for twins, and some moms just enjoy their support to make enough milk on a day to day basis. Having a couple cookies will not make you spontaneously lactate, but they will support a mom who is working hard to feed her baby. Give them a taste!

Prep time: approx. 15 minutes Oven temp: 350 Makes approx: 2 dozen

more flax seed meal too—just don’t forget to increase the water to match, 1 T water to each T of flaxseed meal.

INGREDIENTS:

If the lactation cookies aren’t working or just for supply issues in general, please seriously consider getting some reliable help from a lactation consultant.

1 c (2 sticks) butter (or use virgin coconut oil for dairy-free families) ¾ c sugar 1 c firmly packed brown sugar 4 T water 2 T flax seed meal (ground flax seeds) 2 eggs 1 t vanilla (optional, but better!)

2 c flour 1 t baking soda 1 t salt 3 c oats (some prefer thicker cut, but don’t use steel cut) 1 c (or more!) chocolate chips (can get dairy free options) 2 -4 T brewer’s yeast--do NOT substitute with bakers yeast or any other yeast 1 t cinnamon (optional; some prefer) Don’t be daunted by the amount of sugar: lactation cookies need to be sweet enough to hide the very bitter taste of the Brewers yeast.

DO NOT leave out or substitute the Brewers yeast for any other products or yeasts… it’s the key ingredient.

Feel free to branch out and try different add-in options, but if you don’t notice much of an increase in supply, add more brewers yeast, or

DIRECTIONS:

1 Preheat oven to 350°.

2 Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let sit for 3-5 minutes.

3 Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar well.

4 Add eggs and mix well.

5 Add flaxseed mix and vanilla, beat well.

6 Sift together flour, Brewers yeast, baking soda, and salt.

7 Add dry ingredients to butter mix.

8 Stir in oats and chips.

9 Scoop onto baking sheet.

10 Bake for 12 minutes.

11 Let set for a couple minutes then remove from tray.

These can be stored for a week in an airtight container, but they don’t usually last that long!

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6 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BABY

SAFE by CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY

A funny thing happened when my seven-month-old started crawling, our apartment transformed into a death trap. I suddenly saw bookshelves, tables and the like not as furniture but as hazards to my blissfully unaware crawler. I, like many parents, was completely overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task of keeping my child safe, both at home and in the car.

Instead of spending hours (and big bucks) sticking foam to every slightly pointy corner, focus on the most important safety concerns. Here’s a pared-down list to protect the most important person in your life.

STICK TO TWO ROOMS “Invest your energy in the places where your baby spends the most time,” says Kay Green, owner of the Hillsboro child safety store My Precious Kid. You’ll want to be able to close off the area with a baby gate so you can go to the bathroom without worrying your peanut is swimming in the dog bowl.

TAKE A BABY’S EYE VIEW By crawling around, you’ll see electrical outlets to plug, wires to tuck away, sharp corners to cover and drawers to lock.

SECURE THE FURNITURE Green says that many parents don’t realize babies can tip bookshelves, dressers and TVs onto themselves. Luckily, you can attach furniture to a stud in the wall with a strap that costs about $5.

BLOCK THE STAIRS Stairs are baby magnets, so install gates at each flight. Make sure the top gate screws into the wall (as opposed to pressure10 | NW Kids Magazine

locking against it) so kids can’t push it loose, Green recommends.

MEASURE AND COUNT How many doors, drawers and cabinets need to be childproofed? How wide is the hallway where you need to install a gate?

Bring these figures along with photos of everything to the store so you pick products that fit your home, no returns necessary.

ADJUST THE STRAPS In a rear-facing car seat, the harness straps should start at or below baby’s shoulder and fit snugly. “If you can pinch any slack, they’re too loose,” says Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, medical director of the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Tom Sargent Children’s Safety Center. The clip should be at baby’s armpits. And if there’s a gap between the bottom strap and your newborn’s diaper, fill the space with a rolled up washcloth. The positioning will keep your child stable and safe during impact. continued on p. 12

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RETURN STICKY BUCKLES Car seat companies have recently recalled products because of buckles getting stuck. If yours get gummed up from falling food or milk, request that the manufacturer replace them— whether your seat’s been recalled or not, Hoffman says.

BRING IT IN A whopping 85% of car seats are used incorrectly, Hoffman says, so have a certified car seat technician doublecheck that the base is snug, seat sits at the correct angle and straps fit your baby perfectly. Find a nearby technician with the resources at RIGHT. Catherine Ryan Gregory is a Portland-based writer. When she’s not chasing after her daughter, she blogs about new motherhood at TenThousandHourMama.com

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BABY SAFETY RESOURCES Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at Oregon Health and Science University Call 503-494-3735 to schedule an appointment for a car seat inspection.

Legacy Safety Store at Legacy Emanuel Educating parents and providing babyproofing equipment at cost. 503-413-4600.

Mon-Thur, 9-12 or by appointment.

Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Call 503-413-4005 to schedule a car seat inspection appointment. You can also recycle old or outdated seats here for free.

Visit OregonImpact.org/car-seat-resources for a list of inspection events and agencies that will check your car seat for free, or search for a certified technician by zip code at SaferCar.gov/parents/CarSeats.htm

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NEW BABY?

Need a support group? by NIKKI PETERS

As a mother who has lost a daughter to meningitis, adopted a son, and struggled to get pregnant with my third, I find great passion in now working as a postpartum doula with all types of families. I also support families working through many challenges every day at my job at Oregon Reproductive Medicine.

Support means something different to each family, so I gathered some of the better-reviewed resources to share with the Portland community. Not all families hire a Postpartum Doula, or even have that nurturing support from friends or family that they so desperately need, but these resources cover a broad range of needs, and my hope is to help you find your village as you adjust to new family life.

ACES: ADOPTION COUNSELING & EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Offering parenting and training in individual groups, workshops and courses in several Portland locations. info@adoptioncounselingservices.com 14 | NW Kids Magazine

BABY BLUES CONNECTION Groups are designed to help and support pregnant and postpartum women, for anyone experiencing depression, anxiety or birth trauma.

1-800-557-8375

THE DOUGY CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Services include peer support groups for grieving children. 503-775-5683. dougy.org

PROVIDENCE NEW MOMS’ GROUP Classes offered various days, times, and locations. This group is for moms and babies up to 6 months old. 503-574-6595. providence.org/classes

FULL HOUSE MOMS & DADS Dedicated to educate and assist families of multiples. fullhousemoms.com

QPOP The QPop community is a group of queer parents living in the Portland-Vancouver area that want to build a community of like-minded people, share ideas about parenting and the joys/challenges with both raising children and walking in the world as a queer parent. queerparentpdx.blogspot.com

LEGACY HEALTH SYSTEMS BABY AND ME Groups offered by age (pre-walking) at each Legacy hospital. 503-415-5498. legacyhealth.org MOMS CLUB An international support group for stay at home or part-time working moms. There are several groups all over Oregon. momsclub.org

RAINBOW BABIES Weekly early childhood playgroup designed to facilitate social interaction between parents and children ages 0-3 years.

503.234.7837. pdxqcenter.org

POLKA DOT PLAYDATES A meet-up group for all ages of moms, working or not, from bun-in-the-oven up to age seven. They like to have fun, love their children, and don’t take themselves or life too seriously. Search meetup.com for Polka-Dot Playdates.

WOMEN’S GENERAL INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP Led by the national infertility association RESOLVE who helps assist individuals and couples with the special challenges presented by the struggles of infertility. resolve.org

PORTLAND DADS AT HOME Connecting stay and work at-home dads and their kids. portlanddad.com

WORKING MOTHERS GROUP This support group is for moms who want to balance work, family life and social support. This is a drop-in group on Saturdays. Lap babies welcome. portlanddoulalove.com/classroom/

PORTLAND NEW DADS This group for new or expecting dads is lead by a dad that is also a counselor. He wants to help parenting be a little less mysterious and a lot more fun. meetup.com/Portland-New-Fathersmeetup THE PORTLAND PARENT’S SINGLE MEET UP GROUP For any single parents in the Portland Metro area who want to gather for dinner each week, and join in other group events. meetup.com/Portland-Single-Parents

And for those of you on Facebook, here are some options to join a virtual village: • • • • •

PDX Urbanmamas Portland Mamas Portland Area Working Moms Portland Green Parenting PDX-Area-Badass-Breastfeeders

Nikki Peters is a Postpartum Doula and the Nursing Coordinator at ORM. Her new passion is teaching new parents her In Home Newborn Care class. Learn more at nikkipetersdoula.com.

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SECRETS OVERHEARD IN MOMS GROUP by KIMBERLY BEPLER, IBCLC, ICPE, CPD/T People ask me all the time, “What do you do at moms group?” Why, we answer new moms’ questions, that’s what! Some have to do with babies, some with breastfeeding, and others with our everchanging mommy bodies that seem to mystify us, and moms do SHARE this stuff with each other. Women just don’t seem to hear it prenatally, or they don’t think they will need any of these juicy tidbits. Here are some of the questions moms ask with answers from some beloved local experts.

IS BREASTFEEDING PAIN JUST SUPPOSED TO GET BETTER EVENTUALLY? Doris Onnis, RN, IBCLC (lactationRN.com) and a local breast whisperer, encourages moms to think outside the box with breastfeeding to find a solution to the pain instead of toughing it out. “The pain is from poor positioning; latching is like real estate ‘Location, Location, Location.’ Contour the baby around the mother’s breast; especially avoid handling the baby’s head and neck. The larger the mother’s breast is, the less likely the baby can be positioned ‘tummy to tummy’.”

WHY WOULD I HIRE A HOME LACTATION CONSULTANT WHEN I CAN GO TO THE HOSPITAL OR CLINIC? Meg Stalnaker, IBCLC, of Natural Latch Home Lactation Service shares, “One advantage to visiting a mom in her own environment is to help her get comfortable nursing in her own home, encouraging rest and recovery after the birth. I also have 2 + hours to explore and problem-solve so I am able to fully include the mom’s support system in the visit and teach them how to support mom and baby best in their breastfeeding issues in a non-rushed, calm atmosphere.”

CAN BABIES REALLY BE TONGUE TIED OR IS THAT JUST A FAD? Melissa Cole, IBCLC, RLC (lunalactation. com) offers this explanation to a very common question; “Ankyloglossia (tongue tie) is a real condition that impacts many aspects of oral function and overall health. We are beginning to see increased awareness about this condition and possibly even an increase in occurrence. The key is to work with a provider continued on p. 18

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that is experienced and knowledgeable about differentiating between whether the issues at hand are caused by a tongue or lip tie or if other factors are also at play such as oral motor, neuromuscular or structural issues.”

WHEN WILL I STOP PEEING MY PANTS WHEN I RUN? “If you are still experiencing this 3 months after vaginal delivery, you will likely continue to have this problem at one year or beyond.

A consult with a PT trained in Pelvic Floor Rehab can help you get on track to regain control (and keep your pants dry,)” says Mandi Jo Murtaugh, DPT Orthopedic and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist at ElementsWellness. com. She adds, “At 6 months the prevalence of UI is the same between vaginal and cesarean deliveries. So if it has been 3 months and you are still peeing your pants, get some help! Up to 50% of women who have never been taught how to do a correct pelvic floor contraction (yes, a Kegel) are doing it wrong, which won’t help.

WHEN WILL MY BELLY START TO LOOK NORMAL AGAIN? The dreaded jelly belly, muffin top, and stretch marks can surprise many moms after delivery.

Moms ask frequently how long it will take for their bodies to get back to normal. “Longer than you think, especially if you have weak or separated abdominals and have yet to reclaim your ideal postpartum alignment,” says Wendy Foster, who offers classes in her Mamalates™ method to help safely rebuild the post baby core and pelvic floor strength. “Combining restorative exercise with belly binding will help new mom’s lose the pooch, prevent injuries and speed recovery,” says Foster.

WHEN DOES SEX STOP HURTING? Although this question isn’t the first to be asked, it is a common topic after the 6-week follow up visit, however there are alternate resources to address concerns. “It takes 6 weeks

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for vaginal and uterine tissue to heal from a vaginal birth that was without physical, emotional or energetic complications and if there were complications, pain should subside with skilled support.” Pelvic expert Beth YohalemIlsley, LaC offers acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and pelvic floor therapy from a holistic perspective at mississippihealthcenter. com.

IS THERE REALLY A SLEEP CONSULTANT WHO WILL HELP ME FIND A SOLUTION TO MY KID’S SLEEP PROBLEMS? Many families find a rhythm with infant sleep that is sustainable and do not need support from a professional; however some families run out of ideas, get to a desperate point with the transition back to work, even sometimes experiencing physical problems or postpartum depression resulting from ongoing sleep deprivation. Many services exist in Portland to help.

Here is a sample of those services shared at new moms group: Plan2Sleep online Baby Sleep Coaching for babies and toddlers, plan2sleep.com ABC Doula Service’s Gentle Sleep Consults, specializing in babies 4-8 months and twins, abcdoula.com/sleep-consults/ So much more can be found out if you come to visit a moms group sometime, bring your questions!

Kimberly Bepler is the owner of ABC Doula Service, a lactation consultant, a postnatal educator with the Providence and Legacy Health Systems, and a doula trainer with CAPPA. In addition to mothering her two kids, her passion is understanding newborns and helping parents relate to them. abcdoula.com

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Best of Portland and beyond OUR TOP PICKS FOR GETTING OUT WITH A NEW BABY by BONNIE HUTCHENS, ICCE LEGACY “BABY AND ME” FACILITATOR As a childbirth educator I teach prenatal couples how to become parents, and after they deliver I facilitate groups for Baby and Me classes. I asked the moms and dads in my group to give me their top 10 activities to do with baby. Here’s what I found out.

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Of course going to a new parents group was number 1! Moms (and dads) never felt judged, they could say anything that they wanted and they got a lot of support, made friends and became more confident in their parenting ability.

Check out page14 for a list of support groups.

2 High on the list was the Kennedy School Mommy Matinee. (It’s fine for dads to go, too). The Kennedy School Theater shows movies for parents (not kid flicks) several times a week. Babies can cry during the movie (they play it LOUD), parents can talk; you can get a beer and some pizza and be with your friends. mcmenamins.com/427-kennedy-school-home 20 | NW Kids Magazine

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Start sharing your love of reading! All Multnomah County libraries have a story time for new babies (0-12 months) called Book Babies. It’s a great way to get out of the house and meet other parents while introducing language, rhyming and songs to your little one. multcolib.org/events/book-babies

Photograph by Jan Chciuk-Celt courtesy of MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

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Baby Boot Camp or Stroller Strides are fun fitness classes for moms and babies. Babies are in strollers and you are encouraged to go at your own fitness level, stop to breastfeed and do whatever you or baby need to do. They are wonderful social opportunities but also great for getting stronger and healthier as baby grows. babybootcamp.com and fit4mom.com

BABY BOOT CAMP

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MAMALATES

Mama and baby yoga or Pilates was also high on the “get out with your baby” list.

Getting in some stretching can really help moms who have fatigued muscles from the repetitive motions of baby care. Here are some of our favorites: zenanaspa.com, mamalates.com, yogacontinum.com

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HIKE IT BABY

Put your baby in a carrier and go for a walk. It will change how you feel. Better yet, join the group Hike it Baby and get together to take your babies out for hikes for some company while you walk or hike.

See article on page 32 for more info on this new group. hikeitbaby.com

Portland has many community centers that include low-cost gyms and swap-n-plays especially for those rainy indoor months. Go meet some other parents and babies and consider swapping; trading in your old toys for the next stage or exchanging the outgrown clothes for new-to-you recycled ones. swapnplay.org, portlandoregon.gov/ parks/35300

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Go out to eat. There are many baby friendly pubs and restaurants all over PDX. Some suggest food carts, as making food for yourself when you are a new parent can be easily overlooked. Check out the NW Kids online calendar for more options: nwkidsmagazine.com/calendar

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On the first Thursday of every month, you have the opportunity to enjoy and explore art with your baby at the Portland Art Museum during Baby Morning. PAM now offers two 45 minute sessions; 10am and 11am, preregistration is required. portlandartmuseum.org

It wouldn’t be a Portland favorite’s list without the Oregon Zoo, OMSI and the Portland Children’s Museum. Every day you can find parents engaging their little ones and meeting up with others here, and yearly memberships make attending regularly much more affordable. oregonzoo.org, omsi.edu, portlandcm.org

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SCIENCE PLAYGROUND AT OMSI

There are many more, but these outings were universally loved. When I asked my group, there was a common theme that kept coming up. Get out with your baby and have some fun. Meet some other parents and babies. Make new friends, Build your parenting community. It’s good for your soul.

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Back Carry Basics by CARI WOLVERTON

Have a large baby that is getting too big to wear on your front comfortably? Or do you need more mobility for tasks while you wear your baby? Don’t be afraid to try getting your baby on your back. There are many wonderful baby carriers on the market that offer the option of back carrying. Once your baby is bigger and more active, moving to a back carry allows baby to see and engage with the world while properly supporting her body in a comfortable and natural position. The back carry is also comfortable for the wearer and allows for more activity and productivity. Getting your baby on your back may seem intimidating, but all it takes is a little practice!

First, make sure you are using a baby carrier that fits both you and your baby properly, and allows for this position. Your baby must be able to sit unassisted. Most moms are fearful of baby’s safety, so practice with a stuffed animal or seek assistance until you are confident in all the steps involved in getting your baby on and off your back.

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Put on your baby carrier (with loosened straps), centering the carrier on your back.

Put a strap over one arm.

Place your child on your hip on the opposite side, sliding the child’s leg between your back and the carrier.

Lean forward slightly, and using your free arm, scoot your child on to your back so his leg slides out the other side of the carrier and he is centered on your back.

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Bring the carrier up around baby on both sides and place your arm through the other strap.

Stand up straight and lift up on the straps at your shoulders, making sure the child’s bottom settles down to the waist belt of the carrier. Ensure your child is centered on your back and in the carrier.

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Tighten the straps and attach the chest clip.

To get baby down, reverse the steps, or sit down carefully in a chair and remove the shoulder straps, and then the waist buckle.

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Cautions: when wearing baby on your back, be aware of the additional space your combined bodies need to move around and between things. Use a spotter and/or practice over a soft surface until you are comfortable getting baby up and down. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific baby carrier. Pretty soon you will be a pro and will be showing other moms how to save their backs, get more stuff done, and keep their babies happy in the process.

REFERENCES tinyurl.com/safe-babywearing-guide littlepossums.co.uk/information/ins_ergo.html store.ergobaby.com/instructions-back-carry tinyurl.com/baby-carrier-instructions youtube.com/watch?v=JPPZ2uWbnxg Cari Wolverton, mom of two, has been teaching baby wearing for over 10 years. Passionate about empowering and educating parents about natural parenting practices, Cari currently manages Cotton Babies in Vancouver, WA.

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HIKE IT, BABY! by KIMBERLY BEPLER

Photographs courtesy of HIKE IT BABY

Wishing you could get outside with your baby and hang out with other new moms? Enter Hike It Baby®, which was started by Shanti Hodges, an avid outdoor enthusiast prior to new mom life, who saw a need to get outside and be active soon after her son arrived.

Shanti started when her son was only weeks old. Although her enthusiasm was giant, she found her energy and stamina were slow to come back inline, so she took to gentle hikes to support her need for getting out without pushing her limits too far. She asked some mamas from her Alma mom’s group to join her and the first hike had 6 mamas and baby pairs.

After that, she found she was never alone on her hikes, so she began an idea that has grown exponentially. Her mission was to get women out of the postpartum nest and into a comfortable, non-competitive, non-stressful nature experience.

She started a Facebook page, built a website (she is also a website and graphic designer) and handed out cards with contact info.

Shanti “became a mamababy stalker” stopping where she saw a lone walking woman with baby in carrier. “I knew that feeling so well… that mission to keep the baby sleeping and your head sane.”

These free hikes range from easy urban walks for newborn families to more adventurous Gorge hikes and even a camping trip for families planned for the summer. They are adding zones with leaders, so moms can always find a walk nearby in their neighborhood (potentially offering several hikes per day), and even spin off groups that involve hiking and yoga. Now they are up to 550 women, or closer to 1000 hikers with all of the dads, babies, and older kids coming on the hikes (dogs are included as well, but not counted in the total!)

They have a Daddy hike group starting up led by a therapist for dads, as well as swim groups, sign groups, and tea party with baby groups, all stemming out of Hike it Baby. They also are offering a CPR class and a backcountry EMT class for adventurous parents who want to learn first aid with a trail emphasis. continued on p. 34

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More information can be found on their website and blog about locations of hikes, gear needed to be outdoors with baby, and leading new hikes. Plans are in the works to become a nonprofit and begin to franchise this idea to a broader audience beyond Portland. Their fast growth proves that moms are looking for this kind of activity and support.

Shanti says the thing she hears over and over from moms while out on hikes is, “Thank you so much for starting this! I needed this so much. It really is the only way I am able to get myself out of the house.”

Shanti encourages new moms not to worry if you are slow, have never really hiked, are shy with new people or just not sure if you are ready to be out. “Give it a try. We are here to support you.”

Check the website for new hikes (hikeitbaby. com/next-hike) or go on the private Facebook page (facebook.com/groups/hikeitbaby) Hike it Baby believes that our world would be a better place if all parents stepped outside at least once a week for a walk in nature with their child. They promise to provide a minimum of one hike per week in Portland, rain or shine, and chances are there will be more.

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When not stalking mamas with babies in grocery stores and handing out cards for the group, Hike it Baby founder Shanti Hodges can be found seeking out new trails with baby Mason and her hubby or working on her upcoming book Hike it Baby - A year of living actively with baby on board.

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