Category: Parenting
Posted August 27th, 2008 in Milagros News, Parenting |
How does a new mama get a shower when there isn t another adult around? Two things saved me! A baby bathtub & a shower sling!
When Mila was new, Tony was generally working at home. But then one day he was away at a meeting and I needed a shower STAT! The bouncy seat outside of the tub just didn t cut it. Somehow Mila knew I wasn t *right* there and woke up wailing A friend had given me one of those plastic baby bathtubs so in it I laid down a cozy cloth diaper and set the whole shebang at the back of our tub. I adjusted the shower to get as little water as possible on Mila, and she was so amazingly happy in there. I ll tell ya, I think I only used that tub once to bathe her, but countless times to bathe me!
Flash forward several months later, when we went to Hawaii and I bought a water sling in preparation(so many variations of water slings available. A couple of types to check out are http://www.gypsymama.com/shop/proddetail.php?prod=water & http://www.kangarookorner.com/c-29-water-slings.aspx – we have both at Milagros).
I envisioned wading in the warm waters with her and fearing she would be swept out of my arms! I knew the sling would quell my fears. While we used the sling quite a bit on that trip, it was also handy at the swimming pool. Her papa and I would alternate swimming laps and wearing Mila (in the shallow part of the pool). After Gael was born I pulled our shower sling out and that is how I accomplished clean mamahood in the early days with him.
Posted December 31st, 2007 in health, Parenting |
We have been carrying Medela breast pumps and parts for years. They are very simply the best pumps on the market.
Given concerns over plastics, we have had some inquiries regarding the type of materials used in Medela products. Here is the info straight from Medela:
“ALL MEDELA BREASTPUMP KITS ARE BPA-FREE
As the industry leader in breastpumping and breastfeeding, Medela is committed to always doing what is best for moms and babies. Medela products that come into direct contact with breastmilk, including all breast shields and bottles, always have been made with BPA-free polypropylene plastic.
BPA (bisphenol-A) is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic, a material used to manufacture many baby bottles. Questions have been raised regarding whether or not BPA is potentially harmful to human health. BPA has been in the news recently as a result of reports from several independent research groups, and an expert panel of 12 scientists of The National Toxicology Program (NTP) Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR). The NTP panel expressed ‘some concern’ that, for infants and children and in utero, exposure to BPA causes neural and behavioral effects. The NTP panel expressed minimal or negligible concern that, for adults, infants, and children or in utero, exposure to BPA causes other types of effects. The NTP panel has not issued an opinion regarding whether current human exposures to BPA are a risk for human development and reproduction.
All existing research endorses the safety of polypropylene for breast milk collection, storage and feeding products. Products made of polypropylene, such as Medela s breast shields and bottles, are easy to identify because the BPA-free plastic is slightly cloudy and more flexible than Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a hard, crystal clear plastic that contains BPA. ”
Posted October 29th, 2007 in Milagros News, Parenting |
Probably since the beginning, Mila and I have enjoyed some quality “alone time” each week. Before she began school, Wednesday afternoons were usually ours. As we prepared to leave for our adventure, I would offer some ideas on what to do – usually an outdoor activity of some nature – and Mila would offer some ideas. However the final decision would always be hers.
Mila can come up with some pretty creative options. We once spent the afternoon at the airport. We hopped on a Max filled with people carrying luggage and headed to PDX. We tried out the massage chairs at Brookstone, we had hot chocolate at Coffee People, we browsed, we watched planes, we watched people, we checked out the play area by the security area in front of Gates D and E, we met families from other places. It was a fun and memorable afternoon.
Now that Mila is in school, we have shifted our alone time to the weekend. On school days, Mila is awake before 7 am and on weekends…well, she is awake before 7 am. I am sure that someday she will want to sleep-in on weekends but in the meantime, she and I get up before dawn on Saturdays and head-out for breakfast together. Luckily, the Courtyard Restaurant at the Kennedy School and Violet’s Cafe start serving at 7 am on Saturdays, so we usually end up at one place or the other.
It is a comfortable and leisurely affair. We chat, we order, we eat, we visit, we observe. Our breakfast can stretch out to a couple of hours, sometimes we add a little side trip on the way home.
I have to say that I really look forward to these little breakfast dates with my daughter. We have special times as a family but it is nice having some special time alone as well. Now that Gael is getting older, he and I have begun going on some solo adventures together; I am looking forward to more.
Of course, the sentimental side of me hopes that the kids will look back fondly on these outings with “the old man”, I know I will – I already do.
Photo: Mila sipping tea at the Boatshed Cafe in Rawene, New Zealand
Posted September 30th, 2007 in Events, Parenting |
In Defense of Childhood:Protecting Kids Inner Wildness
A talk and book signing with Chris Mercogliano
As co-director of the Albany Free School, Chris Mercogliano has had remarkable success in helping a diverse population of youngsters find their way in the world. Lamenting over-structured school days, and a lack of playtime and solitude, Mercogliano argues that we may be robbing our young people of that precious, irreplaceable period in their lives that nature has set aside for exploration and innocent discovery. This domestication of childhood squeezes the adventure out of kids lives and threatens to smother the spark that animates each child with talents, dreams, and inclinations.
In his book and at this event Mercogliano explores what can be done to protect children’s spontaneity and exuberance. And how to best address their desperate thirst for knowledge, give them space to learn from their mistakes, and let them explore what their place in the adult world might be.
Sunday, October 7th, 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
at the Holiday Inn Portland Downtown/Convention Center
More information: https://www.pdxparentingsupport.com/In_Defense_of_Childhood.html
This event is FREE, but please RSVP via the website as space is limited
Posted June 30th, 2007 in Classes, Milagros News, Parenting |
UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING: Beyond Bribes and Threats
A talk by Alfie Kohn Tuesday, July 24th 6:30 – 8:30pm
Holiday Inn Portland, NE 2nd Ave. Portland, OR 97232
Advice for raising children typically comes in two flavors: threats (known euphemistically as “consequences”) and bribes (“positive reinforcement”). Rewards and punishments are two sides of the same coin, and unfortunately, neither can buy anything more than temporary obedience.
This presentation, by the author of UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING, will show why carrots and sticks are not only ineffective but actually counterproductive over the long haul. To raise children who are good learners and good people requires us to abandon strategies that do things to kids, in favor of an approach in which we work with them. And underlying those “working with” strategies is the message that children do not have to earn our approval, that we love them not for what they do but just for who they are.
Cost is $5 per person
Go to pdxparentingsupport.com to reserve your spot (space is limited)
Posted June 9th, 2007 in Events, Milagros News, Parenting |
The Portland chapter of Nine In Nine Out meets in The Family Room at Milagros on the third Sunday of the month.
NINO meetings are a casual forum for getting your questions on babywearing answered by other mamas and/or to share your own babywearing stories.
Please note, Brad Pitt won’t be at the meeting – Sorry!
Posted March 27th, 2007 in Milagros News, Parenting, travel |
There is a lot of confusion and concern over traveling with expressed breastmilk.
Luckily if you are traveling with a nursing child, you can take as much breastmilk as you would like. Of course the possible irony is that you won’t be traveling with a lot expressed milk if you are traveling with a nursing child.
But what about mamas traveling WITHOUT a child and pumping to ensure that supply continues? This is where things get tricky.
Mothering Magazine has an article that addresses this situation and provides some sound tips on how to make sure your breastmilk comes home with you:
Click here for the Mothering article
Posted March 7th, 2007 in Classes, Events, Milagros News, Parenting |
Family Adventuring 101
Tony will provide a variety of suggestions and tips for successful family adventuring. It doesn t matter what your outdoor experience is, whether you have scaled mountains or just taken walks in your neighborhood, the focus of this discussion is helping you choose and plan outings that will be memorable and fun. Bring your questions and your own experiences to share.
Wednesday, April 25, 6 pm – 7:30 pm at Milagros. Babes in arms only, no childcare provided. Admission is $5 please RSVP by sending an email to milagros@milagrosboutique.com
Tony has worked as an outdoor guide for Outward Bound and Adventure Learning. As a a parent, he has enjoyed a variety of outdoor and travel experiences with children in tow.
Posted February 24th, 2007 in Events, Milagros News, Parenting |
Meet other families with new babies to share experiences, get helpful advice and find the resources you need to nurture your baby. Bring your questions about breastfeeding, slings, crying, nighttime parenting, back-to-work strategies and other early parenting concerns. This program is open to both mothers and fathers.
2/28 10 am – 11 am at Concordia New Seasons, 5320 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR.
Posted February 18th, 2007 in Milagros News, Parenting, Products |
The Nine In Nine Out meeting today focused on Baby Wraps. These are typically a single piece of fabric that is made of a material well-suited for baby carrying and usually cut or tapered in a manner that provides a comfortable fit for mamas.
Our primary carrier with Gael has been a wrap. Of all the traditional baby carriers, we feel that a wrap provides the most overall support. This type of carrier drapes over both shoulders and also wraps around the waist. In this manner the baby’s weight is evenly distributed across the back. You will get similar support for a Mei Tei style-carrier (such as the Maya Tie) or a soft structured backpack like the Ergo. However a traditional wrap provides a little more versatility in carry position choices and feels especially snuggly with a newborn.
We had favored the Maya Wrap sling with Mila. We ended up favoring the wrap for Gael because he has preferred being upright since day one. Unfortunately he had (and still has) some digestive challenges and being upright seems to provide the most comfort for him. Of the carriers, the wrap did the best job of putting him in his preferred position while providing an ideal amount of suport for baby and mama (or papa!). Now that he is heavier – already more then 15 pounds! – we have begun carrying him in the front position in an Ergo as well.
There are a number of different baby wrap options out there. We carry the Moby Wrap and its more stylish cousin the Moby D at Milagros. If you are interesting in trying one with your little miracle, please ask us or any staff member for guidance and assitance. Peace.
Photo courtesy of Jon Maus. Hat made by Juli Maus!
