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By justine, October 17, 2011 2:18 pm

Momma Sarah keeps Eben close as they explore the shores of Lake Erie together in their Sleepy Wrap.

If you are pregnant and you happen to know me, then the chances are pretty high that we have already had this conversation. Babywearing will change your life. It will rock the foundations of what you imagined parenthood was going to be like. If this is the first baby that you have decided to wear, you will be able to join the ranks of mothers who cry to the heavens: I wish I had one of these with my other babies!

I have written numerous times about my own experiences with babywearing: about how to do it safely; how it keeps our babies happier; how it allowed me to keep my baby at the office with me when I had to return to work. I figured it was time to hear from some of the families I know or have worked with about the unique ways babywearing has impacted their lives and provided a world of possibilites for parenting:

The sleepy wrap was a wonderful way to have my mom and sister bond with Eben.   All my mom talked about was how she couldn’t wait to put him in a stroller and go for a walk.  I explained to her that the only way she was going  for a walk was if she put him in the sleepy wrap.  She was reluctant at first but once I helped her put it on, she fell in love all over again.  She raved about how wonderful it was to have him so close listening to her heart beat while they enjoyed a nice walk. A wonderful connection for the both of them. ~Sarah

The Sleepy Wrap is great device! One that lets you hold your child and accomplish a multitude of tasks… such as washing dishes or playing guitar. I believe every family would benefit from having and using one ~Bret

It did not feel natural to place him in any sort of baby contraption.   All of the STUFF I thought I would need went unused;  the crib  turned into a nice big laundry basket! And newborn clothes? Who needs those when baby is kept warm and snug close to your heart! ~Sarah

My aha moment came when I realized how silly it is to push a tiny 9 pound child in a 30 pound stroller/car seat combo…through a crowded room. People are much nicer about moving when the baby attached to you. I also learned that nothing soothes a colic-y baby like a good snuggle in my wrap. Peace, love, and babywearing. ~Erika

My son who had reflux finally fell asleep after a feed (upright in our new-to-us ring sling) and I could actually go do the dishes instead of having to lay on the sofa while he slept on me. He was 4 months old at that point. ~Nichol

I had tried it when my first was born, but didn’t have the knowledge and support to follow through. When my second was born it took me a few weeks to remember my ring sling in the closet. I took it out and took the time to get it right. I could play with my 2 year old without neglecting the baby. This is how it was supposed to be. Also when I was able to put baby on my back in a woven wrap and do laundry, I felt productive again! I am now a member of the local Babywearing International! ~Heather

Hottie McDaddy keeps this baby warm in the Peekaru!

Camille McConnell, a local Sleepy Wrap retailer here in Erie, was kind enough to provide State of the Heart with a beautiful Sleepy Wrap so that I have it on hand to share with families, let them try before they buy, and to give them a sneak peek at the world of possibilities that babywearing will open to their family! Hold the presses! There is some big news in Sleepy Wrap world: they are now called Boba Wraps… same wonderful wrap, different name!

But wait! That is not all: Camille also provided us with a Peekaru to test drive just in time for a brisk northwestern Pennsylvania autumn and winter! What is a Peekaru you ask? It is a fleece vest that zips over a soft baby carrier to keep you and your child warm. It fits comfortably over all carriers, including Hotslings, Ergos, BabyHawks, Mei Tais, and Boba Wraps. So, there are no more excuses for not wearing your baby in every type of weather!

Want to try both of these amazing products and many more? Join State of the Heart, from 7-9 pm on Wednesday October 26th at Caring For Women Midwifery in Sherman NY to participate in a Babywearing Workshop! We will have local retailers, like Camille from Boba Wrap and Mel of Mel’s Colorful Creations with plenty of wraps, slings, peekaru’s, and babywearing know-how on hand to get you off to the best possible start with Babywearing!

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By justine, July 9, 2011 2:57 pm

We get our raw milk from a local source: it comes from Pot of Gold Dairy in Bear Lake PA and we purchase it at Duran's Farm in Waterford PA.

(and it’s okay if you are not cool with it…we still think you are probably a lovely person anyway. Just give us the same courtesy, mmmkay?) Farmers like Edwin Shank and his family know the importance of whole, living food and chose to consume raw milk products despite dire warning from “agencies” and “experts” that doing so may be hazardous. Shank, his family, and many more Americans are learning to “embrace living, whole foods, full of immunity-building probiotic bacteria and nutrient-absorbing living enzymes.” A healthy immune system is the backbone of our overall health. Having the ability to fight off and recover from germs, bacteria, viruses and other creepy crawlies on our own is what our bodies are designed to do. Shank states that raw milk is “full of unadulterated, unprocessed, unmessed-with, cell-nourishing, cell-repairing raw fats and proteins.” He also points out that a “bulletproof immunity is our only protection against the pathogens of our environment.”

Yet, we interfere in the creation of a bulletproof immune system in almost every aspect of our lives. When our bodies are weak from a lifetime of being protected from every germ, we are susceptible to even trace amounts of bacteria in our food and water supply. Birthing in sterile environments reduces our exposure to our mothers natural bacteria colonies and has far reaching consequences for our long term gut health. Artificial infant feeding methods weaken our immune systems as we grow. Consuming dead, sterile, and overly processed food contributes little nutrition to growing humans. Our bodies are starving for real food and many of us are too weak to fight off even the most common allergens in our world like dust, grass and pet dander.

Many people are concerned about about the risks of contamination that may be present in raw dairy products. However, bacteria is not the enemy, our weakened immune systems are. Shank points out several analogies in his article which illustrate the common “risks” we take everyday because the benefits are such a boon to our standard of living. We don’t eradicate these activities from our lives, we simply try to engage in them as safely as possible. Of course, raw milk may contain pathogens which could cause illness in a person with a weakened immune system. However, as recent “outbreaks” of foodborne illnesses (and even death) have proven, so do allegedly “safe” foods that people commonly consume from grocery stores, restaurants, and other FDA approved sources: peanut butter, ground beef, spinach, and even pasteurized milk. We believe that the benefits of consuming raw foods outweigh the risk for my family. We are healthier, stronger, and suffer from fewer allergies and illnesses than we did before.

We cannot keep ignoring the core issue: we need to restore good health to our population and make every attempt to bring babies into the world with their natural immune responses working optimally instead of creating more and more elaborate band-aids to cover up the problem. Pasteurization and other modern big-business farming methods— such as anti-biotic and hormone use— are only necessary when we have a chronically ill population consuming these products. Healthy individuals have the ability to become stronger from naturally occurring bacteria and need little help from modern science or technology to do it.

How can chronically ill mothers be expected to give birth to babies with anything except even weaker immune systems? Ideally, we would restore balance to our health before conceiving our children, but as a mother to five and as a birth worker, I know that the reality of family planning is often complicated and unpredictable. It is imperative for all expectant mothers to begin consuming living, unprocessed, unaltered food to restore optimal gut health and to rebuild their immunity before they give birth. While raw milk may not be the solution for every family, recognizing the lessons that farmers like Mr Shank already know can inform our choices when growing a new little life and a brand new immune system.

What does your family do to promote optimal gut health and strengthen your immune system?

The Truth About Raw Milk: Common Sense about Raw Milk from a Raw Milk Dairy Farmer by Edwin Shank from Pathways to Family Wellness: Winter 2010, Issue 28. Pages 26-29.

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By justine, July 2, 2011 1:58 pm

July Sling Giveaway!

Lady bugs! Adorable and so perfect for summer! Mel from Mel’s Colorful Creations has outdone herself again. This bright and adorable sling also comes with a reversible vintage-style bucket hat to keep little faces and cue-ball noggins protected from the sun. Reversible side is red. I am going to let the pictures do the talking this time…this is a sling you DON’T want to miss out on!

So what do you need to do to enter to win this amazing sling? Great question! Follow these three easy steps:

1) Like State of the Heart Parenting on facebook and tag us in a post on your wall with a FACT about the benefits of babywearing (and a link to your source if you want!) Read through the responses so that you can post a unique fact–the whole point is to educate and raise awareness, so I want as many different babywearing facts as possible posted on facebook!

2) Post this giveaway on your facebook page and invite your friends to enter to win.

3) Leave a comment below letting me know that you have done these two things (and go ahead and repeat your fact if you like in your comment!)

That’s it! Help educate yourself and others about the benefits of babywearing and you will be entered to win this beautiful sling!

Contest is now closed. Winner will be announced within 24 hours.

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By justine, June 24, 2011 11:45 am

Today, I am sharing a letter that I received after Mathilda was born in 2008 from my friend Val. When I began my journey as a doula, an advocate of family-friendly maternity care, and more recently as a student midwife, I remember having the feeling that I was healing something inside of myself– and certainly– this factored heavily into my career choices. But more important than my emotional well-being, was my sincere desire to spare just one person the harm that I had endured from an indifferent maternity care system. My first website, JulianArts, was a basic “here are my services as a doula” page and it morphed into a blog of sorts, and a place for me to post things that peaked my interests, captured my imagination, and irritated the hell out of me. At the time, I wasn’t aware that I was also providing something very personal to my readers. Of course, that site evolved into the one you are reading now. The power of words hadn’t fully revealed itself to me when I began this journey. I thought that the real work of supporting and empowering women had to come from hands-on work. Being there for women. Holding their hands. Rubbing their backs. Encouraging them when their faith was waning. Crying with them. Sharing their joy when they meet their baby.

But this letter moved me in so many ways and made me realize that the power of sharing our stories really can make a difference. I felt such joy at hearing that a smart, beautiful, talented girl like my friend was going to put so much thought into having babies–how lucky for that baby! I felt such pride at knowing that I may have even a small part to play in her future commitment to empowered parenthood. No matter what choices she does make, I know that there will be a happy momma and a happy baby at the end of her journey.

Her letters’ subject was “Thank You” but is me who needs to express gratitude for the blessings this letter has brought; a renewed enthusiasm for my calling as a advocate for mommas and babies; validation that my work is not in vain; the knowledge that one person CAN make a difference in the world. I share these blessings with my daughters and know that we are well on our way to a brighter future for all families.

Justine,
I just wanted to let you know that, though I am not planning on having children for a few years, I am truly inspired by what you represent. I come from a large, Irish Catholic family, full of women who have birthed in hospitals with unnecessary C-sections, inducements, stitches and scars. As I get older and closer to marriage and children of my own, I have often wondered if I would have to endure the same when it is my time to bring a new life into the world. Having seen your profile and the JulianArts website, I now understand and am happy to know that there are options when I decide it is time. It is comforting to know and learn about doulas and other birthing experiences, such as the water birth you have described, that seem more fitting, natural and beautiful in order to welcome a baby into the world. I think it is wonderful that you share your experiences so that other women, such as myself, can learn about better options for birthing, and I wanted to thank you for doing so. Though I still have at least 2 years before planning children of my own, birth and babies are things which I have been surrounded by all my life (as the oldest in my generation of the family). These are things I have recently started to think about so that, when the time comes, I am well informed and have a great idea of the experience I would like to have as a new mommy. So, Justine, thank you again for the experiences and information you share. I know that, in time, all of this will mean even more to me as I begin my journey of hopefully beautiful pregnancies and to welcome children of my own into the world. Congratulations, again, on the new beautiful girl in your life! xo Val

The best part of this letter is that this beautiful young lady has now married and is halfway through her first pregnancy. She is telling her story and sharing her journey at This Whole Mommy Thing and I my heart could not be more full of joy for her and her family.

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By justine, June 15, 2011 9:09 pm

What Babies Want

Earlier today, I watched a You Tube video that Gloria Lemay had posted on her facebook wall. I won’t link to it here just because it was so horrific. If you want to cry and feel sick to your stomach, just type “normal birth” into any search engine and I am certain you will find 1000’s just like it.  The video was entitled “Normal Birth” but it was anything BUT normal to those who have seen how beautiful and gentle birth CAN and SHOULD be. However, sadly, it was certainly a “Typical Birth” for the majority of women and babies in the world. Typical in that the mother was in stirrups, lying flat on her back and was given a generous episiotomy for no good reason. The medical practitioner who was “delivering” the baby was using tremendous force to yank the baby out of the mother’s body; twisting and wrenching the baby side-to-side while palming the entire head. The baby was instantly whisked away into another room– screaming and terrified— then brutally gagged and choked in an effort to suction mucous out of his throat. Thankfully the video ended there…but the parents in the video were thrilled with the outcome of their birthing experience; they were so thrilled that they shared the video with the whole world. The medical staff seemed to be enjoying a “typical day at the office” as they abused a newborn baby with useless, invasive and potentially dangerous routine procedures.

How can we be surprised that our world is full of fearful, hateful, and violent people when we sanction violence and abuse of our newly born? Born in pain. Born in terror. We are reaping what we sow. Are we really blind to the correlation?

There is a better way though. People like Michel Odent, David Chamberlain, Karen Strange and Debby Takikawa are combining research with their professional experiences in the pregnancy and birth field to change the way we think about our tiniest and newest humans.

I care so much about reaching everyone with the messages of these pioneers in infant and maternal health that I am giving away a copy of the DVD What Babies Want. In this beautiful documentary by Debby Takikawa, you will learn what it is that babies really want and need to begin their earth-side journey as whole and healthy human beings.

To enter to win this DVD, simply LIKE State of the Heart Parenting on Facebook and ask your pregnancy, birth and baby loving friends to LIKE us, too. As soon as we hit 250 LIKES I will draw a winner from all of the LIKERS on our Facebook page.

7/18/11: We have reached 250! I am so happy to be sharing this DVD with one of you!

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By justine, June 1, 2011 6:31 pm

Slowing Down For Spring

I have just begun to read Child Honouring: How to Turn This World Around with a foreword by the Dalai Lama and edited by Raffi Cavoukian. It could not have arrived at a more auspicious moment in my life. I was brainstorming ideas for an online parenting class which would convey the complex and emotional work that goes hand-in-hand with connected, conscious, attached parenting philosophies. I have found what I was searching for. The covenants for honouring children include principles that are near and dear to my heart as a parent and birth worker; the covenants inspire us to respect children by engaging in conscious parenting, engaging in activities at every level of our lives that reflect stewardship for our children and our planet, and “organizing society around the priorities and needs of its youngest members.” As I delve further into the concepts I will undoubtedly have more to say. But in the meantime, I just wrote a guest post about Slow Parenting and our transition from winter learning to spring exploration over at Becoming Crunchy which addresses many of these same issues. Be sure to head over there and check it out!

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By justine, May 31, 2011 11:02 am

Spring Fling Ring Sling!

My beautiful friend and sister momma-homebirthing junkie, Mel, has generously donated one of her most stunning creations to-date; she has lovingly made a beautiful handmade ring sling and one of YOU will get to wear a baby in it!

The benefits of babywearing are so numerous that I cannot possibly post them all in one sitting. But here are a few of my favorites:

Wearing your baby can make your life with a baby (or a toddler, or both) much more manageable. Seriously, how on earth do you play tea party or smash ‘em up car races for the 90th time today without keeping your new baby safely tucked into your body?

Wearing your baby allows you to weave through crowded museums, zoo’s, and city streets with ease and without getting stuck in stroller traffic jams.And try stuffing a stroller into your purse or diaper bag!

A beautiful sling can dress up even the most spit-up on yoga pants and saggy tee-shirts! Wearing your baby is also a great way to camouflage your post-baby body if you are still feeling unfamiliar with your new curves. And the beautiful tail on this one can double as a nursing cover in public  if you both are still learning good latch techniques and feel the need for a little privacy.

Babies cry less; in the US it is estimated that babies cry 4 hours a day on average. I am pretty sure that if I added up all of the minutes that all 5 of my babies spent crying I MIGHT get to 4 hours total.

Babies can’t learn as well when they are crying and using their resources trying to get their needs met; babies who are worn have the opportunity to learn more!

Worn babies learn to see the world from a safe and normal vantage point: they get to look adults in the eye when they are speaking to them and engage in communication much more effectively then when they are buckled into a container with a view of the lights overhead.

Update 10pm June 14th, 2011: This contest is now closed…no more entries will be accepted for this giveaway. Congratulations to Jasmine C. who is our winner.

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By justine, May 27, 2011 3:34 pm

Your Birth Is Worth It!

It saddens me when I hear about yet another family opting out of the birth they want because of lack of insurance coverage or because of misconceptions about what birthing professionals may charge for their services. Here are a few ideas to help you afford the birth that you want!

• Start saving for your birth, the sooner the better. Trying to conceive? Newly pregnant? Stash away $10 a week into your birth fund. No matter what kind of birth you wind up having, you’ll have a bit of money to work with if you decide to hire a doula or a midwife.
• Don’t get discouraged until you have actually contacted a midwife or doula and asked them what they charge for their services.  I have not met a birth worker yet who does not offer payment plans, sliding fees, or discounts to those in serious need. Take the leap and call them…you might be surprised at how it all works out!
• Maybe a midwife has an experienced apprentice who is close to going into her own practice and will discount the birth significantly if you agree to see the apprentice for the majority of your prenatal care.
• Ask friends and family to skip the useless gifts and cutesie baby items and make a donation to your birth fund instead. The BEST gift anyone can give you is a gentle, non-traumatic birthing experience.
• Set up a web page for friends and family to follow you on your pregnancy and birth journey and include a PayPal account for donations. Don’t skimp on the belly pics, either! They can donate a little bit at a time if making a large donation is too difficult for them. If your friends and family (let’s say 20 people) donated $5 a week for 10 weeks, you could have $1000 in no time! Ask them if they could give up 1 single cup of coffee every week in order to help your baby get into the world safely!
• Think of this in bite-sized chunks rather than an expense that you need to cough up all at once.

The care both you and your baby receive before, during, and after your birth should not be left up to chance, red-tape, or policies!

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By justine, May 21, 2011 3:01 pm

www.w-healthy.com

There are very few things that matter more to our health than what we put INTO our bodies. My recent success with full time gluten-free eating and part time grain-free eating has made extraordinary and positive changes in my health. The gift of good health is something that I do not take for granted. I am blessed enough to live in an area that allows me to have access to many fresh, local, and healthy food options. In honor of my many blessings and because I feel so damned good, I will be giving away a $25 gift card to the Whole Foods Co-op so that someone else can have a little help in their quest to become (or to stay) healthy. Enter to win TODAY. Contest ends Monday May 30th at 10pm.

Update May 31st: Congratulations to Jenn D. who is the winner of the gift card!

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By justine, May 17, 2011 1:39 pm

So many wonderful things are circling around me right now. I can reach out with my hand and grab a blessing at will, it seems. Even with the risk of jinxing it I am going to say that my recent efforts to reintroduce balance into my life have been wildly successful! It seems as if balance is not a fantasy reserved for the super zen, super thin, or super rich after all. I am even done being angry at all of the medical professionals who refused to look beyond my age, weight and child-bearing history when they diagnosed me, again and again with something I did not have.

• My health is better than ever thanks to a 100% gluten-free diet, 5- day sprints of total grain-free eating, and chelation therapy to remove heavy metals and toxins. It is going so well, in fact, that Sir Hubby, Ella, and my mom have all been inspired to jump on the bandwagon, too. It would be my fondest wish for everyone to feel like this. If you are on the fence about taking control of your health, or not sure if the long-term payoff is going to be worth the short-term sacrifice, let me give you some encouragement: What the hell are you waiting for???

• My creativity is flowing like it hasn’t in years. Goodbye brain-fog! Not only do I WANT to do things, but I can actually marshal my resources and get something accomplished! I wrote a children’s book this week and am now in the process of wading through the legal stuff for publishing and working with some illustrators to capture my vision. I’ll keep you updated!

• I am sleeping better. Amen. Halleluiah. Holy Shit. Thanks to the purchase of a new King Sized bed (and some melatonin) I don’t dread going to bed…and better yet, I don’t dread getting out of bed.  It is amazing what 4 or more hours of continuous sleep can do for a body and a brain.

• I am a better parent these days. I don’t have to rewind as often as I usually do. I am thinking before I speak to my children much more consistently and actually getting the results that I want.  I want to get a tattoo and several cross-stitch samplers reminding me to “Connect Before I Correct”

• It appears that I like my husband after all.  At the end of the day, I actually have something left over to share with Sir Hubby. We are laughing more and making time to connect with each other without being forced to refer to each other in the third person or having to spell  words in order to prevent a riot of howling children from descending on us.

• My dream of helping families realize the power of non-traumatic birthing experiences is closer than ever. I am currently enrolled in a 20-week Midwifery 101 course with Gloria Lemay. Next month I will begin  Ancient Art Midwifery Institute’s Advanced Midwifery Studies.  At last I am a midwifery student!

It is shaping up to be one of the most amazing summers yet…stay tuned for updates!