International Babywearing Week!

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Babywearing is so vital to both mom and baby. Check out the cuteness.

FATS Mama Circle will be all about Babywearing this Friday Oct 2, 10-12 in Phx and Tues Oct 6, 12-2 in Gilbert!

In honor of International Babywearing Week I want to give a shout out to Babywearing International of Phoenix!

Here is an excerpt from their Facebook page. Go like them today!

We are an affiliate chapter of Babywearing International (http://babywearinginternational.org/), a non-profit organization devoted to babywearing advocacy and education. Our Mission is to promote babywearing safety and education in our communities.

babywearing seethroughOur meetings are led by Volunteer Babywearing Educators (VBEs) – experienced babywearers who have been accredited by Babywearing International. They also serve as admins for this group.

Our VBEs are:
TaiLeah Madill
Marissa Honey-Jones
Dara Salzano DaCunha
Jessica Richardson

Tracy McCall
Morgan Vigil-Smith
Beth Guynes
Elizabeth Morton
Lauren Maynard
Jenna Parker
Toria Trendler
Tanya C Higgins
Tiffany Deacon Husar
Kara Cook
Amber Hodge
Renee Hiller

We currently have 5 meetings a month, each in a different part of the valley. We occasionally offer social or play date events as well. All of our upcoming events and meetings are now posted on our Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/BWIPhoenix, under the events tab or on our website here. Please subscribe to receive notifications when new events and meetings are created, and join those you wish to attend to stay up to date on all those details! You can find a full list of our group rules and guidelines here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/babywearing-international-of-phoenix/bwip-rules-and-guidelines/841765719179731.mama wearing

Want to know more about Meetings or have other general questions about how things work? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions Doc: https://www.facebook.com/notes/babywearing-international-of-phoenix/meeting-and-membership-frequently-asked-questions/848942588462044.

Our meetings are free to attend and open to all! We also offer memberships in our group for $30 per year, tax deductible. Membership supports our group’s advocacy (education and outreach) work, supports the admin costs such as for business cards that our attendees can use to hand out, and allows us to add new carriers to our library! Membership also has some great benefits, such as being able to borrow any carrier in our library f
or up to a month at a time. This is a great way to ‘try before you buy’. We currently have almost 200 carriers and accessories in our library!!

Want to know more about membership? Check out our blog post: http://www.phoenixbabywearers.blogspot.com/…/membership-wit…. Ready to join? Fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/…/1k4F7q1-7
q_FhqTQehnijstW…/viewform
, and submit your $30 annual dues via paypal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… or to phoenixbabywearers@gmail.comman wearing

See our carrier list here: https://docs.google.com/…/1jEbQaQuNZyxZScw-TIOuiDIj29…/edit…

This group is to chat and discuss all things babywearing. Post your victories and your challenges. Ask your carrier questions. Buy, sell, and trade your lovelies with other local wearers. And above all, post with kindness and consideration. Every moment can be a positive one. Even in the challenges
and the difficult topics, there is room to grow and learn.

Love our community and want to pick their brains about things other than babywearing? Join our Off Topic (OT) group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/630266537089346/

Have a question of a more private nature? Need to chat with a leader or get further info on us teaching at your mom’s/parenting group? Private Message (PM) any leader or email us at phoenix@babywearinginternational.org.

You can learn more about our group on our website (http://bwiphoenix.com) or on our blog(http://www.phoenixbabywearers.blogspot.com/). You’ll find some great youtube tutorials, information about our lending library, and other helpful info to help you along your babywearing journey on these sites.

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Mama Circle 3.0

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I adore FATS Mama Circle! Anytime women come together makes my heart explode with joy. Community is vital.

Due to some creative scheduling and community involvement we are changing the day, time, frequency and location we gather.

Starting in October…

At our Gilbert location, Mama Circles will be held the first Tuesday of every month from 12-2. Mama Circle Flyer 2

At our Phoenix location, Mama Circles will be held the first Friday of every month 10-12.  Mama Circle Flyer 3

We are hoping these changes can accommodate more of our mamas!

See you at the next gathering in Oct!

Postpartum! – Herbs that Heal

Our plant family has so many ways to heal and nurture our body after we birth. Let’s take a look at a few…

Calendula

CalendulaThis beautiful healing herb brings comfort to our sore perineums. If you have an episiotomy, tore or just have a few micro tears this herbs soothe and heals!

 

 

 

Sea Salt

SaltSalt is another fast healer. Soaking your bottom in a sea salt bath if there has been trauma. Soaking your nipples in sea salt and warm water if they are cracked and/or bleeding can bring instant relief and fast healing.

 

 

Fenugreek

fenugreekFenugreek is a trusted friend when it comes to increasing milk supply. Taken orally in capsule or tincture form.

 

 

 

Red Raspberry Leaf

redraspberryRed Raspberry is every woman, no matter what stage of life, best friend. RRL is an all over female tonic. Strengthens and tonifies. Rich in minerals and nutrients.

 

 

 

There are countless other beautiful herbs that help our postpartum to be smooth and healthy. See your midwife or herbalist for more information, indications and dosages.

At Freedom and the Seed we blend delicious herbal teas for the postpartum period. We have also created a healing sit bath with a fragrance that is out of this world!

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All of these can be purchased at our office or sent by mail. Just contact Wendi at info@freedomandtheseed.com

Happy Babymoon!

 

Birth! Who’s your team?

 

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The people you choose to be present at one of the most intimate moments of your life has huge effects on how that moment is played out. It is worth a lot of reflection, thought and boundaries.

Care Providers

You and your care provider’s philosophy of healthcare, your body, birth and your baby should be in alignment. It is NEVER too late to switch care providers. A mother went into labor, arrived at the hospital, realized her doctor and her were NOT on the same page about the birth she wanted. This brave mother called around to homebirth midwives until she found one to care for her at home, checked herself out and went home to have her baby. It is never too late to have the birth you want surrounded by the people you want.

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Doulas

Get one. There is nothing more to say. What is a Doula?

Doula

Family/Friends/Neighbors

This is where a lot of reflection is needed. A wise old midwife once told me you can add a couple hours to the labor for every extra person at the birth. Over my years of being a midwife I have found this to be true with very few exceptions. As with a care provider the people you invite to your birth should be 100% supportive of your decisions. In addition, family and friends who hold any fear around birth you should be very cautious about inviting into the birthing space.

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Others to consider

Photographer/videographer

Child care for the other children

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