Are You Our 2013 Mom on a Mission?

Eight years ago, Tamara Rubin turned a major setback into an opportunity.

Her young boys were acutely poisoned after a contractor used unsafe and illegal paint removal methods while painting their home. Tamara decided that her family would not be a statistic and made it her mission to protect children across the country from lead poisoning. In 2011, she founded the Lead Safe America Foundation. You can still find her walking door-to-door, handing out free lead testing kits to families.

Then there’s Shelby Rodriguez. After discovering that a corporation in her community was pumping harmful, toxic fumes into the air during a tar-roofing project, she spearheaded a movement that successfully brought it to a halt. Today, she is a crusader for clean air.

We like to call it “the Erin effect,” in honor of our Advisory Board member, Erin Brockovich. The truth is: Deep inside all of us is a mom on a mission.

This year, we celebrate our 4th annual Mom on a Mission campaign to honor parents and moms like Tamara and Shelby who have made it their mission to create a better world for the next generation.

Each month we will honor one mom who is inspiring change for children’s health—beginning with our first finalist, Andrea Pett-Joseph, who has committed herself to finding a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare, painful and life threatening genetic disorder of the skin that has affected her eight-year-old son since birth.

Join us today by nominating a mom who has made a difference in the life of a child at healthychild.org/mission. Better yet, nominate yourself!

In September, we’ll host a two-month online voting period where YOU will choose the winner.  Then in November, we’ll announce the 2012 Mom on a Mission at a special event in New York City with the help of our sponsors, Stonyfield Farm, Nordic Naturals, Plum Organics and TLC.

Have you already nominated someone? Honor other moms who are changing the face of children’s health by sharing with your friends and community and encouraging them to nominate someone special. Forward this email, post to your Facebook, send a Tweet, share on your blog—help us show parents everywhere that every little thing they do matters.

Thank You,

Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff
Executive Director/CEO
Healthy Child Healthy World

And Baby Makes Four? Could it be more different the second time around?

Elyse Eberstein, CLE, MSW and her kids Lilly and Zach

It was truly like night and day. When our firstborn, Lilly, came along, we didn’t dream of venturing out of the nest for at least a month. We sequestered ourselves with our teeny, tiny little human and marveled at her.

Fast forward to nine days after number two, little brother Zach came into the world.  It was a cool January morning. While wearing Zach out at the beach playground, my husband and I chased after Lilly, who was running gleefully around. It simply wasn’t possible to keep this little bundle of toddler energy sequestered in the nest!

While walking at the playground, feeling dazed and tired, I ran into one of my mommy friends who had older children. She smiled warmly and asked how things were going. I chuckled, shook my head and confided, “I think I made a mistake...I think Lilly was meant to be an only child. She’s so used to having my undivided attention. We have such a special relationship and I just don't know how I'm going to make this work.” My friend put her hand on my shoulder and said, “It's going to be a hard year but you just gave your daughter the best gift ever.”

I held on to those words of advice during that challenging 1st year of Zach’s life.  Being a second time mom is so different from being a first time mom. You have a certain confidence that makes it all so much easier and then there is the GUILT.  What the guilt stems from is the simple fact that there is not enough of mom to go around.  Not only does it feel like there’s not enough time and attention for the new baby, but inevitably there’s not enough for her older child, husband or herself.  There’s always somebody crying, needing a nap, missing a class and it just feels endless.  It’s just different the second time around but it’s also wonderful and so amazing. 

Does any of this sound familiar? Well you’re not alone. The exciting news is that The Pump Station and Nurtury™ is now offering a Second Time Moms’ group based on the curriculum of our popular The Wright Mommy & Me™ classes. Second time mothers will have an opportunity to ease their transition through honest sharing and exploration. The group gives second time mothers a chance to raise concerns and look at issues in a safe space. The group will approach each topic and developmental stage from a mindful parenting perspective, which is essentially a slowed-down, less reactive, more intentional and reflective process. Some of the topics addressed will be:

• Helping your first child adjust to the new sibling
• Sharing practical information to help families raising more than one child
• Find new ways to improve your time management skills
• Make time for yourself and your relationship/partner
• Develop practical strategies for balancing work and home life
• Learn to feel good about yourself and your body
• Meet other second time moms in neighborhood!
• Explore ways to nurture the relationship between your children
• Review what you may have forgotten about baby care, sleep, food etc.

As a mom of a 6 year old daughter and 4 year old son I know about the joy and guilt that come with having two children. Some days are amazing as you watch your two children together and other days you will find yourselves sitting on the floor all crying together. I look forward to a group where mommies can develop new friendships, support each other and learn as they maneuver the challenges and joys of parenting a second child.

My friend at the park 4 years ago was absolutely right. My kids have a very special relationship. They care deeply for each other, play well together and have a hard time being away from each other.  Despite the challenges, my husband and I did give Lilly the best gift ever – and it didn’t come from a store!

Elyse is leading is leading a Wright Mommy & Me for 2nd Time Moms Group
8-Week session starts Feb 2nd, 2012 and meet Tuesdays from 9:30am-11:00am in our Santa Monica location. Email Dinora@PumpStation.com to sign up or call 310-998-1981.

Va Va Voom! Get your Vulli Sophie the Giraffe and Friends

Sophie the Giraffe is the most awesome baby teether. However, for those not into giraffes, we carry many of Sophie's friends made by Vulli. Who can't resist chewing on a good Gnon, Chan or Pie. Yes, we had only heard of "Pie" before too. Eh' Vulli is based in Rumilly in the Haute-Savoie region of France. Where's that? According to The Rumilly Travel Guide, about 266 miles from Paris.

We digress... je suis désolée, mon amie.

Did you know Vulli also offers vanilla teethers for your little ones? Sorry currently we don't carry Café au lait flavored teethers for Mom or Dad. We'll let you know if Vulli does start to offer an adult red wine teether. Please chew responsibly.

They're cool, they're imported, and they are French! We're proud to make these Vulli products available to our Pump Station family. Come see us in Santa Monica, Hollywood or Westlake this weekend!

If you want to shop from home, they are available online too. Just click the pictures.

Sophie the Giraffe	SO'PURE Natural Teether	SO'PURE Natural Soother	Sophie Vanilla Teether
Pie Teether	Gnon Teether	Chan Teether	Vanilla Teether 2 Pack
Sophie Bath Toy

We apologize if our French is incorrect. Please, feel free to submit corrections below.

Flying with your Baby

Every week in our New Mother Support groups someone asks for tips on air travel with their breastfed baby. So here is a list of ideas that should make your trip easier. I hope this will also help my daughter Colleen when she travels home from Germany during the Christmas holidays with my soon-to-be-born grandbaby.

1. Make reservations early and book a window seat for yourself. It is easier to breastfeed when you can turn your back to the crowd and get the baby latched on, then sit back and relax.

2. If traveling with another person, request an aisle and window seat. If the flight is not full, you may get the whole row and if not, the person assigned the middle seat will happily take the aisle. You might try flying at lower volume times of the day/week. However, in the current travel climate there may be no such thing.

3. Take your Car Seat and your "Snap and Go" stroller right up to the plane and then gate check the stroller. It's waiting for you as you disembark. If there is an available seat you can take your car seat on the place with you. If not they will gate-check it too. If you don't have a gate-check bag, take large, heavy-duty bags and some masking tape. Covering the car seat and the stroller will protect them while in the cargo area.

4. Take your sling/baby carrier. This is great for walking through the airport, keeping your baby secure while flying, and calming a fussy baby on the plane – walking and bouncing. I just read the TSA website which states that babies need to be removed from carriers and strollers while going through the security checkpoint.

5. A SkipHop Backpack diaper bag will keep your hands available for the baby.

6. In your carry-on pack an extra shirt for yourself and enough diapers/clothes for the baby to make it through a “blowout” or two. Be prepared for a delay or even and unexpected overnight stay.

7. Pack one diaper and several wipes in a Ziploc bag (do a bunch). When you need to change the baby just grab a baggy, make the change and use the Ziploc for the dirty diaper.
Buy disposable changing pads and throw them away after each use. This helps to protect the baby from the environment.

8. Check the TSA website and take a copy of the rules with you – you may need it at security. Currently you may take breastmilk through security (when traveling with or without the baby) in larger quantities than three ounces and in a separate bag from other gels and liquids. You must declare that you have the milk and are encouraged to carry on only what is needed until you reach your destination. Any other milk that you want to take, can be packed in large Ziplocs, surrounded by ice cubes or blue ice and placed in the bags you plan to check.

9. Take your Bebe au Lait. This terrific cover-up allows mom and baby to see each other and nurse discreetly. Also try a Nursing tank top and layers; the tank makes nursing so easy while keeping your midsection covered. The tank is beloved by most of our clients.

10. Planes are flying "germ bags" so take a few antibacterial wipes in a baggy and wipe down the arms of your seat and the tray table and don't forget your hand sanitizer – use it frequently.

11. Try to nurse your baby or offer a few sips of breast milk by bottle when you are taking off and landing. Getting the baby to swallow helps reduce pressure in the ears. If the baby is sleeping, don’t wake him.

12. Put drops of breast milk in eyes and nose repeatedly before and during the trip. This may help reduce the risk of the baby getting sick. It works like an antibiotic/antiviral –Good Stuff.

** Ask for help: Getting your luggage through security, into the overheads, etc. can be a hassle. People feel good about themselves when they help others, so let 'um help.

Enjoy Your Trip!

by Corky Harvey MS, RN, IBCLC, Co-Founder of The Pump Station & Nurtury™

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Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Info:
What to Know Before You Go

Traveling with Children: includes videos

Important Information on Traveling With Formula, Breast Milk, and Juice

Other items:

Grip Water Travel Pack

Hyland's Homeopathic Colic Tablets

BioGaia ProTectis Baby Drops (this version does not need to be refrigerated)

Blankets

Pacifiers & Teethers


Home and Away Computer Connect Wireless Baby Camera: Skype™ to view and talk to your little one or older ones from any computer anywhere in the world