Looking for Sales Associates for our Santa Monica Store

Looking for Sales Associate with Bra Fitting Experience

The Pump Station & Nurtury® is a trusted resource center for expecting and new parents in the Los Angeles area. We are currently experiencing exciting and dynamic growth and are seeking team members to provide supportive and comprehensive service to our customers and clients. We currently need full and part-time associates who can work some nights and weekends.

Job Purpose:

As a Pump Station & Nurtury® Associate, you will contribute to the unsurpassed service/retail experience of our clients and customers through information, service, and sales.  The ideal candidate will bring an outgoing personality, problem solving/listening skills, and the desire to succeed into our warm and caring environment. 

Overview of Duties:

• Experience Sizing Bras - Nursing wear is a plus!
• Greet and guide the client/customer through our services, equipment rentals, products, and information in a timely and knowledgeable way
• Support cash wrap activities accurately processing customers’ information and sales transactions in a friendly and timely fashion
• Assist store managers, buyers and merchandisers with daily retail operations, including cleaning, stocking, merchandising, and organizing
• Support classroom activities, including set-up, sign-in, and breakdown
• Assist the lactation department with equipment rentals, setting appointments and providing information
• Contribute to physical inventory when requested
• Provide administrative support to department managers when necessary

Skills Summary:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong PC skills 
• Strong phone skills & etiquette
• Ability to work with a team 

Requirements:

• Sales experience and/or experience with moms and babies a plus
• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to lift 30 pounds
• Able to work weekends

Please email Cover Letter and Resume to Yadira@pumpstation.com.  Only serious inquiries please. 

The Pump Station is looking for an Accounts Payable Clerk

Accounts Payable Clerk

Part-Time Position (@16 hours per week) reporting to CEO

Completes payments and controls expenses by processing, verifying, reconciling and vouchering invoices from vendors in a timely & accurate manner.

·     Responsible for timely management of all email communications with vendors and stores for ap@pumpstation.com

·     Must be able to effectively communicate with vendors regarding invoice discrepancies, on time payment schedules, credits etc.

·     Reconciles processed receivers with vendor invoices, then vouchers work by verifying entries and comparing system reports to balances

·     Charges expenses to appropriate accounts and cost centers by analyzing invoice/expense reports; recording entries

·     Pays vendors by monitoring discount and freight opportunities - making adjustments when necessary

·     Verifies vendor accounts by reconciling monthly statements and related transactions.

·     Regularly manages and maintains historical records by filing documents physically or electronically on server.

·     Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential.

·     Assists CEO and managers on special projects as needed

Accounts Payable Clerk Skills and Qualifications:

Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent with at least 2 years of experience in the field or in a related area.  Attention to Detail, Thoroughness, Organization, Analytical Skills, Accounting, Vendor Relationships, PC Proficiency, Data Entry Skills, General Math Skills. Experience using  MicroSoft Office and Quickbooks  a must! Knowledge of NCR Counterpoint, Bill.com and Tallie a plus!

Please email your cover letter and resume to info@pumpstation.com.

You shouldn't have to sacrifice comfort to nurse.  Here are some tips and products Corky  recommends for every mom's Nursing Nook.  "I just worked with  a mom who at seven weeks post birth is still miserable nursing her little one-her back and neck are killing her (despite deep tissue massages) and her nipples are still a bit sore. We worked a bit on deep latch and then -I put her feet on the nursing stool -changed to a more supportive nursing pillow  -and gave her a back rest (our back pillow).   She was thrilled and relaxed and bought all three items immediately. She also allowed me to take the pictures you see here. Nursing should be comfortable and relaxing!" ~Corky Harvey, MS, RN, IBCLC, Co-founder of The Pump Station & Nurtury®

Luna Lullaby Bossom Baby Nursing Pillow Luna Lullaby Lil Something Pillow The Pump Station Back Pillow My Breast Friend Adjustable Nursing Stool Click here for store locations.

Lactation Support Sometimes all we need is a little extra support.  Save

Sometimes all we need is a little extra comfort.

You shouldn't have to sacrifice comfort to nurse.  Here are some tips and products Corky  recommends for every mom's Nursing Nook.  "I just worked with  a mom who at seven weeks post birth is still miserable nursing her little one-her back and neck are killing her (despite deep tissue massages) and her nipples are still a bit sore. We worked a bit on deep latch and then -I put her feet on the nursing stool -changed to a more supportive nursing pillow  -and gave her a back rest (our back pillow).   She was thrilled and relaxed and bought all three items immediately. She also allowed me to take the pictures you see here. Nursing should be comfortable and relaxing!" ~Corky Harvey, MS, RN, IBCLC, Co-founder of The Pump Station & Nurtury®

Luna Lullaby Bossom Baby Nursing Pillow Luna Lullaby Lil Something Pillow The Pump Station Back Pillow My Breast Friend Adjustable Nursing Stool Click here for store locations.

Some basics for all parents when thinking about Water Safety

Featuring: Coach Dave Kelsheimer –  Team USA Swim Coach Rio 2016, Head Coach Team Santa Monica Swim Club 
Cheryl’s #SupportLocal pick: Team Santa Monica Swim Club

nhlakes.org

I grew up with a pool, lived near the ocean, and later on my family moved onto a big lake in NH (yeah big for NH but not “Great Lakes” big). I could swim as long as I can remember – diving off the board at age 3. While the New Hampshire coast line is short – the waves can be big, the weather can be random and the undertow can be fierce. I remember a time when I was being pulled by the undertow, not sure of what was up or what was down-my dad grabbed me and pulled me up. He understood the variables and stayed close. Thanks Dad. While not a big deal to him, as it happened to him as a kid; it burned a memory into my mind. It was then that I learned to respect the water, the ocean, the lakes and pools. As a parent, an aunt, a friend - I have always put a tremendous value on children and adults learning to swim. 

My daughter Daniela just turned 9 in April, but at about the time she turned 2 I felt the urgency/need to have her learn to swim. I did some digging and found some programs around town (Santa Monica to Culver City) . She learned the basics and became water safe. I still sat poolside during all of these lessons watching her, feeling like my “2nd set of eyes” was critical to her being safe. 

Oddly, one day a friend asked me if I had heard about TSM (Team Santa Monica). I was unaware of TSM – asked more about it.  Apparently, right in my back yard (Lincoln Middle School) Santa Monica had a club swim program – Pre-Comp starting at about age 4 and Competition Level starting at 6+. I did a little research and set her up for an assessment of her swim skills. During her conveniently scheduled assessment - she was assigned to some team, named after some sort of aquatic character based on her level. It was all cute and made her feel like another character from “The Little Mermaid”- so all good.  Times for classes were accessible based on school schedules. Pricing was fair given the quality of the coaching - the quality of the coaching is amazing!

This is where I have to pause and praise what we have in our very own backyard. Team Santa Monica’s coaches are the absolute best, they care about the kids, they treat them with respect, and they teach them about commitment to excellence and each other. Whether you want your child to be water safe or become an Olympic Swimmer, I encourage you to check them out. 

I’m feeling especially proud of this team right now as they are sending off one of their swimmers, Jordan Wilimovsky, and their head, Coach Dave Kelsheimer, to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio in just a few weeks. Yes, Team Santa Monica has an Olympic Swimmer and Coach! They understand the importance of this milestone accomplishment with the other kids and share with them that “this could be you”. It’s a powerful program which is why The Pump Station & Nurtury is proud to support this local business!

Like everything in the parenting world – every child and every parent is different – this may not be for you – but I encourage you to check them out.
Learn more about Team Santa Monica

By Cheryl Petran, CEO of The Pump Station & Nurtury®

Swim Safety - 5 Back Yard Water Safety Tips

Coach Dave Kelsheimer –  Team USA Swim Coach Rio 2016, 

Head Coach Team Santa Monica Swim Club 

#SupportLocal

Is there a local business you think is amazing and would like us to learn more about? Tell us all about it by emailing info@pumpstation.com and why you think it is great and we may just feature it in our upcoming class newsletters! 

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Does Swaddling Raise the Risk of SIDS? Addressing the Recent Headlines

By now you’ve probably read the latest attention grabbing headlines “Does Swaddling Babies Raise the Risk of SIDS” or “Common Parenting Practice Tied to Higher SIDS.” Since this is a technique not only relevant to our moms, but also one we highly recommend as a way to soothe a fussy baby, we wanted to take a moment to address.

According to a study published May 9th in the online edition of the journal Pediatrics, infants swaddled during sleep have a greater risk of dying from SIDS, especially if they are placed on their stomachs. News outlets and Social Media have had a field day with headlines, however, CEO of The Pump Station & Nurtury^® Cheryl Petran believes many of the posts going viral to be misleading: “They took this and twisted and rolled it up into a messy little ball.”

According to The Pump Station & Nurtury^® Co-Founder, Corky Harvey MS, RN, IBCLC “Swaddling is the cornerstone of settling a fussy baby.  Learning how to swaddle so that babies are quiet helps with parent attunement with the child in learning how to handle and read them.”

Most of the articles go on to suggest that, according to the study, swaddling can be risky. However the actual conclusion of the study supports 2 widely held factors parents and pediatricians have already known for quite some time.

1.     Infants should avoid sleeping on their sides and stomachs to reduce the risk of dying from SIDS. Infants must be put to sleep on their backs.

2.     There is an age at which you should no longer swaddle.

Contrary to what some headlines suggest, the researchers identified a “small but significant risk” associated with infants swaddled and put to sleep on their backs. This finding actually keeps very much in line with the recommendation of pediatricians like The Pump Station & Nurtury^® expert, Dr. Tanya Altmann, who states, “It’s perfectly fine to swaddle your baby and put them to sleep on their back in a safe sleeping environment.”

For more information on baby visit KidsInTheHouse.com

That being said, there was a small percentage of the infants who died of SIDS and who were swaddled and put to sleep on their backs that were found on their stomachs. This finding may have more to do with age and the fact that the baby is capable of rolling over.

So how long can you swaddle your baby for?

“Around four months of age a lot of babies will start breaking out of the swaddle. So, you may want to try swaddling them from the armpits down with their arms out and then taking away the swaddle when they become more mobile. A sleep sack is a great alternative. Your baby can still be warm and cozy, but their arms won’t be pinned down at their side. So follow your baby's lead if they enjoy being bundled up in a swaddle, then it’s perfectly safe and fine,” says Altmann

According to sleep specialist and Creator of The Happiest Baby on the Block, Dr. Harvey Karp, “Swaddling is recommended until at least 4 months. Many babies are ready by that age, however, some benefit from an extra few months of swaddling. At 4 months, try to swaddle with one arm out (it’s important to keep the white noise playing all night). If your baby sleeps well with one arm out, you can stop the wrapping (but still continue the sound). However, if he does not sleep as well with one arm out, continue with the regular wrapping and sound and try the one arm wrapping again in another month.” Stop altogether if baby is rolling to their stomach.

Corky Harvey believes, and Dr. Karp might also argue, that "Swaddling helps to prevent babies from rolling to their stomachs as soon, therefore lessening the risk of SIDS.  The small number of babies that died of SIDS while swaddled and on their backs may have died whether swaddled or not. There is no way to remove all risk." She goes on to ask "Was the baby a vulnerable baby (preemie or ill? was there a smoker in the house? Was the baby in a separate room? All experts—including McKenna and the AAP-- believe that babies need to be near the parent (arms reach) for the first 6 months of life.

"It should also be noted that SIDS rates have declined sharply in recent years. We have removed babies from stomach sleeping, and have put them on their backs. That proved to be, singularly, the most significant factor in reducing the instances of SIDS, according to anthropologist and author, Dr. James McKenna.

For more information on baby visit KidsInTheHouse.com

So perhaps instead of suggesting a perfectly safe, respected, and highly recommended technique for soothing your baby is the cause for SIDS, the viral headlines should be reading “If you’re going to soothe your baby via swaddling, be sure to do it properly!”

If you would like to read more info on this subject we suggest these two articles

CNN  - Swaddling and SIDS: About that alarming study ...

The Atlantic - About That Scary Swaddling Study

You can also learn more about swaddling and other important information on how to help your little one to sleep, stop them from crying, give the first bath, and of course, how to Breastfeed & bottle feed in our BabyCare101 DVD or Digital Download

If you would like recommendations for sleeping sacks, we have several suggestions in our list of essential baby care items.