Page 4 - Family & Parenting
----------------------- Today’s guest is Bryn Huntpalmer. She founded the Birth Hour podcast, which is one of the top 50 podcasts by Time Magazine and has over 25 million downloads to date. She is passionate about helping expecting parents prepare for childbirth through the sharing of empowering and informative birth stories, as well as her online, evidence-based childbirth course called Know Your Options. We chat all things birth, baby essentials, and what keeps this mama up at night.
Resources + Show Notes Bryn Huntpalmer | thebirthhour.com •
----------------------- Today’s guest is Kiana Reeves, Certified Somatic Sex Educator & Sexological Bodyworker, Embodiment and Intimacy Coach, Certified STREAM Pelvic Health Practitioner, Full Spectrum Doula, and Mother of two delightful and wild humans. For over a decade Kiana has been working at the intersection of sex, embodiment, intimacy, pleasure, birth, and wellbeing. Her work is a holistic & somatic approach to the emotional, biological, personal, ancestral, and spiritual nature of sex & intimacy. In this episode, we chat all things intimacy and get her recommendations for keeping your sex life alive even after baby.
International Women's Day (IWD), held annually on March 8th, highlights the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women globally. It brings together governments, corporations, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, and more to celebrate women's advancement and raise awareness against bias.
The first IWD occurred on March 19, 1911 after being proposed by Clara Zetkin at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. Since then, the day has evolved beyond its socialist political roots to embrace a broader feminist message seeking gender parity.
This year's IWD theme is “Choose to Challenge” - encouraging people to call out gender bias and inequality while celebrating women's achievements. As we reflect on the day's significance, let's also consider how we can tangibly support mothers worldwide through their motherhood journey. One impactful way is by gifting baby carriers that provide comfort and mobility for moms of infants.
The Evolution
I’m Madison Sponsler, wife to an incredible husband and mama to two beautiful girls. This is the story of my miracle baby, Liberty.
Liberty is my first born. My pregnancy with her was beautiful and complication free. I loved every second of my pregnancy and the ultrasounds and blood tests all confirmed that our little bundle of joy was perfectly healthy.
At forty weeks I started having contractions. My husband and I were beyond excited to meet our beautiful girl. My labor was seamless and my delivery was fast. Everything had gone exactly how I dreamed it would during the nine months it took to grow her.
But my dream came to an abrupt halt when they placed her in my arms for the first time. Immediately, I knew that she was not like any newborn I had laid eyes on before. After a few moments of taking in my new daughter, I knew she had Down Syndrome.
The midwife dried her off, did her newborn evaluation, and told me that I should see a pediatrician the following morning. Since there was no
How can you use a bouncer to promote your baby’s development?
Put your baby safely and securely in their bouncer, hop into the shower, done! This is one of the most common functions of this everyday baby essential item. Especially in the beginning, when your baby is small and prefers to be snuggled and close to parents and loved ones. Did you know that you can use your Ergobaby 3-in-1 Evolve Bouncer to play with your baby and encourage their development? A baby bouncer can help with developmental milestones in several ways, although it's important to note that its impact may vary from one child to another. Here are some ways in which a baby bouncer can contribute to a baby's development:
Sensory Stimulation:
Visual Stimulation: Many baby bouncers come with attached toys or mobiles that provide visual stimulation. These colorful and moving objects can engage a baby's visual senses and encourage them to track objects with their eyes, promoting visual development. The Evolve
How to Keep Your Relationship Strong After Having a Baby
Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience. The transition from being a couple to a family can strain even the strongest relationships, making it crucial to prioritize your connection with your partner. Research shows that within three years of having a baby, nearly two-thirds of couples experience a decline in relationship satisfaction. However, with intentionality, communication, and quality time, you and your partner can navigate this transition together and emerge stronger than ever.
In this article, we’ll explore how relationships change after having a baby, share practical ways to maintain a strong bond, and provide creative date night ideas—both for when you can step out and when you're staying in.
How Relationships Change After Having a Baby
The arrival of a baby brings a shift in priorities, routines, and responsibilities. Here are some of the most common relationship changes new parents experience:
1. Increased
10 New Year’s Resolutions for Parents to Use All Year-Round
The new year is a time for fresh starts and thoughtful goal-setting, especially for parents who are juggling family, work, and self-care. These New Year’s resolutions for parents are designed to help you engage more with your children, nurture yourself, and create lasting memories all year long. Whether you’re focusing on spending quality time or carving out moments for self-care, these achievable parenting goals will inspire you to make meaningful changes.
1. Be in More Photos
As parents, we often find ourselves behind the camera, capturing every milestone and sweet moment. But years from now, your kids will want to see you in those photos, too.
How to Make It Happen:
- Set up a tripod or use the timer feature on your phone.
- Hand the camera to your partner or a friend to snap candid moments.
- Invest in an easy-to-use carrier like the Omni Breeze so you can capture those on-the-go family adventures while staying close
If you haven’t already learned, babies come with a lot of baggage. Diapers, wipes, toys, clothes, bottles, baby carrier, baby stroller and car seat – it’s like a never-ending packing list if you’re traveling with a baby. Thankfully, airlines understand that flying with kids is hard, which is why they try their best to accommodate families. As such, they allow parents to bring the most necessary baby items along with them – many even for free! So if you’ve been wondering if strollers and other baby gear count as carry-ons or if you can bring formula on the plane, here are the answers to those and other commonly asked questions about flying with a baby.
Emotional Benefits of Getting Outside
Spending time in nature with your baby can strengthen the bond between you. The simple act of holding your baby close, feeling their warmth, and sharing new experiences together can create strong emotional connections. It’s also a wonderful way to reduce stress and improve your mood. When my littles
When my daughter was seven months old, my husband and I took her across the country on a red-eye, followed by two weeks of road tripping and camping. We purposefully booked a night flight, thinking she’d sleep through the whole thing and we’d arrive at our destination ready to hit the road. Instead, she stayed awake the entire time, refused to fall asleep once we landed, and left us with literal red eyes and terrified of what lay ahead of us. It ended up being an incredible trip, but we’ve learned a thing or two since then, and it has made our subsequent trips much smoother. Here’s what has helped us travel with a baby in the past:
Let Go of Expectations
Try to stick to any home routines wherever possible, such as bedtimes or mealtimes. Other than that, just go with the flow.
Adjust Ahead of Time
If you’re going somewhere with a significant time difference, begin adjusting a few weeks ahead of time by staying up an hour or two later, or rising an hour or two earlier.
All About Baby Carriers
I’ve heard numerous people say something along the lines of, “don’t go to Disneyland with young kids. They won’t remember it, and you won’t have fun.”
It’s true your baby won’t remember their first time going on It’s a Small World (or get that song stuck in their head), but going to Disneyland with a baby can be a fun, stress-free experience.
I’ll even give you the cliche that your experience will be magical and your whole family will know they’re at “The Happiest Place on Earth”—but only if you follow these 10 tips and tricks for doing Disneyland with a baby:
1. Bring a stroller that reclines, is reversible and has a sunshade
Your baby will nap while you’re in the park, and a reclining stroller ensures they’ll sleep comfortably. Even better than one that only reclines is a baby stroller with a full-coverage sunshade. They call it sunny California for a reason, and you don’t want your baby in the sun all day. The sunshade protects your baby, and a stroller means you never have to