Page 14 - Blog
November 14, 2017
Eight years ago, we lost my aunt to breast cancer. It’s hard for me to talk about and I know I’m not alone. Breast cancer has affected so many of the women we love. I know that early detection could have saved my aunt’s life, so I’d love to encourage you to carve out time each month for your breast self-exam. You may be thinking, “Umm, I’m a new mom and I don’t have time to do anything. At all. Ever.” I hear you. What if you made a deal with yourself to do the exam on the first of every month? I know you have 800 million things going on at all times, but think of it as an investment. While there’s no way to prevent breast cancer, early detection is the single best way to combat it. In fact, 40% of breast cancer detection stems from breast self-exams. So, by taking a few minutes each month to check, you’re doing yourself (and your baby) a world of good. Now, maybe you’re like me and you genuinely care about your breast health, but you always forget to do the exam. Well, we’re going
November 01, 2017
My husband and I had been married less than a day when we first got The Question from his dad, my new father-in-law: “So, when can we expect grandkids?” We weren’t that surprised. Both of us have always known we’d be parents one day, and were fortunate to have parents who didn’t see any contradiction between being gay and raising a family. I still remember the first words out of my mom’s mouth when I came out to her: “You still want to have kids, right?” In retrospect, my husband and I traveled a fairly traditional path: boy meets boy, boy falls in love with boy, boy marries boy. But as we quickly learned, the latest chapter in our story – boy and boy start a family – was a little more complicated. As many prospective parents know, the wait can be longer than you expect. Deciding on adoption was the easy part; making it happen took work. Because there was no scenario in which we could “accidentally” adopt -- no “honey, I have a big surprise!”-- every step of the process felt like work,
October 20, 2017
I get asked many questions about increasing milk supply. When I meet with moms who ask how to increase their supply, I first like to ask WHY they are worried about their supply. Many times it’s because baby is signaling to increase feeds, which actually indicates a growth spurt rather than a problem with your supply. I like to help moms create confidence in themselves and their ability to feed their baby. So before you doubt yourself, trust the process! Remember that as you listen to baby’s cues and feed on-demand, it’s likely that your supply is just fine. Below are some of my top tips for increasing milk supply. Remember that any one of these might make a difference with you, but usually a combination will be the most effective. Keep in mind that increasing breast stimulation is the best way to increase your milk production. Here are my tips for increasing milk supply:
Ensure an optimal latch. Milk is made on a supply and demand principle. The more milk is removed, the
September 20, 2017
It happened! We celebrated the release of the Omni 360 carrier on the East Coast, right along with our friends from Well Rounded NY. The event was held at the A/D/O, an electric creative space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, dedicated to art, detail, and an assortment of futuristic and modern vibes. The afternoon was a delight, parents floated around greeting old friends and making new ones. We fitted eager families with their carriers, they were so ready to dive into the newest addition from Ergobaby. Parents broke into their new carriers and walked around snuggled up with their babes. There was a lot of chit-chat on how comfortable, chic and simple the Omni 360 is! The day didn't end there, the party was just getting started. Essential oils from Zoe Organics added a soothing scent in the air while guests made their way over to receive facials by a team of experts from Face Love! Mamas proved that relaxation is possible while babywearing. Brunch was available along with
September 07, 2017
With its sleek lines and pared down profile, it’s really incredible how one carrier can do so much in one small package. When tasked with the idea of creating a baby carrier that not only fit without an insert, but offered all positions, our designers took to heart how important baby’s position, as well as the ergonomics, was. Not only that but to create something easy to use that fit a variety of body types and baby ages. We are thrilled to offer the Ergobaby Omni 360, for when you need all the options!
This carrier differs greatly in its fit and feel than the All Position 360, with a buckle waistband with lumbar support and double adjust, ensuring even, comfortable support. It narrows via tabs on the waistband, allowing you to adjust the width of the seat to support the size of your baby, from birth on. In order to support a newborn without an insert, the headrest folds inside, outside when baby no longer needs it, and up for a taller body as baby grows. The buckles are located
September 06, 2017
In preparation to write an earth-shattering piece on nutrition for pregnancy, I realized the recommendations we give to pregnant women are suspiciously close to ones we give to regular people. There are the pregnancy-specific no-no’s (no alcohol, smoking, caffeine, raw fish, or lunch meat), but the do’s are common recommendations for a healthy lifestyle: Eat A Rainbow of Foods! Drink So Much Water!! Don’t Drown Yourself in Refined Sugars!! Please Exercise! Whole foods (those which are unprocessed and as close to their natural state as possible) are your best bet in giving your baby the best nutrients for growth. Our goal is to enjoy nutrition from all the different food groups in balanced amounts. Since you already know the basic tenants of nutrition (eat your fruits and veggies, etc.), let’s focus specifically on why you need extra protein and a bunch of nutrients during pregnancy and how to find them in whole foods.
Protein is Key
We learned in school that protein is a key building block
September 05, 2017
Carving out time for self-care is a challenge for anyone, but it’s especially difficult when you’re a new mom. Mommy & Me yoga classes are a great option to invite movement and meditative focus into your day, but the reality of leaving the house and going to a yoga studio might not be possible. With that in mind, here are some fun yoga poses you can do with your little one in the comfort of your own home. If you’ve got a yoga mat already, that’s great! If not, a blanket or towel will do just fine.
Cat-Cow Pose
Set your baby on her back, either on a comfy blanket or some other sort of support on the floor. Next, bring yourself onto all fours, positioned so that when you look down, baby and you make eye contact. If you have sensitive knees, you may want to grab an extra blanket to place underneath them for cushioning. For optimal positioning, you’ll want your palms flat on the floor, with your hands shoulder-width distance, and knees hip-width distance. Take a deep breath, arch your back,
July 06, 2017
Summer’s here and you deserve a little fun in the sun! Here are a few ideas for experiencing the great outdoors (in your Ergo!) with your baby. Be sure to share your adventures with us and use the #InMyErgo hashtag!
Park It
Pack yourself a delicious lunch for a good old-fashioned park visit and enjoy the picnic under a shady tree. Maybe toss a few books in your bag, too - one to read to your little one and a book of your own to enjoy while baby takes a nap. If baby is old enough, seek out the nearest playground. The bucket seat swings and sandbox time are a perfect place to start.
Hike On
Embark on a local hike with your baby! This is, of course, a perfect opportunity for babywearing and the chance to expose your little one to nature. To get an idea where to start, The National Recreation Trails Database offers a list of over 1,100 trails in all 50 states. If you live in a city like San Francisco or New York, maybe try a bridge walk instead! There’s a ton of information online about
June 27, 2017
We love these sweet "everyday" testimonials from mamas that are featured on a round-up by Black Moms Blog. I LOVE Ergo!! I literally take my carrier on every adventure! Baby wearing is very special to me! There is something very ancestral that awakens when I wear my baby. I imagine my foremothers walking through their village, with their babies on their back. Ergo allows me to not only “get stuff done,” but it allows me to connect with my baby on a tribal tip… comfortably. Read the entire post here on Black Moms Blog.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 were extra fussy, I’d take a walk around the neighborhood. Even though I don't live in an area with trails and surrounded
June 26, 2017
Gas, hunger, a dirty diaper, tired, teething, sick – there are many reasons why a baby cries. Crying is your baby’s way of letting you know that something is wrong and they need you. Sometimes it’s easy to soothe a crying baby. Sometimes all it takes is you singing a song or giving your baby a bath. Other times you may not know why you have a fussy newborn so you don’t know what to do to calm them down, but you do know that you want and need to calm them down.
1. Calm Yourself Down
Babies can be very sensitive to changes in their caregiver’s emotional state. If your baby has been crying for a while and you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, take some deep breaths, relax your shoulders, close your eyes, and take a moment for yourself. Every time you travel by plane, the flight attendants remind you to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. Your baby will settle down more quickly if you are able to be calm and tuned in to their cues.
2. Hold Your Baby
Small babies look to