The Baby Planner on the Radio!

I had the great opportunity to be interviewed on the SignOn Radio Show "Family Matters"
with The Union-Tribune's family editor Jane Clifford, who talks about the latest news that affects you and your family.

The interview was a follow up to the newspaper article in the Union Tribune written about Baby Planners and my San Diego based company The Baby Planner.

Take a listen to The Baby Planner's first interview!

Baby Planner Article in San Diego Union Tribune

More working moms-to-be want baby planner on board
By Sarah Schweitzer
BOSTON GLOBE
September 27, 2008

When Meredith White was expecting her first son, nothing terrified her quite like a visit to Babies “R” Us. Aisle after dizzying aisle of baby paraphernalia beckoned, with dozens of varieties of bottles, nipples, wipes (and their warmers), pacifiers, cribs, strollers and bibs. She did not want to buy anything without first assessing safety, usefulness and developmental appropriateness. The analysis led the 34-year-old lawyer to a state verging on despair.

Information At least two baby planners in the San Diego area help expectant parents with their needs. Here is some basic information. Call or e-mail for prices and more details: Essential Baby Planning – ebabyplanner.com; (858) 405-1913 Services include researching baby nursery needs to fit your budget; setting up a baby registry; baby shower planning; birth announcement ordering; interviewing and hiring nannies and pediatricians; new-mommy classes and more. Packages of services also available. The Baby Planner – www.sdbabyplanner.com (619) 417-4899. Services include product research; referrals to midwives, doulas, and doctors; baby registry; nursery design (including “green” focus); shower planning; postpartum support; baby proofing; nanny search; pregnancy fitness and nutrition and more. Packages of services also available. – JANE CLIFFORD

“It was overwhelming,” said White, who lives in Stow, Mass., with her husband. “I would try to cram all the research in on weekends, but there was never enough time.”

Cue the Baby Coordinators, the latest entry in the burgeoning “baby planning” field that helps expectant parents prepare for a new baby by advising on everything from the most absorbent diapers and sleekest strollers to decorating a nursery and readying a pet. For a fee of $250, Kristen DiCicco of Natick, a Baby Coordinators co-founder, walked White through Babies “R” Us. She offered the pros and cons of products, and when White left the store, she had a baby registry list and peace of mind.

As a growing number of older women – many professionals, with disposable income – join the ranks of bulging bellies, pregnancy has acquired a slew of luxurious accouterments. There are prenatal spa treatments, personal pregnancy chefs, pre-baby vacation packages known as “babymoons,” “push presents” given to a mother to reward her for carrying and delivering a baby, pre-packed hospital bags containing items like a hardcover journal and breath mints, and now, baby planning – a kind of full-flight concierge service for the pregnant.

Baby planning first surfaced in England and on the West Coast, in Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., two years ago as a variation on the concept of wedding planning. It has caught on in other cities, including Boston, where two start-ups were launched in the last year by women who say the market is ripe for their services.

“A baby is so important – so wouldn't you want someone to assist you with all the research you need to do to get ready?” said Sandee Tisdale, 29, a social worker who co-founded Perfecting Expecting.

Skeptics say baby planning promotes the commercialization of parenting and the belief that parenting can be perfected with products or bought advice, rather than with reliance on intuition and the advice of family and friends.

“That's part of the commercialized culture: You can't do this yourself; you need experts,” said Susan Linn, a psychologist at the Judge Baker Children's Center, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, who has studied the effects of marketing on parents and children.

Linn said employing a baby planner robs parents of the opportunity to learn to make choices on behalf of a child.

“Part of getting ready for a baby is having the experience of making decisions that are going to affect someone else, a child you love,” Linn said.

For Emily Carines, 32, a massage therapist from Brighton, Mass., the prospect of navigating pregnancy, parenthood and the ever-growing number of products that now accompany the journey was daunting.

“Being someone who hasn't really been around babies or kid products, I just didn't know what to choose,” said Carines, whose family is in South Carolina. “I was overwhelmed by the little things – which toys to buy, which are developmentally helpful.”

Her baby planner, DiCicco, proved instrumental on more than the toy front, she said. DiCicco helped her choose a diaper pail, opting for a brand that does not require special bags – something Carines hopes will be a money-and hassle-saver.

For other women, the clincher is the time savings that baby planners offer.

“To be a really good mom, you want to pick the best for your baby, and that takes a while,” said Erica Aguilar, 29, of Framingham, who works in the merchandising division for TJX Cos. and said she came across hundreds of baby product reviews online. “I could have spent hours and hours reading. . . . I didn't want to have to read them all myself.”

So she hired a baby planner.

“It was worth every penny,” Aguilar said.

Boston-area baby planners say their clients are working women, in their late 20s to mid 30s. Most look for help putting together baby registries and baby-proofing their homes, but a number of other services are offered, including babymoon planning, daddy preparation and readying birth announcements.

Perfecting Expecting charges $100 for baby registry consultation and $500 for putting together a complete registry, $100 for help maternity shopping and $500 for baby shower preparation. The Baby Coordinators charge $250 to compile a baby registry, $300 to arrange and set up a nursery, and $200 to baby-proof a home.

DiCicco, of the Baby Coordinators, who is not a mother, and her partner, Paula Spurling, a mother of two, said they learned about baby arrival preparation from working at day-care centers and as nannies.

Tisdale, of Perfecting Expecting, and her partner, Kristen Parker, research operations manager for Harvard Medical School's pathology department, neither of whom have children, said they watched pregnant friends struggle to make sense of the array of baby products, realized there was a market for offering expertise, then burrowed into research.

“I thought if one person had all the knowledge,” it would save everyone “so much time,” Tisdale said.

Both companies have partnerships with baby-product companies. The Baby Coordinators receive 10 percent of the sale proceeds from clients they send to two companies, Your Bags Are Packed and Baby-Strong, DiCicco said. Perfecting Expecting has business partners that give discounts to clients, and those companies send business to Perfecting Expecting, Tisdale said.

Carolyn McLoughlin, 28, a therapist who lives in Brookline, Mass., said that after watching a friend spend 30 hours researching strollers, she decided she would go the baby-planning route.

“We wanted to put a lot of thought into adding a new family member, but we didn't have the time,” McLoughlin said. “Also, I don't like shopping.”

Keeping Baby Food Safe

To keep baby food free of bacteria and other food-borne pathogens that can cause illness:

•Wash your hands with soap and water before handling baby food or preparing formula. Not only will you be keeping your baby safe, but regular hand washing also helps protect you from getting sick.

•Don't feed your baby from the jar (or yogurt container) and then put the uneaten
portion back in the refrigerator. Harmful bacteria from your baby's mouth can grow and multiply in the jar. If your baby is likely to eat less than a full jar, spoon a portion in to a bowl and put the jar in the fridge for later. You generally can keep opened jars in the fridge for up to three days in the case of fruits and vegetables, one day for meats, and two days for meat and vegetable combos. A permanent marker can be handy for dating opened jars so you'll know when they were put in the fridge.

•Don't leave perishable items out of the refrigerator (without a cold pack) for more than two hours. Throw them away if they've been sitting out longer than that.

•When you're traveling, transport food and filled bottles in an insulated cooler with frozen packs.


•Watch expiration dates on baby food. Listen for the pop of vacuum seals of jarred foods.
Don't feed your baby anything that has expired and throw out jars with chipped glass or rusty lids.

•Don't give your baby honey if she is less than a year old. It could contain bacteria associated with botulism, a potentially fatal food poisoning.


•Don't serve your baby or older child raw or unpasteurized milk, which may contain harmful bacteria. And no cow's milk
before age 1.


•If you're making homemade baby food, use a brush to clean the blender or food processor blades and parts. Trapped food particles can harbor bacteria. My favorite product for this is The Beaba Babycook. It is a one-of-a-kind, patented compact countertop appliance that functions as a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster to prepare fresh, healthy meals for baby. It starts by steam cooking vegetables, fruits and meats in less than 15 minutes, while preserver their vitamins and flavors. It then purees and blends them to the desired consistency. Parents can also use the Babycook to quickly reheat or defrost precooked foods.

•To freeze homemade baby food, put the mixture in an ice-cube tray. Cover with heavy duty plastic wrap and freeze. Later, you can pop the frozen food cubes into a freezer bag or airtight container and date it. Store vegetables up to three months, and meat, fish, and chicken up to eight weeks. Beaba also makes food trays called Beaba Multiportions. They are designed for freezing and storing a la carte foods for baby. The Multiportions are comprised of seven individual portions of ¼ cup (60 ml) each. Multiportions are made from silicone.

•Use dishwashing detergent, hot water, and a clean rag to wash and rinse all utensils that come in contact with the baby's food, including the can opener. Just wiping them with a paper towel isn't enough. Soap, water, and friction do the trick.

•Don't keep bottles or food in the same bag as dirty diapers unless the food is in its own separate, insulated container or sealed plastic bag. Planet Wise has products have been designed with this in mind. The new collection of reusable wet bags is perfect for keeping things sealed and separate in your diaper bag. For other "Bottle Does and Don'ts"

•When your baby gets to the finger-food stage, which can start as early as 7 months,
cut food into bite size pieces. But don't offer your baby nuts, raisins, grapes, or hot dogs: they're all choking hazards and not appropriate for infants or toddlers. Munchkin makes a Fresh Food Feeder. This product allows your baby to enjoy lots of delicious foods without the choking risk. Simply put a piece of fruit, vegetables or meat into the mesh bag and snap shut. Your baby can chew, suck and enjoy all the whole food goodness and taste, with only the tiniest, digestible pieces coming through.

Foods You Should Eat When Nursing

When you're taking care of a new baby and juggling "everyday" life, it's easy to let your own well-being slide. But if you don't take care of your needs, you won't be able to do the best job taking care of your baby's needs. You can liken eating right to the principle of the oxygen mask demo on airplanes. Although it feels counter-intuitive, parents of small children are instructed to strap on their own oxygen masks before attending to their child's. So feed yourself wisely benefits yourself, as well as your baby. Here are some foods that can boost your energy and keep you healthy.

Milk. Just one 8-ounce glass of skim or low-fat milk supplies up to one-third of the calcium you need for strong bones and teeth. A diet rich in calcium may cut your risk of hypertension, colon cancer, and breast cancer, and possibly ease PMS. Milk is a known valuable source of vitamin D, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B12.


Bananas. At about 100 calories each, bananas are a good source of fiber and vitamin B6. They're also loaded with potassium - a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and is essential to muscle function. Eat one after a workout (when potassium levels may be low due to perspiration loss), mix into smoothies, or add to your cereal for an all-day energy boost.


Orange Juice. A great source of vitamin C, just one 8-once glass supplies more than what you need everyday. Orange juice is also full of folate, a B vitamin - which may help prevent certain birth defects and colon cancer - as well as potassium. Opt for the calcium fortified OJ to benefit your bones.


Salad. Tossing together a variety of greens (romaine and spinach are rich in vitamin A and folate, and iceberg has fiber), and add some tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers as a smart way to sneak vegetables into your diet. Studies have shown that getting at least three servings of vegetables a day can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Just be careful of high-calorie dressing!

Peanut Butter. It's full of protein, fiber, zinc, and vitamin E. It contains mostly unsaturated fat, which helps lower both total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Peanut better and jelly on whole-wheat bread with a glass of milk is a quick nutritious meal. Avoid the reduced-fat version, since the fat is replaced with carbohydrates, you'll get the same number of calories anyway.

Sweet Potatoes. These spuds - which are available year-around - should be a staple in your diet, not just on the holidays. They're an excellent source of potassium, fiber, and cancer-fighting antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamin C.

Salmon and fish. Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower your risk of heart disease. Eating salmon once or twice a week may boost your immune system. Experts say, if you're pregnant or nursing, the fatty acids in salmon help aid fetal and infant brain and central nervous-system development. Government agencies recommend that pregnant or nursing women not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish. Consumers Union recommends that these women should hold off on eating canned tuna, as well.

Broccoli. It's low-cal and rich with vitamins A and C, beta carotene, folate, and fiber - all of which can help reduce your risk of heart disease and protect against certain kinds of cancer. Eat it raw or lightly steamed.


Whole-grain cereal. One bowl of whole-grain cereal typically supplies 10 or more vitamins and minerals, as well as complex carbohydrates (for energy), disease-fighting fiber, and phytochemical - non-nutrient plant ingredients that help prevent disease. Choose cereals with at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. Fortunately the cereal industry is producing more and more fiber rich cereal options every day!

Lean red meat. Women, especially those who have given birth within the last two years, are at risk for low iron levels, which can lead to a type of anemia. Red meat is an excellent source of iron that's more easily absorbed by the body. Stick with trimmed lean cuts - anything with loin or round in the name - for their low saturated-fat content, and eat no more than one 2 to 3- ounce serving each day (about the size of your palm).

Vegetable soup. There is a slew of vitamins and minerals in soup loaded with veggies such as carrots, potatoes, and onions. Even better, because it's mostly liquid (and contains fiber), vegetable soup will fill you up on relatively few calories. It's very important to avoid the high sodium soups - read labels. Try making homemade vegetable soup in large batches. Freeze the extras in small batches for convenient homemade soup at your fingertips.

Yogurt. A good source of bone-strengthening calcium (an 8-ounce carton contains about a third of your daily needs), low-fat or nonfat yogurt also supplies protein and potassium with less saturated fats. Choose plain yogurt, since the flavored kinds are often high in sugar, and make sure the label says the brand contains "live and active cultures," since these bacteia have been shown to benefit the gastrointestinal tract. It is important that you avoid the "light" or "low-cal" yogurts that contain artificial sweeteners, especially if you're pregnant. My favorite yogurt is plain Greek Yogurt. Sweetened with Raw Organic Honey, and adding fresh fruit and walnuts is better than any store bought flavored yogurt on the market! And much healthier too!

Eggs. They're packed with the protein moms (and dads) need to help build and repair weary muscles. Eggs are also a good source of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Still, because egg yolks are high in cholesterol, moderation is key. It is recommended to eat two hard-boiled eggs a day for good bile production, and good liver function, which can aid in weight loss, and proper toxin release.

Tomato sauce. Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to help keep arteries clear and reduce the risk of heart disease. Most jarred sauces also contain fiber and vitamins A and C. There is more lycopene released in cooked tomatoes, than raw.


Beans. Canned or dried varieties, such as kidney, black, garbanzo, and navy beans, are a low-fat source of protein, iron and soluble fiber, which can help lower your cholesterol level. You can make any meal healthier - from soups and stews to salads and pasta dishes - by adding a can of beans to it. However, since canned beans can be high in sodium, rinse them well under cold water or buy the no-salt kind. Buying your own dried beans in bulk is a good way to control the sodium, and save money all at the same time!

Bottle Do's and Don'ts

Here are a few Bottle Do's and Don'ts that aren't so commonly known.

Do:
• Wash your hands before preparing your baby's bottle.
• Have someone else introduce your baby to the bottle by 4 weeks old if you want to begin using a bottle in addition to part of your nursing regimen. Your baby will associate mom with breast-feeding and may resist if you try to give him the bottle yourself.
• Wean your baby from a bottle by 12 months of age. By that time, they will be ready for a sippy cup.

Don't:
• Heat formula or breast milk in the microwave. (See my previous blog "Got Warm Milk?")
• Give your baby a bottle of milk or formula to suck on during the night or at naptime, it causes tooth decay. Don't mix bottles and bed.
• Prop up your baby with a bottle. The "feed yourself" practice can lead to choking, ear infections, and tooth decay. Your baby needs cuddling and human contact, which all babies crave.

Got Warm Milk?

Both formula and breast milk are fine at cold temperatures, but many babies like their milk warm like mom "makes it". The best way to heat a bottle is by running it under streaming warm water (but that's not very eco-friendly), so be green by placing it in a bowl of warm water for several minutes instead. Shake the bottle gently to help distribute the heat evenly.

You can also buy an electric bottle warmer like the Munchkin Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmer, that conveniently plugs in anywhere and warms the milk with steam heat. With today's models you are less likely to overheat the bottle, and they come with other conveniences like food warming and pacifier cleaning baskets as well.


For warm milk on the go, you can buy a bottle warmer that plugs in to the car like The First Years Fast Heating Travel Warmer that fits all bottle sizes, and easily stows away in the glove box when not being used.



Do NOT use a microwave to heat formula or breast milk. It's easy to overheat bottles, or create uneven hot spots that you will not likely detect. Microwaves also destroy the immunological benefits of breast milk, and release toxins from plastic bottles that can be harmful to your baby.

Happy Birthday!

The most special HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to the baby that started it all for me, my biological son Austin. Eleven years ago two very amazing parents adopted my precious baby boy, and have raised him in a way I thank God for every day. Without even knowing it, that little boy has made me everything I am today. Thanks to Open Adoptions, I am able to watch his life take form.