The Itsabelly Blog

Visiting the Doctor with Twins or More

 
By Elizabeth Sneller, Multiples Mama Expert
 
Babies require many visits to the doctor during their first year of life. Time with our pediatrician was so valuable to me. I always wanted to be sure all my questions and concerns were answered so that I didn't have to be "that" mom who calls the office at all hours. (I still was, along with almost every new mom I know)

Just getting to the doctor can be a circus in itself. I remember it taking almost 3 hours just to get out the door for the triplets first doctor's appointment. The stress of having them out in the "germ-filled" public and the knowing that my precious ones would be getting shots resulted in me totally blanking out on all my perceived life or death questions that I had prepared to ask.

To ensure that your visits to the pediatrician go as smooth as possible, I would suggest that you spend some time jotting down all your questions in a notebook, on a separate page, per child. If your child or children are sick, write down all symptoms and history in this notebook including medication given. 

 
Treat the appointment as if they are two (or three) separate appointments and only have the doctor exam one child at a time. It is helpful to have a "helper" to manage the other baby so that you can focus your conversation on the child that is currently being treated. While asking your questions, feel free to have the doctor hold your baby, so that you can take notes. (Believe me, it all gets jumbled up and it is difficult to remember what advice goes with what child) 
 
I found that being prepared for a feeding was very helpful in calming down my babies after immunizations. You might want to ask your doctor if it is alright to administer Tylenol at the beginning of the appointment so that the pain medication has had a chance to kick-in by the time your babies gets poked. Make sure that the baby being immunized first has had a chance to calm down before you immunize the other. 

If at all possible, ask that your kids be the first or last appointments of the day. For the first six months, our pediatrician made a point to have us in her office when no other children were around. If you are the last appointment of the day, be sure to call ahead to see how the doctor's schedule is running, and stay at home for a longer time if they are running behind. 

One Day At A Time….Not Just a Sitcom From The Seventies

By Elizabeth Sneller, Itsabelly's Multiples Mama Expert

There are numerous life lessons that come with being a parent, and as a mom to triplets one of the greatest things I have learned is to take life one day at a time.  As cliché as this might sound, it is really a major change in my thinking that came about with the birth of my babies. 

I have found that this thought process has advantages in both precious and challenging times.  In good times, this mantra has allowed me to stay "present" and enjoy the amazing world of infants and toddlers.  In difficult times, it has got me through a crazy day like when all three kids had the stomach flu.  Taking life one day at a time makes difficult situations seem more manageable.  Sometimes, I even take life 2 hours at a time, like when the kids are throwing their oatmeal on the ground, and I know that in 2 hours it will be nap time for both kids and mommy.  Life with twins or more can quickly get chaotic and sometimes getting through one day is a major achievement!  I love that this outlook allows me start each morning off fresh and ready for all the day's joys and challenges that lie in store.

Does taking life one day at a time mean that I throw all planning for the future aside?  Absolutely not.  The key to this lesson is the ability to conquer small things on a daily basis.  For example, when I first found out we were having triplets I lost A LOT of sleep worrying about what our life was soon going to be like.  Truthfully, there WAS a lot to worry about, but everyday I researched or tackled one of these concerns, and soon our future seemed more manageable.  Having a plan for raising multiples was one of the best things I could do to stay present and enjoy the unique moments in our family.

After talking to many new moms, especially mothers of twins, I have found this is a wonderful skill set to possess.  It gives you an amazing confidence that you can conquer or survive just about anything.  The future can be overwhelming when you start projecting out months and years in advance.  Believe me, I still worry about how we are going to get through drivers training with three kids turning 16 at once, but I know by then we will figure out something.

The Lucky Number 3 - Itsabelly's Super Mom Shares Her Life with Triplets

(image of the triplets as embryos)

By Elizabeth Sneller, Itsabelly's Multiples Mama Expert

My fast, fabulous and sometimes frantic journey to today has a clear start date. March 23, 2005. This was the date in which a quick flash on our fertility clinic's ultrasound screen confirmed our best hopes and worst fears, all at the same time....TRIPLETS! The three blinking heartbeats were clear to any untrained eye, and from that moment on, we knew we were in for an unusual life. My husband went into what resembled catatonic shock, and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face; that is until 2:00 a.m. that night when it HIT me. At that moment the doubts began pouring in, and I began to question if we were really going to be able to raise three babies at once. 

The next morning I went into "research" mode, and I spent the remainder of my pregnancy putting together a sort of "game plan" for life with multiples. Although not perfect (and with adjustments along the way) our first year with our precious babies was filled with joy, love and lots of fun. About the time of their first birthday, I conceived a sort of "multiples" consulting company in my brain, but put it on the back burner until I had more time.

(image below of the triplets first ultrasound)


Flash forward to July of 2008, in which I read a series of newspaper and magazine articles on the new Baby Planning industry. Itsabelly was highlighted in one article, and I fell in love with founder Melissa Moog's enthusiasm for new and expecting parents. She presents a great business model that fit perfectly with my passion for new mothers of multiples, and I am thrilled to be a part of her growing organization.

As a seasoned mom of triplets, I understand the wide range of emotions that come with the news of twins or more. I am excited to share my knowledge and insight so that new parents can live a joyous and fulfilling life with their growing families. My offerings are tailored to Itsabelly's current services, and I'm happy to consult on all things multiples. Whether you need help setting up a registry, arranging volunteers, choosing a doctor or getting your babies on a schedule, I am here to help, support and encourage you. I look forward to blogging for the first time about a wide range of topics ranging from budgeting to birthdays. 

It is my joy to share in your unique journey of raising twins, triplets or more.

Double, Triple or Quadruple Trouble...Need Help?

You've probably heard of Jon & Kate Plus Eight who have been on Oprah and the TLC channel.  Or have seen twins become really popular since Angie and Brad have added to their already large family!  Well, move over celebrities... Itsabelly has added an exciting new component to our services for new and expectant parents of multiples! 

We now offer one on one consultation with our Multiples Expert, Elizabeth Sneller.  Elizabeth is extremely qualified to provide this new service as a mom to two year old TRIPLETS!  We're amazed at her energy level and very happy to have her join the Itsabelly team.

Elizabeth will primarily focus on multiples consultation.  You can also see her blogging and sharing tips for parents of multiples here.  We'll be adding a special multiples section for you to use as a resource.  So, keep an eye out for Elizabeth and drop by to say hello.

She can be reached at Itsabelly via our inquiry form or call 503-799-5719.

Something to Bite On!

I saw this post today on a great networking site I belong to called "Works For Me" which is based in the Bay Area.  So, I thought I would throw out a little plug for Grandmother's out there who make wonderful organic homemade products. Maureen Earl makes an organic homemade teething biscuit called "Nonnas Organic Teething Rusks". She uses only wholesome ingredients, no refined flour and no
preservatives. She bakes them until they are hard enough to not crumble when chewed, and she makes them long and sturdy enough to be safely handled by the baby.

If Isabella was still in her teething stage I would definitely have her try these teething biscuits. They come in wonderful flavors like Banana/pear, Cheese, Carrot/apple, Raspberry and soon Sun Dried Tomato.

Maureen states:
"One of the advantages of these rusks is that the longer you keep them, the harder they get. They can also be frozen. If dropped they can be wiped or lightly rinsed and dried. 

To Order Contact: Maureen Earl moish@comcast.net

More Info on the Rusks from Her Daughter:

My mother makes incredible organic teething biscuits, in case any of you want to order them. My 9 month old son absolutely loves them. There is no sugar and she only uses the best ingredients. They also dont break apart or melt (hence, no mess). They are a mother's blessing because they keep my son occupied and seem to really help his teething pain. Below is the information. If you are interested,
you can contact my mother directly (her email is listed below)

Organic Homemade Teething Rusks

Rusks are hard dry biscuits, sometimes twice baked, for babies who are teething. Commonly used in Europe, they are a far safer alternative to crumbly or soft cookies, and provide chewing satisfaction for the baby who is getting his first teeth.

Many years ago when my children were teething, I started making them sugarless teething rusks (biscuits). Today I make them for their children. Using only wholesome ingredients, no refined flour and no preservatives, I bake them until they are hard enough to not crumble when chewed, and I make them long and sturdy enough to be safely handled by the baby. One rusk can easily last several days --
depending on how hard the baby chews. One dozen will last for more than a month.

One of the advantages of these rusks is that the longer you keep them, the harder they get. They can also be frozen. If dropped they can be wiped or lightly rinsed and dried.

Right now I offer them in four flavors: banana pear, cheese, carrot apple, raspberry.

Banana/pear - $16.65 doz
Cheese - $17.65 doz
Carrot/apple - $16 65 doz
Raspberry - $17.00 doz (contains small amount of sugar)

Soon I will have sundried tomato rusks available as well.

I can supply you with names of mothers who are using these rusks so that you can find out what they are saying about Nonna's Organic Teething Rusks.

Give the Gift of Reading - Check out The Gifted Grasshopper

When I first found The Gifted Grasshopper I was impressed with the organization of their website and totally enamored by their product.  I love books and I especially love books that make my little one's face glow after she flips through the pages and points to the pictures. 

The Gifted Grasshopper is a perfect way to send that special gift of reading to a child if you're a parent, grandparent, relative or friend looking for something educational.  The books can be gift wrapped with a cute stuffed grasshopper and placed in a re-usable book bag for your child to carry his favorite books in.  You can find books for baby through third grade from a hand picked selection of wonderful children's literature.  Customized book bags, gift certificates and even party favor gift bags starting at $7.99 are available.  Gifts under $30 may also fit your needs.  This company was created by two former first grade teachers so you know they'll have your little one's interests at heart!  The Gifted Grasshopper definitely gets a thumbs up from Itsabelly!

Our Special Announcement to Honor Earth Day!

             

Itsabelly's Guide to Going Green with Baby is the first book to provide a simple resource for evaluating eco-friendly baby gear and to learn more about organic and natural family living. We offer mom-tested product reviews and tips to raising a healthy baby and creating a happy planet. The founders of Under the Nile, gDiapers, TheSoftLanding.com and Earth Mama Angel Baby provide insight on why choosing organic and natural baby products is important to creating a healthier lifestyle. Going Green with Baby features personal product recommendations from eco-minded moms Jennifer Lo Prete and Melissa Moog. Jennifer is a writer and mother of two that has long practiced green living. Melissa is mom to a toddler, writer and the founder of Itsabelly Baby Concierge, a premier baby planning agency that specializes in going green with baby.

Going Green with Baby will be released in the Summer of 2008. To pre-order your copy, please send us an email to info@itsa-belly.com or call us at (503)799-5719 with your name and contact information. We will contact you when the book is available for purchase. Wholesale inquiries are also welcome.

A Peek Inside...

• Plan your baby registry with the best mom-tested reviews of over 300 eco-friendly baby products. We cover all your baby’s needs from slings to strollers, non-toxic bottles to safe skin care products, organic baby clothes to eco-friendly diapers and sustainable nursery furniture.
           
• Learn why going green with baby is important for a healthy baby and happy planet. Our panel of eco experts weighs in on the importance of organic apparel, sustainable wood, non-toxic feeding products and natural skin care products.
           
• Discover our simple eco-mom tips to raising a healthy baby and protecting our planet.
           
• Decipher the meaning and standards behind eco-labels. What does organic mean anyway? We make your trip to the store easier with a useful guide to common eco-labels and organic certification standards.
           
• Gain valuable tips on going green on a budget. From our own experience, it may not be financially feasible to turn your household completely organic. We give you tips on how you can make green choices that are right for your family.

      

A Cheat Sheet to a Good Night’s Sleep for Baby

By April Beach, Founder & Consultant of Sweet Pea Baby Planners, www.sweetpeababyplanners.com

Your new baby has arrived, and with her the endless question, “How’s she sleeping?”   Even if your answer is “great”, you soon learn that all newborns sleep well, and this time has passed.   After questioning friends and attempting to read numerous novels on sleep approaches, you realize you’ve dozed off into one of those informative pages at lunch time, and you’re too exhausted to find a cure. 
Before reading, trying, and failing at the next sleep solution, consider this; you will not find sleep success until you adopt an approach that matches your family’s unique lifestyle and individual personalities.  Try writing down what sleep success look likes to you.  What are your goals?  For some it may be a complete night sleep, while others may choose to keep a nightly breastfeeding session, and still others like the idea of a family bed.    Consider whether you would honestly be comfortable letting your baby cry, and if so for how long.  Are you desiring a fast change or are you willing to invest a few weeks in the process. Talk with your partner, compare concerns and goals, and create a united front.   Consistency, patience and unity are the keys to your success.   Finally, hold yourself accountable.  Arrange to call a friend the following morning and share how the coaching went for the previous night.   Be honest about the ways you succeeded, as well as the areas in which you struggled.   Reassess and continue on.

A cheat sheet to finding your approach:

- If you’re looking for a consistent daily routine, set nap and feeding times, and don’t mind some crying, these two approaches do a great job at ensuring a full night’s sleep.     “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” by  Marc Weissbluth, M.D.  And “Baby Wise” by Robert Bucknam,  M.D.

- If you want to continue night nursing in or out of a family bed, you don’t want to let your child cry,  and you still seek a good night’s sleep, try “The No -Cry Sleep Solution” by Elizabeth Pantley www.pantley.com

- If want your baby sleeping in her own bed, can’t handle the crying, and are willing to invest a few weeks in the process, try “Good Night, Sleep Tight” by Kim West, licensed  practicing child therapist  www.sleeplady.com

- If you don’t mind lots of crying and want a quick solution, and if your baby is over one and you have allowed poor associations to interfere with healthy sleep, try “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems”  by Richard Ferber, M.D.  www.childrenshospital.org/views/june06/sleep.html

Consult with your child’s Pediatrician before beginning any sleep coaching to rule out illness, injury or medical conditions that can interfere with normal healthy sleep. 

Love at First Flush :)

Last Friday, I had an opportunity to meet with gDiapers and their VP of Marketing (Kate) at their headquarters here in Portland.  It was such a neat experience for me because I've followed gDiapers story since I moved here and have now become a fan of their product.  Isabella is just starting to use them now and also on the verge of being potty trained (that's a whole separate blog entry).

gDiapers headquarters is in a huge Victorian home on a corner lot near our famous "Trendy Third" (23rd street) and totally inconspicuous.  Not even a company sign infront to be found.  I really got the feeling of being at the grass roots level of the company because it wasn't at all what your typical "corporate" headquarters office feels like.  I should know  because I used to work at Intel (hundreds of grey colored cubes in a sterile environment).

While I was there I very briefly met with Jason Graham-Nye, the founder and  shook his hand politely :)  He's an Aussie so he had a nice accent and was pretty tall.  All I know of him is from his "about" page and what I've read on his blog.  I think what he and his wife have done with their company has been amazing and inspiring!  I like to give props to entrepreneurs who work hard to get their business off the ground and have become successful because as a new entrepreneur myself it is darn hard work!!!!!

And did you know that...

*50 million disposable diapers go into landfills every day in the US, where they sit for up to 500 years.

*Disposable diapers are made of petroleum based plastic, which is why they don’t break down.  It’s also the reason diaper rash is so common.  Diaper rash is caused by moisture trapped by heat. Disposables are ultra absorbent, but they don’t breathe.

Here's what I know about gDiapers so far and I'll have to post about my personal experience using them with Isabella later...

Overview of gDiapers

*gDiapers are the best of cloth and disposable in an earth-friendly hybrid diaper

*gDiapers consist of a reusable, cloth outer pant—a little g— and a plastic-free refill that you can flush, compost or toss

*gDiapers break down in about 3 months as opposed to plastic disposable diapers that take up to 500 years

*gDiapers are breathable, just like sports clothing, so babies stay dry and are far less likely to get diaper rash

a few key points comparing gDiapers to cloth

*gDiapers are more convenient than cloth and require much less washing, therefore less energy

*They’re also more absorbent than cloth and there’s less mess

*gDiapers are breathable, just like sports clothing, which means less diaper rash

*And they’re really cute!

compared to disposables

*gDiapers are radically better for the environment than traditional disposable diapers

*gDiapers are cradle to cradle certified which means that everything that goes into a gDiapers refill is reabsorbed by the planet in a neutral or helpful way

*gDiapers are plastic-free, so the break down in about 3 months instead of 500 years

*gDiapers can be flushed, so they don’t have to go into the landfill (they can also be home composted - wet ones only)

*gDiapers flushable refills contain :no plastic, no elemental chlorine, no perfumes, no inks or dyes, no latex, no guilt

If you use or have used gDiapers please comment here with your feedback and also be entered in our drawing to win Earth Mama Angel Baby's Organic I Love My Mama Gift Basket AND Organic Angel Baby Shampoo (perfect for Mother's Day) value over $50!

So, What the Heck Does an Itsabelly Baby Concierge Do Anyway?

I hope this blog entry will give you a good idea of what a day in the life of a Baby Planner is like while providing consultation to an expectant couple.

I recently traveled to Arizona for business and pleasure.  While I was there I met with The Bump's Managing Editor, Kira and her husband Jeff Krieger.  We planned a few hours to head over to the baby store and check out products they were considering for their registry.  

Many people wonder what a "Baby Concierge or Baby Planner" does exactly because it is a new and growing field.  When I first launched Itsabelly 1 year ago I would explain that I was like a wedding planner but instead of planning for the big wedding day I'm helping parents plan for baby's arrival and the first year after.  This could mean doing research to figure out the best baby products to place on a couple's registry or designing the baby's nursery with a personal touch by assisting parents in picking out furniture and decor.  There are many concierge and consulting services a baby planner can offer and it's just a matter of what an expectant or new parent needs help with.  Itsabelly takes care of pre-natal needs before baby is born and services new parents 12 months after baby is born (e.g. helping parents choose the best car seat as the infant grows out of the infant seat or learning how to make organic baby food). 

For Kira and Jeff, it was a breeze because they already had a clear idea of what their budget, space and lifestyle needs entailed.  I also provided a simple set of questions for Kira and Jeff to review prior to meeting with them so that we could spend our time efficiently at the baby store.

Kira and Jeff had a middle of the road budget and didn't want to clutter their home with too many baby gadgets and gizmos.  They wanted to go the simple but sophisticated route when choosing their baby gear.  They also wanted to go organic in certain areas so I advised them to consider going green on items that would touch baby's skin or placed in baby's mouth.  Products such as baby clothing, swaddle blankets, crib sheets, baby bottles and pacifiers were items I recommended they go green in.

Jeff was a great expectant dad to work with because he asked some very good questions and really wanted to be involved in deciding on big ticket baby items (like the crib, stroller and infant seat as most new dads do).  Kira beamed as she watched Jeff get into the baby registry experience.  Kira was able to push, pull and touch baby gear in the store while listening to my consultation on what to look for in items like a stroller or crib.  It alleviated many of her questions and allowed the baby registry experience to be much less overwhelming.  We already know being pregnant and going through labor is stressful and challenging enough! 

I'm grateful to be part of Kira and Jeff's very special time by helping them ease into parenthood.  I know that they will absolutely be wonderful parents!  Thank you to Kira and Jeff for making my job as a baby planner a real treat!