Mommy Relief: Nannies, Doulas, and Newborn Care

Super Sorting – Age appropriate games for baby

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:57:19 +0000

Hello it’s me again, Stacie…..so in thinking of how quickly the summer has gone by and now the kids are back in school, I thought of how important it is to continuously keep baby stimulated, as she will be there soon enough….I ran across this awesome game that helps with development and hand eye coordination, called Super Sorting….the only problem was that my little Angel, couldn’t resist eating as she went along, so have plenty of bite sized snacks nearby to refill. To find out more on age appropriate games for baby, get the list of each age, and several games suggested for that particular group, go to babycenter.com and pull up the Let’s Play! Weekly activities article….super sorting, is super fun!

Until next time- Stacie

Separation Anxiety

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:37:21 +0000

Hi, my name is Stacie, Mom, Mommy, Mother, and Mama too the kids….My hubby just calls me “babe”, especially when he wants me to bring something to him that he’s forgotten down stairs, or is in need of something you don’t forget when going to the bathroom…:-)

I am a mom of 2 amazing girls ages 10 months old, and 11 going on 12 years of age, and 3 teenage boys, which I am quickly learning that the smelly socks just come with the territory. Yes, what a huge age gap, almost 12 years of no babies, to deciding to do it all over again, and having the perfect little Angel….hence her birth name “Angel” . Well since deciding to do it all over again, I am being reminded of all of the different phases your babies go through and lately,, I’ve noticed that she is experiencing a little separation anxiety, which is probably why I decided to have another baby after 11 years, as I also were going through a little separation anxiety of motherhood….anyhow, my Angel doesn’t want me to leave her in the mornings to come to my awesome place of work, and sanctuary, “Mommy Relief”, and in the evenings, she doesn’t want to let me out of her site. So, in research of the topic, separation anxiety, I stumbled across these great tidbits that can help to relieve all of the stress associated with this time. Try the below helpful tips from babycenter.com, and hopefully we can walk away without feeling guilty.

Introducing a new babysitter
Some babies warm up immediately to every new face. Others, whether or not they’re experiencing stranger anxiety, may feel comfortable only with a select circle of family and friends. Inevitably, though, you’re going to have to introduce new sitters into your baby’s life. How to do it?

Monitor your own feelings. Show your fondness for the new babysitter. Your baby can pick up on your feelings and will feel more comfortable himself. Likewise, if you show nervousness or sadness at leaving, your baby will react to that.

Practice first. If possible, have the sitter visit beforehand so that your baby can get to know her well in advance. Ask her to approach your baby slowly and gently. Once your baby and the sitter start becoming familiar with one another, try moving away from them. If your baby seems content, step out of the room for a few moments and return. Gradually lengthen the amount of time you’re away.

Get the sitter up to speed. Be sure to familiarize the sitter with your baby’s specific routines, favorite toys, and security objects, like his “blankie” or teddy. Likewise, let her know about your baby’s food preferences. In general, give the sitter as much information as you can to help ease the way.

Use a short and sweet goodbye routine. Don’t sneak out — your saying goodbye is important for your baby’s emotional development. But don’t wait for all protests to cease before you finally leave. Rather, say goodbye once and then go. And once you do leave, don’t come back repeatedly to check on your baby. Give him the chance to adjust to being with the sitter. Even if she’s wailing when you walk out the door, she’ll probably stop soon afterward and settle in with his new friend.

Welcome to Mommy Relief

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:37:21 +0000

Welcome to Mommy Relief. Mommy Relief began when my sister and I had been working in home health helping the elderly. We would gaze out our office window during lulls in the day at the parking lot of the pediatricians’ offices next door. We would watch all these Moms and Dads carrying “the buckets” (as my sister and I affectionately have always called the infant car seats) filled with babies into the building. Often there was another child in tow or maybe even 2 or 3 buckets!! One day we turned to each other and said, “You know who needs help? Those Moms and Dads!!” And that was the beginning of Mommy Relief. We have grown a bit since that day when we began helping Moms and Dads from all over the DC Metro area get back on their feet after the birth of a child.

Throughout the coming months you’ll meet all of us at Mommy Relief. Being Moms and Dads ourselves and interacting everyday with Moms and Dads of newborns we have learned a few things that we thought might be worth sharing. As you read on, you will find blogs from each of us. Thanks for reading and we are happy you are here.

My name is Kristin, Ma, Mom, Mommy, and Mama Celeste (as my husband calls me for who knows what reason). I am a mom to 3, Louie (6), Ellington (4) and Griffin “Finn” (1). I just became the Vice President at my daughter’s cooperative preschool and might be regretting it as it seems that it might suck the life out of me. Plus I work here at Mommy Relief. I love to cook, do a few crafty things, build furniture and workout. It may sound like I can do it all but really I don’t do any of the things I love very often except cook since that is in my job description as Mom. So my first tidbit, I’d like to share a baby food recipe I stole from Tyler Florence. Finn loves to eat…he’ll eat anything! So, I have tried to be adventurous since the doctor ok’d baby food for him. When I made this recipe I wanted to eat it myself.

Sweet Potato and White Beans

Sweet Potato

½ can of White Beans (cannellini)

Cinnamon

Pierce and bake the sweet potato at 375 deg for about 30 minutes until very tender. When cooled, remove the skin. Cut in large chunks and place in food processor with ½ can of white beans. Add about ½ cup of water. Blend until smooth puree. Add more water to get the consistency you desire. Add a pinch or two of cinnamon. Process again. Done.

When you refrigerate the puree you loose some of the moisture so I often add a little water when I serve it to him the second and third times!

Off to help a mom…

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Nannies, Doulas, and Newborn Care

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:24:20 +0000

The Mommy Relief Program provides assistance to mothers and fathers of newborns as they adjust to their new lives of long nights and even longer days. During this hectic and exhausting time, experienced newborn care can make all the difference in a mother’s recovery from childbirth and a father’s ability to maintain some semblance of a normal life. Our goal is to give both the comfort and rest they so desperately need. Our services are customized to each individual need, assisting parents in many ways to ease this joyous but stressful time.

Our staff will stay overnight, will come for just mornings several times a week, or will even give you a night out on a weekend!