We have comprised a list of quality resources we have found to be helpful for new parents. Along with a link, we have provided a description of their value to us in our mission to enhance the wellness of our family and yours.
Classes
Ohana Wellness: Sensational Baby
Sign 4 Baby: Sign, Play & Learn
Sign4Baby offers Workshops and Classes designed for hearing babies of hearing parents who want to experience an intimate bond that is created when your baby knows they are once and for all understood. And you are saved from the frustration of having to figure it out.
Stroller Strides
Stroller Strides® is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. Taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Stroller Strides instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to entertain and engage baby, while moms are led through a series of exercises specific to her role as mom.
Baby Carriers
Baby K’tan
Anytime you see me, you will see my baby happily being worn in this sling. I have tried almost every sling and carrier on the market and this is my absolute favorite. This sling is so versatile yet so easy. Whether my baby is breastfeeding, exploring, or sleeping I can still do it all, hands-free. And through it all, my baby is always close for love, touch, and interaction. If there was one baby product I could not live without, this would be it.
ERGO Baby
Backpack Sling for Your Infant
The ERGO Baby Carrier is my choice of carrier as baby gets bigger. It is so great for those active times when you're spending a day at the Wild Animal Park and need extra support of baby's weight. This carrier is so comfortable and breastfeeding friendly.
Breastfeeding
Medela Comfort Nursing Bra
One of my two favorite nursing bras. This bra has full coverage for those full breasts. This bra has amazing support and brilliant opening system. Looks like a cami under shirts/tanks. The perfect bra to wear all day and night; for fun, relaxation, and sleeping!
Bravado Nursing Bra
My other favorite nursing bra. This bra is so comfortable. It melts right to your body. This is the bra for you for the times you would prefer the more traditional cut bra.
Johnson's Nursing Pads
The absolute best breast pads on the market: soft, perfectly contoured, absorbant, breathable, they even have a small nipple indentation and adhesive strip. I have tried a lot of brands and these are the best! You can get them at Target and Wal-Mart.
Robin Kaplan, MEd
Lactation Consultant
Babies in Bloom
Breastfeeding supplies, constultants and support.
Mama Pear Designs
MamaPear Designs aims to empower parents-to-be with reliable breastfeeding knowledge by offering pre-natal education classes; and to create awareness through fun, witty, lactivist-inspired wearables for moms and babies.
Places
Babies in Bloom
Babies in Bloom provides education, support and nautral products for babies, toddlers, and those who love them. They carry a wide range of items, including breastfeeding accessories, pumps and nursing bras, baby carriers, cloth diapers, organic baby clothing, wooden toys, books and much more.
Babies by the Sea Boutique
Babies by the Sea Boutique was conceived by combining the medical experience of an Obstetrician Gynecologist with the knowledge of a mother to be. It is designed to provide retail options for mothers, babies and toddlers in order to address their needs for products that are fashionable, environmentally responsible and wellness health model oriented. In addition to offering products and support to its customers, the boutique will also maintain an extensive community lecture program to address issues of social responsibility, nonviolent parenting, environmental health and self esteem development.
Pomerado Women's Health Connection Boutique
Pomerado Women's Health Connection Boutique is a great resource for new mamas. This boutique sells an assortment of quality slings, including Baby K'tan, and nursing bras, including Medela and Bravado. But even more than that it is staffed by highly knowledgable and friendly women who want nothing more than to help you and your baby have the best start possible. They will walk you through trying on all the various nursing bras and help you to figure out all the slings with your baby. In addition to the great products they sell and the superior service they offer, they also have lactation consultants and support groups. They are located in Poway, next to Pomerado Hospital.
Yoga
Prenatal Yoga with Shelley
"Prenatal yoga classes with Shelley Rahim are a great way to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy. Practicing prenatal yoga throughout your pregnancy will help you to cultivate flexibility and strength, relieve back strain, connect with your unborn child, and face childbirth with courage and awareness. Shelley teaches prenatal yoga in Poway and workshops throughout the county."
*The prenatal yoga I recommend.
Mommy & Me Yoga with Erin Noland
Discover the benefits of yoga with your baby by your side! Get back in shape, bond with your baby, you and baby will make friends, relaxing, private, accepting atmosphere. Classes held at Blue Raven Yoga in San Marcos.
Yoga Janda
Prenatal Yoga with Liza Janda
Prenatal Yoga has been proven to relieve back pain, and sciatica, shorten labor, and lessen labor pain. It’s a great way to meet other moms-to-be and get in shape physically and emotionally for labor, birth, and motherhood. Classes are in San Marcos & Poway.
A Well Lived Life
Hyp-Yoga with Carol Yeh-Garner, LCSW, HBCE
Hyp-Yoga combines yoga with the power of hypnosis. Learn to use 100% of your consciousness to achieve your goals more quickly. Hyp-Yoga Weight Loss class series participants typically a weight loss on average of 8-10 pounds.
Therapists
Meg Kaufman, M.A., MFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in school and behavioral concerns of children and adolescents, couple's counseling and stress management.
I worked with Meg helping children and families at a local elementary school. She is experienced and knowledgeable yet friendly and inviting. She is a great listener and I was blessed to have had her as a mentor in my professional life.
Chiropractors
Good Vibrations Chiropractic
Drs Joe and Stacey Merlo, DC are chiropractors and parents who are passionate about seeing families expressing their optimal health. They specialize in chiropractic adjustments for pregnant women, newborns, infants and children. They use gentle and honoring techniques to clear interference in the nervous system to help your body function at its best!
Dayna J. Blum, D.C.
Dr. Blum is a Webster Certified chiropractor at Rancho Bernardo Chiropractic & Wellness. She is passionate about using her skills to remove interference from the nerve system, and balance the bones and soft tissues of the pelvis, to aid each expectant mother in having a healthy and safe pregnancy, birth, and baby.
Doulas
Birth Doula: Jenna Anderson CD(DONA)
Jenna has been supporting women and their families throughout San Diego since 2008. As a firm believer in the transformational power that birth has in an individual's life, she's committed to helping women labor and give birth in a manner that is marked by dignity and respect.
*The doula I recommend:
For the natural birth of our third child we knew we wanted a doula and as soon as we met Jenna, we knew we found our doula. I could list all the ways she supported our priorities like incorporating our 2 children in the entire experience, managing the implementation of our birth plan or taking photos but to be honest, it was the emotional and physical support she provided to me in the unique and valuable ways that only she could, in perfect complement to my husband’s intimate support, the loving presence of my sons, and the care of an exceptional OB that granted me my baby West’s perfect birth. She was a stable, friendly and knowledgeable presence throughout my labor, filling in gaps and offering helpful guidance but honestly, it was in the final phase of labor when her confident and calm yet understanding support was invaluable to me. With my husband on one side, anchoring me with all his loving support and Jenna on the other, pushing me through with her guidance and practical support as a mother herself and birth professional, I was able to get through the most extreme experience of my life, delivering not only my baby but also my perfect birth experience, which I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Tranquility in Birth
Doula Services: Leigh Fenly
Leigh personified the calm, relaxed energy that I needed to tap into and get lost in the work of labor with my body. Her gentle guidance was so helpful but it was her absolute and steadfast confidence in me and my body that freed me to trust in myself and the beautiful and natural process of childbirth.
Natural Birth
Doula Services: Maggie Tucker
Birth is a woman's greatest rite of passage. Preparation for one of life's greatest moments is filled with anticipation. What if you could have someone with you, and your partner, who could celebrate your dreams and soothe your fears; someone who could ease your labor, support your wishes and wrap you in tender, loving care (with no harmful side effects)? Well, you can! Include a birth doula on your birthing team!
Beautiful Beginnings
Labor and Postpartum Doula Service
has been serving San Diego families since 1994. You will find referrals to well trained Labor and Postpartum Doulas, as well as resources for new parents. BB also trains women who are interested in becoming labor or postpartum doulas.
With Child Birth Services
Doula and Massage Therapist: Brenda Korbecki
Massage Therapists
Bella Baby Doula
Massage Therapy: Petra Vetter
Petra recognizes birth as a key life experience and will be there to help mother have a wonderful memory of giving birth to her child. She is also available for Prenatal and Post Partum massage to help with some of the discomforts before and after giving birth.
OBs/Midwives
Dr. Damon Cobb
Seaside Women's Health
*The OB I recommend for a hospital birth:
I find it kind of mind-blowing that someone who only touched my baby for a second had such an utterly profound impact on him, my family, and me. My birth experience will be a part of me forever and my gratitude to Dr. Cobb for the uniquely compassionate, trusting, respectful, caring, knowledgeable treatment cannot be adequately put into words.
Nine months of getting to know me, my family, my body and this baby, discussing options, and empowering me to make informed decisions was followed by a labor and delivery choreographed to our (my body, my baby and my) needs, based on our innate abilities, and cupped in personal care that I assume comes from a combination of both Dr. Cobb's spirit as a person and an intention to change the world for the better; one birth a time, one question at a time, one hug at a time.
Dr. Robert Biter with midwives LaShel Montgomery and Jamin Sylvada
Seaside Women's Health
(760) 642-0800
*The team I recommend for a homebirth.
Birth Roots Birth Center
Birth Roots offers options to women and their families for pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum and thereafter.
Accupuncturists
Evelyn Byram, L.Ac.
"Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), more than 3000 years old, offers a very effective approach to many different types of ailments. Specializing in women's health for the last 13 years, Evelyn has developed an expertise in this area. She can help with any issues relating to women, from menstrual complaints to fertility and pregnancy to postpartum conditions and menopause, and anything in between. She also sees babies and children for digestive issues, colds and flus, asthma, ear infections and more. Evelyn's knowledgeable approach and practical experience combines acupuncture and chinese herbs with nutrition and life style counseling."
Angela Yvonne
Angela Yvonne L.Ac. works closely with couples and young families assisting with fertility, prenatal and postnatal care, as well as early childhood issues. She has a great deal of experience treating menstrual problems, male and female infertility, threatened miscarriage, breech babies, induction and postpartum issues. She also treats young children and babies for a number of complaints including colic, digestive problems and ear aches. Angela offers a complimentary consultation for any OHANA Wellness client who would like to discuss their particular health needs and how acupuncture and herbs may be of help.
HypnoBirthing
A Well Lived Life
Carol Yeh-Garner, LCSW, HBCE
The breakthrough natural approach to a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing. Learn how to release the fear related to giving birth & eliminate the pain of labor.
Photographers
Blue Flair Photography
San Diego Child & Family Photography, specializing in maternity and newborn portraits. More than memorable . . . unforgettable.
Anastasia Mac Photography
San Diego portrait photographer creates your family history capturing beautiful breathtaking portraiture to be enjoyed and cherished by many more generations to come.
Organizations
Attachment Parenting International
API promotes parenting practices that create strong, healthy emotional bonds between children and their parents. For life. So they can take those bonds with them into their adult lives and share them with their children. And their children can do the same. A life cycle of compassion and connection.
Through education, support, advocacy and research, our principal goal is to heighten global awareness of the profound significance of secure attachment - not only to invest in our children's bright futures, but to reduce and ultimately prevent emotional and physical mistreatment of children, addiction, crime, behavioral disorders, mental illness, and other outcomes of early unhealthy attachment.
Infant Massage USA
Our mission is to promote nurturing touch through training, education, and research so that babies, parents, and caregivers are loved, valued, and respected throughout the world community.
Rachel is a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM). She was trained and is certified by Infant Massage USA, the US affiliate of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM).
Natural Baby Pros
An Online Directory and Resource for Natural-Focused Fertility, Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, and Baby Professionals and Services; directory, articles, forum with expert advice, blog, events, free natural-product giveaways, savings and more. Also provides local events and networking opportunities in the San Diego area. "Where families and practitioners come together to create healthy, natural babies."
ICAN
The International Cesarean Awareness Network is a non-profit advocacy and support group whose mission is to improve maternal and child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, provide support for cesarean recovery, and promote vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
Products
Dr. Sears
I highly recommend The Attachment Parenting Book by Sears. I would not be the mother, therapist, parenting expert, or infant massage educator I am today without the influence of this book.
Mamamor Dolls
MamAmor dolls are pregnant, birthing, and breastfeeding mamas. Each one is handcrafted with love and attention to detail. These are very unique dolls, and like real mamas, they are all different.
Smart Mom
Teething Jewelry
Beach Bums Cloth Diaper Service
San Diego parents now have an environmentally friendly and convenient option for diapering their babies! Beach Bums offers organic cotton cloth diapers and wipes laundered with the most eco-friendly methods available.
Organic T Shirt, Cotton Clothing, Baby Clothes
Buy Organic T-Shirts, Graphic T Shirts, eco clothing, women tee and Organic Cotton Baby Clothes at affordable prices from Recycleatee.com
Other
Ever After Wedding
If you are coordinating a wedding then you have found your officiant. In addition to my parenting work I also bring that same compassion and professionalism to my work as a wedding officiant. When you book with Ever After Weddings you will have a personalized ceremony that reflects your family and style of love. Reverend Cathy Glenn or Reverend Rachel Rainbolt will create the wedding ceremony of your dreams that will start you on your happily ever after.
Cutie Pie the Clown
Hiring party vendors for our children can be a daunting venture but you can rest assured when you book Cutie Pie the Clown for your children’s party. I can personally vouch for the quality of her services and the purity and genuineness of her personal character.
Real Estate Agent: Janicke Swanson
Janicke Swanson with Prudential California Realty in La Jolla, handles residential real estate across San Diego County. Whether she’s working with a first-time homebuyer or on a multi-million, Janicke is committed to looking after her client’s best interest.
