8/8/2018 0 Comments Babywearing in the CorridorThe benefits of babywearing are undeniable. Babywearing brings you closer to your little ones both physically and emotionally. And while you are soaking up all of the cuddly goodness that comes along with babywearing, you also have the ability and freedom to take on other parts of your day. More and more research is being done to support babywearing and recent findings show that babywearing can reduce postpartum depressive symptoms.
And as if I didn’t love babywearing enough already, I was so thrilled to find so much support for babywearing in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Corridor. If you are interested in babywearing, here are some awesome communities and resources we are super lucky to have in our area.
AP Babywearing of Iowa City o The Attachment Parenting International chapter in Iowa City has created a subgroup just for babywearing. I became the member of the Facebook group when I was thinking about investing in my first woven wrap and have since learned a lot from the group. Any questions about wraps or carries or even requests to borrow can be made in the group. There is a monthly meet-up where you can get hands-on help for all things babywearing and the chapter also has a lending library! Once my baby got bigger and stronger I loved knowing how to use my woven wraps to get her more secure and snug! If I hadn’t found these meet-ups, I’m not sure I would have ever been brave enough to use them. Babywearing Dance Class o If there is anything better than hiking while babywearing, it’s dancing while babywearing. There is a babywearing dance class every Wednesday morning at Anytime Fitness in Coralville, and it is amazing. Every time I go I am amazed at what a good workout I get in, and my little one absolutely loves the music and the social time before and after class. I have met some amazing mommas in this class and am so thankful for this momma + baby opportunity to work out and socialize. For more info on this class, join the Facebook group! Accessibility o Between the lending library provided by AP of Iowa City and the Iowa City Babywearers groups, the Iowa City Babywearers B/S/T and Babywearers of CR BST, and local retailers like Baby Time , it is easy to get your hands on carriers to find what is most comfortable for you and your little one. I have scored awesome deals on the Iowa City Babywearers B/S/T page and was able to connect with other babywearing mommas to try out some soft structured carriers before going with my Tula Free to Grow. Finding the carrier that works best for you and your body and baby is so very important, and I all of the support and resources in our area make it easy to do so! A look at some of my carriers- I found the bottom two on the Iowa City BST page in amazing condition for more than half off original retail. The benefits of babywearing truly seem endless, and when you pair those benefits with the extra support and community in the Corridor area—I feel like we really have it made around here. Babywearing education and tutorials can be provided by many of the doulas with Doulas of Iowa City. Check with your doula to see how they can help you along your babywearing journey. Whether you’re looking for community or just to enjoy a meal with two hands… babywearing can make it happen.
0 Comments
4/7/2018 3 Comments Why Prenatal Yoga?What is all the talk about prenatal yoga? Is it a workout fad? How will it benefit me in my pregnancy and labor? What if I have never done yoga before? Do I need my doctor/midwife approval first? All valid questions. All I have been asked time and time again, so let's go through these questions and understand the importance of yoga during pregnancy and how it could influence your baby's birth. 1. Yoga is a mind, body, and spirit practice; however, in prenatal yoga we take it a step further and add baby into the mix. 2. Workouts trends tend to eb and flow; however, women will always be having babies and yoga is a wonderful exercise that prepares mamas both physically and mentally for labor. Many mamas find the poses introduced in prenatal yoga helpful in labor. Sometimes they even birth in a yoga pose, too! 3. Anyone can do yoga, so anyone can do prenatal yoga. I'm sure you know from first-hand experience or from a friend or family member that has gone through labor - it is a lot of work. Labor and delivery is one of the most rewarding, physically demanding, and emotionally draining experiences. You do need to prepare your body for what it is going to go through and help it heal post birth, too. Always consult your midwife or OB when doing any form of exercise, but know that breathing and meditation are two amazingly simple ways to prepare for baby. Intros before prenatal yoga class 4. Community. When you come to prenatal yoga each week, you will meet other mamas on the same journey. It's like a club, and just by showing up, you are a member. Ask questions, share stories, laugh, and cry with one another. You will immediately know who to turn to once baby is in your arms because you met some amazing women in prenatal yoga. Bonus: you can meet all your fellow mamas’ babies in BYOBaby Yoga and continue together on this amazing journey of motherhood together. 5. Why not? Why not come to class and give it a try, you have nothing to lose! Looking for Prenatal Yoga in the Corridor? Check out these fabulous options:
|
AuthorThe Doulas of Iowa City blog contains guest posts by Doulas of Iowa City member businesses. We are excited to share with you about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding communities and to help you connect to fabulous local resources. Archives
May 2021
CategoriesAll Babywearing Birth Doula Books Classes Doula Spotlight Fall Fitness Food Holiday Local Meet The Doulas Postpartum Postpartum Doula Pregnancy Prenatal Self Care Self-care Winter Yoga |