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5/15/2019 0 Comments

Meet the Doulas Giveaway & Sponsors - June 2019

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Our June Meet the Doulas event is almost here! For this meeting, we're so excited to offer a gift basket of amazing items and gift certificates from Doulas of Iowa City member businesses. Everyone who attends the Meet the Doulas on June 1 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Robinson Family Wellness will have the opportunity enter to win!
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Thanks to Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support for donating a free class registration to any June 2019 Ready for Baby or July 2019 Ready for Birth single class.

Nested Mama's mission is to provide support and expertise that empowers parents in the childbearing year and beyond. Johanna is excited to share with you about her services, including fertility, prenatal, and postpartum doula services, private and group classes on breastfeeding and childbirth education, and infant sleep education workshops and consultations.
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Thanks to Kind Roots Doula and Birth Services for contributing a free hour of postpartum doula support when you book a placenta encapsulation.

Kind Roots offers birth and postpartum doula support as well as placenta encapsulation.
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Thanks to Rachel Dolan Wickersham of Transformative Passage for contributing these soothing products by Healing Earth Botanicals.

​Rachel recently relocated to Iowa City from Chicago where she spent the past 25 years serving families as a childbirth educator, doula and, more recently, a certified professional midwife. She also holds a nursing license and lactation certification. She offers DONA approved doula trainings as well as consultations for community-based doula programs. Rachel has three daughters and one granddaughter. She feels a strong calling to serve her community and empower doulas, childbearing individuals and their families by supporting them through the ‘key’ life experiences of childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting.
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Thanks to All Bodies, All Births for the New Mom Essentials set including swaddles, security blanket, and coffee mug.

Grace Swartzendruber is the doula behind All Bodies, All Births and offers pregnancy, birth and postpartum services. Grace specializes in supporting plus size birth, cesarean birth, and vaginal birth after cesarean birth, in addition to her other services. All Bodies, All Births is pleased to provide individualized, unbiased, non-judgemental support to all birthing families in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids corridor.

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Thanks to (em)powered by birth doula services for donating Beautycounter’s Baby Daily Protective Balm! A safer option for babe & mama’s skin!

Emma Benson of (em)powered by birth doula services offers birth and postpartum doula support.

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Thanks to Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT and Doula for contributing this gift certificate $40 toward a massage.

Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT, Doula has been supporting birthing families and teaching massage techniques for healthy outcomes for 20 years in the Iowa City community. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

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10/5/2018 0 Comments

Giveaway Sponsors - Meet the Doulas November 2018

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Our last Meet the Doulas of event of 2018 is less than a month away! For this meeting, we're so excited to offer a gift basket of amazing items and gift certificates from Doulas of Iowa City member businesses as well as other fantastic local businesses. Everyone who attends the Meet the Doulas on November 3 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Robinson Family Wellness will have the opportunity enter to win! 
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Thanks to Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT and Doula for contributing this gift certificate for Labor Massage Instruction.

Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT, Doula has been supporting birthing families and teaching massage techniques for healthy outcomes for 20 years in the Iowa City community. This session gives the birth couple the confidence to enhance their birth experience through skills and tools that reduce pain and anxiety. Touch communication is intimate and powerful. It is your primary language with your child.
Thanks to Kind Roots Doula and Birth Services for contributing this wooden and silicone bead teething/nursing necklace!

Kind Roots offers birth and postpartum doula support as well as placenta encapsulation.
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Thanks to Kimberly Hendricks of Beloved Bonds for contributing this Haakka Pump.

Kimberly Hendricks is a mama to four children and was inspired by her own mothering journey to support women and families through the early years of their parenting journey.

Kimberly is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Certified Birth Doula, and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC).  Kimberly holds certifications in Prenatal Yoga instruction, Hypnosis for birth, Breastfeeding Education, Reiki and Rebozo for birth.

Kimberly facilitates the Beloved Bonds Breastfeeding group. This group is an in person and online support network of breastfeeding mothers.

Kimberly believes that pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding is individual to each woman and that every woman deserves support and compassion along her journey. Kimberly has been providing birth, breastfeeding, and parenting support in the Iowa City area since 2011.

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Thanks to Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support for contributing a pair of organic swaddles.

Nested Mama's mission is to provide support and expertise that empowers parents in the childbearing year and beyond. Johanna is excited to share with you about her services, including prenatal and postpartum doula support, private and group classes on breastfeeding and childbirth education, and infant sleep education workshops and consultations.

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Thanks to Willow & Stock for donating a $25 gift card.

Willow & Stock is an independent flower shop located in Iowa City's historic Northside. Specializing in fresh cut flower arrangements and bouquets, Willow & Stock is committed to sourcing flowers as close to home as possible.

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Thanks to Robinson Family Wellness for a gift certificate including an initial consultation and 3 adjustments ($200 value)!

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Thanks to Iowa Doula Agency for donating a copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

Iowa Doula Agency works with families to connect professional birth and postpartum doulas who provide emotional, physical, and informational support through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.  This includes support from an IBCLC or postpartum support with every birth package.
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Thanks to Joni Tyrrell Photo + Video for donating 50% off a maternity or newborn session.
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Thanks to Hazel & Thyme for donating 1 Yoga Class Pass for Mamas (good for a prenatal or postnatal yoga class with Lindsey of Hazel & Thyme) and 1 Baby Butt Balm (made with gentle herbs and oils to soothe sensitive skin).

Hazel & Thyme is a mama-owned business whose mission is to support women on their wellness journey by nurturing mind, body, and soul. Hazel & Thyme offers handcrafted herbal personal care products, hosts monthly new moon circles for women, weekly prenatal and postnatal yoga classes for mothers, birth doula support, and energy work.

Thanks to Naomi's Kitchen for donating a $25 gift certificate!
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Thanks to OB/Gyn Associates of Iowa City & Coralville for donating a goodie bag for our giveaway!

From OB/Gyn Associations:
"Our mission is to provide exceptional obstetric and gynecologic care to area women. We strive to attract and maintain patients based on the outstanding care and concern provided by our doctors and staff. Our clinic offers a rewarding workplace in a positive environment and is a leader in women’s healthcare."
Thanks to (Em)powered by Birth Doulas services for donating a journal for the birthing parent.

(Em)powered by Birth Doula Services will be donating The Birth Journal, a keepsake journal that comes with a supportive birth story writing guide to allow moms to connect with their birth stories while also creating an heirloom to pass on to their children.

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(Photo from @thebirthjournal on Instagram)
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Thanks to Iowa City Birth Services for donating this gift set!

​Iowa City Birth Services, LLC is owned and run by doulas Emily Piette, Hannah Sandler and Grace Swartzendruber. Together they have a combined 18 years of experience supporting families in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids corridor. Iowa City Birth Services offers a wide range of services, including group and private childbirth education classes, prenatal support, labor/birth support, sibling support, postpartum support, and placenta encapsulation. Iowa City Birth Services is pleased to provide unbiased, personalized support to all. We look forward to talking to you at Meet the Doulas!
Want to meet our member doulas and enter to win this great gift basket?  Join us on November 3 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Robinson Family Wellness!
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10/1/2018 0 Comments

Massage Before, During, and After Birth - learning from Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT, Doula

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One of the best parts of bringing our member businesses together in Doulas of Iowa City is the chance to gather for continuing education from experts in our community as well as experienced member doulas.  This month we had the opportunity to learn about massage before, during, and after birth from Kristin Bergman of Conscious Caring.
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Kristin Bergman brings together vast knowledge and over 20 years of experience as a doula in her work with clients. A licensed massage therapist, she specializes in pregnancy massage, instruction in self-healing, and family wellness. Kristin is also a licensed professional nurse offering respite care and assistance with recovery after hospital stays.  Taken altogether, Kristin draws on a variety of skills, techniques, and knowledge in her work with clients, expectant couples, and families.
We met with Kristin in the location of her massage practice, which also happens to be her home. Greeting us with coffee and tea, Kristin immediately made us feel welcome and at ease, and I could tell that such warmth and hospitality is what clients meet when they enter, as well.

Before demonstrating some massage techniques she uses when working with pregnant, birthing, and postpartum clients, Kristin shared a bit about the philosophy informing her approach to client care.  
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Here are just a few takeaways that illustrate what makes Kristin's "conscious caring" significant:
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  • Kristin encourages each client to develop their own intuition or "gut sense." She teaches self-healing and helps her clients explore their tension and where they find resistance in order to recognize it and make choices to feel safe.
  • Even more than touch, massage is about listening - not fixing or telling how to fix. It is about witnessing the process.
  • In her birth work, Kristin helps her clients move from a state of fight/flight to one of love and openness. Pregnancy and birth, in particular, hold a special opportunity. While there is no magic fix to our problems, pregnancy brings with it flexibility - this can be a magical time where we can ask ourselves what we can do with that openness.
  • For Kristin, excitement comes in helping client find their healing path. The loving, compassionate presence in doula work and massage is all about giving power back to the client.
When we moved to her massage space, Kristin graciously allowed us the opportunity to hop on her table so we could feel her information as well as watch and learn. Here are a few specific suggestions she shared for massage before, during, and after birth:
  • With pregnancy the center of gravity shifts, so we need to look for where we are taking on that tension and change.
  • Pillows and support - Kristin demonstrated the way in which a variety of pillows and rolled blankets can be used to aid the pregnant person in achieving a relaxed state. (Pro tip: a roll of masking tape can be used to shape sheets or blankets into the perfect support pillows while in labor and delivery!)
  • Effleurage - means "feather"- these light strokes, always directed to the heart, can assist with circulation and lessen fluid retention.
  • Hands and feet are a great location to massage for relaxation between contractions.  Make sure to move small bones apart and find the soft tissue in between.
  • Glutes and feet are like the slaves of the body - they work so hard even though you aren't always aware of their effort, making these key areas to attend to for relaxation.
  • Always revisit and check in with the pregnant person - this is an awesome way for the pregnant person to practice telling everyone what feels good and articulate preferences.
  • In massage as in yoga, you are looking to find your edge, see if you can move it, and breath is a powerful tool.
Some key details to note about the fabulous services Kristin offers:
  • Massage instruction for the birthing couple - offered privately or in a group class coming up in October and November at Heartland Yoga
  • Postpartum massage - newborn babes welcome to attend and breaks for nursing welcome as needed.
  • Gift cards available - a great addition to your registry or to give to an expectant parenting!
Want to learn more about Kristin and the fabulous services she offers?  Head on over to Conscious Birth Iowa!
Thanks so much to Kristin from all of us at Doulas of Iowa City for this continuing education presentation and letting us share a bit on the blog, too!

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​​Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula, childbirth educator, and sleep educator with Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.
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9/5/2018 0 Comments

Baby's First Fall: a bucket list for Iowa City and Coralville

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It's baby's first fall - hooray! I love the change in seasons, and try to savor it with my little ones. Here's a short bucket list for your first fall with a little one in the Corridor. If baby is a wee one, most of these may be enjoyed with babe snugged in a carrier. If babe sits independently, swings, slides, and exploring with natural materials can add a new level of fun to your time together.  As always, do those activities that work best for you and babe at this particular stage with your little family!
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Visit a Pumpkin Patch
We are lucky to have so many fabulous options for pumpkin patch-ing in our area! If you enjoy a good old-fashioned corn-maze with babe in a carrier, Colony Pumpkin Patch in North Liberty is a great option. My little ones really enjoy Kroul Farms in Mount Vernon with their short corn maze and animals - all for free! If you are looking for a full morning adventure, Bass Farms in Mount Vernon is conveniently located across highway 30 from Palisades-Kepler State Park - a gorgeous fall location for a hike or picnic. If you are looking for a pumpkin patch visit with lots for older siblings to do, Sass Farms in Riverside is a fun location for a day-trip.
 Visit an Apple Orchard
The apple orchard is another great way to spend a fall morning or afternoon. Wilson's Orchard in Iowa City has lots of fun events throughout the fall and you can end your visit with a trip to Rapid Creek Cidery for a meal. If you prefer to head north, Allen's Orchard in Marion is another great U-Pick option!
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Hike a Trail
The Corridor is home to some really lovely dirt, grass, and crushed stone trails to get you out in nature. From the Cedar Cliff Trail in Mount Vernon to Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City to Morgan Creek Park in Palo, we really have wonderful options close by no matter where in the Corridor you live. Want to get hiking with other families? Check out Hike it Baby Iowa City and Hike it Baby Cedar Rapids, both local branches of the national nonprofit Hike it Baby.
​Take a Fall Stroll
Want to keep it stroller-friendly? You're in luck because the Corridor has some lovely paved paths, too! For a simple stroll, you can enjoy a walk around the neighborhood.  For more more Fall colors, head to Clear Creek Trail in Coralville or Tiffin, Terry Trueblood in Iowa City, or Prairie Park Fishery in Cedar Rapids.
Fall Sensory Play
The crunch of leaves, sticks, and grass are all new and fascinating for baby. Once sitting solidly or crawling, a pile of leaves can bring delight to even the littlest of explorers.
Have a Picnic
Enjoy your meal while baby lounges on the blanket. If old enough to enjoy solid food, pack a booster seat and share your meal. This is the perfect way to finish off a trip to an orchard, pumpkin patch, or trail.
Explore a Playground
If baby is sitting solidly or mobile, fall is a great time to begin exploring some playgrounds. If weather is temperate and surfaces aren't too hot, crawlers may really enjoy a chance to climb on equipment. Swings and slides can be fun, too. And, the fall is a great time to find some playgrounds that will surely be on your bucket list next year! Check out this list for some fabulous options in the Corridor.

What is your favorite part of baby's first fall? Share in the comments below!
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​​Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula, childbirth educator, and sleep educator with Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.
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8/29/2018 0 Comments

Classes and Events - fall/winter 2018

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​Check out all these awesome upcoming classes for expectant parents as well as free events where you can meet and chat with Doulas of Iowa City member businesses. We hope to see you soon!
October 5 - Dream on: the Art and Science of Infant Sleep
Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support
A prenatal course designed to set up healthy expectations and habits surrounding infant sleep.
Taught by Johanna Tomlinson, PhD, MCPCD, MBE, MCE

November 3 - Meet the Doulas
Doulas of Iowa City
A free, open-house style event where you can chat with the member business of Doulas of Iowa City.

November 4 - 
Planning for Postpartum Workshop
Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support
A prenatal workshop designed to strengthen your partnership and prepare for a better postpartum. 
Taught by Johanna Tomlinson, PhD, MCPCD, MBE, MCE
**Save a combined $30 when you register for this and ICBS's November 10 childbirth education class**

November 10 - 
Birth: The Process, the Pain, and the Positions
Iowa City Birth Services
A one-day comprehensive childbirth education class - evidence-based and judgement free.
Taught by Hannah Sandler, CLD (CBI)  and Emily Piette, CLD (CBI) 
**Save a combined $30 when you register for this and Nested Mama’s November 4 postpartum planning course.**

Fall TBD - Breastfeeding from the Beginning

Beloved Bonds Birth & Bodywork
Breastfeeding your newborn from birth through the early months. 
Taught by Kimberly Hendricks, LMT, CLC, CD
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to our member businesses directly with any questions. Private classes and consultations available. You'll find a full listing of our members and services here.
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8/8/2018 0 Comments

Babywearing in the Corridor

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The 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.
Babywearing was a saving grace as I navigated through the first several months of motherhood. Many (and I mean many) meals, cups of lukewarm coffee, and clean dishes have been consumed, enjoyed, and accomplished thanks to babywearing. Babywearing has given me abundant comfort and confidence, and I am so thankful to the mommas before me who encouraged me to give it a try even though those wraps do seem awfully intimidating at first! The good thing is… a doula can help with that! My doula showed me how to wrap up my four-day-old babe in the Solly at our postpartum visit and the rest is history.
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My first time babywearing with the help of my doula!
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.
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Babywearing plus hiking make a perfect combo for both mom and baby!
Hike it Baby
o Hike it Baby is a national organization committed to building communities among families and a love for the outdoors in children from birth and beyond. Iowa City and Cedar Rapids both have active chapters, and it’s easy to find out what hikes might be happening either on the Hike it Baby website or in the Hike it Baby Iowa City and Hike it Baby Cedar Rapids Facebook groups. Hike it Baby provides so many benefits to parents and babes by providing community, fresh air, and movement. And even if you can’t work a Hike it Baby hike into your schedule, just loading my baby up in my Tula carrier and hitting up Squire Point, the waterfalls at Lake MacBride, or Hickory Hill is my favorite momma self-care and way to connect with my baby.
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!
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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.
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Emma lives in North Liberty, Iowa with her eight month old daughter, husband, and two pups. She is a Montessori program coordinator at La Montessori Nurtury and a birth and postpartum doula with (Em)powered by Birth Doula Services. ​
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7/18/2018 0 Comments

Why Shop Local

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It’s simple.
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Image Credit: Independent We Stand
Spend $100 with your local business and $73 stays in the community while only $43 stays with a non-local business. Shop online with a non-local business and $0 stays in the community.
I’m Kristen, and I’m a doula and owner of Baby Time Family Boutique. I started out my shop with an online store in 2012 and opened my brick and mortar store a few months later. People have been shopping with me and learning about all the available resources in our community and building their local support systems for over 6 years!


Local businesses, like Baby Time, provide a service directly to our community. Cloth diapering consultations, baby carrier fittings or picking out the perfect gift, our knowledge is valuable and worth it! We also offer our classroom space for meet-ups, Latch and Learn Support Groups and other classes. If the retail side of my store disappears, so do these wonderful resources.
When you shop local, whether it's your morning coffee stop, a bookstore, or a baby item (yay Baby Time!) more of your dollar stays here!  You are directly helping your schools, local infrastructure, families and other local businesses. I also love being able to offer products made in Iowa too.

So if you’re in the NewBo District, come stop by Baby Time, then check out Brewhemia, The NewBo City Market and eat in one of the fabulous, unique restaurants (don’t make me pick one, they are all so good!)

Show you find value in what we do. Use your dollar to change the world, one little shop like mine at a time.
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Baby Time in Cedar Rapids
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Kristen Mead has been a doula in the Cedar Rapids area since 2007 and is the DONA Midwestern Regional Director, Iowa Doula Agency Eastern Iowa Coordinator and teaches a variety of classes at Baby Time. When not at the shop, she's enjoying live music in the NewBo District or reading. Kristen lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband and children.
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7/8/2018 0 Comments

Baby's First Date: where to go in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids

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Are you ready to get out of the house with your partner but not ready to leave baby at home? We asked local parents their recommendations for where to take their cute little 3rd wheel out on the town. Check out these fabulous suggestions!
NODO Downtown, Iowa City
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"Inside and outside seating, casual menu, kid-friendly food for older siblings, delicious, and staff have always been very calm even when my youngest has cried or thrown a fit." - Hannah S.
Big Grove Brewpub, Solon
"I’m quite sure both of our baby’s first outings were to Big Grove in Solon. They are incredibly welcoming of families, have private and high backed booths, and it’s typically busy/loud enough in there that a little crying would go unnoticed." - Shona B. M.
Black Sheep Social Club, Cedar Rapids
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"Black Sheep Social club in Cedar Rapids has a nice changing table." - Corey H.
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Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, Iowa City
"We love bringing kiddos to Big Grove in Iowa City as well. The outdoor seating in particular is great for families." - Thea P.

​Mellow Mushroom, Coralville
"We went to Mellow Mushroom a lot when she was little - always found it very welcoming, spacious for stroller wheels and big booths for carseats plus a huge beer list. It's in the mall so not like super classy but you could always stop at Target after as a bonus." - Becca D.
​Bread Garden, Iowa City
"You can sit outside (but inside is noisy and kid commotion goes unnoticed, too) and the food is inexpensive and delicious. Plus, a solid food eating kid can get foods from the salad bar with no wait, and they always have the well-received Mac and cheese, chicken fingers, and fruit. They have high chairs and are right next to the play equipment in front of library. The only hardship can be if you’re the only adult and have to go back inside if you ordered something from the kitchen (like the delicious flatbread pizzas!) and don’t love the idea of leaving the toddler in high chair alone but don’t want to hassle with taking them back inside with you. The owner is always super helpful and so are the workers." - Allison G.
Village Inn, Coralville (& Iowa City)
"Our first outing with our first was breakfast at village inn...which is great if you want a bunch of old ladies fawning over your baby." - Barb D.
Not up for the restaurant scene? Try a picnic!
"We would head to one of the many awesome hiking trails in the area with some yummy food and put the baby up in a carrier for a nice hike. Romantic and super affordable afternoon." - Thea P.
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Not feeling outdoorsy? Try a car picnic!
"[We] liked "car picnics" when she was really little, picking up a Pagliais and eating it in the car while she slept, just listening to music and talking. Doesn't really fit the getting out maybe but it was quite romantic for us and we connected so well being side by side in the car alone - baby asleep and no other people or commotion to distract from talking to each other. It felt like being teenagers. I have great memories of those dates." - Becca D.
Don't see your favorite on the list? No worries! Pack up that diaper bag and give it a try. Here are a few tips.
"I’ve found that everywhere in the Corridor is welcoming of families. We have always taken our babies out from the get go, and have never had a negative experience from staff including the many times I’ve breastfed at the table." - Barb D.

"It’s helpful to try to time a restaurant visit outside of peak hours, not only so it will be less busy/loud, but also to allow you your choice of booths or tables, and to ensure quick seating and service. There’s nothing worse than having to wait forever for a table with a cranky baby. We’ve found that eating outside on a patio/deck, etc. is always more soothing for babe when available, and usually any crying stands out less outside. Also, if you have a baby or toddler who is eating solids ordered from the menu, place that order ASAP, even if the adults don’t have their selections made yet. This will ensure that the LO’s food comes out first." - Grace S.
Still feeling nervous about your first time out with baby? Repeat this pep talk in your head.
"My biggest advice on going out with the baby is to be confident that you belong there, that your baby is welcome, and that other customers are more charmed than annoyed! A lot of discomfort can come from the self-imposed perception that others are constantly watching or judging you, and they're mostly not - they are socializing and eating! One person being annoyed with her spouse and staring off into space can be perceived as a judgmental look at your nursing if you are self-conscious already, so just own it and you'll be fine. If babe starts fussing or crying and you're shushing and rocking and furiously trying to get her to take a paci and cleaning spit up off of your date clothes, 90% of people who notice are impressed that you're getting out and reminiscing about "those days." Anyone who actually says anything negative (god forbid) is a reflection of their poor character. I did always choose restaurants with high chairs and a kids menu when bringing my baby or toddler because I considered that an endorsement of our presence." - Becca D.
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Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula, childbirth educator, and sleep educator with Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support. Connect with Nested Mama on Facebook. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.
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    The 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.

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