Perinatal and Postpartum Support for Mom and Dad
Parenting takes strength you never knew was within you. Resources are available when you need help along your parenthood journey. Maternal Health Resource List.
During the Fourth Trimester new moms and fathers need support just like their baby.
Perinatal and Postpartum Resources
Whether you are pregnant, a new parent or a seasoned parent needing support there is support available for you. Below are local and international resources for parents, tailored to each parent's unique need. Find a group that suits your family's unique circumstance.
Postpartum Support International Peer Support Groups
Free Postpartum Support: Trained, Peer-led support groups are held online and are free for parents who register. A limited number of seats are available for each mom support group and parent support group.
https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/
Support for Dads
Postpartum Support International (PSI) Dad Support Group
https://postpartum.net/group/psi-online-support-meetings/
Families Touched by Psychosis Support Group
Meetings are held for moms and dads as well as care takers needing to process past experiences and current challenges.
https://postpartum.net/group/support-for-families-touched-by-postpartum-psychosis-ppp/
"Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” -Linda Wooten
Support for Women of Color and Minority Groups
Shades of Blue supports women of color and minority groups through all stages of birth.
https://www.shadesofblueproject.org/
Fussy Baby Network supports moms who would like some guidance through challenging moments with a fussy baby. Services available over the phone and at home.
https://www.erikson.edu/fussy-baby-network/
Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance offers a phone hotline for any mom who needs immediate help over the phone.
Depression and Anxiety Around Pregnancy
National Child and Maternal Health Education Program
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/moms
“Once you commit to motherhood, you are always in mother-mode. You are always on the line and always on-call. And, that’s fine with me, as I find motherhood endlessly fascinating, endlessly challenging, endlessly fun and endlessly fulfilling.” -Maria Shriver on Motherhood
Best Travel Tips for New Parents
Best Travel Tips for Moms with young children. Family travel is rewarding and with preparation travel can be even more enjoyable. Travel with your young family and find out.
Traveling with family is rewarding but getting to the destination can be grueling. To lighten the load in preparation and enjoy the plane ride I have a few tried and true travel hacks for parents with small children. You will nurture the idea of travel being easy and fun the more you travel with your little one. As your child grows travel will foster independence, teach responsibility, patience and adaptability-all wonderful traits to learn and practice through life.
Pack in advance- As you’re doing laundry a month or so before your trip create a space in your laundry room or in a closet to queue up items to be packed for each individual. Buy suncreen, pull out the sunglasses & their case. Begin gathering other toiletries that need to be packed as well. This space will be your landing pad when items return home from the store. If your child had a recent growth spurt make playtime a fun “fashion show” and check that clothes are still suitable. Trying on existing pieces will help build your shopping list for anything you need to purchase for upcoming trip. Buying items at home is more affordable that purchases at a resort location where prices are jacked up for tourists. Be smart about what to pack and what to buy when you arrive at destination.
Pack a day(10) or two of diapers and buy the remainder at destination so you’re not taking up valuable space in the suitcase.
Purchase a travel stroller with backpack! You will use this stroller for years to come. Our City Tour stroller lasted us 9 months to 7 years. You want a travel stroller that works for you; not one that makes extra work. Choose a sturdy and compact travel stroller that will not need disassembled at the gate while balancing your coffee. Make sure your travel stroller comes with a travel bag. Our City Tour by Baby Jogger came with a backpack that it slides into and fits in overhead bin. The City Tour backpack fits the stroller and in the winter we can stuff a coat or two in as well.
Traveling teaches children culture, flexibility and how to adapt in new environments.
Keep your carry-on lightweight- I get you want to carry-on everything and not have to deal with baggage claim but hear me out. Once you dump everything at curbside check-in(around $4 a bag) you have hands free to hold a coffee & your little one if needed. The lighter you keep your carry-on the lighter you will feel.
The City Tour Stroller by Baby Jogger has traveled the world, is lightweight to carry up and down stairs and conveniently folds up into overhead bin carry-on size backpack. The City Tour stroller backpack can fit a few additional items after the stroller has been packed up such as jackets for on flight storage making it super handy.