September 2018 | Doulas of Baltimore

Fall Maternity Session – 3 Tips for Success

This week, local DOB fave photographer and guest blogger, Shayna Hardy, shares her fall maternity session tips!

1. Location, location, location.

Select a fall location for either it’s beautiful scenery or the meaning it has to your family. There are many beautiful foliage locations around Baltimore area to enjoy! But, there are only about 3-4 weeks of which you can enjoy the fall foliage, so it is best to schedule early!

I love getting to know clients during our consultation so we can decide the best location for them. If there are places that are meaningful to them, then I work to make that happen so the portraits we create will have a greater impact for them.

Studio maternity photoshoot in Owings Mills Baltimore’s weather can be challenging. When the weather threatens, indoor options are great too. At my studio, we can incorporate fall colors, like a red maternity dress into a studio session. These are wonderful because we can create some dramatic lighting images that show off the beauty of a pregnant woman in different ways.

2. Clothing.

Selecting what to wear can make or break the look and feel of the maternity session. The fall season is perfect for layering and cozy sweaters. Although I recommend a tight fit shirt to show off the belly bump, you can always layer with a beautiful fall sweater.

You may also elect to wear a beautiful maternity gown. Many can be found on Etsy for purchase, but I have several colors available in the studio. I usually suggest colors to complement the style of the nursery or home décor. I’m careful to select colors that will also coordinate or accent the fall foliage & location.

3. Don’t forget the details to make it personal.

While I’m getting to know my clients before the session, I find out through our discussion details about their lives. I suggest they bring any mementos, heirlooms or meaningful pieces they want to incorporate into their session.

Many times I will use the location as inspiration for incorporating something special into the session. For example, in the photo to the left, the mom was pregnant with twins so I simply plucked two beautiful leaves from the trees to symbolize the two babies growing inside her. They also got engaged THAT day so of course I included her engagement ring into the image.

These are the details that may get lost in our homes, but when photos are created of these pieces, they will never be lost in our memories.

While the changing leaves make a beautiful backdrop for a fall maternity session, all seasons offer wonderful opportunities to create beautiful portraits of you and your family. The ideal time for a maternity session is between weeks 30-36, but I suggest contacting me by week 20 to reserve your spot on the calendar.

I love creating beautiful heirloom quality portraits for families to enjoy for years to come. They can be enjoyed in wall portraiture or gorgeous albums. Digital images are nice to share, but the printed piece will last through your child’s lifetime and beyond! You are worth the investment.

your life in art. | www.shaynahardy.com | 443-686-9569

Birth Plan: Getting on the Same Page

Childbirth Education

Your birth plan is more than just a piece of paper.

Imagine yourself getting ready for your wedding. You’re inviting 200 people. You’ll want a caterer, a DJ, a florist. There’s attire to purchase and

5 Tips for Newborn Car Seat Safety and Comfort

Childbirth Education

You’ve taken all the birth and baby classes, baby-proofed your home, purchased a car seat with excellent reviews and bought a family friendly vehicle with the highest safety ratings available. You’re ready for baby, right?

Well, almost…

Even the safest vehicle and highest rated car seat need to be used properly every time to ensure your little one is protected in the event of a crash. Be sure to schedule a car seat installation check up with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST, or ‘car seat tech’) to ensure you are up to date on best practices with your particular seat and vehicle combination. Prepare yourself for this appointment by reading BOTH the vehicle and car seat manuals and installing the seat in your desired position in your vehicle prior to your visit from a CPST.

Here are some tips and common problems we see in terms of newborn car seat safety and comfort. Be sure to reach out

to our CPST, if you have any questions!

1. Avoid aftermarket accessories

In general, if it wasn’t in the box with your car seat, don’t use it! These accessories, though readily available, have not been crash tested with your seat, so there’s no way to know how it will impact your seat. This includes strap covers, inserts or cushions and covers like the JJ Cole BundleMe.

2. Dress baby in layers

Because Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind which season we are having in Maryland recently, the easiest way to ensure your little one’s comfort is to dress them in layers. For a newborn, typically one layer more than what you are wearing will be most comfortable. Cotton footed sleep and play outfits are often a great option in terms of car seat safety. Avoid bulky clothing and thick outfits or coats.

Here is our go-to steps to ensure baby warm and snug in the car seat:

Buckle baby into the seat and tighten straps so that you can not pinch the straps.
Using a lightweight muslin blanket, “swaddle” baby by tucking the blanket around baby’s arms, torso and legs. If it’s particularly chilly, you can add a second fleece or knit blanket over baby’s lap.

3. Consider projectiles

There are an abundance of baby toys that appear to be ‘made for car seats’ with rings, hooks, and straps. Consider that in the event of a crash, those connection points may not withstand the impact and could hit your child. The most comforting object to your newborn in the car seat is you; if possible, buckle up in the back seat next to your little one.

4. Time your trips

Since newborns typically set their own schedule, it’s difficult to judge when is the ‘best’ time to get in the car. In general, ensure all of baby’s basic needs are met prior to bucking them in the car seat- that they are not overtired, have eaten recently and have a fresh diaper.

Heating (or cooling) the vehicle prior to putting baby in can help as well. Consider too that you may need to stop to calm a fussy baby, so be sure to plan some extra time into your trips! Babies don’t actually hate the car seat, they struggle with being away from you, their source of comfort, and being restrained in a position they wouldn’t normally be sitting in. To reassure them that the car seat is a safe place, sometimes it helps to practice getting in and out of the car seat, even if just in the house for a few minutes at a time.

5. Car seats are for cars

Car seats are not meant for sleeping, playing, or spending long periods of time. Car seats are designed to keep babies safe in the event of a collision. Anytime your baby is in the car seat, ensure that the harness is buckled properly and tightly.

This includes while using the car seat as part of a travel system connected to a compatible stroller or if baby has fallen asleep in the car seat in the car and is brought in the house (where you will supervise them, or preferably move them to a safe sleeping surface to continue their nap).

Contact us to learn more about our car seat safety and installation service!

Going Team Green: Eco-conscious Parenting

Other

More and more families today are going team green – but not in the way you might be thinking! Eco-conscious parenting is growing in both popularity and accessibility everywhere you turn. Whether you’re at the beginning of transitioning your family to a ‘greener’ lifestyle or just feeling overwhelmed with reducing your carbon footprint when adding a baby to your household, we’ve got some tried-and-true product suggestions we think your family will love!

Mason Bottle

For families planning to return to work, combo feed, or just sharing feeding responsibility with another care provider, we love Mason Bottles! They have answered the call for a sturdy, eco-friendly baby bottle option with a wide base, suitable for most babies. The best part? Their kits work to convert mason jars you already own. Repurposing for the win!

Manzanita Kids Toys

Absolutely nothing beats a set of building blocks! Not only are they sturdy (and safe for those little chompers, once baby starts teething!) they bring entertainment for years past infancy. We love Manzanita Toys’ many options of eco-friendly, wooden baby toys. Check out their rattles while you’re browsing too – adorable, right?

Wee Sprout Silicone Storage

From breastmilk to pureed baby food, this silicone storage tray has you covered for eco-friendly freezer storage! Each pop-able portion can hold 1.5 oz, taking the guesswork out of how much milk or food you’re about to thaw each time you take one out.

Mori Baby Clothes

Mori baby products are both gorgeous AND earth-conscious. Super-soft, allergy-friendly fabrics pair with nickel-free snaps to make baby clothes that are absolutely divine. Their full range includes bath towels and swaddle blankets too! Features we love? Money saving bundles and personalization!

Monte Rockwell Bassinet

We love this bassinet both for its beauty and its sustainability! Made in Canada with ethically sourced walnut, the fabrics also feature zero flame retardant chemicals. This is one baby bassinet you won’t mind seeing every time you walk in your master bedroom!