What?

Evidence-based maternity care means that the care that is provided has been proven by reliable research to be beneficial to mothers and babies, reducing the incidences of complications, injury and death. ~ ImprovingBirth.org

Why?

Unfortunately, the standard of maternity care in most hospitals in the USA today is not based on reliable research. Our nation has trailed behind most of the industrialized world for many years, ranking 41st on the list of safety in childbirth. According to Amnesty International USA, our rates of maternal and infant mortality have skyrocketed in the past few decades due to fast-paced medical advancements and rushed systemic enactments, and the resulting haphazard approach to pregnancy and childbirth.

Did you know that Kansas has a history of cesarean rates that reach upwards of 30%? This number is normal for states around the country, but it’s quite unheard of in the rest of the developed world.

Goals of the National Rally for Change:

• Reduce unnecessary inductions and unnecessary c-section rates in the United States by bringing education and awareness to birthing families, birth workers and hospital administrators
• Support and encourage evidence-based research regarding the normalcy of birth
• Reinforce the idea that childbirth should be about “Principle over Profit”
• Give the power back to the mother, and support her birthing choices

Where?

The Overland Park Rally will be held in front of Shawnee Mission Medical Center, north side of 75th street at Frontage Road from 10am-12noon on September 3rd, 2012.

This is your chance to show support for the birth rights of women all over the country!

The National Rally for Change will be a peaceful gathering with a brief guest speaker at 10am, then on to holding signs that make our voices heard. Hospital employees and passersby will be able to see our desire to change this nation’s birthing system for the better.

For sign ideas, see the National Rally for Change Facebook page.

What else can we do?

You may not know that Kansas City has all the support and resources you need to have a successful natural birth, and you can find an amazing list of experienced midwives, birth centers and doulas here.

Chiropractic care can also help ensure a comfortable pregnancy and natural delivery:

• Before becoming pregnant, your chiropractor can ensure a properly functioning nervous system to help with fertility.
• Chiropractic care during pregnancy minimizes the chance of developing back pain due to body changes, and can be a key component in turning a breech baby before labor thereby reducing the risk of cesarean.
• The Webster technique consists of chiropractic treatments throughout pregnancy that work to stretch the uterine ligaments and lower the chance of a make-positioned baby during childbirth, and also helps decrease the pain and duration of labor.
• Visiting your chiropractor during postpartum recovery and beyond aids in the restoration of the pre-pregnancy body, and helps eliminate the slumped and sideways nursing posture often adopted by breastfeeding moms. The correct posture also prevents chronic constipation and headaches.

Dr. Kezia Shine, owner of Align Chiropractic Care for Mommies and Babies in Overland Park, is one of our favorite resources available to KC mamas. Dr. Kezia is a skilled chiropractor certified in the Webster technique, and she has attained her C.A.C.C.P. as well (certification from the Academy of Family Practice and Council on Pediatrics).

1. Is the area to be proofed highly used, moderately used or rarely used?
2. Do you plan to have additional children in the future?
3. Do you require easy installation?
4. Is the furniture piece an antique?

The answer to these questions along with the information below will help you determine which lock best fits your lifestyle, future plans and home design.

Pros and Cons of Various Lock Styles

Magnetic Cabinet/Drawer Locks

• Hardware mount, great for highly used areas
• Unique feature that allows parents to disable the lock, rendering it open.  This is great for the months or years between siblings that no childproof lock is needed
• Holds door completely closed, no pinching of fingers possible
• Durable
• Higher price
• Although any magnet will unlock, must have magnet available to open
• Normally requires professional installation to ensure an exact fit

Spring Action Cabinet/Drawer Locks

• Very affordable
• Hardware mount, great for highly used areas
• Does allow door to open enough for the possibility of little fingers to get pinched
• Normally requires professional installation to ensure an exact fit

Adhesive Cabinet/Drawer Locks

• Easy to install
• Adhesive mount, great for moderately or rarely used cabinet and drawers
• Good choice for antique furniture since no drilling is required
• Higher price
• May need to be replaced due to adhesive wear
• Allows door to open enough for the possibility of little fingers to get pinched

Sliding Cabinet Locks

• Easy to install
• Moderately priced
• Depending on brand may allow door to open enough for the possibility of little fingers to get pinched
• Only works on cabinets with door handles, not on drawers
• Visually unappealing since it attaches to outside of cabinet
• Not durable and breaks easy.  In many circumstances, this style of lock will need to be purchased several times.

If you plan to have additional children in the future, consider spending a bit more money for higher quality locks that can re-used for future siblings.

The Soft Landing team is fully insured and members of the International Association for Child Safety, which means our safety consultants have taken and passed the association’s Home Hazards Test (HHT) which is based on a comprehensive curriculum about home hazards and prevention strategies. We offer in home, one-on-one childproofing consultation and installation for parents in Kansas City and surrounding areas.

You’ve heard of a farmer’s market, but what about a Mama Market?

We had a blast chatting with Kim Byrnes about how moms and dads can get their hands on great products for the kids and support local businesses all at the same time. We were thrilled to be able to show a sampling of the mom-created products that will be available, including Lil Stuff by Kellylulu, Teeny Greeny, Devon’s Creative Designs, Ava Anderson Non Toxic, Kidillow, Kieran Brennan Design, Little Pumpkins Baby Food, Mama Meadows, Jupiter 77, Lemongrass Spa, Inner Facing, Wild Tree and Sweet Boutique Designs.

There are so many more amazing products yet to see at the Market, so stop by and meet our whole family!

The Kansas City Mama Market is this Saturday, August 4th, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Marantha Academy in Shawnee, Kansas.

Get the Full Scoop

by Angie Glotstien, Founder of Little Pumpkins

A few years ago I watched a “baby food eat-off.”  The team that ate the most jars of baby food won money for their team’s charity.  Sounds easy, right?  You should have seen the look on these adults’ faces!  How could little jars with such cute names cause the looks of disgust that we were witnessing?

At first it would seem that jarred baby foods make much more sense.  They are fairly inexpensive, easy to find and you can store them on your shelves for a really long time.  So what makes them so yucky?

Jarred baby foods are cooked at very high temperatures so that they can be shelf stable for so long.  The problem with cooking at high temperatures is that some of the vitamins and minerals are cooked right out of the foods.  In addition to robbing the foods of their nutrients, high heats leach away the bright colors and flavors that nature intended.  That is why jarred peas and green beans are such a dark sludgy color and the carrots taste like the squash.  No wonder babies (and the guys in the “baby food eat-off”) spit most of their food out!

Jarred foods also commonly use fillers.  Take a peek at the ingredients on the jar.  You might be surprised to find flour listed.  It is important to pay attention to the order of the ingredients as well.  Ingredients are listed from most prevalent to least prevalent.  It is not surprising that the most common ingredients in the jar of breakfast food may be oatmeal instead of the fruit mixed with it.

These are just a few of the reasons I started Little Pumpkins when my son was ready to eat solid foods.  Little Pumpkins gently steams organic fruits and vegetables to get them to the perfect texture.  Extra care is taken to remove fibrous skins from the purees to aid little tummies with digestion.  Water from the cooking process is added during pureeing, but only if it is needed to achieve the perfect consistency.  Using water from the cooking process replaces vitamins or nutrients that may have been lost during steaming.  Finally, Little Pumpkins foods are quickly frozen to capture the natural flavors, colors, vitamins and minerals that nature intended.

Using Little Pumpkins foods is simple.  Just remove the desired serving size from the zip-lock bag and pop the rest back in the freezer.  The foods thaw quickly in the fridge overnight, on the stove or in the microwave.  A quick stir and baby is ready to eat!

When your little eater is taking a spoonful of Little Pumpkins Baby Foods, he is actually going to learn the look and taste of that food.  Moving to the next steps of eating won’t be as challenging because he will actually have tasted what fresh green beans taste like.  That’s just one way that Little Pumpkins is supporting healthy nutrition from the very first bite!

About the Author

Angie Glotstein’s son experienced colic, acid reflux, lactose intolerernce, eczema, recurrent ear infections, RSV, ear tubes, an allergic reaction to antibiotics, allergy testing, possible asthma, and on and on over the majority of his first year.  As a mommy she wanted to protect him from all the yucky stuff and just help him feel better.  And she was scared.  As a nurse she was driven to endless research.  As a result of both, she learned that one of the most effective ways she could help him was through his nutrition and now she’s excited to share the same healthy start with your baby!

Connect with Angie on Facebook

The swap will be held at The Refuge, a non-profit youth center and coffee house in Overland Park.  And Claudia, the summer intern, will be there making coffee drinks and lemonade!  Could it get any better?

Shop, visit, bring a friend, have a coffee!

The Refuge
11336 W 135th St
Overland Park, KS

Contact Kelly Quinn through the Facebook Event Page if you have any questions, need more directions!

As parents, we must realize that accidents will happen, but by using these simple tips, you can ensure they will not happen nearly as often. And always remember that personal attention is still the best defense.

10 Tips for a Baby Safe Home

1. Bolt (or remove) tall and unstable furniture to the floor or wall
2. Use cordless blinds or keep cords safely out of reach
3. Consider babyproofing doors that could pinch fingers
4. Make sure pet litter boxes are not accessible
5. Watch for sharp corners and add bumper guards where necessary
6. Use gates around stairs, but never use pressure-mounted gates at the top of the stairs
7. Secure cupboard doors/drawers that contain cleaning supplies, toxic chemicals, sharp objects, and heavy cans/glass jars.
8. Plants are healthy and beautiful, but be sure to remove poisonous varieties
9. Make sure magnets are not accessible
10. Keep baby monitors out of the crib

After the walk through, you have the opportunity to receive a written assessment with suggested changes and links to highly rated childproofing products needed for your particular circumstances. From there you can choose to upgrade to our Premium Safe Baby Package (assessment, products and installation) where we do everything so you don’t have to. Installation of all baby proofing gear by a trust-worthy, trained, veteran of home building.

We also specialize in safe and natural options for parents who are interested in reducing chemical exposure for their children. We go above and beyond in our effort to help you navigate the endless rows of baby safety products to choose top notch products made from the least toxic materials.

Contact Joanie Whitman at 913.317.6468 or by email at joanie@thesoftlanding.com for more information.

Schedule an Appointment

What You Can Expect

• Meet some of Kansas City’s most talented mompreneurs and get your hands on their cute, functional creations (while stocking up on the brands you know so well too)
• Connect with other eco-conscious moms who are excited about supporting our local economy
• The first 50 customers through the checkout will receive a Goody Bag with eco-friendly samples from some of our favorite companies
• Attendees will have the chance to win a Grand Prize Giveaway (TBA)

Join us on August 4, 2012 from 12-5pm at Maranatha Christian Academy’s North Campus at 15000 West 63rd Street, Shawnee, KS 66216.

View Larger Map

Are you a local company interested in joining this Market as a vendor or sponsor?

Click Here to Apply

Sponsored by

Join The Soft Landing Team of Moms for the first mom and baby market of its kind in Kansas City!

What’s the Kansas City Mama Market?

The Kansas City Mama Market is a free-to-attend event featuring local, mom-owned companies who will showcase and sell their handmade mom and baby items, artwork and eco-friendly products.  The Kansas City Mama Market is held quarterly in support of creative mompreneurs.

Our Market was inspired by busy moms who are searching for top-notch products made by local, trustworthy business owners.  We hope to create a strong eco+logical community by connecting parents with the finest mompreneurs in Kansas City.

What Can You Expect?

• Meet some of Kansas City’s most talented mompreneurs and get your hands on their cute, functional creations (while stocking up on the brands you know so well too)
• Connect with other eco-conscious moms who are excited about supporting our local economy
• The first 30 customers through the checkout will receive a Goody Bag with eco-friendly samples from some of our favorite companies, including Windi by Fridababy, Biodegradable Wipes and Tiny Bubbles Laundry Detergent by GroVia, Angel Baby Bottom Balm from Earth Mama Angel Baby, Reusable Baby Wipe from Lil Stuff by Kelly Lulu, and Organic Baby Food by Happy Family

Meet Our Mama Market Mompreneurs

The June 2, 2012 Market will present 15 hand-picked vendors, including:

• Lil Stuff by Kelly Lulu
• Kari Lind Creations
• Swim Zip
• Erin Kate Creations
• The Little Flower Farm
• Chrystalyn
• Lillybit
• Natural Newborn
• Hodge Podge
• Genesis 1 Creation Art
• Green Acres Closet
• La Xochitl Designs/ Dulce Wrappers

Don’t forget the giveaway!

Be sure to register for the EcoStore Gift Basket (valued at $100)

Are you a local mom-owned company interested in joining the next Market as a vendor in August?

Apply to be a Seller

Join us from 9am-12pm at The New Birth Company located at 9209 West 110th, Overland Park, Kansas, 66210.  They’re in building #36 in Corporate Woods, conveniently located between I-69 and Antioch Street and College and 1-435.  We recommend you find us by turning into Corporate Woods via the Grandview St. entrance from College Blvd.

In Partnership With

]]> http://kc.thesoftlanding.com/kansas-city-mama-market-june-2-2012/feed/ 1 http://kc.thesoftlanding.com/kansas-city-mama-market-june-2-2012/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kansas-city-mama-market-june-2-2012 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSoftLandingKCResourceGuide/~3/T_ZMzL4mbjo/ http://kc.thesoftlanding.com/the-soft-landing-sisters-are-throwing-a-party-in-kansas-city/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 13:38:22 +0000 Kansas City http://kc.thesoftlanding.com/?p=2417

We’re going all-out with some help from our favorite green companies in Kansas City!

• Hors d’oeuvre by The Freedom Chef and The Local Pig
• Wine tasting by Rowe Ridge Vineyard (featuring Kansas grapes – who knew?!)
• Relaxing environment by New Birth Company
• Live music by a local violinist

And you won’t want to miss the amazing Grand Prize Giveaway worth over $1,000!

• A hand-painted portrait by Pamela Williams, Fine Artist (a $650 value)
• Carpet cleaning for 6 areas and a hallway from Voorhies Cleaning Systems (a $250 value)
• A tutu basket featuring fairy wands, crowns and bows – all handmade by local moms from the Mommy Shop (a $100 value)
• A baby proofing consultation from Itsabelly (a $99 value)

A BIG thank you to our amazing partner, Gail’s Scoop, and our sponsors for making the soirée possible: Local Pig, Rowe Ridge Vineyard and Winery, Mommy Shop KC, Align Chiropractic, Pam Williams (Portrait Artist), Fion’s Luce Photography, Little Pumpkins Baby Food, Identity Suite Salons, The Freedom Chef, Voorhies Green Carpet Cleaning, Teeny Greeny, and Ce Ce the Doula.

The Eco+Logical Soirée  is a new and exciting way for modern parents to connect with top-notch, eco-conscious companies.   You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the mission behind some of the best products and services Kansas City has to offer while enjoying the company of other moms like you and The Soft Landing Team.

A Fun Gathering with a Purpose 

• Enter to win a Grand Prize Giveaway worth over $1,000 from our favorite brands!
• Enjoy a laid back evening with local wine tasting and hor d’oeurves provided by local KC companies (we’ll have organic Earth Mama tea for pregnant mama too!)
• Schmooze with other amazing moms while you soak in the relaxing atmosphere of the New Birth Company
• Connect with high quality, mission-driven companies offering products and services for your family

Are you a local company interested in sponsoring the Soirée?

Review the media kit for more details and pricing, or contact Alicia at 913.710.3643 with any questions.

In Partnership With