Have an expecting mom on your shopping list this year? Give the gift that keeps on giving, a gift certificate for doula support! While every mom will have her preference […]
Category: Baby Guide
How to Improve Postpartum Sleep
You have probably heard the phrase “oh just sleep when the baby sleeps”. While this may work for some, this doesn’t always work especially if you have other children to […]
Tips for Packing Your Hospital Bag
Certified Doula, Tayler Morrison shares expert tips on packing a bag for the hospital when having a baby. Start Early While some may enjoy this task, others may feel stressed […]
Babywearing
What is babywearing? Babywearing is something that has been done for thousands of years across the world. Babywearing is essentially carrying a baby in a carrier either in front of […]
Cesarean Recovery
A cesarean section, otherwise known as a c-section, is a surgical procedure done to deliver a baby without the mother having to push the baby out. An incision is made […]
Salvation Army Taking Applications for 2024 Christmas Assistance
Christmas is right around the corner and the Salvation Army is ready to assist families in need. Registration for families in need of a little help with winter clothing, gifts, […]
Fall Crafts
Coffee Filter Bats One of my favorite crafts to make with my kiddos every spring is coffee filter butterflies. I remember making them myself when I was in elementary school, […]
What are VBAC & HBAC?
You may have seen the abbreviations VBAC & HBAC. VBAC stands for vaginal birth after cesarean and HBAC stands for homebirth after cesarean. Both More Common These terms are being […]
How to Support Mom During and After Labor
Every birth partner will be different, some may be pros and others may not know what to do. Your birth partner’s support through labor and delivery can be incredibly beneficial. […]
Painted Pumpkins
Halloween is quickly approaching, and I love doing all of the fun fall-themed crafts with my kiddos. Over the next few weeks, I plan to share all of the projects […]
Community Baby Showers Offers Info and Freebies for Expectant Parents
Parents of newborns and expectant parents can connect with resources, listen to helpful speakers, meet other parents, and get some free baby gear at this year’s Community Baby Shower. This […]
Our Favorite Part Of The Day
As much as I would love to take credit for the following wonderful idea, it was actually my husband who came up with it. A few months ago he came […]
Prenatal Yoga
Body and Mind Taking care of your body and mind can be essential throughout your pregnancy. We need to take care of our body so it is healthy and prepared […]
Picky Eater?
As a mother of an almost-three-year-old, I know a thing or two about picky eating. My one year old who once used to eat salmon, zucchini, and spinach like it […]
Why Do I Need Childbirth Education?
Childbirth education is simply education you receive on childbirth. Your education can range from books, films, in-person courses, or virtual courses. There are many great options. However, selecting the right […]
Gentle Cesarean
Whether you are planning and scheduling a cesarean or it is a sudden change in plans, knowing you still have options can be incredibly helpful. While every hospital will have […]
How to Know if Your Child is “Kindergarten Ready” from a Former Kindergarten Teacher
By BlueWaterParent.com Parenting Blogger Alyssa Dock. Views represented are for informational purposes and are the personal views of the writer. Over the years I have had the privilege to teach […]
Doula Support For Birth Partners
More often than not, when we think of doulas we think of them supporting mothers. While this is true, doulas also can be an incredible support for birth partners as […]
Breastfeeding – Nursing vs. Pumping
Every mother will have their preference on how to feed their baby. Some may choose to formula feed, some will nurse, some will pump and some will combination feed. Every […]
Navigating the Fourth Trimester
Throughout your pregnancy, you probably became very familiar with weeks, dates, and trimesters. But one we don’t hear as much about is the fourth trimester. The fourth trimester is considered […]
Interview: The Benefits of Hypnobirthing
Shelby Vinson is a hypnobirthing instructor located in St. Clair County, Michigan and owner of SC Empowered Birth. I had the privilege of asking her some questions to further explain […]
Children’s Book Drive Repurposes Used Books
“Out with the old and in with the new” with the Great Start Collaborative of St. Clair County’s Children’s Book Drive. Families can trade their old books for a free […]
Baby Registry Tips
Necessities As you progress through your pregnancy it is easy to become overwhelmed with all of the latest baby gadgets and accessories. Instead of becoming overwhelmed, start with the necessities. […]
What is “The Golden Hour”?
Welcome, Baby The golden hour can be simply put as the uninterrupted hour following childbirth while the newborn lays on the mother’s chest with skin-to-skin contact. The golden hour can […]
Making the Best of a C-Section
While many mamas dread the word “cesarean”, it is still a very real occurrence that moms face when giving birth. A cesarean section (otherwise known as c-section) is a surgical […]
Creating a Birth Plan
As you may know or are learning, when you find out you are pregnant you now have lots to plan for: from how you want your ideal pregnancy to look, […]
What is a Postpartum Doula?
Alright, mama, you did it! You’re home and relaxing with your sweet newborn baby. While we soak in our snuggles and recover, moms also have to adjust to the new […]
What is a Birth Doula?
You just saw those two little lines appear on your pregnancy test. So many emotions can start to flood in, whether this was planned, a surprise, your first, or your […]
My house is an absolute mess, but my family had the best weekend ever
My house is an absolute mess, but my family had the best weekend ever. This past week was one of the busiest of the year thus far. My youngest turned […]
Foster/Kinship Support Night Offers Rest and Resources
Foster parents and those providing kinship care for children are invited to a Foster/Kinship Support Night on Tuesday, April 16th, from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Blue Water Free Methodist/Harbor Impact Ministries. […]
Indoor Ideas for Young Children
Stuck inside? Summer is just around the corner. The warm weather is so close I can almost taste it! But then again, we live in Michigan, so we are due […]
How to Help Someone With a Baby in the NICU
Have you or anyone you know ever had a baby in the NICU? Until about a year ago, I didn’t have much experience with the NICU. NICU stands for Neonatal […]
Choosing the Right Preschool
Originally published February 2024 Now is the time to start thinking about preschool for your child for next year. It might seem early, but Preschools begin planning now to set […]
Fun in Frozen Temps
Baby it’s COLD outside! Need some ways to pass the time, and feeling a little stir-crazy? Here’s a fun way to take advantage of these frozen temps with this fun […]
2024 Goal: 1000 Hours Outside
Could you spend 1000 hours outside? With babies? One of the biggest challenges my family has decided to embark on for this new year is 1000 Hours Outside. This program is […]
Family Goals for the New Year
Happy New Year, 2024! A new year always brings new goals and challenges. Most people make a New Year’s resolution. This year I decided to set goals for our family […]
Starting New Holiday Traditions
The holiday season with young children is such a magical time. Exhausting, but magical nonetheless. This year, my daughters are 2 years old and 6 months old. In years past, we […]
Give the Gift of Experiences
It’s December and that means everyone is on the hunt for the perfect Christmas gift. The problem nowadays is that there are SO. MANY. TOYS. Ask any mother of young children and […]
Conquering Postpartum Depression
**Everyone’s postpartum journey looks different. When I was pregnant with my first, I thought I knew what to expect with postpartum. I had heard about the sleepless nights, the challenges […]
WIC Helps with Nutrition Expenses
Adding a new member to the family can include so many added costs. Diapers, formula, clothes: the list goes on. Thankfully there are a ton of resources available to help, you […]
Get IN the Photo
Get in the photo. Not just take it. I said get IN the photo. As a mom of two little ones- my camera is constantly out. At the time of […]
Let’s Talk SLEEP
As a mom to two-under-two, sleep is a precious commodity around our house. I remember when my oldest was a newborn I would spend countless hours in the middle of […]
Newborn Screening Can Prevent Lifelong Impairment
When babies are born, they get checked out for a few things to make sure they are on track for normal development and growth. If they aren’t, modern medicine has […]
The Bedtime Battle
So if Little Aiden needs the recommended 13 hours of sleep every night, and he gets to preschool at 7:30 in the morning every day, and needs time to eat […]