Mommy and Maine

021 | NICU Nurse Turned Mama Coach: Supporting Families Prenatally through Postpartum ft. Calina Keating

Calina Keating, RN is a Neonatal Critical Care Registered Nurse and owner of The Mama Coach in Maine. She lives in Biddeford with her husband, Myles, and puppy, Cowboy. Calina graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Montana State University and has worked in several high level Neonatal Intensive Care Units across the country. Calina started her business, The Mama Coach,  in March of 2023 to provide families with the support and education to make parenthood easier. She works with families in the prenatal period through the 4th trimester to provide one-on-one or group education and evidence informed care. She works with families virtually, in-home, and through workshops in the community. Calina offers a variety of services, but specializes in difficult bottle feeding, breastfeeding, and newborn sleep. Her goal is to help you find the evidence informed solutions that work for you and your family!  You will learn about... * Calina's individualized prenatal packages including childbirth education, labor preparation, education on unexpected interventions used for delivery, and going over feeding options * Calina's comprehensive postpartum packages that always include feeding consults, troubleshooting challenges with newborn sleep or care for your baby, and figuring out root cause of potential feeding issues * How to select bottles and correct nipple flows if choosing to bottle feed * Assessing if there may be a tongue or lip tie causing barriers to feeding * Boosting families' confidence in their new role as parents and empowering them to make informed decisions based on evidence backed solutions and personal preference Resources: * THE MAMA COACH - CALINA KEATING INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/calinakeating.themamacoach/] * THE MAMA COACH - CALINA KEATING WEBSITE [https://calina-keating.themamacoach.com/links/#] * SIGN UP HERE FOR UPCOMING VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS [https://calina-keating.themamacoach.com/classes/] Connect with Mackenzi: * MOMMY AND MAINE INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/mommyandmaine/] * BOOK A FREE DISCOVERY CALL [https://calendly.com/mommyandmaine/free-20-minute-discovery-call?month=2023-05]

020 | How Loneliness in New Motherhood Led to Pursuing a Big Dream ft. Amanda Rothbart

Before creating Raise Playspace, Amanda was an educator with a degree in Early Childhood and 12 years of teaching experience. Working in public schools and nonprofit early intervention centers, she understood the importance of support for both children and their families. After leaving the classroom to raise her own children, she quickly realized the resources and support she was seeking were few and far between. She set out to make a place for children to learn through play and for parents to catch their breath and know they are not alone. Amanda believes that by connecting with each other and our children, we can feel more grounded, empowered, and supported. Her hope is that Raise feels like home and a breath of fresh air. She can't wait to meet you there. Join Amanda Rothbart, owner of Raise Playspace, during this raw conversation where she shares her experience of how being a new parent and SAHM led her to want to open a community resource and space for families to gather. She shares the realities of new motherhood, opening up about how her expectations of what she thought it would be didn't always seem to align with how it really was. Amanda vulnerably talks about the sacrifices we make as moms, the pull between deciding to stay home or return to work, and the emotions and challenges that often arise during those first early years. Amanda has learned that stepping out of your comfort zone to connect with others is how new friendships are created and true community is cultivated. Raise Playspace is located in Scarborough, ME and offers several workshops, classes, and groups that are geared for both children and their caregivers, offering an inclusive space to play, learn, and grow together. Resources: * RAISE PLAYSPACE WEBSITE [https://raiseplayspace.com/] * RAISE PLAYSPACE INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/raiseplayspace/] * RAISE PLAYSPACE FACEBOOK [https://www.facebook.com/raiseplayspace/] Connect with Mackenzi: * MOMMY AND MAINE INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/mommyandmaine/] * BOOK A CONNECTION CALL [https://calendly.com/mommyandmaine/free-20-minute-discovery-call?month=2023-05]

019 | Lactation, Pumping, and Milk Supply ft. Abby Smith

Abby Smith is a certified lactation counselor here in Maine, owning and operating her business, Giving Tree Lactation. Abby specializes in breastfeeding education and in-home lactation support. In 2019 when Abby had her first son, she quickly realized the lack of breastfeeding support and help available to a new mom. Abby's true passion is to ensure moms have realistic expectations and breastfeeding support during those challenging first days, weeks, and months.  You will learn about... * the importance of prenatal education/preparation and how that can support your feeding journey right from the start despite how birth scenario might play out * when your milk supply typically comes in * how the type of birth you have can impact your feeding journey * using hand expression and pumping as a tool in the hospital to establish a demand for your body (if baby isn't nearby or able to latch/pull out milk just yet) * when to introduce a bottle to your baby in preparation for returning to work or to have partner be more involved in feeding times * potential factors that may lead to unanticipated drop in supply * strategies to improve pumping sessions when away from baby * how to go about starting/creating a pumping schedule * what is power pumping? * knowing what pump to buy/use * foods/drinks that could help to increase milk supply (basically just make sure you're drinking and eating PLENTY!) Resources: * Giving Tree Lactation WEBSITE [https://www.givingtreelactation.com/] * @givingtreelactation INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/givingtreelactation/] Connect with Mackenzi: * @mommyandmaine INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/mommyandmaine/] * BOOK A FREE CALL [https://calendly.com/mommyandmaine/free-20-minute-discovery-call?month=2023-03]

018 | Strategies to Support Your Child's Sensory Preferences ft. Chelsey Pellerin

Chelsey is a southern Maine mom with a background of 8+ years as a pediatric occupational therapist. Chelsey graduated from the University of New England with a bachelors of science degree in Occupational Studies and continued on at UNE to earn her masters of science degree in Occupational Therapy. Throughout her career, Chelsey has supported children of all ages in various settings including: outpatient, school-based, in-home care and telehealth. Following the birth of her first daughter, Chelsey sought out resources through literature, support groups, locally based services, and continuing education courses to expand her knowledge of infant growth and development. Chelsey has become a trusted source of guidance and information to her closest friends and family and is excited to provide the same opportunity to other families. You will learn about...  * the 8 senses and what sensory processing means * importance of exposing our babies to different sensory experiences and stimuli to support development and regulation * understanding the different sensory preferences and thresholds for input * sensory avoiding (sensitive) vs. sensory seeking vs. low registration * how sensory preferences can change and fluctuate  * typical behaviors our kids may demonstrate and present with * examples of everyday, practical sensory activities to implement in our kids' routines  * preparing children for success ahead of time taking into account their sensory profile through strategies such as telling stories/planning or heavy work tasks Resources: * Instagram: @playful.development [https://www.instagram.com/playful.development/] * Email: playfuldevelopment.maine@gmail.com Connect with Mackenzi: * Instagram: @mommyandmaine [https://www.instagram.com/mommyandmaine/] * Email: mommyandmaine@gmail.com

017 | All About Car Seat Safety ft. Emma Hughes

Emma is a born and bred Mainer and a professional nanny, living in the midcoast and working in Portland, Maine. With over 4 years of professional, full-time, nannying experience and over a decade of working with children at large, she's passionate about the early years and loves spending her days helping children and families thrive. Emma's a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and an active member of both the International and United States Nanny Associations. In her free time, you can find her exploring Maine's rocky coast, thrifting for vintage treasures, serving at her church, or tending to her aspiring jungle of houseplants. Emma offers her services as a CPST to the Greater Portland area for free and by appointment. Appointment requests can be submitted via the google form linked in her bio @TheMaineNanny. Her page is full of caregiving wisdoms, nanny tips, and she even has a "guide" highlighting some of her favorite child-friendly spots in the Greater Portland area.  No matter where you're located, you can find a certified tech near you by going to Cert.SafeKids.org, "Find a Tech" and searching by your state or zip code. You will learn about... * How to properly install a carseat and correctly harness your child * Recommendations for where to put carseats: what is the "safest" spot in the car? * Guidelines for how long to rear-face * Factors to consider when choosing a carseat: functionality, ease of use, price point, etc * The 401 on puffy winter jackets and why they're a NO GO * Decreasing risk of injury associated with eating/drinking in the car * Navigating your community's public resources and how to locate a CPST Resources: * Instagram: @themainenanny [https://www.instagram.com/themainenanny/] * National Child Passenger Safety Certification Website [https://cert.safekids.org/] Connect with Mackenzi: * Instagram: @mommyandmaine [https://www.instagram.com/mommyandmaine/] * Email: mommyandmaine@gmail.com