Motherhood Milestones

As moms, we often treat our kids’ milestones like they’re our own. Because let’s face it — in many ways they are!

Moms remember. We remember the big things and the little things. We remember more than we want to most of the time, too.

We remember the way our hearts ached as we took apart the crib. 

We remember the fear as we watched them drive off for the first time. 

We remember the joy when we held each of our children for the first time. 

We remember the first heartbreak, the first graduation, and the first touchdown. 

We remember these things because we have to.

We know the kids will all grow up and forge paths of their own that one day won’t include us. So we must remember. 

The team here at Knoxville Moms is made up of a variety of women with children of all ages and stages. Collectively, we’ve done a heck of a lot of mothering. 

Here are a few of our favorite motherhood milestones we’ve experienced over the years:

Head over to Knoxville Moms to read the collection of our favorite Motherhood Milestones.

The Isolation of New Motherhood

The experience of becoming a new mother can be both exhilarating and isolating. As a woman adjusts to the immense physical and emotional changes that come with childbirth, she may find herself feeling isolated from the outside world - especially if it’s her first baby. This sense of isolation can be particularly rough for mothers who are staying at home with their newborns, as they may feel disconnected from the social support networks and daily routines that previously sustained them.

One of the biggest sources of isolation for new mothers is the overwhelming responsibility of caring for a newborn. Newborns require constant attention and care and this can be exhausting for mothers who are already dealing with the physical and hormonal changes of postpartum. (And Mamas everywhere said AMEN.) The constant demands of a newborn can leave a mother feeling drained and unable to engage in activities or relationships outside of her immediate family. Or honestly, even within her immediate family. I remember barely having the energy to hold a conversation with my husband in the first few months postpartum!

Another factor contributing to the isolation of new mothers is the lack of physical contact with others. The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically altered the state of the world, and it would be silly for us to ignore that. Even in non-pandemic times, the physical isolation of caring for a newborn can be isolating, as mothers may feel hesitant to leave their baby with others for whatever reason. But with all of the chaotic germs happening in the world right now, mothers are even more skeptical of leaving the house with their new babies - and understandably so.

New mothers may also experience isolation due to the significant lifestyle changes that come with having a baby. The lack of sleep, the need to constantly be on call for feedings and diaper changes, and the loss of personal time and freedom can all contribute to a feeling of isolation. This is particularly true for mothers who are used to being career-oriented or highly independent, as the transition to parenthood can be a significant adjustment. I was one of those women, and I wholeheartedly struggled in the transition to mom AND stay-at-home mom all at the same time. It was a reality warp for me and it took me months to come to terms with it. Know that if you are in the same boat, you are not alone.

The isolation that new mothers experience can have serious consequences for their mental health. Studies have shown that postpartum depression and anxiety are more common in mothers who feel isolated and lack social support. This is why it is so important for new mothers to have a strong support network, whether it is through friends, family, or support groups. After my personal experiences with PPA and PPD, I knew I wanted to help other women never feel the way I did and that’s how Mama Yoga came to be!

If you are feeling isolated in motherhood, no matter if this is your first or fifth baby, I encourage you to find a support system outside the walls of your own home. You need other women in your corner who are going through a similar phase of life as you or women that have been there before. Women need other women - it’s as simple as that. But we all know the reality of creating that support system of other women can be an uphill battle.

I would love to have you at any of my yoga classes! Baby + Me Yoga and the Mama Yoga monthly Mother’s Circle are wonderful answers to combatting the isolation mothers feel with a new baby. You are able to get out of the house, you are able to bring your baby along, and you are able to connect with women that are in the same phase of life as you.

My wish for 2023 is for all moms to find support in the ways they need it. Let’s work together to make that happen! If you see a mama struggling, offer your help in the way she needs. Often it is simply a listening ear ❤️

The Benefits of Yoga For Mothers

Yoga has been gaining popularity in recent years, and for good reason. This ancient practice offers a wide range of benefits for both the mind and the body. For mothers, who often face the challenges of balancing parenting responsibilities with the demands of daily life, yoga can provide a much-needed sense of calm and relaxation.

One of the most significant benefits of yoga for mothers is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. The combination of physical movement and deep breathing can help to calm the mind and release tension from the body. This can be especially beneficial for mothers who may be dealing with the added stress of a newborn baby or the challenges of parenting older children.

In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, yoga can also improve physical health. The stretches and poses in a typical yoga routine can help to improve flexibility, strength, and balance. For mothers who may be experiencing aches and pains from carrying a baby or lifting young children, a regular yoga practice can provide relief and improve overall physical well-being.

Another benefit of yoga for mothers is its ability to improve sleep. The relaxation techniques and deep breathing involved in yoga can help to quiet the mind and prepare the body for sleep. This can be especially helpful for new mothers dealing with sleep disruptions due to a baby's schedule or their busy lives.

Furthermore, yoga can also offer social benefits for mothers. Many yoga studios and fitness centers offer classes specifically for mothers, providing an opportunity for mothers to connect with one another and form a supportive community. (And this is exactly why I offer Baby + Me Yoga!) The mindfulness and self-care focus of yoga can help mothers to prioritize their own well-being, which can improve their relationships with their children and loved ones. A mother must take care of herself in order to take care of her family.

Overall, yoga offers a wide range of benefits for mothers. From reducing stress and improving physical health to promoting better sleep and providing social connections, a regular yoga practice can be an invaluable tool for mothers navigating the challenges of parenting.

If you’ve been struggling through motherhood and need a system of support, and exercise, and want an overall better well-being, I hope you’ll join me at some upcoming classes in 2023.

5 Amazing facts about babywearing

I’m so glad to have Eva writing this post about babywearing! She’s educated and passionate about this topic and what mom doesn’t need two free hands?! Whether you’re a seasoned or new mom, she has some great information for you below.

Babywearing is all the rage! Over the last couple of years, we have seen more and more parents, grandparents, and caregivers lugging little ones around on their front and back. This wasn’t the case in the 80s or 90s. So, what happened for babywearing to become so popular? And is it as beneficial as all its fans claim it to be?

The rise of babywearing correlated with a change in parenting styles and the introduction of social media. The latter helped to spread the word and made it widely acceptable. More and more research was done on the subject and plenty of benefits were found for babies and their caregivers. There are so many that you could fill books and books with them (which has been done) but let’s just look at these five.

5 Amazing Facts ABOUT Babywearing:

1.   Babywearing Helps with Bonding

Bonding with your newborn should be a no-brainer. It is your child, so it’s easy, right?!? No. It is not. Not at all! Bonding often needs a lot of work and might be quite challenging. Babywearing can be one of the tools to get you closer to your little one while encouraging connection, the release of oxytocin (the hormone that helps with the development of attachment), and to help with breastfeeding (for those moms who want to breastfeed).

2.   You Get a Workout In

A mother’s body changes significantly during pregnancy. We grow, nurture, and in the end, birth a little human being. What an amazing thing to be able to do! However, it also brings challenges we often don’t feel so comfortable with: a weak core, loss of muscle mass, and changes in body composition. Babywearing gives you a wonderful chance to tackle all of this and regain stability, balance, and strength. You get a workout in, even if you are just walking around the neighborhood. The added weight of your baby gives your body that little bit of an extra challenge it needs. As the baby grows slowly and steadily, if you are wearing your little one on a regular basis (on walks and during workouts), your body has time to adjust at a sensible pace. 

3.   Healthy for Baby

The health benefits of babywearing are massive for your precious little one! The closeness to your body helps her/him regulate their breathing, calms down their heart rate (to a safe level) and it stabilizes their body temperature. During winter your body temperature helps to keep your little one warm and in summer your sweat will help cool the baby off.

Babies are usually very content in carriers and tend to cry less. This means their stress levels are down, and as a result, this often leads to them falling asleep. They just feel comfy cuddled up so close to you and will give you a very nice, long break. Sounds good, doesn’t it!?!

And to top this off, carriers keep nasty germs at bay. A lot of people seem to think a baby in a stroller is an invitation to touch, kiss, or even take them out without the permission of their parents. Your baby being attached to your body in the carrier adds another layer of privacy, as touchy invaders would have to enter your close personal space. This helps immensely to keep people at a comfortable distance. That’s a nice little add-on, especially during the cold season.

4.   Makes Life Easier for Parents

Having baby in a carrier gives you TWO free hands and a bit of freedom! Having both of your hands free makes life just a tad easier. You can do things around the house, run errands in a much faster way, and use your phone without inventing ingenious ways of holding and typing with just one hand - the list goes on and on!

Babywearing also means that the baby is attached to your body in a back-friendly way as long as it is done correctly. Many of us parents suffer from back pain because we let the baby sit on our hip and we often tend to use just one side (no judgment: we’re all human!). This creates imbalances and contributes to those tight muscles which are the main cause of back pain in parents who have young children. Wearing your little one helps avoid this uncomfortable habit and eases the pain.

And if you have older children, babywearing will help you interact with your other kids. Oftentimes one parent is alone with two or more kids and that means multitasking at a very intense level. If your smallest one is having a cranky day and just doesn't want to wait on the floor, putting her/him in a carrier while caring for everybody else makes life not just a tad but a whole lot easier.

5.   You Can Go Everywhere

Imagine this: you are somewhat healed after giving birth and ready for your first outing with your baby. Your plan is to take her/him to a park or that beautiful forest area for a short stroll. You get everything ready, pack the car, stuff that massive stroller in there, and then … There is gravel on the path in the park and the trail in the forest is nowhere near a smooth concrete walkway. No chance to take a walk because it’s just not safe for a fragile newborn’s neck (or even an older baby’s neck!) to be rattled over such a surface without a good suspension and air-filled tires. So you put all of your stuff, including the baby, back in the car and head home again. Yes, been there, done that!

Now imagine all of that with a carrier. First, you still need tons of stuff: babies are tiny but, holy smokes, their equipment isn’t. Anyway, you don’t need someone to lift the stroller in and out of the car because a carrier is very lightweight and can easily be stored in a diaper bag. And second, you don’t need to worry about having an expensive, newborn-approved jogging stroller that would be able to transport your little one over almost every terrain (might be something for later, though - nothing against strollers, they have their place!). Your feet will take you and baby to all places and you can go pretty much everywhere. 

Those 5 Amazing Facts about Babywearing make it pretty clear why it has gained such popularity over the last 20 years. The benefits for your babies, and for you as their caregiver, are massive and can play an important role in your parenting journey.

Babywearing Safety Tips

Has all of this convinced you to give babywearing a try? Awesome, that’s wonderful news! Babywearing is very easy and convenient when done safely. Let’s take a look at a few points you should consider before going on your first walk with your little one in her/his carrier:

• Learn which carrier works best for you and your baby. You can own more than one carrier and can use them according to your situation, your baby’s needs, and the seasons.

• Check the manufacturer's instructions on how to use your chosen carrier safely.

• Remember the T.I.C.K.S rules.

• Understand at which stage baby can face in, out, or be on your back.

• Familiarize yourself with hip-safe wearing.

• Talk to your health care provider if your body is ready for babywearing.

• Ask yourself if you feel ready to wear your baby - mentally and physically.

Catch up with eva here:

www.pelvicandcore.com

Facebook: @pelvicandcore

Instagram: @pelvicandcorecoaching

Car Seat Safety with Secure-A-Seat

This guest blog is written by Sarah Fogarty, Mama and Owner of Secure-A-Seat in Knoxville!

Have you ever stopped to think about the amount of time you spend in your car? Drop the oldest off at school, rush over to a toddler gym class, take your youngest back to the doctor for yet another suspected ear infection, and pick up a few groceries just in time to get back in the car rider line for pickup.  There’s a lot going on in your head between focusing on the road, passing back snacks, and remembering all that you have to do that day and the days coming.

As moms we are in charge of a lot of the remembering/reminding (at least in my house), but because car seats are used day in and day out, over and over again, we often forget those need ongoing attention too. Nearly 4 in 5 car seats have errors in installation/errors and those statistics don’t seem to differ between new parents and experienced parents. Our local baby store has 43 infant seats, 59 convertible seats, and 40 combination/booster seats available for order. That’s 142 different car seats that have different installation instructions and varying rules regarding recline, support cushions, and weight limits. Considering you may have multiple children in different car seats, how do we go about remembering which car seats needs what and when?!?

The answer…. Schedule an appointment with Secure-A-Seat.

My oldest excited after we learned lots from Mrs. Sarah!

I’m a child passenger safety technician specifically geared towards providing you individualized and thorough education surrounding each seat!

With children, it can be difficult to find the time to attend a car seat event, but with Secure-A-Seat the service comes to you. I’ve found that caregivers can be more attentive and retain the information provided when they are in a familiar environment like their home where they know their children can safely play indoors or outdoors. The kids are only needed for a short period of time to test fit them in their car seats and waiting around the vehicle in an unfamiliar environment can be difficult for them to maintain patience, and therefore difficult for a parent to maintain attention.  

Each person has a specific learning style, and our appointments cover all of those. At the beginning of a car seat installation assistance appointment, I document how each seat is currently installed then review each error found with the caregiver by pointing it out visually and discussing what makes it an error. We will make all corrections needed together!

At the end of the appointment I’ll review the form for the errors we discussed and corrected as well as provide an easy to store rack card in your glove box with the most important information for YOUR car seat including its expiration date, lower anchor weight limit, height and weight limits for the seat, directions for crotch buckle placement, removal of cushions, and special/unusual requirements for your seat. This is something no one else does and it takes extra time before your appointment, but I do it because I am dedicated to you and I want to reduce future errors and improve understanding of your car seat!

Car seat installation help is the most common service I provide, but I also offer services that help you determine which car seat is best BEFORE purchasing. Because is there anything worse than purchasing a $300 car seat to get to our appointment and realize that it is not compatible with your other car seats or vehicle?!? More vehicles are now equipped with non-removal headrests which can create a gap between the car seat and vehicle seat, which is often prohibited by the car seat manufacture. Working together from the beginning can save you money in the long run! 

Book an appointment today to review your current seats or to prepare for new baby’s arrival, and let’s work together to get all of Knoxville and the surrounding areas riding safer! 

Y’ALL.

I thought I had the momming thing down after 5 years of this gig, but after chatting with Sarah and her doing her thing - my car seats needed help! I’m so glad she was able to tell me what to fix and how to fix it in order to keep my kiddos safe. I’m so grateful for her passion and knowledge. I highly recommend reaching out to her to make sure your car seat install is 100% correct! You can check out my post about my experience here.

Sarah’s contact information

Website: https://www.secure-a-seat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secure_a_seat/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecureASeat

Email: secureAseat.knoxville@gmail.com