A Mother's Haven

I would have rather given birth at home, but between my insurance, being a first time mom, having a partner that was a little scared of the idea and living a mile off a dirt road that was very difficult to traverse in the rainy season, the hospital was where I needed to be. I was uncomfortable with hospitals because of past experiences with sick family members as many of us are. I was able to understand though that I was going to the hospital not because I was sick or anything was wrong, but to give birth. While laboring at home you can mostly control the environment. No one is watching you or interrupting you, the temperature can be controlled, the lights can be adjusted, you can move around freely, take a bath or shower, light candles and go outside. At the hospital your partner and/or doula can do their best to create an environment that works for you. By creating a birth environment that connects to the “old” part of the brain you will be thinking less, trusti...

Sippy cups can be a great way for your baby to transition from nursing or bottle-feeding to a regular cup. They can also improve hand-to-mouth coordination. When your baby has the motor skills to handle a cup but not the skills to keep the drink from spilling, a sippy cup can give him some independence while keeping cleanup to a minimum. When should I introduce a sippy cup to my child? Encourage your child to use a regular cup when you think he's ready. Some babies enjoy using a sippy cup as early as 6 months, and others aren't interested until after their first birthday. Most babies seem ready around 7 to 9 months, though. What's the best way to transition to a sippy cup? Some babies take to a sippy cup immediately, while others take a while to get used to the idea. Here are some tips to make the transition smoother: - Start off with a soft, pliable, nipple-like spout, which will feel more familiar to your baby than a hard plastic spout. Some trainer cups...

Your body already knows how to give birth - it just needs some preparation... Supported Birth covers stages of labor, pain coping techniques, drugs, and cesareans as most typical childbirth classes do. What makes Supported Birth different from other Childbirth Preparation classes is that it is taught in an interactive and personalized way where couples will participate in discussions as opposed to only listening to lectures. Couples will use self-exploration and come out of class feeling empowered and positive about birth by learning there is no one right way to give birth. This class is especially good for women who have fears about giving birth and those attracted to the idea of natural childbirth. This four week course educates women and their partners to make conscious choices about the birth of their baby based on a combination of technical knowledge, confidence in the natural biological process of birth, self exploration, and many different pain coping tools and techniqu...

Breastpump Rentals Only you can provide for your baby. We can help! A Mother’s Haven carries Medela breast pumps for rent and sale and Medela pumping supplies. Pumps for sale are available in our online store. Pumps for rent are available for in-store pick up only. Medela Symphony® Breastpump Medela Symphony® Breastpump is the first breastpump with 2-Phase Expression® technology which is proven to achieve faster milk ejection and faster milk flow.*  More efficient and comfortable.  Unique overflow protection.  Double or single pumping.  One knob control.  Whisper quiet operation.  Easy-to-clean.  Compatible with Preemie+ technology (Preemie+ Card sold separately). Featuring the original 2-Phase Expression® technology – found only in Medela breast pumps. Babies breastfeed in 2 phases: 1. Stimulation Phase – when babies first go to breast, they suck fast and light to start milk flowing. 2. Expression Ph...

We'd all like to think that we'll never be in a position of having to save our baby's life, but it could happen. Babies choke on food and toys, or slip under the water in the tub or a pool, or get caught in drawstrings and curtain cords. If your baby is ever choking or suddenly lifeless, you would want to know what to do! Although you might be able to find some tips on the internet, these techniques differ depending on the age of the child, and doing them improperly can possibly be harmful, so it's important to set aside a few hours to take an infant and child CPR course in your area, to learn and practice the proper techniques. If you live in Los Angeles, whether in the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, or even Burbank, Pasadena, or Glendale, we have the class for you. At A Mother's Haven, our Infant and Toddler CPR and Family Safety Class class will show you just what to do in those situations. We offer the “ Save a Little Life ” course at our Encino loca...

Parents worry endlessly about how to protect their children from strangers and violence, but many overlook one of the biggest threats to their children's safety and well-being — their own home. Whether your little bundle of joy is crawling, walking, or still perfecting tummy time, it's never too early to begin childproofing, so make sure you do so carefully. Take Safety Measures Is your sweet little munchkin pretending to be top chef by getting into all kitchen cabinets and appliances? Mommy's Helper Appliance Lok helps keep appliance door safe from little hands. It has a locking strap for refrigerator or stove and can be easily installed. The most effective way to ensure your baby's safety is to take a baby's-eye view of your home. Get down on your hands and knees and see how things look from down there. What's within reach? What looks tempting? Where would you go if you could crawl, toddle, or walk? This will help you figure out which cupboards, dra...

  The Cinch is an adjustable belly wrap to help you get your figure back after baby! The wrap provides 360 degree support for compression along your abdomen and support along your back.  The adjustable panels shrink with you so you only need to buy one size, and the lightweight yet firm material is comfortable and compressive all day long.  Come on in to try The Cinch on and see how you can get your body back even after having a baby! Visit us at: 16101 Ventura Blvd. Suite 230 Encino, CA. 91436 p. (818) 380-3111 w.  shopthehaven.com