Nancie's Tribute

Having Nancie at the store is lots of fun! Here
she is trying to figure out what this is used for.

If you've been in the store in the last few months, you may have met my sweet friend, Nancie Oughton. I've known Nancie for close to ten years. I taught her older two daughters at Westminster Christian Academy. They were about the same age as my oldest daughter and were friends. When my daughter had some struggles, Nancie's oldest daughter Jessica was there for her and loved her through them. In 2006 Jessica was killed in an automobile accident. I remember sobbing when I heard the news, then sitting down at my computer to express my grief in a poem which I gave to Nancie the next day. I tried to be there for Nancie during that horrible time, then we didn't see each other for a while, but would run into each other from time to time and spend an hour catching up!

She finally figured it out!!

About seven months ago, Nancie's first grandson was
born, and she brought her daughter Kellie and baby Noah in to see me.  It was wonderful to reconnect with Nancie and Kellie. Over the next few weeks they were in the store quite a bit, and before long, Nancie had volunteered to help with my bookkeeping (she had no idea what a huge task she was taking on)!

It has been such a blessing to deepen our friendship. I truly love having Nancy around and appreciate her more than words can express! On Saturday at Babypalooza, Kellie brought me this poem that Nancie had written. I can't begin to tell you how precious it is to me, and I wanted to share it with all of you!

A Nurturing Moment

by Nancie Oughton

Breastfeeding Support is needed by many
So let me tell you about my friend Glenni.

A heart of gold – soft spoken and sweet
To be in her presence is such a treat

She helps nurture your young ones (no matter how old)
With love so sincere, she will nourish your soul .

Her passion in life is breastfeeding success
So she shares her knowledge with all in distress.

Small problems are huge when a baby is new,
Ms Glenni goes non-stop to help get you thru

And when frustrations bring on the tears,
Her cheery voice will calm your fears.

Now if your baby hasn’t arrived just yet,
She offers some classes – to help you not fret.

She comes with some letters right after her name.
IBCLC means she’s the best at her game.

The nursing mom and baby are quite a big deal,
But daddies and siblings , their hearts she will steal.

She has a cute store you must stop by to see,
You’ll find Babies and boobies and bum care aplenty.

Shop for a gift or get a new bra, (you know you need more)
check out the diapers and browse thru the store.

When life overwhelms , you feel you can’t take no more,
Just load up the kids and head to her store.

Come in - sit in a comfy chair and give it a rest
This moment in time is when Glenni’s the best.

The very best part of that “drop in” will be –
Visiting Ms Glenni of course!!! You will see.

Get a GREAT Deal on a Best Chair at BABYPALOOZA!

Check out this beautiful Ebony Bilana 

WE are so excited about the fun we're going to have at Babypalooza at the VBC this Saturday! We have a full schedule planned for the day beginning with a cloth diapering class taught by Margaret Harmon at 9:45.

Then at 10:30 we are hosting the BIG DIAPER SWAP in our area. This is a terrific way to get rid of diapers you're no longer using. If you're in the market for diapers or  just want to try a variety of styles before investing, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to do just that! If you're bringing diapers to sell, be sure that they are priced. We will give everyone a number, and you'll have the opportunity to show what you brought in an organized manner.

This Sage Tryp comes with power

At 11:15 is the Sling wearing class which will be taught by members of the Rocket City Sling Swap group. You will learn the fundamentals of baby wearing with a variety of styles of carriers. Throughout the day group members will be available at the ANM table to allow you try on a wide range of carriers.

This Trinity cries War Eagle!

You won't want to miss the Baby Wearing Fashion Show at 11:45 in the stage area. Moms, dads and even big brothers and sisters will model a wide variety of carriers and styles of baby wearing.

Then at 12:15 in the ANM area, we will have the BIG SLING SWAP. Once again we ask that you come with your carriers priced. Each seller will receive a number, and will be given an opportunity to show what she has brought. This is a fantastic way for you to get a carrier that you might not have been able to afford otherwise. If you happen to have a carrier addiction, then this is a great chance to feed your addiction!

This Lime Patoka  is a favorite!

At 1:00 we will have a Meet and Greet question and answer session with doulas and midwives. If you have been curious about whether you might want an out-of-hospital birth with a midwife in Tennessee, this is a great chance to get your questions answered. Many mothers opt for hospital births, but hire a doula to help them achieve the outcome they desire.

You will love this plush power lime Tryp.

Finally at 2:00 Glenni Lorick, IBCLC from ANM will be talking about going back to work and pumping. We will provide information on getting a breast pump through insurance, talk about the legalities, and discuss logistics. Glenni has helped numerous mothers maintain a strong breastfeeding relationship after returning to work, so she is uniquely qualified to tackle this topic.

This traditional cranberry Sona glider is 
so comfy.

Throughout the day, we will be sponsoring the nursing area and the diaper changing area. Our good friends from Magic Bum and Suds Diaper Service will be there as well, too, passing out information and samples.


We are planning to bring two comfortable nursing chairs from the ones pictured on this page; however, we do not want to bring them back to the store.

Bama fans will love this gorgeous 
Peyton w/ottomon.

That's really good news for you! We are going to sell them at 25% off the regular price, so you will get a tremendous bargain! All we ask is that you pick it up between 2:30 and 3:30 on Saturday afternoon from the VBC!   Here's how it will work: the first two customers to choose a chair this week and pay for it will have the opportunity to get their chair on Saturday.  If you would prefer to order a chair, we will be taking orders on Saturday and offering a 5% discount off the regular price for any chair ordered at Babypalooza. If you pay with cash or a check, we will make it a 10% discount!

Make your plans now to come on by and see us at Babypalooza on Saturday! We can't wait to see you!

The BAKE and Babypalooza Back to Back!

Huntsville is a terrific place to be in September if you're a parent! Whether you are trying to get pregnant, are expecting, have a baby or have an older child, you are in luck!

The BAKE

This Saturday (Sept. 21) at the Bridge Street Westin Hotel, Chattyclaire.com is presenting the BAKE. This is NOT a cooking show and the only recipe you'll get there will probably be the one we give you for lactation cookies! The letters BAKE stand for Baby And Kid Expo. It is sponsored by the US Space and Rocket Center, and will feature exhibitors and information for parents with children of all ages. There are some terrific raffle prizes, as well, including a Britax Boulevard 70-G3 car seat and a birthday party at Alexander's Martial Arts.

Exhibitors at the BAKE include A Nurturing Moment, Alexander's Martial Arts, All Women's Obstetrics and Gynecology, Attachment Parenting International, AuPair Care, the Breaking Boundaries Foundation, Cindy Shaver Photography, Covenant Classical School and Daycare, DoTerra, Genesis Pure, Gleneagles Family Medicine Associates, Huntsville Ballet School, Hypanobirthing, Infant Swim Resource, Initial Outfitters, Jockey Person to Person, Kidventure, La Leche League, Madison Martial Arts Academy, Mary Kay, Mindgear Labs, Meghan Newsome Photography, LEAN coach Freida Houck, the Montessori School of Huntsville, Morgan Stanley, Orgao Gold, Origami Owl, Premier Schools, the Rise School in Huntsville, Rocket City Chiropractic, Safe Kids (car seat installation), SciQuest, State Farm Insurance, 31 Gifts, US Space and Rocket Center, Usborne Books and More, Quilting Sew Beautiful, and Wish Upon a Star with Karen(Disney Vacation Planning).

A full schedule of speakers and demonstrations during the day will make for an event that is both educational and entertaining.

Babypalooza

The following Saturday (Sept. 28) Alabama Baby Magazine is bringing the Babypalooza Baby and Maternity tour to the VBC from 9:30 - 3:00. Sponsored by Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Alabama and Crestwood Medical Center, this promises to be an exciting event for both new and expectant parents! You may have heard ads on the radio from sponsors WDRM 102.1, WTAK 106.1, The River 100.3 and KISS FM 106.5. AL.com, Comcast and Rocket City Mom round out the list of Babypalooza sponsors. 

Members of the Crestwood Nursing Staff will be on hand to answer questions about labor and delivery, childbirth education, breastfeeding and anything else related to having a baby.  The Tender Care Pediatrics physicians will also be there. The Little Gym will offer demonstrations, and Babies R Us will be on-site to help with nursery design and baby registration. 4D Mommies Ultrasound will offer onsite ultrasound packages for just $50. Rocket City Mom will be collecting diapers for The Great Diaper Drive to benefit Manna House. Finally, A Nurturing Moment will have a full schedule of events for the day:

• 9:45 Cloth Diapering Class
• 10:30 Big Diaper Swap
• 11:15 Sling Wearing Class
• 12:15 Big Sling Swap
• 1:00 Meet & Greet with Midwives and Doulas
• 2:00 Breastfeeding and Back to Work

Be sure not to miss the sling-wearing fashion show at 11:45 on the main stage!

Other exhibitors include, Abbott Nutrition, Alabama Dept. of Public Health, Agape of North Alabama, Alabama Pediatric Dental Associates, Benders Gym, Covenant Classical School and Daycare, It Works, Lagniappe Newborn Portraits, Landers McClarty Subaru, La Petite Academy, Lifetouch Portrait Studio, March of Dimes, Marx Optical/Vision Master, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Mommy & Me Bootcamp, North Alabama Dental Associates, Origami Owl,  PAL-Alabama Parenting Assistance Line, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Rocket City Sitters, Salinity, Southern Cord, and Thirty-One Gifts.

It's Free!

The best thing about both of these terrific events is that they are free. So there is no reason to miss either one! Although a small handful of exhibitors (us included) will be at both events, there are many exhibitors unique to each. And each event has a slightly different focus. Whether you are planning to get pregnant, currently pregnant or already have a baby or child, you need to mark the next two Saturdays on your calendar so you don't miss any of the fun and great info at the BAKE and Babypalooza!

All Working Moms Deserve Breastfeeding Support

From Healthfulmama.com

Do you work for an hourly wage? If you work for a company with more than 50 employees, they are required by law to provide you a place that is not a restroom as well as adequate break time to pump milk for your baby.  However, if you happen to be a salaried employee in that very same company, you just might be out of luck. The law requires absolutely NOTHING in the way of breastfeeding support from your employer. This law provides terrific support for the millions of hourly employees across this county. Nevertheless, professionals who receive a salary have absolutely no legal support.

In my practice I frequently work with teachers who are returning to work. Many local principals are very understanding and do try to find a way to help their teachers continue pumping. But not all. Sometimes a mother has to choose between breastfeeding and returning to her job simply because there is no accommodation. Teachers are on a very tight schedule and may not have two 20 minute segments during the day for pumping. With ever-tightening school budgets, unless the force of law is behind it, some school administrators will never see this as a priority. Pharmacists, lawyers, physicians, engineers and upper management personnel all find themselves in this same situation.

That is why the Supporting Working Moms Act of 2013 has been introduced in both the House and

Contact Senator Lamar Alexander
from Tennessee with your support.

the Senate this year. This act extends those benefits to salaried employees, as well. On May 9 it was introduced in the House and referred to the House Education and the Workforce committee. Then it was introduced in the Senate on May 13 and referred to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee. Unfortunately, many bills end up dying in committee due to a wide variety of factors. However, YOU have the chance to make a difference!

You can do several things. First, take a look at the representatives on the House committee. If you live in Alabama, you have one representative on that committee. Take a minute to write her and let her know how important this issue is. Then look at the Senate committee. If you live in Tennessee, you actually have a ranking member on this committee!

Congresswoman Martha Roby
is on the House committee

Next you can write directly to your elected senators and representative telling them why this bill is so good for the country. It honestly is a bill that should cross political party lines because whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, you recognize the importance of improving the health of the nation's children via a simple vote that requires absolutely no financial commitment by anyone and actually ends up saving employers money! If you are unsure about how to contact your officials, click here. You will enter your zip code, and receive contact information for both senators and your representative.

If the bill fails this year, then urge your senators and representatives to co-sponsor the bill next year. Unfortunately, the chances of its passing this year look slim. However, if there is a loud public outcry in favor of it, even the nearly impossible can happen! Will you take 5 minutes right now to send a few emails??

We Love Doctors Who Refer to IBCLC's!

The amazing doctoras from Lima who first became IBCLC's.

During the 17 years I've been an IBCLC I've had the privilege of knowing some amazing pediatricians. When we were serving as missionaries in Peru, I was very blessed to know Dra. Sicilia Bellomo, Dra. Milagros Raffo, and Dra. Sara Vega. (In Spanish if the doctor is a female, she's a "doctora.") Each of these amazing pediatricians became IBCLC's during our time in Peru, and I felt so honored to know them and be able to refer mothers to them.

Since we've been back in Huntsville and I've been with A Nurturing Moment, I have discovered that we have many amazing pediatricians here, as well. When a pediatrician or family practitioner recognizes that a baby has a breastfeeding problem he or she isn't equipped to solve, sometimes they just recommend formula. as a quick fix. However, there are some outstanding doctors who are very quick to recommend seeing an IBCLC for professional breastfeeding support, and very slow to recommend formula.

We appreciate the doctors at Cornerstone Pediatrics who refer moms to us.

Yesterday morning I received two calls from the same doctor at Cornerstone Pediatrics asking us to see two different patients.We were able to see both the same day. The first mother just wasn't making enough milk. The doctor had recommended that she see me and try to get breastfeeding fixed before starting formula. Honestly, in this situation many physicians would have wanted the baby on supplements immediately. But he was more concerned about the breastfeeding getting fixed. After I worked with the mother, the doctor and I agreed that she did need to supplement some at the breast to help baby suck more effectively. I was so impressed, however, that he really wanted this mother and baby to breastfeed well!

We were delighted that Huntsville Pediatric Associates actually hired an IBCLC as part of their staff. There are other doctors who refer patients to us from time to time, but we have very regular referrals from Cornerstone. I've  even had Dr. Michael Powell call me about a specific patient. That tells us that these are practices who are truly concerned about their patients breastfeeding successfully. When you are looking for a physician for your baby, be sure to ask how they handle breastfeeding problems. If they aren't quick to refer to an IBCLC, you just might need to look for a different doctor!