I am SO excited about the upcoming BabyWearing Conference.  Do you want to know why?!  Because, I *finally* get to meet Giselle!  LOL.  It’s crazy how you can email so much with someone, talk to them on the phone, chat back and forth about opinions on things, read their posts on forums. . .feel like you know them SO much, but never have met them in person.  Giselle is HUGE in the “babywearing community”.  She is a moderator on thebabywearer.com, is a leader at her local babywearing group and owns two very popular babywearing (and now cloth diapering) online stores.  I have been working for her since about October doing Live Chat on her sites and have pretty recently taken on doing much more for her stores.  If you ever need anything and email Piece of Cloth. . .you’re gonna get me.  I LOVE working for Giselle (and her super sweet hubby Bora), they are so down to earth and easy going.  They understand what it’s like to be a parent and to work at the same time.  I am so grateful for them and hope that you will enjoy learning a little bit more about Giselle!

What exactly do you do Giselle? I am a work at home mama to my three kids – Lora, Okhan and Evren. We are a homeschooling family, so they keep me really busy.

I also own Piece of Cloth and Granola Babies. Piece of Cloth is all about woven wraps. I love wrapping and Piece of Cloth is like my playground. And then Granola Babies (formerly Slings I Love) is where I get to offer a large selection of baby carriers, cloth diapers and natural living products.

Do you love it?  Why? I love what I do. I was really involved in the babywearing community for years before opening my stores and have been cloth diapering for as long as well, so having Piece of Cloth and Granola Babies are really just an extension of my life. Not many people get to do what they love and are passionate about, so I do feel really lucky.

Do you BabyWear? If so, why did you start and how has it helped you in your profession? I started babywearing when Lora was born in 2005. I had attended LLL meetings before she was born, so I could learn about nursing and the women there all had ring slings. So, the week she was born, I bought a ring sling and wore it every day. Then when she was 6-8 months I started participating at thebabywearer.com and that’s really when babywearing became an even bigger part of my life because I was part of a community of babywearers from all over the world.

Is it a struggle to have a family and work professionally? Yes! I think also specially because we homeschool, so there’s not a time when the kids are not with me. I’m balancing homeschooling, mothering and working from home. It can be challenging to say the least.

Do you have any advice for mama’s out there who want to start up their own business? Offer only what you love and know inside and out, because your customers need to know that you know what you are talking and that you are recommending based on your own experience as well.

I LOVE doing private consultations.  Seriously. . . I adore them.  They are so relaxed and easy going.  I can hang out and chat while mama nurses her baby.  The parents get full 100% attention to what they need.  But this last consultation was just super fun for me because this is the 2nd time I have visited this mama and her pretty baby.  They needed some special attention to . . . :::gasp::: learn back wrapping!  I haven’t converted many parents to wrapping, but this mama *might* be a lifetime wrapper (don’t worry, I won’t hold you to it).  I took a few pictures while I was over teaching her a “Double Hammock”, in a Didymos tobi size 5, but this one she took after she did the wrap job herself is WAY better.  Thanks for having me over again.  You were an amazing student and I hope it’s super comfy for you!

When I got pregnant with my first child, we knew we needed to take a Birth Education class, because, well. . .we didn’t know anything about birth.  Our class wasn’t as extensive and informative as Sasha’s, but I personally felt it helped my husband and I bond and at least not be so freaked out about the process.  During the whole “preparing for birth process” I read “What to Expect”, it didn’t help me be ready for birth, but there was a short blurb about Doula’s that caught my attention.  We found out that our birth educator was a doula and hired her. . .immediately.  This person wasn’t Sasha, but I want you to see how important I feel these woman are to all future parents and for parents who haven’t had the birth experience they wanted with past births.  My doula saved me from a cesarean.  I was induced because I was 9 days late, at that point they cranked up the pitocin every 30 minutes until I was having super hard contractions.   (If you didn’t know the more interventions you have the more likely you are to have a cesarean, look it up )  For some reason my contractions weren’t even registering on the monitor, so the nurses kept checking in on me to make sure I was even doing anything!  My doula told them I was doing fine and still contracting, whereas if she wasn’t there, there would have been no one to vouch for me, I probably would have been seen as a non progressing labor.  Also she had to tell them to turn down my pitocin because I was having such fast contractions, I literally was not able to breath between them.  And lastly, just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore and the anesthesiologist walked in the room with my epidural, my wonderful doula noticed that I was pushing.  Yep, I was already at that point and no one bothered to check me and I had no clue myself that I was fully dilated and ready to have that baby!  She was amazing and I think every expecting parents needs a doula by their side.  Which brings me back to Sasha. . . . I have talked with her on so many occasions and she is the sweetest person to communicate with.  She always answers any questions that I have had and is so supportive of the BabyWearers of Bozeman.  I have never heard a negative comment about her and heard tons of positive things about her class and her doula services.  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Sasha to any parent, a doula can be the difference between a mediocre and an amazing birth experience.  Thank you Sasha for taking the time to be interviewed for the blog!

What exactly do you do Sasha? I am an independent childbirth educator and birth doula.  I also knit baby hats and sell them in an Etsy shop.  I’m an informal matchmaker (I love to introduce nice moms to other nice moms, and I meet plenty!).  I teach at the Bodhi Tree Wellness Center (an amazing place w/ many other wonderful holistic practitioners).  My business is called Bellabirthing.  I’ve been teaching and doulaing for about 8 years.

Do you love it?  Why? I absolutely love it.  I love being around pregnant people and babies.  Their sweet energy is contagious.  I think birthing women are beautiful, newborns smell wonderful, and I see men at their most compassionate best.  Clients tell me I make a positive difference on one of the most important days of their lives.  I love knowing my work matters in a deep way.

Why is birth preparation or having a Doula at your birth important? Having a doula means you are protecting your birth experience.  It means you have a knowledgable, compassionate, person there helping guide you through what can be a stressful and sometimes painful process.  I call birth a “sometimes painful process” because it’s not always, and that is a surprise to many people.  My own birth doula made such a huge difference at our birth; I can’t imagine what it would have been without her.  She made it so much better, in every way.

Do/Did you babywear?  If so, why did you start and how did it help you with your profession? I did babywear (and toddler wear and preschooler wear).  My girls loved being held in our Noah’s ark ring sling.  It helped me connect with my girls and all of us be more securely attached.  My dh used it too, especially to help our oldest daughter fall asleep – while he sang Willie Nelson songs to her.  I started because I saw other mothers at LaLecheLeague using slings (in 1996) and their babies were so happy!  It made breastfeeding easier, sleeping easier, grocery shopping easier.  What’s not to love?  I think babywearing helped me understand babies and mothering better, and that certainly helps in my work.  My daughter had a somewhat rough start to life and cried a lot at night in the beginning.  Babywearing really helped calm her.  (So did bathing with her in a dark room!)

Is it a struggle to raise a family and work professionally? It’s definitely a struggle to balance work and mothering.  I homeschool my girls, 11 and 13 now, so that’s like another job too, and I work hard to be present in my daily life.  I’m a list maker and an organizer.  I also don’t feel like I have to do it all.  I know how to say no and really mean it if I say yes.  I am energized by my work as well as by my family.  Although I truly put my family first, it’s challenging in the moment, because I may be gone at a birth for 40 hours.  There are times when my client’s needs surpass my family’s and my own.  I miss them!  But in the big picture, I try to balance it out.  For example this year I quit doing private birth classes (which took a lot of extra time last year) and I am taking a whole month off in the autumn.  It will be great for everyone for me to be off-call and we’ll be able to travel.

Do you have any advice for those mama’s who would like to work from home or start up a business while raising their children? Don’t forget to have fun. Schedule time for the things that make you happy – yoga classes, book clubs, whatever. When you neglect your own needs for fun, social interaction or exercise and free air, your business and your family will suffer.  Also, remember your marriage needs actual attention.  It’s easy to put your relationship on the back burner when you are busy and your kids are little.  My DH (dear husband) and I try and have a date a couple times a month and a weekend away occasionally too.  We come back better parents and I know I can give more to my birth clients when I take the time to care for myself.

Happy mama after a birth, Sasha in the background with babe.

YOU are amazing Sasha!  I look up to you in so many ways, I can’t believe all the things you do in our community, yet you still have the time and energy to homeschool and raise your beautiful girls.  I strive to be like you and have the wonderful attitude you have.  Thank you for being you!

So I admit it, Stacey Haugland is the best midwife in the whole world. . .and oh no. . .I’m not biased.  There are some fantabulous midwives in this wonderful town of Bozeman, but only two Birth Centers.  The newest being BirthWorks and the only one our enormous group fits into!  For over a year we were meeting at the equally gorgeous Bozeman Birth Center that Stacey helped open.  In the midst of laboring with my littlest man in October of 2008, I chatted with her about how stressed out I was at the groups current location (meeting at the library, with only being able to schedule one meeting at a time).  Without missing a beat she said something to the effect of “Well, we would love it if you would meet at the Birth Center”.  Totally threw me for a loop, but that is just how wonderful and generous Stacey is.  So we started meeting there and loved every moment of it.  About a year later Stacey decided to branch out on her own (about the time I got pregnant with #4) and start up BirthWorks.  Then a few months later we realized that our group was just a wee bit too much for the Birth Center, so once again, Stacey came to the rescue and offered her new facility as our new meeting place.  We couldn’t have asked for a better establishment.

At my monthly (or bi monthly now) appointment this morning with my favorite midwife (Stacey of course) she told me that her website was up and I found out that she even has a Facebook page!  So go take a peek and see all the wonderful stuff she is offering (like Blissful Bellies Prenatal Yoga and even a beautiful space for BabyShowers or Blessingways).  I really love this place, called. . .BirthWorks.  And don’t worry I will, hopefully, be doing  a blog feature on not only Stacey but some other wonderful midwives in town.

Two years ago when I started up the BabyWearers of Bozeman I had one loan supporter (okay, well maybe not just ONE, but there certainly weren’t very many).  Gloria played a huge part in getting me started because of her encouragement and her stating how much our community needed this group.  She went to the first group meeting and has been consistently coming ever since.  At the time I started the group she was just starting out as a prenatal yoga instructor and as I was about 6 months pregnant, it was a perfect fit.  Unfortunately my last month was yoga-less because she had her beautiful baby, but I enjoyed the classes so much that now while pregnant with number 4, I try to go weekly.  Let me introduce one of my good friends and my favorite prenatal yoga teacher EVER!

What exactly do you do Gloria? Well, first and foremost I am Mama to my two little boys.  I do work a little bit part time.  My business is Blissful Family Yoga.  I am certified in teaching Khalsa Way Prenatal Yoga, and have training in the Radiant Child Yoga Program as well.  Currently I am teaching prenatal yoga over at Birthworks while continuing my teacher training, education, and certification in Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan.

Do you love it?  Why? Teaching yoga to pregnant mamas is fun and very rewarding.  I do love it, and I love seeing the transformation mamas go through as they progress through their pregnancies.  The best part is hearing the birth stories, meeting the babies, and having mamas tell me that they couldn’t have made it through their labor without the preparation of our classes together.  Then I am reminded how meaningful my job truly is.

Why is yoga important for expecting mamas, or any mama? For pregnant mamas, the main focus is on strengthening the body in preparation for birth, relieving pregnancy complaints (such as sciatica), connecting with the baby, and increasing trust in the birth process.  For mamas, yoga is essential for caring for your mind and body.  Even a 3 minute breathing exercise can completely change your perspective.  It absolutely impacts your parenting in a positive way.

Does it affect their everyday life? Anyone who practices yoga will probably notice increased strength and flexibility, mental clarity, patience, confidence, peacefulness and balance.  Kundalini Yoga in particular is very vast, and there is a kriya (specific set of postures) for just about everything one might want to address through yoga!

Do you BabyWear?  If so, why did you start and how has it helped you in your profession? I love babywearing, and I began with my first son, 7 years ago with a homemade hemp ring sling that I sewed from a Maya Wrap pattern when I was pregnant.  I wanted to have my baby snuggled close while also being able to do things around the house, such washing dishes or hanging the diapers on the clothesline.  My husband is also a big fan of babywearing, and he loves to put our littlest one to sleep by walking him under the moonlight in the woven wrap.  As far as my profession goes, I feel that by babywearing myself, I set an example of an attachment parenting style that becomes a lifestyle choice for many of the mamas who come through my class.  There is so much about babywearing that is beneficial, and I love being able to promote it to the audience that needs to know!  Working with you, Cindy, through the BabyWearers of Bozeman, has been such a great way to see the mamas through their pregnancies and into motherhood.

Does yoga help with babywearing? Absolutely.  Yoga improves your posture and a regular practice keeps your spine healthy, heart open, hips aligned, and the shoulders and neck relaxed.  All the body parts that get a little tight from babywearing can be stretched and strengthened in yoga.

Is it a struggle to raise a child and work professionally? Yes and No.  On one hand, I have less time at home and some of my time at home is devoted to my business, which distracts me from housework and such.  On the other hand, I really enjoy teaching and getting out by myself in the company of other adults, which i think is healthy!

Do you have any advice for mama’s out there who want to work from home? Go for it!  Start small.  Be prepared to spend time building your business, and build it slowly.  Do something that will improve the lives of others and make you feel like you’ve made a difference in the world.  Try not to let your work life spill over too much into your family life, it’s a tough balance to find, but it’s there!

Most mama’s in Bozeman ask me about ringslings.  Which one to buy, where to buy it, what is the difference?  How do they play into the CSPC warning and why would I even want a ringsling?  Let’s start off with the fact that no store in Bozeman even sells ringslings right now, which is just so sad.  They are such a great way to not only carry your newborn, but wear your older child on your hip (check out my little man at 17 months on my hip).  I have been working with Jodi at Bibs and Binkies to educate her and her staff on different carriers as well as give my opinion on what she should carry in the store.  She has been wonderful to work with and has even taken some of my suggestions, one of which is to carry the Bara Barn.  Hopefully in the next month she will be stocking them.  Which brings us to, why would you want one of these ringslings as opposed to any other?  As you can see in these pictures the shoulder is a “gathered” shoulder, which basically means all the fabric is just that, gathered and sewn to provide the most range and versatility.  With that versatility comes some difficulty in using.  You have to figure out for yourself where you like your fabric to be positioned: on top of your shoulder, slightly cupping your shoulder, going down your arm. . .really where ever you fancy!  As opposed to a more structured shoulder that is pleated or folded then sewn, which you do not mess with and stays put.  The Bara Barn rings are smaller and thinner than any other I have seen, which makes the sling itself lighter and smaller (great for stashing in small places).  I love how they feel on me, because really you can’t feel them at all!  The fabric itself is woven,  light and airy, while still providing all the support I need to carry my 20+ lb babe.  For this upcoming summer this is a sling I highly recommend for heading to the park, going to the grocery store, taking a walk, doing stuff around the house, really anything that isn’t hiking (go to a SSC for hiking needs).  Should you be worried about using this “sling” because of the CPSC warning?  Well yes and no, the reality is that any babywearing instructor or people who are knowledgeable in babywearing have always taught against what the CPSC says not to do.  You don’t place your baby in a position where their airway is cut off, you don’t place them so their face is covered in fabric, you don’t place them so their face is buried in you.  It is the basics of babywearing!  I have a very difficult time telling someone that they only need one carrier to make them completely happy.  If you can have two in your “stash”, a ringsling is one I recommend simply for the fact of how quickly you can put one on.  It makes doing anything so much easier!  Imagine going out to a Barbeque and your little one is tired and cranky, instead of just holding them in arms to soothe them, you can whip out your ringsling and place the baby on you for added stability and comfort (our poor backs!) while you continue with your gathering!  So easy!!

Did I even mention how insanely lovely they are?  The colors are just fabulous and the rings match, some are silver, some black, one is even a beautiful turquoise!

Oh yes, and if you couldn’t tell, our dear friend Kelly Kuntz took all these beautiful pictures for another good friend of mine Giselle at Granolababies.com.  Go say “Hi!” to them both!