Use the Maternal Instincts Pregnancy Cue Date Calculator to calculate your most important pregnancy dates. Fill in your Last Menstrual Period (LMP) date to receive most of the important dates of your pregnancy.
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Is the goal of your business to increase productivity? When employees have to call in, does it throw a wrench in that plan? Maybe it’s time to hire Maternal Instincts for your corporate childcare needs.
Corporate childcare providers are professional, energetic and reliable. They have been background checked, vetted, and trained in early childhood development. Whether you’re a growing business, or a well established company, corporate childcare will get your business to the next level.
Benefits of Corporate Childcare:Employer-sponsored child care can benefit employees and employers alike, by helping them:Feel they are more productive at work without being as distracted
Feel their company is supportive of them and their work/life balance
We are passionate about providing the most up-to-date and quality childcare. Our goal is to provide childcare experts so that your business experts can work knowing their family is taken care of.
Curious about the cost? It may be more affordable than you think! And with the increase in productivity it will make up for itself in no time. Each business is different and we are able to create a customized agreement unique to your company and your needs.
Maternal Instincts has an entire team of Registered Nurses available to support families with high needs babies, multiples, preemies, etc. Their expertise allows you to rest easy knowing that your little one is being cared for by a licensed and trained professional. They are able to advise and guide your family through any questions you have upon leaving the hospital. Your first night home can be intimidating. Let a registered nurse ease your mind and also help you get the rest you need to support your little one.
A registered nurse can work with your family all way through sleep training or just for a few nights. We also offer a tuck in service to meet you at home from the hospital to help set up and answer any questions. Another option would be to schedule a consult with the registered nurse. They can help with any transitions and help guide you with your little one.
Temporary nannies are amazing, highly qualified caregivers who are able to provide short term support. They provide in-home care and can help develop a schedule, or follow one that is already in place. They focus on nutrition, development, education, and fun! If your daycare is closed, your regular nanny is sick, or maybe your little one is sick, a temporary nanny is the right fit for you. Rather than stressing to find a quick replacement, give Maternal Instincts a call.
Can you think of the last time you and your significant other went on a date night? If it was before baby came, it’s been way too long. If it was last month, it’s still too long! Our providers can support your little one while you can get some quality time together.
Whether you have one kid or five, there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done around the house much less to pamper yourself! Booking a temporary nanny can be a great way to get caught up. Nannies can help with a variety of tasks, focusing primarily childcare while you have the chance to get caught up! Maybe it is a workout class you keep missing, or just going to the grocery story let us be an extra set of hands! And while we are there, take advantage and go get that massage we know you deserve!
New Parenthood An event nanny is someone hired through Maternal Instincts who has been thoroughly vetted, has a minimum of 3 years nannying experience, and has an intense passion for working with children. A special event nanny works with children of all ages ranging from newborn to 13 years old. As they has a strong understand of childhood development they are able to create a fun environment that also includes education. Your kids will be having a party while you get to enjoy yours!
As you and the people around you begin to have children you may have noticed how much harder it is to get together as a group. Finding a trustworthy sitter can be difficult and for everyone to find one on the same night? Well, that’s nearly impossible right? Wrong! An event nanny is exactly what you need. We keep our ratios low to ensure high quality care and individualized support for each child. Whether it’s game night, movie nights, or just dinner let us help!
Wedding’s are a wonderful celebration in our culture! Some weddings are kid friendly while others are not. This could be a pro or con. No kids means not having to worry about them staying quiet during the ceremony. Or, not running onto the dance floor during the special first dance. However, it does mean you have to find reliable child care that won’t cancel at the last minute. Imagine having your children at the venue so you can check in whenever you want. They’ll be well taken care of, having a blast, all while you get to enjoy a special occasion for a loved one.
1:26 Born to Be Breastfed Podcast host Marie Biancuzzo introduces Rachelle and her company Maternal Instincts as well as the types of services it offers
2:14 Rachelle explains the newborn care specialist, night nanny and postpartum doula (hint: ALL are certified in their field)
3:16 Postpartum doulas are full family care (think groceries, cooking, pets, laundry and more)
4:30 A certified sleep specialist comes in not right away after birth, but most likely after one of the three circadian rhythms have set in, typically around 12 weeks
6:05 Rachelle talks about growth spurts and sleep changes or “regressions”
7:08 Rachelle discusses the controversy of “sleep training” and the difference with Maternal Instincts (hint: nutrition is key!)
8:25 Self-soothing comes later (helps cortisol levels)
9:30 Marie asks about babies with special needs
10:45 Rachelle talks about premature babies
16:30 Marie asks about daytime sleeping and eating for babies
18:40 Marie discusses too much daytime sleep (not getting enough calories)
21:08 Marie and Rachelle discuss circadian rhythms and reducing stimulation
22:30 Rachelle discusses your baby’s signs and what they are telling you through their body
23:40 Marie asks Rachelle how weight and sleep are related
24:55 Marie discusses cortisol
25:48 Rachelle talks about parent stress levels that affect their baby
27:13 Rachelle talks about how babies fall asleep in her arms because she is calm
31:15 Marie asks Rachelle her thoughts on breastfeeding (hint: weight x 55 = calories in 24 hour period)
32:50 Clarifying on weight based on age (under one year, taking into account growth spurts, etc.)
34:30 Marie and Rachelle discuss baby growth spurts
37:10 Rachelle discusses development, including melatonin
39:12 Marie talks to Rachelle about parent expectations on sleeping through the night and what’s realistic
41:35 Rachelle talks about the “4th Trimester” and the various stages afterward
43:40 Marie goes over the stages and what parents should focus on at each stage
44:30 Setting up a bedtime routine before and after the six month stage
46:15 Marie asks about the six month old and what’s different at that stage
50:30 Rachelle discusses tips on sleep and nutrition for each stage of the first year
53:15 Rachelle discusses 8 month olds and nervous system resets
55:25 Rachelle discusses Creating Sweet Dreams, her recently authored guidebook for parents
Rachelle Gershkovich was recently asked to appear on the Born to Be Breastfed podcast hosted by Marie Biancuzzo, clinical registered nurse and expert in maternal infant health. Gershkovich shared her knowledge on newborn nervous systems, baby stress and cortisol levels, and how greater understanding of these biological systems along with a consistent routine can help with fussy, sleepless nights.
The Born to Be Breastfed podcast began in 2013 as a way to share knowledge and introduce experts in the child development field. Host and podcast creator Marie Biancuzzo is the founding member of the United States Breastfeeding Committee and the founding editor of Nursing for Women’s Health. She is also the Director of Breastfeeding Outlook, an educational company that trains lactation experts and offers supporting resources for certification.
Breastfeeding or bottle feeding (we don’t judge here) timing is an important part of newborn sleep patterns. Additionally, nourishing a crying baby with a feeding in the middle of the night can actually train your newborn to “work” for their food. To avoid these patterns, create a pattern. How so? Gershkovich recommends consistent morning and evening routines that your baby will begin to associate with waking and sleeping.
She also advises an easy-to-follow format for your infant’s first year. You can get the guidebook for sleepy and new parents, Creating Sweet Dreams, right here to keep as a reference as you go through the journey for the first time or if you are currently experiencing sleep deprivation due to erratic sleeping schedules.
Thanks for stopping by! We hope to bring you a night of peaceful sleep and sweet dreams for your little one. We bring the maternal love into your home.
Baby Sleep Tips Have you read the stories online about the types of moms you’ll meet on your child’s first day of school? There’s the sporty mom, the organized mom, the all-business mom, the crunchy mom and all of us perfectly imperfect moms in between. We hate stereotypes. They’re rarely spot on and do much more to divide us then bring us together. Is it okay to be a little bit of everything mom? Can we recycle and use coconut oil while still occasionally throwing back some GMO chicken nuggets (gasp!!). Yes. Yes, we say. You’re a modern day mom and it’s more than okay to admit that you’re not “perfect” – whatever that is anyway!
If you’re a smart mom, which we know you are, then you likely look up recipes and learn about the best products to use for you and your baby. The recent lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson baby powder sure shook the parenting community. Who didn’t grow up learning that baby powder was a totally normal product? Still, not everything you use is 100% organic. You might admire your friend’s use of fancy, reusable diapers in amazing patterns….but in all reality, you’re just too busy (and just don’t want to deal with it). And that’s totally okay. Plus, parenting isn’t one size fits all. You really have to do what works best for you and your family so that you have more happy smiles than tears. That’s really what it’s all about. (MI Tip: Use Amazon Pantry to save on household items and the time it takes to go to the store.)
If you can squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise a week, kudos. Three times a week? Bravo!! Seriously. Do not compare yourself to other parents who are out there every day. Exercising every day, or even five times a week is hard. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. So, congratulate yourself for the amount of activity you are getting and keep pushing for more. If you aren’t quite ready for an inverted lotus pose like some of your friends, don’t stress. However, do consider switching up your workouts (try something new!). And, take a friend. (And, hire a nanny.) Your health is so important. Keeping healthy is one of the best things you can do for your baby too. It keeps your immune system strong and keeps you mentally sharp. Go on, get out there! (MI Tip: Hire a postpartum doula so you can get in a workout here and there, plus laundry and sleep support.)
If you’re like many moms, you have a full-time career in addition to being a full-time mama. You might not be a stay at home mom (or will be transitioning back to work soon), but you have your hands completely full. The stress can be overwhelming at times. The most important thing is to continue to breathe (seems easier than it is!). And remember how strong you are to have gotten to where you stand today. Next, get yourself some sleep. You know you need it. If you haven’t considered a night nanny, do it now. You won’t regret it and if you do, you don’t need to reschedule. It’s always worth a try to see if having a good night of sleep while a trusted night nanny soothes your child is worth it to you. For the busiest of moms, it can be a game changer. (MI Tip: Schedule a night nanny ahead of time for smooth nights into powerful days.)
Looked at Pinterest lately? Everyone seems to be the DIY’er of the century. How do they do it all? Truth is, they don’t! It takes a lot of time to do things yourself. First you need to learn how, then you need to perfect it. For so many parents, time is just simply not a luxury that we have. What free time we do have, all we want to do is spend it with our family’s usually. Being able to free up your time as a new parent can be such a crucial move. Can you hire someone to shovel the driveway next time it snows? Maybe once a month, you can schedule a laundry service to pick up and drop off freshly folded clothes. Dog walker? And, what about a grocery drop-off service for the first little bit?
Of course, you can tell by now we’re partial to hiring nannies to help with your new little one, but there are all sorts of other affordable ways to save yourself some time and stress during this life transition. Take care of yourself mama and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s only the “modern day mom” who does things ALL by herself these days. It used to be so natural to have plenty of hands helping a new mother. You are Wonder Woman, but you can hang up your cape here and there too to get your nails done. (You deserve it!)
Baby Sleep Tips As first time parents, my wife and I didn’t really know what to expect. We were used to a selfish, carefree lifestyle and we didn’t expect how quickly our life would be turned upside down. My wife and I both had good jobs and enjoyed working hard and playing harder and I never realized how much we liked to sleep until our first child arrived. And, little did I know that soon enough I would be thinking about hiring a marriage counselor (until a friend told me about something better).
At first we were overwhelmed with all the family and friends showing up to the hospital with flowers, clothes and toys. The nurses helped take care of the baby and my wife and I looked at each other and thought with all this support, we got this, it will be no problem. We came home the first day with our new baby excited and ready to take on this new chapter in our lives. The first week flew by and the trash can was filled with diapers and our new baby seemed to start becoming old news amongst our friends and family as they slowly began to fade away. As week two rolled around I saw the fearful look in my wife’s eyes as she started to realize that I needed to go back to work and she would now be on her own. Honestly, I felt a sense of relief heading back to the office and running away from my home which was was once my sanctuary. I know you’re supposed to leave no man behind but I ran out the door never looking back at my poor wife who seemed lost and afraid. Let the new chapter begin!
As the first month passed we were exhausted and alone. There was nobody around to take out our frustration and fatigue on except each other and our relationship started to feel the wrath of exhaustion and stress. Inside I knew she was at home working around the clock with the baby but I was going to work and bringing home the bacon. In the evening we were both overwhelmed and when we heard the baby cry in the middle of the night we would stare at each other. In my head I was expecting her to get up and take care of the baby since I worked all day, that’s only fair right? This is your new job, handle it.
Our relationship took more and more hits as you can clearly see by reading the last few sentences. We were down each other’s throats all the time and things became more and more unbearable for me. For the first time in my work life I would look at the clock and wish it wasn’t time to go home yet. My co-worker approached me and asked if I wanted to grab a drink after work and I jumped all over the opportunity. As we sat at the bar he asked me how I was handling my first child, and I broke down laying out all my dirty laundry. Clearly I needed to get it off my chest.
As I talked he just looked at me with a grin and when I finished with my rant he gave me the ‘I’ve been there’ nod, so I asked him how did he do it? What is the secret formula to success? How can I fix this? He smiled and said when he was in my shoes he seeked out and found the baby whisperer. He told me about Maternal Instincts and how they saved not only his sanity but his marriage. The next morning I called Rachelle with Maternal Instincts and that night our savior arrived (which was a surprise for my wife). For the first time in two months we had a decent night sleep and boy oh boy how much we needed it. We woke up the next day rejuvenated like we just spent a week on the beach.
With the help of Maternal Instincts we were able to sleep peacefully, my wife was able to go back to work (which she missed), our marriage was no longer in shambles thankfully and on top of that our baby was sleeping through the night! For the first time in a long time we were back to a routine and we were both so happy with all the support and love our family received from Maternal Instincts. They were lifesavers for sure and a year and a half later my wife and I are ready for baby #2 but this time we called Rachelle to book ahead of time!
Note: This story is written by a REAL (formerly sleep deprived) Dad. If you want to learn more, or see how a night nanny could work for you, click the book link below.
Lifestyle Did you know there is no precise manual for preparing a mama to go back to work? There’s no prescription for handling the sleepless nights, nursing, introducing a bottle and then obsessing about leaving this magnificent creation to be cared for by someone else, all the while trying to figure how to take care of yourself. Moms need advice for going back to work after having a baby.
And, we working mothers need a plan and support in order to go back to work and be the superwoman that you need to be at the office and go home with peace of mind that all is well. Here’s what we’ve put together for you.
The plan is to get the absolute best support possible. You can get support from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, professionals, social media groups, yoga studios and parent support centers, just to name a few. Whatever you do, don’t isolate yourself. Asking for help can open doors to opportunities you didn’t know were possible, making the journey into new motherhood a lot less stressful and a lot more fun!
Here are some more tips on getting support after birth:
Preparing To Go Back to Work Emotionally
Ahhhh the day is almost here! Cuddle your little one close and spend lots of time together. Your little one is likely taking bottles like a champ, you have your pump ready with all the parts clean and a charger at hand, you have your clothes ready for the next day and you’ve planned an extra one just in case your morning cuddles leave a milky mark of love. You’ve checked all the necessary things off the list, your bag is ready, baby bag is ready, milk/formula is in the containers and you have your schedule ready to go. You know what to expect and you hunker down for the night and sleep, tomorrow is a big day. Good thing you hired that night nanny!
The First Day Back
6am – The day starts with a cuddle and milk with your little one. You crawl out of bed and smell the coffee brewing as you jump in the shower. Now, breakfast is eaten, all your goods are in the car and you and the baby are off.
7am – Daycare opens or your nanny arrives. Don’t cry mama! You’ve researched everyone and everything fully and you trust them. Now let them do what they do every day and know that you have made this decision with much care.
8:30am – You arrive at the office. Get ready for the love fest and information inquest! “We’re SO happy you’re back! You wouldn’t believe what’s been going on around here!” And also, “Awwww he/she is SO adorable! Pictures!!!!” Savor it up. You were missed!
As your work friends welcome you back, you start to fall into the swing of the day. You are able to check in with the childcare provider and confirm that all is well. You left them with a feeding schedule and are happy to know that is working. You finish your day, gather your things and go home because your partner picked up your little one (or your loving nanny is waiting for you). You arrive home to a cold beer/glass of wine/taco (whatever you like dear) and a hungry baby as you sit, nurse and reflect. Nice job!
Rocking It Out
You totally did it! You not only created a human, but you also conquered your day job! Sure there will be bumps and curves, but you rocked out your working mom vibe just as hard as you rocked your stay at home mom vibe. Keep up the good work! Don’t forget to ask for help, use the resources in your corner and enjoy every single day.
A Note From Us at Maternal Instincts:
Did you just finish this article and realize you have some planning to do?? Hey no worries. You can get started any time. Click here to schedule a 15-minute info session to see how it all works, get to know us and tell us your delivery date so we can be sure you’re on our radar.
When the time comes, you’ll be glad you took care of the interviewing process ahead of time. One less thing to think about and one more thing to look forward to (the sleep that your other new mama friends will be envying!).
