My husband and I met here in London, a few months into the start of my work permit and after getting married, we decided to settle and have our children here. It was quite a shock to both of our families who thought this was only going to be an extended working holiday.

Initially fuelled by a sense of adventure, living it up in the unknown – it has been quite the learning curve. After a year of marriage, I got pregnant with our first son, and after his birth, fell pregnant again after only four months, despite being on contraceptives, with our second son. That meant two boys exactly one year apart, in a foreign country, with no family to support us, and I had to stay employed full-time to keep our work permit which allowed us to stay in the country. So we got rid of the leather couches, swapped our passion wagon for a family car and baby proofed our lives.

It was tough; I am not going to lie.  I really think women are more supported by their mothers (and/or sisters) during pregnancy and thereafter. There really is power in that I-know-what-you-are-going-through squeeze. My husband though, has done a terrific job and should win an award for his role during my pregnancies (both times) and the deliveries (both times) – give honour where honour is due.

Still, thinking back on the past few years, I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe just one – I would have loved to have my parents closer; to have them share more of our lives the past two years. To see my dad spend more time with the boys while they’re so young, absorb their adorableness – because they love (read capital letters here) their granddad and they mostly only speak to him over Skype!

Selfishly I had always thought that although I think nurseries, child minders and others do amazing work – I wanted to be the one to invest the most time in my child’s day, see him play and hear him babbling. I wanted to be the one to learn them new words and teach them about anything their super inquisitive minds could absorb.

This I have – I have been blessed with a job which allowed me to reduce my hours slightly to the minimum that my work permit allowed and to work from home. Being an outdoors family, we spend a lot of time walking in the woods, along the river and just lying on the grass watching the clouds (weather permitting). I treasure every single one of our outings as I believe this has cultivated a certain outlook in my boys. As I watch them now, they spend hours lying on their tummies at the back of our house watching ants work, playing with simple grass strings and mixing water with soil – the sheer joy!

My approach has always been more hands-off than other mommies in my closest sphere. I allowed the boys to fall more (always standing close by), to see more and to taste more as early as possible. I had doubt at some points, but always encouraged myself to not intervene, as I have always been surprised at how much and how deep these young creations’ understanding and learning abilities go. They have such a natural ability to conquer, a determination to learn and a deep rooted urge to understand. I can only speak from my experience with my boys, but I am sure every parent has experienced this.

I decided early on in this journey that I am going to allow my boys to remain babies as long as they can. I support having routines and I fully understand the necessity of structure in their day, but I also firmly believe that they should be allowed to naturally learn as much from everyday life as possible. As young as they are, my two baby boys love watching me in the kitchen when I cook, helping me sort the washing when I pack it away and going out for grocery shopping. And all the way whilst doing all of the above, I talk to them, involve them in my activities and learn them about new things, words and counting the amount of butternuts in the basket.  I haven’t quite decided if that makes me a firm supporter of unschooling, but I can definitely see that working for my family.

So it’s safe to say I have completely fallen in love with being a mommy – especially a boys’ mommy. Boys just have such an overpowering way of showing love and affection. Lucky me, because I am pregnant again – and I think it is a boy!

Be it the magical world of Disney or your local roller coaster haunt, amusement parks have a whole lot to offer by way of family fun, and a whole lot to steer clear of, too! Read on to see how these moms and their families napped it up, avoided stroller parking log jams with their baby carriers, and had a fantastic time during their amusement park babywearing adventures with babes, toddlers, siblings and more. You’ll appreciate the tips, and hopefully leave inspired to get in line for a big ride or other Mickey-tastic experience this summer!

Danae’s Babywearing One-Year-Old, Then Three-Year-Old Disney World Adventures

We first took my daughter to Disney World for her first birthday and almost exclusively used the Boba Wrap. She was still nursing at the time which made such an important part of our daily routine even more convenient and discreet! I’m so glad I had the advantage and comfort of having her so close to me in a new place with so many people and new things to see and take in!

Just a few months ago we took my daughter back to Disney World at the age of three. We’ve since upgraded to a Boba Carrier but also had a collapsible wagon on hand in case she wanted to switch between the two. As we tried to board one of the motor coaches (buses) into the parks the driver informed us that the wagon would not be allowed in the park, so all we had for transporting her for the week was the Boba. And I’m so glad we did! The crowds were much heavier than we anticipated  and with part of the Magic Kingdom closed for renovation areas like stroller parking were absolute zoos. It seemed as though bringing a stroller was rather futile in and of itself since they were not allowed in any of the buildings or in lines for the rides. Plus I still had a way to keep her close and off her feet when she became tired waiting in lines. I couldn’t help feeling a surge of personal satisfaction every time I received a jealous glance from other parents waiting in lines, with tired arms holding their wiggly children, strollers completely out of access. I received so many comments, especially regarding her age and size, about wearing her in the carrier. Other guests were especially impressed with the foot straps!

I will continue to be an advocate for baby wearing, especially in theme parks long after my daughter, or any future children, are too old to do so.

- Danae Ogren

 Amanda and Hubby Have an Easy-Breezy Time with Three-Month-Old and More

We went on our first family trip to an amusement park last summer. Our youngest was just three months old, and my hubby wore him in the Boba for the majority of our day. Prior to our trip my hubby swore he would NEVER wear the baby, he is just “too manly” but he wore him from the moment we were out of the vehicle and said it was just so comfortable, you could barely even tell he was there. Babywearing helped because it left my hubby hands free to still help with our other child and baby was comfortable and slept most of the day (plus he was shaded from the sun, a big plus!!)

My favorite features that helped us a lot this day are the little “canopy” to keep the sun off of him and the little feet straps (my oldest could use these to hold onto). We had another family with us so our oldest and their son were able to ride around in our double stroller when they were tired of walking since we had the baby in the Boba.

There isn’t too much to say because Boba made the day SOOOO easy!! It was a great day!!

- Amanda Coburn

 Sarah’s All-Day Babywearing Disney Day with Ten-Month-Old and Four-Year-Old

My husband and I went to Disneyland in CA with my brother and his wife, my four-year-old son Sam and my ten-month-old son Grey.  The first ride we went on was The Pirates of the Caribean.  Grey was in the Boba 3G (Lila) and we were in the front of the boat with my son Sam and my brother.  It was dark and we immediately went down a drop quite a bit larger than I expected as they let babies on the ride.  Grey was happy in the carrier saying “da da da” and Sam was whimpering saying “I’m afraid of Disneyland.  I want to go back to New Jersey.”

Thankfully we were able to turn Sam’s experience around and he had a great day.  Grey was amazing in the Boba 3G.  It was so convenient to wear him there rather than take him in and out of a stroller and find ‘stroller parking.’  We took turns wearing him and he had a great time.  He took a nap in the carrier and seemed to be entertained by the rides as well.

In fact, we didn’t even bring a stroller with us to CA.  Grey does not like strollers, he prefers to be carried in the 3G and I prefer it as well.  It was much easier getting through airport security and boarding the plane without all of that extra baggage.  We also went to San Francisco and that city is definitely made for the 3G – walking around the city, going to Alcatraz, riding cable cars and trollies all were made easier with the 3G.  Grey lived in the 3G the entire vacation.  Our first day home he was so cranky and I realized I hadn’t carried him in the carrier yet that day so I put him in and he immediately stopped fussing.  He missed being in the 3G all day.  I’ll never travel any other way.

- Sarah Kelliher

Amanda, Eighteen-Month-Old, and Three-Year-Old Are Disneyland Pros with Their Boba

We live in southern California and go to Disneyland often. I wear my Boba every time! It’s way easier than having to worry about the stroller and folding it up to get on the tram/monorail. We probably save a lot of time not putting the baby back and forth into a stroller, and it helps with nursing the baby, too. I’m so glad I have my carrier! I love having both hands free to hold my three year old’s hand to help him on rides, etc. My friend just recently had her nice jogging stroller stolen while she was on a ride –  one less thing i have to worry about with my Boba.

I use the Boba Carrier now that my son is 18 months but I looooved my Boba Wrap! I love that it keeps baby and I close and warm! He feels safe and can see everything around him from my level. I love that its easy for me to put on by myself (after a little practice). It also doesnt hurt my back to carry him for hours.

I love my Boba!

- Amanda Massie

Have your own adventures in babywearing to share? Tell us about your amusement park success stories in the comments below, and watch for more calls to submit your travel and adventure stories on the Boba Facebook page.

We’re launching the Boba Adventures In Babywearing blog series to give you a look at how other parents are doing it, and a place to share your own wild and crazy have-baby-carrier-will-answer-the-call-of-the-wild stories!

We’re kicking off the series with a topic near and dear to my own Michigan-born and raised heart (high five if you, too, have ridden the Demon Drop at Cedar Point – Sandusky, Ohio – ohhhh… ten or more times!), AMUSEMENT PARKS!

Here’s a look at what some of our Boba Facebook friends had to say about their babywearing amusement park adventures, and we’ll follow up with some more detailed interviews with moms in the posts directly hereafter. Enjoy!

Adventures In Babywearing: Sharing Amusement Park Moments

“When my son was six-weeks-old we had a Moby then and had a blast in Disneyland! Since then our Boba has been all over the place including three provinces in Canada, three US States, and Mexico (We live in BC, Canada). Love our Boba Carrier and the ease of travel with it.” - Chantal

“We went to Disneyworld (from CA) during PEAK attendance season this past December: two of the days we were there, they CLOSED the Magic Kingdom by 9am because they were full to capacity!! We were like sardines in there – no room for strollers. Thank GOODNESS for my Boba – my toddler, then 16 months, 25 pounds, and 35 inches of pure energy – rode in it anywhere from 3-6 hours a day. It was INSANE, but she did great (normally, she doesn’t want to be carried for very long, as she prefers to run everywhere, but in all of those wall to wall people, being worn was exactly what she wanted and needed).” – Kirsten

“We wore our toddler at the Texas Renaissance Festival! It’s huge and crowded and dirt ground, so it was perfect. I was able to just reach back and give him a snack when he wanted one and then let him down when he wanted to run in an open space. I just left it clipped on empty… when it was time for a nap, I swung him around because he falls asleep better on my front. He was the best out of all the cousins because he had a nap!!! I will try to remember to email a pic of him asleep in it and us drinking beer out of our steins!” - Rachel

“I wore my baby in my Boba about 8-9 hours at a huge amusement park in Germany last week! Best amusement park experience ever.” - Michelle

“I have used several carriers on vacation. I love the security of knowing the baby is safely with me while chasing after a toddler. It is also much easier to hop on rides. And especially nice not having a stroller to fold up for the bus at the end of the night at Disney.” - Tracie

“[I was a] baby and toddler wearer at Disneyworld! I had my daughter in a Boba Wrap when she was 12 months for her first trip. I wore her again in our Boba Carrier just a little over a month ago at three years old. So thankful to have her close and to not have to bother with stroller parking (shudder)!” - Angela

Read some more in-depth recounts of Disney babywearing adventures, and see how easy it can be to avoid stroller parking mess, get your hubby in on the babywearing action, and more… check out the Adventures In Babywearing: Amusement Parks post. (link when post live)

Have you ever wanted to try Elimination Communication (also known as Diaper Free or Infant Potty Training) but were intimidated by lots of wet bulky clothes and cold weather? You don’t have to make a full time commitment to practice this method with your baby or child. Summertime is the perfect time to try letting  your baby be diaper free!

Elimination communication or “EC-ing” is currently practiced around the world by many cultures and was probably used by most of our grandmothers in the United States, too. Parents watch for children’s cues and take them to eliminate in a toilet or outside. Babies learn to tell their parents when they have to go and this usually results in earlier-than-average potty training and a lot less money spent on diapers.

Since  EC is based on children listening to their bodies, it is totally possible to practice it part time. Many parents who work or just find it too stressful to be diaperless all the time put their babies in cloth diapers and then take them to poop or pee when it feels right. By using cloth diapers and changing them every pee the child learns when he or she is eliminating and doesn’t get used to being in soggy diapers. I for instance usually use diapers when we go out because getting peed on while out with four children is less than desirable.  When we’re home, my one-year-old walks over to her tiny potty and brings it to me to pee or poop. If it’s been a while I will ask her to try (she thinks it’s fun to sit on so she mostly obliges).  I found this article written by an EC-ing mama where her grandmother tells her about infant potty training her siblings. I thought it was pretty interesting how similar it is to what I do in my family.

The grandmother in the article used cloth and also watched for babies’ cues and took them to the bathroom. This makes for less wash and cleaning of diapers, and no need to worry about poop and pee around the house.  I really love when she says “Children never wear nappies over summer – they just run around outside. It is too hot for nappies.” Summertime is a perfect time to try having your baby diaper free because babies are wearing less or no clothes anyway. It’s also great to give tiny butts a break from hot soggy diapers. So if you have an infant, a toddler or a child somewhere in between, try to watch and see what they are communicating to you. You just might be surprised at how well you baby can communicate and how well you can understand.

Here’s a video interview about elimination communication:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

It seems like more and more families are looking to keep it simple when it comes to what they register for or buy themselves to use with their families. It was the same for my husband and me; we registered for children’s books to build our family library and then some essential items like swaddles and cloth diapers, but otherwise we kept it pretty minimal. In fact, some items that we have had around the house for years have been the most useful after our son’s birth. Here are five handy items that have done double duty during our first 16 months together as a family.

1. Thermos: In the last three months of my pregnancy, I would regularly wake about 3:00 am and my stomach would want tea. It was a sleepy battle some mornings, when my stomach wanted tea, but the rest of me was not interested in crawling out from under the warm down comforter to put on the kettle. At some point during one of my nesty cleaning binges, I rediscovered my old thermos. From then on my predawn tea cravings were tended to while I kept warm under the blankets. Just before tucking in for the night, I would brew some organic chamomile tea to keep next to the bed, then I could take sips of something hot that would also help me fall back asleep. On most mornings it was just the thing I needed, unless my very crowded bladder had plans of its own.

2. Headlamp: During the first few months of your little’s life, when you are changing more nighttime diapers (or other nighttime care item if you are EC-ing) than you can believe possible, a head lamp can be your best friend. My husband and I really wanted to avoid what we called, “the hard wake up,” which meant that even when we were dog-tired, we could not fall back to sleep after being woken up. The headlamp let us take quick, stealthy peeks at our son without fully waking him, or ourselves, in the process. And if we did need to change him, we would keep the main lights off in the house and just pop on the headlamp to get the job done. Ever seen a Nascar pit team get to work during a race? Well, we may have not gotten it down to seconds, we did get pretty darn fast with the diaper and then back into bed. If you are in the market for a new headlamp, I recommend something that has a red light on it, and a diffuser is nice too. The red light is bright enough to do the trick and is easy on everyone’s barely awake eyes, including the baby’s.

3. Mesh Bags: We have a whole slew of mesh drawstring bags around our house and garage. My husband uses them to organize our cords, adapters and other electronics that we take with us when we are traveling. We also use them to store and transport odd bits of camping gear. With the addition of tiny colorful socks to our laundry this past year, these mesh bags got called up for a new duty as a sock wrangler. We put all of our son’s socks, along with other smaller items like hats and mittens, into a mesh bag before tossing the whole thing into the washer. And because the bags are mesh, the socks wash up perfectly and can go directly into the dryer too, keeping everything together in one place. From dirty to clean without a single missing sock is some serious momma-loving magic.

4. Plastic Kitchen Funnel: This is a multitasking item that my son discovered when rummaging through the kitchen cupboards as I made dinner. The funnel then made it into the bathtub–where so many things around our house now find themselves–and this is where it’s served it’s best purpose yet, as a happy-face hair rinser. My toddler does not mind if some water gets in his eyes when we are rising out the shampoo, but using a funnel helps to eliminate it completely by directing the water where you want it to go, and avoiding the ears and face where many little ones would prefer not to be splashed. The funnel works like a charm and makes rinsing a quick and tear-free job.

5. Cold Clothes for Teething: Teething can be tough work for our little ones. Some children get fevers and diarrhea, and some even experience pain that radiates into their faces and inner ears. My son’s first molars are coming in right now and offering him something safe to comfort and soothe his discomfort is important to me. While some kids want chewy things to work against those puffy tooth buds, my son initiated using harder items to soothe his teething pain. So in taking his lead, I have found that homemade teething clothes work great for him. As I did for myself during my pregnancy, I begin by brewing a cup of organic chamomile tea. After the tea cools, I soak clean, soft clothes in the tea and put them in the freezer to firm up. After a few hours, they are ready to be offered to your child to gum on and to help cool inflamed gums.

1. Hiking: We fill up our water bottles, pack our sun protection, lace up our shoes and then we head out to our chosen trails. In Colorado where I live with my family, we have an amazing array of trails to choose from. Hiking together as a family is great way to take your little one into varied terrain and wild places that are protected from cars and buildings. Look for destination trails that have natural features that appeal to you. I choose trails that have lakes and streams. My husband looks for trails with elevation gain. Wherever you live or are traveling to, pick a trail to hike or walk around a park that fits your abilities so that you enjoy yourselves. Remember to wear good fitting shoes and to bring water and snacks as needed. If you have a toddler like we do, this is the time to see if using the removable foot straps with your child will make him or her more comfortable. Each Boba carrier included two coordinating foot straps that are fully adjustable, and that snap on and off with ease. I have shared a video below that will walk you through using and removing the straps depending on your needs.

2. Yard Work and Gardening: We are moving soon and the backyard projects are already underway. Our son loves to be right in the mix of it, so he has his own pail, trowel and rake, but he also tires and needs closeness while we work on our landscape projects. When he tuckers out, we just pop him in the carrier and do the jobs that let us both be comfortable. This is the time when we prune the berry bushes, plant veggie seedlings while standing at the table, and water the trees. Our son likes to direct us in our work, pointing to this or that while chirping away; but when he tires, he settles in and rests, letting us be together while we work.

3. Watching the Game: Catching a baseball game at our neighborhood diamond, or watching our friend’s team in the peewee soccer league are ways that we enjoy our community and the warm evenings. We keep our carrier with us so that if our son needs to nurse or tuck in for quiet or sleep, we have his familiar spot ready for him. This way he is snuggled up close and we don’t miss out when our team hits a grand slam.

4. Farmers’ Markets: Where I live in Colorado, it feels like we might be skipping over spring all together and right into summer. We are still a month out from our typical year’s last frost, but the spring vegetables are being harvested and the tulips are lighting up the gardens. Your local farmers’ market is a family outing that helps you all shake off winter and will help you stock your kitchen with locally grown food items that taste like vegetables should taste, as well as giving you a chance to meet the growers themselves. Buying locally means that the money goes back into the farmer’s family and business, which helps to keep your investment circulating in your community where it can do so much good. Wearing your little means you can move through the crowds with ease while taking in all the sights and sounds (and delicious samples!) together.

5. Outdoor Arts Events: Most towns and cities host warm-weather events that are family-friendly. We try to take advantage of outdoor events in our area, from Shakespeare in the park, to talented bruskers on our city’s pedestrian mall. Last summer, when our son was less than a year old, he stayed on us while we took in the outdoor music and art that our city hosts, but now that he is running his sweet little self around, he is down in front, stomping and clapping along with every beat. And like so many other children his age, he loves to be part of the fun, but he still loves to be held close too. Our Boba carrier is perfect for using with our toddler who is exploring his independence, but who still naturally needs closeness.

Being prepared and looking for the opportunities inherent to our daily lives helps all of our families to enjoy what we have right in front of us. Our hikes may not be as long or rugged as they once were when it was just the two of us, but slowing down and sharing them with our son has made them just as sweet. And sure, we are not hitting late night concerts again quite yet, but watching our boy shake his cute little booty once he catches the beat is better than any act that I have ever seen on stage. Our lives change once we have children, as they should and as is natural, but we can still carry forward much of what we enjoyed before our babes came to us and make these outings into awesome family memories.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

As this movement has evolved, parents have begun to see their children not as ego extensions or objects, but as people – young people who deserve respect and consideration from the time they draw their first breath.

I recently stumbled across a blog that affirms everything I believe in when it comes to children. It affirms their intelligence, their need for a loving relationship with their parents (rather than a purely authoritarian one), and it affirms what I believe about how they desire to be listened to and considered.

Introducing, Radical Parenting: a website authored by 60 teen interns. Radical Parenting was founded by Vanessa Van Petten and features articles on a variety of topics.

http://www.radicalparenting.com

“Teens Who Can’t Feel: Empathopenia
Teen bullies and the decreased empathy; one explanation on the recent cyberbullying epidemic.”

“Radical Family Bonding Time You need to take advantage of the time that needs to be quality over quantity! Here are a few tips for parents and families to bond with each other and not make family time miserable.”

If you’re reading this post on Bobafamily.com, you probably have children who haven’t even asked for their first cell phone yet. The reason I’m reading Radical Parenting now is because it’s a constant reminder of why I’m so intentional about my parenting today. We can’t wait until our children are 16 before we respect them as people and tune into them. It will be too late.

By showing them love and consideration today, we’re laying the framework for happy teens, teens who feel as if they can communicate with us. It’s my desire to know my children on a deeply intimate level. Websites such as this fly right in the face of pop culture that says teens are superficial, angry, snobby followers.

Spend a few minutes on this website and you’ll quickly learn otherwise.

Happy parenting!

Many of us curl up into a ball when we may be at our wit’s end; there is something soothing and comforting to it.  Countless artists have sculpted and painted adults in the self-soothing fetal position. It’s no secret that babies love it too. When you carry your baby with his knees flexed against your chest, the fetal position, the pressure and containment he feels assures him that he is in contact with you and physically safe and secure.

But there’s more to it than comfort! Read on to find out how curling up into the fetal postion truly helps your baby.

1. Babies breathe easier.

A flexed position is optimal even for tiny delicate preemies. When you lay a preemie on his back it’s pretty stressful. His little underdeveloped lungs need to work against gravity. In flexion, a preemie requires less oxygen pressure and volume and breathes easier.

2. Grow baby Grow!

Using less oxygen means that their little bodies don’t need to work as hard. Not working as hard means they can devote their energy and calories toward growth.

3. Coordination and strength are nice.

The “spread out on the back” positioning of infants adversely affects the development of their muscle tone. Yet, the flexed position actually helps not only speed up muscle development, but also speed up the maturation of nerve cells that control the muscles. Stronger muscles and better functioning nerves telling those muscles what to do means better motor skills.

4. No one wants to wear a helmet to reshape their head.

Laying on your back all the time may dispose your baby to a deformed skull or plagiocephaly- literally a flattening of the head.

5. Reflux stinks.
Any eight month pregnant woman knows that she shouldn’t lay flat on her back after eating anything. An infant in flexion digests his food easier.

6. Baby’s backside is more than “cute”.

When held tummy to tummy not only does the baby have mom or dad’s heat to help regulate his own temperature but a protective heat retaining barrier. Infants have more efficient temperature regulating cells and more fat cells that serve as superb insulation on the back side of their bodies.

7. Another way to keep warm.

In flexion your baby’s arms and legs are bent, cutting off exposure of arteries to cold air. Bent arms and legs also cuts in half the surface area from which heat can be lost to air. Additionally, reduced stomach exposure means babies can better regulate their body temperature and subsequently use less energy trying to maintain warmth.

8. Hides that belly.

When we hold our infants stomach to stomach we are protecting all the receptor and vital organs. A cat has a tendency toward curling up when sleeping. If a predator were to come, the flexed position of the cat offers natural protection. Yes, it hides mama’s belly too!

9. Helps little hip development and actually is an option for treating DDH!

Babies whose legs are swaddled or forcefully straightened (as in the Navajo papoose) have higher incidence of hip dysplasia. Casts and harnesses are actually used to force baby into a flexed widespread legged position to treat babies born with DDH (Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip).

10. Newborns are virtually impossible to straighten out anyway.

So many think it is gentler to lay a baby on his back than to carry him.  Babies’ spines are not straight; they are born with a convex c-shaped spine so their thighs naturally pull up toward their chests. Laying them flat stretches out their natural position and can actually be stressful on their little spines and hips.

When you pick up your baby his legs will rise to his chest.  His body is naturally adapted to being carried.  The fetal tuck is soothing; it is the natural position of infants, and helps your baby to thrive and grow strong. Don’t try to straighten out your babies!

Reading to inspire:

Montagu, A. (1986). Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin. Harper Paperbacks.

Ludington-Hoe, S. Kangaroo Care: The Best You Can Do to Help Your Preterm Infant. Bantam Books, 1993, New York.

None of these are particularly costly. They can make having your baby at home that much more comfortable. I mean, it’s a celebration, right?

1. Fancy Tea & a special mug to drink it out of post-labor: The reason for having these items is two-fold. There’s so much emphasis and pressure placed on the actual birth event. Having something to remind you that baby will arrive and life will continue on will help put your mind at ease and calm any jitters. Tea is the universal drink of relaxation. Pick an herbal tea without any caffeine or make your own sachets. Use red raspberry tea leaves in a diffuser. Have fun picking out a brand new teacup or decorating one at the many ceramic decorating boutiques that seem to be popping up (ie. “Color Me Mine.”). Be mindful of what types of glazes and paints are used!

2. A special birthing “dress.” When you’re birthing in the freedom of your own home, there’s no need for a backdoor peep show hospital gown. By the end of labor you’ll probably want to be completely naked (even if you’re a naturally shy person you may lose your inhibitions once baby starts crowning), but in the early stages, it can be nice to have a loose-fitting cotton or hemp dress that hits about the knee area to keep you warm. I personally love dresses and how they make me feel. I don’t mean a fancy dress, I’m talking about a gauzy, flowing, simple piece of fabric that makes me feel like the beautiful birth goddess I am.

Consider purchasing a tie-dye kit on Etsy and creating your own inspired colors and patterns. Ceremonial clothing is something our culture doesn’t really understand. When the time comes to don your special robe, it will help signify the creation of sacred space.

3. Music. You may or may not want to hear some of your favorite tunes while birthing your babe. I, for one, didn’t want to have any music playing, but I didn’t plan to either. Do you have a song that inspires strength, faith or trust? Have it ready.

Whale sounds, rain, rainforest sounds, and of course, drum beats can also be a welcome addition to your birthing experience.

4. During my pregnancy I purchased a “Born @ Home” t-shirt for my infant. It was three months before I put her in it but I felt like I’d earned a little homebirth swag.

Cute one here: http://www.cafepress.ca/+peace_love_homebirth_one_piece,13112948

5. A photographer. I’ve never had a birth photographer (ie. friend who is gifted with a camera) at my births but I love gazing at beautiful homebirth photos online. If you’d feel comfortable with someone taking photos at your birth, go for it. Find someone with experience who you have enough time to bond with. The photographer should know how to blend in and become invisible. Specify what you feel comfortable with being “shot” beforehand to avoid the quiet rage that can distract birthing women when someone inadvertently crosses a boundary.

Like I said before, these things aren’t “must haves” but they can add to your birthing experience. I hope you have a wonderful experience!