Margaret Breen, Author at Over the Moon Archive

10 Essential Oil Must-Haves for Summer

by Margaret Breen • July 1st, 2019

1. Sunscreen

Made with ingredients you can feel good about, Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen Lotion provides protection against UVA and UVB rays without harsh chemical ingredients. With hypoallergenic ingredients and skin-loving essential oils including Helichrysum, Carrot Seed, and Sacred Frankincense, this gentle, reef-safe sunscreen rubs on smoothly, so you can effortlessly apply it when you’re outdoors.

2. Insect Repellent

Before you buy an insect repellent at the store, check to see if it contains DEET. If it does, you’re going to want to put it back on the shelf. DEET is a registered pesticide, and a member of the toluene chemical family. Toluene is an organic solvent used in rubber, plastic cements, and paint removers. DEET is absorbed through the skin and passes through the blood. DEET-free insect repellent is tested to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas using 100% naturally derived, plant -based ingredients. It smells great and goes on smooth!

3. Citrus

Summer and citrus go hand and hand. Grab a citrus oil like orange, grapefruit, lemon, or lime and add it to your water bottle for a refreshing drink on the go. Young Living offers a whole line of Essential Oils called the Vitality Line which are safe for ingestion.

4. Thieves Products

Thieves is an exclusive blend of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, Rosemary, and Lemon Essential oil. Thieves has many benefits and is used in a lot of personal care and home cleaning products. The Thieves spray is perfect to carry in your purse to remove sunscreen and sand off little hands.

5. Ningxia Red

A shot of Young Living’s superfood drink each morning will get you through the hot, summer days with plant-based ingredients. It’s refreshing and super healthy.

6. LLP

Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint Essential Oils – the magical seasonal support blend. Diffuse these oils or put them in a roller with coconut oil and apply directly to your skin to get you through allergy season.

7. Chapstick

Keep your lips hydrated and happy with all natural lip balms, like Lavender, Cinnamint, or Grapefruit.

8. Wipes

Mom life requires wipes on hand at all times. Once you try Seedlings Wipes, you’ll never go back to any another brand. They are so soft, thick, and you only need one to change a diaper, remove make up, or clean your hands. They are completely biodegradable and non-toxic.

9. Lavender Everything

From Lavender Essential Oil, to Lavender Lotion, to Lavaderm, turn to all things Lavender for skin support this summer. It soothes skin ailments from cuts and bruises, to sunburns and more.

10. Rose Essential Oil

Not only does rose have an amazing, uplifting scent, but it is also great for your skin. Try Rose Ointment for dry or sunburned skin. You will be amazed with the results.

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Our New Over The Moon Parenting Center Opens!

by Margaret Breen • October 28th, 2016

New Arrival Educators opened our new Over The Moon Parenting Center in the former Mamas Move location in Norwell. Our center is a special place for little ones and the grown-ups who love them, offering South Shore families expert education, support and fun from pregnancy to preschool!

Over The Moon will offer prenatal education, prenatal fitness classes, new mom and baby groups, new mom and baby fitness, early development, art and music classes for caregivers and children age 6 months to 36 months, toddler play school for children 2-3 year olds, and pre-play school for 3-4 year olds. We will offer 2-hour “Drop-in Play Sessions” for caregiver and child in our “Play Zone” (1 child = $10, 2 children = $12 and 3 children = $15). Soon we will add even more classes and expert workshops on child development and parenting. Theme-based birthday parties will also be available on weekends!

We were as surprised and saddened by the sudden closure of Mamas Move. It was such a special place and we are working very hard to make sure this valuable resource continues!

We are thrilled to announce Melissa Breen will continue on with Over The Moon as the Director of Child Development and a child development teacher. Melissa has years of experience as a masters prepared early child development expert, certified teacher and mom of 4. We are also so happy to share your child development, art and music teachers Ms Leigh and Ms Melissa K will also continuing as your teachers at Over The Moon, as well.

New class schedules are up on www.newarrivaleducators.com. We appreciate your patience and support as we get our new center up and running and hope to see you and your little ones in soon! Also, please tell your family and friends about Over The Moon offering expert education, support and FUN from pregnancy to preschool!

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Beautycounter Exclusive for NAE (with coupon code!)

by Margaret Breen • July 1st, 2016

Guest Post By Elise Macaluso-White, Beautycounter Manger, Bonus: Beautycounter coupon for moms: NAE16

Let’s Start at the Beginning and Do It Right
The skin and body care industry in this country is not as regulated as you might think. During the last two decades, the EU has banned 1300 ingredients while the U.S. has only banned 11. There are about 10,000 chemicals commonly found in personal care products —only 10% of those chemicals have safety data. Even more troubling, chemicals linked to breast cancer, learning disabilities, infertility, and other health issues are allowed in the products we use every day.

The ingredient selection process at Beautycounter is the strictest in the industry. We’ve banned more than 1,500 ingredients, setting a new health and safety standard—all while ensuring our products perform, and that they’re as indulgent as any luxe shampoo, lipstick or oil in the market.

Beautycounter is a fast-growing mission-driven company dedicated to getting safer products into the hands of everyone.

In addition, BC has partnered with several non-profit organizations such as Healthy Child Healthy World that empowers parents and caregivers to protect children from harmful chemicals. Their easy actions and tips help families create safer environments for children to flourish. The Breast Cancer Fund works to prevent breast cancer by eliminating our exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation linked to the disease. BCF is a founding member and national coordinator of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a broad-based coalition working to eliminate dangerous chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products.

Welcome Baby Set $64.00
Set includes Gentle All-Over Wash cleanses body and hair with a tear-free formula, Soothing Oil absorbs easily and nourishes skin, and Daily Protective Balm acts as a layer of protection for sensitive, delicate skin.

To order products or for more information, contact: Elise Macaluso-White, Beautycounter Manager/Consultant emwbeautycounter@gmail.com
Please mention the exclusive Beautycounter coupon for moms, NAE16, and receive free shipping.

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Safe Sleep for Newborns

by Margaret Breen • May 14th, 2016

Every parent’s number one goal is to keep their baby safe! So, of course, many of you devoted parents of newborns were quite upset this week due to an overwhelming number of scary headlines that followed the publication of a new study “Swaddling and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Meta-analysis”. Pediatrics (May 2016).
“Swaddling babies may increase risk of SIDS,” the headlines blared. Some readers latched on and panicked. But the analysis emphasizes a more nuanced conclusion that supports what many parents and pediatricians already know about safe sleep for newborns.

To quote the study’s conclusion: “Despite the limitations, these analyses indicate that the current advice to avoid placing infants on their front or side to sleep may especially apply to infants who are swaddled. Given the marked increase in infants swaddled and found prone (rather than placed prone), coupled with an increased risk of swaddling with increased age regardless of sleeping position, health professionals and current guidelines should consider an appropriate age limit at which swaddling should be discouraged.”
Put another way, stick to current advice not to place infants to sleep on their stomachs or sides, and stop swaddling as your baby grows, probably around the time he or she shows signs of rolling or begins to break out of this fabric cocoon.

American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for Safe Infant Sleep:
Breastfeeding is recommended and is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.
Infants should be immunized. Evidence suggests that immunization reduces the risk of SIDS by 50 percent.
Bumper pads should not be used in cribs. There is no evidence that bumper pads prevent injuries, and there is a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation or entrapment.
Always use a firm sleep surface. Car seats and other sitting devices are not recommended for routine sleep.
The baby should sleep in the same room as the parents, but not in the same bed (room-sharing without bed-sharing).
Keep soft objects or loose bedding out of the crib. This includes pillows, blankets, and bumper pads.
Wedges and positioners should not be used.
Pregnant woman should receive regular prenatal care.
Don’t smoke during pregnancy or after birth.
Breastfeeding is recommended.
Offer a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
Avoid covering the infant’s head or overheating.
Do not use home monitors or commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Infants should receive all recommended vaccinations.
Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended daily to facilitate development and minimize the occurrence of positional plagiocephaly (flat heads).

Learn more on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ original article, “AAP Expands Guidelines for Infant Sleep Safety and SIDS Risk Reduction.”
Remember if you still have concerns or want further guidance call your baby’s health care provider, take a Newborn Care Class, and take an infant and child CPR class.

Tags: aap, american academy of pediatrics, infant, infant safety, newborn, safe sleep, safety, sids, sleep, sudden infant death syndrome
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How to Choose a Newborn Photographer

by Margaret Breen • May 11th, 2016

GUEST POST: Denise Carty, Photographer

Your baby is the most beautiful thing you’ll ever create. You’ll probably take hundreds, if not thousands, of snapshots with your camera and phone. If you are looking for a professional photographer to capture your gorgeous bundle of joy, here are some tips!

1. Portfolio

Ask to see their portfolio, or just take some time and go through their website. Every newborn photographer has a different style and vision. Photography is a very personal experience, and regardless of trends or what is in ‘style,’ make sure you choose a photographer that’s right for you. Choose a newborn photographer whose work you can’t live without – that pulls on your heart strings, and speaks to you. This is a moment in time that you will never be able to get back – so take your time and find the photography style that you love, as these photographs will become a part of your family history for generations.

2. Experience

Ask how long they have been in business, and about their education. An experienced newborn photographer will know all of the industry secrets about posing, soothing and, most importantly, safety for your newborn. There are many workshops and newborn photography courses that are available for photographers covering topics like safety and comfort of your child during the session. Why not ask where they learned their skills? This is an important question, and will help you decide if they are a right fit for you.

3. Investment

This is the last thing we mention, for a reason. The investment of a newborn session differs from photographer to photographer, and where you live. Although cost is a factor and rightfully so, try not to make it the only factor.

These photographs will be in your family for generations, they will be shown again in 30 years time at your child’s wedding, then resurface when your child is expecting their own baby. When you hold these photographs in 35-40 years time, you will close your eyes and be able to recall everything about your child when they were newborns – their baby ‘smell’, the warmth of their bodies, their little fingers and toes. These photographs will not only serve as documentation – they will serve as food for your soul. Although cost is a factor, it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Choose a professional newborn photographer that will provide you with stunning images that you can’t live without.

Tags: family pictures, photographer, photography, photos, pictures
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How to Choose a Carseat

by Margaret Breen • April 6th, 2016

By Saheeda Mohammed-Kelly RN, CCE, Certified Carseat Technician

It can be really stressful parents-to-be begin researching how to choose a car seat. But the best car seat is one that fits your child and car appropriately and you’ll use the best.

Not all car seats fit all cars but finding car seat dimensions is easy, and you can pick one appropriate to your vehicle. A quick check on Consumer Reports can give you car seat safety ratings, as well as an indication on how well it will install into your car via the LATCH system or using the seat belt.

Infant car seats feature removable bucket seats that clip in to a base that stays in the car. These are handy for transporting sleeping newborns or carting infants on errands. However, infant car seats are outgrown quickly, and children need to be moved to convertible car seats.

Convertible carseats stay belted in the car, but can be installed rear-facing for infants up to 2 years of age, and then turned around to front-facing for preschoolers. It is recommended to keep children rear-facing for at least 2 years, even if they grow out of the infant seat. Switch to the convertible seat but keep them rear facing as long as you can – it is safer!

When you are ready to install the seat you’ve chosen, read the directions before you attempt to install it yourself. Next, follow the instructions to install the car seat. Then, once you have done your best, visit www.safercar.gov to find the nearest car seat checkpoint. (It is a free service but you may need an appointment.) The licensed car seat check person will inspect your installation and make any needed adjustments. Seven out of ten of people install carseats incorrectly.

After-market products like mirrors, head rolls, strap covers, and toys are not recommended for use with carseats. Each carseat is crash tested the way it comes and if you add an after-market product there is no guarantee it will work as it should.

During the colder months, nothing should be added under the baby in the car seat such as, blanket or snowsuit. Instead, use a simple blanket or cover over the car seat that does not interfere with the harness.
Also, if you are involved in a car accident, even if the seat is not affected, you should replace it.

Lastly, if you plan to use a used car seat, it is important to know the history of the seat. Ask for the date of expiration, if it ever in a car accident, and if there was smoking allowed around the seat.

You can learn more about protecting your newborn in our Infant CPR and Safety Class. We hope to see you there!

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How to Store Breast milk

by Margaret Breen • March 14th, 2016

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We feel lucky to have YOU, so we put together a guide to pumping “liquid gold” for your wee ones. Enjoy!

Remember: The more you take, the more you make!

How to get started:

3-4 weeks after birth, incorporate pumping into your breastfeeding schedule and introduce a bottle once a day.
Store breast milk in the refrigerator or the freezer.
The best time to pump is first thing in the morning or right before bedtime. Or, if the baby only feeds from one breast, you can pump the other side.

Tips:

Relax and make yourself comfortable. Get some tea, eat a snack, and put your feet up.
Look through photos of your baby or hold one of their blankets. You’ll make more milk just thinking of them!
Avoid watching the collection bottles.
Double pump.
Use a hands-free bra. If you don’t have one, make your own by cutting two nickel-sized holes in an old sports bra where your nipples are.

What expressed milk looks and smells like:

It may separate in the refrigerator where the fat floats to the top. Foremilk comes from the front of the breast, is meant to quench the thirst of the baby, and therefore has more water. Hindmilk, which comes from the back of the breast, satisfies the hunger and has more fat.
Freshly expressed milk may appear white.
Frozen, thawed milk has a slightly metallic sent and smell, which is completely safe and normal.
The soapy smell comes rom the Lipase enzyme that helps the baby metabolize fat.

To Store Breast Milk:

You can use bottles or bags. Or, for convenient one-ounce single-serves that mix great into baby food, fill ice cube trays with milk and freeze them. Then, drop the frozen cubes into a ziplock and keep it in the freezer.
When freezing milk in bottles, leave room for frozen liquid to expand.
Label “BREASTMILK” and note the date and time.
Lie bags down and freeze them flat to stack them.
Place newer milk to the bottom of the pile or towards the back in the freezer.
Freeze in 2-5 oz. portions, or 1 oz. portions for younger infants.
Transport milk in an insulated cooler with a frozen ice pack.

NAE Breastmilk Storage Chart:

Defrosting and Warming Breast milk:

Warm refrigerated breastmilk in a bowl of warm tap water.
Place frozen breastmilk in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. Do not refreeze.
NEVER boil or microwave breastmilk as it kills nutrients and can create hot spots.
Bottle warmers are safe to use.
ALWAYS test the breastmilk temperature on your inner wrist before feeding baby.

Want to learn more? Check out our breastfeeding classes, lactation consultant classes, or come to a drop-in breastfeeding group! Good luck, mamas!

Tags: breast milk, breast milk storage, breastfeeding, milk storage, nursing, pumping
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How to Choose a Daycare

by Margaret Breen • March 7th, 2016

Choosing a daycare for your baby can feel incredibly overwhelming. Finding someone you trust with your child is stressful enough without the added pressures of cost, pickup schedules and sick policies. We hope these steps streamline your process of how to choose a daycare and you can feel good about your choice.

1. Research online the daycares around your home or work, depending on which might be more convenient for you and your partner.

2. Ask around. Do neighbors, friends or co-workers, have recommendations? Take suggestions graciously, but don’t feel cornered into picking based on those suggestions. This is your baby and your decision.

3. Create a list. You can Download our Daycare Spreadsheet to make things easier.

4. Based on online research and a phone call or two, start to fill in your spreadsheet to help you narrow down choices. Differential information is listed below and on the Daycare Spreadsheet.

Location
Nanny, in-home daycare, or a daycare center
Price and frequency of payments
Hours
Mixed ages vs. same age groupings
Caregiver to child ratio
Staff qualifications, training, experience and turnover of staff
Appearance (clean, organized, safe, age-appropriate toys)
Space Availability (Waitlist?)
Policies (sick, late, discipline, drop-in)
Structure of day (curriculum, enrichment opportunities, organization, structure)
Supplies parents need to bring vs. daycare provides
Contract needed?
“Flex Care” options for additional days/hours?

Background checks/references

5. Make appointments to visit your top choices. Try and schedule them when children are present and be sure to give yourself plenty of time at each center. Visiting a few centers, even if you are pretty positive about one, is good because it gives you comparisons.

6. Most of the time, parents say it comes down to a gut feeling they get when they walk in and speak with the staff. Make your visits count! Bring a pen and a notepad, along with a list of questions that are important to you. Remember, this is your baby and your life. Don’t be bashful asking personal details or taking too much of their time.

We’ve compiled a list of questions in a separate blog post. Read Interview Questions for Daycares, here.

7. Call the references each daycare gives you. Better yet – ask parents you see in the parking lot how they like the daycare. They haven’t been pre-screened and might give you more honest answers.

8. Make your decision and secure a spot for your baby. Pat yourself on the back – this is really hard work!

Looking for more resources for expectant parents who plan on returning to work? Check out our New Parent Work Program! You can also check out our newborn classes and mommy groups.

Tags: childcare, daycare, how to choose a daycare, working mom, working parents
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Interview Questions for Daycares

by Margaret Breen • March 6th, 2016

Visiting daycares can be daunting. Some expectant parents might feel the weight of the responsibility to choose The Best Daycare without knowing exactly what that looks like. We’re here to help, and composed a step-by-step guide to choosing a daycare , a printable Daycare Spreadsheet, and this set of interview questions to ask caregivers once you’ve narrowed your search.

Day-to-Day Operations

How does communication work? Do they use daily printouts of baby’s activities during the day? Will they email pictures? Do they produce a newsletter?

What is the sick policy? Weak sick policies don’t necessarily mean you won’t have to stay home less with a sick child. It might mean your baby will be sick more.

Does the center close any weeks for training or vacation? Some small shops may close 2-4 weeks a year, with varying payment policies. This might choose your vacation time for you.

Are you required to pay for days your child does not attend? Some daycares let you take weeks off for vacation without paying and some wont.

What is their security? Are there security codes or badges?

Do they have an open-door policy on parent visits?

What supplies must you provide? Most daycares ask you to provide diapers, crib sheets, wipes, extra clothes, pre-made bottles, cereal, and other things. Ask how labeling works and how they will communicate if supplies run low.

How do they deal with allergies?

Do they have flex care options or additional hours?

Do you need a contract?

Educators

What is the turnover rate for teachers?

Are teachers CORI formed?

What are teacher certifications?

Does anyone smoke? If so, where?

Curriculum

How do they calm a fussy baby? What happens if a baby cried inconsolably?

What is the discipline policy?

What are the age groupings? What is the theory behind the groupings, and when do children advance?

What is the caregiver-to-child ratio? Is there an open floor plan so instructors who need a break or could use an extra hand get additional support?

How is each day structured? Ask about curriculum, enrichment opportunities, and organization.

How do they encourage language development?

How do they encourage gross and fine motor skills?

What art and science is incorporated for older children?

-Do they incorporate extracurriculars? Do Spanish, music, or dance teachers come in, and does is cost extra? Do they offer swim lessons or sports?

The Space

Do they wash toys every time they go in any mouth? How often is everything wiped down? How are soft toys washed?

How often are sheets changed, and are they washed on site or sent home? Will an infant ever share a crib with another infant?

Is there a separate room for infants? Until what age?

Is there child-made art up or does it look like they raided the clearance aisle in Staples? Are the decorations season-appropriate or stagnant?

How often are baby swings used? Look for swing and appliance-free areas or “least-restrictive” environments that encourage babies to spend most of their time on mats where they can move, squirm, crawl, have tummy time, explore, socialize, and learn.

How is the room organized? Toddler and preschooler areas should be organized into stations (i.e., the art station, the blocks station, the sand station, the dress-up station, etc.) This helps your child learn focus (one task at a time), responsibility (you have to clean up before you can move), social skills (working together with others at one task), organization, and whatever the task itself if teaching her.

Is there outdoor play space available? How often do children go outside?

Feeding

How does the introduction to solids work?

Do they brush children’s teeth? MA state law requires daycare providers to brush children’s teeth after meals because gum disease is the most prevalent childhood disease.

How do they heat bottles? Microwaves and crock pots can be unsafe.

How is breastmilk handled? (It should be kept separate from other milk, labeled, and providers should use gloves while giving bottles.)

Where are babies fed in relation to where they are changed?

Changing

Do teachers wash their hands or change gloves after every diaper change? MA state law requires that they do.

How is potty training supported?

Looking for more resources for expectant parents who plan on returning to work? Check out our New Parent Work Program!

Tags: daycare
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Preparing for Motherhood

by Margaret Breen • January 25th, 2016

As soon as you discover you are pregnant, a whole new world opens up to you! It can be such an exciting time – but also very stressful.

All the anticipation and joy of having a new baby also can cause anxiety as you are flooded with information related to pregnancy, hospitals, doctors, midwives, baby registries, birth, caring for your new baby, breastfeeding, daycare, and more. There is so much to learn! Many new moms wonder, “How will my body change during pregnancy? What can I do to help myself have a healthy pregnancy and baby? What will my labor and birth be like? Will I be a good mom?” Partners wonder, “How can I help her during the pregnancy and birth? How will our lives change after the baby is born? Am I ready to have a baby in my life?”

Rest assured, most new parents share many of these same concerns. It is important to remember that all of this new information does not have to be learned overnight. There is plenty of time to prepare. The average first-time pregnancy is 39.5 to 41 weeks long, giving parents-to-be many months to learn and begin to adjust. Take it one day at a time.

First, focus on having a healthy pregnancy. Follow the guidelines from your health care provider. Be sure to “check-in” every day with your baby. Sit in a comfortable place, put your hands on the lower abdomen over the baby, close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Think about your baby and speak to your baby! (Baby’s ears start to develop at 5 weeks in utero and baby can hear your voice by 16 weeks.) This daily “check-in” with your baby will not only help you control your anxiety, but it will also keep you focused on what is important: the health and well-being of the baby.

By your 28th week of pregnancy, be sure to sign up for prenatal classes such as New Arrival Educators’ Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding, Newborn Care and Infant CPR and Safety Classes. These classes will help you feel more empowered and confident for your birth and your baby. You will learn tips and strategies to help you move through this transitional time more smoothly. Know what to expect and empower yourself to be an active participant in your birth and the care of your baby.

The first days and weeks after the baby is born continue to be a very transitional time. You will need help. Plan for it! Who is in your support village? Make a contact list of family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, health care providers, “In-Home” Lactation Consultant (New Arrival Educators), therapist, fitness club, and more. Look to connect with other new moms to learn from each other, feel supported and understood, and to have fun and make new friends! Join a new mom and baby group like Over The Moon Group and Baby and Me Group. It is one of the best things you do for yourself and your baby!

Congratulations and we hope to see your little family in class!

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