BLOOM 2023

bloom

ISSUE 03

2023

A LOCAL’S GUIDE FOR EXPECTING MOMS IN THE EAST VALLEY

KATE MAE PHOTOGRAPHY DESERT MATERNITY SESSIONS

Dedicated to kids.

Even before they’re born.

No one plans to receive a medical diagnosis for their unborn child.

Hearing the news can be shocking.

But you are not alone.

Our team of experts provides nationally recognized care for babies before and after birth.

When everything feels uncertain, you can be sure that we will do everything possible to give your baby the best possible start.

Phoenix Children’s Center for Fetal and Neonatal Care will work with your OB and maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialist to plan your baby’s care before and after they are born, customizing our team to you and your baby’s needs.

This journey is likely not what you expected. We are here to comfort and guide you through your baby’s medical journey for as long as you need us.

To learn more, please visit phoenixchildrens.org/fetalcare or call 602-933-4411.

A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF CURATOR

hey, mama!

If you’re expecting your first sweet babe, or you’re new to the area pregnant with another addition to your family, congratulations, mama!

Motherhood is best done in community, and that’s what we’re here to do: connect you with the best resources, tips and local gems to support you throughout your pregnancy and fourth trimester.

We hope this serves as a starting point to help you navigate the East Valley resources to create a more connected, joyful parenting journey for you and your family as it grows.

xo, Site manager Cara Lespron and Chief Curator Amy McConnell, four days before Amy’s son was born in 2020.

Amy J McConnell, APR East Valley Moms Chief Curator

EAST VALLEY MOMS

Intro

Table of Contents Our writing team of 12 local moms has put together this resource to help you find all the comforts of community that make parenting in a new community a little easier

Contributor Kira, mom of 4, lives in Mesa, AZ

keep reading 6

Pelvic Floor PT: What it is and What to Expect

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Nanny 101: Advice on Finding Your Perfect Match

11

Self Care for Expecting Moms

13

Taking Care of your Mental Health if You Have Gestational Diabetes

16

Little Sunshine’s Playhouse

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Best East Valley Walking Paths with Infants

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Meet The Mom: Alexander Layne

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Mental Health Guide For Moms

Contributor Megan, mom of 2 (with a third on the way), lives in Mesa, AZ

Contributor Amanda, mom of 4, lives in Queen Creek, AZ

photo credit: Kate Mae Photography

Megan Lankford Megan is originally from North Florida, but has called the East Valley her home since 2009.

This year Megan left her job as an accountant to stay home with her boys.

She serves on the Steering Committee for a local MomCo (formally known as MOPS) group and leads a small group Bible study at her house.

Kira Henning photo credit: BaileyWilson Photography

Amanda Backus Amanda is an Iowan who has resided in Queen Creek for over six years.

Amanda is a full- time working momma who loves spending her free time on the sidelines of her boy’s football games. A lover of Vikings football herself, she is always up for some friendly smack-talk.

In her spare time, she loves a good homemade charcuterie board, bubble baths, Instagram reels, and binge-able TV shows

this issue's writing team

Kira is a busy working mama of 4 (3 chicks and a baby boy) and lives in NE Mesa. She and her husband are high school sweethearts and moved to Arizona from the Midwest.

East Valley Moms is a hyperlocal, digital media platform to connect local parents with local resources and storytelling to inspire a more connected, joyful parenting journey across Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler, Apache Junction and Queen Creek.

EAST VALLEY MOMS

Pelvic Floor PT: What it is and What to Expect from a local doula’s perspective WRITTEN BY EMILY CARDEN MOM OF 2, LIVES IN TEMPE

Pelvic floor what?! If it wasn’t for my background as a yoga teacher and doula, I would have no idea what the pelvic floor is, let alone where to find it. So, before we talk about pelvic floor therapy lets clear up any confusion.

The pelvic floor is the group of muscles between the tailbone and the pubic bone. It supports the bowel, bladder and vagina. It is also connected to the proper functioning of the hips, pelvis, lower back and abdomen. The “core”, for instance, includes the pelvic floor.

Over the last few years, it seems like it’s become more common to hear about pelvic floor therapy, but I’ve found it’s still pretty common for a lot of mamas to be a little unsure about what to expect, so I thought I’d share with you my experience with pelvic floor therapy.

What is it?

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is a specific type of physical therapy (PT) designed to work on a variety of conditions related to the pelvic floor and the other regions of the body connected to it.

Women of all ages will utilize this type of PT, but you’ll find it most commonly used around childbirth – both in preparation for and healing afterward.

I struggled with a condition called diastasis recti, where my abdominal muscles separated during pregnancy. Other common reasons would include pain during sex or in the lower back/hips/pubic bone regions, leaking & incontinence, weakness or being overly tight in pelvic floor muscles, bladder or bowel issues, organ prolapse and even general wellness.

Although every therapist will be different, here’s an idea of what to expect when you go.

EAST VALLEY MOMS

Breathing In pelvic floor PT, I started with the breath first. I used my breath to relax and engage my pelvic floor and abdomen, as well as to engage muscles for proper posture.

My next session started with me standing in front of the mirror and breathing to watch where my breath was in my body and redirecting it to my abdomen.

A lot of women are surprised to find that a great deal of their session is dedicated to working on the breath first before introducing any movement. It can be hard to surrender to a session where I “don’t get much done,” but I reminded myself how important the breathing component is first. This is your first step in the healing process and will prove to be the most effective.

Physical Therapy The physical therapy component here consists of targeted exercises that vary depending on your condition, as well as other healing modalities like massage, stretching, hands on adjustments and increased postural awareness.

photo credit: the Vagina Docs

This could look like something as simple as laying on your back on the floor with your knees bent and squeezing a ball between your legs.

Massage and stretching would likely focus on areas of the low and mid back to loosen those muscles that take the extra burden from the weak abdomen and pelvic floor.

Internal Exam

Meet The Vagina Docs At Vagina Docs, we empower pregnant and postpartum moms with personalized pelvic health solutions. Our holistic, evidencebased approach ensures comfort and wellbeing, free from discomfort, leaks, and pain, as you navigate the transformative journey of motherhood. Thrive at every life stage with our expert care and education.

480-779-0721 support@vaginadocs.com

Although an internal exam isn’t typically the first thing done at pelvic floor PT, there is really no other way to make an accurate assessment of the health of the pelvic floor without feeling and seeing.

Then, with a gloved hand, the therapist will insert one finger up through the opening of the vagina and complete an internal exam by moving their finger along the pelvic floor muscles. They may also ask you to relax or tighten the muscles while inside.

This may seem awkward and uncomfortable, but just like any other part of the body, my doctor explained that she needs to see it and feel it to get a better sense of what’s going on and how it can be helped.

And don’t worry, it doesn’t happen every time! Generally, once in your first couple of sessions and possibly in later sessions to assess progress.

Making the Appointment Ready to make that appointment now? We can’t say enough about how incredible the team at The Vagina Docs are, and they are revolutionizing the delivery of women's healthcare through top-notch clinical care.

Choosing the Right Pediatrician for Your Child Comprehensive Healthcare At Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics, our compassionate pediatricians offer prenatal and newborn visits for new arrivals. We provide routine checkups, immunizations and health screenings to deliver exceptional preventive and medical care.

‘Round the Clock Service Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics has on-call pediatric doctors and nurses who are available after normal business hours, seven days a week, to answer your urgent medical questions or concerns.

Backed by a Nationally Ranked Hospital Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics is backed by one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country. In fact, Phoenix Children’s is the only children’s hospital in Arizona ever to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report.

Make an Appointment Today Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics offers convenient locations throughout the Valley.

We are accepting new patients, and we accept most major insurance plans.

To learn more visit phoenixchildrenspediatrics.org/care or use the QR Code.

working moms

Nanny 101 Advice on Finding Your Perfect Match WRITTEN BY KIRA HENNING MOM OF 4, LIVES IN MESA

Finding a match for a husband was easy.

We met in high school. We had common interests. He asked me out. I said yes. 18 years later, here we are. Finding childcare for our kids, so said spouse and I could feel comfortable both working full time, not so easy.

Whether you are looking for a babysitter for the occasional date night or a full-time nanny, identifying and selecting the right fit for your family can be a very daunting task. One that we have gone through not once, not twice, but three times since becoming parents. Fortunately for us, we have won the childcare lottery with each of our nannies but we had to kiss a lot of frogs to find our prince each time (go with me on this…three daughters…everything can be related back to a fairy tale).

Our current nanny, a term that doesn’t even come close to describing the role she plays in our family, is a gift from the nanny gods. We knew from our first phone call with her, she was going to be it.

Kira is a full time working mom who has navigated childcare setups from in home nannies to in home day care.

After dozens of phone interviews, a couple of less than ideal in person interviews, and review of more resumes than I care to remember, we were drawn to her application. Her experience, personable responses, and the fact that she was from the Midwest like us just gave us comfort that she would “get” us (no offense, Arizonians).

I am often asked how we found our nanny – where did we look? How did she come to be so comfortable with the girls? How do things work from a logistics perspective? As such, I have thought a lot about what has or has not contributed to the successful on boarding of this integral part to our family dynamic.

Do’s Be honest with what you are looking for: Share details about your children, unique circumstances, family needs. For example, I made sure all candidates knew I worked remotely from home (meaning I would be in their “work” environment most days) but that I also traveled (which could impact the hours we needed them to work some weeks).

Establish clear expectations from the start: If you need them to use their car to drive your kids around/want them to do laundry/require they have a CPR certification – make this clear early on in the process. The same goes for talking about payment (how much/how often), how you want to handle time off (expected or unexpected), and any other “employer/employee” details that might come up.

Have multiple conversations with candidates you like: I did a phone screening with anyone promising who applied to our post. From there, we had a second phone call with my husband. After that, we did in person interviews.

Involve your kids in the interview process: Children are both insightful and honest. Not only does introducing them to a candidate allow you to get their feedback, you can also see how the candidate interacts with your kids.

Trusting Connections For families who struggle to juggle it all and find the right help, our exceptional nannies and sitters help provide customized childcare solutions so families can thrive. We are expert matchmakers connecting families with compatible candidates for long-term hire. Our Flex Membership gives families access to our team of agency-employed sitters 24/7, 365 days a year.

photo credit: Trusting Connections

Dont’s Settle for less when the search gets long: We found ourselves considering a candidate who we weren’t totally excited about because she seemed nice and was better than the others we had talked to. Had we jumped the gun and hired her, we would have missed out on meeting our nanny.

Be afraid to outline what is best for your family: Write up a contract, create a manual or guide to help them get better acquainted with your kids/home, express things that are important to you (i.e. limiting screen time, paced bottle feedings, protecting nap schedules). They will need space to create their own routines but just like anyone starting a new job, guidance and direction is always appreciated.

Be surprised if they start to feel like a family member: It can be hard to let your guard down initially but it is natural for a strong bond to form as they are in your home and an integral part to your daily life. And in our experience, this doesn’t take away from the focus of the job at hand – it enhances it.

just for mom

self care for expecting moms cold plunge

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Re|Connect’s members/mothers have shared how using these practices in their facility before, during and after has allowed for a more peaceful and manageable birth compared to prior labors and helped with stress and fatigue.

With the reduction of inflammation throughout the body and improving circulation, it can only aid the bodies natural occurring processes during pregnancy. @thereconnectlife on instagram

belly henna tattoos Available for blessingway, baby shower or photo shoot, maternity henna celebrates and the beautiful changes in both the expectant mother's body and life.

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Henna Creations by Tessa is the only local company we’ve found that offers a professional photoshoot with your henna service! @henna_creations_by_tessa on instagram

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pregnancy safe facials Traditional skincare products are typically off limits for pregnant and nursing moms, making it hard to find pampering in the form of a facial. Scottsdale based Facial Aura is different: all facials and products used in store are pregnancy and nursing safe, making their holistic facials our recommendation for all expecting moms. @facialaura on instagram

iv drip When I was pregnant with Maverick I knew that pregnancy exhaustion was coming, and to get ahead of it, starting in my first trimester and going through my full pregnancy, I had bi-weekly IV therapy treatments focused on energy boosting in a safe way for me and the baby.

Element IV, offers mobile drips, making it easy to fit this into a work day or whatever your schedule demands. I still swear that this one thing is what kept me running full speed throughout my whole pregnancy (I was still presenting at conferences at 39 weeks!). @elementivtherapy on instagram

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mental health for moms

Taking Care of your Mental Health if You Have Gestational Diabetes

WRITTEN BY MEGAN LANKFORD MOM OF 2, LIVES IN MESA

Every pregnancy is different, and no two mom’s experiences will ever be the same.

There’s so many things that could affect one mom and not another, and there is no apparent rhyme or reason for any of it.

One of the unfamiliar terrains you could be asked to traverse in any or all of your pregnancies is Gestational Diabetes.

I want to add to this conversation and talk a little about taking care of your mental health while you manage Gestational Diabetes.

Here are my 5 mental health tips as you tackle this sometimes intimidating part of pregnancy and motherhood.

Megan and her two boys, both pregnancies were navigated around gestational diabetes 1. Give yourself permission to acknowledge how hard it is Maintaining a diabetic diet, pricking your finger 4+ times a day to check your blood sugar, and possibly even injecting insulin into your stomach 4 times a day seems daunting. And girlfriend, make no mistake about it, IT IS. But we would all do any and everything in our power to keep our children safe and healthy, both outside and inside the womb.

On the hard days, acknowledge that it is perfectly valid to struggle with something that is inherently designed to be difficult. GD is tough, and it’s ok if you have some days that feel extremely overwhelming or like you’re just over it. This too shall pass, Mama!

2. Check in with any triggers surrounding food Having to micromanage what you eat to almost obsessive degrees would be enough to trigger even those with the most healthy relationships with food. But, let’s be honest, most women in the United States have some kind of unhealthy relationship with food whether it be a history of obsessive/yo-yo dieting or an actual eating disorder.

I myself struggled with eating disorders in the past, and I have worked so hard to claw my way out of the depths of that darkness through many years of counseling, prayer, self-development, and rewiring my thinking. Having to deal with GD has dredged up so many old anxieties and unhealthy thinking that I thought I had left behind in my recovery.

Prenatal or Perinatal Depression is a real thing, and if your GD has got you feeling anxious or depressed, don’t ignore that! This is your permission to go seek additional mental health support. Either ask your OB for a referral to a counselor or therapist, or go find one on your own. It’s totally reasonable for GD to be triggering to some, and you’re 100% entitled to address this issue head on.

3. Get educated about nutrition Moms (or anyone for that matter) simply just don’t know what we don’t know. Unless you’ve extensively studied diabetic nutrition, how in the world are you supposed to know the literal science behind what and how foods affect your blood sugar?! The 30 minute class and 5 pages of literature that you are given after a GD diagnosis barely scratches the surface of all the information you need to know to manage your GD. It’s perfectly reasonable that you don’t have this knowledge and therefore may feel clueless on how and what to eat to manage your GD. “Just winging it” is not the answer and can lead you down a road to taking additional diabetes medication when really all you may need to do is troubleshoot your diet.

Education is power, and you have the right to acquire the information you need to have a successful pregnancy. Be your own advocate.

Specifically ask your doctor for a referral to a Registered Dietician, or seek one out on your own. There is no shame in needing guidance from a professional.

4. Needing medication is NOT failure If, despite all your best efforts, your GD is not being properly managed with diet and your doctor says it’s time to take additional medication (either Insulin or an oral drug), please know that you are NOT a failure!

Who knows why our bodies do what they do sometimes, but medicine does not mean that this has defeated you.

I’ve had GD twice. I didn’t need meds the first time, but I did the second time. It felt so demoralizing at first. But then I realized that the medicine is helping my body do what it’s supposed to do so that I can actually eat the foods I’m supposed to be able to eat and not drive myself crazy trying to micromanage every bite that goes into my mouth. It’s done absolute wonders for my mental health this time around. I honestly wish I hadn’t resisted for so long.

5. Celebrate all the victories, big and small After the initial overwhelm of managing GD passes, hopefully you’ll find yourself in a nice routine for the rest of your pregnancy. Armed with a healthy mind and all the knowledge you need, you can now just handle this like the rockstar that you are! Give yourself permission to celebrate the days when your blood sugar numbers are all amazing, and also on the days when you were at a work conference and had to maneuver through some very challenging food availability.

Mama, YOU ARE DOING A HARD THING! Tell yourself every single day how amazing of a mom you already are by doing this really difficult thing on top of-you know–creating new life inside of you!

And most importantly, remember that 90% of GD almost immediately goes away as soon as you deliver the placenta. So be prepared to DoorDash yourself a giant milkshake and some french fries right to your hospital room!

gestational diabetes nutritional coaching

Leslee Flannery is a Registered Dietitian specializing in helping women with Gestational Diabetes lower their blood sugar and deliver a healthy baby.

gestational.diabetes.nutrition

Kate Mae Photography A Mesa mom of four, I specialize in natural light and studio photography for families, major milestones, couples, maternity, lifestyle and newborn sessions.

Now accepting new clients. katemaephoto.com katemaephoto@gmail.com 602-373-0255

Congratulations on the new addition to your family!

At British Swim School, we know the importance of making sure that your new child is safe in and around the water.

Here are some Bath Tub Safety Tips for when you return home: •Make sure that you have everything you need for bath time, so that you are not distracted while you child is in the tub.

•Never rely on an older child to supervise a younger one during bath time.

•Make sure all electrical appliances are unplugged and stored properly away from the bathtub.

•Consider installing a grab bar in or near your bathtub for extra safety measures.

480-536-8359

britishswimschool.com/the-valley

Scan for water safety tips or to enroll in lessons once your baby is three months old!

childcare

Quality Is Key When Choosing an Infant Care Center for Your Baby

BY LITTLE SUNSHINE’S PLAYHOUSE & PRESCHOOL If you’re a new parent, you’ll have lots of questions when choosing the best child care program in your area.

Will your child be safe and happy? Will caregivers provide enough love and attention when you’re not around? How will child care affect your baby’s relationship with you?

Researchers have been looking into this for decades, and the good news is that selecting a quality program makes a big difference in promoting healthy development for infants and young children.

The National Institutes of Health tracked over 1,300 children from the time they were less than one month old, and found that students who had received high quality infant care earned better grades and had fewer behavior problems in high school.

A long-term study from Virginia Tech and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that, by age 30, those who had attended quality child care as infants were more likely to complete a college degree, maintain consistent employment and earn higher incomes.

So, what exactly makes a quality child care program? The National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends several important things to consider when choosing the best place for your baby.

1. Qualified Caregivers Believe it or not, babies learn a great deal in the first 18 months, and every baby learns at his or her own pace.

The best child care programs are firmly grounded in an understanding of early brain development.

They recruit and train professional caregivers who support baby’s well-being and learning readiness.

Emphasis on relationships. Babies need stable relationships with trusted adults. Look for a low staff-to-child ratio in which your baby interacts with an attentive primary caregiver.

Warmth and affection. Babies feel safe and secure when they are gently held during feedings, rocked to make them feel loved and spoken to throughout the day.

Planning and responsiveness. Good infant caregivers let baby experience a variety of sounds, colors, shapes, sizes and textures. Simple, developmentally appropriate challenges — such as letting the child reach for an object instead of handing it to them — promote a sense of pride and self-esteem.

2. Positive Environment A quality child care program will provide a physical environment that supports your baby’s health and overall well-being.

Health and safety. Caregivers should wash their hands frequently, and classroom supplies must be kept clean. The program should have separate areas for feeding and diapering. A low staff-to-child ratio also means that adults can give adequate attention to each infant, reducing the risk of accidents.

Soothing environment. Babies can be easily overwhelmed when presented with too much sensory information. Child care spaces should be free of clutter, lighting must not be too bright and recorded music should be balanced with periods of quiet time.

Open-ended toys. Balls and blocks of different sizes, colors and textures teach babies to make comparisons and encourage creativity. For infants who are ready to crawl or walk, child-sized furniture enables self-directed activity and develops a sense of independence.

3. Supportive Structure Babies do best with predictable routines and familiar surroundings.

Look for a child care program with defined areas for feeding, sleeping, playing and diapering. Planned activities, such as mealtime, nap time and storytime, should take place at the same time every day.

Caregivers can introduce new skills when each child is ready, such as letting them feed themselves.

Sign language can be introduced to help babies communicate before verbal language develops.

The program should include diverse books, toys and songs reflecting a variety of cultures.

4. Freedom to Explore While structure and routine are important for baby’s well-being, so is a little bit of freedom. Quality child care programs include periods of unstructured time when your baby can engage in self-directed activity and exploration.

Look for safe open spaces both indoors and out, where baby can move around freely with caregivers close by. Infants need quality time away from strollers and baby beds.

This is also a good time to introduce simple games like peekaboo.

For young infants, tummy time is very important. This activity promotes early motor development and is a great time to offer a variety of toys to stimulate baby’s curiosity.

5. Family Involvement Finally, a quality child care program values parental engagement. Here are a few quality signals to look for: Asking parents about home routines and adapting care to meet the child’s individual needs.

Keeping parents up-to-date about developmental milestones achieved at the center.

Encouraging questions and involvement from parents.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool ®, our Infant Preschool program provides your baby a warm and secure place to thrive with the attentive support of our caring teachers.

Get in touch with a location near you to learn more!

More about Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool® takes pride in offering an exceptional all-inclusive, private preschool program tailored to meet the educational and child care needs of children aged 6 weeks through prekindergarten. They proudly serve families in the Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler communities.

Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool® has two outstanding locations conveniently situated in the East Valley, specifically in Gilbert, AZ. Their first location can be found on Val Vista Dr., while the second is situated on Higley Road.

To accommodate your family's individual child care requirements, they offer a range of flexible scheduling options; Monday through Friday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, and Tuesday/Thursday.

Their monthly tuition rates encompass a comprehensive set of services, including formula, wipes, baby food, breakfast, lunch, snack, and engaging extracurricular activities.

Learn more by visiting littlesunshine.com.

Best East Valley Walking Paths with Infants WRITTEN BY AMANDA BACKUS MOM OF 4, LIVES IN QUEEN CREEK

photo credit: Kate Mae Photography

Desert Arroyo Park Ellsworth and McKellips, Mesa

Mesa Riverview (pictured above) Dobson and Rio Salado, Mesa

This park boasts a botanical walking trail, a hiking/biking path, educational discovery loop, as well as a small playground if you have older kids. Pathways are paved to make it stroller friendly.

One of our favorites is the Rio Salado Pathway.

Walkers enter through a tunnel painted with a stunning mural painted by a local Mesa-born artist and the whole pathway is landscaped and paved, making it the smoothest ride for strollers.

Mansel Carter Oasis Sossaman and Ocotillo, Queen Creek

San Tan Mountain Regional Park Thompson and Phillips, San Tan

This park houses a nice lake that has a walking trail around it. This is perfect for stroller rides or wearing your baby around the park. This is also a Fit4Mom class park, so if you’re looking to join a stroller strides class, you’ll find them here!

This is a beautiful spot to take your family on a fdesert walk.

While it is not stroller friendly, it has the perfect trails for baby wearing. Your infant will love seeing all the desert landscape, mountains, and animals at this park.

meet the mom

Alexander Layne This mother/daughter duo behind the local pj brand Name: Anyssa Holland Age: 26 Location: Gilbert, AZ Children: Travis 3 years old, Dean 10 months

You founded a business! Tell us about your company. My mom and I started this venture out of a deep passion for both sustainability and creating comfortable, stylish sleepwear for children. Our business is a bamboo kids pajama company, and it all began with the inspiration drawn from my two amazing sons.

In our quest to provide the best sleepwear for children, we discovered that bamboo fabric has exceptional qualities that make it particularly wellsuited for kids with sensitive skin, like those who struggle with eczema, like my youngest son.

Alexander Layne was founded by a mother-daughter duo inspired by their sons/grandsons.

Tell us a little bit about your family Our family's collaboration and support have been the driving force behind our family-centered business. Inspired by my sons, I’m in business with my own mom and my husband (on top of his full time job) helps with all our marketing and advertising efforts. It’s truly a family run business.

Any deals for our expecting moms? Yes! Code MOM20 will get 20% off entire order

Mental Health Guide for Moms Your Mental Health Matters Women’s Health Innovations of Arizona

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WHI is the only Maternal Mental Health organization in the state of Arizona that is licensed by Postpartum Support International.

Women's Health Innovations of Arizona (WHI) offers counseling services for pregnant, postpartum and parenting individuals. WHI also works with young children birth to 6.

Women's Health Innovations of Arizona is a team of experts dedicated to providing high-quality mental healthcare for women across the lifespan. The team at WHI has expertise and specialization in the mental health needs around pregnancy, postpartum and parenting and is proud to offer Children and Family services to better serve our community.

WHI of Arizona is a 501(c)(3) Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO) located in Gilbert, Arizona. @whiarizona on instagram

The Village Parent Happiness Center The Village offers a comprehensive range of empowering services for parents to connect, learn, and grow together.

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From Mommy & Me groups and Daddy & Me groups, where parents can bond and learn from each other, to educational parenting classes on childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care, they provide valuable resources and parenting education for every stage of parenthood.

Additionally, our community events and social hours offer relaxed settings for parents to connect and build relationships to foster a supportive and nurturing environment for families to thrive. @villageparenthood on instagram

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Trusting Connections Peace of mind that your kids are in good hands while you’re at work, or just out for a date night, can be lifegiving for moms.

For families who struggle to juggle it all and find the right help, Trusting Connections exceptional nannies and sitters help provide customized childcare solutions so families can thrive. They are expert matchmakers connecting families with compatible candidates for longterm hire. Their Flex Membership gives families access to their team of agency-employed sitters 24/7, 365 days a year. @tcnannies on instagram

photo credit: Kate Mae Photography

EAST VALLEY MOMS East Valley Moms has been sharing local resources for families, hosting live playdate events and giving family-friendly activity reviews of attractions across the East Valley for 10 years.

@eastvalley.moms on Instagram info@eastvalleymom.com eastvalley.momcollective.com