Starving Artist Ink.

so, i'm not a mama yet. but i feel like i have a pretty good idea about what some mamas want, need, or would really just love to have- so i've put together a few sweet gift ideas to share!

for mama:

Clutch organizer- fill it with a journal or address book, some stationary, pen, and a little book of stamps. Help mama stay organized and keep all of her thank you notes, baby announcements, and grocery lists all in one place.  Make up a card to place inside that has the phone numbers for her midwife, labor department, GP, and local lactation consultant

Nursing necklace- so baby has something to play with and keep them focused. Plus, it’s pretty..and jewellery that isn’t fragile and won’t risk breaking. Might keep sticky little fingers from tugging on your hair when nursing.

Ceramic eco travel mug- remind mama to stay hydrated. A gorgeous way to enjoy a morning cup of tea. Gift it with some raspberry leaf, and mothers milk tea. OR Hot cold travel mug- so mama will always have her water with her. Looking after everyone but herself, mamas get dehydrated- and fast. A good milk supply is established with mama looking after herself and keeping herself well hydrated.

Cucumber depuffer eye serum- help mama feel like she has some control over her sleepless night, puffy tired eyes.

Pretty journal- to keep track of anything her mama brain might need reminding of. Whether that’s the last feeding time, what needs to be picked up at the grocery, and all those little thoughts that come to mind about baby that you want to remember forever..

Kimono empire maxi dress- easy to slip on, cozy, elegant. And nursing friendly.

Slippers- something gorgeous. Mama doesn’t have to go around the house feeling frumpy, wearing holy pajama pants and fluffy bunny slippers.

Woven baby wrap- so mama can keep baby close, safe, and warm. And still have two hands free.

All purpose healing salve- sometimes you can e-mail the maker and ask for a bit of lanolin to be added for an extra layer of protection for sore nipples.

Other ideas-

On the go kit- a pretty make-up bag or clutch with travel sized essentials. Include tweezers, a pair of fold-able scissors, tyelnol, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, wet wipes, wet bag for soiled clothes, bandaids, antiseptic salve, washable breast pads, granola bar, coin purse for emergency change. (comes in handy when you suddenly realise that you haven’t had anything to eat or drink, and you have a vending machine near). Packed and ready to store in her diaper bag.

A fit mama makes for easier labor-

a yoga/exercise ball is a cheap investment that is not only great during pregnancy- to help keep back straight, ease hip and back pain, and build core muscles. But is also a great tool to use during labor- to keep moving and take pressure off hips. replace sitting on a desk chair with your yoga ball, especially during the last few months of pregnancy.

Prenatal yoga- instructors help mamas move their bodies in a way to benefit and ease the discomforts that come with being pregnant. Helping you learn to breathe properly, especially helpful for birth. You always have your breath.  Gorgeous yoga tote/diaper bag

Gift of photography- a gift certificate for a maternity session or newborn session. Some photographers will do a discount if you purchase both together. Many mamas forget to have pictures taken of their gorgeous pregnant curves. Some feel a little self conscious in their new body- but one day will look back, thankful that they had those precious moments captured.  Try to find a photographer who is independent (not a generic studio photographer), and will travel to your house for newborn sessions. Mama is less stressed being at home, baby feeds off of mama’s emotions… and, as a photographer- I find that there’s extra sentiment at shooting in the persons home- finding things in their house that mean so much to them that can be incorporated into the photos. It’s ideal for newborn photo shoots to take place within the two weeks, so please make sure to stay in contact with your photographer to keep a date open for you.

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for labouring and post-partum mama:

Relaxing scents/ massage oils

Post-partum recovery kit-  prepared or home-made kit,  include bottom spray or peri bottle, herbal sitz bath, ibuprofen (safe to take while breast feeding), witch hazel pads, dry shampoo, washable breast pads, really delicious chocolate ; )
for c-section recovery kit include a belly wrap, hot/cold compress, healing salve, dry shampoo, washable breast pads, delicious chocolate. and plenty of support.
for both- volunteering to drop meals off, run a load of laundry, vacuum/sweep floors. a basket of fruits that are easy on digestion- apples, pears, plums, peaches, dried apricots, bananas

Hot & cold compress- will come in good use for post-partum recovery as well.

Positive affirmations- birth & mama mantras

Rescue remedy

Mixed dried fruits and nuts- for energy during labor.

Something for mamas to consider: Birth photography

Exercise- help to get back into shape and feel better about yourself. Healthy, fit and happy mama. Jillian Michaels 30 day shred is getting rave reviews. A membership to a local fitness class, or knowledge that baby will have someone to take care of him/her for 30 minutes while mama goes for a brisk walk. I hear that carrying a baby burns more calories compared to pushing a baby in a stroller. So even if you don’t have someone to mind the baby when it’s a good time to go walking, put baby in a wrap/carrier and enjoy the fresh air.

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what's something that you found useful or lovely to have?  what would you normally give your pregnant friends?

waking up this morning, fresh out of a dream about my babe. i scoot to the edge of the bed, bare feet to the wood floor. naked belly and breasts exposed… i look down and notice how incredibly big my belly is this morning. round. separate from me, yet all mine.

my silvery stretch marks continue branching upwards, light pink new growth flowing from these old scars.

thirty three weeks. my babe, thirty three…

my hips are loosening, expanding for their upcoming job. my body becoming a gateway from one world into the next.

we prepare for your arrival, sweet one…. by dreaming about you. i'm certain that there really is no way to prepare for you, because once you are here- the world will be different, and my heart will have been changed forever… you will show me what you need. most of all, i believe that you'll simply need me to trust myself.

this pregnancy has been an entire lesson on finding trust in myself and in my body. i'm so grateful for that, because i feel like it gives me confidence and trust in myself and my body for birth and mamahood.

i've been reading a few of ina may's books for childbirth, i immersed myself and found a passion in birth well before you found your way to my womb… a pull in my heart towards birth- like it was something that i helped women with in a past life… like it may be a path in my future.

but for your birth, for our birth… i've decided to stop reading. i want to know enough to make educated decisions, to have the confidence and know what is going on to say 'is there an alternative we can try first…' or simply 'can i have a little bit more time'.  i want to know enough, because it's something i love… but be naive enough to simply flow. to not over analyse what is going on. to let go of mind and sink into body. to trust my body, and to also trust the women who will be taking care of me.

i find there's so many judgements in the mamaworld. whether you give birth at home or hospital, natural or epidural, bottle or breast, sling or stroller… co sleep or nursery down the hall, home made food or jarred. blah blah blah- it's never ending. i get so tired of it. women who have forgotten that we're all in this together. we're all going through our own trials and tribulations. we're all learning what's best for us, and for our babies.  and ultimately- as long as mama and baby are both happy and healthy, isn't that the main thing?

i get so disheartened when i see and hear about women quickly judging another mama for a choice she made in raising her baby. the judgements quickly turn into harsh words about how fit she is to be a mother. two hardcore sides, yelling what is right… when at the bottom of it, there's one thing that bonds us all- we all love our children. we all want what is best for them, and we make educated decisions that will suit us, our baby, and our family best. we sometimes seek advice, but ultimately- we have to trust ourselves and our decisions. we make mistakes, but that doesn't mean we don't love our baby any less. we learn. we grow.  and it's necessary…

so it's always refreshing to find other mamas who just… get it. who are compassionate and understanding. who make no judgements. who believe in honouring and trusting ourselves and each other.

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i found my birth and mama mantra… wisdom from one goddess mama to her baby girl. but as i read it- i feel like she's talking to me too…

'My darling Ostara Light, one day you too might give birth to your own son or daughter.
I want you to know that by hook or by crook, however your child comes in to this world is the way they needed to be born.
You may have a water birth, an induction, a caesarean, an orgasmic birth, an assisted delivery, an active birth, a vaginal birth, an episiotomy, an epidural, an ecstatic birth.
And they are all equal dearest, because they are all still the act of birth.
Your babe’s birth will be an initiation, and you will emerge the warrior mama goddess they need.
You will find strength, courage, grace and faith deep inside you, hidden in mountains and trees.
You can do it, my dearest daughter.
I believe in you, and know you are supported and surrounded by thousands of angels.'
-goddess leonie

and so i sit, and envision how i will breathe… how i will move my hips. how i will hum and moan. how i will look in your dads eyes- and beg him to help me… i envision how i'll need to call out and deep down inside for the strength and energy. i'm sure that i will lose myself from time to time, needing reassurance that i can, and i will do this. because at the end of all of that hard work, my babe.. i will finally meet you.

this is how i prepare for you. i give myself over to you. trusting my body, and letting go of ideas. honouring that you will come when you are ready, and how you are meant to arrive. i let go of control- because nothing controls the forces of nature, so why would i expect to be able to control the most pivotal moments of mother earth; birth.

i adore the ways you have changed me already… carving me into the mama you need.