Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

If you haven’t made it over to check out the new Granola Babies location in SOCO (next to the oc mart MIX) in Costa Mesa, it is one of those outings you have to put on your list! This natural baby boutique is the largest natural parenting store in OC, but what some of you might not know is that Granola Babies also offers amazing classes and events for expecting and new parents.

When I was breastfeeding and had an infant, I truly relied on my mommy friends to survive. Being a new mom was not something that was meant to be forged through alone!  That’s why I was really happy to see that Granola Babies offers such great support classes to help moms when we need it most.

Most all of the classes require registration in advance at least a day prior to the class. Please click the title of the class for more information and click HERE for the entire calendar.

Mommy Support + Playgroup - Fridays starting 2/24 from 11:15am – 12:15pm; 6 week series for expecting moms and moms of babies 0 – 8 months old.  Meet other moms, share your experiences and join in a weekly discussion topic.  $75/6 week class.

Breastfeeding Support Group - Tuesdays 1 -2pm and Thursdays at 11am – 12pm.  Inviting, friendly, welcoming group with comfy sofa for nursing. Both groups lead by a Certified Lactation Educator (CLEC). Pre and post baby weigh check available to measure milk intake. Free to attend and no reservation required.

SoCal Connect – New Moms Connect Group - Tuesdays starting 2/21 at 10:30am – 12:30pm. This 8 week education and support program is for first time mothers and their babies (0 – 6 months.) Groups limited to 10 women and facilitated by a family and child development expert. Moms will learn about infant development, baby care, parenting issues and transitions. $400/8 week series

Babywearing and Strollers 101 – Saturday, February 11th from 11am – 12pm. One workshop where you can learn everything about carrying your baby,
whether it’s in a comfortable baby carrier or a long lasting stroller. $25 per family, and $15 gift certificate redeemable same day as class.

Let’s Make a Craft! - Friday, February 10th @ 11am. Recommended for children 2 – 5 yrs and siblings welcome to attend. For this interactive Kids Craft class, kids will create a special nature-based craft to take home. Materials provided.  $10/child.

Please click HERE to see their entire list of classes and special events coming up for Orange County families. This is only a select group of classes and events – there are many more!

www.GranolaBabies.com * Granola Babies on Facebook * @GranolaBabies on Twitter

[Disclosure: Granola Babies is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor and all photos provided by Granola Babies.]

Ok, first off, how can you not smile when you say the name Boobie Palooza?  Every time I saw the name of this post on my editorial calendar it made me giggle.  And this event makes me smile for more reasons than one because I am passionate about any company or event that helps support the breastfeeding mamas of the world!

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, you are invited to join Berlin Wellness Group & The Pump Station & Nurtury on Sunday, August 7th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm in Costa Mesa for a FREE family event that includes lots of fun for everyone!

Some of the highlights include:

A Lactation Lounge hosted by The Pump Station

Expert Panel Discussions with topics including Breastfeeding and Prenatal and Postpartum Wellness

VIP Swag Bags for first 100 moms and expectant moms

Prizes/Raffle Giveaways

Fun activities for kids and music by Papa is a Rolling Stone

Complimentary Beer Garden
{Check out their recent blog on “breastfeeding and beer” very interesting!
Wish I had this information when I was nursing!}

Complimentary Chair Massage

The Burnt Truck gourmet sliders

“Rockin’ Babies” book reading with Dr. Jenn Berman and Cynthia Weil

...and much more!

Follow this event on Twitter, stay-up-to-date on Facebook and
visit www.boobie-palooza.com for more information!

Boobie Palooza
Sunday, August 7th, 2011
1:00 – 4:oopm

3140 Bear Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Phone: (714) 751-2229
Cost: FREE!

Click HERE to RSVP and be entered to win a prize valued at $300!  The winner will be announced at the event and must be present to win.

{Disclosure: This is a sponsored event post, one that I am thrilled to help promote!}

The La Leche League of South Orange County is holding a family picnic event in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week on August 7th, 2010 from 11AM- 2:00PM at Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach and I wanted to share the details.

First, the event is FREE!

They will be offering free gift bags to the first 100 families to arrive, including full size and sample size products from Natracare, Lansinoh, Plum Organics, Hylands, Baby’s Bliss, The Water Brewery, Mothering Magazine, and Whole Foods.

You can also check out a mom & baby yoga demonstration, a children’s concert featuring Music Together (Estoy Alegre) and Smile and Sing, and a Q&A and book signing with Dr. Bob Sears.

There will also be a silent auction and opportunity drawings, featuring products from Bumbleride, Beco baby carriers, Steph Fowler Photography, Balboa Baby,  Aliso Laguna Body Talk, Milkalicious, Kamee June Photography, Jenny Mason Photography, and Earthroots Field School.

The event is open to ALL! Please come join them to help support La Leche League of Southern California!

CLICK HERE to download the flyer with the event details and directions!

This is an awesome find by a local mom!   She writes…

“I’m a breastfeeding mom to a 10 week old and just started the Stroller Strides workout.   It’s a great way to get out and get active again and take my baby with me!  So, I’m sure I’m not alone feeling a bit of pain in the chest area when I started working out again 6 weeks postpartum.  That stretched out jog bra from BEFORE I was pregnant just doesn’t quite cut it anymore!  Plus, during my maternity leave, I’m finding I’m in my workout clothes for a good part of the day.  I always have good intentions that I’ll get out for that walk soon!  My Stroller Strides instructor recommended the Fiona bra by Moving Comfort.  I found it at Roadrunner Sports in Laguna Hills or many online retailers. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but WELL worth it!  The velcro straps come down easily and also adjust if you need a bit more or less support.  It think it will be great even when not breastfeeding for this reason. It also comes in sizes up to DD/E, which is hard to find in a jog bra.  So, happy pain-free running to new mommies!!”

Hey mamas!  Have a tip to share?  Want to be a guest blogger?  Email me at jennifer@tinyoranges.com  and let me know!

As a new breastfeeding mom (for the second time), I have loved having Milkalicious as a shopping and nursing resource this time around.   For those of you that aren’t acquainted with Milkalicious, it is a darling breastfeeding boutique in Aliso Viejo.

The other night I was reading the book “Pinkalicious” to my daughter and accidentally said “Milkalicious” when reading it to her.  She doesn’t miss a beat these days, so  she looks at me as says “MILKALICIOUS??” and starts giggling.   I guess I had  Milkalicious on the brain! 

I have to share an AMAZING resource the boutique offers that I experienced firsthand -  FREE breastfeeding clinics  every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 10am – 11:30am. 

When we went to our 2 week doctor appointment  for Morgan, she had barely made it back to her birth weight because of her reflux.  The fact that she was not gaining enough weight early on really messed with my head. 

Even when she started gaining weight when we got her reflux under control, every time she was fussy, I was thinking “Is she hungry?? Is she getting enough??”

So, I went to a Milkalicious workshop to find out.    The first thing they do is take your baby’s pre-feeding weight on a scale.  Then, you nurse and weigh them afterwards so you can see approximately how much milk they are getting.   

In the meantime, a lactation consultant is there to walk around and answer any questions.  And it was fun to sit and chat with moms that all had babies roughly the same age.  

They had a sheet to tell you approximately how many ounces per feeding your baby should be getting for their weight.  Turns out that Morgan was getting exactly as much as she should be.  I left feeling so relieved.  It was just nice to have the reassurance.

They also offer private lactation consultations in-store or at your home for a fee, along with other classes.  Whether you are nursing your 1st baby or your 5th, when nursing issues arise, it is SO helpful to have an expert to turn to for help.  Us nursing moms need all the support we can get!

You can register for classes online or call 949.831.6455 (MILK).