The Disconnect Many Parents Feel with Their Babies Is Real;

Below are 5 Reasons To Line-Up A Postpartum Doula before baby makes his/her way onto the scene – because one of the most important preparations we overlook is making sure us moms are properly set up for success once we’re home and learning the motherhood ropes.

2. Because babies should come with a personal instruction manual…but they don’t.

Both you and your baby are learning a new skill. Although breastfeeding is natural, it is a learned skill and good coaching can help to make this experience successful and gentle for you and your babe. Our postpartum doulas are experienced in lactation education and support. They can help you establish an effective deep latch – and they can refer you to the Pump Station’s lactation specialists should you need extra support. Your doula can also educate you on all aspects of breast pump usage and milk storage practices, as well as formula guidelines, sterilization, and bottle-feeding options. So often, new moms can’t get the hang of breastfeeding the first few days or week and they give up – keeping with them a lifetime of guilt and disappointment around one of the most natural parts of motherhood. Our doulas can lend their expertise to coach you down whichever path you choose to take when it comes to feeding your newborn.

Historically, women of the families have always supported one another through the emotional dynamics of pregnancy and birth. Now, we sometimes live far away or don’t have the traditional family support to lean on. A doula comes into your growing family to share the transitional journey and helps to support you on an emotional, physical and educational level. She can connect you with resources to create your own customized village of professionals and experiences to help your little one’s development get off to a great start. From Mommy-and-Me support groups to specialized referrals, your doula is well-connected to an entire village of baby specialists and can help you anticipate future needs.

Every family needs a spare hand with a new baby in the house! Through their professional experience, a doula can help you understand and respond to your baby’s cues and individual needs which is so helpful as every baby is unique. Doulas assess the family’s needs and will jump in to help with whatever the top priorities are for the moment (which may range from baby care, baby laundry, nursery organization, meal preparation to light household tasks) or just be an empathetic ear to share your story. Extra hands afford you a boost in confidence, energy levels and an overall smoother transition as baby integrates into your everyday everything.

15 Secret Travel Tips We Don't Want New Moms to Miss! 

Since the Holidays and travel often go hand in hand, we thought this would be the perfect time to share a few invaluable ideas we've collected from both mothers and our Breastfeeding Specialists to help make any trip a little easier! 

...and the Complications That Come With It. 

Parenting is tough. Step back take a breath, imagine what it was like 20, 30-40 years ago when you were born. It's nothing like it was - new products, new gizmos, new gadgets and freakin' technology. $hit, feel some empathy for your parents, they're like in the dark ages. So, we talk to alot of expecting and new couples. And, we talk to alot of their parents. Most of the time, they mean really well. 

Grandparenting is tough too. Looking back as a grandparent you're like, been there done that. but wow so much has changed. 

Every family is unique and has their own dynamics.

1. How do you participate in this extraordinary cycle of life?
2. How do you approach a conversation that you want to have with your children, and they want to have with you?  Are they the boss and you follow or is there a way for a more complex conversation?
3. What are the things you want to fight for and what might be a losing battle that you have to surrender to? Still, you want a way to respectfully communicate with them even if you don’t get what you want.
4. Managing expectations.  Coming to terms that new ones come up and old ones get better. What works one day may not work the next.
5. What is your growing edge in life?  What do you want to go for whether that is a bucket list or something you want to learn? How do you fire up the energy that has heart and meaning for you?

Families go through cycles. In past years, they were dependent now they are more self-sufficient.

In our new Class offering Grandparenting: The Joys & Struggles we will discuss expectations for how to best serve your family. Experiences during our time together will allow for inner and outer resources to surface that help in having a positive relationship with your family.

This class is an invitation to explore the challenges and gifts at this "grandparent time" of your life. How do you align yourself in order for it to be meaningful. Come check out this wonderful class and learn tips and tricks to best serve your unique family. 

Learn More Enroll Now.

by Natalie Caine 

We're excited to announce our new partnership with Kindred Bravely! Much like many of the products we carry already in our store, our decision to carry this brand came from the many requests of our Mamas. We understand how difficult it can be to find a great maternity or nursing bra that meets your needs and fits well.  You asked. We answered.

Like motherhood itself, Kindred Bravely is built on love. Their maternity and nursing bras are meticulously designed to make your motherhood journey easier, from the bump to the breast and beyond. Like Kindred Bravely, we at The Pump Station truly believe you deserve to look and feel great all of the time, Mama. We hope you can feel the difference, and we hope you know that much like Kindred Bravely we’re here for you. To support you, to listen to you, and to join you on this wild superhero ride that is motherhood.

In our partnership, we have been designated as an Exclusive Kindred Bravely Fitting Station.  Select colors and sizes of their most popular styles will be available for purchase in store. In addition to that, we will have full assortment of fit samples for other styles that you can try on and special order. Special orders will be shipped to your home directly from Kindred Bravely.  Their exceptional customer service team is committing to shipping your desired bras from 1-2 business days from ordering.  They will be shipping from Southern California so you can expect receipt of your bras in 2-5 business days. We truly hope you will be as excited as we are to be offering this wonderful brand in our store!

Check out the Collection Now

Not sure what you'll like? What size you need?  Call Now 310-998-1981 or Email our Main St. Store Now to make an appointment to come in for your personalized fitting.

More about Kindred Bravely

How do I stay sane during this insane time of my life....

I remember sitting crossed legged in my prenatal yoga class when I was about four months pregnant. My eyes were closed and as per my yoga teacher’s directions, I was taking a nice, slow, deep breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. As I continued to do this, I began to imagine what things looked like inside my body at that very moment. There was this little being growing inside of me, and for a minute, I could actually see that happening.

The most recent formula shortage crisis is not just a baby milk crisis, rather it is a women’s health care crisis that dates back to the last century.   Let’s pause for a moment and take a look at what transpired to bring us here today. 

After WWII, with American women joining the work force in large numbers, formula manufacturers saw an emerging market for their product.  With promises to new mothers that formula was “better than the breast” – and no scientific evidence to back this claim – our grandmothers were assured they could leave their babies in good conscious with this new “milk”, and work outside the home. 

Summer has descended on Southern California in a big way!  Between the on-going drought and the daily heat index, parents need to pay close attention to all that Summer brings with it.  Let's start with water safety.  To be as safe as possible we all need to focus on infants, toddlers & small children as they are the ones who are at most risk for drowning.  That focus should include:

 *  Every infant or child needs to be closely watched in and around all pools, hot tubs and at the beach.