Seed Plant Grow & Baby Planner U Launched!

June 16, 2010

(USA) April 2010 – Seed Plant Grow, is the latest creative endeavor of Melissa Moog, founder of Itsabelly Baby Planners and International Baby Planner Association. Seed Plant Grow is the first educational and consulting center which seeks to provide knowledge and training by offering seminars on parenting, entrepreneurship, and professional development. Born in September 2009 and launching in the on-line arena in April 2010 Seed Plant Grow will have a key focus on helping baby planning professionals and aspiring baby planners offering education and consulting through Baby Planner U.

Moog shares, “We are excited to announce that Seed Plant Grow is finally here! This center for learning is inspired by the successes and challenges I’ve faced in running my own businesses.” All of the class content and materials are based off of real life business experience to help entrepreneurs, and also includes the use of hands on materials that helps support new parents and expecting parents in their journey of parenthood. Moog goes on to say, “You can trust that Seed Plant Grow will get you going down the right path.”

Coaching and consulting for baby planners, parents, and entrepreneurs is in high demand. Seed Plant Grow entered the online arena in April 2010 and has already rolled out a class schedule on topics including living with a new baby, child proofing your home, how to find the best childcare, as well as tools in writing an effective business plan and marketing strategy.

What To Do About Recalls

May 16, 2010

What To Do About Recalls



By Nicole Mabry, Itsabelly Atlanta

Itsabelly Baby Planners' first job is keeping babies safe. While this often features our signature eco-friendly twist, it often includes other aspects like keeping up with recalls. Recently, there have been several major recalls on baby and children's products from commonly given medications to cribs and common household items that can be potentially dangerous to children like Roman shades.

What steps can parents take to protect their children against recalled products?

1. Visit the Consumer Protection and Safety Commission website (www.cpsc.gov). On their site, you can register for email announcements regarding recalls of infant and child products.
2. Register the products you buy for your baby with the manufacturer. Manufacturers will often let purchasers know when a product is recalled.
3. Save receipts for major purchases. Some retailers will refund your money in the manner you used to make the purchase (cash for cash, credit card refund for credit card purchase) instead of just issuing a store credit if you have a receipt.
4. Retain the boxes and all packaging inserts for all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) at least until the baby has finished the medicine.
5. Follow Itsabelly Baby Planners on Twitter and Facebook. We often post news about baby and child recalls on our site with additional information about steps to take to get your product repaired, replaced, or refunded.

Monday Madness

April 19, 2010

We've gone mad! In last week's newsletter we announced our "Monday Madness" deals would kick off on April 19th. What this means is that anyone who books one of the following baby planning consultations/assessments before 9 pm PST on a Monday will receive 50% off. You're probably thinking that we're out of our mind and the simple answer is we may be a little nuts but we also believe that every family should have access to the valuable services we offer as professional baby planners. Additionally, we want to give back to our communities for helping us grow over the last four years and Itsabelly's "Monday Madness" deals are just one great way for Itsabelly to say thank you!

How to Qualify:

• You must book one of the following assessments by a Monday at 9 pm PST.
• In order to receive the discount you must go to our Facebook page here and post in the comments section  "I want my Monday Madness deal."
• You may also go on Twitter here and tweet "I want my Monday Madness deal."
• Once we receive your Facebook post or tweet we'll contact you to finalize your purchase.
• The consultation/assessment you purchase can be done in person where we have an Itsabelly Baby Planner or via phone and email.

Consultation/Assessments:

• Baby Proofing Assessment
• Childcare Assessment
• Baby Gear Consultation
• How to Create a Non-toxic/Green Environment for Your Baby & Family

Itsabelly's Tips for Making Home Made Baby Food

April 9, 2010

By Nicole Mabry, Itsabelly Atlanta

Tips for Making Homemade Baby Food

Gone are the days when feeding baby had to involve commercially prepared glass jars of goo! Now, more and more parents are preparing their own baby food at home and providing baby with a tastier, fresher, healthier and often less expensive alternative.

Shop:

First, a parent must shop for the foods to feed baby. Be sure to follow your pediatrician’s advice on which foods to introduce first and when. Also, be sure to introduce new foods to baby one at a time to make sure that there are no adverse or allergic reactions. Once you have your pediatrician’s OK, it’s time to shop! To protect baby’s developing system from harmful pesticides or hormones, you may want consider organic produce and meats. In the produce category, be sure to buy organic when choosing a fruit or veggie from the “dirty dozen” and chose either organic or conventional produce from the “tempting twelve.” You can learn more about which foods fall into which category in Itsabelly Baby Planner’s book, Itsabelly’s Guide to Going Green with Baby.

Cook:

One of Itsabelly Baby Planners’ favorite new mommy tools, the Beaba Baby Cook can make baby food preparation a snap! With this handy machine, a parent can steam and puree foods for baby with one small appliance.

If parents don’t have a Beaba Baby Cook on hand, then they can steam food in the traditional way. Steaming is often the preferred method of cooking as it helps fruits and veggies to retain the most nutrients.

Once food is cooked, it must be pureed or mashed for young babies. The Beaba will do the trick in this case as will the food processor or blender that you may already have at home.

Some foods also require thinning; water, breastmilk or formula can be used to thin baby food to an edible consistency. Be sure to follow safe freezing practices for milk.

Store:

Since baby’s tummy is tiny – only about the size of his fist, a parent will want to save some food for later. Many homemade baby food makers use ice cube trays to freeze and store food in baby sized portions. Baby Cubes are also a great storage solution. Make sure that any food storage system you choose for baby’s meals are free of BPA, phthalates and PVC.

Think you’ll need additional help in becoming a babyfood gourmet? Call your local Itsabelly Baby Planner for consultation or write us at info@itsa-belly.com.

Are You Fertility Fit? 
The 5 Secrets To Optimum Fertility Fitness At Any Age

April 5, 2010

Guest Post By Gabriela Rosa, Founder of Natural Fertility & Health Solutions



Are You Fertility Fit? 
The 5 Secrets To Optimum Fertility Fitness At Any Age

So you want to have a baby! This is an exciting time and here are some important facts that will get you up to speed on the do's and don'ts to guarantee your best chances of having the healthiest possible baby, at any age.
A healthy body is a fertile body and the health of your baby is in great part decided before a pregnancy is even in sight. You see, by 8 weeks gestation a baby's health blueprint is already created, as are his or her tiny organs and little fingerprints! At this stage his or her health vulnerabilities and strengths are set by the 'map' guiding this miracle of creation. It is fair to say that once a pregnancy is established your child's health potential becomes the lowest common denominator of you and your partner's health at the point of conception.
So, how do you give your child, the best possible start in life? It's simple. Ensure you your partner are in optimum health by beginning the preparation for your most important event yet, at least 120 days prior to a conception attempt.
Here's why...The quality of the egg and sperm today is the reflection of everything that was happening in your life and immediate environment over the previous 4 months. Your complete health picture during that time including nutrition, stress levels, blood oxygenation, hormone levels, emotions and other factors affect the quality of your fertility in the current month.
Studies show that being fertility fit, where both prospective parents actively prepare for a healthy pregnancy will not only improve your chances of having a healthy baby, it will also reduce the chances of miscarriage, congenital abnormalities, pregnancy complications, prematurity and still births. In addition, British research reveals an 81 percent success rate in conception for previously infertile couples, and for those who require IVF the same approach has been shown to increase the chances of conception through IVF by 47.1 percent.
The initial step in your preparation, just like in any sport is to find out how 'fertility fit' you are now, so you can measure and monitor your progress. For men, this includes having a semen analysis at a specialist fertility clinic. This is the most effective way of saving time and potential heartache right upfront--if there are any issues, they can often be very easily addressed naturally during the preconception period with excellent results. For women, having hormonal levels checked, and sometimes also a pelvic ultrasound that can show fallopian tube clearance, will help to rule out any potential problems that may prevent you from falling pregnant quickly after your preparation. For a head start, you and your partner's combined preparation should include visiting your GP for a general health check-up as well as a way of ruling out any possible infections (particularly of the genito-urinary tract), which if left untreated can cause i nfertility and pregnancy complications including miscarriage.
So what are the 5 secrets to optimum fertility fitness?
Let Go of Lifestyle and Fertility Poisons

Yes it is true... Although caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and recreational substances are common companions in most people's lifestyles, they are all toxic to your fertility and above all your prospective child. Research concludes that as little as very minimal and sporadic consumption of coffee or alcohol has been shown to dramatically decrease fertility in men and women. Thus, complete avoidance during the preconception preparation period, pregnancy and lactation is definitely in your prospective family's best interest. In cases of addiction be sure to seek professional assistance to quit unhealthy habits if necessary.
The Fertility Diet

The best fertility diet is one based on organic, seasonal, local produce that is as fresh and as unprocessed and closest to their natural state as possible. If you are unsure of what to eat, focus on fresh vegetables and fruits and good quality organics meats. Basing your meals on vegetables and protein and avoiding dairy and gluten containing foods as much as possible can improve your odds of conception. This reduces the chances of allergic reactions and excessive mucus and inflammation, which can hinder reproductive function. Studies also show that gluten can have a negative impact on ovulation and for most people it can decrease the absorption of essential nutrients.
Good Quality Supplementation

I am often asked the question: "If I am eating a healthy diet surely I don't need supplements, right?" Wrong. This may have been true at some point during human existence, but it is not so now. Today our bodies are faced with more toxins, pollution, nutrient deficient foods and soils, stress, radiation and many other physical and emotional conditions which more than ever increase our body's nutrient requirements. However, be aware that not all supplements are made equal and just because a particular brand may be popular and well marketed it does not mean it is the best product for you. Seek professional advice before starting any new supplementation regime so you don't short change yourself and compromise your results.
Exercise and Rest

Both over-training and under-training will have a negative impact on your fertility, in the same way that being overweight or underweight will also decrease your chances of conception. The key is to strive for balance. Five to six moderate training sessions per week is ideal for maintaining optimum health whilst naturally boosting fertility. Plentiful rest and quality sleep will also be essential for achieving peak fertility fitness. If you are having difficulty falling asleep, your sleep quality is poor, or you are not making the time to get enough sleep, there are plenty of effective, natural solutions to choose from and help is quick at hand. A competent and qualified naturopathic practitioner or medical herbalist will definitely be able to help.
Avoid Chemical Exposure

Chemical exposure to environmental toxins, pesticides, household cleaning and pest control all have been shown to disrupt endocrine function, which is responsible for hormonal balance, optimum fertility (in men and women) as well as normal baby development in the womb and during early childhood (when kids are most vulnerable). Such chemicals are capable of damaging general health (and fertility) in the womb and throughout life. The answer: choose completely safe, chemical-free alternatives for the products you use in your home; buy organic foods wherever possible; avoid plastics and synthetic materials as much as you can and prioritise a natural lifestyle to optimise your health and fertility.
In today's world we are literally surrounded by toxins and pollutants that can negatively impact our health and fertility. For as many substances we know that have a definite negative effect on our health and fertility, there are hundreds or even thousands that we are not even aware exist and some, which are close to, or simply unavoidable. The great news is that our bodies have amazing self-healing mechanisms and the smallest changes can yield magnificent results despite some unchangeable environmental factors. So take control. Maximize your fertility fitness and your chances of creating the healthy baby of your dreams by making the changes that count now towards your desired result, irrespective of your age.

Natural fertility specialist and naturopath Gabriela Rosa (BHSc, ND, Post Grad NFM, DBM, Dip Nut, MATMS, MNHAA) is the founder and director of Natural Fertility & Health Solutions clinic and the author of four books, including 'Eat Your Way To Parenthood: The Diet Secrets Of Highly Fertile Couples Revealed'. For more information or a FREE subscription to the Natural Fertility Booster please visit www.NaturalFertilityBreakthrough.com.

The #1 Go-to Kit on How to Launch Your Baby Planning Business - Baby Planner in a Box

March 20, 2010

We have been inundated with email and phone calls regarding our ever so popular "Baby Planner in a Box" which is the #1 Go-to Kit showing you how to launch your baby planning business from A-Z. Written in 2007 and in its 3rd publication, many of our clients have noted the box as an invaluable tool in learning how to build a baby planning business from scratch. We're also excited to share the fabulous praise (noted below) that we received from happy clients who have utilized our Box as their primary reference guide and blueprint in building their business. If you're interested in purchasing the Box please email us at info@itsa-belly.com and we'll send pricing info over to you in a jiffy!

Here's a peek at what's inside:

Marketing Strategy & Plan of Attack
Effective Marketing & Social Media Tools
How to Target Your Marketing Efforts

Earning Media Attention and Expert Status
Media Relations Tips
Developing Your Pricing Model
How to Work with Clients

Sample Contract Templates

Comprehensive Baby Registry Store List

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Copyright & Trademark Protected, Itsabelly’s Baby Planner in a Box ™
Please do not copy or use any images or content without written permission.

Praise

"I feel so very lucky to have found Melissa Moog while starting my business. I purchased the Baby Planner in a Box to launch my own baby planning business.  After receiving the kit filled with tools and comprehensive details about baby planning it is clear why her brand and business has become so successful.    As a pioneer in this niche industry she has shared so many valuable insights and tips for those of us starting out in baby planning. I am in complete awe of her professionalism, marketing know-how, industry leadership and entrepreneurial style.   I view her as a role model and hope that my baby planning business can one day emulate the trusted and recognized brand Itsabelly."

-Tracy Montgomery, Dallas

“It is very evident that Melissa has pulled all of her resources together and spent many long hours to compile the Baby Planner in a Box kit. I found the information to be a great blueprint for someone yearning to get started in the baby planning/baby concierge business. I still refer back to it from time to time and find it refreshing. The information is thorough and concise and leaves room for you to ‘make it your own.’ I highly recommend the Baby Planner In A Box to anyone looking to get into this wonderful niche of baby planning."

— Kelly Glorioso, Maryland

“The Baby Planner Kit was a great tool to start my baby planning business. It offered the insight to keep me organized in the beginning of what could be an overwhelming process. I would recommend the kit to anyone who is interested in working in a great industry!”

— Shawn Kiraly Corry, Ohio

Natural Baby Pros, A Resource For Natural And Alternative Options

March 16, 2010

Guest Post by Jen Aliano, Co-Owner, Founder of Natural Baby Pros

Natural Baby Pros Provides You with Information Necessary for a Naturally Healthy Pregnancy, Birth, Baby and Mother

NaturalBabyPros.com is a website, resource and directory built to educate about the natural and alternative options in creating healthy, natural babies and moms.  It was created with the purpose of educating women and couples on the many natural health care options available to women for preconception through postpartum and baby care, and to help connect them with the best therapies and professionals for them and their families.  Think of it as a place where like-minded families and practitioners can find each other, collaborate, and share information about fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and baby care and services.

Natural Baby Pros also has something special to offer locally in San Diego.  Your Natural Baby, San Diego, offers events such as birth story gatherings, pregnancy and birth fairs, workshops, seminars, and local support, provides one-on-one connections, and builds personal relationships between families and practitioners here in San Diego, and will eventually reach across the country.

Our deepest desire is to create opportunities for families to meet other families and practitioners in a non-judgmental, educative and supportive environment, whether online or in the community.  We want to build a strong referral network between professionals and each individual profession in an effort to provide the best, well-rounded resource available for fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and baby care.  At NaturalBabyPros.com, we offer a place that provides the resources and support for families and practitioners to understand ALL of the options available to them for a healthy preconception through postpartum and baby.
To us, informed choice = empowerment, no matter what that choice may be.  It is time for the benefits of natural, holistic perspectives on conception, pregnancy, birth and parenting to be become a viable option for more families, and we would like to provide the place and resource for that to become reality.
So who is this website and local community for?
It is for the soon-to-be and new parent who is seeking the information to make an informed choice and receive the support they most desperately need in that 2.5 year span when they are so vulnerable and unsure.
Our second audience is the practitioner. We are here for you. Not only to support your business, practice, and profession in getting you clientele, but also as a platform to gain credibility and positive exposure in the mainstream arena.

What will you Find on NaturalBabyPros.com?

Not only does the website host a wealth of information in the form of articles and blogs, we also have a forum in which you can ‘Ask The Experts’ in multiple natural health fields, a directory so that you can find professionals in your area, coupons and savings, and even a weekly featured product giveaway with a new product to win every week!
More About Natural Baby Pros. for the Practitioner and Baby Business

Practitioners, Businesses, and Professionals, NaturalBabyPros.com provides you with an opportunity to share your knowledge with families and moms who are hungry to learn more about how to integrate natural modalities into their conception, pregnancy, and delivery journey.  We provide a space for you to share your knowledge, expertise, and benefits with potential clients and to support your specific profession and service.   If you are local here in San Diego, then you have the additional opportunity of sharing in our events and reaching out to families on a more personal level.

Additionally, Natural Baby Pros and Your Natural Baby have the goal of helping natural health professionals and practitioners to increase their business and improve their marketing strategies.  We provide business building tips in our professional newsletters, and will soon include podcasts and webinars with practice building tips and information specifically for holistic minded preconception through postpartum and baby health care professionals and services.

NaturalBabyPros.com is a place where we are not the experts; you are.  We want to provide you the platform on which you can communicate with other experts in multiple fields, as well as with mothers and families.  We see this as a mutually supportive relationship where we provide the place and people, and you provide the information and feedback.  Become a part of this amazing network today, and help spread the word about the benefits of what you do, for mothers, babies, and families across the country.  Help build the growing realization that optimal care consists of natural care, especially for mothers and babies, by being a part of this online community and resource!  Register Now!

Hope to see you soon at NaturalBabyPros.com.

Announcing our new Itsabelly Baby Planner, Ashley Harkrader in North Carolina and South Carolina

March 13, 2010

By Ashley Harkrader, Itsabelly NCSC

Itsabelly comes to the Queen City…. Charlotte, NC.
Charlotte is the home of NASCAR, the second largest banking industry in the United States, the energy city capital of the US, and nicknamed the crown town… the Queen City.  I have decided make Itsabelly my new home because of my passion to help educate moms/dads on what is best for their baby(s). In joining the Itsabelly Team I know that I would be surrounded by other moms who share the same mind sets and values as my family. My family consists of my husband, Chapman and my baby girl, Ava Rilyn.

Some of my services for Itsabelly will include baby gear consultation/baby registry, childcare sourcing, and teaching parents or parents to be on how to go green with their little ones. With my educational studies and communication background, I am ready to join you on your wonderful journey of parenthood. I am so excited to be a part of the Itsabelly family and hopefully yours.

Itsabelly Carolina will also serve northern South Carolina (York County), the metropolitan areas of Charlotte, NC (surrounding), and Iredell County. I look forward to helping you start and build your family in the Carolinas with Itsabelly Carolina.

Contact me at ashley@itsa-belly.com or reach her by phone at 803-374-6377.

Announcing our new Itsabelly Baby Planner, Athena Serapio in San Jose, CA

March 13, 2010

By Athena Serapio, Itsabelly San Jose

Itsabelly is finally in San Jose, CA!  Melissa's home town now has a baby planner, Athena Serapio, to service the Silicon Valley.

Free Baby Planner 101 Teleseminar to be held on 2/17 and 2/19

February 17, 2010

If you're interested in signing up for this free Baby Planner 101 teleseminar please email info@itsa-belly.com and let us know which date you'd like to attend. Future classes will be held if you miss these dates so please let us know if you'd like to be on our waiting list. Thanks for stopping by!