Preparing for the Worst

These past few weeks, mother nature is anything but happy.

With a season of some incredible natural disasters devastating communities across the country, it's a solemn and humbling reminder that every family should be prepared for the worst. 

It's one thing to talk about the possibility of a flood, tornado or hurricane affecting your home or school and it's another to create a plan and prepare to keep your family safe when disaster strikes. Planning for these events doesn't have to be intimidating or even scary to discuss with your kids. It's easier than you think and makes a big difference in an emergency situation.

The easiest way to tackle disaster planning is to categorize your efforts into three fundamental principles. 

Talk it Out

Talk to your family as a team about natural disasters, how they differ, what can happen and where your safest route is for shelter. Discuss with your kids where to locate supplies, emergency contact information and what they need to do if they have to take charge on their own. 

Stock Up 

Keep your home stocked and ready with the essentials you'll need for most power outages and scenarios that may prevent you from leaving the house. Keep supplies in two different areas of your home such as the basement and pantry upstairs to make sure they are always accessible. Get your family involved in checking supplies and expiration dates of non perishable foods and batteries. 

Practice

A natural disaster or emergency doesn't care if you are prepared or not. Practicing your escape route, calling out to your emergency contacts and gathering your escape bag with your kids can help them feel more prepared and secure should a real scenario take place. It can be as simple as gathering together as a family in an area of your home that is safe from windows or floods. 

Here's a list of the suggested items to keep on hand by different emergency associations across the country:

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Download the Recommended Supplies List (PDF)

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

• Prescription medications
• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
• Glasses and contact lense solution
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

You can never be too prepared for emergency situations. 

Over the past few weeks we've seen a devastating aftermath of multiple natural disasters that are prompting Americans to focus on preparing for emergencies. Getting involved in local associations and organizations for disaster relief can also empower your family to help others that need our help and to bring attention back to how we are preparing our homes for different emergencies and storms.

Be safe. Be organized. Be prepared.

Placenta and Postpartum Depression

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

One of the areas of mental health that often go misdiagnosed or mistreated is postpartum depression in new and veteran mothers. 

Each year almost 20% of new mothers in the United States are diagnosed with postpartum depression.

When including mothers that experience infant loss or miscarriage, these numbers total to 900,000 women each year. 

Postpartum depression is a serious mental illness and with the stigma surrounding the diagnosis, many women avoid seeking help or acknowledging that something is wrong. It's not just the women experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety but the safety and well being of their children who may be subject to developmental lags and susceptibility to childhood illnesses when mothers are unable to bond or care for their new baby as well as they should.

In many cases, postpartum depression is sparked by hormone imbalances and stress in our bodies as they recover from birth. Balancing these hormones and chemicals in our bodies during postpartum recovery can often reduce the chances of developing postpartum depression or dramatically improve symptoms. 

Placenta Encapsulation

Placenta encapsulation is a growing postpartum trend in the U.S. that has for centuries helped women abroad feel more control over their body's adjustment to healing after birth.

The placenta is a powerhouse of nutrients and can provide some of the hormones in our bodies that are lost during birth and hormone levels that become strained or reduced as you transition home with your new baby. During encapsulation, your placenta is professionally processed into capsules that can help your body find the balance it needs to encourage healing and rejuvenation. Placenta puts oxytocin back in our bodies and promotes bonding behaviors with your baby and can even help your uterus shrink back down to it's appropriate size. 

A placenta regimen can also restore your body's CRH supply, a hormone that naturally reduces stress and helps manage the stressful transition home during those first few weeks. 

With less strain on a mother's body, many experience a more pleasant and comfortable postpartum recovery. These improvements in mood, emotional and mental health have been used to decrease postpartum depression risks and symptoms in many and continue to be a resource. Some medical professionals recommend to their patients as a healthy alternative to prescribed medications for mood disorders.

If you or a loved one has experienced postpartum depression or are researching prevention measures, placenta encapsulation might be a great option for you. 

Take control of your postpartum recovery to feel more confident through your journey into motherhood. Your doula or postpartum placenta specialist can help you design a routine that works best for you and your family. 

Postpartum depression deserves our support and together we can encourage victims of mental illness, postpartum depression or anxiety to seek the help and resources they need.

Support for Military Moms to Be

Having a new baby comes with it's fair share of challenges. 

When you're in a military family, those postpartum challenges can be even tougher on parents. Most military families have relocated far from home and have difficulty finding the support they need while they're navigating the first few weeks postpartum.

A strong support system is as important as ever for military families relocating or at the helm of deployment and a postpartum doula is there to fill in all the gaps. 

Planning for Baby 

Trying to come up with a birth plan is stressful enough and military parents are often required to make decisions on their own while their partner is away. With all your family and friends in other towns it can be difficult to feel confident and excited about welcoming your new baby. Whether it's deciding on nursery colors, thinking of the perfect baby name or just getting all your supplies in order, there's a lot on your plate as a military mom-to-be and knowing you'll have doula support as your baby makes their big arrival is incredibly reassuring. 

Baby's Big Arrival

We understand how difficult it can be for new and veteran military moms to settle in during those first few weeks postpartum. It's our job to make that transition as seamless as possible. Postpartum doulas offer a helping hand with baby care, breastfeeding and lactation support, overnight feedings, bath time, and even some help around the house. 

The Role of a Doula

For new moms, your doula can keep you feeling confident and you can be sure that you're receiving all the answers and resources you need for all things baby care and postpartum recovery. With your other half far from home, a postpartum doula offers physical and emotional support that can really boost your confidence while you're settling into parenthood. 

For veteran moms welcoming another baby into their family, postpartum doulas offer a unique element of comfort while their partner or family is absent. As your doula takes over some of your to do list, moms are given the chance to rest, shower or devote some of their energy to a healthy amount of daily self care.

No matter how big your family is growing, those first few weeks settling in with your newborn is stressful.

We're setting out to be the comforting and supportive foundation that parents can count on and the force that keeps all military families empowered to be as happy and healthy as possible on or off their military base or with their partner absent. 

Parenthood takes teamwork. 

Quick Spring Getaways

As the seasons change, we start itching to be more active and get bit by the vacation bug.

It's not always realistic to plan a big vacation before your annual summer vacation with the kids or even a babymoon before your little one's arrival. Instead, why not improvise and take a weekend trip away or even a daycation!

The act of getting out and about will keep you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the last of your wintertime blues. 

The Big Beautiful Babymoon 

The last minute opportunity to indulge before your baby officially makes their debut is the new craze with expectant parents. Since you won't have the opportunity to squeeze a vacation into your postpartum routine, a babymoon is a breath of fresh air to keep your pre-baby jitters at bay. Take a weekend to get a couples massage, relax at a fancy bed and breakfast like Maple Hill Manor or take in some fresh air at one of the beautiful state parks nearby. Your babymoon can be as fancy as you'd like, but if you're in those last weeks of pregnancy it might be a good idea to skip theme parks and attractions that are more physically demanding. 

Quick Kentucky Getaways with the Kids

Your kids are feeling the cabin fever of the winter months too and anxiously awaiting spring break and a chance to adventure. There's no rule that says a great family vacation means a week long excursion that's hours away. With all the great attractions for kids right here in Kentucky, you can put together a fun family friendly vacation on the fly.

Kentucky Kingdom is an obvious favorite with the kids and only a short drive away. Make your theme park stay a little more extravagant with an overnight hotel stay and a big breakfast at a family friendly restaurant like Wild Eggs where the kids can order whatever breakfast strikes their fancy. You can check out the Lost River Cave that features underground boat tours through a natural cavern with plenty of workshops for the little guys. We also have a ton of kid friendly museums to explore during a weekend getaway that isn't going to break the bank. 

Staycation at Home

Who says you even have to leave home? As the weather gets nicer, there's plenty of family fun that's free in your own backyard. Literally. 

Why not plan a big movie night outside, complete with a campfire and s'mores? You can order some take out or a few pizzas and make your outdoor movie night a real event. Get your hands on a portable mini projector that will take your family's movie nights to new heights! Grab some inflatable kiddie pools and fill them with pillows and blankets for cozy lounging in the grass. Hang a few strings of Christmas lights around the backyard to make things extra special. 

A staycation doesn't have to be crazy or even expensive to be a fun family adventure, just think outside the box and don't be afraid to get a little creative. 

Awaken some springtime adventure!

Whether you're planning a romantic babymoon with your sweetheart, an exciting weekend adventure around Kentucky or even a backyard party at home, there's plenty of fun to be had without even wandering far from home. 

Staying Super Mom Through Flu Season

Cold and flu season is creeping up on us. 

Which means bad news for the busy mom. 

It's hard enough to keep on track with everything you need to do as a mom, being sick just doesn't help. In fact, nothing comes to a screeching halt when you're sick and you have no choice but to keep on going.

We came up with a few survival tips for the moms out there that are trying to keep up once they've gotten sick.

Make It Easy for Kids to Help Themselves

Keeping snacks and drinks for kids in an easy to reach space can help your kids be a little more independent for different meals throughout the day. Keep snacks in individual bags, and fill up sippy cups with water or juice to hold them over throughout the day. Even if you usually take home the gold with family dinners, have plenty of snacks that your kids can put together a meal with. They'll feel a little more grown up getting to choose and you'll be able to post up on the couch while you battle this cold.

Let the Kids Entertain Themselves

So if you're home sick with the kiddos, you'll have to be okay with the idea of some messes happening. While you're sick with a nasty cold, it's hard to be picky when you don't have the energy to keep your kids entertained. As long as they're safe, this might be the day to let them build forts or use the couch cushions on the floor while they watch TV. It's always a good idea to keep some back up games and projects to entertain your littles for snow days, or when you're feeling under the weather. Your day might not be action packed with activities around town, but we guarantee they'll be able to make their own fun.

Call In Reinforcements

Don't be too proud to call in some reinforcements when you're feeling sick and need a little help. Whether it's a postpartum doula for help with newborn care or a relative to step in as an emergency babysitter, you'll be happy to see their car pull up in the driveway. With some extra help around the house you'll have the opportunity to get some extra sleep or take a hot shower to break up some of your congestion. 

When you're sick, you can't exactly take off your mom hat to rest and relax. 

Don't get discouraged when you get sick or feel guilty that you're taking some time to recover. You're still a super mom if you take it easy and go with the flow for a few days.