Recent Posts
- Birth & Parenting News: Breastfeeding & Returning to Work?
- Doula Business Advisor: Collaborative Business Models, Part II
- Community Spotlight: Barbara Robertson
- Whole Family Recipes: Guacamole
- On the Edge: Funding Source for Doula Programs
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- Doula Business Advisor (Tuesdays)
- Birth & Parenting News (Wednesdays)
- On the Edge (Thursdays)
- Whole Family Recipes (Fridays)
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Patty’s Blog: “Blog” posts
Birth & Parenting News: Breastfeeding & Returning to Work?
Each Wednesday, my blog will highlight the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work in the field of maternal-infant health.
Employers Must Provide Break Times for Nursing Mothers
A new fact sheet from the US Department of Labor provides information on break time requirements for nursing mothers that are now in effect as a result of passage of federal health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). These requirements took effect when the PPACA was signed into law in March 2010. The fact sheet outlines the general provisions of the law, noting that “employers are required to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth each time the employee has need to express the milk.” Employers must also provide “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.” Review the entire fact sheet online.
It not only makes good business sense for employers to support their breastfeeding employees (breastfeeding=healthier babies=fewer lost work days for their mamas), IT’S THE LAW! Don’t settle for less, ladies.
Doula Business Advisor: Collaborative Business Models, Part II
My regular Tuesday blog is designed to support the establishment and long-term sustainability of private doula businesses and doula programs. Excerpted from my book, The Doula Business Guide–Creating a Successful MotherBaby Business (coming September 2010!).
Continuing our exploration of collaborative business models …
Referral Agencies
Referral agencies offer their services to help prospective clients and service providers find each other. The basic concept is that the agency makes it easier for folks seeking doulas (or childcare, etc.) to go to one source and find a prescreened professional who meets their needs. Depending on the service offered, the professional may be guaranteed to be licensed or certified, have passed a criminal background check, have verified references on file, be insured and/or bonded, and so on. Clients seeking services are interviewed to determine their needs and then given the names of one or two (or more) practitioners who might be a match. In this model, the agent serves as a broker or matchmaker, bringing two parties together and charging a fee for her services.
Doulas may be interested in either starting such an agency of their own or joining an existing agency in their area. By registering yourself with a referral agency, you should not be precluding the possibility of attracting customers on your own. Rather, you are simply expanding your exposure and potential source of customers. Make sure your contract specifies that you are a free agent.
One business in my area, My Nanny Rocks, established this model as a partnership LLC in 2006. The business is owned and collectively managed by three women who are themselves experienced nannies and postpartum doulas. Following is a description of the business, from their website.
“We place caregivers for the following types of positions: occasional babysitters, part-time caregivers, temporary caregivers, postpartum doulas, overnight caregivers, full-time nannies (both live-in and live-out), and tutors.”
Business partner, nanny, and postpartum doula Lily Sacks reports favorably on the success of this model for her and her two business partners, Jennifer Godek and Kim Washam, calling it “financially lucrative.” She states that the business is capable of providing a nice income for one person; however, My Nanny Rocks partners split profits three ways, thus providing a nice supplemental income for each. Lily shared that the best aspect of the business for her is that she is doing what she likes to do—working with families and getting paid to help families find caregivers. The most challenging aspect of the business is working with families who call and “want perfection in three days.” She reports that sometimes it can be difficult to please everyone, especially when customers make their own lack of planning a crisis and draw her and her partners into their drama. For details on their application process, fees charged to clients, and more, check out their website.
On the partnership aspect of the business, Lily emphasized that it works well because each partner has a different skill set. The “tech savvy” partner is responsible for the website and bookkeeping aspects of the business, while the other two split the interviews, one preferring to work with the caregivers and the other one primarily interfacing with the families. In their model, the caregivers do not pay a fee to be in the approved caregiver group; the families pay the agency’s fee after a successful match has been made. As the name of the business implies, My Nanny Rocks is primarily focused on making matches for long-term child care; however, a percentage of their business involves placing postpartum doulas.
Community Spotlight: Barbara Robertson
On Mondays, I highlight upcoming community events, opportunities, and people of interest.
Each Monday (until 3pm), Barbara splits her time between co-hosting the Center’s Mothering Arts Support Group for new moms and their in-arms babies and waiting on customers in her onsite boutique, The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor. Barbara is an excellent international-board-certified lactation consultant, providing one-on-on support to breastfeeding mothers. She can help you troubleshoot any breastfeeding challenges you may be experiencing or assist in planning a strategy for returning to work while breastfeeding.
A free drop-in group meets every Friday morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Known as The Breastfeeding Cafe, this group provides an opportunity for breastfeeding moms to spend time together chatting and drinking tea and breastfeeding. Topics naturally tend towards whatever is foremost on everyone’s minds. Babies perhaps?
By calling Barbara’s store a “boutique,” I do not, by any means, intend to imply that it is over-priced and stuffy. Quite the opposite! Barbara’s ethics are such that she refuses to carry any items that she doesn’t believe breastfeeding moms actually NEED. She has vetted what is out there and has limited her selection to her trustworthy (in my opinion) personal recommendations, thereby simplifying life for overwhelmed new moms. There is a large selection of maternity nursing bras and tanks, including large sizes for those who are amply endowed among us. Certified bra fitters give personalized service. And all of this at competitive prices.
I am trying to help Barbara move out of being the best-kept secret in town. Why wouldn’t you want to get your bras, pumps, and top-notch professional support here?
Whole Family Recipes: Guacamole
Whole Family Recipes—For the Childbearing Year & Beyond. Each Friday, I share a recipe from our community cookbook. Contributors include doulas, midwives, moms, dads, and other supporters of the Center.
Guacamole
From Patty Brennan
This recipe is delicious and simple to make. The key is to use perfectly ripe avocados. Buy avocados that have turned from green to black. They should feel firm, but not hard. If they are not ripe when purchased, then allow them to sit out of the refrigerator for a day or two. Green, extremely firm avocados may take 3–4 days to ripen. Once ripe, they will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days, perhaps longer, but are best if used promptly.
2 ripe avocados
juice of 1 lemon, fresh-squeezed
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 pinches of sea salt
Remove the avocado pit and scoop out the avocado, discarding the skin. Quickly mash the avocado with the lemon juice to avoid oxidation that will give the avocado an unappetizing gray tint (though it will still taste good). Mix in the garlic and salt. Serve with corn chips and salsa, or use as a spread for sandwiches. Serve promptly or cover and refrigerate. Best if used within a few hours.
Makes 1 1/2 cups
On the Edge: Funding Source for Doula Programs
On the Edge–Hot Topics, Reviews & Cool Stuff
My regular Thursday blog features controversial topics, media reviews, and pretty much anything I think you will like.
Doula programs may be eligible for a $10,000 prize. The Amgen Foundation is sponsoring a global competition to address how patients’ voices can be elevated to improve health outcomes. Isn’t that what doulas do? Three top vote getters will win $10,000. Find out more about the Patients/Choices/Empowerment Competition by clicking here. Deadline is September 29.
Birth & Parenting News: Baby Brought Back to Life by Mother’s Touch
Each Wednesday, we highlight the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work them.
Check out this amazing true story from Australia.
Miracle mum brings premature baby son back to life with two hours of loving cuddles after doctors pronounce him dead. It was a final chance to say goodbye for grieving mother Kate Ogg after doctors gave up hope of saving her premature baby. She tearfully told her lifeless son, born at 27 weeks weighing 2lb, how much she loved him and cuddled him tightly, not wanting to let him go. Read more.
Whole Family Recipes: Granola with Flaxseed
Whole Family Recipes—For the Childbearing Year & Beyond. Each Friday, I share a recipe from our community cookbook. Contributors include doulas, midwives, moms, dads, and other supporters of the Center.
Granola with Flaxseed
From Sarah Hashimoto
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
¾ cup sliced blanched almonds
¼ cup coconut or vegetable oil
¼ cup honey
½ cup dried cherries
½ cup golden raisins
¼ cup unsalted sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss together oats, coconut, and almonds in a medium bowl and set aside. Whisk together oil and honey in a small bowl and stir into oat mixture. Spread the mixture on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 17 to 20 minutes. Let cool. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients.
On the Edge: New CPR Technique
On the Edge–Hot Topics, Reviews & Cool Stuff
My regular Thursday blog features controversial topics, media reviews, and pretty much anything I think you will like.
Check out this video regarding the latest CPR procedure. The new technique is much simpler and more efficient than traditional CPR. Forward to your friends and family–you never know, a life may be saved with this new procedure.
Birth & Parenting News: Child Safety
Each Wednesday, my blog highlights the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work in the field of maternal-infant health. Feel free to email items of interest to my attention, patty@center4cby.com.
Child Safety
Car Seats
A study published online July 5th in the Journal of Pediatrics examines hazardous use of car seats outside of a car in the US. The study authors note that when used improperly or for unintended purposes, car seats can place children at risk for injury or death. The most common causes of injury were infants falling from car seats, car seats falling from elevated surfaces, and car seats overturning on soft surfaces.
Window Safety Tips
During the summer months, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is calling for parents to use extra caution when opening windows around small children. CPSC data shows that about eight deaths occur yearly and more than 3,000 children are injured due to falls from windows. Deaths and injuries often occur when children push themselves against window screens or climb onto furniture located next to an open window. For window safety tips.
The Doula Business Advisor: Nonprofit Corporations
My regular Tuesday blog is designed to support the establishment and long-term sustainability of private doula businesses and doula programs. Excerpted from my book, The Doula Business Guide–Creating a Successful MotherBaby Business (coming Summer 2010).
… Continuing our discussion of business models, I now take up considerations regarding formation of a nonprofit corporation.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation is a relatively complex entity established for educational, religious, scientific, literary, or charitable purposes. Other qualifying purposes include the testing of public safety, fostering amateur sports competitions, or the prevention of cruelty to animals or children. The nonprofit status means that the organization enjoys freedom from certain types of taxes and that it is eligible to receive tax-deductible donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and government bodies. Startup requirements and costs are considerable. Simply submitting the application to the IRS costs $850, with no guarantee that the application will be approved. The designation “nonprofit” is a bit of a misnomer. Technically, nonprofits must make a profit to remain viable; no business can run at a loss for very long. However, members, officers, or directors cannot benefit financially from dissolution of the corporation. If the nonprofit does close its doors at some point in time, all remaining assets must be given, by law, to another nonprofit agency or government body.
While an individual can be the founder and executive director (ED) of a nonprofit corporation, decision-making power and fiduciary responsibility rests with a board of directors. Ongoing rules, regulations, and reporting requirements are extensive, requiring the involvement of lawyers, accountants, and nonprofit specialists over time. One risk for the visionary founder/ED is that the board of directors, comprised of good-hearted volunteers who have no real concept of the day-to-day operations of the business and have minimal overall involvement, nevertheless legally hold full decision-making authority (including the right to hire, fire, and replace the ED). The resulting built-in tension in the relationship tends to revolve around accountability issues, which may at times feel like a one-way street from the ED’s perspective. A founder/ED will understandably have a sense of ownership, while in fact she is an employee, not an owner.
Doula entrepreneurs considering formation of a nonprofit corporation may be motivated by the desire to serve low-income families by establishing doula programs, community-based childbirth education centers, breastfeeding clinics, postpartum depression support groups, and the like. These are all worthy enterprises. Given the complexity and challenges in both set up and management of a nonprofit corporation, I have devoted an entire chapter of my upcoming book to this subject.