Safety is at the top of every parent’s mind. We always want to do everything we can to keep our little ones safe, but sometimes, we don’t know where to start. There is so much to consider. Car seat safety, babyproofing, safe sleep, and more! Luckily, we have Sarah Haverstick, a baby and child safety guru, answering all of our questions. She’s sharing what every parent needs to know about baby safety.

Who is Sarah Haverstick?

Sarah Haverstick is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor, the Safety Advocate for Evenflo, and an instructor in the safe transportation of children with special healthcare needs. She is a former chair of the National Child Passenger Safety Board and current vice chair of the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety. In 2021, she was inducted into the Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame, so she is a big deal in the baby safety world! Sarah has been educating kids and adults on child passenger safety topics for 15 years.

She is a mom to two awesome kiddos (a 3-year-old and a 10-year-old) – and a few fur babies (four cats and two dogs). Rounding out her family is a husband who might not love all the car seats that live in the garage!

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Sarah about all things baby safety! We discuss ​​best practices and life-saving tips for parents while in the car and at home with their little ones. Here are several of the questions that we covered in our conversation:

• What important safety concerns are often unknown or overlooked?
• Babyproofing your home can feel overwhelming as a new parent. How do you recommend parents make their home a safe space for baby?
• Sleep safety is also critical. What are your top safety tips for safe sleep?
• What are the most important things parents need to know about safe transportation for babies in the car?
• What steps can parents take to make sure their children are safe in the car each time they buckle them in?
• What do you recommend parents look for when shopping for safe baby products like cribs, car seats, strollers, toys, and other baby products?
• How can parents stay updated on the latest safety recommendations and guidelines?
• Do you have any personal stories related to baby safety that could help shed light on its importance?
• What is your number one baby safety tip?

We covered so many great safety topics in this episode! Sarah is a pro, and we are so honored to have had her as a guest on our show. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Cheers to keeping our babies safe!

Mentioned in the Episode

• NoHeatstroke.org
• Virtual babyproofing

Sarah’s Resources

• Website: Evenflo
• Sarah’s LinkedIn

While pregnancy is a miracle, there are times when it can be uncomfortable and not so glamorous. People hear about morning sickness and swollen feet, but not necessarily about pregnancy complications. Pregnant women need to know what is normal and abnormal in pregnancy so they can know what to look for regarding any concerns. One of the first tips today’s guest shared on this episode is choosing a primary care provider you like and trust. Having a good relationship with your doctor or midwife and having continuity of care throughout your pregnancy can help you have a healthier pregnancy.

We learned a lot of insightful tips from our special guest, Dr. Alison Cowan. If you are interested in learning more about pre-eclampsia, tips for self-advocacy, common pregnancy complications and what to look for, this episode is for you!

Who is Dr. Alison Cowan?

Dr. Alison Cowan is an OBGYN, a mom of three (ages 10, 7, and 3), and the Head of Medical Affairs for Mirvie. Mirvie is a maternal health company pioneering a new way for women, expecting parents, and their doctors to predict potential pregnancy complications early on.

Alison attended Emory University Medical School, where she also received a master’s in clinical research before moving on to do her OBGYN residency at Northwestern University. With over a decade of bedside experience, Alison has delivered hundreds of babies. She is now on a mission to help change the status quo for pregnancy health. She is passionate about sharing tips for self-advocacy, having the healthiest pregnancy possible, and advocating for change and equity in pregnancy health at every opportunity. Alison resides in Colorado with her husband, Patrick, and three children.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Alison about the facts behind common pregnancy complications, like pre-eclampsia, how women can advocate for themselves during pregnancy, and equity in pregnancy health. Here are several of the questions that we covered in our conversation:

• What steps can women take to ensure they have the healthiest pregnancy possible?
• Why is self-advocacy an important part of a woman’s pregnancy?
• What tips do you have for self-advocacy during pregnancy?
• What are some common pregnancy complications? And what symptoms should women look for?
• Can you tell us more about the science and facts behind some of these common pregnancy complications?
• How common is pre-eclampsia?
• What causes pre-eclampsia? Can it be prevented?
• Are some women at a higher risk for developing pre-eclampsia than others?
• What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
• Does pre-eclampsia go away after delivery?
• I know you advocate for equity in pregnancy health. Can you elaborate on this and what it means?

Dr. Cowan’s passion and knowledge about women’s health is evident in this episode. We learned some helpful information that can help every person have a healthier pregnancy. We hope you learned something new, too! Cheers to healthy pregnancies!

Mentioned in the Episode

• ACOG.org
• Comprehensive care plan to prevent pre-eclampsia
• Care providers should be mindful of these CUS words from their patients:
  • I’m Concerned.
  • I’m Uncomfortable.
  • Safety: I feel unsafe.

Dr. Alison Cowan’s Resources

• Website: Mirvie.com
• Instagram: @mirviedx
• Facebook: @MirvieDx
• X: @MirvieDx
• Dr. Alison Cowan’s LinkedIn

Planning a trip and traveling to Disney World or Disneyland with kids is extremely exciting but, at the same time, can be very overwhelming. There is so much to do and think about. What should you reserve? What do you need to pack? How can you find the best deals? That’s why we’re chatting with Sarah, today’s guest, to give us the scoop on all the best tips and tricks to make your next Disney vacation with the kids just as amazing as you imagined!

Who is Sarah Huff?

Sarah Huff is a SoCal native and mom to two boys (8 and 6 years old). With a background in Business Administration and Psychology, Sarah joined the Baby Quip team in 2016. She now manages the ever-growing Quality Provider Community by providing real-time support to Quality Providers, maintains a superb brand image through quality control, and oversees customer service and support for all of BabyQuip. When she’s not chasing her tiny boy gang around, she’s soaking up the California sunshine.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Sarah about all things Disney, including the best tips on how to have a magical trip with the kids! Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• Where should a family start when planning a Disney trip?
• How can families get the most out of a Disney trip?
• What should families take into consideration when choosing a place to stay at Disney? And how do you recommend families find the best hotel deals?
• What recommendations do you have for planning out each day when visiting Disney?
• Do you plan out your rides and meals at Disney in advance of your trip? What recommendations do you have for this process?
• What are your top tips and tricks for babies and toddlers at Disney?
• What gear and products are the most important things to bring to Disney World with a baby or toddler?
• What “must haves” do you pack in your bag for a day at Disney?
• What are your top “Disney hacks” for doing the parks like a pro?
• How do you recommend keeping young kids engaged when they might get tired after a long day at Disney?
• Disney vacations can be expensive. What are your tips for saving, and what is worth the splurge?
• What resources would you recommend for families who are looking to plan a Disney vacation?

Sarah shared some amazing and helpful information with us today. Now we feel completely ready for our next trip! We hope you feel the same. Cheers to a magical Disney vacation with the kids!

Sarah’s Resources

• Website: BabyQuip.com
• Instagram: @babyquip
• Facebook: @babyquip
• Sarah’s Facebook: @babyquipsarahhuff

With November being National Adoption Month, we’re thrilled to chat with a guest who knows this topic extremely well, Becky Fawcett. We talked about all things adoption in this episode. We discussed her personal adoption journey, the adoption process people need to know, costs, and much more.

Who is Becky Fawcett?

Becky Fawcett is the founder and president of Helpusadopt.org, an equality-based organization that seeks to reduce the financial burden of adoption. After graduating from Franklin & Marshall College, Becky had a successful career in the magazine industry, first for Baltimore magazine and then for Philadelphia magazine as the director of marketing. She then went on to found The Fawcett Group, a full-service public relations and marketing firm.

Becky and her husband, Kipp, adopted their first daughter, Jane, in 2005 and their second daughter, Brooke, in 2009. After adopting their first child, Becky and Kipp were so grateful that they had the financial means to adopt that they decided to make a donation to an organization that would help ease another family’s financial burden. Sadly, they could not find an adoption grant organization that was based on a mission of equality. To address this need and help all types of families, they founded Helpusadopt.org in 2007.

Helpusadopt.org has been featured on CNN, People.com, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, O Magazine, and Good Housekeeping for their groundbreaking work in the world of adoption. Becky lives in Manhattan with her husband, Kipp, and their children, Jane and Brooke.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Becky all about adoption! Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• Becky, did you always know you wanted to adopt?
• We’d love to hear more about your personal adoption story and experience. Please share with us!
• What were the biggest challenges you faced while going through the adoption process?
• I’ve heard from families that the adoption process can be overwhelming. Where do you suggest a family start to explore adoption?
• What aspects of adoption do you think the general public might be unaware of?
• Can you walk our audience through a typical adoption process?
• What is the average cost of adoption?
• Why is adoption so expensive?
• What obstacles does the high cost of adoption create for families and children?
• What advice would you give families who are just beginning to explore adoption options?

It was a pleasure chatting with Becky about the adoption journey and hearing her passion and knowledge about such a very special topic. We hope that this episode brings hope and encouragement to families out there who may or may not be considering adoption.

Becky’s Resources

• Website: helpusadopt.org
• Instagram: @helpusadopt
• Facebook: @helpusadopt.org
• Where Do I Start?

Now that my daughter is two-and-a-half years old, I am approaching when I need to potty train her. From my years of experience working with families, I know that each child is different, and potty training your child might look a bit different from how I potty train mine, and that’s okay! Potty training can be a challenging process for some children and smooth for others. I was lucky enough to have an easy experience with my son, but I am preparing for anything with my daughter. That’s why I’m chatting with my guest today, Arin Schultz. He has four boys and knows a thing or two about potty training. In this episode, we share our potty training experiences with our kids, potty training tips, what to keep in mind, and how we got started.

If you want a good laugh and some relatable information on potty training, this episode is for you!

Who is Arin Schultz?

Arin is the VP of Sales and Marketing at Naturepedic and has over nine years of experience in the organic mattress industry. Since 2003, Naturepedic has been on a mission to transform the lives of its customers through safer, healthier sleep and top-of-the-line baby and children’s products. By eliminating materials like flame retardants and polyurethane foam from their line of certified organic natural mattresses, Naturepedic supports an organic, holistic lifestyle while protecting the environment.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Arin all about potty training! Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• What were your potty training experiences like with your four boys?
• Which potty training readiness signs did your kids exhibit?
• When do you believe a parent should start the potty training process?
• With your experience, what do you think is the best way to get started with potty training?
• We know that children vary developmentally and in temperament. Do you think the potty training process varies based on each child?
• What are some products that can help with potty training?
• What about nighttime potty training? Where does this fit into the training process, and how can parents integrate it into their routine?
• What are your top potty training tips & tricks?
• What is one piece of advice you would like to give parents about to embark on potty training their child?

Episode Notes

We talked about several products during this episode. You can learn more about them here:

• Waterproof Mattress Pad
• Organic Cotton Waterproof Pillow Protector (Kids Collection)
• Organic Kids Waterproof Mattress

Naturepedic’s Resources

• Website: Naturepedic.com
• Instagram: @naturepedic
• Facebook: @naturepedic
• YouTube: @naturepedic
• Listen to our other episodes with Naturepedic:
  • Why Your Crib Mattress is an Important Decision – Podcast Ep 42
  • How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe – Podcast Ep 67
• How to Create an Eco-Friendly Sustainable Nursery
• Naturepedic Crib Mattress is Trailblazing Healthy and Safe Sleep

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Naturepedic. They are offering all of our listeners a discount!

20% off on their website: www.naturepedic.com

Discount code: BabyChick20

The holidays are upon us! This means creating special memories, holiday parties, and delicious food. If you’re the one who is hosting the holidays this year, or you need to bring a dish or two to a party, it can be daunting to know where to start. Maybe you want to make a tasty but healthy dish. And perhaps you want to make something kid-friendly so everyone can enjoy. Today, we have a special guest on the podcast, The BakerMama, who is answering all of our questions and is serving some fantastic tips to help make hosting and entertaining easier!

Who is Maegan Brown?

Maegan Brown (aka The BakerMama) is the best-selling cookbook author of Beautiful Boards, Spectacular Spreads, and Brilliant Bites. Her popular food blog, TheBakerMama.com, features hundreds of her tasty recipes and creative meal ideas. In her latest book, Brilliant Bites, Maegan continues her quest to share her best ideas for effortless entertaining with 75 charming and delicious small bites for all occasions, such as parties, family meals, breakfast, snack-time, dessert, and holidays.

Maegan loves to entertain with ease and is passionate about inspiring others to create delicious moments with their loved ones. She lives in Dallas with her husband and four children, and in their house, the kitchen is the heart of their home, and they love welcoming others into it!

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Maegan all about entertaining during the holiday season! Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• Have you always loved to cook?
• What inspired you to start The BakerMama?
• What are your top tips for entertaining during the holidays?
• If you are hosting a party, how do you begin to plan out a menu?
• What are some of your favorite recipes for entertaining?
• What are your favorite kid-friendly recipes?
• What are your tips for keeping it easy in the kitchen?
• Do your kids like to help you in the kitchen? How do you recommend including kids in the cooking process?
• What tricks do you have up your sleeve for keeping dishes both healthy and delicious?
• What’s your go-to sharable appetizer to take to a party?
• What must-have products do you have in your kitchen?
• What cooking hacks do you think every mom should know?
• What items are always in your fridge/pantry?
• What are your kid’s favorite recipes that you make?
• What are your top tips for entertaining like a pro?

Maegan’s Resources

• Website: TheBakerMama.com
• Instagram: @thebakermama
• TikTok: @thebakermama
• YouTube: @TheBakerMamaBlog
• Facebook: @thebakermamablog

Cheers to effortless entertaining!

Childcare is a huge decision to make when a family has a baby. Will they utilize childcare or have a parent stay home with the baby? And if they choose to send their little one to daycare or use some form of childcare, which ones are available to them in their area? How much do they cost? There are lots of things and questions to consider. Today’s guest knows this well and wanted to create a better option for families, so she did! Britt Riley is chatting with us about childcare in the U.S. and childcare solutions for modern families. Tune in to find out what expecting and new parents need to know.

Who is Britt Riley?

Britt Riley is an entrepreneur, mom of two, and the CEO and founder of The Haven Collection. Haven is the first network of fully licensed daycares in the U.S. to offer flexible childcare, unlimited workspace, and fitness to all member families. Before founding The Haven Collection, Britt was the principal of Established, LLC., her marketing consultancy organization. Britt’s inspiration for founding Haven came in between feeding her newborn and trying to catch some Zs when she started wondering how people do it all! And so, her business was born out of her own need for a better solution. Britt is the co-chair of the Founder’s Network’s Women’s Leadership Committee and has been recognized by the Harvard Business School Association of Boston. Britt resides in Portsmouth, RI, with her husband, Matt, and two young daughters, Harper and Zoe.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Britt about childcare in the U.S. and childcare solutions for modern families. Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• How did you become passionate about childcare for the whole family?
• How did your experiences as a new mom drive your passion?
• Please explain the different types and styles of childcare available to families in the U.S.
• What things or questions should parents consider when choosing childcare for their little ones?
• One of the problematic aspects of managing work and parenting is that they both take a tremendous amount of executive function, often simultaneously. How can parents ease the exhaustion of this juggle?
• We’ve been hearing about and experiencing the childcare crisis in the U.S. Can you explain this to our listeners and your thoughts on this topic?
• We’d love to learn more about “childcare for the whole family.” Can you elaborate on this concept for us?
• What are the most significant benefits you see from parents with access to childcare for the whole family?

Britt’s Resources

• Website: YourHavenLife.com
• Instagram: @yourhavenlife
• Article mentioned: Questions to Ask When Interviewing Daycares

We’ve all heard stories about birth. Maybe you’ve heard your own birth story from your parents. And if you are pregnant or have children of your own, you have definitely heard several birth stories, even from strangers! Some of those stories are good, and some are not so good. Unfortunately, it seems like the not-so-great and even scary birth stories are the ones that are told the most. As a doula who helps families have better birth experiences, this breaks my heart. What we hear can form a belief about how birth is and what it can be. Imagine if you only heard stories about birth being beautiful, empowering, even pleasurable, and orgasmic. What an impact that would make! My guest today knows all about this and is chatting with us about orgasmic birth and what expecting families need to know.

Who is Debra Pascali-Bonaro?

Debra Pascali-Bonaro is a world-renowned inspirational speaker, podcaster, filmmaker, doula trainer, childbirth educator, and author. She brings together her passion for pleasure in every aspect of life with her Jersey-Girl attitude of talking about what no one is talking about!

Debra is a mother, grandmother, and featured expert in parenting journals and media worldwide. She is also Co-Chair of the International Childbirth Initiative, which promotes safe, respectful childbirth maternity care. She is a Lamaze International childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula trainer with DONA International, Director of the award-winning documentary Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret, co-writer of “Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying and Pleasurable Birth,” Author of “The Ultimate Guide To Sex After Baby: Secrets to Love and Intimacy,” and the Founder & President of the revolutionary online childbirth class Pleasurable Birth Essentials which prepares expectant mothers, fathers, and partners to be positively prepared for birth and focuses on the intimate and sacred nature of birth. It’s evident that Debra is highly passionate about changing childbirth so that every woman/partner has a safe, respectful, and pleasurable birth.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Debra about orgasmic birth and tips and secrets to create more love and intimacy in birth and parenting. Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• How did you become passionate about the birthing experience?
• Childbirth and sex can both be taboo subjects. Why do you think this is, and how can we change this narrative?
• Can you elaborate more on the connection between childbirth and sex?
• What is orgasmic birth? And is it real?
• Why should pregnant people include intimacy and sexuality in preparing for birth?
• What can women do during pregnancy to help prepare for a positive birth experience?
• What role does a partner play in this experience?
• How can a doula help facilitate a pleasurable birth experience?
• What are your top tips for ensuring an enjoyable and pleasurable birth?
• What are the benefits of an orgasmic birth?
• The narrative around birth is often that it is painful and scary, but I have heard you say it is powerful and can be pleasurable. How can we empower more women to approach birth with this mindset?
• How do you recommend women continue to connect to their intimacy during the postpartum period?

Debra’s Resources

• Website: OrgasmicBirth.com
• Instagram: @orgasmicbirth
• Facebook: Orgasmic Birth
• YouTube: Orgasmic Birth
• TikTok: @orgasmicbirth
• Podcast: Orgasmic Birth Podcast
• Documentary: Orgasmic Birth
• Books:
  • Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying, and Pleasurable Birth Experience
  • The Ultimate Guide To Sex After Baby: Secrets to Love and Intimacy

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to Chick Chat: The Baby Chick podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us an honest review. Cheers to a positive and pleasurable birth!

Many women experience it during their pregnancies . . . it’s pregnancy cravings. Over the years, I’ve heard from hundreds of my clients about their pregnancy cravings. I’ve had women tell me they craved fruit, a particular flavor of ice cream, cheese, protein, french fries, and even some strange pregnancy cravings. We wanted to learn more about what causes these pregnancy cravings and why they can be so different from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy. Joni Davis is joining us today to help us learn more about this topic and discuss the importance of health before, during, and after pregnancy.

Who is Joni Davis?

Joni Hanson Davis is the female founder of Kirkland, Washington Femtech company Beli, modernizing reproductive, prenatal, and fertility health based on the latest nutritional science with one small yet significant act of a daily prenatal vitamin for both men and women. After a long, successful career leading Fortune 500 companies and technology startups to IPO, Davis founded Beli in 2018 with a personal mission to address the growing crisis of infertility and modernize the stagnant prenatal vitamin market.

The fertility market is a $24B market, and yet prenatal vitamins still haven’t caught up with modern nutritional science. 50% of all infertility can be traced to male infertility, and nutrition plays a significant role in successful pregnancy outcomes. Science led Beli to look deeper at how nutrition plays a vital role in sperm health, launching the first modern male prenatal in 2019. Today, thousands of men across the country are using Beli, and the company has built a following of loyal customers, including heavy-hitter celebrity customers.

The success of the men’s prenatal vitamin led Beli to launch an exclusive women’s prenatal in 2021 based on the latest folate and choline research to address both male and female fertility nutrition together. Beli has grown organically to become a profitable company with a multi-million dollar run rate with a small investment from strategic angel investors in the direct-to-consumer space in less than two years. Prior to Beli, Davis held executive positions with Microsoft, InfoSpace, and Tableau Software.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Joni about pregnancy cravings, controlling them, and what nutrients are needed for you and your growing baby. Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• What nutrients are essential for women during the prenatal period?
• What are the best sources of these essential nutrients?
• Many women experience pregnancy cravings at some point in their pregnancy. Is there any science behind these cravings?
• Pregnancy cravings may often be for foods not traditionally considered “healthy.” Is it okay for women to indulge in these cravings?
• What do you suggest for women to help curb their cravings?
• Do you have any favorite “treats” that are also nutritional for pregnant women?
• What is your top tip for moms during the prenatal phase?

Joni’s Resources

• Website: Beli
• Instagram: @beli.baby

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to Chick Chat: The Baby Chick podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us an honest review. Cheers to a healthy and nutritious pregnancy!

While being a parent is one of the greatest joys in life, it can also be overwhelming and exhausting. There is so much to keep up with that parents can often identify as chaos coordinators. From scheduling doctor appointments, play dates, extracurricular practices, preparing meals, cleaning the house, managing all of the big emotions from our little ones, and much more, it can feel like our lists never end. At times, the chaos can be all-consuming. However, it all begins with us if we want to create calm for ourselves and our families in the house. Our guest today, Jenna Hermans, knows all about turning chaos into calm and is sharing her secrets with us!

Who is Jenna Hermans?

Jenna is living proof that you can create a life of calm within chaos and overwhelm. She uses her bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in organizational management, and over fifteen years of Human Resources experience to build strong teams, both at work and at home. Jenna co-founded Be Courageous, and she’s a busy mom of 4, a coach, and an author. As seen in Forbes, The Sun, ELLE, Yahoo, and more, Jenna takes an intentional and inclusive approach to help people (especially parents) implement tools that put organization and systems around their busy lives that infuse calm and more joy, helping them go from ‘Chaos to Calm,’ which doubles as the title of her debut book that launched in May 2023.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Jenna about creating more time, less stress, and understanding how we, as parents, can spend more hours appreciating our families and living our lives with intention and joy! Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• What actionable steps can parents take to begin to reduce the stress and chaos in their lives?
• Sometimes, the chaos feels so overwhelming that it’s hard to know where to start. How do you recommend that overwhelmed parents take the first step to gaining control?
• I’ve heard you speak about “owning your calm.” Can you elaborate on this idea?
• Which habits are most important to reduce the chaos of your daily life and increase your calm?
• How can communication and what communication tips can help busy parents create more calm?
• What role does community play in helping parents feel less overwhelmed? How can parents find their community when they may not have one already?
• I know you talk about self-care as an essential part of creating calm. How do you suggest parents start to care for themselves if this concept is foreign to them?

Jenna’s Resources

• Website: jennahermans.com
  • Her company: bcrgs.com
• Instagram: @jennazhermans
• Facebook: @ChaosToCalmBook
• Chaos to Calm Book

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to Chick Chat: The Baby Chick podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us an honest review. Cheers to less chaos and more calm!