Community baby shower supports mothers and families

Families gathered on Saturday, June 22, at the Real Health Chiropractic Clinic in Eden Prairie for the clinic’s first community baby shower.

The event featured service providers, prizes and a local taco truck to set the stage for a lively exchange of information. According to ShaRhae Matousek, owner of Real Health Chiropractic and organizer of the event, “We wanted to provide a place for parents to get information on specialty services they might need, while creating a sense of community.”

The event featured professionals such as an airway-focused dentist, a professional organizer, a sleep coach, a lactation specialist, a marriage and family therapist, a nature-based occupational therapist, and a chiropractor who treats infants, toddlers, and adults.

“There are so many issues that can impact the health and well-being of mother and baby,” said Danielle Spradlin, owner of Oasis Lactation Services. “Events like an early-term birth, a traumatic delivery or hemorrhaging, diabetes, thyroid issues or even just post-partum bleeding can impact breast-feeding. In addition, babies can have profound craniofacial anomalies that make it hard for them to get adequate nourishment. We help mothers make a plan to get out of the acute problems and on to healing.”

Spradlin frequently works with obstetricians, midwives and pediatricians to ensure care is coordinated.

“Having autonomy over your own body and how you feed your children is essential,” Spradlin said. She noted that she takes a “full-spectrum feeding” approach that covers the infant life cycle from prenatal to weaning.

“By three months, fewer than 20 percent of all babies in America are exclusively on Mom’s milk,” she said.

Dentist Krista Geisler spoke to parents about the impact a tongue tie can have on a baby. More than 40 symptoms are associated with tongue tie, including ones a parent may not expect, like waking up congested or being unhappy when the baby is placed on its back.

Matousek, a trained pediatric chiropractor, also specializes in techniques that can help this condition, working inside the infant’s mouth to stretch tight muscles or providing safe and gentle chiropractic adjustments.

“Collaborating with other professionals, such as lactation specialists and pediatric dentists, is something we love to do,” Matousek said.

The providers at the event shared the goal of helping create happier, healthier and more empowered families.

“One of the hardest parts of parenting is getting the baby to go to sleep,” said Kathy Matthews, a licensed parent educator and certified professional coach. “That’s why we work with parents on things like creating a daily plan, including transitions from playtime to sleep.”

Matthews noted that every family plan can be unique, based on the parents’ values, their objectives for the coaching and the age of the child.

Playtime was also a focus of the event. Amber Scherkenbach, owner of Momma Earth, talked about the genesis of her nature-based play groups and occupational therapy.

“My desire came from observing older kids who couldn’t sit still,” she said. “I wanted to show parents how they can help the child’s body and brain talk to each other to create the right energy level and alertness without hyperactivity.”

Scherkenbach said she will come to the playground of the parent’s choice to provide services, including all parks in Eden Prairie.

The importance of creating safe, attractive spaces was also echoed by Sugey Eliasen, a professional organizer. She helps families unpack after moving, “So you can start making breakfast for your kids the next morning,” she says.

Eliasen also helps set up nurseries, play areas and bedrooms to ensure the spaces are organized and easily navigated by both parents and children. Families with older members also benefit from her assistance if they have to move a loved one to assisted living.

“If someone has memory issues, I make sure their new room or apartment is organized as close as possible to what they had in their own home,” Eliasen says. “It helps them feel more relaxed so they can adjust to the new space more easily.”

Matousek said she hopes to expand the event next year. For more information, call 952-224-0607.