• Moms Need Many Layers of Social Support

    Published on: October 8th, 2020

    Bringing a new baby into the family is both a joyous and stressful time. The experience is so personal, depending on a multitude of factors, such as a mother’s birth and fertility experience, her postpartum recovery and mental health status, other stress factors and how much support she has around her. Support during the postpartum … Continue reading >>>

  • What New and Expecting Moms Should Know About Breastfeeding

    Published on: August 10th, 2020

    In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month, we talked to Lactation Consultant, Ellen Rubin from the Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh to learn what new moms should expect, how they can get support and how to deal with challenges.  What should expecting moms know about breastfeeding and how should they prepare?  Learning about normal infant behavior can … Continue reading >>>

  • Managing Childcare In Uncertain Times

    Published on: July 23rd, 2020

    Living and working during a pandemic makes for a confusing time to be a parent. Since COVID-19 began spreading in the US and the country began shutting down, parents have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, perspectives, and even information. At the time that we’re writing this article, many parents are awaiting decisions from their local … Continue reading >>>

  • The Motherhood Blur: Short Years, Long Days and Mindful Moments In Between

    Published on: July 15th, 2020

    “The days are long, but the years are short.” We’ve all heard this phrase many times. It’s the kind of saying that can simultaneously elicit feelings of nostalgia and gratitude while prompting a groan of annoyance. A mother’s life is a balancing act comprising household and/or work responsibilities and childcare. It’s seemingly endless to-do lists, … Continue reading >>>

  • How to Support Moms of Newborns During This Time

    Published on: May 26th, 2020

    This is a guest blog post from Ashley Ingram. Ashley is a supervisor with NurturePA and has been volunteering with us for almost three years.  She is a mom to two fantastic girls, wife to a math-loving husband, loves to read (she jokes that she could probably get an hour more of sleep every night … Continue reading >>>

  • Redefining “Mommy Care Culture”

    Published on: March 31st, 2020

    This guest post is written by Lesley Davenport, Owner and Founder of the Pilates Center of Pittsburgh. Lesley and her team of skilled instructors work with clients, including pre and postpartum moms, to improve well-being and establish balance in the body. In this post, Lesley explores how moms can embrace self-care in order to achieve … Continue reading >>>

  • [Book Review] Gates’ The Moment of Lift on Supporting Women & Children

    Published on: March 31st, 2020

    Philanthropist, business-woman and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates explores the benefits to society when women and children are given the support that they need to thrive.  The book begins with Gates sharing a childhood memory of attending space launches in her hometown of Dallas Texas in support of her father’s … Continue reading >>>

  • The Support that New Moms REALLY Need

    Published on: February 29th, 2020

    The transition to motherhood is complex, personal and, for some, a reality check. It is also a journey, in the truest form. According to a study by Munchkin, the adjustment period for women to adjust to motherhood is four months and 23 days. This period of time is one of the most significant transformations a … Continue reading >>>

  • Do I Have the “Mama Skills” to Mentor Others?

    Published on: January 24th, 2020

    At NurturePA, we connect those with parenting experience to new moms in order to provide resources and support during the early and most critical stages of parenthood. One thing that we’ve found since we started is that the word “mentor” can be a bit intimidating! Many question whether they have the skills necessary to mentor … Continue reading >>>

  • Let’s Resolve to Support More Moms This Year

    Published on: January 17th, 2020

    As we settle into a new year and a new decade, many of us are engaging in a period of reflection and goal setting for the upcoming year. While you may be thinking about ways to improve your physical health, read more books, spend more time with your family or practice better habits, you might … Continue reading >>>

  • How to Put Your Mama Skills to Work in Your Professional Life

    Published on: October 17th, 2019

    Your “Mama skills” are Real: The Professional Advantages of Motherhood.   Biases against women and mothers in the workplace are nothing new, yet they remain. The official term for this is Maternal Wall Bias, and “it occurs when colleagues view mothers—or pregnant women—as less competent and less committed to their jobs, Dr.Joan C. Williams says, … Continue reading >>>

  • Top 10 Signs You Are A Millennial Mom

    Published on: October 3rd, 2019

    What Makes a Millennial? Technically speaking, the Millennial generation consists of those individuals born between 1981 and 1996.  They are called “Millennials” because they came into adulthood during the new millennium. Muhammad Ali said, “Age is whatever you think it is.  You are as old as you think you are.”  So regardless of the year … Continue reading >>>

  • Motherhood is the Shared Experience:Different Paths, More Support

    Published on: September 16th, 2019

    There are many different ways in which someone can become a mother. In fact, the path to motherhood can be unexpected, winding, planned, sudden or even, temporary. Regardless of the circumstances that a woman encounters on her path to motherhood, there is no doubt that becoming a mother is one of the most profound experiences … Continue reading >>>

  • NurturePA Celebrates Black Breastfeeding Week, Part III

    Published on: August 31st, 2019

    A Deeper Dive Into Factors that Negatively Impact Breastfeeding Among Black Women in American Society At NurturePA, we are grateful for the opportunity to share Part III of our interview with Ngozi Tibbs and Renae Green as part of our focus on Black Breastfeeding Week 2019. If you missed Parts I & II of the … Continue reading >>>

  • NurturePA Celebrates Black Breastfeeding Week, Part II

    Published on: August 28th, 2019

    Factors Impacting Lower Breastfeeding Rates Among Black Mothers Renae Green and Ngozi Tibbs confirm that it is difficult to get accurate accounts of the number of black women who initiate breastfeeding due to large inconsistencies between how individual hospitals collect and report data. Initiation rates look good on paper in most hospitals since they count … Continue reading >>>

  • NurturePA Celebrates Black Breastfeeding Week

    Published on: August 27th, 2019

    Two Local Lactation Experts Speak Out About the Black Breastfeeding Experience   At NurturePA, we seek to understand, support, and elevate the lived experience of all mothers of young children.  Throughout August, we’ve focused our attention on breastfeeding. In recognition of Black Breastfeeding Week ( August 25 – 31, 2019) we are fortunate to have … Continue reading >>>

  • Bob, the Boob Man: On Breastfeeding

    Published on: August 15th, 2019

    A Man in a Woman’s World Often, when we talk about breaking through the “glass ceiling” in a profession, we are usually referring to women breaking into traditionally male-dominated professions.  Bob Monteverde (IBCLC), a.k.a. Bob, the Boob Man, has broken through the female-dominated lactation consulting field in a big way.     Mr. Monteverde is More … Continue reading >>>

  • The Decision to Breastfeed

    Published on: August 2nd, 2019

    The Decision to Breastfeed The average person makes 35,000 decisions each day.  For the 35.7 million moms with children under 18 in the U.S., we can assume that that number is even higher.  So when it comes to whether or not to breastfeed, moms need to consider all the benefits breastfeeding holds for both mother … Continue reading >>>

  • Kudos to Kate! Shining the Spotlight on the Nurture® Program

    Published on: July 20th, 2019

      The Importance of Supporting Moms Kudos to Kate Brennan, Director of Operations for NurturePA who spoke with Kelly on STAR 100.7 Sunday Morning Magazine with Kelly this past Sunday.  Kelly described the Nurture® Program as one of the most important resources in the city for new moms.   Kelly characterized the Nurture® Program’s text messaging software … Continue reading >>>

  • How to Pay Forward the Support You’ve Received as a New Mom

    Published on: July 16th, 2019

    NurturePA Blog Becoming a mom for the first time is one of the most significant transformations a woman will experience. In addition to bearing the joy of caring for a tiny human, many new moms are battling sleep deprivation, exhaustion, hormonal shifts, a learning curve as they adjust to their “new normal” and physical limitations … Continue reading >>>

  • Mentor Spotlight: Merett

    Published on: April 30th, 2019

    As a mentor, I love knowing that I am a reliable and consistent support tool for new mothers up until their child is 3 years old. Having 4 kids myself, I know how critical it is to have dependable support & accurate information postpartum & with that it can have a positive effect long after the mentoring stops.

  • Mentor Spotlight: Jen F.

    Published on: March 29th, 2019

    The early years of motherhood can be so difficult and challenging, and a lot of new moms (myself included) have no idea what to expect. NurturePA provides a sort-of “virtual friend” for these moms to talk to. A shoulder to cry on, someone to direct you to appropriate resources, even someone who can just tell you “this is normal” or “you’re doing a great job”. As a new mom, I would have loved to have someone checking in on me weekly, to genuinely care about how I was doing.