Welcome to be.loved!

be.loved is a full-spectrum support service for new & growing families. Many resources can be found on the site, so please take a look around. Head over to the be.connected page to contact me with questions, concerns, or requests for more information about services for your family. I can't wait to meet you!

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World Breastfeeding Week continues! Let’s talk about the golden hour. No, not the hour of day with the best light for photography. The first hour after birth. Why we do talk so much about undisturbed skin-to-skin in that first hour? Oh, you know what I’m going to say...it’s based in SCIENCE! Research is my jam. Here’s a quick summary of what’s happening that first hour-ish when baby & mama are left uninterrupted (see more details by clicking the link in my bio). Minute 0: Baby cries. Minute 2: Baby relaxes. Minute 2.5: Open eyes for the first time. Minute 8: Baby is active, rooting, looking at mom. Minute 18: Yup. Baby is resting again. Minute 36: On the move to the breast! Minute 62: Baby nurses. Minute 70. Yeah. Baby is asleep again. So, that, mamas, is why you shouldn’t be too anxious when baby doesn’t latch right away. It’s hard work! Give your baby, & yourself, some time & grace. ❤️❤️ P.S. shout out to my wonderful husband for keeping me hydrated while I golden houred 😍 ***************************************************** My amazing birth team: @modernmamaservices My beautiful photographers: @loveandperry
Just a friendly reminder that it’s World Breastfeeding Week. This week always makes me mindful of my breastfeeding journey but, mostly, it makes me think about how critical the CHOICE to breastfeed is worldwide. To see why we need to support every mama who wants to breastfeed to the fullest, see the link in my bio. Also, tbt to early breastfeeding days with my bug. I basically was topless at least the first month. So little. So tired. Such a cuddly little nugget ❤️❤️ **************************************************** #belovedboston #bostonmamas #mamas #toddlermama #toddlers #boymama #instamama #igmama #motherhood #bloggermama #motherhood #workingmama #sahm #workfromhomemama #bostonbusinesswomen #adventuresofleojack #littlelionpaws #lifewithleo #leomio #dearleo #breastfeeding #globalhealth #worldbreastfeedingweek #supportingmamas #breastfeedingmamas #boobsout #supportchoice #tbt
Mamas! Let’s talk about the partner phase. That period of time when your toddler suddenly seems to forget you exist & only wants your partner. Out of the blue, you may have some free time on your hands while they’re bonding &, though you want to feel relieved, you feel heartbroken. I can tell you it’s totally normal, that its developmental, that it’s a healthy expression of independence & attachment, that soon they’ll be all about mama again & you wish you’d taken advantage of the break when you could. But, I’m going to tell you something else: it’s okay to cry about it. It’s important not to make your little bub feel guilty, but if you want to take a moment after the fourth time they push you away today, take a moment in the bathroom & let it out. We were on a family vacation when this phase hit & I was devastated that my nugget didn’t want to experience everything with me. That is, until my mom told me to relax, have a cocktail, & take the break. Smart lady, that one. P.S. check out the crazy work of those genes. My son & my husband have the exact. same. footprint. And, yes, my toddler has huge feet. **************************************************** #belovedboston #bostonmamas #mamas #toddlermama #toddlers #boymama #instamama #igmama #motherhood #bloggermama #motherhood #workingmama #sahm #workfromhomemama #bostonbusinesswomen #adventuresofleojack #littlelionpaws #lifewithleo #leomio #dearleo #partnerphase #healthyattachment #fierceindependenttoddlers #breakingmamasheart #geneticsbecrazy #itsokaytocry #dualityofmotherhood
I realize this is a bit off-brand, but sharing from my personal account because, oh! My heart! Posted @withrepost • @amandamarie826 In this house, we are nerds. Other 2 year-olds say “A is for Apple”, mine says “A is for Ant-Man”. So proud. But, this morning, we got to S. Me: “S is for...” [actual answer: Spiderman] Leo: “other Iron Man!!!” BRB, sobbing 😭 **************************************************** @abramsbooks @robertdowneyjr @tomholland2013 **************************************************** #belovedboston #bostonmamas #mamas #toddlermama #toddlers #boymama #instamama #igmama #motherhood #bloggermama #motherhood #workingmama #sahm #workfromhomemama #bostonbusinesswomen #adventuresofleojack #littlelionpaws #lifewithleo #leomio #dearleo #nerdlife #abramsblockbooks #avengersassemble #marvelkid #hesrightbuthedoesntknowit
Happy July 4th, everyone! Today, we celebrate our country & our many freedoms. The Fourth has never been my favorite holiday; crowds, loud noises, air pollution - SO not my jam. On the other hand, it does have BBQ food & time with my favorite people. So, I hope that you all get to do some celebrating with those that you love the most. Today, I am even more acutely aware that there are so many that are not so lucky. As a result of our policies & current administration, there are families torn apart. They don’t get to spend time with their loved ones today or any day. For my breakdown on why this is problematic (to say the *very* least) from a toxic stress standpoint see my blog post titled “The One Where I Make Some Phone Calls”. We cannot be a country that builds our freedom on the backs of infants & children. We cannot be a country that shouts our freedom from the rooftops while destroying families seeking that same freedom for their children. So, this July 4th weekend, protest, donate, sign petitions, get people riled up at your BBQs, & call your senators. Because your freedom allows you to do so. Stay safe, my lovelies ❤️ ************************************************** @fams2gether @elizabethwarren @aclunationwide @edmarkey @repstephenlynch ************************************************** #belovedboston #bostonmamas #mamas #toddlermama #toddlers #boymama #instamama #igmama #motherhood #bloggermama #adventuresofleojack #littlelionpaws #lifewithleo #leomio #dearleo #motherhood #workingmama #sahm #workfromhomemama #bostonbusinesswomen #keepfamiliestogether #happyfourthofjuly #july4th #freedom #firstamendment #independenceday #familiesbelongtogether #forthechildren #closethecamps
Oh, heyyyyyyy. I didn’t disappear forever! I simply took a bit of a social media break. It was much needed but now I’m diving right back in. I’ve been slowly & thoughtfully planning the next steps for be.loved. Lots of writing & website building to create an online community & membership portal for parents in Boston & worldwide. But, not to worry, individual a la carte support is still available, just contact me here or through my website! The new launch is still a while off but I promise it will be worth the wait! What things would you like to see in an ideal online parent resource? Support from me? Online community? Library of summarized current research? Breakdown of options? Webinars? Something else? Drop your ideas in the comments!!! ❤️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ************************************************** ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #belovedboston #bostonmamas #mamas #toddlermama #toddlers #boymama #instamama #igmama #motherhood #bloggermama #adventuresofleojack #littlelionpaws #lifewithleo #leomio #dearleo #motherhood #workingmama #sahm #workfromhomemama #bostonbusinesswomen #socialmediabreak #imback #slowandsteady #hustle #momsformoms #mompreneurs #parentingsupport
Honestly, mamas, I’m exhausted. And not just cuz lil bub has the sniffles so no one is sleeping. I wish that I were at a place right now where I could coherently discuss what’s going on right now in Georgia & Alabama (and, quite frankly, all over this country). I wish I had something profound or hopeful to say. But I’m just so damn tired. I’m tired of citing facts in a world where, to many, they don’t seem to matter. I’m tired of pointing out glaring hypocrisies & contradictions in the logic of our politicians. I’m tired of shouting into a seeming void. But we keep fighting, even if we shouldn’t have to. These laws aren’t subtle, they aren’t quiet, they scream their intention: to further marginalize women, particularly WOC & women living in poverty, & to silence our voices. Make no mistake, this is not, & has never been, a moral issue. It’s a misogynist issue. So we lean on each other, we shout, we yell, we stomp our feet. We may be tired, but we are not silent. ************************************************** Photo by @gabriel.matula.ph from unsplash.com ************************************************** #belovedboston #bostonmamas #mamas #toddlermama #toddlers #boymama #instamama #igmama #motherhood #bloggermama #adventuresofleojack #littlelionpaws #lifewithleo #leomio #dearleo #motherhood #workingmama #sahm #workfromhomemama #bostonbusinesswomen #menshouldntbemakinglawsaboutwomensbodies #reproductiverightsforall #womensrightsarehumanrights #feminism #womensrights #abortionishealthcare #getoutofmyuterus #mybodymychoice #scienceisnotopinion #iamwomanhearmeroar
Happy Monday, everyone! My second installment of my infant sleep series is up! While the first focused on the history of our infant sleep expectations, the second investigates evolutionary reasons infants don’t sleep well (or at all!) alone. It turns out, we’re animals. Mammals. And it’s always been evolutionarily adaptive for mammals to co-sleep. Why does that matter? Because evolution only selects behaviors that help us survive as a species. When your baby wants you nearby at night he’s just doing what he’s designed to do: survive! If you’ve ever been asked “is your baby sleeping through the night?” (here’s looking at you, @sussexroyal) you’ll want to give this a read! Share with other parents! Instead of getting anxious about infant sleep, get informed! Link in bio. Stay tuned for the rest of the series 😊 ************************************************** @beyond_sleep_training_project @paper__pinecone ************************************************** #belovedboston #bostonmamas #mamas #toddlermama #toddlers #boymama #instamama #igmama #motherhood #bloggermama #adventuresofleojack #littlelionpaws #lifewithleo #leomio #dearleo #motherhood #workingmama #sahm #workfromhomemama #bostonbusinesswomen #evolutionarypsychology #evolutionmatters #developmentalpsychology #infantsleep #sleepdevelopment #evidencebasedparenting #informedchoiceparenting #infantdevelopment #normalizeinfantsleep #beyondsleeptrainingproject
Happy Mother’s Day to: the mamas, the mamas-to-be, the mamas to angels, &the hoping-to-be-mamas! No matter where you are on your motherhood journey, I hope you have a moment or two today where you enjoy dolce far niente - the sweetness of doing nothing. Doing nothing & enjoying it. Stay in your jammies, sip your coffee, don’t shower, snuggle on the couch, eat good food, & gaze upon all you have created. Mothers are notoriously bad at this. But today, for this one day, see if you can find a moment. Be present. No pressure, no stress, just live in the moment. You are magic. ✨💕✨ ************************************************** #belovedboston #bostonmamas #mamas #toddlermama #toddlers #boymama #instamama #igmama #motherhood #bloggermama #adventuresofleojack #littlelionpaws #lifewithleo #leomio #dearleo #motherhood #workingmama #sahm #workfromhomemama #bostonbusinesswomen #mothersday #happymothersday #bepresent #dolcefarniente #mamasaremagic #todaysyourday #motherhoodjourney #theartofdoingnothing