Researchers have tried to tackle this question, and while they can’t say definitively that every woman should wait two to three years between births, many of the studies do settle roughly on that time frame.

Here’s a rundown of the experts’ views:

• Waiting 18 to 23 months after the birth of your last child before conceiving another seems best for the new baby’s health, according to a meta-analysis of 67 studies (Conde-Agudelo et al 2006). The results of this review showed that having a gap of less than 17 months was associated with a significantly increased risk of having a baby of prematurely and underweight. The risks were highest for babies conceived less than six months after the birth of a previous child. And those conceived more than 59 months (about five years) after their closest sibling also faced an increased risk for these outcomes compared to babies conceived 18 to 23 months after the last birth.

• Experts think that a mother’s body needs time to recover from the stress of giving birth and replenish all the nutrients she lost as a result of the first pregnancy (Winkvist et al 1992; King 2003). Conceiving again 18 to 23 months after giving birth may also capitalise on changes to your body as a result of the previous pregnancy and birth that benefit carrying another baby (Zhu et al 1999). For example, it may be that increased blood flow to the uterus from the last pregnancy benefits the next baby, but that there is a limited time window of about two years before blood flow returns to pre-pregnancy levels.

• When your first is under one year or over four years is the ideal time in terms of the children’s relationships with their parents, sibling rivalry, and their own self-esteem, according to Jeannie Kidwell, a professor of family studies. She believes children under one don’t have a sense of their special status yet, and that those over four have had enough time to enjoy attention from Mummy and Daddy, plus they now have a life of their own. According to her research, the benefits of these small or wide sibling spacings can extend into adolescence (Kidwell 1981)

How old is your other child (or children)?

There is no right or wrong answer here, though the research, above, suggests it might not be wise to get pregnant if you’ve got a baby under six months. People go both ways on this question. Some think the older your other children, the better. That way they’ve had plenty of time with you and they can understand and even talk about the effect another child might have. Others think spacing your children close together ensures they’ll be playmates for life, and that you won’t be spending the rest of your life raising small children.

Here’s what some other BabyCentre mums have to say on the subject:

• Sue Wilkes, who works for a publishing company, says: “My two boys are three and half years apart and I think that spacing is great. My older son was out of nappies by the time the younger one was born, so I loved the idea of having a baby again. And they’ve got their own lives, so I don’t get a lot of sibling rivalry. In fact, they really enjoy being with each other.”

• Hannah Lumley, a midwife who is pregnant with her third child, says: “My first two are three and half years apart. That gave me plenty of time alone with my first. I think the older the child, the better, because they’re that much more independent and can mentally and emotionally handle the baby. In some ways I wish there was a bigger age gap between my second child and the new baby — they’ll only be two years apart. I’m dreading having two in nappies at the same time. And I’m worried about the physical challenge of having two who need so much of my time.”

• Shop manager Cathy Duke says: “My three children are all about a year and half apart, and although it was really tough when they were all babies, in many ways it was great. They really entertained each other and have stayed very close.”

How will another child change your lifestyle?

Are you settled into a nice routine with your other children? Do you have good childcare set up? Are your other children sleeping through the night? Perhaps you’ve reached the point where you and your partner have time for each other again. Maybe you’ve gone back to work and you love it. These are all important considerations when you’re thinking of having another. Remember, a newborn will take over your life. Consider whether you have the time and energy an infant requires, and whether your children are ready to deal with the reality of a baby in the house.

What’s your financial situation?

Money isn’t everything, but you do need some financial stability when you’re raising a family. Considering that each child costs thousands of pounds a year to care for, you’ll need a little extra in your monthly budget before you conceive another child (or you’ll need to pull your belt in another notch!). It’s important to consider your work situation, too. Many women find it more difficult to keep up with full- or even part-time work once the second or third child comes along. Can you afford to stay at home or to pay for the new baby’s childcare if you want to stay in your job?

“My daughter is almost four and we haven’t had another yet because we’re worried about affording everything,” says Stephanie Newman, who works in a building society. “We didn’t have much money when we had our first so we know what it’s like not to be able to pay for things. We want to be better prepared for the next one.”

How old are you?

Age is a factor for women who are planning to have more than one child. If you’re 38 years old and you want two more children, for example, you don’t have the luxury of spacing them three years apart. But if you’re under 30 and you don’t have any health problems that could make conception difficult, you can be a little more flexible with your timing. There are no hard and fast cut-offs in terms of age. Many women can still get pregnant in their early 40s but fertility rates do drop dramatically once you reach 35. (Learn more about your chances of getting pregnant at different ages).

Do you and your partner agree?

Sometimes one partner is ready and the other isn’t. It’s hard to be in sync all the time. This is a tough one to settle but the first step is to start talking about your differences. Sit down together and discuss your points of view. You may not solve anything at that moment but you’ll have a better understanding of the issues. It might help to talk to others in this situation too.

What does your heart say?

You can mull over the pluses and minuses of having another child forever, without coming to a firm conclusion. This is one of those decisions that’s best led by the heart, so go ahead and follow yours. If you want another baby, and your partner (if you have one) wants one too, there may be no time like the present.

Article from babycenter.com
approved by the BabyCentre Medical Advisory Board

The most important thing we like to remind new parents to do is to take time off for themselves and for each other.  That’s when you need a hand picked, back ground checked, fully accredited baby sitter to take care of your little one while you get a break, take a nap, get your errands done or (dare we suggest) go on a date….

Come meet the sitters!  After work, it’s a casual get together, with wine and cheese, bring your friends……

Join Sensible Sitters at Carmel Blue for a babysitter and parent mix and mingle.  Parents will have an opportunity to meet the Sensible Sitters team as well as founder, Vanessa Wauchope.

All parents attending will receive a credit for one hour of babysitting to use with the service.
All babysitters are either working toward a college degree or have graduated college, many with a concentration in nursing or early education. All sitters referred by Sensible Sitters are fully background checked & CPR-trained or certified as well as introduced to families by resume with childcare credentials. Special attention is given to ensure that appropriate babysitters are matched to families taking into consideration proximity, personality, experience with the children’s’ ages & any special needs.

Thursday Sept. 13th, 6:00PM- 7:00 PM

RSVP (415) 362 2583

Learn which nutrients are most beneficial to you and your nursing baby. This workshop

Simple, nourishing recipes will be provided.
Ideally you will take this class before your child is born or up to 9 months post-partum, when a mother’s nutrient stores may need some targeted replenishing.
Class will include:
* Nutritional guidelines for providing the best-quality milk to your baby and for helping mom
* restore her health and regain energy post-partum
* Specific nutrients often lacking in a mother’s diet
* A list of foods that contain these nutrients and how to prepare them
* Discussion on hydration and why it matters
* Basic recipes for nursing moms
* Foods to avoid or reduce while breastfeeding
* Recommended Pantry List and meal planning tips
Babies are welcome!

Date/Time: Friday September 28th,12:30-1:30 Make it your lunch break
Cost: $29

Jump-start your child’s verbal skills!  

Next Series is ZOOM:
Saturdays, Sept 22nd – October 27th, 4:00-5:00PM
click here to register

Fridays October 5th – November 16th, 10:15-11:15AM (no class 10/26)
click here to regsiter

When should I start signing with my baby? 

Six to eight months old is an optimal time to start signing with your baby.  After babies are six months old, they are starting to associate language, whether spoken or signed, with the world around them.  Their long-term memory is developmentally ready to retain the words they hear and the signs they see.  At six months of age babies’ motor skills and hand-eye coordination are also at a stage to be able to make more precise gestures.

If you start signing regularly to babies when they’re between six and seven months of age you can reasonably expect them to sign back when they’re between eight and ten months old.  It really depends on how often you sign with them and it also depends on your baby’s personal agenda.  Yes, every baby has their own agenda and, much like their first step or the first day they use the potty by themselves, they are the ones that ultimately decide when they are ready to start signing.

Older babies and toddlers will often catch on more quickly because they’re developmentally at that stage where they enjoy imitating mommy and daddy, and they will use gestures to communicate.  Don’t be surprised if you see them signing back to you within a week or so!

Instructions

1. Start with soft leather slip-ons. Leather booties provide more protection than socks, and are appropriate for infants and up.
2. Choose a shoe with moderate flexibility. Pediatricians now recognize that the rigid white boot with stiff leather soles is inappropriate for developing feet. The shoe must flex in the ball of the foot to help baby’s gait.
3. Check the length with your thumb. The shoe should extend approximately half an inch beyond the longest toe. Babies grow out of their first pair of shoes quickly, but more room for growth causes tripping and stumbling.
4. Consider the width of the baby’s foot. Babies have broad feet, and you must get a professional fitting to determine whether your baby needs wide or extra-wide width shoes.
5. Purchase shoes without an arch in the insole. Babies must use their muscles to develop an arch in the first two years of life and arched insoles impede the process.
6. Buy shoes with an enclosed toe. Although many designers vie for your dollars with cute sandals, you must consider how the shoe can protect the baby from stubbing her toes.
7.  Make sure straps don’t rub or bind to prevent blisters. Baby’s feet sweat more than adult feet; so shoes must have mesh or other features in the construction that allow feet to breathe.

Carmel Blue’s recommendation is See Kai Run for their quality, design and comfort they afford your baby’s developing foot muscles.
Come see our selection of their latest fall collection and their brand new line if sneakers!  

Angelique Millette [PhDc, CLE, PCD/CD (DONA)] is a parent educator, infant/child sleep consultant and lactation educator specializing in helping parents solve infant and child sleep problems using a wide-range of sleep methods and arrangements. Angelique does not follow one specific sleep program but rather helps families by taking into account family schedule, infant/child development, temperament, and parenting philosophy all while keeping an eye on sleep deprivation, parental overwhelm, depression, and anxiety.

This class is intended for Parents and babies 0-12 months.

We will cover:

* Baby sleep needs 0-12 months

* How best to help little ones establish sleep habits/patterns

* How developmental milestones impact infant sleep development and what to do

* SIDS guidelines and research

* No/low cry sleep methods

* Crying methods

* Many sleep arrangements discussed: co-sleeping, room-sharing, crib sleeping

* Night feeds and sleep changes

* Naps

Saturday, March 10th 2012, 3:30-5:30

Saturday May 5th 2012, 3:30-5:30

Saturday July 14th 2012, 3:30-5:30

Saturday September 15th 2012, 3:30-5:30

Saturday November 10th 2012, 3:30-5:30

The cost of the class is $55 for one parent to attend and $75 for both parents + baby to attend.

One sliding scale (need-based) will be provided. Please contact Angelique (info@angeliquemillette.com) to discuss further.

Handouts and guidelines will be provided with a follow up e-mail.

Class will include:
*Understanding when your child is ready for solid food and why
*Safe first foods, looking beyond rice cereal and across the globe
*Foods to avoid
*How much food to give your child
*Food texture and choking hazards
*Recommended tool kit for making first feedings fun and stress-free
*Discussion of our own relationship with food
*Conversation on family mealtime and why it’s important
*Recommended resources on healthy eating for you and your growing child
Babies are welcome!

Date/Time: Friday June 15th, 11:00-12:30 Cost: $39 each or $70 for two

About the teacher:
Virginia Watkins completed her post-graduate studies in Nutrition Education at Bauman College in Berkeley, CA. While an undergraduate at Duke University, she studied French cooking in Montpellier, France, continuing an early fascination with food. In 1996, she began working at the American Institute of Wine & Food in San Francisco; Virginia helped create and manage projects ranging from ingredient tastings to a children’s garden project. Subsequently, she spent seven years working for Niman Ranch, the leading brand in the sustainable meat industry. As a National Retail Sales manager, she worked closely with customers such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. She is also the mother of a two well-fed boys, ages one and four.
In addition to working with families and individuals, Virginia has spoken to over one hundred people in community talks, coaches moms through a recurring 6-week workshop on nutrition and wellness, and teaches cooking classes to adults and pre-schoolers.
My practice is focused on helping moms feed themselves and their families great-tasting, nutritious food. I counsel women pre-conception, through their pregnancies and post-partum. I love helping families learn to shop, cook, and eat together in the most enjoyable way possible.
Virginia is also a member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, Weston A. Price Foundation, and Bay Area Family Wellness, a collective of Bay Area health care professionals dedicated to providing families with the tools and services they need to improve all aspects of their health and wellness.

To sign up, go to the event calendar and select the class date.

Nothing provides your child with more confidence and a sense of well-being than a parent’s loving touch. Learn ways to enhance your bonding time with your baby, while providing comfort to both of you, physically, emotionally and mentally.

In this two hour class, you will:
* Learn how to give your baby a basic full-body massage;
* Learn clear protocols to relieve gas, constipation, colic and stress;
* Learn songs and rhymes to accompany massage;
* Learn through massage how to nourish your child’s well-being, enhancing brain development and emotional and physical health;
* Bond with your baby;
* Build confidence in caring for your child.

Date: Sunday  Sept 30th 2012, 1:30-3:30
Sunday November 11th, 1:30-3:30
Classes are appropriate for babies age 4 weeks to pre-crawling. Space is limited – Advance registration is required.

Fee: $65 for one parent + baby or for $70 both parents + baby. Starter massage package included.
(we strongly encourage two adults per baby, so that one is free to meet baby’s needs for feeding, diapering or cuddling as they arise and the other is free to focus on the class content, practicing on a doll if baby is napping or not able to receive massage at that time).
Below is some information to help you get prepared.

Please check in by 1:15. Class begins promptly at 1:30.
Location: Carmel Blue, 1418 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

* An adult-sized bath towel for baby to lie on, which will protect your
pillow/the carpet and your lap; and

* A couple cloth diapers/wash cloths/burp cloths to catch pee-pee (babies will
be naked during massage); and

* A couple of chux (disposable) pads or any other waterproof surface if you have. (2 hours is a good long time for baby to be naked!)

* A soft bed pillow to put baby on if under 3 months.

* Please dress comfortably and wear layers; we will be sitting on cushions on the floor and the room will be heated to keep the babies warm while naked for massage

We will provide massage oil and a folder with several handouts for you. We look forward to seeing you then.

About the teacher:
Kari Marble is a certified infant massage instructor, yoga and meditation teacher, massage therapist, and educator with a passionate and extensive specialization in supporting the development of healthy families from conception onward. She is the mama of two very happily massaged children. See www.WelcomeOm.com for further information.

To sign up, go to the event calendar and select the class date.

Introductory Workshop
with Bill White, Baby Sign Language Program Director Touch Blue Sky

This workshop introduces basic baby signs that are based on American Sign Language (ASL) and is designed for parents with preverbal babies who range in age from birth to 24 months old.  Learn about the latest research showing why signing is so beneficial for your baby and perfect techniques that teach your baby to sign.  Fun activities and songs will show you how easy it can be to integrate simple signs into your everyday routine to jump-start your child’s verbal skills.  You are welcome to bring your baby, but it is not required.

dates for 2012:
Wednesday, February 22nd, 12:00-1:30
Wednesday, April 20th, 12:15-1:45
Wednesday, June 10th 12:00-1:30
Wednesday, Aug 15th, 12:00-1:45
Wednesday, Nov 14th, 12:00-1:45

Cost: $40 per individual/$70 per couple

Call (415) 362 2583 if you have any questions

SIGN LANGUAGE PLAY GROUP-

LEARN AND PRACTICE while playing  
with Bill White,  Baby Sign Language Program Director Touch Blue Sky

Our six-week playgroup is a fun opportunity for you to build your signing vocabulary with themes like mealtime, animals, colors, family, bedtime, and more.
Two different playgroup series are offered.  One is called Playgroup Zoom and the other is called Playgroup Boom.  No need to take them in order; you can start with either Zoom or Boom.  Both Playgroup Boom and Playgroup Zoom include the essential basic starter signs and vary in the more advanced vocabulary.
Boom:  Mealtime Boom, Colors & Clothing, Animals on the Farm, Bath Time, Outside Things, Family & Friends
Zoom:  Mealtime Zoom, Colors & Things That Go Zoom, Animals in the Zoo, Bedtime, Playtime, Feelings & Emotions
It is recommended that you enroll in the Introductory Workshop prior to taking a playgroup series but not required.  

You are welcome to bring your baby, but it is not required.

6 week play series meets once a week except where noted “no class”

WEEKEND Play group BOOM

Saturdays May 12th – June 30th 11:30-12:30,
(no playgroup 5/26)
Saturdays July 11th-August 15th 10:30-11:30 

WEEKDAY Play group ZOOM 

Wednesdays, July 11th – August 15th 10:30-11:30,
Saturdays Sept 22nd-October 27th, 4:00-5:00PM

Cost:  $120 per individual/$180 per couple

Call (415) 362 2583 if you have any questions

Benefits of Baby Sign Language

* Accelerates language acquisition. Research studies have found that signing babies normally begin to speak earlier and have larger vocabularies than non-signing babies.

* Provides a parent with the wonderful opportunity to develop a window into their child’s mind.  By including signs in daily activities, parents spend less time guessing what children want and more time fulfilling their specific needs.

*  Teaches a simple language that allows babies to easily express their immediate desires and needs, significantly lowering frustration levels for everyone.

*  Allows babies to lead the conversation about topics that interest them.  When a parent then verbalizes the sign, it fortifies a baby’s expanding vocabulary.

To sign up, go to the event calendar and select the class date.

In this class you will learn

* accident prevention and childproofing measures,

* Current guidelines for rescue breathing and chest compressions

* Clearing an airway obstruction

* Hands-on training includes use of baby-size mannequins to demonstrate how to perform every aspect of CPR and choking response.

Firefighter, Paramedic and Teacher, Steve Giaccalone, brings years of on-the-job experience and insights to this 2 hour workshop.

Take home class materials are included.

Saturday March 3rd, 3:00-5:00PM – FULL
Saturday April 21st, 3:00-5:00PM – FULL
Saturday May 12th, 3:00-5:00PM – FULL
Sunday June 10th, 3:00-5:00 FULL
Saturday July 14th, 12:00-2:00 FULL
Saturday August 18th 3:00-5:00 FULL
Saturday Sept 8th 3:00-5:00 FULL
Sunday October 14th 2:00-4:00
Sunday November 4th, 2:00-4:00
Sunday December 9th, 3:00-5:00

Cost: $55 for one parent, $25 for an additional parent or care provider

This class can be taken before having your baby or afterwards.  Babies are welcome but definitely not required. You will be practicing on mannequins. We find it is harder for parents to concentrate on the class material with their baby in class.
If you do bring your little one, we ask that you bring a blanket for your baby and dress comfortably as you will be working down on the padded ground. Also we ask that you be prepared to take off your shoes for class.

To sign up, go to the event calendar and select the class date.

Call (415) 362 2583 if you have any questions