October 2011
3 posts
Indoor Playdate
Due to the rain and cold this morning, our playdate will be at the play place in the upper level of the Fairfield Mall in Beavercreek. 10:30 - 11:30am, come and go as you please!
Ultrasounds! Tomorrow, October 8 @ 7pm
Please join us for supportive chitchat and yummy snacks. We’ll talk about ultrasounds: how they work, why they’re done, and if you need one. Bring what you know to share, listen to others, get information. And, of course, we’d love to hear any new birth stories! Looking forward to seeing you!
September 2011
1 post
Meeting and Play Date!
Our September meeting was great fun! We got to meet our newest little member, born just over one month ago. Congratulations, Amy and family! This month we discussed various ways to help new babies and their families sleep well, no matter what sleeping arrangements are chosen. We heard birth stories and enjoyed chatting into the evening! Remember, play date tomorrow! Again at Shawnee Park...
August 2011
1 post
Play Date at the Park!
Let’s get together and chat while our kids play in the sunshine! Our monthly play date is schedule for this Thursday (Aug 18) at 10:30 in the morning at Shawnee Park in Xenia. We’ll gather in the back by the playground area. Hope to see you there!
July 2011
2 posts
Repeat!
For those who missed our May meeting, this month, August 8, we will again be watching the documentary Orgasmic Birth with a quick discussion afterward. The movie is an hour and a half long, but feel free to come and go as you must. Also, if you haven’t yet received one of our New Mama bags (or your membership card), please come and pick it up! Don’t forget to join us for our play...
To circ, or not to circ, that is the question . ....
A hotly debated topic, newborn circumcision is a decision some parents feel uncertain about making. Let’s wade through this topic together. Please bring any compelling information and/or viewpoints you’ve encountered in your own research, and we will respectfully discuss these. Meeting is scheduled Monday, July 11, 7pm, at 819 S Detroit St, Xenia, OH 45385. Light refreshments...
June 2011
1 post
Are we still here?!
Yes! We know: an update is long overdue. Well, Xenia Dar a Luz has really been growing, and it’s exciting. We’ve added several new members in the past few months and also added volunteers to help us keep things rolling. We now offer “new mama” gift bags to qualifying meeting attendees, and we provide official membership cards to those who join (membership benefits are...
April 2011
5 posts
2 tags
Partly cloudy, cool . . .
Despite the unpredictable weather this week, the play date is still scheduled for Thursday, April 21, between 10:30 and 11:30 at the Shawnee Park playground. Cancellation remains possible, however, in the event of rain; watch for updates on facebook!
Add the Dar a Luz Network Toolbar!
You can make every online purchase count double. To help Dar a Luz Network throughout the year (and get awesome coupons right in the toolbar for almost every website), add the Dar a Luz Network toolbar to your browser by downloading it at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar - and your purchases will earn a donation for us without any effort on your part! Thank you for your support!
April Meeting: Arvigo Maya Abdominal Massage
We are excited to have Marybeth Wolf with us on Monday, April 11at 7pm to share about this practice and her work with it. Marybeth will explain how the Arvigo Technique of Abdominal Therapy can help women from all stages of life, including menses, fertility, pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum. So if you are a woman over the age of 12, this meeting will be particularly useful for you! ...
March 2011
4 posts
1 tag
breastfeeding continued * a few simple solutions
When it comes to feeding a newborn, there are options: breastfeed, bottle feed breast milk, bottle feed homemade formula, or bottle feed commercial formula (in special cases, cup or dropper feeding). Parents have the right to choose. It’s important to thoroughly research feeding options before making a decision. For those who choose breastfeeding, there can be various challenges. These might...
March Meeting: Breastfeeding Advice &...
Calling all nursing mothers! Breastfeeding can be challenging, but you can do it! Come to Xenia Dar a Luz this Monday, March 14, from 7-9 pm at 819 S. Detroit Street in Xenia, for a time of sharing and gaining insight and information. Light refreshments provided. Children welcome. And as always, we look forward to seeing you!
1 tag
February: Love is in the air . . .
Our meeting this month falls on Valentine’s Day and we don’t want the loved ones in your life angry with us for monopolizing your love and attention. We’ve decided to let you have that day to spend with those you love (besides us!). We will be meeting that same week on Thursday, February 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 for a playdate at the mall, however. Come and join us at the play...
January 2011: New Year, New You
New year, new you! Welcome 2011! To kick off the new year, we plan to discuss that all important topic of pregnancy nutrition needs including vitamins and whole foods in order to help you transform yourself into a healthier woman, whether considering pregnancy in the future, are currently pregnant, nursing or are postpartum. Come join us!
Bring a first-time friend and receive 10% off the...
October 2010
1 post
October Meeting: Options in Birth Control
Please join us on Monday, October 11 at 6:30 pm as we discuss our options in birth control. We will look at some articles and books that lay out pros and cons to some of the mainstream options and also discuss options that are a bit more unconventional.
September 2010
1 post
September Meeting~Homebirth: The Spirit, The...
Please join us this month as we watch a short film about homebirth, followed by a discussion. We will be watching Home Birth: The Spirit, The Science and The Mother, a video which touches on many different aspects of choosing to give birth at home. Many of you have contemplated homebirth at one time or another. This will be a great chance to see some evidence regarding the realities of what it...
August 2010
1 post
August Meeting: Cloth Diaper Galore!
Please join us this Monday, August 9, at 6:30 pm as we welcome Allison Fullenkamp, owner of samozrejme, the Dayton area’s only cloth diaper shop, to share with us what’s out there in the cloth diaper world and what’s the latest and greatest in diapers and baby products. She’ll have samples to check out and lots of knowledge with which to answer your every question...
July 2010
1 post
July Meeting: Birth Stories
“There is extraordinary psychological benefit in belonging to a group of women who have positive stories to tell about their birth experiences…The best way I know to counter the effects of frightening stories is to hear or read empowering ones. I mean stories that change you because you read or heard them, because the teller of the story taught you something you didn’t know...
June 2010
1 post
June Meeting: Ask the Birth Experts
Hey, everyone! How does this sound: A lovely evening in an air-conditioned library meeting room talking with like-minded people and asking those burning birth-related questions to some experts who have answers? It sounds to me like an excellent way to spend your Monday night! Please join us Monday, June 14 at 6:30 pm at the Xenia Public Library for an informal discussion time where you...
May 2010
1 post
May Meeting: Happier Baby Through Massage
Please join us this Monday, May 10 at 6:30 pm for a very informative and helpful meeting: Cry Less, Sleep More: Happier Baby Through Massage We will be joined by Dayton-area massage therapist Debbie Tarr. Debbie is certified to teach Baby’s First Massage. She will be sharing with us how we as parents can use massage with our babies and all the benefits of massage for your baby....
March 2010
1 post
An Easier Birth Through Optimal Fetal Positioning
Come join us this Monday, March 8 as we learn some different techniques to use during pregnancy and labor that allow your body and your baby to get in an optimal position for birth to happen spontaneously and more easily. These are techniques that midwives have used for many years and that prove to be very helpful with most women. We’ll teach you some simple things you can do during...
February 2010
4 posts
Baby Carriers - Correct Positioning & Safety →
Here is some excellent information on sling safety. Please read this in order to keep your baby safe and pass it on to others who carry their babies, too.
TheBabyWearer.com →
This is one of the most comprehensive websites about wearing your baby. It answers every question you can think of including which carrier is best for you and showing all the different ways to use each type of carrier. Check it out!
February Meeting: Wearing Your Baby
Join us Monday, February 8, 2010 as we discuss the benefits of wearing your baby and watch clips of Tummy 2 Tummy: THE Babywearing Instructional DVD. This has really great information about different ways to wear your child (baby to toddler) with ring slings, pouches, asian back carriers, or simple pieces of cloth. It also covers common babywearing mistakes. We will have several different kinds of...
Junkfood Science: A baby "paradox" →
This is a great blog post that shares the results of a huge study of babies and children. Findings: The heavier a baby is at birth, the healther it is throughout childhood. Mothers of 9-pound-plus babies, rejoice!
January 2010
4 posts
Mamabargains.com - One hot deal at a time until it... →
Have you seen this great site? They offer one super deal at a time, always 50-80% off, of all kinds of merchandise for hip families. I’ve seen strollers, slings, kids clothes and shoes, maternity wear, art supplies, hooded towels and much more. They offer one thing at a time until supplies run out, and then it’s on the next deal. You have to check back often to see what’s up at...
Boosting Immunity with Garlic
At our last meeting, one of the things we discussed was the best ways to boost immunity in your children, especially infants. With children, you can offer them liquid herbal formulas or Vitamin C and they will take them by mouth. But with babies and children who refuse to swallow anything suspect, it can be hard to give their little immune systems a much needed boost every once in a while. To...
Bravado! Essential Nursing Bra Tank →
This is one of our top picks of 2009. It’s an amazing nursing bra tank that fits well, has a variety of sizes, and covers that mama belly when you pull up your shirt. It’s comfy and chic and highly recommended. My suggestion? Buy 2.
1 tag
January Meeting: Bests of 2009
Welcome to the new Xenia Dar a Luz of 2010!
We will be kicking off the new year on Monday, January 11, at 6:30 pm in the upper conference room of the Xenia library, with a recap of the Best Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Baby Products of 2009. There are more pregnancy and baby products available now than ever before, and we want to take a moment to help each other sift through all the...
December 2009
1 post
1 tag
December Meeting: Cool Books for Moms
Please join us on Monday, December 14, as we discuss our favorite books about pregnancy, birth, parenting, or women’s health. I’ve recently run across some great books that more people need to know about, so I’m looking forward for this chance to tell you all about them. Plus there are some good new birth books out, too. We hope you grab a couple of your favorite books to share...
November 2009
1 post
1 tag
November Meeting: Pregnancy and the Swine Flu
Please come and join us Monday, November 9 as we discuss the Swine Flu and pregnancy. There is so much information out there; it can be hard to wade through it all. We’ll bring some of the latest information on what pregnant women need to know in regards to this flu. If you have information that you have gathered, please feel free to bring it and share it with the group. This is a discussion...
October 2009
1 post
1 tag
October Meeting: Planning for homebirth
If you’ve ever considered a homebirth or wonder how to prepare for giving birth at home, you’ll love this discussion on how to prepare to have your baby at home. We will have lots of time for questions you may have on the subject of homebirth or preparing for birth in general.
Please join us!
September 2009
1 post
September Meeting: Local Midwife to Speak
Please join us Monday, September 14, at 7 pm in the upper conference room of the Xenia Library for Dar a Luz to hear Jalana Lazar, Certified Nurse Midwife with Lifestages - Samaritan Centers for Women. We are hoping the topic will be all about hormones and how they affect women, but we’re not really sure! Come find out what we actually do talk about!
Light refreshments will be...
July 2009
1 post
July Meeting: Gentle Birth Choices Video
Please join us on Monday at 7 pm in Xenia as we watch and discuss a video entitled Gentle Birth Choices. According to the cover:
This documentary: Brilliantly demonstrates the power of women in childbirth
Dispels commonly held beliefs about water birth, midwives, and vaginal birth after caesarean, birth centers and circumcision.
Boldly states that women need to be in charge of their birth...
June 2009
1 post
June Meeting: Preparing for Birth
The Dar a Luz chapter in Xenia is pleased to announce an informal summer meeting in the park. We’ll be meeting Monday, June 8 at 7 pm under the pavilion at Shawnee Park in Xenia. The park is located just a block north of the library. You can see it to your right as you head north on Route 68 to Yellow Springs just 2 blocks past the courthouse and downtown area.
Our topic for the month...
May 2009
1 post
May Meeting: Taking Care of Your Pelvic Floor
What is your pelvic floor? What does it do and how can you take optimal care of it? This is a part of your body that is very little discussed or appreciated, and yet can benefit from a few simple exercises to keep it in top shape. Many women develop problems stemming from a weak pelvic floor, so come to the free, informational Xenia Dar a Luz meeting on Monday, May 11 to learn all about your own...
April 2009
1 post
April Meeting: Due Dates...
“When are you due?” It’s the first question we hear. We look forward to this day, we plan around it. But it can bring great anxiety when we realize, “I’m an entire week late, and so far no sign of going into labor! It’s not safe to go too long past the due date (not to mention I’m tired of being pregnant) … I’m going to have to be...
February 2009
1 post
February Meeting: Morning Sickness Solutions
Morning sickness: Most of us are afflicted at some level during our pregnancy, but there is surprisingly little in the way of surefire remedies for this pregnancy malady. Even the causes are up for debate. I personally have had several different levels of morning sickness, and have found a solution that works for me and for several of my friends. This meeting I would love to share it with you, and...
January 2009
1 post
January Meeting: Discussing Circumcision
We’d like to invite you to join us Monday, January 11, 2008 at 7 pm for our January meeting. We will be discussing circumcision and the many different issues surrounding this subject. We welcome you to come and listen or join in and share your thoughts on the subject. The Xenia Dar a Luz meets every second Monday of the month at 7 pm at the Xenia Public Library, 76 E. Market...
December 2008
1 post
December Meeting: When Breastfeeding is Difficult
We will be welcoming Nancy Cohen, MS, RD, LD, IBCLC and WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator (whew!). Nancy will be sharing with us about what to do when breastfeeding is difficult. Many of us have been there at one time or another. This will be a great chance to bring your own questions and problems to learn from an expert. *Meeting is free! *Children are welcome *Refreshments provided Xenia Dar a Luz...
November 2008
1 post
November Meeting: Examining Vaccinations
This meeting ought to be really interesting! Dr. Blair Labig, DC, will be joining us to share his personal and professional reflections on the role of vaccinations for children. If you have any children at all, you’ve already had to ponder the implications of this decision for your child. It is a huge topic with so many facets to consider, so hopefully you can come away from this meeting...
October 2008
1 post
October Meeting: Mommy Knows Best...Your Rights as...
I know, I know…Your Rights as a Consumer doesn’t sound all that exciting, but in fact it’s one of the most important topics you can be informed about if you’re planning on having a baby in the United States. As medical consumers, we are protected by certain rights, but we can’t exercise them if we don’t know what they are. Come on out Monday night at 7 pm...
August 2008
1 post
August meeting...Planning your VBAC and more
Please join us this Monday evening at 7 pm for our monthly support meeting. This month we will be discussing both avoiding an unnecessary C-section as well as planning a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). There will be important information for anyone planning to have a baby. We hope to see you there! The Xenia Dar a Luz meets on the second Monday of every month at 7 pm in the upstairs...
July 2008
1 post
Ricki Lake's The Business of Being Born →
For our July meeting we will watch Ricki Lake’s movie, The Business of Being Born:
Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business.
Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies.
The film interlaces intimate birth stories...
June 2008
2 posts
A little more about us....
As the leader of the Xenia Dar a Luz Network, I just wanted to let you all know who we are and what we do. First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Bethany Dykman, and I’ve been leading this group, along with Kelly, for the last year. I have a great interest in pregnancy and birth, especially natural birth, prenatal nutrition, midwifery, and home birth. Those are my personal areas...
Fathers During Pregnancy and Birth
We hope you can join us for the meeting of Dar a Luz Network in Xenia on Monday, June 9. We will be having a roundtable discussion about Fathers During Pregnancy and Birth, just in time for Father’s Day. Several dads will be on hand to share their experiences. We hope both moms and dads can come and join in the discussion, and of course your kids are welcome, too! The Xenia Dar a Luz Network...
May 2008
1 post
Bring the Best of all your Baby Bounty!
Come to Xenia Dar a Luz this Monday, May 12, to boast about your favorite baby item, such as favorite car seat, sling, cloth diaper, toy, book, cream, or other item you feel is unique, worth-every-penny or simply an essential! This is a great, relaxing and informative meeting for anyone who is pregnant to learn about all the cool stuff out there you didn’t even know you needed! And if...