News Moms Need

See what happens when the March of Dimes throws a baby shower for mothers serving in the military. Thank you to all our military families for everything you do. Have a safe and celebratory 4th of July

Forty moms-to-be whose spouses are deployed with the military had the opportunity to experience what many other expectant women may take for granted – a baby shower.  These moms, whose spouses all are members of the U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines and California Army National Guard, were honored during a group baby shower hosted by Operation Shower with support from Birdies for the Brave and presented by Datron World Communications.  March of Dimes served as the shower’s lead health education partner, providing essential information on how to have a healthy, full-term pregnancy and a healthy baby.

The shower was held at a luncheon on Tuesday, January 24, in the San Diego Padres Military Appreciation Pavilion at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla during the 2012 Farmers Insurance Open.

Each of the honored moms-to-be received Operation Shower’s signature “Shower In a Box” – a gift of high-quality products for mothers and babies.   March of Dimes also provided information on essential topics ranging from warning signs of pre-term birth, to which newborn screening tests every baby should have, to information specifically for dads as part of its Mission: Healthy Baby Program.  All military moms and dads can request Mission: Healthy Baby materials by sending their name and address to missionhealthybaby@marchofdimes.com.

Very high levels of stress, such as the stress caused by a deployment, may contribute to premature birth or low birthweight. “Having a baby is a joyful experience. However, it’s also one that comes with anxiety and stress, especially when your spouse is deployed overseas by the U.S. military,” said Miriam Erdosi of the March of Dimes. “The March of Dimes believes in supporting moms and moms-to-be and we’re grateful for this opportunity to help these military families. These showers and our Mission: Healthy Baby program give families the comfort, support and information they deserve.”

The March of Dimes support for the military dates back to its founding by President Roosevelt in 1938. Mission: Healthy Baby, is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was designed specifically to address the unique needs of military members who may be stationed far away from the support of family and friends, or who may be fighting a war while their partner is home, expecting a child.

Operation Shower is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and honoring military families by providing joyful baby showers for military moms-to-be to ease the burden of deployment, or in cases where spouses are seriously injured.   Since the organization’s inception in 2007, Operation Shower has showered more than 500 military moms from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and National Guard on military bases, during PGA TOUR tournaments, and at other locations.

We were talking about baby showers the other day and how nice they are for first time moms, how hugely helpful they are in jump-starting the whole ”there’s a baby in the house!” transition.

The question came up about whether or not folks give showers for second babies. One gal thought not, because you already have a crib and gear and baby clothes. Another one said, “Hey, we can’t gyp this baby out of cute stuff just ‘cause he’s second in line!”  A third said where she’s from they have showers for the second one, but they’re kind of toned down in the volume of gifts and the party is called a “sprinkle.”  Cute!  And my favorite response was from a gal who said where she’s from they have a party after the baby arrives called a “sip ‘n see.”

How ‘bout you? Do you attend second showers or sprinkles? What happens if the mom is pregnant with twins? Do you call it a downpour?  Would triplets be a thunderstorm?  Personally, I get a big kick out of these names and think that any support you can give a pregnant woman is a great idea.  I mean really, who doesn’t need diapers and butt cream?

Thirty-six expectant military moms received the baby shower they deserve on January 25th at the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open hosted at legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course, courtesy of nonprofit partners March of Dimes and Operation Shower.  The moms-to-be received gift boxes filled with baby supplies, clothing, toys, books and much, much more courtesy of Kmart, Ashford University, Farmers Insurance and many other generous donors.

Operation Shower began in March 2007 when LeAnn Morrissey, looking for a way to do something to give back to our military, set out with family and friends to send a “Shower in a Box” to four military families who were expecting babies while their husbands were deployed. The gesture was so well received that LeAnn decided to expand her efforts and Operation Shower was officially born.

They held their first unit-wide shower at Ft. Bragg in June 2007 and since have showered over 350 moms-to-be. The March of Dimes and Operation Shower began their partnership in 2009 to recognize the sacrifices of military moms-to-be and to support military families.  Having a baby can be challenging, but can be especially stressful when your husband is deployed overseas by the U.S. military. We partner to organize baby showers for expecting families in the armed services.  Learn more at operationshower.org.

We spent almost three hours in Buy Buy Baby on Sunday afternoon. My head is still spinning from all of the excitement and decisions we had to make. This was not like registering for my bridal shower. That was easy. Even though the store provided a registry checklist as a guide, I felt like I was guessing. I have no idea if my baby will want or need half the stuff I picked out (i.e. play pen, bouncy seat, exer-saucer, slings & swing). And if there isn’t already, there should be an accelerated college course on car seats and strollers.  There were literally 100 different models to choose from. Thank goodness my husband printed out info from Consumer Reports beforehand. It would have been impossible to make a selection otherwise. We probably would have registered for a more expensive and not necessarily safer “travel system”, too.

Are there any items that were a personal favorite or absolute must when you had your baby?

My sister and mother-in-law are going to kill me. I just made a huge impulsive purchase online. I bought the entire crib set, including the mobile, valance, wall hangings…you name it I bought it. Right down to the little giraffe night light. Wait until my husband gets a hold of the AmEx bill. DOH! I don’t know what came over me. I was innocently searching for baby names when I came across decorating tips for nurseries. Well, one thing led to another. Before I knew it I was starring right at the order confirmation number. I thought about returning some of the things because I know my family will throw me a shower, but I really don’t want to. It was the first time any of this seemed real and I felt really close to my baby. I shouldn’t feel guilty about that, right? How does that sound? Hopefully my husband will accept that explanation. Shopping is fun…woo hoo!!