I’m Melissa Koehler and I'm not usually one to brag, but I have the best job in the world. I get to take pictures of some of the cutest people. I am the owner of Melissa Koehler Photography. I specialize in Maternity, Baby and Family photography. I also photograph weddings.

I consider my job one of the most rewarding jobs. Now I haven't had many careers but I can't imagine doing anything else. I love people and making them feel beautiful and happy. Some of my favorite moments are....

When I get to see a woman's face after I show her how gorgeous she is with a child in her belly...

or capturing your beautiful baby at a stage they will never be in again…

and sneaking a peek into your beautiful family as they grow...

My passion is to capture your family being real and pure.

I love my job and the people I get to meet. I would love to get the chance to meet you too. Thanks for making it possible for me to do what I love!

I often get asked what I do for a living. When I answer, "I teach HypnoBirthing", I always hold my breath not knowing whether the person will look at me like I have 5 heads or not. Usually, the response of the other person is, "You teach WHAT?!?”. Then I tell the person that HypnoBirthing is a natural childbirth education class that helps moms and their partners de-hypnotize themselves about the idea that birth has to be a painful, excruciating experience and helps them to regain the trust in their body's natural ability to birth a baby. That's when the person either looks at me like I have 5 heads or is intrigued.
 
Why is it that people are so shocked when they hear that people want to have a natural birth? So many of my class members tell me stories about their family members or friends giving them a hard time about wanting a natural birth. I remember people telling me when I was pregnant with my 1st and 2nd child that they wished me luck and that I'd probably be begging for the epidural once I got past 4 cm dilated. (I went on to have two completely natural HypnoBirths and my 2nd birth was completely pain-free.)
 
Women have become so far removed from their bodies that most women don't trust that their body is meant to give birth naturally, comfortably and in a healthy manner. When I ask my class members what their goals for taking the class are, inevitably, most people respond by saying that they hope they don't end up with a c-section, that something doesn't happen to the baby, or to the mom. Birth has become such a huge medical event, especially here in the United States. But, if we in the United States are so blessed to have all of the medical advances available to us to help "save" us, why is it that we are 43rd in the world in terms of infant mortality? We should be #1.
 
Fear of the pain of labor is a part of birth that we've taken for granted and just blindly accepted as part of the birth experience. We've been inundated with negative images of birth--in movies, in TV shows, in magazines, and other people's birth stories. No wonder people tend to think that birth is a painful, horrible experience that you just need to "get through" rather than enjoy! It's very rare for someone to know someone who had a positive birth experience. Documentaries like The Business of Being Born, Orgasmic Birth and Pregnant in America are all showing that birth can be a positive one if the pregnant person is educated and is able to advocate for what they want.
 
HypnoBirthing teaches about the physiological process of birth when the body is relaxed and calm vs. fearful and tense. It teaches about how the body and the baby are working together. It educates people about the things to do to prepare for a more comfortable birth--like ensuring you have a supportive medical care provider and place where you'll birth. It educates the mom and their partner about techniques to use during labor to make things more comfortable so that the partner can really be involved and support the mom. It gives people true informed consent regarding medical procedures and hospital interventions so they know they have choices as long as the mom and the baby are both healthy.
 
The people that take my classes all come because they are searching for answers and for tools to help them have a positive birth experience. They all are searching for a way to make birth more comfortable for themselves and for their partners. Most show up at class with a level of fear about birth and about becoming a parent that rates somewhere between a 5 to an 11! By the time they finish the class, their level of fear is very low or non-existent. That is one of the main goals of HypnoBirthing--to teach people to trust the body and the baby's natural ability to birth, to go into one's birth confident, capable and in control, rather than fearful, tense and feeling out of control.
 
Birth is meant to be healthy, natural and comfortable. Sometimes, the journey we hoped for--a natural birth--doesn't always happen, but I believe that with HypnoBirthing tools and techniques the mom and partner can still remain calm, in control and still have a positive birth experience. Birth isn't something that should be feared. It is something that should be and can be enjoyed for both the mom and the partner. It can be a bonding experience where the mom and the partner work together to help their little baby join the world. It needs to become an experience that people look forward to, to be in awe of their body's natural abilities, and to be empowered by the birth experience.
 
I'm so proud to be able to teach HypnoBirthing and feel infinitely blessed to be able to be teaching at Dr. Biter's Babies by the Sea Boutique and at Indigo Dragon Health and Wellness Center. Laura Fairchild, the co-owner of Babies by the Sea, took my HypnoBirthing classes and had an amazing pain-free 1st birth. Ashley Lanahan, co-owner of Indigo Dragon, also took my classes and had a wonderful HypnoBirthing experience. Dr. Biter's office partner, Dr. Cap/Capetanakis took my classes with his wife, Angie, and she had a 7 hour pain-free joyful birth experience. Thank you to Dr. Biter, Laura and everyone at Babies by the Sea that help to fill my classes! Thank you to all of the couples and single moms who have taken my classes. It truly is an honor to teach you!
 
So, when I get asked what I do for a living, I pause for that brief moment, but then hope that even if the person does look at me like I have 5 heads, that a little piece of them might understand what I'm saying and that maybe, just maybe, what I say can help change someone's perspective of birth.
 
If you are interested in learning more about HypnoBirthing, please visit my website at www.AWellLivedLife.Net or visit the HypnoBirthing website at www.hypnobirthing.com to find a practitioner near you.

Carol Yeh-Garner, LCSW, HBCE

Breastfeeding is a whole new adventure once your beloved baby is born. Some mothers have an abundance of milk, while others can struggle with their supply. What’s important at this time is having the type of pump that suits your needs as a new mother. We believe in the importance of giving your child the natural best start, which is why we have breast feeding resources from Hygeia including hospital and professional grade pumps, hand pumps, nursing pads, storage containers and bags, and soothing gel pads. We also have the Hygeia Healthy Baby Weight-Trending Scale to keep your mind at ease as to how much your baby is gaining.

So why should you try Hygeia Breast Pumps first? They are the only breast pump company that has FDA clearance as a multi-user pump so moms can share the pump with family or friends as long as each mom has her own Personal Accessory Kit. They also give moms a risk-free 21-day exchange/return option and a 3-year warranty. In addition, they are a local “green” company that supports the environment; the pumps are recyclable, and refurbished pumps are donated to moms who may not otherwise be able to afford one. All parts that come in contact with breast milk are BPA/DEHP free so mothers can feel at ease using this product. As an added bonus, Hygeia Breast Pumps come with a Custom Audio Recording Experience (C.A.R.E.) which allows mom to record her baby laughing, crying, or another relaxing sound that is proven to enhance milk let-down. 

Pumps and Scales are available for sale or rent at the Boutique…or stop by and weigh your baby on our store scale when you’re in the neighborhood!

Meet the experts at Babies by the Sea Boutique for a complimentary Breastfeeding and Pumping Q & A the first Tuesday of every month starting, Tuesday, January 5^th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, featuring Shari Silady, IBCLC, RLC and Tim Johnson of Hygeia.

Remember getting your first bike?  It was so exciting, yet so scary…the anticipation of trying to balance and use the pedals without falling over.  An alternative to this experience for your 2-5 year old is LIKEaBIKE. LIKEaBIKE is a fun alternative to a standard bike because it has no pedals. It is beneficial in developing fine motor skills and balance, and is a blast to ride!

At Babies by the Sea Boutique, we carry the Mountain LIKEaBIKE which is a sustainable wood bike with non-toxic finish, the Mountain Deluxe which includes a front basket and kickstand, and the Jumper Green with an aluminum frame. Safety is key so all the LIKEaBIKEs have steer limiter so as not to jack-knife and felt between the handle bars and fork so there will be no pinched fingers. 

This versatile, fun, alternative LIKEaBIKE would make the perfect learning toy vehicle to wake up to Christmas morning!

What parent doesn’t want their child to get up off the couch and play? And what parent doesn’t want to leave the planet a little better place for his or her child? Not any parents we know.

Christmas day forecast in Southern California? Most likely warm and sunny…and if you’ve been good all year…Santa will throw some glassy offshore conditions…how perfect would that be? What better gift to give your little one than their first surfboard? And what better place to get them than Babies by the Sea Boutique?

We carry INT Softboards made from recycled foam.  The 36” kickboards are perfect for little ones getting used to the water. Put them in their room to learn to stand up on or take them to the beach to learn balance.  We also have the 4’11” Swallow and the 7’ Fun Boards for the more experienced surfers.  The softboards are great for beginners and kids because they are lighter and easier to handle than traditional boards; as well as being more buoyant and not as likely to cause dings. 

So if you are still looking for that perfect last minute gift, come pick up your very own Babies by the Sea Boutique INT Softboard today!

As if Dr. Biter doesn’t have enough to do delivering babies, opening up a Boutique and a new Birthing Center…

Announcing “Babies by the Sea Birthing Center 1^st Fundraising Gallery Event and Auction” on Thursday, December 10^th from 7-9pm at the Martin Lawrence Gallery in La Jolla.  Join us for an evening of wine, hors d’ouevres, music, and surprises!

$150 donation to the Birthing Center upon entrance to the gallery event includes one recycled blown glass leaf with your own personal, handwritten message to be displayed on the tree in the lobby of the new birthing center.  Additional leaves will be available to purchase as well as large sea glass tiles to support the works of Seaside Giving. 

The Martin Lawrence Gallery is located at 1111 Prospect St, La Jolla, Ca 92037. Offering works by Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and more; with special promotional pricing of 20% of sales donated to the birth center.  To request your auction catalogue please contact Kyle at 858.551.1122 or email lajolla@martinlawrence.com. 

Please RSVP to this great event by emailing andrea@babiesbythesea.com.  If you cannot attend, you can still participate in the fun and help the birthing center by purchasing a leaf or collecting a beautiful piece of art through the catalog. Hope to see you there!

Diapers are a necessity for any family with children. With the concern for green living on everyone’s mind, it’s no wonder more parents are choosing to use cloth.  Cloth diapers are soft, natural and chemical free.  They are cute, classic and easy to use. Our grandmothers folded flat diapers multiple times, covered them with harsh, unventilated plastic pants and rinsed poop out in the toilet!  Cloth has come a long way!  We now have prefold diapers, all-in-one diapers and adorable covers with Velcro closures made from breathable fabrics.  And, no more rinsing the diapers in the toilet!  Washing machines have also come a long way and the rinsing is just not necessary.  Choosing cloth can be convenient and simple and it means less disposable diapers filling up our landfills and the elimination of harsh chemicals from our baby’s lives. 

I always knew I would use cloth, but must admit the task of researching all the options was daunting. Once I started using them I knew I had to share my knowledge with other parents. Beach Bums Cloth Diaper Service is a way to share my passion for cloth diapering and natural parenting. It is also a way to teach my daughter the importance of living a lifestyle where protecting the environment and making life choices that show an awareness of our impact on the earth a priority. I created Beach Bums to provide San Diego parents with a convenient and environmentally friendly diapering choice. Let Beach Bums worry about the washing, all parents need to do is change the diapers and relax in knowing they have made the best choice for the environment and for their baby! 

Come to Beach Bums Cloth Diapering Demonstration Sunday December 6th at 1pm at Babies by the Sea.   See how easy cloth diapering can be and learn why it is the better choice for your baby and the planet.

~Amy

www.beachbumsdiapers.com