Mothering By Nature Center a resource, boutique for parents

VALPARAISO | Mothering By Nature Center connects moms and dads to the natural side of parenting through exposure to resources, information and products.

From cloth diapers and ointments to baby-wearing carriers, the boutique has tools researched by owner Robin Joyce while providing a platform for education.

"There is definitely a need for the products that we have, but honestly I would get bored with just the boutique part of it," Joyce said. "I want to expand on the educational part and bring awareness to people. They have no idea how to have a natural birth when there is a lack of support. For breast–feeding, women can be labeled as failing because they don't have the right kind of support and information. I want to be that place if they are seeking help."

Joyce has Baby–Wearing and Cloth Diapering 101 classes in the works and she has already hosted a meet the doula event with plans for additional seminars in the future.

"Parents came and saw a video and got to spend 10 minutes with each doula. We gave them questions to ask and they can take the information home and set up appointments later," she said.

She also offers a free post–partum support group every other Friday from noon to 2 p.m. for moms of young babies.

"It's a place for them to share information about how the birth was and any concerns. The post–partum time is really sensitive and can be lonely for many and some feel they can't share with everyone," Joyce said. "They are expected to say they feel great but a majority of women have some sort of emotional issue and feel shameful to admit it. This is a place to talk to other women and if they need more help, we have the resources for that."

The center and boutique's concept stems from Joyce's 15 years of experience as a certified doula and the nonprofit group, Choices Natural Birth & Parenting Network.

"Choices has been having free monthly community meetings in Hebron for eight years. We discuss topics such as healthy pregnancy, attached parenting and better birth all with a natural holistic twist to it," she said. "As a doula, I have gone to a lot of training and educational seminars and it would be shameful not to share that information."

Joyce had been monitoring the market for a place to open the center and gauging interest in Northwest Indiana. In September 2010, she rented a space within Nature's Cupboard in Chesterton to try out the concept.

"It was a stepping stone. People have to realize you have to start small and start somewhere. Instead of investing a ton of money, I started small with rent I could afford and built up slowly," she said.

With the move to a new building, she feels she has the space to accommodate both the boutique and educational sides of her business.

"I want to build classes and build community. You never know how someone will influence another," she said. "I want to bring awareness to having healthier pregnancies, better births and the benefits of breast–feeding. Not everyone will fit into the same category. I want this to be a place where people can come and feel supported and not judged."