When Katrina Ball first contacted the IABPP, she was on a mission to create a huge impact in the birthing community in Bermuda. Sharing the same philosophy on education with the academy, she set out not only to become a baby planner extraordinaire, but to educate herself as a birth and postpartum doula, breastfeeding counsellor, and childbirth educator.

During her participation in the IABPP Baby Planner Certification Course, Katrina was working a full-time job as well as fulfilling a role as first time parent to her son, Elijah. Although she was pretty busy, her passion and drive kept her moving forward. Her positive attitude, hard work, creativity, and passion paid off. Not only did Katrina complete each homework assignment, but she went above and beyond being the first Baby Planner to complete a very rigid exam within only a couple weeks. Katrina became a Certified Baby Planner on April 30, 2010, and since then, she has developed and created her company, “Mindful Mothering”.

Mindful Mothering resonated with her because of the research she had done during and after the birth of her son. It is her mission that other mothers develop a mindful attitude toward themselves and their children. Katrina will officially launch Mindful Mothering to the Bermuda community in September 2010.

Additionally Katrina plans to expand “Mindful Mothering” to a Professional Baby Planning and Childbirth Service and is continuing to work to become certified as a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Breastfeeding Counselor and Childbirth Educator.

While preparing for her company’s grand opening, Katrina was invited to present “Mindful Mothering” to a panel of elite Obstetricians. She will also be written up in Bermuda’s top daily newspapers – The Royal Gazette and The Bermuda Sun. Not only is Katrina fulfilling her mission and creating a huge impact, but she is also providing the community of Bermuda a very supportive service in order to create Mindful Mothers and Parents.

One of our first graduates and certified baby planner Ana Anselmo is busy with clients and making headlines in Brazil!

Ana Anselmo and Viviane Paulucci founded Projetobb in 2008 in Brazil, but for personal reasons Ana Anselmo arrived to USA and accepted a full time job in the Hamptons. She enrolled in the first baby planner certification program offered by The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals because she knew the international certification would open many doors for her business in Brazil. She met every class with enthusiasm, passion, and hard work.

Although she worked in a demanding full-time job, she spent every second of her free time learning all there is to know about the world of baby planning and how to run the business in Brazil. She shared many great ideas with other students in the program and even went out of her way to attend extra classes and events. There were some doubts since English was not her first language, but she overcame them as she continued to be inspired to pursue her dream in Brazil. She established great connections with key industry players in NYC and founded NYC Baby Planner.

Upon completing her baby planner certification, she made the decision to leave her full-time job to pursue her baby planning career in Brazil with her partner Viviane. Within a couple of months, word spread like wild fire in Brazil and she found herself and her partner on a plane to meet potential clients and business owners. Both met with hospitals, maternity retailers, and expecting clients. Both calendars began filling up very quickly and within six weeks, not only both were busy with clients, but the number one newspaper in Brazil ran a full cover story on their business.

Ana is a great example of a baby planner whose work and education has truly paid off. Her dream has now become her reality.

This is where baby planners can be your new “BF”. Unlike your friend who only means well, we help you objectively find the best product for YOU, not anyone else. The breast pump, stroller or crib that she raved about may not be the right fit for you. But because you were smart and selected the services of a qualified baby planner, you were given the tools and education to make an informed decision that put you and your baby on the right track and not down a path that would’ve lead to frustration, stress and even that awkward “Never Again!” call to your friend. Baby planners also have the extra edge because we are constantly searching to remain up to date with all the latest safety concerns and recalls. Your friend on the other hand, may not have even registered the product she is referring to you that may have been potentially recalled or been deemed unsafe.

Product expertise is only one of the many fortes we deal with. We also help you figure out what hospital or birth center you will deliver at, what medications, if any, will you take when labor starts, what childbirth classes best fit your personality, beliefs or needs and what services are going to make this the best pregnancy that you have had. As you can see the reoccurring theme is that we just want what is best for you and we are here to help you utilize the many options and services that are available to you. We do all of the legwork, hours of online and field research to only bring you quality products and services and credible information and resources. We want to save you stress, time and yes, MONEY. We are not here to be some luxury that only the elite can purchase, in fact most of us offer different payment structures that allow clients to tailor our services to their budget. For example, you cannot get a maternity fashion makeover, beautiful nursery, baby moon package and personalized in home consultations about health and nutrition without spending some money but for those of you that are just looking for expert guidance on what resources you can use and look more into on your own, what services are available in your area and what professionals can help you with specific pregnancy/baby related issues, the services of a baby planner will not only benefit your wallet, baby and sanity but your schedule as well.

Many of us in today’s society are already juggling over packed schedules, and a new pregnancy may have your brain in over drive with thoughts of all the things you have to get done, organize, schedule, buy, how long it has been since your last child was born, etc. Now combine that with the hormones and changes happening in your body, that are now attacking that once elephant sharp memory of yours and leaving you more tired than the time you thought hitting up 3 outlet malls in one day was a good idea, and this leads to one unhappy, frustrated, emotional and super stressed mommy. And that isn’t good for your or your baby’s health; feel free to ask your doctor.  A baby planner can help you take a step back to breathe and remind you have plenty of time to get everything done, especially with your new helping hand, and clearly the first thing is to figure out a plan. Together you guys can create an organized, practical plan of attack and suddenly with your arsenal of resources, materials and help from your trusted ally, your baby planner, this pregnancy is no longer scary. You will truly be able to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful, miraculous process happening inside your body and focus on how life is about to change in the best way forever and that you are giving your baby the best start possible. And that peace of mind is PRICELESS.

Marie Rivera

Bundle of Joy Consulting

Green Irene provides a thorough online training program including Ask Green Irene, which is an extensive research database with a complete infrastructure to help individuals establish their own local eco-consulting practice. Founded on the notion that everyone can make a difference with simple changes in lifestyle and habits, Green Irene Eco-Consultants lead families to a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle while saving money, energy and water with its consulting services and green home products.

“Just as babyproofing is designed to prevent children from injuring themselves or doing damage around the home, our greenproofing service is designed to prevent expecting moms, new moms, and their babies from unsafe exposure to potentially harmful substances around the home. In the same way that nutrition plays a significant role for a woman and her baby’s health during and after pregnancy, environment plays an extremely vital role to health and safety of moms and babies. I am very impressed with Green Irene’s training program. I feel it will be the perfect complement to our greenproofing certification, so much so that we have made Green Irene’s program a requirement of our overall greenproofing certification.” says Mary Oscategui, founder of the IABPP. 

Mary feels it is a baby planner’s duty to educate and inform their clients about the potential threatening substances that exist in and around the home when preparing for a baby’s arrival. She is passionate about providing professionals with an in depth look at the world of greenproofing.

Rosamaria Caballero, co-founder of Green Irene, says “We are excited about partnering with the IABPP because we believe that many of the topics that we cover in our both our training and consulting services– such as water purity, indoor air quality, toxic-free living and even waste reduction–are essential areas that should be examined in any home with babies and children.”

The IABPP Greenproofer’s certification requires comprehensive knowledge of toxic free living for expecting and new families including: pregnancy and birth, skin and body care, food and nutrition, non-toxic organic products, nursery design, home and business environment, as well as energy efficient lighting, energy conservation, water conservation, water purity, indoor air quality, waste reduction/recycling, safety/emergency preparedness, and carbon footprint.

This is a great opportunity for baby planners to complement their businesses with a specialty in green services. The first training program will be offered in the fall of 2010. For more information, visit www.iabpp.com 

The IABPP continues to lead their industry forward by providing the finest training porgrams to support baby planners throughout the United States and around the world. Certified baby planners can currently be found in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Washington DC, Bermuda, France, Switzerland, Brazil, and most recently Puerto Rico, Luxemburg, Argentina, and Peru. 

About IABPP: 

Founded in September 2009, the IABPP is at the forefront of a movement to empower parents to make the right decisions for themselves and their babies. As the innovative leaders in their field, they have introduced a new approach to the baby planning industry by focusing on the needs of their clients through parental education and emotional support.  They have also established the first and only certification program in the baby planning industry. Their mission is to inspire, support, and educate a global network of baby planners and childbirth educators through creative and effective professionalism, business management, strong leadership, sales, and communication in order to provide expecting and new parents with exceptional service. For more information, visit www.iabpp.com. 

About Green Irene LLC: 

Founded in 2007 by the original “Green Irene,” Rosamaria Caballero, Green Irene is founded on the notion that everyone can make a difference with simple changes in lifestyle and habits. The only green home and business consulting firm with a national reach, Green Irene has trained more than 600 Eco-Consultants in 47 states. Green Irene Eco-Consultants perform Green Home Makeovers and Green Business Makeovers with advice and products to make your living or working area more eco-friendly. The goal for Green Irene Eco-Consultants is to lead your family members and coworkers to a healthier, safer and more sustainable lifestyle, and save you money, energy, and water with its consulting services and green home and office products. Green Irene is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau and Green America’s Green Business Network. For more information, visit www.GreenIrene.com.