• Have you researched your local market and know if you have a good target market to secure clients in? You are looking for people who can afford your services and have the disposable income to pay you.
• Do you have a passion and related background in helping new parents specifically in dealing with pregnancy, birthing and parenting situations?
• Are you business savvy?
• Do you have a good head for marketing and sales?
• Do you have $1,000 -$3,000 to spend in your initial start-up costs (this budget would be for the essentials like your website, logo, marketing collateral, business registration etc.)?
• Do you have at least 15-20 hours a week to devote to launching a business?

The most popular question we get asked is “do I need to be certified”? Our answer to this question is no. IBPA does not recognize any baby planning certification programs currently and frankly believes our niche still needs to mature in order to gain strong credibility. However, if you decide to get certified by any organization we advise that you do your research into who is the certifying body (ex. is it industry recognized) and what value are you gaining for that investment. We advise that before you invest any amount of money into a baby planning business you should determine if you have a local market to sell to first. Afterall, if you don’t have a market you won’t have clients to sell to and who’ll eventually purchase your services. We’ve seen many baby planning businesses fail within the first year because they do not do their market research. Once you do your market research and find that you have a viable market we suggest you spend your money wisely on items such as:

• a great website with strong SEO (strong site engine optimization can help people find your site easily on the internet through key search words)
• a professional looking logo and graphics
• marketing collateral
• marketing tools such as Constant Contact
• business start-up advice from a baby planning/maternity concierge expert, business attorney, business accountant
• become a Child Passenger Seat Technician through SafeKids Worldwide
• look at joining organizations like the International Association for Child Safety and brush up on your child safety background
• experience as a lactation consultant, doula, midwife, nurse, child birth educator, counseling, background in early childhood education or baby product retail are all excellent skills to have on your resume

We also believe spending more than $3,000 on your start-up budget is really unnecessary unless you’re looking at building a major website, database and marketing machine with all of the bells and whistles.

If you have any questions related to How to Become a Baby Planner please email us at info@internationalbabyplanners.com or call #503-297-5326. We’re happy to help you if we can!

Good luck if you’re launching your baby planning business and please consider joining IBPA once you’ve started your business.

by Shannon Harlow, Hello World Baby Planning & Maternity Concierge

WOW, what a couple of days!  Stormie and I embarked upon the annual, not open to the public, ABC Expo which is the world’s largest expo of Baby/Child/Mom gear.  It is amazing and even with 4 days we could barely scratch the surface of all the amazing stuff here!

I can’t even tell you how many times  each day that I said the words, “that is fantastic!”  There is a myriad of smart people designing and engineering baby products that are not just extremely attractive to look at but are truly insightfully designed.  It amazes me still all that we were able to see, touch, push, pull, fold, play with, put on, carry and then some.  Brilliant.

Since strollers are probably my first love, of baby gear, I’ll start with one of my all time favorite lines, UPPAbaby.  UPPA is a longstanding brand known for sleek design that is exceedingly user friendly combined with adorable colors, UVA protection and eco-friendly fabric.  UPPA’s crowning achievement, the Vista, is so popular amongst moms that it has been become the standard for chic strollers.  The Vista’s long list of features makes this stroller an ideal investment for the mobile family.  The G-Luxe and the G-Lite both fall under the umbrella category while still very much living up to the UPPA superiority.  So…what’s in between the super posh and their classy umbrellas?  UPPA has answered that question with the soon to be released Cruz.  The Cruz acts very much like the Vista with the one button telescopic handle-height adjustment, reversible seat, one handed seat adjustment, lustrous frame, car seat adaptor availability, sizable canopy shade and storage basket.  What’s the diff?  The wheels for starters are not the large rubber wheels seen on the Vista but are replaced by smaller “umbrella-like” wheels which feature the same rubber over EVA foam material.  And, like all UPPAbaby strollers there are shock and suspension in the wheels so the ride in the CRUZ is very smooth.  It is more compact at over 21 inches wide.  The Cruz does not have a bassinet nor does it have the option of adding a second seat.  However, at a price of around $460, I think most parents will be delighted to see this addition to the UPPA baby family.

IBPA is pleased to announce another successful year as the first trade association for the baby planning and maternity concierge industry. We are proud to represent all of our professional baby planners globally and we continue to help our industry gain exposure as well as credibility. Our press release shares major highlights of our organization’s accomplishments over the years and is excited to continue to help grow the industry!

Read our press release here: For Immediate Release, The International Baby Planner Association Celebrates Another Successful Year…

For a list of all of our baby planners: Premier Baby Planner & Maternity Concierge Members

What qualities should an ideal baby planner have?
I think there are many qualities an ideal planner should have – however the most important to me are listening and understanding.  Anyone can tell you theories, thoughts and ideas on parenting.  It is important to have a planner who will listen to the expectant parents and truly hear what it is they need and then take that information and combine it with understanding.  The understanding comes from taking the knowledge as a baby planner and translating that to serve the clients best.

What are your specialties as a baby planner?
I enjoy helping new and expecting parents by using a realistic and sensible approach.  I also feel that many times with all the information out there, new parents have a difficult time deciphering what you need versus all the “wants” out there – or what a specific store, brand or web site says.  I feel one specialty I offer is helping parents determine exactly what they need (or don’t need!) to truly fit their lifestyle for baby’s arrival.

Tell us a little bit about your background.

I started my career in Marketing, PR and Communications.  Five years into my career, an unexpected change occurred which left me at a crossroads.  After researching some options, I came across a career in baby planning and had found this to be my true calling.  From reading numerous books, publications and more, I have educated myself on all things pregnancy and baby through postpartum and toddler years.  When combined with my experiences over the past three years, I have become a go-to for expecting parents.

What is your biggest piece of advice for a new parent?

I’m always in agreement with many other planners and experts who advise new parents not to listen to the advice that is offered and not asked for.  I believe that each parenting experience is different and should be their own and understand that what works for the Joneses may not necessarily work for someone else.  In the same line of thinking, do not take what you read in books or on the Internet to be the end-all be-all.  I recommend that parents read and listen to whichever sources of information they want and take bits and pieces from each place to form their own ideas of parenting and raising their baby.

What is the nicest thing a client has ever said about your business?

I have clients tell me all the time that they don’t know what they would do without my assistance or a product I recommended was the best idea.  One of the nicest things anyone has ever said was in a letter of recommendation from Kelly:

“I have a 3 year old son and am pregnant with my second child, due in April.  I have found Carly to be essential to me through these past few months.  Aside from her having experience with pregnancy, product knowledge and general know-how of all things related to baby and pregnancy, she also has two young children of her own.  Her common sense approach and realistic advice is refreshing and has truly made a difference to me.  I find her to be trustworthy, honest and truly caring.  I hear from her to check in with me to make sure my appointments are going well and to see if I have any concerns – even if I do not contact her myself.” 

How do you stay current on trends in the baby and child industry?
I keep up on current trends through social media, blogs, pregnancy and many parenting publications and journals.  As a member of the International Baby Planners Association, I have the ability to connect with others in the industry.  I often receive updates from product manufacturers to stay connected to what’s new and exciting and ensure I am aware of all product recalls.

Today many women are bearing children after the age of 35, at which point they are medically considered to be at an advanced maternal age.  According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, since 1990 the number of births for mothers age 35-39 has increased by 57% even though the population of women in this age group has only increased by 5%.   Also, since 1990 the birth rate for mothers 40-44 has increased by 70% and the birth rate for mothers 45-49 has tripled.  In 2006, 494 children were born to mothers age 50-54.  In the past it was not unusual for women to bear children later in life.  The difference today is women are having their first child after age 35.  The number of women having their first child over the age of 35 has increased eight-fold since 1970.  In the news and in the entertainment industry we see plenty of examples of later in life mothers:  Halle Berry, Geena Davis, Elizabeth Edwards, Nicole Kidman, Holly Hunter, and many more.

So why is a distinction made with respect to moms having babies later in life rather than sooner? Well, the main reason is that later in life moms are more at risk for pregnancy complications.  Pregnant women over the age of 35 are considered at higher risk for miscarriage, twins, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placenta problems, preterm birth, stillbirth and having a c-section.  Such mothers are also more likely to have pre-existing health conditions (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems) that can affect pregnancy.  Babies born to mothers who are over the age of 35 are at greater risks for birth defects.  According to the New England Journal of Medicine, a twenty year old woman has a 1 in 1667 chance of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome and a 1 in 526 chance of having a baby with any chromosomal abnormality.  A forty-year old woman, however, has a 1 in 106 chance of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome and a 1 in 66 chance of having a baby with any chromosomal abnormality.

It’s imperative for women of all ages who are considering pregnancy to weigh the risks and benefits of pregnancy for themselves and their babies.  Prospective parents should talk with their physicians about any health risks from pregnancy for the mother and child.  If desired, the prospective parents may also want to discuss with their physicians the use of assisted reproductive technology.  Some later in life mothers choose in vitro fertilization in combination with donor eggs from younger women.  Genetic screening can be done on both parents before pregnancy to determine the risk of having a baby with genetic defects.  During pregnancy, women are offered certain genetic screening and/or diagnostic tests (i.e. amniocentesis, chronic villus sampling, and fetal blood sampling).  The important thing to consider is what to do with the test results once you have them.  Pregnant mothers-to-be can also decline to have genetic screening or testing done.

From a non-medical standpoint, prospective parents should consider their finances and support system.  Later in life parents may be concerned about paying for college during their retirement years, taking care of elderly parents and young children at the same time, and the lack of friends at the same life stage.  There are a number of social groups that have sprung up to meet the needs of moms having babies later in life: www.motherhoodlater.com, www.mothersover40.com, and www.fertilityover40.com.

Editorial provided by Lisa Lee, a later in life mom and owner of Angels 4 Mommies Baby Planning.  She can be reached through her website: www.Angels4MommiesBabyPlanning.com

A baby planner is similar to a wedding planner except instead of helping couples plan for their wedding, a baby planner helps couples plan for the birth of their baby or babies.  A good baby planner is a good listener, non-judgmental, and truly understands that every pregnancy, like every person, is unique.

What type of services does a baby planner offer?

It depends on the baby planner but a number of baby planners offer a host of select services that generally fall into the following five categories:

Birth Prep – Oftentimes, moms-to-be want to know about their birth options (e.g. midwife, OB, homebirth, natural, medicated, etc.).  A baby planner can discuss each birth option and recommend providers that have been highly rated by other families who desired similar birth experiences.  A baby planner can also provide referrals for labor and postpartum doulas as well as lactation consultants.  Finally, a baby planner can help with designing and stocking the nursery, getting the car seat installed, organizing the baby shower, packing the hospital bag, and doing other big or little things that the parents may appreciate as part of the birth preparation process.  Baby planners can help adopting families prepare as well.

Support-Many moms I speak with through my baby planning business are interested in some form of support in the postpartum period.  It’s important for moms to have a period of recovery from childbirth and time to bond with their brand new baby.  They may need support with breastfeeding, and/or help with other children, housekeeping, and making meals.  A baby planner can help moms get the help they need by recommending and/or interviewing helpers on behalf of the family.  The baby planner sees to it that the helper meets the parents’ basic requirements and has the appropriate experience and/or training.

Products – A number of parents use baby planners to help with the baby registry and product selection.  There are a plethora of resources to help parents select baby products wisely, but some parents don’t want to spend their baby preparation time shopping.  Some parents are paralyzed by the sheer number of product choices and/or are concerned about the number of recalled baby products and really would like an expert to help them select the baby products that fit their values, lifestyle, and budget.  This second group includes parents who want environmentally friendly baby products.  A good baby planner should not push certain products because she or he receives a commission from their sale or works for the store that sells the product.  It’s important for the baby planner to offer her or his client families an objective viewpoint.

Childcare – For moms heading back to work, finding someone to watch over and care for their baby is a priority.  For moms staying home, they still need a few hours here and there without the baby, so they may look to hire a mother’s helper.  In any case, a baby planner can visit daycares, interview and screen nanny candidates, and help coordinate nanny shares.  The baby planner doesn’t actually select the provider but she helps the parents narrow the choices to viable candidates who would be a good fit for the family’s needs.

Concierge – Families can use baby planners to find reputable providers in baby related services, such as baby photographers, childbirth educators, child proofers, doulas, lactation consultants, night nannies, etc.  Some baby planners may also offer concierge services themselves (e.g. doula services, child proofing, etc).

How much does a baby planner cost?

Baby planners generally cost about $75/hour and up, depending on the market.  Some baby planners will do projects on a flat rate basis.  In addition, concierge services may be complimentary depending on the baby planner.

Are baby planners certified by any organization?

Many professional baby planners belong to the International Baby Planner Association (www.internationalbabyplanners.com).  Unfortunately, there is not yet a third party certifying organization for baby planners. The International Baby Planner Association is working on a third party certification program that would meet the needs of parents in evaluating baby planners

What type of questions should you ask when interviewing baby planners?

It’s important for parents to understand exactly what to expect from their baby planner, so possible interview questions include the following: What experiences do you have that are relevant to baby planning? Do you belong to any professional organizations for baby planners? Do you have references that I can contact? How will we communicate? How often? How many clients do you take at one time? Will you provide a written summary of services? Which resources do you use for your research? Will you keep our information confidential?  How long do you keep client files? How much do you charge? Do you offer flat rate services?

Should people who use baby planners have children?

Many people question the need for baby planners.  Their general viewpoint is that the parents and their respective families should themselves be able to handle baby preparation, birth, and the postpartum period.  However, many parents don’t have much or any family support, some parents undergo unanticipated changes during pregnancy (e.g. bed rest, moving across country for work, death of their own parent, etc.), and some parents find they need more assistance than originally anticipated.  The baby planner’s role is not to judge who truly needs a baby planner or not, but to serve families with compassion, integrity, and professionalism.

Parents know babies are curious and nearly everything they touch ends up in their mouth, including dangerous things like coins or batteries. What most parents don’t know is there’s an increased threat with certain kinds of batteries found in items all over the house, many of which are well within a child’s reach.  From your TV remote control to your garage door opener to your bathroom scale or even musical greeting card, the round lithium battery commonly used in household gadgets could pose a lethal threat to your little one.

Cara and Terry George want to get the word out about the danger.  Their 18 month old daughter Brenna died after ingesting a battery that they didn’t know she swallowed. “We scoured our house and we have no idea where it came from,” her father explains.  The couple now works to build awareness about these batteries and the threat they carry.  It’s the best way for them to honor Brenna, Cara believes.

They are not the only ones fighting to protect other children.  Safety groups want parents to know lithium batteries are more than a choking hazard.  The batteries can still produce a charge inside your child’s body and damage internal tissues and organs.  Dr. Toby Litovitz with the National Capital Poison Control Center explains the damage would be similar to dropping Drano in tiny drops down the child’s esophagus.  The Poison Center gets calls involving about 3500 cases of battery ingestion each year and the calls are now more serious than ever, with 13 deaths and 73 severe injuries…injuries that can lead to feeding or breathing tubes, or death. The number of incidents involving lithium batteries is on the rise, climbing from just one percent to 18 to 20 percent in the last decade.

Groups such as the International Association for Child Safety and the National Capital Poison Control Center are working to build awareness about the dangers; hoping parents will take steps to keep these batteries away from children.  They want companies using these batteries in their products to put warning labels on the packaging where parents will see them.  They are also asking manufacturers to change the battery compartments to help protect children.  The recommendation is to change those compartments to require a screw.  Their statistics show 62% of children are getting the batteries right out of the gadgets and the hope is that will change if they are harder to remove.  Meantime, Colleen Driscoll with the IAFCS says parents can be sure to store the batteries out of a child’s reach.  “They can secure junk drawers and be sure not to toss them in a trash can, where children have been known to find them in the past,” Driscoll says.

Cara and Terry George want others to understand the risk is real.  They truly hope others will learn from their heartache.  Cara explains their work now is done in Brenna’s name, “Our only hope is to save lives and if we can give one child his or her future and spare one family this unimaginable pain and devastation then we’ll be doing something for her.”

What uniquely qualifies you to be a baby planning expert?
As a mom of three wonderful kids under the age of four, Shannan is a “frugal mom” who has spent the last four years researching and testing many of the baby gear items available on the market today and finding some of the best deals on those items.

After struggling to conceive her son, every choice Lisa made for him seemed so much more important. Lisa spent hours upon hours searching products and reviews online, reading books and testing gear in stores.  This continues as his needs change and develop.

What qualities should an ideal baby planner have?
The most important quality for a baby planner to have is to understand that every family is different.  Products that might be ideal for one family may not work for another.  An ideal baby planner needs to take the time to understand the expecting family’s lifestyle and needs.

What are your specialties as a baby planner?
We love to help families find the products that will work best for them.  Shannan is a “frugal mom” who understands that babies are expensive and will make sure that parents aren’t spending more than they have to.   Lisa believes that we can make small changes and informed choices to make our homes healthier for our kids and ourselves while reducing our impact on the environment.

Tell us a little bit about your background.

Both Lisa and Shannan have a background in accounting but their experience as moms is what has made them great resources as baby planners.  No one knows what works and what doesn’t as well as someone who has been there and done that.  Since Shannan has been either pregnant or nursing for the past 5 years, she is well versed on the latest and greatest products out there.

What is your biggest piece of advice for a new parent?

When everyone is offering up unsolicited advice, listen.  Sometimes the craziest sounding tips are the most useful.  Also, don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help.  Being a new parent is a huge adjustment and a lot of work.

Our favorite piece of advice is “Don’t be afraid to “spoil” your baby.  Enjoy every minute with them!”

What is the nicest thing a client has ever said about your business?
Heather Mankes

Expectant Mommy

I am expecting my first baby in September.  This is both exciting and a little nerve wracking at the same time.  There is so much stuff to buy, research, and learn about that I didn’t even know where to start.  Bottles to Britches have been my saving grace through my pregnancy and my planning and organizing for the soon arrival of baby Abigail.  They have given me advice and suggestions on baby products, organization, and have been available to ask pregnancy related questions, which you can only ask someone who has been there.  I would recommend Bottles to Britches to any expecting mother.  They are a wealth of knowledge and resources; and only an email or phone call away.

How do you stay current on trends in the baby and child industry?
We keep up with pregnancy and parenting publications plus many social media outlets which prove to be the most valuable sources of information.  In addition, we keep in touch with the other baby planners in our company and throughout the industry as well as manufacturers of prenatal and baby products.  We also test as many of the new products as possible and always test something before recommending it.

Of course, first-hand experience is a huge benefit, and we have a lot of it!