Marva Soogrim, a mother of four, has been bringing calm into the lives of many families over the past 27 years. As a world-renowned baby nurse/nanny, she brought peace and joy to some of the most prominent families in the country. She has helped raise triplets, and twins and given new mothers and fathers the skills to raise well adjusted and relaxed children.
Born in Trinidad, Marva came to the United States in 1980, at the age of 21. A mother of three at the time, she knew her calling was to take care of babies and children. With medical aid training and impeccable references, she soon became a nanny to some of New York’s most prestigious families.
As word spread about Marva’s unique baby raising skills, she was introduced to film star Chris O’Donnell, whose wife Caroline was about to give birth to their third child. Marva moved to Los Angeles to work for the O’Donnells in 2003 and quickly became the nanny of choice for some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts, Courtney Cox and Sheryl Crow.
“When the household is calm, the baby is calm,” Marva says. “I work with both parents to integrate the new baby into the home, and to make sure everyone operates as a unit. When a newborn comes into a home, it’s all about the newborn, but from the beginning it is essential to also take care of the marriage.”
Marva adds that even pets need attention and have to be treated with care, when there is a new arrival.
So what is Marva’s secret if your baby won’t stop crying? Here are her top ten tips – give them a whirl.
Ten Tips to Stop a baby from Crying:
1. Make sure the baby has enough to eat
2. Be sure the baby’s clothing is loose
3. Check diaper for soil or wetness
4. Swaddle and sway (rock baby from side to side)
5. Nestle baby on your chest for skin to skin contact
6. Take baby for stroll
7. Take baby to a more soothing room
8. If breastfeeding exclude food that can cause gas or hearburn – examples include caffeine, cabbage or tomatoes
9. If formula feeding you may want to consult your doctor about possible change (in formula)
10. Play some calming music
And now…Ten Tips on How New Moms Can Relax:
1. BREATHE!
2. Play some calming music
3. Go for a walk
4. Take the baby to the park and interact with other moms
5. Watch a funny movie
6. Take a bath or shower
7. Chant, meditate or do yoga
8. Call a friend or family member who’s been through it before, and is CALM!
9. Put on a white noise machine
10. BREATHE!
Do you have any tips of your own if your baby or toddler is having a meltdown? Send us your tried and true advice and you can win Chic Baby, a brand new fragrance for girls and boys that will be available in Sephora, Nordstrom, and Holt Renfrew starting in Spring 2008. In November, Chic Baby was chosen to be part of the very elite “Babes in Toyland” event for Hollywood’s most famous parents and their children, including Brad Pitt, Naomi Watts, Jenna Elfman, Salma Hayek, Tori Spelling, Marcia Cross, Tiger Woods, Will Ferrell, Jaime Pressly, Tobey Maguire, Melissa Joan Hart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Bridget Moynahan, Dave Matthews, Nancy O’Dell, Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, and Britney Spears. So not only will you have the most well behaved kids on the block, they’ll smell good too!
Mom of Reinvention…Jessica Lewis
Role Mommy: What did you do before you became a mom?
I worked at WCTL radio in Erie, PA as Production manager and Midday Announcer. I married my husband Dave, and moved to Nashville, where I road managed the band “downhere” (www.downhere.com) for almost 5 years. We were able to travel all over the US, Canada and Europe.
Role Mommy: When did you decide to reinvent your life?
It’s amazing how having a baby reinvents your life, whether you like it or not. I decided to embrace the whole stay-at-home mommy thing and began my own business: www.ToLiveBeautiful.com. “You’re Beautiful, Live Beautiful.” In fact – my daughter Cali’s name means “beautiful.”
Role Mommy: How have your children influenced your career path?
How many do you have? So far, I only have one daughter (5/25/07), but my husband and I would love to have a few more. Having a daughter has made me think about what I really love in life. She has reminded me to take joy in the little things and laugh a lot. She forces me to be a better manager of my time and reminds me of how bad I am at it. My career path involves spending as much time as I can with my family.
Role Mommy: What’s your favorite “Time Out” tip for moms (taking time for yourself)
I love to put my feet up and put a “heat relaxer” around my neck. I make my own, which was originally inspired by one of my daughter’s plush pink blankets. They are available via my other website : www.HeatRelaxer.com
Role Mommy: What does your website offer moms or kids?
“To live beautiful is to discover, create or enjoy something beautiful every day of your life.” I would hope that I could inspire moms to find their own unique beauty – and USE it! I try to find different tips – from beauty – to time management – to starting a home business…. the list goes on!
Role Mommy: What do you hope for your own kids?
My biggest hope for my children is that they would understand how unique and special they are. No one in the world will ever be like them. I will encourage them to embrace their individual creativity while discovering the Creator who made them.
Role Mommy: Who is your Role Mommy?
My own Mommy, of course!