Controversy and Skepticism: Taking the Baby Planner Career to a Whole New Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mary Oscategui                

415.937.1602

press@iabpp.com

http://www.iabpp.com

 

The IABPP Redefines The Role of A Baby Planner And Takes The Baby Planning Career To A Whole New Level

San Francisco, CA— May 10 , 2010 —Controversy and skepticism continues to challenge the baby planning industry, and many carry on to question the role of a baby planner and whether it is a viable and sustainable career. Many expecting and new parents have expressed that paying a baby planner consultant for product or parenting advice defeats their purpose of learning how to transition into parenthood. A popular opinion amongst expecting and new parents is that if you need to pay someone to plan for your baby, maybe it’s not the best time in your life to have kids. However, most parents do agree that the current healthcare system continues to leave too many women in the dark and they would like to be informed of all the options available to them. They also agree that having the right support system in place for mothers is crucial, especially when an expecting mom is single or on bed rest. There is no question that there are an overwhelming amount of products in today’s market place, but there are also an overwhelming amount of services too! Now we introduce the IABPP, International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals.

The IABPP’s approach and mission extends beyond assisting clients with baby gear consulting.  Their approach  empowers expecting and new parents to make the right decisions for themselves and their babies by offering support and education in a non-biased fashion that is tailored for meeting the unique needs of each individual family during preconception, pregnancy and beyond. “Some expecting parents may want to know the differences between a Bradley, Lamaze, and HypnoBirthing class, while other parents want to know if they should use a birthing or postpartum doula. Some expecting parents want help with choosing products for their registry, while others want to do the research for themselves. What is important is that a baby planner does not assume what a client needs and tailors their services based on each client’s specific situation”, says Mary Oscategui, founder of the IABPP.

The IABPP was formed in September 2009 to reintroduce baby planning as its original concept, advising on all areas of pregnancy, with an emphasis on maternal education and emotional support so that families could confidently make informed decisions. The IABPP strengthens credibility, offers support, and provides a formal educational training program and advanced credentials to baby planners and childbirth educators throughout the world.

The IABPP does not believe that baby planners should try to be experts at everything and encourages members and students to take the time to pursue the proper credentials, experience, and insurance required for each additional specialty they offer. As a result, the IABPP does not consider areas of specialty such as, baby gear consulting, nursery design, car seat installation, or baby proofing as roles that are required in order to be a baby planner. The IABPP recognizes that each of these areas involve extensive training, education, and experience. The IABPP also considers these added services as specialties that some baby planners may already have in their background or may decide to offer in addition their main role as a consultant; otherwise the IABPP strongly recommends that baby planners refer out such services to qualified professionals.

The IABPP is comprised of 15 baby planning certified and associate members whose companies extend globally and backgrounds include: fitness, nutrition, greenproofing, yoga, pilates, doulas, nurses, lactation consultants, marketing, finance, parent coaching, and television news. They also have 29 advisory board members who serve as industry experts and mentors, 7 certifying board members, and 4 faculty instructors.

IABPP Members

Isabelle Lacarce-Paumier of Lee Fees Du Berceau, France

Katrina Ball of Mindful Mothering BDA, Bermuda

Mary Oscategui of The Baby Planner, SF Bay Area and NYC

Ingrid Prueher of Savvy Mom On Call, CT and NYC 

Ana Anselmo of NYC Baby Planner, NYC and Hamptons

Rachel Macias of DC Baby Planners, DC Metro Area

Sunnie Bae and Mary Lopez of Stork and Company Baby Planners, SF Bay Area

Emily Schaffer, SF North Bay Area

Nicole Kaduson of Belle Jour Baby Planning, Hoboken NJ and NYC

Sandra van der Spek of De Baby Planner, Netherlands

Viviane Paulucci and Ana Anselmo of Projeto BB, Brazil

Jennifer Scovil of Sugar and Spice Baby Planners, Milford MA

Heather Chaney of Belly to Baby Planner in Orlando, FL

Desiree Miller of Bottles to Britches, Atlanta Georgia

Lisa Cattie and Shannan Carr of Bottles to Britches Pennsylvania

Founded in September 2009, the IABPP is at the forefront of empowering parents to make the right decisions for themselves and their babies. They introduced a new approach to the baby planning industry by focusing on the needs of their clients through parental education and emotional support. They established the first and only certification program in the baby planning industry that is designed to train future baby planners to educate and support expectant and new parents. In addition, the IABPP supports all childbirth educators through a wealth of educational resources via online webinars, an online tv show, and various educational partnerships.

For more information visit http://www.iabpp.com

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East Meets West! Two Baby Planners Join Forces To Move The Baby Planning Industry Forward.

Hi Everyone,  

It gives me great pleasure to make two wonderful announcements:   First, please welcome Ingrid Prueher of Savvy Mom on Call, as our Co-President to The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals! She is extremely talented and a great addition to our team. Please read our press release announcing her below.   Secondly, the IABPP’s website is now up and running! http://www.iabpp.com   We are grateful for your support!  

East Meets West! Two Baby Planners Join Forces To Move The Baby Planning Industry Forward.

 

San Francisco, CA— January 20, 2010 The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals launches their website and welcomes Ingrid Prueher of Savvy Mom On Call to join Mary Oscategui, as Co-President.

Ingrid Prueher established Savvy Mom On Call in 2009 and participated in the international academy’s first certification program for established baby planners. Her incredible passion to empower expectant, new, and seasoned parents through education and guidance really impressed Mary and the members of the academy. Once Mary began her search for a partner to run the academy, she saw Ingrid as the perfect fit. “I can’t say enough great things about her!” says Mary, “She carries a wealth of talent and knowledge, and delivers it with a warm and positive attitude. We are all really excited and feel extremely honored to have her on our team.”

Mary and Ingrid also happen to share a few additional things in common, although Mary is currently residing in Northern California, and Ingrid in Fairfield, Connecticut, both women are native New Yorkers, with a Hispanic background, and are fluent in Spanish. They are also first-time moms whose children are only a few months apart, and often times find themselves sharing the same thoughts. “It couldn’t have been a better match”, says Mary. “I cannot say enough about Mary and her idea about forming an international academy for baby planners. Unification in any industry is the key to growth. It is my honor to be part of such a wonderful team. We work incredibly together and with our education and work backgrounds our visions are endless.” says Ingrid

Ingrid Prueher is the founder and owner of Savvy Mom on Call. She was born in Guatemala but was raised in New York. She has a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from St. John’s University and a master’s degree in International Affairs from The New School. She has been working in the finance field for the past 10 years and is currently a Fund  Analyst at Canaan Partners in Westport, CT. Ingrid is also the Director of Operations for CityMommy Connecticut, a certified educator for Dunstan Baby Language and The Happiest Baby on the Block programs and speaks Spanish fluently. She is married, has a two year old son, and lives in Connecticut with her family. In her spare time, she loves to travel, cook, dance and sing. 

Founded in September 2009, The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals (IABPP.com) provides a baby planner certification program and advanced credentials to baby planner professionals. Their mission is to inspire, support, and educate baby planners through creative and effective professionalism, business management, strong leadership, sales, and communication in order to provide their clients with exceptional service.

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Become a Baby Planner Complimentary Webinar

Interested in becoming a baby planner?

In this sixty minute webinar you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the baby planning industry and discover how successful baby planners build a marketable and profitable practice.

Our training program gives you all the tools and support necessary to do so. It is a very exciting time for the baby planning industry and a great opportunity for a career in baby planning.

A baby planner has the power to really enhance the lives of expecting families and we’ll share why that is. If you are passionate about supporting the lives of expecting parents and their babies, this complimentary webinar is for you!.  

Our next info session is on Friday January 15th at 9:30pm est

To sign up email mary@thebabyplanner.com.

For more information visit http://www.thebabyplanner.com/bptrainingprogram.html

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A letter from Mary……..

Dear students, friends, and graduates,

 

2009 has been an amazing year for me and The Baby Planner. I moved back to the west coast, my daughter Bella turned one (now almost two), I wrote a book, launched The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals, becoming the first baby planner organization to offer a certification program, and have met many amazing and talented individuals, who have not only supported me, but inspired me to continue living my passion. I could not have not accomplished any of this without them and without YOU!!!!! I am so grateful for all of you and just wanted to send you a personal message with my gratitude and best wishes for 2010.

 

I look forward to sharing an amazing year with all of you.  I’ll be showcasing our graduates, new students, our current projects, and will have many exciting announcements!!!!

 

With love and tremendous gratitude,

 

Mary and Bella

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A New Baby Planner Organization Raises Awareness and Gives Birth to a New Approach.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ – Since the rise of the Baby Planning industry there has been one popular definition of the term baby planner spreading throughout the mainstream market. However, not all baby planners subscribe to this definition of a baby planner, or philosophy.

Mary Oscategui, CEO and founder of The Baby Planner is one such baby planner. Upon joining the baby planning industry she did not resonate with the current philosophy or definition of a baby planner, and found herself passionate about offering a different perspective than what is being offered in the current market. Along the way, she met other baby planners who felt the same way she did. As a result, she decided to write a book contributing her definition of what it means to be a baby planner and form The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals to support the needs of baby planners who shared her same point of view.

According to the IABPP, “A baby planner is an objective, educated, and supportive woman (or man) who determines the types of services and products that are essential throughout a client’s pregnancy. A baby planner customizes their services to suit their client’s specific needs, and is committed to empowering their clients by showing them all their many options during pregnancy and beyond.”

“We have been compared to wedding planners, but we are more than wedding planners,” says Mary, “Having a baby is a lifetime commitment to prepare for, not a one-time event.”

“My job as a baby planner is to raise awareness to new and expecting parents by informing them of all the helpful services and support that exist, that they may be currently unaware of,” says Mary.

The current main stream definition of a baby planner “is a professional consultant who is paid to assist expectant parents with some or all of the overwhelming tasks of preparing for their baby’s (or babies’) arrival such as researching baby products like strollers and cribs, nursery planning, home baby proofing, baby shower/baby registry planning, interviewing nannies and midwives, and even shopping for maternity clothes.”

“I disagree with this definition for many reasons,” says Mary. “I personally feel this definition lacks highlighting the most important part of pregnancy which is offering services providing education to raise awareness of a woman’s birthing options, co-sleeping choices and so on. I also do not feel it is a baby planner’s job to baby proof a client’s home or to do the nanny hiring for a client. There are many legal matters involved in these areas that a baby planner should carefully think about before deciding to take on such responsibilities. There is also no need for baby planners to take on additional roles, when there are highly specialized experts already fulfilling them.”

Mary considers herself a matchmaker, educator, and coordinator, relying on all her experts and credentialed network of vendors and practitioners, to address her client’s needs. “My services are here to support my clients and keep them informed so that they can be empowered to decide what is best for them,” says Mary

Mary understands that not all baby planners will agree with her philosophy, and this is the very reason she feels it is in the best interest of this industry to have more than one organization to support baby planners. “I really do hope that more organizations form so that we can challenge our ways of thinking and rise to new levels for the best interest of our clients and their children.”

Mary’s recent e-book release, “The Baby Planner: A Guide to Becoming a Baby Planner and starting your own business,” offers a new perspective on what it means to be a baby planner, and provides those interested in a baby planning career with all the tools and support necessary to get started in the new industry of baby planning. The book defines the role of a baby planner, establishes a scope of practice, and covers a wide variety of topics: birthing basics, breastfeeding basics, sleeping basics, product basics, business basics, liability, and much more.

Founded in September 2009, The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals (IABPP.com) inspires, supports, and educates baby planners through creative and effective professionalism, business management, strong leadership, sales, and communication in order to provide their clients with exceptional service.

For more information visit: http://www.thebabyplanner.com.

SOURCE The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals

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Announcing the International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals, its Advisory Board, and Members

The Baby Planner, Mary Oscategui has founded the International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals, a high level educational resource and certification for baby planner professionals, and welcomes a talented advisory board.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) December 11, 2009 — CEO and founder of The Baby Planner, Mary Oscategui has founded the International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals, a high level educational resource and certification for baby planner professionals, and welcomes a talented advisory board.

Mary’s mission is to inspire, motivate, support, and educate future baby planners through creative and effective professionalism, business management, strong leadership, sales, and communication in order to provide their clients with exceptional service. Before being accepted into the IABPP, members must complete the six week or twelve week baby planner certification course as a pre-requisite. Below are students and soon to be graduates from the Fall 09 certification course.

Ana Anselmo (NYC Baby Planner)
Rachel Macias (DC Baby Planners)
Ingrid Prueher (Savvy Mom On Call)
and Isabelle Lacarce-Paumier (Lee Fees Du Berceau of France and Switzerland)

Mary also welcomes a talented team of experts who serve as advisors and staff to The Baby Planner and The IABPP. They assist Mary in educating and supporting future baby planners through the certification process in order to help her raise awareness in the baby planning industry.

Green Expert: Beth Greer, Supernatural Mom and author of “Super Natural Home”

Small Business and Finance Expert: Joseph Lizio, CEO of Business Money Today

Sleep Consultant and Parent Educator: Angelique Millette, PhDc, PCD/CD [DONA

Product Demonstrator & Car Safety Expert: Chas Schwartz, CPS

Infant/CPR Expert & Parent Educator: Georgia Montgomery, CD, CBE, CLE

Postpartum Doula and Lactation Expert: Emily Schaffer, PCD, CLE, HBE

Hypnotherapist and Childbirth Educator: Kristin Nemzer, LMFT, CH

Clinical Psychologist for new and expecting parents: Dr. Rama Ronen, PhD

Acupuncture and Fertility Expert: Chalita Photikoe, L.Ac.

Nutrition Expert and Culinary Chef: Diana Stobo

Skincare Product Expert: Robin Brown, Founder of ErbaOrganics

Household Staffing Expert: Elizabeth Dameron Drew of Town & Country Resources

Founded in 2009, The International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals (IABPP.com) inspires, supports, and educates baby planners across the world through creative and effective professionalism, business management, strong leadership, sales, and communication in order to provide their clients with exceptional service.

For more information on visit: http://www.thebabyplanner.com

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The Baby Planner reviews Ingrid & Isabel’s Organic BellaBand

I happily received Ingrid & Isabel’s organic BellaBand this week and tested it out on Lisa Murphy of Mill Valley, CA who is due in just a few weeks! She fell in love with BellaBand right away. The two advantages that stood out for her was the length of the band and the softness of the material on her skin. She also mentioned that she could use the BellaBand in combination with her gym wear so that she wouldn’t have to buy a whole new gym wardrobe.

Ingrid Carney, President of Ingrid & Isabel, created the BellaBand during her pregnancy when she wasn’t big enough to fill maternity wear, yet there was no possibility of buttoning her pants. Safety pins were bulky, rubber bands were uncomfortable, larger sizes looked sloppy, and when her blouse rose it exposed her poor attempts to hold up her pants. Finally, she tried a tube-top over her waistband. It was thick and not sized properly for a growing belly, but it worked! She un-tucked my blouse, left for the office and no one knew her pants were undone. Hence, the BellaBand was born!

The BellaBand also works very well after pregnancy, while you are still unable to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes.

I think the BellaBand is wonderful and very hip.

For more information or to purchase one for yourself or loved one, please visit: http://www.ingridandisabel.com/

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Stay tuned for a CSNstore AllModernBaby review coming soon!

I am really excited to be receiving sample products from CSN stores eco-friendly line at

http://www.AllModernBaby.com

They also carry eco-friendly nursery furniture including chaning tables, high chairs, wall art, bassinets, and much more.

Stay tuned!!!

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Bella Blue Baby Couture

Today I met an amazing woman in the San Francisco North Bay Area, named Michelle Salas, who has a beautiful and elegant baby couture line of clothing and accessories named Bella Blue Baby Couture.

All her clothes and accessories are hand knitted by a group of special women in Peru, who because of Michelle, are able to provide for themselves through her business. The teddy bear above was made by her top knitter Valeria. Michelle was kind enough to give my Bella this teddy bear.

Her line of clothing is so beautiful. You need to check it out.

Her website is still in the process of development, but you can preview the Bella Blue collection by calling her at 415-233-2264, or emailing het at michelle@bellablue-babycouture.com.

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The Baby Planner presents Three Month Training Program to become a Baby Planner

I am happy to share exciting news about The Baby Planner. All of you can have the amazing opportunity to share this business with me and provide the support I need while earning 100% profits in your local city. I love what I am passionate about my vision, design and creation and now I offer you the opportunity to be part of The Baby Planner family!

The Baby Planner Presents the Three Month training program to become a Baby Planner or a representative for The Baby Planner!

If you’d like to be a Baby Planner in your city, contact me at mary@thebabyplanner.com.

Space is limited – to ensure a place in the program we encourage you to apply early. I am only accepting 8 applicants at this time and only a few spots remain.

The Three Month (100 hour training program) consists of a total of eight hours per week through tele-conference right from the comfort of your home. You will receive outlines, guidelines, literature, and resources throughout the 12 weeks. The eight hours are broken up into one weeknight and one weekend day of 4 hours each day per day.

The program begins on September 20th, and ends on December 20th.

The 100 hour training program prepares you to start your own baby planning business or represent The Baby Planner in your city.

The training includes:

• Knowledge of The Baby Planning industry from start to finish (pre to post natal)
• Setting up your business from start to finish
• Generating profits and preparing for succes
• Marketing and Advertising for your business
• How to sell and network your business
• Website Page Design tips and services
• Coaching, Communication, Listening and Verbal Skills for your clients
• Knowledge and Prep for Pre/Post Natal Health and Fitness,
• Going Green and Toxic Free with Baby
• Nutrition for Mom and Baby
• Preparing for Baby Showers, Registry, and Preggo Party Makeovers

Other benefits include:

• A lifetime ongoing membership with The Baby Planner
• A free page listing on our website including your bio and location
• A chance to review a product or share advice on our blog
• A chance to appear on The Baby Planner TV
• Free media exposure
• A chance to be included on our monthly newsletters to our current clients.

Tuition for the Three Month Program is $1900 if you register by August 31st , $2300 by September 5th, and $2500 by the deadline of September 10th. A deposit of $850 will reserve your spot.

Deadline for full registration is September 10th.

contact mary@thebabyplanner to register.

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