Mother’s Day gift to new moms: Help, peace of mind at Modern Milk
Family Time is a weekly feature looking at things to do for parents and kids. Find more at kids.azcentral.com. hen Stephanie Nguyen became a nurse practitioner, she noticed that a lot of new moms who came in for their sixweek follow-up visits with their obstetrician were no longer breastfeeding. “I didn’t think about it too much, because I didn’t have kids yet,” said Nguyen, who now has two daughters — ages1and 4 — and is a breastfeeding specialist.
Nguyen realized that while there’s a lot of support for pregnant moms, help for nursing and other areas was missing once women left the hospital. And without help — prompt help — moms quickly give up on trying to breastfeed. So she started Modern Milk, offering in-home consultations.
In January, she opened the doors on a much-expanded version of that business. Modern Milk, at Thunderbird and Scottsdale roads in Scottsdale, offers breastfeeding and nursing help, along with a spa-like setting with yoga and parenting classes, support groups and a baby boutique.
“I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be great if I could offer a one-stop shop and just have a go-to place for new moms?’ My husband and I talked about it a lot,” she said, adding that, as a mom, she also wanted the flexible hours that being an entrepreneur can allow.
Nguyen, 34, wrangled her network of friends — many of them labor and delivery nurses — to teach classes on everything from helping your baby sleep to traveling with young kids.
In honor of Mother’s Day, Nguyen is offering free prenatal and Mommy and Me yoga and parenting classes through May. With the name Modern Milk, Nguyen was trying to convey a place that works for modern moms — yes, even moms who want to do a combination of nursing and using baby formula. Strict lactation consultants discourage that approach. But she is pragmatic, helping new moms figure out what works best.
“I say whatever makes you happy as a
Wmom and works for your family, that’s what you should do. Our slogan is ‘Happy Mom. Happy Baby.’ ... We don’t judge at all.”
Nguyen firmly believes moms need to support one another in this crazy, wonderful and chaotic ride called motherhood. (As she put it, “I always feel like I have 50 balls in the air.”) That’s what Modern Milk is about.
“I think coming here is a safe place for moms,” she said. “When you’re trying to get out of the house and you have a new baby and you’re nervous, come here and we’ll take care of you.” Morrison covers the Kids and Families beat and has a 2-year-old daughter. Reach her at kara.morrison@arizonarepublic .com or follow her on Twitter at @azckids.
Free yoga and parenting classes
What: Modern Milk offers private, in-store nursing consultations, breastfeeding classes, parenting classes and yoga. It sells nursing and baby products and rents hospital-grade breast pumps. Where: Modern Milk, 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 162, Scottsdale. May specials: Moms can take free classes and get $50 off an in-store breastfeeding consultation (normally $165). Classes include “Summer travel with your baby or toddler,” “Introduction to infant massage,” “Top 10 facts about pumping” and “The busy mom 30-minute workout;” plus free prenatal or Mommy and Me yoga classes (regularly $15) for moms and babies 6 months to 2 years old. Registration is required. Details: 480-999-1585, modernmilk.com.