Learning Birth Comforts and Joy

Can women enjoy their birth experience? Can a man really help a woman in labor? Can birth be drug free? As a Childbirth Educator, Doula and Comfort Therapist, I have had the privilege of being at over 200 births. I started to teach couples the power of birthing comfort techniques over 30 years ago. I was a young mommy myself and my own experience had taught me the miraculous power of my own body.

I believed, grabbed on to, and leaned into the truth that this is my body, my baby, my birth – six times. To my advantage I had an awesome coach/hubby that took his training and position of comforter very serious. He even ended up delivering our second baby all by himself (Ok, I was there too and helped some) because our son came early and in 11.5 minutes! Yes, 11.5 minutes, with a previous labor of 33 hours, and a third birth that was 12 hours, oh wow, barn burner labor. The wonder of it all! Every baby has their own miracle birth story.

It is magical to watch a couple work together in labor. Most people never get to see this or experience it because the majority of couples have no idea how to work together during birth. Even if they attend birth preparation classes most couples do not learn techniques that empower them to efficiently work through the birth process. Yet, these moments, working together towards the birth of their baby, can be the most rewarding, memorable, and create deep ties of love.

I tell couples that out of their intimacy and love this baby was created and out of their intimacy and love they can birth their baby. I share with them empowering comfort techniques: deep comfort relaxation, comfort breathing, comfort imagery, comfort words, comfort touch, and the comfort of understanding the birth process.

I teach Moms how to trust their bodies. I teach Dads information and techniques that the male brain can use. Once men have the “tools” they need to be compassionate and comforting, they do an amazing job. It is so rewarding to watch the Dads transform from uncertain, underpowered, and unknowing to equipped, powerful, loving, comforting partners. His love and compassion has been clinically proven to be as powerful as a narotic for pain relief.

When you teach a couple how to really work together during one of the most demanding physical and emotional times in their life they learn skills they will use forever. Birth is about having a baby, but much more is going on. This is a time when couples can be taught the dance of love, support and comfort. This is the birth of a family.

It is a gift and a treasure to empower and educate couples at this truly precious time in their life. “Babies … what a nice way to start people.”

For more information about doula services and classes please email info@jeanelletroncone.com or visit http://www.birthandbabycomforts.com/

October: Comfort for Breast Cancer

Dear Friends,
We all know someone who has suffered with cancer. This disease has touched all of our lives in one way or another. It can be difficult to know how to help, express comfort, and bring hope.
That is why we are so proud of  Comfort Silkie's Hope line because it brings the powerful gift of comfort.

Comfort gifts bring a message of caring and empowers healing. 
Comfort has the power to restore the body, quiet the mind, and renew the soul

Comfort: to give strength, to quiet one’s fears, to give hope, to refresh, to calm

Cancer is not just a medical issue it is also a psychological and emotional journey

• 1 in 7 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
• Women perceive breast cancer as their greatest health threat

Comfort therapy products, skills, and techniques are essential for wellbeing.

Comfort is a life skill that reduces stress and enhances healing. Studies note that interactions among behavior, the brain, and the body’s immune system show that psychological comforts can enhance (or stressors can interfere) with working of the body’s organ systems, in particular the neuro-endocrine and immune systems.
• Cancer treatment is physically demanding. Comfort techniques can help reduce some of the side effects; nausea, muscle tension, loss of sleep.
• helps simulate the body’s natural ability to heal

• helps cope with the strong emotions of disease and recovery

• encourages participation in own recovery
• stimulates release of relaxation and feel good hormones

Comfort therapy products, skills, and techniques are essential for wellbeing

•The body stores and remembers comfort moments
• Provides therapeutic touch

The power of comfort can . . .

• reduces anxiety that diminishes the ability to cope and recovery

• can reduce stress behaviorism; fast heart rate, rapid shallow breathing, muscle tension
• strengthen the mind body connection
• reduce the addictive and cumulative negative effects of stress
• build up the immune system by reducing stress

• help the body reset and renew

• combat and reduce the side effects of the powerful chemo therapy medications

• rest the body after biomedical treatments

• aid in the conditioned relaxation response
• help the body to focus its energies toward healing

The power of Comfort is ...
• not just a cozy feeling; but mindful, powerful life skill
• safe and effective tool for relieving pain and anxiety
• powerful mind body therapy
• a key component in the healing process
• a nontoxic therapy
“Until they find a cure, we will comfort.”

Comfort Silkie Hope products are designed by Comfort Therapist, Jeanelle Troncone. She is known as the “mother of Comfort” and the innovator of the psychology and power of comfort. She has devoted the past two decades creating product and education that enhances wellbeing and supports psychoneuroimmunology. http://www.comfortsilkie.com/

Comfort Silkie - 800-266-2229
To see Comfort Silkie Hope products visit: http://www.comfortsilkie.com/hope



Times are a Changing

I am a comfort therapist and every one of the techniques I share I have needed in my own life.  I have a love/hate relationship with change. I just get nestled in, enjoying the season and then it is over before I am ready. I am excited about what is up ahead but, oh dear . . . wait a minute; life is rushing by too fast. Feel the same? Ok then, breathe with me ... deep comfort breathe in through the nose, breathe in slow and deep, breathing in the relaxation and comfort. Slowly release, tension and anxiety with outward breathe through the mouth, release tension in the shoulders, again slowly breathe in comfort and strength, and breathe out stress. Can you feel your body resetting and responding to the rhythm and gentle rocking of the breathing?

Ok, where were we?

Here on the Southern California coast we have had very cool summer weather. I counted about six really sunny days. Maybe I am low on vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, because I am just not ready, mentally or emotionally, for summer to be over. How about you? More breathing? Wrap up in your Comfort Silkie blanket. I already grabbed mine. Take a comfort moment. Close your eyes and think of the your favorite  summer moment. Let it soak into your soul and fill you with thankfulness.

AND also . . .
I can't believe the kids are starting back to school. Bedtimes, lunches, school work … it can all be stressful but hang in there, simple comfort skills ease the way. Check back for the next blog for powerful comfort tips for school stress. Learn how to lower anxiety and boast brain power for preschool to college.

A few fun highlights:

Head to Toes Women's Expo in Del Mar – I spoke at their Baby Shower each day and shared Doula tips for pregnancy, labor, and new baby comforts. It was a girls' time out. Women just wanna have fun - even when they're very pregnant. Comfort Silkie donated Mama labor products and of course our original Security Blanket and Swaddler for baby comforts.

University of California, San Diego Medical Center – Comfort for Mama

Two special nights at UCSD were Meet the Midwives and Meet the Physicians. Comfort Silkie raffled Mama products and I shared about comfort techniques. What a great group of people and wonderful professionals.

The joy of being a Doula! Empowering woman with comfort and strength to birth their baby is a true joy. The miracle of birth has so many layers of wonderfulness. It is a joy to watch couples work together, dads-to-be who have developed into amazing coaches, and moms-to-be who have learned the wisdom to trust their bodies and their own strength. It is a privilege to teach them and doula for them.

Comfort Seminar - Babies by the Sea Boutique in Cardiff.

We had a great group for "Keys to Comfort for Mama and Baby".  My favorite part was sharing about the ministry and comfort of song. Yes, we sang.You should have been there. It was a beautiful rendition of “Row, row, row, your boat gently down the stream, life is but a dream” - in round! I have to say, we are not ready to take it on road, but we did release some serious endorphins and comfort joy.

TELL ME -  In an upcoming blog I’ll share about special people who have brought the power of comfort into their life and others. Tell us how you are using the power of comfort in your own life and how you are bringing comfort to others.  Email: info@comfortsilkie.com

Hope to hear from you soon,

February Heartful Thanks

February, the month we celebrate the magic of the heart.

I will be blogging about Valentines Day, Love, and Cardiac Health.

I have been studying how stress affects our health and our hearts. And I have to tell you, it can make you a little stressed knowing how much our lifestyles influence our well being. I remind myself not to become paranoid when I am researching women’s health issues like heart health and breast cancer.

However, today after a morning cup of coffee my heart did a little racing. It probably has every morning, but today I noticed it. I found myself waiting apprehensively for my ticker to find its rightful rhythm. Yes, my little power friend, beating away faithfully 100,800 times a day; pumping the life giving nourishment throughout my body. I usually take its’ work for granted, but today I am grateful, appreciative, for the amazing job my heart does for me. And I agreed to take good care of myself and to help it keep ticking for a few more decades.

So with heartfelt thanks, take a deep breath with me, eat your veggies, and remember “A merry heart is like good medicine.” To see more Heart Comfort Facts.

March of Dimes Premature Baby Awareness Day

November is Prematurity Awareness month and we wanted to share how Comfort Silkie makes a difference for preemies in the NICU. As a Comfort Therapist and founder of Comfort Silkie company I design products and education that empower parents to soothe their babies in the NICU. For the past two decades, bringing comfort to precious preemies and their parents has been our mission. The NICU can be an intimidating and heart rendering environment. Simple comfort techniques make life-long emotional markers for both baby and parents. Comfort Silkie’s Original patented Security Blanket is recommended by Neonatologists and NICU Nurses around the country to enhance bonding and create a scent connection. This small comfort blanket is designed with special features that soothe: The cuddly flannel feels like soft skin and the silkie satin feels like the fluid within the womb. The small, light weight size is easy to work with and easily absorbs parent’s unique comfort scent. The Comfort Silkie encourages normal nurturing interaction and help parents feels connected and close to baby. The Comfort Silkie encourages self comfort behaviors that will continue with baby’s ongoing care and development.

Additional Preemie recommended products: The Silkie Nest: Provides soft boundaries and silkie comfort touch. Infant Swaddler: Designed to comfort “womb wrap” baby: preemie and regular size. Comfort Message Isolette/Blanket Cover: Write your love message on the satin side and use to cover isolate. When baby leaves the NICU it can be used as a blanket and memory item.

Comforting Your Precious Preemie:
Click here for Comfort Tips for Preemie Babies and Their Parents.

- The Mother of Comfort

www.comfortsilkie.com

"I bring high risk babies into this world, but I am glad to know that we have such a valuable partner in Comfort Silkie." Dr D. Adair, Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine

"Nothing can replace a parent’s love and gentle embrace, but Comfort Silkie is the next best thing. I am a NICU nurse, babies need comforting and soothing touch especially under stress, such as prematurity or other life threatening medical problems. Comfort is a powerful medical treatment." P. Ferenbacher RN

"My baby was born at 25 weeks gestation. I took a Comfort Silkie to her while she was in the NICU for 4.5 months. It was so soft and soothing for her to lay on and even though she couldn’t be home with us she had her mommy’s scent with her. I love your products!" C.K.

“I am Neonatal RN, your Comfort Silkie’s are the perfect thing for our tiny babies.” A. Qick RN

The Comfort Silkie:

Winner of the JPMA Award and National Parenting Center of Approval
Supporting and addressing psychosocial needs within the NICU environment.

Comfort Silkie has been a part of the healing environment of many NICUs across the country and Foundations that support Preemie Care. Including: Graham's Foundation, Jim Moro Foundation, The Bearman, Rook, and Ganahl Family Foundations, Loma Linda University, Children’s Hospitals, Rockford Memorial, and St. Joseph Hospital.

Bringing Comfort and Joy.

Especially at Christmas, we have NICU families that purchase a Comfort Silkie for every baby in their NICU. Find out how you can be apart of bringing Comfort Silkie to your local NICU or support a Foundation working with preemies by emailing me at jeanelle@comfortsilkie.com or call 800.266.2229.

Comfort Silkie & March of Dimes Celebration of Babies

Award Recipient Donna Holloran & Jeanelle Troncone

Comfort Silkie was a part of the March of Dimes Celebration of Babies at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. I had the joy of seeing my friend Donna Holloran of Baby Group receive the prestigious March of Dimes Community Award. It was a star studded event recognizing the need to join the fight for preemies. Through the years Comfort Silkie has been a part of bringing comfort to many tiny lives and their parents. So it was a privilege to have Comfort Silkie be part of the Celebration of Babies Luxury Boutique.

Halle Berry, Hank Azaria, and Nicole Richie and other celebrity parents attended the event to champion the health of babies during Prematurity Awareness Month. Some of our favorite celebrity families that have had premature babies have personally seen the difference that Comfort Silkie can make. The Comfort Silkie Security Blanket is used in Neonatal Intensive Care Units across the country helping parents bond and make a scent connection with their precious preemie.

Even in this difficult economic time babies are born premature and their parents need our continued support and comfort. Comfort Silkie is dedicated to this mission – Find out how you can be apart of bringing Comfort Silkie to your local NICU or support a Foundation working with preemies by emailing me at Jeanelle@comfortsilkie.com. We'll be sharing more about this event and our comfort mission throughout the month of November. Comfort Silkie - Supporting Healthy Mamas & Healthy Babies

Colby's Comfort Silkie Story

My name is Tyler and I am a 27 year old mother of a 18 month old little boy named Colby! I first have to say that I have a 13 year old brother who was given a Comfort Silkie when he was a newborn by a friend of my moms. When my son was born, my brother passed on his Silkie to Colby and since that one is very much worn out, Colby has his own now too!

I have to share with you Colby's story:

In late January 2008 Colby (then 9 months old) suddenly started having trouble breathing- within 24 hours of my husband and I bringing him to the doctor, his throat had closed completely and he was rushed to Childrens Hospital of Minneapolis where he was put on a ventilator. During that time, through surgeries and endless tests, there was little that my husband or I could do to try and provide him with comfort. Throughout the entire time he had his Comfort Silkie by his side. Since being released he is noticably more attached to his Comfort Silkie blanket! I have to wash it a few times a week because he wants to bring it EVERYWHERE and loves to introduce everyone to his silkie- even the dogs. Ick!

Anyways, Colby is fully recovered now and as I was looking back today at the photos of that time in the hospital- his silkie kept catching my eye and I truly believe that having it by his side really did help him to heal. Thank you for bringing comfort into the lives of people who really need it!!

Love, Tyler