Page 35 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2015

We want to help moms be the best they can be. Our goal is to have healthier babies and change Mississippi’s dismal statistics of teenage pregnancies, sudden infant death syndrome and other baby health issues.
unless they are medically unable to attend. The program also has a carrier and wrap lending library that can be accessed online and items checked out during baby wearing
meetings. “We also offer play dates and a supportive forum for any questions
or concerns mothers may have,” Waldrep said. “The group has really taken off; now we have 360 moms.”
The unusual name, Moms in Black, is a play off the black belt in Karate, which encourages participants
to take all life’s lessons
and information they’ve gained to use in becoming the best they can be. “We want to help moms be the best they can be. Our goal
is to have healthier babies and change Mississippi’s dismal statistics of teenage pregnancies, sudden infant death syndrome and other baby health issues,” Waldrep added.
The group works with Stephanie Garner-Gable, a lactation consultant. They co-founded Mississippi Breastfeeding Support
with Chelsey George and Anna Woodard. They offer an online forum with the philosophy that breast is best
but that no mother should feel bad if she can’t breastfeed.
Waldrep and the Moms in Black are partnering with other programs to
Hallie Waldrep
raise awareness in the community about the importance of respectful baby and maternity care. Currently they’re involved with the Pascagoula
and Ocean Springs hospital locations of Singing River Health System. “We hope to work with them to implement the CHAMPS program which guides hospitals to achieving the Baby Friendly designation and to encourage the
Safe Sleep program,” she said. “We are dedicated to improving awareness of natural parenting on the
Gulf Coast and spreading the word about these wonderful programs.”
When she couldn’t find the baby products she needed, Waldrep opened her own shop, Maternal Instinct Boutique, in the Anchor Square Business Incubator in Pascagoula on August 15. “I think opening a brick- and-mortar store has shown people that we’re serious about what we’re doing,” she said. “We have a large selection of soft-structured carriers, ring slings,
woven and stretchy wraps, breastfeeding supplies, lifestyle products and cloth diapers.”
Isabella, Hallie and Charlotte Waldrep
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
October 2015 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 35
Maternal Instinct Boutique
303 Delmas Ave, Cottage D, Pascagoula 228.762.2801 www.maternalinstinctboutique.com