ashley-schmitz

The Cloth Option

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 02:28:40 GMT

The Cloth Option in Central Wisconsin

As we all know, disposable diapers can be expensive. Definitely not great for our environment as they take years to decompose. So what's the other option? Cloth diapers. I know. I know. I rolled my eyes to thinking about the amount of hours I would be hanging out in the laundry room washing cloth diapers when my first son was born. In all reality, those hours are probably not much more than the hours that are spend washing clothes the first few months when our newborn is born. So curiosity got the best of me and I just had to find out more information. I, personally, reached out to Mariah Kaiser as she is the cloth diaper expert in the central WI area! I will say, after the information that Mariah gave me, I am highly considering doing cloth diapers for my next little one! Here is what Mariah revealed to me about The Cloth Option:

What is The Cloth Option?

The Cloth Option (TCO) is a nation-wide non-profit organization with a goal to end diaper need for all. We are 100% volunteer run and a significant portion of our distributed cloth diapers are obtained through donations.

How does it work?

Our volunteers receive locally and shipped donated cloth diaper items, prep them (strip when necessary and sanitize always), and then package them up for families who apply to our program. We then provide any and all technical assistance a family may need through their cloth diaper journey, as long as they reach out to us for help/questions.

Who do they contact if interested/ want to get started?

The easiest way to get started with a loan is to apply online: https://www.theclothoption.org/apply

If there are specific questions they can reach out to info@theclothoption.org for any needed clarifications; there are no income requirements for our program

How many cloth diapers do they get?

The quantity of cloth diapers received is dependent on the age/weight of your child in need of diapers, packages range from 10-20 cloth diapers, our goal is to supply you with 1-2 days of diapers, allowing time for washing.

Cloth diapers come in a range of sizes: newborn, one size, and extended size. Newborn diapers are sent for babies under 3 months age and less than 10lb, one size diapers are sent for babies over 3 months and generally fit best from 10-35lb. Extended size diapers are distributed on a medical need basis and will fit up to 55lb.

How do they get more?

Because cloth diapers are reusable with washing, you don’t need more on a regular basis! For some families, our program supplies their entire diaper stash, for other families, they use our diapers as they slowly grow their own stash. This allows them to know what styles and materials they prefer for their little one!

Training on how to put one on?

If a family has no experience with cloth diapers, they are encouraged to reach out to their assigned advocate to review their package once they receive it. This helps to ensure they know what they’re using and how to use it for the best success!

Washing tips and tricks?

It is incredibly important to know your water hardness so that you can use a laundry detergent that will work appropriately in your water to get diapers clean. Almost all cloth diaper related diaper rashes are a result of improper washing of diapers, and once the washing routine is corrected the rash resolves. It is also important to make sure your washing machine is full enough for appropriate agitation to take place (but also not too full!).

I f you have stains that you want to get out of your diapers, drying them in the sun helps!

Want to know more? Feel free to reach out to me personally by email: youaretheworlddoula@gmail.com or going to The Cloth Option website: info@theclothoption.org

Complete Renewal Health & Wellness

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 18:26:53 GMT

Functional Medicine Thorp, WI

My husband and I have been navigating some health issues and upon networking in the area, I was able to meet Jessica Bunkelman. Jessica is a wealth of valuable knowledge and has gained experience in so many areas in the healthcare world.

Jessica has her own practice in Thorp, WI, where she can provide services to couples that are seeking preconception care like natural family planning, testing for hormone levels, addressing PCOS, endometriosis and other fertility related issues. Jessica has the ability to provide services to expecting mothers up until 14 weeks gestation.

As a board certified nurse practitioner, Jessica is currently accepting new patients ranging from newborns and beyond. With this Jessica can help with newborn visits and ensure that they are meeting their milestones, help with ear infections, lactation services and much, much more.

Jessica is also a This is Needed distributor where she keeps many products on hand! Now I know that my opinion on this maybe biased as I love all of Needed's products including their prenatal supplement, their immunity supplement, their choline supplement and so much more. I think it is great that Jessica has this on hand for expecting mothers along with mothers that are going through the postpartum journey. Jessica provides the ability to make a "one stop shop" for all things that may come your way when you are on the journey of motherhood.

I asked what tips and tricks Jessica can provide to expecting parents and this is what she said: "Have fun. Relax. Let it happen." I think this advice is what we need to remember once the decision has been made to try to for children.

You can find Jessica at https://www.completerenewalhw.com/ and also on instagram: @ jess_np_complete_renewal

Maternity and Newborn Photoshoots

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:47:57 GMT

Photographers servicing Central WI

As a mom of two kids, I often look back at when I was pregnant and wish I would have done my research to see who in the central WI area did maternity and newborn photos. I tried so hard to do my best to capture each week while I was pregnant. I failed at that. I tried to do my own cute newborn photos, but when the opportunity was there, I was way to tired to be creative and do the photo shoot on my own. Since being a doula, I have had the amazing opportunity to meet some really talented photographers that do maternity and newborn photos here in the central WI area. Feel free to check these ladies out on their socials along with their website!

Sarah Wimmer Steffen Photography: www.sarahwimmersteffen.com

EJ Imagery WI: available on Facebook

Brooklynn_creations: www.brooklynncreations.com

Katie Lee Photography: katieleephotos.com/instragram

Want to learn more about what other services Ashley provides? Feel free to go to the contact section of my website and send me a message! Want to follow me on social? Feel free to follow on Instagram and Facebook @youaretheworlddoula.

Ashley is a birth doula servicing Clark, Marathon and Wood County, WI. After having 2 babies of her own, she felt a calling to help other families have empowering births like she did! Ashley would love to help you have the empowering birth that you deserve to have!

Home births and finding midwives

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:55:21 GMT

Is having a home birth the best fit for you and your family?

Imagine that you are in your bedroom surrounded by your love ones. The room is dimly light by fairy lights and candles that smell like lavender. You have affirmation quotes all around your head. Your contractions are getting stronger and closer together. You tell your significant other to call the midwife! The midwife arrives and tells you that you are doing an amazing job! She tells you to listen to your body. So, you listen and let your body and baby take over. You make loud roars as you feel baby descend down. Then, the midwife tells you to reach down to feel your baby's head. You choke up and find the courage to push one more time. Next, you feel baby laying on your beasts, looking right at you. In that moment, nothing else matters.

I recently came across an article written by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel with the headline stating: "More Wisconsin Families are choosing to give birth at home or with midwives. Here's why." I found this to be really interesting as the article stated that over the last couple of years, the rise of home birth or families choosing to have midwives as their provider has gone up 22%! Even more interesting, I had several clients reach out to me asking which midwives in their area supported home births just days after that article came out!

Here is a list of midwives in the Central WI area that support home births!

In the Beginning, Iola, WI

Windy Hill Midwifery, Merrill, WI

Footprints in Time Midwifery, Greenwood, WI

Interested to learn more about home births? Feel free to go to the contact section of my website and send me a message! Want to follow me on social? Feel free to follow on Instagram and Facebook @youaretheworlddoula.

Pregnant and need adjustments?

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 00:30:13 GMT

Feel like you might be out of alignment? Well...

Whether you are a seasoned visitor to the chiropractor or never have been. Going to a provider that you trust and is qualified to work with expecting mamas is something to put on your "to do" list while pregnant. As baby gets bigger, our bodies automatically try to keep us in balanced as best as it possibly can. With a little help from a professional, you might be surprised how out of alignment you get with each stage of pregnancy.

As a doula, I often get asked who in the local area (Clark, Marathon and Wood County, WI) is able to work with pregnant mamas. Here is a list that I have complied together for you! Don't worry mama! I have you covered. :)

East Fountain Chiropractic, Greenwood, WI

Thorp Family Chiropractic, Thorp, WI

Innovative Health Chiropractic, Weston, WI

Bautch Chiropractic-East & West, Wausau, WI

Nikolay Chiropractic, Marshfield, WI

Mom Support Groups

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 22:53:30 GMT

Do you wish there was a safe place to go close to home where you can connect with other moms that are going through the same life stage as you? Do you wish you could find a safe place where you can connect with other moms and be able to bring your little one so they can have interactions with other children as well? You have come to the right place!

In Marshfield, WI, located at 207 S Central Ave Suite H, there is a space open for moms and little ones that meet every Wednesday from 10am-12pm. You are invited to come and meet other moms that are navigating motherhood just like you!

Want to talk about a specific topic while attending group? You can submit your topic request to Mema D's Doula Services via Facebook messenger and Robin will gather all the resources for you. Don't have a topic that needs answers? That is totally fine as well.

This space also has an option for weight checks, if you are interested to know how your newborn is growing. There is also lactation help if you are looking for breastfeeding advice. Of course, plenty of toys are provided for the little ones to play with!

We hope to see you there!