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Taking care of a newborn is difficult enough. Try triplets.
Three times the dribble and drool. Three times the spilled food.
What's a mom to do?
Improve. Innovate. Invent.
SacMomsClub.com contributor ThatTripletMom is the creator of the SnugEase Bib. The adjustable bib is designed to keep a baby clean and flexible enough to grow with the baby.
"Anything that saves a little bit of work when you have three babies is much needed," the San Diego native said. "We came up with this idea and it's been my job ever since."
ThatTripletMom and her husband moved to Northern California more than six years ago. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in child development from San Diego State University, she worked for four years as a preschool teacher in Southern California, Texas and for a short time in Northern California.
She planned to work from home as a preschool teacher after the couple bought a house. Then, not just one baby was on the way, but three.
As her blog says, "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."
Triplets Austin, Carley and Sierra were born and she saw a need for something to keep them clean while eating. Despite no background in business, marketing or product development, ThatTripletMom developed the SnugEase Bib.
Her husband made the mechanics that allow the neckline to adjust. ThatTripletMom was responsible for finding the best material and sewing it together. Development wasn't quick.
"It took design after design until we finally got it right, where it would self-adjust and be snug but not tight," said triplet mom. She said she and her husband made 20 prototypes before finding the perfect design.
"We kept trying to find a way to make it easier."
A graphic designer stylized the embroidery based on her design sketches. Friends' babies modeled for the packaging.
Her husband's parents purchased the tools to cut fabric in bulk in Southern California and mailed pieces to Northern California. In the beginning, ThatTripletMom and her husband sewed each bib at home. They made 2,000 bibs by hand. In a good week, they could make 60 in a week.
"We had a total process," she said. "It was a group effort."
The product is now made overseas and carried by domestic and international stores. It comes in five colors and two sizes.
60 Seconds with ThatTripletMom
What's your favorite feature of SacMomsClub.com:
I love reading the blogs.
What has motherhood has taught you most:
That I can't be in control of everything; life with kids is unpredictable. I do the best I can to prepare for each age and yet my kids still manage to surprise and catch me off guard. I have to learn to sit back and go along for the ride.
Best baby product on the market:
Well, the SnugEase Bib of course! But aside from my own product, I would have to say my favorite baby shower gift is the Loving Baby Swaddle Blanket. It is simply the best swaddling blanket on the market.
Most rewarding aspect of motherhood:
Simply getting to be a mother. I'm someone who always knew I would be a mother. It never even occurred to me that I wouldn't. When we had trouble starting our family it was very traumatic for me. When I need perspective, I remind myself that the worst day with triplets is better than the best day of infertility.
Most challenging aspect of motherhood:
Patience! With my preschool teacher background, I expected to have patience to spare. It all changes when they are your own kids! I'm learning that if I just take a moment and remember what is age appropriate, I can usually get back into perspective enough to regain my patience.
Best advice received:
Actually my best advice came from our wonderful NICU nurses. They taught me the best strategy to get babies to sleep through the night (which is a much anticipated milestone when you have multiples!). Keep them on a 3 hr feeding schedule during the day, until they sleep through the night. In the night, wait to feed them when they wake up (and when one wakes up, wake the others to feed too), but in the day, keep them to the 3 hr feeding schedule. And swaddle! It really works! All three were sleeping through the night by 3 months old (age adjusted for prematurety).
Favorite activity with the kids:
Art projects and taking them swimming at the pool. It's so exciting to watch their swimming skills just blossom this summer!
Read triplet mom's blog by clicking here.
Click here for more information on the SnugEase Bib. The SnugEase Bib can be found locally at Once Upon A Child in Citrus Heights, Mother & Baby Source in Davis, Huggable Me in Elk Grove, Silver Spoon in Granite Bay, Lil' Suckers in Roseville, Goore's in Sacramento and The Mother Goose Store in Sacramento.
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