Advice from a Nanny Marva Soogrim: Nanny to the Stars

   Urbanbaby & Toddler Magazine had the opportunity to interview Nanny Marva Soogrim. Her clients include Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Courteney Cox, Elizabeth Berkley, and Sheryl Crow, to name a few. Marva has quickly become known as a go-to expert for new moms, teaching them her signature tricks of the trade to make their babies “Marvalous,” while she enriches the parenting experience.


I have worked with moms and their babies for several decades and after living with families from all different cultures and backgrounds, one thing that has always jumped out at me is the way a new mom is supported and cared for. I have seen new moms struggle with postpartum depression, and being a mother of four myself, I know that this epidemic is real & affects more moms than people think. Even moms who have all the material items you can possibly think of to help care for their baby suffer from postpartum, and I have come to realize that although certain things are important for everyday use, it is really a new mom’s overall view about what her journey is, that can help her overcome the dark cloud that can hover over her after the new baby arrives and her world is turned upside down. My biggest advice is to relax, and catch the lessons that will build every mommy muscle possible. And, you cannot find your own personal journey in a
book, it is all about your day to day experience. 

Some notes on what I have learned:
 
(A) The time when your baby is teeny tiny comes and goes so quickly, live in the moment as much as possible.

(B) Create your own village.  Meaning create a support system around you of people who can truly be there for you: friends, other new moms, and family.

(C) TMMI: Too Much Mommy Information… might be overwhelming for you, so choose your top three go-to sites to visit. In the beginning, you could spend all night googling things like “is this normal” and “why is my baby doing this”, relax, take a deep breath, and don’t overload yourself with info.

(D) Use your instincts and do not doubt yourself.

(E) Keep your surroundings clutter-free and happy. 

(F) Keeping a routine, schedule is important for clarity and peace of mind.

Born in Trinidad, Marva came to the United States in the 1980's at the age of 21. With medical assistant training and impeccable references, Marva began her calling as a baby nurse/nanny to some of New York’s most prestigious families. News of her novel and calm approach to caring for babies spread and she quickly became the nanny of choice for celebrity A-listers.

You can learn more about Marva here: http://www.marvalousbabies.com/