Mamatoto is a Swahili word that describes the mother-baby unit, both during pregnancy and after birth.
New Mama Groups Start Every Other Month
What is Mamatoto?
Mamatoto is a support group for mamas and families who believe and practice conscious, intuitive and attachment parenting. Mamatoto is a place for new moms and babies to gain friends, information, advice, and support.
New Mama Groups
Our New Mama Groups offer moms and babies the opportunity to connect, gain friends, information, advice, and support. New Groups form every other month. The first two meetings are lead by one of our mama volunteers. After that, the group becomes self directed and becomes unique like the mamas in each group.
Attachment Parenting Resources
Each family is unique. Attachment Parenting focuses on connection, respect for the child, and trust in parental instincts.
Mamatoto Mama Journal
Our mamas share their experience and wisdom.
Shop to Support
Shop Mamatoto
Mamatoto is run by a volunteer group of moms. Help keep our organization going by shopping in our store or sending a donation.
Attachment Parenting
Attachment parenting puts the focus on connection, respect for the child, and trust in parental instincts. The Baby Book by Willian & Martha Sears offers the following 7 Baby B’s of Attachment Parenting as a summary of the common practices of attachment parenting.
1. Birth Bonding
Take an active role in the birth that you want. Speak openly with your birth team.
2. Belief in the Value of Baby's Cries
Babies are not capable of manipulation. When a baby cries they are communicating with you. Learn to read your baby’s cues to better be able to respond when they need you. (Whether they are hungry, tired, or just want a cuddle!)
3. Baby Wearing
Carried babies cry less and grow more. Mom or dad wearing baby help both parents and baby with feel good hormones.
4. Breastfeeding
Breast milk is an amazing, living thing. The benefits for both mama and baby are endless. Baby is passed antibodies and breast milk changes as the baby grows to give them the exact nutrition that they need.
5. Bedding Close to Baby
This includes sleeping with baby in the same room as parents (co-sleeping) or in the same bed as parents (bed sharing). Most babies in the world sleep in bed with their parents.
6. Beware of Baby Trainers
Trust your parental instincts. Be cautious of any dogma that tells you to second guess nurturing your baby. Trust your instincts and parent from your heart!
…and maybe most important
7. Balance & Boundaries
A healthy baby needs a healthy parents. Take care of yourself by eating well, exercising, resting when you need to, and connecting with your partner. Your baby will benefit from all of it!
Join Our Online Community
Ask questions, get recommendations, or offer a listening ear in our Facebook Group.
“While pregnant, I was given a lot of advice and resources to support our birth but perhaps the best resource we got passed was a flier for Mamatoto.”
The Latest from our Mama Journal
The Journey Back to Trust
Motherhood taught me to care for everyone else. Cycle awareness is teaching me to care for myself.Jillian standup paddling in the Santa Barbara Harbor in November 2018 about 8 months pregnant. For nearly two decades, I either had an IUD or I was pregnant. Since I was...