Mama of the Month: Kate Arquilla
Posted on July 13 2020
Q&A with Kate Arquilla
Founder of Bumblebaby, Mama of Three, NICU RN, Certified CPR Instructor, Breastfeeding Counselor, Certified Sleep Consultant - and a "mom/parent coach”
Mom To:
Finn (3.5) Bee (2) and Roey (3 months) and Red (doggie)
What is the inspiration behind Bumblebaby and the community you've built?
A big part of my role as NICU nurse is education! We are always educating families on how to care for their little one's specific needs. I was constantly getting messages (most of the time with photos!) from friends and family about their baby saying- “Does this poop look normal?” “Do you think I need a medication for this diaper rash?” “HELP! My nipples are bleeding from breastfeeding!” - and a lightbulb went off in my head - there needs to be a safe, non-judgmental, reliable, and accurate resource for parents to turn to when they have questions about their baby. And bumblebaby was born!
What are you currently excited about either personally or professionally?
I just had a baby girl (Roey) on March 11. We have been quarantined due to COVID-19 for her entire life! I am ready to get back to “normal”, however that will look. I just brought 4 new consultants on board with me at bumblebaby and I am so excited to see where this next year takes us!
As a working mom of 3, what do you use to help get you through your work day during this uneasy time?
Thankfully, my parents quarantined with us. They have been so helpful during this time. I also have been waking up early around 5am to get work done and I actually look forward to it! Drinking hot coffee is peace is a luxury for parents!
Every mother needs to find balance, what does your personal village look like now vs pre Covid-19?
I shared recently that my pregnancy with Roey was unplanned - I was in the midst of a recovery from postpartum depression after my daughter Bee was born in 2018. I spent months in therapy and adjusting my medication to prepare for Roey’s birth - setting up all the resources available to me - and that ALL went out the window with COVID-19. I have been lucky to have the support of my family in-person and tons of virtual support from friends, family, my therapist, and my community at bumblebaby. Everyone has been so supportive and I am so proud of that!
What are you working on improving about yourself as a woman and mother?
Work/life balance. It’s really hard! My husband also owns a small business so finding time to make both businesses work is difficult especially without the childcare we were expecting. COVID-19 has taught me to let go of deadlines and the pressure to get things done professionally and that my kids need me now as a mama and not a business woman. I know my community at bumblebaby will always be there, even if it takes a few weeks longer to get those blog posts done. And that is liberating!
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