Inspiration: Touring The Texture-Packed Home Of Erica Chidi Cohen

Touring The Texture-Packed Home Of Erica Chidi Cohen

Erica Chidi Cohen and Her Home

As a doula, a lactation counselor and a chef, Erica Chidi Cohen is a verified guru when it comes to motherhood. Founder of The Mama Circle, a community for new and expecting moms, she's made a name for herself as a nurturer, an entrepreneur and a lifesaver during those inevitable I-don't-know-what-I'm-doing moments!

With this as a background, it's no surprise that Erica's home is filled with plant life, calming white hues, pets and plenty of reading material with titles like The Natural Pregnancy Book. Airy, open and simple, the space is ideal for a busy mompreneur, yet chic and sophisticated all at the same time. Read on to find out more about The Mama Circle, Erica's home and a few hints about breastfeeding, too—we know you're curious!

high waisted pants — Why did you decide to create your company, The Mama Circle?

I wanted to create a modern resource for pregnant and new mothers along with their families that felt relatable to the rest of their life. Pregnancy and the path to motherhood has a tendency to feel clinical or filled with polarizing options. Many of the resources available don't reflect how women truly see themselves in the world. The Mama Circle was created to fill that void and provide support and diverse resources integral to this transition in a contemporary, warm, nonjudgmental way.

You’re a doula, a lactation counselor and a chef! How do you integrate all of these different roles into The Mama Circle?

These three roles integrate seamlessly. A doula provides emotional and educational support before and during birth, as well as afterward. Many new mothers choose to breastfeed, so as a lactation counselor, I am able to support that process. For mamas that aren’t breastfeeding, I’m able to support them on other feeding options that are available. Nutrition is an integral component of pregnancy and early motherhood. In addition to our other services, myself and my team can prepare meals in our clients' home after delivery, or provide them with our meal delivery service, which creates a holistic care experience.

How were you able to design such an open, airy vibe in your home?

I'm a minimalist at heart, so the first step I took was to give us a blank canvas. I painted the entire interior a really bright white in order to aerate the space, and then worked with the landscape of our home, which is a 1912 craftsman. I added some vintage and contemporary touches, the primary focus being that the home felt warm, inviting and lived in.

white faux fur blanket — Where are your favorite shops and sites to shop for baby gear?

In Los Angeles, I love Caro Bambino in Santa Monica and Giggle. Online, for product and gear research, I love Baby Gear Lab, and then for shopping, there isn’t much you can’t find on Amazon.com or Buy Buy Baby. Baby Earth is a fantastic resource for natural and organic products.

What’s the number one piece of advice you always give to new moms?

Trust yourself and believe that, no matter what, you're going to hear (and you're going to hear a lot of things, some useful—mostly not) that you know what's best for your body, your pregnancy and for your parenting experience. Stay curious and absorb supportive information, but get comfortable with standing your ground. You know how to do this, even if it's your first time.

What general advice can you give to new moms who are nervous about breastfeeding?

Many women are nervous about breastfeeding and I totally understand the impetus—it's something that you've never done before. My advice is to get support. Take a good breastfeeding class prenatally—not because it's going to teach you how to breastfeed, but because you'll come to understand the fundamentals, and that's going to help you feel even more rooted in your decision to breastfeed.

Second, have a lactation counselor or consultant come to your home three-to-five days after having your babe. Breastfeeding has a learning curve, and a good lactation professional can be an excellent teacher. There's a good chance you're going to struggle in those first few weeks and that's okay! Having a professional come into your home where you actually breastfeed will help you make slight adjustments in order to positively impact your experience and reassure you that you're doing the right thing. This is going to make that experience that much better.