Resources
We hope the following resources are useful. Though we do not endorse any one person, group, product, or service we have put this list together with much thought and love.
Mamas speak..
The Mamatoto family has been a lifesaver during a challenging postpartum. The support I have received has been overwhelming and the moms I have met have become my best friends.
Mamatoto is much more than a parenting style - it is a way of life. Looking back, joining Mamatoto was probably the best gift I gave myself as a new mom.
Treasa, age 32 
I've found some wonderful friends through my Mamatoto group! We are like-minded in many aspects of parenting, but we also bring different world views, perspectives, and ideas that we freely share with each other. It's a very rich experience belonging to Mamatoto!
Heather, age 38
I have found Mamatoto to be unconditionally supportive and I have made such great friends. It is hard to have my family so far away and my group has been there for us just like a family would.
Sara, age 30
I love that Mamatoto has given me a group of like-minded women to share my experiences with, and that it's also given my son a group of kids to grow up with. It's been wonderful!
Kendra, age 33
Attachment Parenting
Attachment Parenting International A comprehensive resource including articles on attachment parenting topics from co-sleeping to discipline.
Ask Dr. Sears A comprehensive resource center for information on medical issues to support for attachment parenting.
Natural Family On-line
Resources for families practicing attachment parenting.
Books
Our list of books is too long for reading on the web. We've attached it here as a PDF. You will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to see it properly.
For most parents practicing attachment parenting, The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by William Sears has been our main source of knowledge on the subject. But take a look at our list. Thankfully there is a lot of good info out there on Attachment Parenting subjects!
Breastfeeding
The US Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is part of a global non-profit program that assists hospitals in giving breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.
Breastfeeding.com Learn more about breastfeeding, view online nursing videos, join in the discussion with other nursing mothers and share your breastfeeding experiences and insight.
La Leche League International A wide-ranging collection of information about the leading breastfeeding organization in the world. A great place to find support, encouragement, solutions to problems, and other resources you need to give your baby the best start possible.
The National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy NABA's mission is to foster communication between the organizations and agencies involved in national maternal & childcare health policy in an effort to bring breastfeeding to the forefront of the public health arena and to restore breastfeeding as the cultural norm. NABA is the organization representing IBFAN (International Baby Food Action Network) and WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action) in the United States, is a member of the US Breastfeeding Committee and is represented on USDA's Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium.
From its inception, the American Academy of Pediatrics has been a staunch advocate of breastfeeding as the optimal form of nutrition for infants. Their website offers detailed information on the health benefits of breastfeeding as well as practical breastfeeding information and strategies geared to both moms and their medical practitioners.
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of organizations and individuals who believe breastfeeding is the right of all children and mothers and who dedicate themselves to protect, promote and support this right. WABA works in liaison with UNICEF.
The United States Breastfeeding Committee is a collaborative partnership of organizations whose mission is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in the U.S. Publications include details on breastfeeding and childcare, workplace support and a review of current state legislation that protects, promotes and supports breastfeeding.
Family Friendly Jury Duty promotes Jury Duty laws which accommodate the needs of breastfeeding mothers, at-home parents of young children, and caregivers of disabled or elderly relatives, and those who depend upon them.
Nursing Mothers Counsel Based in California, NMC is a non-profit organization that offers breastfeeding information, support and advice from experienced nursing moms, to new nursing moms. Individualized assistance can be provided via telephone call or home visit.
Co-Sleeping
Attachment Parenting International has a very comprehensive list of resources, including a great FAQ section on Co-sleeping.
Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper
800-954-9353/805-278-2559
Earth-Friendly Families
Greenfeet
lots of earth-friendly kitchen and kid stuff. For a plastic alternative, you'll find Klean Kanteens here.
Jan Andrea at Home
Patterns for making your own sling, nursing bras, baby dolls, chair covers, cloth diapers, reusable bags, and more.
Mother's Guild
Selection of nursing bras, baby slings, and cloth diapers, as well as offering classes and natural toys.
2040 E. Main Street;
Ventura, CA;
805-667-2115
Natural Family On-line
Resources for families practicing attachment parenting.
No Waste Lunch Box, article by Loatree Community
Suggested Group Practices
Mamatoto Volunteers have worked together to develop guidelines for working together as a group.
Visit our page on Group Suggestions
Here is a PDF of local speakers who have volunteered to speak to Mamatoto groups. It has been passed down for generations of Mamatoto groups. Please note, we do not endorse any one group, person, product, or service.
Local Resources
Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara rescues abused, abandoned, and neglected children from birth through age two. We are looking for wonderful Santa Barbara County families to provide a baby with a home until he or she moves out of the dependency system (usually about one year). The Angels program offers training, certification, support and everything you need to be a great foster parent. To rescue a child, please call us at 805-898-0901, email info@angelssb.com or visit us at www.angelssb.com.
Chicken Little
Stuff for Baby, breastfeeding supplies, slings, strollers and more.
1236 State St; Santa Barbara, CA 93101; 805-962-7771
"Happy Little Hippo"
Children's Resale Boutique buys and sells gently-used children's clothes newborn-size 7, baby equipment and accessories, pregnancy, parenting and children's books, unique toys and gifts. Hippo consigns larger items.
2919 De La Vina, 10 doors down from Trader Joe's, 805 845-5179, www.happylittlehippo.com
Mamatoto Speaker List: A list of Attachment Parenting people willing to speak to Mamatoto groups.
Mother's Guild
For nursing bras, baby slings, and cloth diapers, as well as offering classes and natural toys.
2040 E. Main Street; Ventura, CA; 805-667-2115
PAXbaby
For baby natutal baby essentials like baby carriers, clothing, toys, Klean Kanteens, and more. Jillian offers a 10% discount to Mamatoto families. Call 805-708-2500 or email PAXbaby@msn.com
PEP - Postpartum Education for Parents
Postpartum support services for new parents include a free 24-hour warm-line that provides confidential one-on-one support from trained volunteers, parents just like you. 805-564-3888. PEP promotes and supports a wide range of parenting styles & philosophies.
New Parent Discussion Groups that meet in Santa Barbara every Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Santa Ynez every Monday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 at Bethania Evangelical Lutheran Church. PEP also offers Baby Basics classes on the first Saturday of every month to discuss the basics of newborn behavior, feeding, diapering, safety, and bathing (with a live baby). These classes are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 909 North La Cumbre Road in Santa Barbara.
The Polar Bear
Buy and sell used clothing, toys, and other baby/toddler supplies.
726 Anacapa St; Santa Barbara, CA 93101; 805-965-6637
Santa Barbara Baby Furniture
Stuff for Baby, breastfeeding supplies, slings, strollers and more.
1936 De La Vina St;
Santa Barbara, CA 93101; 805-682-7517
Santa Barbara City College's Adult Education -Parent Education program
Many free and very inexpensive classes/workshops for parents and children of young ages. Some examples include: Preparation for Childbirth, Calm Your Baby Calm Yourself, Baby Sign Language, How to Respond to Tears, Fears, and Tantrums with Aletha Solter (attachment parenting), and much more.
SBParent.com
Local Organizations advertise here. Site includes family oriented activities for Santa Barbara parents. They also have a weekly newsletter.