Blog
Straightforward baby information.
Postpartum encouragement and inspiration.
No judgment, no drama, no need to get out of your PJs.
How I work to get what I want (and you can too!)
My husband and I laugh it off and call it "civilizing our children", but it has very neatly also emphasized all the times we expect the other person to do things to help us, to meet our needs, even though we've never explicitly asked for the help, or even verbalized the need yet.
5 Reasons to Get a Virtual Doula
Virtual services offer a level of convenience, comfort, and accessibility you may not have considered. So how can a Virtual Doula help you through the early postpartum period? Let me count the ways…
How to Prepare for Postpartum: A Comprehensive Guide for Pregnant families
In this blog, I share how to prepare for postpartum by focusing on four key areas that, from my experience as a postpartum doula and a new parent, make the most significant difference in your postpartum experience. It goes beyond simple checklists to embrace a holistic approach that truly prepares you for the reality of life with a new baby.
Discover the four key areas of preparation—from emotional readiness and home organization to newborn care and building a support network. Get ready to navigate the postpartum period with ease, ensuring a smooth transition into parenthood.
Quick-start Guide to Fussy Babies
Some fussing in babies is considered “normal” but how can you tell when it’s time to get checked out by a doctor? Here are some things to look out for, and some soothing strategies to try in the meantime.
Case Study: Lauren and Postpartum Anxiety
She didn't know there were postpartum doulas until after she had her first baby, and when she realized she was going to be having her second baby in the middle of a pandemic, she was excited to discover that virtual postpartum doula care was an option because she was determined to have a better, more supported postpartum experience with her second baby.
Postpartum Planning: How not to Hate your Fourth Trimester
Especially if you feel worried that you will hate the newborn stage because of the sleep deprivation, how much your newborn will need you, or because of the way your body will change, take some time prenatally to prepare your mind, your body, and your home base. And definitely don't buy into the idea that you'll just have to wait and see what kind of baby you have. Every step you take to prepare to meet your baby sets you up for a more easygoing and restful postpartum period.
What to Expect from your Hospital’s Birth and Postpartum Care
Yes, I could call my midwife and my baby’s pediatrician if something was medically wrong, and yes, we had the massive privilege of being able to fly my mom out to stay with us for six weeks. And yeah, the Internet is full of all kinds of new mom encouragement, tips, tricks, and baby advice, but that was really not what I needed.What I really needed was a postpartum doula to check in with me, show me the way, ease my fears and worries, and cheer me on, but I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a postpartum doula, and I didn’t realize what other options I had.
4 Practical Ways your Virtual Doula Can Help You
A virtual doula might not be able to come over and feed the baby while you go and have a shower, but maybe that's not even what you want or need. Instead, it might be more useful for you and your family to connect with your doula every day for those first few weeks, even if it's just to touch base, see how the night went, and make a quick plan for the next day's feedings. And all of that can be done with a video chat, voice messages, or texts.
Wait… a Postpartum Doula? Is that a thing?
A postpartum doula is specially trained to support you as you recover from childbirth, and help you adjust to your new life with a baby. A postpartum doula also helps you get to know your baby and figure out how to look after them.
What most new parents need from their support team even more than a clearly posted list of qualifications is a feeling of connection, warmth, and understanding. The early postpartum period is a vulnerable time for everyone, and knowing that someone is looking after you, listening to you, and supporting all your efforts with your new baby is crucial.
What a Postpartum Doula CAN and CAN’T do
A postpartum doula acts as an experienced guide and a gentle support as you recover from your childbirth experience, learn all about your baby, and start to become the kind of mother you want to be. For families who need this kind of support and are looking for ongoing access to reassuring information and trustworthy resources, a postpartum doula is very much worth it.
Why Virtual Doula Support is Good for your Mental Health and Wellness
And in the night, there's so often nothing we can do. The baby is struggling because they must be teething, or running a fever, or it’s because they had terrible naps all day, or ... maybe because the moon is full? It feels like there's no one to turn to, and nowhere to run.
What to Try Before You Hire a Sleep Coach
So you don't really want to sleep train but you do need something to change so everyone can be better rested? Here are three things you can start doing today to set a solid foundation for more rest for your tiny baby.
Your Village is Just a Few Clicks Away
We know the challenges you face as a parent, and that’s why so many service providers are working hard to make sure they can continue to support you online even as the “new normal” keeps shifting and hardly feels normal at all. Your village is still here. We’re just a few clicks away.
3 Simple Places to Put Your Newborn Baby
If you’re someone who doesn’t want to get suckered into buying all the baby things and is already a bit skeptical about the magical sleepy-time powers of this swing or that bassinet, stay tuned because I’m going to let you in on the only three places you really need to prepare to put your baby.
How to work through postpartum disappointment
It’s totally okay to feel disappointed that things didn’t go your way during your pregnancy, birth, or the earliest few days or weeks together. Here’s how to work through that disappointment and find some peace.
How I practiced self-care (as a mom and a doula) to get through a really hard month
Instead, in sharing our stories, we can start to see and appreciate that these difficulties trip all kinds of moms up, whether you’re a new mom or experienced mom, whether you have plenty of help or are kind of on your own. Stories can help us cope with the stress and manage our expectations, and in sharing mine, I hope you won’t feel so alone in your experience.
Self-care for New Moms
What I’m after is self-care that lasts. I need something to calm my frazzled nerves, refresh my weary spirit, and heal my achy body (at least for a little while!) As a new mom, I want time spent on me to be transformative and make a lasting difference in my experience of motherhood.
Basics of Breastfeeding Support
Just because breastfeeding is supposed to be natural or instinctual does not mean it is easy or pain-free, but it can be! And you can learn the useful techniques that will get you to pain-free, worry-free, EASY breastfeeding! The important question is not, “will I figure this out?” but instead, “who should I talk to for help?”
Basics of Breastfeeding
Most babies seem to latch on to the breast instinctively, but not always correctly! A proper latch is often a learned skill! It’s really important to get help in the first few days to learn what a good latch should look like and feel like.
Basics of Breast Milk
Your hormones are entirely responsible for milk production in the beginning, but after the first week, milk supply is entirely a matter of supply and demand.