Happy Saturday Reader! After a decade as a postpartum doula, I can tell you the parents who feel calmest aren't the ones with the fanciest gear. They're the ones who understand what's normal, know what to watch for, and have support lined up. 👆 That last piece is the one people skip. Usually because it sounds nice but feels out of reach. Doula support is not as out of reach as you might think. Families make it work by... 📍 adding a doula fund to the registry 📍planning for just one or two...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Quick question: Are you planning to pump at all? Even occasionally? If yes, here's something worth knowing before baby gets here: Breastmilk storage is one of those things that will constantly have you second guessing yourself. How long has this been sitting out? Is it still good? Do I toss it or do I use it? And when you’re tired, the last thing you want is to guess...or worse, waste milk you worked hard to pump. Before we get to today’s gift, one quick tip: When you freeze milk,...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, 🎁 Day 9 is about having what you need where you need it Having a changing station set up on each floor of your house saves you time and energy. No searching for wipes at 3am. No running up the stairs after your OB told you to "take it easy". ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎁 YOUR DAY 9 GIFT: The Changing Station You don't need a changing table on every floor, a changing pad or even a towel to lay the baby on is fine. The key is...
9 days ago • 1 min read
The hospital bag question comes up with every one of my doula clients in the third trimester. "What am I actually supposed to pack?" The Google rabbit hole on this is rough. Long lists. Conflicting advice. I've seen clients show me packing lists with four robes, eight pairs of socks, a mini humidifier, and enough snacks to survive a blizzard... just in case. Here's what I know after 10+ years: you need a lot less than the internet thinks you need. A simple list beats a long one every single...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Day 7 already, Reader 🎁 My in-laws live close by so we spent a lot of time there. But when we made the 12 hour trip to my mom's house it was also nice to have what we needed there. If your baby is going to spend time at a grandparent's house (even occasionally), having a few basics there changes everything. Not just for convenience. For consistency. And consistency means easier settling, easier feeding, and less frustration for everyone, especially you. 🎁 YOUR DAY 7 GIFT: Grandparent’s Gear...
11 days ago • 1 min read
Welcome to Day 6 of your Baby Prep Series Reader! As an overnight doula, one of my favorite things to do for brand new parents is make a meal in the middle of the night so it is waiting for them in the refrigerator in the morning. So when they wake up, it’s one less thing to think about. They just heat it up and eat. In the early days there is... so much focus on feeding the baby that…parents forget to take care of themselves. And in those early weeks, that matters more than you might think....
12 days ago • 1 min read
Day 5 of your Baby Prep Gifts, Reader 🎁 Getting the nursery ready is one of the most fun parts of baby prep. It's also where I watch first-time moms accidentally overbuy every single time. Because the question that comes up the most is: "How many onesies do I actually need? What about sleepers?" And when you're not sure, you buy more just to be safe. Then you end up rotating through the same four outfits because newborns grow out of everything in a week anyway. Today's gift will save you...
13 days ago • 1 min read
"I think I'm getting sick, my throat hurts" When I get this text from a doula client, especially one who's breastfeeding and trying not to take meds... This is the "recipe" I send them 👇 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎁 YOUR DAY 4 GIFT: Wellness Elixir Recipe This is something I’ve made on repeat for years. The second anyone in our house starts to feel off, this is what I make. I honestly think it's helped us dodge a lot of full-blown sick...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, 🎁 Day 3 is one of those “I’m really glad I knew this ahead of time” topics. Because this surprises almost every first-time parent: 👉 Your baby will lose weight after birth. And it’s completely normal. But here’s the part that can feel stressful in the moment… How much is normal… and when does your pediatrician start to worry? Pediatricians usually become concerned if the baby loses more than 7-10% of birth weight. Trying to calculate weight loss as a sleep deprived new parent feels...
15 days ago • 1 min read