Monday, November 21, 2016

The Five S's of Soothing a Crying Baby

These great tips simulate life in the womb. Use as many as you can, all at once if needed, to soothe a crying baby.
Swing.  Either in your arms or the mechanical version.
Suck. A finger, knuckle or pacifier will do. Of course, your baby has been fed already.
Shushing. Long stretches of the shushing sound simulate the flow of blood your baby heard in the womb. It works wonders for both baby and caregiver.
Side. Holding baby on their side is comforting to them. The left side is best for digestion, so start with that.
Swaddle. Babies like to feel contained and safe.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

What's a doula?

The word "doula" comes from the Greek word for the most important female servant.  In an ancient Greek household, this woman probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth providing continuous physical, emotional & informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." 


Benefits of a Postpartum Doula

  • Faster birth recovery.
  • More likely to eat healthier & sleep more.
  • Less stress & anxiety.
  • Less incidence of postpartum mood disorders.
  • Higher breastfeeding success rate.
  • More confidence in parenting & childcare.


Benefits of an Overnight Postpartum Doula

  • You'll get several hours of extra sleep.
  • Rejuvenated sleep results in the benefits, above.
  • I bring a relaxed atmosphere for a restful night.
  • Worries and fears loom larger at night, it's nice to ask at 4 am "Is this normal?"
  • Nothing is new to a postpartum doula, it's hard to rattle or alarm us. I'm there for you.

To read more about doulas, click on the image, below. 

 Doulas of Rhode Island

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Postpartum Doulas: We wear a lot of hats!

postpartum doula rhode islandWhen you hire a postpartum doula, you are hiring a multitasking, mind-reading, troubleshooting Super Hero. Guess what? All these attributes are needed when you’re learning how to care for a new human being. Postpartum Doula is definitely more than a babysitter or the person who cleans your countertops.






10. Bouncer: We can gently inform excited family members to back off your baby and that you're resting and not taking visitors.
9. Home Administrator: Laundry is not your priority, but very important after your precious baby soils your comfy leggings. If you feel like Old Mother Hubbard and the cupboards are bare, it’s time for the home admin. to go grocery shopping. 8. Partner Mediator: In case you need help suggesting your loving partner to take a nap - go out for a beer - give you space - get your mother-in-law off your back. 7. Nonjudgmental Analyst: You'll want to discuss every detail about your birth, but your partner is so done. I can really listen for hours. 6. Your Parent: You'll probably need someone to gently remind you to take a shower. But not someone to tell you how much easier breastfeeding was years ago. 5. Your Backup Brain: Sleep loss can sometimes lead to you doubting your own gut instinct. It helps to have someone to reassure you that you're dressing the baby correctly and that it’s ok to set your newborn down for a moment so you can hit the bathroom. 4. Confidential Informant: Most 2 month olds do not sleep through the night, and many 12 month olds don’t either. Don’t fall for all those perfect stories that your relatives share. 3. Nursing Technician: Feeding positions? Breastmilk storage? Clogged milk ducts?  I can help. 2. Personal Assistant: You deserve to be taken care of as you learn to take care of your newborn. I'll take overwhelming tasks and break them down for you. 1. Baby Virtuoso: As postpartum doulas, we've seen it all. We don't get rattled or nervous.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Motherhood: What happens to a woman's brain?



postpartum doula

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” -Rajneesh



The artist Sarah Walker once told me that becoming a mother is like discovering the existence of a strange new room in the house where you already live. I always liked Walker's description because it's more precise than the shorthand most people use for life with a newborn: Everything changes.  Read more....

As a overnight postpartum doula, I love seeing the mother/child relationship build day by day...

Monday, April 4, 2016

NightLight Doula’s 1st Birthday

I’m extremely grateful to my clients for making this past year possible. Being welcomed in your homes and trusting me to care for your babies all night long has been so fulfilling.
Also,the support of my family and friends, helping make my dream come true, has been amazing and humbling. I feel like I’m able to have my cake and eat it too!

I started NightLight Doula a year ago because I was confident in helping new mothers transition, with their family, into a comfortable routine with their newborns. The journey from becoming acquainted with Doulas of Rhode Island to postpartum training with Doulas of North America has turned my passion for parenting and childrearing into a rewarding career. Helping and watching families evolve has been one of the most wonderful experiences of my life—besides giving birth to and raising my own children, of course!

From the bottom of my heart I mean it when I say that you’ve all given me such a gift. I love what I do and I love all of you.

I look forward NightLight Doula’s Terrific (not terrible!) Two’s.