Pets and babies: Making it work!

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Pets and babies: Making it work!

Here's question I got from a past client after coming home with their newborn.  

I am thinking of getting rid of my dog and cat. I just can’t handle them with our new baby. Have you had other parents who felt the same way during these early weeks and then things got better?

My answer: I appreciate your honesty. A new baby in the house is a huge adjustment for everyone, including our pets!

I worked with a family and their 3-week-old recently, and it was obvious how much their family dog means to them. The house is decorated with professional photos of the dog, comfy pet beds fill the corners and soft blankets cover special chairs. The dog had still not eaten her breakfast by the time I arrived at noon, causing angst in the mom. …

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5 Reasons To See A Pelvic Floor PT While Pregnant Or Postpartum

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5 Reasons To See A Pelvic Floor PT While Pregnant Or Postpartum

More and more women are learning about pelvic floor physical therapy. Hopefully, OBGYNs are recommending it to their pregnant and postpartum patients. According to Lindsay Moses, Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Her Body PT, postpartum physical therapy is considered the standard of care for women having babies in many countries outside of the US. Below, Dr. Moses shares five common reasons women seek treatment during the postpartum period.

1. Diastasis Recti – This is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, those that run vertically along the front of the stomach, during and after pregnancy. By the end of the 3rd trimester, most women have diastasis recti due to the growing baby stretching the abdominal wall. Although not dangerous in and of itself, it can be indicative of core weakness. When someone has a weak core, they are more at risk for developing musculoskeletal issues such as low back pain. Core strength and stability are crucial for optimizing our physical health and well-being both in the short and long term.

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To pump or not to pump, that is the question...

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To pump or not to pump, that is the question...

Mother’s Situation: I’m six months pregnant with my first child and I’m planning on trying to breastfeed. I’ll be returning to work, though, and I think it might be difficult. I’m considering breastfeeding just until I return to work because I don’t want the hassle of pumping and storing my milk. What inspires other mothers to keep on breastfeeding or pumping even after they resume working? 

As a postpartum doula who works with mothers in their homes after they’ve had their babies, I am inspired by the thought you are putting into this important decision. Many of my clients return or will be returning to work, and most of them choose to breastfeed. Many plan to breastfeed until they return to work, and some plan to continue pumping while they are working. 

Quite simply, what inspires them to continue are their babies! 

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Birth of a Doula

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Birth of a Doula

A brand new mother sat at home in her living room with her baby boy a couple of days after giving birth. She had done so much preparation leading up to her birth - she and her husband attended a childbirth class that focused on having the partner as coach to the laboring mother. Even so, she had hired a birth doula to support them both through the process. As part of her childbirth class she attended a breastfeeding support group to learn about feeding her baby once he arrived. She had her music picked out for her birth, lined up her photographer, and packed all the special items she wanted to bring with her to the birth center. 

Things didn’t go as planned. …

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12 doula tips when visiting new parents

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12 doula tips when visiting new parents

Do you have the perfect family and friends who know (or knew) just how to support you after your birth? They realize that recovering from childbirth, whether natural or otherwise, takes time, and that the new baby (or babies) need time to adjust to the world and bond with their new family. They understand how to nurture the new or growing family with food, household help and space. 

Oh, that’s not how it was/is for you? Then we can help. It’s called Tips From the Doula and was written by our own doula extraordinaire, Erica Aday. It works well posted in plain view or distributed to well-meaning friends and family in advance of visits. Here’s how it goes:  ...

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Eight Things To Do Before Baby Arrives

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Eight Things To Do Before Baby Arrives

Q. I hear talk about “nesting” before the baby arrives. I’ll be working right up to the last minute. Is there anything I should do in the last weeks before my baby is born?

A. Yes. Hire a cleaning company. Get your house scrubbed clean from top to bottom. Let’s face it, scrubbing bathtubs, toilets and kitchen floors could be treacherous for a pregnant body with a wonky center of gravity. Let someone else do it instead. Then, consider having them come at least monthly after the baby is born. If that’s not in your budget, ask for it as a gift. I’d rather buy baby clothes from consignment shops and have my house cleaned, if I had to choose. And, you might find housecleaning deals through some of the online coupon sites though I prefer a word of mouth recommendation from someone you know and trust. 

I just learned of a great idea from one of my clients...

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Parents of triplets share how they survived the early months with 3 babies

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A new baby is a big change. Imagine 3 new babies, all at the same time. This family learned quickly to accept and ask for help. We were honored to be a part of their support team.

It takes a village! Let us be part of yours.

Educating future parents at Red Hat to plan now for after baby arrives

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I was excited to be back at the Red Hat Wellness Fair last month. The company invites a variety of businesses from the community to present their offerings to their employees. They do a good job, and I’m sure the employees appreciate it. Happy employees = more productive employees.

Here’s what was exciting about this year’s Wellness Fair. Missy and I talked with several pregnant and new parents wanting to learn about our offerings. There seems to be a bit of a baby boom this year. We also talked with quite a few women who have not yet started a family but wanted to learn about what kind of support we offered when they do. I love this!

Each week someone says to me, “I wish I knew about you when mine were babies.” So if these women who chatted with us at the fair learn about postpartum doula services now, before they’ve even conceived, imagine what great support they can have after a baby arrives. And it grows from there. They tell a friend or coworker who tells a friend or coworker and next thing you know more and more people are starting off parenthood with more ease, less stress and lots of joy!

If you know someone having a baby, tell them about postpartum doula services. Tell them to start now thinking about what they will need after baby arrives.