My client is crying, feeling so overwhelmed and so wanting to do it all perfectly. She tells me her mom is being too judgmental and she needs a break from her. I listen and nod, affirm her efforts (she really is doing so great!) and go back to the kitchen to fill her water. There […]
Do Grandparents Have a Postpartum Period? Continue reading »
Why NOT Sleep Train Infants? As part of CAPPA’s Postpartum Doula Scope of Practice, doulas DO NOT teach a “cry it out” approach for infant sleep. Why is that? There has been an abundance of research on infant sleep and the possible results of using a controlled crying method to get babies to “sleep through
Why NOT Sleep Train Infants? Continue reading »
Written by Katie Nyberg I remember attending my doula training as a brand-new doula eager to learn “all the things”. My instructor shared the names of her favorite birth books and I eagerly made a list of titles I wanted to purchase. My goal was to have a library full of books I could loan
Doulas and Education Ideas Continue reading »
Jeanette Mesite Frem MHS, IBCLC, CCE is an internationally recognized speaker on pumping, feeding gear, and especially, updated flange fitting. She is the co-investigator for a soon-to-be-released research study, the first ever done looking at flange sizing. It compares “standard” flange fitting recommendations with Jeanette’s Flange FITS™ Method, which uses a different way of measuring
Flange Size Matters! Continue reading »
With the theme “African Americans and the Arts”, Black History Month 2024 gives us the opportunity to meet black artists and their art that brings attention to the black maternal health crisis we are currently experiencing . Cheyenne Varner is a certified birth and postpartum doula and founder of The Educated Birth, and Everyday Birth
Black History Month – Birth Artist Cheyenne Varner Continue reading »
Black History Month 2024 has the theme of African Americans and the Arts. Black artist Ashley January uses her art to bring attention to the black maternal disparity crisis in our country. “I address the Black maternal mortality and morbidity crisis in America through painting and multimedia. Influenced by my own traumatic pregnancy and survival,
Black History Month – Birth Artist Ashley January Continue reading »
We hear this term quite often, “cultural competence” but what does it really mean to be culturally competent? What does it mean on an individual level and what does it mean in the area of maternal health? Well let’s break down the definition of culture and competence. According to Boston University, culture is defined by
Cultural Competence & Birth Work Continue reading »
Book Review of You Are Not Alone – An anthology of perinatal mental health stories from conception to postpartum You Are Not Alone By the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative 2022, Wintertickle Press , Barrie, Ontario Revised by Suyin Jordan CPD, CCCE, CNPE I heard about this book from the 2 parents who started a
Effective communication is a doula’s most meaningful tool when navigating client relationships. We must adjust to each family before us to attune to their needs. Attuning requires us to not only communicate effectively but also to listen. Attuned listening is different than the everyday conversation you might have with friends and family. It requires understanding
A Doula’s Best Tool: Effective Communication Continue reading »
Most babies of all ages will accept a bottle – some with a little coaxing! It isn’t so much about nipple confusion for a baby when they take a bottle, but more about flow preference. If you keep the flow slow they may be more likely go back and forth between breast and bottle easily.
How to Introduce a Bottle to a Breastfed/Chestfed Baby Continue reading »
It can be hard to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat from nursing. The milk can’t be seen, so how can you possibly measure it?! Here’s some things to look for to make sure baby is getting all the nutrients they need. How many times are you feeding? 8-12 times in 24
How to Know Baby is Getting Enough to Eat at Breast/Chest Continue reading »
At the beginning of a nursing session, it’s fairly typical for the nursing parent to have a few moments of discomfort. But once baby latches, other than some gentle tugging on your breasts, nursing shouldn’t hurt! It’s important to stop nursing and resposition if nursing is painful. Continued painful nursing can contribute to sore and
Why is My Breast/Chestfeeding Latch Painful? Continue reading »
As doulas and educators, it is vital that we know about updates in research so we can pass along evidence-based and accurate information to our clients and students. One of the newest updates in the area of lactation addresses mastitis and “blocked” milk ducts. This new information is really challenging the way we view the
Changing the Way We View and Treat Mastitis Continue reading »
Do you want to try an easy way to connect to your clients and help them connect to their new baby? Bonding is a term thrown around a lot and we all know it sounds like a good thing, of course we want to bond, right? But other than just being present and engaged what
Bonding With Your Baby Through Infant Massage Continue reading »
Does pregnancy lead to a long‐lasting reduction in cerebral gray matter volume of the brain? Have you wondered? Do your clients say they feel like they can’t trust their brain during pregnancy and early parenthood? Are they reporting forgetfulness, brain fog, or losing their memory? Or do they just leave their keys in the fridge
Baby Brain? Yes, and no! Continue reading »
After you complete your doula training you may be considering different business models and exploring options, such as: building your own doula practice, working in partnership with another doula, or joining an established doula collective. As you embark on this new journey, there are a few considerations to bear in mind. To begin, research the
Is a Doula Collective Right for You? Continue reading »
In our commitment to improving birth and postpartum outcomes for at-risk populations, we are now offering the labor doula training in Spanish. We are proud to educate community members and family support workers to provide labor support when language is a barrier to quality healthcare. With help from CAPPA Latinoamerica* (shoutout Jenny Bertha!) we have
CAPPA Introduces the Labor Doula Training in SPANISH! Continue reading »
Many of my clients are anxious about giving their baby the first bath at home. I have a great method that is easy for them to do and does not stress out the baby. I teach it to both parents (if there are 2) at the same time as it is best for them to
Newborn Bath Technique Continue reading »
One of the best ways to initiate impactful self-care is to begin setting boundaries. Boundaries help us determine what is our responsibility. Perhaps even more importantly, they delineate what is not our responsibility. In their classic book, Boundaries,[1] Doctors Cloud and Townsend explain how boundaries help us keep nurturing things in our lives and harmful
Me First – Part 2: Managing Work Boundaries Continue reading »
We work in spaces that hold both the best of times and the worst of times. We are given the extraordinary honor of an invitation to enter our clients’ lives in the most joyous and intimate of situations. Yet as beautiful as this work is, it is also stressful. We train to learn how best
Me First – Part 1: Burnout in the Birth Workers Continue reading »
Because you are the most important person to your baby! As doulas and educators, our job is to educate our clients so they can simplify and focus on what’s important and let go of the rest. During all the excitement and exhaustion, many new parents are understandably overwhelmed with information about caring for their newborn.
The Five Things Your Baby Needs Most from You Continue reading »
Black/African American mothers continue to face disparities that impact breastfeeding rates, be it initiation, duration, or exclusivity. The disparities faced by Black/African American mothers aid in the increased maternal/infant mortality and morbidity rates. The rates are significantly lower with inevitable health consequences for mother and baby. Breastfeeding offers preventative health benefits; exclusive breastfeeding must be
Breastfeeding in America: The Black/African American Mothers Experience Continue reading »
Prenatal mental health can significantly affect the unborn child and its future development. According to research, women experiencing depression or anxiety before or during pregnancy may be at greater risk of having a baby with cognitive, social, and behavioural problems later in life. It highlights the importance of perinatal mental health support for both parents
Prenatal Psychological Support Can Positively Impact Baby’s Emotional Well-being Continue reading »
Labor induction is such a common maternal care practice that it is almost considered to be a normal way of giving birth in the United States. And of course, there are benefits to moms and babies when reasons for induction are medically indicated, such as low amniotic fluid, IUGR and concerning pre-eclampsia symptoms. But with
Labor Induction: Could it have any psychological effects on the baby? Continue reading »
CAPPA faculty and owner of Chicago Family Doulas, Annamarie Rodney has created materials for doulas and educators who are just starting out to use! For Labor Doulas Share this video with clients so they know what you can provide and offer! You can edit this on Canva and add your own logo! Edit the Labor/Birth
Videos for Members to Share with Clients! Continue reading »
1. Your presence in the early hours and days postpartum places you in a key position to support nursing. By learning all you can about lactation and infant feeding, you can help parents and babies get off to a good start. “Doulas should understand they can help clients reach their breastfeeding goals by ensuring babies
Six Things IBCLCs Wish All Doulas Knew About Lactation Support Continue reading »
Many clients hire doulas because they want to avoid unnecessary intervention, and we all know the best way to do this is to arrive at the hospital at the “right” time. A doula’s job is to balance the ever-evolving needs of the birthing family, their care provider, and our scope of practice. This includes taking
Timing Arrival to the Hospital During Labor Continue reading »
When I was a new doula, I remember being excited to apply all that I learned in training to support my clients in various birth settings. What I wasn’t prepared for was dealing with differences in birth location policies and working with different providers, who all seemed to have different policies as well. Why was
Navigating Differing Hospital Cultures as a Labor Doula Continue reading »
The process of pregnancy and birth is truly fascinating. The body has a finely tuned, well-organized intricate system that initiates and drives labour and on through birth and later breastfeeding. These processes help to develop a deep connection and attachment with their infant, following the birth. At no other time in one’s life is the hormonal
Hormones that create the pathway to birth. Continue reading »
If you have patience and communication skills and a drive to fill an important role in supporting new parents, becoming a CAPPA Certified New Parent Educator (CNPE) might be your calling. Have you ever wondered how to become an educator for new parents? You don’t need to know everything about parenting to be a CNPE
How To Become A Certified New Parent Educator And Why It Might Be Right For You Continue reading »
As we all know, newborn sleep is challenging for parents new and old! Dr Sears in his The Baby Book (2013) writes about “The tiring facts of infant sleep”. It’s not tiring for baby but the adults caring for them! And we all know that we are not at our best when we’re sleep-deprived and
Normalising Newborn Sleep for Parents Continue reading »
Let me tell you a little secret about the pelvic floor in the postpartum period…it’s an unsung hero! Issues with the pelvic floor are often dismissed as a “normal” part of having a baby, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Mommas are already dealing with so many changes during pregnancy and postpartum that
What to teach your clients to help their pelvic floors heal postpartum Continue reading »
The Black Community Black mamas are dying. Although the murder of George Floyd sparked a universal outcry fanned by the flames of Black Lives Matter, Black lives do not appear to matter. Legacies of slavery, racism, and segregation are aspects of historic injustice reflected in America today. The history of medical racism in the US
The Other Endemic: Black Mamas Are Still Dying Continue reading »
In an interview recently, one of our prospective couples told me they were reading a book about how to manage infant sleep, and they had plans to put in place that would guarantee their baby would sleep through the night by 12 weeks of age. They asked if I would be able to help them
What If My Client Wants To… Continue reading »
Below are some graphics members can use to promote WDW and share their CAPPA Pride. Feel free to download these and share them on March 22-28! Be sure to use the tags #WorldDoulaWeek #WDW and #CAPPAdoulas! Remember to tag us at @cappanetworking on Instagram or Facebook!
World Doula Week Shareables Continue reading »
Members can take these frames and place them over their pictures by using a free website like Canva or an app like Over (from GoDaddy), or even directly on their photos app depending on the phone. Right-click and save the image you want to use!
World Doula Week Profile Picture Frames Continue reading »
The tragic news of several hospitalizations and infant deaths has prompted a severe warning from the FDA and massive recalls by Abbott Nutrition. The first recall was announced on February 17, 2022, by Abbott Nutrition, which manufactures the Similac Alimentum and EleCare brands. An additional batch of formula was recalled on February 28, 2022,
Infant Formula Recalls and Proper Powder Formula Preparation Continue reading »
Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy and postpartum-related causes than white women. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as quality of healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. As CAPPA educators and doulas, we are committed to improving birth and postpartum for all people. Therefore, it is
Why is Anti-racism work important for doulas and educators? Continue reading »
The progression in this business has some very similar and familiar characteristics and you may find them in yourself as you travel through the journey of being a professional Doula. How will you change your business practices or your opinions on clients and the interactions with other professionals within the community? Will the things you
The Doula Evolution Continue reading »
Meet CBR Families who have preserved and used this precious resource. Recommended #1 by families and OB/GYNs, Cord Blood Registry® (CBR®) is the world’s largest and most experienced newborn stem cell company. As part of our commitment to advancing the clinical applications of newborn stem cells, we have helped over 600 families use their cord
The Incredible Power of Newborn Stem Cells Continue reading »
I’m a doula and educator, not a social media coach; however, I did want to grow on IG and I wasn’t sure how. Posts, stories, reels…what was I doing? In the last few months, I have seen my account grow to 4 times its size, and I hope to share with my CAPPA friends what
3 Things I Have Learned About Instagram Continue reading »
As postpartum doulas, one of our major roles is that of communicator/coach/counselor. The skills we develop to successfully fill this role can greatly enhance our support as we become enmeshed in the family’s life. This role of communicator/coach/counselor enables us to be one of the best lines of defense against some of the emotional and
Helping Clients Process Emotions After Birth Continue reading »
What: State and Local breastfeeding coalitions are there to support, educate and advocate for families, healthcare providers, childbirth educators and doulas. Check in your state or county to see what they are up to for 2021! Many Coalitions are supported by The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) which is an independent nonprofit coalition of more
Does your State have a Breastfeeding Coalition? Continue reading »
Are you stuck with that “what to charge” torment that makes you keep your prices low because you’re sooo passionate about helping everyone afford a doula, but then at the end of the year, your income is pretty much nothing? Let’s do a little perspective exercise. Most doulas feel obligated to attend their first few
Grow and Give at the Same Time Continue reading »
One of the most popular questions in my Postpartum Doula trainings and on social media is “what should I pack in my postpartum doula bag?”. When discussing this with my students or other new doulas, I often rattle off a list of common items, and then throw a few other ideas at them that they
What’s In Your Postpartum Doula’s Bag? Continue reading »
About the Author Jodi Congdon, CPD, CLE®, is the founder and owner of Hip to Heart. Giving birth was a life changing experience for her and was ultimately what made Jodi decide to get involved in pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding as a career. She feels compelled to educate women on the options and choices they
Grow Your Instagram Audience [VLOG] Continue reading »
For Patricia Prime, the owner of Peach County, Georgia based Prime Baby Time Consulting LLC., the maternal mortality crisis in her state can no longer be overlooked and is shaping every aspect of her work. Prime, 56, of Bryon, Ga, has been a Registered Nurse for the past 29 years and a CAPPA Certified Postpartum
CAPPAPedia: Patricia Prime – Postpartum Doula Continue reading »
The American Psychological Association defines trauma as an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster. However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful. Our minds are so powerful, powerful enough to work, study, engage, and manage the
Vicarious Trauma and Birth Work Continue reading »
Some mother’s experience challenges while breastfeeding, there are many challenges that they can face while breastfeeding. When moms encounter these barriers, they are less likely to continue their journey with breastfeeding. One of the common challenges I get from moms are nipple pain, which then leads to the question, “Is my baby getting enough milk?”
A Mother’s Triumph Continue reading »
While sitting in a Community Action Network meeting in Maricopa County, Arizona three years ago, Patrick Hutchins was stunned to learn that the infant mortality rate among African Americans in Phoenix at the time, was 6 percent higher than in white communities. Healthcare professionals at the meeting attributed the data largely in part to absentee
CAPPAPedia: Patrick Hutchins – Childbirth Educator & Postpartum Doula Continue reading »