Breastfeeding is what makes humans mammals, and in some ways is the most natural of acts. If you’ve ever seen a parent nurse their baby while keeping up with a toddler at the playground, you know that. But breastfeeding and chestfeeding are also learned. And for most of us, because we haven’t spent our lives […]
Pregnant? Prepare Now for Breastfeeding. Continue reading »
It’s a common occurrence that, after Doula training, the energy of the last few days is excitedly stirring. Your mind is racing a mile a minute and all of the tasks you want to achieve are running circles through your thoughts. You set a plan of action and tell yourself, this week I am going to
The Defeated Doula: 3 Things You Can Do to Conquer Self-Doubt Continue reading »
7 Questions to Ask Your Future Client, and 7 Questions to Practice Answering as a Doula Having now done over 2000 interviews over the past 19 years (either in person or over the phone) I have been asked the same questions hundreds of times. Not surprisingly families often don’t know what to ask during an
How to Find the Perfect Postpartum Doula Client! Continue reading »
(This article was written before the COVID-19 Pandemic, but it still has a lot of great insight to offer. Be smart and safe out there!) A couple years ago I served a lovely family, providing private childbirth classes, labor doula services, and postpartum doula services. On paper, they had done everything right, read the books,
Friends in the Family Landscape Continue reading »
Update 3/29/21: Check out some interviews with working Labor Doulas to gather more tips about working in the pandemic! Liza White Video Interview Debbie Hull Video Interview Presentation Developed by Katie Nyberg, Senior Program Advisor – Labor Doula Program. Download these slides as a PDF!
Virtual Labor Doula Support Tips Continue reading »
Upcoming Live Online/Virtual Trainings Programs Childbirth Educator Labor Doula Lactation Educator New Parent Educator Postpartum Doula Can’t Find What You’re Looking For? If you can’t find a virtual training offered for your program, we’d be happy to connect you with a Faculty in/near your area. We are willing to work with you! Our office hours
Mindfulness meditation is one of the fastest-growing health trends in the United States, according to the CDC. But what is mindfulness, and why might it be helpful for your work as a professional doula? Mindfulness is “The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, in Purser, 2015).
Although our roles as educators and doulas don’t typically extend for the first 12 months, I’ve found that parents LOVE learning about what’s coming, what to expect, and how to support their baby’s development. Here is some information about physical, emotional, and cognitive development in the first year. In 12 short months, there are leaps
As a mother, I enjoyed tandem breastfeeding my toddler and child…most of the time. Toward the end of the weaning process, I began to struggle when my toddler fed at the breast, especially when he would “tweak” my other nipple. It started as an itching sensation in my mouth and a resentful rage in my
These are unprecedented times as there has not been a serious health situation such as coronavirus/COVID-19 in recent history. This has left many postpartum doulas wondering how to handle in home support for clients. As evidence-based professionals, we want to follow the guidance of the most recent and relevant information; this could include the CDC,