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 »
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).
Applying the Foundational Attitudes of Mindfulness to Your Doula Practice Continue reading »
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
Teaching and Activities for Baby’s Development 0-12 Months Continue reading »
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,
Your CAPPA Labor Doula Faculty team would like to share some ideas for supporting your clients if hospitals are not allowing doulas to provide support during labor. Please remember that it is your professional responsibility to follow CDC recommendations including staying home if you have any type of illness symptoms, following proper hand washing protocols,
Supporting Labor Clients During COVID-19 Pandemic Continue reading »
As childbirth professionals, we specialize in mastering “the juggle”. We juggle clients or classes, or in many cases both, trying to make sure we don’t over book/schedule, yet at the same time ensuring that we have enough business to make a living. As if that juggle weren’t challenging enough, most, if not all of us,