Newborn Lip Blisters: What They Mean and When to Get Feeding Support
Have you ever Googled, “What are newborn lip blisters?” Lip blisters in newborns are very common. Often, they’re just a sign of an eager little nurser learning how to latch and feed. Your baby’s lips are simply adjusting to the suction and friction that come with nursing or bottle-feeding. Sometimes, a small blister shows up…
Bringing Baby Home from the NICU: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Bringing your baby home from the NICU is a moment you’ve probably dreamed about—but if your baby was born prematurely or needed medical support, it’s also a moment that comes with a swirl of emotions: joy, fear, overwhelm, and even grief. You are not alone in this. In fact, 1 in 10 babies worldwide is…
Why Infants Cry and How to Soothe Them
Oh, a crying infant… There’s nothing quite as heartbreaking. Or overwhelming. But… remember… Your baby doesn’t have very many ways to communicate yet. If something is wrong… Cue the tears. While it is part of the process, we know you want to find a way to make sure your baby is comfortable and not crying. …
Doula Tips For Diaper Rash Treatment
Is your baby in a never-ending battle with diaper rash? No parent wants to see their sweet baby in pain and irritated. You are probably looking for a quick, effective solution. Depending on how severe your baby’s diaper rash is, it may take a longer or shorter amount of time to heal. Using some of…
Why Is My Newborn So Gassy? 10 Expert Doula Tips
You might be wondering why your baby is struggling with gas. Digesting food is a new skill for your baby’s body to learn. Being immature and new, your baby’s digestive system needs time to adjust Whether they are eating from the breast or bottle, their little tummies are still sorting out this new “eating arrangement.”…
Can My Baby Handle a Trip? Your Helpful Guide to Newborn Travel
Are you planning a trip soon? Planning on taking your sweet, precious baby along? There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to traveling with your baby. First off… We understand that traveling with a newborn can be daunting. Not only are you getting used to your at-home routine, but you’re also…
Should I Wear My Baby? Your Ultimate Babywearing Guide
Does your baby always want to be near you? Of course they do! That’s where babywearing comes in. Babywearing is a wonderful way to connect to your baby and be hands-free… You can have the best of both worlds— you can hold your baby, and do all the things you enjoy. There are many factors…
10 Things I Learned from our 165 Days in the NICU
My dear friend Laura has had two babies born prematurely. With both she went through quite an ordeal and learned many things during their lengthy time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit.) She was kind enough to share some of her story with us in honor of November being Prematurity Awareness Month: An adventure…
Hunger Cues | How To Tell Your Baby is Hungry
Why is it important to know your baby’s hunger cues? Understanding your baby’s signals helps you know when and how often to feed her. Newborn babies have tiny tummies and need to eat often. An average of 8 – 12 feedings in a 24 hour period is expected and necessary. A couple of those feedings…
Do You Have a Postpartum Plan?
You’ve got your birth class done, your hospital bag packed and your car-seat safely installed! Have you considered what happens once you are home with your baby in your arms? Do you have a postpartum plan in place? You may have heard a lot of talk about birth plans and much less discussion about a…
Newborn Poop – Is THAT Normal?
As a new parent, amidst the continual diaper changes and sleepless nights you may find yourself obsessing over every little detail, including your baby’s poop. Yes, you read that right! Today, we’re diving into the world of baby poop, discussing its frequency, appearance, and even when to get medical advice. So, hold your nose and…
Why Take a Newborn Care Class?
Welcoming a newborn into your life is a special adventure that can bring a mix of emotions – joy, love and yes, a little uncertainty. As a parent myself, I know firsthand that no amount of preparation can fully ready you for the arrival of your little one. Parenting is a complex blend of following…
Bringing Your Baby Home – Steps to Success
As you reach the end of your pregnancy the reality that you will be bringing your baby home soon is starting to set in and is exciting! Like most new parents in the nesting phase, you are probably busy preparing and getting things ready. Here are some things to consider getting done in advance to…
All About Newborn Acne
Newborn acne? Wait, I thought acne was for teenagers? To my disappointment, my son had acne with little red pimples all over his cheeks that started when he was 3 – 4 weeks old. He was as perfect to me as ever! But, I was curious what was causing my newborn to have acne and…
Surviving the Holidays with a Newborn
The magic of the holiday season is magnified by the arrival of your baby. Of course, it is natural to want to create the perfect first Christmas for your growing family. Be that as it may, bringing a newborn home means your daily routines have undergone a major adjustment. Add in the bustle and flurry…
Is My Baby Cross-Eyed? When To Be Concerned
Sometimes parents notice their newborn’s eyes look a little cross-eyed in the beginning. Yes, it is normal for a newborn’s eyes to wander or cross occasionally during the first few months of life. Their muscles are strengthening and their eyes are learning to focus. By the time a baby is 4–6 months old, their eyes…
Cradle Cap: What It Is & What To Do
Does my baby have cradle cap? If you have seen flaking and crusting with yellow or white scales on your baby’s scalp, you are probably noticing cradle cap. Don’t be concerned. There is no evidence that it causes any discomfort to your baby at all. If you are not certain whether your child has cradle…
Taking a Vacation with Your Baby
Now that summer is in full swing, and traveling is pretty much back to normal, taking a vacation seems more needed than ever! It’s important to keep in mind that for your baby, almost everything is new and stimulating. And if you think adjusting to a new space and unfamiliar things is a tough transition…
Food Allergies and Your Child
Did you know that about 6 million children have food allergies? That is a staggering number in my opinion. I never experienced a food allergy, so I was not very concerned about introducing my son to new foods when he was a baby. I followed our pediatrician’s recommendations until he was a certain age, but…
All About Bathing Your Baby
You and your sweet new bundle are home from the hospital and finally figuring things out together. Each new day brings its own set of firsts for both of you. You may be nervous about some of the tasks you are facing, and that is completely normal. Every mother on the planet has been a…
Help, My Baby is Teething!
Out of nowhere, your five month-old baby is fussy, irritated, chewing on everything (maybe your nipple or her bottle nipple), drooling a lot, has a slightly elevated body temperature and not sleeping well. Sound familiar? She’s probably teething! (Side note here: lots of babies start drooling around three months old, this doesn’t necessarily mean she’s…
Parents Need Help Not Judgment
Raise your hand if you’ve ever had to deal with a Judgy McJudgerpants in your life? I recently wrote about coping with a colicky baby as a new parent – what made it better and what didn’t. Three aspects of the situation made it harder: lack of support judgment and unsolicited advice. I was exclusively…
Will My Colicky Baby Get Better?
My baby boy was beautiful, healthy, and perfect in every way. Except — he had colic and it was really, really hard. Prior to this I didn’t really know what colic was, but I was about to find out first hand. The first two weeks were fine. He slept. He ate. He made silly and…
Caring for Baby After a C-Section
Healing from a c-section can sometimes be overwhelming. You, a warrior, just had major surgery. Now you not only have to care for yourself, you have to care for your baby! This is a challenge that is sometimes forgotten. Once you’ve left the hospital, how can you easily care for your newborn? First of all,…
Infant Reflux: Why Does My Baby Spit Up So Much?
Infant Reflux seems to be one of the most diagnosed issues we see among our clients today. The rise in diagnosis could be contributed to many factors, one of which is the internet. Hop onto any forum and ask about your baby crying and you’re likely to hear “it’s probably Reflux!” from at least a…
What is a Night Nanny? Choosing Newborn Care
What is a “night nanny”? While searching to get some extra winks of shut-eye, new parents often find this term. It can get confusing because they will also find terms like “night nurse”, “Postpartum Doula”, and “Newborn Care Specialist”. These terms are not created equally. The primary responsibility (caring for your newborn) falls under each…
Newborn Care: The Circumcision Decision
To circumcise your newborn baby or not is a serious decision for parents to make. There is a lot of controversy regarding circumcision and it can be a challenge to find unbiased information. Here are some quick facts and helpful resources to assist in your research and decision making regarding this procedure:
My Cheesy Baby: What Is Vernix?
No, your newborn isn’t dirty! That’s vernix caseosa, a powerfully protective, “water proof” coating that covers baby’s skin in utero and prevents heat loss after birth. Vernix can aid in the passage through the birth canal and act as a physical barrier against bacteria. It’s also theorized that vernix helps in the development of healthy…
Finding a Pediatrician (updated June 2022)
When should I begin finding a pediatrician? If you don’t already have a pediatrician for your baby, it’s a good idea to start looking for a pediatrician during pregnancy. Give yourself a few weeks to a few months. This allows you sufficient time to make a well informed decision. What is the difference between a…
Partners Are Parents, Too! 3 Ways to Promote Bonding with Newborns
It’s a pretty common idea that a “great way” for partners/fathers to bond with your new baby is to express milk and let him/her feed the baby. And while it is a fun activity, expressing before your milk supply is well established – by your baby – is not recommended. It’s best for your baby…