So many moms have asked this question over the years, I thought I would collect some answers here that I have heard from moms group (and some I have tried myself) and see if they help out some new mamas.

Get out your calendars and let’s plan for baby’s early weeks!

BTW Good news, they start responsively smiling during this time and I’m pretty sure it was built into the design of babies to smile right before they get WAY harder!

Professionals are available to answer your questions. Please call them! But when it comes to YOUR baby, your instinct matters! Don't feel like you need to have medical knowledge to know when something is wrong. Listen to your gut.

Here are the facts: Parents are told to keep their babies on their back in a crib in their room, but the vast majority aren't following this guideline. Parents are bedsharing with their infants. Most of them are breastfeeding families. The majority are not telling their doctors.

So important to normalize this as it can be shocker for the first time parent and grandparent, as well as confusing watching the colors change during the time frame of breast and chest feeding.

Dozens of mamas have agonized over this task as they prepare to go back to work, or their partner or relative desperately wants to be included in the feeding. It often results in a lot of anxiety for the breastfeeding mother, and certainly for the baby's caregivers as well.  Here are some tips to help!

Sunday nights are very popular requests for overnight doula care. Monday mornings are often flooded with calls from families who packed a lot into their weekend and now realize that more support would make a big difference. When families lack sleep, overnight care can make huge deposits in your sleep bank, and help get you back on track.

Pelvic health can be achieved, even with the changes that pregnancy and birth bring (both vaginal and cesarean). Muscles can be trained to work properly, but that takes professional guidance, and knowledge that most women don't automatically know.

Are you a partner who wants to know how to support a breastfeeding parent? The 3 bowl rule is for you!

I've been looking at baby succulents lately and wanting to squeeze them, just like a fresh new baby! I love how our baby plants inspire our caretaking abilities just like little babies too. We just want to take care of them and help them thrive!

As we help parents prepare for their coming babies, we are building confident new parents who understand what babies are saying, are able to respond to their needs, and who can also take care of themselves during this unpredictable time.

We know the hospitals are limiting the use of doulas (boo--doulas increase birth satisfaction and lower interventions like cesareans). And we know that families aren't able to travel to support new babies like planned before Covid 19 hit our world.

Just feeling unsure about safety? Wanting to make sure the people in your home are keeping you as safe as possible? Doulas show up healthy and ready to help; taking temperatures ahead of time, hand washing, mask wearing, and working with one family at at time to keep exposures to a minimum.

Did you welcome your baby with some feelings of overwhelm? Most of the families we serve will characterize their beginning of parenthood as overwhelming. And it IS.

Does everyone tell you this? Are you quarantining with your baby, trying to enjoy every moment? Or are you stressed, trying to fit work into a very demanding new situation with a baby or twins?

We are hearing from parents who don't have any other support in place during this strange spring and summer. They are doing it all, and asking us how to be better partners, how to support each other, and how to support their new baby.

This week as we focus on safety, we are finding ways to support families that are welcoming babies home. Whether virtual or in person support, we are figuring out new ways to care for parents, babies, homes and even furry babies. Wearing masks, gloves and face shields when needed, socially distancing, and keeping our exposures low to no risk, we are making sure to make the world the safest place for babies possible.

Right now too many families are not able to have the support they planned for. Many extended families aren't able to travel to help parent with their newborns and their physical recovery after birth. If are welcoming a baby this summer, consider having a doula supporting you while your family quarantines--so they can see the baby!--or prepares to see you when things are safer for travel and exposures.

As I teach a CLE training this week, I am reflecting on all the ways that doulas and educators hold parents. Although families used to have a built-in circle, now they often have to create their own circle of support. We are so grateful to be able to be a part of caring for parents. Yes, of course that means helping with the baby.

Saving lives by listening to mothers. How can we help? Listening to Black and Brown mothers could save their lives. We need to trust what they say about their bodies.