The days are getting longer and the outside temps are rising! Spring is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy some activities with your baby and your toddler/preschooler! Check out our blog post to get some ideas for fun and age-appropriate Spring activites.
Read MoreIt seems like every expectant parent asks at some point during their pregnancy - What do we really need for this new baby??? And if we’re talking true need, your baby needs food, diapers, clothes, a safe place to sleep, and love. And maybe some burp cloths. But what about the baby products out there that you don’t really need but that also make your life easier? These things matter too and today’s blog has our round up of some our favorite new items out there that fit that category.
Read MoreEveryone’s newborn journey is going to be different. Babies are unique and so are families, and we affirm this for our clients all the time. But there is something that is constant for every single family that welcomes home a new baby: You are going to change a lot of diapers! So today on the blog we’re giving you our top five diapering tips for newborns.
Read MoreMoving during labor can help decrease contraction pain, facilitate the labor process, and help your baby become more enganged into your pelvis. Read on to find out some ways to move throughout your labor (yes, even with an epidural!)
Read MoreSince March is Women’s History Month, we knew we had to highlight a powerhouse in the field of birth. Meet Virigina Apgar!
Read MoreIf I had a nickel for every time someone contacted me asking how to become a doula…well, I’d have quite a few nickels by now. But nickels aside, I realize that so many people reach out asking for this information because it is quite hard to come by online. Professional doulas aren’t necessarily found on every corner, but luckily you’ve found one that is willing to write a step-by-step guide to help you make sense of how to become a doula. So grab your pen and paper and get ready to take some notes.
Read MoreHave we ever mentioned that Doulas of Raleigh has the best clients? It’s true. We do. Recently one of our clients, Claire Caffarel, offered to share her best tips for pumping while traveling away from her baby. And we know firsthand how organized and efficient Claire is, so we jumped at the opportunity to share her best tips and tricks with you. If you find yourself having to pump breastmilk while away from your baby for an extended period of time, you’ll want to pay attention to what Claire has to say.
Read MoreAfter a few hours of labor it will be time to go to the hospital. Read this blog to find out what to expect once you arrive.
Read MoreFebruary 14th is fast approaching so maybe you’ve got love and romance on the brain. Or maybe (like me) you’re still in denial that it’s even 2023 and you have no idea what month it is, but a date night still sounds nice. Either way, we’ve got you covered with this week’s blog. So get that babysitter lined up (or reach out to your favorite postpartum doulas wink wink) and check out this week’s blog to see our favorite date night restaurants around the Triangle.
Read MoreWhy would anyone looking for a doula choose a doula agency to support them? Well, I’m glad you asked! As we celebrate Doulas of Raleigh’s SIXTH birthday this month, I’ve done quite a bit of reflecting on the agency model of care. Our doula agency has grown by leaps and bounds and with it so has the number of families all over the Triangle that we have had the honor to support. I think those families chose us for a number of reasons and I’m here today to share them with you.
Read MoreBreathing well is one of the best ways you can can help yourself cope with your labor contractions. There are many different ways to help you or your support team guide your breath. Take a look at our blog post for more details.
Read MoreYou may have heard that you are totally numb if you have an epidural. You may have heard that you can only push on your back with an epidural. The good news is that is no longer the case! Most epidural placements now offer good pain control without confining you to being on your back. This means that you are able to push in different positions within your hospital bed. Take a look at some of your options!
Read MoreBaby it’s cold outside! (Well, sort of, sometimes. You know what weather in North Carolina is like.) So what does that mean for your newborn baby? Can you take them outside? How should you dress them inside? Are there other things parents of winter babies should know? Check out the blog today for all of our winter weather tips.
Read MoreIt’s January again. Of 2023. How in the world did that happen?! Anyway, this time of year always feels a little dark and dreary to me. The holidays are over, the days are short, and it’s cold outside. Not my favorite. But one thing I do love about these winter months is the food. This is soup season for me - time to eat big bowls of warm, delicious comfort food (preferably in front of a glowing fireplace with a chunk of bread for dipping. Yum!). So today is the perfect day to share one of my favorite soup recipes - easy slow cooker navy bean soup.
Read More** The sound of jingle bells and Mariah Carey vocalizing **
All I want for Christmas is….healthy boundaries with my familyyyyyy
Okay, so it doesn’t quite have the same catchy vibe as the classic All I Want for Christmas is You. But trust me, this is still a pretty popular request this time of year, especially for families who are navigating the holidays as first-time parents. If you are struggling with boundary setting around the holidays, this blog is for you.
Read MoreYou need sleep after your baby is born. While we wish this was easy as telling you to “sleep when the baby sleeps”, we all know that there are some days and some nights where your baby just won’t sleep. Instead, we urge you to have a sleep plan in place for yourself before your baby arrives. Of course, if your baby has already been born you can still implement a new sleep plan. Read our newest blog to find out more.
Read MoreOne of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions is cookie baking. We look forward to it every year. The kitchen transforms into a cookie assembly line, with the most delicious smells and a dusting of flour seemingly everywhere. Each year, we try out a couple of new recipes, but no matter what we always have one tried and true that we never deviate from. That’s my Sugar Cookie recipe.
Read MoreAccording to data from a 2018 study, nearly 42% of first time mothers were scheduled for an induction. Sometimes those inductions were medically necessary and sometimes the birthing person chose to schedule an elective induction. You may find yourself discussing and scheduling induction with your care provider for a number of reasons. Regardless of the reason, we have some tips to help your induction be a better experience for you and your partner.
Read MoreThe Welcoming Hour, sometimes called the Golden Hour, begins as soon as your baby is born. Read our newest blog post to find out what to expect and what you can do to get maxium benefits for you and your new baby during this first hour of your baby’s life.
Read MoreIt’s that time of year for me - my most favorite holiday of the year! I know some people hold on to Halloween with all of their gothic might and others can barely wait until the clock strikes midnight on November 1 to pull out all the Christmas decorations. But not me. I’m one of those odd birds who loves and savors this beautiful season and what it means to me.
And today, I am reflecting on some of the most important people in my life and offering my thanks up to them.
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