To swaddle or Not to swaddle - that is the question. And if you are a sleep-deprived, brand new parent looking for ways to get more sleep, you’re probably asking yourself that question right now. Today on the blog we’re breaking down all things swaddling so you can decide for yourself if this tool is right for you and your baby.
Read MorePssst….we have a secret and we want to share it with you! You may have questions about how to best prepate yourself for labor and birth. While there are certainly books to read, podcasts to listen to, stretches to do, etc…we are going to tell you the top way to prepare for birth.
Read MoreThere is something that we don’t talk about when it comes to postpartum. For those parents that have experienced it, they probably know. Yet, they’re hesitant to drop this not so pleasant truth on any pregnant person they come into contact with. For those expecting parents, waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) to meet their new baby, they might suspect and fear this about postpartum. But they don’t know who to ask, fearful of confirming what they already know is likely true. There is something about postpartum that we don’t talk about: Postpartum is lonely.
Read MoreFirst, know that it is OK and sometimes perfectly normal for folks to hang out in the same place in labor for awhile. It’s also normal for you to want to get the show on the road. Here are a few things to try if your labor has stalled.
Read MoreNew Year, New You? If you roll your eyes every time you hear that phrase, then this blog is for you, my friend. I always cringe a bit when each year people ask me what my New Year’s Resolutions are. There’s just something about them - maybe it’s the pressure? - that makes me sweat a little bit. I don’t need a new version of me! I like me! In fact, I have a different approach to the whole “resolution” thing. Check it out.
Read MoreWho said breastfeeding would come naturally? I’d like to have a few words with that person. But seriously, just because breastfeeding is “natural,” doesn’t mean establishing it happens easily. In fact, the first week can be the toughest for some people. That’s why we’re sharing some of our best tips to ease those first week challenges on today’s blog.
Read MoreTired of hearing the same Christmas songs over and over? We took matters into our own hands and wrote a little “Joy to the World“ parody all about labor and birth. Sing the words to the tune of the original song!
Read MoreThis special time of year can be one of the best times to create family traditions with your little ones. But it can also feel overwhelming when it seems like this is the time of year that is so hectic. Trying to make magic on top of everything else can be too much. So we’re here with some ideas for special holiday traditions that you can incorporate into your family, without breaking the bank or stretching your sanity to the breaking point.
Read MoreYour baby’s first Christmas is almost here! You may be wondering what gifts to get for your baby. Take a look at our list for ideas (spoilers: it’s easier than you think to give your baby what they want).
Read MoreIt is the end of the day and now you are the one who is stuffed instead of the turkey. You’ve passed the plate all around the Thanksgiving table. It’s been a great day filled with family, laughter, and delicious foods. Somehow, you still have gobs of leftovers. Before you panic about hearing your family complain for the next week about eating turkey casserole, read our blog for a few fun ideas that will help you use up those leftovers.
Read MoreNovember has been proclaimed “Adoption Awareness Month” by our governor here in NC. We have the privilege and honor of supporting many new families as they bring home their adopted babies. One of our former clients, Liz Ohrberg, has graciously shared her story on today’s blog.
Read MoreIf you’ve never stood in the baby gear section of Target, surrounded by countless bottles and pacifiers and blankets and diapers and bibs and burp clothes, and wanted to pull your hair out due to the sheer overwhelm…then count yourself lucky. Because for most expecting parents, a trip down the baby section aisle can be daunting, to say the least. And one product that I receive numerous questions about from clients is: What is the best baby bottle? So today on the blog we’re sharing some insight into how to pick a bottle for your baby.
Read MoreOne thing I know for a fact, having worked as a doula for nearly a decade, is that babies never bother to look at the calendar. Due dates don’t mean much to babies, but normally they still arrive fairly close to that guess date and all is well. But for 1 in 10 babies born in the United States, their arrival date will be more cause for concern. This is the number, according to the March of Dimes, of babies born premature, meaning they were born at 36 weeks gestation or earlier. So what exactly does this mean, for both parents and baby? Since November is Prematurity Awareness Month, let’s talk about what you need to know when it comes to premature babies.
Read MoreWe hear a lot about birth plans, or as we like to call them birth preferences, because sometimes the baby doesn’t know the plan. Chances are, if you’re pregnant right now, you’ve probably started to put some thought into your birth plan. But what about your postpartum plan? How much thinking have you put into that? Here at Doulas of Raleigh, we believe that your postpartum plan is just as important - if not more so - than your birth plan. So take a look at today’s blog to see how you can create yours.
Read MoreThere are so many great children’s books about Fall and Fall holidays. You may have a child who is more sensitive to the scary parts of Halloween. Here are some of our favorite non-spooky Fall board books!
Read MoreOctober is Pregnancy, Infant, and Child Loss Awareness Month. While no one likes to think about this, we know that 1 in 4 people experience loss during their pregnancy and about 1 in 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth. This means that it is very likely you or someone you know has experienced loss. Read more to find out how you can support others during and after their loss.
Read MoreSince World Mental Health Day is coming up, we figured it would be a great opportunity to talk about self-care and mental health. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right,” which we couldn’t agree with more. We believe that so much more needs to be done in this country to recognize the importance of mental health, provide good access to mental health services, and break the stigma surrounding mental health issues. And while those things are often beyond our control, we do want to talk about the importance of prioritizing your own mental well-being. And this often starts with self-care.
But if you think this is going to be about bubble baths and dark chocolate, it’s not.
Read MoreIt’s here! Fall is finally here! And this North Carolina girl is overjoyed. So I can’t think of a better time to bake up one of my favorite Fall recipes to really soak in this crisp, cool, leafy and pumpkin-flavored season. Who’s with me? If you want to get into the Fall mood this weekend, take a stab at this easy (and super delicious) pumpkin bread.
Read MoreClients often ask us how they can prepare for labor. While there are many ways to prepare for labor itself (take a childbirth class, practice good breathing, go on walks, practice relaxation techniques, etc), there are many things you can do to help your body to start to prepare for labor. Take a look at our newest blog to find out how!
Read MoreWe know that the decision on how to feed your baby is a highly personal one and one that you put a lot of thought and emotional energy into. How you arrived at that decision might have been hard or easy. And even once you made the decision, there can still be so many factors and choices at play that the whole thing can feel so overwhelming. This can be espeically true when it comes to picking a type of formula for your baby. So today on the blog we’re breaking down all the different formula options out there to give you a little more guidance and information when it comes to feeding your baby.
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