Talk Birthy to Me!
I mentioned in my initial blog post that before Mother Poppins, I really didn’t know much about doulas. To put it simply, I thought a doula was a midwife who helped you deliver at-home births. I didn’t realize the array of specializations, certifications, and licenses they held and how helpful they truly are not only during your pregnancy but throughout the fourth trimester and your postpartum journey. They not only help you prepare for birth, but they support you and your family postpartum and beyond. So, let’s doula this! These birthing professionals are at your cervix, day or night! Okay, sorry, I need to brush up on my mom jokes. While I work on that, you can read on to learn more about exactly what we do at Mother Poppins.
What is A Doula?
Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before and after childbirth to help mothers/families achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. At Mother Poppins, your doula supports you in a magnitude of ways throughout your journey. They are meant to be a vital resource and your best advocate as you navigate your new normal. Your postpartum doula serves as a newborn care specialist, maternal health guide, lactation educator, mental health coach, baby sleep trainer, friend and mentor. We have been right where you are with countless other parents. Offering support, education, and guidance, we are here to walk you through these first few months with your baby. We are not a replacement for your health care provider, but another member of your tribe. Whether is this your first baby or your fifth, you’re bound to have some questions. We’re here to help you any time of the day or night.
Okay, now what about lactation consultants?
We’re the breast in the business (still working on it). A lactation consultant is a nursing professional who help new moms in their efforts to breastfeed. Many women meet with a lactation consultant or specialist from the hospital staff after delivery, but it is often rushed and impersonal. When mothers arrive at home with their baby, they can feel overwhelmed if there are latch issues or other concerns that often come with breastfeeding for first time moms.
Mother Poppin’s lactation consultants are here to help. You can meet with an IBCLC (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant) to discuss your questions related to breastfeeding, pumping, storing and heating breast milk, normal infant behavior, and overcoming challenges such as engorgement, slow weight gain, clogged ducts, mastitis, latch and positioning challenges or possible tongue tie.
Did you just yawn? We know sleep is hard to come by as a new parent. If you need help getting your baby to sleep better, we got you covered.
What is a Sleep Consultant?
A sleep consultant’s main purpose is to educate families on sleep hygiene, the biological needs to sleep, safe sleep practices and offer support and guidance regarding sleep.
“Is she sleeping through the night?” You might hear that question a lot as new parents. Probably from other parents hoping that if your answer is yes, you’ll spill the beans and the how-to secrets! But a medical study concluded that the majority of developmentally normal, healthy babies do not sleep through the night. So, if your little one has yet to sleep through the night, you are NOT alone! We can help you implement the tools to better sleep and hopefully longer stretches for your baby.
Your doula at Mother Poppins will work with you through sleep related issues and concerns. They will address your specific needs to develop a plan that works for you and your family so that your baby feels comfortable and safe during sleep, and so you can finally get the rest you need, too.
Now that you’re abreast with all Mother Poppins has to offer, contact us if you need any help throughout your prenatal and postpartum journey. We want to make it the best experience possible for you and your family.
Xo,
Coco
