Have I posted this thought before?

Even if I have posted something like this .. it’s something I feel so strongly about.. that it’s okay to repeat myself!

“Pregnancy affords us months and months to plan for birth, a momentous event, but entirely too many women talk about getting home from the hospital (and all of the pampering that came from the nursing staff) and realizing they have no idea how to handle life with this new little person.”

A great blog post that I found on ’That Wife’ blog:  http://thatwifeblog.com/2010/01/planning-for-postpartum/

That statement is so true!! There are childbirth classes, newborn care classes, cpr classes, baby gear registries and all that prepares us for having a baby and having the right “gear” when you bring this new baby into your life.

But.. where is the prep class for surviving the Postpartum time?? Letting moms know it’s okay to cry when you’ve been told this is the happiest time of your life .. or that breastfeeding is natural but sometimes it hurts and that’s normal too!

Here’s a list of notes the author of the blog post wrote down while listening to a Postpartum doula:

Suggestions from a postpartum doula:

-plan for postpartum the way you plan for your birth (research! talk to other moms! gather resources!)

-challenges other moms in the room have faced: breastfeeding, not having food brought over, no help from family, preparing ahead of time for breastfeeding issues, relieving gas, dealing with multiple kids at a time

-line up a lactation consultant before the birth

-find the right lactation consultant for you

- have contact information for lactation consultant, pediatrician, take out menus, emergency contacts, and other contact information all ready and readily available

-”lying in” is a time in other cultures when new mom doesn’t have to do everything, create your own lying in environment

-stay in and around your bed for 7 days to recover if possible

-no housework for the first 2 weeks if you can help it

-stock pantry with finger food and freezer with frozen meals

-make friends with another new mom who has recently been through the same thing, find a breastfeeding or new mom support group

-decide ahead of time what dad can do and set up certain tasks that are his. Taking baby for a walk, bathing baby, 30-60 mins of alone time with baby. Give dad a “thing” to do with baby.

-let go of the idea that the house needs to be clean

-develop a postpartum plan the same way you would develop a birth plan

-enjoy newborn time

-set up changing and feeding stations around the house (baskets with burp cloths, snacks, book, water, diapers, wipes, changing pad)

-eat well for better breastfeeding

-write down how the laundry is done, where cleaning supplies are, where kitchen supplies are, how and when the dog is walked or fed, and other things that are part of your daily routine so that guests who come to help own’t constantly be asking you questions

-think about using paper and plastic utensils for a week right after baby is born to cut down on dishes (and the stress of a messy sink!)

 

This list will help you think of the things you’ll want to have in place as you bring in a new baby to the family .. it’s all about being ready and knowing (to the best of your ability) of what to expect with a newborn in your life!

My two seconds of fame!

I’m on page 16 in the Manchester Life (my town newspaper) and it’s so funny to see my name in print!!

((happy dance))

I love getting the ‘word out’ on Postpartum work .. it’s an amazing service and all moms deserve a Postpartum doula!!

What a great idea!

Have you seen this tub yet!?

http://babybathtubs.com/

It’s great for those first newborn weeks ..when you want to bathe them in a tiny tub and have them feel extra secure.. this seems like the new way to go! I was extra excited for my sister-in-law to see this since she lives in an apartment and space is an issue .. it dries flat which means less space to take up!

Check it out if you are in the market for a great way to bathe your new baby!

Does anyone out there have one of these yet? I’d love to hear from someone who has used it and what you think about it..

Happy Monday everyone!!

Babywearing 101 Workshop

Here is an email I received this morning about a Babywearing workshop in Middletown ..I wanted to pass it on because I belive babywearing is so helpful for many months after a baby is born.

Babywearing 101 Workshop 1/23/10 in Middletown, CT

Baby carriers have been around a long time for good reason – they help parents meet their baby’s need to be held. Historically people all over the world have used simple pieces of cloth to “wear” their babies on their bodies, a skill now being called “babywearing”. Today there are an overwhelming number of baby carriers on the market, many claiming to be the best and most comfortable. This leaves many new parents wondering what the differences are between them all and how to choose one (or more!) that suits their needs. Babywearing 101 teaches:

• The benefits of babywearing for parent and child.
• How to confidently choose a carrier that is safe and comfortable.
• The five main types of baby carriers.

This workshop is geared towards expectant and new parents who are interested in learning about the basics of babywearing. There will be time after the presentation for parents to try on different carriers and receive hands-on help. There is no cost for this workshop and no official registration required. However, if you are planning to attend or would like more information about the workshop, please email Clover at dclovergrl@sbcglobal.net.

The Babywearing 101 Workshop is led by Clover Heske and/or Heather Huebner, Babywearing Consultants who have completed the Basic Carrying Course of Die Trageschule, a carrying school located in Dresden, Germany.

It will be held on Saturday, January 23rd from 10am-12pm at The Family Wellness Center which is located at 635 Main St. in Middletown, CT.

There is metered street parking available on Main St., as well as a free two hour parking lot at the corner of Main St. and Grand St., which is less than half a block away from the Family Wellness Center.

Please note that the street address number 635 is for the Community Health Center which the Family Wellness Center is a part of; to gain access to the Family Wellness Center look for a recessed glass door with plate-glass windows on both sides, with blue trim, directly on Main St.

Gotta love getting a little love..

I just finished up working with Rebecca and she wrote a wonderful little testimony on a doula website I’m on: www.doulamatch.org

Here’s a link to my profile on DoulaMatch:

http://www.doulamatch.net/Doula-Profile.aspx?DoulaID=1443&DoulaType=Postpartum&Date=01/20/2010&Geo=06040

And here’s the love she left for me:

Hiring Kristen as my doula was essential to my well being and piece of mind after returning home with my twin boys.  I could always look forward to the one night a week that I could get a full night’s sleep while I knew my boys were well taken care of.  She was always prompt and professional and a pleasure to welcome into my home.  Hiring a doula was money well spent and would highly recommend Kristen to anyone in need of a little TLC after delivery.

Thanks so much Rebecca .. it was a pleasure to work with your sweet family!!

2010

The new year and it’s going to start out great (and busy!) ..

I’m meeting up with a soon-to-be mommy(baby #3) tomorrow and we’re going to chat about what kind of postpartum services she’s looking for. After chatting with her it seems like she wants to make this a very smooth transition for the older sisters at home..and have some help during the day as she adjusts to being a mom of three.

Another mom inquired about services this week and she has a 1yr old at home and due to deliver any second now!! Now that’s someone that’s going to have her hands full!

I’m also turning the big 30 on Friday .. so that makes it a fun week too!

Something that made me smile this week..

Well.. it’s been a great week.. so listing what has made me smile..could be a lot of things.. and it’s getting pretty exciting around here since it’s only a few days from Christmas (aka the best-day-of-the-year according to my three-year old)

I’ve been working with a family that just had twin boys .. and the mom was asked (by her mother in law) what she wanted for christmas and she said more hours with her Postpartum doula! (ME!) .. I thought that was so great and it totally made me smile. It’s such an amazing feeling to help families get through the postpartum time ..

Do you know a new mom (or mom to be) that could use the gift of time (or sleep?!)

Something new

 In-Hosptial Postpartum Doula:

 

To stay with moms in their hospital rooms when Dad is not able to, for the unexpected c-sections where mom wants to keep baby in the room with her. Having the doula stay in the room with mom, means she won’t have to send the baby to the nursery even though she is recovering in bed. Great for a mom who is planning on breastfeeding!

 

 I’ve added this new service under the ‘Postpartum Doula’ page and if you have any questions please drop me an email or give me a call.

 

Now this sounds yummy!

When working with families I love to make something really great for dinner! A big batch is best so that there’s always leftovers! (a new mom/dad’s best friend) It’s even better when it’s a super easy recipe that they can make again.

To me eating well is just as important as getting enough sleep during the postpartum time.. it’s essential part to keeping up your strength and even more important if your breastfeeding.

Here’s a recipe I found on Tasty Kitchen this morning! I haven’t made it yet but plan on using it soon!!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/mozzarella-stuffed-meatballs/

Another good blog find: Alpha Mom

I love reading blogs that have helpful information and lots and lots of real life experience (with a dash of humor) and that’s exactly what you’ll find when reading “Alpha Mom”..

I was reading an article on the first days home with your new baby .. and she couldn’t have said it better..

Oh my God. What just HAPPENED?

(Or you might not. You might be one of those women who bask in a gentle glowy glow afterwards, with your perfect makeup and hair and oh look! The basketball you’ve been carrying under your shirt is gone and HI AB MUSCLES! And then your milk comes in five minutes later and your baby poops gold ingots and you know what? This column is probably not for you. Move along.)

the full article:

http://www.alphamom.com/postpartum-mom/2009/03/afterbirth_first_days_postpartum.php#more

And if you’ve come here before having your baby and think that you couldn’t possibly relate to anything in this article..read it ..just do it! 

I think it’s so important to know what’s coming up and not to feel scared/overwhelmed at the idea of having a baby .. but being prepared is the best way to keep some of those postpartum emotions in check.