It’s World Doula Week! Ok, so maybe Ritchie Valens wasn't singing about Doulas, but now I am! ​ Doulas are a vital resource for families before, during, and after birth. When my own clients are working with Doulas, I know they will get the extra care and support they need as they navigate parenthood and breastfeeding. To celebrate World Doula Week I’ve invited Danielle and Megan, of Chesapeake Birth and Baby, to share about the work they do as postpartum doulas... Much like the work Cynthia does, the doulas at Chesapeake Birth and Baby are there to help new families find their wa ..read more

When the Indigo Girls sing, “It took a long time to, become the thing I am to you” clearly they aren’t talking about studying to become an IBCLC, but it certainly applies. As parents go through their own breastfeeding journeys some realize they want to help other people as well. They often start out in Peer-to-peer support, such a vital resource for new families, and soon begin to think about increasing their knowledge and expertise by becoming an IBCLC. Since I did not start out as an RN, nor in a peer support organization, I often have inquiries from people who are interested in chatting wi ..read more

We’ve all done it - we look to google for answers and information. The internet has provided us with the ability to access information more than any other generation. We have information and knowledge at our fingertips. But what if that information is incorrect? What if that information sends us down the wrong rabbit hole? ​Breastfeeding used to be a normal part of everyday life in a community; grandmothers, mothers, aunts, friends, all breasted around each other and learned from each other. We are physically more separated now, but the internet does provide a place we can ask questions and ..read more

You’ve made it through the first few weeks of breastfeeding, gotten into a groove over the next few months, possibly went back to work and handling the hectic schedule, and then you see it looming ahead - 6 months! Starting solids (also called complementary foods) is an exciting time, but it’s also another learning curve, for both you and baby. ​This roller coaster is what parenting is all about - just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something changes... Just like with any parenting task, there is more than one right way to introduce solid food to your baby. We all know ..read more

Ohhhh, We’ve Got Trouble, My Friends, right here in River City! ...With a capital T and that rhymes with B and that stands for Bottle! You’ve gotten breastfeeding off to a great start; baby is happy, healthy, and gaining well. You’re feeling great about your breastfeeding relationship and that awesome milk you provide. A couple months down the road you decide to give baby and bottle, and she refuses! For some families, bottles are essential for when the nursing parent goes back to work. For others, it may not be needed every day, but parents want to have some time to run errands, go to app ..read more

It’s World Doula Week! Ok, so maybe Ritchie Valens wasn't singing about Doulas, but now I am! ​ Doulas are a vital resource for families before, during, and after birth. When my own clients are working with Doulas, I know they will get the extra care and support they need as they navigate parenthood and breastfeeding. To celebrate World Doula Week I’ve invited Danielle and Megan, of Chesapeake Birth and Baby, to share about the work they do as postpartum doulas... Much like the work Cynthia does, the doulas at Chesapeake Birth and Baby are there to help new families find their way ..read more