Breastfeeding Help and Lactation Support Consultant

When a mother first gives birth, it doesn't matter how many books or videos she has learned from, she will need to intuitively begin to nurture and nourish her newborn according to how her baby responds and how her body provides.  Sometimes, this comes very naturally...  The baby latches on well with very little effort on either party's part.  Sometimes this comes with a little work and encouragement.  Sometimes it seems to not work at all.

Have you considered the vastly important role of the Lactation Consultant?
Like doulas, there are many different "stripes" of breastfeeding support in existence. The doula and lactation training organization that I am with has a program called the Lactation Support and Educator program.  (yes, this appears to be a shameless plug!)


This program is fantastic, because it is so unique: 
Lactation Support & Educator
It's the only program in existence that offers 2 facets:
1. it specifically equips doulas to support breastfeeding moms who have literally, minutes ago, just -given birth.  We are there for that first latch, right?  What if it doesn't go perfectly????  We need to know how to help!
2. to teach breastfeeding 101 classes to the expecting and newly postpartum mother and her partner.

As doulas, labor and postpartum, we usually see mom at least once after the birth as well.  We may be that first line of action when the baby isn't breastfeeding well.  After going through this course, not only can you help to avoid a possible "failure to thrive" scenario, but you'll be rounding out and adding value to your business model offerings.

If we are not the Gold Star of Lactation Support (and by that, I mean IBCLC), how can we possibly achieve the big claim I made about avoiding a failure to thrive scenario?
Well, we are trained to recognize when a latch is normal and we can help babies to achieve a good, productive latch while breastfeeding, that helps them get the most milk at each feeding.  If we find that after working with a couple, the latch is still really not happening, or there is a possible problem such as a tongue tie, or baby is truly not gaining weight, or we notice the jaundice increasing, we can help a mom get medical treatment sooner than later.  This is important, because while new moms might have a "hunch" that something is wrong, they don't always know what, why or how to respond.

I will be in San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston and many other cities to help train women who want to be Doulas and Lactation Support & Educators.  MaternityWise is also looking to add Trainers to their team, so if you are interested in either of these options, please get in touch.  I'd love to hear from you and I would love to meet you in person!

Hugs,
Anne
952-457-6506
annecwj@gmail.com

Mommy Guilt

Dear Mothers,

You are not bad, defunct, broken, ignorant or unnecessary!

You are good, selfless, strong, intuitive, gentle and NEEDED!

I wish I could write a letter to all expecting mothers.  A letter they would read, and believe, and base their self-worth on.  If only all mothers knew how important they are.  If only they grasped their innate wisdom and trusted themselves more than the forums on the most frequented websites.  If only they really stood in their strength and walked tall in their ability.

Imagine what a beautiful, cheered up, gentle-ways world we would live in, if mothers were given their power back...

I found this fun and inspiring website and it reminded me about the common phenomena of "Mommy Guilt"  Please check out her article: http://theglamoroushousewife.com/2014/03/motherhood-cult-guilt/?body= http://theglamoroushousewife.com/2014/03/motherhood-cult-guilt/

and share with your mommy friends who need to be empowered and encouraged.  :)

Use this icon above for your Facebook profile image, to show your support for all the birthing mamas out there who need to know birth DOES matter and they are not crazy for wanting the best experience possible for their little ones and themselves.

Start the new year out with a promise to yourself, to make a change.

Love,
Anne
http://www.tranquilseasons.com 
http://www.maternitywise.com

Nurses Hotline? No.

So often, postpartum doulas get confused with "baby nurses"
but they are not the same!  And it reminds me that parents often don't know the difference between real baby nurses (like the RN kind who work with doctors) or the babysitter kind who are not necessarily trained in anything...

Postpartum doulas are trained (and our San Antonio Doulas are not just trained, but also certified by MaternityWise International) in supporting the mother and helping her to care for her baby without completely doing it for her.  We are often called baby nurses because people don't know the term "postpartum doula".  And they also often don't know the difference.

A baby nurse traditionally (the non-medical kind) will take care of your baby for you like a nanny or grandmother.  Years ago, she was also considered a nurse because she literally nursed the baby - yes breastfed it.  This was common among affluent families and especially in the south.  Don't be squeamish.  Get over it.  It happened.  And for mothers who truly didn't make enough milk, it was a godsend.

These baby nurses usually had experience with babies children, and took over the mothering duties to allow the mother more freedom to live a less motherly life.  Remember Peter Pan?  The dog was the "nurse".  Many children's stories have a nanny who is referred to as the "nurse".  Again, don't be offended.  It happened.  And it still happens.  If you don't want to be one of those mothers, it is OK!  You can get an extra hand and get some more sleep without giving up your mother-ness.

MaternityWise Certified Postpartum Doulas are trained in helping to empower the mother who wants to be THE mother.  :)  We can help troubleshoot breastfeeding issues and assist with mom's nutritional needs.  We can give advice on everything baby related including gassy, fussy colicky babies, burping, diaper rash, food sensitivities, gentle sleep training assistance, etc.  Meanwhile we can also help with more practical matters such as laundry and dishes, and meal prep as well as errands - so that your world can revolve around your baby!!  (as it should)

Now, to clear up a few things.... 

We at Tranquil Seasons Doulas in San Antonio, come into your home, listen to you as the mother.  We ask questions and get to know you and your baby and your preference in the way of doing things.  At some point, we may have tips to tweak your routine, and you might ask us loads of questions and want all of our advice, but we never "walk in and take over".  A number of the services in our city do just that, and parents come to us, worried that we will do the same.  They don't want a less expensive, less qualified service, if it means having a stranger come in to tell them how to rearrange their lives.  Neither would I.

I was speaking to a mother recently, who is expecting twins.  She said something very wise.  She knows that there is no way to really plan for or know in advance exactly the way things will go with the twins, but she wants to learn and she wants to have the freedom to make mistakes.  I thought that to be one of the most healthy and mature perspectives on early parenting that a mother could have.  It is going to be a real pleasure to walk that journey alongside her, assisting, supporting, never judging or "bossing", but having her back, reassuring and helping her learn about her babies at her own pace.

One more clarification...

We are NOT a baby nurse hotline - as in the medical kind.
I've had several calls in the middle of the night recently with parents I've never met asking whether or not they should take their baby into the emergency room.  I could hear the concern and the anxiety in their voices, but this is not something I can help with.  They were not my clients, I did not know them or their baby.  I had no prior history or experience with them.  Unfortunately, I could not give them the listening ear they wanted.  If their baby was exhibiting symptoms that concerned them, I explained, they needed to contact their pediatrician's office.

While I might be able to explain what normal is for my clients, it will always be in their hands to make the decision to seek medical treatment or not.  As a doula, my job is to educate, but not to make a parent feel pressured to make a choice in any direction.  That is not my decision, because it is not my baby.

That probably sums it up.  We are not the parents.  We are the assistants.  The servants.
The Doulas.
And you'll be glad we limit our care to the Scope of Practice in which we do.
Because we know our place, our role, we do it well and the benefits you'll receive are immeasurable.

If you need help getting sleep, or caring for your newborn, and you want advice that could make your life easier in this sometimes rocky transition, please visit our website or give us a call.

Many Blessings,
Anne Croudace
CLD, CPD, CLDT, CPDT, CLSE
Tranquil Seasons Doulas in San Antonio, TX
210-548-8800