Newby Nurturing Lactation & Postpartum Support

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How Our Postpartum Doulas Help New Parents Navigate the Newborn Stage

The transition into motherhood is such a special time, but let's be real.. finding your way through those early days with a newborn can feel overwhelming! While everyone focuses on pregnancy and birth, the postpartum period (what we love to call the fourth trimester ) is when you really need that extra support to navigate this new chapter. That's exactly why I'm so passionate about postpartum doula care! Gentle Support When You Need It Most As postpartum doulas, we're here to help you find your rhythm as a new mama. We bring years of experience supporting families through the newborn stage, but we're not here to tell you how to parent – we're here to help you discover what works best for your unique family. What Does Newborn Support Look Like? Every family's needs are different, but here's a peek at how we can help make your transition smoother: Hands-on newborn care support : Whether you'd like guidance with diapering, swaddling, or even observing t...

Why Your Baby's First Feeding Assessment Matters

Hey mamas! As a nurse, postpartum doula and lactation specialist, I can't stress enough how important those first few days of feeding are for both you and your little one. Today, I want to chat about why getting a feeding assessment in those early days can make such a difference in your breastfeeding journey. The First 72 Hours: Setting You Up for Success Those first three days postpartum are golden for establishing breastfeeding. Your body is producing nutrient-rich colostrum, and your baby is learning how to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. This is why I offer home visits in the New Braunfels-San Marcos area – because I believe every mama deserves support right where she's most comfortable. During these early assessments, we look at: How your little one latches and transfers milk Any signs of oral restrictions that might affect feeding Your comfort level during feeds Baby's positioning and overall body tension Signs that baby is getting enough milk ...

Postpartum Doulas: Daytime vs. Overnight Support

When families ask if postpartum doulas work overnight, the answer is absolutely! Let’s break down what these shifts look like and how they can make life easier for you during this exciting and often overwhelming time. Overnight Postpartum Doula Support Overnight shifts typically run from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. During this time, doulas take care of baby’s needs-diaper changes, soothing, feeding (or bringing baby to you for nursing), and other tasks that might keep you up at night. They help clear your mental load by tackling the mundane but necessary duties that can clutter your mind, allowing you to rest and focus on bonding with your baby. Daytime Postpartum Doula Shifts Daytime support usually comes in 4- to 6-hour blocks. Whether it’s an early morning shift, like 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., to help you start your day, or an evening shift from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. to handle the fussy "witching hour," daytime doulas are all about making your life easier. What they do: Support baby care like di...

Warm Meals, Warm Hearts: Essentials for Postpartum Healing

The Importance of Warm and Nourishing Meals During Postpartum Recovery Welcoming a new baby is a transformative, demanding, and often overwhelming experience. After giving birth, a mother’s body undergoes numerous changes, including significant blood loss, leaving her in what many traditional practices describe as a “cold state.” This makes warm, nourishing meals essential for healing and recovery. Why Warm Foods Are Key for Postpartum Healing Warm meals provide comfort and actively support your body’s recovery process. Foods like bone broth are especially beneficial. Bone broth is rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals, which promote tissue repair, strengthen joints, and enhance overall health. The warmth of the broth also helps restore balance to the body, easing the transition and helping you regain your strength after the marathon of childbirth. Countless evidence-based benefits come from eating nutrient-rich, warm foods during the postpartum period. These meals provide much-n...

Breastfeeding Insights for the Early Days

Preparing for the Early Days of Breastfeeding The first few days and weeks of breastfeeding can be a learning curve for both you and your baby, but with a little preparation and understanding, you can set the foundation for a successful breastfeeding journey. Here are some key points to remember during those early days: Bring Baby to the Breast Often Frequent feedings are crucial in the first few days to help establish your milk supply, ensuring your baby is getting the nutrition they need. Aim to feed every two to three hours or whenever they show signs of hunger. Removing milk often–either through breastfeeding or pumping–stimulates your body to make more milk and maintain production! Skin-to-Skin Time is Vital Spending time skin-to-skin with your baby is incredibly beneficial. It helps lower stress levels for both of you, regulates your baby’s breathing and blood sugar. It also stimulates the production of oxytocin and prolactin-hormones that increase milk production and bondin...

Why Planning for Postpartum Matters

The Importance of Postpartum Care When many people hear the word “postpartum,” they immediately associate it with depression. While postpartum depression is an important topic, the term “postpartum” actually refers to the period after a woman gives birth, extending through the first year of her baby’s life. This is a transformative time for mothers, and thoughtful postpartum care can make all the difference in ensuring a positive experience. Why Postpartum Care Matters Postpartum care plays a vital role in reducing the risk of postpartum depression and supporting mothers as they transition into this new phase of life. With the right care team, the benefits are endless: 1. Recognizing Early Signs of Distress A professional care team-whether a doula, nurse, doctor, OB-GYN, or licensed counselor can identify the difference between common “baby blues” and more concerning depressive symptoms. They are trained to recognize the various types of postpartum disorders, providing the...

Preparing for Returning to Work After Baby: Tips for Maintaining Your Milk Supply

Photography by Wren Meinberg Hey, mamas! Wow, I can't believe how fast this year is flying by. October was full of so much wonderful – making more memories with my family, leading breastfeeding circles, expanding my network of providers and birth-workers, and starting a new per diem school nurse position, which has been anything but boring and crazy fulfilling! I was also blessed with the opportunity to...