Author: Analyn Erin

You have the partner that reads all the books, that comes to all the appointments and wants to be hands on the whole time. You might ask yourself, “if I already have so much support from my partner, why do I need a doula too”

Doulas are experts om birth while your partner is an expert on you.

I LOVE supportive partners. I love partners that want to rub backs, catch baby and cut the cord. I encourage all partners to be as involved and supportive as they want to be. Part of my job is to help your birth partner look good. What I mean by that is I will often get the water, get the ice, make sure the straw is ready, and then hand it over so that your support person is the one giving you that drink of water. I’ll show the most effective way to hip squeeze, touch, I’ll help partners find their own way to comfort.  The great part is because I’m the one running for the water and wash cloths your partner gets to stay right with you the whole time. They get to be MORE supportive because a doula is there to handle all the nitty gritty and background stuff.

Not to mention doulas are for dads to. We also make sure the partner is caffeinated, hydrated and fed.  I don’t now how many coffee runs I have done for the support person. Or how often in a longer birth I have encouraged rest, and they are able to do so because they know there is constant support.  As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. In order for your support person to support you they also need someone to look out for them. All too often the partners needs are left to the wayside while all attention is on the birthing person. The partner is a part of the process too and needs care as well as guidance sometimes on what birth looks, sounds and smells like.

I really love this blog that goes into a deeper look how how doulas benefit partners.

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/7-ways-doulas-benefit-dads-and-partners/

I get this question lot when people find out what I do. The question after is almost always “what is a doula?

If you look it up a doula it comes up on wikipedia as

A doula (/ˈduːlə/), also known as a birth companion or post-birth supporter, is a nonmedical person who assists a person before, during, or after childbirth, as well as their spouse and family, by providing physical assistance and emotional support.

When you read the definition it seems so bland. Isn’t a spouse someone providing support? What about a midwife? Or Nurse? It’s hard to sum up in one sentence what a doula really does and how a birth or postnatal period may be different with a doula.

Even as a doula, there have been times that I have asked myself the question, “What do I do?” Every family, and every birth has left me with different answers. These are a few of them.

I am a sounding board and knowledge base for all things pregnancy, birth and baby. I am here for the “Is this normal?” or “Can you look into this for me” and “Can you find me resources for that?”

I am an guide in trust. Guiding you to trust yourself, your body and your baby.

I am a shoulder to cry on when plans change.

I am your cheerleader, reminding you how amazing you are.

I am a calm voice, reassuring you every step of the way.

I am in the background getting cold cloths, glasses of water and tidying up, so that all focus can be placed where it should be, on the birth.

I am a hip squeezer and  head massager.

I am a big sister and best friend.

I am love and respect for your choices.

I am an information centre, ensuring you know all your choices.

My families have welcomed me into one of the most intimate, vulnerable times of their lives. From the prenatal visits, the text messages and emails, on through birth and postpartum I feel I  become part of the family. I get to know pets and siblings. I become comfortable in their homes sometimes cooking and folding laundry.

I have become a part of these babies birth stories and I could not be more grateful or honoured for being invited in.

It’s world breastfeeding week and social media is exploding with pictures of moms and babies nursing. When people talk about breastfeeding it’s a vision of a mom and baby gazing into each others eyes in love, while baby nurses calmly away. It’s the picture we see on pamphlets and advertising. In actuality breastfeeding can and does look very different. Are there moments of serene calm? Sure, but all relationships are different and so will yours with our baby. As well as babies get older and more mobile calm, serene nursing sessions become less and less of a reality.  Lets take a look at all the different ways babies drink momma milk. .

The exclusive on the breast-breastfeeder. These nursing duos don’t use pumps or bottles. Baby gets every session straight from the source, either by their choice or moms. Some babies refuse to take any sort of bottle, some moms just don’t want to wash extra pump and bottle parts. Some of these moms cover up and some simply pull their tops out of the way to accommodate baby.

The exclusive pumpers. Opposite to those that only drink from a breast, these moms pumps every single bottle. These moms are some of my superhero. The time commitment to pump, wash bottle and pump parts and feed babies boggles my mind.  Moms that exclusively pump are usually working, so taking her breaks to make a meal for baby in sometimes less then ideal environments, it’s nothing short of amazing.

The combo feeders. Combo feeders get just that a combination of breastmilk and artificial milk. This can looks so many different ways, whether it’s a split combination of both, whether baby gets both types of milking bottles, or drinking from bottles some times and from the breast at others.  This type of feeding really shows that breastfeeding is not all or nothing and can be changed as what works best for your family and situation.

The SNS feeder. An SNS or supplemental nursing system is a small tube that mom can place on her breast and baby gets milk from both the breast and the syringe attached to the tube. This is a great option for babies that need more milk but still want to be on the breast. It’s also a great alternative for moms that simply don’t have milk from either previous surgery or other reasons.

Donor Milk.  A lot of babies don’t drink their own moms breastmilk. There are so many women who are able to pump more than their own babies need and donate this milk to other families.

This week lets all celebrate all the types of ways babies get breastmilk. Celebrate wether your baby feeds from breast or bottle. Celebrate wether you nursed for 1 session or until self weaning.

There are so many exciting things happening over at Tree of Life Doula. Check out the video to find out the first of many announcements. I only start this business 7 months ago and to say that I am farther ahead then where I thought I would be is an understatement. All of the opportunities that I’ve had were my 5 yr plan, not my 1 year plan. But here I am hanging on and embracing the ride, even if I am nervous at times.

Doubt kills dreams more than failure ever will

-source unknown

Nothing is more stressful than when your baby is sick.

Breastfeeding can help  you and baby in so many ways. From providing comfort, to keep baby hydrated to the boosted immunity benefits  Here are some tips to make medical procedures and hospital stays a little bit easier.

Breastfeed as much as you can, especially during procedures

There can be a lot of concern about Baby becoming dehydrated. Fortunately while most babies may not take food or liquid when they are sick, many will continue to breastfeed.  It can be such a huge source of relief  knowing that during a time where you might feel pretty helpless that there is something you can actively do to help your baby get better. Not to mention how much easier it is to get a baby lay still during all the poking and prodding if they are  nursing.  Many care providers will even suggest and help you nurse during medical procedures.

 Drink lots of water

See #1. You’re baby is going to want to nurse. A LOT! You’re going to want your baby to nurse a lot. Even if you think your being a pain, ask someone to bring you water. Ask the nurse, your partner, even a DR! You’re no good to your baby if you aren’t good to yourself. One of the best ways and most simple ways to boost supply is drinking enough fluids.

Ask for Help

Call your family, friends, that person that always offers to help and take them up on it! You will be tired, stressed and your only job is to nurse and comfort your baby. People WANT to help. Ask for a meal train to be set up, that visitors bring coffee and a fresh change of clothes for you, whatever will help you stay relaxed.

Has your baby ever been hospitalized? What helped during your stay?