Lullabies for infants, infant sleeping

5 Lovely Lullabies For Infants (and How to Sign Them)

By Christie Rinder | September 1, 2025

Picture this: the lights are dimmed, and your sweet baby is nestled close against you. Your gentle voice fills the quiet room with a soft melody.  But there’s something special happening beyond the song—your hands are “talking” too, creating a beautiful dance of words and music that speaks directly to your baby’s heart. Doesn’t that…

Dog and baby, Pets and Newborns

How to Prepare Your Pet for Your Baby’s Arrival (and a Smooth First Meeting)

By Christie Rinder | June 29, 2025

If you already have a furry family member at home, you’re probably wondering what bringing a baby home to your pet might actually look like. It’s natural to feel a bit anxious about it. Your dog or cat has been your first “baby” for years. They know your routines, claim their favorite spots on the…

NICU baby

Bringing Baby Home from the NICU: What Every Parent Needs to Know

By Christie Rinder | May 26, 2025

Bringing your baby home from the NICU is a moment you’ve probably dreamed about—but if your baby was born prematurely or needed medical support, it’s also a moment that comes with a swirl of emotions: joy, fear, overwhelm, and even grief. You are not alone in this. In fact, 1 in 10 babies worldwide is…

father holding crying infant next to bed

Why Infants Cry and How to Soothe Them

By Christie Rinder | June 22, 2024

Oh, a crying infant… There’s nothing quite as heartbreaking. Or overwhelming. But… remember… Your baby doesn’t have very many ways to communicate yet. If something is wrong… Cue the tears.  While it is part of the process, we know you want to find a way to make sure your baby is comfortable and not crying. …

diaper rash treatment, mom putting ointment on baby bottom

Doula Tips For Diaper Rash Treatment

By Christie Rinder | June 17, 2024

Is your baby in a never-ending battle with diaper rash?  No parent wants to see their sweet baby in pain and irritated. You are probably looking for a quick, effective solution. Depending on how severe your baby’s diaper rash is, it may take a longer or shorter amount of time to heal. Using some of…

newborn crying with gas, gassy newborn

Why Is My Newborn So Gassy? 10 Expert Doula Tips

By Christie Rinder | May 27, 2024

You might be wondering why your baby is struggling with gas. Digesting food is a new skill for your baby’s body to learn. Being immature and new, your baby’s digestive system needs time to adjust  Whether they are eating from the breast or bottle, their little tummies are still sorting out this new “eating arrangement.”…

Newborn Travel, Diaper bag and newborn travel essentials

Can My Baby Handle a Trip? Your Helpful Guide to Newborn Travel

By Christie Rinder | May 18, 2024

Are you planning a trip soon? Planning on taking your sweet, precious baby along?   There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to traveling with your baby.  First off… We understand that traveling with a newborn can be daunting.  Not only are you getting used to your at-home routine, but you’re…

Mom holding baby, parenting challenges, do I hate being a parent?

“Do I Hate Being a Parent?” 3 Helpful Ways to Shift Your Mindset

By Christie Rinder | January 21, 2024

Being a parent has its challenges.  There’s no way around it.  While it has beautiful moments, there are equally ugly moments. Being pushed past your limits at times, you may want to quit.  Sometimes, you question yourself and ask: “Do I hate being a parent?”  A simple internet search reveals many people feel burnout when…

Tiny baby in the NICU resting on Mom

10 Things I Learned from our 165 Days in the NICU

By Christie Rinder | November 14, 2023

My dear friend Laura has had two babies born prematurely. With both she went through quite an ordeal and learned many things during their lengthy time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit.) She was kind enough to share some of her story with us in honor of November being Prematurity Awareness Month:  An adventure…

Baby Hunger Cues, Baby with mouth open showing she is hungry

Hunger Cues | How To Tell Your Baby is Hungry

By Christie Rinder | November 6, 2023

Why is it important to know your baby’s hunger cues?  Understanding your baby’s signals helps you know when and how often to feed her. Newborn babies have tiny tummies and need to eat often. An average of 8 – 12 feedings in a 24 hour period is expected and necessary. A couple of those feedings…

Pregnant couple sitting with a laptop and a postpartum plan

Do You Have a Postpartum Plan?

By Christie Rinder | September 25, 2023

You’ve got your birth class done, your hospital bag packed and your car-seat safely installed! Have you considered what happens once you are home with your baby in your arms? Do you have a postpartum plan in place?  You may have heard a lot of talk about birth plans and much less discussion about a…

Safe Sleep For Baby, Baby in a crib

Safe Sleep For Your Baby

By Christie Rinder | September 10, 2023

We know how exciting it is to tuck your baby in for a good night’s sleep, so let’s make sure it’s not only cozy but also safe as can be. a. Safe to Sleep Recommendations for Baby: First things first, let’s talk about the golden rules of safe sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)…