Dad holding newborn baby sleeping, baby sleep stages

Baby Sleep: The Basics of Sleep Stages

By Christie Collbran | March 31, 2024

No matter who you are… Sleep is important.  We all need to sleep in order to revive our bodies and minds. So, if it’s vital for you as an adult, imagine the importance of good sleep for your growing baby.  I know what you’re thinking though…  Won’t my baby learn how to sleep on their…

Pregnant couple sitting with a laptop and a postpartum plan

Do You Have a Postpartum Plan?

By Christie Collbran | 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 Collbran | 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)…

Newborn sleeping on a moon pillow with star pillows around him

Newborn Sleep – What to Expect

By Christie Collbran | August 27, 2023

Ah, the magical world of newborn sleep! It’s like a roller coaster ride that you never signed up for, but guess what? You’re not alone on this wild journey. Parents and soon-to-be parents, especially those snuggling tiny bundles of joy in the wee hours of the night, this one is for you. Let’s dive into…

When to Hire a Postpartum Doula

When Should I Hire My Postpartum Doula?

By Christie Collbran | November 29, 2022

It’s no secret that finding a spot at the best local daycare or preschool requires booking months in advance. Sometimes it even means putting your name on a wait list. You’ve heard about this before, right? “Infant care tends to book up fairly fast and several months in advance. In order to find one that…

Accept-the-help

Hey Mom, Ask for and Accept the Help

By Christie Collbran | January 11, 2022

Let’s normalize moms being called superheroes because we ask for and accept the help we need. Not because we handle so much on our own. Let’s go back to the village because here’s the thing, most of us aren’t handling it.  I had my first baby when I was 15 years old. I was no…

postpartum-sleep-deprivation

Postpartum Sleep Deprivation

By Christie Collbran | May 22, 2021

Four days and one unexpected c-section later we were discharged and on our way home at last. I could no longer lean on the quiet protection of the hospital. Nurses would not be checking on me periodically. Meals would not be brought to me on a schedule. Ready or not I was now a Mom…

what-baby-nurse-does

Bethenny’s Baby Nurse

By Christie Collbran | February 25, 2021

Believe it or not, I first learned what a baby nurse does on a Bravo TV show. Long before I became a doula, I was a “Real Housewives of NYC” fan. Oh, the gloriously trashy and mindless entertainment! When I watched this faux-reality series, the characters included Countess Luann de Lesseps and Bethenny Frankel. At…

looking-for-a-baby-nurse

Looking for a Baby Nurse?

By Christie Collbran | February 18, 2021

Looking for a baby nurse to help you after the baby is born?  I recently spoke to a grandmother-to-be. She called in looking for a “baby nurse” to help her expecting daughter after her baby arrives. “When I was a young woman in New York city” she told me, “people with newborns would hire a…

overnight-postpartum-doula

Overnight Postpartum Doula Care: A Night With Our Doulas (updated July 2022)

By Christie Collbran | October 8, 2020

Overnight Newborn Care is sometimes a new concept. Tired parents often approach us and ask: “what does a postpartum doula do overnight to care for their family while they sleep?” It almost sounds too good to be true! Rest assured, this exists and works beautifully. The role of a postpartum doula is so varied from…

crying baby with partner father newborn care

Letting Go When Your Partner is Struggling

By Christie Collbran | March 23, 2020

You’ve handed your brand new baby off to your partner so you can get into the shower for the first time in…days? Everything with babies is a blur so you’re not really sure. Then, the second your feet are wet, you hear it. Your baby is crying. Perhaps it activates your letdown and you spill…

newborn twin babies with mother nursery setup

Newborn Twin Nursery Set Up & Essentials

By Christie Collbran | December 2, 2019

Congrats, it’s twins! When you find out you’re going to have a newborn twin nursery it is often overwhelming. Setting up one room for two brand new babies can seem like a daunting task. With a couple helpful pointers, you can set up a nursery that works perfectly without all the extra clutter. Newborn Twin…