Parenting is one of the hardest but most rewarding journeys. Here we share all of the ups, downs and tips from our experience. Topics include: raising children, dealing with colic, coping with judgement, preparing siblings for the new baby, tips for partners, traveling with kids, and everything in between!

night nanny overnight care tampa

What is a Night Nanny? Choosing Newborn Care

By Christie Collbran | November 25, 2019

What is a “night nanny”? While searching to get some extra winks of shut-eye, new parents often find this term. It can get confusing because they will also find terms like “night nurse”, “Postpartum Doula”, and “Newborn Care Specialist”. These terms are not created equally. The primary responsibility (caring for your newborn) falls under each…

newborn care in tampa florida postpartum doulas

Newborn Care Options: Postpartum Doulas

By Christie Collbran | November 18, 2019

Newborn care options are often on the minds of parents all over the Tampa area. Buddha Belly isn’t just for birth, we offer a full range of options for bringing home baby! Postpartum Doulas are incredible sources of support and knowledge for both brand new and veteran parents. Bringing together knowledge of safety standards, real-world…

Newborn Sleep Essentials | Get More Sleep!

By Christie Collbran | November 4, 2019

“Newborn sleep essentials, what are they?” “Will I ever sleep again?” Among new parents, these are frequently asked questions. Newborns often wake after short intervals of rest, leaving parents tired, frazzled, and ready to invest large amounts in coffee stocks. While it is true that newborns physiologically need to wake to eat around the clock,…

Camping in Ft. De Soto with Kids

Fort DeSoto Camping with Kids

By Christie Collbran | June 12, 2018

Looking for tips on camping at Fort DeSoto with kids? Recently I took my kids on their very first camping trip ever to Fort DeSoto. It was also my first time camping as a parent! My 11 year-old son’s reaction when he heard we might be going camping was priceless and is what really made…

Family Fun in Tampa Bay

Family Fun in Tampa Bay

By Christie Collbran | July 30, 2017

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and our kids are going back to school in twelve days. We have a blended family and my oldest son spends almost every weekend away with his father. This makes summer the one time of year we get to spend a lot of time with the…

prepare older sibling for baby

Six Steps to Prepare Older Siblings for New Baby

By Christie Collbran | April 28, 2017

Are you adding a new baby to your sweet little family? Preparing older siblings for the arrival of the new baby can be fun and joyful but it does require some preparation. Here are our tips to prepare your older siblings to life with a newborn. 1. Give older siblings some time and grace. Change is…

Older Mom

On Being an Older Mom

By Christie Collbran | April 5, 2017

This is me, at age 36, with my second daughter, Violet. Ignore the wrinkles.I didn’t have my first child until I was in my 30s. I got married young and needed time to mature, earn (discover?) a living, and get settled. And in truth, I was ready long before my partner was. At the time I…

Xmas-Gift-Ideas-For-Husband

Christmas Gift Ideas for your Partner

By Christie Collbran | December 19, 2016

Well, Christmas is here. Everywhere you look there is a new toy, book or adorable outfit to purchase for a child. But, my mind always goes blank when trying to pick a gift for my husband. This can be even trickier when you are new parents (or soon to be new parents). To help make your job…

santa baby

Welcome, Santa Baby!

By Christie Collbran | December 18, 2016

Amy Detweiler is a mother, nurse, blogger at Sarasota Moms Blog and former client of Buddha Belly Birth doulas. She graciously contributed this post about her special Santa baby, born in 2015. – Amy  Christmas means different things to different people depending on who you ask. We all know at least one Christmas fanatic who has their tree…

traveling with little kids

8 Tips for Holiday Travel with Littles

By Christie Collbran | December 13, 2016

As a breastfeeding mom with a demanding career, my oldest daughter went where I went! By the time she’d was one year old, she’d been to California, New York, Washington, DC, Vermont, Ohio, and Arizona, just on business travel! Along the way, we added two more daughters. While our travel has slowed down some, we’ve…

Outnumbered Parenting

Outnumbered Parenting: More Kids than Adults

By Christie Collbran | November 4, 2016

After the birth of my first child, I wondered how it would be emotionally possible to add another child to our family… where would I find the love? How could I possibly subtract anything from what I give to my darling daughter? And where would I find the time? It turns out that just like…

Leah Remini on Why She Hired a Doula

By Christie Collbran | November 1, 2016

My husband, Mike Rinder, co-hosts the TV show Scientology The Aftermath with actress, comedian and best-selling author Leah Remini. She visited the Tampa area a few months ago. At dinner one evening, I was pleased to learn that Leah had the support of a postpartum doula after the birth of her daughter, Sophia, 12 years ago. She graciously…