10 Pregnancy Hacks Every Expecting Mama Should Know
From our growing bellies to the seemingly never-ending list of pregnancy symptoms we endure, pregnancy can be a tough season! It takes a toll on your normal everyday life (especially if this isn’t your first baby!), and can really tend to overcomplicate simple tasks.
Why a Postpartum Plan is Just as Important as a Birth Plan (and how you can make one)
You’re a few short weeks away from meeting your new little one; Your hospital bag is packed, you’ve installed the car seat, and have probably even created your birth plan. But have you thought about creating a postpartum plan?
Morning Routines to start your day with less stress
Morning routines honestly, rarely happen right now for me. But when each baby ages out of nursing in the morning, I do try to inject a few little things into my morning to set the tone for the rest of the day. Routine or not, those first few minutes of your day determine the general direction of your day. Of course, you can change that direction at any time - but why not start on a positive path?
My Postpartum Bra Strategy
With this being my 4th time around the postpartum block, I feel like I’ve become a nursing bra connoisseur! I’ve seen (what feels like) almost every bra option out there: the good, the bad, and the uncomfy. With every child, I’ve done things a little differently. This time around, I really like the strategy I’ve come up with and it’s been a great experience so far!
Postpartum Tea Blends
Postpartum tea blends can get expensive and typically focus more on the nursing aspect of being postpartum. I started looking into this for a client and have decided the best thing to do is buy herbs in bulk and make your own blend! It’s much less expensive and not terribly hard or inconvenient. It’s definitely doable, mama!
Postpartum Journey: Filling Snacks to Make it Through
You’re now juggling a baby who will only sleep in your arms, other kids needing attention, piles of laundry, and tons of errands. Then, you finally get the baby to sleep but you can’t move….for what could be hours! I’ve been there way too many times to count! Finding a snack that is ready to grab quickly and will keep you nourished during those long naps, will be a godsend.
Most Recommended Products for Moms & Baby, From a Doula’s Perspective
I can’t believe I’ve been a mom now for almost six years. That said - I’ve experimented and tried out so many products and brands for babies and mamas. Even more so over the last year that I’ve been training to become a Doula! I feel like something new comes out every day, so it's been difficult to keep up, but I like to have an idea of what is available in the industry. Being a first time mom, or even a mom of 5, there’s always experimentation that needs to be done because every baby is different and so is every child-parent relationship. I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting about what has changed from Carmen to PJ to Graham and it got me thinking about all the products I’ve switched around throughout the years. I wanted to share my recommendations, as I would for my Doula clients,for products that can help make your life easier, more comfortable, or more efficient. Use this list as a guide, or checklist if you will, for the ultimate list of products you need to support your way through this amazing journey of motherhood.
Easing Back Into Workouts after Having a Baby
Having now birthed three (and no it definitely doesn’t get easier) I wanted to share some of my favorite tips for returning to a “routine”, once cleared by doctors, of course. Getting back into fitness and wellness after having each of my kids, was one way I was able to start to feel good again. BTW, I don’t like saying “get back to normal” because I feel like your life is always your normal. It just changes as you change. I know not everyone has the capacity or support to get alone time for self-care, but I highly encourage every new mom to focus on themselves for even just 5 minutes a day! Here are some of my favorite tips for getting back into a safe and effective fitness routine, postpartum.