CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION, LABOR DOULA AND POSTPARTUM CARE IN LOS ANGELES, CA
YOURDOULA Postpartum
YourDoula Postpartum
In the few weeks after a woman delivers her baby, she will need encouragement, help and support. For most mothers, this is a trying time, especially when family is far away and women don't have a mom or a sister around the corner. Women are getting used to their new role as mothers, and newborns are learning all about their moms! Getting into a routine can be very daunting, tiring and frustrating.
A postpartum doula, visits the mother at home and helps her get situated. Simple tasks like cooking a meal, doing a load of laundry or walking the family dog can be difficult when a new mother is sleep deprived. As a postpartum doula I will make these everyday chores easier. I help with basic baby care and any breastfeeding issues that may arise. I have a wealth of information and the knowledge and experience necessary to facilitate the transition from pregnancy to motherhood.
Part of my skills as a postpartum doula include cooking healthy meals for the new family. I come up with easy menus and then prepare the meals at my house, and deliver them to your home. By planning ahead, I am totally aware of any dietary restrictions, allergies as well as likes and dislikes!!
With my childbirth package, I offer one complete meal for two: appetizer (soup or salad), main course, homemade bread, and a dessert!!
You pick one item from each category, before the baby is born, and on my 1st postpartum visit, I bring dinner!!! Soups:
Chicken noodle
Butternut squash
Cream of mushroom
Vegetable minestrone
Corn chowder
Main Course:
Mac and cheese
Spaghetti Bolognese
Arroz con Pollo
Beef stew
Bow tie pasta with smoked salmon
Salads:
Basic green salad
Tomatoes and cucumbers vinaigrette
Carottes rapees
Spinach salad
Desserts:
Apple cobbler
Chocolate mousse
Fruit salad
Bread: white or whole wheat loaf
Postpartum Troubleshooting
Postpartum,
or the time right after a woman delivers a baby is a very challenging
time for her. She is recovering from the delivery, adjusting to her new
life as a mother, discovering her baby and redefining herself both
emotionally and socially. Knowledge, information and support are crucial at this time.
BREASTFEEDING:
One
might ask:" How hard can breastfeeding be?" You have a hungry baby, two
breasts and that's all you need to get started... Hold on a second,
getting started is not that easy! It looks easy, but it can be
frustrating, overwhelming and tiring. In the hospital, there are
lactation consultants who visit mom and her newborn, to help with
problems or issues, but once mom goes home she's on her own. How
daunting! Breastfeeding is a "learned" art both for the mother and the
baby. Here are just a few of the problems that can arise: Baby
isn't latching on properly. Mom's nipples are sore, cracked or
bleeding. Mom's milk supply has not been established. Mom is frantic,
baby is frantic. The list goes on. The first thing to do is RELAX! The
second thing is find a really comfortable place to breastfeed. A
rocking chair near baby's bassinet is a great place to start, and
always have plenty of pillows on hand to use as wedges and arm rests. The
third thing is to realize that for quite a few weeks if not longer, you
will feel like all you do is breastfeed. It takes an hour to get it
right, and hour to do it, an hour to get up off the rocking chair and
then you start all over again. Remember, this will not last forever, and once you get breastfeeding down, you'll be able to give other mothers advice and tips. A
good thing to do is while you are still pregnant talk to as many
mothers who have breastfed as you can including relatives and friends.
Your doctor and your childbirth educator also will have a lot of
information and help for you. A good idea is also to get the name
and number of a lactation consultant in your area, and have the number
on hand for when you get home. Here are a few sites also that can help:
Most
babies go through a "colicky" period of unexplained crying episodes
from "pain". There are many theories about colic, but none of those are
conclusive. Adaptation of newborn G.I. tract to food and environment is
the most common theory.
Colic starts around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks around 6-7 weeks of age and slowly goes away, by 2 1/2 to 3 months of age.
Crying is usually worse in the late afternoon and may last for several hours each day.
Stools, appetite, temperature usually remain normal.
What to Do?
Don't
let baby "cry it out". Try to console baby, more crying causes more
discomfort, and more cry. Tight swaddling can help along with
rocking,singing, whispering. A warm bath may also help.
Breast
milk is the best food for baby, and so mom should be on a dairy free
diet, since one of the colic theories is based on allergy to "cows
milk".
Control constipation. Constipation and colic are two
different problems, but constipation will make baby more uncomfortable.
If baby is formula fed, a little boiled water between feedings can
help. Mom should get the ok from baby's doctor, and must not exceed 2
oz of water per day.
Try not to change baby's feeding type if baby has colic.
There
are some over the counter remedies that work for colic. Mylecon drops
are often recommended and are carried by pharmacies and health food
stores. Always check first with baby's doctor before giving anything to
baby.
When do you need to contact the doctor?
If baby's eating has changed If baby is vomiting (new onset) If baby's rectal temperature is more than 100.0F If baby is lethargic If baby has mucous or blood in the stool If baby cries uncontrollably for more than 4-5 hours
