Rhona O’Flynn Hoelsken, CPD, LS

Tara Carolan, CPD, RN

Why line up a Postpartum Doula before giving birth?
Rhona: Babies don’t come home from the hospital with manuals! Having doula support on night one at home is important. Help with breastfeeding, sleep and being able to answer basic questions is invaluable.
 
Julie: Babies tend to wake after the first two weeks and that’s when we receive a lot of calls for support. It is helpful to have a night doula lined up before you get to this point, due to our high demand. 

Tara: New parents need support when going from the hospital environment (with tons of guidance) to being at home with a baby. Doulas offer a schedule of feeding times, breastfeeding tips, help setting healthy sleep patterns and a routine for the baby so new parents can sleep. From day one, we create a sleep environment for the baby that is healthy and will eventually lead to a baby sleeping through the night.

Kim: Each family I work with has different needs and concerns. It could be the fear of caring for a baby and/or as simple as just wanting a shower, more sleep and time to eat. I help parents understand their babies’ sleep patterns and set up a routine and I offer an extra set of hands that is ready to answer questions and listen to concerns. I truly believe that hiring a doula in the beginning sets the stage for a successful new adventure into parenthood. 



What are some key lessons for babies with day/night confusion?
Joan: Most healthy babies have growth spurts at two-three weeks and then again at six weeks. Up until then, their circadian rhythm is out of whack. They may sleep a lot during the day and then wake up at night. We can gently nudge babies’ rhythm to become in sync with our own. During the first two-three weeks, newborns should feed every 2-3 hours to gain back their birth weight. This also helps them to wake frequently during the day. 

Create an environment that will help your baby learn that daytime is for feeding and play, nighttime is for quiet feeds and sleep. During the day, expose your baby to sunlight. If a walk outside is not possible, a sunlit room in your home is helpful. In the evening, turn down lights and screens and sounds. If your baby was born early or has had a difficult birth, it may take a little longer for their day/night confusion to adjust. 

Tara: Establishing healthy sleep patterns and routines from day one is key. There is no expectation that the baby will be on schedule right away but with a repetitive pattern, the baby will eventually learn the cues of sleeping and be able to differentiate night and day based on your routine. Having a quiet space with white noise, dim lights and swaddles are key to helping nighttime routine. 

Julie: Right from the beginning, it is important to instill good sleep habits. If you are unsure that you need a doula to come into your home, know that we also offer Virtual Support! With COVID, Virtual Support has been an ideal way to connect. It’s also good if you just need a refresher. 



What if some parents can’t stomach sleep training? How would you approach that? 
Rhona: Sometimes for parents, simply knowing they can talk to someone who isn’t in the thick of things can be a lifesaver. Figuring out what works for the baby may require a mix of ideas from doulas and parents. All babies are different and what works can change from night to night. Being flexible is key. 

Joan: Sleep training got a bad reputation when it was associated with leaving your child to “CIO” (cry it out). Then in the 80s, methods of controlled crying/check-and-console became popular as the thinking was that these methods helped your baby become independent. Since then, research in child brain development and normal sleep development has resulted in more methods of parental involvement. The gentler methods of sleep coaching are suited for all parenting styles. Attached parents and parents who are tear-sensitive and anxious will find the gentle methods more suitable. The Gentle Sleep methods are described as “coaching” as opposed to “training.” The parent coaches and supports their baby in learning new skills. The parent slowly reduces that support over time, allowing their baby the opportunity to practice independent sleep. 

Julie: I come into a new parents’ home with a non-judgemental and nurturing approach. I support my clients with whatever choices they make and offer them unbiased educational advice.

What if parents have left it for too long and the baby is no longer a newborn but struggles with sleep—is it too late?
Kim: It is never too late to get support from a doula. If your baby is struggling with connecting their sleep cycles, a doula can assess what is going on during the day and/or night, give constructive advice and help support the parents to make changes. 


What are your favorite tips for postpartum moms?
Rhona: Getting support in the beginning from family/friends/doulas is a great start, but continuing on with moms’ groups/friends is even more important. Those are the people who stay with you through the tough times and who help you celebrate the joyful times! Having other people who know what you are going through is key. Start with joining a local mom’s group, baby massage class or hitting up your local nursing cafe to meet other moms. Know that you aren’t on this journey alone.

Kim: Let others help you. Tell them what you want and need. You can’t do it all!

Joan: Favorite tip: Always have the diaper bag packed and ready to go. Practical advice: practice, practice, practice! If you are feeling overwhelmed about feeding your baby, getting out the door, or caring for a newborn, practice these challenges when someone else is present. Do it when things are calm, to take the pressure off. – 

Tara: Be flexible, love your baby, hold your baby, listen to your gut and always ask for help. You don't have to do it all! Also don't read everything off the internet—it is needlessly overwhelming.

Julie Flint, Digital Doula, CPD, LE
Working with families and watching babies grow is a beautiful and fulfilling process. It became deeply evident to me that both child and parent need to be nurtured, especially through the earliest stages of growth. I bring nurturing non-judgmental support into my clients homes from the very beginning.
Contact:
@digital_doula
sproutandsagedoulas.com
415-260-9824

Joan Canning, CPD, LE, Gentle Sleep Coach
As a night Doula, I supported families for many years. That experience and passion for helping overwhelmed and sleep deprived parents, led me on the path of becoming a Gentle Sleep Coach. I offer support and education to help them and their children get healthy sleep. 
Contact:
@joan_sleepytime
facebook.com/sleepytimesupport
510-717-9454 

Support:
Family Support Group From Birth To Babies
Practical and Proven Sleep Methods for Gentle Parents by Sleepytime Support

Kim Lucchesi, Day Doula, LE
My passion is working with families and helping them transition during a very intimate and emotional time in their lives. I take pride in watching parents find their own way into parenthood. 
Contact:
kimlucchesi.com
415-516-4928 

Rhona O’Flynn Hoelsken, CPD, LS
I have been a doula for over six years.  I have my NCS certification and am also a Certified Lactation Specialist. I feel very fortunate to be able to work in this field and am blessed by the amazing parents and babies I get to work with!
Contact:
hoelsken5@yahoo.com
415-377-2402

Tara Carolan, CPD, RN
I am passionate about supporting and nurturing families after the birth of their babies by offering  physical, emotional and informational support to guide them towards become confident parents to their baby.
Contact:
taracarolan@yahoo.com
415-845-8579