Doula services for experienced parents, welcoming a newborn with siblings
Congratulations on your new addition to your family!
You might want to know a little about what a doula provides, so I thought to share a few skills that I offer. My desire is to assist young families in getting off to a great start when a newborn joins a family, has been growing over the past 7 years. This is a wonderful, blessing time for a family, and a time that can "make or break" a family's harmony and happiness, in being able to establish a rhythm to the day, and to have the home prepared and organized to function the way that you would like it to be.
It is also my special dedication, desire and "bucket list wish" to make available to every newborn and mother that comes to the hospital/birthing center to be offered educational materials with the opportunity to receive one CranioSacral therapy evaluation and treatment, if desired. If you are interested in finding out more about what I offer, or are considering hiring a doula or CranioSacral therapist, I would very much like to connect with you. Having other children can be a challenging time for a mom that needs to give much attention to her new family member, but lacks another pair of arms to scoop them all up for hugs, reassurance, and much needed attention. However, as a "grandma for hire...with skills," that has reared three children of my own, I have learned some tricks to make it all doable.
Getting enough sleep is the first key to success, so that is why I have an evening/night time concentration in my client base. I fold and put away clothes, while baby is sleeping and silently tidy up, so that the parents can start each day fresh. A big part of my night time duty is in watching your newborn sleep, finding and alternating comfort positions and finding your baby's particular soothing methods that allow minimal waking during the night. In this way, your newborn can establish an easy, sleeping through the night pattern, in just a couple of weeks! Getting up for a feeding only once per night is common.
By the end of 2 months, a newborn can often sleep from 11 pm to 4 or 5 am. When parents can get at least a 4 hour sleep cycle in, they can avoid becoming sleep deprived. Little ones can pick up on when their parents are tired or out of sorts, can't they? If children are also sleep deprived, getting up at night, having a hard time settling back down, or are not getting their naps in, the situation can very quickly snowball into quite a scene! My nicknames, "the nap nurse," "baby whisperer" which have been placed on me by previous clients, are confirming to me and so affectionately remembered. My last toddler, at only 14 months old, would mimic being tired on the floor, come take my hand and lead me to his crib to be put to bed when he was tired. Self soothing and self awareness for these little ones is something that I encourage.
For the first couple of months, I have some ideas and suggestions to welcome a new baby brother/sister, with a minimum of tears or jealously. After the curiosity and novelty of their newcomer wears off, and siblings realize that this little baby is staying for good, that is when finesse, experience and quick thinking are helpful. Having a "baby nurse" a few evenings/nights per week for bedtimes, day naps or quality time with your older children, is a great way for a young child to avoid feeling displaced. I have seen such delight on an older brother's face, when I come, not because of me, but because it means that he knows that he will now have his mother's undivided attention! :-)
Siblings often need their mom even more when a newborn is welcomed into the family, for reassurance. When there is someone that you trust to care for your newborn when your older children need you, they become reassured that they still matter just as much as before the new arrival. And then also, I can more easily approach your newborn's sibling(s) as a "friend" in the home, who likes children. If allowed to enter their world too, at that point, I am happy to share in play or to assist them. My feeling is that a "nanny" should not be forced on the older siblings during this emotionally vulnerable time.
If you and your husband are experienced parents, you may have all of what I am saying covered. I wouldn't want to encroach on the husband's role as Mother's doula! However, adding a second or third baby to the mix can be a bit tricky! In any case, I congratulate you and support you as a young growing family. Being a mom or a dad is the most important job in the world, IMO. All the happy and successful people in the world, give due credit to their dedicated parents, time and time again.
Should you have need or know someone that may benefit from my services, please let me know, okay? CranioSacral is complimentary for newborns, when hired as a doula.
CranioSacral Therapy has a myriad of uses before, during and after a birth, for both mom and baby. Moms that either go over the due date or have premature warnings may perhaps be concerned that they may not have a choice to allow them their baby's wait for the right time to be born.
CranioSacral therapy can help your body and your baby decide when to start the birthing process naturally, as your nervous system is nudged into balance. I know that it seems a strange thing to say, but I have seen some amazing responses to a simple nurturing, aware, gentle touch; babies miraculously turn into the right position, pain dissipates as mom deeply relaxes, and progress moves forward in the birthing process. Whatever happens, CranioSacral Therapy can smooth the wrinkles and reestablish feelings of the blissful calm that you and your baby knew during life in the womb.
After your baby's cord heals, I also offer "Baby Watsu" bathing techniques to recreate your baby's time in the womb and to teach parents a wonderful relaxing method for bathing your baby. Proper swaddling, positioning, setting up your nursery for the most comfortable sleep, along with other "tricks of the trade" and problem solving suggestions are offered on a consult basis.
The following is a short video of what CranioSacral therapy is like for a newborn: