Adisela McNamara

Doulas can provide invaluable support for families adjusting to life with a newborn. Here are some ways that a doula can help during the postpartum period: - Emotional support: Doulas are trained to offer emotional support and help parents navigate the many emotions that can come with parenthood. They can provide a listening ear, offer advice, and be a source of comfort. - Breastfeeding support: Doulas can offer guidance and support with breastfeeding, which can be a challenging process for many new parents. They can help with latching, positioning, pumping and troubleshooting common issues. - Newborn care: Doulas can assist with newborn care, such as diaper changes, baths, and soothing techniques. They can also provide education on newborn behavior and development. Overnight postpartum support includes total newborn care and building healthy sleep associations to encourage positive sleep habits. - Household tasks: Doulas can help alleviate some of the stress of household tasks by doing things like laundry, meal prep, and light cleaning. This allows parents more time to rest and bond with their baby. - Referral to resources: Doula can connect families with local resources and support groups that can be helpful during the postpartum period. They can also provide information about infant feeding, development, and other important topics.

A Doula provides a variety of emotional, informational, and physical support to help new mothers successfully breastfeed their babies. In particular, as your Doula I can: - Provide education on breastfeeding techniques, positions, common difficulties, and how to overcome them. - Assist with latch and positioning, helping the mother find a comfortable and effective way to nurse her baby. - Encourage the mother to breastfeed frequently, on demand, and for as long as the baby needs. - Help the mother recognize hunger cues and signs of satisfaction from the baby. - Offer reassurance, empathy, and practical solutions for breastfeeding challenges, such as sore nipples, low milk supply, engorgement, clogged ducts, or mastitis. - Provide referrals to International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) for more specialized help if needed. - Recommend other healthcare providers that may support breastfeeding, such as Craniosacral therapists or Occupational therapists who can help address any oral function or body tension issues in the infant. -Encourage partners to play an active role in breastfeeding, you may not directly be making milk but there are so many ways to show up for your partner who does -Provide formula suggestions, pumping equipment suggestions and bottle recommendations as everyone's journey is different. -If you have booked overnight support, I will bring baby to you when baby is ready to nurse and oversee all the diaper changing, burping and soothing so you can maximize rest and go right back to sleep when baby is finished. If pumping, I will wake you during your set times to pump and bring all equipment to you, store milk properly and handle all the pump washing and sanitizing. Overall, my goal is to empower new families and provide them with the resources and confidence to breastfeed successfully.

Absolutely! Doulas support families in whatever feeding choices they make, including formula feeding. Here are some ways a doula like myself can help: - Provide information on different formula options and help families choose the most appropriate formula for their baby's unique needs. - Offer tips on bottle feeding techniques to promote comfortable and efficient feeding, such as ensuring proper positioning and avoiding overfeeding. - Connect families with oral motor function specialists who can help babies improve their sucking and swallowing skills, which can enhance the quality of eating and reduce feeding difficulties. I understand that every family has different preferences and needs. I am committed to providing non-judgmental support that helps families feel confident and empowered in their feeding choices.

Taking a childbirth class with Maternal Affinity Birth Service's exclusive Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class can provide numerous benefits for your birth and postpartum experience. Our classes are evidence-based, and the online content is curated by the top evidence-based researchers on all tings birth and postpartum meaning that the information and techniques we teach are supported by scientific research. Here are some ways in which a childbirth class can benefit you: - Education: Our classes provide in-depth education on childbirth, including information on the stages of labor, coping mechanisms, and medical interventions. Having a solid understanding of what to expect during childbirth can help you feel more confident and prepared. - Communication: Our classes emphasize the importance of communication with your healthcare provider and birth team. We teach you how to effectively advocate for your wants and needs during childbirth, helping to ensure that your experience is personalized and tailored to your preferences. - Comfort measures: We teach a variety of comfort measures for labor and delivery, including breathing techniques, massage, and positioning. These techniques can help you manage pain and discomfort during labor and may even shorten the length of your labor. - Postpartum support: Our classes also provide information and resources for the postpartum period, including lactation support, infant care, and emotional wellbeing. We want to make sure that you feel supported through all stages of your journey into parenthood. Overall, taking a childbirth class with an experienced birth worker like Adisela, can provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to have a positive birth and postpartum experience.