Bornbir Blog

Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum articles for parents, doulas, lactation consultants, and other perinatal care providers.

Pregnancy

Natural birth vs epidural

Here’s a quick side-by-side of pain relief, mobility, and intervention odds for natural labor vs epidural. It boils down to how much feeling you want, how much moving matters, and what medical steps you’re fine with.Quick Answer On Natural Birth Vs EpiduralKey Differences Between Natural Birth And Epidural Criteria Natural Birth Epidural Pain Relief Method Breathing techniques, position changes, massage Local anesthetic injected near spinal nerves Mobility Impact Full freedom to walk, squat, and switch positions Generally bed-bound with limited repositioning Intervention Likelihood Lower probability of forceps or vacuum Slightly higher odds of assisted delivery This table lays out the...

Lactation Consultant

How to Get a Lactation Consultant Covered by Insurance

Let's get straight to the big question: Is a lactation consultant covered by your insurance? For most families, the answer is a resounding yes. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most health insurance plans are required to cover breastfeeding support and counseling, often with no out-of-pocket costs to you.Your Guide to Insurance for Lactation SupportNavigating insurance benefits can feel like trying to decipher a secret code, especially when you're busy with a new baby. You need answers about feeding your little one, and the last thing you want is a surprise bill for getting the help you deserve. The...

Newborn Newborn Care Specialist

Your Guide to the Infant Potty Method

The infant potty method is a gentle, communication-based way to respond to your baby's elimination needs. It's all about watching for your baby's natural cues for peeing or pooping and offering them a potty at just the right moment. This practice, often called elimination communication, isn't about rigid training but about creating a responsive dialogue that builds body awareness right from the start.What Is the Infant Potty Method?The idea of putting a tiny baby on a potty might sound a little strange at first, but it's a practice that has been completely normal in many cultures for centuries. Instead of...

​ How to Care for C Section Incision

When you have a C-section, the first priority is simple: keep your incision clean and dry. From there, it's about watching for any unusual changes and managing your comfort. For the first 24 to 48 hours in the hospital, your care team has this covered. They'll handle the initial dressing changes and monitor you closely.Your First Few Days: C-Section Incision Care in the HospitalThose first days after a C-section can feel like a total blur. You’re recovering from major surgery, you’re exhausted, and you’re trying to get to know this tiny new person. It’s a lot to take in! Knowing...

How to Become a Certified Fertility Coach: Step-by-Step Guide + Success Tips

Fertility coaching has become an increasingly meaningful career for people who want to support individuals and couples navigating infertility, IVF, pregnancy loss, and the emotional weight of trying to conceive. As awareness around reproductive mental health grows, so does the demand for trained, ethical fertility coaches who can provide education, emotional support, and guidance—without replacing medical care.If you’re wondering how to become a certified fertility coach, this guide walks you through the process step by step and shares practical tips for building a successful fertility coaching practice. We’ll also explain how the DNT Network Fertility Coach Certification fits into this...

Newborn Care Specialist

​ Newborn Toilet Training

The idea of toilet training a newborn might sound a bit out there. But we’re not talking about the kind of potty training you do with a toddler. This is a gentle, responsive practice called Elimination Communication (EC), and it’s all about tuning into your baby's natural signals and giving them a chance to use a potty right from the start.The Reality of Newborn Toilet TrainingThink of Elimination Communication less as "training" and more as a conversation with your baby. It’s a way to recognize and respond to their innate needs, viewing diapers as a helpful backup rather than a...

Breastfeeding Lactation Consultant

A Parent's Guide to Lactation Consulting Services

Lactation consulting offers one-on-one coaching for your unique feeding journey. It’s all about getting expert, hands-on support to help you and your baby find a comfortable rhythm, whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, or doing a little bit of both. Taking this step is incredibly common and a great way for parents to build confidence and work through any feeding challenges that pop up.Your Guide to Lactation SupportThink of a lactation consultant as a supportive guide for one of the most important, and sometimes stressful, parts of early parenthood. Their main job is to provide evidence-based care and practical, real-world solutions. Instead...

Breastfeeding Lactation Consultant

Lactating 101: A Practical Guide for New Parents

At its heart, lactating is the beautiful, biological process of your body making breast milk to nourish your baby. It’s an intricate system driven by hormones that signal your breasts to produce milk right after birth, perfectly adapting to your baby’s hunger on a supply-and-demand basis.This whole process doesn't just switch on the day you deliver. Your body is cleverly preparing for lactation all throughout pregnancy.What Does Lactating Mean for Your BodyYou can think of lactation as a conversation between your body, your hormones, and your baby. It's a finely tuned biological symphony. Long before your baby arrives, your body...

Mental Health Therapist Doula Training

Perinatal Mental Health Certification Alternatives: PMH-C (PSI) vs. C-PMHS (DNT Network)

As interest in perinatal mental health grows, more professionals—including doulas, therapists, nurses, lactation consultants, social workers, and support specialists—are seeking credible certification programs. Two well-known pathways are: The Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) from Postpartum Support International (PSI) The Perinatal Mental Health Specialist Certification (C-PMHS) from DNT Network Both programs help professionals support families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), but they differ in structure, cost, time commitment, level of rigor, and accessibility.Below is a side-by-side comparison to help you understand which path may be the best fit for your goals.Overview: What Each Certification RepresentsPMH-C by PSI PSI’s Perinatal...

Breastfeeding Lactation Consultant

How to Put Nipple Shield On

If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’re looking for a way to make breastfeeding more comfortable, and you're wondering how to put on a nipple shield. The basic idea is simple: You flip the brim, center it over your nipple, and smooth it down so it creates a light suction. This little maneuver helps your baby get a much deeper, more effective latch.Understanding When a Nipple Shield Can HelpLet's be real. Sometimes breastfeeding doesn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped. A nipple shield can be a total lifesaver in those moments. It’s a tool designed to help with...