Are you just an overpaid babysitter?

When I try to explain what I do as a postpartum doula, I get all kinds of comparisons. I don’t blame people, it’s a hard job to describe and even harder to understand (unless you’ve been a new mom. Then you compare us to things like superheroes and guardian angels). Often, people say “Are you…

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Pumping is the WORST.

I am so excited to introduce a new author to our blog… Jillian Hasner! One of our fabulous Postpartum Doulas here at Happy Family After. Let’s give her a big round of applause and look forward to a lot more from her! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This weekend, I watched a great documentary called Breastmilk. Along with telling…

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Now offering:: Unicorn rides*

*At least, that’s how it will feel. What does an overnight doula do? I get a lot of questions about the overnight support we offer. Many people call asking for a “baby nurse” or “night nurse” (in quotes because they’re not typically licensed nurses), and I love telling them how and why a postpartum doula…

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A Day at Home with a Postpartum Doula

There was an article going around a few weeks ago called “A Day at Home with a Newborn”. Articles like these always inspire laughs in moms who understand what it’s like, but they make me sad and frustrated, because I want to reach into the computer and shout, “Hire a postpartum doula!!” The author doesn’t get a…

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An Open Letter to Guests

(I wrote this a while ago and it appeared in a whole bunch of major newspapers when the Royal Baby was born in 2013. It was also featured on NPR’s website, SheKnows.com, and many other sites!) Family members and friends will flock to your house when you have a new arrival. YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED…

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Feed your newborn sushi!*

You just had your baby. She’s 3 days old and you’re heading home from the hospital. When you get home, feed your baby sushi as soon as possible. And then for the next meal, probably falafel. Because of course you want her to get used to eating a variety of foods right away! If all…

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What do bikini waxes and parenting advice have in common?

I’m a natural blonde. Jealous? Don’t be. It basically means I have wispy, fine hair that all but disappears when I put it in a ponytail. The positive, though, is that I don’t have a lot of body hair. I shave my legs like once a week and armpits pretty much never (I’m sure you…

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I Don't Want to Run a Marathon.

(This post is about breastfeeding. Or rather, not breastfeeding. We’ll get there, I promise.) I don’t want to run a marathon.Or a half marathon, or a 10K. MAYBE a 5K, but only if it’s for a really good charity, and there is lots of cold beer waiting for me at the end of it. Do…

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