Category: Newborn

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baby Newborn Parenthood parenting Postpartum Pregnancy Resources

How to find the right pediatrician for you!

With pregnancy comes all the parenting decisions along the way.  They begin just about….welp….immediately!  One decision to think about before your baby comes is finding the right pediatrician for your family.    Follow our tips to help you find the perfect provider!

TIP #1- Aligning with the care philosphy

Just like us doulas say about aligning with your midwife or OB, you want your parenting philosophies and/or health philosophies to align with the right doctor for your baby.

There are different practice models of doctors that see and treat infants. Family doctors see the whole family, yes including you if you want, and pediatricians specialize in care of babies and children.  If you are unsure which model sounds better for you, simply call both types of practices to interview.   That’s right, I said it, interview.  Ideally you will have an opportunity to have a phone call, zoom meeting, or an actual tour of the practice.  Asking your questions ahead of time will help you determine if it feels like a good fit for what you are looking for. 

Don’t forget to take into consideration what you prefer in a medical doctor. These preferences will likely be what you will be wanting from your baby’s doctor as well.  Things like holistic care options or being in a larger practice size are preferences for some families for example.

What should you ask at the interview? Here are some sample ideas:

What level of familiarity and support with breastfeeding (if it is a feeding choice for you) is offered?

What is the practice’s policies on vaccines?  Are delayed schedules, ok? 

Does the provider perform circumcision?  Does the provider have familiarity with intact and circumcised individuals?

What parenting philosophies are supported?

Does the provider have any specialized training?

Tip #2 – Is it practical for your family’s needs?

Distance- Take in consideration how far away the office is.  Don’t forget beyond well-baby visits there may be a day your child feels unwell. How long of a car-ride are you willing to actually endure? 

Insurance- On the back of your insurance card there should be a link to a website to search providers, or a phone number to call for a list in your area.  Another option of course is asking the pediatrician’s office if your insurance is accepted.  This can be a huge factor that dictates where you can go and not all doctors take all kinds unfortunately. 

Hospital affiliation- Every doctor will have privileges at specific hospitals.  Does it matter to you if your doctor is affiliated at the hospital of your preference?  Does it matter if your doctor has privileges at the closest hospital to you?  Also upon giving birth a pediatrician will look over your newborn. If your provider is affiliated with your birth place they could be the one to do this. Is this something you are hoping for?

Office hours and systems- What hours is the office open? Some things to look for are evening hours and weekend hours. If there is an emergency what does that look like?

Tip #3 – Wade through the reviews

Crowdsourcing family, friends, and the internet can be a great way to find some names of providers.  Our recommendation is to take in consideration the priorities and wishes of those folk who loved those providers.  Sally may just absolutely looooooove Dr. Smith, but Sally may also have sought out a completely opposite style of provider than what you would like. It is still good to ask around though because it still creates a list that is an excellent jumping board for you to get started.

Go deeper on the internet reviews. Just glancing at a star rating and dismissing a provider isn’t always the best practice. If there are lower reviews see if there is an explanation regarding the rating. You may not agree with what they found negative. Is the negative something regarding office systems, like wait times, or is it the actual care of the provider? If the practice is able to respond to negative review how was it handled? This can speak loud volumes to how the office truly is.

So putting a little time into the decision before baby is here ,can hopefully lead you in the right direction for picking a doctor that feels just right. Don’t forget life is fluid! Priorities change. So after you pick the doctor that feels right and months go on, if the fit isn’t as you imagined you can always go through these tips again and find an even better fit.

If you have a fantastic family doctor or pediatrician you would like to share with us, leave their name in the comments!

Authored by Andrea Stainbrook

 

Categories
Family Newborn Parenthood Postpartum

To the new mother’s day

This Mother’s Day there are new mothers everywhere are ready to be celebrated for the first time. New parents share their glowing photos on Instagram and Facebook. Visitors bring gift bags filled with tissue paper wrapped new outfits and baby toys.

The early days of motherhood while a joy and a celebration are more than that. We see you new mom.

The new mother is healing and achy. Her lacy underwear is traded in for mesh panties and a super thick overnight pad. She leaks lochia discharge and her bottom is sore. In the bathroom now sits a caddy of comfort and care. A peri-bottle, more pads, numbing spray, tucks wipes, and Earth Mama Perineal Balm all sit nestled next to the toilet. This is the new mother’s hot new bathroom accessory.

While some energy returns the new mom has a couple main places to be in her home. The couch or the bed. Rest is so important. Next to the new mom sits a boppy pillow, baby blankets, burp cloths, diapers, wipes, and a water bottle.

The new mother’s breasts are full, achy, leaky, and bigger than she has ever seen. Her nipples are tender and they are covered in cream. She wears a soft bra, with pads placed delicately to collect any milk and keep it from soaking her.

Her hair is tossed up loosely into a bun. With some strands falling down and framing her face.

In her arms sits her squishy new baby. She stares in awe of him. He wriggles, he grunts. Every noise is the best sound she has ever heard.

There are hard moments. The newborn withers and screams. The new mom bounces and rocks. Shhhuuuuuusssshhhh. The newborn still is fussy. Everyone is tired. Bounce, rock, shush, repeat. Finally the newborn settles.

The new mom cries. Tears of joy. Tears of frustration. Tears of pain. Tears of accepting a huge life shift. Just tears. They ebb and flow.

Motherhood is a lot to take in. A lot of beauty. A lot of emotions.

New parents in the early days of parenthood experience a lot. While this story shares one version of motherhood please know there are many other stories that exist. Each story of motherhood/parenthood is unique. The commonality is parenthood encompasses so many emotions. Celebrate the wins with the new parent in your life. And reassure them when they are feeling low. Check in on the new mom in your life. Just to see how they truly are.

For Mother’s Day let the new mom just be. Whatever she needs the day to be. Help her heal. Help her be fed. Help her how she needs help.

Happy New Mother’s Day

Authored by: Andrea Stainbrook

Categories
Family Infant Feeding Newborn Parenthood Postpartum Resources

Best tips for bringing home baby | Part 2

Doula tips for success!

So perhaps you have all the things. You got the diapers, you got all the feeding supplies. Now what?!

TIP #1 CREATE STATIONS FOR FEEDING AND diaper CHANGES

It’s a good idea to have all your things gathered in specific spots.

Popular spots of diaper changing is near where they sleep, near where you are in the day, and then a diaper bag ready for on the go changes. Check out our blog here for a checklist of items to have on hand for your changing table station. It is a good idea to get into a habit of replenishing these spots daily. Nothing worse than removing a diaper and reaching for the new one only to touch an empty space. Doh!

For breastfeeding folk you may want a tote bag of everything you would like during a nursing session. From nipple creams, burp cloth, water bottle, snacks, and even the trusty TV remote. Once you get comfy and begin nursing you will not want to adjust to grab one of those things. Boppy pillows, or My Brest Friend pillows are great to have to help share the load of holding the baby while breastfeeding. Some people like having one area in the home where they nurse in the daytime, and one dedicated spot for nighttime feeding. These can become helpful when shaping sleep too, and trying to fall into a schedule.

Bottle feeding prep involves having everything out and easily accessible. You can get organized. Clear off a space on your kitchen countertop to place a sterilizer (if using a countertop style, dishwashers with a sanitizing cycle, or good ol’ boiling water can also sterilize), bottle warmer, and bin/basket for feeding items. This can include bottles out on the counter or you can keep them in a cabinet near by. If using formula you can have the ready to feed, or powder containers set up here as well. Some folk like Baby Brezza products for formula feeding. They offer items that can help shorten the time it takes to prepare a warm bottle. If you use their formula dispenser you can have that in this area too!

Next to or in the the sink you can keep a basin and as bottles become dirty they can go right into this basin. Fill this basin up with warm soapy water so the bottles can soak. Step one of bottle cleaning is done! From here you can continue to hand wash or they can go right into the dishwasher. A bottle drying rack is convenient for placing your freshly washed bottles on.

Doula Tip: Check the nipple sizes for flow for all new bottles. Make sure the newborn sizes/slower flow nipples are the ones out and ready to use!

TIP #2- Meal planning for parents

So you got the feeding stations figured out and you know you are going to feed your little baby well. But parents need to eat too! And often the caretaking of the little human is so consuming that meals get skipped. Or cookies begin to count as meals. Which we are here for but isn’t very sustaining, nor should be the plan.

Prepare some meals in advance. Freezer meals are a great hit. Spend a few days at the end of pregnancy stocking up your freezer with meals that you just have to throw in a crock pot or insta-pot. BOOM! Homecooked meals at the ready in those early postpartum weeks.

In this beautiful day and age we now have so many delivery services at the ready. If people are looking to gift you things and you don’t know what to ask for, ask for gift cards to Door Dash and Grub Hub and the like. When you are hungry you will be so grateful you can have the meals brought to you!

Some families even like to set up a Meal Train. The website makes it easy to share online with family and friends. You can get specific on your requests for things such as likes, dislikes, and allergies. Leave a cooler on your porch, and loving friends and family will bring you meals!

Tip #3 – Know your boundaries when it comes to visitors

Firstly, we are in a pandemic. You decide your rules and comfort level with who can visit and what you expect of them period. If the visitor cannot follow these rules and are upset about it, it truly is their own reaction and feelings which you cannot control. Do not take them on. You have to protect your family the way you feel best doing so.

The early days of parenthood is also a time of recovery for the parents, especially the birthing person. Send signals to the visitors by keeping a robe on or staying in your bed when they visit. These are visual cues that healing and recovery are happening.

Doula tip- You are not entertaining visitors after the birth of your baby. They can get their own glass of water, they know how! Better yet they can bring you meals!

The days after the baby is born are a time of discovery and adjustment. While visitors may be welcomed and helpful, stay focused on your needs too. Don’t skip feedings or put them off just bit longer if breastfeeding to wait for the visitor to leave. Announce to the room it is time to feed and they can accommodate you.

Bottomline, if you are not up to have a visitor over simply let them know, “No thanks, not today.”

Tip #4- SAY YES

It can be hard for us to admit we need help, to ask for it, or even say yes to offers of help. This is the time to say YES! Did you just eat breakfast, but then your friend wants to bring over bagels, coffee, and juice? Say yes to the bagels, coffee, and juice! While you have a visitor over, if they ask how they can help, BE HONEST.

Doula tip- Make a list of things that would be helpful in every room (i.e. vacuum the great room, walk the dog, wipe the counters) When a visitor asks how to help you can simply direct them to the lists!

These tips will help you navigate those early days home. It is a beautiful whirlwind, with winds of overwhelm and tears too. Be gentle on yourself as you navigate your new beginning, and don’t forget you can always reach out to your Postpartum Doula too!

Authored by Andrea Stainbrook

Categories
baby Family Newborn Parenthood Postpartum Safety

Best tips for bringing home your baby

Doula tips for success!
Part One | Car Seats and Diapers

“Are they going to just let us walk out with her!?”

Words spoken by Amy Hammer, doula and owner of MDDS, on the first thing that came to her mind as she was leaving the hospital. While ready to be home after a long 5 day stay in that hospital in Germany, those feelings of ‘are we ready to take care of this new human?’ seeped in. This is normal. If you are feeling the same way don’t worry, us doulas got you! Follow our tips for bringing home your brand new baby in our blog series.

TIP #1- Think ahead and prepare! What do you need?

CAR SEAT –

To get the baby home you will need gear. One important item to do this is the car seat! There are many to choose from so think about what matters to you most. All car seats follow strict safety standards so a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean safer. It may mean easier to use, easier to clean, easier to install, or simply its super cute. Safety comes in all price points. Its not a bad idea to check them out in store if you can. Locally you can do some car seat research at Modern Natural Baby in Ferndale.

The main styles are an infant car seat, which is known as the bucket style and convertible. Infant car seats have a base installed in the car, and then the baby is placed and buckled in the infant carrier (bucket) portion. That infant carrier then clicks into the base. This allows parents to get their baby in and out of the car without unbuckling them right away and offers something to carry them in. These usually last from newborn days up to 24 months (for some way shorter than that, for example 6 months), depending on your baby’s height and weight as well as the brand.

The other style is a convertible car seat. This car seat is installed in the vehicle and you buckle your baby in the seat that is already in the car. While they are not portable like the infant car seat type they tend to last longer before your child outgrows it.

Doula tip- Follow the instruction manual for installing your car seat! It is easy to install car seats incorrectly. Very smart people will make mistakes, so don’t guess on how to put it in. Pull out the booklet and follow it to a tee!

Once you have it purchased you will want it installed before the big day. CPSTs, or child passenger safety technicians, can assure your car seat is properly installed. We highly recommend connecting with Buckle Up Detroit who can do this for you, or most fire stations can do this for you, and even some baby stores have CPSTs on hand to help.

Some hospital policies will include having a staff member check your car seat and your baby in the car seat before you get the all clear to leave at the time of discharge.

DIAPERS AND WIPES-

We all know, everybody poops. Well babies sure do and they don’t come potty trained. You will want to figure out what types of diapers you want to use ahead of time. Disposable or cloth?

Disposable:

You may want to determine which brand is the best for you based off what it is made of, and price. If you do not have a preference that is ok too! Some are more eco-friendly and dye free, (This blog has a list of brands ), some have cute patterns, and some of them focus on affordability. They will all fit a little differently and hold fluid a little differently. Building a huge stash of diapers so you don’t have to run out to the store right away when you are home brings peace to some parents. Some folk may decide to wait and try a couple different brands to see what they prefer using with their baby.

Disposable diapers come in different sizes. The newborn size usually fits for a few weeks and has an accommodating cut out around the belly button for those days of the umbilical cord stump hanging around. (Yes, your beautiful new baby will come home with a little piece of its umbilical cord still attached. It will dry out and fall off anywhere from a few days after birth to up to 14 days.) Newborn size typically fits a baby up to about 10lbs in weight and you may only need a package or two. Size one is usually for newborns as well, and up to 4 months old or up to 14lbs. It isn’t a bad idea to have both of those sizes available for the immediate time at home.

Preemie diapers are another size offered. You can plan on these if you know you are giving birth before 37 weeks. If you have an unexpected smaller baby do not fret, the hospital will have the size you need. You can then order a package online to be delivered for your arrival home. The world we live in today is amazing for that!

Doula tip- Newborns dirty about 8-12 diapers a day. Use this as a baseline to help determine how many diapers you will need for your home supply.

Most newborn and size 1 diapers will come with a yellow line down the diaper that turns blue as the diaper becomes wet. This can help you out as you are figuring out the diapering routine.

Cloth Diapers-

Cloths diapers have become really popular! People choose them for a variety of reasons. They are an eco-friendly option, a money saving investment, and can be gentler on a baby’s bottom.

Cloth diapers come in all types now a days! So you will want an idea ahead of time on what kind you want to start with. There all all-in-ones, pockets, pre-folds & covers, and hybrids. Some areas still have diaper services available to them too. Again you can head over locally to Modern Natural Baby to see some cloth diapers and learn more about them.

The style of diaper is selected will then help you determine how many you may need and how many different sizes you will need. Many cloth diapers can grow with your baby. They may be extra bulky at first on a little newborn bum, but as they age they grow into them. The pocket style allows you to control the amount of absorbency and they dry faster than an all-in-one style. Pre-folds with a diaper cover can allow for smaller sizing in the first few weeks. Covers can be purchased in newborn sizes. You truly can get creative with a cloth diaper stash and use a few different styles. If possible try out different kinds and brands to try to see what you may prefer using in the actual day to day. Overwhelmed by cloth diaper choices? Check out this blog or this article.

For a cloth diaper stash 20 diapers to fit your newborn is ideal. A total of 24 diapers in general will work for most families. Along with the diapers laundry detergent that is ok to use with them, and a wet bag to hold the dirty diapers as they accumulate is needed as well.

Don’t forget doing a mix of cloth and disposable is an option too. Perhaps starting out with disposable the first couple weeks while the baby is tiny and switching over as the baby gets a little bigger. Whatever works for your family!

Wipes-

Don’t forget the wipes! Just like the diapers these come in a variety of brands and different solutions to keep them moist. You will certainly want at least 2 larger size packages on hand to begin with. You may go through more wipes than you think. Cloth wipes are an available option as well.

Both cloth and disposable wipes can be used in appropriate wipe warmers. Wipe warmers help lessen the shock of a cold wet wipe on your baby’s bum at diaper change time.

It’s a good idea to set up an area in your home for the diaper changes. Check out our previous blog for more tips and even a checklist to have the perfect set up!

With these items on hand you can feel good about having the essentials when coming home with your baby! Need help navigating all of the choices? Reach out to your doula or contact us today!

Authored by: Andrea Stainbrook

Categories
Family Newborn Parenthood Postpartum Self-Care

New parent loneliness

The feeling of loneliness. So many of us are experiencing it. So many things can factor into being lonely. Did you know it is a common feeling of new parents? Loneliness and isolation are often feelings described by new parents. If you find yourself nodding along, know you are not the only lonely new parent.

PARENTHOOD

Adding to the family whether it is a first child or 5th is a life transition. While the time may be exciting, perhaps hoped for, and of course full of love, it is also full of sleep deprivation, and constant responsibility. Not to mention adjusting to a new identity shift (why this part doesn’t get talked about much is always surprising to me).

Having a baby is a big shift. No matter what your expectations were, likely the reality is somewhat different. The life you were used to changed in an instant. Now the time clock revolves around when this brand new human wants to eat, poops their diaper, or needs to sleep. All your other adult responsibilities are there too though. Maybe you are on a work hiatus but the dishes don’t stop, the laundry piles up, and Spot the dog still needs that walk….and maybe a bath. All of this can be overwhelming. One day you feel you are killing it and the next you aren’t quite sure how you’ll make it till dinner time.

Sometimes we are so wrapped up into this new odd routine that it feels like one day we just pop our heads up for air and realize nothing is the same. So we call our friends. They are busy tending to their own families, or maybe they are working, or even though they are your go-to friends maybe they are in a different life circumstance and it feels like they can’t completely understand what you are saying. And this is if you get over feeling like burden telling your friends how you actually feel.

And then, there’s COVID.

The pandemic adds a whole new layer. For some it means no visitors whatsoever. For some a huge reduction in visitors. No matter what the visitor and helper policy you have in place is it certainly less help and it may come with some low level worry.

Leaving the house sounds lovely but it may feel risky or hard to try to venture out with your new baby. It may feel like all you can do is be home with your baby, or walk around the block at best.

More than once I have heard something like this, “I long to just go to Target, get a Starbucks and walk around.”

This is coupled with a feeling like there’s no escape. No break in the day to day. It is also super ok to admit you want to escape away for a little bit. This does not make you a bad parent. And I 100% understand how nice wandering the aisles of Target alone is.

AND THEN THERE’S THE SEASON CHANGE.

While fall is beautiful (and who doesn’t love a warm Michigan cider mill donut?) it can also be another change on top of the many changes that lead some of us to feel even more lonely. Evening comes sooner. The air is cooler. Also many people feel more comfy with visitors outside during the pandemic and with frigid temps ahead this makes the winter sound much more like it was during lockdown.

As doulas we see you. We know this feeling. We are are here to listen and here to support. Know this moment is temporary.

So what in tarnation can we do about new parenthood loneliness?

For starters recognize that you may be feeling this way. Say it out loud. Tell someone.

Pretending you don’t have this feeling or stuffing it down will never help you.

Look around you. Who can you reach out to? Maybe it is family, friends, a therapist, or your doula. Simply begin the conversation that you are feeling isolated and want help figuring out how to not feel so alone. You will not be burdening those who truly care for you.

KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN FEELING LONELY.

Comfort can be found when realizing that this isn’t something completely unique to you and your situation.

It is also a good time to practice self-love and happiness growth.

Doing things like exercising, having a daily grateful list (just jot down five things, no matter big or small), meditation (the Headspace app is amazing!), journaling and doing extra acts of kindness, while always a good idea, also help you get into a place to feel better about making more connections.

Search for a parent group.

Social media can be one place to connect. We even have a Facebook group for parents called “Metro Detroit Families, Keeping it real.” It can feel good to connect with folks going through a similar life experience. Some in-person groups can be found although more limited due to the pandemic. Places that offer baby classes or pre-natal yoga may offer in person parenting groups.

If your feelings of loneliness are overwhelming, or seem to be interfering with your daily life though it is a good time to reach out to a mental health professional. There are those that specialize in the postpartum time and early parenthood days too. These may be the best place to start.

You don’t have to navigate parenthood alone.

Postpartum and Infant Care Doulas can be a companion piece for new parents. Doulas specialize in helping families adjust to their next chapter. We come in-person to your home with some extra precautions in place and/or even have virtual consulting options. We are here to walk with you in these early days of parenthood.

Try some of our suggestions today if you are feeling that new parent loneliness. Remember you are not alone in this. Looking for support? Contact us today!

Authored by Andrea Stainbrook

Categories
baby Newborn parenting

Changing Table Checklist

All babies poop. And because of that parents need a changing area station. We got a perfect changing table checklist for you that has all the things you may want in that location!

Keep in mind when you are prepping the area that it is best to have all the supplies you may want during a diaper change within reach. If your home has more than one level you may even want to consider a changing area on each floor. Another option is one changing table location and then also using a little caddy with changing supplies for those quick changes on the floor or bed. You can bring the supplies to you!

As for the changing table itself there are a variety of options!

Some dressers have an area on top that accommodates a changing pad. Whats great about those is the storage is in drawers beneath it and it hides all of your items. There are traditional changing tables that usually have a couple big shelves below and are at a good height to limit your back strain. You can even use the crib! A nice flat place is perfect. Having a changing pad with covers helps too. Most pads come with buckles as well (although please don’t walk away from your baby).

So that you don’t overthink it check out our idea list below and/or print out the checklist too!

Changing Area and Laundry List of Supplies

  • Changing table space with pad (2-3 covers) and storage – top of dresser, wardrobe cabinet, in crib
  • Baby wipes
  • Diapers (2 packs newborn, 1 mega store case of size 1-2) or 20 cloth diapers with covers
  • Diaper rash cream
  • Olive oil to put on baby’s bottom in the beginning of sticky meconium days – applying before poops makes it easier to clean
  • Vaseline – if baby is circumcised
  • Diaper pail
  • Trash can with liner bags
  • Baby friendly “green” nursery all purpose cleaner 
  • Onesies (3 or more)
  • Day time outfits (3-5) – these can also be night time outfits
  • Dirty laundry hamper
  • Laundry soap (free and clear or “green” laundry soap)
  • Laundry stain remover
  • Clean clothes laundry basket
  • Baby hangers if using closet for clothing 

As you begin to arrange your home and prepare for your baby, don’t forget to have fun! If you like crossing things off a list click below and print out our checklist!

Download our printable pdf! Download

Want more information on doulas? Contact us today!

Categories
baby Education Newborn

Newborn Photography Options – Fresh 48, Posed baby, In-home Lifestyle Baby Photos

You’re pregnant?! A big congratulations to you and your family! The next nine months will be filled with all sorts of newness and excitement as you await the arrival of your baby!

Obviously, your body will change as you grow that precious little baby (hello cute bump!), your spare bedroom will transition to the baby’s room, you start thinking about what the baby will need, and you begin planning all the things – when do I go to my first doctor appointment, when is the first ultrasound, how should we announce the pregnancy to family and friends, is it a boy or girl?!, picking a name for the baby, where should I buy maternity clothes from, and what about a newborn photo session (shameless plug!). All of this is beyond exciting, and let me reassure you, you have plenty of time to get it all in order.

Let me introduce myself before we continue. I’m Chelsie Maurer – a thirty-something year old living in Metro Detroit. I’m married to my college sweetheart and we have two awesome daughters who are both sweet and spicy! I’ve recently become addicted to Diet Coke and reading fiction novels as we navigate through this COVID19 quarantine. I am a professional newborn and family photographer with a boutique studio Downtown Utica, Michigan and I travel throughout Detroit. I absolutely love to serve my clients, and I genuinely enjoy giving them the best experience and photos. 

Speaking of serving my clients…

I want to help ya’ll figure out what type of newborn pictures you want of your babe. There are three different types of photo sessions that parents can choose from: Fresh 48 Hospital, Posed Newborn Baby, In-home (or in-studio) Lifestyle Session. Lets break down what each is and give you a sample of all the options, shall we?

Fresh 48

These sessions are for those mamas who want to capture the raw, fresh (literally) photos of your baby, as the photo session is done within 48 hours of birth in your hospital room. I hear you in the back, “but I don’t want photos when I’m recovering from birth and look like a hot mess.” Don’t disregard these sessions juuust yet. Throw on your new black nursing tank top, your cute lululemon black leggings, and a comfy grey, long cardigan.  Freshie sessions are supposed to be casual and relaxed. Some mamas even wear just a pretty robe from Etsy and they look amazing. As you are in awe of your baby, I capture all the emotion and connection between your newly expanded family, as well as some of just baby and all the tiny details of their sweet little selves!

In-studio Posed Baby

Before baby was even born, we met at the studio for a Session Consultation so you could see the environment, all the props and wraps and tiebacks and everything available to use for your new little bundle’s session. You told me your favorite colors you’d like used for the session and oh my goodness! that adorable newborn bed prop that you reeeaalllly want used for the pictures. I’ve got all your favorites noted and the session is planned!

After your baby is born, you send me a quick text or email letting me know the exciting news (and of course I want to see a picture of baby!). We will schedule a date for your in-studio newborn photo session while baby is 6-14 days old ideally.

The session itself is suuuper relaxing and easy for you, Mama and Daddy.

Feed baby and then I take over with a stress-free session while you brew a Keurig in the studio and relax on the couch. Check out Instagram and Facebook, read all the comments congratulating you, and you occasionally look up to watch how adorable your infant looks while I pose them and get the most adorable pictures.

During these sessions, I get a variety of safe poses with baby and of COURSE we need to do parent pictures, mom and baby pictures, dad and baby pictures and sibling pictures.

My goal is for you to have a dreamy experience, truly, while you get the most beautiful photos to celebrate the expansion of your family.

In-home Newborn Lifestyle

In-home newborn sessions have taken off in the past few years! These sessions are exactly as they sound – I come to your home to photograph your brand new baby and you while in the comfort of your own home. I give gentle prompts and cuddly posing and capture all the magic of your newly expanded family. They’re pretty amazing sessions, and having it in your own home with your favorite cognac couch, your furry pet, and that blanket grandma made for baby make it all that much more sentimental. It is literally capturing your family and home at this moment in time.

For these sessions I like to still do a set of posed newborn photos for the parents. I bring along a prop and a couple of wraps, bonnets and tiebacks for baby. It is the best of both worlds!

I realize not everyone may have the right light or a home they’d like their photos done at, but they still love the look of the in-home session.  These sessions can also easily be done in my studio. The below pictures are an example of this.

So which type of newborn session seems to fit what you’re looking for? Or what type of session did you do for your baby when they were born? I’d love to hear back from you!

xo,

Chelsie

And I think you may be interested in these, too!

What you need to know about in-home newborn lifestyle sessions – this post is golden!

A maternity session with baby number TWO!

Nudge your husband by sending him this information about push presents!

Chelsie Maurer is a professional photographer specializing in Maternity, Newborn and Family sessions in Metro Detroit and surrounding areas. Her photography studio is located Downtown Utica, Michigan.

Categories
Doula Education Infant Feeding Newborn parenting Postpartum Resources Sleep

3 Benefits of attending a newborn care class

There are classes for everything. So why would a class about newborns help the new parent? Let me tell you the benefits!

Benefit #1: BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE!

It can be scary to have responsibility for the everyday needs of these little humans. No matter the exposure to actual day to day tasks of newborn care you have had, even with seasoned aunties and uncles, when it comes to your own it is normal to have some anxiety. One mission of Metro Detroit Doula Services is to instill strength and reduce any parenting fears our clients may have. We know you truly will know your baby the best and we want you to feel that way as well! After class many of our participants leave feeling a little lighter as they feel more confident that they really can handle this parenting gig! At least the newborn stage 😉

Benefit #2: TIPS & TRICKS FROM EXPERIENCED DOULAS!!!

Our class is taught by me, Andrea and/or Amy. We are the owners of Metro Detroit Doula Services and have been Certified Postpartum & Infant Care Doulas for years! Our experience has taught us some sweet swaddling skills, secrets to introducing a pacifier, and other little things we like to share with our clients. Having a few little extra tid-bits of knowledge and help make you feel more secure in your newborn skillset!

Benefit #3: LEAVE FEELING LIKE YOU CAN NAIL NEWBORN BABY BASICS LIKE A BOSS.

Sleeping, eating, and pooping, are a newborn’s favorite activities. A Newborn Care Class will walk you through what to expect for your newborn’s sleep, feeding, and how to change that dirty diaper! We walk you through what to expect from the moment you arrive home from the hospital and into those early parenthood weeks. We answer those questions of, “what does newborn poo actually look like anyway?” To understanding infant feeding options and what newborn sleep patterns look like. Walk away from this class with pride as you will have insight in how to tackle all these basic baby needs!

So take a moment and head on over to our classes page to see when our next Newborn Care Class is being offered! Click on the link there to register. Don’t see a date that matches your schedule? We even do private sessions in your home as well!

Authored by: Andrea Stainbrook

Categories
Newborn Postpartum

Poop there it is! The ins and outs of newborn baby poo

What in the world does baby poop look like? What does breastfed baby poop look like? What does formula fed baby poop look like?

Let’s dive in shall we? First off your baby’s waste will change over the first week of its life. It actually will change in color and texture.

The first poop babies have is known as meconium. This stuff is thick, tar-like, dark greenish-blackish-brownish, really sticky stuff. Some babies are a little eager and release some meconium before birth! Your midwife/OB will likely let you know if this happened, as no one wants the baby to aspirate any meconium into their lungs. Although not unusual this means after the baby is born your baby may need to be looked over by a pediatrician. Others hold onto it a little longer and wait til they are on the outside of the womb saving it all for their parents to clean up!

Pro- tip: Since this dark substance is known to be pretty sticky some parents use a brand new bottle of olive oil to spread over their baby’s bum. Then the poop doesn’t stick to their bottoms and it is easier to wipe!

Here’s where your baby’s poop starts to change. Around day 2-4 of life your baby’s poop becomes less dark and transitions to a green color! In breastfed babies the poop will then turn to yellow by day 5. The poop may look seedy like there are little clumps in it. It may also be watery. So basically chunky mustard poo.

Formula fed babies’ poop will have a thicker consistency by day 5 and may have more of a brown/tan hue to it. Although yellow, green, and tan are all normal for all babies.

No matter how your baby is feeding, whether you are breastfeeding or are formula feeding, the one color we aren’t a fan of seeing is red! If there is blood in your baby’s stool it is time to call the doctor.

Ok great, so we got the poop color rainbow down! But how often will these little stinkers poop?

-Breastfed babies will make one poopy diaper for however many days old they are for the first week or so. So on day one, one poopy diaper. Day 2 of life you can expect 2 poopy diapers. By day 5 this trend may stop. The average newborn will poop anywhere from 4 – 12 times a day.

-Formula fed babies will on average have 3-4 poopy diapers a day.

What happens if my newborn baby doesn’t poop one day? This can be normal! If a breastfed baby goes longer than one day of no poops calling your doctor is advised. Formula fed babies can go a little longer but after 3 days a call to its doctor is advised.

Did you know you would be charting poops and pees?

It is common in the first 6 weeks to keep track of all poops and pees your precious bundle is making. This can help you see if too much time has gone between poops and it can show that your baby is eating and eliminating well. There are apps for that on your phone, or you can simply keep track with an old fashioned pen and paper. Whatever works for you! Once your baby is gaining well, eating well, and generally has no concerns you don’t have to track anymore.

As your baby ages their poop can begin to change too. Once you introduce solids you may see more brown, thick stuff. So prepare yourself. (Sometimes blueberries come out whole! Who knew?)

Who knew that becoming a parent meant becoming a poop specialist?

After reading this you now are aware of the colors and consistencies to expect of your newborn’s number twos! You will collect data on baby poo, aka the charting, and one day you and your partner may realize you have whole conversations about baby poop.

When in doubt reach out; your doula is happy to talk about all things baby poo with you. There is no TMI in the doula world. So give us a call!

Authored by: Andrea Stainbrook