Doulas of Baltimore Archives | Doulas of Baltimore

Postpartum Doula | What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?

Doulas of Baltimore, Newborn care, Postpartum

We know that bringing your newest family member home can be exciting and challenging. A trained and certified postpartum doula will help you with a smooth transition as you welcome a new member to your family. Through a combination of daytime, evening, and overnight shifts, we are here to support your family’s unique needs. Here are the ways we offer practical, informational, and emotional support at home, when you need it.

A postpartum doula’s practical support helps you take care of baby, yourself, and your family.

People often come to us looking for practical support when baby comes home. This can include feeding, caring for baby so you can attend to your needs, or helping prepare meals. During an overnight shift, a postpartum doula might put baby to bed, change diapers, and settle baby back to sleep. During a day shift, our support might allow you to take a shower, cook a meal, or breastfeed in peace. Pro tip: ask your doula to prep you snacks for the days they aren’t there to make even their off days a little easier!

We provide information so you understand the 4th trimester.

The first weeks and months after baby is born are often called the “4th trimester”. Many parents have just as many questions about what to expect as they did during pregnancy (if not more!). Postpartum doulas can do many specific tasks around the house, but clients often share that our value comes from being childbirth and newborn experts. We provide feeding guidance, answer questions, and offer information on soothing and sleep habits.

In the morning after a recent overnight shift, our doula talked to one partner about how the night went. She offered advice on how to get baby sleeping for longer stretches. Suggestions included creating sleep associations, keeping baby awake during the day for developmentally appropriate stretches, and nursing demands during the day. We are here to provide the support you want, but your doula will also work with you and your family to create the household, feeding, and sleep routines that work for you so that we are no longer needed!

Emotional support from a postpartum doula helps your family grow and adjust with confidence.

In general, our postpartum doulas provide fifty hours of in-person support during the baby’s first five weeks at home. These can be split between daytime, evening, and overnight shifts. However, our job as postpartum doulas is to create a smooth transition and give you and your family the skills and knowledge needed to manage the addition of baby.

For example, during one daytime shift, our doula spoke to one partner about returning to work. He was looking forward to it, but felt guilty about leaving his partner with the new baby at home. Our doula talked about ways to continue contributing and how he could alternate bedtime duties. We are here to provide steadfast, non-judgemental support so you can feel confident about welcoming a new child into your family.

Learn more about our postpartum doula offerings or contact DOB today!

Postpartum Planning | 5 Basic Questions to Think About Before Baby Comes Home

Doulas of Baltimore, Newborn care, Postpartum

Being pregnant and preparing for birth can feel overwhelming enough without considering what happens when you bring baby home. Postpartum planning before baby arrives can save you a lot of stress when you will want to be resting and recovering from delivery. If Postpartum brain fog hits, that can make thinking about your options (not to mention making decisions) hard.

At Doulas of Baltimore, we think of the first three months at home as the fourth trimester. The postpartum period comes with its own challenges and joys. Answer these 5 basic questions to consider before you go into labor that will make your postpartum life easier.

Postpartum Planning: What will your home look like?

Because nesting is very real, you may have already set up a nursery or room for your baby. But realistically, this isn’t where baby will be spending most of their time. For the first six months, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends baby sleep in your room. But where does baby sleep during daytime naps? Do you want to have a dedicated changing table, setups in different parts of the house, or a moveable station? Where will be the best place to feed baby during the day and at night? Consider the layout of your living space and the setup of cribs, feeding or pumping stations, and changing tables.

What does everyday at home look like?

A baby changes things: we know this. And postpartum planning involves thinking about the details of how things have changed. Who will feed baby when they wake up at night? Who will change baby? Who will cook meals? Who will walk the dog? Who will take big sister to school? Who will go to baby’s appointments? Who will clean and tidy the house?

Who can you go to for extra support?

While everyone might want to meet your new baby, that doesn’t necessarily mean they can provide the support you need. Consider which friends and family can provide practical support, like buying groceries, cooking meals, walking the dog, or taking care of siblings if you are at the hospital longer than expected.

Postpartum Planning: Who are the care providers you need?

With care providers, there are the basic people you need to have planned out, and others that you may want to think about having lined up. While you’ve been dealing with an OB, midwife, and/or doula before birth, afterward you’ll need a pediatrician. You may also want a postpartum doula or lactation consultant. If you are concerned about postpartum depression or emotions after birth, you may want to find a mental health provider before delivery since they can have Before you leave the hospital, you’ll need a carseat installed, and we recommend having it checked by a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) or “car seat tech”.

What does post-parental leave look like?

There is unfortunately no standard for parental leave, so consider when parents will be going back to work and what happens then. Do you have a nanny, babysitter, friend, or grandparent who can care for baby? Will you need a daycare?

This is just a short overview of questions that we think new parents should consider as they bring their babies home. Ready to dive in deeper? Check out our Postpartum Planning Guide for further assistance!

Coffee Shops in Baltimore | 5 Baby Friendly Spots

Baltimore, Doulas of Baltimore, Other

When the urge for a sweet treat hits you can always rely on Coffee Shops in Baltimore! We love supporting locally-owned and operated businesses so we rounded up a few non-corporate gems for you to try. We’ve collected a handful of our favorites from across the metro so hopefully one is right by you!

Of course, on the topic of coffee shops, we’re often asked, “Can I drink caffeine while I breastfeed?”

The answer is yes!

Studies have been done on the safety of coffee consumption during breastfeeding and overall the concensus is that generally anywhere from 200 to 300 mg of caffeine can be safely consumed by the nursing parent. If you find your baby reacts to it, of course, you can cut back or eliminate it. Talk with your baby’s pediatrician to make the call that is right for you.

Red Emma’s – Website

Neighborhood: Waverly
Address: 3128 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, MD

Established in 2004, Red Emma’s is a worker cooperative that combines a radical bookstore, café, and community events space. The café offers vegan meals and coffee sourced from locally-owned Thread Coffee Roasters. Regular events, including author readings and live music, foster community engagement. This multilevel space serves as a hub for social justice movements in Baltimore and is the perfect place to enjoy with your baby.

High Grounds Coffee Roasters – Website

Neighborhood: Highlandtown
Address: 3201 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD

High Grounds Coffee Roasters is a family-owned establishment known for their excellent coffee which is roasted in-house using fluid bed roasters (a very unique method!). They offer a variety of blends and single-origin coffees which are always fresh and flavorful. You can enjoy a cozy atmosphere with your baby with coffee-based drinks, a selection of teas, and locally sourced pastries.

Common Ground – Website

Neighborhood: Hampden
Address: 819 West 36th Street, Baltimore, MD

For nearly 25 years, Common Ground served as a beloved gathering spot in Hampden, offering high-quality coffee and a variety of in-house baked goods. Known for its smoothies, particularly the chai peanut butter-banana blend, and a range of vegan options, it was a community staple. In July 2023, the café unexpectedly closed but the employees worked together to bring it back as a worker-owned cooperative. This beautiful space is a beacon of hope and continues to provide an excellent spot for relaxing to this day.

Order & Chaos Coffee – Website

Neighborhood: Federal Hill
Address: 1410 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD

Opened in 2016, Order & Chaos Coffee offers a vibrant atmosphere with a modern design. This spot is known for its specialty drinks and unique “walking waffles,” making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors. A back study area houses communal tables and whiteboards which are great for those working from home or wanting to host meetups. The shop operates with convenient hours, focusing on early risers and weekend adventurers.

OneDo Coffee Roasters – Website

Neighborhood: Canton
Address: 913 South Lakewood Avenue, Baltimore, MD

OneDo Coffee Roasters is a family-owned coffee shop that roasts its beans in-house, ensuring a fresh and flavorful experience. We love that the café emphasizes sustainability by using recyclable paper bags for their coffee products. In addition to a variety of coffee beverages, OneDo offers teas, including black, oolong, green, white, and herbal options. The inviting space also offers baked goods and lunch options from local Baltimore businesses.

We love that the coffee scene here is vibrant and flourishing. Coffee shops in Baltimore aren’t hard to find! We love to support local as much as possible and these shops have our hearts. With the weather warming up, pop baby in a stroller and enjoy the springtime temps! Enjoy some movement, fresh air, and warming temperatures all with a delicious coffee in hand.

Doulas of Baltimore 2024: A Year of Education & Connection

Doulas of Baltimore

This year was one of tremendous growth for Baltimore families and the Doulas of Baltimore family alike!

Our Doulas of Baltimore Team

2024 was a huge year of growth for our team that expanded from 10 to 17 members. This year our team has grown again – we now have 23 amazing birth and postpartum professionals!

A team that values balance, we enjoyed outings (like lunches and sports games together) alongside professional development together. We also gathered to celebrate DOB’s 10th Birthday!

Childbirth Education & Parenting Workshops

Our classes and workshops were a big focus of this year and we were able to serve 45 families! We held 18 classes and workshops this year.

The coming year will feature our incredible curriculum in both the in-person and digital format as well as a one-day Yoga and Educational Retreat for Pregnancy hosted in conjunction with Deanna Houston and Jody Barnes. Follow us on social media for updates and find more details on Embrace the Journey here!

Doulas of Baltimore in Frederick

In 2023 we saw a need for high quality, unbiased education for expectant parents in the Frederick area. We made plans to launch in 2024 are proud to say we now offer classes and workshops inside Indigo Physiotherapy! We’re glad to partner with an incredible resource for Frederick birthing individuals.

You can find all of our one-day workshops (Baby 101, Birth Basics, and Comfort Measures) in Frederick year-round.

Birth Doula & Postpartum Doula Support

Our doulas had the opportunity to serve 126 families in 2024! That’s 35 more families than 2023.

We saw the most babies born at Mercy this year with 26 families served. Nearly tying with a difference of one was Hopkins at 25 families. We also were able to serve 19 families at our former top hospital, GBMC, and 13 at St. Joe’s. Overall, we supported families at 15 different birthing facilities!

Our team worked over 6100 hours of in-home postpartum doula and newborn care support. We were honored to serve over 2100 additional hours over 2023! *

(*That’s over 254 days!)

Doulas of Baltimore turned 10 Years Old

We have a full write up on our 10th Birthday Party but turning 10 really had us reflecting this year! After a decade as Doulas of Baltimore we decided it was high time for a birthday party. We planned a fun gathering at UNION Craft Brewing Co and invited all our past and present clients, team members, and our professional network.

Attendees enjoyed appetizers, desserts, and everyone left with a custom engraved beer glass! Taking a pause to celebrate our accomplishments was an incredible and important task this year. Cheers to 10 years, here’s to 10 more!

Giving Back

In addition to maintaining our longstanding commitments to Maryland Families for Safe Birth, Fluid Movement, and The Family Tree, this year we were fortunate to be able to donate over $3500 to both local and national initiatives that support racial birth justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and LGBTQAI+ Families.

We also had a hugely successful supply drive as part of our 10th Birthday Party at UNION Brewing Co.

We collected shelf-stable foods, diapers, and baby hygeine products to benefit two organizations who also celebrated 10 years in Baltimore this year – Baltimore Hunger Project and ShareBaby. Many thanks to all of our generous guests and donors!

We are so grateful to each and every one of you who has joined us on our path to providing the warmest unbiased support for Baltimore families.

Find out our busiest birth month, zip codes with the most DOB clients, and more of our 2024 stats on our Instagram page!

Early Labor | What Should I Do?

Childbirth Education, Doulas of Baltimore, Pregnancy

Early labor can often leave us with the question of, “When do I head to the hospital?”. Clever reminders like “511” remind us that contractions should be 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long for 1 full hour before you head in. As doulas, we are huge advocates for distraction through early labor. Often, when you focus on distractions you’re able to discern when you can’t ignore labor anymore.

When your pregnancy is healthy and labor is going normally, we love to encourage clients to try to make their contractions go away. True labor won’t stop just because you put your feet up! In addition to staying hydrated, eating nourishing food that feels good to you, and laying down for a bit, here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy a distraction during early labor.

Schedule an Appointment

An excellent way to relax and distract yourself is to get yourself to a self-care appointment. Book a pedicure, a prenatal massage, or find a salon near you that does blow outs. These appointments are wonderful for distraction but they also help create a flow of oxytocin in your body. Oxytocin is a wonderful pain relief and also calming hormone and it can be stimulated by skin-to-skin contact. Be sure you’re in contact with your birth team and consider having someone else drive (just in case!)

Warm Shower or Bath

The warmth of a shower or bath can ease tension and relax your muscles, helping you stay comfortable as early labor progresses. Water has a calming effect and can provide gentle relief, especially for back pain or cramps. Sitting or standing under a warm shower allows the heat to target your back and abdomen, while a bath can create a more immersive, weightless experience that helps you relax between contractions.

Safety Note: Be sure to keep the water at a comfortable, warm temperature (not hot) and stay hydrated if you’re soaking for a while.

Movement and Gentle Exercise

Moving around can be surprisingly effective in early labor. Gentle stretches, walking, a prenatal yoga video, or using a yoga ball can help release muscle tension, encourage a more optimal baby position, and may even help labor progress. Slow dancing with a partner or swaying your hips in a figure-eight motion can bring comfort and connection, grounding you through each contraction.

Tip: If you have a yoga or birth ball, sit and gently rock your hips, move them in a figure 8 motion, or bounce lightly to ease any pressure in your lower back or hips.

Create a Calming Environment

A soothing environment can make a big difference in how you feel. Dim the lights, play calming music or sounds, and use soft, cozy blankets or a favorite pillow. Try lighting a candle that has a soothing scent to create a spa-like atmosphere if you’re interested in aromatherapy. Choose things that bring you comfort and help you feel safe.

Tip: Make a playlist with a mix of calming and upbeat songs. The calming ones can help you relax, while the upbeat tracks can lift your mood if you’re feeling restless.

Mindful Distractions

Early labor is the perfect time to engage in activities that keep your mind occupied without draining your energy. Simple activities like reading a favorite book, watching a comforting movie, or doing a craft project can keep your focus off contractions while still allowing you to relax. Some people enjoy adult coloring books, knitting, or easy puzzles that bring a sense of calm.

Tip: Make a list of short, enjoyable tasks you can do easily and stop anytime, so you’re prepared with options if labor progresses quickly or you start needing to focus more on your contractions.

These techniques can help you stay comfortable and relaxed at home as labor begins. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to experience early labor; do what feels best for you. Take things one contraction at a time, stay connected to your body, and know that each step brings you closer to meeting your baby.

Unsure if it’s really labor? Check out our blog “Am I actually in labor?”