Nourish

As a Certified Lactation Counselor, I provide:

  • Basic chest/breastfeeding instruction through teaching proper latch, hold, and positioning techniques

  • Guidance in those challenging early days to ensure baby is well fed

  • Advice on milk supply management

  • Support with engorgement and nipple care

  • Pumping education

  • Instruction on paced bottle feeding, formula and combination feeding

 
 

Drawing by Dan Bennett

Nurture your baby

It can all feel very urgent and confusing in the beginning. Having a calm, and knowledgeable postpartum doula by your side decreases the anxiety that may be keeping you from your full parental potential. Together we will go through all the basics of infant care and hygiene:

  • Bathing and hygiene

  • Diapering

  • Cord care

  • Circumcision care

  • Understanding infant cues

  • Soothing

  • Basic massage techniques

  • Swaddling

  • Baby-wearing

  • Sleep management

I will be there to answer your questions and address your concerns to the best of my knowledge, and if I can’t, I have a long list of referrals who can.

It’s hard to tune out the noise of a to-do list. As a postpartum doula, I assist families with light household tasks, errands, food shopping and meal preparation.

As a long-time home cook and volunteer chef, I am happiest when I get to feed people!

Nurture yourself

Your strength as a parent starts with recognizing and tending to your own needs:

  • I’ll care for your baby and any older children so you can take the time-outs you deserve.

  • I’ll help you find your tribe by connecting you with the virtual and in-person groups that align with your special interests and needs.

  • I’ll help your loved ones understand how they can support you in the ways you need.

  • I will always listen. You can trust me to be the safe space where you can express your feelings and never be judged.

  • I can provide referrals and resources for mental health providers and support groups, and I will be more than happy to accompany you to any of them or tend to the baby so you can focus on you.

“Having a calm and grounded presence like Maria with me (sometimes as early as 6 am!) brought me back into myself. She helped reconnect me to my body and allowed the spirit of the moment to flourish, so I did not miss a minute of the beauty that was right before my eyes. She taught me how to soothe my daughter, how to position and latch her, and provided me the opportunity for blessed sleep. Oh, and she bought groceries and cooked too! Less worry and mundane decision-making, more sleep and life-affirming joy - THIS is what Maria brought to my family.” Indira K.

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