Breastfeeding Journey

What is a Doula? Doula comes from the Greek word for 'woman's caregiver" or "handmaiden" and now refers to a woman trained and experienced in childbirth, who provides physical, emotional, and information support to women and their partners during labor and birth. Doula also refers to women who are trained and experienced in providing postpartum care (mother and newborn care, breastfeeding support and advice, cooking, child care, errands, and light cleaning) for the new family. To distinguish between the two types of doulas, one may refer to birth doulas and postpartum doulas. Why would you need one? When it comes...

First, we want to preface this by saying: you don't technically need any of these things. As moms or moms-to-be, we are literally bombarded with checklists and must-haves. I remember being 8 months pregnant and leaving one of the big box baby stores in tears because I was told I needed no fewer than 6 car seats.  At the end of the day, your baby needs a clean diaper and a milk supply. That said, having gone through two kids so far (#highfives), below is a round-up of items that made our lives as moms SO MUCH easier. Anything essential...

NEW BABY CHECKLIST CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEWEST ADDITION! TO HELP YOU GET READY, WE'VE CREATED THIS PARENT-APPROVED CHECKLIST WITH EVERYTHING YOU'LL NEED FOR A SMOOTH START FEEL FREE TO PRINT IT OR SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS. I BELIEVE, THEY'LL LOVE IT! XO, RUPS

One last thing, something that can't be purchased - the support of a board certified lactation consultant. Do some research and find a good one. The information and guidance a Okay, so you made it through 9 months of pregnancy. You welcomed your little bundle into the world. I hope you didn't think that was the hard part! Your hospital stay feels like a blur and everything you learned in all of the parenting and breastfeeding classes you took well it's somewhere. How many wet diapers is the baby supposed to have? Does she really need to eat every 2...

Unfortunately through our fast paced society we have forgotten the importance of good nutrition and are turning more to pre-packaged, processed foods hoping to make our lives easier. This makes total sense! However, although these items may have a time and a place, when we are looking to conceive and are wanting to achieve good health, those things have to go. I know you've heard it before but what we put in our bodies is SUPER important for our health and wellbeing...not to mention our fertility and the health of our future children! Below I have listed 7 reasons (there...