As I teach a CLE training this week, I am reflecting on all the ways that doulas and educators hold parents. Although families used to have a built-in circle, now they often have to create their own circle of support. We are so grateful to be able to be a part of caring for parents. Yes, of course that means helping with the baby.

Loved seeing all the stories of Fathers with their little ones yesterday! Hopefully everyone had a chance to recognize the gift of fathering, whether on the giving or receiving end of that role. We are so grateful for the father's in our lives, both literally and figuratively.

We have served over 2200 families now (over almost 20 years) and so many dad's, partners and co-parents that we were proud to support through helping them understand and bond to their babies. We believe in strong families and partnerships, and love that our role encompasses educating all parents to care confidently for their babies-- and each other.

Saving lives by listening to mothers. How can we help? Listening to Black and Brown mothers could save their lives. We need to trust what they say about their bodies.

Last week we got a lot of calls from pregnant people about setting up doula care. The first question was, "What are you doing to keep everyone safe?"

We know how much difference support makes. Doulas exist to support parents, to help create that circle that carries them when they are focusing all their energy on their new baby. We love supporting single parents by choice. We love being able to take on all the tasks that burden new parents so they aren't overwhelmed when their tiny one arrives.

The person you don’t have to ask for help who supports you without judgement: Doula.

Who is filling your gaps? Postpartum doulas support parents so they have more time to love on their babies.

Have you been wondering if a New Parent Educator training is right for you? Here is some recent feedback from a students regarding the training provided by CAPPA. If you want to jump in for an online live training, check out all the options on the CAPPA site here: https://cappa.net/live-virtual-trainings/

One of the biggest questions I get when I show breastfeeding videos in class is..."Do my nipples need to look like that for this to be successful?" (Then said quietly, "Because I don't have perfect nipples.")

A question we asked in Monday Moms group: “How do you divvy up the mental load when it comes to baby?” Who decides who does what?

I have had the most wonderful grandma doulas in my trainings, and I am always looking for more! If you have wondered what a second career as a doula might look like, check out an introductory training to see if this might be right for you for this season in your life.

Did you know that babies need exposure to sunlight in the daytime hours to help regulate their circadian rhythms? After 3 months of age, babies start to develop their own melatonin cycles and need light to help them distinguish the rhythms of the day and night.

“We had the pleasure of talking with Kimberly Bepler, a local postpartum doula here in Portland and founder of ABC Doula. It quickly became clear why so many mothers in the area rave about Kimberly—she’s down-to-earth, joyful, and is known to whip up a delicious frittata. We wanted to share some of Kimberly’s wisdom about becoming a new parent, and she had a lot to give.