I am a certified Labor and Postpartum Doula working on Chicago’s Northwest side. I focus on informing, supporting, and uplifting families through the transitions they face in labor and postpartum. In labor support, I focus on informing families of their care options in every situation so that every family member feels prepared and empowered to have an informed, safe, and intentional birth experience. Expecting parents can anticipate learning how to move through labor with de

I often recommend positions for breastfeeding that encourage extension, with chin tucked deeply into breast and mouth opening up and over for a deep latch. Positions such as koala and side-lying set baby up for this well. With a little practice, breastfeeding while babywearing accomplishes this same goal. Get baby positioned vertically on your chest, tuck them in nice and snug, use strap adjustments to drop them down, and if needed, give the breast a lift. Add some movement i

Sometimes families need or choose to use formula for a variety of reasons. I like to emphasize proper formula prep, including boiling water to kill harmful bacteria in the powder, and considering the pitcher method - batch preparing a days worth of formula in a pitcher designed for that method! Formula prep machines (that look like coffee machines) do not always use proper temperatures or ratios, and this can cause some trouble for babies. Here is some deeper information abou

This post is a note of thanks to all the wonderful families who have had me back for 2nd and 3rd babies, and who have referred me on to their families and friends! I have had a streak of these over the last few months, and I greatly appreciate seeing these beautiful growing families again, and getting to know those in your networks. This is essential for a small business such as 4th Trimester Baby to grow, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Bodywork! I have had the pleasure of chatting with some wonderful chiropractors who work with babies, and have learned a lot about how beneficial this can be for a variety of reasons! "Tension" is one of the most common things I observe in babies who are struggling to latch at breast. Sometimes it shows up in neck and shoulders, sometimes in hips, sometimes assymetries in head shape, face, ability to turn head left and right easily, use of arms and legs, and more! Birth is

Low Milk Supply: Digging a little deeper... Unfortunately, I have met with many families recently struggling with low milk supply. I always start with back to basics...milk removal 8+ times per 24 hrs by baby and/or pump, maybe an herbal supplement for a boost. But many families end up needing to dig a little deeper, checking in with their providers about bloodwork or possible medications. A few of the conditions that come up that may require some extra TLC are things like

Starting Solids Somewhere around the middle of the first year, babies embark on the adventure of starting solids! While it may be awhile before your little one is as skilled as the kiddo in this picture, it does happen! I am a big proponent of waiting until baby is truly ready, with skills like sitting up on their own, and then allowing them to lead the show, stopping when they are done just as we have with breastfeeding! An old La Leche League quote is "Food is fun until y

Co-Bathing! I want to draw attention to a useful technique for getting baby back to breast after a disruption, like a baby who has gotten used to too many bottles. Take a warm, relaxing bath WITH your baby! Here is a great article from La Leche League detailing how to "re-birth" and restart breastfeeding when things have gone off course... https://llli.org/news/co-bathing-a-useful-technique-to-restart-breastfeeding/