The Top Three Reasons for Doula Burnout
March 6, 2024
In preparing to speak at the DONA International annual conference last year, I polled an online doula community about what factors either threatened, or ultimately…
Blog
Sleep Coaching Services at One Moon Doula!
December 14, 2018 | designadmin | Uncategorized
We have some big news!! When One Moon Doula expanded to an agency model three years ago, the focus was exclusively on Postpartum Doula services in order to streamline and provide the highest quality services possible. Recently, we were finally able to re-launch our SLEEP COACHING SERVICES. Our format is now highly specific and catered to the family that wants the most individualized and fullest level of support – in-home sleep coaching (i.e. handholding!) for 48-72 hours…. and unlimited email and phone follow up for four weeks. Basically, there’s no way to not see the progress you are seeking, using our expertise and our devotion to supporting you the whole way through. By the way – it is fine and normal for babies to wake up during the night! And of course, our role as parents is to tend to their needs. This does not, however, mean that a night-waking…Mother’s Day Shoutout!
May 14, 2018 | designadmin | Uncategorized
We’re hoping you had a Mother’s Day that included some rest, some snuggles, and some time to reflect. Here at One Moon Doula we spent some time reflecting on all of the mothers we’ve been so honored to serve! So far in 2018 we’ve served the mother (and father) who tried for a 4th… and got twins! We’ve served the single woman who decided to become a mama on her own… the mom who is keeping her postpartum anxiety at bay by bringing one of our doulas in for overnights so she can get the sleep that quiets her anxiety… even the mom who was certain there was no way she could trust someone else with her newborn, but knew for her wellbeing she would have to try, at least for a few short shifts. We’ve served the mom who was so nervous about how her toddler would take the…CAREER 101 for Postpartum Doulas
November 9, 2017 | designadmin | Uncategorized
Follow us for career tips and advice! How to decide if the Postpartum Doula role is for you Are you an early childcare provider? Retired nurse? “Stay at home” parent? Some parts of the job might feel familiar and which might push you out of your comfort zone. Are you a birth doula who always figured being a postpartum doula would feel like babysitting? (It’s not). Or you’re already a postpartum doula who wants to grow your career? Use our resources for doulas to learn about the impact you can have with growing families! Choosing a training or training organization There are many trainings offered. Consider whether a prerecorded format is best for you, or whether you learn best in person… or you like the online format but prefer it to be live or have a live component! The lifestyle Figure out if this work fits your lifestyle. Some Postpartum…The Sun and Your Baby
September 5, 2017 | designadmin | Uncategorized
While September brings back to school, it can also bring some of the hottest days of the year here in San Diego. We might be beginning to daydream about scarves and boots, but we can’t forget to keep our sunscreen game strong! Of course, many of you have infants who are too young to douse in sunscreen if they are under 6 months, at least according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. But babies this age produce very little melanin for protection from the sun, and therefore they recommend the following steps: The AAP indicates that a small amount of sunscreen can be applied to areas that remain uncovered (“Sun and Water Safety Tips,” aap.org). If you’re going to the beach here in San Diego, bring an umbrella or shade structure, and avoid the middle of the day! After 6 months of age, a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 is…Nine Simple Strategies to Prevent Back Pain After Baby
June 29, 2017 | designadmin | Uncategorized
These nine tips come to us from guest blogger Dr. Dawn Andalon, a physical therapist specializing in women’s health at Level 4 Physical Therapy and Performance in Carlsbad, CA. Sleep with one pillow only. Anything more will bend your neck more than it should and means the muscles in your back, neck and shoulders are stretched more than they are designed to do so. When you’re out for a walk and after only a few minutes you find you need to lean on your baby’s stroller for support because your back aches, or you try to go for a jog but can only manage a few minutes until your back hurts, then you’ve got a problem with your core muscle group that needs fixing fast. If you’re suffering from lower back pain, groin, hip or pelvic girdle pain (PGP), then without having this ‘core’ group of muscles working, you’re very…Upcoming Events for New and Expectant Parents in San Diego: March 2017
February 17, 2017 | designadmin | Uncategorized
We are sharing information about two events that will have great appeal to pregnant women, their partners, and parents of newborns, infants, toddlers and young children. One Moon Doula Services will be in attendance at each of these events, both of which take place in San Diego in March. Stop by our booth to say hello! The first event is a parenting fair entitled “Nurturing Compassionate and Mindful Children the Natural Way,” on March 3rd and 4th, and is put on by The Center for Integrative Psychology and The Mind Body Mama. There will be speakers, booths, and a Friday night wine and cheese, with a panel discussion. That portion of the event is only $15! More information on this event, which is to be held at Alliant University, can be found at http://themindbodymama.com/workshop. The second event is BabyFest at Babies in Bloom, on March 25th from 10am-4pm. There will…Does it Matter Which Training Your Doula Took?
January 5, 2017 | designadmin | Uncategorized
In short… not really. You should interview prospective doulas in person (birth or postpartum). You should ask them about their doula training, their experience, their ability to reliably provide vetted back up in the case they can’t provide service to you. (Ask them for a name, and then interview that person – unless you’re going with an agency such as ours where all of that is built into the interview and selection process for you). If I were you, I’d ask questions about various scenarios (“How does your role change if I decide I want an epidural?” or “what if I have trouble with breastfeeding or decide I want to use formula?”) You should feel reassured that they respect and honor your family and your decisions. You should feel very comfortable and at ease with them. You should also trust your gut, just like with any other personal interaction. But…An Overnight Doula for Your Hospital Stay?
December 19, 2016 | designadmin | Uncategorized
We were recently hired by a family who knew they would want overnight help from a postpartum doula during their hospital stay after the birth. After the baby was born, they wanted the father to be able to sleep at home with their four-year-old son, but the mother didn’t want to be alone in the hospital. Of course, one option would be to send the newborn to the nursery for the night. However, more and more new parents are choosing to “room in” with their babies. Expectant parents are learning in their childbirth education classes that rooming in with their newborn or newborns can be good for bonding, for the breastfeeding relationship, if that is a goal of theirs, and for having involvement and a “say-so” over what newborn procedures get done (and when and where). In fact, hospitals with the Baby-Friendly Hospital designation are tasked with encouraging new parents…Postpartum Doulas Needed
November 2, 2016 | designadmin | Uncategorized
This is not your average “job” opportunity. One Moon Doula Services is seeking postpartum doulas. Our team of doulas provides top-notch, personalized service to families in San Diego county. We get to do important work and make a difference for families, while utilzing a team approach to ensure that we continually learn from each other and have access to the support and opportunities the agency provides. Doulas who work for our agency provide postpartum doula support to our clients, in the client’s home. This involves helping the entire family transition to life with a newborn (whether it be their first or their fifth). It can include newborn care, informational and emotional support for the parents, sibling care, light housekeeping and organization, errands and meal prep, and “TLC” for the healing and/or adapting mother. Mostly it requires tuning in to the needs of the family and responding to their particular situation,…Why Breastfeeding Comes Naturally to Most Babies – But NOT to Their Mothers
October 14, 2016 | designadmin | Uncategorized
On the one hand, breastfeeding is, of course, natural. In some ways it’s amazing to see all of the babies who instinctively know what they’re doing. There’s even a term, “breast crawl,” that describes how babies, just minutes or hours old, will inch themselves from mother’s belly right up to the breast, even though babies can’t technically crawl until many months after birth. On the other hand, it no longer “comes naturally” to so many mothers in our society because while babies get their instincts from nature and biology, mothers receive much of their know-how from information and observation. These days, the opportunities for moms-to-be or expectant parents to witness the ins and outs (literally!) of breastfeeding are few and far between. Their peers are often using formula or expressed breast milk when in public or amongst company, for convenience or privacy. Or, they are using covers or retreating behind…