Zen Birth Doula Services

04/17/2021

Help support our communities Indigenous Birthkeepers 💛

Grab your limited edition Nistawâyâw Aunties merchandise before the campaign closes. Featuring Dark Heather Grey Premium Unisex Tees, professionally printed in the USA.

04/14/2021

Tips for breastfeeding after a c-section 💛

April is C-Section Awareness month.

Did you have a c-section delivery? What helped breastfeeding/chestfeeding get off to a good start?



{image is newly born baby in a hat on parent's chest. Text is Breastfeeding tips after a c-section: Skin to skin with a partner or birthing person as soon as possible
-Ask to for a gentle c-section and have baby brought to bare chest
-Practice rooming-in
-Breastfeed (or express) early
& often
-Express if separated.
-Have someone cup feed or
syringe feed baby your milk
(if separated).
-Try sidelying or football hold
-Rest & accept support
-Contact LLLC for support. La Leche League Canada logo.}

03/31/2021

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Many women struggle with negative feelings about their post-pregnancy body image. Here we give tips on how to learn to love your new figure.

03/31/2021

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08/17/2020

Enter a draw to name our breastfeeding doll!!

Fort McMurray Doula Association

HELP US NAME OUR BREASTFEEDING BABY!!

Type your gender neutral suggestions below and "like" your favorites. The post will run from Aug 17-25.
**Duplicates will be deleted based on who posted the name first.**

The top 5 choices will be entered into a draw for a $200 gift basket!!

You, our followers, will pick the winner through a poll with the top 5 choices. The poll will run from Aug 26-31 and the winner will be announced on September 1st!!

04/29/2020

Stay safe Fort McMurray! 💛

Historic flooding in Fort McMurray has left 12,000 residents evacuated and much of the city and surrounding areas under a boil water advisory.

Not sure what to do or have questions about feeding your baby? AHS is available by phone at 780-791-6247 and the Breastfeeding Clinic at Thickwood is operating by appointment.

http://safelyfed.ca/2020/04/fortmac-flooding-covid-19/

02/06/2020

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Watch this heartwarming video of newborn twins that contiue to hold each other after being born as a nurse gives them their first bath.

12/24/2019

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Doulas make a difference. The International Breastfeeding Centre appreciates doulas , care

In a study by Kozhimannil et al (2013) it was found that "women who had doula-supported births had near-universal breastfeeding initiation (97.9%), compared with 80.8% of the general US population. Among African American women, 92.7% of those with doula support initiated breastfeeding, compared with 70.3% of the general population. These results suggest that access to culturally appropriate doula care may facilitate higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. When supported in their non-medical needs by birth doulas, the diverse, low-income patients of midwives and other maternity care providers may have a greater likelihood of initiating breastfeeding and experiencing the maternal and infant health benefits associated with breastfeeding."

Another study by Hans et al (2018) showed similar results and stated that "doulas who focus on childbirth education, breastfeeding, pregnancy health, and newborn care" and they positively influence "infant-care behaviours". In this randomized controlled trial that mothers who used the services of a doula were "more likely to initiate breastfeeding (81 vs. 74%; OR = 1.72, p < .05)". The interesting thing in this study is that it goes on to say that "the breastfeeding impact was not sustained over time". We believe that the reason for this might be that for mothers to continue breastfeeding after getting help with doula, they then need to have access to continued help, something that our breastfeeding clinic in Toronto provides. Even though mothers initiate breastfeeding they do quit if they do not get help with problems they may encounter, problems such as sore ni***es, a baby who does not latch on, a baby who needs to increase his breastmilk intake, a baby who is fussy and cries at the breast.

Thank you, doulas, for what you do and remember, the International Breastfeeding Centre is there, in Toronto to help you and your patients wherever they live. How to make an appointment? https://ibconline.ca/book-an-appointment/.

12/19/2019

🙌🏼💛

ASAP.


Learn more about our Campaign
http://ow.ly/g3hC50xCASW

11/17/2019

Lactation cookies/teas and oatmeal can't replace frequent and effective milk removal.

The only proven way to increase your supply is by effectively removing milk from the breast more often. Many mothers wonder if there are certain foods or supplements that can increase their milk supply. Before attempting to increase your supply this way, be sure to talk to a Lactation Consultant or La Leche League Leader to find out:

-If you really have a low supply (many parents are surprised to find they are making enough for their babies after learning the true signs of low supply)

-If you can change your breastfeeding/pumping practices to increase your supply.

Some parents report that Fenugreek, (a common ingredient in supplements that advertise to boost supply) actually lowers supply, so be cautious when trying a supply boosting product.

Read more here: https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbal_galactagogue/

09/08/2019

I don’t care how many people give you 💩 for your baby not sleeping through the night, or to sleep train your baby. Getting up to feed your baby at night goes hand in hand with parenting. It happens and it’s completely normal.