Zarina The Doula - providing care and support for mothers and babies

03/09/2025

31/08/2025

Stop. Telling. Twin. Mamas.
How bad it’s going to be.

We. Already. Know.

We know there will be sleepless nights.
We know there will be double the diapers.
We know there will be days we run on fumes.

But here’s the thing,
Telling us how miserable we’re about to be doesn’t help.

What we actually need?
“You’ve got this.”
“You’re stronger than you think.”
“It’ll be worth it.”

Because it will be worth it.
Every sleepless night.
Every messy moment.
Every second of figuring it out.

So if you see a mama pregnant with twins,
Skip the horror stories.
Skip the negativity.

Cheer her on.
Because she already knows the hard parts…
What she needs is hope.

©️Caty Sanders

28/08/2025

Exactly 👇🏽👇🏽

Crying is the only language your baby has to tell you something is wrong. It’s how they say,

I’m hungry.
I’m scared.
I’m overstimulated.
I need comfort.
I need connection.

Some sleep training methods suggest leaving babies to “cry it out,” under the assumption that they will eventually learn to “self-soothe.”

But here’s the truth: babies are not neurologically capable of self-soothing. Their brains are still developing, and regulation only comes through co-regulation… the presence of a responsive caregiver who helps them feel safe.

When those cries go unanswered, babies don’t suddenly learn independence. They learn silence. They stop crying because their bodies give up, not because their needs have gone away. Stress hormones like cortisol remain elevated, their nervous systems stay dysregulated, and the foundation of trust, that someone will respond when they need help… can be shaken.

Why it matters:

🧠 Brain Development: In the first three years, over 1 million neural connections form every second. Consistent responsiveness strengthens pathways for trust and security. Prolonged stress, on the other hand, can interfere with healthy brain development.

🫂 Attachment: Secure attachment is built when babies know their caregivers will meet their needs. This secure base influences emotional health, relationships, and resilience for life.

♥️ Emotional Regulation: Babies don’t “learn” to calm down when left to cry…they learn to suppress their signals. True regulation develops when caregivers consistently comfort and respond.

Calling it “child neglect” may sound harsh… but at its core, ignoring your baby’s cries means ignoring their only way of asking for help.

Your baby doesn’t need perfection. They need presence. They need connection. They need to know that when they call out, someone comes.

Every time you pick up your crying baby, you are not just soothing them in the moment… you are shaping their brain, protecting their mental health, and teaching them that the world is safe and people can be trusted.

Meeting needs is love.
Ignoring cries is neglect.

Your baby’s voice matters…always. 🩷✨

15/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/16oJFDCEif/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Lower Lip-Tie Releases

Lately I’ve been doing more lower lip-tie releases on children and adults.

I’ve had several patients report their shoulders dropped immediately post-release. And the chin feels looser. Many parents are happy with the changes in facial and body tension. The feedback has been too significant to ignore.

Lower lip-ties weren’t something I previously paid much attention to, but I’m now routinely checking for them when I offer tongue and other releases.

For infants, it makes sense that if a lower lip is tight it can restrict fl**ge and contribute to shallow latch and oral dysfunction.

Last week, I performed my first lower lip-tie release in a 4-week-old infant.

These photos show the before (right) and after just 6 days post-release (left). The lower lip-tie release was done in conjunction with tongue, upper lip, and left buccal-tie releases.

Her parents report:

✅ Lower lip is significantly looser
✅ Her whole face looks less tense
✅ No more reflux or nasal regurgitation
✅ Starting to become more settled last few nights - before would grunt all night
✅ Body is more relaxed – previously stiff and hard to dress
✅ Stronger latch and improved suck training
✅ Easier to perform oral exercises

This year, I’ve been paying much more attention to facial and body tension changes with releases through photos, and how these subtle restrictions can often result in significant changes when released.

I’m very grateful to the parents who have placed their trust in me as I explore this new area. It’s been rewarding to discover that lower-lip ties should not be overlooked.

Disclaimer:

Any surgical procedure carries risks, and individual results may vary. Before proceeding with any surgery, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified practitioner.

30/07/2025

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdHfnYra/

373 likes, 8 comments. “Watch the full conversation by searching "WE NEED TO TALK MYLEENE KLASS" on YouTube. Klass opens up about her trauma of losing four babies to miscarriage and she explains how all her children’s cells live in her rainbow baby.”