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The Holistic Doula Cork, Cork (2025)

24/01/2025

Galactagogues are foods, herbs or medication that when taken have been noted to increase breastmilk supply in lactating people. Remember these are anecdotal meaning there isn’t scientific evidence to support them though many woman report positive increase in supply.

There are a few medications which have been studied and support increase in supply but these should only be consumed under medical guidance as with any medication adverse reactions can occur.

It is always important to assess latch and position first if you notice low or reduced milk supply. Ensure you are nursing your baby at least 8-12 times a day and draining the breasts fully at each feed.

If you have a sudden reduction in an otherwise normal supply you should visit your GP to test for low iron, thyroid issues and other issues which may cause a dip in supply.

A healthy balanced diet and optimal hydration will always be my first recommendation! Healthy fats while breastfeeding along with plenty of fruit and veg, good sources of protein and complex carbohydrates all contribute to overall health.

*It is very important to note that Fenugreek is widely known as a galactagogue which can effectively boost milk supply, however if you have a thyroid issues it can have an adverse effect exacerbating thyroid symptoms and reducing milk supply*
Here are some foods and herbs that are known galactagogues. There are many nursing teas and supplements on the market that combine these ingredients.

-Oats
-Sweet potatoes, carrots and beets for their beta carotene.
-Dark leafy greens for Iron, specific enzymes and micronutrients.
-Fennel, fennel seed and fennel tea excellent for increasing supply.
-Brewers yeast source of protein and iron as well as phytoestrogens known to increase supply.
-Oily fish
-Garlic
-Chickpeas
-Nuts and seeds, especially almonds and cashews
-Ginger
-Papaya
-Spices like star anise, caraway, coriander, cumin seeds, dill, turmeric.
-Milk thistle
-Moringa
-Alfalfa
-Goats rue

DM for info on medications to increase supply Im not happy to share here incase they are used incorrectly

20/01/2025

Storing expressed breastmilk can be confusing so save this post for a quick and easy guide to the safe storage of your precious EBM!

These guidelines are taken directly from the HSE and it is important to remember each country has varying guidelines so make sure to follow evidence based healthcare recommendations from your local area.

It is also important to note that each hospital has their own individual breastmilk storage policies in place which may differ from your national healthcare service.
Once you or your baby is discharged from hospital it is safe to follow the national healthcare guidelines.

Fresh expressed milk is always the best option for your baby but lots of people pump and store their milk for various reasons.
To ensure you do not waste any of your precious milk store it in smaller quantities I would suggest in 2oz or 60ml portions.
Freeze your milk in storage bags by lying them flat to maximize space in your freezer.

Research shows that human milk spoils a lot more slowly than dairy alternatives.

Your expressed breast milk contains essential enzymes, hormones and antibodies amongst many other wonderful components. These are essential for your baby’s normal growth, development and overall health. Storing your EBM safely ensures those immune properties also help protect the milk from bacteria growth.

19/01/2025

Hi I’m Jen, I am a Registered Children’s Nurse since 2017 and currently working on the Neonatal unit in CUMH since 2023.

I also have a degree in Early Years Education since 2012 and am an Antenatal and Postpartum Doula since 2021.

I started my journey to becoming an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) last September and will be qualified this year which I am very excited about! I love learning and I am constantly researching and trying to top myself up with evidence based information.

My special interest is in breastfeeding, it’s a real passion of mine and I want to support educate and empower all families and pregnant, postpartum and breast/chestfeeding people to reach their goals what ever they may be.

Another passion of mine is supporting pregnant people who wish to have a physiological birth, the human body is an amazing collection of systems that work symbiotically and can achieve anything once it is supported correctly!

Above all I am a mom of two and recently a wife also! Both my babies were born physiologically without intervention and breastfed, both had quite complicated starts in their feeding journeys but we got there with determination!

I am forever answering dms about various concerns families may have regarding pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period along with all of the feeding questions so please feel free to message me any time!

Jen xx

11/10/2022

Today I had a little visit to the venue that Iv been lucky enough to secure going forward for my upcoming Baby massage classes, and I completely underestimated the size of the room.
It is so big and yet cosy, fully carpeted and has such a nice bright, warm feel to it.

Iv decided to give away a full 5 week term to one parent and their baby for my upcoming term in November or my January term-you decide.

If you are interested just:

🌸Like this post
🌸Tag a new parent or expectant parent
🌸Share this post

Winner announced 31/10/22 👻🎃

01/10/2022

🌸Why is National breastfeeding week 2022 so important?

Because by talking about breastfeeding and promoting awareness and education about it we are normalizing breastfeeding and releasing what ever stigma may be attached, this in turn may encourage more woman to breastfeed their babies.

🌸The theme this year is: ‘Expert Help for Every Step of the way’.
🌸 According to new HSE figures, there was a 5% point increase in the number of babies breastfed at the first Public Health Nurse visit between 2019 and 2021, a rise to 59%.
🌸In May 2021 The Faculty of Paediatrics, Faculty of Public Health and the Institute of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland released a document highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding and how to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.

🌸Within the document it highlighted the stark reality that Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the European Union.

🌸The current breastfeeding statistics for Ireland as of October 2020 are as follows:

🌸64% of mothers initiated breastfeeding while in hospital, in comparison to 81% in the UK and 91% in Australia.
🌸This number fell to 38% of mothers upon discharge from hospital.
🌸Of those woman who had a home birth 96% were still breastfeeding when discharged by the midwives.
🌸Only 6% of babies are exclusively breastfed at six months in Ireland.
🌸Among woman from the traveller community who gave birth, the rates of breastfeeding were just 3%.

🌸With education, awareness, normalization and above all- SUPPORT we as a country can increase our breastfeeding rates!

🌸🌸We must also remember National breastfeeding week may be triggering for those who for any reason could not or did not breastfeed. Message me here for support. Because woman don’t need another professional to tell them it isn’t working out or their baby is failing to thrive, we need them to support us to make it work!

29/09/2022

🌸Very excited to start teaching Baby massage on the 5th of Nov in The Rochestown park hotel it’s just a two minute drive from Douglas such a great location with free parking.

🌸The benefits of massage are endless here are just a few-

🌸Improved digestion, reduction in symptoms of colic and reflux, improvement in gut motility, promotes relaxation and improves sleep. Eases muscle pain secondary to foetal positioning in utero, promotes parental bonding, reduction in symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety, teaches recognition of baby queues and of course it’s also such a lovely way to meet other mums/dads and have a chat!
I met some of my good friends through baby massage with my son 3 years ago!

Can’t wait!

Jen x

26/09/2022

🌸My rule of thumb when putting anything on a babies skin is that you should be able to safely put it in their mouth also (though I don’t recommend feeding your baby anything other than their milk until 6 months🙊)

🌸With research I have chosen 100% cold pressed grapeseed oil as my oil of choice for my massage classes. It is a non toxic edible vegetable oil and comes highly recommended as an oil of choice for infant massage.

🌸Grapeseed oil is a by-product of wine making and comes from the tiny seeds of the grape.

🌸Grapeseed oil is loaded with all sorts of wonderful components such as Antioxidants, anti-microbials, anti-inflammatorys and anti-allergic properties as well as being rich in vitamin E and vitamin C and Omega-6 fatty acids.

🌸Using this oil during baby massage ensures skin is left supple and healthy, deeply moisturized and protected against environmental contaminants.

🌸Grapeseed oil is a wonderful oil to use for skin problems such as eczema and dermatitis as it is mildly astringent and has excellent emollient properties and if you feel like stealing some from your baby it’s also extremely beneficial in the treatment of acne and pigmentation.

🌸It is completely safe to use in baby massage from birth, has no odor and is rich in oleic acid meaning it glides easily on the skin without friction, it is a light viscosity oil and absorbs well with a non-greasy finish.

🌸Really looking forward to my first term of baby massage I will be releasing the dates next week and spaces are limited as I want to keep classes small to respect and not overstimulate the little ones who will be learning along with their parents/caregivers.

24/03/2022

🌸The term ‘Natural Birth’ or ‘Normal Birth’ is thrown around a lot and can be used in the wrong context leading woman to feel thry have failed if they did not have a ‘natural birth’ if they birth their baby any other way than vaginally without pain medication and intervention.

🌸However to me and most birth workers natural birth or normal birth is all births whether delivered vaginally, by cesarean birth, using a forceps or ventouse, having an episiotomy, induction of labour, needing internal monitoring, in a pool, on land, on a bed on the floor having a baby ANYWHERE AND IN ANY WAY is a natural birth.

🌸Physiological birth is powered by the innate human capacity of the labouring woman and her unborn baby as they work symbiotically.

🌸There is a sequence of physiological changes and several hormones start their work in the body which signal it is time to labour and give birth and the woman is ‘allowed’ to work with her body so her baby can be born without intervention.

🌸Physiological birth is safe and when a woman is trusted to give birth in the way her body was designed to, her outcomes and the outcomes of her unborn baby are significantly improved.

🌸Physiological birth is seen less and less in the western world as woman are intervened with constantly throughout their pregnancies, and If labour doesn’t start by a certain date the woman’s chances of a physiological birth are significantly reduced as their providers have them on a timer which, ironically can prevent the woman from going into labour as stress and pressure cause a spike in adrenaline which blocks oxytocin receptors and so the interventions start which spikes more adrenaline in the woman and so more interventions are required (you get the idea).

🌸If you want to have a physiological birth but are feeling pressure from your healthcare providers speak with a doula who has your best interests at hand and can help you achieve the birth you deserve! If you don’t gel with your providers do not be afraid to ask for someone else, you won’t get a redo & if you offend someone that is their problem not yours.

15/02/2022

🌸In 1969 a Dublin based obstetrician Kieran O Driscoll who worked from The National Maternity Hospital aka Holles Street pioneered a new approach to labour known as ‘Active Management of Labour’ with the aim being to reduce theatre based births by having a more present obstetric team.

🌸Ireland is still famous today for this approach of Active management of labour and OB’s come from all over the world to learn it.

🌸The basis is that all labouring woman should deliver within 12 hours of onset of labour and should dilate by 1cm per hour.
Induction was and is still the easiest way to control labour and The team use a partogram graph to measure the progress of labour with interventions such as rupturing of membranes and addition of intravenous Pitocin, instrumental delivery & episiotomies set out at particular intervals so that essentially all labours can be managed similarly across the board.
🌸What is troubling about this is we know for a fact that oxytocin is the driver of labour & birth and that interventions inhibit the work of oxytocin as the woman feels fear adrenaline surges through her body blocking oxytocin receptors and so many of these woman managed throughout labour are labeled as “failure to progress”

🌸When a woman is left alone and feels safe, loved and supported her oxytocin flows through her veins & her body works symbiotically to move her baby down and out of the birth canal in a physiological way just like pooing, peeing and walking her body knows what to do.
🌸This is not to say we don’t need obstetricians of course we do and we are so grateful for their expertise in scenarios that warrant their presence however birth is a normal process and should be treated as such rather that it being treated as a medical process that needs pharmacological input.
🌸Not all cervix’ dilate to 10cm and no two bodies, labours or births are the same and so every woman should be treated as individual and given autonomy over her body and her birth!
🌸It is my belief that every pregnant woman should start under a midwifery led team and be escalated to obstetric led care if required.

12/02/2022

🌸Trust the process… Birth is a normal physiological process like peeing, pooing, sleeping, eating and walking.
🌸You cannot and I repeat cannot put a time limit on physiological birth and yet we do EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

🌸Active management of labour was a model designed by Kieran o Driscoll in 1969 its aim was essentially to prevent prolonged labour and reduce surgical deliveries, in order to achieve this a labouring woman was given a precise time for the beginning of established labour and from there was given a timeframe of 12 hours in which to dilate by at least 1cm per hour and deliver her baby.

🌸Progress is measured on a partogram and instead of allowing the labouring woman to work with her body in her own time she is placed on a bed, waters are released, Pitocin infusion is commenced, she is put on a continuous monitor, given frequent vaginal exams and as a result intervention and augmentation is common if she does not ‘keep up’ with the demands of the partogram.

🌸We know that every single woman is individual and her birth cannot be predicted and so a 12 hour time frame in which to give birth is a far fetched limit & an unnecessary pressure placed upon a woman during one of the biggest journeys of her life.

🌸Ireland is famous for this model of maternity care & believe it or not it is still the favored model in our maternity hospitals & one your birth team will likely follow AND obstetricians STILL come to our country from all over the world to learn this model of care today.

🌸Is this model helpful? Of course it can be in certain scenarios when a birth may be high risk & require such high levels of medical input.

🌸But remember birth is a physiological process & for the majority of woman these highly controlled environments only impact their labour progression negatively slowing or even stopping their progression leading to higher rates of instrumental delivery and cesarean birth.

🌸What do birthing woman actually need? A safe space where they feel comfortable, Time for their bodies to birth their babies, Trust in their birth team, Nurture from those around them, Warmth, love, hydration, food.

10/02/2022

🌸If you knew how powerful skin to skin truly was you and your baby wouldn’t wear clothes for the first 12 weeks after giving birth!
🌸Skin to skin is when a baby is placed naked with only a nappy onto the bare chest of a parent or care giver usually mom or dad.
🌸Amazingly the dark area of the ni**le called the ar**la has small glands called Montgomery glands which secrete an oily substance after birth which smells and tastes similar to the amniotic fluid inside the womb, therefore it is familiar to baby and is instinctively safe and secure to them. The chest is home!
🌸Skin to skin works symbiotically meaning there are benefits not only for baby but for mom also!
🌸Babies blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature are regulated through skin to skin.
🌸Moms blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature are also regulated through skin to skin.
🌸Skin to skin triggers the release of hormones that relieve stress in the baby.
🌸skin to skin also triggers hormones which lower maternal stress levels and vitally also promotes healing.
🌸During skin to skin time Oxytocin FLOWS and you get all the happy, warm and loving feelings flooding through your body.
🌸Endorphins (your bodies natural opiates) are released.
🌸The lactation hormone Prolactin is triggered and the body makes more milk.
🌸Baby finds the breast and latches on more successfully this also triggers the uterus to contract and birth the placenta.
🌸When a mother and her newborn infant spend at least the golden hour immediately after birth skin to skin this leads to greater breastfeeding success rates and continuation!

🌸You are your babies safe place, their first home and their means of survival utilize this magic power you have and have your baby skin to skin as often as possible!
🌸Anyone can have some skin to skin time with baby once you are comfortable- dads and siblings can be life savers if you want a hot shower!
🌸Skin to skin is not only recommended immediately after birth but ongoing for as long as you would like and it works wonders to calm a baby or child of any age!

The Holistic Doula Cork

24/01/2025

20/01/2025

19/01/2025

11/10/2022

01/10/2022

29/09/2022

26/09/2022

24/03/2022

15/02/2022

12/02/2022

10/02/2022

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