Sara Bernard doula & more

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Sara Bernard doula & more

Find all sort of resources related to motherhood.

I'm a doula, a breastfeeding and babywearing consultant, and a psychologist, ready to share with all the mama-world evidence-based practices, tips and tricks so you enjoy this journey.

31/01/2025

FAQ about newborns:
➡️What is a good feeding/sleeping schedule? Follow your baby’s cues. A healthy baby won’t over eat nor sleep, therefore there shouldn’t be a schedule. A rule of thumb is a cycle of Eat- Awake-Sleep-You time but the cycle can go from 1 hour to 4 and still be a healthy baby.
➡️The baby needs to be held all the time, is that ok? There is no such a thing as too much contact with a baby. The only thing they know is mom or another human being. Be close to them, keep them warm, held, sang to; it will be over soon.
➡️What’s up with their skin? There is a skin transition that results in acne. This is normal, keep your baby hydrated and moisture. The transition from a liquid environment in the womb to an air dry one takes a toll on their skin.

11/10/2024

What can you learn at a sleep class with me?
You’ll learn how normal sleep develops, worrying signs, what can disturb sleep, what strategies can you use… but above all, you’ll learn how to support a healthy sleep.

10/10/2024

As a psychologist who mostly works with families, this is what I think is important to remember when a baby comes into your home.

The dynamics in families can be really complex, as a new being comes to enlarge it, everyone needs to readjust:
Mothers can heal and be reborn with every child but it is also a major journey back to their childhood and their relationship with their own parents.
Fathers also experience and question their own upbringing but in addition they are faced with the unknown: modern paternity, where they are actually involved in every step of the way. The usually lack (and don’t look for) support.
Older siblings can experience difficulty in this adjustment, especially when the focus is on all the newborn’s needs.

09/10/2024

Common breastfeeding fears 🙈
➡️ Will I have enough milk? The quick answer is most likely YES. Only 2% of the female population has problems with production, however the number goes up when something has happened (aka some sort of trauma). And yet, some women struggle, look for a specialist to get things working.
➡️ Will it hurt? If it hurts, then there is a bad latch, look for a specialist to get the pain away.
➡️ Will this change my s*x life? Most likely it will, but it goes hand in hand with having a newborn, having other priorities now, and being tired. It’s mostly your hormones that put your libido on hold.
➡️ Will I still have my life as it is? No, and it shouldn’t be so. You’ve just had a baby, someone that needs you 24/7, there will be a moment when that is not so, but it will take a while. For the time being, your social life is on pause.
➡️ Will my baby bite me? The majority of babies don’t bite. However they might be fuzzy when teething and that can lead to some biting, your reaction will also increase or decrease that behaviour. Remember that your baby doesn’t know that hurts you.
Am I leaving any fear behind? Let me know yours!

08/10/2024

Have you heard about birth affirmations?
They are phrases that one uses as support through labour.
When you think only on the next contraction (especially when you find your mind trying to think ahead how much longer could you keep up with labour), is much easier to cope with however strong that rush is.
Each phrase is unique, each phrase needs to mean something to you, each of them is like a mantra. They are no joke, it’s such an empowering tool!
If you’d like to get your Positive Affirmation Pack just say 🤰 in the comments.
📸

07/10/2024

Do you need a newborn care class?
If you want to have a minimalist, uncomplicated, peaceful journey with your newborn, then you do!
Motherhood is very lonely, often very judged and questioned, always very vulnerable. When you have information, strategies and are sure of what you are doing, all these fall differently.
That is the goal of my class. To answer all the “silly” questions, to give you strategies on how to approach different scenarios, to prioritise in a way that you are not overwhelmed.
Interested? DM and I’ll give you more information!

03/10/2024

My work as a lactation specialist.
Any time a mom calls for a lactation consultancy it goes like this:
➡️ Analysis: listen, evaluate, ask, support!
➡️ Strategy: understanding the problem is key to finding solutions, not everyone needs the same!
➡️Action plan: fix what needs to be fix, practice and evaluate again!
➡️Following up: as much as I would love that things changed with just a visit, we need to make sure how things are progressing. Most of the time, a phone call is enough, but if things persist then a second visit might be needed (this has happened once to me 🙃).
🚩If someone supports you and makes you question yourself, puts their preferences, opinions and needs above yours then you should change support team!

02/10/2024

Some kind words from a client 🥰❤️❤️❤️

01/10/2024

A few years back I went to one of my first births. I got to their house and the mother was in the shower, handling so well although things were really intense.
Contractions were 2 minutes apart so we decided to move to the hospital. Unfortunately these were covid times, so the mom was alone for a while. By the time the partner and I got to the room, everything had slowed down. I got told off by the OB, but it wasn’t the time to tell her things were different at home (I did after birth, in a very polite way).
Mom lost it, she thought she couldn’t do it. I didn’t pressure. If she wanted to change her birth plan she could. Once she got back on track, nothing could stopped her.
I learnt then that it doesn’t matter how far along you are, when your system feels danger (in this case being alone), everything will stop. I can’t give up then, I can’t pressure, I can only reassure and hope for little to no intervention. 🙏

30/09/2024

What would you learn in the newborn care class?
Overall I want you to have strategies, tips and confidence that you are capable of doing this as well as that in the beginning things are much easier than they look (or at least they can be).
The topics go from caring before birth, needs of the first few days, feeding, babywearing, sleep and looking for the long run: freedom of movement.
With this class you won’t just have ideas for the first month but for how to adjust to the new changes coming your way. Are you ready?
DM for more information ℹ️

12/09/2024

The blood of the placenta is your baby’s blood. Up to 1/3 of your baby’s blood is in the placenta.
Once the baby is born the placenta continues pulsating to bring back that blood to your baby. Ideally you wait until the cord stops pulsating, or even better until it’s completely white, before clamping or cutting.
Collecting cells from the cord and waiting for the blood to return to your baby are not compatible.
Clumping the cord and then waiting for a minute or two to cut it is not optimal.
Don’t let anyone twist the information around.

11/09/2024

Nobody warns you about the after pains. You may even not even notice them if it’s your first pregnancy but…
The uterus needs to contract again to its usual size, it’s not so much pain but it’s really uncomfortable. You can feel them when you breastfeed. The more you breastfeed, the faster the uterus goes back to its size.
Tell me, did you feel them?

Address

Nairobi

Website

https://linktr.ee/sarabernardpsic

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