Compassionate Doula Services, LLC

Compassionate Doula Services, LLC We provide caring antepartum & postpartum doula support, lactation support, pediatric sleep consultatin, and baby nurse services. Virtually and in-person.

Professional Mother-baby RN, IBCLC, and certified postpartum doula with over 30 years of experience working with newborns and families.

12/23/2025

The advice "sleep when the baby sleeps" isn't practical because newborns have unpredictable, short naps, making it hard for adults to fall into deep, restorative sleep; new parents often have other chores (laundry, dishes), care for other kids, struggle with postpartum anxiety/insomnia, and find short daytime naps aren't refreshing, making it a well-intentioned but impossible command rather than a real solution for managing exhaustion.

My advice is not necessarily to sleep (if not possible) when the baby sleeps but rather:

Prioritize Rest: It's a plea to prioritize rest over chores, not necessarily to nap constantly.

Rest, Don't Just Sleep: Lie down, sit, and rest your body, even if you don't sleep, and put other tasks aside.

Ask for Help: Get support from partners or family to take shifts or handle tasks.

Adjust Expectations: Accept that life will be messy and focus on self-care when possible, even if it's just an hour of quiet rest.

✨Power pumping mimics cluster feedings with an electric pump to help increase milk supply. Cluster feeding is when your ...
12/22/2025

✨Power pumping mimics cluster feedings with an electric pump to help increase milk supply. Cluster feeding is when your baby wants lots of short feeds over a few hours.

✨Milk supply increases or is maintained by "supply and demand". The more you remove from the breast the more milk you will produce. Power pumping is just your pump staying at the breast and trying to get more milk, instead of your baby.

👉🏽TIPS for Power Pumping:

- Aim to replace one regular pump session a day for a boost in supply. Do something that you enjoy while you power pump! Pick a time when you can sit and relax a little bit Watch a show you love, read a book, or whatever makes you happy.

- Make sure that you are set up with everything you need, since you’ll be there awhile. Also, a good pumping bra is key, no one wants to spend an hour holding fl**ges up to their breasts.

- If possible, try to save power pumping for when your baby is sleeping or you have help.

- It takes a few days for your body’s supply to respond to the increased demand from your breast pump. Try to power pump for at least four days in a row and then evaluate how it’s going (one week maximum). Be patient with the process and celebrate every drop.

- Power pumping is not for everyone. Some may not respond at all, some may find it very uncomfortable. Power pumping is simply one way to increase milk supply but isn't necessary for most and will not work for all.

- Use caution with power pumping. Too strong of suction or using the wrong fl**ge size can cause breast tissue damage and reduce milk supply. Power pumping when you don't have an actual low supply can increase your chances of an oversupply which can be challenging for your baby to manage, lead to clogged ducts, or mastitis. When in doubt about your supply be sure to reach out to an IBCLC or CLC to determine if power pumping is right for you.

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When picking out furnishings for your baby’s nursery, it’s always a good idea to start simple. You can always add furnit...
12/19/2025

When picking out furnishings for your baby’s nursery, it’s always a good idea to start simple. You can always add furniture and a more advanced nursery organization system later on as your baby grows. 👶🏽👶🏻

In this picture my client chose to embrace her inner minimalist. She only outfitted the nursery with a sturdy crib and a safe breathable mattress, a dresser that doubled as a changing-table, a comfy chair for feedings, and supplies she knew were needed during the first six months of her baby's life.

There’s no right or wrong way to furnish and organize your newborn’s nursery. But if you start simple and build from there, you can customize the layout to you and your baby’s needs. 💕

Do you like this jungle themed nursery?

12/18/2025

HALLELUJAH! 🙌✨
This is why I do what I do, supporting families until rest finally comes.

💬 Ready for your own “hallelujah” moment?
DM me SLEEP and let’s get your little one (and you) sleeping again.

Whether you’re a brand-new mom still finding your rhythm or a seasoned mom juggling it all, this is your reminder: you a...
12/17/2025

Whether you’re a brand-new mom still finding your rhythm or a seasoned mom juggling it all, this is your reminder: you are doing enough. 🤍
Showing up. Loving your baby. Learning as you go. That counts.
Motherhood isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence, and you are more than enough right where you are.

✨ From a postpartum doula who sees you, supports you, and walks alongside you through every season of motherhood.

12/17/2025

Hey parents!
Struggling to establish healthy sleep habits with your little one? It's time for some tips on helping your baby get the rest they need (and you too!)
Stick to a routine: Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can work wonders! Create a soothing sequence of activities like a warm bath, lullabies, or reading a bedtime story.
Create a cozy sleep environment: A dark, quiet, and comfortable sleep space can help your baby drift off to dreamland. Make sure the room temperature is comfortable and use white noise if it helps drown out any external disturbances.
Encourage daytime napping: A well-rested baby is more likely to sleep better at night. Ensure your little one gets enough daytime naps, but try not to let them nap too close to bedtime.

Need help with the specifics for your baby at this age & stage?

Let's chat!

Head to the link in my bio to book a consultation.

Amber, thank you so much for your kind words! It was such a pleasure supporting your family through your baby’s sleep tr...
12/16/2025

Amber, thank you so much for your kind words! It was such a pleasure supporting your family through your baby’s sleep training journey. I’m so proud of the progress you made and thrilled to hear that your little one is now sleeping better, eating better, and thriving.

As a certified pediatric sleep consultant, my goal is always to help families reach their child’s sleep goals with age appropriate, evidence-based, personalized coaching, and I’m so glad to see those results reflected in your home. Your trust means the world, and I’m grateful I could be part of helping your whole family get the rest you deserve. ✨️

Being a sleep consultant is so rewarding. Seeing both the parents and little ones thrive after getting consistent restorative sleep is sooo amazing to me. I wish I knew what I know now during my postpartum recovery.

✨️Some people are true gems, and Tasha Sojka is one of them!✨️Her ability to capture breathtaking images is matched only...
12/16/2025

✨️Some people are true gems, and Tasha Sojka is one of them!✨️

Her ability to capture breathtaking images is matched only by the way she makes her clients feel. Specializing in newborn, maternity, and family photography in her Baltimore studio, Tasha creates a space where parents feel relaxed, confident, and beautifully cared for during every session. That comfort shows in every photo she delivers.

After spending time chatting last month, I was so touched to discover how much we have in common, from being moms to 14-year-old twin boys to calling Harford County home. It made me appreciate her even more, both professionally and personally.

I cannot recommend Tasha highly enough to any new or expecting family looking for someone who will not only capture stunning images, but truly honor this season of life with warmth, patience, and compassion.

https://www.tashasojkaphotography.com









As a new parent, there are so many choices you have to to make! A common question I get as an IBCLC is which bottle is b...
12/15/2025

As a new parent, there are so many choices you have to to make! A common question I get as an IBCLC is which bottle is best for my breastfed baby?

You want look for a bottle ni**le that has a gradual slope, isn’t too wide, and has a slow flow. The slope and narrower base make it easy for babies to get as much of the ni**le in their mouths as possible in order to achieve the ideal latch. We want to see a nice wide open mouth with a good seal on the bottle just as we do when nursing.

I suggest using a slow-flow ni**le (size 0 or preemie) using the paced bottle-feeding method so that your baby doesn’t get used to a faster flow on the bottle, which can increase frustration at the breast because they have to work just a little harder at the breast to get a letdown and the milk to start flowing. However, if your let-down is strong, then your baby might do better with a medium- or faster-flow ni**le.

My favorites ni**les are on the following bottles:
🍼Evenflo Balance
🍼Lansinoh ("slow flow" is faster)
🍼Dr. Brown's Original (Narrow neck- preemie)
🍼 Pigeon Nursing Bottle
✨Pigeon Ni***es are compatible with many bottles including - Lansinoh, Dr. Brown’s wide neck bottles, Evenflo Balance + , Joovy b**b baby, MAM, Mixie baby, Motif, NUK smooth flow, Philips Avent Original, Hygiea, and pigeon bottles.

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Are you a sleep-deprived parent desperately seeking a solution to help your little one sleep for longer stretches throug...
12/15/2025

Are you a sleep-deprived parent desperately seeking a solution to help your little one sleep for longer stretches through the night?

Look no further!

As a virtual sleep consultant, I'm here to provide the support and guidance you need, all from the comfort of your own home.
Sleep consultants are trained professionals with expertise in pediatric sleep issues.

I offer personalized sleep plans and solutions to parents everywhere, tailoring the advice to your child's specific needs.
Comment below or DM me if you'd like more information about how a virtual sleep consultation with me can help you.








✨ As an IBCLC, one of the first things I share with families is this: breastfeeding should never feel like something you...
12/11/2025

✨ As an IBCLC, one of the first things I share with families is this: breastfeeding should never feel like something you have to “push through.” Positioning matters, and the right hold can ease discomfort, support a deeper latch, and make feeding more effective for both you and your baby.

Address

2945 Emmorton Road #932
Abingdon, MD
21009

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+14109148089

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Every mother deserves compassionate support!

Giving birth is an emotional and special moment that is to be treasured. The period immediately following birth(postpartum) is equally important and should be treated with care and compassion. Compassionate Doula services makes sure every mother is pampered and supported, so that she can rest, heal properly, and bond with her new baby.