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.

Setting the stage for sleep simply means you do things in a way that supports and encourages good sleep habits for your ...
02/06/2026

Setting the stage for sleep simply means you do things in a way that supports and encourages good sleep habits for your child. You set them up for the best sleep possible. I highly recommend you work on these things first! Not only are most of the suggestions simple, easy to implement and stress free, but if you skip all these suggestions, you may not have much success with other sleep training methods.

Interested in support virtually or in-person?! DM me today or comment "Help".

These are the average amount of total sleep in hours in a 24 hour period for ages birth to 18 months. The totals are  ju...
02/05/2026

These are the average amount of total sleep in hours in a 24 hour period for ages birth to 18 months. The totals are just as a reference point and every child's total sleep need is different. If things are going well but you are a bit higher in hours than expected, then, you're good. No need to change anything (it's always good to r/o medical issues though). If your child is sleeping less than the average, then you may be
just fine too, but it's always good to double check that they don't actually need more sleep than they're getting.

✨️Save this for later, and share with a tired parent.

02/04/2026

Sleep training is often misunderstood.

It’s not about forcing a baby to sleep.
It’s not ignoring feeds or following a rigid, one-size-fits-all plan.
And it’s definitely not leaving exhausted parents to figure it out alone.

As a certified pediatric sleep consultant, IBCLC, postpartum doula, and infant care specialist, my approach is:
✨ personalized
✨ responsive
✨ developmentally appropriate
✨ supportive of the whole family

Whether you’re dealing with short naps, frequent night wakings, early mornings, or travel-related sleep struggles—there is a holistic way forward.

Better sleep doesn’t require an all or nothing approach.
It requires the right support.

Holistic, responsive sleep support exists, and it works!

Contact naps, short crib naps, exhausted parents...this 9-month-old family found success virtually! Even from afar, cons...
02/03/2026

Contact naps, short crib naps, exhausted parents...this 9-month-old family found success virtually!

Even from afar, consistent age-appropriate guidance and parent present support helped him sleep independently in his crib for naps and overnight.

Ready for your own sleep win?
DM or book a virtual discovery call today.

02/02/2026

If your little one is struggling with short naps, it can start to feel like you NEVER get a break. It can also lead to a fussy, overtired baby who can barely make it to bedtime.

Ideally, we want our little ones taking naps of at least an hour in length. The exception to this is the third nap, if applicable. A 30-45 minutes is fine here. Anything shorter than one hour is only one full sleep cycle (45-50 minutes) and an indication baby is having trouble moving into the next cycle for a more restorative nap.

Here are just a few possible reasons why your little one might not be getting the day time sleep they need:

💤Nursery is too bright.

Light tells our brain it’s time to be awake, and especially during the day when the pressure to sleep is lower, but sleep is still needed! Even the smallest amount of light can disrupt sleep. Blackout the room completely.

💤Your baby doesn't know how to fall back to sleep.

When babies & children don’t know how to fall asleep independently at the start of their nap, they will also struggle to fall back asleep when they wake up at the end of the first sleep cycle. A sleep cycle = 45-50 minutes in babies.

These partial arousals are natural, normal, and protective and all human bodies experience them. A baby who does not recognize their surroundings because they fell asleep in a different location will often wake up confused and upset.

Allowing your baby to fall asleep in their sleep space independently means when they have an arousal after one sleep cycle, they will learn to look around and check in on their environment, feel safe, and drift right back off to sleep without waking fully.

💤You’re baby is under 5.
months of age.

Around 5 months, we can expect many changes with their sleep. Babies’ circadian rhythms are becoming established and babies transition from 4 naps down to 3. It’s not really until this point that we can expect to see consistently longer naps on a more predictable schedule. Get it time and focus on getting as much sleep as possible.

If you need support while navigating short naps. Schedule a free discovery call to talk about working together and getting your whole family sleeping!

01/30/2026

If you’re silently screaming while rocking, nursing, pacing, or googling symptoms at 2:36am. This isn’t because you “broke” your baby’s sleep.
It’s because multiple sleep disruptors can overlap and absolutely wreck nights.

This season is real. It’s exhausting.
And most importantly, it’s temporary.

You don’t have to power through this alone or wait it out without a plan. There is support, even in the messiest phases.

👉 Comment SLEEP if you want help.
👉 Or DM me and we’ll talk through what’s actually going on.

01/29/2026

Breastfeeding is not just about milk. It’s about a perfectly designed connection that's responsive, and constantly adapting to protect your baby.

🧬 Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

• When you’re exposed to germs in your environment (even something as simple as a sneeze nearby), your immune system begins producing antibodies that can be transferred through your milk, often within minutes.

• During nursing, your baby’s saliva interacts with receptors in the ni**le, sending signals to your body about what nutrients and immune support your baby needs.

• When your baby is ill, the composition of your breastmilk changes within hours, boosting immune factors to help your baby fight infection and recover.

This is one of the many reasons breastfeeding is about so much more than milk. It’s an ongoing biological conversation between you and your baby 🤍

Disclaimer: While individual responses vary and research continues to evolve, evidence supports that breastmilk dynamically adapts to support infant immune health.

✨ Save this for later or share with a mom who might need this reminder.

Postpartum mood disorders don't always look like sadness, crying, or generalized depression. Sometimes, other signs like...
01/28/2026

Postpartum mood disorders don't always look like sadness, crying, or generalized depression. Sometimes, other signs like anger or rage, having a hard time bonding with your baby, food aversion, or scary or intrusive thoughts can indicate that something isn't quite right. In the haze of having a new baby, it can be difficult to recognize symptoms of postpartum mood disorders. Here's what you and your support team can look out for.

Remember that postpartum mental health issues are not a sign of weakness or a failure as a mother. They are a common and treatable condition that can affect anyone. Seeking help and support is a sign of strength and a proactive step towards better mental health.

Resources:
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262) for free, 24/7 confidential support

https://988lifeline.org Call 988 during mental health and substance use emergencies in Greater Baltimore area. Specialists are available 24/7 to provide free support.

01/27/2026

Is Your 3–5 Month Old Ready to Drop a Nap?

At 3–5 months, babies are starting to consolidate sleep, but some are ready to transition away from a fourth nap. Here are the signs to watch for:

💤 Struggling to fall asleep at naptime or bedtime
💤 Waking shortly after bedtime
💤 Consistently fighting the fourth nap
💤 Short naps throughout the day
💤 Early morning wake-ups almost daily
💤 Fourth nap pushing bedtime too late (usually past 8:00pm)

Quick tip: At this age, transitions should be gradual. Try shortening the fourth nap first or slightly adjusting nap timing before dropping it entirely. Watch your baby’s cues, they’ll tell you when they’re ready!

✨ Gentle reminder: Every baby is unique. These are common patterns, but your little one may progress differently.

💌 Save this for later, or DM me to create a personalized nap plan for your baby.

Disclaimer: The information/advice/ provided during this guide is not medical advice. Reliance on the advice is solely at your own risk. The advice is for informational purposes only and is intended for use with common sleep issues that are unrelated to medical conditions. The information provided is not intended nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the health and welfare of your child.

This is why I do this work Supporting, educating, and empowering families, one feeding at a time. If you’re feeling over...
01/26/2026

This is why I do this work

Supporting, educating, and empowering families, one feeding at a time.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about your breastfeeding journey, help is available, and you deserve it. I provide in-home support in and around the Baltimore area. Virtual and phone support is also available to moms outside of my service area. Dm to set up a discovery call.

01/23/2026

Let there be light! ☀️
Science shows us that sunlight plays a huge role in regulating our entire biological system, especially sleep.

Our bodies have a built-in clock called the circadian rhythm. This internal clock controls when hormones are released and helps regulate body temperature, alertness, and sleep. And what sets this clock?
👉 Light.

Light signals the brain, specifically the hypothalamus, to wake up. This triggers the release of daytime hormones like cortisol (for alertness) and serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone). Later, as the light fades, serotonin helps convert into melatonin, the hormone that prepares the body for sleep.

Melatonin is the star of the show when it comes to good, restorative sleep. But here’s the key:
🌙 Melatonin production is directly impacted by light exposure.

Too little sunlight during the day + too much artificial light at night can seriously interfere with your baby’s ability to sleep well.

Cortisol isn’t the enemy, it’s essential. It helps babies/toddlers wake up and be active in the morning. But when babies/toddlers stay awake too long or become overtired, cortisol spikes at the wrong time, making it harder for melatonin to do its job. This is why timing sleep before overtiredness sets in matters so much.

The takeaway:
Supporting sleep starts during the DAY.

Tip #1:
At your child’s set wake-up time, open the curtains and let the light in. Outdoor sunlight is best, walks count even on cloudy days, but bright indoor light works too.

Daylight in the ☀️= Better sleep later in the🌙

Not sure where to start?
Book a free sleep discovery call. Link in the bio.

01/22/2026

The short answer: as late as safely possible. There’s no need to rush this transition. If your child is content and sleeping well in their crib, it’s perfectly fine to let them stay there.

The main reason to move out of the crib is safety. If your child is attempting to climb out, the crib is no longer safe and it’s time to transition to a bed promptly.

Otherwise, staying in the crib longer often supports better sleep and smoother nights for both you and your child.

Struggling with toddler sleep or upcoming transitions?

Book a free discovery call.

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.