Side by side postpartum care

03/12/2026

💙Did you know that children with epilepsy have a higher risk of experiencing breakthrough seizures during illnesses?

When a child becomes sick, factors such as fever, dehydration, missed medications, or physical stress on the body can increase the likelihood of seizures. Because of this, it is important for families and caregivers to have a clear acute illness seizure plan in place.

This plan should include knowing how to respond if a seizure occurs, when to administer rescue medication, when to seek emergency medical care, and how to safely manage symptoms such as high fever. Maintaining hydration, continuing prescribed anti-seizure medications, and closely monitoring symptoms are also key steps during illness.

Being prepared helps caregivers respond quickly and confidently, ensuring the child receives the appropriate care and reducing the risk of complications.

03/07/2026

✨️Infant belly massage is a gentle technique used to help soothe babies, promote digestion, and relieve discomfort from gas, colic, or constipation.

Benefits of Infant Belly Massage:

Relieves gas and bloating: Helps move trapped air through the intestines.

Eases constipation: Encourages bowel movements through gentle pressure.

Reduces colic symptoms: Soothing touch can calm fussiness and discomfort.

Promotes bonding: Physical touch strengthens the caregiver-baby bond.

Improves sleep: A relaxed, comfortable baby may sleep better.

Choose a calm time (not right after feeding).

Use a warm hand and gentle pressure.

Massage in a clockwise motion (the direction of digestion).

Try specific techniques like:

“I Love U” strokes: tracing letters on the baby’s belly.

“Water wheel” motion: sweeping hands downward in a rhythmic motion

03/07/2026

🙌 Pumping Tips to Help Boost Milk Supply

✨️Are you wondering how to encourage more milk while pumping? You’re not alone — and you’re doing an amazing job. 💛

Here are a few gentle strategies that may help:

✨ Pump more frequently — aim for every 2–3 hours, especially in the early weeks
✨ Try hands-on pumping — massage and compress during sessions to fully empty
✨ Stay hydrated & nourished — your body needs fuel to make milk
✨ Power pumping — mimic cluster feeding with short, frequent sessions
✨ Relax and bond — look at baby photos or listen to calming music while pumping

Remember: milk supply isn’t a measure of your love or effort. Every drop is precious — and we’re I am here to support you through it all. 💕

If you have questions or need postpartum support, I am always just a message away. 🫶

03/05/2026

🔥 NEW: Virtual Postpartum Support Group
If you’re awake at night with your baby wondering…

“Will they ever sleep?”
“Am I doing this right?”
“Why does this feel so overwhelming?”

You are not alone.

The postpartum period (birth through the first year) can bring so many emotions—joy, exhaustion, anxiety, questions, and everything in between. Too often parents feel like they have to figure it all out on their own.

That’s why I created this Virtual Postpartum Support Group — a safe, supportive space where parents can come together, talk honestly, ask questions, and connect with others going through the same stage of life.

Hi, I’m Joanna — a pediatric nurse, Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), newborn care specialist, postpartum doula, and CPR/First Aid instructor, and a mom of two boys (6 and 2). I know both professionally and personally how important support is during this stage.

✨ Real conversations
✨ Expert guidance
✨ Guest speakers
✨ A community that understands

Because postpartum was never meant to be done alone.

📧 Register: info@sidebysideppc.com

Tag a new mom who needs to see this 💛

03/05/2026

✨️Postpartum isn’t just a “bounce back” season — it’s a full-body, full-heart transformation. ✨️
○Your body grew a human.
○Your hormones are recalibrating.
○Your sleep is interrupted.
○Your identity is expanding.

Healing after birth takes time — physically,
mentally, and emotionally. Whether you delivered vaginally or by C-section, your body deserves patience, nourishment, and rest.

✨️A few reminders for the fourth trimester:

✨️ Bleeding, soreness, and swelling are normal — but persistent or worsening pain isn’t. Advocate for yourself.
✨ Baby blues can happen. If sadness, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts linger, reach out to your provider. Postpartum mental health matters.
✨ Eat. Hydrate. Accept help. Recovery is not a solo sport.
✨ There is no timeline for “getting your body back.” Your body is not lost — it has evolved.
The postpartum period is raw and powerful. Be gentle with yourself. You are healing while learning how to mother at the same time.
If you’re in this season right now — you are not alone. 💛

03/04/2026

✨️The Benefits of Snow Play for Kids ✨️

Snow days aren’t just fun — they’re powerful for development!

When children play in the snow, they’re building far more than snowmen. They’re strengthening their bodies, supporting sensory regulation, and developing critical thinking skills.

Here’s what snow play supports:

• Gross motor strength (walking, climbing, sledding)
• Balance and coordination
• Fine motor skills (packing snow, using tools)
• Sensory integration (tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular input)
• Problem-solving and creativity
• Emotional regulation and resilience
• Social skills through cooperative play

Outdoor winter play keeps kids active during colder months and encourages exploration, teamwork, and confidence.

Bundle them up properly, set clear safety boundaries, and let them experience the magic — and developmental benefits — of winter. ❄️✨

Snow play isn’t just seasonal fun. It’s purposeful play.

03/03/2026

✨️Navigating postpartum emotions isn’t straightforward, and not every feeling fits neatly into a specific “category” all at once. Every day can bring a mix of ups and downs, and that’s entirely normal!

✨️Bonding with your baby may take time, and that’s okay, too. With fluctuating hormones, the challenges of breastfeeding, the whirlwind of emotions, and visitors eager to meet your little one—all while you’re adjusting to being a new mom—it's a lot to handle. That’s why support is so crucial. Understanding what’s normal and giving yourself grace during this period is essential.

✨️We also keep an eye out for red flags—those moments that might indicate you could benefit from additional support. Remember, you’re not alone, and reaching out is a sign of strength

03/03/2026

You should stop swaddling your baby when they show signs of starting to roll over, which typically happens around 2 to 4 months of age. At this point, swaddling can become unsafe because it increases the risk of suffocation or rolling onto their stomach while sleeping.

Signs It's Time to Stop Swaddling:

✨️ Rolling Over: Your baby begins to roll onto their side or stomach.

✨️ Increased Activity: They try to break out of the swaddle or become restless.

✨️Startle Reflex Fades: The Moro reflex (startle reflex) diminishes, reducing the need for a swaddle to calm them.

Transitioning Away from Swaddling:

✨️ Arms-Out Swaddle: Start by leaving one or both arms out while keeping their torso swaddled.

✨️Sleep Sack or Wearable Blanket: Switch to a sleep sack, which keeps them warm without restricting movement.

Always follow safe sleep guidelines: place your baby on their back to sleep in a crib or bassinet free of loose bedding or soft items

03/02/2026

✨️Understanding why it is so important for parents to take a CPR course is essential.

✨️While CPR is widely recognized as a life-saving skill that everyone should possess, for parents and caregivers, the most common emergency they are likely to encounter is choking.

✨️Whether a child is beginning solid foods, exploring their environment as a toddler, or placing small objects in their mouth, the risk is real and often unexpected.
✨️A comprehensive CPR course provides hands-on instruction in critical emergency interventions, including the Heimlich maneuver and age-appropriate back blows for infants and children. These techniques are fundamental to responding effectively in a choking emergency and can mean the difference between life and death in the crucial first moments before emergency medical services arrive.
✨️I encourage families to consider adding a CPR course to a holiday wish list or baby registry. Few gifts are more meaningful than the ability to protect and preserve a child’s life.

✨️I offer monthly classes through Saltwater Doula in Amesbury, as well as private in-home instruction. Certification options are also available for professionals who require formal credentials.

Visit sidebysideppc.com or saltwaterdoulanh.com for more information.

11/27/2025

H A P P Y. THANKSGIVING
Im so truly thankful for all of you but most of all my boys 💙 . What's one thing you feel thankful for this year 💕

11/26/2025

11/02/2025

Once your newborn establishes a pattern of weight gain and reaches the birth-weight milestone, however, it's generally OK to wait for feedings until he or she wakes up.
Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day — about one feeding every two to three hours. While waking up a sleeping baby might seem like a bad idea, frequent feedings early on are important for a couple of reasons:

Crying is a late sign of hunger. The sooner you begin each feeding, the less likely you'll need to soothe a frantic baby. Look for early signs of hunger, such as hand-to-mouth activity, smacking lips, rooting and stirring while asleep.

Frequent feedings support early breast-feeding. If you breast-feed, frequent feedings will help you establish your milk supply.

Keep in mind that premature babies often have special nutritional needs. They might not reliably show late hunger cues, such as crying. If your baby was born prematurely or you're concerned about your baby's feeding patterns or weight gain, consult his or her doctor for specific recommendations