Kait O’Malley - Birth & Postpartum Doula

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Kait O’Malley - Birth & Postpartum Doula 🫶🏼
Serving the Boston area ✨🌙
Let me join you on your transition into parenthood 👶🏻

Currently offering birthing support, postpartum overnight care and daytime care.

Let’s talk wake windows! 🌙 What are wake windows? ✨A wake window is the amount of time your baby or toddler is awake bet...
07/21/2025

Let’s talk wake windows! 🌙

What are wake windows? ✨

A wake window is the amount of time your baby or toddler is awake between one nap and the next. I like to count wake windows from the time you get your baby out of the crib or bassinet until you lay them down again.

Wake windows include everything that happens while your baby or toddler is out of the bassinet or crib, including feeding, spending time outside, playing with toys, singing songs, reading books, and even the nap time routine and bedtime routine.

Why are wake windows important? ✨

Well, wake windows that are too long can result in an overtired baby or toddler who struggles to calm down enough to fall asleep or stay asleep. On the other hand, wake windows that are too short can result in a baby or toddler who simply isn’t ready to fall asleep or will only take a tiny catnap. If you get wake windows just right, you’re setting your baby or toddler up to be able to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer.

When does my baby or toddler’s wake window start and end? How do I calculate my baby or toddler’s awake time?✨

Your baby or toddler’s wake window starts when they’re taken out of the crib and ends when placed back in the crib.

I know you may see them moving around on the baby monitor for the next 10 minutes after laying them down for a nap – and that’s okay! Babies take anywhere from 5-20 minutes to fall asleep, while toddlers can take 20-30 minutes to fall asleep. As long as they’re in a good sleep environment, this is considered rest time (and not active awake time).

Here’s why: ✨Think about the last time you laid in bed not really awake but not really asleep. This is your brain resting, and it’s the same for your baby or toddler. So those times your baby or toddler is awake just before falling asleep and at the end of the nap don’t really count as part of their wake window. Did you catch that? Even if your baby takes a few minutes to fall asleep, we’re still going to give them a full wake window. You don’t need to lay your little one down earlier in anticipation of the amount of time it might take them to fall asleep.

You may have noticed that your baby is now waking more in the night, taking shorter naps, or fighting bedtime. We call t...
07/15/2025

You may have noticed that your baby is now waking more in the night, taking shorter naps, or fighting bedtime. We call this a sleep regression. 💤

Sleep regressions are a sign of developmental progression. They often happen when your baby’s brain and body are busy learning new skills. When their brain is focusing on physical, mental, social, or emotional growth, their sleep can be impacted.

The most common regressions happen at 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months. Swipe though to find out why these sleep regressions happen and what you can do to help your little one remain more comfortable, physically and emotionally! 👶🏻🌙

What’s helped your child get through a sleep regression? Let’s talk about it! 💬

Bathing a slippery baby may feel daunting at first, but with a little practice, you’ll start to feel more comfortable at...
07/14/2025

Bathing a slippery baby may feel daunting at first, but with a little practice, you’ll start to feel more comfortable at bath time. Start by learning baby bath basics. 🛁

How often does my newborn need a bath?
There’s no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. 2-3 times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby’s skin.

If you’re quick and thorough with diaper changes and burp cloths, you’re already cleaning the parts that need attention — the face, neck and diaper area. Between baths, you may also check the folds of your baby’s skin, including thighs, groin, armpits and chin. If needed, clean these areas with a wet washcloth. Until the umbilical cord stump falls off, you shouldn’t submerge your baby in water. It is better to clean the baby with a wet soft cloth or sponge!

As your baby grows, baths should be in your routine. Some choose to do morning baths while other choose night baths that becomes apart of their bedtime routine.

👶🏻 1-3 months: As your baby grows, you can keep the 2-3 times per week until the third month! You can slowly introduce traditional baths when the belly button heals.

👶🏻 3-6 months: Generally, when you start introducing basic solid foods to the baby, you can wash the baby more frequently. Still, you can combine traditional baths and wash the diaper area more frequently.

👶🏻 6-12 months: When your baby starts sitting, crawling and getting on their feet, bathing will become much easier. You can start bathing your baby every other day and make the baths more fun! Generally, babies love water but it’s important to keep them engaged.

Bath time should be special and fun! Create new ways to enjoy your baby’s bath with songs, toys and bubbles! 🫧 ✨

Did you know that in a 40-baby study it was found that white noise helped 80% fall asleep in just five minutes! Another ...
07/08/2025

Did you know that in a 40-baby study it was found that white noise helped 80% fall asleep in just five minutes! Another study found that white noise significantly decreases the duration of crying and increases sleepytime in colicky babies. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics agrees that white noise can be helpful at improving sleep. White noise works miracles with fussy babies and is an amazingly powerful cue for falling asleep…and sleeping longer. This special sound is as important as swaddling.

White noise is a key tool in helping your baby turn on their “calming reflux.” The best sound for calming fussing is a rough, slightly harsh noise that’s as loud as your little one’s crying. While many white noise machines and apps feature 20+ sounds, only continuous, monotonous, and low-pitch sounds work to lull babies to sleep. (Inconsistent sounds, like waves or birds chirping simply don’t work.) And the very best white noise sounds for your baby’s sleep mimic the loud rumbly sounds they heard for nine months in the womb.

When your baby is upset, you’ll want to increase the volume of white noise to match your child’s crying, which can be 100 to 120 decibels! Then, once your baby has fallen asleep, slowly reduce the intensity to 60 to 70 decibels. At that level sound can be safely played all night. By 3-4 months your infant will have learned that white noise means bedtime has come!

Many parents continue using white noise with their children (and themselves) to boost sleep, and there’s absolutely no harm in that. But no worries if you want to stop. It’s super simple to wean from white noise whenever you want. Simply gradually lower the sound, bit by bit, over a week or two until it’s finally off! 🌙

Who here has a June baby!? ☀️⛱️
06/29/2025

Who here has a June baby!? ☀️⛱️

HEAT WAVE ALERT! ‼️☀️ Heat waves pose a significant risk to children, who are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses ...
06/23/2025

HEAT WAVE ALERT! ‼️☀️ Heat waves pose a significant risk to children, who are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to their body’s slower response to temperature changes and higher water content. Infants and young children are particularly at risk due to their limited ability to regulate body temperature and dependence on adults for care.

Why are children more vulnerable?

🌡️ Children’s bodies take longer to adjust to higher temperatures and increase sweat production to cool down compared to adults.

🌡️ Their core temperatures rise faster and higher than adults, making them susceptible to heat-related illnesses

🌡️ Children have a higher proportion of water in their bodies, making them more prone to dehydration, which can be dangerous or even deadly

Remember that your child may not be able to recognize or communicate their discomfort or need for hydration so it’s extremely important for you to be aware and monitor your child.

Play safe, dress appropriately and know the signs of heat illness! 🥵🌡️

Happy first day of summer! ☀️ Did you know that in the US, more babies are born during the summer months (June, July, an...
06/20/2025

Happy first day of summer! ☀️ Did you know that in the US, more babies are born during the summer months (June, July, and August) than any other time of year. Specifically, August is the most common birth month, followed closely by July! There’s some super fun facts about summer babies so let’s hear about them!

☀️ Babies born in the summer months tend to have a higher birth weight compared to those born in winter.

☀️ Summer-born individuals have also been found to be taller adults

☀️ Research suggests summer-born babies have a more robust internal clock, leading to more regular behavioral patterns

☀️Summer born babies have lower allergy rates! Pregnant women and babies during the summer months benefit from increased vitamin D exposure, which can help prevent food allergies.

Enjoy the sunshine and of course, always stay safe and take proper precautions when it comes to the heat! 🌊🦀🐡

Sleep regressions can be incredibly hard on everyone. Your baby seems to be sleeping well and then, all of a sudden, the...
06/20/2025

Sleep regressions can be incredibly hard on everyone. Your baby seems to be sleeping well and then, all of a sudden, they’re waking night after night. Sleep regressions can cause troubled sleep for a variety of reasons such as developmental milestones, life changes, teething, illness separation anxiety and nap transitions! 💤

Remember that sleep regressions are a normal part of development and typically pass within a few weeks. Stay patient, consistent, and responsive to your baby’s needs, and you’ll both come through this phase successfully. Here are 5 tips I have found useful when getting a baby through a regression! 🐑🌙👶🏻

June Produce! 🍒🍑🍉🫜🫛🌽🍅 Check out what’s in season!
06/17/2025

June Produce! 🍒🍑🍉🫜🫛🌽🍅 Check out what’s in season!

Finally, the sun is coming out! ☀️ Your baby has extremely delicate skin therefore as the warmer months role around it’s...
06/16/2025

Finally, the sun is coming out! ☀️ Your baby has extremely delicate skin therefore as the warmer months role around it’s important to apply sunscreen when you’re having fun in the sun! 🧴

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a baby can start wearing sunscreen at six months. For infants younger than this age, it is generally advised to avoid sunscreen unless absolutely necessary. Instead, parents should focus on alternative infant sun protection methods. A baby younger than 6 months of age can become easily irritated by the chemicals found in sunscreens. Consult your pediatrician if you need to apply sunscreen before 6 months of age.

You’ll want to note that not all sunscreens are created equal. Adult sunscreens are formulated differently. They may contain ingredients too harsh for babies and their formulation may not provide the protection a young child needs.

Here’s what to look for when selecting a sunscreen! 🧴 Opt in for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. You’ll want to avoid harmful chemicals and look for physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide; they’re better for their sensitive skin. Look for mineral sunscreens since they sit on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays without irritation!

Don’t forget that when having fun in the sun, you’ll want to make sure your baby is in the shade, wearing a hat and is in lightweight clothes! 👶🏻

June is World Infertility Awareness Month — a time to break the silence around a topic that affects millions but is too ...
06/02/2025

June is World Infertility Awareness Month — a time to break the silence around a topic that affects millions but is too often kept in the dark. 💔

Infertility is not just a “women’s issue” — about 1 in 8 couples struggle with it, and in roughly 1 in 3 cases, male infertility is the sole or contributing factor.

This topic is still considered taboo in many cultures, leaving people to suffer in silence, ashamed of something they cannot control. It’s time we start talking. It’s time we normalize the conversation.

✨You are not alone ✨
Whether you’re going through tests, treatments, loss, or uncertainty — your feelings are valid, and your experience matters. There is a whole community out here, ready to support, listen, and stand with you.

Let’s break the taboo. Let’s create space for honest conversations. Let’s remind each other that hope, strength, and healing grow in shared stories. 💛

💬 If you or someone you love has faced infertility, know that you are not alone. Your journey matters and your story deserves to be heard 🩵🩷

When should I start putting shoes on my baby? Let’s talk about it! 👶🏻Like most body parts at birth, your baby's feet are...
05/31/2025

When should I start putting shoes on my baby? Let’s talk about it! 👶🏻

Like most body parts at birth, your baby's feet are very pliable. Bones of the feet are not well-formed until around 8 years of age, so little feet are very flexible and made of mostly cartilage until around 9 months. Babies are also flat-footed, with the arch of the foot developing in the first few years of life.

Movement of the feet is key to proper muscle and bone development in the feet, which also prepares the foot for walking. Kicking, bouncing, wiggling, and crawling all help encourage proper foot development. Therefore, you want to ensure baby has plenty of space for the feet to move freely.

Your baby doesn't truly need their first pair of shoes until they are walking outdoors. Once baby is on their feet, they'll need protection from the elements and potential injury when walking and playing outdoors.
However, until they're able to walk confidently, it's best to limit time in shoes and allow baby to walk barefoot as much as possible to build coordination and arch strength. When you're at home, ditch the shoes to help your babe get their footing (literally).

If you've taken your little one out of the house barefoot, you may have gotten comments from well-meaning people about how babies shouldn't be barefoot. But newer research shoes barefoot really is best for babies in most cases!

Before baby is walking well, keep shoes to special occasions. In mean, they do say accessories are everything right?!? It's fun and harmless to use them as a way to accessorize an outfit for a special outing, photos, holidays, or a fun outfit but for the most part, your babe should be barefoot or in socks/booties if needed for warmth. If you're outdoors in extreme weather and want extra foot protection for your non-walking babe, look for soft, flexible shoes with plenty of wiggle room!

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