Tri City Birth Collective

01/02/2026

👇 Solid resource for growing families. I'm always here to listen, help, refer, and encourage! 💚

💙 New Year, New Awareness 💙

As we step into January, it’s a powerful time to check in on how you’re really feeling after birth.
Not every postpartum mood change is the same, and knowing the difference can help you get the right support:

🔹 Baby Blues: Temporary mood swings, tearfulness, irritability; usually resolve within 2 weeks
🔹 Postpartum Depression (PPD): Persistent sadness, low energy, hopelessness, loss of interest; may last months without treatment
🔹 Postpartum Anxiety (PPA): Excessive worry, racing thoughts, panic; can interfere with daily life

✨ Early recognition leads to earlier support and recovery.

And remember, perinatal mental health conditions can also include OCD, Bipolar Mood Disorders, PTSD, and Psychosis.

💙 You are not alone, and help is available.

If you need support now:
🔷 Call or text the Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 800-944-4773 (no diagnosis needed)
🔷 Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262
🔷 In a crisis, call or text 988
🔷 Download the Connect by PSI app
🔷 Visit Postpartum.net for programs and resources

✨ A new year can be the beginning of feeling better.

01/02/2026

👶Baby Soft Skin Care is local, offering handmade whipped tallow baby care! I have personally used these products and highly recommend them to anyone - especially my clients! 🤱🤰Gentle and effective skin care for both parents, and their babies!

As 2025 comes to an end, my heart is so full. 💕
I started Baby Soft Skin Care at the end of 2024, and this year marked my first full year creating all of these Baby Soft goodies. From whipped tallow to lip balms and everything in between, I’ve added so many new products to the line — and none of this would be possible without you.

Thank you to every customer who supported my small business, shared a post, placed an order, or cheered me on. Your love and encouragement mean more than you know.

2026 is going to be even better ✨
New products, new adventures, and so much growth ahead. I can’t wait to share what’s coming!

01/01/2026

😂 Having a "Step-Brothers" moment with a new client...we are now best friends. 😎🤣

12/31/2025

Ha! 🤣 Happy New Year to all! 🥂

Call ASAP! We fill up fast!

12/31/2025

🤰 Client: I'd love to have a Doula at my birth...
Doula: Wonderful, tell me more! 💚🙏
🤰 Client: I'm due in one-week or so 🙃 is that okay?
🤝***rolls up sleeves***🤝
Doula: "Someone hold my Matcha, LET'S ROLL! 🙌

12/30/2025

💚 Dancing does wonders during labor! Check this out! 😊

Music changes the chemistry of your brain. We all react to and interact with music differently, depending on the type of music being played and our interests or dislikes in songs, artists, and genres of music. Practically everyone is impacted by the positive effects of music. For example, the right....

12/30/2025

💁‍♀️ Did you know that Tri City Birth Collective offers PRIVATE, In-your-home, childbirth education!? YES! 👇

💚 4 total sessions, 3hr. per class, and set to your own scheduling needs! (usually every-other week, for 2 months)
💚 Each session includes hands-on lessons, printed Lamaze materials to keep, and the use of labor support tools with your partner.
💚 Private education (not through an institution) ensures each family receives ALL of their choices, knows their human rights, and prepares you for advocating for yourself and baby in the healthcare setting - All without bias, constraints, or policies. (Hospital policies are not the law!) :)

If you are interested in private educational services through TCBC please touch base with us via email at:

tricitybirth@outlook.com

Warmly,
Krystal Barnhart CD(DONA), LCCE
Your community certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator - Serving growing families in the Tri-City Michigan region

12/26/2025

✨I hope the holidays have been good to you and your families!

💚 Tri City Birth Collective is busy booking clients with due-dates in 2026 already! There are still some openings for birth Doula care, and I would love to support you through your journey. It's never too late to hire a Doula! 🥰

💚 To inquire about services and schedule a Doula meet 'n greet, clink the link below! 👇

https://app.doulado.co/client?eyJpbnRha2VfaWQiOiI5MzgifQ%3D%3D=_

12/13/2025

Care-Provider supported Partner "catch" in-hospital!? 😍
***chef's kiss***
Birth advocacy WORKS!

12/13/2025

Here's a great resource! 💚

Use our free pregnancy app every day in the 3rd trimester. It helps you get to know your baby's normal movement patterns and bond with baby.

10/28/2025

👏🥲😍👏

10/08/2025

💚 This part. 💚

“Just stop, switch to formula, it isn’t a big deal.”

We have to stop saying this.

Sometimes feeding our babies is difficult.

Sometimes it is overwhelming.

Sometimes we are touched out and overtaxed in the process.

It doesnt help to hear: “just stop. Switch to formula. Don’t be a martyr.”

Sometimes feeding our babies with our bodies doesn’t seem to work.

And still, they don’t need to hear “just stop” or “give it up already” or “formula is just as good.”

For someone who planned to feed their baby naturally with their body, to breastfeed, ending breastfeeding can raise their risk of postpartum mood disorders significantly. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t stop, it simply means there is an increased risk to do so.

Which is why, if they want to continue, working to make that possible is a protective measure. Not only for the health of the baby but also for the health of the one that intended to nurse that baby.

“Just stop” can even add to the stress. It can feel judgmental, even blaming. “You wouldn’t be having such a hard time if you weren’t trying to breastfeed, it doesn’t even matter, you’re doing this to yourself” is what it can sound like. But it does matter to them.

There are ways we can support someone and let them know they aren’t pressured to breastfeed without undermining them. A friend of mine and expert in the field gently told me that stopping was ONE of my options (we had also gone over the othet options) and it was my call because I was the expert on me and my baby. That was supportive for me to hear, even with my 9th baby.

Ending breastfeeding isn’t failure, it can be quite brave to change paths from the one you prepared for.

But it isn’t simple, easy, or risk free.

Nothing “just” about it.

Pressure to end can be even more damaging than pressure to continue. It can be isolating and disconnecting.

“Just stop” isn’t supportive, it is dismissive and minimizing. It is blaming and judgmental.

What are some actually supportive ways to communicate that ending nursing is ok?

***Pic of me syring feeding my youngest my colostrum. The baby that 3 of my friends and lactation colleagues reminded me that it was ok to stop breastfeeding but did so in a way that was sensitive, caring, informed, and truly supportive. That baby is 2 now and yes, STILL breastfeeding.