Well here I go....my first stab at blog writing. Seems fitting as I accomplished so many "firsts" in the past 4 years, that I add blogging to the list. I have prepared an expectant couple for their adventure of birth and parenthood, witnessed a birth, held a labouring woman's hand and told her she was amazing and strong and capable. I have helped a new mom and baby establish breastfeeding, encapsulated a placenta, caught some of the strangest, bizarre yet amazing things on film during labour and birth. I have cared for twins, AND triplets (not at the same time!). I have tried every kind of bottle, swaddle contraption and sound machine out there (I think), and I have spent the wee hours of the night chatting with sleep deprived moms. I have not only done each of these things once, but countless times over and I still love every minute of it! So why do I need another first? What on earth could be next? Well, this birthandbabylover can think of a few things, and don't think for a minute that I'm not working on it. But my next step is this: I aim to help sleep deprived parents and babies (and toddlers of course) learn healthy sleep habits so families are getting the sleep they need. I just a few weeks I will be able to say that not only do I have 14 years of experience as a mom and doula with sleepy/sleepless babies, but I will be able to say I am CERTIFIED to do so!! Sorry for yelling, but it's pretty exciting! These days potetial clients like that you have experience, but they LOVE that you hold a certification in your field of expertise. I get that, I'm a mom first and foremost. So I will give them, you, everyone what they need. I will be a CERTIFIED SLEEP CONSULTANT! (sorry, can't help it).
Now I know some of the other birthy people out there are cringing right now - don't worry! I am not planning to be some kind of ruthless baby trainer, desensitizing and nutrition depriving and all those nasty words. NO WAY! I will be helping parents learn to nurture their newborn's sleep and develop healthy sleep habits from birth. We will look at toddler sleep difficulties and together figure out a method of "sleep learning" that complements each family's parenting style. We will build plans and support the implementation of those plans until everyone is sleeping peacefully, one family at a time! And sure, there might be some Ferberizing or some Wessbluthing (if someone wants it), but there will be loads of Kim West and Elizabeth Pantley's ideas being tossed around as well, not to mention Jodi Mindell and even some Dr. Sears for those who love him. I am a mother, a doula, a childbirth educator, and an open minded sleep consultant, and I will find what works best for each family. And hopefully we can all get some more sleep along the way!
For the next few weeks I will be writing about my first experience (there it is again, another first!) supporting a family in their home overnight while they teach their 4 month old twin boys to sleep, in their own room, in their own beds, hopefully for a good chunk of the night.
Now I know some of the other birthy people out there are cringing right now - don't worry! I am not planning to be some kind of ruthless baby trainer, desensitizing and nutrition depriving and all those nasty words. NO WAY! I will be helping parents learn to nurture their newborn's sleep and develop healthy sleep habits from birth. We will look at toddler sleep difficulties and together figure out a method of "sleep learning" that complements each family's parenting style. We will build plans and support the implementation of those plans until everyone is sleeping peacefully, one family at a time! And sure, there might be some Ferberizing or some Wessbluthing (if someone wants it), but there will be loads of Kim West and Elizabeth Pantley's ideas being tossed around as well, not to mention Jodi Mindell and even some Dr. Sears for those who love him. I am a mother, a doula, a childbirth educator, and an open minded sleep consultant, and I will find what works best for each family. And hopefully we can all get some more sleep along the way!
For the next few weeks I will be writing about my first experience (there it is again, another first!) supporting a family in their home overnight while they teach their 4 month old twin boys to sleep, in their own room, in their own beds, hopefully for a good chunk of the night.