Podcasts are a parent’s godsend! Whether treating (or escaping!) for a solo or stroller walk, putting the speaker on while cleaning, or enjoying a distraction while prepping dinner, the variety is a blessing. One of the great things that came from the explosion of new podcasts in the last few years is that so many people created shows to speak to the people in the world they relate to most. And what is one of the things we need most as parents? Relating to other parents. We have enjoyed the comfort and escape podcasts have afforded us and have put together our list of best parenting podcasts f ..read more

What is a prenatal massage and how is it specific to the wellness of pregnant people? As a birth worker and former massage therapist, this was a conversation I had quite often. I am a big believer in the effectiveness of bodywork to support the pregnancy and postpartum journey and enjoy providing evidence-based information, as does my friend and colleague Lena DeGloma. The two of us have known each other for over a decade, beginning back when we were both doulas and massage therapists. Since then we have both become moms and Lena has taken her passions and built Red Moon Wellness, an incredibl ..read more

Congrats! This post is for you if you've recently found out you're pregnant. You're likely feeling a cascade of emotions- excitement, fear, joy, worry, anticipation, confusion, or perhaps even feeling quite ill and tired. Anything or more is completely expected and normal right now. You've just found out some huge news! As doulas we typically haven't met our clients yet at this point. Unless they are friends or repeat clients. That doesn't mean newly pregnant women can't benefit from the emotional and informational support of a doula. Right from the start parents are faced with choices and dec ..read more

by Sasha Weigel, RN, CLC, CD(DONA)  This is the second installment of this blog piece.  I sent out a survey to mothers about what they wished someone had told them about the whole process of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Specifically, I wanted to find out what areas might have distressed or caused concern so that some light could be shed on these topics for future mothers. Much about pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum is openly discussed amongst peers, with OB/GYNs/midwives or easily located in a maternity book. But much is also not covered, is simply not discussed or is seemin ..read more

Parenthood hasn’t gotten any easier even with all of the modern luxuries we now enjoy.  If anything, the demands placed on us have made life and raising children a lot more complicated and stressful. But what is great are the way that many of the modern luxuries support our journeys and adventures as parents in this hectic world. Parenting apps are one resource that we love here at Baby Caravan.  A handful of really useful apps have been developed to help with our self-care and mental health as parents with young children, while some take a ton of the stress out of caring for a youn ..read more

Anyone trying to conceive (TTC) is familiar with the bursting anticipation as you wake up the morning after your “two week wait” and race to the bathroom. Never has the first pee of the day been so important. Palms perspire as you frantically try to unwrap the First Response pregnancy test, while begging your bladder to hang on another few seconds. In college you had no problem acing exams, but this test is different - it’s fraught with anxiety and fear. You can’t help but peek as the liquid spreads past the results window. A single line materializes. Followed by…nothing. You wait a few more ..read more

The thing about being a new mom is you still acutely remember what life was like before your baby was born. Like really remember it. What it was to sleep in, and not be awoken every 45-60 minutes through the night. {Side note: parents of newborns truly understand how sleep deprivation is a torture tactic.} You remember eating with both hands, and having a meal at the same time as your partner. Completing tasks is another thing you remember being able to do; one because you didn't have a little person to interrupt you, and two you didn't forget what you were doing while you were doing it. Memo ..read more

By Sasha Weigel, RN, CLC, CD (DONA)  Congratulations! Your baby is in your arms. What an incredible transformation you’ve just experienced: from one body into two. Now is the time for the two of you to learn, together, how to sustain your baby’s life on the outside. Breastfeeding is something both your body and your baby know how to do. It’s part of the same innate wisdom that knew how to grow and develop your baby when they were on the inside. If you listen carefully, your body and your baby will guide you.  Every time you give birth, you become a new mother, whether this is your f ..read more

I have an autoimmune disease that I manage with a dairy-free and gluten-free diet. I went on a search after both of my little ones were born as I breastfed exclusively and wanted extra nutrition to support my lactation. When I discovered Majka I fell right in love and have been using their products ever since. I know there are so many nutritional options out there for busy parents so I want to make sure I direct you to my favorites to help make your search for solutions a bit easier.  When I had my first child in 2014 I felt the need for nutritional lactation support, but rather than tak ..read more

Picture this: how do you envision welcoming your baby immediately following birth? Did you know it’s commonly accepted and encouraged, that as long as baby is healthy, he or she should go directly to mom’s chest? That’s right! Within the first hour of a baby’s birth, skin to skin contact should be initiated between mom and baby if possible. There are many benefits to both mom and baby If mom isn’t able to do skin to skin following the birth, there’s still benefit for a non-birthing parent to cuddle up with the baby. Here are some benefits of skin to skin contact for both mom and baby followin ..read more