Why did you become a doula?

After experiencing the benefits of a doula first hand as a client, I knew that this career was one that would be perfect for me. My deep appreciation and respect for the people that bring life into the world and my unwavering love for babies meant that being a doula would be so personally fulfilling. I just had to find a way to make it my life.

Why did you become a doula?

I didn't know I wanted to be a doula. I saw it as a stepping stone to midwifery initially. But after taking my trainings, I fell in love with the unbiased, non-judgmental support I could provide to families of all backgrounds. Being someone who helps a new parent or family find their inner strength and confidence has been the most rewarding work of my life.

Why did you become a doula?

After having children of my own, I always knew I wanted to work with families and their babies. I didn't know what that looked like until I found out about doula work. I want to help support families during this special and vulnerable time in their lives and help them feel confident in the decisions they are making for their family.

Imagine being one week postpartum, still wearing a diaper (why wouldn’t you? They’re way more comfortable than a heavy pad with far less risk of leaking… I’ll die on this hill), still sore, protecting your bottom or abdomen as you sit, now with full, uncomfortable breasts, your nipples are sore, maybe even cracked or bleeding… and… getting topless in a waiting room-like chair, under bright lights to latch your baby to the breast? Okay, sure, that’s fine if it’s the only option. But I’d wager most folks would prefer to do skin-to-skin, with their new baby, troubleshooting breastfeeding issues at home, where they’re comfortable.

Why did you become a doula?

I have been drawn to pregnancy, L&D, and postpartum families my entire life. When I first heard the word doula when I was 15, I knew what I would do with my life. After having my own children, experiencing two back-to-back miscarriages, and struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety, I saw firsthand the immense need for support for families experiencing the roller coaster of pregnancy and parenting and decided to take the dive into the doula world.

Why did you become a doula?

With my own birth experiences, aside from my partner, my doulas were my foundation. They were there through every change and bump in the road. I quickly realized how incredibly important this work truly is and found myself being drawn to it. I was confident that I could be a valuable asset and support system to new families during some of the most vulnerable, raw, and beautiful moments of their lives. Birth, and the early weeks thereafter, have become my passion.

After scouring Pinterest for the best advice on beach-going with a toddler (and coming up mostly empty), I turned to a pro: Jamie Summitt. Jamie, a fellow doula based in Melbourne, Florida, is a mom of two beach babes under three. And today on the blog, she’s sharing all of her best advice for actually enjoying a day at the beach with little ones.

Whether it is after you have met your breastfeeding goals, or when outside circumstances push you toward it, weaning is a topic every nursing parent will encounter.

Now, it’s necessary, here, to point out that being a Trendsetter™ is not the same as being trendy. I don’t regularly post on Instagram. I don’t use Snapchat. Heck, I don’t even own a Fedora. But today, I’m happy to use any trendy excuse I can to share about a woman I admire, my mom… my #wcw.