General Baby Care
Q: Which car seat should I get for my baby?
A: The short answer – No car seat is safer than the other; they all have to meet the same federal safety regulations. So it depends on your car, your family, and your budget!
The long answer – The difference is in the “bells and whistles” and longevity of the seats (not just when they expire, but when your little one outgrows them). Some are infant only car seats that are meant to be rear-facing only and replaced when your little one outgrows it (depending on the weight and height limits of the seat, check the manual) and others are meant to be from birth to teenagers. Check your car for sizing, see what’s affordable, and then see what is easiest to use to ensure top safety procedures with every member of your family at every use. If a car seat is too complicated for an older caretaker, they may need their own seat to ensure all safety checks are made reliably and repeatably.
Q: Can I drink coffee/alcohol while breast/chest feeding?
A: Yes to both! It is perfectly safe to drink up to 250ml, or 1 8oz cup of caffeine (including coffee and tea) a day and not have it influence your milk.
There is a common misconception that drinking alcohol requires you to “pump and dump” your milk if you’ve been drinking. Blood alcohol levels in your milk match what’s in your blood at the same time. Just sober up before you pump/nurse and you’re good to go!
Fun Fact: Espresso has less caffeine then drip coffee | Green tea has more than black tea!
Q: I’m trying to produce more milk, what can I do?
A: Firstly, more demand (as hard as that can be!). Pump and/or feed your baby as often as possible, as supply is only reliably increased when there is more demand. While there are foods you can eat (oat milk, oat cookies, special tea, etc.) and supplements you can take, they will only temporarily increase supply and without that physical habit, supply will drop again.
Also, the hormone that encourages milk production is the one made when you feel loved, safe, calm, and have skin-to-skin time with your baby. Cover your pumping bottles to reduce stress seeing how much you’re making, ask for help, be kind to yourself, love yourself, and let the dishes wait to cuddle your baby. The more love you feel, the more your body will make milk.
Note: After 3 months, it is normal for milk supply to drop as hormones return to baseline after birth.
Pregnancy and Labor
Q: Are there natural ways to induce labor?
A: Absolutely!
- Light exercise (such as going up and down stairs or a long walk)
- Nipple stimulation (such as to collect colostrum)
- Prenatal chiropractic
- Acupuncture
- As a Sex Positive doula, I also suggest gentle sex – both sperm and orgasms help!
Q: I have cats, I heard they can pass a disease. Should I be worried?
A: While true some cats have a parasitic infection that if spread, can cause toxoplasmosis in humans and can infect the fetus in pregnant people, it is spread by fecal-oral (“poop to mouth”) transmission. This means the only way to have this infection is if you clean out the cat’s litter box (it’s not in the air!), don’t wash your cat, and don’t wash your hands regularly. Best practice is to let your partner(s) take care of the litter box, don’t touch their poop, and wash your hands often.
Postpartum
Q: What foods should I eat to help my recovery?
A: While I am not a nutritionist (and one should be properly consulted for best tailored health needs), in pregnancy, your body releases the hormone relaxin that is meant to loosen muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you are breast/chest feeding, your body will also need massive amounts of calories and water (3-4 times more than what you’re used to while pregnant) to feed your baby. With so much energy going towards caring for your baby, body heat is something also taken for granted. our body will prioritize your baby, and that may mean pulling what it needs literally out of your bones.
Now is the time to enjoy fats (avocado oil, ghee, coconut oil…), fruits (avocado, blueberries, açaí…), and proteins (bone broth, quinoa, salmon, cottage cheese…) with plant-based milks (almond or oat) in the form of warm/hot soups to ensure your body has everything it needs easily (even warmth). Cottage cheese with salmon breakfast, homemade ramen for dinner, with forbidden rice pudding made with almond milk? Perfect!
Example: You could be producing 4oz of milk per sitting around your first month. At more than 3 times per day, that’s 12oz going only to your baby. One water bottle is purely for your baby and doesn’t save a drop for your own needs.
Storm Season Discounts (Stormborn or Stormtaken)
Q: What if my baby was stillborn or I had a miscarriage during storm season?
A: You still qualify for the Stormborn discount. This discount honors all storm season pregnancies, including those that end in loss.
Q: Can I use both Stormborn and Stormtaken discounts?
A: Storm season discounts cannot be stacked. For families experiencing stillbirth or miscarriage during storm seasons, you may choose whichever discount offers the greatest benefit.
Q: Can I combine storm discounts with the Mercy Program?
A: No, discounts cannot be stacked. However, you may choose whichever option (Stormborn, Stormtaken, or Mercy Program) provides you with the greatest savings.
Q: What if my baby was born during a storm, but not in the listed months?
A: The discount covers peak storm seasons (Jan-Mar for winter, Jul-Aug for summer). If you experienced a significant storm event during birth outside these months, please reach out—I’m happy to discuss options.
Q: How long is the discount valid?
A: Storm season discounts are valid for services booked within one (1) year of your baby’s birth/due date (Stormborn) or your loved one’s passing (Stormtaken).
Q: What exactly gets discounted?
A: All hourly rates and service bundle retainers receive 15% off. Travel fees and notary fees remain at standard rates as these are cost-recovery fees.
Q: Do I need to prove my baby was born during storm season?
A: Simply provide the month and year of birth/due date or passing when booking your consultation. We operate on an honor system with our clients.