It's 10 PM do you know where your Doula is?

Right on time, no stress… She was so quiet letting herself in you didn’t notice she arrived. You have arranged to leave the door on the latch, so she can arrive and not disrupt the flow of the evening.

You hear the whistle of the kettle in your kitchen, and, she appears, holding a fresh brewed cup of the Lactation tea, she recommended.  It smells so delicious, and she assures you that it has aided nursing mother's milk supply. You hand her your baby for burping and changing while you are able to relaxingly enjoy your tea, and ready yourself for bed.

The confidence and comfort you have knowing that your baby is in such skilled hands, immediately provides you with a sense of calm. Your doula assures you that your infant is exhausted and she will put them down for the night. She hands you the monitor, and prompts you to take a nice bath, while enjoying your tea.

About an hour later you enter the kitchen, you are instantly relieved. Your doula has cleaned and sterilized all of the bottles, the dishes from dinner are washed and put away, you can hear the laundry going, and she is at the counter preparing lunches for school tomorrow and a nice healthful snack for your husband to bring to work.

This is your favorite part of the night, the time when you get to connect with your doula. She has set up your pump, so you can prep bottles for late night feeding, giving you a chance to sleep distraction and guilt-free. While you pump and chat, you discuss the trials and milestones of the day, ask her to bust some myths you read on the baby blogs, and you seek her advice on how to navigate a conversation with your Mother-in-Law on kissing your baby’s mouth.  Her knowledge and experience always give you the empowerment to make the decisions that will best support your family.

You know you'll sleep well tonight, and every night that she's here with you in these wonder-ful new weeks and months.

You don’t need to make sacrifices in the postpartum period to provide care for your new baby. Everything is possible with support, especially the support of a Postpartum & Infant Care Doula from Maine Doulas.

Spring Family Activities around Portland Maine

Blue skies and warm breeze, sunny summer days are headed our way. Portland, Maine is absolutely beautiful during the next months. Family fun activities are abundant in Portland, our city is brimming with incredible historical sites, cultural events , fabulous food finds, not to mention the stunning landscape, lush nature, and our gorgeous waterfront.  Pack up the car, strap in the kiddies, here are 4 of our favorites.

#1: MARITIME MERRRIMENT

Fort Williams Park, home to Maine’s oldest lighthouse, Portland Head Light: 90-acres of  the walking trails, beaches, stunning coastal seascape, not to mention tours of the  lighthouse, a maritime museum, and a gift shop. The park also has a playground, and there’s a rocky beach to explore.

#2: FLORIBUNDANCE

Create a little magic during Fairy Fridays  (July & August). at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Or learn about how a seed becomes a plant with Children’s Garden Discovery Cart. (May – June) Teach your children the power of metamorphosis during Butterfly Investigations. (June – August)

#3: BAY-EAUTIFUL

Take a ferry ride around Casco Bay to Peaks Island.  Travel around the island on bike, or kayak, don’t miss the island's old tunnels. Visit the Fifth Maine Museum for a history lesson, or check out the world’s only Umbrella Cover Museum where quirky becomes extraordinary.

#4: EXPLORATION CELEBRATION

Sink your teeth into The Portland Science Center with the final week of the Shark Planet exhibit full of real to life models of sharks and never before seen footage from the deep blue sea. If you miss this exhibit DON’T WORRY, there is always something amazing happening, with new exhibits to discover for every age at this incredible interactive science center. 

We have tons more ideas so don’t hesitate to check back with Maine Doulas for updates, each season brings unique family fun for all.

Baby Sleep Cycles v.s Adult Sleep Cycles

It’s a bit ironic when “they “say Sleep Like A Baby because we can’t it is impossible. Only a baby can truly Sleep Like A Baby. Literally, the sleeping cycles of infants and adults differ greatly. This is not an excuse to abandon your adult sleep needs to placate those of your baby. But, it might provide some piece of mind and give you insight.

When an adult’s head hits the pillow, they can shut down. Drifting into REM and a deep sleep that can persist for up to 90 minutes at a time. This cycle persists for the length of rest. Deep sleep is where the most physical rest occurs. Experts say that adults need at least 6-8 hours of sleep. During this time adults experience mostly, deep sleep making them harder to rouse.

Infants need to ease into their sleep cycle. They literally must be put down. They then cycle in and out of REM several times before achieving no more than an hour of deep sleep. This means they are much lighter sleepers.

Since a baby is in experiencing light sleep for the majority of the recommended 13-18 hours of sleep they are way more susceptible to being woken. The slightest agitations are cause for waking.

Most common agitators are unfamiliar sounds, temperature shifts, a dirty diaper and hunger. Babies also often wake because of themselves with their own  startle reflex or moro reflex.  

This reflex is often combatted by a nice tight swaddle. Ask your Postpartum & Infant Care Doula to give you a few tips and pointers they are usually swaddle masters.

Studies have shown that putting your baby to bed while they are drowsy will provide them with the most restful deep sleep periods. However, as adults our deep sleep hits is greatest stride when we literally are so tired that we pass out. This should be NO problem for a new parent.