Having family and support nearby is amazing, but sometimes having a non-family member available to answer your questions is important for your confidence and sanity. Everyone has their own opinion and advice when it comes to parenting. I bring my unbiased knowledge and experience to help you form whatever parenting philosophy works best for your family.
This looks different for every family and can change daily. I adjust to whatever you need when I arrive. Some days you might want to discuss bathing, swaddling, and calming methods, while others you want to focus solely on feeding, positioning, and burping. Organizing the nursery or setting up another changing station somewhere in the house to make your life easier can be helpful, as is setting up a meal train so family, friends, and neighbors can bring you hot meals. There may be days you will want to process your thoughts and feelings and have adult conversations. Other days, I may sit and read with your older child, play with your dog, fold some laundry, or walk through a hands-on demonstration with your partner while you take a shower, catch up on texts, emails, or, more importantly, take a nap. Every day is different
Since each family's needs are different, the choice is yours. There is a lot of learning that goes into postpartum support. Plus, you never know how everything is going to go regarding your delivery and recovery, feeding challenges, emotions and sheer exhaustion. I can take as much or as little time needed to help you master task(s). I am incredibly patient and work on baby time, not regular time. Most families purchase the inclusive packages to get started and we can usually accomplish everything in that amount of time, but I will always stay on and help out as long as you need. My goal is to foster your independence and confidence. If I have available hours, you may purchase more as you need them.
Colleen, I have been working in the OB/Postpartum/Breastfeeding field for over 26 years. I have worked in hospitals, homes, clinics, and schools. I wear many hats in my profession, so families don’t have to piece together support from multiple providers. I combine my knowledge, passion, and education as a mother/baby RN, Certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Educator, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, and a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant so families get whole-family care, not fragmented advice. My families love that I have personal relationships with a variety of specialists and baby-related professionals in town. If I do not have an answer for you, I will find one!
Yes, I also offer virtual postpartum consulting. You can choose an Ask Me Anything call for my hourly rate that comes with a follow-up email or my postpartum online support, which is 3-30 min sessions (3rd trimester, first week, first month). These are great ideas for couples who need a refresher, are expecting, and it's been a while between kiddos, or when one partner has never experienced a pregnancy/postpartum yet and has questions.
Postpartum recovery looks different for everyone. It often includes physical healing, hormonal shifts, emotional ups and downs, and major lifestyle adjustments. Feeling sore, tired, emotional, or overwhelmed can all be normal. Support during this time can make recovery feel more manageable, parents more confident, and reduce feelings of isolation, overwhelm, and exhaustion.
A wide range of emotions is considered normal: joy, love, anxiety, sadness, grief, or even numbness. Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the transition into parenthood can all affect how you feel. You’re not expected to feel one way. The more support you have, the better you can handle the roller coaster of emotions.
The birth of your child can trigger all sorts of emotions from excitement and joy, fear and sadness, to anxiety and/or depression. It is common for some mothers to experience "baby blues" (mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, crying, difficulty sleeping) in the first 2 weeks but if it lasts longer, intensifies or starts to interfere with daily life additional support may be needed. Those who have suffered from depression in the past are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression after delivery. PPD is the most common complication of childbirth, and it can affect anybody. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 4 women who give birth, may experience postpartum depression symptoms. Your mental health is a priority to me. I spend a lot of time assessing, asking questions, and making sure mom and dad are doing ok throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period. PPD is not something to be ashamed of. It is a chemical imbalance and very treatable when help is sought. I am certified in Perinatal Mental Health and am part of Tucson's Perinatal Mental Health Coalition (https://www.tucsonpostpartum.com/) and work closely with therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists who specialize in Perinatal Mental Health. Early support can make a significant difference. Help is available and you are not alone!
Anxiety can be part of the experience, even in supportive environments. Hormones, responsibility, and sleep deprivation all play a role. Feeling this way does not mean you’re ungrateful or failing. Parenting is one of the hardest things you will ever do, and it does not come with a manual.
Yes. Grieving parts of your previous life while loving your baby can coexist. This adjustment is a normal part of becoming a parent.
Lack of sleep can intensify anxiety, mood changes, and emotional reactivity. Supporting sleep for both the baby and parents is an important part of protecting mental health.
Yes. While challenges evolve, many aspects of parenting become more manageable with time, support, and confidence. You won’t always feel this tired or uncertain.
How you choose to feed your baby is a personal choice. I have training and experience in helping with all kinds of feeding and will support you 100% in your decision. I will work with you on a plan that best meets your needs, whether you will be staying at home and exclusively breastfeeding, returning to work and worrying about keeping up your supply, introducing a bottle, tandem nursing with another child, or wanting/needing to supplement with formula from time to time. There are lots of different ways to make it work for you, your baby, and your family. I am also happy to refer you to an IBCLC for further support if I cannot help. My job is to help however you need without judgment or pressure. FED is best!
Steady weight gain, adequate wet and dirty diapers, and contentment after feeds are the most reliable way to tell. Next, we look at how long or how often your baby feeds. Feeding concerns are common and support can help clarify what’s normal and what needs adjustment.
Some initial tenderness can be normal, but ongoing pain is not something you should have to push through. Pain is a signal that something may need adjustment, and support can often resolve issues quickly.
Feeding journeys are not linear. Informed and educated is BEST when it comes to feeding. Whether you breastfeed, bottle-feed, pump, combination feed, or change plans along the way, your baby can thrive. My support focuses on what works best for your family, without guilt.
Yes. There is no single “right” way to feed a baby. Many families find combination feeding or pumping to be the best fit for their lifestyle, mental health, and goals.
Newborns typically feed frequently, often every 2–3 hours, and sometimes more during growth spurts. Feeding patterns evolve as babies grow, and guidance can help you understand what’s developmentally appropriate.
Newborn sleep is irregular and fragmented. Newborns have immature sleep cycles and do not produce melatonin. Short sleep stretches, frequent waking, and day-night confusion are common early on. Sleep patterns gradually mature with time and gentle guidance.
No, babies are not manipulating or forming long-term habits early on. Responding to your baby’s needs builds trust and security. Newborn sleep shaping (6-12 weeks) and sleep skills can be gently supported when developmentally appropriate.
There are many responsive, attachment-supportive approaches to sleep. These focus on presence, predictability, routines, and gradual skill-building rather than leaving a baby to cry alone.
You can start this with your newborn on night one, week 2 or week 8, it is a parental choice. Newborn sleep shaping is a gradual, responsive way of helping a newborn develop healthy sleep habits from the very beginning without using traditional “cry it out” methods. It’s not formal sleep training. Instead, it’s about gently guiding your newborn’s sleep patterns while staying responsive to all their needs.
Before utter exhaustion sets in. Most pediatricians suggest waiting until your baby shows developmental readiness, typically around 4–6 months. At this age, babies are more neurologically prepared for longer sleep cycles and self-regulation. Always check with your pediatrician first, especially if your child was born early or has health concerns.
The earlier you start child-proofing your house, the better. Doing a little bit at a time will help you feel less overwhelmed when your baby is on the move. My first suggestion is to get down on the floor on your stomach and look at everything your baby can see. I will go room to room with you and check out potential safety hazards. Then, I leave you with a list of things you need to take care of before your child is mobile.
Yes, however I do NOT certify you. Hands-on infant CPR and safety demonstrations are available and can be included as part of family education sessions.
Yes. Education sessions help grandparents and caregivers understand current, evidence-based newborn care practices, safety guidelines, and how to best support new parents. Care recommendations change over time. These sessions help align expectations, reduce conflict, and ensure everyone caring for your baby feels confident and informed.
Bringing a baby home is stressful on your 4 fur babies as well. Pets benefit from gradual preparation, predictable routines, and clear boundaries. Support can help families plan introductions and adjust routines to keep everyone safe and calm. Early support can help identify stress signals and create strategies that protect both baby and pet, reducing risk and anxiety.
Preparation, inclusion, and reassurance are key. Support includes age-appropriate strategies to help siblings feel secure, involved, and valued during the transition. Regression, big emotions, and changes in behavior are common. Guidance focuses on understanding the child’s emotional needs while supporting the whole family dynamic.
Absolutely. Registry support includes recommending evidence-based, practical items that align with your lifestyle, feeding plans, and space while avoiding unnecessary or overwhelming products.
Yes. Support can be tailored to shared rooms, small spaces, or multi-use areas. The goal is always practicality and ease, not aesthetics alone.