Postpartum, Our Favorites, Motherhood, Newborns
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Postpartum Recovery After Twins: What You Need ...

So, you’ve brought two babies into this world. First of all, you’re a superhero—no doubt about it. But let’s get real for a second: postpartum recovery after twins is not the same as recovering from a single birth. It’s double the diapers, double the feedings, double the sleepless nights—and sometimes, double the discomfort. Your body just did an incredible, exhausting, miraculous thing. Now, it's time to heal, recover, and find yourself again in the whirlwind of having two newborns at home.

It’s important to remember, you’re not just healing from birth. You’re also adjusting to a new life with two precious babies. And while there’s a lot of joy, there’s also a lot of messiness that nobody really prepares you for. Let’s break down what you really need to know about postpartum recovery after twins!

Postpartum Recovery After Twins: What You Need to Know
Local OC Resources, Our Favorites, Pregnancy
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Our Favorite Spots For a Pre-Baby Date Night in ...

As your due date nears, the reality of impending parenthood can be both exciting and overwhelming. You may be getting nervous or have anxiety around when you’ll go into labor. You may be stressing about getting the nursery ready or finalizing details for your maternity leave. That’s why planning and enjoying a big night out can provide a special opportunity to unwind, connect, and relish your partner’s company before your baby’s arrival takes center stage. I always encourage clients to schedule a “no holds barred” date night around 37 or 38 weeks - it’s a chance to take a deep breath, enjoy some quality time together, and remind yourselves why you’re a great team. Orange County offers an array of high-end, memorable spots to make this final pre-baby date night one for the books.

Our Favorite Spots For a Pre-Baby Date Night in Orange County
Motherhood, Newborns, Postpartum, DOC Team, Birth Planning
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
The Magical Golden Hour

In the quiet hush of the labor & delivery room, where the air is charged with anticipation and the scent of earthiness and birthyness, a new chapter in your life unfolds. The rhythmic cadence of your breath is mirrored by the gentle whispers of your doula, a reassuring presence in this oh so sacred moment. The culmination of nine months… maybe more, leads to this: the first hour with your newborn.

The Magical Golden Hour
Pregnancy, Parenting, Newborns, Our Favorites, Birth Planning
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
A Doula's Eco Friendly Baby Registry

When I was selecting items for my baby registry, it was really important to me to not go overboard. As a doula of 14 years, I’ve seen families get overwhelmed with the amount of stuff in their homes and nurseries and I knew I wanted to keep things on the simpler side. I also wanted to be mindful of the impact on not only the environment, but also my baby’s microbiome - which meant finding a lot of eco-friendly products to keep waste down and keep our home as “low tox” as possible. Here you’ll find some of my favorite sustainable and most useful items that I registered for.

A Doula's Eco Friendly Baby Registry
Local OC Resources, DOC Team
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Calling all amazing Doulas & Newborn Care ...
Calling all amazing Doulas & Newborn Care Specialists!

breastfeeding class

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Finding a Lactation Consultant in Orange County

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Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your baby and provide optimal nutrition… it also have some amazing benefits for you! But it doesn’t always come as easy as you might think and questions or breastfeeding concerns can arise at any time during your breastfeeding relationship. and problems that Finding answers or navigating the conflicting advice from well-meaning friends and family can be overwhelming, which is why having a professional Lactation Consultant help you is crucial!

It is our job to help you find the best Lactation Consultant to support you! Whether you’re still pregnant and looking for a breastfeeding class, or you have a brand new baby and are learning the ropes or you are experiencing some hurdles with an older baby, Doulas of Orange County has a team of incredible lactation professionals to care for you and help you along the way.

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We Come to You! Private Prenatal Classes in Orange County

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Now that the nausea and the newness of this pregnancy have subsided a bit, you're probably starting to think about what classes you want to take. There are so many options from childbirth preparation classes to breastfeeding classes to newborn care basics. The choices can be overwhelming an often times the dates or times offered don't fit into your busy schedule. 

Enter Doulas of Orange County and our doula-led, private prenatal classes!

Picture this: You pre-select from a menu of topics to create a customized curriculum based on your needs and interests. You choose a time that works best with you and your husband's schedule. Prior to our visit, we send you a form to fill out that allows us to customize your private class to fit your learning style and your points of interest. We bring everything we need to guide you through an engaging, fun, and informative class in the comfort of your home.

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You sip a cup of hot tea as you settle into your comfortable couch while you learn all about birth, breastfeeding, and baby care. You and your partner explore various comfort measures like massage, breathing, and relaxation techniques. You try out some essential oils, some different positions for labor, and together we have honest conversations about fears, nerves, and anything else you want to chat about freely. When your private class comes to an end  finished, you feel calm and confident. You feel excited about your new knowledge and tools that will help you make informed decisions on this parenting journey. 

Informed, prepared and confident. Isn't that exactly how you want to feel as you welcome your baby into this world? We can help you get there. 

Do you have friends that are pregnant too? Wouldn't it be fun to put together a couples class in your home? Or maybe you want to invite your parents to your baby care class so they get a refresher on the basics! We can make it happen! Our customizable, professional, and private classes will meet you exactly where you're at. They are fun, practical, uncensored, and always judgment-free!

Here are just a glimpse at some of the most popular topics you can choose to include in your customized curriculums:

  • Birth 101: Local hospital options, recommended care providers, birth planning

  • Confident Birth: Stages of Labor, Hormones & Labor, Pain-Relief options (both natural and medicated), Comfort Measures, What to Expect, Interventions, Induction, and more!

  • Breastfeeding 101: Positions, What's Normal, Pumping, Overcoming Breastfeeding Hurdles

  • Baby Care Basics: Newborn Care, Swaddling, Soothing, Feeding, Bathing, Diapering

  • VBAC 101: Preparing With Confidence, Birth Options, Finding a Supportive Care Provider

  • Comfort Measures: Relaxation Techniques, Massage, Essential Oils, Rebozo

  • Grandparents Class: Refresher, Modern Parenting, How to Be the Greatest Grandparent!

    These classes are all about YOU and what you want to learn. Each class provides ample time for honest discussion and plenty of questions - remember there are no silly questions!

Ready to get started?! Fill out our inquiry form and we’ll be in touch with more information!

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5 Easy & Nutritious Breastfeeding Snacks

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Any breastfeeding mother will tell you, the constant hunger is REAL. Experts say that your body requires 400-500  extra calories per day to have adequate energy to make milk for your baby and sustain your own body's needs. It may seem odd to some that they experience more hunger while breastfeeding than they ever did during pregnancy, but it's quite common. 

Having nutritious snacks is crucial for keeping the hunger at bay and providing your body with the necessary fuel to keep producing quality milk. We at Doulas of OC have put together 5 Easy & Nutritious snacks to have on hand while breastfeeding. Bonus, you can eat them all with one hand! We hope you enjoy!

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Essential Breastfeeding Education

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Parents-to-be are often inundated with advice, unnecessary classes, and books upon books upon books about how to do this or that. Here at Doulas of Orange County our goal in providing classes is to support you without overwhelming you. Milk Mama 101 class is a great way to learn evidence-based information to set you up for success on your breastfeeding and bonding journey.

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Holiday Cheer and Holiday Sales!

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Our tummies are full of delicious food and we're gearing up for the excitement and joy of the holiday season. You could say that we're full of holiday cheer and we're in the mood to spread it around. What does Buddy the Elf say? "The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear!"

Well, we aren't going to sing for you, but we're definitely going to shout!!

shop small and save BIG this weekend

with Doulas of Orange County!