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!

sleep coaching

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Don't Tell Anyone I Hired a Sleep Coach

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Don't Tell Anyone I Hired a Sleep Coach

"My friends would judge me if they knew.”

"I'm embarrassed that I had to ask for help."

"I'm afraid people will think I'm a bad mom."

What do these statements have in common?

They're all phrases I've heard from sleep coaching clients. And they are all surrounded in fear of judgment.

Most people who have chosen to sleep train their baby (regardless of the method they chose) will tell you how it saved their sanity, but they may also share that the process can be a little (or a lot) nerve wrecking. From shame surrounding their need for help, to a fear of being judged, to being unsure if it will work; parents who choose to sleep train, often have to overcome a few hurdles of their own. 

We all know that parenting is hard. No one tells you just how difficult it can be, especially when you're sleep-deprived, trying to keep it all together, and doing your best to be the perfect parent. But here's the thing: no one is perfect, and asking for help doesn't make you any less of a good parent. In fact, it shows strength, wisdom, and the desire to do what's best for both you and your baby.

When it comes to sleep training, it’s not simply about getting your baby to sleep through the night… although, that’s often a primary goal… it's about reclaiming your peace of mind, restoring your energy, and giving yourself the space to be a better, more present parent. Yet, despite all the benefits, there's still a huge stigma surrounding sleep training.

Why? Because there’s this belief that asking for help means you’ve failed. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

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Signs Your Baby is Overtired (and what to do about it)

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Babies who have become overtired can get caught up in a cycle where they sleep less and not as well. They continue to be tired and difficult to settle, even after rest.

Today, at Doulas of Orange County, we are discussing:

  • Why babies become overtired

  • How to recognize when your baby is overtired

  • What to do if your baby is overtired

  • Prevention and recognizing the signs that your baby is sleepy

Our Orange County Sleep Consultants can help you get your baby back on track and help you prevent sleep problems in the future. Work with a Sleep Coach to build healthy sleep habits for your baby.

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Daylight Savings Time: Tips to "Spring Forward"

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Daylight Savings Time: Tips to "Spring Forward"

As the time change approaches, more and more parents are reaching out to us to chat about how to get their baby or toddler to easily adjust to “springing forward.” It’s my opinion that this is the easier of the two time changes, especially when you have kiddos! Despite it being easier than “falling back”, it can still be helpful to have a plan in place to minimize disruptions and keep your day-to-day schedule flowing nicely.

These are general tips that will work for most families with babies 4+ months through adolescence. If you’re interested in a personalized sleep assessment with clear goals to stick to as we approach the time change, you can schedule a 90-minute video call with me here to assess your baby’s sleep.

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Why is it ok to shame sleep training?

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It never fails... 

We post about sleep training on social media and the questions or accusations come pouring in. 

"Don't you know that babies are biologically designed to wake during the night?"
"A parent shouldn't ignore their baby."
"Why have a baby anyway if you can't handle the sleep deprivation."

My goodness you would have thought we had specifically promoted starving a child, ignoring a child, or putting your needs as a parent before your child. But we didn't mention any of those things. 

So why the shame? Why the judgmental comments? Why all the questions?

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3 Sleep Training Myths Debunked

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So. You're tired and considering getting some help getting your baby to sleep... but you have some hesitations. I get it. There are a lot of beliefs surrounding sleep training your baby, some of which sound pretty scary. 

My intention for sharing the following information is not to "talk you into" sleep training your baby. If what you're doing is working for you and your family, then sleep training may not be for you. But if you're feeling depleted, worn down, at your limit or if your baby's sleep is a constant source of stress, I want you to have some more information to make a confident decision for your family.