Birth Plan, Doulas, Motherhood, Newborns, Postpartum
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
Decision Making, Pregnancy, Parenting, Newborns, Our Favorites
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
Community, Doulas, Doulas of Orange County, Local OC Resources, Our Team
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Calling all amazing Doulas & Newborn Care ...
Calling all amazing Doulas & Newborn Care Specialists!
Birth Plan, Decision Making, Newborns, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy
National Baby Co
Early Signs That You are Pregnant with Twins ...
Early Signs That You are Pregnant with Twins or Multiples
Newborns, Motherhood, Parenting, Postpartum, Postpartum Doula, Baby Sleep
National Baby Co
Are My Twins Too Old For Postpartum Doula Care?

The Doulas of Orange County office phone rings.


I pick up. “Hello! Doulas of Orange County. Lauren speaking.”

A strained voice sounds relieved to hear me, and it sounds like she has been crying. She’s an exhausted new mom of 12-week old twins and a 20-month-old toddler (who won’t let her out of his sight). She’s drained from her twin pregnancy, a difficult birth, and breastfeeding challenges. She struggles to keep up with laundry and wash enough dishes to have plates for the next meal. Her partner has been trying to feed the baby at night, but she’s still waking up to pump for multiples and can’t help but feel guilty about how tired her partner will be at work the next day. She really needs a postpartum doula in Irvine, CA.

“Can you help me, even though my babies are so old?” She asks.

Are My Twins Too Old For Postpartum Doula Care?

cooking

the pantry - zucchini Bread

This week’s Pantry recipe comes from one our postpartum clients. I supported Bree and her family while she was recovering from surgery. One day I showed up for my shift to see some bread defrosting on the counter. I had the chance to try it later in the day and it was delicious enough for me to ask for the recipe.

The thing I love about things like Zucchini Bread or Banana Bread is it’s ability to freeze and defrost well. I prefer to make several batches and enjoy one fresh while freezing others for future use. And defrosting is a breeze, just place it in the fridge or on the kitchen counter for a few hours and voila.

Another bonus is that picky kids who may resist eating their fruits and vegetables often don’t second guess what’s inside. Your little one enjoys a healthy snack without a battle and you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your child is getting at least some of the nutrients needed for optimal health and growth.

The recipe Bree shared comes from Two Peas & Their Pod but Bree’s version included ½-1c. of rolled oats (she is breastfeeding and wanted to benefits of the extra iron) and chocolate chunks (specifically soy-free and dairy-free by Enjoy Life). Chocolate is always a good idea in my world, even if it’s what Bree called “fake chocolate”! This recipe is great because you can play with it a bit to find the right flavors for you. Someone else recommended trying dried cranberries instead of chocolate… that may have to be next on my list!

If you plan on freezing, Two Peas & Their Pod recommends letting the bread cool before wrapping in plastic wrap then adding it to a freezer bag. You can also use aluminum foil as the second layer if you want to cut back on the plastic. Most veggie or fruit breads are best used within a month of freezing, so help your “mom-brain” out by writing the date somewhere on the wrapping. Defrost completely before slicing.

Bree and I enjoyed her  Zucchini Banana Bread warmed up (only 15-20 seconds in the microwave) with a little dab of butter on top. You can also try it with some jam, ricotta cheese or simply on it’s own! Pair it with your morning eggs or a bowl of yogurt & fruit for an extra nutritional punch. Really, there are so many options with a treat like this. Experimenting is all part of the fun.

As with all of the recipes we share, we’d love to hear what you think! Did you experiment a little? Did your kids devour it all before you could even take a bite? Do you have your own recipe or blog you’d like feature here?? Let us know!