For most new parents, the newborn weeks arrive with two undeniable truths: You’ve never loved so instantly. You’ve never been this exhausted. And while we sometimes laugh about “running on coffee and adrenaline,” the science is clear: Sleep is not optional in recovery. Postpartum sleep deprivation isn’t simply feeling tired — it impacts physical healing, emotional regulation, milk production, immune function, hormone stability, mental health, bonding, memory, and even safe de

Bringing your baby home is one of the most beautiful moments of your life—but it’s also one of the most demanding. Amid the excitement, love, and snuggles, your body and mind are healing and adjusting to a completely new rhythm. At Tennessee Family Doulas, we believe that preparing for postpartum recovery is just as important as preparing for birth. Here’s what you can do now—during pregnancy—to ensure your recovery feels calm, supported, and restorative. 1. Plan for Rest—Not

When you’re expecting, there’s no shortage of advice on strollers, swaddles, and sleep sacks. But there’s one essential that rarely makes...

Are you a working parent with Carrot Fertility benefits ? We’ve got fantastic news: many of our certified doulas meet Carrot’s...

Baby Safety at Christmas The moment a baby is born, most parents develop a sixth sense related to baby’s safety. Suddenly, you see things...

Peace on Earth: Self-care for New Parents During the Holidays Bringing a new baby home is a beautiful experience, but it can also be a...

Ready for Your Close Up, Baby? (9 Tips for a Great Holiday Photo) The holidays are the perfect time to get some special pictures of your...

Just like your decision of how to feed your baby was both informed and personal, when to wean is also personal. You must decide when to...

Whether you anticipated a Cesarean birth or not, the recovery period is different from a post-vaginal birth experience. #1 You will...

Skin-to-skin contact has great benefits for the baby, the birth parent, and the non-birth parent. Start by including your desire for...

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is an uncommon aspect of pregnancy only affecting about 3% of pregnant women. Defined by extreme nausea and...

It may seem crazy to talk about childproofing for a newborn, but here are five things you can do even before the baby is born. Then,...

Many people have questions about sex during pregnancy: is it safe and does it change? Having sex while pregnant is not dangerous for the...

It is essential that both parents bond with the newborn. Sometimes this can be challenging for lots of reasons, but let’s look at some...

Many women experience some kind of tear, either naturally or via an episiotomy, during childbirth as the baby stretches the perineum, the...

Cradle cap is the term to describe crusty or oily patches on your baby’s scalp. While it is not certain what causes cradle cap, medical...

Are you considering adding a doula to your labor support team? Along with your doctor or midwife, nurse, and partner, having a doula help...

After the experience of pregnancy, labor, and delivery, your body has been through many changes. As you heal and begin to adjust to this...

Do you know your blood type? The most common blood types are A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, O positive, or O negative....

Ready to introduce your breastfed baby to a bottle? Here are 10 tips to help . . . #1 Give your baby time to adjust to this new skill,...