New Parents
New parenthood is a thrilling time in a person’s life. It’s the time when you’re learning so much about how you operate as an individual within a new family framework. You’re figuring out how to care for yourself and another human being. It’s completely new territory. It’s not uncommon for new parents to be nervous and have a million questions buzzing around their heads, especially leading up to the birth of their baby.
What if something goes wrong? What if I don’t know what to do? What if I’m not prepared? While nothing in the realm of parenthood is guaranteed, having a mindset of preparedness can do so much to boost confidence when your baby finally arrives.
Consider taking one of our newborn care and parenthood planning classes to prepare for the road ahead.
Transforming Nights with Your Newborn: Sleep Support from Overnight Postpartum Doulas
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Congratulations on the arrival of your precious baby! Your parenthood journey has begun, and your sweet newborn is the light of your life. However, the arrival of a newborn also ...
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Five Simple Tools to Survive Life as a (New) Parent
| By Sheryl Cooksley
There is so much focus on pregnancy, birth, and even the first 8 weeks of your baby’s life. These stages in your life are fleeting. Parenthood, on the other hand, ...
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A Letter From Your Doula: Dear New Parent
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
Dear New Parent, You’re doing great. I see how exhausted you are after just getting home with your new baby. You value good sleep and now you are getting less ...
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What is a Postpartum Doula?
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Oh! Wait! You’re like a night nanny or a baby nurse, right?!? Mmmmmm…..No. I could launch into all the basics of how we support parents, birthing people and babies through ...
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Finding Alone Time When You’re Never Alone
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
Before your baby arrived, you felt this empty space. You created room in your life for this person to join your family and then after waiting and waiting… they are ...
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Managing the Overwhelm: How to Prioritize Day to Day Life as New Parents
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
It seems like the older you get, the harder it becomes to find time to get everything done. With household chores, work, car maintenance, personal hygiene, and so much more, ...
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Things To Do this Winter for Portland Parents and Babies During a Pandemic
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
Everybody who lives in the Portland metro area knows that when the sun comes out, so do allll the people. But when Winter comes along, it’s a different story. Parents ...
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Lost in the Sea of New Motherhood: Why I Needed a Postpartum Doula
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
Once upon a time I was a brand new mother. I returned home with my baby… a sweet, warm, perfect bundle of all my hopes and dreams. Everyone I ...
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Cozy Up in Your Comfy Pants: Not Just for Pregnancy, Postpartum or Pandemics
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
Thanksgiving week has arrived and whether you’re celebrating this year or not, pregnant or postpartum, a mom or a dad, we think it’s a great time to put on the ...
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Changing Family Traditions: Navigating the Holidays With Your Baby
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
Foreword: This year, things look a bit different than normal. We are many months deep into a pandemic and holiday plans for many will not be the same. The advice ...
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10 Great Instant Pot Hacks for New Parents!
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
As a postpartum doula, I am always looking for ways to make parents’ lives easier. Whether it be sleep related, feeding related, or anything in between, I soak up all ...
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A Letter from Your Doula: Dear Parents of Preemies
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
Hello, I would normally ask how you're doing, but I'm certain everyone is already asking that and you probably don't know how to answer anyway. So I'll just assume that ...
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Zero ***ks: Give Yourself a Break
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
It’s not what you think! It’s TASKS. ZERO TASKS!!! Yep, that’s right. This coming Sunday, November 1, is Zero Tasking Day and we’re doing the task of providing you an ...
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Parenthood, Pandemics, and Priorities: How to care for yourself and your baby during hard times
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
We’ve all heard it a million times: 2020 has been quite the year. A worldwide pandemic, people in various states of unrest, wildfires and hurricanes ravaging cities…it threw everyone into ...
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The Best Coffee Shops for Fall in Portland Oregon
| By Caitlyn Martin, FTDS Doula
FALL. IS. HERE. Nothing is better than pumpkin latte season, am I right?! Or maple or cardamom or apple… Mmmm. It’s early October and even the warmer days are ...
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We’re Throwing in the Towel and So Should You
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Enough is enough. We’ve decided to throw in the towel. WE’RE JUST PLAIN DONE. SERIOUSLY. Could 2020 be any more of a shitshow? (Maybe we shouldn’t say that out loud ...
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5 Easy Foods For New Parents
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Your newborn baby is breastfeeding, or you’re pumping, or you’re just a new parent with very little time on your hands and even less sleep. Days and nights are a ...
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3 Ways Postpartum Doulas Support Dads
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Hey Dad, we have a little (not very secret) secret: Postpartum Doulas support you, too! So much focus is placed on birth, the arrival of your baby, the care ...
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Mother’s Day Memories
| By Sheryl Cooksley
As a postpartum doula, I am graced to witness the beginnings of motherhood with so many women. Their joys, their trials and tribulations, and their personal journeys. They share ...
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I Am Your Doula
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Good morning. I let myself in. I am your doula. How was your night? None of you slept? I see your slumped shoulders and bleary eyes. Can I sit ...
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6 Tips to Become a Modern Grandparent!
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Becoming and being a grandparent is a wonderful adventure. I know, I’m the grandmother of 8 and love this time of my life. There are so many things I did ...
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Things We Just WON’T Do As Your Postpartum Doula
| By Sheryl Cooksley
As postpartum doulas, there is a long list of things we WILL do…..like care for your newborn baby while you nap or get a good night’s sleep, make sure you’ve ...
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Going Back to Work Like a Boss After Family Leave
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Happy 1 month '“birthday” sweet baby. It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 weeks already! You’ve grown so much and we’re beginning to settle into a routine. I’ve found ways ...
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A Thank You Letter To All of YOU!
| By Sheryl Cooksley
Dear current and former clients, doula team, friends and family, As the owner and founder of Family Tree Doula Services, it is so important for me to show gratitude and ...
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From the day you leave the hospital...to the day you no longer need us, we’ll help you adjust to life with your new baby and give you all the tools you need for a healthy, confident start.
Not a client yet? You'll find many of our favorite tips & resources for new parents here on our blog. Learn more about our daytime, overnight, and live-in postpartum doula services as well as our postpartum support offerings for intended parents.