Nurturing Grace Doula and Lactation Counseling Services

https://www.nytimes.com//how-to-be-mindful-holding-a-baby.

FEEDING ON DEMAND. Yep. I used cereal and blueberries to see the difference between expectations and reality of many breastfeeding moms. . . inspo from @latc...h.ie . . Were you told your baby should breastfeed every 2-3 hours? I was. Did you know that only came from figuring out how often feeding was needed for a baby to feed 8-12 times in a 24 hour period... . . So yes we APPROXIMATELY would like babies to feed AT LEAST 8-12 times, but the way it all plays out in a 24 hour period is very different for each baby. . . Reality: babies feed like the blueberries. Lots of feedings. Some small. Some big. Some close together. Some far apart. . . Babies do not feed like clockwork where every cereal (ahem.. feed) is spaced equally apart and the same size. You can relax if your otherwise healthy baby goes longer than 3 hours between a feed. You don’t need to think you can’t still be hungry and delay a feed if they are showing signs they want to feed earlier than 2 hours. . . Listen to your baby. Trust your instincts. Let go of the cookie cutter ideal and develop your own relationship that works for you and your baby. . . Do you feed on demand? What works for you and your baby? . . #breastfeedingondemand #babyfeeding #breastfeedingmom #breastfeedingdietitian #thebreastfeedingdietitian #breastisnormal #momlife #sahmomlife #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedingjourney #normalizebreastfeeding #whatifeedmybaby #breastfeedingmama #exclusivelypumping #expectationvsreality See more

Meet Grace Veras Sealy (@nurturinggracedoula), an experienced birth, postpartum doula and lactation counselor AND one of Manhattan Birth's Mentor Program mentor...s (and childbirth educator for our Childbirth Weekend Intensive). Grace has been in this work for nearly 17 years but has dedicated the last 5 years to this work full time. What inspires Grace to do this work? "I especially love postpartum and lactation support. The turning of the page on to the next chapter after baby is already here is very special to me. I love working closely with clients and seeing their confidence increase as they learn their baby's ways and feeding them gets easier, but also being there to offer support when things are not going great and letting them know they are doing their best and there is no perfection when it comes to parenting." What is Grace's most memorable experience in birth work? "I attended a birth where 3 of the 4 oldest children where present and the dad caught the baby. As soon as the baby was born everyone in the room, myself included, started to cry from happiness. It was the most empowered, warm, beautiful birth." By being part of the Manhattan Birth community Grace feels: "My doula career has grown by leaps and bounds since becoming a part of Manhattan Birth mainly because I have always felt so supported to make the decisions I want and need to make, and supported after I make them. I have also made many deep friendships that are filled with love and understanding." Learn more about Grace by visiting her IG @nurturinggracedoula or Facebook at: facebook.com/NurturingGVS or visiting Manhattanbirth.com. Learn more about Manhattan Birth's Mentor Program here: https://www.manhattanbirth.com/manhattan-birth-mentor-progr #mentorship #birth #birthdoula #postpartumdoula #postpartum #birthwork #birthworker #birthprofessional #lactation #midwifery #midwifelife #manhattanbirth See more