Leanne Stitt Doula Diary

19/08/2026

SOMETHING SPOOKY IS COMING TO DOULA DIARY… 👻🎃

My much-loved baby classes are getting a Halloween makeover! 🧡

For two very special weeks this October, I am bringing you Halloween-themed Baby Beginnings, Baby Adventurers, Baby Massage & Baby Spa workshops.

Think…

🎃 Pumpkins
👻 Friendly ghosts
🕷️ Sensory fun
🍂 Autumn treasures
🧡 Baby massage
🛁 Baby spa
🎶 Songs & movement
📸 The cutest Halloween photo opportunities
✨ And lots of lovely memories together

Nothing scary, just cute, cosy, sensory Halloween fun for babies and their grown-ups. 🥰

🎃 HALLOWEEN WORKSHOPS 🎃

Tuesday 13th October Swarthmoor Hall
🎃 Baby Beginnings — 10–11am
👻 Baby Adventurers — 11:30am–12:30pm

Wednesday 14th October Swarthmoor Hall
🧡 Baby Massage — 10–11am
🛁 Baby Spa — 11:30am–12:30pm

Thursday 15th October SALT Collective
🛁 Baby Spa — 10–11am

Then we’re doing it all again…

Tuesday 20th October
🎃 Baby Beginnings — 10–11am
👻 Baby Adventurers — 11:30am–12:30pm

Wednesday 21st October
🧡 Baby Massage — 10–11am
🛁 Baby Spa — 11:30am–12:30pm

Thursday 22nd October
🛁 Baby Spa — 10–11am

📍 Doula Diary
🎃 Limited spaces available

Whether it’s your baby’s first Halloween or you’re looking for a lovely autumn morning out together, come and join us for something a little bit magical. 🧡

Comment which session and date your interested in and I will be in touch to secure your booking.

Normal term sessions resume week commencing 2nd November.


Swarthmoor Hall SALT Collective

18/08/2026

A little bit about what I do as a doula

If you’re expecting a baby, you might be wondering… what actually is a doula?

A doula is someone who walks alongside you through pregnancy, birth and those first precious (and sometimes overwhelming!) weeks of parenthood.

I’m not here to tell you how to birth your baby. I’m here to help you understand your choices, feel informed and confident, and remind you that your body, your baby and your birth matter.

As your doula, I can offer:

🤍 Antenatal support & education: helping you prepare for birth, understand your options and explore what matters to you.

🤍 Continuous birth support: calm, reassuring, hands-on and emotional support for you and your birth partner, wherever and however your baby is born.

🤍 A listening ear: without judgement, pressure or agendas. Sometimes you just need someone who truly listens.

🤍 Birth partner support: helping your partner feel confident and involved rather than unsure of what to do.

🤍 Postpartum support: practical and emotional help as you find your feet, recover, and adjust to life with your new baby.

And perhaps most importantly… I’ll be in your corner. 🫶

Whether you’re planning a home birth, hospital birth, VBAC, caesarean birth, or simply don’t know what you want yet you deserve support that is individual to you.

If you’re having your baby in October, November or December, now is a lovely time to start thinking about the support you’d like around you.

I’d absolutely love to work with you.

Come and work with me at Doula Diary pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, supported with compassion, evidence-informed care and a whole lot of heart.

✨ Antenatal courses
✨ 1:1 doula support
✨ Birth support
✨ Postpartum SOS
✨ Baby classes & early parent support

You don’t have to do this alone.

📩 Send me a DM or visit www.douladiary.com to find out more.

14/08/2026

Gorgeous morning It Takes a Village - Mums Club Ellie has created such a welcoming space. Go give her a follow if you haven’t already 🥰

10/08/2026

‼️I am so so sorry I am at capacity now with the waitlist so I am going to have to close it for the moment. Keep an eye on social as I will open it back up once everyone has had an opportunity to book but THANK YOU to everyone who has been in touch‼️

✨ BABY SPA IS COMING TO BARROW! ✨

I’ve got some very exciting news… Baby Spa is coming to a gorgeous new venue in Barrow! 🥰🫧

But can anyone guess where the additional venue might be? 👀👇

🗓️ Thursday mornings
⏰ 10–11am
🫧 Baby Spa for 0-12 months
📍 Barrow – venue reveal coming soon!

I already have a waitlist for Baby Spa, so numbers at this new venue will be very limited and places will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

💬 Comment “BABY SPA” below and I’ll message you to add you to the list!

I can’t wait to bring this gorgeous little experience to Barrow! 🤍🫧

09/08/2026

PLANNING A HOME BIRTH? THINKING ABOUT A WATER BIRTH?

A birth pool can be such a beautiful tool for homebirth whether you’re planning to birth your baby in the water or simply want the option of warm water for comfort and relaxation.

If you’re planning a home birth in Cumbria, here are some local options for hiring a pool:

Myself in South Cumbria
Leanne Stitt – Doula Diary

North Cumbria
Doula_Rosie

Want your own pool?
You can order a Birth Pool in a Box using my affiliate link and receive 10% off:

https://birthpoolinabox.refr.cc/default/u/douladiary?s=rp&t=cp

‼️My top tips for planning a water birth:

🛁Think about where your pool will go
Your midwives usually prefer access all round but having it in a corner can offer you the privacy you need for oxytocin production.

🚿 Plan how you’re going to fill AND empty it
Check your tap connection, hose length, water temperature and drainage before labour day. Don’t leave this until you’re in labour! Also have a little sit in the pool whilst up up but empty. Get familiar.

🧺 Prepare your pool station
Think towels, waterproof floor protection, drinks, snacks, a sieve/net, spare clothes and anything else you might want within easy reach.

🔥 And here’s the slightly controversial one…

You don’t have to think of the pool as an “all or nothing” decision.

You can use the pool for comfort and pain relief during labour without necessarily deciding that your baby has to be born in the water.

And while you may hear “don’t get in until you’re 5cm”, there isn’t a universal magic cervical dilation number that applies to everyone.

Get in. Get out. Get back in. Change your mind.

Join Cumbria Home Birth Support Group for local birth stories and peer support. I will link the group in the comments.

Save this post for your homebirth planning & tag someone who is dreaming of a water birth. 🤍

Hey, if you're ever looking for Birth Pool In A Box products, let me know and I can get you a discount at Birth Pool In A Box. Here's a coupon if you need one now:

09/08/2026

MORE THAN ANTENATAL EDUCATION

One of my favourite things about supporting families is seeing how much the right preparation can change the whole experience of becoming a parent.

A family shared:

“We absolutely loved our antenatal course with Leanne. It gave us so much more than birth preparation we felt genuinely informed, confident and supported going into parenthood.

The sessions helped us prepare for birth, understand our choices and know what to expect with our newborn. The practical advice around newborn care was invaluable.

What I didn’t expect was how much support it would also give me in my own healing journey. I felt listened to, understood and empowered throughout.”

So, how can you work with me?

✨ Doula Support – ongoing emotional, practical and informational support, including in-person birth support.

✨ 1:1 Antenatal Education – flexible sessions built around your schedule, your birth plans and the things YOU want to explore.

✨ Group Antenatal Courses – supportive, evidence-informed preparation for birth, newborn life and parenthood.
📅 Next course: September 2027

✨ Bespoke Birth Preparation – including freebirth preparation, VBAC support, previous birth experiences or more complex circumstances where you need additional time, information and advocacy.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you come to me.

My role is to help you understand your options, find your voice and feel confident in your own decisions.

📍 Cumbria & South Lakes | In-person & virtual support

Your birth. Your choices. Your voice.

04/08/2026

✨ A little heartfelt ask… ✨

If Doula Diary has supported you in any way through the early days of parenthood and one of my baby classes I would be so grateful if you would consider voting for me in the Cumbria Baby & Children’s Business Awards. 💛

Every class attended, every kind review, every cuddle, every conversation over a brew has helped shape this little business. To be recognised by the families I have the privilege of supporting would mean more than I can put into words.

If you’ve ever left a session feeling a little lighter, more confident, more connected, or simply felt seen, I’d be honoured to have your nomination.

Thank you for believing in Doula Diary and for allowing me to be part of your family’s story. It truly is the greatest privilege. 🤍

You can submit yours here: https://forms.gle/XVkSzusAc4dzXPzq8

Please look for
✨Best Indepedently Owned Business
✨Best Overall Baby Under 1s
✨Best Baby Development Class

Cumbria Baby & Children’s Business Awards nominations

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🫶

BABY MASSAGE & YOGA TEACHER TRAINING Elizabeth | Baby & Toddler Class Teacher Training

04/08/2026

✨ Why book your antenatal course early? ✨

The earlier you begin preparing for birth, the more time you have to build confidence, understand your choices and feel genuinely ready to welcome your baby.

My Antenatal Course isn’t just a one-off class. Over seven weeks, you’ll learn alongside a wonderful team of experts covering birth physiology, decision-making, birth partner support, infant feeding, newborn care, pelvic health, first aid and postnatal recovery.

Along the way you’ll find something just as valuable… your village.

With over 14 hours of education, guest specialists, ongoing support from me as your Doula and Registered Nurse, a private WhatsApp community, monthly parent meet-ups and a birth partner included, this course is designed to support you long after birth not just prepare you for it.

I can’t currently guarantee another full course before 2027, so if you’re expecting this autumn or winter, now is the perfect time to secure your place. If September fills, I’ll be opening a priority waitlist for an early November course.

Because preparing for birth isn’t about knowing everything… it’s about knowing where to turn, feeling supported, and walking into parenthood with confidence. 🌿

📩 Message me to book or comment Doula Diary to join the waitlist.