Compassionate Doula Services, LLC

06/03/2026

Breastfeeding moms, meet your new favorite snack: Lactation Bites! 🤱🏽 These bite-sized powerhouses are packed with oats, flaxseeds, dark chocolate chips, and peanut butter — all designed to support your milk supply and keep you fueled throughout the day. 💪

✨ Oats: Known to promote lactation and provide a steady source of energy.
✨ Flaxseeds: Rich in omega-3s and lignans to support hormone balance and milk production.
✨ Dark Chocolate Chips: A mood-boosting treat that’s packed with antioxidants.
✨ Peanut Butter: Healthy fats to help nourish both you and your little one.

Snack on these nutritious bites while nursing or pumping— all with one hand! 🙌

Did you know that postpartum doula prepare healthy meals and snacks during their visits?

06/02/2026

As a new parent, there are so many choices you have to make! A common question I get as an IBCLC is which bottle is best for my breastfed baby?

You want to look for a bottle ni**le that has a gradual slope, isn’t too wide, and has a slow flow. The slope and narrower base make it easy for babies to get as much of the ni**le in their mouths as possible in order to achieve the ideal latch. We want to see a nice wide-open mouth with a good seal on the bottle, just as we do when nursing.

I suggest using a slow-flow ni**le (size 0 or preemie) using the paced bottle-feeding method so that your baby doesn’t get used to a faster flow on the bottle, which can increase frustration at the breast because they have to work just a little harder at the breast to get a letdown and the milk to start flowing. However, if your let-down is strong, then your baby might do better with a medium- or faster-flow ni**le.

My favorite ni**les are on the following bottles:

🍼Evenflo Balance

🍼Lansinoh ("slow flow" is faster)

🍼Dr. Brown's Original (Narrow neck- preemie)

🍼 Pigeon Nursing Bottle

✨Pigeon Ni***es are compatible with many bottles including - Lansinoh, Dr. Brown’s wide neck bottles, Evenflo Balance + , Joovy b**b baby, MAM, Mixie baby, Motif, NUK smooth flow, Philips Avent Original, Hygiea, and pigeon bottles.

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06/01/2026

I love highlighting providers in our community who I personally know, have spoken with, and confidently refer my lactation clients to when a baby is showing signs of a suspected lip or tongue tie.

Dr. Robert Marcus is one of those trusted referral sources I regularly collaborate with for evaluation and treatment when oral restrictions may be impacting breastfeeding.

As an IBCLC, having trusted providers to refer to is essential. Collaborative care ensures families receive timely evaluation, appropriate treatment options, and continued support throughout their feeding journey.

Dr. Marcus is a pediatric dentist specializing in care for infants, children, teenagers, young adults, and patients with special needs. He has advanced training in pediatric dentistry and extensive experience performing frenectomy procedures for infants diagnosed with tongue and lip ties—conditions that can significantly interfere with breastfeeding when not addressed.

He has been recognized as one of Baltimore’s Best Dentists by Baltimore Magazine and a Chesapeake Family Magazine Favorite Doc, reflecting his commitment to high-quality, family-centered care.

When breastfeeding concerns suggest a possible tongue or lip tie, I value being able to refer families to providers like Dr. Marcus for skilled evaluation and treatment when appropriate.

Do you suspect that your baby has a lip or tongue tie? DM to set up an in-home lactation consult visit today!

Practice Information:
Dr. Robert Marcus
📍 11710 Reisterstown Road, Suite 201
Reisterstown, MD 21136
📞 (410) 526-5050
📠 (410) 526-052

05/29/2026

3 expert tips to prepare for your maternity + newborn photoshoot 📸

✨ Book in advance (these sessions fill up fast)
✨ Choose an experienced photographer you trust
✨ Follow your prep guide for the best experience + results

I originally shared these tips a while ago, but I’m bringing them back because they’re even more meaningful now with our new partnership.

I’m so excited to be collaborating with Jussara the very talented photographer and owner of Sugarloaf Photography to better support families from pregnancy through postpartum and beyond.

Together, we’re offering exclusive client perks:

📸 For my clients that book with Sugarloaf Photography:
• Welcome Baby Experience (complimentary hair + makeup for mom)
• Full Story Gallery Upgrade (milestone + smash cake sessions)
• $75 off full gallery upgrades when booked through this partnership

🤍 For Sugarloaf Photography clients with me:
• Fourth Trimester Experience (includes 45-min Ask Me Anything call + New Parent Toolkit) for $59(valued at $160)+ 10% off all Compassionate Doula Services
• Sleep Reset (10% off all sleep consulting packages)

This collaboration was created to make sure families feel supported, prepared, and beautifully documented through every stage of early parenthood. ✨

If you’re expecting or you are a previous clients looking to take smash cake and milestone picture send me a message to learn more about these exclusive offers 🤍

05/28/2026

Postpartum mood disorders don't always look like sadness, crying, or generalized depression. Sometimes, other signs like anger or rage, having a hard time bonding with your baby, food aversion, or scary or intrusive thoughts can indicate that something isn't quite right. In the haze of having a new baby, it can be difficult to recognize symptoms of postpartum mood disorders. Here's what you and your support team can look out for.

Remember that postpartum mental health issues are not a sign of weakness or a failure as a mother. They are a common and treatable condition that can affect anyone. Seeking help and support is a sign of strength and a proactive step towards better mental health.

Resources:
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262) for free, 24/7 confidential support

https://988lifeline.org Call 988 during mental health and substance use emergencies in Greater Baltimore area. Specialists are available 24/7 to provide free support.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

When visiting a new baby, it's important to be considerate of the parents and the baby's needs. There are dozens of practices to consider before visiting a newborn, but these four are just as important.

Here are 4 Golden Rules to follow 🍼✨

🧼 Wash Your Hands: To keep the baby safe from germs and
infections, always wash your hands before touching the
baby or anything the baby might come into contact with.

👋🏻 Keep Your Visit Short and Sweet: New parents are often
exhausted, so it's considerate to keep your visit brief,
respecting their need for rest and routine.

🙂 Respect the Parents' Boundaries: Always ask if it’s a good
time to visit, and be mindful of any guidelines or
preferences the parents have regarding the baby (e.g.,
holding the baby, avoiding certain foods around them).

🫂 Offer Support, Not Unsolicited Advice: Every family has
their own way of caring for their baby, so instead of giving
advice unless asked, focus on offering emotional support,
help, or simply sharing joy in the baby's arrival.

Share this video with a friend or family member💕

05/26/2026

Motherhood deserves to be supported and beautifully remembered 🤍📸

I’m so excited about the partnership with Sugarloaf Photography to bring exclusive client experiences to the families we serve.

As part of this collaboration, my clients receive special photography perks including the Welcome Baby Experience (with professional makeup) and Full Story Gallery Upgrade.

And families in the Sugarloaf Photography community can also access my Fourth Trimester Experience and Sleep Reset support offers. 🤍

This partnership was created to make sure families feel cared for, supported, and beautifully seen during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

Expecting or recently welcomed a baby? Send me a message to learn more about these exclusive offers 📩🤍

05/25/2026

People think postpartum support is only about holding babies.
But sometimes the most important thing we do… is create support in the middle of survival mode.

Folding tiny clothes.
Refilling water bottles.
Listening without judgment.
Helping moms feel human again.

That support changes everything.

If you’re expecting or know a new mom in the Harford County, Baltimore, Cecil County Maryland area, send this to them.

📩 DM “SUPPORT” to learn about postpartum care options in.

05/22/2026

A stress free bedtime routine can be parent-present, supportive, and tailored to YOUR child and your family’s unique needs.

Whether you have a baby waking constantly overnight or a toddler fighting bedtime like it’s their full-time job, I offer both virtual and in-person support to help create healthy habits so that your little one gets the restorative sleep they need, and you finally do too. 💕

Because parenting is hard enough without running on empty every single day.

Comment “TIRED” if you’re over the bedtime battles and ready for support that actually works. 💤