The Nesting Place's Events
Sleep Training!
Sleep training! Is your baby sleeping through the night? That is the number one question asked of new parents. All new parents worry about sleep, and wonder what is normal, and how they can get more sleep. In this workshop, we will discuss normal sleep needs for babies at different ages and stages, covering both daytime and nighttime sleep. We will go over healthy sleep habits and methods to improve sleep. As a doula and sleep consultant, my approach to sleep is a gentle, no-cry method that honours the needs of both babies and parents, while also respecting the breastfeeding relationship.
Date and Time: Monday, May 27th @ 1:00 pm
By Who? Sheryl's journey to becoming a post partum doula began in 2008 with the birth of her first son. She was sleep-deprived and overwhelmed and found it nearly impossible to keep up with the demands of a newborn baby. She learned that it is essential to not only have doula support during the birth, but also during the post partum period. As a post partum doula, Sheryl strives to "mother the mother" and assist the entire family in adjusting to life with a baby. She believes that every mom knows her own baby best, and she provides support in a non-judgemental manner. Her goal is for new moms to feel empowered and confident and to enjoy the post partum period as much as possible. As an accredited La Leche League leader, Sheryl has the tools and information necessary to assist moms in meeting their own breastfeeding goals.
Sign up? Send us an e-mail at info@playfulgrounds.com or sign up at the café!
Where? Playful Grounds! 605 College Street
Sign up? Send us an e-mail at info@playfulgrounds.com or sign up at the cafe!
Cost: Free!
What is a Doula?
You may have heard of doulas before, but let's be honest, it's a bit of an abstract concept when you first hear about it! Many parents ask themselves, "do I need a doula if I have a midwife?" "Won’t my partner or my mother feel left out?" "Will I still need a doula if I plan to get an epidural?" "Can I afford a doula?"
Multiple studies indicate that doulas make a significant difference to your birth experience regardless of the medical supports that become involved in your delivery. At the same time, the presence of continuous support of someone who is not affiliated with the hospital or a part of your social community is proven to: * Lower the likelihood of medical intervention * Shorten labour * Increase parental satisfaction of their birth experience * Lower the incidence of birth trauma * Lower postpartum mood adjustment * Increase partner involvement
In this workshop we'll go over how a doula makes these differences for you and your partner through their support in birth and also in the months following your delivery, how to find a doula and what to ask a doula in your interview.
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 28th @ 1:00 pm
By Who? Mary is a birth and postpartum doula who upholds the idea that the power of someone simply believing in you is immense. She feels privileged to support women and families and is inspired everyday by their stories of joy, challenge and strength. Providing care in English and Spanish, Mary uses her training and intuition to provide custom support to the diverse clientele that she serves. Her calm and caring demeanor, regardless of the unpredictable circumstances that can surround birth, facilitates a positive environment for families to experience their own unique journey. She also loves to get artistic with her doula work through writing personal birth stories and bellycasting.
Sign up? Send us an e-mail at info@playfulgrounds.com or sign up at the café!
Where? Playful Grounds! 605 College Street
Cost: Free!
Cesarean Delivery
Many parents avoid learning about cesarean delivery in advance of their labour, yet we all know that birth is unpredictable and that a cesarean delivery may come up. When we haven't learned about cesarean delivery, we are left scared and unsure of ourselves if it should come up for us during our delivery. This is why, at The Nesting Place, we find that preparing for cesarean delivery actually contributes to your sense of confidence in birth no matter what path it takes. We'll talk about what to expect from the routines of the hospital, what you can change about them and what you can't. We'll discuss the possible physical sensations of cesarean delivery and do at least one coping /labour support practice that would help parents feel grounded and safe during their cesarean birth. There are many things we can do to create a supportive and nurturing environment during cesarean delivery. Our intention with this talk is to contribute to a positive birth experience for any path that birth may take you down.
Date and Time: Tuesday, June 11th @ 1:00 pm
By Who? Amanda is the founder of The Nesting Place: Prenatal Classes & Doula Care. She is a birth doula and a Birthing From Within educator. Her background in human biology (BSc), peer counseling, crisis intervention and assisting in home daycares has allowed her to bring an experienced and unique perspective to her classes and care. Amanda's passion for supporting each person's unique transition to parenthood is evident as she brings a thoughtful and compassionate facilitating style to all of her classes. Additionally, her commitment to inclusive space allows parents from all walks of life to have a safe and nurturing environment learn more about themselves as they prepare for childbirth.
Sign up? Send us an e-mail at info@playfulgrounds.com or sign up at the café!
Where? Playful Grounds! 605 College Street
Cost: Free!
Breastfeeding Tips
While breastfeeding is certainly natural, it often does not feel natural or easy in the early days after baby arrives. In this workshop, Childbirth Educator and Postpartum Doula, Carla will discuss healthy nursing habits, how to ensure your baby is getting enough milk, watch a good latch looks and feels like, breast feeding positions for optimal feeding and how you can maximize your sleep through your breast feeding schedule. Carla will also provide quick tips on common breast feeding issues including sore nipples, plugged ducts, mastitis and low weight gain. Breast feeding and non-breast feeding parents are welcome to join!
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 12th @ 1:00 pm
By Who? Carla Murphy was inspired to become a doula by the personal and empowering care she received during her own births. She sees her role as providing caring, compassionate and nonjudgmental emotional, physical and educational support to women and their families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She strongly believes that there is no right or wrong way to birth or parent, just what is right for each woman, her partner and their baby. Drawing on her own experiences as a mom, as well as her professional training, Carla helps parents explore their options to find the path that feels right to them. Carla offers labour and postpartum support and is a certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner. She has taken courses in breastfeeding support, acupressure for doulas, HypnoBirthing Support Techniques for Doulas and adult education.
Sign up? Send us an e-mail at info@playfulgrounds.com or sign up at the café!
Where? Playful Grounds! 605 College Street
Cost: Free!
Baby Wearing
Baby Wearing Parents and parents-to-be are invited to join experienced doula Carla Murphy for an informative and interactive talk on babywearing. Discover the benefits of babywearing for both parent and child, learn how to wear your baby safely and what to look for in a carrier. Try your baby in a variety of different carrier styles to help you decide which one works best for you and baby. Babies and toddlers up to 2 years old welcome!
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 19th @ 1:00 pm
By Who? Carla Murphy was inspired to become a doula by the personal and empowering care she received during her own births. She sees her role as providing caring, compassionate and nonjudgmental emotional, physical and educational support to women and their families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She strongly believes that there is no right or wrong way to birth or parent, just what is right for each woman, her partner and their baby. Drawing on her own experiences as a mom, as well as her professional training, Carla helps parents explore their options to find the path that feels right to them. Carla offers labour and postpartum support and is a certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner. She has taken courses in breastfeeding support, acupressure for doulas, HypnoBirthing Support Techniques for Doulas and adult education.
Sign up? Send us an e-mail at info@playfulgrounds.com or sign up at the café!
Where? Playful Grounds! 605 College Street
Cost: Free!
Sibling Preparation
What can you do to help your little one adjust to life with a sibling? How early should you start sibling preparation? And what information is appropriate for your child given their age? Doula and childbirth educator Amanda Spakowski will give you helpful hints and strategies to connect with your child about their life with a new baby. We'll go over things you can do during pregnancy to help normalize the changes your child will experience once their sibling arrives, ways of including them in the delivery, possible behavioural changes that can occur as they adjust to their sibling and what you can do to be there for your child as they adjust.
Date and Time: Monday, June 24th @ 1:00 pm
By Who? Amanda is the founder of The Nesting Place: Prenatal Classes & Doula Care. She is a birth doula and a Birthing From Within educator. Her background in human biology (BSc), peer counseling, crisis intervention and assisting in home daycares has allowed her to bring an experienced and unique perspective to her classes and care. Amanda's passion for supporting each person's unique transition to parenthood is evident as she brings a thoughtful and compassionate facilitating style to all of her classes. Additionally, her commitment to inclusive space allows parents from all walks of life to have a safe and nurturing environment learn more about themselves as they prepare for childbirth.
Sign up? Send us an e-mail at info@playfulgrounds.com or sign up at the café!
Where? Playful Grounds! 605 College Street
Cost: Free!
