Bornbir Blog

Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum articles for parents, doulas, lactation consultants, and other perinatal care providers.

Doula

What Is a Sibling Doula and How Can They Help Your Family?

A sibling doula is a specially trained support person focused entirely on your older children's emotional and practical needs during labor, birth, and the first few days with a new baby. They are so much more than a babysitter. A sibling doula is a professional who helps your child navigate this huge family change in a positive, reassuring way.This frees you up to focus on your labor, knowing your older child isn't just being watched, but is being actively supported, loved, and guided through the experience.What a Sibling Doula Really DoesWhen you're getting ready for a new baby, it's easy...

Pregnancy Midwife

Your Guide to Finding Midwives Who Do Home Births

A midwife who attends a home birth is a skilled professional who specializes in supporting families through childbirth outside of a hospital. These dedicated providers offer deeply personalized, continuous care throughout your entire journey. Pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, all within the familiar comfort of your own home.The Role Of A Home Birth MidwifeWhen you picture a home birth, you probably imagine a serene, calm setting. The person guiding that experience, besides you and your baby, is the midwife. A midwife is so much more than just a healthcare provider; they are a guide, an advocate, and a steady source of...

Doula Postpartum Doula

What Is a Night Doula and Do You Need One?

A night doula is a trained professional who provides expert, hands-on care for your newborn and invaluable support for your family through the night. Think of them as your overnight guide during those hazy, exhausting first few weeks. Their job is to help everyone in the house get more rest by handling feedings, changings, and soothing the baby, all while offering gentle guidance and emotional support to new parents.What a Night Doula Actually DoesPicture this: it's 3 AM. The baby is crying for the third time tonight, and the exhaustion feels like a physical weight. This is precisely the moment...

Doula Postpartum Doula

Your Guide to Hiring a Live In Doula

A live-in doula is a non-medical professional who moves into your home to provide continuous, around-the-clock support during the postpartum period. They are so much more than just an extra pair of hands. Think of them as a dedicated, guiding presence focused entirely on easing your family's transition into this new chapter.What a Live-In Doula Really DoesImagine a temporary, highly skilled family member whose whole job is to look after the new parent, the baby, and the harmony of the household. That's a live-in doula. Their role is completely immersive, adapting to whatever your family needs on any given day.Their...

Postpartum

Baths After C Section: When Can You Take a Bath?

Most doctors suggest waiting four to six weeks before taking a proper bath after a C-section. This buffer gives your incision plenty of time to heal up, which is crucial for lowering the risk of infection you'd get from soaking in water.But don't worry, you won't have to go that long without feeling clean. Showers are usually back on the table much sooner, often within just a few days of your surgery.Your Post C Section Bathing TimelineTrying to figure out when you can finally sink into a warm tub after a cesarean can be a little confusing. While every recovery...

Breastfeeding

The 7 Best Breastfeeding Positions for Newborns

Welcome to your breastfeeding journey. It's a unique and personal time, but it often comes with a steep learning curve and plenty of questions. One of the most common concerns for new parents is whether they are "doing it right." Finding a comfortable and effective nursing position is a fundamental piece of that puzzle. The right hold isn't just about feeding your baby. It's about ensuring a deep, painless latch, promoting efficient milk transfer, and making the experience relaxing and sustainable for both of you.This guide is your practical playbook, designed to help you discover the best breastfeeding positions for...

Breastfeeding Lactation Consultant

Baby Cluster feeding at night: Practical Tips for Exhausted Parents

When your newborn seems attached to your breast for hours on end, especially as the evening wears on, it can be both baffling and utterly exhausting. This intense period of frequent, back-to-back nursing is called cluster feeding, and it’s a completely normal, and temporary, phase.It’s not a red flag about your milk supply. Quite the opposite, actually. This is your baby’s brilliant, instinctual way of signaling your body to ramp up milk production to meet their growing needs.What Is Nighttime Cluster FeedingSo, your newborn was feeding every few hours, and now, suddenly, they want to nurse constantly all evening. Welcome...

Breastfeeding

How to Wean from Breastfeeding

Deciding when and how to wean from breastfeeding is a deeply personal choice, one that looks different for every mother and baby. At its core, weaning is the process of gradually phasing out nursing sessions, giving both your body and your little one time to adjust to a new normal. It’s a major transition, closing one chapter of your feeding relationship and opening another.Your Guide to Starting the Weaning JourneyThere's no magic date on the calendar that signals the "right time" to start weaning. It’s a mix of your own readiness, your baby's developmental cues, and what works for your...

Breastfeeding

How to Relieve Engorgement When Breastfeeding

When your breasts feel rock-hard and painful, the goal is a simple one: relief. Getting there involves a combination of frequent milk removal, some gentle massage, and using cold compresses to bring down that swelling. You're just trying to soften the breasts enough to feel comfortable and, more importantly, to help your baby latch on properly. This strategy helps manage your milk supply without accidentally telling your body to produce even more.Understanding Why Breast Engorgement HappensThat sudden feeling of intense, painful fullness can be a real shock, especially for new parents. It typically pops up around day three to five...

Pregnancy

Your Hospital Bag Checklist For Labor And Delivery

Let’s be honest, packing your hospital bag feels like more than just checking another item off the endless to-do list. It’s a milestone. This isn’t just about tossing some clothes and a toothbrush into a bag. It's about mindfully bringing pieces of home with you to create a sense of calm and control during a pretty intense, unpredictable time.Why A Well-Packed Bag MattersPutting together your hospital bag checklist for labor is a genuine act of self-care. It’s one of the few things you have complete control over before your baby arrives, and that feeling of being prepared can seriously dial...