November marks National Prematurity Awareness Month, a time to shed light on preterm birth and advocate for families navigating its challenges. Here's what you need to know:
💜 1 in 10 Babies Are Born in Preterm
Each year, about 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely and before 37 weeks of pregnancy. That’s 1 in every 10 births!
Each year, about 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely and before 37 weeks of pregnancy. That’s 1 in every 10 births!
💜 Leading Cause of Childhood Death
Complications from preterm births are the #1 cause of death for children under five, claiming approximately 900,000 lives annually.
Complications from preterm births are the #1 cause of death for children under five, claiming approximately 900,000 lives annually.
💜 Understanding Risk Factors
While some risk factors like multiple pregnancies, infections, and chronic health issues are known, many cases occur with no clear cause, making awareness and research critical.
While some risk factors like multiple pregnancies, infections, and chronic health issues are known, many cases occur with no clear cause, making awareness and research critical.
💜 Survival Rates Vary Globally
The chances of survival depend on the quality of healthcare. Infants born in resource-rich regions often have better outcomes, highlighting the need for global equity in neonatal care.
The chances of survival depend on the quality of healthcare. Infants born in resource-rich regions often have better outcomes, highlighting the need for global equity in neonatal care.
💜 Support Makes a Difference
With proper medical care, community support, and resources, premature babies can thrive. Raising awareness ensures families receive the help and support they need.
With proper medical care, community support, and resources, premature babies can thrive. Raising awareness ensures families receive the help and support they need.
This November, let’s unite to support and advocate for families. Let's spread awareness about prematurity. YOU can wear purple to show solidarity, share resources, and encourage others to join the cause.
Together, we can empower families, improve outcomes, and celebrate the resilience of our tiniest fighters.
#PrematurityAwarenessMonth #PreemieSupport #TinyButMighty #SupportFamilies #WearPurple #LearnWithLynne #PostpartumDoula #DaytimeDoula
The holiday season brings joy, laughter, and family time, but it also comes with the added risk of spreading germs, especially to vulnerable little ones. Proper handwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect both children and adults from illness during festive gatherings.
Handwashing isn’t just a routine—it’s a shield. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds (a perfect time to sing “Jingle Bells” or the ole stand by "Twinkle Twinkle"!) removes harmful germs that can cause colds, flu, and other infections. For children, learning proper handwashing is a lifelong skill that reinforces the importance of personal hygiene and health.
Adults, too, play a key role in modeling good habits. Before holding a baby, preparing food, or after sneezing, wash your hands to minimize the spread of germs. Remind guests to do the same, especially around newborns whose immune systems are still developing.
In addition to handwashing, disinfect frequently touched surfaces like phones, toys, and doorknobs. Teach children fun and easy ways to practice hygiene, like using hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available.
For more holiday parenting tips, check out my other helpful blogs! Keep your celebrations joyful, safe, and healthy by prioritizing hygiene and baby safety this season.
#HolidayParentingTips #BabySafety #Handwashing #HealthyHolidays #FamilyGatherings #ChildHygiene #ParentingTips
Bringing a baby into the world is a joyful, life-changing event, but it can also leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. That’s where a postpartum doula can step in to provide essential support and make your days smoother, calmer, and more manageable.
As a postpartum doula, my role is to help you recover, nourish yourself, and bond with your baby. Here’s how I can support you during the day:
✨ Physical Recovery & Nourishment
Your body needs time to heal after giving birth, and eating nutritious meals is a key part of that process. As your doula, I can prepare healthy meals and snacks throughout the day, ensuring you’re getting the nourishment you need. Think comforting, wholesome food that helps boost your energy and supports breastfeeding. (Not to mention my famous lactation/protein cookie recipe)
Your body needs time to heal after giving birth, and eating nutritious meals is a key part of that process. As your doula, I can prepare healthy meals and snacks throughout the day, ensuring you’re getting the nourishment you need. Think comforting, wholesome food that helps boost your energy and supports breastfeeding. (Not to mention my famous lactation/protein cookie recipe)
✨ Newborn Care Guidance
From feeding and diaper changes to soothing techniques and baby-wearing, I provide hands-on support with your newborn. Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, I’m here to answer any questions and give you the confidence to meet your baby’s needs. Plus, I can help establish gentle routines that work for both you and your baby.
From feeding and diaper changes to soothing techniques and baby-wearing, I provide hands-on support with your newborn. Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, I’m here to answer any questions and give you the confidence to meet your baby’s needs. Plus, I can help establish gentle routines that work for both you and your baby.
✨ Emotional Support & Companionship
The postpartum period is full of highs and lows. Having someone to talk to who understands the emotional challenges can be so reassuring. I’m here to provide a calming presence—to listen, offer advice, or just be a supportive shoulder to lean on when you need it.
The postpartum period is full of highs and lows. Having someone to talk to who understands the emotional challenges can be so reassuring. I’m here to provide a calming presence—to listen, offer advice, or just be a supportive shoulder to lean on when you need it.
✨ Help with Older Siblings
If you’re balancing a newborn and older kids, I can assist with entertaining and caring for your older children. This frees you up to focus on bonding with your newborn and caring for yourself without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re balancing a newborn and older kids, I can assist with entertaining and caring for your older children. This frees you up to focus on bonding with your newborn and caring for yourself without feeling overwhelmed.
✨ Rest & Sleep Support
Sleep is precious, especially in the early days with a newborn. I help you find moments to rest by caring for the baby so you can take a nap, shower, or simply relax. I also offer tips for establishing healthy sleep habits, helping you and your baby get the rest you need.
Sleep is precious, especially in the early days with a newborn. I help you find moments to rest by caring for the baby so you can take a nap, shower, or simply relax. I also offer tips for establishing healthy sleep habits, helping you and your baby get the rest you need.
✨ Meal & Snack Preparation
Good nutrition is vital for recovery and maintaining your energy during the postpartum period. I prepare nutritious meals and snacks tailored to your dietary needs, so you never have to worry about what to eat. Whether it's hearty soups, quick snacks, or meals rich in the nutrients you need for healing, I’ve got you covered!
Good nutrition is vital for recovery and maintaining your energy during the postpartum period. I prepare nutritious meals and snacks tailored to your dietary needs, so you never have to worry about what to eat. Whether it's hearty soups, quick snacks, or meals rich in the nutrients you need for healing, I’ve got you covered!
✨ Creating Calm & Order
The postpartum period can feel chaotic at times. I can assist with light housework, organizing baby items, and creating a calming space for you and your family. I help bring balance and peace to your home, allowing you to focus on what really matters—your recovery and bonding with your baby.
The postpartum period can feel chaotic at times. I can assist with light housework, organizing baby items, and creating a calming space for you and your family. I help bring balance and peace to your home, allowing you to focus on what really matters—your recovery and bonding with your baby.
Remember, postpartum is a time to nurture YOU as much as your baby. Having a postpartum doula by your side can make the journey easier and more peaceful, ensuring you get the rest, nutrition, and support you need to thrive.
How I can help during your first 40 days of postpartum? I offer free 20-minute consultations to chat about your postpartum plan!
#PostpartumSupport #PostpartumDoula #MealPrepForNewMoms #NewMomHelp #PostpartumRecovery #DoulaCare #HealthySnacks #NourishYourself #NewbornSupport #RestAndRecovery #SleepConsultant #LearnWithLynne #Oola
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of good sleep. Quality rest is essential for overall health, improving mood, boosting immunity, and supporting mental resilience. Adequate sleep enhances cognitive function, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation, while insufficient sleep can increase stress, anxiety, and depression.
Good sleep also plays a vital role in physical health, assisting with tissue repair, muscle growth, and hormone regulation. Consistent, restorative sleep lowers the risk of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, and supports a healthy immune system to fend off infections.
In the digital age, technology can impact sleep quality, with blue light from screens disrupting natural sleep-wake cycles. Establishing a bedtime routine, turning off screens an hour before bed, and creating a comfortable, dark, and quiet sleep environment can significantly improve sleep quality. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene is key to enhancing overall health and well-being.
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Discovering the liberating truth that babies don't necessarily require silence to sleep can change the way parents approach nap times, bringing a sense of freedom back into the household. The adaptability of babies to their environments, including the array of sounds they encounter, suggests that occasional noise doesn't disrupt their slumber as much as previously thought. This revelation encourages a more relaxed approach to household activities, removing the need for excessive tip-toeing and whispering.
Understanding that exposure to everyday sounds can actually benefit a baby's sleeping patterns is a game-changer for many parents. It enables infants to become more flexible sleepers, capable of dozing off and remaining asleep amidst various noises, thereby preparing them for a wider range of sleeping situations. Additionally, this acceptance of household noise liberates parents from the unrealistic expectation of maintaining a soundless environment, making daily tasks feel more manageable.
Ultimately, while moderation is key and extremely loud disruptions should still be avoided, knowing that a certain level of noise is acceptable opens up a new world of possibilities for parenting practice. It allows families to carry on with necessary chores and activities without the constant fear of waking the baby. This approach fosters a more relaxed home environment where both babies and their caregivers can thrive, free from the constraints of silence.
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