Health & Wellness

Helpful Tips from your Postpartum Experts

The Health & Wellness category is where you’ll find reflections, insights, and guidance on caring for your body and mind as you grow your family. You’ll read about things like pelvic floor health, stress and anxiety, sleep deprivation, vaccines, and how to choose care providers wisely. The tone is honest — it admits when life feels overwhelming, when recovery is slow, when worry is constant. Your well-being as new parents is front and center here. The point isn’t to be perfect, but to offer support, tools, and a sense that you’re not alone as you try to stay well in the midst of change.

depressed couple looking out window

Postpartum Depression vs. Baby Blues: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve recently given birth, but you aren’t sure if what you’re feeling is Postpartum Depression or just ‘baby blues,’  it's extremely helpful to learn the key differences, common symptoms, and treatment options so you can ask for the right help. To describe the multitude of postpartum feelings would take...
infant circumcision tools on a tray

Newborn Circumcision Explained: Choices, Procedures, and Care

Deciding whether to circumcise your newborn is a deeply personal choice—one that often comes with a mix of cultural, medical, and emotional considerations. Understanding what the procedure involves, the potential benefits and risks, and how to care for your baby afterward can help you make an informed decision with confidence....
baby stork bite

Baby Stork Bites & Birth Marks: Tips for Newborn Skin Care Treatment 

Congratulations, your newest addition has finally arrived and as you count all their fingers and toes, you may notice a few other things as well. Though it may be concerning to new parents, it is incredibly common. Almost 80% of babies are born with some type of birthmark. However, we...
new parents postpartum anxiety

Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms, Treatment, and Caring for Yourself & Your Baby

Not all postpartum distress is depression. Discover how Postpartum Anxiety shows up differently, and how to find relief and reassurance. It is absolutely normal to be nervous when transitioning to being the parent of a newborn. This tiny, helpless creature is totally dependent on you, and everywhere you turn there...
Mom in tan robe sips a cup of coffee while looking out the window and holding her baby

Can Sleep Deprivation Cause Postpartum Depression? What Newborn Parents Should Know

New parents expect sleepless nights, but chronic sleep deprivation is more than exhaustion - it’s a known risk factor for postpartum mood disorders like Postpartum Depression. Postpartum Depression (sometimes called Perinatal Depression or PPD) is a mental health condition that can cause deep, ongoing sadness and loss of interest, affecting...
pink breast cancer awareness ribbon

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection is Key

October is the official month of Breast Cancer awareness. Sometimes called 'Pinktober,' you may be seeing more pink Breast Cancer awareness ribbons this month, as they signal awareness, support and solidarity of those affected by the disease, either by having breast cancer or supporting a loved one What is Breast...
hands holding strawberries over a bowl

Healthy Eating Tips for Pregnancy

Eating for two? Confused by all the guidelines on how to “correctly” eat while pregnant? We feel you. With so many worries ranging from the health of your baby to where to deliver, the last thing you might want to think about is nutrition during pregnancy. Chances are, you have...
essential oils safe for pregnancy on table

Pregnancy-Safe Essential Oils: Natural help for insomnia, nausea and muscle  aches

If you or your partner is pregnant, it can be common to hear about essential oils as an alternative to traditional medicine for conditions such as improving sleep and decreasing headaches. With so many different oils on the market, knowing which to use for what purpose can seem overwhelming. If...
sleep deprived mom and baby sleeping on bed

Sleep Deprivation After Having a Baby: Survival Tips

After nine long months of pregnancy, your baby is finally here! For the first few days, adrenaline and pure excitement are your fuel. At the hospital you’re learning how to breastfeed, healing from birth, and getting to know your little one. Nursing staff is available 24/7 to help you. But...
pregnant woman holding model of pelvis to learn about pelvic floor therapy

How’s Your Pelvis? Pregnancy & Postpartum Pelvic Floor Therapy

How’s Your Pelvis? Maya Lespinasse, PT, DPT is dying to know. Dr. Lespinasse is a Pelvic Floor Therapist and the founder of How’s Your Pelvis?, based in Foxboro, MA who services the greater Boston and Rhode Island areas.  You might be wondering what a Pelvic Floor Therapist does and why...
pregnant woman in prenatal yoga class in atlanta georgia

Prenatal Yoga in Atlanta, GA

Prenatal yoga might feel like one more thing that you keep hearing talked about in all your pregnancy groups or from your Atlanta obgyn, but here’s a reason for that! Prenatal yoga is a specialized form of yoga designed to support people throughout their pregnancy.   And if you’re worried...
Woman caressing her pregnant belly.

What Can Be Done for Seasonal Allergies When You’re Pregnant?

The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and you are...Sneezing. If you’re dealing with seasonal allergies during pregnancy, you’re not alone, and you’re probably wondering what’s safe to take when you’re expecting. At Well Supported Family, we work with families from bump to baby and know how important it...
new mom cooking easy postpartum meal with baby in sling

Easy Meals to Eat While Feeding Your Baby

There are quite a few things that you’ll learn as you go during your parenting journey. One of the first might be that you are hungry all the time! Whether it be because you’re breastfeeding, pumping [a combination of both] or that you’re up at 3 a.m. formula or bottle...
baby with acid reflux

Acid reflux in babies: signs, symptoms and treatment

Have you ever eaten Indian food and 20 minutes later you feel a burning in your upper chest and maybe even your throat? [If you’ve ever been pregnant you might have felt this every time you ate.] That sensation is “heartburn.”Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, which is when...
Pregnant woman doing stretches.

Top Tips for Managing Pregnancy Fatigue

Yawn! Growing a human is a whole lot of work, and pregnancy fatigue is no joke. This very common pregnancy symptom is often described as pure and utter exhaustion. Pregnancy fatigue can hit at any time, but is most common in the first and third trimesters. In early pregnancy, hormonal...
Pregnant woman sitting on bed

Pelvic Floor Therapists in Boston, MA

Are you a pregnant person in Boston, MA, worried about how delivering your baby will affect your postpartum lifestyle? Do you struggle to sneeze without peeing a little, or have trouble emptying your bladder? Maybe you’re worried about tearing during labor or your recovery process. Then finding pelvic floor therapists in...
Mom holds thermometer while babt sleeps ion bed in the background

Preparing for flu season with a newborn

You've lived through fall and winter every year of your life, and you may not have given it much thought. However, when you have a new baby with a developing immune system- every cough, every doorknob, every touch from a stranger just hits differently. You may feel that you should...
Pregnant woman sitting on bed

Getting Enough Sleep During Pregnancy

Quality sleep is crucial for physical and metal wellbeing, especially during pregnancy. As your body undergoes tons of changes, it can become harder and harder to get a good night's rest as your pregnancy progresses. However, adequate sleep is crucial for both you and your baby's health. Let's explore why...
pregnant woman cooking in kitchen with toddler for postpartum meal prep

Freezer Meal Ideas to Cook During Pregnancy

When that nesting instinct kicks in, put it to great use! Preparing freezer meals during pregnancy is a wonderful gift to your future postpartum self. Freezer meals are an excellent solution to ensure you have nutritious and ready-to-eat options during the busy postpartum period. Here are some fantastic freezer meal...
happy couple with positive pregnancy test in boston

Finding Fertility Support in Boston, MA

When is the right time to start a family? Do I want children on my own? How long will it take to get pregnant? These are just a few questions that are considered when deciding on when, and if to conceive. What no one tells you is that there can...
woman in first trimester of pregnancy holding pregnancy test

Dealing with Morning Sickness in the First Trimester

The term "morning sickness" is a gross oversimplification. The truth is, up to 70% of people in their first trimester experience nausea and vomiting, and it can happen any time of night or day. For most pregnant people, it begins around the 6th week of pregnancy and typically improves by...
manhattan night nurse caring for newborn

How to Find Your Perfect Night Nurse in Manhattan

Nighttime support is a game-changer for new parents. These skilled professionals provide overnight care for your newborn, allowing you to get much-needed rest during those challenging early weeks and months. If you're looking for a NYC baby night nurse in Manhattan, here's what you need to know. Understanding Night Nurse...
woman managing stress in pregnancy with meditation

Managing Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy

Growing a human is a lot of work! Pregnancy brings not just physical, but mental and emotional challenges too. Having a baby is an exciting but like any of life's major changes, it comes with stress and challenges, too. Managing stress and anxiety during pregnancy is key to you, your...
woman in prenatal yoga class in miami florida

Prenatal Yoga in Miami FL

What is prenatal yoga and why should you take it? Let’s face it, pregnancy can be tiring. So why add one more thing to your to-do list when there are cribs to be built and baby showers to plan?    Prenatal yoga is a flexible approach to exercise during pregnancy that...
pediatrician with new mom and baby

How to Choose the Right Pediatrician

A pediatrician plays a crucial role in providing medical care, guidance, and support for your child from birth through adolescence. Choosing a pediatrician for your child is a big decision. Who you choose to be your child's doctor can have a significant impact on your little one's well-being. But your...
Postpartum Doula washes hands in kitchen sink

6 Ways to Boost Your Family’s Immunity

We’re deep into respiratory season, and parents are totally over it. Between the flu, RSV, Covid, and rhinoviruses, there are seemingly bugs hiding around every corner! Babies and toddlers love to touch everything, and they’re experts at bringing viruses home to the whole family. This year many parents are asking,...
Mom hold plank while baby does tummy time next to her

Postpartum Exercise: What to Know about Exercising after Birth

No matter how your pregnancy and birth unfolded, one thing's for certain: your postpartum body will feel different! Some women are hit with a tough recovery, while others land more gently into new motherhood. No one adjusts to life with a new baby on the same timeline. Mentally, emotionally, and...
Mom works out on yoga mat with baby sitting on her stomach

Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions for New Parents

The last two years have been hard. Parenting was already difficult before COVID, and the pandemic has made it an even more challenging and isolating experience. New Year’s resolutions of the past like “drop the baby off at the gym daycare four times a week and work out” are laughable...
Mom holds breast while baby breastfeeds in the football hold

Breast Cancer and Breastfeeding

The decision to breastfeed can be difficult, and sometimes it's not a decision at all. Parents who adopt, use surrogates, are separated from their baby, or have certain medical issues are not physically able to breastfeed. Most of the times, when talking about the benefits of breastfeeding, the focus is...
Woman sits on bed sadly

Signs of Miscarriage: How to Cope

If you’re reading this while experiencing potential signs of miscarriage, first take a long, slow breath. Not knowing how to cope with the physical and emotional pain of threatened miscarriage is completely valid. The best gift to give yourself is to stay in the present: try not to think too...
Newborn sleeping in carseat.

Buckle Up For Safety

Buckle Up for Safety Written by Laurel Segal, The Seagull Nest, CPST Child Passenger Safety Month With September being National Child Passenger Safety Month, I am given the opportunity to address the importance of vehicle related safety. Naturally everyone wants to keep their children safe in vehicles and I hope...
Father carries one child over shoulder while cradling newborn in other arm

Postpartum Depression Affects Fathers, Too

Depression is a serious mental illness that affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts. People with depression can experience feelings of persistent sadness, numbness, irritability, or hopelessness.  Some people are more prone to depressive episodes than others, based on genetic factors. But this disease does not discriminate: anyone can...
Postpartum Doula dresses baby in goose outfit on changing table

Dressing a Newborn for Spring Weather

At Well Supported Family home base, we live in New England. And New England has fun things called seasons. Spring officially starts in March but let’s face it, it doesn’t feel like spring until May! The weather in spring on any given day could be in the 30s or in...
Coffee, journal and glasses sit on bed

Making your Work from Home Sanctuary

When you’re working from home with kids, chaos can seem like it’s par for the course. Frequent interruptions, folding laundry on work calls, and distracting background noise can make any kind of productivity feel impossible. Read on for tips on how to make your work from home space a sanctuary,...
Two moms holding two babies each both shush a crying baby

Make a Mom Friend

Did you know that Feb 11th is Make a Friend Day? Let's learn together how to make a mom friend! I work with a lot of parents, mostly with moms. I also have been a mom for 6 years and thus, have six years of first hand experience with other...
Pregnant women stand in a workout class

Working Out During Pregnancy

Hey girl, I get it. You’re tired, you’re hungry, you’re uncomfortable, possibly nauseous and you’re inevitably going to be gaining weight for the foreseeable future. Why bother working out during pregnancy? Why not just start back up after the baby comes? Many women feel this way; however, staying sedentary during...
Postpartum underwear and peri bottle sit on top of a toilet

A-Z Guide for Postpartum Wellness

It takes nine months to grow a baby and prepare for birth. You’ve researched pediatricians, strollers and asked your provider dozens of questions about your pregnancy. Soon your baby will be here and planning for your "fourth trimester" is essential to postpartum recovery. This A-Z Guide for postpartum recovery includes...
Mom works out on yoga mat with baby sitting on her stomach

What are the benefits of prenatal yoga?

Quite a few, actually. Your body is generally more supported As noted in this article: "Our bodies are always changing," says Jane Austin, a pre- and postnatal yoga teacher based in San Francisco and the founder of prenatal yoga school Mama Tree. But in pregnancy the body experiences "an accelerated pace of...
Couple cuddling in bed

How much sex should you be having after having a baby? (A honest discussion.)

People don't bring up this topic enough -- and it's actually really important to couples and relationships. Not discussing it just causes problems. So, let's discuss it! First up: best practice is to wait six weeks after having a baby, although many doctors say "set your own timeline." OK, so let's say...
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Helpful tips from your team at Well Supported Family.

Expert postpartum and newborn advice you can trust.

Since 2016, Well Supported Family has provided newborn care to thousands of families. Our team of certified Postpartum Doulas and Newborn Care Specialists offer daytime, overnight, and 24/7 in-home support across 12 U.S. states. Whether you're recovering from birth, establishing feeding routines, or just trying to get more sleep, we're here to help—one family at a time.

Want to explore in-home care for your new family? Reach out today.