New Parent Harmony-Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor & Sleep Consultant

09/18/2026

I’ve been working on something behind the scenes for quite a while, and I’m finally ready to share it. ❤️

The New Parent Harmony website has had a pretty big makeover — but more importantly, it now includes something I’ve wanted to create for a long time: the **New Parent Harmony Community Collective**.

Before New Parent Harmony ever existed, my background was in childhood studies and social services. I’ve now spent 27 years working with children and families, and over those years one thing has become very clear: having support after having a baby can make an enormous difference, but accessing that support isn’t always easy.

I love the work I do through New Parent Harmony and will absolutely continue providing postpartum, feeding and sleep support to families through my regular services. But I also wanted to create another avenue — one that could grow alongside the business and help make support, education and community more accessible to more families.

That’s where the Community Collective comes in.

The hope is to build the Collective through grants, sponsorships, fundraising and community partnerships so that, over time, it can help subsidize care, offer free or reduced-cost support where funding allows, and provide community events, educational workshops and opportunities for parents to connect.

And we’re already getting started! ❤️

This is very much the beginning. I have lots of ideas for where the Collective could go, but I also want it to grow organically based on what families in our community actually want and need.

If you’re a local business, provider or organization interested in getting involved, sponsoring an initiative, offering your time or expertise, or collaborating on an event, I would absolutely love to hear from you.

After what feels like approximately 4,726 website edits and a ridiculous number of “final” changes that were absolutely not final… it’s finally ready. I think😂

So please take a look around! And if you’d like to help me get the word out, **like, comment or share this post**. Tag a parent, provider, local business or organization that you think should know about the Collective, and help me start building this little idea into something really special for our community. ❤️

Welcome to the next chapter of New Parent Harmony.

Postpartum doula care, lactation support, and infant sleep help for Montgomery County, MD and surrounding areas—start with a free discovery call.

09/10/2026

⭐Don't Underestimate the Power of a Walk❤️

Today I had the pleasure of attending a Sixx Cool Moms networking event. The morning was filled with lively and buzzing conversations; great connections being made among a group of inspiring and courageous women.

Once I had left the event, I felt I had reached my stimulation limit for the day. However, I knew I had a busy afternoon ahead. I have to call clients to check in, I need to reconcile my bookkeeping records, and I also need to continue choreographing my 80s contemporary dance routine for Mom-entum Dance Troupe.

I had originally planned to Uber home from the event, (Ryan has the truck today) but instead opted to metro to the closest stop to my house, then make the hour walk home. I'm certainly glad that I did.😊

There's something to be said for walking and just getting ourselves out in nature. In the crazy busy world that we are in, it is very easy to become overstimulated and burnt out. Self-care isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. So, today I walked. I even sat on a quiet bench for a few minutes just to take in my surroundings and reset my nervous system.

Although the walk took an hour out of my day and the humidity hit my curls with full force, I do now feel refueled and ready to tackle the rest of my afternoon.🎉

So if you're feeling tapped out, or need a break, just go for a walk. You can thank me later.😉

Note to self "Guess" sneakers are not suitable for walking.😒

09/08/2026

Postpartum and Perimenopause: When Hormones Turn the Volume Up

There’s something slightly humbling about spending years encouraging new parents to eat well, drink enough water, rest when they can, get outside, move their bodies gently, accept help and give themselves some grace… only to reach a stage of life where you realize:

Oh. Apparently, I need to take my own advice. 🤣

This past week has been one of those weeks for me.

I was off work last week but I’d felt tired. Emotional. Overwhelmed by things I would normally handle without giving them much thought. My motivation disappeared somewhere between the laundry pile and my morning coffee. At times, my brain has felt like it has approximately 47 tabs open — and I can’t find which one is playing the music.

And as someone currently navigating perimenopause, it struck me how strangely familiar some of these feelings are.

Because I’ve been here before.

I’ve experienced the enormous hormonal transition of postpartum twice myself. And professionally, I’ve spent years supporting families through those early weeks and months after birth.

Now I’m experiencing another major hormonal transition — from the other side of motherhood.

And there are more similarities between postpartum and perimenopause than many women realize.

Two Very Different Life Stages — With Some Familiar Hormonal Chaos

Postpartum and perimenopause aren’t the same thing, of course. But both involve significant changes in reproductive hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone.

Immediately after birth, estrogen and progesterone levels fall dramatically as the placenta is delivered. In the days and weeks that follow, the body begins another complicated adjustment — one that can also be influenced by breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, physical recovery and the enormous psychological transition into caring for a baby.

Perimenopause happens much more gradually, typically over several years as the ovaries begin transitioning toward menopause. But “gradually” doesn’t necessarily mean smoothly.

Hormone levels can fluctuate considerably.

Estrogen may rise and fall unpredictably. Progesterone often becomes less consistent as ovulation becomes less regular. Sleep can change. Periods can change. Temperature regulation can change.

And for some women, so can mood.

Anxiety, irritability, low mood, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and disrupted sleep can all occur during the menopausal transition.

Reading that list as a postpartum professional feels remarkably familiar.

The Hormones Aren’t the Whole Story

Something I regularly remind my postpartum clients is that we can’t look at hormones in isolation.

Imagine you’ve recently had a baby.

Your hormones are changing. You’re recovering physically. You’re waking repeatedly during the night. You may be breastfeeding or pumping. You’re forgetting meals because somebody always needs something. You’re probably drinking cold coffee. Exercise and fresh air may have disappeared from your routine.

Then we wonder why you don’t feel like yourself.

Perimenopause can create a surprisingly similar perfect storm.

For many of us, it also arrives during an incredibly demanding stage of life.

We’re raising children or teenagers. Managing households. Working. Supporting partners. Caring for aging parents. Running businesses. Coordinating calendars. Driving everyone everywhere.

And somewhere in the middle of all of that, our own bodies start asking for more attention.

Mine certainly has.

This Past Week, I Had to Practice What I Preach

This is where I’m going to be vulnerable.

I’ve had periods recently where I haven’t felt quite like myself emotionally.

There have been days when I’ve felt more anxious, flat, tired or overwhelmed than usual. Things that normally roll off my back have occasionally felt enormous. My motivation hasn’t always been there.

And my instinct was to figure out what was “wrong.”

Was it hormones? Was it my HRT? Was I exhausted? Was I stressed? Did something need changing?

Probably the most useful realization, though, was much simpler.

Before trying to fix everything, I needed to start supporting my body properly again.

And that’s when I realized I had become spectacularly bad at following some of the advice I’ve given families for years.

Eat regularly.

Prioritize protein and nourishing foods.

Drink water.

Get outside.

Move your body.

Protect your sleep.

Rest without feeling that you have to earn it.

Stop expecting your body to operate beautifully while continually running it on empty.

Apparently, postpartum doulas are not exempt from this advice.

Who knew?🤣

Never Underestimate the Power of a Walk

One of the easiest things I’ve started reminding myself to do is walk.

Not a 10,000-step challenge.

Not a punishing workout.

Not an hour at the gym.

Sometimes it’s simply getting outside and walking for ten or fifteen minutes.

Physical activity has well-established benefits for mental health, sleep and overall health, and it doesn’t have to be intense to count. Walking gives me a change of scenery, gets me away from the never-ending visual to-do list inside my house and gives my brain somewhere else to go for a little while.

This is something I’ve encouraged postpartum parents to do countless times when they’re medically ready: put the baby in the stroller, step outside and walk to the end of the street. Sit on the porch. Feel daylight on your face. You don’t have to “work out.”

Movement doesn’t have to be punishment.

Sometimes it is simply care.

And I’m learning that lesson again myself.

Nutrition Matters More Than We Sometimes Want It To

The same applies to food.

When we’re overwhelmed, exhausted or busy, proper meals are often one of the first things to disappear.

But our brains and bodies still require fuel.

During postpartum recovery, nutrition supports healing and the enormous physical demands placed on the body. During midlife, good nutrition remains important for cardiovascular health, muscle mass, bone health and metabolic health — all areas that become increasingly important as estrogen levels change.

I’m not interested in restrictive diets or telling women that every hormonal symptom can be cured by eating a salad.

It can’t.

Sometimes medical treatment is appropriate. Sometimes HRT is appropriate. Sometimes mental-health support is needed. Sometimes bloodwork or further investigation is warranted.

But nutrition, movement, sleep and stress management aren’t meaningless just because they aren’t a cure-all.

They’re part of the foundation.

And I realized recently that my own foundation needed some attention.

Rest Is Not Something We Have to Earn

This may be the hardest one.

I tell postpartum parents all the time that recovery is productive.

Your body doesn’t need to earn rest by finishing the laundry first.

Yet somewhere along the way, I stopped extending that same kindness to myself.

There is always something else that could be done.

Another email.

Another load of washing.

Something for the kids.

Something for the house.

Something for work.

Perimenopause has forced me to recognize that pushing harder isn’t always the answer.

Sometimes my body isn’t asking me to become more efficient.

It’s asking me to stop.

Why This Has Changed the Way I Think About Postpartum Support

Going through this hasn’t made me less capable of supporting my clients.

If anything, it has deepened my understanding of what I’m asking them to do.

I’ve personally experienced postpartum twice. I’ve spent more than two decades working with babies, children and families, and I’ve supported parents professionally through postpartum recovery, feeding challenges, sleep deprivation and the enormous adjustment that happens after a baby arrives.

But perimenopause has given me another perspective.

I understand even more clearly what it feels like when your emotions don’t necessarily match your circumstances.

When logically you know you’re okay, but your nervous system hasn’t received the memo.

When you’re tired but your brain won’t switch off.

When something tiny suddenly feels huge.

When you desperately want to feel like yourself again.

And I’ve been reminded that telling someone to “take care of yourself” isn’t particularly helpful unless we help make that care realistic.

Sometimes self-care isn’t a spa day.

It’s eating breakfast.

It’s drinking the water.

It’s asking someone else to handle dinner.

It’s going to bed instead of folding the laundry.

It’s walking around the block.

It’s making the doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off.

It’s telling somebody, “I’m not feeling like myself right now.”

We Need to Talk About These Transitions More

Postpartum conversations have improved enormously over the years, although we still have a long way to go.

I think perimenopause deserves the same openness.

Neither stage should require women to quietly white-knuckle their way through symptoms because we’re told they’re simply “hormones.”

Hormones can absolutely influence how we feel.

But struggling emotionally should never automatically be dismissed as hormonal, either. Persistent anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts or feeling unable to cope deserves support at any stage of life — postpartum, perimenopause or otherwise.

There is no medal for suffering quietly.

So this week, I’m going back to basics. And I am digging it 🥰

I’m paying more attention to what I’m eating.

I’m moving my body again without demanding that every workout “count.”

I’m getting outside.

I’m paying attention to sleep.

I’m allowing myself to rest.

I’m continuing to pay attention to my hormones and how I’m feeling, and I’ll seek professional support when I need it.

Most importantly, I’m trying to extend myself some of the same compassion I’ve spent years giving other women.

Because perhaps that’s the biggest connection I’ve found between postpartum and perimenopause.

Both are transitions.

Both can leave you wondering where the version of yourself you recognize has gone.

And both deserve care rather than judgment.

I’ve spent years reminding new mothers that their needs don’t disappear simply because everybody else needs something from them.

It turns out that lesson doesn’t stop being true when your babies aren’t babies anymore.

Sometimes the caregiver needs caring for too.🥰

And sometimes taking care of yourself starts with something as wonderfully unremarkable as putting on your shoes, stepping outside and taking a walk around the block.

Right now, that’s exactly where I’m starting.

Picture AI generated. I do not look this good in bed 🤣

08/25/2026

Back to School Is a Transition for Parents, Too

The backpacks are packed, lunches are made, and just like that, another summer is behind us.

Today is back-to-school day here in Montgomery County, while families across the country are either already back or preparing to follow soon.

For our children, this means new teachers, classrooms, expectations, friendships and routines. But there’s another side of the back-to-school transition we don’t talk about nearly as much:

It’s a transition for parents, too.

Whatever You’re Feeling Is Okay

Back-to-school emotions look different for every parent.

If you’ve spent the summer working from home with children underfoot, you might have been counting down the days. If you’re a stay-at-home parent, the suddenly quiet house may feel strange. If you work outside the home, you may welcome the return of routine while wondering how you’ll fit homework, activities, dinner and bedtime into those precious evening hours.

And sometimes we feel several things at once.

We can be ready for our children to go back and miss them when they do. We can enjoy having our routine back while feeling a little sad that another summer—and another stage of childhood—has passed.

Give yourself some grace with that.

Our Children Are Adjusting Too

Even children who are excited about school can struggle during the first few weeks.

You may see more meltdowns, tiredness, clinginess or irritability. Your normally chatty child might not want to talk. Your teenager may disappear into their room.

School requires children to manage an enormous amount of stimulation, learning, social interaction and emotional regulation. Sometimes they simply need to come home and decompress.

A snack, some outside time, quiet, music or a cuddle on the couch may be more helpful than immediately asking twenty questions about their day.

Finding Your New Rhythm

Don’t expect your school-year routine to be running perfectly by the end of the first week.

Start with a few basics: consistent sleep, preparing bags and clothes the night before, easy breakfasts and snacks, and some downtime after school.

Most importantly, don’t try to fix everything at once.

If mornings are chaotic, change one thing. If everyone is exhausted, leave some space in the weekend. If dinner is cereal one night because you’ve all reached your limit, everyone has still been fed.

Your family will find its rhythm.

Back to School Also Means a Change of Season

Back to school arrives just as summer begins making way for fall.

The days gradually become shorter, evenings get darker and calendars start filling with homework, sports, activities and school events. Before we know it, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the holidays will be here.

It can feel as though someone suddenly pressed fast-forward.

Try not to fill every available space. Keep getting outside, take walks, eat dinner outdoors while you still can and allow some weekends to simply be weekends.

Nature doesn’t change seasons overnight, and neither do families.

Give It Time

In a few weeks, the backpacks will have found their usual dumping ground. You’ll know which mornings require a little more time, and the routine that feels unfamiliar today will start feeling completely normal.

Until then, keep things simple.

Prioritize sleep. Make space for downtime. Connect before questioning. Ask for help when you need it.

And remember that you’re adjusting too.

Give your children some grace—and don’t forget to save some for yourself.

Here’s to a new school year, changing seasons, forgotten water bottles, messy mornings and exciting new beginnings.

New Parent Harmony
Supporting families through the many transitions of parenthood.

08/11/2026

Testimony Tuesday 🥰

07/28/2026

I spend a lot of time talking to my postpartum clients and my MOM-entum Dance Troupe ladies about self-care. I encourage them to slow down, listen to their bodies, ask for help, and remember that they matter too.

But this summer, if I’m being truthful, I haven’t followed my own advice.

Between the girls’ activities, vacations, work, running a business, household jobs, and the endless mental checklist that comes with being a mum, my own self-care has quietly slipped to the bottom of the list. I know I’m not alone in that.

The problem is that we often think self-care is something we’ll get to once everything else is done. But as mothers, everything else is never done.

It’s the old saying: you can’t pour from an empty cup.

When we keep giving without taking time to refill ourselves, we become exhausted, overwhelmed, short-tempered, and eventually burned out. Looking after ourselves isn’t selfish—it’s what allows us to keep showing up for the people who need us most.

So this is my reminder to myself, and maybe to you too.

This week I’m making self-care a priority again, even if it’s just in small ways:

* Going for a walk without feeling guilty.
* Dancing because it brings me joy, not because I’m teaching.
* Reading a few pages of a book.
* Having a coffee with a friend.
* Saying no to one more thing on the to-do list.
* Getting to bed a little earlier.
* Taking a few quiet minutes just to breathe.

None of these things are extravagant, but together they refill the cup.

If you’re feeling stretched thin this summer, know that you’re not failing. You’re probably just overdue for a little care yourself.

Let’s stop waiting until we’re running on empty. We deserve the same kindness, compassion, and care that we so freely give to everyone else.

Photo of me and my next read! Bonus: It was written by a New Parent Harmony family Mom. Congratulations Allison. Can’t wait to read 🥰

07/17/2026

One of the questions I hear most often during prenatal visits is, *"How do we choose the right pediatrician?"* 💛

Recently, a first-time family I was supporting asked for a recommendation. I happily shared the pediatric practice my own daughters have been attending for the past 14 years. As both a mom and a postpartum doula, I know just how valuable it is to have a healthcare team you truly trust.

A few weeks later, they told me how grateful they were for their choice. Like many new parents, they had plenty of questions during those first few weeks. They'd called after hours with concerns and were met with kindness, reassurance, and encouragement every single time. They never felt like they were "overreacting"—they simply felt heard.

If you're expecting, here are a few things to consider when choosing a pediatrician:

🤍 Is the office close to home?
🤍 What happens if you have concerns after hours?
🤍 Is it a solo pediatrician or a group practice?
🤍 How easy is it to get same-day sick appointments?
🤍 Do they separate sick visits from well-child visits?
🤍 Most importantly... do you feel listened to?

There's no single "right" answer. Some families love seeing the same pediatrician every visit, while others prefer a larger practice with greater availability. What matters most is finding a team that makes you feel supported and confident as you navigate parenthood.

Your pediatrician isn't just there for your baby's health—they're there to support *you* too. During those early weeks, a reassuring voice and a practice that welcomes your questions can make all the difference.

If you're currently expecting, don't be afraid to ask friends, family, your OB, or your doula for recommendations. Finding the right fit is one more way to set yourself up for a positive start to your parenting journey. ❤️

Have you found a pediatrician you love? What made you choose them? Share your experience below—I know it will help another family.

06/30/2026

Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding Is More Than Feeding: Supporting the Whole Parent

When people think about breastfeeding or chestfeeding, they often picture a baby latching and drinking milk. But feeding your baby this way is so much more than that.

Behind every feed is a parent who is healing from birth, adjusting to an entirely new identity, navigating hormonal changes, often running on very little sleep, and trying to meet the needs of a tiny human who depends on them for everything.

It's no wonder that breastfeeding or chestfeeding can feel overwhelming.

As a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and postpartum doula, one of the biggest things I want families to know is this:

**Feeding your baby at the breast or chest isn't just about the feeding itself. It's about supporting the whole person.**

# # The Emotional Weight of Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding

There is so much pressure placed on new parents.

You may feel pressure from social media, family, healthcare professionals, or even yourself to exclusively breastfeed or chestfeed. When things don't go as planned—whether that's latch difficulties, low milk supply, tongue tie concerns, pain, pumping around the clock, or needing to supplement with formula—it can leave parents feeling disappointed, guilty, or as though they have somehow failed.

Those feelings are incredibly common.

Feeding at the breast or chest is often portrayed as something that should come naturally, but for many families it takes time, patience, support, and sometimes a completely different feeding plan than originally imagined.

Your worth as a parent has never been measured in ounces.

# # Your Body Needs Fuel

Producing milk requires energy.

In fact, lactating parents generally need **around an additional 500 calories each day** to support milk production.

Many new parents become so focused on caring for their baby that they forget to care for themselves. Meals become rushed, breakfast is skipped, water bottles remain untouched, and suddenly it's mid-afternoon before they've eaten anything substantial.

Your body cannot pour from an empty cup.

Good nutrition isn't about eating perfectly—it's about consistently nourishing your body with enough calories, protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fluids to support both healing and milk production.

Simple snacks, easy-to-reach meals, and staying hydrated can make a meaningful difference during those early weeks.

# # Sleep Matters More Than You Think

One of the hardest parts of early parenthood is the relentless sleep deprivation.

While newborn feeding patterns often mean broken nights are unavoidable, chronic exhaustion places enormous stress on the body.

When you're exhausted, everything feels harder.

Decision-making becomes more difficult. Emotions feel bigger. Patience wears thin. Recovery slows. Anxiety can increase. And feeding your baby may begin to feel like an impossible task.

Although there isn't a magic amount of sleep that guarantees a healthy milk supply, prioritizing rest whenever possible supports both physical recovery and emotional wellbeing.

This is one of the reasons I often encourage parents to rest when their baby rests, accept help when it's offered, and let someone else take care of the laundry or dishes while they focus on healing.

# # Stress Can Affect the Feeding Experience

Stress doesn't automatically make your milk disappear.

However, high levels of stress can interfere with the release of oxytocin—the hormone responsible for the milk let-down reflex.

Many parents notice that when they're anxious, overwhelmed, or feeling pressured, their milk doesn't seem to flow as easily. The baby may become frustrated, which increases the parent's stress, creating a cycle that's difficult to break.

A tense parent often has a tense baby.

Babies are remarkably sensitive to the emotional environment around them. If feeding becomes associated with frustration, anxiety, or tears, both parent and baby can begin approaching each feed with apprehension.

Sometimes, slowing everything down is just as important as adjusting positioning or improving latch.

Taking a few deep breaths, creating a calm feeding environment, having someone bring you a snack and a drink, or simply hearing that you're doing a good job can make an enormous difference.

# # My Approach to Lactation Support

My approach to lactation consultations is built on one simple belief:

**There is no judgment here.**

Before becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor, I had my own feeding journey—and it wasn't the experience I had imagined.

Like many parents, I faced challenges that left me questioning myself and wondering if I was doing enough.

Those experiences shaped the way I now support families.

I know what it feels like when feeding doesn't go according to plan.

I know how emotional feeding decisions can become.

And I know that every family deserves compassionate support, regardless of how they choose to feed their baby.

Whether you are:

* Exclusively breastfeeding or chestfeeding
* Pumping
* Combination feeding with human milk and formula
* Transitioning to formula
* Or simply trying to figure out what works best for your family

You will receive the same support, encouragement, and respect.

My role isn't to judge your choices.

My role is to help you make informed decisions that support both your baby's wellbeing **and your own.**

# # Looking at the Bigger Picture

When I visit families for a lactation consultation, I'm not just watching a baby latch.

I'm looking at the whole picture.

How are you sleeping?

Are you eating enough?

Are you drinking enough water?

How are you feeling emotionally?

Do you have support at home?

Is anxiety making feeding more difficult?

Is your recovery after birth affecting your confidence?

Sometimes the feeding challenge isn't just the feeding itself.

Sometimes it's exhaustion.

Sometimes it's isolation.

Sometimes it's poor nutrition.

Sometimes it's anxiety.

Sometimes it's simply that a new parent hasn't had anyone ask, "How are *you* doing?"

Because when we support the parent, we support the feeding relationship too.

# # There Is No One Right Way to Feed Your Baby

Every family's journey is different.

For some, breastfeeding or chestfeeding comes easily.

For others, it requires every ounce of determination they have.

And for some families, formula or combination feeding becomes the healthiest choice for everyone involved.

A well-fed baby and a supported parent are not competing goals.

They go hand in hand.

If you're struggling with breastfeeding or chestfeeding, please know that you don't have to navigate it alone. Sometimes a few practical adjustments, emotional support, reassurance, and a fresh perspective are all that's needed to make feeding feel manageable again.

And whatever your feeding journey looks like, you deserve to feel supported—not judged.

06/12/2026

When I was pregnant, I spent months preparing for birth.

I read the books, packed the hospital bag, learned about feeding and newborn care, and worried about getting through those sleepless nights.

What nobody prepared me for was watching that tiny baby grow into a middle school graduate.

Somewhere between first steps, school drop-offs, dance classes, forgotten lunches, family vacations, and countless ordinary days, the years flew by.

Now we're celebrating a middle school graduation and realizing that in just four short years she'll likely be heading off to college or whatever adventure comes next.

People always say, "The days are long, but the years are short." As a new parent, I understood the first part. Now I'm really starting to understand the second.

So here's your reminder to soak up the season you're in. Not because every moment is magical (it definitely isn't!), but because even the messy, chaotic, exhausting phases don't last forever.

Take the photo. Go on the walk. Put down the to-do list once in a while. Sit in the sunshine. Make the memory.

One day you'll look up and wonder where the time went. ❤️