For some of us, it’s frankly hard to know where to even begin on the topic being willing to ask for and receive help. This is a big theme in my own life, as like so many midwives I’m a helper by trade and personality; a great deal of my career has been spent encouraging mothers to ask for and receive support, and teaching them that it also gifts the giver. And then the time came for me to accept some help.

In an impersonalized health care system, the professional doula has become a tremendous asset for modern birth in any setting. Doulas are experienced, trained, sensitive, labor-support privately hired by families to be with them during the labor and birth of their babies. They provide continuity of care, share knowledge of the normal process of labor and birth, and use their experience to ease the mother/baby’s birth process.

Through the winter holidays, it's fairly common for breastfeeding mamas to call with a whole string of nursing concerns because they feel their milk supply has gone down. Temporary circumstances can lead to a minor and temporary dip in milk supply. Here are some basics that can guide you to sorting out what might be going on in your case.