Night view of the New York City skyline with lit buildings and the Empire State Building in the distance. The water in the foreground reflects the city lights. The text 'nyc' is overlaid on the image.

Scenic coastal view of Oahu, Hawaii, showing green mountains, blue ocean, sandy beaches, and palm trees under a partly cloudy sky.

A lighthouse on a rocky coastline with waves crashing against the rocks, under a clear sky, with the words 'hide island' overlaid.

Scenic view of houses along a river with fall foliage and trees. The word 'connecticut' is overlaid in large blue letters.

Three people, two women and a man, are gathered in a room with large windows. One woman is sitting on a surface and leaning forward, while the second woman is placing a hand on her back, and the man is gently touching her shoulder and leaning close t

A newborn baby being delivered in a sterile medical environment, with the word 'birth.' overlayed on the image.

Pregnant woman wearing a beige sweater and gray pants, touching her belly with both hands, with the word "pregnancy." overlaid on the image.

Close-up of a pregnant woman's belly with a newborn baby's hand resting on it. The overlay text says "post partum."

Kitchen countertop with kitchen utensils, a paper towel roll, a teapot, cookware on a stove, and wooden cabinets and shelves with cups, mugs, and glasses.

A baby lying on a soft, fluffy blanket, wearing a white bow headband and a white onesie, with the words 'infant care.' overlaid.

Eli Holmes 4/15/25 Eli Holmes 4/15/25

Favorite Breastfeeding Foods: Chickpea-Filled Snacks

Chickpeas are high in estrogen and saponins—both are considered Galactagogues and help improve breastmilk production. Aside from that, they’re high in protein and nutrient-dense dense aiding in postpartum digestion and nutrition.

Cold Chickpea-Cucumber Salad

One of my easiest snacks that I love is a can of chickpeas, a diced cucumber, and a sprinkle of Tony Chachere’s. You could easily use other spice combinations: chili oil, turmeric and paprika, salt, and pepper. Whatever your heart fancies. Cucumbers are a great food for hydration, since they’re mostly water. Using chickpeas and cucumbers as the base for this snack is my jam, then I tweak what I put in when I meal prep for a few days giving me some variety.

I like to add diced red cabbage for extra nutrients and crunch. You could also do fresh or roasted red peppers instead, or tomatoes with basil and parsley. This is an easy snack to get creative with and have different variations of in those early postpartum days.

Roasted Spicy Chickpeas

Another easily modified recipe that makes it into my week almost every week are spicy roasted chickpeas. An easy one to use in a rice bowl or over a salad, or just by itself in a bowl—I love these little guys. I sprinkle more Tony Chachere’s or some chili oil, toss, and place on a pan and roast for 20-30 minutes at 425 in a preheated oven.

Again, an easily modified recipe, you could do these with just olive oil and salt, or with any spice combination your heart desires. I love to make a few cans of these and top my eggs with them in the morning or throw on a salad or a rice bowl for lunch.

Fried Chickpeas and Kale

One of my favorite morning recipes, I love adding this to a side of fried eggs for a quick, fresh breakfast. With a splash of chili oil and a sprinkle of salt, fry some chickpeas on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Add in a hefty handful of kale and mix until the kale is coated in oil. Let fry for another 5-7 minutes and serve with fried eggs and a slice of sourdough toast.

Chickpea Chocolate Mousse

I LOVE a good mousse, especially out of a glass jar in the bath tub with bubbles going. It’s one of my favorite ways to give myself a little luxury. The fact that this recipe includes dates is a huge bonus for me too. I like to add different toppings as well—crushed pumpkin seeds, blueberries, strawberries, what have you. I’m a big fan of using old baby food jars to set these mousses.

1-15 ounce can chickpeas (don’t drain)
about 20 pitted-dates
1 1/4 ounces unsweetened cocoa powder (1/3 cup packed)
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt*
2 tablespoons unsweetened full fat coconut milk

Add all ingredients to a blender, and bled on the highest speed until velvet smooth, and warm to the touch. This usually takes about four minutes. You’ll add the milk slowly by the teaspoon to get to the desired consistency.
Get out those used baby food jars or small mason jars and add the mousse to the jars. Place in the fridge for at least 3 hours, if not overnight.
Add toppings—think crushed nuts and seeds or fresh berries— and serve.

Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my favorite things postpartum is a sweet treat. We’re hardwired to crave sweets postpartum, and having something that we can snack on and not feel guilty about is key. With the dark chocolate chips and peanut butter, this is a great option as a late night snack—the two ingredients contain magnesium and tryptophan ensuring a good nights rest.

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup salted natural nut butter
2 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or 6 dates
1/3 cup oats
1 tablespoon full fat coconut milk or oat milk
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Optional: 1/4 Cup dried cranberries, dried blueberries, or minced dates…

Preheat oven to 325 F.
Set aside chocolate chips (and dried fruit if using), and blend the remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor until batter is smooth. If the batter seems dry, add a splash of oatmilk or full fat coconut milk.
Transfer batter into a mixing bowl and fold in chocolate chips, and dried fruit if using.
Scoop out dough to form small balls about a half inch thick. Each ball should be about 2 Tbsp of dough.
Bake until golden brown or 15-20 min.

Eli Holmes 4/14/25 Eli Holmes 4/14/25

Postpartum Doula: What do we offer?

As a postpartum doula I think much of our job is a mystery to the outside world. We’re here to support families in whatever way we can and that often looks different client to client.

As a postpartum doula, services can look very different depending on the family’s needs. For some families I might be very hands on, and invested in the overnight care of a child while supporting the family for success the next day, while for others I may only stop in a few times a month to do laundry, or cook a few meals. The services provided by a postpartum doula are really guided by the needs of a family—and as we all know that isn’t always the same.

What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?

A postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to families in the first weeks or months after childbirth. While birth doulas assist during labor and delivery, postpartum doulas step in once the baby is born, offering guidance and hands-on help during a period of major transition and healing.

Emotional and Mental Support
One of the most important roles of a postpartum doula is to support the emotional well-being of the new parent(s). The postpartum period can be overwhelming, exhausting, and even isolating. A doula offers a calm, nonjudgmental presence, someone to talk to about birth experiences, the rollercoaster of emotions, or the challenges of newborn care. This emotional support can be vital in helping reduce the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety.

Infant Care Assistance
Postpartum doulas are well-versed in newborn care and can guide parents through the basics: feeding, diapering, bathing, swaddling, and soothing techniques. They’ll help you learn your baby’s cues, routines, and needs, making it easier to feel confident and connected as a new parent.

They can also support different feeding choices. Whether a parent chooses to breastfeed, formula-feed, or do a combination of both, a doula provides nonjudgmental help, such as troubleshooting latch issues, making bottles, or simply offering encouragement.

Parental Education and Resources
Postpartum doulas educate and empower parents by sharing evidence-based information. Instead of giving advice based on opinion or trends, doulas help families make informed choices that align with their own values and lifestyles. If there are challenges beyond their scope—such as medical issues or mental health concerns—they can provide referrals to lactation consultants, therapists, pediatricians, or other specialists.

Practical Household Help
What really sets postpartum doulas apart is their hands-on support around the home. They may prepare light meals, do baby laundry, tidy up, or help create a peaceful, organized environment. This frees up parents to rest, bond with their baby, or simply take a shower.

Some doulas also help with older siblings or pets, ensuring the whole household feels supported and cared for during the transition.

Support Is Tailored to Each Family
Every family’s needs are different, so postpartum doulas offer flexible, customized care. Some visit for a few hours a day over several weeks, while others offer overnight shifts to help with infant care while parents sleep. Doulas don’t replace a partner or family member—they complement and support the whole support system, helping everyone adjust with more ease.

Why Hire a Postpartum Doula?
Having a baby is life-changing, and while there’s often focus on the newborn, postpartum doulas make sure parents are nurtured, too. Their presence can ease anxiety, reduce stress, and create a more peaceful environment during a time that can otherwise feel chaotic.

In short, a postpartum doula is like a knowledgeable, compassionate guide through the early postpartum days—offering reassurance, rest, and the kind of support that helps families not just survive, but thrive.