FTS Postpartum Doula, Parenthood
Kari Haravitch
Newborn and Postpartum Prep Workshop - Think ...

Your baby gear comes with instructions, why doesn’t your baby?

My Newborn and Postpartum Prep Workshop is the missing link! During this workshop, we’ll talk through preparing for baby, practice several tasks and functions you’ll perform as a parent of a newborn, and we’ll set up and try out your baby gear. This workshop is completely customizable for you and your family to best help you prepare for your unique bundle of joy.

Sure, the hospital offers something similar, but this is more convenient for families and a better experience, which is the best way for adults to learn anyways!

This makes a great baby shower gift or a great gift from family members living afar.

We can conduct the Workshop at anytime (even after baby’s arrival) but the ideal timeline for the Workshop is after your baby shower(s) and before baby’s birth.

Happy reading and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Newborn and Postpartum Prep Workshop - Think Outside the Hospital
Motherhood, Personal Stories
Kari Haravitch
Better Care After an Ankle Sprain than After ...

Have you ever taken the time to think about care after childbirth and compared it to care you’ve seen or received after any other injury? Trust me, I know there is nothing like childbirth, but in this article I’m going to attempt to compare my ankle sprain to childbirth. Specifically, I’m going to attempt to compare the recovery and rehab process of the two. Though really, there’s no comparing. 

I wont propose a solution to the issue, just seeking to draw attention to the lack of standardized care for postpartum people. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one…❤️

Better Care After an Ankle Sprain than After Childbirth?
Multiple Children
Kari Haravitch
Juggling Big Siblings and Newborn Feedings

Juggling newborn feedings and big sibling needs is tough. There’s no denying that. This blog article is geared to help with this exact situation - feeding your newborn while still tending to your older child(ren). This article, written by a postpartum doula, has several tried and true tips and suggestions for things to do prior to feeding as well as things to do during a feeding. Take a read and share with a friend who may be experiencing concerns about this exact scenario! Happy reading.

Juggling Big Siblings and Newborn Feedings
Military Life
Kari Haravitch
Anatomy of a Military Child - One Year Older

April is the Month of the Military Child. I wrote this article last year but gave it a few tweaks and updates and am republishing it for 2019. Same information still applies, but I’m one year more experienced along my military spouse/life journey and wanted to add a few more details to the description of the anatomy of these wild creatures disbursed amongst us. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing (and updating) it. Stay blessed!

Anatomy of a Military Child - One Year Older
Military Life
Kari Haravitch
What You Need to Know About TRICARE's Banked ...

TRICARE families, have you heard the great news? TRICARE now includes Banked Donor Breastmilk as one of their covered benefits for all beneficiaries! The details can get a little complicated, but here on the From The Start, Postpartum Doula blog, I’ll do my best to clarify. Take a look at this article for more information and what you need to know about the new benefit and how to use it.

What You Need to Know About TRICARE's Banked Donor Milk Policy

village

My WHY

My WHY

Welcome to 2019 on the blog! I started this blogging journey one year ago when I explained a bit about what postpartum doulas do. Over the past few weeks and months I’ve been evaluating why I doula. My postpartum doula purpose. It’s really helped give me some clarity and focus for 2019 (and beyond!). It stemmed from Simon Sinek’s book, Start With Why. If you’re a leader or a coach or a parent, I highly encourage you reading this. Or, at least reading a summary of it! It may help renew your purpose. Ok, enough of my book report and uncompensated product promotion…Enjoy this week’s article! Stay blessed!

Strolling the Sunny South Bay - aka My New Service Area

Strolling the Sunny South Bay - aka My New Service Area

We’ve been in Los Angeles area for about 2 months now and we’re finally feeling like we have a bit of a routine. Especially me. I’m able to get out for a walk or run everyday and I’m trying to see as much as there is to see around here. This has allowed me to learn some streets and roads and has helped me determine my postpartum doula service area. So, I’m finally ready to share the areas in which I’m looking forward to supporting families with newborns. Share with anyone you know living this area who may be interested in postpartum doula services. Enjoy!

Are You Ready For Some...A Few Similarities Between Parenthood and Football

Are You Ready For Some...A Few Similarities Between Parenthood and Football

The NFL 2018-2019 Season Begins! A couple of weeks ago, I drafted my Fantasy Football team and it got me thinking about football and parenthood. Building your team. Hoping your team does well. Thinking about your team constantly. Wondering about their future. All that stuff. So, on this NFL Opening Day 2018, I wanted to make a light-hearted comparison between football and parenthood. And here it is. Enjoy!

The Emotions Of Motherhood

The Emotions Of Motherhood

Nothing can really prepare you for the emotions of motherhood quite like, well, motherhood. We can train, prepare, practice, research, and plan for many other aspects of bringing a child into our lives, but we cannot truly rehearse for the emotions until we experience it. In this article, we’ll talk through some of these emotions and help normalize the emotions we experience as mothers. I hope this article brings you Joy…

Raising Military Children - closing out the Month Of The Military Child 2018

Raising Military Children - closing out the Month Of The Military Child 2018

I’m closing out the Month Of The Military Child 2018 by sharing stories. Raising kids is tough. Period. No matter what. But in April, we get to honor and celebrate military children and the struggles they endure because of a life they didn’t choose. This article is dedicated to the mothers who raise them. You’ll see some of the most family-friendly places to live, learn some of the best parts of raising military kids, and some of the hardest parts. Whether you are a military family or not, I hope you take a few minutes to read this in support of our military families. Enjoy!

Take Charge Of Your Yelling!

Take Charge Of Your Yelling!

We all do it. Seriously, we all yell. Whether we want to or not, sometimes it just happens. If you're ready to start taking charge of your yelling and reducing it a bit, you've come to the right place. This article helps dissect why we yell, provides over 11 tips (TTPs) on how to reduce yelling, and even a few things to keep in mind after you yell. Feel free to ask questions, provide support, or let us know some of YOUR tips to reducing yelling. We're all in this together! 

Help After Baby Series, Part 3 - Your Village

Help After Baby Series, Part 3 - Your Village

Part 3 in the Help After Baby series is all about support from your village. This article provides feedback on who most often makes a village, what types of support moms of newborns need from their village, and how the village can most effectively support the family. Enjoy!

supporting families throughout Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland