Tonya

Certified Postpartum Doula & Training Newborn Care Specialist

a brief bio

Tonya has been known all her life as the Baby Whisperer. Hand her a fussy baby and they stop, it’s that simple. She has a gentle, quiet way that puts parents at ease, while at the same time listens to them and provides helpful, timely tips to empower them in their 4th trimester. She also loves to bake and cook and has so much joy sharing that with her clients at a time in their family life when they really welcome it.

OFFERINGS

• Diapering


• Changing


• Bathing
 (first sponge bath, then regular bath)

• Soothing

• Circumcision & umbilical cord care


• Bottle preparation & storage 

• Bottle feeding (Breastmilk & Formula)


• Communication with breastfeeding parent to schedule feeds and transport baby back and forth to and from (when feeding overnight)

• Wash and sterilize bottles, pump parts, pacifiers, etc.

• Organization & maintenance of nursery

• Baby's laundry (washing, folding, and putting away)

• Create a regular feeding schedule

• Assist in establishing healthy sleep habits

• Keep nursery tidy and stocked

• Maintain a log that tracks the baby's feeding times, ounces, diapers, and anything else parents may need to know.

• Create a smooth transition for the family during the newborn stage (birth-3 months)

• Assist you with any (baseline) feeding issues baby may have, including formula feeding and breastfeeding support or knowing when to recommend pediatrician or IBCLC support for extensive issues. 

• Troubleshoot potential issues of concern with the newborn and offer professional options to resolve them

• Infant CPR (when needed)

• Providing a safe and healthy sleep environment for baby at all times

• Sleep Conditioning by using a gentle approach to help your baby develop sleep habits that lead to sleeping throughout the night

• Parent education and emotional support

WITH EXPERIENCE IN

• Reflux

• Colic

• Premature infant care

• Newborn Sleep Shaping

• Supporting mothers with Perinatal Mood Disorders

• Twins/Multiples

• Basic lactation support

• Tongue/lip tie

RECENT WORK EXPERIENCE

MHD Family

Helped them transition as first time parents. She was a mom with previous anxiety and depression. It worsened in the first 2 wks of new baby. I worked overnights for them to ease the load and offer sleep. I received random calls and texts in the middle of the night and went from one overnight shift with a different family to this family at 6 am to be sure she was ok and offer reprieve. My main goal was to listen, reassure, empower and guide, while bottle feeding her expressed milk so she and hubby could sleep at night. We started baby early on with eating every 2-3 hrs during the day and at 3 wks she was already sleeping 4/5 hr stretches at night with dr approval and surpassed her birth weight above and beyond what Ive seen in my other clients. Periodically brought quick grab healthy snacks for mom, simple meals, ect.

MJJ Family

Goal was to provide sleep with dad going back to work after 1 Wk. Baby struggled with latching at breast, supply low, then ate 3-4 oz formula after breastfeeding, on breast all day. Mom was weary also caring for older toddler. At 3 Wk appt baby wasn’t quite at birth weight.I was there to listen and discern, and then able to offer tips as she asked and wanted to learn how to learn baby cues and stretch her 2-3 hrs for full feeds. Brought healthy snacks and meals periodically.

JB family

Provided middle of night feeds, changes, made bottles did laundry, emptied dishwasher, washed bottles, did one day shift where I cooked and baked for them. I also provided an ear to couple who needed adult convo, we shared many stories and laughs. This was their 2nd child, they knew all about 2-3 hr stretches and feed wake sleep and baby was sleeping great waking 1-2 times easy on. They were so tired having other children to care for they looked forward to nights I came! Brought healthy snacks and meals periodically

NAN Family

Mainly there for mom and dad to sleep, baby was held all day and night so gradually encouraged ways to help baby learn how to sleep in crib. I took feeds, made bottles, cleaned bottles . Baby had minor lip and tongue tie but couple didn’t want to repair it, so it was Challenging, but we worked through it and gently provided tips. Required extra time after feeds to prevent spit up and discomfort. Brought healthy snacks and meal prepped.

ESE Family

This couple wanted all the tools for helping baby learn to self sooth early in. They both required a lot of sleep so from day one they applied the tips I learned through, reading, training and experience and baby was sleeping like a charm early on, gaining weight like a champ. Brought healthy snacks and meals periodically.

SJP Family

I started at 4 wks, their son wasn’t sleeping, and just fussed. They were feeding him all day long and didn’t know what else to do when he fussed. They didn’t knowthey were perpetuating the problem. He wasn’t ready to eat, tummy reacted, he’d suck for comfort, but too much milk too soon, having no time to digest. They wanted help, saving really. They were wide open to help. Their main goals and my goal-was sleep for them, and provide tools for him to eat 2-3 hrs for full feeds and calm tummy and using feed wake sleep routine. He was like a different baby. They had me come during the day to help guide naps and also to cook and bake for them!

CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING

Postpartum Doula (CAPPA)

Newborn Care Specialist (NCS)

CPR

Client love notes

“Tonya’s care for us extended beyond the children, she ensured the house was in good order, prepared delicious meals, managed the children’s and activity schedules and became a huge emotional support to us, the parents. She is disciplined with her time, dependable, organized and able to see both big goals and small details.” Melanie Y.