Welcome to The Boston Doula’s Notebook
Parenthood is beautiful, messy, and full of transitions—especially in those early weeks and months. Here on The Doula’s Notebook, we share trusted, evidence-based insights to help Boston families feel more confident and supported as they navigate life with a newborn.
As a certified postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, and sleep consultant, I’ve spent years guiding parents in the Greater Boston area through the joys and challenges of the fourth trimester and beyond. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby, adjusting to life with twins, or balancing a toddler with a newborn, this blog is designed to meet you right where you are.
Topics you’ll find here include:
Gentle newborn sleep strategies, from naps to nighttime routines
Feeding support, whether breastfeeding, formula, or a combination
Recovery tips and emotional care for new mothers
Guidance on building healthy family rhythms and household balance
Our mission is simple: to give you the tools, reassurance, and expert knowledge you need to thrive in parenthood—not just survive it.
Each article is crafted with busy parents in mind—clear, compassionate, and easy to put into practice. Some posts give you a quick tip you can use tonight, while others invite you to dive deeper with one of our downloadable guides or personalized services through Blissful Sleep Doulas.
So pour yourself a coffee, settle in, and explore. Your journey into parenthood deserves support, and we’re here to make sure you never walk it alone.
How to Handle Daylight Savings Time with Babies and Toddlers
Daylight Savings Time can throw off even the best baby and toddler sleep routines. In this blog, Boston postpartum doula Marsha Montgomery shares quick tips to ease the transition. For detailed strategies, nap schedules, and troubleshooting, grab the full $25 digital guide trusted by local families.
Twice a year, parents everywhere dread the clock change. Just when your baby starts sleeping longer stretches—or your toddler finally settles into a solid bedtime—Daylight Savings Time hits, and suddenly everyone is off schedule.
The good news? With some simple preparation and consistency, you can help your little one adjust smoothly.
Why Daylight Savings Disrupts Baby and Toddler Sleep
Babies and toddlers rely on routine. Their circadian rhythms (or body clocks) are still developing, which makes even a one-hour shift feel like jet lag.
Infants may experience more frequent night wakings or shorter naps.
Toddlers often show crankiness, nap resistance, or full bedtime battles.
Quick Tip: Keep Bedtime Routines Consistent
One of the easiest ways to protect sleep during a time change is to stick with your child’s bedtime routine. Bath, pajamas, feeding, a short book or lullaby—when done in the same order every night—signals to your child’s body that it’s time for sleep, even if the clock says otherwise.
Consistency matters more than the exact time. This alone can soften the disruption.
A Glimpse at My Doula Approach
When I support families through Daylight Savings, I often recommend one of two methods:
The Gradual Shift (moving sleep in small increments over several days)
The Split-the-Difference Method (a faster, two-step approach)
Which method works best depends on your child’s age, temperament, and your family’s needs.
👉 Inside my Daylight Savings Survival Guide, you’ll find:
Step-by-step schedules for infants and toddlers
Nap adjustments by age
Troubleshooting tips for early waking and bedtime refusal
Toddler strategies using visual cues and “OK-to-Wake” clocks
Don’t Let the Time Change Ruin Your Family’s Sleep
With the right plan, the transition doesn’t have to mean sleepless nights. My digital download guide ($25) gives you proven, doula-crafted strategies, easy reference charts, and personalized tips I use with my private clients.