Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Ripplinger.
Hi Heidi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello, and thanks for having me. I’d love to. Since before my first pregnancy, I have had a passion for pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum year. Empowering people during this time with knowledge and support was (and continues to be) a guiding force in my life. I decided to train as a postpartum doula when the time was right for my family. I’ve rounded out my training by becoming a certified lactation educator counselor, a birth-person advocate, a trauma-informed professional focusing on postpartum anxiety and depression, and a master herbalist. I continually update my training with expert courses that support my care for postpartum families.
Before starting this journey, I worked at home. I committed myself to be a full-time homeschool mom. I ran a vibrant and successful homeschool co-op as a way to ensure my children’s lives were robust, challenging, and full of adventure. My slow pivot from a full-time homeschool mom to working outside the home began once they started their tween years.
When they got to an age where they started to branch out independently, I remember thinking that I was heading toward a fork in the road. I wanted to prepare for the inevitable transition.
Once my initial training was complete, I worked with a local agency, and have since added a second. I was lucky enough to support many loving and fantastic families and their sweet babies. I’ve also started my own doula business, Nest Newborn Family Care, which serves the twin cities metro. I’ve worked in the birth field for four years and have had previous postpartum and lactation experience and education reaching as far back as 2001. I’m also excited to share that I’ve recently partnered with another talented and equally committed Doula and created a unique online Practical Care curriculum for our peers. We’ve named it Due North Education and will be launching the first half of 2022.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? That’s a great question. I suppose the answer is that it depends on the day. Some days juggling school, family, teaching, training, work, and whatever extra things life throws at me is complicated. Some days it’s invigorating. Other days I feel like I’m underwater. What gets me through is knowing how to pace myself and understand how to take care of myself. I have a few mantras depending on how I’m feeling. Sometimes it’s; ‘just put one foot in front of the other,’ other days it’s; ‘it’s always impossible until it’s done, or, ‘deep inhale, slowly exhale.’ Then there are days where it’s; ‘that’s enough for today, it’ll be there in the morning – go put on your PJs and cuddle with the kids.’
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I love what I do. It’s an honor and a privilege to support postpartum families during such a vulnerable and private time in their lives. I created Nest Newborn Family Care to offer professionally trained, evidence-based care for yourself and your newborn. Our time together would include feeding, rest, diapering (cloth & disposable), skin-to-skin bonding, cord care, plus understanding safe sleep, babywearing, and soothing techniques. My postpartum doula services include simple household tasks like dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, laundry, bedding changes, meal preparation, snack plates, setting up and maintaining lactation or pumping stations complete with drinks, healthy snacks, and charging cables remotes. I can also run errands, care for siblings, and household pets.
Most importantly, I will take care of your needs. That could be sharing conversation & a cup of tea or holding the baby while you nap or take a shower. Maybe it’s taking care of basic house chores and meals for you and your family. The goal is to have intuitive, experienced support so you can enjoy your babymoon with your new sweet little. I celebrate all families and welcome everyone. I honor your feeding choices. My postpartum services include lactation support, trauma support, patient/birth advocacy, and new parent education at no additional charge.
It’s an honor for me to care for you and your family during such a tender time. My goal is to create a nest of calm and security for you so that you have the space needed to heal and bond with your newborn. A nest looks different for everyone, so depending on your needs (and decided by you), shifts are generally three to six hours long with an average of four hours per session. A typical shift could look like this: arrival, 15-30 minute check-in with you, scan the space creating a mental list of what needs to be done (dishes, countertops, trash, recycling, tidy, laundry, meals, food prep). I’ll also make sure you have good food and water to drink, perhaps a warm tea or smoothie by your side throughout my visit. You: eat, drink, nap, shower, rest alone or with baby or partner, sit in the sunshine, or go for a relaxing walk. Me: Continued care for you and baby. Continued care could be helping you with baby bath time or tummy time, answering any questions you have, or practicing swaddling or soothing the baby. It could also include refilling your recovery/nursing/pumping stations or prepping several snack plates. Meal prep for future lunch, dinner &/or healthy snacks. Finally, I refill your water and tea at the end of our day and offer another snack. Take out diaper pail bag, recycling bag, and trash bag. Change baby (and feed if applicable). Before I leave, I’ll check in with you and your partner and ensure you have everything you need. Then I’ll do a final scan to confirm all items are checked off my mental list. I’ll leave for the day with your home fresh and tidy, and you and baby rested and content.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is that there are as many solutions to concerns as families that I support. What might work for one person might not work for another. My job is to offer evidence-based care with an open mind and a compassionate, empathetic heart because every family gets to choose the path that works best for them.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: nestnewbornfamilycare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nestnewbornfamilycare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiRipplinger.Nest/
