Josh Dawidowicz

5/29/2024

Meema Spadola was the MVP of our postpartum experience, and we cannot say enough great things about her.

Meema started helping us while we were still in the hospital, patiently coaching us over FaceTime to help us get breastfeeding off to a good start. When she arrived at our home for the first in-person session, we immediately felt comfortable with her. In those first scary weeks of parenting a newborn, Meema always knew what needed to be done, or could be done to help, and was a calm and confident presence. She jumped in with household tasks when we were exhausted, which was especially helpful because my wife had a c-section and needed to rest as much as possible.  What was most helpful was that Meema helped us learn our own baby's cues and needs, tailoring her advice to our family and making sure we were as prepared as we could be after we "graduated" from her services.  She also reassured us that our baby was doing great when we had no idea what was "normal" to expect from his growth and development.  She did all of this with tremendous empathy, encouragement, reassurance, and perspective.  She continues to be available for questions, and her genuine enthusiasm for seeing our son grow up shows the type of connection she makes with her families. 

Kevin

5/13/2024

We are so grateful to Meema for supporting our family in the weeks after our first child was born. Meema is knowledgeable, proactive, kind, and calming -- all qualities that are invaluable while navigating a new and exciting change. We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Meema's expertise and deep well of knowledge. Her guidance helped us gain practical tools and confidence to grow as parents, and we will cherish the memories from those early days!

Jeanne J.

5/13/2024

We are so grateful to Meema for supporting our family in the weeks after our first child was born. Meema is knowledgeable, proactive, kind, and calming -- all qualities that are invaluable while navigating a new and exciting change. We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Meema's expertise and deep well of knowledge. Her guidance helped us gain practical tools and confidence to grow as parents, and we will cherish the memories from those early days!

Amrita Dasgupta

4/30/2024

Meema was invaluable to us in the month after we brought home our baby. As first time parents, we were pretty out of our depth especially as it came to feeding and newborn care. Initially, she helped me navigate breastfeeding - comfortable positioning during a painful recovery, latch issues, oversupply. She also set me up with pumping so that I could get some rest and have my husband give our baby an overnight bottle. While there are many opinions out there about feeding in the early days, I really appreciated Meema's ability to meet us where we were at and support decisions that worked for us in those first sleepless weeks. Beyond that, she helped us with baby's first bath, sleep routines, and babywearing. Most of all, Meema was a supportive, reassuring, and helping hand at a time who was willing to step in with all things big and small when it was hard to even know what help to ask for. We were lucky to find her and would highly recommend!

Jessica

3/25/2024

Meema was a fantastic postpartum doula from our initial conversation through after our sessions with her and we are so grateful we had her wise and validating support! Prenatally Meema provided thoughtful and thorough guidance and resources to prepare for postpartum physically and mentally - including how to manage extended family, how to navigate nursing for me (pregnant/birthing parent) and my partner (induced lactation), what to expect following birth. Meema made us feel very seen and supported as a queer family.  We ended up having a very difficult birth and Meema superbly coordinated with our doula and lactation supports and made us feel so cared for by a team. We would have been lost without her initiative as we started our parenting journey. Meema was always thorough, responsive, supportive, insightful, sharp, and reassuring and we will cherish our memories of caring for our newborn with her! 

Ellen Gabler

3/15/2024

Meema was a lifesaver when I had my twins and was still IN the hospital, but breastfeeding was not going well. The babies came early and so I was not prepared and Meema came to the rescue! She showed up at my house the day after I got home and got me set up to have a successful breastfeeding experience with the babies. She is kind, no-nonsense and overall a great help. She anticipated what I would need to know and was so kind during a very difficult time. I highly recommend her. 

Eliza Shapiro

3/8/2024

I couldn't recommend Meema more highly, for both prenatal and postpartum help and care. We met with Meema a few weeks before our baby arrived and she made us feel so much more prepared - we talked about feeding, pumping and what to expect in the hospital, we looked through our nursery and talked about supplies we'd need, and she gave us some much-needed confidence. I'd had some latching issues after we got home from the hospital and Meema took a look for about 2 minutes, quickly diagnosed the issue, and had the baby latching on 2 minutes after that. I couldn't believe it - she had unlocked the ability to make nursing comfortable. She is truly a baby expert and will leave you with tons of links, tips, resources and suggestions. She has been incredibly generous with tapping into her vast network as we've looked for child care and even recommendations for friends who live outside the city. I also truly appreciated that Meema was not judgemental about feeding or any of our decisions - she does not come in with any agenda, just information, and a true desire and willingness to meet you where you are. 

Nakai Mirtenbaum

3/1/2024

Meema was a great support to our new family, later a friend; and both things impacted our always rearranging new living space giving us rational optimization of tools (put the bassinet here- no, there) and most importantly, later on, also rationalizing our parenting views (We have to breastfeed- it's okey if sometimes we can't). I believe this second part is like the hidden big bag of optimism under the coushen of Meemas technical tools when,  she suddenly starts not only helping you out with moving stuff around your home but inside out too, i'll call it rationalizing our optimism, meaning knowing actually that things will be okey pretty much by following one general premise of, hey- just do your best, all you can do is all you can do, you're enough, you're the standard, and if you get there and feel okay, the baby feels okay, and then, yes, you guessed it, we're all okay.

Jenn

3/1/2024

After endless Doula searching, we stumbled across Meema after multiple of our neighbors recommended her.

Meema was SO amazing with myself and my family. She came to work with us a week after my daughter was born. She was so supportive, and not sure how we would have functioned without her. Her emotional support with me and nativating our family as new parents. She taught us so much in regards to lactation support, learning new things, and answering our millions of questions. She has such an amazing energy with our baby, and has such a calming presence in such a chaotic time of the early newborn days. 

We were so bummed and even emotional when our time with her came to an end. To this day with our daughter being 3 months old, we still ask her questions, and she answers without hesitation-  even though we don't currently "work with her" anymore. 

I couldn't recommend Meema enough, as any family will be so lucky to work with her. 

Genna G.

11/7/2023

We were introduced to Meema about 3-4 weeks postpartum and feeling overwhelmed by the newness of being first time parents. From the very first message with Meema we knew she would soon be the guiding light we needed to help us understand the ins and outs they don't teach you in books or before leaving the hospital.

From tips on how to console our baby, swaddle/wrap carry the baby, breastfeeding and pumping tips that were a total game changer, to small recommendations like what pacifier to get in a sea of options...working with her was the most positive and supportive experience we could have ever imagined. To this day she continues to check in on us, truly caring about how our family is growing and our wellbeing! We could not ask for a better person to let into our lives at such a vulnerable time. 

Mary & Sofia

10/28/2023

Meema Spadola was a grace from above. She truly was the angel I needed to get through my postpartum. As a first time mom, I was very nervous because I did not know what to expect. Meema held my hand every step of the way. Explained everything she was doing from sanitizing to feeding the baby to helping her stop crying. She shared all her tricks. She was apart of all those scary first experiences. I also went through some rough patches after coming home and she mothered me back to health.  She was my cheerleader when I was having trouble breast feeding- and went above and beyond helping me schedule a lactation consultant. I can not thank Meema enough for giving me the strength and confidence I needed the first months of Sofia's life. 

Jane

10/11/2023

Meema is just amazing! She is highly professional, caring and helped me a lot during my postpartum recovery. All moms deserve the best care and guidance during their postpartum period.  Adjusting to your body change after delivery can be confusing and frustrating, and you may feel alone and powerless. With Meema's help, I was able to successfully nurse my baby and receive all the professional guidance (such as the AAP guidelines and the newest research) I needed without googling a hundred times. Whenever she's in my house, I know there is nothing I need to worry about and she would just take care of me, the baby, and even other family members. Anyone would be so lucky to get Meema as your postpartum doula! She is truly the best of the best!

Nina and Miguel

10/10/2023

Our son was born 4 weeks early and spent time in the NICU. Few hours after discharge, we had to go back to the hospital. I also went through PPD due to numerous factors. Meema was there for our son and our family since day 1 until our son was 6 weeks old.

We wouldn’t have survived the most challenging time of our lives if it weren’t for Meema. We don’t say that lightly. She spent time educating us about taking care of a newborn and helping me with breastfeeding and pumping. She did a lot around the house as well which was a huge help for us - cooking, running errands (grocery and meds pick up), doing the laundry, and watching over our son while encouraging us to go on a coffee date or get some needed fresh air. She is very compassionate and empathetic.

We 101% recommend her and would hire her again in a heartbeat.

Whitney

6/25/2023

Meema is fantastic!  She's kind, caring, supportive and open-minded.  She was there to guide us just days after our daughter was born when we were exhausted and a little lost.  She was especially helpful in getting us through some really rough breastfeeding challenges in the early days of our daughter's life.  She set us up on a plan that helped our daughter's weight get back on track.  She also set up my breast pump and carefully walked me through how to use it, how to clean it and how to store breast milk.  When it was time to start thinking about returning to work, Meema gave me a tailored step by step plan for how and when to pump at work.  I feel so much more prepared and less anxious about the whole process. 

Throughout our time working with her, Meema was super communicative.  She regularly sends text messages to check in, and responds super quickly when we reach out.  She's full of knowledge about all things baby and breastfeeding, and also has tons of extra resources and links that we constantly referred to. 

My husband and I would have really struggled without Meema!  We're forever grateful for her support for us and our daughter. 

Jean

5/20/2023

I highly recommend Meema Spadola as a postpartum doula! I'm so happy we found her as I really can't imagine prepping for the baby and the first few weeks without her. She has compiled tons of great resources for clients including a detailed list of gear and supplies needed for a newborn with recommended options, which saved us a lot of time and stress. She also has curated resources on breastfeeding, baby development, and postpartum care. She does one prenatal visit to get you started on breastfeeding tips and other basics, and can assess your space and set up. I also appreciated how much time she spent getting to know key things about us that would help her better help us. Once the baby came she was an absolutely amazing resource and support. This was our first baby and my partner and I didn't have much experience with babies or family nearby, so we relied on Meema to help teach and guide us. She does that with a lot of knowledge but also no judgement and a focus on your goals and preferences. Meema also helped with basic things like laundry, dishes, preparing food, and organizing baby gear and gifts. She has a way of knowing what needs to be done or what you need without you having to think of things or ask, while being totally up for whatever you ask for. Meema also has a great network of providers, so she can make informed recommendations for OBGYNs, pediatricians, IBCLCs, sleep coaches, etc.  It's clear she loves babies and is passionate about helping new birth parents and their partners navigate the postpartum time. 

Ally Haim

3/14/2023

If it weren't for Meema, I would not have been able to get through the first several months of being a first-time mom. I wanted to breastfeed, so it was important to me that my PPD was well versed and certified. I also knew my husband and I were going to have A LOT of questions about my recovery, how to take care of an infant, etc. But even with all the extremely helpful resources Meema provided early on along with all the classes I took, nothing could have really prepared me for the long days/nights, physical pain and sleep deprivation that come with giving birth and being a new parent.

But for every question I had, or my husband had, Meema would walk us through all of our options to help us make the right decision. Every worry I had, she had a helpful response. Every time I was being hard/down on myself, she had a kind word to say. I really can't say enough good things. In my time of need, Meema was always there to help and guide me and I'm forever thankful.

If you're on the fence about wanting/needing a postpartum doula - don't be a hero and give Meema a call.

Jillian Hewitt

3/4/2023

My husband and I could not be happier with or more grateful for our experience with Meema. She gracefully and warmly helped us through one of the most challenging, raw, and special times in our lives. Meema doesn't just offer help, she sees needs that new parents don't even realize they'll have, and she meets them. Meema aided me tremendously in my physical recovery, helped my husband and I gain confidence in taking care of our newborn, and provided us with tons of resources that we still rely on today. I truly can't imagine what it would have been like to adjust to new parenthood without Meema's guidance, expertise, care, and enthusiasm. We feel so, so lucky to have had her in our corner. 

Kate

12/26/2022

We hired Meema as a postpartum doula in Dec 2021. We had to unexpectedly spend 2.5 weeks in the NICU after our daughter was born by c-section. Meema was supportive during this time and reassured us that she would be available whenever we arrived home and in whatever capacity we needed. She was super organized and sent us detailed resource documents she created with various pro tips and links for first time parents. She also sent lacation information which we found extremely helpful. 

From the moment Meema walked in our door we felt immediately comfortable. She felt more like a friend than a stranger. She anticipated needs we didn't even know we had as first time parents — without a word she would put on rubber gloves and begin tackling the dishes, bringing order and calm to our home.

I had trouble breastfeeding for the first few weeks and Meema worked with me closely to find positions and tricks to help the baby latch. She consistently gave us practical advice as well as guidance on what to expect emotionally and physically. We highly recommend Meema to anyone looking for support after the birth of their child. 

Augusto Giacoman

12/5/2022

Meema was an absolute treasure for us and we cannot recommend her highly enough. She helped us for several weeks before and after the birth of our son Stephen. Some of her top-notch services included birth preparation, lactation consulting, home organization and baby prep, and even delicious home cooked meals (as well as access to an excellent blueberry muffin recipe). It was such a relief to have her expertise to call upon; she helped us learn how best to care for our son, when things were normal or abnormal, and what we could expect down the road. Having Meema’s help was like having a highly educated, expert third mom to guide us as new parents. I encourage all soon-to-be or new parents to use her services – next to having a baby it will be the best decision you make.

KP Trueblood

12/5/2022

I had my first baby during the summer of 2020 during the pandemic. My husband and I were on our own. We figured it out but knew that in order to continue to be good parents to our firstborn we would benefit from some help the second time around. Meema came highly recommended and made a wonderful first impression, but little did we know just how much she would transform our first two months with our newborn and set up our newly formed family of four for success.

Meema is all the things - gentle but firm, has a point of view but flexible, and above all allowed us to access so much more joy this time around. I have a hard time asking for help and she made it easy - taking on tasks before it would even occur to me. She turns chaos into calm and overwhelm into peace. She has wonderful recommendations for so many topics! My family can't recommend her enough. The only downside - it is so sad when the time comes to say goodbye to Meema so she can continue to help new parents.

Samantha

6/21/2022

Meema is absolutely wonderful! She listened to my goals and gave me suggestions and tools to get there. We weren't able to connect in person, but we FaceTimed, and she was right on point! She suggested different size flanges, helped me measure properly, and her recommended size was perfect. So much more comfortable and it helped increase my supply! Meema also recommended a different bottle nipple, and it helped my son transition from the bottle to me much easier. We are on a much better track with breastfeeding thanks to Meema's expertise and gentle way of helping me get through a stressful time. I can't thank her or recommend her enough to anyone figuring out the best ways to start or continue breastfeeding. She's the best! 

Laura Pope

5/13/2022

Meema came to work with us after the birth of our baby Ruby. I had had a c-section and was in a lot of pain and having a lot of difficulty with breastfeeding. The whole experience was so overwhelming, so when Meema arrived and just instinctively knew what we needed help with most, it made me feel like "ok, I think we can get through this". She was a godsend and The NY Times description of her as a real like Mary poppins could not be more accurate.  She helped me find breastfeeding positions that worked, she showed us how to change diapers and wipe the correct the way, how to bathe a baby, how to soothe her. And then she would make us amazing meals, do our laundry, and just knew what needed to be done and she did it! She was amazing and I am forever grateful to her for getting us through that difficult time. Love you Meema!! xxx

Katie Flynn

3/19/2022

There aren't enough superlatives in the world to convey how we feel about Meema. From the moment we had our first Zoom call with her to the the check-in texts she sent after we completed our time with her, we have been overjoyed, elated and profoundly grateful for her presence, education, and compassion in our lives. She is extraordinarily knowledgeable in her field about everything from nursing, pumping, feeding and baby's developmental stages but is also intimately familiar with the various items popular on the market today. And her opinions about those items helped us make smart choices about what we needed to ensure our, and our baby's, early days were as stress-free as possible. She also helped guide us in the right direction regarding finding additional outside assistance. Always gentle in her delivery and supportive in our choices, Meema was like our very own postpartem fairy godmother. Whenever she was in our home, I felt like I could relax and just know that things would be taken care of. Because of Meema's brilliant ministrations, I was able to find ways to produce more than double the amount of milk I'd been producing prior. She and I worked together, and tried many different approaches (all of which Meema miraculously produced) to nursing, before arriving on one that worked for me. She is so smart, so kind, so good. Before I'd recommend the hospital staff and doctors who performed my emergency c-section and cared for our baby for nearly a month in the NICU, I would recommend Meema. 

Yelena Kuborn

2/23/2022

Meema is an incredible source of information and was ready to help me troubleshoot after the birth of my first child. She was quick to respond and I was able to connect with her immediately for guidance. Thorough follow-up and follow-through. I wish I had known about her full services sooner to navigate postpartum life!

Rachel

2/18/2022

Meema doesn't judge, she is kind, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. She meets you where you are. As a first-time mom, I had a lot of anxiety and a difficult birth. She helped me prepare my home and build my confidence in parenting. I am deeply grateful to her. I couldn’t recommend her higher!

Caroline

2/15/2022

I can't recommend Meema highly enough. Meema came over weekly for the first 4 weeks our baby was home. Even after an uncomplicated delivery, I struggled to take care of myself after bringing baby home as she was my first priority. Meema prioritized my recovery and offered several modifications that made a huge difference. She sent my husband out to get several supplies while she was there, and then used them to make me a sitz bath and also to do some much needed nipple care. The nipple care may have saved my ability to breastfeed as my nipples were really torn up but I healed and now at 6 weeks postpartum I exclusively breastfeed my daughter with no pain. We spent a good amount of time working on improving my breastfeeding experience as well as setting me up with the haakaa and pump as I will need to go back to work eventually. We spent most of our time working on baby care and I can't imagine where I would be without that. We went over (and then over again, and again) reading babies cues and even got into supporting our daughter to take some much needed naps. Every baby is different, and every family is different. I spent so much time with Meema explaining what I was observing and observing it with her while she was there, and we talked through and made plans based upon my child and my circumstances. What works for one baby may not work for another so having such an expert in my home could definitely not have been replaced with any google search or online class.

Shannon

1/25/2022

Meema was such a reassuring, knowledgeable, warm presence in our first weeks of parenthood. She helped us to feel more confident and provided so much support around breastfeeding. We really felt that she cared about us and our daughter and appreciated how often she would check-in with us outside of our home visits. I wholeheartedly recommend working with Meema! 

Caroline

1/18/2022

Meema is such an incredible doula and most importantly one of the kindest human being I've met in my life. She genuinely cares and that is such a rare and precious quality. I talk about her a lot and how much she's helped me and I always describe her as a fairy. I couldn't have gone through these postpartum times without her. I strongly recommend her prenatal classes as it helped me feel so much more comfortable after giving birth when I was on my own trying to breastfeed for the first time. I remembered all her tips and my baby latched so beautifully and perfectly and it gave me so much confidence. She was there the day we came home from the hospital - had been in touch with my birth doula beforehand and followed my delivery closely - and that made such a big difference. I didn't realize how hard it would be, and Meema held my hand every step of the way. She's so knowledgeable and yet doesn't impose anything on you. She encourages you to follow your guts and maternal instincts. My baby had some issues and she went down the rabbit hole with me. I would have felt so lost without her. She also has a huge network and helped me navigate through providers, doctors, etc. When she came to our home, in addition to being a baby whisperer and a thorough observer who can identify Baby's needs, she helped me and my husband personally. She can do 10 things at once: foot massage, pillow propping during breastfeeding, help with the laundry, dishes, while talking about the pumping, sleep training and life. She even helped my dying plants! She made sure I took the naps I needed knowing that Baby was in the best hands. This is ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I MADE IN MY LIFE. Do not hesitate. You need her more than you know. She truly is the best! I cannot recommend her enough. 

Kristine

1/16/2022

Hire this woman! Meema was described to me as the Mary Poppins of postpartum doula work, and she truly lived up to that delightful description. She is your most helpful family member, the most informed lactation counselor, and the most gentle and encouraging postpartum guide all wrapped into one professional package.

Postpartum is a really tender time. Sometimes what you need is information, and sometimes you need encouragement and the promise that things will get better. Meema delivered on both fronts. Meema is also so centered on what is best for you and your family. She put no pressure on us to breastfeed, to make this or that birth decision, or so forth. She tried to understand what we wanted and needed and delivered on that. I also ended up having an emergency c-section where basically every detail of our birth plan got thrown out the window, and Meema was so dextorous in supporting a totally new set of postpartum needs than anticipated.

On a more practical front, her materials are also AMAZING. So clear, organized, and useful at 3am when you need it most. Her texting service is also so practical and helpful.

Anyway, we can't say enough. She is incredible!

Courtney

12/11/2021

We loved working with Meema! This is our first child and the first few days home from the hospital were chaotic. It was terrific having an experienced and steady hand help us get up to speed and troubleshoot. She empowered us, as opposed to just doing things for us. I especially appreciated her help with breastfeeding; without her early interventions I might not have persisted with it. We recommend Meema very highly.

Justine

12/7/2021

Meema helped and guided us immensely after the early arrival of our twins, and she did so with such a calm and knowledgeable demeanor. As brand new parents to premature twins, my husband and I were completely clueless and Meema jumped right in and could tell where she was needed most—whether that meant giving us time for a nap, helping to optimize our tiny space in Chelsea for the twins, guiding me through lactation issues, and even teaching us how to roast potatoes so that we wouldn't go hungry (we were not adept in the kitchen). The time she spent with us was valuable and my only regret is not booking more time with her. She was especially mindful of how stressed and nervous we were at that time with tiny newborns to care for and she made us feel supported. I'm grateful that she was available to work with us and I highly recommend her services to any family welcoming a baby! 

Tiffany

10/9/2021

As first-time parents during a pandemic, Meema was an absolute god-send.  She provided us with so much practical knowledge, support, and humor during what was a head spinning time.  We always felt at ease around her and find ourselves, even today, (4 months later) quoting our favorite Meema-isms.  She is a wealth of knowledge and we highly recommend her to anyone looking for a postpartum doula!

Sherry

8/30/2021

Meema was my postpartum doula and made a huge difference in helping me get adjusted as a first time mom. She was so helpful around the home and also very knowledgeable. She taught me a lot about newborn care, which I previously knew nothing about. Most importantly she has an amazing vibe. She is very supportive and encouraging and is so pleasant and comfortable to be around which is extremely important during the early postpartum days. She is proactive and a great communicator. I miss working with her now that my baby is older and I highly recommend her!

Gabriela

6/1/2021

We are so glad we made the decision to get a postpartum doula, and even luckier to have found Meema. To put it simply, she was wonderful! During covid times, you are even more careful when it comes to your precious little one. Meema took all the precautions which was very important to us. She made sure we all feel safe during her in-person visits. 

We learned so much from Meema about our little one: how to listen to his needs, how to take care of him. And most importantly, how to trust our own instincts. Meema is very kind, warm, empathetic, understanding, knowledgeable, supportive, easy going, caring, a good listener, very enjoyable to be around and a great advisor - just to name a few. 

Meema also included my husband in everything which was very important to us. He was involved at every step and shown how to support me and my son.

In the early days, I was not feeling comfortable to put my son in a carrier. With the assistance from Meema I felt comfortable doing this. Even when my son was crying and I wanted to stop, Meema was able to guide me through the process so I felt comfortable putting him in my baby carrier. This all happened over a video call which shows how great she was at describing what needed to be done in a manner that made me feel comfortable and confident. She was very professional and understanding in her approach. This is just one example of many where Meema gave me and my husband amazing guidance to make us more confident in our decisions as parents. 

Even though she would say we had great instincts, her teachings have helped to make us into the parents we are today. We highly recommend Meema to every parent and know she is the right person to turn to. 

Gabriela

Ember and Dave

3/7/2021

Meema Spadola’s support, guidance and tenderness throughout our birthing journey is incalculable on how important it was for us. We were going to be giving birth right in the middle of an epidemic lockdown and the resources we would have access to regarding birth planning, feeding and infant care in our area evaporated right when lockdown hit.

We had knowledge of Meema’s work and asked for her services and she gladly helped us even though we were not located in the area. Meema provided us great education on breastfeeding and infant care remotely. The documentation and reading that they provided was also super insightful.

After our child was born, their attentive check ins and specific guidance on the issues that we were experiencing regarding breast-feeding and managing sleep gave us clarity and frankly kept us sane. We think that Meema’s work with us helped us feel connected and supported to a much larger communities that we were still needing during such a hard time to be isolated. We completely and equivocally trust and recommend her services for anyone.

Julia

12/22/2020

I don't know how we would have survived our first days and weeks as parents without Meema. After giving birth it is overwhelming to try to figure out how to breast feed, pump, wear a baby in a wrap, deal with any postpartum recovery, etc. Meema's warm and practical approach to caring for her clients makes a world of difference. She uses every minute she's with you to find a way to be of assistance -- whether it's teaching you how to do tongue tie exercises (which we needed) or throwing a load of dirty laundry in the wash. It's very clear that she does not have a one-size-fits-all approach, but responds to the needs of each family with pitch-perfect instincts. Three weeks after I gave birth the pandemic hit and I was extremely releaved to have Meema checking in on us and making herself available via text and facetime. Her presence and guidance was invaluable. 

Elisabeth Hutchins

7/9/2020

Working with Meema has been the only piece of our post partum plan that we were able to keep during the Coronavirus quarantine. Initially, I was not sure what it would be like to work with Meema exclusively through video chatting, but I could not be more grateful for her support. She has not only been an incredible resource for all things newborn and post partum care, but she has also stayed incredibly informed of the ever changing recommendations during the coronavirus. In all things, she combines research with practicality to make her suggestions work in real life and her warm and gentle demeanor has helped our new parent confidence grow with every session. She has become an indispensable resource and I look forward to working with her again one day, hopefully in person!

Amrita Batheja

6/10/2020

My husband and I were struggling to find our confidence in taking care of our first born when we brought her home from the hospital.  We had a rough postpartum experience and I was having a hard time establishing breastfeeding.  In our sleep deprived state, we became increasingly nervous about messing up the basics like bathing and baby-wearing.  We decided we needed some guidance and a friend recommended Meema to us as a postnatal doula.  Meema was the calm and reassuring presence we needed and, in a few hours, helped us cover all the basics of newborn care.  She somehow found the time to go above and beyond and help prepare us for things we hadn't even considered yet, like learning new breastfeeding positions and evaluating if our bed was safe for co-sleeping, while also providing emotional support.  We felt a lot more confident after she left and decided to do a second session virtually once our daughter was 2 months old.  During this second session, she helped us navigate sleep, reviewed how to prepare a breastmilk supply for when I would return to work, covered how to safely pump at work and answered all our miscellaneous questions.  Even though the second visit was virtual, it felt as comforting as her in-person visit.  We would HIGHLY recommend Meema to anyone who needs guidance with their newborn.

Atossa

6/1/2020

Our son was born at 35 weeks in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. He was fine but we had a hard time getting him to eat enough in the early days, with no one to give us a hand at home. Meema came recommended by a friend whose first had a similar issue with her first baby and I'm so glad we called her. We had to do the sessions remotely, and while FaceTiming topless closeups with a complete stranger is pretty weird, Meema made it as non-awkward as possible. She also left some supplies for us on her curb so we could get them without breaking quarantine. It was about as normal an experience as I could hope for. We found Meema to be generous, kind and constructive, and especially great in a crisis (she is also very understanding about the fact that taping tubes to your tits isn't the solution for everyone!) Her advice helped us and the baby tremendously: he's gaining loads of weight and breastfeeding more and more, and we feel significantly less distraught. These are very hard times to be doing anything, let alone getting a fussy infant to latch, but it would be much harder without Meema there to help.

Nadia Ahmed

4/25/2020

Experiencing my final month of pregancy, labor/delivery, and postpartum during the height of COVID has been so incredibly stressful and isolating. After a virtual session with Meema, I felt so much more at ease and equipped with a wealth of knowledge and resources. Meema's kindness will make you feel as though she is right in the room with you and as if you've already known her forever. I felt incredibly taken care of and comforted by her help.

I was having trouble pumping and Meema walked me through the entire process. With Meema on video coaching me every step, I was able to successfully pump a significant amount for the very first time! I've also experienced difficulties with our newborn's sleeping patterns and again, over video, Meema was able to guide and show me how to properly soothe and put my newborn back to sleep. She explained the basics of newborn sleep so that I have a better and heightened level of awareness in order to make this large part of our days more effective. Meema also learned of my birth story and recovery concerns, and provided helpful resources and explanations.

I am so happy to have connected with Meema as her insight and care were so valuable and will have a lasting impact ! 

Lauren Kaelin

4/13/2020

Meema was incredibly helpful during the first few months home with our son. From the first bath, to soothing strategies, to figuring out the various wraps we got from friends, Meema was patient and knowledgable. Meema made my wife and I feel like better parents, capable of responding to the needs of our son. I have no doubt that we'll use the advice and wisdom she shared for years to come and that having her as a resource made us better able to enjoy the first few months of parenthood. 

Julie Labate

3/24/2020

Meema has been excellent - from saving us after we were off to a bad start with breast feeding and getting us on the right track, to continuing to respond even months later when I was dealing with a blocked duct.  I thoroughly enjoy breastfeeding and love the bond that comes from it. I am so grateful for Meema’s help and know that she contributed greatly to our success. 

Jenny Humphrey

2/11/2020

Meema was an incredible support for us during our transition to parenthood! Starting before our baby was born, she helped us figure out what supplies we needed (understanding we wanted a minimal approach due to living in a small apartment) and showed us how to set them up in a functional way. Once our baby arrived she taught us so much - baby wearing, bathing, bottle-feeding, soothing, tummy time activities, and infant massage to name a few. She also provided lactation support and helped me come up with a pumping plan to go back to work. Perhaps most important of all, she was comforting and soothing in the early post-partum days - helping us keep our house in order and providing support and education around how to help my body heal and rest after a long labor. While we've "graduated" from her care, we still appreciate that she checks in to see how we're doing and is always willing to answer questions. We're so glad to have worked with her and have recommended her to many friends!

Courtney C.

12/18/2019

Meema was a godsend after the birth of my twins. She was like a helpful, loving older sister who knew the ropes and had all the latest information at her fingertips but more importantly was committed to supporting me in my journey into motherhood. She listened to my goals and concerns and gave me the advice, encouragement and practical support I needed to stay sane and healthy in the early days when I could barely take care of myself, let alone two newborns! In particular, I’m grateful that Meema helped me establish my milk supply by teaching me how to and encouraging me to pump on a regular schedule when it felt like a completely foreign activity. She also showed me such grace when I was too tired to soak up any of her wisdom and just needed to crash out while she kept an eye on the babies. I still use many of the baby care strategies she taught me - from infant massage to burping to bath time. I don’t know what my family and I would have done without her. 

Natasha Rotella

12/14/2019

Meema made my transition to motherhood seamless and I would hands down recommend her to any new parent! As a first-time mother/father, you are often filled with anxieties and overwhelmed with just getting through each day. Meema's guidance helped me confidently push through the first weeks and has made a huge difference overall. She is kind, caring, and knowledgable. She helped me boil down things to the essentials and has been supportive from my prenatal days to present day.  Thank you, Meema! 

Caprice

10/12/2019

It's almost impossible to articulate exactly how indispensible Meema was for our family. She helped us navigate an unexpected week in the NICU (including helping me establish a good breastmilk supply after my hospital discharge) and assisted my husband and I as we transitioned home from a highly monitored environment. We were grateful for Meema's help in newborn care, babywearing, and helping us establish safe sleep environments. Meema was a gentle guide who intuited our strengths as parents; we never felt that we were doing something "her" way but rather that she was helping us learn our son. Additionally, it was Meema who helped me overcome some enormous breastfeeding challenges - both with her own knowledge and experience as well as with referrals to the right providers. Five months into nursing, I can honestly say I wouldn't be breastfeeding comfortably now without Meema's early support. 

She helped us feel confident and capable in that first month and really set the tone for us as parents. My husband felt equally supported and included due to Meema's work, and he credits her with helping us establish a "team" approach to parenting. We were consistently shocked at just how much Meema helped us accomplish in each session (she somehow covers SO much ground in just three hours, it's truly amazing). Meema made our transition into parenthood so much smoother, less anxious, and more gratifying than we could have expected. We are so very grateful!

Rochelle Weinberger

10/10/2019

Meema recently worked with my family as a post-partum doula following the birth of my first daughter, who arrived via Caesarian. Meema's knowledge, patience, sensitivity, and respect for the family as a whole truly sets her a part. She has a realness and connectivity about her that is so grounding, especially at a time when you/your family is perhaps at it's most vulnerable and emotional state. I often found myself talking to Meema on the couch, taking in her stories and guidance on multiple challenges connected to breastfeeding, navigating family dynamics, baby wearing, and all the early education of learning how to nurture and care for my newborn. Meema is a gem and I cherish the time we had with her as our post-partum doula.

Hayley

5/7/2019

Meema's knowledgeable, kind and patient demeanor put me at ease during a very stressful time, bringing home a brand new baby and understanding how to care for her.  Her guidance on breastfeeding, basic care for baby and myself and great baby tips have been invaluable and have made up the framework of how I operate as a new mom.  She is someone I loved spending time with!

Kate Kessler

1/20/2019

Words cannot describe how grateful I am for Meema and her guidance. I worked with her after both of my daughters were born (2 Years a part). Nursing my daughters was extremely painful given my over production/letdown and their clamping. Meema taught me better positioning, massage techniques for my daughters, showed me how to use my new pump, and gave me a ton of information as follow up to support me. Her easy approach makes the entire experience so comfortable, and you will immediately feel like you’ve known her forever.  She is a wealth of knowledge, and I cannot imagine anyone being better at their job than she is.

Shannon Gillen

8/31/2018

Meema was so helpful and kind in the weeks following our daughter's birth - from the day we arrived home from the hospital to a four month follow up, we were always learning new things to try out to improve our baby's eating, sleeping and thriving. Meema helped with nursing and pumping, breast care/health, swaddling, baby wearing, bath time, soothing techniques and sleep training. I was particularly touched that Meema never had ultimatums or rigid thinking - instead was keyed into our daugher and our experience. This played out in particular when we were thinking out trying the CIO method at 4 months to improve everyone's sleeping. Meema (and our pediatrician) noted that Sasha seemed tired. We had been missing her cues to nap and were putting her down late (which meant a lot of unhappiness for everyone). Meema suggested we preemptively get her in the crib before she was overtired (and to make her bedtime earlier) and lo and behold our daughter fell asleep all by herself most of the day for naps and miraculously slept through the night! We've had a lot of luck since starting this practice, including our daughter finally being able to link sleep cycles for naps! No more 35 minutes - now it ranges from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Long story short, Meema was helpful during one of the most intense periods of our lives! We are grateful!

Katie Fenz

7/30/2018

It was a pleasure to work with Meema. She was a tremendous help in the hectic days after our son’s birth. Meema is extremely knowledgeable about a wide variety of childcare topics, including and especially breastfeeding. She provided useful guidance and tips, as well as encouragement. Meema is also very responsive and organized. Highly recommended!

molly knefel

7/7/2018

I would highly recommend Meema to absolutely anyone with a new baby. The tools she gave us were instrumental in helping me cope through the first six weeks postpartum. We spent most of our time troubleshooting breastfeeding, and I know I wouldn't have been as successful at breastfeeding without her help. She also taught us how to wear our (very small premature) baby, which was a complete game changer. Because we could wear her, we were able to confidently leave the house much easier, which improved my mood and my general sense of well being. She made sure we both felt confident using a wrap to wear the baby, because she was too small to use any structured carriers. Regarding breastfeeding, I was also facing specific challenges with a preemie, transitioning from pumping to breastfeeding, and she helped me every step along the way. She gave better and more individualized guidance than I was able to get at breastfeeding support groups, and it was incredibly helpful to have that ongoing individualized support.

We were gifted hours with Meema, and it was the most important gift we got!

Kara Lesondak

6/18/2018

Meema Spadola was referred to me by a friend, after we had adopted a baby girl. We had done little research about parenting a newborn and felt that a doula would be a good place to start. Meema was a pleasure to work with and incredibly knowledgeable about everything baby related. She has a warm demeaner and made me feel more comfortable about being a new mother by giving me helpful tips and offering practical suggestions to make my life easier and my baby healthy and happy. The information she shared had a foundation in research and offered a holistic approach to caring for my baby. The first meeting I had with her, she came to my house for 3 hours and went over everything I needed to know about caring for my baby; feeding, cleaning bottles, carriers, stuff we had and needed, dressing my baby, sleeping for both my baby and I, taking care of myself physically and emotionally. I had started trying to breastfeed using an SNS tube and Meema had helpful advice for me regarding being an adoptive mother and breastfeeding. She gave me another feeding tube for the baby that was lower maintenance than the one I had. She also helped me get started pumping. She even lent me a carrier to try out for a few weeks. I ran into her on the street and she took the time to help me adjust it so I was supporting the baby correctly. Meema was more helpful than any book I read or advice that was given to me by doctors. She is truly a gem and I highly recommend her to any new parent.

Bridget Anderson

6/18/2018

Meema's positive, calming, and confident energy was incredibly welcome during my babe's "fourth trimester". Before the birth, I had no idea how helpful it would be to have someone model strategies in person - in my home - when I was sleep deprived, recovering from c-section, and new to parenthood. Each time she came over, in addition to making sure I was eating and drinking enough, I took away a useful strategy that added to my feeling more competent as a new mom.

Sophie TREILLARD

2/16/2018

I can’t recommend Meema enough. We regularly keep in touch with her as our son grows and our questions change. As first time parents far from our families, she reassured us and gave us essential tips (including on lactation) to care for our newborn and after. She also gave us a summary of what we discussed as well as a list of further useful resources to look at. That was of great to navigate the maze of books, websites and other blogs. She is gentle, caring and extremely supportive.

We met with Meema when our son was 2 weeks old. We did a whole assessment of what we were doing and she gave us sound advices. Our life savior has been the carrier wrap she recommended to us as our son wanted to be constantly held.
We asked for her advices two months later as we had started to feel more comfortable as parents but new challenges arose such as going back to work. Meema helped us think through a plan to adjust to this new state.
Meema has been a fantastic support for us parents. I wish I had know her earlier!

Sydney Mainster

1/19/2018

As an anxious first-time mom, I was so grateful to have Meema to work with! Professional, knowledgeable, accomodating, calm, responsive, flexible, and a fantastic resource, she always took my concerns seriously and helped me to create a custom approach to how to care for my newborn. I especially appreciated her guidance with breast feeding, a back to work plan, and baby wearing. Mostly it was (and still is!) so helpful to have someone so experienced to be able reach out to with any and all anxieties/questions. Thank you, Meema!

Nicole Lopez

12/20/2017

February 22, 2016 my daughter was born. A miracle from she was with having a hypercoiled blocks cord and survived. At 5lbs 2oz I was motivated to breast feed her and so I tried and was in utter shock when I went to the dr's office to find out she had dropped to 4lbs 13oz. What was going on? Wasn't she getting my milk? I felt terrified and was angry with myself that I couldn't provide with what my daughter needed. Dr's recommended to supplement and I tried to breast feed as well but quickly became engorged. With no support I was a lost mother and desperately clung to formula so that my daughter could get the nourishment she needed. But formula after formula and having to deal with reflux and gastrointestinal issues it took 9 formulas to finallky hit something she could tolerate. To this day I whole heartedly feel had I been supported and guided to breastfeed my daughter would not have had to experience so many difficulties and would be a better eater. A year later I was blessed with becoming pregnant again. I vowed to try make breastfeeding work when the time came. I was prepared this time by contacting Meema. She sent me many resources before birth and quickly reported to the hospital without any hesitation. She is loving, kind, compassionate, well educated, and extremely dedicated to her craft. Meema also makes home visits to further support your needs... A baby whisperer it seems because she has great insight that she shares so you can better and calmly meet your precious newborns needs. I am exclusively breast feeding for a month now and wouldn't be possible with out this God sent amazing being called Meema. Every mother deserves and NEEDS support like this whether this is your first or fourth child. Please do yourself a favor and contact Meema, she will change your motherhood immensely for the absolute best outcome!

Jenny Mandell

11/3/2017

Meema was an incredible help to us in our first few weeks at home! She assisted with many things big and small from breastfeeding technique to setting up and using the breast pump, and showing us how to care for our newborn (ie baby 101 activities, using baby carriers, and employing various soothing techniques for a crying baby). She promptly pointed us to useful resources on topics we had questions about. Meema was VERY efficient in her use of time. She typically came for a few hours at a time, which was perfect and made the most of those hours. She also helped me devise a pumping plan for going back to work and helped with any questions I had on this subject. She did simple things around the house without being asked, like laundry or doing dishes, which seem small but at the time were an enormous help.

All in all, we would highly recommend her to any new parents! Having a teacher, a helping hand, and source of reassurance that you and your baby are moving in the right direction was extremely beneficial and helpful during this rewarding but stressful time.

Dana Kochnower

8/11/2017

I worked with Meema Spadola after the birth of my second child. She was incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and reassuring.  She got me through a painful first two weeks of nursing and was very supportive during those first few weeks when everything feels a bit upside down and overwhelming.  Our time together was always productive - she made delicious meals and even brought our plants back to health! I can't recommend Meema enough!

Julian Edgar

7/20/2017

We worked with Meema during the first half of June 2017 and she was truly amazing.  We became parents on May 31st and took our baby (Henry!) home on June 4th.  It was a nerve-wracking experience and we woke on June 5th thinking "right, what now"!!  Meema came round that day and completely, completely helped us through the first day.  She was calm, sincere and incredibly helpful in every way.  if you are looking for a doula you should certainly get in touch with her.  She will make the first few weeks more fun and manageable.  I am happy to provide a reference as well.

Desiree Fumento

5/25/2017

We brought home little U from the hospital and immediately contacted Meema for lactation counseling regarding latching and my pain. Meema responded immediately and was over the next morning. Her guidance and reassurance gave me the confidence I needed as a first-time mom. She has been an invaluable resource through our first four weeks as issues have popped up. We are very thankful for her help. Thanks Meema! Des, Tim & U

Elisabeth Sherman

4/3/2017

Meema was a much needed source of confidence and calm during the most overwhelming time our life. She guided us during the early days of caring for our newborn, giving us the skills necessary to begin to trust in our own instincts as parents. This type of support has remained invaluable as, rather than relying on any method or rules, we've learned to listen to ourselves and our daughter and figure out what's best for our family at each fork in the road. We're constantly telling all of our friends who are also new parents, "well, Meema said..."! We continue to profusely thank the friends who told us that we had to hire her, and we will tell others the same.

Deborah Bagg

2/15/2017

Meema came over to my home in a time when I felt most vulnerable and needing of help. Meema was patient, present and helpful with the many questions I had as a breastfeeding mom. After our session she went above and beyond in answering more questions to the issues I was having. She even facetimed me to help figure out how to pump after our session was done.  I would highly recommend her services as she is a kind and steady force in the all new time of motherhood.

Pali Kashi

1/15/2017

Meema is simply amazing!! She truly cared for our little baby from the bottom of her heart and it showed! She also really cared about us as new parents so much. The nurses at the hospital were good at coaching me through the lactation process but it was a whole new ballgame once we got home. Meema was key in helping me acclimate to breastfeeding at home, she taught me how to get comfy and prop myself with pillows. Without her help I would've had a long road of getting the hang of breastfeeding, her tips were so valuable. She's also an amazing cook. She would come over in the mornings cook us delicious eggs and then take the baby so I could shower and wash up. I'm so glad we decided to have her around to help us during that 1st month. Even though my mother was nearby it was great to have someone with so much recent experience to help us find our footing. You won't regret hiring Meema, she's a smart and sweet parenting educator :)

Megan Witko

8/2/2016

Meema was an invaluable resource when our son was born. She assisted with breastfeeding, taught us many aspects of caregiving for him, and was generally a positive and kind presence in a time of huge transition. She was a major asset to the whole family and made becoming parents for the first time a bit less scary! We were very lucky to have her services and I would highly recommend her to other new parents.

Anke Meijer

7/18/2016

We loved Meema! Being expats from Europe with a newborn baby and no family nearby to help out those first few weeks, Meema was a lifesaver. She made sure we had something healthy to eat and got some extra hours of sleep when we were too occupied with our newest family member to take care of ourselves. She helped with the baby and around the house. She listened to my new mama doubts and offered solid and reassuring advice. But most of all, she helped me with a very difficult start to breastfeeding. Without Meema (and her correct diagnosis of a tongue- and lip tie and referral to a specialist) I'm sure I would've given up within a week or two. Even now, a few months later, I still text her from time to time for advice and she always repies within a few hours. Meema's great!

tara charne

6/1/2016

I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Meema. I hired her months before I gave birth because of all the fears I had about breastfeeding and having a newborn. The moment she walked into my apt. Everything changed. she was so calm and nurturing. She made me feel so at ease. She immediately positioned me into the most comfortable breastfeeding position ( I still use that position) and talked me through baby first cries and and expressions. she was so full of information. She was and still is my Yoda. I honestly don't know what I would have done without her help and encouragement.

Marisa Alter

5/9/2016

Meema was a godsend!  I don't know what I would have done without her the first 2 weeks after my daughter was born.  She was even involved before the birth, frequently checking in with me and sending me great resources and supportive good vibes.  Meema is so knowledgeable in every area of caring for an infant.  She walked us through bathing, diaper changing, baby wearing etc.  She was such a huge help with breastfeeding, an area that can be fraught with challenges.  She was such a warm and supportive presence, helping to make 2 newby parents feel way more competent and confident.  She clearly loves what she does and does it with passion and compassion.

sarah brook

4/4/2016

My wife and I had to stay in the hospital for several days after our daughter's birth, during which time she had difficulty latching and nursing.  The hospital lactation consultants were minimally present, and often provided conflicting information.  When Meema came to visit us in the hospital, she felt like the first sane, compassionate and calming person we'd talked to in days!  She listened genuinely and carefully to our concerns, provided excellent concrete suggestions, and most importantly conveyed confidence and perspective.  Meema also helped us feel empowered to make the decisions that made the most sense for our daughter and our family.  We remain so grateful!!

vanessa j

3/14/2016

Welcoming a stranger into your home at one of the most special and vulnerable times in your life can be difficult. Meema was our post Partum doula following the birth of our first child and after our initial interview we knew she was going to alleviate any anxiety we harbored. Meema seamlessly came into our home a few days post Partum after a traumatic visit to the neonatal ER on day two back home. She immediately had a grasp of the situation upon entering our apartment and sprung effortlessly into action. We were so relieved, feeling that Meema not only knew what we needed at that moment, but understood what we were going through emotionally and physically. The days following she checked in regarding how we were doing and on her next visit she continued facilitating our transition into our new roles as parents, caring equally for our daughter as well as us. She is proactive without being overbearing, she takes charge in a gentle way, is incredibly knowledgable and shares her knowledge without being preachy. We were sad to see her go on her last day, but felt confident about all that she taught us so we could continue on our own. We would highly recommend Meema with no reservations. Look no further!

Conor Doherty

1/15/2016

Meema is amazing.

neither of us had family near by so we decided that booking Meema me get be good in case it was a conplicatled delivery or there were problems with breast feeding...  We didn't have big issues with either, but found it was so great to have Meema anyway. shes happy to impart her years of baby wisdom - assuring you that the random little stuff you stress about is normal -  or, just happy to wash the dishes and cook you a meal while you spend time with the little one.  Meema was awesome with breastfeeding pointers (Different positions/what to expect, what to do/not do etc.

Having. Spoken with friends who didn't use a doula, and hearing how their first few weeks went, we realised just how helpful it really was to have her around!

Anne Love

10/21/2014

Meema was incredible! I can't say enough great things about our experience with her. We hired Meema as a post-partum doula and she was there exactly when we needed her. Meema helped us to get settled when we arrived back home - teaching us/me how to pump, use the moby wrap and best practices for everything from feeding to changing to nursing. When we had our routine more firmed up, Meema was super helpful just getting through those first couple of weeks - dishes, walking our dog, etc. Most of all, Meema was a great cheerleader- I always felt so great after she left for the day. Meema is great!

Christine Leahy

9/22/2014

Meema was an amazing support in my postpartum days -- first five years ago when my older daughter was born, and more recently again when my second one arrived.  Knowing what an amazing resource and support she was with my eldest, Meema was the first person I reached out to when faced with some tricky nursing issues the second time.  She helped me navigate these challenges with calm, knowledgable, supportive care, giving me solutions to both big and small issues.  When it turned out my daughter had a "tongue tie" she knew of all the local doctors I could speak with, pointed me to informative websites, and followed up with me daily after I saw the doctor, even reaching out to other professionals to provide me with additional information.  She also helped me with small things, like teaching me the best way to tie a Moby, and getting me something to eat from the kitchen.  Any question about newborn care I could think of, she had an answer to -- which isn't to say she told me what to think or do, she simply gave me all the information I could possibly need to draw my own conclusions.  Meema is a truly lovely person who truly cares and really knows her stuff -- I couldn't recommend her more highly!

Amaya Taveras

6/5/2014

We met Meema when we attended a Breast feeding and Newborn Care class that she was teaching. After I gave birth to our son and started having breast feeding issues there was no doubt on who to call. Meema is very hard working and sensitive to people's insecurities. She made me feel empowered and calmer. There's a big difference in my attitude towards breast feeding now and our baby is latching and gaining weight as a result. We highly recommend her, thank you Meema!

Amaya, Jose & Manolo

Melissa Herman

2/1/2014

We had a wonderful experience working with Meema! She went above and beyond from the time we were in touch with her before our son was born. She provided additional resources and guidance that really made a big difference. From coming by the night we can home from the hospital to showing us how to give our son his first bath, having Meema's support made the experience of being a new parent so much smoother. She has an amazingly calm presense, is non-judgemental and we have already referred her to friends.

Lauren Wilkins

2/7/2013

Eli Janka

1/21/2012

Wow, how can I limit my praise for Meema to under 1800 characters ?  In short, she made me feel competent, comfortable, and supported.  She was more than a doula -- she was my therapist, my cheerleader, my lactation consultant -- she was my FRIEND when I needed one most.  I looked forward to our Tuesdays together because it meant that *I* got babied for a little while !  My favorite memory of Meema was drifting off to sleep (with a belly full of nutritious food that she prepared !!!) listening to her sing softly to my baby.  When I awoke, the laundry was folded, the dishwasher was emptied, kitchen was spotless, and the baby was sleeping soundly.   I am eternally grateful: because of Meema's advice and aid, my transition into motherhood was not only smooth, it was an absolute JOY.  

Kristen Vaurio

1/17/2012

I can't recommend Meema highly enough. Right after the birth, she took care of me, making sure I was fed and rested so I could focus on caring for my new son.  Her experience as a lactation counselor helped me get through a rocky start - tongue tie, thrush etc. She also helped me navigate pumping in anticipation of my return to work.   As an added bonus, she helped unlock the mystery of the Moby wrap.  I never would have tried it on my own, but she lent me hers and I LOVED it.  I'm now a moby-evangelst thanks to Meema.   

Arthur Halpern

12/20/2011

My partner and I were lucky enough to work with Meema after the birth of our son. Being two dads, we were unsure if working with a post-partum doula was the right choice for us, but we like Meema so much when we met her that we decided to work with her on the spot. We could not have made a better choice or found more competent and relevant support during the first few weeks of our parenthood.

Meema is smart and savvy, full of common sense, compassion, energy, and great good humor. Non-judgmental and free of dogmatism, Meema is flexible in her thinking and her approach. She generously shared the wisdom and practical tips she has gleaned from her own professional and personal experience and she listened to our concerns with an open mind and a can-do attitude. She watched and listened to our newborn with the most extraordinary and loving attention and helped tune us in to his earliest communications. Meema authoritatively answered the many questions we had about the breast milk our heroic gestational carrier was pumping and shipping to us, and she made gentle but significant adjustments to our bottle-feeding style. She provided us with effective soothing strategies and taught us to bathe, swaddle, and carry our son with greater confidence.

Meema will also cook, straighten, do laundry, run errands -- whatever new parents need to get on their feet with confidence and enthusiasm. The confidence and encouragement Meema imparted to us during those early weeks of parenthood was the single most valuable support we received.

We cannot recommend her more highly, for any family of any configuration.

Art H. & Matthew P.

Heather Palmeri

4/28/2011

Meema was invaluable in assisting us during those first few murky weeks following the birth of our daughter. As first time parents, we were a bit nervous and apprehensive about everything.  With Meema's guidance and support, we grew in our confidence as well as in our abilities to competently care for our baby.

Some of the things that Meema helped us with include: bathing the baby, swaddling, baby wearing (she even lent me a wrap for a few weeks to try out to see if I liked it), infant massage, pumping and storing breastmilk, advice for sleeping/napping, growth spurts, etc. I had an extremely difficult time breastfeeding for the first month after my daughter was born. I got through that difficult time with the help of Meema. She not only offered me her knowledge and advice/tips, but she was an invaluable support during this difficult time. Though we only hired her for 16 hours, Meema went above and beyond- always checking in with me; sending me tons of emails offering her support and encouragement as well as lists of helpful books and resources. I have a wonderful, pain -free breastfeeding relationship with my daughter today- and that is no doubt in part due to Meema's unwaivering support and encouragement.

In addition to helping with the baby, she also made me food, did loads of laundry, straightened out my kitchen and  made me sitz baths. She even accompanied me to dr.s visits and cared for the baby while I was with the dr. She was also flexible and would intuitively cut a session short if she saw that it would be more beneficial for me to get some rest.

Meema is wonderful with babies as well as new parents. You can tell that she loves what she does. Her guidance and support have made my husband and I feel more confident as parents. I can't imagine getting through those first few weeks without her. We will forever be grateful for all that she has done.  I would HIGHLY recommend Meema as a postpartum doula!!

Melissa P.

11/22/2010

I cannot say enough good things about Meema.  I used her after the birth of my daughter and the advice and support she provided was invaluable. 

Meema is incredibly kind, trustworthy, great with babies, and easy to talk to.  She provides fantastic advice to new moms -- from recommending slings to helping with nursing and feeding issues.  For example, Meema helped me help my daughter get a good latch and taught me different breastfeeding positions.  She gave me advice about storage of milk and how many ounces my daughter should be getting with each feeding.  She recommended a bra for hands-free pumping, which my husband commented was the best advice I had received from anyone as that was a real game changer in quality of life. 

Meema also was incredibly supportive and an unbelievable listener.  I had a very difficult and traumatic delivery with a lot of complications afterwards and a daughter who was a slow weight-gainer.  Meema listened and gave me the support I needed to get through a very difficult period. 

Meema helped with all aspects of my home when not tending to the baby or me -- cleaning the kitchen, preparing food, doing laundry, organizing the baby's room (I delivered early so there was still a lot to do in the nursery).  She is incredibly efficient and wants to help out in any way she can.

Probably the biggest compliment that I can give Meema is that I left my daughter alone with her when my daughter was just a few weeks old.  Meema was the first person outside my family to take care of my daughter alone.  I felt totally comfortable having Meema watch my daughter and in fact, when I was leaving the apartment, Meema asked if I wanted her to call me with updates and I responded, "no, I know she's in good hands."  And she was.

In short, any new mom would be lucky to have Meema as her doula.

Raphaela Neihausen

5/19/2010

Meema Spadola is THE BEST post-partum doula in the world! For the restof my life, I will remember how useful she was in these first few days post-pregnancy that are otherwise filled with so much uncertainty and discomfort. On Meema's first visit - within 4 hours, she’d gone through our fridge and made us fresh smoothies, given me a foot massage (specific to nursing), showed us how to use a moby wrap and ergo carrier, given me great tips for engorgement (my milk had just come in), examined/adjusted my latch, sterilized the breast pump parts and taught me to use it as back-up, ordered me a nursing bra from Yummy Mummy, boiled me an herbal sitz bath tincture, and more things that I am probably not remembering right now. She was dynamo. The best part is that she did all these things without even being asked. She is incredibly pro-active and knowledgeable. She acts on her initiative without ever being pushy - just extremely considerate and helpful. After her visits, we felt empowered and relaxed. I’d grab her for at least a 16 hour slot – the best money you’ll ever spend. I cannot recommend her enough for post-partum doula work. Without exaggeration, she was truly a life-saver. By the end of the 16 hour block – you and your partner have learned everything you need about looking after a newborn (and the new-mommy!).

April Cantor

7/17/2009

Meema Spadola offered such great support with my second child. I was
needing a "refresher course" on breastfeeding,
and wanted to make sure my newborn was latching correctly. She was
very patient, listened intently and was observant;
her instructions were clear and advice invaluable. By day 6, my baby
was latching well and nursing like a champ; my
nipples had healed and were in good shape--no cuts or scabs like with
my first child--I owe it all to Meema.
Meema is someone who'll go the extra mile in helping you establish a
good foundation for newborn care--from providing you with books, to
supplying you with lists of specialists, to making home visits late in
the evenig to give you a pep talk. After meeting with Meema I felt
better informed, empowered, and more confident in my parenting skills.
I will happily and whole-heartedly recommend Meema to anyone who wants
to know more about starting off on the right foot with a new child.

Jen & Jack

7/16/2009

Meema helped us out for 6 full weeks after our daughter was born.  She was wonderful -- I can't imagine that time without her.  Neither my partner nor I had any infant care experience and Meema helped us develop our instincts and the skills we needed to care for our daughter in a very gentle and respectful way -- she was never condescending.  She cooked nutritious, healthy & delicious food which helped bring my strength back after giving birth.  She knows so much about breast-feeding and was able to offer advice and put us in touch with others who could offer advice when we faced challenges in that area.  She was a wise and empathetic sounding board for discussing some of the challenges of early parenthood.  She helped out in every way imaginable -- besides using her skills in the kitchen & around infant care and breast-feeding, she helped compile our papers for my partner's second-parent adoption of our daughter, and even came with us to vote in the 2008 presidenttial election when our daughter was 3 weeks old and fussy.  In the months after she stopped helping us out in our home, Meema stayed in touch and offered wisdom about various issues that arose, especially around infant sleep.

Neither my partner nor I have family in the area; before our child was born, we had no idea we would need Meema as much as we did.  As it turned out, we felt that connecting with her a few weeks before our daughter was born was one of the smartest things we ever did. 

Meema is skilled, kind, smart, sincere, and lots of fun to have around.  We consider her a very special friend to our family.