rebecca-stiglitz

4 Best Walking Trails in Bolingbrook and Surrounding Areas

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 22:53:30 GMT

Spring is here and the weather is starting to get warmer. I sit her on this random Monday, the sun is shining, but it is so deceiving because I know it is only 40 degrees today. As someone who loves to be outside, the Midwest Spring is so fickle. One of the best things we can do for ourselves especially as new and postpartum moms is go outside and get that vitamin D. I had a client this winter who went outside and took a walk everyday that it wasn't icy, even if it was only for 10 minutes because she knew her mental health need it.

Whalon Lake - Bolingbrook and Naperville, IL https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/preserves/whalon-lake

This paved trail give beautiful views of Whalon Lake as you wander around it. I love that it is a closed loop and that you can enter from Royce Rd in Naperville or from Hidden Oaks Nature Preserve off Boughton Rd in Bolingbrook. My teenage children love going for a run around the trail and I love that I can see them the whole time. This trail is perfect for bikes and strollers.

DuPage River Greenway Trail - Bolingbrook, IL https://bolingbrookparks.org/park/dupage-river-greenway-trail/

I love picking this trail up at Indian Boundary Park and taking it to Hidden Lakes. The prairie grasses give you a chance to see birds, insects, and the occasional dragonfly. This is not a closed loop, so plan accordingly.

McCollum Park - Downers Grove, IL https://www.dgparks.org/location/mccollum-park

We discovered McCollum's walking trail when my kids started running cross country in middle school. This paved trail loops around the park and is shaded beautifully. Great for those warm days when you still want to get out. If you have young children, check out the splash pad after your walk.

Waterfall Glen - Darien, IL https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/waterfall-glen

This is a popular trail, especially near the waterfalls. I don't recommend it on weekends. My goal is to one day walk the full 11 mile loop, but usually I just set a timer and turn around when it beeps. I love walking along the waterfall and riverbanks. Just get there early or go on a weekday when the crowds are smaller.

Rebecca is a postpartum doula and sleep consultant in Bolingbrook, IL. Her favorite thing to do when it is not snowing is to go for a walk. Find her on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/doularebeccastiglitz and instagram at https://www.instagram.com/doula_rebecca_stiglitz/

How to Choose a Postpartum Doula in Bolingbrook, IL

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 22:53:30 GMT

A postpartum doula is an amazing gift you can give yourself after the birth of your baby. Whether is one day or 12 weeks of support, the rest you get from knowing a postpartum doula is there to support you is worth it. As a new or expecting parent in Bolingbrook and the surrounding western suburbs of Chicago, postpartum support can give you peace of mind and rest when it comes to your newborn.

What does a postpartum doula do?

Takes care of Mom first!

Do you have water, a snack, and are you comfortable? Do you need someone to hold the baby so you can take a shower or a nap? As a new parent it is easy to make everything about your family and not take the time for yourself. In order to fill the cup of your new baby, you need to make sure that you are well rested and taken care of. Do you just need to talk to another adult? Is someone looking out for you? Many of us don't live close to our parents or those parents are still working fulltime so Grandma isn't able to come over and take care of you. This is where your postpartum doula steps in.

Care of baby!
As noted above, your postpartum doula will care for your infant so you can take a nap or shower. If you are recovering in bed or on the couch, we will change baby's diapers and bring him to you for feeding so you don't have to get up. We will help you with bathing your baby, feeding support, and other tips to help your house run smoothly.

Care of family!

Is there an older sibling in the family? We will play with older brother or sister to give you time to bond with the baby or we will hold the baby so you can spend time with your older kids. We help with the transition of adding another member of your family and the big feelings that come along with a little brother or sister.

Care for the house!
Laundry piles up when there is a new baby. Dishes never seem to get done. What are you eating for dinner? Who knows. Your postpartum doula will help with lite housework to make sure they house doesn't fall apart. Your doula can also recommend housekeeping services if needed to help you stay on top of things after she leaves.

Rebecca is a postpartum doula and sleep consultant in Bolingbrook, IL. She takes care of new moms in Bolingbrook and the surrounding western suburbs of Chicago. Follow her on facebook https://www.facebook.com/doularebeccastiglitz and instagram https://www.instagram.com/doula_rebecca_stiglitz/

Why Hire a Sleep Consultant in Bolingbrook, IL

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 22:53:30 GMT

Deciding to hire a sleep consultant for your child is a very personal choice for your family. Some people will tell you that you are not attending to your child's needs, some people will applaud you for being proactive about your child's sleep. How do you know if you are making the right choice?

As a parent of 3 teens, sleep at our house was a struggle when they were little. We lived in a little 2 bedroom and when my youngest was born, I had a 4.5 year old, almost 2 year old, and newborn with 950 square feet. It was tight. This being said, letting a child cry for any length of time would wake the others and white noise machines were not as popular 17 years ago. We suffered from lack of sleep, children visiting my bedroom in the middle of the night, and overall a need for a change.

When my youngest was almost 4, we moved to our house in Bolingbrook and I knew we needed a change. We started with a modified chair method where I sat on the floor in my girls' room and waited until they fell asleep and slowly started moving myself out the door as the week went out. There were many nights, were I would put them to bed and sit on the floor just outside the door for an hour before I felt like I could move downstairs and they would still come looking for me.

I decided to become a sleep consultant soon after becoming a postpartum doula because I want to help other parents who need their evenings back. You can still have well attached kids who put themselves to sleep and sleep through the night. You do not have to be tied to bedtime for 2-3 hours every night. You do not have to fall asleep with your kid and then put yourself to bed. You deserve to have some childfree time with your husband at night. Seriously...

Now my kids are older and things have shifted, especially during the summer and weekends. I put myself to bed before the kids even think about sleeping, but there are days when I will be in bed around 8:30 or 9 and one of my kids, especially my girls, will crawl into bed with me after a hard day. It is a place to talk, cry, giggle, joke, and fall asleep. I will wake them up and put them back into their bed at some point during the evening, but they know that mom's bed is a safe place.

How you handle your child and their sleep is a deeply personal decision and as a sleep consultant, it is my honor to help you navigate that in your family. Whether it is sleep shaping, sleep training, safely co-sleeping, or something in-between, my goal is to help your family get the rest and sleep you all deserve.

Rebecca is a postpartum doula and sleep consultant in Bolingbrook, IL. Follow her on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/doularebeccastiglitz or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/doula_rebecca_stiglitz