<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Sweet Start Services]]></title><description><![CDATA[In-home postpartum nursing, doula care, lactation support (CLC) and newborn education in San Jose, SF & the Bay Area. English & Farsi.]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 03:24:42 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.sweetstartservices.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Chelleh: Persian Postpartum Care by a Farsi-Speaking Nurse]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: Chelleh (چله) is the traditional Persian 40-day rest after birth. Many Iranian families keep the new mother home, feed her warming foods and surround her with support. Rest, nutrition and family help fit modern postpartum care well. Some herbal remedies, swaddling habits and bathing rules deserve a closer look. A Farsi-speaking postpartum nurse can help families keep their traditions...]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/persian-postpartum-traditions-chelleh-modern-care</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf388882321ceead650f91</guid><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:54:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_a9c7af947e8b4ae1acb5c80c690c7ef2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Night Doula Cost in the Bay Area + 4 Ways to Get More Sleep]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: A night doula (also called an overnight or nighttime doula) cares for your newborn overnight so you can sleep. In the Bay Area, night doula cost is about $40–$80 per hour, roughly $320–$640 per 8-hour night (2026 agency and marketplace estimates). Free alternatives include shift-sleeping, daytime naps and a simple safe-sleep setup. This article is for education only and is not medical...]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/getting-sleep-with-a-newborn-night-doula-options</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf377cf335fb566dde278b</guid><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:49:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_7356777a766c7065454155~mv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breastfeeding Help: Common Problems in the First 2 Weeks]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: In the first two weeks, most newborns feed 8 to 12 times a day. Milk usually increases around days 2 to 3. Get breastfeeding help at home if you have pain that lasts through a feed, cracked nipples, too few wet diapers, or a baby who isn't back to birth weight by about two weeks. In San Jose or elsewhere in the Bay Area? See where to get breastfeeding help at home, near the end of this...]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/breastfeeding-first-two-weeks-common-problems</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abedc8f733226563d745221</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:20:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_786c593361797068704963~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fourth Trimester Recovery: A Week-by-Week Guide (2026)]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: The "fourth trimester" is the first 12 weeks after birth. Your body heals, your hormones shift, and you and your baby learn each other. Bleeding, soreness and big emotions usually ease week by week. Help at home makes it easier, but some warning signs always need your doctor or 911. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Always follow your own provider's guidance. Key...]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/fourth-trimester-recovery-week-by-week</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abedc04350aaa64a787eee2</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:18:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_3d7580846bcd4f5aa1afdc1970b905d3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Pay for a Postpartum Doula: Carrot, HSA/FSA, Medi-Cal]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: You may not have to pay for postpartum doula services entirely out of pocket. Depending on your plan, you may be able to use an employer benefit like Carrot, HSA/FSA funds (sometimes with a letter of medical necessity), or Medi-Cal or health-plan doula coverage. Always confirm with your plan before you book. This 2026 guide for Bay Area families covers the main ways to pay, the paperwork...]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/paying-for-postpartum-care-carrot-hsa-fsa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abedba62f792df8d0247fe8</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:16:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_36bb4652766b4918a3504bb4de54b51e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Postpartum Doula Near Me: How to Hire One in San Jose]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: Start looking for a postpartum doula during pregnancy, ideally in the second or early third trimester. Interview two or three. Ask about training, prices and availability, verify any nursing license on the state's DCA License Search, and pick someone whose language and culture fit your family. Key takeaways Start your search in the second or early third trimester, and book by 34–36 weeks....]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/how-to-find-a-postpartum-doula-san-jose-bay-area</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abedaf1733226563d744f53</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:13:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_183cd63a6f66460c8f34861d5b67239f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 Benefits of Having a Postpartum Doula at Home (2026)]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 The short answer: The main benefits of a postpartum doula are hands-on feeding support, practical newborn care teaching, emotional support, and time to rest and recover, all in your own home. When your postpartum doula is also a Registered Nurse, you add a clinical eye that can assess how you and your baby are doing and help you know when to call your doctor. Key takeaways Research supports extra...]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/benefits-of-a-postpartum-doula</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abeda2f350aaa64a787ebbf</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:10:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_cc39bba84e6d47599ec5c4ae81a5719d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Does a Postpartum Doula Do? A 3-Hour Home Visit]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: A postpartum doula comes to your home after birth to help with feeding, teach hands-on newborn care, check in on your recovery and mood, and give you time to rest. When the doula is also a Registered Nurse, she can assess you and your baby and tell you when to call your doctor. Key takeaways A typical 3-hour visit covers a check-in, feeding support, hands-on newborn care and a plan for...]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/what-does-a-postpartum-doula-do</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abed93027aae54774d8f70c</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:07:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_06ee06ee93b34455950be3cb1fc036fc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Newborn Care Specialist vs. Night Nurse vs. Postpartum Doula]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: A newborn care specialist (NCS) and a "night nurse" mainly care for the baby, usually overnight, so parents can sleep. A postpartum doula supports the whole family: recovery, feeding and confidence. Most "postpartum night nurses" are not licensed nurses. If you want clinical expertise, hire a Registered Nurse and verify the license. Key takeaways An NCS or "night nurse" focuses on the...]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/postpartum-doula-vs-night-nurse-vs-newborn-care-specialist</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abed35e2f792df8d02471b5</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:41:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_9f0eb22e91b2486ebc12b081ea3a944c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Postpartum Doula Cost in the Bay Area: 2026 Price Guide]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Parvin, RN, CLC, certified doula · Sweet Start Services, San Jose · Updated October 2026 Short answer: In 2026, a daytime postpartum doula in the San Francisco Bay Area typically costs about $55–$75 per hour, often with a 3–4 hour minimum. Your total depends on hours booked and the caregiver's credentials. Night doulas are priced separately (see our night doula cost guide). Key takeaways Daytime postpartum doulas in the Bay Area run about $55–$75 per hour, often with a 3–4 hour minimum....]]></description><link>https://www.sweetstartservices.com/post/postpartum-doula-cost-bay-area</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abec93c7333c9a7b0d09b0b</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:01:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_9b27904307354e48b3b5c2378239f1e8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Parvin Salehikasaei, RN, CLC</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>