This is to recommend Veronica Hinojosa-Stang for a baby nurse/doula position and Infant sleep trainer.
Veronica was with us for three weeks. She is a problem solving, type A personality, with concern for the infant and family. Always willing to listen and work together to fit the family’s needs. She has been a very good resource for information about breastfeeding, bottles, general baby care and nutrition.
Our 4.5 month-old baby stopped taking bottles and it was clear after several weeks of trying that we needed a professional. This was our second child, so we thought it would be easier, but despite what they say, it was the opposite and having Veronica for several weeks at our house really changed things. I felt that I could ask Veronica all sorts of questions on baby and non-baby issues with her expertise and life experience. Anytime I had a concern or issue she would address it right away or work with us to resolve it. This job is not just about having credentials but having genuine love for babies and families and passion for helping others. She was flexible, understanding, but also assertive enough to help us get up on our feet and have more confidence to handle the fussy baby. And Veronica really tried to honor our specific requests and needs every time.
At the end of a week, our baby was back on the bottle, but work was not yet done, as there is always a chance she could regress and go back so easily to breast and refuse it. (Since it happened before.) Veronica made certain she would stay on the bottle and for my husband and I to be able to do the job. It took us another few weeks for our family to finally have the confidence and certainty. And by then our baby’s schedule was more definite and she was sleeping much better during the day and night.
A few things that made Veronica different from other help that we had, was that she was able to multi-task so easily and professionally without asking too many questions. She took charge in a lot of areas, all the while being open to our needs. It was pretty clear from the start that this was all about baby and the bottle. The goal was to get her back on the bottle. But she was able to alleviate some other issues, such as making sure baby was happy, getting plenty of walks and outside time, exercise, fun bath time, affection in the household – which correlates to happier baby and a better sleeper. She was giving me a lot of encouragement to get out of the house, as well as to show more affection and – a little bit of life advice and coaching me on the side. And she was not pushy – like my mother could be! On top of all this, she had simultaneously sleep trained the baby without much effort – it is now up to us to keep it going! None of this was a walk in the park – especially for a severely sleep deprived mom that has to manage the household with a baby and a toddler. During the time she was here, I had a chance to get some fresh air, rest, run errands, to think better and plan better, have a better mindset for managing other things as well as our baby.
Her life experience and with babies over the years, coupled with her personality makes her easy to work with. The job can be highly stressful, as it is physically and mentally challenging, repetitive work. However, Veronica was able to do all of it very thoroughly and lovingly. She showed us how to properly clean those bottle nipples (oops), made us realize baby has to fit into the family’s schedule and life, not the other way around, and that I needed to be a little more flexible and more relaxed in general and around baby. I’m glad we chose Veronica to do the job. I believe she has good people/family experience to know what’s best for each family.
Don’t expect a miracle or perfection from the start. I could not have gotten to where I am now, without Veronica’s help. To sum it up simply, Veronica is professional, trustworthy, and caring.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further questions you may have.
Best,