Motherhood is messy, but you can still love and enjoy it!
Did I ever have a rough time with my first baby! The anxiety that ripped through me as I thought I wouldn't be able to breastfeed my daughter made me lose precious minutes with her. Not only that, my anxiety made her anxious too. She was so fussy and cried all the time. To hold a calm, happy baby felt foreign to me.
As a naturopathic doctor, I knew where I could get help. I just had to give myself permission to receive it. After enduring 7 weeks of breastfeeding challenges and utilizing new strategies, we found our rhythm and it continued effortlessly for 2 more years. I breastfed each of my children for 2 years with short breaks in between and with my last daughter, I breastfed her for 3!—almost 8 years combined if I do the math. And even with all the struggles, I loved being the one they turned to for "milkies."
Yes, motherhood is hard, frustrating, overwhelming, time consuming and chaotic, but it is an experience of genuine unconditional love. I wanted to relive the newborn and toddler stage again and so I decided to shift my practice focus to working with families, moms, and babies. I live through my patients' happiness, but I can also empathize with their struggles. Being able to relate to my patients makes my relationship with them feel more trustworthy. Without hearing the words, I can see the gratitude that is felt.
I want to share my motherhood experiences with you so you can feel empowered, confident, and be able to truly believe that you are a good—no great!—mother!
Supporting you always,
Daniella
Education & Interests
Professional
Professional Status
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor in good standing with The College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
Certifications & Memberships
- Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) Certified Childbirth Educator
- Member of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians (PedANP)
Education
- Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
- MSc in Immunohematology, University of Toronto
- BSc in Health & Disease, University of Toronto
Additional Experience
Author: When Published
Retired Naturopathic Birth Doula
Personal Interests
My ultimate favourite hobby is to collect vintage skeleton keys. Keys tell a story of historical landmarks and people. Holding one brings you back in time!
I like baking, but I love decorating even more. I work with fondant and buttercream icing to recreate fun designs (only my kids hire me to make their birthday cakes!)
I love dogs. My first was a Great Dane named Hugo. He was a piece of me like my kids are.
I am a photography enthusiast! I took a course during COVID to learn the basics and now I'm my kids' favourite photographer. They role their eyes when I say I want to take pictures. I don't mind because I've captured some really beautiful moments!
My Favourites
- Colour: Blue
- Vegetable: Artichoke
- Fruit: Mango
- Season: Summer
- Movie: Willow
- Dessert: Chocolate anything
- Book(s): A Handful of Time & Tuesdays with Morrie
Fun Facts
I know how to crochet and I am in the middle of building a miniature dollhouse! My favourite thing to do to relax is arts and crafts. Nothing calms the mind like a good paper project.