Jackie P. - 2025 Night Client

LaToya brought so much calm to my household. She was not only incredible with my infant daughter, but incredible with my toddler. I enjoyed our late nights together chatting about all things. She helped me process so much just by being a nonjudgmental and willing ear, and brought a great sense of humor to my home. She even helped me brew a healing herbal tea when I had a cold— and it worked! Thank you LaToya for giving us back the sleep my husband and I so desperately needed.

Miguel (8/16/2023)

I want to start off by saying how blessed we are to have a true women of faith and a nurturing sweet soul such as LaToya. As a young first time dad I was not sure about her role or importance in our lives as I did not understand the purpose of a doula or her role she would eventually play in our lives. I didn’t realize how much support Ali baba would need during her pregnancy. LaToya helped us with what I would say was one of the most important moments of our life. Not only was I nervously awaiting our little arrival but I was scared I didnt know how to help my wife during her time of pain. However in all that uncertainty what soothed and calmed me most was knowing there was a certified, professional, loving women in the room that had built a relationship with my other half. She knew what to do when to do it and she taught me how to help my wife in those times she needed me. I got to see strength and vulnerability in my wife during the birth of our son and all the pivotal moments that led up to that were important decisions made as a group. LaToya was a teacher to me but most importantly I forgot she was a doula. Ali would mention her so casually to me in conversation that during this entire process I saw her as family as our friend. When Ali was dealing with depression and she had hard days I could just see her immediately light up or get happy after having a conversation with our beloved friend. She brought out a different side in my wife a more hopeful side and a more healed side. Not only was she more reflective during her pregnancy and after but she became more present and shes a great mom because she had such a strong supportive women by her side. I felt guilty a lot during the pregnancy because I worked a lot in my last job. There were a lot of days I couldn't be by her side, many appointments I missed, various improvement conversations I was not apart of. However in all those adversities I recognize that I was there as much as I could be and I was less worried knowing she had a friend she could talk to. I love most how Ali talks about god more and more each day, she has become closer to god and that is because of LaToya. God bless you LaToya you have blessed our family with your love and kindness and if there was any proof needed then all you need is us. Any other women like my wife would be lucky to have such an amazing doula like her. You were very attentive in the hospital towards me and I feel you have only made us better. Thank you for all you do. Your doing gods work because you help these amazing women bring in life to the world. Our family to yours we are incredibly blessed. May god continue to push you in your journey.

Katherine (3/12/2024)

Westchester Baby Café has blessed me beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. A friend of mine that I went to college with invited me to the ‎WhatsApp group and I just thought it was going to be a group chat where mom’s asked questions and talked. I never imagined, how much more it would be than just a group chat. This group met twice a week, and though I’ve only gone to a handful of meetings since I’ve tended to nap during the time they met, every time I have logged onto the meetings I was met with  so much kindness and welcomed every time. It’s been a safe and a wonderful place for me to ask questions and learn as I am brand new to the motherhood journey and I don’t really have anyone I can ask these questions to.

I am the first in my family  to exclusively breast-feed and I don’t have the support for my family for that as they seem to think that I am starving my child by depriving her formula, meanwhile, my daughter is incredibly allergic to the stuff in formula, and after three unwilling attempts of formula to try and get her to gain weight. I didn’t know how to properly breast feed and I didn’t know I even produced enough milk— lactation consultants at Phelps Hospital, and my child’s pediatrician convinced me that I did not and so I needed the formula (I asked for breastmilk at the hospital to supplement and they instead gave me formula). I called Baby Cafe, Lactation Consultant, Megan. She was incredibly insightful, and even drove to my home to help me with. breast-feeding.

The help didn’t actually start postpartum, I joined when I was maybe about 2 to 3 weeks away from my delivery due date. At my first meeting there, I was asked if I had a Doula, to which I responded that I did not have a Doula because I could not afford to pay for one. My husband had just recently lost the job he was working at in Mount Kisco due to his job, literally catching on fire and burning down. While he was two of 50+ employees that got to keep a job, it meant that he would have to commute all the way to their upper west side location from Ossining. We were in serious deficit, monthly and relying on food pantries and the church, and friends and family to help us pay for rent. Baby Café’s Juliette called me later that day, and then connected me with LaToya, who would become my Doula. I wasn’t able to afford Doula, but LaToya gifted me her  service. My husband and I were so shocked that she would do that. I am so grateful for the blessing of having Latoya as a Doula, I don’t think I would’ve made it through my Labor Day without her support for both my husband and I, I would’ve definitely had a medicated birth against my desires to have an unmedicated one. Beyond that, LaToya has become like a mentor for me, and has supported me emotionally as I dealt with tough family dynamics during the day of my birth and after. Baby Cafe, not only gave me a place to ask questions and learn about motherhood, it provided an incredible service to my family and gave me a mentor and Friend.

The first couple of weeks of Penelope‘s life have been incredibly difficult— she had a really severe lip tie that made it hard for her to latch to the breast and it was hard for her to drink from the bottle as well. She had major GI issues after consuming formula, and we even had a medical scare as she had been falsely diagnosed with a blood genetic disorder. Now that all of that has passed, I am very much looking forward to tuning in regularly. I love that I can just listen in, and when I do have questions, I can ask and engage, and it’s not just the licensed professionals answering, but it’s also other moms who have gone before and had the same issues, and there’s just so much encouragement  in that group. It has truly empowered me and has helped me to embrace and love the journey of motherhood— a journey that I was taught to hate, to run far away from my mother and sisters.

Thank you for your support of Baby Cafe, it makes a world of a difference for people like me and has given me the opportunity learn about services that are available for my child, to receive services at otherwise would not have been able to afford, to give me a community of mom’s during a time that is so for me to isolate myself. My Doula taught me to embrace birth, to embrace motherhood, and bonding with my child— I absolutely love motherhood and much to my surprise. I’m looking forward to when I can have my next child. I was so scared, and now I am empowered and much more confident than I was of this journey.

Many thanks to you, Juliette and Latoya, who changed my life, and me much needed support that I did not have from my own family. You’ve blessed me beyond measure, and I pray that God would be even kinder to you than you have been with me.

Layla & Jamison (7/31/2024)

We were connected to LaToya through the social worker at the NICU where our twin preemie daughters were patients.  In preparing for our girls to come home after 3 months in the NICU since birth, we had no idea what kind of help we needed or how to ask for it.  Additionally, in the last week before their discharge, we found out one of our daughters would be coming home on Oxygen support, which added to the overwhelming feeling of having two newborn babies as first time parents.  LaToya was like a breath of fresh air, we were so worried about going from 24-7 support of nurses and doctors at the hospital to just us at home.  When we were connected to LaToya, it helped ease our anxieties about caring for our daughters straight out of the NICU.  And then once we started working with her, she very much reduced our worries- she was knowledgeable and attentive to our immediate needs, very professional but also easy to talk to, listened to our concerns and answered questions as we had them.  She was a calm, friendly face that integrated seamlessly into our schedule ways of doing things.  She had a wide range of support methods, very informative but not pushy.  We can’t recommend her enough and would work with her again in the future!

Alizely (3/3/2023)

You are my constant and you are my village. These words don’t even begin to show all the effort, all the love and support that you put towards us going into this. LaToya started this process of getting to know me first and figuring me out as a person. She created a loving safe open space for me to open up so she could get to know who I was as a person, and for that im forever grateful. Throughout my pregnancy journey as a first time mom there was a lot of feelings of anxiety , uncertainty, and many indecisive decisions. These feelings began to become as small as an ant because the comfort that she brought was astounding. She brought solutions to where I only saw problems. She reminded me of the positives when I was only negative. Most importantly she reassured me in my faith towards God that I was on the right path and that If I slipped and went side to side she would be there for me. She has kept her word throughout the entire process. She was not only my doula but she became my friend, my guide, my spiritual mentor. I grew closer to God and in turn also grew more comfortable within my own self and that has all made become not only a better person but a loving and more intentional mother. One of the scariest things I had to do in my life and she was there for it every step of the way. Our relationship blossomed into what it is because she was so genuine and giving in her abundance of love. I learned about breast feeding and the importance it has on my child. I learned about inner healing and healing my inner child through her. She showed me different methods I could go to feed my baby that were healthy safe alternatives, such as her gifting me a food processor so i could make natural food for my baby. She gifted me a book of faith with quotes and affirmations to reaffirm myself in positive daily ritual. She has given me body washes for baby and I as well as a Frida and many other gifts. However of all these gifts, she gave me a once in a life time gift that can never be replaced and that was the gift of experience. She not only held my hand in that hospital room but she made sure that in my most vulnerable time she was my advocate and she poured power in me to keep going, to stay strong even when I thought I couldn’t. In the midst of it all when I broke down when I believed I somehow failed myself and her because I could not go through on a decision I so strongly wanted. LaToya told me everything was ok and that all that mattered was that me and baby was safe. She was so kind to my partner and spoke openly to us as a learning couple. As soon as I was going into labor she was my protector, my photographer and most importantly as soon as my son was born she showed him love, she made sure to be there when I could not and she made sure he was safe as if he were her own and for that I will forever be grateful. She went above in beyond in this process. I went in a little bit skeptical and ended up having someone who I truly care for and want to continue having in my life. She was more then a doula in all my moments and in memories she was a constant variable. Someone you can depend on and count on. Shes a beautiful intelligent mentor and guide and she deserves all the good that the world has to offer. If I could experience this again I would do it all over just the same. If I could help another women I would tell them they need a LaToya in there life. Greyson, my son will always know that LaToya was there and she was the one who pushed me to be better stronger happier, more courageous and fearless then ever. For me shes like the magical fairy god mother, she just brings pure joy into my life and my pregnancy. I couldn’t have been more stress free then and it was because I had someone like her by my side, in my corner with ever decision I had to make. Whoever she gets to help next will be the luckiest mama. We love you LaToya your a true friend. We couldn't have done a lot of things without you pouring into us. You are family forever xoxox. 

Rose-lyse (11/2023)

LaToya was totally Amazing! I could not have delivered my baby girl, Paris, naturally without LaToya being by my side. She was encouraging, super hands on, helpful, and was also stern when needed. I started to work with LaToya about 4 months before my due date. We were able to build a great, comfortable relationship before I went into labor. From helping me breathe, holding my hands, rubbing  my back, LaToya also helped latch my baby onto the breast once she was born since the midwives were busy with their notes and other things. I found my natural labor to be moderately challenging, and I was emotionally prepared with LaToya and my husband by my side. I truly believe that I would not have gotten through my labor naturally, without epidural, if it weren’t for LaToya's help. There was a point when I wanted an epidural, she reminded me what my birth plan was and to stay strong. If I had given in to getting an epidural, I think I would have had some regrets. LaToya was an invaluable asset to my birthing team, and I will certainly be using her for my next baby (whenever that will be). I totally recommend LaToya because she will be a great help to all mothers. Thank you so very much, LaToya.

Christelo G. 11/2023

LaToya is such a beautiful soul. Her love for families and birth is immediately apparent. I have been her loctician for 5 years. When my wife got pregnant, I immediately thought of her being my wife’s doula as she would always talk about her passion for mothers during pregnancy and her love for her family. I was finally able to experience her doula services personally at my wife’s birth. She was an absolute gift. She came at the perfect time and not only supported and empowered my wife, but she did the same for me. This was a moment where I had no idea what to do nor what to expect as this was my first rodeo as a dad. I wanted to be there for my wife and receive our daughter together into this world. She was by our side the whole time even after delivery. After our birth experience, I would totally recommend LaToya to all expecting mothers.

Kristara (3/2/2025)

I had the pleasure of Meeting LaToya while working with Childrens Health and Research Foundation under the PICHC program. We work together to ensure our clients are educated, supported and have the resources they need to have a healthy and successful pregnancy, delivery and postpartum experience. She has a loving presence that she brings into every facet of her life. LaToya makes sure each of her clients are educated and when they are reluctant to stand up for themselves she advocates on their behalf. She really believes in the work she does and it shows through all the births she has been a part of. She is knowledgeable and is able to express this knowledge in a way every client can understand regardless of background. This is not just work for her, it is her passion and calling. LaToya provides emotional support in the delivery room as well to help bring the infant into a calm and loving atmosphere. While working alongside doula’s I have learned many things that were never taught to me by doctors, family or even the experience of being a mother. LaToya’s wisdom offers techniques for new moms to build a strong healthy foundation for motherhood. I wish I would have known about Doula services when I had my children. I would have loved LaToya’s presence during each of my births. Her insights would have helped me overcome obstacles I encountered during my birth and postpartum care. 

Abby S.

(3/11/25)

LaToya truly is a treasure. I met LaToya through my doula, and she has been a huge help to me both throughout and after my pregnancy. I greatly benefited from her wealth of knowledge and expertise. She is also really trustworthy and available whenever you need someone to confide in or vent to. In the event that I am fortunate enough to have another kid, I am certain that I would want LaToya to assist me through each and every stage of the process. I am really appreciative.