You spend 9 months (or more!) preparing for the birth of your baby. You are surrounded by healthcare professionals, friends, family, and strangers who want to help and give you advice.
Then, your baby is born. Your body is exhausted and working to heal. You are learning to understand your baby’s cues and to feed her. And still, there are things to be done like make meals, do laundry, and take care of your own emotional health.
Where family and community once surrounded a new family with support, many of us find ourselves more alone than we would like to be in the postpartum period. That’s where I can help.
What Is A Postpartum Doula?
A postpartum doula provides evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother–baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care.
A postpartum doula is there to help a new family in those first days and weeks after bringing home a new baby. Research shows that moms, dads and babies have an easier time with this transition if a good support team is in place.
What Postpartum Doula Services Do I Provide?
I offer many services to my clients; my main goals are to help “mother the mother” and nurture your entire family as you transition into life with a newborn. I work to support and to help mom and dad feel more confident in their roles, share information on family adjustment, and tend to your unique needs as a new mother.
A postpartum doula works with each family individually to find out their particular needs.
Some of the duties that I perform include:
- Breastfeeding support
- Help with the emotional and physical recovery after birth
- Light housekeeping so you do not feel so overwhelmed
- Running errands
- Transportation & support at local doctor appointments
- Assistance with newborn care such as diapering, bathing, feeding and comforting
- Light meal preparation
- Baby soothing techniques
- Sibling care
- Referrals to local resources such as parenting classes, pediatricians, lactation support and support groups
I typically provide service for a family anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks after bringing home a new baby. I also offer night time service to help you transition more smoothly into the challenges of night time parenting. We can work out a schedule based on your needs.
How much do Postpartum Doula services cost?
The range of costs is from $25 per hour for daytime, weekday services (M-F, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm) to $40 per hour for evening, night, and weekend services (Evenings: M-Th, 5:00 pm – 6:00 am; Weekends: Fri. 5:00 pm – M 6:00 am).
This is especially helpful for new families who have little or no family support nearby. You might consider asking for postpartum doula service as a shower or baby gift from family and friends.
If you have any questions, or you’d like to schedule some postpartum support, text or call me at 435-828-3255.