Postpartum Doula

The Amazing Newborn!

“The (postpartum) doula’s basic role is to provide nonintrusive, nonjudgmental support according to the family’s needs and wishes.  She is there to facilitate your time to settle in, relax, and heal, while assuring that the familiar daily underpinnings of your life and household remain anchored as much as possible. She is there to free you up to do nothing but be with your baby and other family members, or to take the baby so that you can sleep, if that’s what’s needed. She is the peace-of-mind factor.

The postpartum doula may provide help with any or all of the following services:  Shopping, cooking, emotional and moral support, breastfeeding or bottle-feeding support, massage (for baby and/or Mom), laundry, answering the phone and taking messages, fielding visitors, taking or giving help with baby basics, errands, pet and plant care, help with older siblings, light housekeeping, help with baby so Mom and Dad can have time together to settle into their new roles, and referrals to other sources the mom may need to contact or know about.”  Taken from Sally Placksin’s book Mothering the New Mother.

Vence Family enjoying their "babymoon"

Benefits of Postpartum Doula Care:

• Decreased incidence of Postpartum Mood Disorders
• More time for bonding with baby and rekindling partner relationships
• Increased breastfeeding success
• Increased confidence in parenting skills
• Encourages appropriate well-baby and mother care

Postpartum support includes:

Organizing & Restocking a Nursery

• Education on infant care skills
• Encourages family bonding
• Breastfeeding support/bottle-feeding support
• Offer a listening, non-judgmental ear
• Physical and emotional support
• Educational support and resources including lending library
• Spend time with the baby so family will have time to rest
• Baby’s laundry
• Light housekeeping
• Run errands and shop for groceries
• Assist in nursery organization
• Sibling adjustment and care
• Prepare nutritious meals
• Phone support as needed

Father getting to know his Newborn

For the Dad-to-Be:

Dads also benefit from a postpartum doula. Many new fathers feel overwhelmed by both the increased financial pressure and the new responsibility to be intimately involved in the care of a newborn. If a husband can’t take time off from work, he knows he is leaving mom and baby in good hands. There is also a sense of relief knowing that both parents can get a relatively good night’s sleep, or even sleep through the whole night. This lends itself to both parents bonding with their new baby and helps the couple maintain aspects of pre-baby days.

Please note: I happily support unmarried and/or same sex partners as well

The Moore Family

For Families With Other Young Children:

While each birth and baby is different, if you are not a first time mom you might not be so worried about bringing home a new baby. Seasoned veterans can benefit from the comfort and regular sleep schedule a postpartum doula can offer. Second and third-time parents can take advantage of quality bonding time with their newborn and an easier recovery from delivery. I can help ease the transition for your older children, allowing you to spend quality time with each child and helping you let go of the stress or even guilt of learning to juggle this new family dynamic.

Article: DONA position papers on postpartum doulas

You deserve a doula!

Scheduling & Rates

• $25 per hour
• 4 hour minimum per day/ 8 hour minimum per night
• Available 7 days a week in shifts of up to 12 hours
• Cash, checks or Paypal payments
• A deposit is required prior to the start of care so that I can reserve the time to be with you
• Gift certificates are available and make wonderful gifts for the mom-to-be!

My ‘Baby Steps’ package makes a wonderful baby shower gift!

Baby Steps 4-hour package: $120

A one-time session to ensure that you and your family are off to a good start after birth. During the 4 hours I can answer questions, assist with breastfeeding, and help ease your mind during the first couple of weeks of postpartum.

Keepin' it Fresh, Yo!