Postpartum Doula

What is a Postpartum Doula? 

At this time, I only offer postpartum services on a limited basis to current EBS labor doula and/or midwifery clients.  

If you need services urgently, please do contact me as I might be available on a limited basis or for an emergency situation while you find another doula or support. I believe in meeting the needs of my community! 

Postpartum doulas, like all doulas, vary in the skills they bring to your home.  

Postpartum doulas are there to help you transition into new parenting by offering basic education or baby care as well as helping with learning new baby needs such as bathing, breastfeeding, parenting or other tips. For a first-time mom, a mom returning to work or a mom of multiples, this can be invaluable. Even a second- or third-time mom can benefit from postpartum doula care as a second pair of hands while they are learning to balance needs. 

Postpartum doulas help mothers and families to adjust to the many changes that occur when a new baby (or babies!) come into the home. Baby care, feeding help, sibling care and integration, it’s all a part of the postpartum doula experience.

Postpartum doulas work a variety of hours, I prefer to work 3-5 hour day shifts or overnight shifts but I usually accommodate other needs on a case-by-case basis.

As a postpartum doula, I frequently help with: 

• Breastfeeding 

• Caring for multiples (feeding or holding one while mom feeds or holds the other or gets a shower!) 

• Caring for baby while mom showers, sleeps, or does basic household tasks. 

• Cesarean or traumatic birth recovery. Sometimes, you just need someone who understands. 

• Helping with basic household tasks (dishes, laundry, folding, etc) while mom feeds the baby 

• Watch over baby and soothe, then bring to mom for breastfeeding or feed the nighttime/afternoon feedings while mom naps. 

• Babies with special needs or surgical recovery. Sometimes, after a particularly long time in NICU or with a baby who is needing specialized care, a mom wants her baby to be close but needs recovery of her own and some good sleep. A postpartum doula can help find that balance. 

• Family balancing to help mom, dad, or siblings adjust and form habits that will help this new addition to the family be more smooth. 

• Diaper changes and discussing what is normal in a new baby 

• Sibling transitions. Either helping the sibling feel more special and/or getting their needs met while mom cares for baby or caring for baby while mom spends time with a sibling. 

My postpartum doula services cost $35 an hour (including travel time) and can be scheduled for 2 to 6 hour shifts. My clients are typically families with a newborn to six month old baby or babies.  

Request Postpartum Services

What I don't do as a postpartum doula: 

• Babysit. If a mother has a medical appointment and needs a second set of hands, I will happily go with her to help manage the baby while she is in the office or to soothe in the backseat while baby is in a car seat, etc. but there are few exceptions to this rule. My job is to help your family ease into this new change by providing you with skills and helping you keep from having "tight spots" where not everyone's needs are being met. If regular childcare is needed, I can help you find resources to look for a reliable nanny as a part of that transition. 

• Sleep training. Some postpartum doulas do sleep training as a part of their care but having done extensive research on newborns and their needs, including SIDS prevention, I cannot do this in good conscience in the first six months of life. Babies are designed to feed often and therefore, wake often. They also wake as a part of self-regulation and crave touch to help control their temperature, heart rate and breathing rates. This is preventative of SIDS as well as creating cycles of important responses for later in life. Babies whose needs are met are healthier. These needs include sleep, comforting touches, and food, which at this stage are all tied together. One of the simplest explanations I've seen states that all human beings crave touch from the very beginning, it is a primal part of their growth and development.  

• Schedule feedings. Unless there is a medical reason for scheduled feedings, newborns are designed to eat on demand, especially if breastfed. Breastmilk is digested easily and the babies are more hungry more often. I will do my best to help you get your sleep and/or soothe your baby between feedings but it's important for normal growth to get the food they need when their bodies need it, especially in the first six months. If you want more information, I can provide links about newborn feeding habits. Much like their sleep cycles, feeding a baby as needed helps to reduce their risks.