What is a Postpartum Doula?
A postpartum doula is a trained, non medical professional who provides practical, confidential, non-judgmental, physical and emotional support following a birth or an adoption. The postpartum doula cares for the mother and her family in their home while providing families with knowledge about breastfeeding, postpartum adjustment, newborn basics and bonding and physical assistance. The addition of a newborn into the home can result in intense emotions and additional physical demands. Having extra help not only aids in mom's healing, but creates a calm and nurturing environment for the family.
Postpartum Doula Services Include:
- One interview/consultation session at your home or in the hospital
- Coping skills for new parents
- Continuous physical and emotional support- listening to your birth story, your fears/frustrations/concerns, monitoring your postpartum recovery, etc.
- Baby care education and support which includes assistance with:
- Bathing
- Feeding
- Diapering
- Infant soothing techniques/kangaroo care
- Establishing routine
- Safety
- Breastfeeding or supplementing support which includes:
- Assisting with proper latch
- Pumping
- Storage guidelines
- Supplementing
- Proper equipment cleaning
- Meal preparation so you can sleep or focus on your baby
- Maintaining simple housework like baby laundry, vacuuming, emptying garbage, straightening up, dishes, etc. to reduce physical demands while you rest
- Holding baby and/or watching older children so that you can eat, sleep, shower, and take care of yourself
- Mothering the mother, so that the mother can nurture the baby
- Support for integrating new baby into family with additional siblings
- Support with multiples
- Family errands
- Pet care
- Community resource referrals
- Unlimited telephone and email contact
