A labor doula naturally transitions from caring for the parent(s) during birth to caring for the new family once the baby arrives. A doula’s warm care and support eases worry and stress during the delicate, wonderful time of family bonding that takes place after birth. A postpartum doula melds gently into that environment to offer needed help and care to everyone, including baby (or babies!).
Postpartum doulas are also wonderful for families who adopt or have surrogate births, and can help facilitate family bonding and normalize the newborn experience.
Friends and family — postpartum care is a wonderful gift when you want to support a new family but don’t have time or don’t know how!
My postpartum services include:
- Breastfeeding counseling/help with latching and feeding positions
- Assistance with and evidence-based information for formula feeding, if needed
- Helping new parents learn to soothe their baby
- Helping new parents understand their baby’s cues and communication
- Hands-on education on caring for a new infant, including swaddling, bathing, and babywearing
- Assisting with meal trains and organizing offers of help from loved ones
- Support with nursery set-up
- Help with cleaning and preparing of bottles
- Resources and referrals based on family’s needs (lactation consultants, massage, chiropractor, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, etc.)
- Emotional support, support with processing the birth, and screening for postpartum depression
- Help with sleeping strategies
- Care for baby when new parents need to nap, shower, meditate, get time to themselves
- Care for the postpartum clients as they recover from birth, especially those who’ve had Cesarean births
- Light housekeeping and errands
- Preparing meals and snacks as needed
As with my labor doula services, I’m happy to work with all kinds of people and families, including LGBTQI families & single parents!
I am currently offering postpartum day care, and can refer for overnight support. My day fee is $35 an hour and I am open to working on a sliding scale as needed for low-income families.