My role as a postpartum doula is fluid and changes with each family and during the duration of service, depending on your current needs, from educational to emotional to physical help.
I typically support families through:
Education
- Help developing breastfeeding skills and knowledge
- Guidance in bottle-feeding and pacifier use
- Demonstrating and supporting newborn care (soothing, bathing, burping, diapering, babywearing, cord care, sleep tips, etc.)
- Non-judgmental parent coaching
- Providing hands-on education on birth mother care to family members
- Help and education with breast pumps
- Providing information on normal newborn characteristics and developmental milestones
- Screening for hurdles such as postpartum mood disorders and breastfeeding challenges
- Helping parents learn skills that will enable them to cope with their new responsibilities
- Providing referrals to appropriate professionals and support groups
Emotional Support
- Supporting vulnerable new parents by offering a listening, non-judgmental ear
- Assisting parents in developing their own styles of nurturing and bonding with the baby
- Supporting growth in parenting skills
- Validating the normal adjustment process
- Helping through postpartum depression and other mood disorders
- Offering suggestions for how to integrate the new baby into the family and playing with older siblings
- Fostering stronger attachments between parents, siblings and baby
Physical Tasks
- Creating a nurturing, restful atmosphere in which parents may eat, shower and nap
- Accompanying family on outings such as to the doctor's office, new parent support groups etc. (can be especially helpful with multiples or after a c-section)
- Spending time with the baby, to allow parents to have quality time with older children or each other
- Preparing healthy meals for parents and older siblings
- Performing light household tasks such as dishes and laundry
- Helping birth mother to feel more comfortable and care for her postpartum body
- Running errands such as to the grocery store or pharmacy
- Some animal care, such as feeding pets and walking dogs
Before the Birth—I am also available to:
- Help you come up with a personalized postpartum plan for your family
- Provide information on safer bottle, pacifier and toy options
- Answer questions about baby equipment choices
- Help set up your nursery, changing and feeding stations
- Provide referrals to other professionals to address specific concerns
- Provide in-home cloth diapering education
As a Postpartum Doula, I DO NOT:
- Insist new parents care for their baby in any particular style
- Give medical advice or perform medical tasks. I am educated in the normal postpartum recovery period and infant care. If I feel that there is a concern, I will advise you to contact either your or the baby's care provider.
- Stay alone with older children for an extended period of time.
- Perform any major household tasks
- Work in homes where smoking is taking place
Scheduling and Payment
I am normally available to offer support Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and some Wednesdays during daytime and early evening hours. At this time I am not available for overnight support. I require a minimum of 4 hours per day. In the first couple of days after your baby is born, I will attempt to be available outside of my normal hours if desired for 1-2 visits. In order to secure my services prior to the birth, I require a two-week minimum commitment.
My hourly rate is $30-$35. Please contact me for detailed pricing information and specific availability. I require payment for hourly services rendered at the end of each workweek and accept cash or checks.
If I must cancel a scheduled shift, I will let you as early as possible. If desired, I will make every effort to cover those times by arranging for a back-up doula. 48 hours notice is required when canceling scheduled hours, except in the case of emergency.
Links for Related Services
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