What are the benefits from having a postpartum doula?
- continuity of care and attention after leaving the hospital
- greater breastfeeding success
- more confidence in parenting abilities
- easier transition into parenthood
- less postpartum depression and anxiety reactions
- better communication
- faster recovery.
"The National Sleep Foundation recommends that parents find help during the first few months of their baby’s life so that they can take uninterrupted naps. Parents should also try and split up the nighttime care responsibilities so that the burden does not fall entirely on one person."
What does a postpartum doula do?
A postpartum doula works with each family individually to find out their particular needs. She offers many services to her clients, but her main goals are to help “mother the mother”, and nurture the entire family as they transition into life with a newborn. This would include doing things to help mom and dad feel more confident in their roles, sharing education on family adjustment and tending to the unique needs of a new mother.
Services offered include: breastfeeding support, routine newborn care and instruction (including bathing, cord care, diapering, calming techniques, sleeping, newborn nutrition and development), moral support, household help (including laundry, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, and meal preparation), accompanying mother and baby to pediatrician appointments.
What is a difference between a postpartum doula and a "baby nurse"? or a babysitter/nanny?
A baby nurse or a nanny typically focus their care on the newborn alone. A postpartum doula focuses her care on supporting the parents so that they can best care for their newborn. A doula does not take over care of the newborn, but helps the mother in a way that allows her to rest when her baby rests. A doula also encourages and teaches parents how to care for their newborn, to interpret their baby's cues, and to trust their instincts in responding to their baby's needs. The postpartum doula’s role is to support everyone in the family, including mom, dad, siblings and baby. Unlike a baby nurse whose sole focus is the new baby, the postpartum doula is there to support mom through the postpartum period and to help the family as a whole.
When and how often will a postpartum doula work for me?
It depends upon the individual doula's practice (some work only during the daytime, some others only during the night, some with minimul of hours or length of commitment) and the specific needs of the family, knowing that every newborn and mothers healing process is different. After a Caesarean, the recovery period can be longer. Most postpartum doulas provide service during 4 to 6 weeks after bringing home a new baby, the minimum to get into a routine with breastfeeding, be rested and confident enough to continue alone, or organized with multiples or several children at home. Each doula offers different services, so it’s important that each family decide what their needs are and find a doula who can meet those needs.
When should I arrange for postpartum doula care?
It is best to arrange for postpartum doula care a few months before your estimated due date, so that you can ensure her availability and get to know each other before, so you are comfortable working with this person in such intimate and intense period of time. Doulas are also able to accommodate last-minute clients, depending on their schedule.
