Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Postpartum Doula?
Postpartum doulas provide families information and support on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, infant soothing, and coping skills for new parents. They might also help with light housework, laundry, and help incorporate an older child into this new experience. A Postpartum doula helps from day 1 up to 4 months.
What does a Postpartum Doula do?
Postpartum doulas are trained to understand what new babies – and new parents – truly need. The doula helps with soothing techniques, offers feeding support, and explains normal newborn behavior.
A Doula will also help with light housework, laundry, and help nurture siblings and baby.
What are the benefits of hiring a Doula?
A Doula supports the Whole Family.
Bringing home a new baby is an adjustment for everyone in the household, not just for the birthing parent. The partner will also need support. If the family has other children at home, they will be impacted by the new addition as well. A Postpartum Doula can help! Doulas can perform light chores such as laundry, washing dishes – tasks that might normally fall on the partner to accomplish which could take away from precious family bonding time. Postpartum doulas can also help the other parent feel more confident in their role, whether they need advice on how to care for the baby while the partner naps or tips on how to best support their partner during feeding sessions.
When is the best time to use a Doula?
From Day 1 up to 4 months old. The first few weeks could be a great benefit. A Doula is a knowledgeable helper. The first couple of days with the support of a doula will make days 3, 4, and 5 much more manageable. Knowing you have a supportive caregiver who can answer your questions and help you learn how to care for your newborn can be very comforting. For the new parent, a postpartum doula can provide many tips on how to properly care for themselves, as new parents also need lots of pampering and emotional support. Whether it’s making a cup of tea, letting them have a cry on the caregiver’s shoulders, or being able to care for the new baby while the parent gets a much needed shower or nap, the postpartum doula is there.
Weeks 3 -8 is another great time to hire a doula. Grandparents and family have gone home, and the baby seems to ramp up the fussy times. This is a time for problem-solving and time to get some much needed rest.