The postpartum period is an understandably challenging time for new parents as they adjust to life with a newborn. It can be full of physical and emotional changes, sleepless nights, and steep learning curves, but it doesn’t have to be navigated alone. Postpartum doulas are trained professionals who offer a wide range of support services to new parents during this incredibly important and vulnerable period.
In general, the role of a postpartum doula is to provide physical, emotional and informational support to new mothers and their families in the weeks and months following childbirth. What that means in practice is that we support birthing parents and new families. Some of the ways we provide this support include:
Emotional Support
Postpartum doulas can provide a nonjudgmental, third-party, listening ear and offer emotional support to new parents. In a time that can often be filled with strong emotions as well as unwanted and unsolicited advice, having sounding board to work through everything can be an invaluable piece of support. Additionally, while we can help new parents navigate postpartum emotions, we’re also experienced in educating our clients about perinatal mood disorders and helping connect them to additional resources when needed.
Practical Support
As if there isn’t enough to do taking care of a new baby full-time, household chores and daily responsibilities often can’t come to a halt completely (despite how much we really, really wish they would when we’re holding a squishy new baby). Postpartum doulas can offer practical assistance with household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry to help new parents recover and focus on more important bonding activities. Depending on your doula’s preferences and offerings, they may also able to assist with errands, groceries shopping and paperwork. I personally do all of these things for my clients and honestly some of the best conversations happen while I’m taking care of chores and odd jobs and parents are enjoying baby while picking my brain.
Lactation Support
Postpartum doulas are trained to provide breastfeeding support and can help new parents navigate common breast/chestfeeding challenges such as engorgement, mastitis, confusion around pumping, or help with latching. We also provide support to parents to help them explore feeding options in a nonjudgmental and fully-informed space. It’s also important to note that postpartum doulas are not innately lactation professionals despite having lactation education as part of their training. For serious feeding concerns, your best bet is to contact an IBCLC.
Infant Care
Postpartum doulas are generally experienced with taking care of newborns and can offer education and guidance to ensure your baby’s wellbeing. This includes tips on general infant care like baths and diaper changes, as well as more focused education around things like feeding, routines and newborn soothing. Postpartum doulas generally don’t take over direct newborn care for extended periods of time like newborn care specialists do, but they do offer periods of watching the baby to give parents a break to rest and recharge.
Sibling Support
Although postpartum doulas generally don’t “babysit“ siblings in the traditional sense, having a postpartum doula in your home can still help ease the transition of a new baby in the household. You doula can make this transition easier by engaging with siblings and helping them adjust to their new role as a big brother or sister, taking over newborn care so that parents can continue bonding with siblings, or take care of household tasks so parents can focus on bonding with their kiddos as a group.
Overall, a good postpartum doula can be an invaluable resource for new parents as they adjust to life with a newborn. We offer personalized, compassionate care, and practical support to ensure that the family can have a smooth postpartum period.
Learn more about getting personalized postpartum support here.
