Updated October, 2021
You’ve possibly heard of a birth doula, but many women want to know what is a birth doula vs a postpartum doula. What are postpartum doula services? And most of all, do you want a postpartum doula? Learn all about how these women support new moms in their first year and decide for yourself if a postpartum doula is right for you.
What is a Postpartum Doula?
A postpartum doula is a paid professional who comes to your home after the birth of your child in order to offer support and care for your new family. The goal of a postpartum doula is to give you more time to spend bonding with your new family member and less time worrying about maintaining your household and even cooking meals.
This professional is generally paid hourly and is scheduled to come to your home for a set number of days and hours per week. They can come for as many weeks as you would like after the birth of your child. If you had a birth doula you may be able to ask this person to be your postpartum doula as well if they have the training.
Services
The services that a postpartum doula offer vary from professional to professional, but generally speaking, they are around to offer extra care and family support. This includes helping siblings with the transition, support for the new family dynamic, and guidance or organization among friends and family to ensure you are receiving the support you need. They also will often do light housework such as laundry and dishes. Food shopping, meal preparation, and organization of a meal train are also generally offered. The most important part of their role is being well educated and knowledgeable in newborn support, breastfeeding counseling, and general baby care. They are there to offer your family all the support you need to feel confident and successful in caring for your child.
Not All Inclusive
A postpartum doula is not a doctor or medical professional, psychologist, and they cannot perform any clinical checks. Even if they have a second job as one of those professionals, they are not to step outside of their postpartum doula role while working for you.
Is a Postpartum Doula Right for You?
While it may seem like a luxury to have a postpartum doula, it may be a necessary one. The isolated, nuclear family that so many of us exist as in this day and age can set parents up to feel isolated and unsupported. Hiring a postpartum doula is just one way to get the right start with your new baby that you deserve
The first weeks after your child is born are a sacred time that you will never have again. An infant is a special human that needs extra care, love, and attention. The majority of this care should be from the infant’s parents. In order to complete this care and help you and your family get off to the right start, it is appropriate to ask for help from outside resources in order to ensure your time is spent on what matters most – your new baby.
Having a secure, healthy attachment between you and your baby is important to help you bond well and form a happy, healthy relationship. Well attached babies tend to be less fussy, smarter, and more secure over their lives. There is no way to spoil an infant. So the more time you can spend bonding and attaching with your baby, the better.
Really, the benefit of having a postpartum doula is that you are able to relax more, spend more time with your new baby, and hopefully have less stress in your life. Building a family takes work and you shouldn’t be bogged down by the day to day mundane of maintaining a household when you have a new human to build a relationship with. And don’t forget, your partner and any other children you may need to feel like they have a chance to participate in this relationship as well.
I know as women it can often be difficult for us to ask for help. Trust me when I say it is more than appropriate. Never before have women been expected to do so much by themselves as they are now. Getting a postpartum doula can support you in getting off to a successful start with your newborn. A happy parent is a healthy parent, and your child can pick up on that.
Working with Freedom Inside
Now obviously, I myself am a postpartum doula, so perhaps you are wondering if you should work with me specifically. I can’t, unfortunately, answer that for you. I can, however, tell you what sets me apart from most other postpartum doulas.
The simple answer is education and experience. I have been working with children since 2005 and my studies take me beyond just being a postpartum doula. I have extensive knowledge in development, best practices, and childcare. I also have traveled around the globe and am aware of multiple view points around child rearing. My goal is to help you find the right balance for your family.
My attitude is also part of what sets me apart. I created Freedom Inside because I was so tired of the pervasive, negative outlook on parenting. It is persistent and everywhere. I’ve met too many professionals who are dismissive of new parent problems. I don’t have a secret formula for parenting because I want to work with every family to find what is right for their unique circumstances. I want to work as your teammate and support person.
I am certified through the International Doula Institute as a postpartum doula and breastfeeding counselor. I also have my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and maintain my credentials through regular professional development to ensure I am aware of the most current best practices.
I am different because i believe being a doula is about the family, not just the baby.
