What is a Doula?
Postpartum doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional, and practical support to a mother and family shortly after childbirth to help achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. Their goal is to facilitate and ease the transition into parenthood by supplying reliable and evidence-based information, reassurance, and hands-on care, including referrals to quality care providers such as lactation consultants, pediatricians, counselors, and support groups, when appropriate.
Working with a doula enables a new mother and family to recover from pregnancy and birth and focus their energy on bonding with their new baby. Postpartum doulas provide care for new and well-seasoned families primarily in the first 12 weeks. To learn more about doulas, click here.
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What Can a Postpartum Doula do for me?
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Breast- and chest-feeding support including positioning, hand expression, paced-feeding, pumping, and bottle-feeding (also formula-feeding)
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Techniques for baby wearing, soothing, diapering, bathing, swaddling, sleeping, etc.
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Help understanding baby cues
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Childcare (while parents are home) because everyone needs a break!
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Sibling support
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Household organization and baby-proofing
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Light housekeeping
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Personalized birth recovery recommendations including nutrition care, supplements, and herbs
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Healthful meal preparation
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Recommendations for helpful baby/mama supplies, learning toys, and books
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Stress, anxiety, and fatigue management including postpartum mood disorder screening
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Emotional and spiritual support
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Referrals for holistic practitioners as needed (lactation consultants, pediatric NDs and MDs, acupuncturists, bodywork, etc.)