Why having a Postpartum Doula is more important than you think.
This person will help a new family in those first days and weeks after bringing home a new baby. A postpartum doula provides evidenced based information on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother–baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care.
The Postpartum Doula 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.
A Postpartum Doula works with each family individually to find out their particular needs.
Some of the duties that a Postpartum Doula will perform include:
• Breastfeeding support
• Help with the emotional and physical recovery after birth
• Light housekeeping so that mom does not feel so overwhelmed
• Running errands
• Assistance with newborn care such as diapering, bathing, feeding and comforting
• Light meal preparation
• Baby soothing techniques
• Sibling care
•Referrals to local resources such as parenting classes, pediatricians, lactation support and support groups