What Does A Postpartum Doula Do?

You learned about who and what postpartum doulas ARE here, but maybe you’re still not clear on what it is exactly they DO. In general, care is usually tailored to an individual client’s needs. Did they have a surgical or vaginal birth? Do they have additional helpers? How about other children? Are they on a deadline for returning to work? Every postpartum doula is different, of course — with different interests, dispositions, knowledge, customs. But the main focus of all postpartum doulas is nurturing the mother so she can adjust, bond with her baby, and enjoy an improved condition.

I’m personally a strong believer in planned recoveries versus random recoveries. Just as we would follow a care plan after a dental procedure or sprained ankle, we should follow a recovery protocol after birth to re-balance nine months’ worth of physical, emotional, and hormonal transformations.

I offer several postpartum service options depending on your needs, but all are founded upon a Postpartum Care Plan that we create together. This may include personal care, family care, infant feeding help, emotional and physical support, help with chores, and education.

Personal Care

“Mothering the mother” — self-care facilitating (run a bath, foot massage, apply warming aids, fill a peri bottle, prepare sitz herbs, set up essential oil diffuser, etc)

Family Care

Basic baby care (changing, holding, soothing, dressing, playing, bathing, etc.) while you attend to personal needs
Newborn cord care tips
Minding of older children (getting dressed, feeding, helping with homework, putting to bed, etc.)
Occupy baby during doctor’s visits
Helping with introduction of pets to baby
Acting as human ‘baby monitor’ so parents can enjoy in-home date night

Infant Feeding Help

Breastfeeding troubleshooting
Pumping guidance
Set up pump, milk storage, bottles
Have nipple cream, breast pads, and other goodies handy
Nursing bra fitting assistance
Positioning help
Bringing baby to you when it’s time to nurse
General reminders — you can blame ‘breastfeeding brain’!
Bottle feeding techniques
How to choose the right bottle
Supplementing logistics to protect milk supply
Resources on milk donors/donation

Emotional Support

Birth story listening & debriefing
A shoulder to cry on and/or a cheerleader for your triumphs
Discussion of risk factors and/or any concerning symptoms of postpartum mood disorders
Birth Story Writing (optional add-on for birth doula clients)
Gently suggest to friends/family who have overstayed their welcome to depart
General reminders amid ‘postpartum fog’
Guided Postpartum Art Therapy (coming soon)

Physical Support

Healthy plant-based nourishment for you in the form of a prepared meal
Snacks & drinks brought to you while you rest
Optimal nutrition suggestions
Natural remedy suggestions for common ailments
Reminders to stay hydrated
Assistance with getting into bath or toilet area
Optional add-ons: Bengkung Belly Binding | Yoni Sauna / V-steam | Abdominal Therapy… and more healing treatments; please see packages below.

Household Chores

Nearby errand running
Light cleaning & maintenance housework (dishes, folding laundry, changing bedding, taking out trash, etc.)
Feeding & walking pets
Organizing clutter zones

Education

Education on basic baby care, baby feeding, techniques for soothing, safe sleep guidelines, navigating pediatric appointments, & more
Knowing what’s normal & what could use an expert opinion
Babywearing assistance
Access to my lending library of relevant books
Local references & resources