I have always enjoyed working with parents and babies, for as long as I can remember. When I first entered this field professionally, I worked as a birth doula, offering non-medical support for people in labor, primarily at hospital births.
From there, I went on to work as a midwives’ assistant. I monitored the babies during and after labor and delivery, as well as supporting midwives in their medical job. I even started training as a midwife myself. Finally, I discovered how much I love working with families after they bring the baby home.
Now, I am a professional postpartum doula, and I offer non-medical support in the home for new families. Together, my team of doulas and I ensure that families feel confident and held as they take care of their new baby.
While I’m with clients, I answer their question and provide education. I share resources and referrals on a wide array of topics– literally from baby poop, to safer sleep tips, to postpartum healing, and so on. Sometimes new parents just need a really good and compassionate listening ear, and this is one of my core strengths! I also help parents manage their basic needs including nutrition, personal care, and self-care.
Most families hire a postpartum doula for a time period of three to twelve weeks (but sometimes longer), primarily to get through the challenging newborn stage. Some families only request one or two days of help per week, while other families want full-time support, up to seven days a week. My commitment to a family varies based on the individual client’s budget and needs and my availability.
A Day with a Postpartum Doula
A day-time shift is usually 3 to 5 hours long. I typically start by making sure the family has a warm meal. New parents are often hungry but forget to eat because they’re so busy with the baby or because they are too tired to recognize their body cues.
If there are older children in the house, I make sure their needs are met as well. I’ve even walked the dog a time or two (since dogs are often the family’s first baby!). I am able to assess and attend to the whole family system during a daytime care shift.
I model safe, comfortable, and appropriate infant care for the parents. There are often questions about breastfeeding, and I help folks learn appropriate technique, as well as warning signs of a shallow latch. For families who are formula or combo feeding, I offer information about how to safely prepare and store formula. Another fun topic I often cover with families during the day is babywearing. New carriers can be intimidating, but with support, new parents can learn safe and practical ways to wear their baby.
As often as I can, I encourage parents to nap or tend to other personal or self-care that would feel healing for them– from a bath or a brief walk to a call with a friend. While parents are tending to their needs, I take care of baby’s needs. I can always sense their relief as they hand over baby and know that they have permission and time to care for themselves.
Overnights with a Postpartum Doula
When working overnight, my job is a little different. It is primarily focused on helping the family get as much restful sleep as they can. I make time at the beginning of a shift to answer questions and educate new parents about establishing healthy and reasonable sleep habits with their baby. I often do a fair amount of emotional processing with parents as well, including talking about the birth, fears around parenting, and so on.
Night shifts are quieter, and I don’t spend as much time in someone’s kitchen or laundry room. Instead, I am focused on tending to baby and maximizing the amount of sleep the whole famly gets. I also support infant feeding, helping parents troubleshoot breastfeeding or feeding baby with a bottle. There are often middle of the night processing chats with the birthing parent. I always make an effort to spend time chatting with parents to stay aware of any perinatal mood issues that may come up.
When people learn what I do for a living, they often say how much I must love snuggling babies! While it’s true that new babies are pretty snuggly, what I really love about my job is watching a family blossom. I like supporting parents in working together with their baby. I like watching someone who’s a little unsure about babies develop competence and confidence in their parenting skills.
My Philosophy as a Postpartum Doula
As a caregiver by nature, working as a postpartum doula is a very fulfilling job. My job is to act as “scaffolding” for the family; I provide support in the beginning until things feel sturdy enough without that extra support in place! I don’t want to do everything for a new parent, because that will make them dependent on my help. Instead, my goal is to simply be present and supportive as they gain confidence and learn how to be the parent they want to be. This is a really special and tender role to be in!
As a postpartum doula, I feel that ongoing education and training is extremely important. It is key that doulas receive specialized training around breastfeeding, infant sleep habits, postpartum mood disorders, the process of birth and postpartum healing, and how to support the family in the day to day, living with the baby. Additionally, as time passes, new safety recommendations come out, and it’s imperative that I am in the know about best practices for babies and families. Ongoing learning is an important part of my career!
Baby Guru is Here for Growing Families and Aspiring Doulas
We are here to support your family and help you navigate the nuances of the postpartum period. Reach out about postpartum support in Austin or birth and postpartum support in Asheville!
If you’re a new or aspiring postpartum doula, we’d love to see you in training. Find all the details here.
*Photo credit: Picsea on Unsplash
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