The postpartum doula cares for the mother and her family in their home in the first few weeks following the birth of their baby. A postpartum doula provides non-medical support and companionship, assists with newborn care and sibling adjustment, meal preparation and household organization.
In this new time for a family, it can be very helpful to have an extra pair of hands. There are many changes and demands put on parents with the arrival of a new baby. As a non-judgmental caregiver, the postpartum doula assists the new mother with her recovery from the birth experience, allowing her to focus on the needs of the new baby, helps the new family by demonstrating practical newborn care and supports the mother with the method of feeding she has chosen. A postpartum doula provides individually tailored emotional and practical in-home support. Services vary from family to family but often include:
- Breastfeeding/bottlefeeding support and assistance.
- Suggestions and assistance with mother's birth recovery.
- Advice on infant and parent sleep patterns.
- Guidance on newborn care.
- Recognizing and responding to postpartum mood disorders.
- Light housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation.
- Sibling and pet care.
All Navigating Newborns postpartum doulas are professionally trained in postpartum care and are certified in adult/infant/child CPR. Benefits of postpartum doula care
- Increases success of breastfeeding
- Facilitates parent-infant bonding
- Decreases incidence of postpartum depression
- Encourages appropriate well-baby and mother care
- Increases parents’ confidence in their parenting skills
Postpartum doulas support whatever parenting style you choose. We assist you with your needs making it easier for you to parent your new baby. The goal of a doula is to nurture the parents into their new roles. As parents experience success and their knowledge and self-confidence grow, their needs for professional support should diminish.
