Why hire a postpartum doula?

Talking & listening

• Postpartum doulas get it. They understand that you're going through a lot, that you may have ups and downs, and that you're running short on sleep. Sometimes a postpartum doula is worth their weight in gold just by listening deeply and without judgment to what you're going through, when not many others in your life are able to.
  

• Answering questions about what's going on with baby (is it normal when they ____? Does their umbilical stump look ok? Are there any ways to help them nap for a little longer? How can I keep them awake during feedings?)
  

• Talking about postpartum recovery. Often there are so many facets of this experience: breast health, perineal healing, incision healing, hemorrhoids, neck/shoulder/back pain from "new parent posture" (think staring down at baby for many hours a day), etc. Often there aren't many other people in my clients' lives they can share this part of their experience with, so it's important to me to offer a safe place to talk about the realities of living in a body that just gave birth.
  

• Figuring out ways to manage postpartum life with a little more ease. Sometimes finding a rhythm when so much is new (and you're running on much less sleep than usual) can feel daunting - I'm here to help!
  

• Debriefing after pediatrician or other medical visits. Often parents realize only after they’ve left the doctor’s office that they have about three hundred questions they had meant to ask. Sometimes talking with a postpartum doula about what happened during the appointment, what questions they had before, and what questions they have now can be really helpful in gathering their thoughts in preparation for their next steps with their care provider.
  

• Talking about baby product options. From baby shampoo to sunscreen to nail clippers (and more), many parents love to get a postpartum doula's feedback on the products they're using on/with their newborn. Many postpartum doulas (myself included) are working with dozens of families a year, so we’ve seen how various products have worked for various families. There usually isn’t one right answer here, but a postpartum doula can share what they’ve seen working for other families to help you make a decision.
  

• Offering resources and referrals when needed (from pelvic floor physical therapy to house cleaning services to information on newborn jaundice, and so much more). This is a HUGE reason to work with a postpartum doula! Especially if you don't have a lot of other people in your life who recently had kids nearby where you live and are familiar with all the options and resources available to new parents.
  

• Talking about the huge transition that is new parenthood. Especially for first-time parents, it can be so important to have someone to talk to about the big life and identity changes that happen when you bring a new baby into your family. Like I said above, I really love the peer counseling aspect of this work, and these conversations with parents are one of my favorite things about my job. I love to witness the transformation that happens from expecting parent to new-parent-who-is-actually-responsible-for-a-tiny-human - it's so rewarding to see new parents find their sea legs in this new phase.
  

• Hands-on help

• Breastfeeding support is definitely the biggest thing here. There's only so much you can learn from reading about breastfeeding or talking to others - sometimes the best help is hands-on with the assistance of an experienced lactation support person. When I work with breastfeeding clients, I find that seeing the situation in person and being able to provide assistance in the moment - even through tiny adjustments - makes a huge difference.

• Bottle feeding can be a great thing to work on hands-on too. I often teach parents "paced bottle feeding," which can be very difficult to learn from reading or watching videos. It's much easier to practice with your own baby with help from an experienced support person.

• Getting comfortable feeding baby in different positions. This might include different ways to hold baby during a feeding, or ways to get comfortable feeding in other areas of your home than the primary area you probably find yourself in most of the time. We can also work on feeding in bed to help parents get more sleep overnight!

• Bathing baby. Many new parents are pretty intimidated by the thought of giving their tiny little baby a bath. I can help families figure out where and how in their home baths might be easiest for all involved. I'm also full of tips and tricks to help bath time be more enjoyable for babies and parents alike.
  

• Trouble-shooting diaper changes. This is a primary area of concern for many new parents. It can be surprisingly difficult to keep everything clean down there! I can also assist with care of both intact and circumcised babies, as sometimes there are questions around penis care. I can also help get you set up with a more ergonomic diaper changing area if you're finding that it's not very convenient for you.
  

• Helping to heal a diaper rash. Sometimes this happens, and sometimes it's fairly easy to remedy. But sometimes, it's not. And it can feel overwhelming (and sad!) to see your little one feeling so much discomfort and feel like there isn't anything else you can do to help. If your baby has a stubborn rash, we can work together on some ways to heal it.
  

• Babywearing. I'm not a babywearing educator or specialist by any means. But I'm well-versed in babywearing safety and if you have a carrier you've been using, we can make some adjustments together for a safer and more comfortable carry. (If you're in Orange County or Long Beach and are looking for babywearing help, check this out.)
  

• Car seat education. Some postpartum doulas are certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) and can help families learn how to install and use their car seat(s) properly. (Remember - most postpartum doulas are NOT certified CPSTs, so this isn't a service every doula will offer.)
  

• Giving you a rest

• If there's time during our visit together, I'm happy to care for your baby while you take a nap, take a shower, or have some alone time. I think it's really important for new parents to have a chance to reconnect with themselves and their partner (if there is a partner in the picture), so this is something I love to do. I can even draw you a bath with Epsom salts or sitz bath herbs if you'd like.
  

• Practical household assistance

• Usually the first three categories are the primary focus of my postpartum doula visits. But if we have time left, I'm also happy to help catch you upon dishes or laundry, neaten around the home, help you organize baby stuff or set up your nursery, make you a snack, or get a meal started for you.