Postpartum Doula Support
Your decision to hire a postpartum doula is one of the most remarkable things you can do for yourself. Determining your need for this level of support and gifting it to yourself shows your commitment to self-preservation, which in turn, means an even better version of yourself for your entire family!
Getting the rest, nutrition, hydration and emotional support you need as you recover from birthing your baby is essential to that recovery. Congratulations on being someone who is wise enough to prioritize their healing during this delicate and vulnerable time.
Boston Area Doulas bring a wealth of experience to each and every client they serve.
With that experience comes an understanding that no two families are alike. We understand that your parenting philosophies and opinions shape your support. Our doulas are well versed in Attachment Parenting, Scheduled Parenting and a combination of both. Your doula will ask you questions, and then listen to your answers. Your doula comes to you free of any bias toward any particular parenting practices, but has knowledge and experience in variations of all of them.
The long list of things that you can expect during a postpartum visit with your doula is listed below, but what we are not able to put into words, is the RELATIONSHIP that will develop between the two of you.
A trusting connection will organically evolve and you will feel like you have a “person.”
A person who is dialed into you, and who can help center you while easing the upheaval and aftershocks of the “quake.”
Your “person” will be a great source of comfort and information; expertise and understanding.
But the most important thing your doula will be for you is the mirror that shows you the reflection of the badass parent you were always intended to be.
Daytime support visits may include:
Explanation and tracking of physical postpartum recovery for vaginal and cesarean births. You will likely see your OB at the 6 week mark post birth. Your doula’s check-ins offer a more timely opportunity to ask questions or express concerns.
Discussions regarding your adjustment to parenthood, your emotional postpartum recovery, and your overall mental health.
Infant care, bathing and hygiene
Infant comfort and soothing measures
Baby wearing guidance and support
Infant sleep support
Infant feeding support:
How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?
Assistance with breastfeeding/chestfeeding
Latch adjustment (if applicable)
How to properly mix and measure formula (if applicable)
Real-time walk through of paced bottle feeding (if applicable)
Sharing of up-to-date information and resources related to pregnancy, infant care, postpartum support, and parenting
Discussion of parenting philosophies and the absolute support of your decision making
Back-to-work preparation and transition
Strategies to support siblings during this life transition
As needed, vetted referrals to medical professions and other networks
Light cleaning and meal preparation (e.g., washing bottles, loading dishwasher), snack preparation
Daytime visits are a minimum of 4 hours, to allow for support with at least 1-2 feedings and time to rest, recharge, check in.
We recommend booking overnight postpartum support 2-4 months before your due date, given demand and popularity.
Overnight doula support:
It can be hard to get restful sleep as a parent! Babies are LOUD and active sleepers— they grunt and squeak. Your infant will wake up every 2-3 hours to want to feed.
During overnight support, our goal is to maximize your sleep and help you “turn off your brain.”
Your doula will check in about how you’d like to handle feeding (nursing directly, pumping, or using formula. Your doula will adhere to your wishes and can make recommendations based on your feeding goals, if you’re not sure.
Doula can attend to your baby/babies when they wake due to hunger, gas, dirty diaper, reflux, etc. Doula changes baby’s diaper, feeds, burps, soothes, and settles back to bed. Our doulas use safe sleep practices: babies are placed in crib or bassinett alone, on their backs.
Doulas share parents on pertinent notes re: feeding, diapers, awake time, length of sleep, etc.
You may check in with your doula briefly at the start or end of their visit— or keep sleeping! Up to you!
The priority is keeping your baby safe, satisfied and settled. If time allows, your doula may run a load of baby laundry and wash bottles/pump parts as well.
Overnights are 8-12 hours, beginning between 7:30-9 pm.
We recommend booking overnight postpartum support 3-4 months before your due date, given demand and popularity.
Our Most Popular Packages
Smooth Start
100 hours of daytime support to be used over 12 weeks. (25 4-hr daytime visits.)
Sample schedule:
weeks 1-4: 3 doula visits a week
weeks 5-9: 2 doula visits a week
weeks 10-12: 1 doula visit a week
Birth to Baby
Birth doula support + 60 hours of daytime postpartum support (15 4-hr visits over 6 weeks)
Sleep Like a Baby
160 hours of overnight support to be used over 8 weeks
(20 8-hr overnights).
weeks 1-4: 3 overnights a week
weeks 5-8: 2 overnights a week
A positive impact on your postpartum mental health
A more satisfactory feeding experience for you and your baby
A deeper ability to recognize your baby's cues
Connection and companionship with an understanding confidante
A go-to source for up-to-date information on newborn care
Increased confidence in decision-making