The interview
Postpartum doulas and potential families meet in person in order to feel out their chemistry and assess their needs. Interviews are free, and will last about an hour. We will go through some screening questions and discuss expectations and scheduling. You can schedule an interview by visiting the "Schedule" page and booking online.
The schedule
No family has the exact same needs. Some families may need only a day or two of help, and others may request 24-hour, 7-day-a-week support. The typical schedule for a singleton family will include 8 hours of care for five days during the first week, 8 hours of care three days the second week, and 8 hours of care one day the third week. At the end of each week we're together, we'll discuss how the week went and whether the schedule should be adjusted for the next week.
The services
Postpartum support
After the baby has arrived, services include:
- Helping to transition the family to life with a baby
- Educating about normal newborn behavior
- Assisting with basic breastfeeding and pumping concerns, such as comfortable positioning and discussing best practices for a successful nursing relationship
- Instructing about bottlefeeding safely and with respect
- Entertaining and educating older children
- Addressing birth announcements
- Running errands
- Preparing meals
- Tidying the house
- Washing baby laundry and diapers
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Providing contact information for qualified professionals in a variety of service areas
Prenatal support
While preparing for baby, services include:
- Support for mothers on bedrest (similar to postpartum support listed above)
- Educating about normal newborn behavior and care
- Educating about breastfeeding
- Preparing families for the experience of birth
- Assisting with the baby registry
- Discussing cloth diapering options
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Setting up the nursery and equipment
Lactation counseling
Sometimes more extensive lactation support is needed. These situations may include, but not be limited to:
- Correcting latch issues
- Weaning from a nipple shield
- Working with supplemental nursing systems
- Strategizing ways to increase milk supply when there are supply problems
- Discussing pumping and returning to work
- Assessing breastfeeding before referring to an IBCLC