Postpartum doula care can bring confidence and joy to the early postpartum period. After working with families of multiples for over 15 years and giving birth to my identical twin boys I have come to realize how crucial it is. I am so happy to have this amazing group of professional doulas who care for families with singletons and specialize in twins, triplets or more.
Below you will find what type of care a postpartum doula can offer. Within this framework our doulas can help you navigate those early weeks while supporting your unique parenting style.
From here you can contact me or the office to schedule time to talk about your needs.
Deana Andersen-Tennant
Postpartum Doula
By having a postpartum doula you are able to hold on to a bit a sanity in your life. We can help you by taking the stress off so you can concentrate on the new baby and integrate the new member into your family.
Below is what is offered on DONA International covering what a doula might do during her time with your family. Because the doulas in our group are trained and certified with DONA International it is also our understanding of the doula role. If you are expecting twins or other higher order multiples this list is multiplied in it relevance.
A postpartum doula supporting a family during daytime hours might...
Provide hands-on education on infant and mother care
Come alongside the parents and help them to get to know the abilities and talents of their new baby
Create a nurturing, restful atmosphere in which parents may eat, shower and nap
Shop for groceries and prepare meals
Play with older children and offer suggestions for how to integrate the new baby into the family
Spend time with the baby, allowing parents to cuddle and have quality time with older children or just be alone together
Introduce parenting tips, helping parents to learn skills that will enable them to cope with their new responsibilities
Screen for hurdles such as breastfeeding challenges or postpartum mood disorders
Make referrals to any local or informational resources that the parents might need
Work herself out of a job by helping parents to gather the skills and resources that they will need in the upcoming weeks and months
Help to organize the nursery and home
Take care of the baby’s laundry
Offer a listening, non-judgmental ear
A postpartum doula supporting a family during the “overnight” hours might...
Work herself out of a job by teaching parenting tips and strategies that will eventually make her services unnecessary
Assess and help with breastfeeding
Diaper and burp baby, so that mom does not need to move around – she can just stay cozy in her bed to feed and snuggle baby
Bring snacks and beverages to the mother while feeding her baby at night
Prepare pump supplies or bottles for the next feeding or the next day
Take the contentedly fed baby to another room and help the baby to go back to sleep, so parents can sleep soundly between feedings
|
