Welcoming a new baby is a joyful and transformative experience, but it can also be overwhelming for new parents. The role of a postpartum doula is to provide essential support during this critical period, ensuring that both the baby and parents receive the care they need. From helping parents get much-needed rest to assisting with breastfeeding, postpartum doulas play a vital role in easing the transition into parenthood. This article outlines ten supportive roles of a postpartum doula, highlighting the invaluable assistance they offer to new families.
1. Help parents get much needed rest.
Many postpartum doulas work overnight shifts to ensure that parents get a good night’s rest during the newborn stage. Postpartum doulas that work daytime hours can also make sure that parents get a nap during their shift as well. Parents can feel confident that their baby is being well taken care of while they rest. Sleep is an important part of postpartum recovery!
2. Help keep up with light household tasks.
Postpartum doulas will take care of small household tasks such as dishes, baby laundry, organizing the nursery, and more. This can give new parents more time to bond with their baby.
3. Support the breastfeeding parent.
Postpartum doulas are trained in breastfeeding support techniques. They can offer parents tips and tricks, show them what a “proper latch” looks like, bring them water and a snack while the parent is feeding, and refer them to a lactation consultant when necessary.
4. Teach new parents newborn care tips.
Postpartum doulas are highly trained in newborn care, such as swaddling, bathing, soothing techniques, and more. They can show new parents how to take care of their babies and answer any questions they may have along the way.
5. Help new parents gain confidence in their new roles.
Postpartum doulas leave parents feeling confident and comfortable with taking care of their newborns when the doula is no longer needed. Many parents feel relieved to know that they have received expert advice and that their questions have been answered. Additionally, dads and partners can learn how they can best support the new mom in the new and exciting journey of parenthood.
6. Prep healthy snacks and light meals.
Postpartum doulas can offer healthy light meal/ snack preparation, bring mom a cup of tea, and make sure that parents are drinking plenty of fluids while recovering from birth and/ or breastfeeding.
7. Offer evidence-based information & answer questions.
Boston Baby Nurse postpartum doulas have gone through many hours of training and have years of experience that allow them to offer the latest up-to-date information on newborn care and postpartum recovery.
8. Give new parents time to themselves.
Many new parents feel like a whole different person after welcoming a baby into their family. It can take months to develop a new routine. It is so important for parents to have time to practice self-care. A postpartum doula can feed and put baby down for nap while parents freshen up and go out for a child-free lunch date.
9. Help older siblings bond with the new baby.
Welcoming a new baby into the family is a huge adjustment for older siblings. Postpartum doulas can give tips and tricks to new parents on ways to help the older siblings feel important and involved. The doula can also take care of the baby while parents spend much needed time making sure their other children feel just as important.
10. Prepare bottles & wash pump parts.
Postpartum doulas will take care of washing bottles and pump parts during their shifts while parents bond with their baby or rest. They have experience and training in proper bottle sanitizing techniques, formula preparation, and milk storage guidelines.
Postpartum Doulas Can Do That!
If you are pregnant or just welcomed your baby into the world, we encourage you to reach out to Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny. It’s enormously helpful to have an extra set of hands around the house or overnight newborn care so parents don’t become sleep deprived. The expertise and compassionate support of a postpartum doula helps new parents navigate the complexities of newborn care and postpartum recovery.
Remember that in today’s world, many companies offer a postpartum benefits package, or even insurance may offer reimbursement to cover all or part of the cost of postpartum support services. Reach out today at info@bostonbabynurse.com or call 781-444-4063. We offer a wide range of newborn care services that cater to the unique needs of every family, allowing peace of mind on your parenting journey.
About The Author
Annie Getz attended nanny school in 2012 where she became a Newborn Care Specialist and Certified Professional Nanny. She is also a DONA certified postpartum doula as well as a DONA certified birth doula. Annie has a calm, nurturing demeanor and is educated in many things related to newborn care. Her goal is to leave parents feeling well rested and confident during their new chapter. At Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny Annie is our Newborn Care Manager and runs the Sleep Coaching Program as our lead Certified Sleep Coach.
