After the baby arrives, then what?
Excited parents-to-be spend almost 9 months preparing for childbirth. Then, in a matter of hours, the baby is born and, while holding their precious newborn in their arms, the reality of becoming a parent hits home. The amazing journey of parenthood is just beginning. Are you prepared and confident moving into your new role?
A postpartum doula can help. Let’s face it, parenting a newborn is one of the toughest jobs there is. Parents may wonder if their baby is getting enough milk, how do they know when to feed the baby versus taking other comfort measures, will they ever not feel so sleep-deprived? And unlike almost any other job you might have, this one doesn’t come with manuals or operating instructions that are one size fits all. Gone are the days when our mothers and sisters or other significant women lived nearby and helped ease us into new motherhood. That’s where a postpartum doula comes in. Literally.
A postpartum doula comes into the new parents’ home to help in those first days, weeks and months after bringing home a new baby, or babies as the case may be. Trained, professional caregivers provide guidance, emotional support and practical assistance to make the transition from pregnancy to motherhood more manageable. And though the word postpartum can be confusing and make one think of postpartum depression, a postpartum doula works with all new parents.
Services may include:
• Newborn care instruction and guidance
• Help with feeding, including breastfeeding and bottle feeding support
• Help establish age-appropriate healthy sleep habits
• Overnight support to help combat sleep deprivation
• Guidance and support with multiples
• Meal preparation and light household chores
• Organize and outfit home for bringing home baby
• Antepartum care (help while pregnant)
• Referrals to community and healthcare resources
If you’re ready to plan for bringing in a compassionate expert to help you on your journey, you can find postpartum doulas in your area by visiting DONA.org or CAPPA.net.
