What exactly does a postpartum doula do?
Listing exactly what a doula does is difficult because every family has its own needs that become clear after the baby arrives. Here are just some of the ways a doula might help your family: • Help you master breastfeeding. • Catch up on laundry. • Prepare nourishing meals. • Show you how to bathe and dress your baby. • Educate you about baby’s normal sleep patterns. • Reassure you about your newborn’s noises, behavior or appearance. • Care for older siblings. • Run errands. • Pick up groceries or supplies. • Handle phone calls and visitors. • Share a list of local parenting resources. • Provide referrals. • Loan books, DVDs, and instructional materials. What do families gain by hiring a postpartum doula? First-time parents find that working with a doula quickly builds confidence in their parenting skills. Second-time- and-beyond parents find that a postpartum doula offers a set of capable, helpful hands, so they have time to focus on bonding with the new baby while maintaining the all
