10 Reasons to Get Postpartum Doula Support
Bringing a new baby into the world is a beautiful and transformative experience, but it can also be overwhelming and exhausting. As a Gentle Sleep Coach, Educator, Infant Feeding Specialist, and Postpartum Doula, I've been there, and I understand the challenges that new parents face. That's why I want to share with you the top 10 reasons why getting postpartum doula support can make a world of difference during this special, yet sometimes trying, season of life.
1. Rest and Recovery: The Body's Journey
Postpartum doula support offers you the opportunity to rest and recover after childbirth. It's not just a luxury; it's a necessity. While support during the first 6 weeks is crucial, it's important to remember that it takes the body a full year to recover from the birth. I know firsthand how vital this recovery time is for your physical and emotional well-being.
2. Emotional Support: Embracing Matrescence
New parenthood can be emotionally overwhelming. It's a dichotomy of extreme emotions, often happening simultaneously. As you embark on this journey, you may encounter moments of brain fog and uncertainty. I love what Nikki Cohen shares, “Becoming a mother leaves no woman as it found her. It unravels and rebuilds her, it cracks her open, takes her to her edges. It’s both beautiful and brutal; often at the same time. And this transformation has a name; matrescence ”
It's true for fathers too, a phenomenon known as patrescence, although it's an area that hasn't received as much research attention. The journey of becoming a mother, in different seasons of parenting, referred to as matrescence, has been an incredible blessing. Learning about it has provided me with clarity, understanding, and the realization that I can make decisions to support both me and my family. Now, I understand why the initial phase of my parenting journey was so challenging. It was a period of rewiring and creating new pathways in my brain, even though I didn't fully grasp it at the time. This newfound understanding has shed light on why certain things were happening to me and for me, and the valuable lessons I was learning through this emotional rollercoaster. I've been truly fortunate to come alongside parents and witness these transformative experiences as they get equipped, learn and grow into the parents they desire to be.
3. Guidance on Infant Care: Boosting Your Confidence
Doulas are skilled in newborn care. They can show you the best practices for feeding, diapering, and soothing your baby. Their guidance can boost your confidence as a parent, helping you feel more at ease in your new role. I've seen how this guidance empowers parents to navigate the world of infant care and years to come.
4. Sibling Adjustment: Creating New Family Flow
If you have twins or older children, a postpartum doula can assist in the adjustment process. They can engage and care for your older children or take care of your newborn to help you connect with your older child, ensuring they feel loved and secure despite the changes in the family dynamic. This can also be helpful for families that have twins or multiple children. It's all about creating a new flow and flexible routines that work for the entire family.
5.Sleep Assistance: Building Healthy Sleep Foundations
Sleep is often in short supply for new parents. In my Sleep Doula Support, I offer opportunities to help you learn your baby's sleep cues, patterns, and lay a healthy sleep foundation. Quality sleep is not just about the baby; it's about your well-being too.
6. Household Help: Embracing the New Season
Postpartum doulas can lend a hand with light housework, meal preparation, and other daily tasks. It's important to understand that it's not all about the baby. It's about you and your spouse or significant other learning to do life in this new season together.
7. Feeding Support: Personalized Choices
A postpartum doula can support you in your feeding choices, whether you breastfeed, bottle-feed with formula and/or breastmilk, or opt for a combination. I know that feeding a newborn is a full-time job, no matter how you choose to do it. It takes time and patience to establish feeding during the first 6-8 weeks of life for your newborn.
8. Unbiased Advice: Informed Decisions
Doulas offer evidence-based information and support without judgment. They empower you to make informed decisions that align with your family's values, preferences, and needs. Their unbiased guidance ensures you have the knowledge and confidence to make choices that work best for you.
9.Customized Care: Adapting to Each Day
Each family's needs are unique. Postpartum doulas tailor their support to fit your specific goals and circumstances. I know that each day may look different, and it's exactly what you would need that day.
10. Peace of Mind: Building Confidence for the Journey Ahead
Having a postpartum doula by your side provides peace of mind. Being able to ask questions as they come up, get answers, and assurance along the way sets you up for success for all the years to come as you become equipped with tools to help you take care of yourself and your baby.
What does the research say?
Research by experts tells us that those new parents who have support and feel secure and cared for during this time are more successful in adapting than those who don't. As your doula, I can provide day and overnight support to you and your family for one day, one week, one month, or an extended amount of time. My goal is to answer your questions, ease your mind, and help your family gain confidence. My sleep programs become Sleep Doula Support for babies that are 5 months and younger. If you have questions, let's hop on a call and connect.
In this season of life, you deserve the support that empowers you and your family to thrive. Together, we can make this transformative journey a little bit smoother and a lot more joyful.
