Postpartum Support
“Having an overnight postpartum doula (Shelby) was the best thing we could have done - especially as first time parents. Being able to get a few uninterrupted night of sleep each week in the beginning with a newborn made a huge difference in our ability to show up for our daughter.”
— Tessa M.
Why have Postpartum Doula Support?
Doulas of Berks County doulas offers skilled and supportive postpartum doula services to ease the transition as you welcome your baby (or babies - we are experienced in the care of multiples too!) into your home. Just as birth doulas provide physical, emotional and educational support during labor and birth, your postpartum doula provides the same in the weeks and months following birth. And if continuity of care is important to you, many of our doulas are trained in both labor and postpartum support, so you can request the same doula for both services. The postpartum doulas at Doulas of Berks County stay current in infant care practices and safety, and as such can offer answers and referrals for question you may have in these areas. And, unlike well-meaning friends and family of new parents, your postpartum doula support is judgement-free!
Daytime Postpartum Support
Daytime postpartum doula support helps new parents feel less isolated as they adjust to a new routine. This type of support looks different for every family based on your situation or specific needs. Your doula will create a support schedule specici for you family. Whether you choose a long shower, a midday nap while your doula folds laundry, does meal prep for you and your family or chatting with your doula about your new life with baby, you can be confident that you are receiving skilled, knowledgeable and unbiased support.
Our postpartum doulas are trained in newborn care, infant sleep, ways to soothe your baby and more. She will share this knowledge with you so that you can implement these practices as you navigate your role as a new mom.
For breastfeeding mothers, your postpartum doula can offer assistance with a variety of feeding concerns, including milk supply, baby’s latch, nursing positions, etc. And because Doulas of Berks County includes Certified and Advanced Lactation Counselors, you’ll have access to their expertise as well when challenges arise.
Doulas of Berks County ensures that its doulas are trained in postpartum mood disorders and are prepared to support our clients through the “baby blues” and can provide great referrals and references for moms struggling with postpartum mood disorder. And it’s worth noting - Some research indicates that postpartum mood disorders occur less frequently when new parents are well-supported.
Overnight Postpartum Support
Overnight postpartum doula support allows exhausted parents to enjoy restorative sleep, knowing their baby is safe and well cared for. If you’re a breastfeeding mama, your doula will bring baby to you when they show feeding cues and then take care of diaper changes and soothing baby back to sleep so you can enjoy those extra minutes of well-deserved rest. If you choose to bottle feed with formula or breastmilk, your doula will follow your feeding schedule as well as cleaning bottles, pump parts and storing freshly pumped milk. Recognizing early feeding cues and getting your little one quickly back to sleep can help them figure out their days and nights sooner. And while you’re baby is sleeping, your overnight doula can do light housekeeping, laundry and meal prep so you wake well-rested feeling fully cared for and without a list of things to do.
“Our postpartum doulas’ calm demeanor and knowledge of infant behavior and nursing helped us immensely as we added twins to our family of four. She joined us the night we came home from the hospital and immediately fit into our family as she care for our twins and for me as I recovered from my c-section. She surpassed every expectation I had! I was worried about being judged for having an elected c-section and for using formula for awhile as my twins learned to nurse, but I was met with nothing but compassion and support. She made the transition from two to four smooth and even enjoyable, when what I expected was a lot of stress.”
-Kat C.
Managing Multiples
While being a new parent of a singleton infant can feel overwhelming, coming home with multiples can sometimes feel totally unmanageable. Doulas of Berks County has doulas trained and experienced supporting families with multiples. Whether it’s putting systems in place to manage feeding, diapering and bathing your babies, providing knowledge and instruction on feeding multiples who wake hungry at the same time or just providing an extra hand so you can focus on one baby at a time, your doula will help you make your transition with your little bundles of joy smooth, stress-free and enjoyable.
