Postpartum Support
About Postpartum
The words postpartum and postnatal are often perceived to be interchangeable; the subtle but important difference is that postnatal usually implies the baby's early post birth period, postpartum care relates to the mother's wellbeing.
Navigating the early days and weeks post birth can feel overwhelming, whatever your birth experience you will likely have a period of recovery. You also have a big change in your hormones which, added to fragmented sleep mean this is a time where you deserve to be loved, nurture and nourished.Postpartum doulas can provide flexible practical and emotional support for families in their own homes.
The birth of your baby is an exciting time, whether it is your first or fifth. As a postpartum doula I can be with a family anywhere from a few hours adhoc, a couple of hours each day or called upon intermittently throughout the early days and weeks.
The role of families has changed over the years, in times past it was usual for mothers, aunts, sisters and women in the community to help when a newborn arrived, but more often today we see families spread across the world away from that important support group. This is where a doula can help fill this important role.
My role as a postpartum doula is to support mothers and the whole family in any way that I can in order to help the transition to becoming parents of a new baby or babies. My role is to foster a mother's parenting instincts so that she feels confident to care for her baby and able to make decisions that feel right for her.
The role is often varied and very much tailored to the individual mother’s and family's needs.
My services may include some of the following:
Postpartum Doula Support
Tips and techniques to soothe your baby from sleeping, feeding, general healthcare, colicky and reflux babies, giving you the confidence to trust your own mother’s instinct on what’s right for your baby.
Family Support
Mum, Dad, siblings and even pets need to adjust to the latest addition in your family. Listening and chatting with parents about any concerns they may have; practical help like looking after baby while Mum has a sleep, a bath or attends medical appointments; looking after light household chores or running errands; helping give parents time with older siblings or taking the dog for a walk, arranging a nutritious meal for your family – the list is endless and individual to each family.
Breastfeeding Support
I can equip you with knowledge to help understand the physiological, hormonal and emotional process that occurs when feeding your baby and the know-how to establish breastfeeding, perfect a comfortable and effective latch, support any expressing goals and understand normal infant feeding and sleeping patterns.
I am able to provide information on combination and alternative methods of feeding should this be your wish and will support you in whatever your choices are.