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Once
baby arrives?
…So what might you do when you come to my home?
My role as a postnatal doula is fluid. An important part of
my role is to come alongside parents and together decide what
type of support you will need. Some families need educational
support: breastfeeding, infant support, and how to care for
the new baby and mother. Others rely more on the non-judgmental
emotional support that I have to offer. Still others have more
practical needs – like feeding the family and running
little errands.
Most families find that I provide all of these things, according
to what has been agreed and a review of the needs that develop.
Hence the importance of communication between me and my clients.
That said, prospective parents and their families sometimes
wonder – “just what will you do when you come to
my home?”
As a postnatal doula supporting a family I might...
* Provide hands-on support of baby and mother care
* Come alongside the parents and help them to get to know the
abilities and talents of their new baby
* Help parents to learn skills that will enable them to cope
with their new role
* Support breast / bottle feeding
* Create a nurturing, restful atmosphere
* Spend time with the baby, allowing parents to cuddle and have
quality time with older children or just be alone together
* Shop for some groceries and prepare light meals (ask me for
my menu selection!) * Play with older children and support the
integration of the new baby into the family
* Provide information on local resources that the parents might
need
* Help parents to gather the skills and resources that they
will need in the upcoming weeks and months
* Help to organize the nursery and home
* Take care of the baby’s laundry
* Offer a listening, non-judgmental ear
The relationship between me, as your postnatal doula, and you
(and your family) requires open communication, as your needs
or priorities may change with time or experience. I anticipate
these changes and I am prepared to remain flexible in my role.
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