In her book Mothering the New Mother, Sally Placksin defines the role of a postpartum doula.
The doula's basic role is to provide nonintrusive, nonjudgmental support according to the family's needs and wishes. She is there to facilitate your time to settle in, relax, and heal, while assuring that the familiar daily underpinnings of your life and household remain anchored as much as possible. She is there to free you up to do nothing but be with your baby and other family members, or to take the baby so that you can sleep, if that's what's needed. She is the peace-of-mind factor.
As a postpartum doula, I can offer...
Breastfeeding support
Bottle feeding assistance
Guidance with routine newborn care (diapering, cord care, calming techniques, sleep, burping, baby wearing, kangaroo care, etc.)
Childcare, so the mother can shower, eat, sleep, or spend time with siblings
Nutritional meal preparation
Light housekeeping and help with laundry
Help with running errands
Sibling care and support of siblings in their new role
Visitor fielding (answering the phone and taking messages)
Emotional and physical support
Help with self-care and coping skills for the mother
Information on a variety of topics
Local and national referrals when appropriate
Pet and plant care
Infant massage instruction
Baby equipment expertise
Organizing (setting up the infant sleeping and diapering areas)
Support to mothers experiencing postpartum mood disorders
Comfort measures for postpartum healing
Accompaniment of mother and baby to doctor appointments
Assistance with twins or triplets
Free 24 hour phone support
As a postpartum doula, I do not…
Take over complete care of the baby
Make medical assessments, perform medical tasks, or give medical advice
Make decisions for the clients
Perform major house cleaning (cleaning bathrooms, washing windows, scrubbing floors)
Make any purchases on behalf of the client without first securing payment for purchases
Transport the clients or the client’s family (I am not covered to do this under my liability insurance)
