FAQ
Postpartum Doula Services FAQ:
How long should I have postpartum doula support?
The length of postpartum support varies based on individual needs and circumstances. Most families benefit from:
• First-time parents: 2-12 weeks of support
• Parents with multiple children: 1-8 weeks of support
• Parents following cesarean births: 3-8 weeks of support
• Parents of multiples: 4-12 weeks of support
Many families start with more frequent support in the first few weeks (3-5 days per week) and gradually reduce to 1-2 days per week as they gain confidence. Remember that every family’s needs are unique, and support can be adjusted based on your experience.
What does an overnight postpartum doula do?
An overnight postpartum doula typically:
• Brings the baby to you for feedings if you’re breastfeeding
• Bottle feeds the baby if you’re formula feeding or using expressed milk
• Supports your breastfeeding goals with evidence based information
• Changes diapers and soothes the baby between feedings
• Helps establish healthy sleep habits for both baby and parents
• Maintains a sleep log to track baby’s patterns
• Baby-related tasks, like washing bottles and doing baby's laundry
• Provides emotional support during nighttime challenges
• Ensures you get maximum rest during this critical recovery period
Overnight shifts typically run 8-10 hours (e.g., 10pm-6am or 9pm-7am).
What does a daytime postpartum doula do?
A daytime postpartum doula provides comprehensive support, including:
• Infant care assistance (diapering, bathing, soothing techniques)
• Breastfeeding/feeding support and education
• Household organization focused on parent/baby needs
• Meal preparation and light housekeeping
• Sibling adjustment support
• Emotional support and active listening
• Evidence-based information on newborn care
• Baby-wearing assistance and demonstrations
• Running errands with or without the new parent
• Creating time for parent self-care and rest
Daytime shifts typically range from 4-8 hours, scheduled according to your family’s needs.
What does a postpartum doula NOT do?
While postpartum doulas provide extensive support, they are not:
• Medical professionals: They don’t provide medical advice, diagnose conditions, or prescribe medications
• House cleaners: While they handle light housekeeping related to baby care, they don’t do deep cleaning, laundry for the entire family, or extensive home organization
• Nannies or babysitters: Doulas work alongside parents to provide education and support, not replace parental care
• Exclusive childcare for older siblings: While they may help with sibling adjustment, they focus primarily on the postpartum parent and newborn
• On-call 24/7: Doulas schedule specific shifts and aren’t available for emergency calls outside those hours
• Judgment-providers: Doulas support your parenting choices without imposing their personal opinions
How do you match me with a postpartum doula?
Our matching process is designed to create the most compatible relationship between your family and your doula:
1. Initial consultation: We discuss your family’s specific needs, preferences, and schedule requirements
2. Personality matching: We consider communication styles, energy levels, and personality traits
3. Experience alignment: We match based on your specific circumstances (multiples, c-section recovery, breastfeeding goals, etc.)
4. Meet and greet: If you prefer, we can arrange a meeting between your family and the potential doula
5. Adjustment options: If the match isn’t ideal, we’ll work to find a more suitable doula
Our goal is to find a doula who feels like a natural extension of your support system.
Are your doulas qualified?
Yes, all our postpartum doulas meet rigorous professional standards:
• Training: Comprehensive education in postpartum care, newborn care, and family support
• Education: Ongoing professional development in maternal/infant care
• Background checks: Comprehensive screening for your family’s safety
• Insurance: Fully insured professionals
• Experience: Minimum required hours of hands-on experience
• Specializations: Many doulas have additional certifications in lactation support, infant sleep, or perinatal mental health
• CPR certification: Current infant/child CPR and first aid training
• References: Verified testimonials from previous clients
Our doulas combine professional expertise with compassionate care to support your family during this transformative time.
How soon should I book a postpartum doula?
We recommend booking a postpartum doula during your second or early third trimester to ensure availability. For last-minute needs, we do our best to accommodate based on our doulas’ schedules.
How long should I have postpartum doula support?
The length of postpartum support varies based on individual needs and circumstances. Most families benefit from:
• First-time parents: 2-12 weeks of support
• Parents with multiple children: 1-8 weeks of support
• Parents following cesarean births: 3-8 weeks of support
• Parents of multiples: 4-12 weeks of support
Many families start with more frequent support in the first few weeks (3-5 days per week) and gradually reduce to 1-2 days per week as they gain confidence. Remember that every family’s needs are unique, and support can be adjusted based on your experience.
What does an overnight postpartum doula do?
An overnight postpartum doula typically:
• Brings the baby to you for feedings if you’re breastfeeding
• Bottle feeds the baby if you’re formula feeding or using expressed milk
• Supports your breastfeeding goals with evidence based information
• Changes diapers and soothes the baby between feedings
• Helps establish healthy sleep habits for both baby and parents
• Maintains a sleep log to track baby’s patterns
• Baby-related tasks, like washing bottles and doing baby's laundry
• Provides emotional support during nighttime challenges
• Ensures you get maximum rest during this critical recovery period
Overnight shifts typically run 8-10 hours (e.g., 10pm-6am or 9pm-7am).
What does a daytime postpartum doula do?
A daytime postpartum doula provides comprehensive support, including:
• Infant care assistance (diapering, bathing, soothing techniques)
• Breastfeeding/feeding support and education
• Household organization focused on parent/baby needs
• Meal preparation and light housekeeping
• Sibling adjustment support
• Emotional support and active listening
• Evidence-based information on newborn care
• Baby-wearing assistance and demonstrations
• Running errands with or without the new parent
• Creating time for parent self-care and rest
Daytime shifts typically range from 4-8 hours, scheduled according to your family’s needs.
What does a postpartum doula NOT do?
While postpartum doulas provide extensive support, they are not:
• Medical professionals: They don’t provide medical advice, diagnose conditions, or prescribe medications
• House cleaners: While they handle light housekeeping related to baby care, they don’t do deep cleaning, laundry for the entire family, or extensive home organization
• Nannies or babysitters: Doulas work alongside parents to provide education and support, not replace parental care
• Exclusive childcare for older siblings: While they may help with sibling adjustment, they focus primarily on the postpartum parent and newborn
• On-call 24/7: Doulas schedule specific shifts and aren’t available for emergency calls outside those hours
• Judgment-providers: Doulas support your parenting choices without imposing their personal opinions
How do you match me with a postpartum doula?
Our matching process is designed to create the most compatible relationship between your family and your doula:
1. Initial consultation: We discuss your family’s specific needs, preferences, and schedule requirements
2. Personality matching: We consider communication styles, energy levels, and personality traits
3. Experience alignment: We match based on your specific circumstances (multiples, c-section recovery, breastfeeding goals, etc.)
4. Meet and greet: If you prefer, we can arrange a meeting between your family and the potential doula
5. Adjustment options: If the match isn’t ideal, we’ll work to find a more suitable doula
Our goal is to find a doula who feels like a natural extension of your support system.
Are your doulas qualified?
Yes, all our postpartum doulas meet rigorous professional standards:
• Training: Comprehensive education in postpartum care, newborn care, and family support
• Education: Ongoing professional development in maternal/infant care
• Background checks: Comprehensive screening for your family’s safety
• Insurance: Fully insured professionals
• Experience: Minimum required hours of hands-on experience
• Specializations: Many doulas have additional certifications in lactation support, infant sleep, or perinatal mental health
• CPR certification: Current infant/child CPR and first aid training
• References: Verified testimonials from previous clients
Our doulas combine professional expertise with compassionate care to support your family during this transformative time.
How soon should I book a postpartum doula?
We recommend booking a postpartum doula during your second or early third trimester to ensure availability. For last-minute needs, we do our best to accommodate based on our doulas’ schedules.
