How a Bluffton Postpartum Doula Can Transform Your Life After Birth
Have you heard of a postpartum doula? I honestly didn’t know this was a thing until I met Dawn Oliver, owner of Compassionate Care Doula Services and we started partnering to meet our clients needs.
I’m thrilled to share Dawn with you today talking all about the postpartum experience and her tips for a smooth transition to life with a new baby!
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What is a postpartum doula and how do they differ from a birth doula?
A postpartum doula, is a doula that assists/supports you during your postpartum time after you have your baby. We call it, the 4th trimester. We help you transition home and into your new life as a growing family. Whether it’s your 1st or 15th, every parent needs support. A birth doula is your support for prenatal, labor and delivery of your baby.
What inspired you to become a postpartum doula?
When I started my venture into becoming a doula, I thought that it was just a natural progression to also become a postpartum doula. I wanted to be available to my clients when they brought their baby home. When I started working with postpartum parents, I realized the lack of community, resources and support there is. Very little if any breastfeeding information. No baby care support at all.
How do you personalize your services to meet the unique needs of each family?
Every family, just like every baby is very unique. I start by discovering what type of care the parents need. Days or nights, or a combination of the both. We discuss their external support system. Finally, I send them a postpartum care plan. We discuss and help them develop their plan. I also offer meal plans. After
working with a family, and observing their needs, I can also write up a child care/ routine plan.
What does a typical day look like when you’re working with a family?
It’s very individual per client. Some days the parent wants to go over what’s been happening and how to help develop a more sustainable change. Or, they may have met a personal goal and what to share their wins. Other times they just want to sleep.
There is always a list of light house chores that can be done. Sterilizing and cleaning bottles, straightening and tidying the home, laundry etc. I also make sure that mom has had a meal. I can do meal prep for the family as well. Checking in on moms mental health and well being. Taking care of the baby as needed.
Overnights depending on the family dynamic. Sometimes I let myself in if they are already sleeping. I tend to the baby’s needs. If mom is breastfeeding, we have established if we are supplementing while I am there. If she’s breastfeeding while I am there, I will wake her when the baby is ready to nurse. If bottle
feeding, I get the bottles ready for the night and 1st feeding in the morning.
I help with meal prep breakfast, lunch and or dinner. It just depends on what the family needs are. Also the same light housework help. Bottles, dishes, etc. if the family is sleeping, I leave quietly with monitor on. Leaving the family with a sleeping fed baby, a straightened home with breakfast and dinner done.
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What are some common emotional challenges faced by new parents, and how do you help them cope?
Sleep deprivation, time management, hormonal challenges and of course a fussy baby. Sleep deprived parents are very common especially in the early days. I help them get some rest. Helping with feeding. Alleviating and helping with every day household chores allows for more rest. Meal planning and meal prep, not having to decide or prepare meals is also very helpful. Thinking ahead of time to help with appointments. We discuss what their concerns are and talk about how to delegate some things to other people. Most of this is done in advance for my clients. We cover this in our postpartum planning meeting.
As far as the fussy baby, that answer is not so easy. We discuss why this may be happening and come up ways to help the baby settle in. It could be simple as changing the swaddle. Or it could be some sort of milk allergy.
The postpartum period can be both incredibly rewarding and challenging, so having the support of a knowledgeable, compassionate professional can make all the difference.
So, go ahead and explore the world of postpartum doulas – you’ll be glad you did. Follow Dawn on Instagram at Compassionate Care Doula for more information on her services!
