“It’s just as important to get ready for your first days and weeks as a new mother as it is to prepare for giving birth.”
- Kelleher, Nurturing the Family
Through conversations and observations, I will educate, support, and discover areas of need and improvement for a smoother transition to parenthood
Someone who is an educated and compassionate advocate for the family unit. The PPD provides encouragement, support, and resources to assist in physical, mental, and spiritual healing for the mother and partner during the fourth trimester.
The role (in an essence) is a mother to the new (or new again) mother. The voices of the mother and partner’s needs tend to get put on the backburner. The PPD focuses on the mother and parent to help them heal (mentally, physically, emotionally) and adjust to their new roles.
Short answer: Does mom (and/or partner) need to eat, sleep, or vent and how do I make that happen?
More specifically, teaching the parents different hunger and sleep cues that their child is communicating. Assisting in breast/bottle feeding in tailored and specific ways to help get over those difficult obstacles. What makes you feel relaxed? Taking a shower, a walk, playing with a pet, making a phone call, etc. Helping in any and possible way to support the family. This could include washing bottle/pump parts, loading the dishwasher, starting the dryer, etc.
Your partner is emotionally connected to the birthing and post partum experience. He/she may find it a very difficult transition, may not have many strategies, and may find bonding with their child difficult. A trained, experienced, compassionate and educated professional to support mom and partner is the key. The postpartum doula will also work with your partner on all sorts of strategies including bottle feeding, soothing, baby wearing, how to support mom, opportunities for relaxation, and so much more. One final thought: your partner may be returning to work while you are still on maternity leave. This may be a preferred time to begin the services of the postpartum doula during the day.
No, a night nurse is someone who solely focuses on taking care of the child throughout the night so mom and partner can rest. A house keeper would be responsible for deep cleaning such as vacuuming, bathrooms, etc. As your PPD, I will do light housekeeping, baby care, and meal preparation. If you need overnight care, which I love, I would first meet with you and partner to discuss and teach any specific obstacles you are experiencing. After our discussion, you would get a full nights rest while I take care of your baby through the night.
Adding a child to the family is joyful and at times, stressful. Becoming a “new mom again” could definitely benefit from the services of a PPD. As parents, we know that every child is different and will respond to needs differently. Having an extra pair of hands is helpful.
Contact me to have a no obligation call, text, or video call, that’s it!
Other nations “practice a period of isolation or ‘cushioning. The mother is not expected to care for others or perform any of her regular responsibilities. Traditions during this time include massage and cooking.” (Kelleher)
“Parents have no guarantee of parenting education or support to help them through their weeks postpartum.” (Kelleher)