A Postnatal Doula can help you to navigate the early weeks after having a baby and adjust to life with a newborn
Transitioning into parenthood can be a vulnerable and emotional time. As a postnatal doula, I support the mother and her family emotionally and practically after the birth of their baby. The support that I give is guided by the mother’s needs, wishes and decisions, because all families are different. I am happy to start working with families from when their baby is newborn or from any age within the first 6 weeks after birth. Some families will pre-book me during pregnancy and some families do not realise that they would like postnatal doula support until after their baby has been born. It is never too late to hire a postnatal doula!
Why Hire A Postnatal Doula?
Are you pregnant or recently had a baby and looking for postnatal support?
What does a postnatal doula do?
A postnatal doula will offer emotional support, physical support and informational help to the new family.
Emotional Support
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Listen to any of your worries, concerns, or anxieties that you may have postpartum.
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Be someone that you can trust and confide in, without judgement.
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Actively listen, hold space and not try to "fix".
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Normalise any emotions that are felt post birth, especially if the birth was difficult and not a positive experience.
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Remind the family of the huge hormonal changes that occur postnatally and how the postpartum journey can sometimes be an emotional rollercoaster.
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Build confidence for the family around caring for a newborn and feeding a baby.
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Hold the whole family as they transition into their new life.
Physical Support
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Anything that helps aid the smooth running of the household and allow you to relax, enjoy and bond with your baby.
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Cooking healthy, nutritious meals for you and your family
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Light housework
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Laundary/ putting away clean washing
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Emptying and loading the dishwasher/ washing the dishes
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Supervise other young children or hold your baby, so that you can take a well deserved rest or a break. This could include you taking a bath/shower, a nap or chance to get some 'me time'.
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Help when attending appointments with a baby
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Breastfeeding/bottle feeding support
Informational Help
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Offer support and information on how to care for your newborn (bathing, breastfeeding/ feeding, soothing techniques, normal newborn behaviour etc).
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How to look after yourself emotionally and physically after giving birth and/or when caring for a baby.
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Signpost to evidence based information.
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Signpost you to local parent and baby classes.
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Inform you about the benefits of baby wearing and how to use a sling/baby carrier.
I will offer support, information and/or choices for you. However, I will not be able to make decisions on your behalf and I do not give medical advice. I will signpost you to the correct person or services though if I can.
Julia worked with us postpartum after a difficult premature birth experience, she helped us establish feeding and was generally there as a source of advice and support as we became parents for the first time. Highly recommended to get some impartial advice and experience and support!
Katherine - Leeds Mummy
Is A Postnatal Doula Worth It?
A postnatal doula is absolutely worth it. Whether you have had children before or whether this is your first baby, you will find the support of a postnatal doula worth it's weight in gold!
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Some families reach out to me for postnatal support because they don't have any close family nearby or have a strong support network. Other families reach out to me because they want unbiased support, breastfeeding help, signposting to evidence based information or an extra pair of hands around the home.
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I have supported a variety of families postnatally, all with different needs and they have found my support has made a huge different to their family emotionally, physically and mentally.
It takes a village to raise a child!
Postnatal Doula Frequently Asked Questions
Is a newborn nanny the same as a postnatal doula? No, a nanny will mainly care for the baby and can work with a family for many years. A postnatal doula will care for the mother and the whole family, including the baby. They usually work with a family short term, for a few weeks or months, from the early days of a family having a newborn baby.
What do postnatal doulas not do? A postnatal doula cannot make decisions for you, provide clinical tasks or medical advice. They can offer emotional support, physical support and informational help, signposting you to evidence based information.
When should I book a postnatal doula? You can book a postnatal doula at anytime during your pregnancy or after birth. Most postnatal doulas will support a family within the first 6 weeks post birth and up to 12 weeks postnatally.
Postnatal Doula Costs​
Postnatal Doula Support Packages
Bronze Package: £45 per hour
Pay as you go
Silver Package: £420
This includes 5 x 2 hour sessions (10 hours support) and phone/text/email support for 6 weeks after the final session.
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Gold Package: £800
This includes 10 x 2 hour sessions (20 hours support) and phone/text/email support for 6 weeks after the final session.​