FAQs | What is a postpartum doula? — The Doula Difference

Weekday, daytime support between the hours of 8am-5pm is offered. I am happy to offer referrals if you are looking for night or weekend support.

The primary goal of a postpartum doula is to “mother the mother” by providing physical, emotional and informational assistance to help transition families through the newborn period and leave the family feeling encouraged. In the weeks following birth or an adoption, a postpartum doula provides physical support as the family recovers and adjusts to their new normal. Support looks different for each family, but most often includes providing the opportunity for the new mother to catch up on much needed rest and self-care. It is also a time to offer breastfeeding support and assist all family members with newborn care. Physical support often includes but is not limited to light housekeeping, laundry, running errands and preparing meals. If there are older siblings, the postpartum doula may also assist with providing care for them or attending to the baby, so the mother is able to spend time with the older sibling(s).

While I’m sure your four-legged baby is adorable, I only work in households with two-legged cute babies at this time.

I am fully vaccinated and boosted and for the protection of your family as well as my own, I will provide care wearing a KN-95 mask. Upon entering your home I will immediately remove my shoes and wash my hands.
If you or anyone in your household is experiencing Covid symptoms please inform me immediately and we can reschedule the visit for a time when everyone is feeling better. Likewise, if I become ill with Covid-19 or have a direct exposure I will notify the family and reschedule for everyone’s safety.

The health and wellbeing of clients, their newborn, other family members as well as myself is of the utmost importance. If any member of your household has a fever and/or is experiencing cold, flu or viral symptoms please notify The Doula Difference and support will be rescheduled for a time after symptoms have subsided and all household members have been symptom free for 48 continuous hours.

A postpartum doula is not to be confused with a baby nurse, babysitter or a nanny. There is a difference! While a baby nurse is a childcare professional who assists with childcare needs through the night, the postpartum doula is there to focus on the new parents and help them learn how to balance life with their new addition. A baby nurse takes charge of childcare, while the postpartum doula serves to “mother the new mother” and provide the necessary information and tools so that new parents can care for their baby on their own.
Doulas emphasize teaching parents how to manage days and nights long after the doula is gone. The postpartum doula does not serve as a babysitter or nanny whose primary focus is caring for babies and infants. The role of the postpartum doula is to empower the family to feel confident with caring for their newborn and to provide them with the information and support to do so.

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