WHAT IS A POSTNATAL DOULA?

A postnatal doula provides emotional and practical support to families with new babies.

The importance of support in those first few weeks after the birth of your baby is often overlooked. The focus is very much on the antenatal period and preparing for labour, but often there is very little on the 6 weeks after birth, which can be an overwhelming time. This is when a postnatal doula can be a great support. They are not usually healthcare professionals but will have extensive knowledge in newborn baby behaviour, recognising baby’s cues, giving feeding support, and helping you to understand your baby’s sleep patterns.

Whilst the new baby takes centre stage, the emotional and physical strain of becoming a parent (whether it’s your first or your fifth) is often overlooked. Your doula will tailor the support required, enabling the whole family to have the most positive experience.

WHAT DOES A POSTNATAL DOULA DO?

Your doula will give support with breastfeeding, expressing, or making up feeds and help parents achieve their feeding goals.

Sleep (or lack of it) is usually one of the biggest concerns for a new parent. Your doula will help you to understand what is and isn’t normal when it comes to how much sleep you and your baby are getting. With a newborn baby around it can be a struggle to get housework, shopping and cooking done and a postnatal doula can also help with these. Food can be prepared, which could be snacks, soup for the freezer or an evening meal for the family.

The juggle of adding a baby into the mix of other siblings can be tricky for everyone. A doula can lend an extra pair of hands as well as emotional support for the parents. 

A doula is a non-judgmental, well-informed friend to help give you the space to heal and time to bond with your new family. A typical visit is usually 3-4 hours but can vary depending on your needs.

I contacted Romy in desperation when my baby was about 2 months old. Although she was thriving, breastfeeding was agony for me and I’d got to the stage when I dreaded each feed. Romy listened to me weep, then empathised and then gave me some good solid practical support. Even though it was over the phone I always left our conversations feeling really cared for. I would highly recommend Romy, she has such a caring, nurturing and positive approach.
Leone - Hereford