Postnatal Doula
My role as a postnatal doula is to nurture and support you, and other member's of your family during the precious first months, as you make the transition into parenthood, getting to know your new baby and yourself as parents.
The first three months post-birth are known as the fourth trimester (pregnancy making up the other three). It is a period of huge change and development in the newborn, as they adjust to life outside the womb, and is also a time of great change and development in your life as you get to know your baby and yourself as parents.
"We have a Bon Voyage culture when it comes to the care of new parents - Well done, goodbye and enjoy your trip. This is not enough - new parents need more."
Why organise postnatal support
In times gone by, a new mother would have been surrounded by female relatives and friends, all in different phases of life. She would probably have had her mother and aunties around to help her out, and her sisters and cousins with older babies to learn from and ask advice.
Nowadays the transition to parenthood can be isolating, lonely and confusing, with you being expected to cope alone, using text books and the internet for advice, and receiving sparse visits from health professionals. You might have few or no close friends or family with babies who you can learn from, and no older relatives living near enough to offer practical support.
I believe the fourth trimester should be a time when you are well supported, both emotionally and practically, allowing you to adjust, at your own pace, to life with a newborn. You should not be made to feel guilty or incapable for needing help –love and assistance should be something that every new parent has available to them, allowing you to grow in confidence in your new role.
What I do
As your postnatal doula, I will have the care of you and your new family at the heart of what I do. I will look after you as a mother or aunty might have in the past. I will offer a non-judgemental listening ear.
The best way to find out what suppor I could offer is to arrange a chat to discuss what support you think you will need.
Some of the ways I can support you include: –
Listening to you talk about whatever you needs to, be this how to care for the baby, anxieties, joys, debriefing the birth or just having an adult conversation about the news!
Playing with older siblings
Watching the baby so you can have some time, maybe to rest or to take a bath, or to just sit.
Shopping, running errands, cooking light meals.
Light housework that will help you feel more relaxed.
Assistance with breastfeeding, or bottle feeding (or any other feeding method).
Help you find and access local resources - searching the internet for you and accompanying you out and about..
Supporting your new family to grow in confidence.
About Me
About Me:-
I am Fully insured.
I have a valid DBS check certificate
I have completed a Cache Level 2 childcare qualification.
I have completed a Level 2 Nutrition qualification (including food hygiene and safety).
I have completed a paediatric basic life support course.
I have completed a 90-hour lactation specific education course, validated by the International Board-Certified Lactation Examiners.
I am an NCT trained Breastfeeding Counsellor.
I am a qualified Holistic sleep coach.
I am a qualified Brazelton Newborn Baby observation practitioner.
