Why hire a postpartum doula?

Adult hand holding newborn hand.

Congratulations! You are either expecting a baby, planning for a baby, or have just welcomed a little one into your home. This is a big transition. You probably have all sorts of people who are excited for you, and want to help you out. So why do you need a postpartum doula?

The early postpartum days can be filled with sleepless nights, endless piles of laundry, a lack of freshly cooked meals, and lots of questions. A postpartum doula can help with all of that, and more! As a postpartum doula, I promise that I am there for YOU. New parents are my priority, and the baby who comes with them is just an excellent bonus. When I walk through your door the first thing I do is ask how you are doing and what you need from me today. Each postpartum shift can look entirely different from the next! So, what exactly does a postpartum doula do?

When I arrive at your house I am well-rested, ready to help you with any task, and full of answers to your questions. And if I don’t have the answer for you right away, I will help you find it or refer you to an expert you can. My metaphorical postpartum doula toolbox is filled with a magic powder that will allow you to sleep, shower, eat, and vent- all in a 3 hour visit! Okay, okay, so I am still not really telling you what we do. Well, it’s because postpartum doulas can do…almost anything. Each doula will have their areas of expertise and particular things that they bring to the table. Here’s a little of what you might expect:

  • Light housekeeping

  • Meal prep

  • Laundry

  • Pet care

  • Some childcare for other kids

  • Active listening & emotional support

  • Baby minding while you take care of yourself

  • Infant feeding support

  • Answers to your questions about postpartum and newborns

  • Local resources

  • And more!

I’ve also helped clients in their gardens and organized boxes of baby clothes for and with my clients! Often, what clients tell me is more helpful is having the company of another adult who is non-judgemental and doesn’t hold any bias, and who isn’t trying to tell them how to parent their baby. I am there to validate your fabulous parenting choices and provide encouragement. And while I’m at it I’ll do your dishes and all those piles of laundry!

In addition to helping you manage the daily tasks that might become more difficult to manage with a newborn around, I will be there to help you navigate any mental health concerns that might arise postpartum. Postpartum mood disorders, or PMADs, are common, and not an indication that you have done something wrong or that you are not an amazing parent. They can sometimes be scary and overwhelming to manage, but I promise I will be there to help you through them and help you find the support you need, whether that be a peer support group, a therapist, or another type of practitioner.

Sometimes, when those well-intentioned family members and friends come over, they end up acting more like guests and wanting to snuggle the new baby. That’s helpful too, and it’s really important to maintain social time! But sometimes those visits are tiring and don’t allow you to rest. Your house might even be more messy when your visitors leave! As a postpartum doula, I am not a substitute for other visitors, because I am not a visitor, I am there as a helper.

What about infant feeding support?

Whether you choose to chestfeed*, pump, feed formula, use a supplemental nursing system, use bottles, or some combination, you might experience some bumps in the road or have questions that arise along the way. Postpartum doulas have knowledge surrounding lactation and infant feeding and will help you establish a feeding relationship with your baby. Not all postpartum doulas are also lactation professionals, but postpartum doulas will be able address minor complaints and answer questions, and know when to refer out should you need some more support. A bonus that my clients get when working with me is a lactation professional and doula all wrapped up in one! As a Integrative Lactation and Infant Feeding Specialist I can assist my clients in feeding their babies and help them to navigate difficulties if they arise. Find out more about my infant feeding support here.

*Chestfeed is an inclusive alternative to “breastfeed.” Not everyone who feeds their baby at their body uses the word breasts to identify that part of their body, so chestfeeding is an alternative phrasing which is inclusive to all who bodyfeed (that is, feed their baby at their body).


The Planted Doula, a.k.a. Lara Esrey, is a full spectrum doula, childbirth and postpartum educator, integrative lactation and infant feeding specialist, and community herbalist located in Hamilton, ON, offering services both virtually and in person. They support all families, regardless of where they are at in their reproductive journey. Lara is a queer birthworker, and especially passionate about supporting queer and LGBTQ families. You can find out more about Lara’s doula support services here.

Previous
Previous

What is a full spectrum doula?