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What is a postpartum doula?
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A postpartum doula is a knowledgeable, supportive professional on hand to nurture, guide and educate the new mother during her transition into motherhood. Doulas are part coach, part mentor and part friend to the expectant family. A postpartum doula frees the new mother from responsibilities that may interfere with her need for rest, recovery and time for bonding with her baby. She offers a listening ear, a guiding voice and an extra pair of hands.
First Daze strives to empower mothers and fathers with knowledge, confidence and skills needed to perform the most important job in the world - parenting! With proper support, encouragement and education, families can make informed decisions regarding the care of their babies.
We utilize our expertise to assist with comfort measures, breastfeeding education and infant care instruction. Postpartum doulas "mother the new mother" by ensuring mom gets enough food, fluids and rest. We help the entire family with reassurance, simple meal preparation, sibling care, light housework and errands.
WHY USE A POSTPARTUM DOULA?
Studies show that when new mothers have support at home in the early weeks after delivery, the risk of postpartum depression diminishes, and the chance of breastfeeding successfully increases. Today’s families typically live many miles apart and often the new dad is back to work within a short period of time, leaving the mother without this critical support system. A postpartum doula fills this role. She can teach a new mother about breastfeeding and baby care, help with other siblings and take care of household chores, as well as give the new mom much needed time to rest to stave off sleep deprivation. Without this support, healing from birth and learning to take care of a newborn might otherwise be overwhelming. Postpartum doula support helps make the transition from pregnancy to motherhood more manageable.
"Despite a growing abundance of child rearing information for parents, individualized hands-on care remains one of the best ways to understand and learn about newborn care. A well-trained doula can help a new parent navigate the often stressful waters of infancy with guidance, insight and experience not found in a book or on the Internet."
~ Bryan Vartabedian, MD FAAP - Pediatric Gastroenterologist and author of Colic Solved: The Essential Guide to Infant Reflux and the Care of Your Crying, Difficult-to- Soothe Baby
WHAT DOESN'T A POSTPARTUM DOULA DO?
First Daze postpartum doulas DO NOT perform clinical tasks or diagnose medical conditions. We will refer you to appropriate medical professionals for this type of assistance. We also do NOT judge your choices or tell parents what to do. We will, however, help you get the information you need to make your own informed decisions.