What is a Doula?
A postpartum doula visits the family at home from the time the baby is a newborn through the first three months.
Doulas provide evidenced-based information and support on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care. Michelle also offers level-appropriate yoga and meditation instruction and reiki for new families. Further, she is well-educated in the special needs of families where mom, or a partner, is experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder.
A postpartum doula assists the family with …
Emotional Support
The transition into new parenthood can be vulnerable, and postpartum doulas are experts in emotional support, active listening and encouraging new moms and dads to follow their own hearts. Empathy, a hug or even a good laugh together can do so much for a new parent!
Evidence-Based Information and Support
Postpartum doulas are trained to understand what new babies – and new mothers – truly need. The doula helps with soothing techniques, offers breastfeeding or bottle feeding support, and explains normal newborn behavior.
Practical Support
Postpartum doulas can help the days go by more smoothly by helping with the baby’s laundry, doing the dishes or preparing simple, nourishing meals. Doulas also help with household organization.
Partner and Sibling Support
A new baby means transition for everyone, including parents, grandparents and little brothers and sisters. Postpartum doulas understand what everyone needs, and part of their role is to help the entire family adjust and settle in.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Support
Michelle knows PMAD inside and out. After having a post-partum depression following the birth of her first daughter, and a less-severe PPD after her second, Michelle began to see her depressions as a gift, because it has lead to this point where she is able to help other moms. For almost 10 years she has supported other mothers through the Princeton-based Pregnancy and Post-Partum Support Group and holds a certificate from Postpartum Support International.
Contact Michelle here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.