- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
Are you looking for a doula or a baby nurse? A doula might do some light cooking and cleaning, but their training is often more about helping the new mother sort of settle into her new role as a mom. So breastfeeding support, someone to talk to about the birthing experience, and just learning how to integrate a baby into the household. If you want someone who is going to do housework and cook you have to be willing to pay accordingly, when I was looking into hiring a doula a lot of the people I talked to would not commit to cooking and household chores. Just a heads up! I hope you find someone who can meet your needs.
Call local midwives, you can get recommendations from your obstetrician or even from your hospital's labor and delivery ward. Some are even listed in the phone book.
@KatyElle: Not a baby nurse, I definitely want the doula to encourage my role as a new mother.
I've found a few profiles of doulas who offer light cleaning, laundry, and simple meal services. But I want someone trained as a lactation consultant so that if I have any issues establishing breastfeeding, that I'll have someone to help, as well as help with the baby if need be.
Did you end up hiring a postpartum doula?
@miss-spunkin: No, in the end I just sort of got by on my own and occasional help from friends. I was considering a doula because my mother didn't end up coming to see me until my daughter was over a month old, and I was really freaking out about bringing a baby home and having no idea how to come to terms with my new identity. My husband was back to work the day after our daughter was born and I was scared out of my mind.
Doulas offer a fantastic service but in the end it just wasn't for me. I wasn't comfortable putting my trust in someone I didn't know, or opening up emotionally, or crying/bleeding/leaking in front of them all day haha! That was my own personal hangup. I fell very quickly into the mothering thing, by day 3 I was like "Ok, I think I get it." I learned how to wrap her up like a little burrito, I YouTubed how to master the Moby Wrap, and I took her for lots of long walks in the fresh air. I also relied on lots of takeout and laundry service!
Definitely check out hospital resources for info on your local La Leche League chapter and meetings, as well as sign up for the baby CPR and Heimlich courses they offer in the Red Cross/first aid classes. That eased my mind a LOT.
@KatyElle: Sounds great!!
My sister just had her baby and she had a harder than expected postpartum period. The first week was really rough on her. My mom and I were there every day doing the cooking and cleaning for her, and holding the baby so she could sleep - but she had a really hard time with breastfeeding, and nights were hard. Since her baby will be only 6 mos old when my baby is born, I know I won't have the same amount of support because she won't be able to give it - I'll have my mom yes, but so far no one else I know that could help that often.
And my sister said if she could do anything differently, she would have had a lactation consultant from day 1. I think it would be nice to have that in my home for a few days while I figure it out.
@miss-spunkin: Yes, definitely understandable. Check out some local midwives, most doctor's offices work with reputable ones. The midwife will be able to help you locate a doula and get you started. Since most are basically self employed, you can maybe interview a few candidates and get an idea of their personality and ask them to provide their rates. Lots of doulas starting out are happy for the experience. And definitely sign up with LLL, they can have a rep visit you as well.
@KatyElle: Thanks for the advice! I'm actually having a midwife attended birth, but I didn't think of asking my midwife if she knew of any good postpartum doula services in the area, I'll have to ask.
I might get a housecleaner once a week too for a little while ;)
@miss-spunkin: If you're near a local college too, sometimes students will clean around their class schedules for very affordable rates. You can get references from the college. And stock up on those takeout menus!
When I was interviewing doulas, I got on several email lists for different established doulas. Several of them were in the process of taking on new apprentices and they email special rates for their services. You should try calling doulas in your area and see if they are working with any apprentices that would offer you a special rate.
@miss-spunkin: Are you taking any breastfeeding classes before baby arrives? I ask because the class I took (not hospital affiliated so I can't speak for what those classes may be like) was taught by a certified lactation consultant and just by taking the class you were given her cell phone number and were encouraged to call at any time if you needed help, had questions, or needed her to come see you if she couldn't help over the phone. All of the phone consultations were free of charge and if an in-person meeting was requested there was a small fee but having her available to be was very reassuring. If you get a good lactation consultant available to you, maybe the doula you choose won't have to also be a lactation consultant.
@Pelikila: Yeah, I'll be taking one at my birth center, and I know she was a lot of help to my sister, but she lives an hour away from us and wasn't able to visit. I'll probably get help from LLL, but I think if I do get a doula I would still for sure want a lactation consultant, otherwise I could just hire a housecleaner lol
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| ellisrobertson | 24 |
| fishbone | 20 |
| MsPanda | 14 |
| ladyartichoke | 14 |
| aduarte3201 | 14 |
| mypinkshoes | 12 |
| pengoala | 11 |
 sylvia.riggle |
11 |
| Brielle | 10 |
| ShellVee | 10 |
Sorry, there are no users yet.
I am looking into having a postpartum doula to help with initial breastfeeding, housework, meals etc so that I can spend time with my baby and husband and not have to worry about anything (and my husband as well). I was hoping to find a doula who is still working towards certification so that the cost would be minimal. I can't afford $1000 for a doula.
Does anyone know what the cost of doula services even are? That was just a random number I threw out there!
I know you can locate them on dona.org, but like I said, they're more expensive there.
Anyone else had any luck finding a doula elsewhere?
Thanks!