Welcoming a new baby into your family is a joyful milestone that can come with unique challenges. Whether it’s your first time as a parent or your second or third child, having the right support is crucial in those first 3 to 6 months of parenthood! This is where a postpartum doulas can be an invaluable support. These trained professionals help parents navigate the transition into parenthood, offering emotional, physical, and practical support tailored to your family’s needs. But what exactly does a postpartum doula do? Let’s break it down.
What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?
A postpartum doula provides personalized support to families in the weeks and months following the birth of a baby. Their goal is to ease the transition into parenthood by:
- Supporting Infant Care: Assisting with diapering, feeding (nursing or bottle), bathing, and soothing techniques.
- Providing Emotional Support: Offering a listening ear, reassurance, and encouragement during this significant life change.
- Helping with Practical Tasks: Light housework, meal preparation, and organizing baby supplies.
- Educating and Empowering Parents: Sharing tips, resources, and evidence-based information about newborn care and postpartum recovery.
Birth Doula vs. Postpartum Doula: What’s the Difference?
While both birth and postpartum doulas support families during pivotal times, their roles are distinct:
- Birth Doula: Supports families during labour and delivery. They focus on pain management, advocacy, and emotional support during childbirth.
- Postpartum Doula: This care worker provides ongoing support after the baby arrives, focusing on recovery, newborn care, and family adjustment.
Some doulas are trained in both areas, but many specialize in one–especially as the on-call demands of birth work can clash with the shift work that postpartum care work holds. Knowing what kind of support you need can help you decide which type of doula is right for you! Need to read more about doulas–their different roles & responsibilities and scope of practice? Click here.
What to Expect: Day Shifts vs. Night Shifts
Postpartum doulas offer both day and night shifts, each tailored to different needs:
Day Shifts
Day shifts typically last 5-8 hours and focus on helping the household run smoothly. You can expect:
- Assistance with newborn care– feeding, soothing, sleeping, and more.
- Allowing you time and space to care for yourself, whatever that might look like!
- Meal prep, grocery runs, and light housekeeping.
- Guidance on baby-wearing, infant care, learning about your baby’s cognition, or setting up feeding and sleeping schedules.
- Emotional check-ins for parents and family members.
Night Shifts
Night shifts are often 8-10 hours, allowing parents to rest while your doula takes over nighttime care. During a night shift, a doula will:
- Handle feeding—bringing you baby for feeds, pumping support, and sterilization of bottles—guiding you in understanding what is best for your current priorities.
- Change diapers, soothe, and settle your baby back to sleep.
- Offer tips for establishing healthy sleep patterns, and navigating any challenges.
- Quiet household tasks, such as laundry and light housekeeping.
How Many Shifts Should I Hire a Postpartum Doula For?
The number of shifts you’ll need depends on your family’s unique circumstances, including the level of support you have from friends and family, your comfort with newborn care, and any specific challenges you may be facing. Some families benefit from a few shifts per week during the initial postpartum period, while others prefer daily support for several weeks. It’s essential to assess your needs and discuss them with your doula to create a schedule that provides the most benefit to your family. We recommend care for a minimum of 6 weeks, and our families tend to extend care into their 4th and 5th months postpartum.
What Does a Postpartum Doula Cost?
The cost of a postpartum doula can vary depending on their experience, certifications, and location. On average, rates range anywhere from $30 to $55 per hour. Some doulas may offer package deals or sliding scale fees to accommodate different budgets. For overnight shifts, rates may be higher, often around $40 to $60 per hour. It’s essential to discuss rates and payment structures during the hiring process to ensure alignment with your needs and budget. To learn more about Brood’s rates and care, read our Welcome Package.
What a Postpartum Doula Does Not Do
It’s important to note that postpartum doulas are not nannies or medical professionals. They:
- Do not provide medical care for you or your baby.
- Do not take over full-time childcare.
- Do not perform heavy cleaning or extensive housework.
- Do not drive you to appointments or medical appointments, though they may accompany you.
Are Postpartum Doulas Certified?
Many postpartum doulas undergo certification through organizations like Doula Canada, DONA International, CAPPA, or ProDoula. Certification involves training, hands-on experience, and often ongoing education. While certification isn’t required to work as a doula, hiring a certified professional can offer added peace of mind. At Brood, all of our doulas are required to have Brood-approved and vetted training, Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED, Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening, and Covid-19 vaccines.
How to Hire a Postpartum Doula
Finding the right postpartum doula involves:
- Researching Local Doulas: Search online, ask for recommendations, or contact doula agencies that are aligned with your values and hopes for care style.
- Get to Know Candidates: Make sure to learn about their experience, training, and approach to postpartum care. This should include testimonials and feedback from past clients.
- Discussing Logistics: Clarify availability, rates, and scope of services—as well as illness policies, backup support, and cancellation policies.
As an agency, Brood specializes in optimizing and doing this work for you! Our team is curated to have a variety of lived and learned expertise— which then supports us to match your team based on your family’s needs and individuality. We continuously streamline our processes so you can focus your time and energy on being with your new family member—and we can focus on making sure your team is well-trained, safe, and competent.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Doula’s Support
To maximize the benefits of having a postpartum doula:
- Be clear about your needs and expectations.
- Share your parenting goals and any areas where you’d like extra guidance.
- Create a to-do list to prioritize tasks during their shift.
- Be open to your doula’s suggestions and expertise
At Brood, we ensure your postpartum care is intentional and personalized. Along with a skilled doula, you’ll have a care coordinator to help you identify your needs, communicate them effectively, and equip your team to meet them.
We also offer a Foundations Visit—an in-person session with your doula before care begins to establish trust, safety, and connection. This groundwork makes our care more seamless and impactful, ensuring you feel fully supported from day one! With Brood, you’re not just hiring a doula—you’re gaining a team dedicated to your well-being.
A postpartum doula is a compassionate, knowledgeable ally in your parenting journey. Whether you need daytime help with practical tasks or nighttime support to catch up on sleep, a doula can make those early weeks and months feel less daunting. By hiring the right person and working collaboratively, you’ll gain the confidence and tools to thrive as a new parent. Curious about finding a postpartum doula near you? Get in touch today!
