Welcoming a new baby into your family is a transformative life event filled with so much joy, excitement and, understandably, a bit of anxiety. Families find that having a postpartum doula by their side makes this transition smoother and more enjoyable. As doulas, we provide invaluable support, ensuring that both mama and baby are well cared for while alleviating stress from the partner, too. At Soul Shine Birth, our doula care is rooted in a holistic approach that infuses loving intention as we honor this sacred time. Heng Ou describes this delicate time best in her book "The First Forty Days."
“Somehow, a pervasive idea has spread in modern times that the mom who is out and about soonest with her baby is somehow the strongest, like an episode of Survivor. For some type-A parents, it's almost a badge of honor to say you made it to yoga after two weeks, snuck off to the office for a meeting, or flew with your infant across time zones. But that's all upside down—in a healthy postpartum period, it's she who stays still that wins the prize.”
Here are five ways, we, as doulas help ease the transition of welcoming a new baby and encourage the new mama to honor her time of healing.
1. Hold Mama So She Can Hold Her Baby
The postpartum period can be physically and emotionally challenging for new moms. At Soul Shine Birth, our primary focus is to take care of the new mama, enabling her to better care for her baby; in other words, we “mother the mother.” This includes providing physical support, like hands-on breastfeeding assistance, preparing remedies to manage postpartum discomforts and cooking warm, nutrient-dense meals. We also offer emotional support by providing a safe space to confide in and gentle reassurance as the mama navigates her new role. This holistic care allows mama to recover more quickly and bond with her baby more effectively.
2. A Safe Space to Ask Questions (Without The Stress of Google)
New mamas often have an abundance of questions about their newborns and their healing. Instead of turning to the often overwhelming and contradictory information found on the internet, having an experienced doula provides a trusted, experienced resource to ask all those pressing questions. Whether it's about newborn sleep patterns, feeding schedules or postpartum recovery tips, we provide accurate and reassuring answers based on evidence and extenstive postpartum experience, reducing anxiety and confusion for new parents.
3. Trusted Resources, Referrals and Education
Soul Shine Birth doulas are well-connected in the maternal and infant care community. We provide trusted, vetted resources and referrals for providers we have firsthand experience with, including lactation consultants, pediatricians, postpartum therapists, pelvic floor therapists, local support groups and more. Additionally, we offer education on topics like newborn care, breastfeeding and holistic postpartum recovery, empowering parents with the knowledge they need to feel confident and competent in their new roles.
4. Keep the Energy of the Home Calm (While Keeping the Home Tidy)
A calm and tidy environment directly impacts the new mama's well-being. We help maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the home by managing household tasks such as light cleaning, laundry and organizing baby supplies. This support allows the family to focus on bonding with the new baby without the stress of household chores piling up. By creating a serene and orderly environment, we help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which is essential for both mama and baby.
5. Essential Rest and Self-Care
Rest and self-care are crucial for new mamas, yet they often struggle to find time for themselves while caring for a newborn. As doulas, we provide respite by watching and baby-wearing the baby, allowing mama to take a nap, shower or simply have some quiet time. This dedicated time for rest and self-care helps mama recharge, reducing the risk of burnout and enhancing her ability to care for her baby.
The transition to parenthood is a beautiful journey, but it’s often clunky in those early days and weeks as parents adjust to their new norm. We offer a unique blend of physical, emotional and practical support that makes this journey smoother and more enjoyable for new parents. Investing in a doula's support can be one of the best decisions for a smoother, more supported postpartum experience (pro tip: add a “doula service fund” to your registry). It's not just about surviving the early days of parenthood—it's about thriving and building a strong foundation for your family's future.
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