Postnatal doula anyone?

[jmrpinkie]

Just had second baby. She’s 3 weeks old. We live away from all family and I had really struggled post natal with my first so we arranged for a postnatal doula who will visit a couple times a week for 3 hours on each visit. I’m doing so so much better so in all honesty if I knew what I know now we might not have opted for a doula but I know it will help and it’s a very lovely position to be in. But I’m just wondering for anyone who had one - what worked well in terms of help from the doula? I’m going to use her time for some breast feeding help and then to shower and get some jobs done but anything else anyone found useful.

I had one with my second as well to help with breastfeeding. I did find it a bit odd though as she'd say what do you want me to do and i just didn't know!

Haha same. I’ve asked her to cook a dinner tomorrow when she comes so we’ll see what else I can add to the list.

I had a postpartum doula when I had my first born but before I gave birth she called me a couple times to see how I was managing, organize a birth plan and helped me sort how to set up and use a breast pump. After I had the baby she came by and helped me with breastfeeding showing me how to get baby to latch and check the latch. She checked on our general well-being and offered to help me find supports if needed. I remember asking her specifically, at our first meeting, what exactly she could do and that helped so it wasn't awkward when she visited.

I had a postpartum doula when I had my twins - it was helpful as DH and I have no family close by.

She would come 1-2x week for 3 hours, and would cook a big dinner (would last us several meals), left the kitchen spotless, did at least one load of washing (and hung up and put away whatever was done), ran the hoover around, and would hang out with the babies while I showered or had a quick nap.

I'm sure she could also have helped with breastfeeding, though I had an IBCLC for that as feeding twins was quite niche and we had a few hurdles that required specialist help.