Who Hires Postpartum Doulas?
As awareness of postpartum doula support grows, many people ask us what type of family hires a postpartum doula. Here are just a few examples:
First-time parents.
When bringing your first baby home, everything is new! Feeding, sleeping, diapering, washing, doctors, daycares… it’s enough to make even the most level-headed people feel slightly batty. Add in a lack of sleep and now you’re completely overwhelmed!
New parents without a local network of family or friends.
The Tampa Bay area is a great community that attracts mobile families for professional and military advancement and those drawn to our tropical location. Living so close to the beach offers lots of amenities, but your friends and family may be many states (or even countries) away. While your parents may make a trip for a baby’s birth, many aren’t able to stay as long as needed for you to have a complete postpartum recovery.
New parents who have a demanding career.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a business owner or professional, you may or may not have a generous family-leave package. Regardless, the necessity of caring for your growing family can feel overwhelming in addition to outreach from your employees, boss or clients.
Families with an older child or children at home.
Figuring out logistics like nap schedules, bedtime, playdates, school drop-offs and all of the other myriad of responsibilities are hard enough. Adding in your newborn and his/her needs – pediatrician visits, breastfeeding, avoiding too much time in the car – can present a significant challenge.
Families with a baby in the NICU.
When a newborn requires a short – or extended- stay in the NICU, figuring out how to be at home and in the hospital may be very frustrating for you, in addition to the scariness of dealing with your baby’s medical needs. The NICU can be an overwhelming and exhausting place.
Maybe your new family has a little of everything going on. Maybe your needs are totally different. No matter why you need support, we’re here to offer it. Read more about what kind of support a postpartum doula offers.
