Post-natal Support

A post-natal doula provides in-home support in the first few weeks with your new baby, as you adjust to the sometimes overwhelming emotional and practical demands of parenthood.
This may include :-

• Help with your new baby (or babies),
• Help with older siblings,
• Help with any breastfeeding concerns,
• Light housework, shopping, cooking etc.,
• Someone to come with you to any medical appointments,
• or just having someone around to discuss any concerns with

Two post-natal visits lasting 1 or 2 hours, plus telephone and e-mail support are included in the Birth Support package.  In addition to, or instead of the Birth Support package, it is possible to arrange for specific post-natal support that is tailored to suit your own needs.
Each visit may include a combination of some or all of the list above.

I intend to become an "Approved Childcarer" so that women (or their partners) can claim Tax Credits for post-natal work involving looking after either their baby or older siblings.

If you would like to arrange a package of post-natal support, then all charges and services will be agreed upon in advance and documented in a contract.  I would encourage you to contact me as early on as possible to arrange this.  However, you can still contact me and check whether I am available at short notice.  I recognise that there are many reasons that you might find yourself in this position, and will do my best to offer whatever support is appropriate.

I currently charge £10/hour, for a minimum of 2-3 hours at a time.

I am happy to discuss monthly payments or a reduced fee depending on your circumstances.

Please see my "Contact me" page to arrange an initial discussion.

You may want someone to help look after your new baby while you have a bath or a medical appointment etc., or you might need time to get something done.
Perhaps you want to be able to spend some quality time with your older children and help them to adjust to the new arrival(s).
You might also just want a chance to catch up on some sleep, or you might feel you need a break if you have a baby that seems to be demanding more than you can currently give, or that cries a lot.
In some circumstances it might be possible to arrange for me to stay overnight (usually at a reduced rate).

Whatever support you feel you need, please just ask, and then we can discuss the options.  Every baby and every mother is different, so you are the one who can best decide what your needs are.

The time after birth can be a difficult transition for older siblings.  You may feel that you want someone to take them out for a while for a treat, or just to give you some one-to-one time with your new baby.  Perhaps there is a particular time of the day that is difficult at the moment, and which I could help with.

Breastfeeding can be very easy, but it can also be very painful if the baby is not latching on well.  This is almost always due to incorrect positioning, which needs only the right information at the right time to bring almost instant relief.
Every baby is different, and some feed immediately after birth, while others may not do so for an hour or two.  Some stop feeding for several hours, or even for as long as a day, and are very sleepy, while others will seem to feed almost constantly.

Because many women have never even seen another woman breastfeed, and may be under pressure from others to try a bottle, confidence in successful long-term breastfeeding is often low.  Again, the right information at the right time is often all that is needed.
In some circumstances it might be possible to arrange for me to stay overnight (usually at a reduced rate).

Please see my "Links" page for a list of websites about breastfeeding.

Having someone else to relieve the pressure of other domestic responsibilities can be a huge help in the first few weeks.  As I am a vegan (no meat, dairy or other animal ingredients), then the range of meals that I would cook will be a matter for further discussion!
I would usually prepare a sufficient quantity of one or more meals to enable you to freeze some for use another day.  I can do this in either your home or my own.

If either yourself or your baby has any medical appointments to attend in the first few weeks, you may feel that it would be helpful to be accompanied, either for practical or emotional support.  Having someone who already knows you and your baby, and who you feel can help you communicate effectively with medical staff, can make the experience a lot less daunting.

Please see my "Links" page for a list of websites about midwives.

Page last updated : 18th January 2008

CradleCare
Claremont North 58 Burnley Rd
Todmorden
West Yorkshire
OL14 5LH

01706 815490