Tiny Fingers Tiny Toes Doula Services

Usually upon asking new parents what life is really like with a new little baby in the house, most will comment about the newborn time being a haze of sleepness nights,and very tough and exhausting days.

In our society, many mothers are expected to juggle the demands of a new baby, recovering from birth, and ensuring the household is still running smoothly.  This expectation to return to routines can be challenging, especially when new moms are not given an appropriate length of time to rest and recuperate after the birth of their new baby (or babies!).  Many new mothers can find this overwhelming, as well as isolating, as just getting out to do some grocery shopping can seem far more challenging than expected.

Every family has it's own dynamic, though this definately changes with the arrival of each new baby. Ensuring that the entire family is well cared for is also very important.  Investing in professional postpartum care can aid in the postpartum period being less challenging and more relaxed, as well, can provide many other benefits, such as:

• Increased success of breastfeeding.
• Facilitates Parent-Infant Bonding.
• Decreases incidence of Postpartum Depression.
• Increases parent’s confidence in their parenting skills.
• Less exhaustion and anxiety during the early weeks for new parents.
  Source: Nurturing Beginnings, by Debra Pascali-Bonaro

The role of the postpartum doula changes from day to day, and from family to family.  A postpartum doula does what a family needs to ensure that a new mother can enjoy and care for her new baby.  I can help to answer questions, and educate new parents on normal newborn behaviour, as well as tips and techniques that can help the postpartum period be a smoother transition for the family.  I also help to ensure that the new mother is well nourished and hydrated, and most importantly, comfortable!

I can come and help your family as soon as you would like (even in the hospital if you are having some breastfeeding challenges, or just need some extra support), or as late as you would like, some postpartum doulas stay with families after the baby is over a year old.  My goal is to help you whenever you feel you need the most support.  I can come for one visit, or as often as 5 days, depeding on the needs of you and your family.

A nanny's main focus in on the children, while the role of the doula is to 'mother the mother'.  This helps the new mother feel empowered during the sometimes overwhelming and difficult time after birth.  I specialize in the postpartum period, and can help to ease the transition into motherhood, as well as provide family support and education.  Postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and newborn care are some of the many areas that I can help families with.

While my role varies from family to family, some of the more common areas that I help new parents and mothers with include:

Daytime Postpartum Care:

• Breastfeeding support
• Help and education with breastpumps  
• Light household cleaning and tidying, and helping to upkeep daily chores
• Light meal preperation
• Baby's laundry
• Infant bathing & diapering
• Sibling care
• Babywearing help

Overnight Postpartum Care:

• Support parents with night feedings & diapering
• prepare light snacks to help the new mother keep her energy up
• help with late night dishes or laundry
• help provide emotional support for exhausted parents
• provide support to help encourage healthy sleep solutions

When more than one baby arrives, it can make the transition into parenthood that much more challenging (and rewarding!).  Postpartum doula care can be especially helpful to new families with multiples.  I can help you discover new strategies and coping skills to help make life a little easier when there is more than one baby to tend to.

When multiples arrive, it can be difficult to ensure that you get one on one time with each new baby to get to know them, and this is where the extra hands of a postpartum doula can be helpful.  I can help with baby care to ensure that moms and dads don't become overwhelmed by the needs of more than one baby.

Having a strong support system in place is essential during the early years, and as many seasoned parents know, every month brings new challenges!

Other times when you might need the support of a postpartum doula can include:

• Going back to work
• Pumping
• Weaning
• Introducing solids
• Breastfeeding challenges during times such as teething, or challenges with thrush or mastitis