A Postpartum Doula Is…..What? (updated in 2022)

Many people are just learning what a doula is. Some people are familiar with the idea of what a birth doula is. (A birth doula is professional, trained and experienced in childbirth, and offers physical, emotional and educational support to women in pregnancy and during labor and delivery.) But did you know there are also postpartum doulas too? So what is a postpartum doula?

A postpartum doula is… like your sister, but without all the opinions.

Our postpartum doulas are fun, nurturing, helpful and experienced in babies and new motherhood. They are also opinion and judgement-free. She doesn’t judge the decisions parents make about where their baby will sleep – she helps them do it safely. She helps new mothers breastfeed and also shows them how to supplement with formula if needed. Your doula will clean the kitchen without any “helpful” advice on how to better organize the utensil drawer. In short, she’s the best part of sisters: a caring, warm and “can do” attitude. She also takes delegation and does everything your way.

A postpartum doula is… a friend AND a servant.

She has no problem whatsoever being called a servant – she might call herself that! A servant is one who performs duties for others, especially a person employed in a house on domestic duties or as a personal attendant. Yep, that’s a postpartum doula! Her goal is to do what needs to be done to best support the new mother. Groceries getting low? She’ll shop. Need something whipped up for the older siblings for lunch? Soup’s on. Looking for a breastfeeding position that doesn’t kill your back? She’ll show you laid back nursing. Need someone to make you a cup of tea and listen to your birth story? Done.

A postpartum doula is… on your side, whatever side that might be.

One in seven mothers will develop postpartum depression. While a postpartum doula isn’t a medical professional, she is trained to recognize the signs of PPD and we often help mothers and families in this situation. She’ll offer resources and assist the mother in any way that she can.

At Buddha Belly Doulas, we’re thrilled to have postpartum doulas at our agency. We’re committed to helping families through the sometimes difficult transition families face when your baby comes home. Having a newborn at home, whether for the first time or fourth, is a time of joy and wonder… and also a time of stress and work.

Most importantly, a postpartum doula’s job is to take the stress and extra work off the shoulders of the new parents so that they can relax and enjoy these precious days. Our professional, competent and friendly doulas are trained and experienced in supporting parents in the ways they need most, but are particularly helpful with:

Caring for the new baby
Maintaining a harmonious and clean home
Preparing nourishing meals and snacks
Easing the transition for siblings
Allowing parents to get restorative rest

Christie Rinder Founder Buddha Belly Doulas

Christie Rinder is the founder of Buddha Belly Doulas, Tampa Bay's original and largest doula agency. Supporting families since 2009, she's passionate about ensuring every family has the support they need during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She believes in helping women recognize their own inner wisdom, strength and power.

Having served as President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network for six years and 17 years serving families as a birth doula, she has a reputation for leadership, dedication and compassion. A childbirth educator, certified lactation counselor as well as a certified doula, she makes a point of ensuring mothers and their partners understand all their birthing options and what to expect on their journey. > learn more about Christie