DAytime & Night Doulas
Your BAby is Born, And then...
The top three reason why Chicago families hire our postpartum doulas:
Everyone knows having a baby means sleep will be disrupted, shifted, and seemingly elusive. Hearing stories cannot prepare you for the reality. We help families in many ways, but sleep is the #1 request. And for good reason. Poor sleep, inadequate amounts of sleep, and disrupted circadian rhythms have all been shown to be tied to mood disorders in all people.* When it is tied to birth and recovery, it starts to illuminate more why 1 in 7 people are at risk for postpartum depression and 1 in 5 are at risk for postpartum mood disorders.** We are able to help in more ways than sleep. Take a look below to see how our daytime doulas and nighttime doulas may be perfect for your transition. |
DAytime vs. Night Doulas
Daytime Doula support
Daytime support is about meeting immediate needs. It can be a to-do list. It can be a pile of laundry. It can be hands to hold your child and freedom to eat, shower, and sleep.
Daytime support means healthy rhythms get established, appointments get booked and are attended, and your healing is not overlooked as your baby transitions fully in the first three months of life, and beyond. Part of daytime support means having the opportunities to learn the cues and messages your child gives, and understand the normal stages they go through developmentally. We help decode what your baby is saying!
And for families who are anticipating returning to work or scheduled care with a nanny or daycare, daytime doula care can help establish great daytime routines to support pumping moms, or to get ready for night sleep success. |
Daytime Q&A
Q: Is there a minimum number of hours you require before sending a doula?
A: Yes. We require at least 5 hours of daytime support. We do not require multiple days, however. So you can try us out and see if doula care is helpful! Q: Will you be able to help with breastfeeding concerns? A: Most likely. We are happy to help show how we can see your baby is getting enough to eat and how to increase your satisfaction with your breastfeeding relationship. We also can refer you to a trusted IBCLC should your needs not be met. Our goal is to get you what you need with accurate information. If we can help we will tell you, if we can't then we know who can. Q: Can you help figure out why my baby won't take a nap? A: Babies go through so many changes in the first weeks and months. We want to find out the specifics of your situation, but we can honestly say, that yes, in most cases, we can help your baby nap and get rest so the entire family can benefit! Q: What does the doula do besides help us learn about our baby? A: We love this question, because we can do a lot! Some of the ways we have helped families during day hours are:
Q: What is the fee for postpartum support? A: Families can expect $30-40 per hour depending on the number of hours requested at the time of booking. We do not have a different rate for day vs. night support. |
Night Doula Support
The need for sleep is real. Parents have needed to take on more and more responsibility as our support networks spread, and the consequence is a decrease to our mental health.*
But it doesn't have to be that way. Bringing someone into your home to help your family sleep more soundly is an investment in your health and well being. The care we provide is not black and white. There are so many ways we can be added to one's routine to provide a respite that brings renewed calm and energy for the day. A family cannot thrive if parents aren't being taken care of. Getting restful nighttime sleep is one way your home and work life start on the right foot! Be it one night or 6 months of care, we are here to help. |
Night Support Q&A
Q: Does having a doula at night mean I can't breastfeed my baby?
A: You can interact with your baby however you wish! We support every method for feeding one's child, including breastfeeding. Nursing at the breast, pumping, and bottle feeding with breastmilk or formula are feeding methods we accommodate. We are happy to create a plan if you are unsure of your needs, and we are flexible for change as needs shift. Q: What do we need to provide the doula for overnight care? A: We are low maintenance. If we will be in the room with your child for the night, we ask for a comfortable place to sit. If you would be willing to sit in this spot for a night, we will too! For families who wish us to attend to low-key tasks when the baby is sleeping, it is helpful to have a video monitor so we can always have an eye on your babe. Q: When will the doula show up and leave? A: While we hope families will take advantage of our care and plan for a solid 10 or 12 hour shift to have multiple full sleep cycles themselves, we have a minimum requirement of a 10pm-6am window for care. Specific arrival times and departure times are flexible as long as the minimum is met. Q: We have twins. Do you have a different rate for families of multiples? A: We do not charge you more for twins. Our time will be spent caring for your family, regardless of size. |