You’ve heard from friends about how amazing it was to hire a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist to help them adjust to life with a newborn, provide an extra set of hands, a listening ear, and a source of up-to-date information to answer all of their questions. Some of them had the doula come at night, to help with the accumulating sleep deprivation. So, you start to search the internet, maybe make some calls…. And bump up against the reality of your budget.

Many families, while they may have budgeted for baby gear, the nursery, and professional photos, among other expenses in preparation for baby… haven’t budgeted for this expense because they just didn’t know they would need it. (If you’re learning about these services early in pregnancy, of course we want to emphasize that it’s worth considering whether some of your budget could be set aside for these services instead of some other indulgences, and here’s why; you can’t put a price on the quality of your experience while becoming a parent to a newborn, or on the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a safety net for when things prove more difficult or overwhelming than you were anticipating).

The truth is, whether or not you can afford ongoing support from a Postpartum Doula, you cannot afford not to give careful thought to what your needs will be during the postpartum period, and there are other things you can do to set yourself up for success.

A chat with your spouse (before baby arrives)…

Have you thought about how you will suddenly have less time for other tasks, and for things you enjoy, and what you’ll do about that? What will you hire out, what will you let go of, what can your spouse take on that wasn’t previously on their list…? What do you think you will need from your partner in order to feel supported (not just logistically but emotionally)… and what will your partner need to make sure they are not only empowered in their role, but taken care of in order to help take care of you and your baby? Start to have these conversations. Put some action steps in place.

Childbirth education

How your birth goes can impact how quickly you recover and how you feel, physically and emotionally, during your earliest days with your baby/ies. Also, many Childbirth education (CBE) classes will spend some time addressing what to expect not just during labor but also during your first few weeks with baby, and what resources you might need. CBE classes come in a variety of formats, and the format you choose can depend on your learning style and/or ease of access. You can do in-person group classes, private in-home classes, live virtual classes, or purchase a pre recorded class to watch at your convenience. We have a link to one of our preferred prerecorded classes here; you can receive 10% off by using the promo code: 2021.

Lactation (or Infant Feeding) Education

Some of the early challenges with a newborn have a lot to do with how well they are feeding – is a latch issue leading to gassiness? Is baby getting enough breastmilk/formula? Too much? Taking a class before you welcome your baby can help set you up for success, help reduce some of the confusion during the early days of feeding your baby,… and help you have a plan for when you hit bumps in the road. Some organizations have videos you can watch, private classes, or group classes.

Infant Sleep 101

Why does everyone keep saying you’ll never sleep again? Having an awareness of the early sleep patterns, how they will change over time, and what you can do to ensure everyone is getting as much rest as possible, can prevent some of the shock of those early days. It’s worth reading a couple of chapters in a book about this, or scheduling a consultation call with one of our Sleep Coaches.

Newborn Care Classes

Take some time before baby is here to learn about some of baby’s cues and what they might mean (hunger, sleep, gas, etc). Learn about the basics of sleep – typical sleep patterns, and balancing an infant’s need for nutrition with the need for sleep. Understand baby’s nutritional needs and how to make sure they’re being met. And just get some basic tips around diaper changes, bathing, and interacting with your newborn! We host private and group Newborn Care Classes; learn more here.

A visit with a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Some people wait until there is a problem to see an IBCLC. However, there is also the option to set up a private consultation during your first week home just to check in on you and baby and perhaps prevent problems before they begin, or catch them early. See our recent blog post about local IBCLC’s and the services they offer.

Local friends and family

Listen. This deserves a whole blog post of it’s own… but I promise you, there are people who want to help. Take them up on it. Whether it’s taking them up on their offer to bring food by (“if we’re resting, we’ll leave a cooler on the porch for you to drop it in, and we’ll visit another time!”) or to hold the baby while you take a shower, or take your toddler to the park… We know it’s so hard to accept help, especially when you’re not sure how or when you’ll reciprocate. It’s okay. You’ll want to do it for someone else one day, promise – and when you do, you’ll want them to take you up on it!

So many families that end up calling us after their baby is born, looking for help, end up saying something along the lines of “I should have prepared as much for postpartum as I did for labor and delivery!” or “We did so much reading up on pregnancy and delivery, we just didn’t think about what we could do to prepare for this part!” We’re hoping the tips here help you feel more prepared, and help to smooth your transition as you begin a new journey with your newborn.