What is the role of a postpartum doula?

The role of a postpartum doula primarily involves providing education, support, and assistance with infant care after the baby is born. This support can include helping new parents understand infant cues, facilitating practices such as breastfeeding or bottle feeding, and offering guidance on newborn care and nurturing techniques. Additionally, postpartum doulas often help with household tasks that may be overwhelming for new parents, such as meal preparation or light cleaning, all while fostering a comforting and encouraging environment.

By focusing on the emotional and physical aspects of the postpartum period, postpartum doulas play a critical role in easing the transition into parenthood, helping families to thrive during this often challenging time. This is distinct from other roles, such as delivering the baby, assisting during labor, or conducting medical assessments, which are typically outside the scope of a doula's training and focus.