Mona is a postnatal doula based in East London with two children aged four and two.

She is passionate about supporting and empowering parents during their fourth trimester period.

Planning for your new baby

Once parents find out that they are expecting, things like booking antenatal classes; reading parenting books; hypnobirthing courses; buying clothes and baby equipment; choosing colours for the nursery, are what parents usually consider.

My advice would be to plan for the postnatal period too, consider that you may need to hire a postnatal doula, lactation consultant, and/or a sleep consultant.

Support in the first few weeks

Support is essential in the first few weeks, whether you’re a first-time parent or second-time parent. Having an extra pair of hands to give you some down time and catch up on much-needed rest is invaluable. New-born babies are demanding, needing constant feeding, changing, and holding. If you are fortunate to have support from relatives, my advice would be to take it! But if not, having a postnatal doula is a great alternative. Parents are most likely to be sleep-deprived, the mother may find that she is doing the main bulk of night feeds, especially if she is breastfeeding. Having support means rest, having meals cooked, and chores seen to.

Health visitors and midwives are there to check that mother and baby are doing well after birth. I will stress that it is important to get in touch with the midwife or health visitor if you have concerns about yourself or baby.

Advice for new parents:

• Make sure you have a support network

• Try to get support lined up before baby arrives

• Look after yourself. It's hard enough looking after a new baby, even harder if you’re not looked after yourself.

• Let some things go

• Accept help – let family, friends bring you food

• Find time to relax

• Have fun with your baby

• Remember that nobody is perfect

We can offer support by listening to parents and giving guidance accordingly, and by being non-judgmental.

New Baby Resources.

There are so many useful resources that parents can turn to if needed if mother/birthing person may struggle with breastfeeding:

www.milkmakingmama.co.uk

www.laleche.org.uk

www.henry.org.uk

What I do and how a Postnatal doula works

I support families in the fourth trimester, emotional support is the very foundation of what doulas provide. I offer practical and informational support, a listening ear for parents to air their concerns. I offer hands-on support, taking on the role of mothering the mother by preparing meals, offering snacks, and making sure the mother is well hydrated. I support mothers with breast and bottle feeding, where feeding may not be going well, I will signpost if necessary, to lactations consultants or breastfeeding counsellors. Some mothers may require a hands-on approach in the home to support older siblings, while they get to know their baby. I offer to help with light housework, such as loading the dishwasher and doing laundry. Some mothers may just want to catch up on sleep and rest, this is where I would look after the baby/babies by taking care of their needs.

Postnatal doulas can be found on doula directories or usually word of mouth from friends. Once parents have decided to hire a postnatal doula, a postnatal planning session is set up. This is where the doula visits the family for the first time and the conversation may include things like getting to know the family, understanding the mother’s needs, talking about nutrition, recovery, and the sort of help that is required.

Why hire a Postnatal doula?

• Extra pair of hands

• A listening ear

• Non-judgemental guidance

• An extra shoulder to cry on

• Help with Sleep deprivation

• Nurturing and holding parents as they navigate the transitional experience of parenthood

• Catching up on sleep and rest

• Support with feeding

• Taking the load off (chores and cooking)

• Having tools and access to signposting

Find out more about Mona and her services here: