Doula Services in Connecticut
The first few weeks after the birth of a newborn can be a very challenging period for you and your family. There is so much to learn and both you and your baby are new at this! Having the emotional and educational support of a doula can make this time a more enjoyable and rewarding transitional experience for you. Having a Loving Touch Doula can help you feel more relaxed and sure of yourself, as all your questions will be answered immediately by an experienced and knowledgeable doula.
What Does a Doula Do?
A postpartum doula helps with postpartum recovery and newborn care and guidance.
A postpartum doula provides infant feeding support, such as breastfeeding and/or bottle-feeding guidance. Emotional support, such as listening and navigating through this overwhelming time in your life, infant care and advice, and informational and educational resources to the new parent and their family. When Linda, from A Loving Touch Doula, cares for you, she will take care of daily meal preparation, and provide healthy and nutritious nourishment throughout the day, as your nutritional needs are very important during this time of healing.
With my support and guidance, if you are breastfeeding, you will develop an ideal nursing relationship with your baby or babies in a stress-free environment. Bottle-feeding also has its own educational elements to learn. This will be covered in depth, as well as the scheduling of the feedings.
Consultations and Visits
Consultations before a contract is signed are approximately one hour long and take place in person, by phone or via a zoom call. This consult will offer me insight into what you may be looking for in the way of care. The postpartum period that I generally cover is between birth to 12 weeks. During this time, I may come to your home daily, for approximately 4 to 6 hours, or you may prefer only 2 or 3 days a week.
Each family has different dynamics, and this will determine my length of service. Once a decision has been made on the allotted time of service, a contract will be put in place to assure both parties of the exact time saved for your care. You may decide you do not need a doula to visit your home daily, yet you are still very unsure about how to care for the precious newborn you are going to be bringing home. Perhaps a visit once a week for 4-6 weeks may work best for you. I can customize your needs to fit best for your family.
How I Can Help You
How often do I feed her, and how do I know she has had enough to eat? Is he gaining weight? How do I give him a bath with the umbilical cord stump attached, and what do I do when it falls off? What about sleeping and schedules, as well as burping and spitting up? Swaddling… to do or not? What about feeding positions and fussiness? When will I take a shower?
Relax and take a deep breath. All of this takes time and patience to figure out. You and your baby are both new at this. As your doula, I can visit with you daily, once or twice a week or every other week to give you the peace of mind you need to ensure you are learning everything you need to know to care for your baby.
Raising a baby does not have to take a village, but you don’t have to do it alone either.
Newborn Care Specialist
As a newborn care specialist, I provide postpartum education and support for new mothers and fathers. I assist in all aspects of newborn care, such as bringing the newborn to mom to breastfeed, changing and caring for the umbilical cord stump, circumcision or bris care for boys, bathing, feeding and cleaning bottles, infant laundry, soothing, and sleep conditioning.
All nursery needs will be taken care of such as restocking and organization and anything else that may pertain to the newborn only. Please note I only offer day hours, but I will help you find overnight care if needed.
