The first few weeks with a newborn can be quite challenging and overwhelming. Having the support of a postpartum doula can benefit you whether you are a first or fifth-time mum. Many studies have validated the positive impact of postpartum support.

1. Greater Breastfeeding Success

Unfortunately, many mums don't meet their own breastfeeding goals and find it surprisingly difficult but it doesn't have to be like that. Postpartum support helps in achieving greater satisfaction with the breastfeeding experience in various ways.

• Instructions on breastfeeding like latching, positioning, breast care

• Encouragement and emotional support

• Care for the mum, which increases Oxytocin, which helps the milk flow

• Light housework to give the mum more time to rest and establish milk supply

2. Less Postpartum Depression

In Australia, 1 in 7 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression. Factors that can contribute to postpartum depression are

• Lack of social support

• Challenges with feeding and settling the baby

• Sleep deprivation

A doula provides emotional, practical, and informational support and will help with breastfeeding, infant, and self-care amongst other things. She provides companionship, listens, and gives the mum time to rest while she takes care of the baby or the household. Research shows that women who experience support from family members or care providers have less postpartum depression.

3. Realistic Expectations

A doula will help to weigh expectations and the postpartum reality. She knows what is normal and can help navigate through the postpartum period with a healthy view. Sometimes all a mum needs to hear is that she is not the only one and that how she feels or what she experiences is normal.

4. Greater Self-confidence

Most new mums question themselves and their abilities to take care of their babies. Mums with postpartum support feel more confident in their instincts and abilities as a mother.

A doula can boost the mum's self-confidence by affirming that her choices are correct and that what she is doing is good. Everyone needs someone who believes in them. The Doula can hold the space for the mum so she can discover her role as a mother and learn to follow her intuition.

Another way is by supporting the mum to read her baby's clue. It is frustrating not to know why the baby is crying and knowing the baby's clue is very empowering.

5. Better Postpartum Adjustment

The postpartum period is a transition that comes with a change of roles, responsibilities, and family dynamics. Many parents struggle to adjust.

Research has shown that those who have the support and feel secure and cared for during this transition are more successful in adapting. Women who live in a culture where they are being cared for by others have much better outcomes in postpartum adjustment than those who are alone.

6. Concrete Instructions for Partner

The partner and other family members are being told to help out in the first weeks postpartum but might be overwhelmed with the situation themselves.

They can benefit from the concrete instructions and role modeling of the doula on how to care for the baby and support the mum which increases their own as well as the mother’s satisfaction.

7. Time for Self-care

Mums with a newborn don’t take much time for themselves which can leave them exhausted.

Doulas 'mother the mother' and give her time for some rest, a shower, a nourishing meal, a relaxing massage, or a good talk.

No mum can give well out of an empty cup and the doula makes sure she fills it up regularly so she can be the best mum she can be.

Source:

CDC: Depression Among Women

DONA International: Position Paper: “The Postpartum Doula's Role in Maternity Care”

Health Direct: Postnatal Depression

NCBI: Wagner, Erin A et al. “Breastfeeding concerns at 3 and 7 days postpartum and feeding status at 2 months.” Pediatrics vol. 132,4 (2013): e865-75. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-0724

PANDA: Contributing factors for postnatal depression or anxiety

Smith ScholarWork: Colebrook, Binda, "Mothering the mother: can a postpartum doula enhance maternal self confidence and maternal empathy in a primiparous mother?" (2008). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.