Postpartum Support
Extended Care Beyond the Fourth Trimester
The postpartum period is a transformation, not just for your body, but for your entire family system. Whether this is your first baby or you're welcoming another little one into your growing family, this journey deserves support that extends as long as you need it.
Drawing from my experience supporting families in the Commonwealth where 1 year maternity leave is standard, and some mothers choose to extend to 2 years. I understand that postpartum needs don't magically end at 12 weeks. Families often need different types of support around the 8-week mark, 4-month mark, 9-month mark, and sometimes even into the toddler years.
As a postpartum doula with over 20 years of experience, I don't adhere to arbitrary timelines. Instead, I offer flexible, extended support that blends traditional postpartum doula care with newborn care specialist expertise—adapting to your family's evolving needs throughout your baby's first year and beyond.
What Postpartum Support Looks Like
Physical Recovery & Nourishment
Your body has done something remarkable. I honor this by:
Preparing nourishing, healing meals that support recovery and breastfeeding
Managing light housekeeping so you can focus on rest
Creating a calm environment that promotes healing
Ensuring you have everything you need within reach for a comfortable recovery
Emotional Support & Transitions
The emotional landscape of postpartum can be vast and varied. I provide:
Non-judgmental presence through the waves of hormonal shifts
Validation of your feelings and experiences
Gentle guidance through the identity shifts of new motherhood
Resources and referrals when additional support is needed
Family Integration & Bonding
Welcoming a new family member affects everyone. I help by:
Supporting partner relationships during this transition
Facilitating sibling adjustment and bonding
Creating opportunities for natural family connection
Respecting your family's unique dynamics and traditions
Infant Care Education
While supporting your confidence as a parent, I offer:
Guidance on newborn care basics
Feeding support (breast, bottle, or combination)
Sleep pattern understanding and gentle suggestions
Development milestone awareness
Baby wearing and soothing techniques
Caring for the Whole Family System
Supporting partner relationships through extended adjustment periods
Helping older children adapt to long-term family changes
Creating sustainable routines that grow with your baby
Addressing the ongoing mental load of new parenthood
Flexible Support When You Need It Most
Your extended postpartum support can be delivered in the way that works best for your family, at whatever stage you find yourself needing assistance:
In-Person Support
Whether you need immediate help or are facing a new challenge months later, I provide hands-on support tailored to your current situation:
Service Options:
Daytime support: 4-8 hour shifts focusing on your recovery and family needs
Overnight care: 8-12 hours allowing you restorative sleep while ensuring your baby is cared for
Short-term intensive support: For specific challenges like sleep regressions or feeding transitions
Combination approaches: Mixing daytime and overnight support as needed
Common Support Stages:
Early postpartum recovery and adjustment
Sleep progression periods (around 4 months, 9 months & 18 months)
Feeding transitions and weaning support
Return-to-work preparation and adjustment
Major developmental periods
Virtual-Only Support
For families who prefer or need remote support, I offer comprehensive virtual postpartum care:
Text/Email Support:
Emotional support during challenging moments
Practical guidance for feeding, sleep, and daily routines
Someone who understands your journey, available when you need guidance
Response time is typically within 8-10 hours during weekdays, 24 hours on weekends
Phone/Video Consultation:
Guidance through developmental progressions and milestones
Sleep and feeding troubleshooting with personalized plans
Problem-solving for emerging challenges
Support during growth spurts and regression periods
Regular check-ins to assess how you and baby are adjusting
Hybrid Approach
Many families benefit from combining in-person visits with ongoing virtual support, allowing for flexible, consistent care that adapts to your changing needs and schedule.
Whether you choose in-person, virtual, or a combination approach, my goal is to provide the support that makes the most sense for your family throughout your postpartum journey.
Cultural Sensitivity & Respect
I respect that postpartum practices vary across cultures and families. Whether you follow specific cultural traditions, have religious observances, or simply have family customs you'd like to honor, I work to understand and incorporate these into your care plan.
The Postpartum Journey
Why Support Beyond 12 Weeks Matters
Unlike the thought that often limits postpartum support to the "fourth trimester," my approach recognizes that significant developmental leaps and family adjustments continue well into your baby's first year:
Around 8 Weeks: Your body is still healing, hormones are shifting, and many parents face return-to-work decisions.
Around 4 Months: Sleep progressions, changing feeding patterns, and developmental leaps can disrupt established routines.
Around 9 Months: Increased mobility, separation anxiety, and sleep challenges often emerge as babies become more aware of their independence.
Beyond 12 Months: Some families benefit from extended support through major transitions, sleep challenges, or during particularly demanding developmental phases.
Blended Support Approach
My postpartum care seamlessly blends traditional doula support with newborn care specialist expertise, offering you the best of both based on your needs:
Early Postpartum Focus (0-12 weeks)
Immediate postpartum recovery support
Establishment of feeding routines
Sleep pattern development
Family adjustment and bonding
Basic infant care education
Extended Support (3-18 months)
Holistic sleep coaching through regressions and transitions
Feeding transitions (solids introduction, weaning)
Developmental milestone support
Routine adjustments as your baby grows
Sibling relationship navigation
When Extended Postpartum Support is Valuable
You might benefit from ongoing postpartum support if:
You're experiencing sleep regressions at any stage
Feeding challenges arise during transitions
You're navigating return to work or childcare decisions
Major developmental leaps are disrupting family routines
You're feeling isolated or overwhelmed beyond the early weeks
Your support system isn't available long-term
You've had a traumatic birth experience
You're caring for a particularly challenging baby or navigating possible health issues
You're managing multiple children while adjusting to a new baby
You simply want ongoing professional support as your baby grows
Beyond Baby Blues
I'm trained to recognize signs of postpartum mood disorders and have a network of qualified professionals I can refer you to when needed. Your mental health matters deeply, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Getting Started
Postpartum support can begin at any stage of your journey. Whether you're planning during pregnancy, need immediate help with a newborn, or are facing challenges months later, I'm here to support you.
During our initial consultation, we'll discuss:
Where you are in your postpartum journey and current challenges
Whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid support best fits your needs
Your family's goals and how support might evolve over time
Previous experiences and what approaches have or haven't worked
How I can best serve your family at this specific stage
Because postpartum needs don't follow a calendar. Because support should be available when you need it most. And because every family's journey is unique.
