Postpartum Doula Support in Asheville
Erica is the good friend, that happens to know everything about babies, that you wish to have. My baby and I both benefited from her immense patience, tenderness and loveliness. I wish she would accidentally be our neighbor next door, so we could keep on standing in her sunshine. Kathrin, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The birth of a baby is an exciting, life altering experience as a new or larger family is born after pregnancy, labor and birth. Sometimes parents need more help at home then they had expected. Many new parents need a gentle reminder of their baby’s normal growth and development, and insight into normal postpartum recovery for the new mother.
In our society today, many new parents find themselves unprepared for this transition and out of touch from caring and knowledgeable helpers and mentors. When women used to gather together to help one another in childbirth, new parents easily depended on their own parents, family members and community members to assist them. Today, new parents and loved ones live at great distances or they may not be in sync with the new family’s needs. A postpartum doula is there to nurture the mother and offer her non-judgmental emotional support, helping her to recover faster and to unearth the confidence she needs in her new role and life. Parents are encouraged to develop their own parenting style and to practice self-care while maintaining a healthy rhythm with newborn care.
If you invite me into your postpartum journey, your wellness is enhanced with:
- support with breast and bottle feeding (and referral to a lactation consultant if needed)
- meals prepared for you with ideal postnatal nutrition for healing and lactation
- tips for navigating through sleepless nights and days
- help with running errands and grocery shopping
- light housekeeping such as tidying the kitchen and baby’s laundry
- practical support for your baby and your own wellness in the first days home
- baby-wearing insight plus how to wear a sling or any other important elements of integrating a new born baby into your life
- encouragement and resources on postnatal exercise and yoga
- non-judgmental support for emotional and physical recovery after birth
- education on infant care (bathing, cord care, diapering, reading baby's cues, calming techniques, and newborn development)
- assistance in household organization including the nursery
- guidance in family bonding and tag team support
- natural homemade remedies for sitz bath, lactation, hemorrhoids, etc (optional)
- baby care while you rest so that your family catches up on sleep
- guidance in understanding and adjusting to the unique personality of your baby
- guidance in following your instincts and honoring your intuition
- support in processing your birth experience and making closure
- therapeutic bodywork for postpartum healing and easing maternal anxiety
- phone contact as needed
- my commitment and word to serve your family in deep integrity and confidentially
