“After birth, there is a Sacred Window of time; a time for complete rejuvenation of a woman's physical, mental and spiritual health. A time for deep, extended bonding with her newborn. The first 42 days after birth set the stage for her next 42 years .”



Ysha Oakes.

What would the support look like?

The exact make-up of each session would vary depending on what you needed on the day, which can be impossible to predict in advance! However as a rule of thumb you could think of the time being made up of listening to you, offering reassurance, helping you ask and answer questions and signposting you to further information if needed;  helping with any tasks around the house you want doing; and time for YOU - where you know your baby will be safe and looked after and you can do something to replenish yourself, or spend time with other children.

For some families it will be all of these, for others it will be mainly one: it’s all totally flexible depending on what you need.

Infant feeding support

I can help you establish your infant feeding choices, which is often a major element of those early postnatal / postpartum days. The only thing that matters to me is that you are supported to achieve your own goals, whatever they may be.

I am a trained breastfeeding champion with IABLE, and as such I can offer reassurance and guidance as you begin breastfeeding. I can also help you recognise where you need more specialist support and signpost you to local experts in lactation. In the UK our breastfeeding rates are amongst the lowest in the world and up to 80% of women report that they stop breastfeeding before they want to (source: UNICEF).  Having timely, relaxed and unhurried breastfeeding support from a postnatal doula can help get breastfeeding off to a good start.

If you don’t want to breastfeed, you want to offer a combination of breast milk and formula, or you stop breastfeeding sooner than planned, then I can support you with formula feeding too – which can be a minefield of bottles, formula brands and sterilising choices!

Food, glorious food

I am a very keen baker and cook, and can prepare simple meals for you during a postnatal / postpartum session. This will always be done in collaboration with you, and your likes and dislikes. I can offer guidance into recommended nutrition in the postnatal / postpartum period if you are interested in this, or I can just make you some delicious cake!

Protecting your space

As we become parents for the first, or fourth, time – there are often lots of small stresses in the postnatal / postpartum period. These have an impact on oxytocin release, and subsequently your ability to settle into these days and focus on recovery and bonding with your baby. The stresses might come from too many visitors, chores to do, feeling isolated, having to make polite conversation when you don’t feel up to it, conflicting or unsolicited advice, too many “experts” meaning you always doubt what you are doing, feeling pressured to be in a routine, feeling tired, feeling hungry… the list is long!

As your postnatal doula I can help you work out what you need to do to get the private, protected space that you and your baby deserve. I can help practically, but also help you put the right boundaries in place that you need to. You are always the one in control, and I will support you as your confidence builds.

Supporting the whole family

A postpartum doula is there for the whole family: I am also able to support partners as they transition to their new role, either through listening and signposting, or helping with confidence in specific tasks with the baby. I can also free them up to spend more time with mum and baby, by doing some household jobs for you both.

If your baby has older siblings then I can help by holding the baby so you have some time to spend time with them, or by looking after your older child in your home to give you the space and time you need to recover with your newborn.

If you are interested, the next step is to get in touch and we can book in a 30 minute initial meeting to explore a bit further what you are looking for and whether I would be a good fit for you. Just click this box to send me a message, call 07946489738 or use either button below.

Postpartum doula FAQs

How much do you charge?

I offer an initial package of 12 hours support for £300, and then additional hours at £22/hour. Sessions are 2 hours minimum and can be much longer subject to availability. I am flexible in arranging the support to suit you best.

What areas do you cover?

I live in Wimbledon and I can cover any SW postcode, any SM postcode, KT1-6 postcodes for postnatal work. I am happy to travel further afield, and particularly if I have been your birth doula – so please do enquire.

I didn’t book a doula before the birth, is it too late?

Absolutely not! Becoming a parent is such a life shift, it is often impossible beforehand to know how we might feel or what we might need. It is very normal to contact a postnatal doula once your baby has been born. Please do contact me for my availability if you think you would benefit from my support.

What if I need to change my session hours?

It is not a problem to change either the timing or day of your session as long as we can both find a mutually convenient time for the new session. The initial package of four sessions needs to be taken in the first six weeks of your baby’s life. Any sessions booked after this can be rearranged within seven days of the original booking. But I will always seek to be as flexible as I can within this.

Can you take my baby / older children out of the house?

I am happy, with your agreement of course, to take your baby outside for some fresh air in a sling or pushchair to allow you to get some rest. We would decide together where I would go and for how long and under what circumstances I would return so that you can feel totally comfortable (it can be a hard thing to relax!). I am not able to take older siblings out of the house, but I am very happy to look after them in your house with you nearby.

Can you stay overnight?

I am able to offer a night doula service where I would come and stay in your house and support with the baby over-night (focussed on getting you as much sleep as possible!). Currently I only offer this service to families I am working with either as a birth doula or postnatal doula, and I charge a sessional rate. If the only input you need is support at night then do get in touch and I can recommend some brilliant night nannies in this area.

I’m interested, what is the next step?

I’m so pleased you would like to talk further. The next step is to give me a call or send me a message and we can book in a 30 minute initial meeting to explore a bit further what you are looking for and whether I would be a good fit for you.

If you are interested, the next step is to get in touch and we can book in a 30 minute initial meeting to explore a bit further what you are looking for and whether I would be a good fit for you. Just click this box to send me a message, call 07946489738 or use either button below.