A Day with Your Postpartum Doula
What exactly does a postpartum doula do during the day?
Postpartum doulas provide crucial support to new families and their babies, not just through the night but also throughout the day. They offer breastfeeding and feeding assistance, newborn care education, and baby care. They also handle light household tasks such as baby laundry, kitchen tidying, and cleaning all bottles and pump parts.
Daytime postpartum doulas focus on helping the family adjust to new routines Having support during the day allows them to take essential breaks, tend to personal needs, or spend quality time with their newborn without the stress of juggling all the other tasks. Daytime doulas help maintain a calm, nurturing environment and ensure that both baby and parent are doing well, emotionally and physically.
So, what might your day look like if you hire a postpartum doula for support? Here is a timestamped look at life with daytime help.
8:00 AM: Your doula arrives with a smile, ready to start the day. After a quick check-in about how the night went, she addresses any immediate concerns like diaper rash or feeding issues. You can take this time to have breakfast or even sneak in a quick shower while she prepares for the day ahead, handling tasks such as sterilizing bottles.
10:00 AM: It's time for the baby's mid-morning feed. Your doula expertly pace-feeds, helping with burping and ensuring the baby is comfortable. Meanwhile, you can use this uninterrupted time to rest or attend to personal tasks. She’s there, supporting every step, ensuring you don’t need to worry about a thing.
11:30 AM: Your doula takes the baby for a gentle stroll in the stroller around the neighborhood or plays with them on the mat, focusing on sensory activities that stimulate development. This gives you a well-deserved break to relax or catch up on other aspects of your life.
12:00 PM: As the session draws to a close, your doula helps with one more diaper change and gets the baby ready for a nap. She reviews the day’s activities with you, offering insights and tips tailored to your baby’s needs and behaviors observed throughout her visit.
With a postpartum doula, you’re supported, reassured, and taught how to read and respond to your baby’s cues, which is invaluable as you grow into confident parenting.
Here is an example of notes a postpartum doula will send you at the end of each shift:
About the Author
Meet McKenzie Jones, PPD, NCS, the heart behind Austin Infant Care. As a University of Texas alum with deep roots in Austin, McKenzie transitioned from a career in television and film to pursue her passion for postpartum care. Driven by a belief in the transformative power of responsive, evidence-based care, she founded Austin Infant Care as a boutique agency dedicated to supporting families with the very best in attachment-based caregiving. With years of experience as a nanny and doula, McKenzie provides gentle, informed, and hands-on care, ensuring every family feels nurtured and empowered. Off-duty, she’s an avid reader, hydroponic gardener, and leader of a local book club, always ready to explore new ideas and adventures.