FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
“Postpartum Doulas are trained in postpartum adjustment, newborn characteristics, care, feeding, and development, and the promotion of parent-infant bonding. They are experienced in supporting families through their postpartum experience. Coming into the home during the fourth trimester following birth, the doula’s role is to provide education, non-judgmental support and companionship; and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment, meal preparation, and light household tasks. Postpartum doulas offer evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, infant soothing, and coping skills for new parents and can make appropriate referrals when necessary” – taken from DONA (Doulas of North America)
Our Postpartum Doulas have verified training & certifications, including Postpartum Doula training, CPR certification, and often more. Each Doula has gone through a comprehensive background check and has been screened for personal qualities that make an excellent Doula. Metropolitan Doulas is a bonded company and our doulas carry individual insurance.
Our Doulas understand that your unique, individual, parenting style will fall somewhere on a spectrum. Nothing is black and white, and it is the job of your Doula to assist and guide you within your personal approach to parenthood.
We get asked this question a lot!
A Postpartum Doula is trained to care for the entire family. They are trained in all aspects of infant care, soothing, feeding, and sleep. In addition to this, they are trained in parental adjustment, sibling adjustment, and to recognize parental needs. Generally, the Postpartum Doula assists in more of a teaching and nurturing role, allowing parents to adjust to having a baby at their own pace and with confidence. Teaching may include the ins and outs of breastfeeding, how and when to pump, and infant care such as bathing/caring for diaper rash, etc. Please see our Services page for more information.
A Newborn Care Specialist is trained in all aspects of care for the newborn/infant. They generally take overall care of the baby, most often overnight, whereas the Postpartum Doula will take over newborn care only at parents’ request so that they can nap/shower/run an errand. Often, interaction with the parents will be limited in a Newborn Care Specialist role.
It depends! If you are having more than one baby, you can’t really have ‘too much’ help. If you are just having one, you may want more help in the beginning, particularly if you decide to breastfeed, and then taper off as the weeks go by and you feel more comfortable.
We often advise our families to look at your budget, and then consider what you hope to get out of your Doula. Would you like to learn to pump breast milk for your return to work? You can begin that process any time after around 3 weeks postpartum, so many want your Doula for the first month. Would you like to learn to soothe a fussy baby? Babies tend to reach peak fussiness between 3-6 weeks of age, so you may want help spanning the first couple of months.
Contact us to discuss your personal needs and desires.
We recommend booking as far in advance as possible to guarantee availability, but can also provide services to last minute clients when possible.
Weeks 1-2: How to breast or bottle feed your baby, how to bathe your baby, learning about general newborn care
Weeks 3-4: Pumping/milk storage, effective soothing techniques, how to introduce a bottle, how to wear your baby in a wrap/carrier
Weeks 5-10: How to gently teach baby to sleep by implementing good sleep habits, how to get into your own routine
Weeks 10-12: How to prepare to go back to work after having a baby
While services are not usually covered by insurance, many families find that their HSA/FSA will cover doula services. Use our EIN to ask about coverage. 47-3639783
We understand your concern regarding COVID-19. As doulas, we understand how important it is to protect babies and new parents from illness, as well as to protect our own families. Our team members are remaining very mindful of the safety precautions and hygiene measures that need to be taken in order to do this. We are recommending that doulas and families continue to practice social distancing, wash hands regularly using warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when entering or leaving a room or cannot wash hands. We are also recommending that doulas and families regularly disinfect the surfaces in your homes (you’re more than welcome to ask your doula to do this for you when at your home – we’re not trying to add to your workload!).
You may choose to ask your doula to wear a mask when directly interacting with you or your baby. If you require your doula to wear gloves we ask that you please provide these.
In addition, the majority of our team members are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Many of our team members are also vaccinated against influenza and Tdap. You are welcome to ask about a doula’s vaccination status prior to signing a postpartum support contract with Metropolitan Doulas.
Scheduling & Pricing
We have Doulas to cover you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you would like to have someone come during the day to answer your questions, give you a break, and take care of some of your daily tasks, or at night so that you can get more sleep, just ask.
We typically recommend 4 hours during the day, or 8 hours at night to get the most benefit from your Postpartum Doula. To discuss your individual needs, please contact us for your free consultation.
How many times per week your Doula comes is up to you. We recommend more help up front; tapering off. Here is the general time line for support:
Our rates vary based on the training, certification, and experience of each Doula. Upon first contact we will discuss your needs and preferences to determine which type of Doula would be best for you. We will also work with you to determine how many hours you would like if you are unsure. We will then have a doula contact you to set up your free consultation. Prices typically run between $42-62/hr. Fill out our contact form to request our Welcome Packet for more details.
Wondering what is the perfect gift for your friend for their baby shower? Maybe you don’t want to get yet ANOTHER baby blanket, toy, or outfit.
Nothing says that you want to help more than the gift of care, support, hot meals, and assistance with diapers/bottles/laundry. Give your favorite parents-to-be the gift or more sleep, more confidence, and more time to relax and bond with their new baby.