How to Support a New Mother as a Postpartum Doula

New mothers need lots of support. They always have questions about care, handling the new baby, what is appropriate and what is not, how things work-and just support in general. As a postpartum doula or good friend-there are things you should do to best support the new mother. The following steps will guide you in providing optimal support.

Instructions

1. Just listen. Make yourself available to the mother when she needs to talk about her birth experience or what she's feeling. You don't always need to say anything or intervene in any way; listening is sometimes the best method of communication.

2. Be available when she needs to rest, eat or take a shower. She will most likely feel better knowing that someone is there who can take care of her baby while she does this than having to do it all alone. If she wants bonding time with just the immediate family, you can be a buffer for her and take messages.

3. Be prepared for anything. Some mothers transition into motherhood every easily and other mothers have a really hard time adjusting. Be prepared to feed off of her energy and provide her with what is needed for the smoothest adjustment possible.

4. Give her comforting and soothing words of praise. She is amazing and she should know that. Praise her job of being a mother, of making her adjustments and attending to her baby's needs. Mothers often do much better when they feel better about the job they are doing.

5. Allow her to trust her instincts. Instincts come naturally as a parent, and she will learn to trust these as the baby grows. Encourage her to listen to herself and watch her baby's signs for validation of what she feels.

6. Help her learn what newborns do so she can be comfortable and familiar with his behaviors. If questions come up that you don't know the answer to, offer to look them up or make phone calls to a pediatrician for her.

7. Help her find a support group of other new mothers. Check locally within the community for new mom groups. There are usually two or three independent groups or sponsored by a church group or other religious organization.

8. Offer referrals to avoid problems. For instance, if she is having trouble with breastfeeding and it is beyond your knowledge, consult with a lactation consultant before she gives up.

9. Offer full support and help her feel self-confident as a mother and part of a new family. Support the decisions she makes and help her do the best job she can.