East Asian mother lies on her side on a white bed. Her 4 month old baby is lying next to her facing her. The baby is gripping the mother's thumb.

Postpartum support when you need it most

Equipped with gentle kindness and all the current research on how to best support your baby during the first year of their life, I will help you gain confidence as a new parent and cope with the ups and downs of having a new baby. As a certified postpartum doula, my primary goal is to give you the care you need so you can be your best self and cherish all the firsts with your little one.

“Sasha was our postpartum doula for our first born baby girl and she was wonderful to work with! She has so much knowledge about babies and was able to help teach me about breastfeeding and getting baby to latch, how to keep baby awake while breastfeeding, infant massage, and so much more. Sasha has such a calming and nurturing energy to her.”

- Christine

The Process

During a typical 3-hour visit, I will:

  • Watch you feed your baby if you are breastfeeding / body-feeding and see if I can give any tips for a better latch

  • Take your baby to play with them or put them down for a nap so you can rest, get yourself some food, and shower

  • Tidy the house while baby is napping

  • When your baby is cueing they are hungry, I will take them to you or feed them with a bottle, whichever you prefer

A non-exhaustive list of services I can provide as your doula:

  • Process how your birth went and how recovery is going

  • Discuss any feelings of postpartum depression or anxiety and recommend additional counseling when necessary

  • Assist with breastfeeding / body-feeding by offering advice for an improved latch, demonstrating different ways to hold your baby while feeding, and providing information on milk storage

  • Hold, soothe, and watch over your baby while you get some alone time to sleep, shower, etc.

  • Assist with keeping the house clean by doing light housework – tidying, laundry, doing dishes, etc.

  • Meal prep by chopping vegetables or baking muffins

  • Keep you company when your partner goes back to work

  • Accompany you on trips to the pediatrician or errands if you are nervous about making these trips alone with the baby

  • Watch and play with your older children

  • Help with bedtime and sleep support

  • Make healthy baby food

  • Anything else you can think of that you need help with!

Postpartum Packages

  • Often scheduled as 3 hours visits for $120. Usually reserved for short-term issues such as immediate breastfeeding / body-feeding support or sleep regressions that leave parents needing extra help, or when trying to decide if a larger package is needed.

  • 7 visits of 3 hours each (21 hours total) provides between two to four weeks of support. Best used for support during the first weeks after baby arrives when you are the most overwhelmed.

  • 14 visits lasting 3 hours each (42 hours total) provides 1 - 2 months of support. Best used for those who don’t have a lot of help from family and want some solid support. Can also be good if you have other children and need a lot of help keeping the house clean and meal prepping.

  • 20 visits of 3 hours each (60 hours total). Usually consists of frequent sessions during the first weeks and then weekly sessions once the baby is older. Can last anywhere from a month and a half to five months. Best used for families who have no help from family, and need a lot of support while learning how to care for their new baby.

Packages are paid over 2 - 3 installments.

I offer a few reduced fee / pro-bono births each year for low-income families who are in need. Please email me at sashasiminedoula@gmail.com to inquire about pricing options.

“Nearly 1 in 4 birthing parents will experience feelings of postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety during the first year or their child’s life.”

— StatsCan, 2019

 

There has not been nearly enough research on the effectiveness of postpartum doulas for improving parental mental health. However, dedicated mental health support and frequent communication with peers during the postpartum period improves rates of postpartum depression and anxiety (PPDA) (Dennis & Dowswell, 2013). Postpartum doulas focus on frequent home visits and discuss mental health as part of their work to help new parents avoid severe PPDA.

FAQs

  • Family and friends can be wonderful help when newly postpartum, but sometimes the advice they give is based on hearsay rather than scientific evidence. I am trained and educated about all things postpartum recovery and newborn care to give you the best information on how to navigate the fourth trimester with your baby. I am also an unbiased support. I ultimately have no opinion on the choices you make for your baby, and I won't judge any feelings or worries you share with me. All I want is to make sure you're as cared for as possible and that you and your partner feel confident in your new role as parents.

  • Since I am not a mental health professional, I consider it my job to help you identify if you are experiencing levels of depression or anxiety consistent with a serious postpartum disorder, and then refer you to one of the many amazing counselors in the region who can provide professional support. Other than that, I can be a non-judgemental, confidential listener that you can discuss anything with. I will nurture you, maintain a calm atmosphere in your home, and help you develop routines that will regulate your nervous system.