Postpartum Night Doula

An Interview with Isabel Modena, a Bay City Doula

Sleepless nights add up, and they can add up fast. A regular task can feel impossible after a restless night. We know firsthand how hard the first month’s home with a baby can be without sleep. We also know how much overnight support can transition a family’s life postpartum. This week we had the chance to interview a postpartum night doula from our team, Isabel. Here is what she said!

What do you find most helpful to your clients during nighttime postpartum support?

Sleep! We all need it, and new parents need to sleep more than ever. When a new parent knows that their baby is well taken care of by a professional, it allows them to sleep and get GOOD sleep. This leaves the families I work with feeling well-rested in the morning to be the best version of themselves and focus on their new baby.

Do you only care for the baby or do you do other things as well during your overnights?

During overnights, the baby and mom are my top priority, although, like all doula work, I benefit the family as a whole. Before I send parents to bed for the night, I make sure the check in with them and see what I can do to make their next day easier and talk about the current day and any challenges that may have come up. When the baby is first asleep, I often help around the house with light housework, prep some food, change the laundry, etc. before going to bed myself.

Have you found that overnight care can help shift the days ahead for the families you work with?

Absolutely. 1000%

Do you sleep when you work as a night doula?

During the beginning of a new contract, I usually don’t sleep as much as I am learning the family’s routine and the babies’ sleep patterns. Often, I sleep more after the first week. Of course, I am up any time the baby is up or during the babies’ scheduled eating times.

What is your favorite thing about postpartum night doula support?

The babies! I love time with them and feeling like I am helping them get used to patterns and adjusting to life. Also, being a support system for people in a huge time of need makes me really happy. I love knowing I am truly making a difference. Our culture tends to forget that the birthing person still needs care and support once their baby is born, and we often see the attention shift from them to their new baby. While new babies are amazing and cute often, new parents need support more than ever! That is my job as their postpartum doula, and I find it incredibly valuable.

How do you handle feedings during the night?

I always take a cue from what the parents want first. Also, depending on age, I make sure they don’t go longer than the recommended feeding times. It is mostly about listening to the family’s wishes around their babies’ current schedules and their goals for their babies’ schedules and then adapting as needed.

Any final thoughts about the support you offer as a postpartum night doula?

Every family should have support! Loving professional support during postpartum is so beneficial to every family member during their big life transition.

Isabel is a Certified Postpartum Doula with Bay City Doulas currently specializing in Postpartum night doula support. The families she works with love her, and we do too! Check out our team page to learn more about her and our other fantastic team members! We are here to support you.