Untitled design (1).png — “We need more women willing to say, “I’ve been there and I’m here. You can ALWAYS talk to me without fear of being judged.”

— Muniba Mazari

Your baby is here!

When you combine the comfort and warmth of the favorite people in your life, with the knowledge, confidence and non-judgmental care a doula brings, you get the Indiana Birth & Parenting Postpartum Doula Team. We know, like we REALLY know, how scary it is to invite someone into your inner circle whose sole purpose is to support you. It’s overwhelming, and sometimes, an unnatural feeling.
Rest assured, we’ll treat your family like our own.

Our goal is to gradually build your confidence as you adjust to parenthood and get to know your new little one. We’re your friend who doesn’t judge you, along with being experts in all things baby- without making you feel like you don’t know anything.

In the end, you'll know you could’ve made it to that point on your own.
We simply made your postpartum experience a little sweeter.

What is a postpartum doula + infant care specialist?

Honestly, if you ask a room full of 100 postpartum doulas this question, you will likely get 100 different answers. That’s the beauty of what we do here at Indiana Birth & Parenting! We get to take the bones of our training, knowledge, and experience and then transform your care into something tailor-made just for you. We already know you are a #Supermom and our main goal is for you to know it too.

We are living in an age of self-sufficiency where parents, especially moms, are urged to do it all. Being judged on everything from how you birth, to how you choose to feed your baby, piles on worry and guilt to an already exhausting time. Even the vulnerable act of asking for help is scrutinized. Adjusting to life with a newborn baby has never been easy- and that will never change.

There once was a time whenever a baby was born, the women in villages would drop everything to go physically and emotionally care for the new mom and baby. Help was abundant! Today, parents have a baby and 24-72 hours later, they are wheeled out of the hospital to their vehicle and wished the best.

That is where we, today’s postpartum doulas + infant care specialists, enters the picture!
Our sweet spot is balancing the old ways of providing support with current know-how and practical knowledge.

Postpartum Doula Availability

2024 - 2025

UPDATED ON 10/22/2024

NOW ACCEPTING 2024-2025 POSTPARTUM CLIENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTHS:
November- daytime only
December- daytime only
January- limited overnights and daytime
February- overnights and daytime
March- overnights and daytime
April- overnights and daytime
May- overnights and daytime
June- overnights and daytime

FAQs

Who hires us?

We deeply believe everyone benefits from our postpartum doula care. Everyone. With that said, one common factor in the parents hiring us is their need for nonjudgmental support. Sometimes seeing a fresh face with a friendly and professional approach breathes life into them after a long day or night. A trend we have noticed over the years is that parents about to have their 2nd+ child hire us before baby is even born. They have already been there once with their first little one, so they know they want the right kind of support this time around.

When will postpartum care start and how long will it last?

That’s up to you! Some clients want start shortly after they get home from the hospital. Others don’t even think about additional support until the newness of parenthood fades away and exhaustion sets in, especially around the notrious four month sleep regression phase. Some people opt for a couple of weeks with us while they’re getting used to their new little human, and others want us for many months. Our goal is to start care within one week of you being discharged from the hospital- and usually much sooner if desired with open communication.

What’s the minimum/maximum hours per shift?

Minimum for overnights is 10hrs. The sweet spot most of our doulas prefer for overnights is 10hrs from 9pm-7am.
Minimum for days is 4hrs. Maximum days is 5hrs.

Am I expected to sign up for a long-term commitment?

Absolutely not. A minimum purchase of 50 hours is all we require. We offer four Postpartum Packages ranging from 50 hours to 450 hours with the cost per hour decreasing with the more hours you purchase.

Can any package be used for daytime and overnight care?

We can only guarantee one or the other- daytime or overnights. This is decided before the contract is signed. The 50 hour package is for daytime care only. The 100 hour package can be used for daytime or overnight. 250 hour and 450 hour packages are designed for overnights only.

Will I get to meet my doula(s) before their first shift?

That’s our goal! There are a few factors we consider when pairing you with the right fit for your family:
- Singleton or multiples
- Location
- Length of contract
- Day time or overnights
IBP will connect you with your primary doula between no later than 36 weeks. From there she will likely schedule a home visit close to your due date to meet you in person. Sometimes, and if availability allows, we are hired after baby is here! We will work with you to get things set up as soon as possible so postpartum care can begin quickly.

What do I need to provide?

Thankfully we are self-sufficient people. We will bring what we need for day and overnight shifts. Our only requirement is a bed or cot for the doula to rest during overnight shifts when baby is sleeping- usually a guest bedroom, basement with a bed, or in the nursery with a bed. No chairs or recliners for this purpose but we always welcome a safe & comfy place to sit to feed, rock and comfort baby. No common areas such as the living room. We also require a sound machine and swaddles, along with pacifiers on had for a tool as needed for soothing baby.

What does light housekeeping include during daytime care?

While we love to push up our sleeves and tidy our own homes, we don’t offer deep cleaning for clients. During daytime shifts, we’re happy to assist with laundry (for baby & siblings), washing + sterilizing bottles/pump parts, and nursery organization. Even though our primary role isn’t housekeeping, we understand how staying on top of the small tasks makes all the difference in the big picture- and we’re happy to chip with small tasks like dishes and meal prep as needed and when there is time. For overnights, you can expect your doula to take care of bottle/pump cleaning and putting her space back together before she leaves in the morning- like she wasn’t even there!

Can you help me with feeding concerns?

YES! Feeding a baby sounds simple. Spoiler…it’s not. It happens to be what parents struggle with the most regardless of how many kids they have or how they choose to feed their baby. We have loads of knowledge, experience, and the top IBCLC resources in Central Indiana right in our back pocket to help make this new adjustment smoother for you. We warmly support breastfeeding, formula, pumping, SNS, or any combination of these feeding options.

Will I still bond with my baby with overnight postpartum doula support?

Well, you are not alone if this is a concern. We promise to promote bonding just the way you like it. You choose how your baby’s night feedings will go. When a feeding wraps up- however that looks- we will gently attend to your baby’s diapering and comfort needs while you are drifting off back to sleep in your own cozy bed. Then, when your baby is ready for their next feeding, you will feel refreshed ready to go. If baby is formula or bottle fed, then you can choose to sleep all night or you can wake up for feedings. Totally up to you! Our clients say over and over again how feeling rested help promotes bonding during the day and on the nights we’re not there.