As postpartum doulas, expertly trained on the nuances of labor, birth, postpartum and newborn care, our goal is to help you navigate the birth most don’t consider…
the birth of you as a parent.
Without the right education, preparation, and support, this process can be just as challenging and draining as physical labor. With the expertise of a postpartum doula by your side, transitioning from pregnancy to parenthood can be all that you desire. Think of us as your parenting “pain management”, easing the exhaustion, overwhelm, discomfort and confusion.
Our postpartum doula services include, but are not limited to:
INFANT FEEDING SUPPORT
- Recognizing hunger cues
- Positioning
- Proper latch
- Pumping
- Paced bottle feeding
- Alternative needs of milk transfer or feeding methods
NEWBORN CARE & HYGIENE
- Soothing techniques
- Diapering
- Swaddling
- Bathing
- Filing nails
- Circumcision care
- Umbilical cord care
INFANT SLEEP
- Laying the foundation for good infant sleep habits
- Recognizing sleepy cues
- Elongating sleep patterns
- Creating a safe sleep environment
- Helping babies differentiate between day & night sleep
- Developing a plan for handling night feedings and maximizing your sleep
POSTPARTUM RECOVERY
- Physically
- Recovery from birth
- Recognizing what’s normal and when something warrants a call to your provider
- Education on perineal care
- Helpful products to have on hand
- C-Section scar massage techniques
- Breast care tips
- Emotionally
- Recognizing early signs and symptoms associated with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders
- Providing compassion, understanding & validation
- Processing a traumatic labor or birth experience
DAY TO DAY HOUSEHOLD UPKEEP
- Meal & snack preparation
- Groceries or errands
- Laundry
- Dishes
- Picking up & organizing
SIBLING CARE
- Assisting siblings during the adjustment period
- Facilitating one-on-one time for each parent and child
Our doulas are available for day time shifts as well as overnight. No two families or postpartum doula shifts are the same. We meet each family and each day where it is. Your needs on that particular day based on your particular philosophies are always our priority. Families in the Brunswick and Topsham area, and all surrounding towns from Augusta to South Portland, have come to rely on the doulas of Lighthouse Lactation for the flexibility they offer and the confidence they inspire. The care we provide for your family enables you to prioritize self-care, knowing that you are the nucleus of your family. When you are solid, your family is solid too.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you during this amazing transition to parenthood.
"Only once you have walked this path can you understand how important it is to talk about your labor and birth experience and the emotions of your postpartum period with an unbiased and compassionate listener. This is so incredibly valuable."
– ERIN, FOUNDER OF LIGHTHOUSE LACTATION MAINE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained and certified professional who provides physical, emotional and informational support to a parent before, during and after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest and most satisfying experience possible. The word doula comes from ancient Greek and literally means “someone who serves”.
How much does a postpartum doula cost?
I think the better question is: how much is a postpartum doula worth? I guarantee that if you ask this question to any new parent who hired us to work with their family they would say: every penny they spent! I feel strongly that this service is so valuable and helpful, and I am confident that you will not regret the investment you make for the expert support we provide.
Postpartum doula care is a great thing to talk about when family or friends ask what they can get for you or what you still need for the baby. Making a financial contribution toward you having professional postpartum support is much more useful than another onesie or muslin blanket (although perhaps less adorable). You can give my business email (erin@lighthouselactationmaine.com) to anyone wanting to contact me about contributing toward a gift package for you, or they can purchase a gift certificate directly from this website.
Another possibility is budgeting for this service ahead of time. For example, if $20 were set aside each week during a pregnancy, it would pay for 5 postpartum support visits at home! Your confidence and comfort through life’s greatest transition is absolutely worth that and more, right?
But really, how much does it cost?
Postpartum support visits are $40/hour, with typical visits being 4 hours or $160. These visits are available for the first 3 months of your infant’s life on the outside.
If breastfeeding/pumping support is part of the visit, the initial visit would be $270, but insurance should reimburse $190 for the lactation portion of the visit. Follow up visits are $220, with insurance covering $140. If the infant is being formula fed or there are no breastfeeding concerns that need personalized support, the standard price of $40/hour applies, but is not at this time eligible for insurance reimbursement.
Add on option of one month email/text support for $30 per month. This gives you a safe, reliable place to ask the questions that pop into your mind in the middle of the night. It helps prevent the google dive/spiral, and can help you decide if a trip to the pediatrician or ER is warranted. It also means all the things we discuss during our visits will be emailed to you afterwards.
Some families are able to use funds from their HSA to pay for the services. Payment can be cash, check, Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, or credit card.
How many support visits will I need?
This really varies based on what support you already have available. Generally the first two weeks are the most intense when it comes to adjusting to broken sleep, caring for your newborn, and getting more comfortable with breastfeeding and making sure your baby is able to get back up to their birth weight.
Most families find having 1-3 visits a week in the first two weeks to be very helpful. After that it really depends on how things are going. Sometimes a visit a week for a few weeks is good for a breastfeeding check in, mental health check in, opportunity to discuss any questions that have come up, and help with housework and food prep.
I also highly encourage having some visits scheduled for when your partner returns to work. Many women find that transition to be even more difficult than coming home from the hospital, so knowing you have professional support lined up can be a big reassurance.
That being said we are very flexible with scheduling. We can plan week-to-week based on how things are going. Most families find 4 hours is the perfect amount of time to have help with a feed, be able to nap or shower, get the house organized and talk about anything that is on their mind.
Are you certified?
