06/23/2026
What does a postpartum doula do on shift?
It can vary from doula to doula, but my personal goal is to do whatever is needed to bring you some peace during this transitional time!
Day shifts
While each visit is flexible and often based on the individual needs of the moment, they typically follow a similar 3-hour format:
👶 Debrief with the parents on what's been happening since our last visit and answering any questions
👶 2–3 recipes of your choosing; most often a meal, a baked good, and a snack (power balls are my top requested snack!).
👶 I clean as I go and often reset the kitchen and main living space. You won't be dealing with a mess of dishes when I leave!
👶 1–2 loads of laundry washed, dried, & folded
👶 Parents can nap, having a hot shower, eat a meal, have quality time with their partner or other child(ren)
Sometimes families just want me to sit with baby, keep them cozy and asleep, or do some developmentally appropriate play. And that's okay, too. Whatever you need, I'm game!
Night shifts:
Generally 8–10 hours, so I can tackle more of the above. My ultimate goal is protecting your sleep:
👶 Typically 3–4 recipes and 3–4 loads of laundry (if your home layout allows me to do that without waking you up!).
👶 Bottle-fed babies: parents can wake up fully refreshed in the morning while I take care of all of baby's needs.
👶 Breast/chest-fed babies, I bring them to you when they wake for a feed, then whisk them away for a diaper change and resettle them so you can maximize your sleep
❓️Common Question
Q: I don't know how I feel about having someone in my home while I sleep.
A: Totally fair! I try to do a meet-and-greet with all families prior to our first visit, and I'm more than willing to work within your comfort level. Sometimes families try a day visit or two first and then transition to night care once we're all familiar with each other.
