Postpartum Doula

I am a DONA International trained Postpartum Doula. I am dedicated to providing nonjudgmental, loving support to all types of families, including LGBTQ, adoptive, and single parents; families who opt for vaginal births or C-sections, breastfeed or bottle feed, sleep train or co-sleep. I believe that all mothers have what they need within them, and I guide new moms to trust their instincts as they navigate new and changing roles within their families and communities. I am mindful of including partners, siblings, and other primary caregivers as the entire family adjusts to life with a new baby.

I am also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have more than 10 years experience supporting families in schools and community centers throughout New York City. Through that work I have developed a deep respect for parents and the loving, heartbreaking, exhausting and invigorating work that it takes to raise a child. After the birth of my own daughter in 2013, I greatly benefitted from connecting with other new mamas who reminded me that I was doing the best I could and that was enough! Recognizing the need for unconditional support for every new parent, I then expanded my practice to help parents cope with the challenging postpartum period. I love encouraging both new and experienced parents as they develop and strengthen their unique parenting styles.

What is a postpartum doula?

As a postpartum doula, I am there to ease your transition into life with your new baby. Whether you are a new parent or you are having your tenth child, you can definitely use some rest and support around the house as you bond with your little one. I am there to help in three ways:

1. providing research-based information on typical newborn development, breastfeeding, and baby care
2. listening and providing emotional support to mother and all other caregivers, including siblings
3. providing practical help like tidying up, cooking meals, and playing with older siblings occasionally so parents can focus their time and energy on healing and bonding with the baby

How I help will depend largely on you and your needs. I am not there to judge you, tell you how to parent, or to take over care of your baby. But I will help you problem solve, provide you with common approaches to feeding, sleeping, etc., and help you develop and strengthen your own parenting style. My goal is to foster independence within the family and ultimately work myself out of a job. I will provide a soft place to land as you jump into this new adventure, and help you ease into your new life. I will help you tap into resources within the community and work within your support network to make sure you have access to anything you need moving forward.