6 Reasons Why Overnight Doula Support is Game Changing

“I would wake up well rested, dishes/bottles done, laundry folded, picked up living room and just overall a new person ready to take on the day. As a sleep deprived mother who struggles with anxiety, the quality of sleep I got knowing that my babe was under her watchful eye was unmatched.”

-Lauren, Overnight Doula Client

My first baby was such a terrible sleeper, it’s actually amazing we had a second.

He would wake up 3 to 4 times a night until he was nine months old, and after the second wake up, he would be awake for a minimum of an hour and a half. I remember laying on the floor next to his play mat while he partied for hours. The play mat played a certain song that still makes me nauseous when I hear it, almost twelve years later. I would beg him to go back to sleep. Some nights I’d just sit and cry. I’d look out the window at all the other houses on the street, not seeing any other lights and being incredibly jealous of my partner and anyone else who was peacefully sleeping.

If I could have hired someone, even once a week, to come and stay with my baby so I could have had a decent stretch of sleep, I would have had a much better postpartum period. My anxiety was off the charts and I found myself irritated with everyone around me, especially my partner.

If this sounds familiar, read on!

1. Sleep! Sweet, sweet sleep!

The number one complaint of parents of new babies is how disturbed sleep tends to be. The lack of sleep can make a challenging season of life even more difficult.

“We know when our sleep suffers everything else in life becomes more difficult to manage,” says Kimberly Belben, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist. “We become more irritable and everything can seem heavier, that it takes more energy and we just cannot seem to catch up.”

Belben adds, “As sleep distrubances continue, many women become anxious surrounding sleep. Of course sleep disruption is to be expected at this time, yet if you find yourself struggling to sleep when baby sleeps you might benefit from some support in this area. Loneliness, resenting others (partner/spouse for example), worry surrounding nap times and bed times, and struggling to let things go can all be indicators that sleep disruption is more than just what happens after you have a baby. Just because sleep disruption is normal does not mean you have to suffer through it.”

2. Protect your mental health.

According to the Sleep Foundation, “While there are many factors at play, it does appear that sleep deprivation can exacerbate symptoms of postpartum depression. This is true for both parents, with research suggesting that both the mothers and the fathers of young babies are more likely to have depressive symptoms if the mother sleeps poorly. Sleep deprivation is also linked to suicidal ideation in women with postpartum depression.”

If you or your partner are struggling with postpartum depression at all, consider bringing in an overnight doula to help alleviate the sleep deprivation. If you or your partner are experiencing suicidal ideation, please seek emergency help by calling 911 or the Suicide Hotline 988.

3. Take household tasks off of your shoulders.

Imagine waking up in the morning and your laundry is neatly folded, your home is tidy, dishwasher has been emptied, bottles are washed and sterilized, coffee is made, and breakfast is ready…

I’m 3.5 years postpartum, and this still sounds like heaven! If you have things you’d like done while you and baby are sleeping, just make a list and give it to your doula when her shift begins!

4. Expert advice and reassurance.

Overnight doulas are ripe with wisdom when it comes to caring for newborns and families. If you have questions about sleep, feeding, newborn care, or just need to talk to someone who gets it, an overnight doula will be able to answer those questions and provide reassurance or referrals.

If your anxiety spikes in the evening, a conversation with your doula before hitting the hay can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

5. Set your baby’s foundation for good sleep.

Ashlyn Solorzano, postpartum doula, explains that she likes to start setting baby’s foundation for good sleep. “Sleep training shouldn’t start until 6 months, but there are so many ways to set the foundation before then. I like to make sure they have a good bedtime routine, the baby is getting fresh air, play time, and physical touch during the day, and that the room is set up well. Also, I do a lot of education on what is developmentally appropriate for babies, specifically when it comes to sleep, which is something that comes up often.”

6. It’s a proactive step for your wellbeing.

Kelsie Thomas, postpartum doula, explains having an overnight doula provides a self-care accountability check. “This is about creating that postpartum sanctuary plan, and doulas help get mom healed. Sleep is one of the biggest factors when it comes to the body healing from giving birth, in addition to nutrient dense foods, which Kelsie suggests having your doula prepare while you sleep.

Postpartum doula support can make a huge difference in your postpartum experience, daytime or night! Transitions: Doula & Life Services offers both services, and we’d be honored to support you during such an important time in your life.

11 Unique (and actually useful!) Gifts - A Gift-Giving Guide for New & Expecting Parents

If you’ve got someone on your gift list who is pregnant or newly postpartum, you have an opportunity to give them gifts that will make their lives easier, and make you an epic gift-giver.

No one needs more receiving blankets, burp rags, and baby clothes… unless these are handmade or family heirlooms, the gift receiver probably won’t even remember who gave it to them.

If you want to give a gift they will remember, you need to think outside the box!

Housekeeping Services / Laundry Service

When I asked around about the best gifts a new parent can get, this is one of the top answers. “I would have loved someone hired - not family - to come give my house a quick clean,” said Kaelyn.

And she’s not alone! Whether you are wanting a last clean before bringing baby home, or a quick clean when buried in Newborn-Land, housekeeping is something you just don’t want to have to worry about.

Laundry services are also super helpful when you have your hands full with a newborn… and all of their itty bitty pieces of clothing. These services pick up your dirty laundry in a laundry bag on your doorstep, wash according to your specifications, fold, and return it usually the next day.

Housekeeping average cost: $100-$180

Laundry Service average cost: $1-2/per lb of clean, dried laundry

Dog Walking / Doggie Daycare Services

If the new or expecting parents have a dog (especially a young one!), they’d paws-itively love having a dog walker or doggie daycare. It’s a big change when a family welcomes a new baby, and pets feel it too! Gifting parents these services will help alleviate wild pup energy in the house and allow the pet to have a good time outside of their home.

Cost: Dog walking: $10+

Dog daycares: $30+

Doula Services - Birth or Postpartum

If you are looking to contribute to a unique gift, consider asking the receiver if they are thinking about birth or postpartum doula services! Doula services would be a large ticket item for one person, but if you split the fee across a friend group, this would be THE best gift to give an expecting parent!

Doula services are particularly awesome idea for someone who is having their second, third, etc. child, because they typically don’t have baby showers, don’t need baby items, but people still want to contribute something to welcome this baby.

You’ll want the be sure the parents:

A. want they services and

B. have chosen a doula. (hiring a doula is a personal decisions… don’t find a doula for them!)

But with enough forethought, this could be a life-changing gift for new parents or parents-to-be. And one we highly recommend!

Cost: $700+

Childbirth Education and Other Classes

Along the same line as hiring a doula, parents can HUGELY benefit from being gifted prenatal classes. The gift of knowledge is priceless! If this is something you’re interested in offering to the gift receiver, ask them if they’ve considered any particular childbirth / parenting / breastfeeding. There are so many different philosophies of birth and parenting, and they may have one they’ve been gravitating toward.

Cost: classes can range anywhere between $20 to hundreds of dollars, so they’d make great group gifts as well!

Placenta Encapsulation

If your friend or family member has talked about getting their placenta encapsulated after birth, gifting them this service would be an amazing way to contribute to their postpartum healing.

Cost: $200+

Meals or Meal Delivery Service

If you’re a good cook, preparing a meal for your newly postpartum friends/family is a wonderful way to show you care. It is tough to get full, homecooked meals prepared after baby is born. You can also consider freezing meals ahead of time, and helping them stock their freezer for when the baby is born. Make sure you think about food allergies!

Meal delivery services, like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Food Dudes is another way to offer meals without actually having to cook or deliver the meals. Parents can order from their favorite restaurants and have food show up when they want it.

If you don’t love to cook, but want home cooked meals, consider local chefs, (like Chef Ellen or Dinner Birdie in Sioux Falls). This option allows for home cooked quality meals, and none of the work.

Cost: $15+

Gift Cards from Well-Respected Stores

Sometimes parents have no idea what they’ll want or need until baby is here. In this case, gift cards work wonders. We love Elegant Mommy in Sioux Falls, SD for all things pregnancy/postpartum/newborn/toddler! They have items for mom, sleep, teething, feeding, babywearing, cloth diapers, and toys. This shop is a small business and locally owned… and they ship free for $75+! We’re sure the receiver of this gift card will consider Elegant Mommy a reputable source for parenting products.

Cost: any amount you’d like!

Ember Mug

Okay… the Ember Mug one is new to me, but a Facebook friend recommended this, and after looking it up online I have to agree this may be the perfect gift for new parents!

This cup is programmable so that it keeps your coffee or tea at a certain temperature for up to an hour and a half. No more microwaved cups of coffee (which you then promptly forget in the microwave), or chugging cold tea.

Cost: $130+

A waterproof baby carrier

A friend and fellow birth worker said, “One of my favorite categories is water-specific items, like a water-safe baby carrier, which can be used at home in the shower any day of the week, or at the pool/beach/swimming lessons.”

I have to agree, this is a fantastic idea, especially if there are older siblings. Pool days are made much better when you’re not trying to hang on to a wiggly, slippery baby.

Cost: $25+

Beachfront Baby Ring Sling Carrier - $64.99

Postpartum healing package

This is one I’ve personally gifted a friend who lived out of state. Amazon makes this type of gift very simple! Things like belly butters, postpartum bath soaks, stretch mark creams, the and teas all make great additions to helping mom heal after birth.

Or if you’d prefer to send a curated gift, I love Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit, or Marnie’s Naturals Before Baby Arrives gift set for naturally minded parents.

Cost: $40+

Gifts from experienced parents

“The little things that other moms knew about that I didn’t…” is what Jessica said when I asked about best gifts. Jessica mentioned Tubby Todd bath items, Boogie Mist, and the Nose Frida. Alesia added “Baby proofing items!” with these safety latches. I’d add Oogiebear Nose Cleaner, this nail trimmer, and the Haakaa as a 4 time mom and postpartum doula!

Kristie added, “Most helpful was gifts for when baby was sick (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, gas drops, tummy warmer, humidifier, and saline spray). These are things you don’t think of until baby actually gets sick, but you don’t want to run to the store.”

Cost: $10+

What unique gifts have you given or received that made a big impact on new or expecting parents? We’d love to hear!

7 Benefits of Working for a Doula Agency (and 1 Con)

1. Supportive community

Doula work can be lonely. If you’ve worked as a solo doula at all, you know that you are a one-person show. Even in Sioux Falls, which has a vibrant birth community, being a solo doula can feel like being on an island when you have wins to celebrate or feel defeated.

Doula agencies offer the comradery of being part of a team. Our agency has monthly meetings where we get together in person to discuss our work, and an active text thread where we work together to take care of our clients. Everyone cheers for each other in our wins and surrounds each other with support.

2. Built in backup

Very few other careers require a person to commit to putting their life on hold for a month at a time, 10 months into the future. That’s what solo doula work is like… someone will contact you in October to ask if you have availability in May or June of the next year!

When clients hire a doula from a doula agency, they understand that teamwork is a perk for the doula AND the client. If something comes up during the time that you are on call for someone, you simply ask someone from the team to cover you. Clients have the peace of mind of knowing the back up doula is already vetted by the agency, and can get to know the back up ahead of time. You can take the time off that you deserve, knowing your client will be well-cared for in your absence.

3. Room for growth

Our agency is very excited about growing doulas! Part of our mission is to make our community the best place to be a doula. We support our doulas in their interests and help them pursue growth in whatever way that looks for them. Burned out doulas don’t last long… we want to help our doulas make this a career, not just a blip in their work history. We aim to nurture our doulas in furthering their experience, helping them through obstacles, and cheering them on! This should be a goal of all agencies, not just ours.

4. IC’s can take their own clients

Did you know that an independent contractor can run their own business as well as work for an agency? If you’ve got your own clients, you are welcome to bring them to the agency in order to utilize all the perks of the agency, or you can take them on 100% independently.

5. No backend work

Marketing, tax IDs, nurturing local resource relationships, maintaining a social media presence, building a website, SEO, taking inquiries, courting potential clients, onboarding, handling contracts, payments, taxes, offboarding…. if this sounds overwhelming to you, you are a good candidate to be an agency doula.

Solo doulas are a one-person show. You wear all the hats! As an agency doula, you get to show up for the client and do the work.. The agency handles the rest.

6 Clients come to you

Building off of the previous reason… as an agency doula, the clients come to you. A big hurdle as a solo doula is finding clients, especially if they are a newer doula. The agency has a steady flow of clients looking for support.

7. The value of agency

Clients get excited about the prospect of working with an agency. It makes it so easy for them. They can get all of their needs met in one place, rather than seeking out all of the roles separately. It’s a smooth experience, from start to finish. There is value to this! And agencies are just as valuable to the clients as they are to the doula.

… And 1 con…

By working with an agency, you pay for what you get. Running a business costs money (even if you’re doing it solo), so most agencies take a portion of what the client pays. This is called the agency fee.

Agency fees vary from business to business. The range is usually between 25% and 40% of the client fee. This money goes to all pay for all of those benefits listed. To doulas who see the value of all of those benefits, it’s a no brainer. But if you are very business-minded and enjoy the challenge of wearing all the hats, agency doula life might not be for you.

Renee is co-owner of Transitions: Doula & Life Services in Sioux Falls, SD. Renee’s goal is that every person has their very best birth and postpartum. Renee helps birthing persons and their partners accomplish this goal by connecting them with Transitions Doulas who provide loving physical and emotional support throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. In addition to running the agency, Renee also provides postpartum doula support, lactation support, and childbirth education.

Ten Reasons You Should Hire a Postpartum Doula

10. Our culture has got it all wrong.

In other cultures, there are rituals of healing nourishment, body care, special diets, and honor.

Where other cultures nurture their mothers for a period of time, the US kicks us in the ice pack and tells us to get back to life.

Is this healthy? Our maternal mental health issues, mortality rates, and dismal breastfeeding rates speak for themselves.

While you might not hire a postpartum doula for ‘round the clock care for 40 days, you can find a lot of the same nurturing in your time with them. While everyone else is looking at the baby and ready to return to life as they knew it, your postpartum doula knows that you are in a window of time known as the 4th trimester, and we honor that time. A postpartum doula allows you to slow down, rest, and heal.

9. It’s a no-judgement zone.

Postpartum doulas are judgement-free. We realize the only opinion that matters in parenting your family is yours.

We don’t care when your mom introduced solids. We don’t care that your sister found great luck with a specific bassinet. Those were their journeys, and you’re on yours. We are here to walk with you in those early parenting days, providing resources when requested, but honoring your decisions as parents. We are good at listening with curiosity and not judgement.

8. Your space will feel less chaotic.

A postpartum doula is just naturally the make-themselves-at-home type to tidy, wash dishes, put away toddler toys, all while spending time with you. When your doula is gone, and you’re world is confined to “wherever is coziest to feed the baby”, you’ll notice how much more relaxed you feel when that space is tidy.

7. We know what “normal” looks like.

And just as importantly, we notice what looks “off”. So if you’re looking for reassurance or a second-eye on something, doulas are the type you want around!

6. We can answer questions you might never ask anyone else.

If you’ve not been in the postpartum period, you might have no idea what type of questions would crop up that you might feel uncomfortable asking friends or even your provider at the six week check up. But your doula is fair game for all of that. I often tell my birth and postpartum clients, there is no such thing as TMI in this field. I’ve seen a lot, I’ve heard a lot, and my only request is that I get a heads-up if you’re going to send me a questionable picture over text so that I’m not startled :).

A lot of time, people who’ve just had a baby aren’t sure about all the things their bodies or doing, or what to expect down the road. A doula can clear up a lot of that (without all the scary Googling).

5. You’ll have evidence-based information at your finger tips.

Speaking of Googling, doulas are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the postpartum period and newborn care. Seriously, just stay off of Google and ask an expert! If we don’t know the answer, we will put in the effort to do the research for you.

4. Two words: Overnight doulas.

Did you know that there are doulas who actually LOVE providing overnight care? Imagine… you’re winding down for the night, baby is fast asleep (for now), and your doula quietly comes in, looks at the list of things that could get done. When you wake in the morning, you’re fully rested, and your house is tidy, laundry is folded, coffee is ready, and kitchen is sparkling. (If this sounds like heaven, then you’ve got to talk to Ashlyn).

3. You need to meet your basic needs.

There’s no other time in your life where just finding the space and time to eat, shower, and sleep is this difficult. Your doula can care for baby and older children so you’re able to do jump in the shower or take a nap. A doula can prepare a meal, order groceries, cut up fruits and veggies, and all of the other things that come with nourishing yourself and your family. Our goal is to make sure that these important parts of the 4th trimester are happening.

2. Your partner will thank you.

Partners love doulas. They often have to return to work sooner than they’d like, so knowing someone will be there nurturing the family in their absence takes weight off their mind. They also appreciate the knowledge that a doula brings.

Partners are the ones who are tasked to notice if the birthing person is dealing with any postpartum mood issues, and they appreciate having a second set of eyes on their loved one.

1. You deserve it.

Everyone deserves to be nurtured and cared for in their postpartum period. Some people are lucky to have a friend or family member who can be everything they need in that time…. But even if we do have the best support system, we feel guilty asking more of those individuals than is offered.

A postpartum doula provides a service you’ve invested in, a non-judgmental ear, and an evidence-based background of knowledge you can depend on.

Renee is co-owner of Transitions: Doula & Life Services in Sioux Falls, SD. Renee’s goal is that every person has their very best birth and postpartum. Renee helps birthing persons and their partners accomplish this goal by connecting them with Transitions Doulas who provide loving physical and emotional support throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. In addition to running the agency, Renee also provides postpartum doula support, lactation support, and childbirth education.

Partners Deserve Doulas

Attention, Birth Partners!

The absolutely, positively, number one hesitation I hear about hiring a doula is that the partner is going to feel replaced.  If you or your partner has this concern, this is for you.

Did you know…

• Research shows: Rather than reducing a partner’s participation in the birth process, a doula’s support complements and reinforces their role

• A doula offers a visual on how to support the laboring person, and partners feel more confident and relaxed.

• Partners who used doulas report high levels of satisfaction after birth, and the birthing persons report feeling more satisfied with their partner’s role.

Of course you’re wondering, “So how DO you support the birth partner?”

• Continuous reassurance… It’s amazing how the energy changes when everyone feels safe and informed.

• Suggest ways to help the birthing person through labor and birth. Our role is to make you look good!

• Assist you with advocating for your birth plan. When decisions have to be made, and the birthing person is in the middle of transition, your doula can give you a sounding board, balanced information, and make sure your voice is heard.

• You don’t have to worry about leaving your birthing partner alone to get ice, water, nourishment, or even use the restroom. Your doula will be right there.

Let’s discuss how a Transitions doula can help YOU support your partner!

- Renee, Transitions: Doula & Life Services

Renee is co-owner of Transitions: Doula & Life Services in Sioux Falls, SD.  Renee’s goal is that every person has their very best birth.  Renee helps birthing persons and their partners accomplish this goal by connecting them with Transitions Doulas who provide loving physical and emotional support throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.  In addition to running the agency, Renee also provides postpartum doula support, lactation support, and childbirth education.