Hi everyone! I am new to this forum and I am currently working towards my DONA certification as a postpartum doula... well I just found out I'm a couple months pregnant!! I really am very excited. This would be my first baby!

My question to all the doula moms out there is - How did you balance being a new mom and a doula? Did you ever babywear your child to work with you and would that be strange? I really would like to be with my baby as much as possible, though money is also an issue. Please let me know what you did as a new mom and any advice you would have for me. Thanks so much!!
:feeding

First, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Second, :wave :welcome to :alldoulas ! I am also a stay at home mom (of 3, ages 4 1/2, 3, and 2 1/2 months) and am certifying with CBI as a birth doula. My baby is breastfed and has never had a bottle and I have my first birth in February. Either she will take the bottle or she won't and although that sounds harsh, I can't sit around and worry about it or I'll never become a doula. :lol Anyway, I think it would be hard to wear your baby while doula-ing. Your focus is supposed to be on the family and that can't happen with baby. As long as you have arrangements for your baby, births aren't everyday things so brief separations are okay. It's hard to leave baby (really hard) but it's only temporary. You'll know what to do, just listen to that little voice. :D

Hi mama, and congratulations on your pregnancy! :woohoo

How did you balance being a new mom and a doula?
Personally, I tried to focus more on postpartum work and childbirth education so that I could arrange my own hours. :) This way, I wasn't really on call or likely to be gone for more than a few hours at a time.

Did you ever babywear your child to work with you and would that be strange?
In the past, I had brought kiddo with me to some of the free classes I taught. Usually my DP would sit in the back to make sure kiddo was okay - at that stage it was really difficult for either of us to be separated so I just made it work how I could, when I could.

I have never had my DC at a birth, but I have recently done a few postpartum jobs where kiddo came with me (one even requested it as a playmate and distraction for her 4 and 5 year olds). With my family life being so busy right now, I have stopped taking clients except for those few who specifically request my support and don't mind the chance that I may bring my toddler to a prenatal meeting or postpartum job.

I tried very hard in the past not to bring my little one with me, because I think it did not help portray a professional image, and I could not guarantee that my clients would receive the attention they deserved without distraction or interruption. It actually made me feel uncomfortable when clients would suggest that I bring DC with me, because my level of interaction with my child is much greater than most people anticipate.

Now I am at a point in my life where my family comes before my Doula work, so while I am not officially offering my services, there have been a few clients who did not mind that kiddo was present (and luckily my DC is good to go with a few puzzles, crayons, or a small toy). My clients know that - right now - I am a mother first and Doula second.

money is also an issue.
:heehee I hate to break it to you, but Doula work will not make you rich, LOL! It may take some time to even pay off all your "start up" costs (for training, books, first few births, and so on). :doh

If you feel up to it, there is no reason why you couldn't take on some Doula work during your pregnancy. Once the baby is here, you can re-examine whether you feel you are able to be separated from your little one for potentially long periods, and feel out how comfortable your clients may be with having your DC there. I think most people are very understanding and accomodating when it comes to their Doula bringing baby in a sling for prenatal and postpartum visits. For births, however, you may wish to arrange to have someone bring your little one every couple of hours to nurse (if you plan to breastfeed) instead of having them there continuously with you. :2cents Births can be very draining, and your clients will need your undivided attention more often than not.

Best of luck on your Doula journey!

I tried very hard in the past not to bring my little one with me, because I think it did not help portray a professional image, and I could not guarantee that my clients would receive the attention they deserved without distraction or interruption. It actually made me feel uncomfortable when clients would suggest that I bring DC with me, because my level of interaction with my child is much greater than most people anticipate.


My first interview suggested I bring my baby with me but after considering it I decided it would not be very professional. I would definitely have had my attention focused on Gabby instead of the client. When I walked in she said "where's the baby?" :lol I'm assuming she really wanted to see the baby but some mama's may not really mean it.

Now I am at a point in my life where my family comes before my Doula work, so while I am not officially offering my services, there have been a few clients who did not mind that kiddo was present (and luckily my DC is good to go with a few puzzles, crayons, or a small toy). My clients know that - right now - I am a mother first and Doula second.

This is another good point. My family definitely comes first and I had anticipated taking awhile to go through the course. However, this opportunity came my way very quickly and I know I'm meant to be there. Plus, it's one birth out of 2 that I have to complete for certification. :woot


:heehee I hate to break it to you, but Doula work will not make you rich, LOL! It may take some time to even pay off all your "start up" costs (for training, books, first few births, and so on). :doh

:lol :yeahthat