Birthing doulas have a bag of tricks and supplies; do any of you PPD's keep a bag ready? If so, what do you include or what would you include to help you do your job most effectively?
Thanks
Dee
I bring a couple simple little toys that are very impressive to toddlers to help them warm up to me. One is a little crocheted bear puppet named Sammy, who is very shy. The other is either bubbles, or this little toy microphone thing that kids absolutely love.
Other than that, just a notebook.
If I am doing nighttime respite or working a particularly long shift, I bring a good book, some toiletries, and energy bars.
__________________
Jade Souza
Labor and Postpartum Doula
ICCE candidate
MotherLove Doula Services (Olympia, WA)
Proud mama of Stella Aberdeen (4/19/00) Ezra Kismet (11/19/05) and Solace William Sinclair (5/15/08) www.motherloveoly.net
A sling (gift for mama to try and for me to carry baby if mama needs a shower or sleep)
Baby lotion (for infant massage demonstrations)
Trailmix and water/gatorade (enough for mama if she needs snacky foods)
Heat pack (rice/oats/flax) for mama's postpartum aches and pains (gift to keep)
Markers and paper - gift for older siblings (I am dismayed to know that less than 10% of my postpartum mamas had these on hand for their other children in the home - these are a staple in my own home)
Goody bag (samples of Mother's Milk tea, LUNA bars, etc)
Change of clothes (just in case)
Hand sanitiser
Three books to borrow: Baby Games (for age-appropriate learning and stimulation), Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding (LLL), Postpartum Care booklet (written by myself)
Folder (includes a list of local resources, my lending library, infant care/herbal remedies/breastfeeding/postpartum depression & baby blues/etc handouts)
Recovery Soup and Sitz bath recipes
Fenugreek
Cloth mama pads (gift)
Knitting (for any downtimes/overnight stays - I'll knit a baby beanie or little blanket as a gift)
I don't think I forgot anything... LOL! It doesn't take up as much space as it sounds, hehe.
**ETA: My camera is always in my regular handbag, so that comes with me too.
__________________
Yesterday is history; tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift...
That's why we call it the present.
Every once in a while this shallow world surprises us with depth.
These 2 Members Say "Thanks!" to AussieDoula For This Post:
Gloves, files on all my clients, handouts, first aid kit, cpr cheat sheet cards (just in case....), hand sanitizer, water, books on various topics relating to the families needs, current Dr. Hale guide.
i always bring my sling, i actually have 2 different kinds that mama can try and i use when baby is fussy, or mom needs a break.
i sometimes carry essential oils and i am thinking maybe to have mothers milk tea as moms need to try it if they dont have it. thats basically it, but i love everyone else's ideas and maybe will carry more stuff. oh yeah and i bring my digital camera, great for taking pics of family and also a great entertainment tool for young siblings
LOL, I feel so deprived...I pack nothing. Just my sweet self. I do bring stuff as I need it; sling, book for them to borrow. I have started keeping files on pp clients. But I haven't had a chance to really use them at the visits.
Of course, I usually only work 2-4 hour shifts b/c my kiddos are so young.
__________________
Elizabeth Norwood
DONA Trained Birth Doula
Certified Breastfeeding Educator
OSD Volunteer From the Heart Birth Services
"Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod: Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God."
These 2 Members Say "Thanks!" to DoulaforChrist For This Post:
I am bumping up this thread, as it has some good ideas, and hopefully we can keep adding to it!
__________________
"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals". ~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I always bring an extra shirt, in case baby decides to spit up! Breath mints - I don't want to know mom over with my 2 am breath! LOL I just gave The Baby Book (Sears) to a client because she is very uneducated about babies. I don't think she really ever held a baby before hers arrived. Also, a CD of white noise, etc., in case they don't have one and baby needs to calm.
I recently added the following to my bag:
- elastic bands and/or a roll of surgical tape (great for keeping washcloths {under-the-breast-supports})and receiving blankets tightly rolled
- drinking straws (with tops that bend)
It doesn't take up as much space as it sounds, hehe.
I do bring stuff as I need it; sling, book for them to borrow. I have started keeping files on pp clients. But I haven't had a chance to really use them at the visits.
Quote:
