Soothing Care for New
Mothers
In the magical time after the birth of a child, the mother is fully occupied with nurturing herself and nourishing her infant. Around the world and throughout the ages, women have been supported in this role. Other women come and care for the birth mother, nurturing her so that she is better able to bond with her baby.
A doula is how we address this need in modern life. Our friends are too busy to drop by for weeks at a time; our own mothers are often far away. A doula comes into our home and helps wherever it is needed: cooking, cleaning, carrying the baby, healing the mother. A doula alleviates the fatigue and sense of being overwhelmed that can cause postpartum blues. Your doula fills the age-old need of caring companionship for this most blessed of times.
In cultures around the world, this six
week state of postpartum is honored and revered, and the mother’s care is
assured. Worldwide, it is traditional that the new mother’s priority is to rest,
establish breastfeeding, and bond with her baby. She is relieved of all other
household responsibilities. In Holland, mothers receive live-in help for 8-10
days. In India, the mother is pampered for 21 days and her role as an exalted
one is honored. Swedish mothers are given a year of maternity leave at full pay.
Up until the 1960’s, women in our culture had 10 days of recovery in the
hospital.
Now, most women don’t have the option (or the desire) to stay in the hospital
that long. While it is wonderful to be home, home for most women means work, and
we have ignored the fact that the new mother needs to be resting and cared for.
Being home in bed is just the place to be with your new baby. After getting
married you took a honeymoon to have time away from responsibilities, be in
love, and honor the new relationship. After giving birth, taking a “babymoon” is
even more important. It's time to fall in love, climb in bed, skin to skin,
count Dad in, and appreciate the amazing miracle and the new relationship in
your lives!