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Grounded support for the early weeks after birth

The weeks after birth are not just about caring for a newborn- they are about caring for the whole household.

Postpartum care is not one-size-fits-all. As a postpartum doula and your fourth trimester companion, I offer in-home care that is responsive, grounded, and shaped by the rhythms of your household. I meet families where they are, with deep respect for each family’s pace and needs.

My work is centered on listening and observing what actually helps in your home, so you feel cared for, rested, and less alone during the early weeks after birth.

What postpartum doula care can include:

  • Newborn Care & Education: Hands-on newborn care paired with practical education, so parents can rest, shower, or sleep while learning to read their baby’s cues.
  • Feeding Guidance: Support for all feeding choices, including positioning, pacing, and general guidance during the early weeks.
  • Gentle Sleep Support: Age-appropriate settling strategies that support rest without rigid schedules or sleep training.
  • Emotional Presence: A steady, nonjudgmental presence during a time that can feel overwhelming, emotional, and full of transition.
  • Light Household Care: Dishes, laundry, tidying baby areas, and helping your space feel manageable during recovery.
  • Nourishment & Meal Preparation: Simple meal preparation and cooking, reheating meals, organizing meal trains, and herbal tea to support postpartum recovery.
  • Physical Recovery Support: Comfort measures, rest support, and gentle guidance to support the body during postpartum healing.
  • Sibling Care: Care and attention for older siblings so they feel included and supported during the family transition.
  • Pet Care Assistance: Help with feeding, brief walks, or play to keep household routines steady.
  • Herbal Support: Thoughtful herbal guidance and optional postpartum plant support, informed by my background as an herbalist.
  • In-Home, Personalized Care: Each visit is shaped around what feels most helpful that day. Care evolves week to week.

Postpartum support options & rates

Postpartum care looks different for every family. I meet families where they are by listening first and gently observing what feels most helpful in their home. I offer calm guidance and compassionate presence to support the transition into early parenthood and build confidence as families settle in with their new baby. All families receive access to my referral list, with trusted recommendations for body care, mental health and lactation support, along with supportive books and resources.

Baby lying on a towel with a hand touching its foot, in a bathroom setting.

Daytime Postpartum Doula Support

Hands-on daytime support focused on recovery, nourishment, newborn care, and household flow.

Includes:

  • In-home daytime care
  • Newborn care
  • Feeding support
  • Light household tasks
  • Nourishment and emotional support

Rate: $40/hour

*weekend daytime support can be offered at a rate of $50/hour.

Daytime shift: 4 hours

hands swaddling a newborn baby in cozy dim lit room, on a bed. cropped close up

Overnight Postpartum Doula Support

Overnight care designed to support parental rest and recovery.

Includes:

  • Overnight newborn care
  • Support with feeding, soothing, and settling
  • Care focused on maximizing parental sleep

Rate: $50/hour

*weekend overnight support can be offered at a rate of $60/hour.

Overnight shift lengths: 8, 9, or 10 hours

Carrot Fertility benefit

I am Carrot-certified and able to provide the appropriate documentation for clients seeking reimbursement through Carrot Fertility.

Please check with your employer or Carrot plan for coverage details.

FAQs

What is the minimum commitment for postpartum support?

My minimum commitment is 4 weeks of care. Consistent support over time allows space for rest, recovery, and settling into life with a new baby.

How long do families typically work with a postpartum doula?

Most families book between 4–8 weeks of postpartum support. Some choose shorter support focused on the early weeks, while others extend care as needs evolve.

How many daytime shifts per week are common?

Daytime support is commonly scheduled for 1–3 shifts per week, depending on family needs, recovery, and available support at home.

How many overnight shifts per week are typical?

Overnight support is usually 1–2 nights per week. To maintain sustainable care, I offer a maximum of 2 overnight shifts per week.

What if we need more support than you offer?

If your family would benefit from additional care outside of my availability, I’m happy to connect you with some of the trusted postpartum doulas I work with who can offer complementary care. Having more than one doula can provide added continuity, flexibility in scheduling, and extra support during the early weeks after birth.

What our clients say

This was my first experience using a postpartum doula, and it was wonderful!! Melanie listened to our needs as a family and worked with us to make for a much smoother postpartum experience than with my first. She helped us meal prep after birth and we still make some of recipes! Having someone who sees your needs and helps you take care of yourself after birth is incredible.

Christina C.

I cannot recommend Melanie highly enough. From the moment she stepped into our home, her calm, nurturing energy made us feel instantly supported and at ease. She was a breath of fresh air during a time that can often feel overwhelming. Melanie seemed to intuitively know exactly what we needed, whether it was emotional reassurance, help with newborn care, or simply taking care of the little things like laundry or washing bottles, and pump parts. She handled everything with such grace and care. By the end of her time with us, Melanie didn’t just feel like a doula, she felt like a friend. And she’s someone we’ll always be grateful for.

Allison W.

Melanie was such an impactful support doula for my post partum experience (and for our whole family). She was always very reliable, communicative, and made it a point to really connect with each member of our family. I appreciated her support and highly recommend if you are looking for someone who is down to earth, authentic, and, of course, very knowledgable about what is needed for newborns and mamas in their postpartum period.

Jodi M.

Mel is the best postpartum doula anyone could ask for! She made my healing after birth so much easier — from newborn care, feeding support, and gentle guidance, to helping with laundry, dishes, meal prep, and even walking my dogs. Her presence was calming and loving, and she went above and beyond, including providing herbal teas, postpartum remedies, and personalized support. I can’t recommend her enough and will absolutely hire her again for any future postpartum needs!

Rebeca M.