Postpartum doulas provide support without criticism, judgement, or scrutiny.  They care about the families they work with, but lack the complicated emotional relationships that exist between family members. Postpartum doulas will come into your home (or into the hospital if you’re there for an extended period of time), give emotional support to the birthing parent (the biggest hormonal shifts in your life happen after you have a baby), help with breastfeeding, make sure everyone has meals and snacks prepped, assist with baby care, tutor families on babywearing, provide resources and information about parenting, and give a hand around the house as well.
 

Families can hire a postpartum doula in advance of a birth, or they can call saying they need help in the next few days.  Postpartum doulas generally work with a contract for a certain amount of hours (to be determined between the family and postpartum doula).​