The overwhelm of chaos, joy, and huge hormonal fluctuations can put new parents in a place of sheer survival. But successful newborn care starts with successful self care. So beyond caring for your new baby, your postpartum doula will help you get back to the basics: sleep, eat, and drink water. Taking a mental health break, a nap, or getting a full night of rest can change your entire experience. Scheduling postpartum doula visits provides new parents with the physical, emotional, and informational support they need in the first few months after childbirth.

A postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to families as they adjust to life with a newborn. Their expertise includes infant care, lactation and feeding support, sleep routines, and emotional well-being for new parents.

The term postpartum comes from the Latin phrase post partum, meaning after childbirth, and originates from parere, meaning to give birth to or bring into being. A postpartum doula’s work is centered around nurturing both baby and parents during this transformative time.

Unlike a medical provider, a postpartum doula offers practical, hands-on care—helping families feel supported and confident in the days and weeks following birth. They provide both daytime and overnight support, ensuring parents can rest, recover, and learn to understand their baby's needs.

Postpartum doulas are also teachers and guides, using evidence-based knowledge to empower parents to recognize their baby’s cues, make informed decisions, and shape their parenting journey with confidence and ease.

Most postpartum doulas in Portland provide customized support based on each family’s unique needs. This may include:

• Newborn care specialist guidance, including soothing techniques, feeding support, bathing, dressing and diapering

• Emotional support for both parents, through the challenge of hormonal changes paired with sleep deprivation, helping you process your birth experience and adjust to life with a newborn

• Light household assistance, such as meal prep, laundry, and newborn “stuff” organization, to create a supportive environment for healing

• Lactation support, helping establish breastfeeding and troubleshoot any challenges

• Support with bottle feeding for parents who feed their baby with expressed breastmilk and/or formula

• Referrals to complementary care providers in Portland for additional resources, such as lactation consultants, sleep coaches, and mental health counselors.

These are some examples of support schedules that work well for new and growing families. There really is no "average," as every family's needs are different. This is what we can help you determine during our consultation call!

(8) 4-hour days (32 hours of support)

(4) 9-hour nights (36 hours of support)

(6) 4-hour days + (3) 9-hour nights (51 hours of support)

(8) 4-hour days + (12) 9-hour nights (140 hours of support)

(24) 9-hour nights (216 hours of support)

While both birth and postpartum doulas provide non-medical, compassionate support, a birth doula’s focus is on preparing you throughout pregnancy and support during labor and delivery. A postpartum doula, on the other hand, assists after the baby is born, helping your family settle into a comfortable rhythm at home and supporting both parents’ adjustment to new roles. Families often find value in working with both types of doulas for continuous support from pregnancy through the postpartum period.

The duration of postpartum doula support is highly customizable. Some families work with a Portland postpartum doula for just a few visits in the early weeks, while others continue for up to six months as they settle into their new routines. Some factors to consider ahead of time is how much time you and your partner have off work, whether you will have family support, how well you do with sleep deprivation, and your budget. In many cases, families find the support so helpful that they choose to extend care beyond their original schedule. 

We can advise on the creation of a custom package based on your unique needs. Book any combination of days and nights and receive a discount based on the number of hours you book:

50+ hours = $100 off

100+ hours = $200 off

150+ hours = $300 off

200+ hours = $400 off

Postpartum doula rates in Portland vary depending on factors such as experience, certifications, and the scope of support offered. Generally, rates for postpartum doula services in Portland range from $35 to $65 per hour. Some doulas offer package rates or sliding scale fees (including Wildwood), so it’s always helpful to ask during the consultation. Investing in this support can make a meaningful difference in your postpartum experience, providing both practical help and emotional relief. Many parents consider it the best baby-related money they spent.

Overnight postpartum doula support is becoming increasingly popular as parents who’ve been through it talk about how being well-rested during the postpartum period significantly aids in their recovery from birth and transition to parenthood. Typically overnight support is a little more expensive than daytime support, ranging from $45-$65 per hour. An 8 to 10 hour overnight shift is typical.

While some insurance plans may cover postpartum doula services, coverage can vary widely. Many Portland families find it worthwhile to check with their insurance providers and ask their doula about submitting receipts or “superbills” for possible reimbursement. Additionally, some families choose to use funds from flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) or set up doula services as part of a gift registry.

Choosing a postpartum doula is a personal decision based on your family’s values and needs. Consider starting with a consultation to ask questions, discuss your expectations, and get a feel for their approach. Most postpartum doulas in Portland are happy to meet for a no-obligation interview, allowing you to find someone whose expertise, personality, and philosophy are a good match for your family.

During a visit, your Portland postpartum doula will offer hands-on support with your newborn, provide a listening ear for any questions or challenges, and assist with household needs to create a restful, balanced home environment. Each session is tailored to address your needs in the moment, whether you need infant care tips, emotional support, or just some extra sleep while your doula cares for your baby.