Marianne’s Postnatal Doula Service is temporarily unavailable. Watch this space for updates. However, if you are interested, please do get in touch.
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Expecting a baby, or just given birth? Thinking about a postnatal doula?
Welcome! Read on to find out more, and then do get in touch for a chat.
Marianne Sawford, Postnatal Doula and Infant Carrying Consultant
POSTNATAL DOULA SUPPORT
PRACTICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO EASE YOU INTO MOTHERING YOUR BABY
Whether this is your first birth or you have birthed before, it can make a fantastic, positive difference to have both practical and emotional support as you adjust to this new chapter in your life. As a postnatal doula, this is what I offer you.
CREATING CALM FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY
The first 3 – 4 months after birth are a time of transition for your baby, as she or he adjusts to life in the world outside the womb. This period is often called the ‘fourth trimester’. I can offer you practical support with a toolkit of ways to promote calm for you and your baby, pre-empting and reducing crying, and helping the whole family to feel a little more rested and able to enjoy this precious time.
FEEDING YOUR BABY
You might want support with feeding your baby, and I can offer that too, whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding. If you should ever need it, I can help you access specialist breastfeeding support.
CARRYING YOUR BABY
Might you be interested in using a sling or carrier to keep baby close whilst keeping your hands free? As part of the postnatal support package I offer, you can choose to spend time trying different slings and carriers and learning how to use them.
A LISTENING EAR
You may find you’d like to talk about your experiences of pregnancy and birth, or to just have a friendly, non-judgemental listening ear, for you to chat about day-to-day life with your baby, and I will always be ready to listen.
HELP AROUND THE HOME
I can also help with light housework, and other practical things that may need doing, so that you can focus on resting, feeding, and bonding with your baby . If you have other children, I’m happy to look after them in your home while you sleep or focus on baby, and I’m always ready and willing to cuddle baby while you sleep, rest or play with your other children.
MY EXPERIENCE SUPPORTING POSTNATAL MOTHERS AND FAMILIES
Before training as a Postnatal Doula, I had been supporting families with newborn babies for several years, as a Carrying Consultant (2012-present) and BabyCalm Consultant (2013-2017). I run Sweet Wrappers Sling Library and, since 2016, The Monday Drop-In, a welcoming, nurturing drop-in social group for all parents and carers with babies, where my sling library service and breastfeeding support from a specialist team of volunteers are available for anyone who wants them. (Read more and meet the team here.) My other relevant experience includes three years as a Registered Childminder, caring for babies and toddlers (2011-2014), and I am a mother myself. I have a wealth of experience and evidence-based information to draw on when supporting you and your family as you welcome your baby to the world, whether this is your first baby or you already have children. [Keep scrolling down to see a list of training and continuing professional development courses I have attended.]
DOULA UK MEMBERSHIP, INSURANCE, AND BEING A MENTORED DOULA
I am a member of Doula UK, the professional association for Birth and Postnatal Doulas in the UK, and have doula-specific insurance. Until I have completed a minimum of twenty hours support for each of four families (with babies from birth to 6 weeks of age) I am under the mentorship of a very experienced and well-respected doula, with whom I will debrief, discuss and reflect on my practice in order to grow and develop into a ‘Recognised Doula’. What does this mean for you as a client? I’ll ask you to give your permission for me to talk through my experience of supporting you, with my mentor, and ask you to complete a feedback form at the end of our time together, which will go to her for review. In return for this, I have reduced my fees and will keep them reduced until I have completed the recognition process.
Read my Doula UK profile page here.
AVAILABILITY
I cover Haywards Heath; other nearby locations may be possible at a small additional cost to cover time and travel expense, so do please enquire if you are not in the town itself.
SUPPORT PACKAGES AND FEES
Bump and Baby Package (1 x antenatal planning session plus 7 x 3-hour sessions for babies 0-6 weeks): £375 If you are booking my support whilst still pregnant, this package could be a great option for you, as it includes a three-hour antenatal session with me, about planning ahead for the postnatal period (aka your babymoon!) as well as seven three-hour sessions of support once your baby has arrived. (These postnatal sessions should be used within six weeks of your baby’s birth.)
Antenatal Planning Session (1 x 3-hour antenatal planning session): £50 A three-hour antenatal session with me, which can be taken at any stage of pregnancy, about planning ahead for the postnatal period (aka your babymoon!)
Postnatal Package (7 x 3 hours for babies 0-6 weeks): £330 This package includes 7 x three-hour sessions of postnatal support. (These postnatal sessions should be used within six weeks of your baby’s birth.)
Additional Sessions for Babies 0-6 Weeks: £45 for each session of 3 hours These can be booked as extra, on top of either the ‘Bump and Baby’ or ‘Postnatal’ package, and can be used either during or beyond the first six weeks after your baby’s birth.
Beyond 6 Weeks Package: 5 x 3-hour sessions £240 If your baby is already 6 weeks old, or approaching 6 weeks, this could be the perfect package for you. Five three-hour sessions of support, to be used within two calendar months of the first session. You are very welcome to book more than one of these packages if you would like to.
Additional Sessions for Babies Beyond 6 Weeks: £45 for each session of 3 hours These can be booked as extra, on top of either the ‘Bump and Baby’ or ‘Postnatal’ package, and can be used either during or beyond the first six weeks after your baby’s birth.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift certificates make the perfect gift for an expectant or new mother. Please contact me to order one for a friend or family member.
LET’S TALK! DO GET IN TOUCH FOR A NO-OBLIGATION CHAT
Whether you’re still pregnant, or baby has already arrived, if you feel that I could be the right Postnatal Doula for you, I look forward to hearing from you. Most parents who hire a Postnatal Doula do so within the first six weeks after birth, but if your baby is older I am still happy to support you. Please do get in touch for a no-obligation chat at any stage. You can complete the contact form (temporarily unavailable – hopefully fixed soon!), contact me via message on the Sweet Wrappers Facebook page, or give me a call on 07986 851 539 (between 9am and 7pm only please).
RELEVANT TRAINING AND CPD COURSES I HAVE ATTENDED
Carrying Consultancy – reattending 4 day course for CPD (Slingababy, 2019)
Understanding the Infant Microbiome (Microbirth, 2018)
Breastfeeding Study Days 1-8 (Breastfeeding London, 2018)
Breastfeeding Case Studies (Maddie McMahon – Developing Doulas, 2018)
Postnatal Doula Initial Preparation Course (Younique Postnatal, 2017)
Twins and More (Younique Postnatal, 2017)
Understanding Newborns (Younique Postnatal, 2017)
Paediatric First Aid Certificate (ABC First Aid, 2017)
Carrying Consultancy (L‘Ecole à Porter, 2016)
Carrying Consultancy (Slingababy, 2014)
BabyCalm and ToddlerCalm Consultancy - included understanding the psychological and physiological development of baby and toddler communication, emotional regulation, sleep, weaning, and more. (CalmFamily, 2013)
Carrying Consultancy (School of Babywearing, 2012)