Melissa M.
It is fair to say that hiring Stephanie was the single best decision I made when planning for the early postpartum weeks. She helped us navigate the first few weeks of motherhood by taking care of so many tasks (laundry, cooking, cleaning bottles/pump parts) which allowed me to simply focus on my baby and my own physical recovery. When we experienced challenges with breastfeeding, she provided immediate support and encouragement. She found ways to support me before I could even verbalize what I needed, and she could somehow sense how I was feeling before I told her. Even though we had family around, Stephanie’s support was different because she was focused solely on supporting us and baby. She was critical to me as a new mom navigating a fragile and vulnerable time.
Stephanie has the perfect personality and demeanor for the role of postpartum doula. Each day when she arrived at our home I felt instantly calmer, and more relaxed knowing that she was here. She would assess what we needed in the moment, and looked for ways to help without us giving her with a list of specific tasks. This was so helpful for our sleep deprived brains! On the difficult days, just sitting and talking to Stephanie would leave me feeling encouraged and calm.
Additionally, she helped give us confidence as new parents through practical “lessons” on basic baby care and by cheering us on as we conquered each “first” with our new baby. Her helpful tips along the way were perfectly timed and her advice was always gentle and never overbearing. She was the perfect guide for new parents.
Stephanie really went above and beyond every day that she was here. For example, she made amazing food for us and one of the snacks was even enjoyed by our dog (who stole it from the table). We told Stephanie our dog loved the snack, so she then made some dog-friendly treats just for him! He was thrilled and is still enjoying the last few we have left. Even after our contracted time with Stephanie ended, she has continued to provide support and check in on our family. We are so grateful for Stephanie and would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for postpartum doula support (which should be everyone!). She is completely worth it! - Melissa M.