Expanding your support beyond information alone as a Postpartum Education and Care Professional

When you were postpartum, can you remember a time of sharing how tired you were with a friend and being bombarded with sleep advice? Or having a day in the trenches where you just needed to name how hard it was and be told all the changes you could make to improve your day?

In our society, we are encouraged to give advice and information, to fix and solve problems. Skills like listening and holding space are generally undervalued. Information based on scientific evidence is valuable, but it isn't the only care and support that Postpartum Education and Care Professionals can provide.

Postpartum Education and Care Professionals provide companionship and emotional support, as well as information based on scientific evidence and referrals to other professionals when necessary. This non-medical role integrates cultural care, mental health, sleep and breastfeeding support.

As a Postpartum Professional, whether you are a doula, midwife, yoga teacher or mothers groups facilitator, resist the urge to fall into the trap of approaching postpartum with only information. When you truly believe that women and care-givers are capable and intelligent, then you don’t need to rescue your clients.

Information can cause problems where they didn’t previously exist. They can cause agitation when before there was satisfaction.

When you feel the urge to offer advice, ask yourself:

1. Are you showing off your skills and knowledge or truly acting in loving service?

Sometimes we when we lack confidence we think we need to prove ourselves by showing off how much we know.

2. Do you have enough time for big emotions?

When time is limited we tend to jump into fixing and solving mode.

3. Do you have the emotional capacity to be there for your client?

Can you witness their pain? Are you supported enough to support your client?

Instead of giving advice, instead of fixing and solving, there is some simple question you can use as a framework for all of your work. Simply ask your clients questions and listen to their answers.

Do you want to share with me what you are afraid of?

Were you ok with that happening?

How does that feel for you?

Does it bring you peace and joy?

Really listen.

Interested in training to become a Postpartum Education and Care Professional? Newborn Mothers offers one of the most comprehensive course for professionals on postpartum care in the world. The 12 modules of training provides world-leading and evidence-based postnatal education to professionals. It teaches you how to provide practical, emotional and informational support to new families. You can study online, worldwide, with a live class or in your own time. Check out our Postpartum Education and Care Professional training and join the postpartum renaissance!