Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeannie Boschma. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jeannie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the best advice you’ve ever given to a client? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

I get to step into a home right when a mama gets home with her newborn baby. I consider it an honor to be invited into such a vulnerable time in life. Once a mama delivers there is such an emphasis in America on her doing it all, getting back into the swing of things and at least appearing like they are doing well. Here is the thing though, postpartum is hard. Your body has just been through the experience of delivering this baby and yes, its a miracle. It’s also hard and physically takes so much from you. Your nervous system is a mess, your body is healing, your nutrients are depleted, you aren’t sleeping well and you are trying to figure out this whole parenting thing.

I like to remind mamas to focus on three things during postpartum.
1. Eating warm, nutritious foods. Most cultures in the world have a new mama only eating and drinking warm foods and drinks. Your body is healing and will more readily absorb nutrients that are already warmed. Think, warm stews, bone broth, casseroles, hot tea, protein from meat, sweet potatoes. These are all ideal for the fourth trimester.
2. Hydration. Making sure you stay hydrated will help with the healing process but it also will help tremendously with breastfeeding. I like to have my mamas add electrolytes to their water so make sure they are absorbing the water.
3. Sleep. This one is hard because you newborn is not going to be sleeping on any sort of a schedule. My best suggestion is to have your partner sleep as best as they can overnight so that during the day they are awake enough to take over any baby care outside of breastfeeding giving mams the chance to get naps as much as possible. If you have a postpartum doula coming plan to nap while she is there. I’ve had many mamas use my time in their homes so that they can shower and nap.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a mom of four and have always had a soft spot for new mamas and babies. I decided to become a postpartum doula so that I can serve women and families during this time. It has been amazing getting to work in the birth workers world and work with several families during their fourth trimester.

A postpartum doula steps in once mama and baby are home. I offer daytime support where I am in a home usually for about four hours in the mornings. During a daytime shift my tasks vary from day to day. They can include newborn education, light cooking and meal prep, light housecleaning, older sibling support, laundry, breastfeeding support, nursery organization, newborn care so mama can rest, etc. I have even helped decorate for Christmas and wrapped Christmas presents for one mama. Everyone needs support in different ways and I try to make sure I’m always looking for what would serve that specific family best.

I also offer overnight support. These nights usually start at 10pm and last until 6am. When I am in a home for an overnight shift my primary role is caring for baby. If the baby is bottle fed then the mama can sleep through the night and I will take on any baby needs. If the baby is being breastfed I bring the baby to mama for feeding then I take over with the diaper change, burping, and soothing back to sleep so mama can get right back to sleep. With either of these I do try to get some quiet tasks done for the family as long as the baby isn’t needing me.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I think a postpartum doula has to have a servants heart. Most of my families don’t really know what to have me do the first few times I’m in their home. I need to be proactive and looking for ways to lighten their burden and serve them.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I wish I had gotten into the birth community earlier in my life. I am loving every single part of it. I think being a doula is such a special role. It has also lead me to getting trained to learn more about lactation and breastfeeding so that I can serve my families better when that is their goal. I am currently in a course to be a virtual sleep consultant. This way I can serve families with children in any age group. Sleep is such a necessary foundation for how our bodies function and develop so if the baby/children aren’t sleeping then the parents aren’t either and changing that can change how they function as a family. Luckily I won’t be giving up being a doula to do the sleep consulting. They will work so well together and just give me more ways to serve families.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.provisiondoula.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provision.doula.services/?next=%2F