Doula training options

[Shazer]

I'm looking to become a postpartum doula and I want to be trained and certified in the best possible program I can find. DONA has a workshop in October two hours from my home, but it is three days and I'm breastfeeding. I don't know how I could manage to attend and feed my baby without having someone come up with me. I've also looked at a few distance learning programs, which I think will be a better fit for me. One is Birth Arts International. The programs have similar requirements. What have some of you done? Are there programs you think are good? Of the various groups that 'certify' postpartum doulas, which do you think are best? When my daughter is older and my husband could watch her while I attend births, I am considering becoming a birth doula as well. So if you have recommendations on birth doula training as well, I will appreciate your help.

[nimblemama]

I am an ALACE CBE-in-training. It is a distance education course. They offer a doula program, but one must atend a workshop. DONA is very popular and accepted mainstream. I know many women that attend workshops with their nurslings, but like you said, it would be easier to have help.

I have looked at the BirthArts postpartum doula distance ed program. I like it. If I became a ppdoula, I would go through them. CBI (Childbirth International) is also supposed to come out with some sort of postpartum program this year. They are also distance ed. Maybe you could email them to see what they are going to offer. www.childbirthinternational.com

[hetaera]

When I was considering it, I was going to go through Childbirth international.

[Amydoula]

I am a DONA certified postpartum doula and thought the training process was amazing. Nursing infants are allowed at trainings, just be sure to talk with your trainer about it first. Also DONA is very well known and lists all of their certified birth and postpartum doulas right on their website. It is an amazing way to get referrals, I get many clients from just being listed on there.