doulas with nurslings

If I hired you to be my doula, I would not want you to leave and go pump.

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I'm being blunt, and maybe the other moms on here would be more understanding about it, but the thing is we give is CONTINUOUS support.

I did not start doula-ing until my kids were older, so I have no experience with having to pump during a birth, but personally when I have another kid, I probably will take at least 6-9 mos off from births.

I'm not a doula and I just like to lurk here : but what about that "Whisper Wear" pump that you wear in your bra? I wonder how well that works. Seems like it might be a decent option, but I have no experience with that pump myself...

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That's what I'm afraid of, and I wouldn't blame you one iota.

It's not too critical now since I'm just beginning my doula training and certification, but it is something to consider. I have a nursling now, and I plan to have another baby in the next few years.

Perhaps one way to work it would be to be up front with potential clients that I breastfeed and need about 15-20 minutes to pump at least every 5-6 hours. Then they could hire/not hire me as they feel comfortable.

On the other hand, I may just hold off taking on clients of my own until late next year, when DS is well on solids and mainly nurses for sleep and comfort...

Taking a 1/2 break every 4-5 hours is a totally reasonable plan. I always tell people I will be taking breaks. I need to eat, go to the bathroom, call home, pump, take a walk, get some fresh air, etc. It is not reasonable to think that you will be sitting next to the woman's side with no breaks for long periods of time. If someone expected that of me, I would not work with them.

Even as a midwife, I take naps, take walks, take breaks. Better for the woman, her partner, myself, and ultimately the birth if everyone is fresh, rested, fed, etc.

Plus, leaving for a period gives the woman time alone with her partner which they really need during the labor.

I use a pump in style with an adapter and pump in my van. I make a little "nest" on the floor and sit and eat and pump and call home to check on hubbie/kids. I like the privacy of going to my own car and being able to talk on the phone at the same time.

You have to do what works for you. If this is the arrangement you wish and need, then you may have to let some clients go, but that's OK, otherwise, you will burn yourself out quickly.

I attended my first birth postpartum when my baby was 5 months. At that point I needed to pump once, and I was able to run home for an hour and feed him once. Total time gone at the birth was about 17 hours. That was a hard one, because I really missed my baby, and he wasn't eating anything else, and he wouldn't take a bottle.

My next births have been much easier...one I even missed due to a precipitous labor . But he eats anything and everything now, so being away is easier.

At my last two births (I had two babies in two days) I came at 7 pm, left at 1am, fed baby, went to bed. The I got the call from my other client. At 4 am I was back at the hospital, by noon I was home, I fed my baby. I never pumped.

Give it some time in the beginning. In hindsight, 5 months was too early for us, and that made me really resent being away from my baby.

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Great advice, Barb. Thanks! The nest in the van is a fantastic idea! The perfect retreat. I also use the PIS w/ the adapter, so I'll be all set. I'm so glad I posted here... this issue has been stressing me out.

(Hello? Obsessive much? I'm not even attending doula training until November!)