Are you a doula interested in expanding your business and offering more services? Some doulas feel limited to helping at births. However, doulas can become certified in other related fields. Read on to learn about the other services you may consider offering and why they’re a great addition to your business.
- Postpartum doula
If you love working one-on-one with families and babies, then consider becoming a postpartum doula. This is a professional who is trained to work with new parents through the period (typically 6 weeks) after birth. Your role will primarily focus on providing information, supporting infant feeding, aiding emotional and physical recovery after childbirth, and supplying coping skills for new parents.
- Newborn sleep consultant
A newborn sleep consultant is someone who specializes in infant sleep. They help to guide parents to overcome one of the toughest obstacles they face by getting their baby to sleep while they’re recovering from birth. Sleep consultants can do in-person sessions, video conference consultations, or overnight stays depending on what the family prefers.
If you find you’re interested in baby sleep, you can also expand your expertise and focus on sleep training overall. This process often takes place in months 4 to 6 when baby is a little bit older, so you’d be able to keep in touch with clients you worked with during the birthing process.
- Lactation counselor
A lactation counselor is an individual who supports parents with their lactation journey. They help to mitigate challenges that arise, offer guidance on breastfeeding position, help establish good milk supply, provide tips on latching, and give instructions on how to pump.
If you’re interested in learning more about online training for those pursuing the lactation field, visit Lactation Education Resources.
- Childbirth educator
A childbirth educator offers evidence-based, unbiased information about the physiology of birth to expectant parents. As a childbirth educator, your goal is to help parents get ready for the labor process by arming them with the knowledge and skills about pregnancy and birth. Educators often equip parents to become advocates for themselves in hospital or birth center settings.
Are you looking for a class to become a childbirth educator? Check out our certification here.
- Placenta encapsulation specialist
Placenta encapsulation is the process where the placenta is turned into a powder form and put into pill capsules to be ingested postpartum. A placenta encapsulation specialist uses several methods to turn the hormones, trace elements, stem cells, vitamins, and other placental materials into gentle maternal supplies that can be used to support postpartum energy, rejuvenation, and therapeutic rest. During training, you’ll learn all about the placenta and how it can be used to benefit the birthing person.
Having this skill can be beneficial as you can offer your services to families you’re already serving as a doula for. While hospitals generally allow people to keep their placentas, they don’t often store them overnight. Thus, being on-site to pick up the placenta offers added convenience to your clients.
Learn more about becoming a placenta encapsulation specialist here.
Final Thoughts
Doulas can wear so many different hats and adding to your certification today will make you an appealing option for clients. Visit Birth Beautifully to learn how you can earn more certifications depending on your interests.
Christine Herrera helps people become amazing birth professionals.
