Paige

Yes!!!! If I have a 2nd, I’m hiring a postpartum doula to help with nights during the first week or two. I had one come a few nights a week when my husband went back to work after 6 weeks, and it would have been more valuable during the first week or two. I felt really secure that the doula was up-to-speed on newborn safety and wouldn’t fall asleep with baby. I had a lot of help from my husband and grandmas, and still, if I do it again, I’d love to have a night time doula during the first week so I can focus on recovery.

I had my first baby about a year ago, and getting enough sleep was my top priority. I read Moms on Call, which had really helpful daily schedules that got my baby on track. It was so effective, that the first day I started their schedule, my baby went from waking up 3-4 times a night to once or twice, and in 4 weeks was sleeping through the night (around 3 months). My sister and sister-in-law both had babies last year. I have excitedly shared this book and the schedule, because it’s done wonders for me. They’ve read it, but not really picked up on the schedule. At the end of the day, following and schedules and letting my baby cry it out works best for me and my family, but other families may find schedules harder to follow, and some parents prioritize comforting their baby over sleep. I get it! So, this is all a long way of saying, you can offer advice (maybe buy them a Moms on Call book), but don’t take it personally if they don’t follow it. Every family works differently.