Postpartum Doula Support
“From deep knowledge about lactation and postpartum, to exceptional emotional and compassionate support, to patient listening and brainstorming, to non-judgmental support however you want to parent your baby, (the list goes on!) Marlee is a dream!”
- Natascha
Life with a newborn can feel like an intense rite of passage.
We’re here for you.
If you’re parenting a newborn and you feel overwhelmed, you’re in very good company.
So many parents feel lost, confused, and just plain exhausted during the first few months of their baby’s life. Our clients have shared time and again how hard it is to have so many unanswered questions, get conflicting information and advice from multiple sources, and to be navigating the whole experience while not getting enough sleep. That’s where a postpartum doula comes in!
As an experienced postpartum doula, I love walking alongside parents as they navigate those tender early weeks with their little one. Often our clients view postpartum doula visits as a chance to get some sanity and perspective back!
Whether we’re helping you navigate lactation challenges, showing you some new strategies for soothing your fussy baby, or having some deep conversations about shifting identities during this huge transition, we’re here to offer whatever you need in the moment.
We’ve supported hundreds of families on their postpartum and newborn journeys. If you’re looking for compassionate, nonjudgmental guidance during your early parenting experience, we’re here for you.
Fall 2025 Announcement
We’re bringing additional doulas into our network to support more families!
We have been inundated with requests for postpartum doula services, so we’ve gathered some wonderful doulas in the Pittsburgh community. Updates will be coming to our website soon to reflect these changes.
“We hired Marlee as a postpartum doula and our only regret is that we didn’t hire her for the birth too. She was AMAZING and so much help! As a new parent I was so overwhelmed. Each visit Marlee brought such a calming presence and helped me with everything I needed from nursing support to caring for myself after childbirth to how to better care for my daughter. After each visit I felt so relieved and grateful for all the amazing help and support she provided.”
— Kara
Packages & Rates
Daytime postpartum doula support
Daytime support is offered between 8am-8pm depending on the doula’s availability (scheduling is first come, first served). Visits are up to 4 hours long and take place in your home.
6 visit package: $1200
12 visit package: $2200
18 visit package: $3300
24 visit package: $4300
Bonuses for the 12, 18, and 24 visit packages:
1-2 hour virtual lactation/feeding consult with Marlee
1-2 hour virtual newborn sleep education session with Marlee
If you’re looking for a different amount of support or if you want to extend daytime visits to 6 or 8 hours, we can work with you to create a custom package.
You deserve a supported postpartum experience!
Not ready for a package?
If you aren’t sure a package is for you, or you just need a bit of help for a tough situation, you can book a single visit.
A la carte 4-hour postpartum doula visit: $200
How it works:
If you’re booking postpartum support in advance (before birth):
Marlee and/or Megan will meet you for a 30-minute virtual intake call to discuss your needs and answer your questions
Based on what you’re looking for, we will match you with one of our lovely postpartum doulas for a consultation
The doula will meet you for a 30-minute virtual consultation so you can see if you’re a good fit for each other. So far folks have loved the first doula they’ve met! But if you want to meet someone else first, we’ll match you with another available doula for a consult.
Once you’ve chosen your doula, you’ll book your package through our convenient online system and pay your deposit. 50% of your package price is due at signing to reserve your spot on your doula’s calendar, and the remaining 50% of the price is due by 36 weeks of pregnancy.
After your baby arrives, contact your doula to arrange your visits.
If you’re looking for immediate postpartum support (after birth):
Let us know you’re looking for a postpartum doula and tell us a bit about your circumstances
Marlee and/or Megan will meet you for a 30-minute virtual intake call to discuss your needs and answer your questions
Based on what you’re looking for, we will match you with one of our available doulas.
You can choose to schedule a 30-minute virtual consultation with the doula first, or you can book a single postpartum doula visit to meet the doula while getting support. (This option is great for families who are really in a bind and need support as soon as possible.)
Once you decide on a doula, you’ll book your package through our convenient online system. For immediate postpartum services, payment is due in full in order to begin your package.
Work with your doula to arrange your visits.
“Marlee gave us a comfortable setting for discussing things we weren’t confident with and questions that we had without feeling stupid or ashamed. It was a very positive addition to our first few weeks of parenthood! We had the extra support that we needed.”
— Austin
“Marlee, thank you so much for everything! You took such good care of us in those first few months. We like to joke that there was ‘before Marlee’ and ‘after Marlee’ because things felt so much easier and more peaceful after we started working with you. We’ll definitely be calling you again when our next baby is on the way!”
- Elise
What does a postpartum doula visit include?
Addressing your primary concerns
When your doula arrives, they’ll check in to see what’s on your mind. You can spend some time chatting about how things are going and whether there are any pressing questions that you want to discuss. These topics may range from baby carriers, to postpartum healing, to whether the skin on your baby’s head looks normal… whatever is on your mind, your doula is here to work through it with you.
Feeding support
If you’re nursing your baby, chances are you’ll have some questions or challenges along the way. Of course there can be many questions about feeding your baby if you aren’t nursing too! However you’re feeding your little one, your doula is here to help. For families booking a larger package, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with Marlee to talk about any feeding challenges you’re dealing with, and make a plan for getting the type of support you need from your postpartum doula.
Sleep support
Most new parents have questions about how to help their baby fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer. Marlee is a gentle sleep educator and consultant, so this is an area of expertise in our practice! For families booking a larger package, you’ll have a chance to meet with Marlee to discuss concerns and strategies that can help you and your little one get more rest.
Baby questions answered
If you haven’t spent much time around babies, there can be a lot to get used to. And even if you are experienced with newborns, YOUR newborn is unique! Most of our clients have many questions about their little one, and it can feel overwhelming to Google each one of them. Postpartum doulas are well-versed in normal newborn behavior and appearance and are always happy to talk about what’s going on with your baby.
Conversation with someone who “gets it”
It can be so hard to find safe spaces to talk to about the heavier sides of new parenthood and postpartum recovery. We’re happy to fill that gap for our clients! Whatever is coming up for you is fair game for some compassionate conversation during your postpartum doula visits.
Food food food!
New parents are often so preoccupied with feeding their little ones that it can be a struggle to figure out their own meals. During postpartum visits, doulas can prepare some snacks or light meals to help you get through the day with the nourishment you need.
Light tidying and organization
It can be so lovely to have someone freshen up your living spaces. Postpartum doulas are happy to do some light tidying while you talk (or while they wear your baby and you take a nap!) so your home feels a bit more peaceful. This can include folding laundry, tidying in the kitchen, organizing some baby items you’ve been meaning to get to, etc.
Family adjustment
We have a special interest in helping all members of the family adjust to a new addition. From new parents to older siblings to grandparents to extended family, postpartum doulas love helping to smooth the rough edges of this huge transition so everyone feels more comfortable and confident in their new roles.
Special attention for pets
If your furry ones are feeling a bit left out, your doula can pay them some special attention during a visit. (For many postpartum doulas, this often one of the most fun aspects of supporting people in their homes!)
Caring for your little one so you can have some alone time
If what you need most during our time together is a break, your postpartum doula can help make that happen. They can care for your baby so you can take a nap, a bath, or just enjoy some quiet time alone.
Referrals for further support if needed
Sometimes our clients need additional support. We are always happy to offer referrals for other professionals and resources beyond what we offer to help meet your family’s needs.
“Thank you for all your patience with our hundreds of questions! We are so grateful you were there with us from the beginning since neither of us knew anything about babies lol. You were always so sweet and I don’t know what we would have done without you!”
- Becca
FAQs
I thought doulas were just for labor and birth. How can a postpartum doula help after I have my baby?
Our postpartum doula services support Pittsburgh families by:
helping you learn how to feed your baby (whether breastfeeding / chestfeeding or bottle feeding, or some combination)
validating the challenging experiences of early parenthood and providing nonjudgmental emotional support
helping you learn what is normal when it comes to caring for your baby, postpartum recovery, sleep, etc.
helping you get more sleep by reducing chaos, creating a calmer environment in your home, and offering education and strategies around newborn sleep
meal and snack preparation because babies aren’t the only ones who are hungry!
teaching soothing tips to help comfort your little one
encouraging parents in your new role and helping you see what is working!
It’s really common to feel unprepared for the challenges that the postpartum and newborn time can bring. Your postpartum doula will walk alongside you during these months that feel so short and so long at the same time. A doula’s gentle, nonjudgmental support and encouragement can help you find your footing when it feels like your whole world is off kilter.
Many parents express that they didn’t have anyone they could really talk to about the more personal aspects of this transformative time. When you have a postpartum doula, you won’t have to worry about that! Whether you’re working through feeding challenges, wanting to ask “is this normal?” about a hundred times a day, or you just want some company while you process all the changes that are happening in your life as a new parent, we’re here for you.
I thought a postpartum doula was just for people who have postpartum depression.
This is a common misconception! The word “postpartum” just refers to the time after birth. (If you want to get technical, the postpartum period could really apply to your whole life after giving birth!) Postpartum depression refers to depression that sets in during the year following birth.
For people who are experiencing any kind of perinatal mood disorder (depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or others), there can be a great benefit in hiring a Pittsburgh postpartum doula. But postnatal doula support can make a difference for anyone who feels they could use a little extra emotional support.
Is a postpartum doula basically a housekeeper or nanny?
No, although it can be confusing because there is some overlap between these three roles.
Postpartum doulas have specific skills, knowledge, and experience in addressing the needs of not only babies, but also new parents and other family members. And while we may tidy up and prepare meals from time to time, our primary expertise is not in keeping house. (If all you need is help around the house, there are much more affordable ways to go about that!)
Think of a postpartum doula as a trail guide for your early parenting experience. We are trekking with you and offering the wisdom of experience, access to resources you weren’t aware of, and specialized skills born from walking the same journey with many other families.
What if I can’t afford your services?
We feel strongly that trauma-informed, nonjudgmental postpartum support should be available to everyone who needs it regardless of ability to pay (especially for people with marginalized identities). If you are having trouble meeting your basic needs financially, and/or if you qualify for Medicaid, SNAP benefits, WIC, or TANF, let me know. We are often able to provide some postpartum support on a sliding scale, so please reach out.