Support to guide you through this stage or to prepare you for the next stage
A Postnatal Doula can support you with:
- Transitioning from being an individual or couple to becoming part of your own new family
- Settling in with your new arrival
- Adjusting to a growing family
- Breastfeeding support – getting prepared before baby is born & support throughout your breastfeeding journey
- Navigating advice from Google, family, friends, the lady at the check out
- Where to find trusted evidence based information & specialist support if you need it
- Accompany you to appointments, first time feeding out & about, first visit to baby group
- An extra pair of hands around the house
- Help with shopping & errands
- Introducing solid food – information & support with this next milestone
- Supporting your mental health – providing a non-judgemental listening ear, being in your corner, sharing trusted resources & signposting to specialist support
If you’d like to find out more or if you have any questions, please get in touch
I look forward to hearing from you.
About Me
Hi, I’m Katina & I became a Mum for the first time in 2009, 6 weeks after moving to Portishead. It had been a long 4 years on our journey to become parents & we felt so lucky. In 2011 we were blessed with our surprise 2nd addition to the family. Two boys within 22 months, a bit of a whirlwind after waiting so long.
It was soon after having my first baby it became clear that the support you have around you makes a huge difference. I found support from other mums I met at local parent & baby groups. I then discovered a love for volunteering for both Cafe Mamma & NCT. I’m currently still volunteering as a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter & also run Baby & Me, a parent support group, alongside Gordano Valley Church & Portishead Children’s Centre.
As a parent you’re always looking for good information in amongst everything you see online & everything you’re told by well meaning family, friends & even strangers. It’s also a time where you could do with that extra pair of hands & also a non-judgmental listening ear. A doula can help you work through all this information & help support you in your own choices. Doulas have the time to listen & are available to offer 1-2-1 support.
- Parent Support Group Leader – Baby & Me – since March 2019
- Founder of Portishead Parent website – since February 2016
- Partnership Group Member – Portishead Children’s Centre – since 2012
- Breastfeeding Peer Supporter – Cafe Mamma – since December 2009
Training & Experience
- Certified Breastfeeding Specialist – February 2022
- BASIS, Durham University – Normal Infant Sleep – June 2021
- BASIS, Durham University – SIDS & Sleep Safety – May 2021
- ABA Infant Feeding Helper Training – May 2021Paediatric First Aid – May 2021
- Colic ,Reflux & Infant Allergies OCN Level 4 – March 2021
- Listening Skills – November 2020
- First Aid at Work – September 2020
- Holistic Sleep Coaching Mini Course – June 2020
- Adore Your Pelvic Floor Training – June 2020
- Connect 5 Mental Health Training – January 2020
- Applied Suicide Intervention Training – October 2019
- Mental Health First Aid – September 2019
- Birth Bliss Academy Aspiring Doula Foundation Course – January 2017
- NCT Star Awards – South West Regional Winner – Parent Support – 2016
- Breastfeeding Peer Support Training Course – Real Baby Milk – December 2012
- Parent Support Co-ordinator & other roles – NCT North Somerset Branch – 2010 – 2019
- Breastfeeding Peer Support Training – Portishead Community Midwifes – November 2009
Gift Voucher
With a gift voucher they can chose what they would find most useful: a 1-2-1 workshop, 3 hours of support or a package of hours for regular support.
- Work colleagues – something useful they will really appreciate
- Employers – to show you value them while they are on maternity leave
- Family – when you don’t live nearby & can’t help out regularly
- Friends – you’d really love to help out, but you don’t have the time
