What Pregnant and Postpartum Families Need During the Holidays

Across the many years that we have served families through their pregnancy and postpartum journeys, we have picked up on some of the unique needs that can arise during the holiday season. As a care provider that observes, supports, and becomes (in some ways) part of the family system, you have a unique role.

Of course, each family is unique, and your job is to become accustomed to their needs, preferences, and routines. That said, this article covers some of the general needs that you will want to be tuned in to during the holiday season.

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What Pregnant and Postpartum Families Need During the Holidays

1. Permission and/or gentle reminders to do less. The holidays can be a busy and full time, and we typically suggest that families trim down their usual holiday schedule. They may also be excited to engage in new (or old) traditions, but it can also be overwhelming to try to do it all. A gentle reminder from a trusted care provider (you!) can be meaningful. As you support parents in processing their feelings around holidays, you can offer non-judgmental permission to do less, say no, and slow down as much as they need to while they are nesting, healing, and adjusting. 

2. Support in building a realistic schedule or sorting logistics. When we use the term schedule, we aren’t talking about being rigid hour-by-hour. Instead, we notice that clients sometimes need help thinking through things such as: when they can pump while traveling, how many days away from home feels reasonable, how to continue to prioritize rest and recovery in late pregnancy and early postpartum. Doulas can offer some perspective, as well as space to problem-solve and create flexible plans for navigating the logistics of the holiday season.

3. Shortcuts for getting through their task list. Newly postpartum families, especially, can benefit from “short cuts” that can range from grocery delivery to premade meals to using throw away plates and utensils to paying for laundry service for the short-term. Postpartum + the holidays is the perfect time to integrate a few shortcuts that make life a bit more manageable.

4. Extra in-home care. Depending on the family’s circumstances, they may be more isolated than usual during the holidays. If friends or family have plans and travel, a postpartum family may be in higher need of hired care. Alternatively, they may benefit from support in building a schedule for in-home supports or visits from friends and family, working around folks’ availability. Doulas can help families create plans and work on scripts for asking for the care they want and need.

5. Encouragement to hydrate and nourish. The holidays can bring on lots of sugar or snacks, and sometimes folks forget to eat bigger, more nourishing meals. Hydration can also slip through the cracks, especially if the family is out of their usual environments and/or routines. In planning and preparing for the holidays, doulas can make space for families to identity nourishing foods they want to have easy access to (whether that means ordering ahead, keeping in the freezeretc.). Doulas can also encourage families, especially the birthing person, to hydrate and incorporate electrolytes.

6. Mental health support plans. Many therapists and psychiatrists may take some amount of break over the holidays. If your client knows that these supports are important for their wellness, you may encourage them to discuss a plan with their provider in the case that they need support over the holidays. It is also great to stay aware of the different hotlines and mental health support groups (whether virtual or IRL), such as those offered by Postpartum Support International, for clients to access as needed.

7. Acknowledgment and celebration. Families can really benefit from someone telling them they are going a good job! It is also helpful to have someone to help celebrate the milestones and the wins with. As their doula, you can reflect back to families all of the incredible work and growing they are doing together. 

8. Feeding support. Just as therapists may be away during the holidays, IBCLCs may too. Stay aware of additional feeding supports you can share with clients if urgent needs arise during the holidays. This may include local La Leche League groups and local and/or state hotlines, such a Mom’s Place in Austin.

Join Us for Postpartum Doula Training

ABG offers both online (self-paced) and in-person trainings for folks who are interested in becoming postpartum doulas. We’d love to be a part of your journey in offering crucial care and education to postpartum families. Learn more and sign up here!

*Photo credit: Nadine E on Unsplash

Thanks for reading ABG Postpartum Doula Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.