I have owned a very busy doula agency for the past decade.  Postpartum support makes up over 80% of our business and it continues to be a growing demand each year.  Of course our postpartum doulas and Sleep consultants are in the highest demand.  It’s simple, families LOVE their sleep and LOVE all the offerings of a postpartum doula.  Many sleep consultants wonder how to integrate this into their career as a postpartum doula and vice versa.  Here are the top 5 ways that I have seen this happen.

1. Create packages! As a sleep consultant, you can create packages integrating overnight, daytime, and sleep consulting services. You can sell a 2-week package, 3-month package, virtual package, truly whatever works for you and the families. This can be tailored to what works best for your schedule and also what is effective for families.
2. Set clear boundaries. If you are hired as a postpartum doula and your clients are asking for a detailed sleep plan then you can share the cost of that specific plan and service.  Be upfront about this before you meet the family or book the family.
3. If you only want to book your sleep packages then get to know the doula community and partner with a couple of them.  Build strong relationships with them. 
4. Get in front of your target audience. ALL expecting families love to hear about newborn sleep.  Partner with local boutiques, hospitals, and pediatrician offices to offer 1-hour talks to their customers and patients. This should be a hit.
5. Do not make false promises. Families are often desperate to hear absolutes about what will happen with their baby and want to know exactly when their baby will be sleeping. Families have chosen not to hire my agency because I could not and would not make these promises. It is better to be honest and have integrity from the beginning. Also, put it in writing. Make sure in your emails and contracts you mention what you will do and how you will do it.

The postpartum doula touch of caretaking mom, family, and household is such a cherished and loved addition to sleep consulting.  No wonder there is such a demand.

This blog is written by Anna Rodney, owner and founder of Chicago Family Doulas and Birth & Baby University. Anna is a mother of three, a Newborn Care Specialist, Lactation Educator, a Lamaze Instructor, a Happiest Baby on the Block parent educator, a former Hypnobirth Instructor, and Faculty for CAPPA. She trains Labor and Postpartum Doulas and Childbirth Educators through CAPPA. She believes deeply in making learning palatable, fun, and applicable. She has a deep knowledge and an incredible passion for all things birth and baby.