Accouterie provides postpartum doula care and infant feeding support (human milk, formula, or some combination) to families in and around Buffalo, NY. We're grateful you're here, considering our services for such a special and powerful time in your life. With so much information, it can be overwhelming to sort through. Checking out our FAQs is a great starting point:

Jump to a Frequently Asked Question:

What is Postpartum?
What is a Postpartum Doula?
What is a Certified Lactation Counselor?
Will CLCs Support Formula Feeding?
How Many Lactation & Feeding Consults Should I Plan For?

Have a question that isn't answered here? Contact us!

What is Postpartum?

Postpartum, also known as the postnatal period, refers to the time immediately after childbirth. Most commonly, it encompasses the first six to eight weeks after delivery, but it may take more like two years for your body to settle into a non-pregnant state. Everyone's experience is unique, and there isn't a one-size-fits-all timeline. Postpartum is a transformative time. After birth, folks experience physical, emotional, and neurological changes, some of which are permanent. That's why we like to say postpartum is forever.

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula is a trained professional who assists families during the postpartum phase, which typically spans the first few weeks to several months after childbirth. Postpartum doulas provide emotional and practical support, infant feeding support (breastfeeding, formula, or a combination), newborn care education, physical recovery guidance, sleep and rest support, and community resources. While a postpartum doula is not a medical professional, they do complement the care provided by doctors, midwives, and nurses. Their goal is to create a nurturing and supportive environment during this transformative time. If you're considering hiring a postpartum doula reach out to schedule a free 30 minute consult. This is a great way to see if Accouterie aligns with your goals and values.

What is a Certified Lactation Counselor?

A Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) is a professional in lactation counseling who has demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide clinical breastfeeding counseling and management support. CLCs assist families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation. They provide practical guidance, emotional support, and evidence-based information to help parents achieve successful breastfeeding. They understand milk production, including special circumstances, and address common breastfeeding challenges. CLCs respect that breastfeeding decisions are made by the folks breast/chest feeding based on their values or goals. CLCS adhere to a Code of Ethics, emphasizing empathy and client-centered care.

You may schedule an at home feeding consult, either pre- or postnatally, to achieve goals like learning the basics of infant feeding, improving a painful latch, or maximizing your pumping output.

Will CLCs Support Formula Feeding?

While a CLCs goal is to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding as the cultural norm on a societal scale, when working with individual families, patient-centered care is greater than breastfeeding at all costs.  A CLC should always start a consult with learning the goals of the client and end with ensuring the feeding plan meets the goals of the client. For some clients, this includes formula, either exclusively, or in combination with breastfeeding, pumped milk, or donor milk. A CLC complements the care provided by a pediatrician, who will guide the family in the best formula choices for the baby. CLCs can assist at any point with proper formula preparation, bottle feeding support, and evolving combination feeding to meet the goals of the family.

Everyone deserves support. Schedule an at home feeding consult to develop your best infant feeding plan. 

How Many Lactation & Feeding Consults Should I Plan For?

Well, that of course depends on your goal...

If you are in the early days and trying to fix a latch, we recommend at least three visits. A new latch usually needs multiple adjustments. It's best to make a few tweaks, and check back in about a week to see how both parent and baby are responding. We find in the early days, too much information at once can overwhelm and feel discouraging, while a little bit goes a long way. Our 3 feed bundle is the perfect start (which includes the initial visit).

After the latch is established, follow ups may be needed for major feeding events to:

• bottle feed (or stop a bottle strike)
• optimize pumping
• reduce feeds (day or night) or pumps
• start solids
• make a return to work plan, or 
• address reoccurring clogs or mastitis

Follow ups can be purchased as individual in-house visits or as additional 3 feed bundles. The 3 feed bundles do not have to be used during just one event. They may be spread out to address multiple events during the lactation and bottle feeding journey.

Of course, lactation and feeding support is always available during postpartum doula support visits. 

Questions about what will work best for you? Contact us.