Meet Your Postpartum Power Duo: Postpartum Doula & IBCLC By Annie from Doulacta

Early postpartum is a tender, intense time. New parents don’t just need information—they need a team to walk alongside them. Two key players in that team are the postpartum doula and the IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).

A new mother is recovering physically and also entering matrescence—a powerful identity shift that reshapes how she sees herself, her relationships, and the world. She’s meeting her baby for the first time—and also meeting a new version of herself.

What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?

A postpartum doula isn’t a healthcare provider, but she knows what to expect during recovery and how to guide parents through newborn care. She helps “mother the mother” by offering practical support, emotional reassurance, and a calm presence during this big transition. She also coaches parents on how to care for their baby—building their confidence and helping them feel capable and connected. Many doulas also involve the partner, encouraging shared caregiving from the start.

One of the most valuable things a doula brings is a trusted network—referrals to IBCLCs, pediatricians, pelvic floor therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopathic doctors, and others who support the family’s healing journey. She may not know it all, but she does know who to call.

What Does an IBCLC Do?

IBCLCs are certified experts in lactation care. They assess latch and milk transfer, help troubleshoot supply concerns, and support families through common breastfeeding challenges. They provide individualized feeding plans and follow-up, always centering the family’s unique goals.

But their work doesn’t stop with breastfeeding. IBCLCs also help families prepare for transitions—like returning to work, introducing bottles, supplementing when needed, or even weaning. Whether parents are exclusively breastfeeding, combo feeding, or using donor milk or formula, an IBCLC can help make the process feel informed, flexible, and supported.

Stronger Together

Since so much of the early postpartum focus revolves around feeding, I often recommend that all parents meet with an IBCLC before baby arrives. A prenatal consult can answer questions, set realistic expectations, and offer tools to help navigate those early days with more confidence.

After birth, it’s ideal to have an IBCLC visit within the first 1–2 days, and again around days 3–4. Just a couple of early check-ins can ease anxiety, catch small issues before they grow, and help families feel supported and empowered.

When doulas and IBCLCs work together, we offer wraparound care that supports families both emotionally and clinically. A doula might notice subtle signs of feeding challenges and refer early. An IBCLC can create a personalized feeding plan—while the doula continues to nurture the family's confidence and well-being.

So here’s the takeaway: Just like you prepared for birth, it’s a great idea to prepare for postpartum. Start by interviewing postpartum doulas and IBCLCs during pregnancy so you’re not scrambling once the baby arrives. The right team can help you feel more confident, more connected, and more supported every step of the way.

Build a support team you trust—people who will walk with you, guide you, and empower you to be the parent you want to be. This kind of connection-based care can prevent burnout, reduce anxiety, and help parents feel seen, heard, and held.

Because no one should have to do this alone.

About the Author:

Annie is a postpartum doula and lactation educator based in San Diego, California. Born in the U.S. and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, she brings a bilingual, bicultural lens to the way she supports families—blending warmth, empathy, and practicality. Before stepping into the world of birthwork, Annie earned an MBA and worked in project management, HR, and sales—so she knows what it’s like to juggle life, work, and motherhood.

Through her practice, Doulacta, she offers compassionate, evidence-based care, leads local breastfeeding and postpartum support groups across San Diego, and facilitates workshops for new and expecting parents—both in person and virtually.

📍 www.doulacta.com | 📸 @doulacta_annie