Because the little things matter

ICEA Postpartum Doula Workshop

Welcome! Ready to Become a Postpartum Doula?

Do you feel called to support parents when they bring their new baby home and adjust to the changes that come? Then you’re in the right place!

Our Postpartum Doula Workshop is for anyone interested in learning how to provide compassionate, practical, and emotional care during the postpartum period. Whether you’re starting a new career as a doula or already working in healthcare, birthwork, or caregiving, this training will help you grow.

You’ll gain:

  • Confidence to help families feel calm, capable, and connected
  • In-depth knowledge of the postpartum doula role
  • Practical skills to support recovery, infant care, and early parenting

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula is a trained professional who supports families during the early weeks and months after birth. Their focus is on non-medical care, such as emotional support, physical recovery, education, and hands-on help. Postpartum Doulas can serve a family in many different ways. Here are some examples:

  • Doulas may assist with newborn care and parent care
  • They may help with light household tasks and errands
  • They may provide overnight assistance
  • They may offer encouragement, reassurance, and trusted information
  • They may help parents settle into their new roles with more ease and confidence

The goal is to ensure new parents feel cared for, informed, and rested during this major life transition.

Why Do Families Need Postpartum Doulas?

Welcoming a new baby is joyful, but it also brings questions, emotions, and exhaustion. Postpartum Doulas offer several benefits to a growing family:

  • A postpartum doula helps parents feel supported instead of overwhelmed.
  • Doulas guide parents through recovery, newborn care, feeding, and sleep.
  • They support partners, siblings, and the emotional needs of the whole family.
  • They offer space to process the birth experience and provide helpful resources.
  • With the right support, families gain confidence, and everyone benefits.

Why Become a Postpartum Doula?

If you love helping others and want to make a lasting difference, becoming a postpartum doula may be your calling. Certified Postpartum Doulas through ICEA are trained to respect each family’s values and parenting style.

You’ll be prepared to:

  • Offer emotional and practical support tailored to the needs and culture of the family.
  • Assist with feeding, newborn care, sibling transitions, and more.
  • Create a safe space for questions, healing, and confidence-building.

Families remember the support they received during this time. You have the opportunity to be a calming, trusted presence when it matters most.

Training Details

Location:

  • Varies; see below for current options.
  • Don’t see your preferred location? Bring us to you!
    • Our Sponsor/Host Guide will let you know what you will need to do to bring a class to your area.
    • If you are interested in bringing a course to your area, please reach out to us at debbie@babymatters.org after reviewing the Guide and Sample Contract.

Time Commitment:

  • Varies, Typically:
    • In-Person – 2.5 consecutive days. i.e. Fri & Sat 8-5 and Sun 1-5.
    • Virtual – Weekly for 7 weeks or BiWeekly for 3.5 weeks or 2.5 consecutive days.
    • See specific available courses for specific time commitment.

What to Expect:
In a postpartum doula workshop, you can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role and responsibilities of a postpartum doula, along with practical skills and knowledge to support new families during the postpartum period. Here are some key elements you might encounter:

  1. Introduction to Postpartum Doula Work
  2. Mother’s Physical Recover
  3. Postpartum Emotions
    • Supporting both parents mental health
  4. Family Dynamics
  5. Newborn appearance and baby care
  6. Breastfeeding and alternative feeding methods
  7. Listening and Communication Skills
  8. Business aspects and responsibilities
  9. ICEA Certification information
  10. Replenishing the doula spirit – maintaining your passion

Current Classes:

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ICEA Certification

ICEA wants you to succeed! The ICEA Postpartum Doula Certification Program verifies that postpartum doulas have the necessary education and skills to enable them to care for families after the arrival of a new baby, whether through vaginal delivery, cesarean section, or adoption. The program promotes the concept of the postpartum doula as a part of the family’s postpartum support team and circle of care, offering physical and informational support to empower the parents to make informed parental decisions based on the knowledge of alternatives.

Find out more about becoming a Postpartum Doula on the ICEA website

Steps for Certification:

  1. Take a workshop
  2. Enroll in the certification program
  3. Review the study guide sent after enrollment
  4. Apply to take the exam, pass the exam
  5. Complete 3 client evaluations
  6. Confirm CPR certification
  7. Receive Confirmation of Certification
ICEA Certified Postpartum Doula

Inspiring Words from Students

It was one of the most informative, collaborative, affirming, and educational trainings I have participated in! I’ve worked in the pregnancy, birth, and new parent space for 17 years before finally pursuing my Postpartum Doula Certification. As a hospital perinatal educator, I stay current with evidence-based care and am fortunate to have nearly daily interactions with newborns and new parents. With my experience, I thought my postpartum doula workshop would be little more than a “check the box” activity. I’m elated to have been categorically wrong! Debbie deftly combined an immensely diverse group and created a non-judgmental, inclusive, collaborative environment. Everyone was celebrated for their lived experiences, knowledge, and skills. Three days later, Debbie had masterfully transformed a group of individuals into a cohesive, knowledgeable group built on mutual respect. I immediately applied what I learned and months later, I still refer to the materials. Debbie’s training contains multitudes valuable to everyone!  I can’t wait for my next opportunity to learn from Debbie! 

– Rachel V – Certified Postpartum Doula, March 2024

The postpartum doula workshop was exceptional. I love moms and babies but I knew I didn’t have what it takes to be a birth doula. I was so glad when I learned that I could help after the birth! Thanks for going over so many details about working with a family when they bring the baby home. Learning about normal newborn behavior was great so I can help the parents understand as they get to know the baby. I loved going over the HUG Your Baby info, it gave me a deeper wisdom about newborns. I was also grateful that we talked about what new moms experience in this time period, so much is aimed at the baby that we could forget the mom! Including sections about the fathers/partners and children were very helpful too. I loved all your stories and the hands on demonstrations of things. Your knitted breast was great. I’ll have to make one for myself.

– LF – Postpartum Doula Workshop

 

Contact us for more information or visit our registration site. If there’s no workshop scheduled in your area, let us know—we may be able to bring one to you!