Here to support you on your journey as a Mother
Hi, I’m Madeleine, the founder of Poppins Postpartum. I want to help and nurture families as they begin their journeys as new parents.
I am a mother of three young children and have experienced what is is like to have a baby in both New Zealand and overseas. Sometimes you don’t have your village of people to support you and I would like to help you feel supported.
Each child is different and each experience is so different so I tailor support that is individual to your needs.
I am a postpartum professional and graduate from the Newborn Mothers Collective. I have a teaching background with experience in nursing. I thoroughly enjoy cooking and creating nourishing, tasty food that works with what you would like to eat.
What I can do for you
I offer emotional and physical support to new parents, including:
advice and counsel
pelvic floor recovery
massage (mother and baby)
breastfeeding and bottle feeding support
food preparation
helping around the house, and
building your ‘village’,
to name a few!
The work of a postpartum doula is varied and fluid, making it all the more magical. My sole purpose is to support women and caregivers during the motherhood journey; some like to say that postpartum doulas ‘mother the mother’.
In the past, the community would come together to support new mothers. Now many of us live in nuclear families and culturally don’t have much understanding of women’s needs after childbirth. Sadly many new parents feel isolated, overwhelmed and exhausted.
I support new parents to bond with their baby and spend time together. I help parents deeply understand their child’s personality and temperament and to feel confident in their unique parenting style. I provide companionship and emotional support to mothers by actively listening, providing a shoulder to cry on, or simply sharing a cup of tea and laughter.
Emotional support is given with every visit and the number of sessions varies depending on the mother’s needs.
I also branch out beyond emotional support, and help to navigate parenting decisions by providing evidence-based information about basic baby care and breastfeeding. Of course, I always make referrals where appropriate, preventing longer-term problems.
Having a baby is a big transition for everyone, from partners to siblings and extended family. As a postpartum doula I am well-versed in navigating family dynamics and use this understanding to support positive communication. I can also assist if the mother needs help setting boundaries or managing visitors.
I like to think of a buffet - various services are available depending on the client and how she’s feeling on any given day. One client might want me to cook food, but another will be better supported with a massage. Some clients will want both, and others will want one thing on one day and another on the next! I do what brings my clients peace and joy.
Creating an environment where everyone can flourish
Packages
All appointments are tailored to each individual so not all visits will be the same. My aim is to provide exactly what is needed. Before each appointment we will have a phone conversation to outline the key needs. This is also a time to decide on whether you would like meals prepared and any shopping done before the visit.
Poppins Weekday - $200 per visit
You will have a 2 hour visit with hands on support, beginning with a phone call to debrief on the birth, understand what has been most challenging and what you need help with. This could be feeding concerns, settling the baby, making nourishing food and doing light housework.
Poppins Weekend - $400 per visit
You will receive 4 hours of time to have me help with whatever needs to be done so you can focus on your baby, partner or take time out for yourself.
This might be a time when I come in and cook a week’s worth of meals, support you both in learning new parenting skills or give you time to connect as a family without worrying about anything else in the home.