Entrepreneurship

How Experienced Are You?

 | 
June 23, 2025

Key Takeaways

• Newly certified doulas often have years of informal caregiving experience
• Certification combines real-world wisdom with evidence-based professional training standards
• Personal comfort and connection matter more than years of experience

A note/conversation from New Doulas/NCS for families.

When you’re inviting someone into your home to care for your newborn—and support your postpartum recovery—it’s natural to want the best. You may be browsing profiles, comparing certifications, and then come across someone who’s newly certified.

If that’s me, you might be wondering:

“You’re certified, but are you experienced?”

I get it. It’s a thoughtful, important question—and one I welcome. In fact, I believe it opens the door for a more meaningful conversation about what experience really looks like, and what kind of support truly helps families thrive in the postpartum period.

Certification Isn’t the Start of My Journey—It’s a Milestone Along the Way

Although I’m newly certified as a Postpartum Doula and/or Newborn & Infant Care Specialist, I’ve been walking alongside families for years—just without the title. My path here includes:

  • Years of caring for infants and young children as a trusted nanny, family helper, or night nurse
  • Hands-on experience supporting postpartum moms with newborn routines, sleep shaping, and breastfeeding encouragement
  • Informal doula-style support for friends and relatives navigating birth recovery, mood swings, sleep deprivation, and the emotional intensity of new parenthood

Getting certified didn’t mark the beginning of my caregiving—it marked my commitment to deepen it, ground it in evidence-based practices, and show up professionally and ethically for the families I support.

What I Bring to Your Home: Blending Lived Experience with Science-Based Care

There’s a difference between just having experience and being able to reflect on it, learn from it, and apply it within a framework of best practices. That’s where certification elevates the work I’ve been doing.

Here’s what you get when you work with me:

💡 Real-World Experience That’s Been Lived

  • I’ve soothed fussy babies at 2 a.m., navigated cluster feeding marathons, and helped exhausted moms find rhythm in the chaos.
  • I’ve supported families through postpartum blues, colic, early bonding struggles, and the slow return to “feeling like yourself again.”

🎓 Certification That Adds Depth and Safety

  • I’m trained in newborn physiology, safe sleep guidelines, feeding support, maternal recovery, and emotional wellness.
  • I follow professional standards, maintain clear boundaries, and know when to refer you to specialists if something is outside my scope.

❤️ A Presence That’s Grounded, Calm, and Centered on You

  • I listen without judgment.
  • I support your parenting choices.
  • I show up with warmth, humility, and the confidence that comes from having both experience and training.

“But You’re Not a Nurse or a 20-Year Veteran…”

And you’re right. I’m not here to replace a medical professional or pretend I’ve seen it all.

But here’s what I am:

  • I’m someone who combines real-world wisdom with up-to-date training.
  • I bring a learner’s mindset, which means I constantly stay curious, ask questions, and tailor support to your unique needs.
  • I offer something that’s hard to teach: a genuine devotion to nurturing families through one of life’s biggest transitions.

Why Families Have Chosen Me—Even When I Was Newly Certified

If you're still unsure, consider what many families say they value most in their postpartum doula or NCS:

  • “She made us feel instantly at ease.”
  • “It felt like having a wise friend who knew just what to do—but never took over.”
  • “I didn’t even know what I needed, but she helped me feel human again.”

Experience isn’t just about the years behind me—it’s about the presence I bring in this moment, to your family.

Choosing Support Is Personal. Here’s How to Decide if I’m the Right Fit:

I always encourage parents to look beyond just resumes and certifications. Ask yourself:

  • Do I feel comfortable and safe around this person?
  • Do they honor my choices and help me feel heard?
  • Do they offer a calm, steady presence when everything else feels unpredictable?

If the answer is yes, then the rest—titles, years, checkboxes—becomes secondary.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter for Me, A Supported Start for You

I may be at the start of my professional journey, but I’ve been showing up for families like yours for years.

Choosing me means choosing:

  • A caregiver who’s experienced and freshly trained
  • A support person who’s grounded in both intuition and education
  • A partner in your journey who’s here to listen, support, and uplift—not to take over

Let’s talk. Ask your questions. Share your story. I’d love to learn what support looks like for you—and how I can be part of that.

Warmly,
[Your Name]
Certified Doula + Newborn Care Specialist
[Contact Info] | [Instagram/Website link]

Disclaimer: This blog's content is provided for informational purposes only, and does not intend to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any professional, legal, medical and financial or tax-related decisions.