We’re excited to welcome Charley as the newest postpartum doula joining the Baby Nest family! Serving the Vancouver and Portland metro areas, Charley brings a wealth of experience and a warm, flexible approach to supporting families during one of life’s most transformative and challenging times — the fourth trimester.
Her dedication to helping new parents navigate breastfeeding challenges, newborn sleep, and the emotional ups and downs of postpartum life makes her an invaluable resource. Whether it’s through hands-on care, emotional support, or practical help around the home, Charley’s mission is to reduce stress and help families rest, recover, and thrive.
Read on to learn more about Charley’s approach, the common challenges she helps families overcome, and how her overnight doula services can make a meaningful difference during those early weeks with your new baby.
What are some common challenges you help new families navigate in the early weeks after birth?
“Common challenges I help new families with are breastfeeding, reflux, sleep routine, and emotional challenges that come with postpartum. The most common issues that I help with the most are feeding challenges and emotional support for the whole family. Talking to someone during your postpartum journey can help you process your feelings and everything you are going through.”
These are often some of the most physically and emotionally draining issues parents face, especially for first-timers. Breastfeeding, while natural, can come with many hurdles like latch difficulties or milk supply concerns. Newborn sleep patterns can be erratic and exhausting for everyone involved. Reflux can cause discomfort for the baby and anxiety for parents. Charley’s experience means she can offer practical solutions, emotional reassurance, and hands-on help to make these hurdles easier to manage.
Need extra support in those challenging early weeks? Book a free postpartum doula consultation with Charley today to learn how she can help your family thrive.
What are your favorite ways to help parents get more rest and recovery in the fourth trimester?
“My favorite way to help parents rest and recover in the 4th trimester is to help clean and organize their home a little each shift, so they don’t have to worry about doing it themselves and can just focus on recovery and their baby.
Over the years, as a postpartum doula, I have found that organization is a passion of mine and something that I love to do. While the parents are recovering and resting I will be doing laundry, bottle washing, and any other organizing that you need done.“
The fourth trimester—the first three months after birth—is a critical time for both parents and baby. A postpartum doula is there to support parents during this phase is by bringing care, guidance and sleep to new parents. This practical assistance of a doula allows parents to focus fully on rest and recovery without worrying about all the household tasks.
What do you love most about being a postpartum doula?
“What I love the most about being a postpartum doula is being able to support families during a vital time in their family’s life and being able to help decrease their stress. I see this a lot within the first couple of shifts after the parents get that first good night’s sleep, they wake up a whole new person just by getting the sleep they needed.“
Reducing stress in the postpartum period is essential for physical healing, emotional well-being, and creating a nurturing environment for the baby. Charley’s presence helps families feel less overwhelmed and more confident in their new roles.
Want to experience this kind of support during your postpartum journey? Schedule a free doula consultation with Charley and see how she can help make your fourth trimester smoother and more supported.
What’s one thing new parents often don’t expect about the fourth trimester that you help them with?
“New parents don’t often expect how hard the 4th trimester can be emotionally and physically even for parents with multiple kids. Lack of sleep puts a lot of stress on your body which makes the 4th trimester even harder than it can already be, especially when your body is trying to heal from birth.”
Want to learn more about how overnight doulas support parents while they sleep? Check out 7 Things An Overnight Doula Does…While Parents SLEEP! for insights on the incredible support happening behind the scenes.
What’s your go-to soothing technique for newborns?
“My go-to soothing technique for newborns is movement with sound/shushing. This mimics the womb and can calm newborns very quickly. I also make sure they are swaddled and only use a pacifier if the family is using them. For the shushing white noise, I even have an app on my phone if it needs to be on going for a long period of time.”
Do you have a favorite meal or snack to prep for a new family?
“My favorite snack to prepare for a new family is banana bread, or for breakfast an egg casserole. There is nothing better than parents waking up to a nutritious bite after a much-needed sleep.“
What’s something that always brings a smile during a postpartum shift?
“Something that brings a smile during a shift is accomplishing a goal with the baby or mom. Whether that’s getting the baby to latch or take a bottle and for mom pumping, showering or getting some sleep. It’s the little things that make a huge impact on the mental health and experience for a new parent.”
What areas do you serve as a postpartum doula?
“I serve in the Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, OR metro areas. This includes Ridgefield, Camas, Battleground, Troutdale, Gresham and surrounding areas.”
What are the steps to hiring a postpartum doula?
“Families can find me on the Baby Nest Birth Services website and get in touch with me through there. I offer phone or Zoom consultations to ensure the family gets a chance to know me and ask any and all questions. If they would like to hire me as their postpartum doula, they will sign the contract and reserve their due date or begin services right away if their baby is born! ”
Click here to schedule your free doula consultation today!
How would you describe your postpartum doula style?
“I would best describe my postpartum style as flexible since I am able to adapt to the baby’s and family’s needs and systems. Each baby and family is different, so being able to adapt to each one’s needs is important in this job line.”
What advice would you give to someone hiring a postpartum doula?
“Some advice I would give someone would be to make sure you are comfortable with the doula you are hiring. Your doula is going to be in your space and a part of your family unit while in your house regularly, so making sure you’re comfortable with them and that they align with your parenting style.”
Looking for the right fit for your postpartum journey? Schedule your free doula consultation with Charley today and see if she’s the support your family needs.
What’s one of your go-to items you bring for a postpartum shift?
“Two of my go to items I bring on my shifts are swaddles and a boppy pillow. I do have a bag of “try it” items that include bottles, pacis, swaddles, blankets, and baby wraps. These items are available for me or the family to try before they buy them to save them money. Each baby is different and sometimes it takes a couple of different bottles, pacis, or swaddles to find the right one for the baby.”
What would someone be surprised to learn you do as a postpartum doula?
“ I love to organize for my clients. If they have a laundry pile or a closet that feels full and out of sorts, I love to organize things for clients!”
How has supporting families postpartum changed you?
“Supporting families has changed me by having more compassion and more of an understanding for what each woman goes through during postpartum and how different each postpartum experience is for everyone. “
What are some of your loves and interests outside of birth work?
“I love spending time with all my nieces and nephews, playing games and coloring. I’m a big animal lover and also love watching movies.”
The Benefits of Overnight Doula Support
In addition to daytime assistance, overnight doulas provide invaluable support during those long, often exhausting nights. An overnight doula helps parents by:
- Offering expert newborn care through the night, allowing parents to rest.
- Managing nighttime feedings and soothing, so parents can recharge.
- Monitoring baby’s sleep and behavior, providing peace of mind.
- Assisting with light household tasks in the morning to ease the day’s start.
- Supporting parents emotionally, reducing feelings of isolation or overwhelm during nighttime hours.
Charley’s flexible style includes overnight doula services designed to meet the specific needs of each family. Whether it’s your first baby or an addition to the family, overnight doula support can be a game-changer in recovery and bonding.
Ready to experience the relief and support of overnight care? Book a free postpartum doula consultation with Charley today and start your journey to more rest and confidence.
Testimonials from Families Charley Has Supported
“Charley has been extremely helpful, encouraging, and knowledgeable. She has answered all of my questions and has gone above and beyond for my family. My husband is less nervous now and enjoys the fact that he is involved in this. I couldn’t recommend Charley enough! She is kind, understanding, hard working, empathetic, and great at what she does!“ — Alex B.
“When I reached out to Charley and told her what I desired in a postpartum doula, I felt an instant connection with her. She understood what I was asking and made sure that she would be available and assured me that she would be capable of supporting my family’s needs. Not only do I trust her with my baby through the night which allows me the peace of mind to get the rest I need to heal, but she also manages to accomplish chores that I otherwise wouldn’t have time or energy to get to. Hire her, you will not be disappointed.” — Mariah
Ready to Reserve your Postpartum Doula Support?
If you’re expecting or just welcomed your baby and want compassionate, flexible support tailored to your family’s needs, schedule a free consultation with Charley today and discover how her postpartum and overnight doula services can help you rest, recover, and enjoy these precious early weeks with confidence.