Chicago Baby - Fall 2008 - (Page 23) 0-3 MONTHS Postpartum doulas ■ Birthways. Serves Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. $27 per hour for the first 50 hours, then $25 for each additional hour. $2 extra for additional hours. Multiples cost extra, so call to inquire about your specific situation. (888) 506-0607 ■ American Registry. Serves the country. $600 finders fee plus $15-$20 per hour depending on experience. (312) 475-1515 Baby nurses ■ Absolute Best Care. Serves the country. Prices range from $200-$400 per day depending on the number of babies and the location. (212) 481-5705 ■ Stork Plus Babies. Serves the country. $250-$300 per day for a single baby, $350-$400 for twins and $450-$525 for triplets. Or $18-$25 per hour for a part-time baby nurse. (888) 455-1787 during the night, that’s a good thing,” he says. “But that’s it.” Susan Smartt, a postpartum doula with Birthways in Illinois, majored in English literature in college and worked with teenage mothers through community service organizations after graduating. She took Birthways’ week-long training course and while she admits she isn’t offering medical services, she’s learned enough to determine whether something the baby is doing is normal or whether they should see a doctor. “A doula is not a medical care provider, but we can help to say, ‘that’s just a diaper rash,’ ” Smartt says. “The training focuses on how many wet and dirty diapers you should see and what’s the normal weight gain for the baby.” Smartt says most people who hire her simply want her to hold the baby so they can have some space, to wipe down the counter tops, sweep the floors and do the laundry. They also like to talk about their birth stories with someone who understands. Baby nurses and postpartum doulas tend to be hired before the birth and can stick around as needed, but most families hire them just for the first few shaky weeks. Parents of multiples usually use them longer, although Karen Laing, founder of Birthways, says she usually recommends three to five months for true transition help. But the help doesn’t come cheap, and it’s not covered by insurance. Most of the doulas and baby nurses in the Chicago area charge about $25-$30 per hour for single babies and some charge an extra fee for overnight care in addition to a finders fee. Tracy Wilson-Peters, executive director of the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, says the care a mother receives from the postpartum help is priceless. “Coming home from the hospital with a new baby is one of the most stressful and hard times in a mother’s life,” Wilson-Peters says. “This kind of care becomes essential for new mothers.” Danielle Braff is a freelancer who lives with her husband in Chicago. They’re expecting their first child in November and are in the midst of figuring out who to hire for help when their daughter arrives. ChicagoParent.com | Fall 2008 | 23 http://www.ChicagoParent.com
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