Mary Lanese - Postpartum Doula

About Mary

Adding a new baby to your home, whether it was through naturally conceiving, through fertility treatments, surrogacy or adoption, is a life-changing moment and you need support. My team and I can help! You don’t have to start your journey alone! My name is Mary and I am a CAPPA certified postpartum doula with additional training in perinatal nutrition. I was introduced to this amazing work over 20 years ago and realized my true calling is supporting and empowering families during their postpartum transition. I love the outdoors; my hobbies include hiking, kayaking and camping and I am an avid animal lover. I am also a music and trivia nerd. I am a mom and stepmom to five amazing (adult) children and I look forward to the opportunity of serving your family. As postpartum doulas, my team is here to support and guide you as your family explores this new terrain, commonly referred to as the fourth trimester. This term, coined by Dr. Harvey Karp, denotes the 3 months following your baby’s birth and is a time of great physical and emotional change as your baby(ies) adjusts to life outside the womb. It is also the transition period that families undergo as they adjust to life with a new baby. My team takes pride in providing you space to rest, recover, and bond with your new bundle(s) of joy while providing newborn care and tackling household tasks such as meal preparation, laundry, dishes etc. I offer non-judgemental, evidence-based support for you and your family as we believe parenthood looks different for every family. Our goals are to instill confidence in your decisions and empower you and your family as you navigate your way through the fourth trimester. Every family deserves care that is evidence-based, emotionally safe and inclusive regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or ability. I am absolutely honored to have the pleasure to serve Dayton, Cincinnati and the surrounding communities.

Postpartum Doula packages and pricing

Baby Basics Package

includes: 20 hours in-home postpartum care Text support for 7 days after contract ends prenatal postpartum planning

$900 USD · Flat rate

An Extra Hand Package

includes: 40 hours in-home postpartum care text support for 14 days after contract ends prenatal postpartum planning

$1,800 USD · Flat rate

Building Confidence Package

Includes: 80 hours in-home daytime postpartum care Text support for 30 days after contract ends Prenatal postpartum planning  4-hour nesting/nursery set up session

$3,600 USD · Flat rate

What to expect

As a postpartum doula I will provide evidenced-based information and support on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, parent-baby bonding, infant soothing, basic newborn care, overnight care and so much more. Some parents need sleep, some need feeding help, some need laundry or dishes done, and some simply need to talk. I am here for it all and when something is a bit out of my scope of knowledge and practice, I have the appropriate resources to guide you in the right direction.

Reviews for Mary Lanese

5.0 3 reviews

5.0

March 15, 2024

Mary is very helpful and caring doula. She supported me with tasks around the house and also emotionally. Highly recommend.

— Marika H.

5.0

October 9, 2023

I hired Mary as a post partum evening doula. She is thoughtful, laidback and willing to do anything to help make life easier. While my son slept, she did laundry and light cleaning. This was a lifesaver! Mary has a calming presence about her and I was able to get good sleep knowing my son was in good hands. Once my son started sleeping through the night, Mary came over during the day to give me some reprieve. She did a great job at sticking to the schedule we followed and I loved watching her interact with my son (she made sure to do lots of tummy time). Mary will take great care of you and you child! She is trustworthy, prompt and enjoyable to work with!

— Halle M.

5.0

October 9, 2023

Mary has been such a saver as we were going through the first few weeks with our first baby. She is a great listener and truly does justice to the role of a doula, supporting the mother in this life changing experience. She also provided such great support to dad and baby (so loving and patient), helped with the house tasks we did not have time to do, so we can focus on the baby or ourselves. Mary is truly impressive, how much she can accomplish in such a short period of time and last but not least, I have loved how she has been non judgmental all along. We are forever grateful for Mary in our lives, and are so happy we had booked her ahead of time. Thank you Mary, we will miss you!

— Mathilde F.

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Certifications, training, and specialties

Certification and training

Postpartum doula certification (2020)
Birth doula training (1998)

Memberships and affiliations

Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association (CAPPA)

Languages

English

Credentials

CPP

Specialties

Babywearing Birth Doula Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breastfeeding Support Early Parenting Educator Exclusive Pumping/Bottle Feeding Infant Care Labor Doula LGBTQ+ Multiples Natural Birth Newborn Care Newborn Prep Overnight Newborn Care Parenting Support Postpartum Adjustment Postpartum Care Postpartum Doula Care Postpartum Life Returning to work (pumping, breastmilk storage, etc)

Frequently asked questions

Who typically uses postpartum care?

First-time parents; Parents of multiples; Cesarean section birth/recovery; Families with little local support; Women who want to breastfeed; Families with other young children; Birthing people at risk for or experiencing postpartum depression & anxiety; Premature births/babies; Parents who have experienced difficult deliveries; Babies with colic or reflux; Families with high anxiety levels; Babies with special needs; New parents with limited experience with newborns; Mothers who have been on bed rest throughout pregnancy; New parents with no family nearby. I serve families of all shapes and sizes, from every walk of life. Single parents by choice, LGBTQ+, adoptive parents, and families welcoming their babies through surrogacy. I strive to bring the best support to your family, without a specific approach to parenting, as this is your turn to make decisions about what is best for your family.

Is there a best time to use a postpartum doula ?

The first few weeks are when you can benefit the most from having knowledgeable helpers in your home. Having a doula there the first couple days can make days 3, 4, & 5 (when your milk typically arrives) much more manageable, help partners and extended family understand how to make the best team of care, and be there for reassurance when things seem to hit the fan. I also serve many families during 3-8 weeks, when babies tend to ramp up their fussy times. This is often a time of problem-solving and getting some much-needed rest when it seems like things will never change (they will!). Many parents are in tears during this time, asking for help as things are just so much harder than they expected. I can fill the gaps in family support; as grandparent support comes and goes there is often a transition time where only a little help is needed until families are doing well on their own. The care level is different for every family, and I will customize the care plan for each family’s particular needs. Sometimes just one or two visits is needed, other times families want ongoing doula support for weeks or even months.

Can you help after a c-section surgery?

Yes! I can be your hands and feet while you recover. I make food, do dishes, wash and fold laundry, change bedding, and generally take care of the family while everyone rests and recovers from surgery plus the exhausting hospital stay and adjusts to newborn life. Think of me as the bedside nurse that you get to take home (minus the RN part). I can run back and forth with everything you need so you don’t have to get out of bed, I can educate family members on typical recovery length—and hopefully help shorten your recovery time.

How do you help with vaginal births?

I encourage all families to rest after the birth, and if you had a vaginal delivery it is important to get off your feet sometimes. I can do all the above listed things, plus set up your sitz baths, peri bottles, and help position baby for feeds that allows you to rest your sorest parts. I can help organize your time so visitors come at the most helpful times, and you have time to really bond and connect to your baby.