Melissa Wiedel - Postpartum Doula

About Melissa

My name is Melissa Wiedel I am The Bon Bébé Doula with comprehensive training in child development and family systems. I have worked with families in a variety of settings for over 25-years to include: home, child care centers, medical clinics, classrooms & churches; in public, private, religious, & military sectors. I have a strong passion for supporting families and caring for children. I believe in the importance for all members of a family to feel truly supported during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and it’s an honor to hold that space for others. With a background in child development and early intervention, I bring both knowledge and heart to my work. As a postpartum doula, trained with DONA, as well as a longtime nanny and child development specialist, my foremost priorities lie in helping my clients to feel safe, heard, and cared for. My approach is warm and grounded, offering encouragement, compassion, gentle guidance, and a steady presence so you never feel alone on your journey. Aside from child care and postpartum work...I am a lover of interior design, a master of baking, and my two fur babies, Ellie and Trina!

Availability

Taking new clients

Starting Oct 2026 – Jan 2027, Apr – Jun 2027

Away Sep 15 – Oct 9

Confirmed 1 week ago

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Postpartum Doula packages and pricing

Postpartum Doula Services

You postpartum doulas can assist with your baby’s care, light home care, meal prep, sibling care, and most importantly, support and care for you and/or you and your partner. Postpartum doula services can be arranged during the daytime hours or be used in addition to overnight care services.

$40 USD · Per hour

Postpartum Daylight Support

6 days of 4hr daytime care The Bon Bébé Doula will arrive at your home working 4-hour shifts. Your doula will attentively attend to your baby’s needs. Your Doula will make sure you are well cared for with light meal preparation, light household tidying, and grocery shopping, along with steadfast emotional support after birth. You stay in bed and bond with your baby or shower, while your doula helps wash the bottle & pump parts, brings in the groceries and restocks the nursery.

$895 USD · Flat rate

Overnight Newborn Care

5 nights, 8 hours each night The Bon Bébé Doula can help with: - evening bath and bedtime routine, - breast and bottle feeding support, - pumping education and tips, - newborn sleep education for healthy sleep If desired your doula is available to meet all your little one’s needs during night wakings, including: burping, diaper changes, and soothing back to sleep. If you’re breastfeeding, a doula can support you through education, providing you snacks, and doing a light load of laundry while you feed your baby.

$1,500 USD · Flat rate

Accepted insurance

Carrot Message Melissa to confirm coverage for your plan.

What to expect

The Bon Bébé Doula delivers an extra set of experienced hands to help ease the early days/months following your child's birth to take on some of the physical and emotional load so that you can focus on the important things, like resting, self care, and enjoying bonding with your newest family member. • Overnight Newborn Care • Postpartum Daylight Support • Baby Preparation Assistance • Child Development Learning Support

Reviews for Melissa Wiedel

5.0 1 review

5.0

September 19, 2026

Having Melissa's support during my postpartum recovery was a lifesaver! I will be forever grateful for the level of care she provided to me and my newborn while helping me to navigate a completely new family dynamic. I highly recommend her services to anyone seeking personalized and high quality care.

— Nadea Armogan

Ready to talk with Melissa?

Free to send. Melissa usually responds within an hour.

Certifications, training, and specialties

Trust & safety

Background checked Run by Checkr · Sep 2026 Details

Melissa passed a third-party background check run by Checkr, an accredited consumer reporting agency. Bornbir sees pass status only, never the report. Open the badge for what Checkr screened.

Certification and training

Postpartum Doula, DONA (2026)
U.S. Army Medical Command Early Intervention Specialist (2014)
Red Cross Certified in Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED (2026)

Education

Bachelor in Global Studies at Lesley University, Cambridge, MA (2005)
Masters of Art in Education and Human Development, Infant Special Education at George Washington University, Washington, DC (2007)
Doctorate-ABD in Educational Leadership at Lesley University, Cambridge, MA (2021)

Memberships and affiliations

DONA International (DONA)
National Association Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Languages

English

Credentials

M.Ed.

Specialties

Caring for Special Needs Children

Frequently asked questions

WHAT IS A POSTPARTUM DOULA? DO I REALLY NEED ONE?

A postpartum doula is someone who tends to the informational, emotional, and physical needs of a postpartum parent and family. Postpartum doulas are expertly trained in postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, infant care, family changes, and providing non-judgmental and evidence-based support to your entire family. A postpartum doula helps you learn how to care for your new baby and how to navigate changing family dynamics and does everything possible to ensure that you have the space to bond with your baby. They can assist with light housework, childcare, meal preparation, and will help to make sure you are well rested and nourished.

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NANNY, BABY NURSE, AND DOULA?

While a nanny or baby nurse cares only for your baby, a postpartum doula cares for both parents and baby in the tender and often difficult time following birth. This means that along with helping you become the best parent for your baby, your doula is also knowledgeable about a parent's unique needs and anxieties in the postpartum period and can facilitate a smooth emotional and physical transition to parenthood. Postpartum doulas are trained in newborn care and provide the help or encouragement you need to learn critical parenting skills.

WHAT DOES A DOULA DO- AND NOT DO?

Postpartum doulas are skilled and knowledgeable about the care and development of newborns as well as a parent's physical and emotional recovery and adjustment to parenthood. Doulas provide nonjudgmental guidance on newborn care and feeding, assist parents with their recovery, care for baby so parents can care for themselves, help older siblings make a healthy adjustment, maintain family routines and rhythms, and provide practical household assistance. We can care for your children while you shower, nap, or have a moment to yourself. Postpartum doulas don't do things like provide medical care, administer medication, or advise parents on any medical or clinical topics. Postpartum doulas also don't provide primary childcare or takeover parenting for you. Instead, we'll help you find the tools, techniques, and mindsets that you need to feel successful and positive in your parenting journey.

MY MOM WILL BE AROUND TO HELP- ISN’T THAT THE SAME THING?

Many families are fortunate enough to receive countless offers of help or support from friends, family members, or anyone else eager to get some time with baby! While this support is amazing, it's not the same kind that you'll receive from a postpartum doula. It doesn't take long for most new parents to realize that while they know they need help, it’s not quite clear to them what kind of help they would most benefit from. Postpartum doulas understand what new parents are going through and can often be the first to anticipate a family's needs and potential issues. Because postpartum doulas are trained in evidence-based information, you can be assured that the advice and guidance you receive are up-to-date and in line with infant care standards and safe parenting practices. Your postpartum doula can also help you organize and maximize the support you do receive from your family and social circle and help you create and maintain healthy boundaries with your helpers for a more peaceful postpartum.

How much does Melissa charge?

Melissa's Postpartum Doula Services package is $40 USD, per hour. Melissa lists 6 packages in all.

Is Melissa taking new clients?

Taking new clients. Starting Oct 2026 – Jan 2027, Apr – Jun 2027. Away Sep 15 – Oct 9. Availability was confirmed 1 week ago.

Does Melissa accept insurance?

Melissa lists Carrot as accepted insurance. Message Melissa to confirm coverage for your plan.

Service area

Melissa is based in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Doulas in nearby cities

Gwynn Oak, MD Baltimore, MD Severn, MD Laurel, MD Bowie, MD

Melissa Wiedel Postpartum Doula in Ellicott City, MD