I can't afford to become a doula...

"I want to get qualified to attend births and postpartum moms, but I can't afford the training"

Have you considered the cost of living how you're currently living?
Have you considered the factors involved in whether or not you get a raise any time soon?
Have you considered the cost of traditional college?

Work from home.
School from home.

Consider your education an investment.
Because it is!  For example, entering the Online Doula Training Distance Program with MaternityWise International allows you to get a certification, and your credentials for less money than you would make after serving 1 client.

ONE CLIENT WILL PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION!

Plan ahead and save up.
Everything worth pursuing in life is worth planning for.  If you're like a lot of other women, you've been dreaming of becoming a doula or lactation consultant for a long time.  The process of getting certified is not a quick 3 step process.  You'll need patience and commitment to the learning process.  And many organizations have some sort of payment plan.  MaternityWise often has deals and gives discounts like military and cross-certifying doulas.

Another option is to finance it.  
This isn't ever my first choice, but you can make even smaller payments to your credit card than you can to your training organization.  The value of your training might be worth the extra few dollars in interest in the long run.  Oh yeah, and you can pay off the balance in full as soon as you have been paid by your first client!

Do a Fundraiser.
Use GoFundMe.com or another online organization to help you raise the money for your training.
Are you good at cooking?  Hold a bake sale.  

Have stuff around the house?  Spring Cleaning -> eBay or garage sales
Sell your Doula services or birth classes in advance
Write a letter to friends and family members, explain what you need, and why and ask for a donation or a loan.

Where there is a will, there is a way.  You will find it if you want to.  

People sitting on their couch, complaining about not having money are NOT the ones who are out there changing the world.  I hate to hear women limit themselves with the money excuse.  Stop letting money be the excuse why you haven't chased your dreams!  If you have the will, you WILL find a way!  Brainstorm, pray and go for it!

Blessings,

Anne

Breastfeeding Help and Lactation Support Consultant

When a mother first gives birth, it doesn't matter how many books or videos she has learned from, she will need to intuitively begin to nurture and nourish her newborn according to how her baby responds and how her body provides.  Sometimes, this comes very naturally...  The baby latches on well with very little effort on either party's part.  Sometimes this comes with a little work and encouragement.  Sometimes it seems to not work at all.

Have you considered the vastly important role of the Lactation Consultant?
Like doulas, there are many different "stripes" of breastfeeding support in existence. The doula and lactation training organization that I am with has a program called the Lactation Support and Educator program.  (yes, this appears to be a shameless plug!)


This program is fantastic, because it is so unique: 
Lactation Support & Educator
It's the only program in existence that offers 2 facets:
1. it specifically equips doulas to support breastfeeding moms who have literally, minutes ago, just -given birth.  We are there for that first latch, right?  What if it doesn't go perfectly????  We need to know how to help!
2. to teach breastfeeding 101 classes to the expecting and newly postpartum mother and her partner.

As doulas, labor and postpartum, we usually see mom at least once after the birth as well.  We may be that first line of action when the baby isn't breastfeeding well.  After going through this course, not only can you help to avoid a possible "failure to thrive" scenario, but you'll be rounding out and adding value to your business model offerings.

If we are not the Gold Star of Lactation Support (and by that, I mean IBCLC), how can we possibly achieve the big claim I made about avoiding a failure to thrive scenario?
Well, we are trained to recognize when a latch is normal and we can help babies to achieve a good, productive latch while breastfeeding, that helps them get the most milk at each feeding.  If we find that after working with a couple, the latch is still really not happening, or there is a possible problem such as a tongue tie, or baby is truly not gaining weight, or we notice the jaundice increasing, we can help a mom get medical treatment sooner than later.  This is important, because while new moms might have a "hunch" that something is wrong, they don't always know what, why or how to respond.

I will be in San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston and many other cities to help train women who want to be Doulas and Lactation Support & Educators.  MaternityWise is also looking to add Trainers to their team, so if you are interested in either of these options, please get in touch.  I'd love to hear from you and I would love to meet you in person!

Hugs,
Anne
952-457-6506
annecwj@gmail.com