There’s no shame in reaching out for postpartum support, they say it takes a village after all.
If you need postpartum support, there are companies in Christchurch geared up to help you get through those early days. Whether it’s a hand with the laundry, lactation consults, a Doula or simply someone to make meals that aren’t toast, check out the listings below. You don’t have to do it all, mama.
Read more: Christchurch Coffee Groups: 7 Regular Meet-ups for Mums and Bubs
Postpartum support services in Christchurch:
Dew Drops Postpartum
No stranger to knowing that there is a need for more postpartum support in the home, the founder of Dew Drops, Jessie, has created a space to help you slow down, and connect with yourself and your baby while they take care of the admin. Offering in-home support services that range from “water bottle filling and snack fetching to laundry, food preparation and errand running, as well as breastfeeding and mental health peer support,” Dew Drops will take care of your needs – without judgment. They even host ‘nesting parties’ to help you feel ready for your new addition, a practical alternative to baby showers that will have you feeling happy and confident that everything has been taken care of before your due date.
Support sessions start from $90 for two hours. See more pricing details here.
Little Bird Lactation
No judgment, just support – registered Nurse and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Kate Barry, works closely with mothers to give them the breastfeeding help they need. Her one-size-does’t-fit-all approach ensures that each mother receives tailored, individual postpartum support, whatever your breastfeeding goals. Kate also has a ton of free downloadable content on her website, as well as plenty of useful breastfeeding information on her Instagram page.
Prices start from $50 for an email; $80 for a call and $140 for a one-to-one support package. More info on pricing here.
Read more: Breastfeeding Support Groups in Christchurch
OPTI-Mum
With a centre in Ferrymead and an online space, OPTI-Mum is a one-stop platform for everything birth, postpartum and wellbeing. Its team of qualified coaches, midwives, therapists and childbirth educators are on hand to help you feel like yourself again, whether physically, mentally or spiritually. Their experts specialise in pregnancy/birth-related trauma, and mindset support as well as birth and education.
one-to-one coaching prices start from $249 for a single session (discount provided for block bookings). See more on pricing here.
Maternal Psychology
Christina Bond is a New Zealand registered psychologist providing psychological therapy specialising in maternal mental health. Her in-person sessions in Christchurch support mothers through their transition into motherhood as well as those experiencing difficulties such as antenatal and postpartum depression, miscarriage and baby loss, anxiety and birth trauma.
An individual private therapy session starts from $180 for a 50-minute appointment. More info here.
Feeding the Fourth
Feeding the Fourth enables you to prioritise rest without sacrificing on the importance of a nutritious meal. “An investment into the postpartum mother’s well-being,” this meal delivery service provides essential nutrition support for those navigating emotional, physical and hormonal shifts after birth. Utilising traditional food preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting and slow-cooking and only using organic ingredients that have been carefully considered to support postpartum healing, Feeding the Fourth offers packages of 10 frozen meals, delivered directly to your doorstep.
Prices start from $260 for 10 frozen meals. Read more here.
Mama Rise
A certified pregnancy, birth and postpartum Doula, Kristen White of Mama Rise “believes in a woman’s power to birth and the profound impact birthing has on both mama and baby.” Her postpartum support ranges from a 60-minute connection call, birth trauma support and a birth debrief, to virtual Doula support to the full package which includes both prenatal and antenatal care.
Prices start from $197 for a 60-minute connection call ($127 for calls thereafter), to $1700 for in-person support packages. More info here.
Women in Bloom Doula
Ashlee Barron, Christchurch-based Postpartum Doula is on hand to make you feel supported in any way needed. Offering services including housework, cooking, and childminding (to name a few), her Cleanse, Flourish and Hourly packages would make a beautiful gift for a postpartum mama, or an easy way to offload some of that mental load post-birth.
Cleanse package: 3 hours of general cleaning starting from $105; Flourish package: 3 hours of general cleaning, plus a meal or snack made prior; Hourly package: flexible options starting from $35 an hour.
www.instagram.com/womeninbloomdoula
Community postpartum support services:
If private postpartum support is not currently in your budget, there are plenty of community resources available to mothers across New Zealand. Whether it’s a referral for a lactation consultant, breastfeeding groups, mental health support or guidance during those early parenting days, the following foundations can be of assistance during that postpartum period.
Bellyful: This charitable trust nourishes and connects communities by cooking and delivering free meals to whānau with babies or young children, who need support. Bellyful delivers enough meals for three nights for immediate caregivers and children, however, they are not an emergency food service and cannot provide long-term, support.
Plunket: New Zealand’s largest support service for the health and wellbeing of tamariki under five and their whānau.
Mother4Mother: An organisation running regular, drop-in breastfeeding support groups in Christchurch led by lactation experts in the community.
Pregnancy Infancy Parenting Support: Free, non-judgmental, client-focused practical and emotional support during pregnancy and early parenting. PIPS also run regular events for parents and their little ones.
Rachel’s House Trust: Based in Rangiora, a non-profit organisation that is committed to the holistic support of new parents. Support includes a drop-in centre, food boxes, playgroups and support from social workers.
Perinatal Wellbeing Canterbury: A community-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to support, awareness and advocacy for parents. The foundation provides free community-based peer support for parents in Canterbury who are experiencing a decline in mental well-being relating to, or resulting from, pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting within the first five years.
NZ Mental Health Foundation: Free information, resources and links on postnatal depression and mental health. Helplines and contacts for immediate support are available on their website.
Miscarriage Matters: Free online resources and advice regarding miscarriage, empowering people with information, advocacy and support.
