月嫂選擇
About postpartum doulas

1. 海外準媽媽該如何選擇好月嫂？好月嫂應具備哪些特質？選擇上有哪些注意事項？

生產坐月子，是女人身心衝擊最大的一刻，尤其人在海外，更需要月嫂協助度過這段辛苦。好月嫂的定義見仁見智，每個月嫂的專業能力、經驗和特質也都不同，但耐心、愛心、同理心是好月嫂必備的特質。

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台灣月嫂多半受過專業訓練，有基本的照護知識。每個月嫂的廚藝、衛生習慣、母嬰護理、經驗、溝通能力，都是準媽媽在選擇月嫂時應首要評估的。畢竟長達一個月的朝夕相處，人在海外又未必有至親在側，若與月嫂個性不合，在產婦最需要情緒支持的時候，得不到傾訴和紓壓的管道，會增加產後抑鬱機率。

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建議面試月嫂之前，先評估月嫂的口碑，對月嫂的職能和經驗有一定的了解，再和月嫂談談是否能有照顧孩子的共識，對產婦各方面的需求可否溝通無礙。另外，月嫂也是人，也需要睡眠，充足的休息才能有體力負荷長時間的工作時數和日夜顛倒的壓力。產婦與月嫂之間應該多一份互相體諒，協調好輪流照顧新生兒的時間，使每個人都有合理的休息。

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2. 一般海外月嫂服務內容應該包含什麼？

嬰兒日常照護，包括餵食、換尿布、沐浴、臍帶護理、安撫哄睡、常見嬰兒問題排除，產婦恢復之協助、泌乳疏通、三餐及湯水備餐、夜間照看新生兒。

3.  如何有效與月嫂溝通？
在洽談期間，產婦就可充分表明自己的需求，比如喜好的飲食習慣，睡眠時間、希望月嫂特別幫忙的事項。如果月嫂符合需求，可將職務內容寫入合約中。對於月嫂的需求，也應事先溝通好。
 

4. 若與月嫂意見分歧，該聽誰的？
月嫂經驗豐富，應該向客戶提出自己的建議，但最終應尊重新生兒父母的意願，與之商量出一個解決方案再執行。如果是醫療方面的意見分岐，因責任歸屬，應該聽取專業醫生的意見。

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5.  針對找月嫂，是否有推薦的管道？
市面上月嫂仲介業者眾多，但只推人選並不保証品質。建議還是由親友推薦、口碑月嫂、最好親自口試洽談會更有保障。

 

6. 有什麼注意事項是媽媽們一定要跟月嫂提及的？
產婦要事先言明自己家庭成員的飲食好惡，照顧新生兒的方式，是否有親餵母乳的計劃，產婦希望的休息時間分配、實際日常工作內容。

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1. How should overseas expectant mothers choose a postpartum doula? What characteristics should a good postpartum doula have? What are the considerations for choosing them?

The postpartum confinement period is the moment when women may feel anxious, especially those women who moved from overseas. Everyone experiences stress. A postpartum doula could help overcome this hardship and take stress off your shoulders. The definition of a good postpartum doula varies. Each postpartum doula's professional ability, experience, and characteristics are different. However it’s clear that patience, love, and empathy are the essential characteristics of the best postpartum doulas.

 

Most postpartum doulas in Taiwan have received professional training and have basic nursing knowledge. Each postpartum doula's cooking skills, hygiene habits, maternal and childcare experience; as well as their communication skills being the first things that expectant mothers should evaluate when choosing a postpartum doula. If a family member is not close by (especially being abroad), a postpartum doula will be there for your needs. Since the postpartum doula would be with you as a new mom day and night, if the postpartum doula cannot provide the emotional support needed and communicate with the mom well, the likelihood of postpartum depression or anxiety is likely to increase.

 

It is suggested that before interviewing the postpartum doula, you should first evaluate her reputation. You should have a proper understanding of her prior experience and reach a consensus on how to take care of your precious newborn baby as a team. You should assess if there is any barrier in communication. In addition, postpartum doulas are often physically overloaded with long working hours and constant sleep deprivation. There must be a mutual understanding between the mother and the postpartum doula. When appropriate, they should consider taking turns to take care of the newborn, so that everyone has enough rest.

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2. What should be included in the general overseas postpartum confinement service?

The general overseas postpartum confinement service should include daily care of infants, including feeding, changing nappies, bathing, umbilicus care, soothing and sleeping, infant problem-solving , assistance for maternal recovery, facilitating lactation, cooking three meals, soup preparation, and care for newborns at night.

 

3. How to effectively communicate with the postpartum doula?

During the discussion, mothers can fully express their needs, such as their eating habits, sleep time, and tasks they need assistance from the postpartum doula. If the postpartum doula meets your requirements, the job description can be written into your contract. The needs of the postpartum doula should also be communicated well in advance.

 

4. How should any disagreements between the postpartum doula and the mother be resolved?

A postpartum doula usually has rich experience and should make her own suggestions to the mother. Ultimately she should respect the wishes of you as new parents and resolve any conflicts before implementation. If there is a disagreement in medical treatment, the professional opinion from the doctors should be sought as it involves medical liability.

 

5. Is there a recommended way for looking for a postpartum doula?

While there are many postpartum doula brokers on the market, the quality of the recommended ones are not always guaranteed. The reputation of a postpartum doula is vital. Recommendations from relatives and friends are usually trustworthy, and it is always better to have an evaluation through an in-person interview to ensure you are both a good match.

 

6. Are there any precautions that mothers must mention to the postpartum doula?

The mother should state in advance her food habits and preferences of her family members, and the way of taking care of your newborn. Whether there is a plan for breastfeeding, the distribution of rest time that the mother wants, and the actual daily routines.