Yusui

10/28/2024

I am incredibly thankful to have had Mary Ellen as my doula during my two-month postpartum journey. As a first-time mom, navigating the demands of caring for a newborn and breastfeeding was the most exhausting and stressful period of my life. Mary Ellen was truly a lifesaver. Her expertise in baby care and her support with breastfeeding challenges were invaluable. Moreover, the emotional support she provided to our family during those difficult times was tremendous.

When Mary Ellen was on duty, we were not only able to enjoy a restful night's sleep but also learned so much from her. She taught us various swaddling techniques, different feeding positions, how to interact with our baby, and helped us understand the developmental stages our baby was going through. Even when she wasn’t on shift, she was easily reachable via text or phone for any questions or concerns we had.

Now that my baby is four months old, we continue to stay in close contact with Mary Ellen as she assists us with sleep training. With Mary Ellen, I felt like I had more than just a doula; she was also a lactation consultant, a sleep coach, a therapist, and a friend. It's clear that she genuinely loves babies, and our baby adored her in return! She has a special knack for interacting with infants—whenever she was around, my baby was content, smiling, and engaging with her, which made me so happily envious.

Qing

1/12/2024

We interviewed several overnight doulas and after interviewed Mary Ellen, we immediately wanted to work with her. It turns out this was the best decision and investment we made for postpartum recovery.

She was flexible. She came and helped us right after the night we released from hospital when we were exhausted.

She is a very experienced doula. When she came first time, I can tell that she loves babies and knows how to soothe crying baby. She taught us many tips and tricks about taking care of our newborn. I felt very secure to let her take care of my newborn baby while my husband and I were resting.

She is very punctual and very communicative. She understands and respects our choices. Every time she came, she first checked how’s our day went and we discussed a clean plan for the night, such as baby feeding and mom pump schedule to make sure both mom and dad get enough rest and sleep. In the morning before she left, she reported us baby’s sleep, feeding, diaper events for that night.

She helped us set up baby’s feeding and sleep routine, which set up a solid foundation even applying to now. she is very good at feeding/burping babies and can provide great support to breastfeeding mom too. Our baby had feeding difficulties and Jaundice, which made us very nervous as new parents but she provided mental support and fed our newborn as frequent as our pediatrician suggested to overcome such difficult time.

With her, I am not only having a peace of mind for recovery and newborn care, but also learned a lot by following her, allowing us smoothly transit to a life with a baby.

Mary Ellen is a experienced and trustworthy doula. Again, I thank that she helped us in such important life event. We recommend her to any family in need of doula assistance.

Stephanie

11/7/2022

Mary Ellen is a godsend! Honestly, I had never heard of a postpartum doula, but as my due date with my twins approached, I learned more and decided that a little extra help would probably be a good idea. And thank goodness that I did, and that we selected Mary Ellen! We had help from both of our mothers, however I have to say that having unbiased help is really the most helpful. That way there is no resentment, no favoritism, no hard feelings if criticism is given -- it's a professional relationship. More so, ME is a PRO in every sense! She has many years of experience and has broad knowledge of modern methods, products etc, and is especially skilled with twins. She knows exactly how to handle two at once and is masterful. My babies absolutely loved her. She helped to teach us how to bathe them, how to tandem feed them (both at the breast and in a twin pillow), and she helped me through breastfeeding and pumping. She helped me set up my pump, gave me tips on handling the parts, storing milk, and even went so far as to make me lactation cookies! Thankfully I had a relatively easy delivery, and I personally didn't need much care, other than caring for the babies so I could sleep! But ME's value comes in years of experience and her wealth of knowledge. We cannot recommend her more. 

Hillary Cohen

6/4/2022

I can't say enough good things about Mary Ellen. My husband and I were completely overwhelmed with our newborn son (first child) and we had no family in the area for support.  Mary Ellen started with us when our son was around a month old and she was a lifesaver from the first time we met. Both my husband and I always felt comfortable asking her any questions or advice, and we were able to call her at all hours of the night when working on sleep training. She was always friendly, kind, helpful, and caring. Not only did she help with all things baby related, but she helped me come up with a plan to wean off of the breast pump, and supported me in so many other ways as well. She often checked in with me and my husband about how we were doing and feeling, and validated our difficult experience. Mary Ellen's support truly felt like a safety net during an incredibly overwhelming time. 

Eleanor Kirtley

2/5/2017

We highly recommend Mary Ellen from our experience with her as our postpartum doula. She was a worthwhile investment for our family and for us as parents. She was just as much a new parent coach as she was a care taker for the baby.

We received tremendous support through our son’s first three months of life. For example, she came by on our first night home from the hospital and helped us prep the diaper bag for the next day’s pediatrician visit. Nope, you don’t need sunscreen. Oh, right – there were so many examples of sound advice and a heads up on what’s to come to keep us informed and prepared. Mary Ellen gave us confidence and comfort in making informed parenting decisions and allowed us to keep up with other professional responsibilities. She was there through all of the post birth changes to Mom and her lactation advice was invaluable. Mary Ellen talked us through what we would be expecting each week developmentally and could identify behavior and minor health problems immediately. While we read the pregnancy and parenting books, remembering the guidance was limited and applying it was quite different. It was Mary Ellen’s half-day visits, three times a week which kept us on top of our to-do lists and feeling like we had an expert on our side. We three are all better off for having had her experience and extra pair of helping hands at the house. We’ll be working with Mary Ellen again as a sleep consultant in the next few months.

Shera Myers

10/13/2010

I was referred to Mary Ellen by another mom of twins. We do not have family in town and were venturing into the territory of first time parenthood. I posted on the Seattle Families of Multiples website asking if anyone had experience with her. The feedback I received was positive, incredible, exciting and 100% accurate.  I met with Mary Ellen while still pregnant and liked her immensely. She is confident without arrogance, reassuring, calm natured and witty. It is clear that she speaks from a position of experience and love. She kindly entertained my naïveté when I told her we wanted to spend the first week home alone with our twin girls. Much to my absolute JOY, after being home the first night and sleeping for only 30 minutes, Mary Ellen was immediately available to come over and help. She met with my husband (while I took the greatest nap ever), gave him pointers, bought supplies we didn’t  know we needed, helped get my girls on the breast and provided additional nursing support throughout her tenure with us.  When our girls became very fussy and started to refuse their feedings, Mary Ellen watched them closely and told us they might have reflux. Our pediatrician confirmed this and was pleased that we’d found someone educated about reflux to help us. When I ended up back in the hospital 6 weeks postpartum with a massive infection, Mary Ellen coordinated with other experienced and reliable doulas to come and be with our family when she was unavailable while I recuperated for nearly 2 weeks.  Our entire experience with her was like this. She was able to anticipate our needs, tell us about upcoming changes with our babies, provide advice and support to us as first time parents (with twins!), help us get the girls on a schedule, and also helped us maintain our home. She is amazing.  If I had to do it all over again, I’d have her waiting for us the day we came home like she suggested!

Angela Smtih

8/18/2009

Mary Ellen has been our peace of mind for both of our children born in 2005 and 2007.  I never imagined the impact that her sound advice and constant reassurance would give to us as new parents.  She has helped us through breast feeding both of our children to bottle feeding, answering every question that we have had with ease and a caring hand.  Mary Ellen is an open book without having to turn a page.  She has helped us achieve a sound sleep schedule for both of our children, teaching them both to sleep through the night and encouraging us all along the way.  Even in the fussiest of time has given us the tools and knowledge to achieve success.  There hasn't ever been a question that she didn't have a great answer for, wether it was in person or over the phone she has made herself available to us.  We would not be the parents that we are today without her loving and constant care for both of our children.   We trust her implicitly with our children and their well being.  Mary Ellen is truly the Mary Poppins of all Doulas!

Glenn Fleishman

8/17/2009

We went to Mary Ellen at wit's end after our first child was born, and we couldn't figure out how to get him to sleep welll and consistently. She had all the right questions--and a lot of right answers. She suggested we try often simple things that seemed totally counter-intuitive, like putting him in a crib for naps when we could barely get him to nap in our arms! It worked. We've referred her to many of our friends who have needed help after birth (don't we all, really?), and had her in for several hours a week after our second child was born to ease the transition.

I honestly don't know how we would have coped without her!

karen moore

8/16/2009

 When I became pregnant with twins, lots of people suggested I get a postpartum doula.  I resisted, thinking I probably did not need one - after all I had friends all lined up to help.   Once the twins were born I still was not convinced of a postpartum doula's value.  However, with the encouragement of my birth doula, I called Mary Ellen.

 What a godsend!  I can't believe I considered doing those first several months without her!  She helped with everything from breastfeeding support, to help with sleep issues,  to washing dishes.  She is so knowledgeable about all things baby related and is connected and up to date on all the latest issues.  Also, one of her greatest strengths is her ability to support and empower the parents. And she was incredibly respectful and supportive on those few occasions when we disagreed.    I did not want to ever let her go!  In addition to all of the practical help she offers, she is fun to be with.  The boys adored her and so did I.  I would highly recommend her to all parents, especially those of twins.

If I was to have another child (which I am not!) I would call Mary Ellen the moment I knew I was pregnant to get on her books.  SHe is truly a wonderful person to have with you as you navigate those first few months with a new baby/babies.

Lynn Warner

8/13/2009

Our family has relied on Mary Ellen for expert help and advice since my first child was born in 2004. He was a horrible sleeper and we were in a state of collapse. We initially worked with Mary Ellen on improving sleep routines (boy, did it work!), but then realized that her expertise was far broader than just sleep. I think I was still in the first trimester of my second pregnancy when we signed Mary Ellen up as our post-partum doula. None of our parents lived nearby, so having Mary Ellen's help was a lifeline!

Mary Ellen helped with everything from lactation and sibling issues to cooking and cleaning. She cared for our toddler as well as the baby and her sense of humor was as useful as her encyclopedic knowledge. I still call Mary Ellen for help and advice, and have found that if she doesn't know the answer, she always knows who will!

Tracey Stone

8/13/2009

My husband and I had the privledge of having Mary Ellen as our doula following the births of our two children, one in 2006 and the other in 2009.   With our first, I honestly do not know what we would have done without her.   Upon bringing the baby home from the hospital, we needed someone to take charge - someone who understands babies, understands new moms, could provide perspective to the continuous question of "is this normal" and help us get some rest.   Family and friends are great, but having a true professional in the house who is up-to-date with childcare topics is immensely valuable.    When we had our second child a few years later, we knew more about newborn care, but still needed a refresher and someone to help us with the transition to a family of four.  Mary Ellen not only helped us with the new baby, but also gave special attention to our toddler son when he needed it very much.   She also was available to answer urgent questions via the phone and provided calm guidance when we needed help.   I wish all new parents had the opportunity to have Mary Ellen support them at the start of the wondeful journey of parenthood.