Perinatal and Infant Health Training for Doulas & Community Care Providers
In collaboration with For the Girls Wellness Fund
Support Families From Pregnancy Through Infancy With Confidence
Why This Training
Doulas and community health workers (CHWs) are the people families trust most during pregnancy and the early postpartum months. It’s the doula who is usually there first when a baby is not feeding well, when a parent has not slept in days, or when pain after birth is brushed off as normal.
The initial training for doulas or CHWs is just the beginning of the journey. There are many topic areas that aren’t covered in training, and it’s the families in historically underserved communities who feel that gap most.
This specialized training brings clinical knowledge from occupational therapy, lactation, and physical therapy to you in plain language. You will learn to spot concerns early, support families within your role, and refer at the right time.
Who It's For
This training is for providers who support families during pregnancy, birth, and the first year of a baby's life, including:
Birth and postpartum doulas
Community health workers
Home visitors and peer supporters
Other community-based providers who work with pregnant and postpartum families
What You’ll Learn
The content is spread across the following main topics
Infant Feeding
Infant Development
Prenatal Pelvic Health & Physiologic Preparation for Birth
Sleep & Nutrition
Early Postpartum Maternal Pelvic & Tissue Recovery
What You Will Take Away
Confidence in spotting feeding, growth, sleep, and recovery concerns early
Clear guidance on when to refer and to whom
Plain-language ways to talk with families about what is typical and what is not
Approaches that respect each family's culture and choices
This training builds your ability to recognize concerns and refer. It does not train you to diagnose or treat, and it does not replace a medical provider.
Why It Matters for Families
More trained providers in the community means families get support sooner, closer to home, and from someone they already trust. When feeding, development, sleep, and pelvic pain are recognized early, fewer families wait until a problem is harder to fix.
Meet the Instructors
Dr. Dairian Roberts has a doctorate in occupational therapy, is a board-certified lactation consultant, and is certified in perinatal mental health. She is the founder of Humbled by Motherhood, a specialized occupational therapy clinic in South Bay Los Angeles.
Dr. Sydney Curls is a perinatal physical therapist and pelvic health specialist. She specializes in fertility, prenatal care, birth preparation, postpartum recovery, and hormone health. She is the founder of Dr. Curls for the Girls a specialized physical therapy clinic in South Bay Los Angeles.
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