About The Mama's Dula
Whitney Dula
IBCLC, PMH-C, CPST, Postpartum Doula (BAI)
A born and raised Maryland DMV girl- I love all things MD and DC, eat my crabs without a hammer, and have an unnatural affinity for Old Bay. As a Black breastfeeding mom and practicing IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), I'm very passionate about decreasing the racial and economic access disparities found in maternal child health.
I began my journey in lactation as a first time mom, overcoming an undiagnosed tongue tie, slow weight gain, and bad latch. These issues were magnified when finding local help wasn't so local. Postpartum anxiety had me on edge about my baby's development, and questioning if I was a good mother. If I was struggling, but privileged enough to find help, surely others were not getting the help they desperately needed.
It became my mission to find and create more lactation providers of color while educating my friends, family, and peers about the importance of breast/ chestfeeding; as well as normalizing perinatal mental health in the Black community. I started my path to becoming an IBCLC in 2018, certifying as a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist in 2019. In addition to TMD, I'm a lactation consultant and health educator working in the public health setting. I hold further certifications in perinatal mental health, family planning, and child passenger safety to help clients navigate their parenting journeys . I'm heavily involved in advocacy as the President of the MD Breastfeeding Coalition. In addition, I volunteer with the US Lactation Consultants Association and United States Breastfeeding Committee. You might find me organizing Black Breastfeeding week events and leading classes in the DC area.
My Philosophy
The Mama’s Dula was born to bring balanced, evidence- based, and culturally relevant care to families in the Greater Washington metropolitan area. Our most basic premise is to bring support and care to the birthing person, and equip them and their families with the tools to be successful in all aspects of the perinatal and postpartum period.
We believe that:
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All birthing and postpartum individuals are entitled to competent care, regardless of income, race, age, ability, gender, sexuality, or other identity.
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You are the expert on yourself and your baby(ies).
We are guided by:
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The Black Birthing Bill of Rights, as created and laid out by the National Association to Advance Black Birth (NAABB).
We are committed to:
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Empowering birthing individuals and their village reach their goals in the postpartum period. This may include, but not limited to: Lactation and human milk feeding, general health and wellness, advocating for themselves and their baby(ies), self care, and mental health as part of total health.
We promise to respect the needs and beliefs of the individual.
We promise to be partners walking alongside you in your postpartum and parenting journey, not the “expert” that expects to be followed.
We promise to adhere to the Scope of Practice as laid out by our respective certifying bodies.