Jojo Heather-Hammonds

About Me

I’m Jojo, I live in Ware, Hertfordshire with my partner and two children. I first became a Mama in 2016 and then again in 2018.

While training as a Breastfeeding Counsellor with NCT I realised I had a passion for postnatal support, so during the pandemic I trained as a postnatal doula and took a redundancy opportunity in my employed job (running a vegetarian cafe – my passion for nutrition and making good food stayed with me!)

As a postnatal only doula and breastfeeding counsellor I focus on all things postnatal and life with a baby, giving me great experience in this area of work. I have supported over 18 families on their postnatal journeys since starting out as a doula at the end of 2020, each family adding to my experience. I also run a weekly free drop in group in Ware that offers postnatal support to local families, helping answer questions, support with feeding and create social support amongst the attending parents.

I am passionate about changing the narrative in the UK on how the postnatal period is valued. I believe it is a time of rest, nourishment and care to aid transition; the transition of your baby adapting to life outside of the womb and also the transition to parenthood.

I offer sessions in your home providing emotional, practical and informational support. What is involved in each session will vary from family to family based on their needs, but some ideas of how I may support include:

• Caring for the newborn so that you can rest

• Creating nourishing meals for the whole family

• Making time for you to enjoy a hot bath or shower

• Ensuring that your emotional needs are met, by listening and supporting

• Sharing information and contacts on local specialised support e.g. lactation consultants and tongue-tie practitioners

• Support in establishing breastfeeding

• Providing evidence-based resources to make informed parenting decisions

• Entertaining older children in the home

• Attending appointments with you

• Accompanying and supporting you on trips out of the house

• Light housework such as laundry and tidying

• Overnight support

Sessions are usually 3-4 hours and how many times I visit a week is up to you, most families book two sessions a week for around 6-12 weeks.

In addition to my postnatal doula work I run Baby Massage courses and am training in pregnancy and postnatal yoga. I offer all doula clients access to these classes at a discounted rate.

Please feel free to take a look at my website or contact me with further questions and to arrange a chat or coffee to see how I can support you during the postnatal period.