A comprehensive postpartum doula training & certification designed to prepare you to confidently support families through recovery, adjustment, and early parenting.
Are you passionate about helping new moms, families, and babies?
- You care deeply about how families are supported after the baby arrives
- You’ve noticed that new parents often feel underprepared once they’re home
- You want to support families in practical, meaningful ways during the early weeks after birth
- You’re interested in becoming a certified postpartum doula, not just learning more about postpartum care
- You want clear guidance on what postpartum doulas do and how to support families well
- You value evidence-based information and respectful, family-centered care
- You want training that prepares you for real-life postpartum work
If you said yes to any of these, this certification was designed for you!
Become a Postpartum Doula
The Birth Boot Camp Postpartum Doula Training is a certification program designed to prepare you to support families during the early weeks after birth. This training focuses on the practical, emotional, and informational support postpartum doulas provide, so that you feel clear in your role and confident showing up for families when they need it most.
Birth Boot Camp has been training birth professionals since 2012, and this postpartum doula training is shaped by real-life experience supporting families after birth. It’s built around what postpartum care actually looks like: supporting recovery, answering questions, helping families adjust, and offering support during a time that can feel overwhelming.
This certification gives you practical preparation, a strong foundation in postpartum care, and the confidence to support families thoughtfully and respectfully. You’ll understand your role and know how to meet families where they are.
They Loved Their Training
What's Included In Your Training?
Postpartum Doula Training & Core Skills
Before stepping into postpartum work, this training focuses on preparing you. You’ll build a strong foundation in postpartum recovery, newborn care, and early family adjustment, along with a clear understanding of the postpartum doula role. Through the training, you’ll learn how to:
- Support families during physical recovery after birth
- Offer emotional support during a vulnerable transition
- Help families adjust to life with a new baby
- Answer common postpartum questions with confidence
- Stay within your scope while providing meaningful, practical support
Postpartum Doula Tools & Client Resources
You’ll receive a collection of professional and client-facing tools designed to support both your learning and your work with families.
- A Birth Boot Camp Postpartum Doula Handbook to use as an ongoing reference
- A copy of the 4th Trimester Workbook, a client resource you can use with the families you support
- Practical resources to help you and the families you serve navigate recovery, adjustment, and early parenting
Childbirth Education Foundation
Understanding birth matters, even in postpartum work. As part of your training, you’ll receive access to Birth Boot Camp’s online Comprehensive childbirth class, giving you a strong foundation in pregnancy and birth. You don’t need to seek out outside classes. Your childbirth education is built into the training. This deeper understanding helps you:
- Better support families after their birth experience
- Understand how birth impacts postpartum recovery
- Answer questions with confidence and context
Breastfeeding Education
Postpartum doulas are often asked breastfeeding-related questions, and this training helps you feel prepared to support families appropriately. You’ll receive access to the Lactation Intensive for Birth Professionals, designed to help you:
- Understand common breastfeeding challenges
- Offer informed, supportive guidance
- Know when and how to refer to lactation professionals
Business Foundations
Birth Boot Camp prepares you not just to support families, but to build a sustainable postpartum doula practice.
You’ll receive guidance on:
- Starting and structuring a postpartum doula practice
- The Birth Boot Camp Business Quick Start Guide, designed to help you take clear, practical steps toward building your practice
- Finding clients and knowing what to cover during client interviews
- Structuring postpartum visits with clients
- Creating a website and marketing your services
- Networking and building referral relationships
- Creating a sustainable practice that fits your life
Online Postpartum Doula Portal & Ongoing Resources
Your certification includes continued access to the Postpartum Doula Portal, where everything is organized in one place. This portal is designed to support you well beyond training.
- Sample contract and client intake forms
- Marketing tips and resources
- Ongoing professional development
- Tools you can return to as you support families
Community & Continued Support
Ongoing support is a core part of the Birth Boot Camp Postpartum Doula Certification. As a certified postpartum doula, you’ll be part of an active, supportive community of birth professionals who understand the unique work of postpartum care. You’re never expected to navigate this work alone.
Our community is a place where you can:
- Ask questions
- Share experiences
- Learn from others who understand postpartum support
What Will You Learn?
Receive all of this, your training, certification, and more in one place, for one price.
Choose Your Training Path
We offer 3 ways to complete your Training & Certification. All options lead to certification and include the same requirements and outcomes. The difference is how you complete the training.
In-Person Training
This option is ideal if you value hands-on learning and in-person connection. You’ll complete all required training modules before attending the in-person training, then spend three days learning alongside your trainer and fellow trainees. The in-person experience focuses on interactive learning, discussion, and hands-on skill-building so you leave feeling prepared and confident.
Live Online Training
This option offers live instruction without the need to travel. You’ll complete all required training modules before the four-day live, online training begins, then meet live online with your trainer and fellow trainees over four days. These sessions focus on discussion, real-time teaching, and opportunities to ask questions and learn together. This option offers the connection and structure of live instruction with the flexibility of online learning.
Self-Paced Training
This option is designed for maximum flexibility. You’ll complete all training modules on your own schedule, with one full year to finish the requirements. It’s a great fit if you need to move at your own pace while still receiving guidance and support from the Birth Boot Camp team.
IN-PERSON TRAINING – $995
Who: Spend 3 amazing days in-person with your trainer and other passionate women as they learn and prepare to become amazing postpartum doulas!
What: Our in-person training is a hands-on and interactive experience. First, choose which date and location you’d like to attend. Then complete all of the training modules (detailed below) that must be submitted before your training. Finally, attend the 3-day in-person training and leave certified!
Early Bird Special *Regular PricePayment Plan**
*Save $50 with our Early Bird pricing when you sign up for an in-person training 3 or more months before the training.
**Payment Plan – 2 monthly payments of $522.50. A $50 processing fee has been added to the payment plan.
In-Person Trainings
Upcoming Dates & Locations
Would you like to bring a training to your area? Simply fill out this form and we’ll be in touch!
LIVE ONLINE TRAINING – $995
Who: Spend 3 amazing days in-person with your trainer and other passionate women as they learn and prepare to become amazing postpartum doulas!
What: Our in-person training is a hands-on and interactive experience. First, choose which date and location you’d like to attend. Then complete all of the training modules (detailed below) that must be submitted before your training. Finally, attend the 3-day in-person training and leave certified!
Early Bird Special *Regular PricePayment Plan**
*Save $50 with our Early Bird pricing when you sign up for an in-person training 3 or more months before the training.
**Payment Plan – 2 monthly payments of $522.50. A $50 processing fee has been added to the payment plan.
Live Online Trainings
Upcoming Dates
SELF-PACED ONLINE TRAINING – $995
Who: Complete your training on your own time and schedule. With one year to complete the training, you choose how quickly you move through the content.
What: Our online training is a self-paced, 100% on demand course that you complete in your own time. Your materials will be mailed to you so that you can get started and our Headquarters team is here to support you if you need any assistance.
Regular PricePayment Plan*
*Payment Plan – 3 monthly payments of $334.50. A $50 processing fee has been added to the payment plan.
Certification Process & Training Modules
1
Register and Pay
Choose whether you’d like to do the in-person or online training. Sign up, pay, and immediately get access to your training portal. You will receive an email with your log-in information. Be sure to check out the welcome video.
2
Sign Paperwork
In your training portal, you will find links to sign some paperwork including our Policies & Procedures, Code of Conduct, and Non-compete agreement. Read over these and sign up when you log in to your portal.
3
Complete Your Training Modules
In your online portal you will find all of your training modules with detailed instructions and tips for each one. Be sure to download each module and make a plan to complete your work in a timely manner. If you will be attending an in-person training, you are required to have all of the training modules submitted to your trainer no later than 10 days before your training. For those taking an online training, you must complete all of the modules within a year.
Module 1 – Reading
Read each of these books and write about 5 things you learned when reading.
- The Gentle Art of Newborn Family Care by Salle Webber
- Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley
- Not Your Mother’s Postpartum Book by Caitlin Slavens, Chelsea Bodie
- Transformed by Postpartum Depression by Walker Ladd
- The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson
- Mothering Multiples by Karen Kerkhoff Gromada
- Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett
- Feed the Baby by Victoria Facelli and Shruti Nagaraj
- Safe, Infant Sleep by James McKenna
As an Amazon Associate, Birth Boot Camp earns a small amount from purchases made with these links.
Module 2 – Childbirth Education
Watch Birth Boot Camp’s online Comprehensive Childbirth Class and answer the questions. You will find this in your online training portal. Learn how birth can greatly impact women and families during the postpartum period.
Module 3 – Breastfeeding
Watch the Breastfeeding Intensive for Birth Professionals video that’s included in your training.
Module 4 – Documentaries
Watch When the Bough Breaks & Born Free and answer questions about them. There may be an additional fee to rent these.
Module 5 – Support Groups
Attend two pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or postpartum support groups in your community.
Module 6 – Community Resources
Compile a list of local resources that will benefit your clients.
Module 7 – Read Article
Read the article Postpartum in the U.S. and write your takeaways from it.
Module 8 – CPR Certification
Complete an infant and child CPR certification
Module 9 – Online Training Videos (Online Training Only)
Watch the online training videos in your online portal.
Module 10 – Reflections (Online Training Only)
After completing all of your modules, answer a few essay questions to reflect on everything you’ve learned.
4
Attend In-Person Training/Complete Online Training
If you’ve chosen to attend an in-person training, you will enjoy an amazing 3 days with your trainer and other trainees passionate about birth.
If you are completing the online training, submit all of your completed training modules to our certification coordinator.
5
Receive Your Certification
After completing your training modules, attending your in-person training or completing your online training you will be certified and ready to begin working as a doula!
They Loved Their Training
FAQs
What’s Included?
- Instant access to your Training Portal
- Your choice of a 3-day in-person workshop OR fully online, self paced training
- Postpartum Doula Handbook
- 4th Trimester Guidebook (used for clients)
- Training on becoming an amazing postpartum doula
- Business training
- Samples of our marketing materials
- Support from your trainer and the Headquarters team
- Access to our private Facebook group for trainees
What support it available after I complete training?
- Access to our Postpartum Doula Portal
- Access to Birth Boot Camp stock photography to use in your marketing
- A professional account on the Birth Boot Camp store to purchase materials for your clients
- Access to our private Facebook group for all currently certified Instructors and Doulas
- A personalized certificate every year that you recertify
- Invitation to our company wide Retreat every 3 years
- Access to the Headquarters Team
Should I choose the online or in-person training? Which is best?
Both training options are great, one is not better than the other, just what makes the most sense for you!
If you work best with a hard deadline and accountability, enjoy meeting new people, benefit from hands-on training, and have the flexibility to be away for 3 days, then an in-person training would be great for you!
If you have a busy lifestyle, small children, you are a self starter, work best on your own and in your own time, then the online training would be great for you! You have one year to complete the online training once you register.
Consider how you work best and which options best meet your educational needs.
What if I can’t attend the workshop I am registered for?
If you need to change from the workshop you originally signed up for to a new workshop, you will need to notify your trainer and contact the certification coordinator at postpartum@birthbootcamp.com. There is a $300 transfer fee that must be paid in order to reserve your spot in a new workshop. If it is not possible to attend an in-person workshop, you may choose to switch the online training and the $300 fee applies. Access to your training portal will be removed until the fee is paid and you choose a new workshop.
How much time will it take to complete the workload?
The answer to this question solely depends on you and how your life is currently set up. If you have small children, a full time job outside of the home, a busy personal life, brand new to birth work, or a slower reader, it may take 4-6 months to complete all the training modules.
If you are a fast reader, already in birth work and familiar with the material, or have the ability to set aside large blocks of time to work on it, then you may be able to get through the workload within the deadline of 6 weeks before the workshop.
Set realistic goals for yourself. Enjoy the journey of getting certified. Remember, the more prepared you are for the workshop, the better equipped you will be to help couples work towards their amazing births.
Online trainees have one year to complete the training. If you need more time, we offer a 3 month extension for $175.
What do I do with my training modules once I’m finished?
In-Person Training Workshops: Your modules are due to your trainer 10 days prior to the workshop. Your trainer will review your modules and send back any work that needs to be corrected or completed. Revisions are due back to your trainer 2 days before the workshop.
Online Training: Your training modules are due BEFORE your training expires (one year from the date you registered) When you have completed all of your training modules, you will email them to the Certification Coordinator. It can take up to 2 weeks for your modules to be looked over and corrections sent back.
What do I need to bring to the workshop?
Laptop/ipad that can connect to WiFi, notebook for note taking, 2 bed pillows, yoga mat, comfortable clothing, a jacket or sweater, your own snacks and beverages.
How long do I have to complete my certification?
Keep in mind that there is a significant amount of work involved in this training. There are books to read, documentaries and other videos to watch, the bloodborne pathogens trainings, and more to complete. Allow yourself plenty of time to complete all of the modules!
If attending an in-person training, your training modules are due to your trainer no later than 10 days before your workshop.
Do I have to receritfy?
Recertification is due each year on March 31st. The fee for recertification is $100. We include several educational requirements that will help you develop as a postpartum doula as well as grow your business.
Can I bring my baby to training?
We encourage long-term breastfeeding and want nursing mothers to be included. Training, however, is intensive and requires long hours and a quiet room, so that all who have invested their time and money can hear and participate. Training also requires that all be able to participate in relaxation and various other floor exercises. If you are nursing a baby you must make arrangements to have someone who can bring your baby to you for feedings. Additional space will not be provided at training for your baby and babysitter. This enables both the nursing mother and others in attendance to maximize their workshop experience. You may also choose to pump during training. Please discuss your breastfeeding/pumping needs with your trainer. There are multiple breaks built into the training as well as a 1.5 hour lunch break when you can nurse. Older children are not allowed at training.
