Feast or Famine: How to Make the Slow Doula Months Work for You
Life as a doula isn’t always steady. Some months feel like a nonstop rush with back-to-back births, client calls, and countless postpartum visits… and then there are months when everything seems to slow to a crawl. The feast and famine cycle in doula work is oh so common, but it can be exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes downright stressful. But in our opinion, the slow months aren’t a problem. They’re actually a gift. A chance to catch your breath, reset, and set yourself up for the busy months ahead. Here are some practical ways to use the slow months to your advantage and set you up for when business gets busy again!
Use the Famine to Fuel the Feast
Slow months are the perfect time to revamp or set up systems that make your busy months feel easier. Take this time to update your inquiry form, intake forms, contracts, and client documents so everything runs smoothly when your calendar is full. Another way you can prepare is to plan your marketing content now… think social media content and email newsletter. Brainstorm your ideas and start writing and scheduling content so that you don’t have to think about it in the coming months. By doing this work while it’s quiet, you’ll save yourself stress later and be ready to show up fully for clients when the next “feast” hits.
Grow Your Skills During Slow Months
Use this downtime as a chance to level up on your doula skills. Take a new workshop or finish the assignments for a certification already in progress. This can also be a time to connect with other doulas! Learning from others’ experiences now means you’ll be sharper and more prepared when things pick up again.
Self-Care Is a Business Strategy
It’s easy to see slow months as a “gap” in productivity, but they’re actually essential for your long-term success as a doula. Doula burnout is real, and therefore rest, recovery, and downtime are NECESSARY. The slow months are a nice break from being on call 24/7 and a great opportunity to do the things that refill your cup. Plan a weekend away or a date night with your sweetie. Get an extra-long massage or take some yoga classes. Prioritize catching up on sleep, hobbies, and time with loved ones that may get sent to the back burner when you’re spending lots of time on call.
Explore New Opportunities
Slow months are low-pressure windows to experiment. Brainstorm side projects, new offerings, or passive income streams. Maybe you’ve been thinking about teaching classes, or creating a document to sell for passive income. Take this time to create and test them out while your schedule allows space. You can also volunteer, host workshops, or mentor newer doulas, all of which strengthens your network, builds visibility, and positions you as a trusted expert in your community.
Network, Network, Network
Slow months are the perfect time to build and strengthen your professional connections. Set up networking appointments with a local obstetrician or pediatrician. Not sure where to get started? Take our Networking with Care Providers Workshop! Reach out to other doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, and birth workers in your area. Attend local birthworker meetups. Check in with colleagues you haven’t spoken to in a while with a simple hello, a collaboration idea, or even sharing a resource, can spark opportunities down the road. Strong networks don’t just help fill your calendar; they create support systems that make the feast months easier to navigate. The connections you nurture now can lead to referrals, collaborations, and new clients in the months ahead.
Plan for Consistency
Even when things are slow, maintaining consistent habits keeps your business visible and alive. Send thoughtful follow-up emails, post on social media, blog regularly, or check in with past clients. Keep a rhythm for networking, content creation, and community building. These small, steady actions add up and ensure that when the next busy stretch arrives, you’re not scrambling. Your client pipeline and professional presence stay strong all year long.
Use the slow months to grow, create, and invest in yourself in ways that matter. Take bold steps, try new things, and lean into the opportunities this time off call can give you. Keep showing up for your business even when the calendar looks and feels empty. You have the skills, the heart, and the drive to make this a year of impact, connection, and growth… now is your moment to claim it!