Half Moon Doulas: How Amanda Bastos Helps Families Rest, Recover, and Thrive

Interview by Heather Anderson

Amanda Bastos of Half Moon Doulas

When Amanda Bastos moved from Brazil to the United States in 2008, she didn’t know she was laying the foundation for a career that would touch hundreds of families. What started as work as a nanny quickly grew into a lifelong passion for supporting newborns and their parents. By 2016, Amanda had trained as a postpartum doula—and nearly a decade later, she now leads Half Moon Doulas, an agency offering parents peace of mind and doulas the chance to thrive.


You first came to the U.S. from Brazil in 2008. Can you take us back to that moment? What drew you into working with families and newborns, and how did that evolve into becoming a postpartum doula?

When I arrived in 2008, I started working as a nanny for a Brazilian family and stayed with them for five years. Then I worked with an American family for another five years. In 2016, I decided to take classes to become a postpartum doula.

I’ve always had a passion for newborns, and I’m also a night owl—I naturally like to be awake at night and sleep during the day—so the fit was perfect. Once I started working as a doula, I never stopped. Almost 10 years later, I can’t imagine doing anything else.


Eighteen years later, you’ve built Half Moon Doulas into an agency model. What inspired you to make that shift from working one-on-one to creating a team that supports more families?

As a solo doula, I was at capacity quickly. Families kept reaching out through word of mouth, but there was only one of me. I started referring them to other doulas I trusted—friends, colleagues, many from my Brazilian community—and realized I was already doing the work of connecting families and doulas.

Forming an agency was the natural next step. It allows me to serve more families without turning anyone away, and it gives newer doulas the support and leads they need to grow. I love being a matchmaker—it helps parents feel confident and helps doulas find work.


You’re not just a postpartum doula—you also incorporate elements of sleep training. Why was it important for you to add sleep support into your work?

Sleep is one of the biggest challenges for new parents. If the baby isn’t sleeping, the whole family struggles. With my experience and mentorship from doulas with over 30 years in the field, I’ve developed techniques that help babies build healthy sleep habits.

I don’t promise miracles—every baby is unique—but most of the families I’ve worked with see their babies sleeping through the night by around 12 weeks. And when parents are able to rest, they’re healthier, calmer, and better able to enjoy those first months with their baby.

Parenthood is beautiful, but it can also feel overwhelming—especially those first few weeks home with a baby. What are some of the most common struggles you see new moms and dads facing?

The biggest one is lack of sleep. Parents are exhausted and trying to function without rest.

Many families here don’t have extended family nearby, so they feel isolated without the kind of help their parents or grandparents might have had.

Breastfeeding can also be frustrating—so many moms want to do it, but it doesn’t always come naturally. And then there’s the emotional side: the exhaustion, the self-doubt, the stress of wanting to do everything right.

A doula can’t take away every challenge, but we can ease the load and help parents feel supported.

“Don’t try to do it all alone. Parenthood is easier and more joyful when you have support.”
— Amanda Bastos

Sometimes there’s pressure for parents to “know it all” right away. How do you reassure families that it’s okay to need extra support?

Especially for first-time parents, there’s no way you can know everything from the start. Babies don’t come with a manual!

I remind families that it’s perfectly normal to have questions—sometimes moms ask me things for hours. They’re grateful for the tips, and I love being able to share knowledge so they feel less alone.

You’ve now trained and led other doulas under the Half Moon Doulas umbrella. What values or qualities do you look for when bringing someone onto your team?

First, I make sure they’re qualified—I check certifications, references, and background checks. But beyond that, I look at their heart.

Some doulas are especially skilled with lactation, others with sleep, others with emotional support. I want to know they’re reliable, compassionate, and flexible—because every family is different.

I also run a WhatsApp network with more than 50 doulas, where we share resources and classes. It’s important to me that Half Moon Doulas isn’t just a placement service—it’s a community.

Many moms might wonder—what’s the difference between hiring an individual doula and working with an agency like yours?

On the surface, there’s no difference—you’re still paired with one individual doula who comes to your home and supports your family. The benefit is peace of mind.

We do all the vetting for you: checking references, certifications, and experience. If your doula gets sick or has to travel, we have backup support. And there are no extra fees—families don’t pay more for coming through an agency. It’s all about making the process simpler and safer.

For someone who’s never hired a postpartum doula, what does it actually look like in practice?

It depends on the family, but most contracts are at least four weeks. The hardest stretch is those first six weeks when babies are feeding constantly, so that’s when support makes the biggest difference.

Sometimes families hire me before birth, knowing they’ll want help right away. Sometimes they call when their baby is two weeks old and they’re desperate for rest. I often come in the evenings, do the bedtime routine, and stay overnight so parents can sleep.

For families that continue with me up to 12 weeks, I usually get their baby sleeping through the night. Others may just want short-term help with recovery, feeding, or adjusting. Every family is different, so I adapt to what they need.

Looking back over all the families you’ve supported, is there a story that really sticks with you as a reminder of why you do this work?

One of my favorite stories is a family I worked with for years. I first cared for their son, then for their twins—my very first twin job. I stayed with them for five months and had the twins sleeping through the night by three months.

Because I already knew the family, everything felt natural and smooth. Later, I also supported their relatives, so in total I cared for seven babies in that extended family. Seeing the children grow and still receiving photos years later is such a gift. It reminds me how much trust families place in me—and how joyful this work really is.

You often describe parenthood as a journey filled with love, laughter, and adventure. What’s one piece of advice you’d offer new parents so they can embrace that joy even on the hardest days?

Don’t try to do it all alone. Parenthood is easier and more joyful when you have support.

When you can rest, when you know your baby is safe and cared for, you’re able to enjoy the magical moments instead of just surviving. Reaching out for help isn’t a weakness—it’s what allows you to show up as your best self for your baby.

For families who are curious about getting support, what’s the best way to start with Half Moon Doulas?

If you’re not sure whether a doula is right for you, I offer free phone consultations so you can ask questions and see what feels like the best fit.

Some families also book one-time home visits—just a few hours of guidance can make a huge difference when you’re overwhelmed.

Connect with Amanda Bastos on Facebook.

You can also find her on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with Amanda inside The Club membership for women founders.

Heather Anderson