How to Find a Postpartum Doula in Los Angeles
Navigating the days and weeks with your newborn can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have much support. If you’re considering different types of postpartum care—like a Newborn Care Specialist, a Postpartum Doula, and even a “baby nurse”—you’re on the right track. Here’s some of our best tips to finding a Postpartum Doula in Los Angeles and how to know which type of support is right for your family.
Los Angeles Postpartum Doula
A Postpartum Doula supports the entire family after birth, providing care not only for the newborn but also for you, the parents. Organizations such as CAPPA, DONA, ProDoula, DTI or ICEA (among many others) train and certify Postpartum Doulas, ensuring they have the skills to support your family’s needs.
Not all postpartum doulas are certified, but those who are must meet the criteria and standards of their training organization in order to stay current, this typically involves ongoing education and re-certifying every few years. A certified Postpartum Doula in Los Angeles will provide in-home care immediately after birth and throughout the early weeks and months. They may have additional training in lactation support, infant feeding, infant sleep, etc. and can focus on the overall well-being of the family.
Typical roles and responsibilities of a Postpartum Doula:
Guides you through breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle feeding
Takes care of your newborn while you get some much-needed sleep or self-care
Educates you on newborn care (swaddling, normal vs. abnormal behavior, milestones, soothing techniques)
Teaches you how to confidently wear your baby with a wrap, ring sling, or buckle carrier
Handles light household tasks (folding laundry, washing bottles and pump parts, feeding pets)
Organizes & restocks the nursery
Provides daytime and overnight care depending on their availability and your preferences
Prepares light meals (making you a sandwich, cutting up fruit, throwing a comfort meal in the crockpot)
Runs errands with you (pediatrician visits, grocery shopping)
Assists with sibling and pet integration and support
Refers you to additional support (counseling for postpartum mood disorders, pelvic floor therapy)
Los Angeles Newborn Care Specialist
A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) focuses on the direct care of the newborn. Certified through organizations such as Gentle Ventures, Newborn Care Solutions, and the Newborn Care Training Academy, these professionals often have more extensive training in newborn routines, sleep conditioning and even sleep training. They are ideal for families needing extended overnight care or 24/7 live-in support and often work with families for 6 months to a year.
Typical roles and responsibilities of a Newborn Care Specialist:
Takes over more care of your newborn (bottle feedings, diapering, bathing)
Educates you on various newborn care techniques (swaddling, soothing techniques, infant milestones)
Establishes daily routines around eating, play, and sleeping
Provides age-appropriate infant sleep conditioning
Organizes the nursery
Washes and sanitizes bottles and pump parts
Handles light housework (dishes, laundry)
Does baby-related household tasks (folding baby laundry, washing bottles and pump parts)
Los Angeles Baby Nurse
The term “baby nurse” is a bit outdated and can be misleading, as these caregivers are often not registered nurses. In Los Angeles, it’s more common to seek professional postpartum support from a Postpartum Doula or a Newborn Care Specialist, who are trained and certified to provide the best care for your newborn and your family. If you do find a “baby nurse” we recommend vetting them and confirming that they’re CPR and First Aid certified, and have liability insurance.
Finding a Postpartum Doula in Los Angeles
Whether you’re looking for a Postpartum Doula or a Newborn Care Specialist, it’s best to start your search early—ideally during your second trimester—as they can book up quickly. However, if you need last-minute support, don’t panic!
Reach out today to find a professional, vetted, and insured Doula or NCS. Our unique, heart-centered matching process will provide you with matches to interview prior to deciding on who you’d like to hire. Our team of expertly-trained Postpartum Doulas and Newborn Care Specialists are ready to support new families across Los Angeles. Whether you need a Postpartum Doula in downtown LA, the Westside, Santa Monica, Palos Verdes, San Fernando Valley, or any other part of the city, we’re here to help.
Contact us anytime to learn more about our services and how we can support you through this incredible journey.