The Comprehensive Guide to Finding Newborn Care Near You
More and more people in the US choose professional support for the postpartum period (after delivery) or to help them after adoption. Maybe you’re one of them?
If you have recently welcomed a new baby, or babies, home, you probably already understand the genuine need for support. Parenthood is not meant to be a solo gig. We need various support types throughout the childbearing years, including support from a partner (if you have one), help from loved ones, medical care, and expert professional support. While doula support is often considered a luxury, the value of judgment-free and unbiased expert care is exponential.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep us home and disconnected from our loved ones, safe and professional support becomes more critical than ever.
When choosing professional support for your postpartum period, you may choose to work with many family support workers. We recommend most families choose a postpartum doula or a newborn care specialist (may be called a night nanny, baby nurse, or night nurse). Both work within a broad scope and provide complete care for new families while also providing referrals to other postpartum support resources.
The Benefits of Professional Support After Birth or Adoption
Postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists help reduce the risk of postpartum depression and other postpartum mood disorders. Numerous studies have shown that parents around the world benefit from having social support after giving birth.
Even instinctually, parents know that raising children takes a village. We do not require scientific evidence to tell us that having someone help with our babies or assist around the house is beneficial.
When you have support after you bring your baby home, you can:
Rest as needed
Focus on bonding with your baby
Make your physical and emotional recovery a priority
Ask questions about your body and infant care as they arise
Get hands-on support as you learn to care for your baby
Why New Parents Hire Postpartum Doulas and Newborn Care Specialists
We have noticed four primary reasons people choose to have support from a postpartum professional after their baby or babies arrive.
They know precisely what they need and are looking for someone to help them implement their decisions and plans for the postpartum period. Hiring a postpartum professional means they can expect to have their wishes met and not have to worry about a bunch of fluffy details.
They do not want to be alone in the postpartum period. Hiring a postpartum professional ensures they will receive consistent support and comfort in the postpartum period (and it might even be more fun!).
They seek confidence and want to ensure that they are supported so that they can best care for their family. Hiring a postpartum professional brings security and will prepare them with the skills they need to be successful.
They want to ensure they have all the most up to date evidence-based information on products, equipment, and infant care techniques. Hiring a postpartum professional will fill in household gaps and keep their family organized.
How to Find a Postpartum Doula or Newborn Care Specialist
The two most common ways that people find doulas and other support professionals (like newborn care specialists and sleep consultants) are:
Being referred to a specific postpartum care professional by a friend or family member
Using Google search
At National Baby Co., we provide a third (and simple) way to find the perfect doula for your family, anywhere in the US! Just fill out an inquiry form, and our maternity concierge team will connect you with the support you need. Our easy as 1-2-3 process makes hiring a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist simple.
Interviewing Your Doula Matches
When you choose National Baby Co., we use the detailed information you provide us to match you with 1-3 potential care providers near you. We pre-screen every professional that we recommend and send you profiles. From there, you can schedule interviews to help you choose the perfect postpartum care professional for you!
We make the interviewing process simple by carefully vetting and pre-screening all of the postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists that we recommend. Before referring you to a postpartum doula or newborn car specialist, we:
Verify formal training and certification
Conduct a thorough background check
Review personal and professional references
Confirm CPR and First Aid certification
Receive a copy of their liability insurance
Conduct a face-to-face interview
When interviewing postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists, you may choose to have a list of questions prepared. Commonly asked questions include:
1. What availability do you have?
Depending upon where you are in your journey to parenthood, postpartum support can be unpredictable. You will want to confirm that the postpartum doula or newborn care specialist you are hiring has the availability you need.
Postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists may offer:
Short, infrequent shifts
24/7 live-in care
12-hour daily shifts
Customized support based on your needs
2. Do you have an end date?
Depending on their availability and the scope of practice they work under (depends upon the training organization), your postpartum doula or newborn care specialist’s availability may vary. Ensure the postpartum professional you choose has the availability you need.
3. Do you have scheduling requirements?
Booking shifts with your postpartum doula or newborn care specialist should not be an added stress. Before choosing a postpartum care provider, discuss cancellation and rescheduling policies, how long shifts can be, and how far in advance shifts need to be scheduled.
4. Do you have other relevant training or experience?
You can expect to receive information about the training and certifications of every profile we send you. Still, you may want to discuss your postpartum care provider’s specific experience and additional training. Some postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists are also sleep consultants. They may also hold other certifications or specialize in:
supporting bottle feeding
breastfeeding and chestfeeding
babywearing
colic support
infant car seat installation
5. What is your parenting philosophy?
You will want to work with a postpartum care provider whose values align with yours. There are so many ways to do this parenting thing well. You will have the most success when working with someone who will support your preferences and understand how to achieve your parenting goals best. We use the information you provide us to match you with postpartum doulas, newborn care specialists, and sleep consultants who will be ideal matches for you.
Do you know what parenting philosophy you align with?
When establishing your personal parenting philosophy, you may choose to consider your perspective on a variety of parenting methods:
Attachment parenting
Breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding
Bedsharing
Sleep training
Free-range parenting
“French Style” parenting
Elimination communication
Diapering (cloth, disposable, or both)
Babywise
Ferber method
Swaddling
Babywearing
6. What community resources and connections do you have?
Should you need care outside the scope of your postpartum doula or newborn care specialist, their resource list will be a powerful tool to ensure you get the care you need. Talk to potential care providers about their network. They may have connections with:
Therapists who specialize in birth trauma or postpartum mood disorders
Chiropractors
Pediatricians
Naturopathic doctors
Acupuncturists
Placenta encapsulation professionals
Support groups for new parents
Other professionals who support new parents
What can I expect from a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist?
When working with a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist, you will have hands-on support to help you soothe your baby, get more sleep, troubleshoot feeding problems, prepare meals, or even help with pet care.
Typically, postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists assist with:
Teaching you to recognize your baby’s cues
Breastfeeding/chestfeeding support
Bottle feeding support
Weaning
Caring for baby while you sleep
Infant laundry
Organizing the nursery
Baby sleep tips
Establishing routines
Preparing for those first trips out of the house
Meal planning and preparation
Recognizing Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMD)
Seeking resources for PPMD
Light housekeeping
Playing with your older children
Attending to your baby’s needs so you can connect with your older children
So much more!
Find Postpartum Support Now
Are you ready to meet postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists in your area? You can learn more and begin the hiring process by filling out our form on our Newborn Care page.
Searching for postpartum support does not have to mean hours digging through Google search results. We make hiring a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist easy!