Who’s Who in Postpartum Support: Newborn Care Specialists, Postpartum Doulas & Night Nannies
Preparing for your postpartum period by choosing professional support is one of the best ways to ensure your recovery or transition into parenthood is smooth. Whether you are becoming a parent through birth, adoption, or surrogacy, there will be a time of transition when you welcome your new baby or babies into your world.
Suppose this is your first time exploring your options for postpartum care. In that case, you may be feeling a little confused about all the different types of postpartum care providers. How will you know which type of care provider you need? Keep on reading. We explain the various terms used to describe postpartum care providers, and when you’re ready, we can help you choose the right type of care for you.
Want custom recommendations for postpartum and infant care that meet your needs and budget? Begin our easy as 1-2-3 process now!
What is a newborn care specialist?
A newborn care specialist or postpartum doula offers guidance and education to new parents and hands-on infant care to help the family establish routines and healthy sleep habits. Often, the newborn care specialist will manage all infant care at night, allowing parents to rest, recover from childbirth, and adjust to parenthood. Newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas are also available to take a supportive role during the day. Some provide 24/7 live-in support.
Is there a difference between newborn care specialists, postpartum doulas, baby nurses, and night nannies?
Generally speaking, newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas have experience, in-depth training, and certification. These qualifications allow them to offer families insight regarding common difficulties and information about infant care and practical support. Night nannies and people who call themselves baby nurses are often lay-people who may have experience caring for newborns, but do not have specific trainings or certifications. Someone who calls themselves a baby nurse is also unlikely to be an actual nurse. That said, the terms newborn care specialist, postpartum doula, night nanny, and baby nurse are often used interchangeably outside of professional environments.
Is there a difference between newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas?
Some certification and training organizations suggest that postpartum doulas focus more on caring for the birthing parent, allowing them to care for the baby. In contrast, it is suggested that a newborn care specialist supports the parents by caring for the infant, especially at night. In practice, both postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists provide the support best suited to your needs so that you can have a restful and joyous postpartum.
What qualifications should a newborn care specialist have?
We only work with newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas trained/certified through a recognized professional organization. To join the National Baby Co. team, newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas must also:
carry professional liability insurance
provide viable contracts to you, the client
hold current certification in Child & Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid by Red Cross or AHA
provide extensive personal and professional references, which are confirmed
submit to a thorough background check
be committed to ongoing education
We carefully vet every birth and postpartum professional we work with to ensure your family receives the highest level of care available in your area.
What are the benefits of hiring a newborn care specialist or postpartum doula with National Baby Co.?
You want support and SLEEP. Our newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas deliver precisely that. Your postpartum professional can handle the overnight hours with your baby or babies. They’ll offer an extra set of hands and share resources if you require additional support. You’ll not only have the opportunity to get more sleep, but you’ll also have the peace of mind to rest soundly. Even parents who exclusively breastfeed only need to wake to nurse and return to sleep, leaving the diaper changes, burping, and resettling to the newborn care specialist.
Professional postpartum support helps birthing parents recover and heal faster and reduces postpartum mood disorders like postpartum depression or anxiety for all parents.
Your newborn care specialist or postpartum doula manages baby-related tasks during the night so your day can be spent focusing on bonding with your baby.
Are there any reasons to not hire a newborn care specialist or postpartum doula (besides financial investment)?
There are many benefits to hiring a newborn care specialist or postpartum doula and no drawbacks if you have a budget for postpartum support. The important thing is to hire the right postpartum care provider for your family. The newborn care specialist that your neighbor loved and recommended might not be a good fit for you. We know just how vulnerable the early postpartum weeks are. Our maternity concierge team takes the time to understand your needs and connect you with the right postpartum support in your area, anywhere in North America.
How does daytime postpartum care differ from nighttime postpartum care?
Newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas offer both day and night support, and 24/7 live-in options are available.
During the day, your newborn care specialist or postpartum doula may:
offer baby care guidance and information
help you soothe your baby or babies
support your chosen feeding method
care for your babies so that you rest, shower, eat or just have some time to yourself
complete light housekeeping tasks, including infant laundry, tidying up, and washing of bottles and pump parts
run simple local errands
prepare meals and snacks, cleaning up afterward
offer support for various subspecialties: twins and triplets, sleep shaping, infant massage, babywearing, belly binding, etc.
At night your newborn care specialist or postpartum doula may:
assist with baby bath time
facilitate a bedtime routine
provide guidance for sleep shaping
support nighttime breastfeeding and/or pumping sessions
feed your baby if preferred
burp your baby and change diapers throughout the night
share techniques for soothing babies
put your babies back to sleep throughout the night
care for twins, triplets, or quads
Is a newborn care specialist or postpartum doula right for you?
Did you find yourself nodding along to the lists above? Do you want hands-on support while you learn to care for your baby? Are you worried about how you’ll cope after your partner returns to work? Are you committed to giving your body the time to recover from pregnancy and birth? In that case, postpartum support might be right for you.
When you are ready to hire a postpartum care provider, begin the hiring process by filling out our request form. We’ll use the information you provide to connect you with newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas to meet your needs. You’ll have the opportunity to interview each of the professionals we recommend. We suggest choosing the person you connect with the most, as so much of what postpartum professionals do is personal and intimate. You should feel safe and at complete ease with your newborn care specialist or postpartum doula.
National Baby Co.’s newborn care specialists and postpartum doulas cater to a wide variety of budgets. As independent providers, they each set their own rates. You tell us your ideal care needs and budget, and we’ll match you to the perfect fit!
As your family grows, you deserve support and guidance. Someone to hold space, hold your hand, and hold your baby (when you want them to).