A night doula, or a postpartum night doula, is a trained professional who provides non-medical support to families with a newborn during nighttime. They help the new parents to navigate the transition to parenthood by assisting them in caring for their baby and providing emotional support.
As a new parent, getting a good night’s sleep can seem like a distant memory. Taking care of a newborn is a round-the-clock job, leaving little time for rest and recovery. This is where a night doula can help. A night doula is a trained professional who provides support and assistance to new parents during the night shift.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Night Doula
The role of a night doula is to provide support and comfort to new parents, allowing them to get the rest they need to recover and adjust to their new lives. Some of the specific responsibilities of a night doula include:
- Feeding Assistance: One of the primary responsibilities of a night doula is to assist with night-time feedings. This can include offering guidance on breastfeeding or bottle feeding, preparing bottles, and making sure the baby is getting enough to eat in a safe and comfortable environment. Night doulas are very useful in teaching the technique of breastfeeding latch.
- Sleep Support: Another essential role of a night doula is to provide support for parents to get the rest they need. They can help with putting the baby to sleep, changing diapers, and soothing the baby when they wake up. They also ensure that the parents’ sleeping environment is quiet and conducive to rest.
- Household Tasks: While the primary focus of a night doula is on the baby’s care, they often assist with some basic household tasks. These may include laundry, light housekeeping, preparing snacks, cleaning, washing, and sterilizing baby bottles, and tidying up after the baby.
- Newborn Care: A night doula is there to guide and support the parents through caring for their newborn. They may assist with bathing, skin-to-skin, burping, and help parents to become more comfortable with the baby’s care. Nighttime doulas can also assist in keeping track of the baby’s feeding, nappy changing, and waking times by documenting them.
- Emotional Support: A night doula provides emotional support to the new parents. They help to reassure parents, answer their questions, and provide a listening ear when they need someone to talk to. They also offer information on what to expect in the early stages of parenting to help reduce anxiety and build confidence.
What are the Benefits of Having a Night Doula?
Night doulas provide support during the nighttime hours, offering assistance with feeding and soothing your baby while you catch up on some much-needed rest. Here are just a few of the benefits that having a night doula can provide for new parents:
- Better Mental and Physical Health: With a night doula to assist with nighttime feedings and diaper changes, new parents can get the restful sleep they need to feel more alert and refreshed during the day. Improved sleep can help reduce the risk of postpartum disorders such as depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
- Reduced Stress: A night doula can help relieve stress and anxiety by providing guidance and encouragement during the first few weeks of parenthood. An experienced night doula should be able to pick up on cues that indicate stress, and offer support accordingly. A calm, capable doula can help parents feel more confident, and decrease levels of stress.
- Skilled Care for Your Baby: A night doula can provide valuable assistance in caring for your newborn, with guidance on feeding, soothing techniques, swaddling, and other newborn care necessities. Many night doulas are experienced in breastfeeding support, so you can get help with latching and positioning, and learn techniques to help soothe and calm your baby.
- Increase in Productivity: With a good rest, parents can become more productive and accomplished when caring for their infant. The body is more efficient when well-rested, allowing parents to function well and accomplish tasks during waking hours.
- Opportunity to Bond with Baby: Parents can enjoy quality time with their baby during the day, free from stress and exhaustion. With a night doula to share nighttime duties, parents are able to bond with their baby more easily during the day and gain an appreciation of parenting.
- Establish Healthy Sleeping Patterns for Both the Baby and Parents: A night doula can help create an ideal sleeping environment for your family. They can assist with scheduling, establishing healthy routines, and implementing strategies to get baby used to sleeping through the night.
Find out more about other types of doulas here.
Things to Consider When Hiring a Night Doula
To find the right nighttime doula, it is crucial to conduct research and look for a doula who you feel comfortable with. Basic factors to look into when hiring a night-time doula are their experience level, cost, personality, flexibility, and communication skills.
Other things to consider are:
- Training and Certifications: All doula professionals have received certification from reputable organizations to become a postpartum night doula. Some night doulas are also properly trained in first aid and CPR, so make sure that any night doula you hire is certified in these areas too, if applicable.
- Background Check: Researching potential candidates can provide peace of mind when searching for a trustworthy individual to care for your child at nighttime hours; background checks can also help ensure safety measures have been met before employing anyone who will be around during those times alone with your baby or children – even if they are an experienced professional in their field.
- Specialty Areas/Experience With Postpartum Support/Mental Health Issues: If there is a particular area where you need extra support such as breastfeeding advice or postpartum depression awareness – look into whether or not this individual has prior knowledge or experience in that area.
- Contract: Have a written Postpartum Night Doula Agreement or contract outlining the services that will be provided, payment details, and any other expectations that both parties have agreed on. This will provide clear boundaries and expectations so nothing is unclear during the arrangement.
Read this article to find out more about Fertility Doulas.
Video: What do Postpartum Night Doulas Do?
In the video, Birth and Postpartum Doula Taylar Klecan talks about the duties and schedule of a night doula, as well as their overnight rates and other important tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a night doula and other doulas?
While both night and the traditional doulas provide support to new parents, their roles differ.
- A traditional doula provides continuous support to the family during the birthing process and in the immediate postpartum period.
- A night doula, on the other hand, focuses on providing night-time support to help ensure that parents can get the rest they need in the early stages of caring for their newborn.
2. What is the difference between a night doula and a night nurse?
A night doula provides assistance and support to new parents, while an overnight nurse offers medical care for newborns. An overnight nurse is a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who can provide medical advice and care for infants in the hospital or at home.
3. What is the difference between a night doula and a nanny?
A night doula is a trained professional who provides support and guidance to new parents, and is usually hired on an as-needed basis. A nanny is a full-time childcare provider who cares for children in the home.
A night doula has also undergone training, workshops, and continues to update their skillset as needed. They have received certification from reputable organizations for acquiring the necessary skills to be a professional postpartum night doula.
4. Do I need to provide an extra bedroom for a night doula?
No. A night doula can sleep in the same room as the baby and new parents, or in a separate room if needed. The night doula will usually have their own bedding and sleeping supplies.
5. Do I need to provide meals for a night doula?
Most night doulas will bring their own meals with them, but it is always appreciated if the family provides meals for the night doula. If you do decide to provide meals, check with your night doula beforehand to make sure they are comfortable with this arrangement.
7. Will my insurance cover the cost of a night doula?
Most insurers do not cover the cost of a night doula, however you should check with your insurer to see if there are any exceptions. Additionally, some employers may offer reimbursement for the cost of a night doula as part of their benefits package.
8. How much do night doulas charge?
Night doulas typically charge between $25 and $50 an hour. The cost will depend on the experience of the night doula, your location, and other factors.
9. What are the limitations of a night doula?
Although having a night doula can be beneficial, it is important to remember that they are not substitutes for parents. They cannot replace the bond between parent and child, nor should they be responsible for decisions around caring for the baby.
Night doulas are also not qualified to offer medical advice or care. If you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s health, contact your doctor or pediatrician.
10. How long should I have a night doula for?
It is recommended that you hire a night doula for at least four to five weeks, or until you and your baby have adjusted to life with one another. It’s important to give yourself the time needed to adjust and build confidence in your parenting skills. After that, many parents continue using a night doula on an as-needed basis.
Have you tried hypnobirthing with the help of a professional? Find out more about Hypnobirthing Doulas in this article.
Final Thoughts
A night doula can provide essential support and assistance to new parents during the night shift. From help with breastfeeding to emotional support, a night doula can help prevent the occurrence of postpartum depression and allow new parents to get the rest they need to recover and adjust to their new lives.
If you are a new parent struggling to get a good night’s sleep, consider hiring a certified night doula for some much-needed support and assistance.