You have so many options to help you get through those first sleepless nights with a new baby. Maybe you’ve heard of night nurses, night nannies, newborn care specialists, and postpartum doulas. If so, you’re probably wondering what the difference is among all of this overnight support. We thought that we’d take a few moments to clear what to expect from these members of your family’s postpartum team.
Night nannies and night nurses focus on the care of your newborn overnight.
There is a great deal of variation in their training and qualifications. However, it is important to note that the term “night nurse” does not indicate that your caregiver is a Registered Nurse (RN), a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or has any other nursing credential.
Newborn care specialists (NCSs) focus on your infant and may work during the day or night.
NCSs often focus on skills to allow babies to settle into a routine. They may have a particular way that they believe is healthiest and safest for your baby to be cared for.
Postpartum and infant care doulas– like those on the DC Metro Maternity team- take the skill set of night nannies, night nurses and newborn care specialists, and apply the holistic approach of a doula to our work.
We believe that it is important to consider the needs of the entire family, in addition to the baby. This includes our care for your infant overnight.
Postpartum and infant care doulas are happy to function as night nannies, and keep your baby well-fed, soothed and safe as you get some well-deserved rest. While we follow your schedule for feeding- whether at breast or bottle- and sleep, you can take a break without concern.
We also have knowledge similar to that of a newborn care specialist. We stay up to date on the latest guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and are familiar with normal newborn behavior.
However, our job is to ensure not just the well-being of your child. As postpartum doulas, we want to ensure that your entire family is adjusting to life with a new baby, and is coping well.
Your postpartum doula will be available for questions about your baby when we arrive. We also can share any observations we had in the morning. Sometimes we’ll discuss things like swaddling, white noise machines or babywearing with our clients before they go to bed for the evening.
Sometimes we even discuss parenting philosophies with our overnight doula clients. A desire to follow attachment parenting methods can impact a family’s sleeping arrangements. Or you might prefer to find a schedule that works for both your newborn and the rest of your family. In that case, we can show you methods for shaping your newborn’s sleep that can avoid challenges later, and the need for sleep training.
We are also happy to keep you company if you nurse your baby overnight. Your doula can adjust your baby’s latch. Or we can assist you with pumping overnight. We have knowledge of breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and formula preparation.
And to be sure that it’s not just your baby who is eating, we sometimes prepare breakfast for our overnight clients before we leave in the morning.
Think of postpartum doulas as your guide through life with a new baby. We’re a knowledgeable companion, who helps you assess your goals and then meet them. This doesn’t stop when we work with your family overnight.
We believe that in those early days and months after birth, it’s not only the newborns who benefit from care in the middle of the night. Your infant is not the only one experiencing major changes. When your night nannies are postpartum doulas, then the whole family can rest easier.
Learn more about our postpartum support here!
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