Nighttime assistance providers have been around for centuries in one form or another. Their main job is to assist or take over the nighttime routine to help maximize parent sleep with as few disturbances (or none!) as possible. Typically, an evening caretaker will work a 9-12 hour shift, arriving later in the evening and leaving as the family and house get up and moving in the morning. While every provider can be different, they usually function as a parent: sleeping when the baby sleeps and getting up as needed. This is not usually the time to ask for help with chores outside of bottle washing and morning meal prep; you would hire a daytime postpartum doula for more chore-focused assistance. This post will solely focus on expectations and preparation for your new nighttime family helper (or superhero, as clients frequently call me).
Why Would I Need Help?
I want to start by saying that simply needing an extra set of hands or a good night's rest is a valid enough reason to hire some help. It does not make you a "bad" or "lazy" parent to want a break. Raising a newborn is hard work and was never intended to be done alone. To get more specific, I have been hired by clients for some of the following reasons:
They are recovering from a c-section and need help until they heal and can lift the baby
They or their partner are returning to work soon after delivery and need rest
One parent travels for work
Another child is home during the day, requiring the parents to sleep so they can parent safely
A parent's mental/physical health does not do well with sleep deprivation. (i.e., depression, psychosis, chronic illness/pain, etc.)
Nighttime lactation/feeding support is desired
Additional support is needed for twins or triplets
Parents would like help with sleep conditioning/training
It is their first baby, and they feel better having someone experienced to teach and help
The baby was born with complex medical needs or spent a long time in the NICU
What Kind of Providers Are There?
Nighttime assistants cover a wide range of professions, including nurses, postpartum doulas, certified sleep consultants, IBCLCs, psychologists and/or newborn care specialists, each bringing different (and some overlapping) skills to the table:
Night Nurse (NN): This traditionally refers to a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) with medical training who provides overnight care for newborns, particularly those with medical needs. They require a nursing degree, licensure, and clinical experience, making them the best choice for a family with a newborn with complex medical needs, life-supporting devices, or other in-home medical care.
Nighttime Postpartum Doula (PPD): PPDs are trained through postpartum doula certification programs (such as DONA, CAPPA, BADT, or ICEA) to provide non-medical overnight support to parents, including infant care, feeding assistance, and emotional support. No medical training is required, and certification is optional but recommended (though not regulated or standardized). This professional is the best choice for a family who wants nighttime support, chore assistance, and emotional care during the postpartum period.
Lactation Consultant (IBCLC/CLC/CLE): An LC focuses specifically on breastfeeding guidance and education. The top certification, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), necessitates significant clinical experience, coursework, and a passed exam. Other certifications, like CLC and CLE, demand less training but still offer important lactation education. This professional is ideal for families seeking lactation assistance, as they can evaluate latch difficulties and milk supply issues and manage combination or supplemental feeding.
Certified Sleep Consultant (CSC): A N-CSC typically completes specialized training in infant sleep science through programs like the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management or the Family Sleep Institute. They focus on sleep education, gentle sleep training methods, and helping families create sleep plans. There are no formal medical or regulated licensing requirements. This provider is a good fit for a family with a newborn having sleep difficulties or trying to sleep train their baby onto a specific schedule or with a particular method, the provider specializes in.
Newborn Care Specialist (NCS): Trained in newborn care fundamentals, including feeding, soothing techniques, sleep conditioning, and parental education. Certification is available through organizations like the Newborn Care Specialist Association (NCSA), but requirements vary, and they are not a medical provider. An NCS helps families understand their specific newborn's physiology and psychology, leading to a better understanding of how to soothe and parent through the first few months.
Early Childhood Psychologist (ECP): Holds an advanced degree in psychology with a focus on infant development, attachment, and family dynamics. May have specialized training in trauma-informed care, sleep psychology, or early intervention strategies. This provider is ideal for families seeking a holistic, evidence-based approach that blends emotional, psychological, and practical newborn support. It is important to note that not all ECPs practice as doulas, and you would want someone with experience in childcare and postpartum doula support.
It is not abnormal for a provider to have more than one of these trainings or certifications under their belt; for example, I am a Postpartum Doula, currently looking into training to be a Newborn Care Specialist and Certified Sleep Consultant due to my practice's focus on helping parents understand their newborn's specific needs and beginning early sleep conditioning, which I do now with my degree in Early Childhood Psychology. It is essential to note that the cost of care will tend to increase depending on how many they have. It is important to pick a specialist with skills that fit your family and understand certification is expensive and not necessarily indicative of the provider's skills. I encourage my birth families to focus on the training and philosophies the provider has over what certifications they can afford.
Where Do I Find One?
As a doula who works with an agency, it is entirely my biased opinion to hire with an agency. Most conduct thorough background checks, require specific training and have the added perk of a staff of providers with different specialties to assist in changes of needs and/or your primary provider's need to take off due to illness, births, or emergencies. The provider will likely schedule a virtual or in-person consult to get to know your family and discuss the terms of their contracts. Some questions you would want to ask any provider you hire (agency or not) would be:
What kind of formal training have you had? Are you certified in postpartum work, sleep, newborn care, and/or lactation?
Do you follow the safe sleep recommendations by the American Pediatric Association?
What chores can/will you complete during your shift (i.e., bottle/pump part washing, meal prep, laundry, etc)?
What is your sickness policy? What if a child in the home is sick?
What are your approaches and thoughts on sleep training?
Are you first aid and CPR certified?
How will scheduling communication and passing information about the baby's night occur?
What are your general philosophies about newborn care?
How many families have you supported? Can you offer any as a reference?
After you have signed the contract and hired, depending on your pregnancy stage, your provider may want to tour the home in person to check out where everything is, approve safety and setup, and so on. This would be a good time to make any necessary changes and ask any newborn care questions you may have before the baby arrives.
Top 3 Nashville Night Support Agencies
East Nashville Doulas: https://www.eastnashvilledoula.com/postpartum-doula-services
Music City Doulas: https://www.musiccitydoulas.com/newborncare
Nashville Doula Services: https://nashvilledoulaservices.com/postpartum-doula
How to Prepare Your Home
Sleeping Arrangements
As a postpartum doula who sleeps during my shifts, I ask that my clients have a bed or couch that I can sleep on between wakes, complete with sheets, a pillow, and a blanket. If I am in a different room than the baby, I also request that a monitor be set up to hear the baby if they need something. Baby should also have a bassinet that does not go on the bed or the ground, an APA-approved mattress and fitted sheet, and no additional comfort items. I also will ask that my families provide a heating pad and sound machine based on my sleep conditioning philosophy and practices.
Feeding
If you plan to ask your doula to bring the baby to you for body feeding, establish how they will wake you before they arrive (i.e., a light touch, a knock on the door, a call, etc.). If you plan to have your doula bottle-feed, ensure enough milk or formula for the evening, or let your doula know if you plan to pump. I also require that my clients have formula available to supplement if no freezer stash is established.
Changes
A changing station or diaper caddy should be available/stocked with diapers, wipes, rash cream, and sanitizer. It is also helpful to have a few changes of clothes, additional swaddles, and extra sheets for middle-of-the-night changes and potential blow-outs.
Anything else would be provider-specific, and they will let you know during your consult if they have any additional needs.
Thank you for taking the time to check out my post! If you found it helpful or you have any additional questions, feel free to comment or shoot me a message.
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