Choosing the Right Postpartum Support: Night Nanny, Postpartum Doula, Newborn Care Specialist or Night Nurse?
Adding a newborn to the family can be a joyous, but overwhelming time. Many families are interested in hiring support professionals to assist them during the fourth trimester. There are four main options for postpartum assistance: Night Nanny, Postpartum Doula, Newborn Care Specialist, and Night Nurse. While all of these professionals provide invaluable support for new families, there are distinct differences between these roles. In this blog post, I will explore those differences to help you determine which is the best fit for your family.
Night Nanny
A night nanny is a nanny that is working overnight with newborns. Night nannies may be certified in CPR/First Aid, but lack the additional postpartum/newborn-specific training needed to refer to themselves as a newborn care specialist or postpartum doula. While night nannies may be able to offer family support and some education, they typically work under the direction of the family.
Postpartum Doula
The focus of the postpartum doula is supporting the entire family unit. They can provide parent education and support (including sibling support), soothing and feeding techniques, community resources, and assist with household support by assisting with laundry, dishes or light meal prep. Postpartum doulas may assist with newborn care, but, according to CAPPA’s scope of practice they should not “stay alone with babies or other children routinely and for extended periods of time.”
Newborn Care Specialist
A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) is a trained professional that specializes in providing comprehensive care for newborns. While they also provide support and education for the parents, their primary focus is on the baby’s needs. This includes, but is not limited to, feeding, setting up healthy sleep habits, and establishing a routine that works well for each unique baby and family. An NCS will have in-depth training on the characteristics of a newborn and an understanding of infant development.
Night Nurse
A night nurse is a RN or LPN providing care for newborns overnight. This term is often misused to describe other postpartum professionals, however, only licensed nurses may refer to themselves as a night nurse. A night nurse can be very beneficial for families with newborns or infants with medical needs.
Additional Trainings/Certifications
Many postpartum professionals are cross-trained in other specialties. For example, in addition to being an NCS, I am a Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), and CAPPA Certified New Parent Educator (CNPE). Some other common complementary trainings include birth doula, breastfeeding support, infant feeding specialist, sleep consulting, and more.
While all these professionals provide invaluable support for families, their focus and training can vary greatly. A night nanny typically has the least amount of postpartum and infant-specific training, but could still have significant experience with newborns. Postpartum doulas may assist with newborn care, but their focus is helping the entire family adjust to the new addition to the family. On the other hand, a newborn care specialist is focused on the care of the baby. Due to their specialized training, they can provide independent care of your newborn and assist with setting up healthy sleep and feeding habits. Finally, the term “night nurse” should only be used when describing a licensed nurse. You may decide that a night nurse is best for your family if your little one has medical needs or concerns.
Ultimately, the choice as to which postpartum professional is best for your family will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Whichever option you choose, these professionals play a vital role in helping you through the joys and challenges of adding a newborn to your family.