What Is an Overnight Doula? Everything You Need to Know Plus More
Are you a new or expecting parent looking for extra support during those long sleepless nights? Look no further than an overnight doula!
Our newborn care specialists offer invaluable assistance with feeding, diapering, soothing, and more so you can get the rest you need to tackle each day.
Keep reading to learn what an overnight doula is and how they help you and your family sleep better.
What is an Overnight Doula?
An overnight doula is a postpartum professional who provides in-home support for families after the birth of their baby. Overnight doulas work through the night to care for your newborn while you get the sleep you need!
Our overnight doulas provide a variety of services, including:
Overnight feedings (bottle and breastfeeding support)
Diapering
Bathing
Soothing
Organization and tidying of nursery
Baby laundry
Emotional support
These are just a few of the services we can provide for you. If you need help with something, ask your overnight doula! We’ll either be able to do the task for you or point you in the right direction.
The Benefits of an Overnight Doula
An overnight doula can provide many benefits for new parents. But, in our opinion, the best benefit of having an overnight doula is that they take care of everything for your newborn overnight so you can sleep peacefully.
Infants need to be fed every one to three hours. Even with a supportive partner, getting a full night's rest is impossible while caring for your infant. So let us handle the night shift so you can sleep peacefully and be recharged to take back over during the day.
Overnight doulas also help establish a bedtime routine and assist with nighttime parenting questions or concerns. Having an extra set of hands around during those first few sleepless nights is so beneficial for parents. If you need emotional support or have questions, your overnight doula is there to educate you and help you make the right choices for your family.
Families also get more time to themselves when working with an overnight doula. Some shifts can be as long as twelve hours, so you can have time with the rest of your family while knowing your newborn is completely taken care of.
How Much Does an Overnight Doula Cost?
The price of your overnight doula depends on a variety of factors. Some of the major factors that go into the price are:
Number of nights per week
How long you’ll need your doula for (a few weeks, a few months?)
How many hours they’re there for the night
The types of services or add-ons you want
Be sure to check out our guide that touches on how much newborns cost to better understand what expenses to expect.
How to Find an Overnight Doula
When starting your search for an overnight doula, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you want to make sure that the doula is certified and has experience. Ask your friends and family for recommendations on doulas they may have worked with in the past to get a list of potential providers.
If you cannot get any recommendations, simply start a search online for local overnight doulas and start reading their reviews. Once you narrow your list down, contact them to set up consultations. Make sure to ask them any questions you have, and try to get to know your potential doula to see what it’s like working with them.
You want to make sure that you feel comfortable with the doula and that they are someone you can trust. After meeting with a few different doulas, you should be able to decide which one is right for you.
How Does My Overnight Doula Help With Feeding?
Whether you prefer breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or formula feeding, we’re here to support you.
For breastfed only, our overnight doulas will wake you when it’s time for your newborn to eat. We’ll make sure everything, including your newborn, is ready to go, so you don’t have to rush around the house looking for a thing. When finished, we’ll come back in and take your newborn to take care of burping, diaper cleanings, or anything else they need while you go back to sleep.
If you pump for bottle feedings, we won’t need to wake you at all. While you sleep, we’ll prepare the bottle for feeding and take care of everything. This goes for formula feeding as well. We take care of bottle preparation, feeding, aftercare, and cleanup.
When Should I Start Looking For My Doula?
As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, we recommend looking for your doula. This is because many doulas are booked out in advance, and they’ll have to make time in their schedule to help you, too.
We also recommend searching right away because then you’ll get the help you need on your very first night home with your newborn. After giving birth, you will be exhausted, so let us come in and help take care of your infant while you get the rest you need.
Find Your Overnight Doula Today
At Baby Bloom, we believe every mother deserves to be pampered as much as their newborn, and our overnight doulas are committed to offering that service.
Not only do we provide support at night, but we also offer advice on handling the ever-changing needs of a new baby. Having an overnight doula will help you get the sleep you service while ensuring that your little one receives quality care throughout the night.
If you’re ready to get your overnight doula, schedule your free consultation with us today! We’ve been helping families get the care they deserve for years, and we can’t wait to help you too.