Pregnant families are inundated with information, AND we know that you can still feel uncertain about what type of support you want and need as you prepare to welcome baby into your home.

Some of the professionals you might hear about and consider having on your postpartum support team include postpartum doulas, Newborn Care Specialists (NCS), night nurses, and nannies. Each of these care professionals can provide families with excellent services. This article will explain some of the fundamental similarities and differences between postpartum care professionals. Understanding each role can help you decide on the type of support your family needs.

Our article about postpartum planning may be helpful along the way, as well.

Types of Postpartum and Newborn Support

Postpartum Doulas

First and foremost, postpartum doulas help the whole growing family feel supported and cared for during the first few months of postpartum (and in some cases, for several months).

Postpartum doulas care for the newborn, and they nurture the birthing parent, partner, and the family as a whole. A postpartum doula’s training and expertise includes infant development, care, and feeding. They also receive training to support families through postpartum mood disorders, family bonding, and healing after birth. As a postpartum doula myself, I can say that we carry both wide and deep knowledge of all things baby and postpartum, such that we can offer support, ideas, and referrals for all members of the family, as needed.

While postpartum doulas offer plenty of direct support, we also help families coordinate the care they need. This includes coordinating meals/food, household chores and tasks, and sibling care. We also help ensure that logistics in the home are as smooth and easeful as possible, helping families set up stations for feeding, diapering, and so on.

Postpartum Doulas can work daytime or overnights; get a glimpse into my work as an overnight doula here. Most postpartum doulas work anywhere from one week to sixteen weeks postpartum. In a sense, our goal is to work our way out of the job, handing off the skills, information, and confidence to the parents at a pace that works for them.

Newborn Care Specialist (NCS)

A Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) is an infant care professional with advanced education who provides expert care for infants. Their main focus is on the baby, and they will offer parents education and direction for how to care for baby under the latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and many other professional health organizations.

Most NCS tend to focus on infant sleep. While some NCS work only during a baby’s first few months, many others work through the first year. An NCS may offer consultations, overnight sleep support, daytime newborn care and education, or 24/7/travel support. An NCS works with a goal of establishing a routine for the baby. Parents will not receive direct care support from NCS.

Night Nurse

A night nurses provide medically-focused newborn support. They are legally required to carry an RN license in many states. This term “night nurse” is often misused to describe NCS and even postpartum doulas (see above). So here’s what you need to know: Nursing care means that your family is receiving medical or clinical care. This is a less common form of support, but it’s one that you might want to know about based on your baby’s physical and medical needs. Night nurses, like NCS, will focus solely on baby.

Newborn Nanny

Newborn nannies are another care option for growing families. Nannies generally follow the instructions and direction of the parents. While some nannies will have an abundance of experience with children of varying ages, there are no set training requirements necessary to work as a nanny. Many families will transition from a postpartum doula to using a nanny as their child gets older and needs nurturing but less specialized care. Often by this point, the parents are also feeling more confident about their skills and routines.

Baby Guru is Here for You

We are here to support your family and help you secure solid postpartum care. Reach out about postpartum support in Austin or birth and postpartum support in Asheville!

Finally, check out our article about getting the postpartum support you need. We believe in you and we are here for you.

*Photo credit: Zach Lucero on Unsplash