Postpartum doulas provide a level of professional and compassionate care for the entire family. With a particular focus on emotional support, physical recovery, infant feeding, and real-time educational information, the postpartum doula supports the philosophies and values of the new parents. Their goal is to nurture and empower the parents while also caring for the baby during the day or overnight. 

The night nurse, night nanny, and newborn care specialist focuses primarily on the newborn, often handling nighttime feedings, sleep conditioning, and newborn care. Their role is primarily hands-on with the baby rather than supporting parental recovery, family wellness, or educational needs.

With the growing recognition of postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety (PPA), and mood disorders families are preparing for the postpartum period by arranging to have professional support that prioritizes their mental well-being. With 1 in 7 birthing people experiencing PPD and many more navigating postpartum anxiety, there is an increasing demand for the compassionate non-medical support of postpartum doulas. 

Postpartum doulas are specifically trained to recognize the early signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. Their role is to normalize new parenting and life with a newborn. The postpartum doula brings comfort and reassurance which can reduce stress and build confidence. The non-judgmental support that the doula provides helps to create a relaxing environment and sets the tone for open communication regarding fears and feelings. The professional doula recognizes when something is beyond the scope of “normal” and refers out to qualified mental health professionals when necessary.

Research shows that having additional support during breastfeeding significantly increases breastfeeding success rates. With the help of a postpartum doula, new mothers experience fewer early feeding struggles, have an increased confidence in their ability to feed their babies and report having a more satisfying breastfeeding experience. 

When you hire a postpartum doula, you can expect to build a relationship with a compassionate professional who understands the nuances of the delicate journey you are on. The doula is passionate about helping you have a positive and empowered experienced. Doula training prepares the doula to provide physical, emotional and educational support to the family in a way that respects their parenting decisions and equips them with the knowledge and resources to provide evidence based support.

A trained postpartum doula is an individual who has committed to taking a 2-3 day training course. 

A certified postpartum doula is an individual who committed to taking a 2-3 day training course followed by a doula certification process. This typically includes additional reading, written work and a comprehensive exam to test their knowledge and ability to source information and collect relevant resources.

Certified postpartum doulas are held accountable by their certifying bodies, while trained postpartum doulas do not have any point of accountability.

It is best to book your postpartum doula as early as possible, ideally during the second trimester or early in the third. Demand for experienced postpartum doulas is at an all-time high, therefore, securing your support early will ensure availability and allow time to express your needs and concerns prior to your baby’s arrival. While some doulas may have last-minute availability, it is best not to leave it to chance if you know ahead of time that you want professional support.

When meeting with postpartum doulas the first question to ask yourself is, “Do you feel relaxed in this person’s presence?” If the answer is yes, then it is time to consider the following:
·      Training and certification – Check to be certain that their certifying body is reputable and has a grievance policy in place
·      Philosophy and approach – Be sure that the doula aligns with your philosophies and takes a parent centered approach
·      Services offered – If you are seeking overnight support, confirm that the doula offers those hours of care
·      Availability and scheduling – Be clear with the doula about the amount of care you believe you’d like and confirm that the doula can accommodate your desires
·      Professionalism and boundaries – A professional postpartum doula maintains clear boundaries, communicates effectively, and has a sterling standard of discretion
·      References – Ask the doula if they have a few previous clients who would be willing to speak with you regarding the doulas care
·      Rates and terms and terms of contract – Read the postpartum doula contract thoroughly prior to signing it

A postpartum doula contract outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and terms of your agreement with the doula. It should include information about the hours of care being purchased and how those hours will be scheduled. There should be information about availability and back up support, fees and payment structures, cancellations (including a refund policy) the length of the contract, communication expectations, and a termination clause.

Independent doulas provide postpartum doula services on their own with direct communication, and personal scheduling. Some families appreciate the ability to work directly with the doula on fee negotiation, contract organization, billing and payment and of course, the actual postpartum care. Independent doulas may offer more flexible pricing since they set their own rates. However, availability is often a challenge. If an independent doula is unavailable, there may not be a backup option, and the family would be responsible for vetting credentials and managing contracts with another provider on their own.

Agency-based doulas, on the other hand, work within a structured system that provides reliability and convenience. Agencies often have a team of trained professionals, ensuring that if your assigned doula is unavailable, a backup can step in seamlessly. These doulas are vetted through background checks, certification requirements, and ongoing training, giving families additional peace of mind. Agencies also handle scheduling and contracts, making the process smoother and easier to accommodate last minute requests for additional care. An agency also has the ability to handle a complaint or grievance you may have with a doula, eliminating the possibility of you having to have a difficult conversation with the doula  yourself. This model offers more flexibility and credibility but typically comes with a higher cost. 

Virtual postpartum doula support provides expert guidance remotely, offering reassurance, education, and emotional support through video calls, phone check-ins, and messaging. This option is ideal for families who simply need advice rather than hands-on assistance. Virtual doulas can help with newborn care questions, feeding support, emotional well-being, and postpartum recovery guidance. However, they cannot provide physical support, such as holding the baby while parents rest, assisting with household tasks, or offering hands-on techniques for soothing and feeding.

In-person postpartum doula care, on the other hand, offers hands-on, personalized support tailored to the family’s goals in real-time. A doula in the home assists with newborn care (while the parents are awake or asleep), lactation support, emotional reassurance, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. This creates an environment where parents can learn, rest and thrive during the postpartum period. Many families appreciate the physical assistance and in-person comfort that an in-home postpartum doula provides, especially during those exhausting early weeks. 

Daytime and overnight postpartum doula support serve different but equally valuable roles in easing the transition into parenthood. 

Daytime support places a strong focus on assisting parents with newborn care, feeding support, meal preparation, light household tasks, helping the family feel more confident and organized. It is especially beneficial for learning baby care techniques and infant soothing strategies, establishing routines, and receiving hands-on guidance in real-time while adjusting to life with a newborn. 

Overnight support, on the other hand, prioritizes rest and recovery by providing care for the baby during the night, allowing parents to get uninterrupted sleep. Overnight doulas can handle soothing, feeding (or bringing the baby to the parent for breastfeeding), and diaper changes, reducing exhaustion and improving overall well-being. 

While daytime postpartum doula support helps families navigate daily challenges, overnight postpartum doula care offers the invaluable gift of sleep, making both options essential for different stages of the postpartum journey.

The cost of postpartum doula support varies based on several factors, including location, level of experience, services offered, and duration of care. On average, postpartum doulas charge between $35 and $60 per hour, with rates sometimes higher in major cities or for doulas with specialized expertise, such as lactation support or experience with multiples. Some doulas and doula agencies offer discounts to families willing to commit to packages of larger numbers of hours. 

Postpartum doula support is typically not covered by traditional health insurance plans. However, many doulas are able to accept funds from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to pay for services. Additionally, companies that offer fertility and family-building benefits—like Carrot Fertility—may reimburse postpartum doula care as part of their wellness offerings. If you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to check with your provider or HR department to see what your benefits may include.