Certified Postpartum
Doula & Newborn Care Specialist
Know what you're looking for:
What is the difference between Doula/NCS/Nanny?
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Doula: This is an umbrella term for anyone who supports a woman. There are various types of "doulas", i.e. Postpartum Doula, Birth Doula, Bereavement Doula, Full Spectrum Doula. A Postpartum Doula is focused on nurturing the entire family during the postpartum period, which can last up to a year. They provide emotional and practical support for the parents, help with household tasks, and provide education and guidance for the entire family. While they provide some newborn support, it is not their primary focus.​
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NCS: highly skilled in newborn care and typically works with families for the first few weeks or months after the baby is born. Their focus is entirely on the baby and their daily care needs. They may provide guiddance on sleep, feeding, and development, but they do not typically provide support for the parents or other family members.
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Nanny: provides ongoing childcare for a family, often working with children of various ages, not just newborns. They can provide general support with childcare, household tasks, and transportation for older children. This does not require any specialized training or knowledge in newborn care.
Know what you're paying for:
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Night Nanny: provides care for a baby during the night hours. They have limited newborn care education, and their primary goal is to ensure the parents get a night's worth of sleep. They act under the direction of the parents and may not provide much education for information
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Newborn Care Specialist: received specialized training in newborn care and has experience in this field. They work as proactive caregivers and partner with the parents to achieve mutual goals. They are knowledgeable in various aspects such as breastfeeding, scheduling, sleep habits, and more. Some NCS may also have experience with multiples. They typically provide ongoing support through the day and night and may offer 24-hour service​
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Certified or Credentialed NCS: taken additional steps to certify, access to other professionals and can provide the highest level of newborn care and education. Their duties may include training with multiples and preemies, sleep trainig for newborns and older infants, and assisting with issues like reflux or colic
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Night/Baby Nurse: this refers specifically to a Registered Nurse (RN) who cares for newborns with medical issues or challenges. They help parents transition to life at home with a newborn who may have medical needs. Baby Nurses are familiar iwth medical terminology and often have experince with babies who have spent time in NICU. Any professional referring as themselves as a a "nurse" MUST have formal medical education and training.
Important things to consider
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This industry is not regulated. You DO NOT need to be certified or have formal education to call yourself any of these titles (except Night or Baby Nurse)