The first priority of your doula will always be mom's recovery.  After birth, the focus often shifts to the newborn baby; but your doula is there to make sure your needs are being addressed.  She will check in to see how you are feeling, answer any questions about baby care, lactation support, and postpartum recovery, and then work with you to prioritize what needs to be done. Sometimes the majority of the time is spent in meaningful conversation.  I have had clients tell me that their doula was the first adult conversation they have had all day. Other times, self-care is the priority so your doula can attend to your baby while you nap, shower, read, rest, or do whatever helps you feel recharged.  Your doula can also help with household chores such as laundry, dishes, bottle prep/sanitizing. 

An overnight shift will start the same way that the daytime shift does with a check-in to see how things are going.  Getting a rundown of the baby's feeding and sleeping schedule for that day is helpful as well.  Your doula can assist with establishing a great foundation for sleep including tips for bedtime routines, sleep environment, etc.  We do have certified pediatric sleep consultants on staff very knowledgeable about newborn sleep. Your doula can help troubleshoot problems such as crying when placed in the bassinet; waking up more often than appropriate; extending sleep cycles; encouraging self-soothing; establishing predictable age-appropriate sleep schedules. 

All feeding choices will be supported by your overnight doula.  If you are breastfeeding, your doula will bring your baby to you for the feed, and then return to swaddle and settle the baby so that you can get right back to sleep.  If you are pumping or formula feeding your baby, then the doula will take care of the overnight feeds so that you and your family get the restorative sleep that you need to feel your best.

A night nurse is primarily focused on the infant care only, where a postpartum doula is trained to support mom as well. Often times, a night nurse will remain awake throughout the entire shift; however, your doula will sleep when the baby sleeps. A night nurse with an RN license can administer medications; however, your doula cannot provide medical advice or medication.