What Does An Overnight Postpartum Doula Do?

So, you may have done all of the prep work to have your baby.  You researched the best hospitals in your area, the best OBGYN or midwife and the perfect doula.  You may have taken childbirth education classes and even a breastfeeding class.  

Now, baby is here and while you are elated and in love, you are exhausted.  People warned you to enjoy all of that sleep before baby came, but unfortunately there’s no way to bottle that up for later use, and now is the time you could really use it.

Who knew this sweet little angel you hold could cause so much mayhem when you’re all supposed to be sleeping?  Will you ever get sleep again?  Will you survive this season of exhaustion?

Don’t worry, there’s a doula for that.

Moms and dads, you need rest.  I’m sorry you’re not getting it.  But you’re in the right place - we are here to help.

Despite what your mother-in-law may tell you, sleep deprivation doesn’t have to be a part of the newborn phase.  Getting you and your baby sleep is one of the absolute best things you can do- for yourself and for your baby.  Hiring a postpartum doula will ensure that you get your much-needed sleep.

Although postpartum doulas are often thought to be the same as a baby nurse, night nurse, and night nanny, they are very different. This honestly deserves its own blog post entirely, but in a nutshell, postpartum doulas aren’t just caring for your sweet baby. They are professionally trained to care for you as well.  Part of this care is that she will get you sleep at night so that during the day you are refreshed and are your best self for you, your partner, and your sweet baby.

That sounds great!  But what would that look like?  What does a nighttime doula do?

Great questions!

Your overnight postpartum doula will come to your house somewhere between 8-10pm and first help you close out your evening.  Maybe when they arrive, you are finishing up nursing but haven’t showered since Tuesday,  or maybe you haven’t eaten dinner yet.

Your doula will take your sweet baby from your arms and get her to sleep in her bassinet while you take a well deserved shower.  While you shower, she will heat up your dinner for you, put those last dishes into the dishwasher, sterilize your pump parts and fold the remaining onesies, blankets and outfits that are sitting on the ottoman.  

Once you’ve had a nice, long shower, your doula will sit with you and debrief from your day with you.  She will chat with you about how it’s been going, any of the things you’re struggling with, offer you evidence-based information, and comfort and reassure you. 

Remember, she is not just here for your sweet baby, she is here for you. 

After you’ve finished eating, you can go lie down.  Your doula will keep an eye on baby and ensure that he stays sleeping soundly while offering complete care right by his bassinet. Every coo, every gasp and every movement, your doula will be attentively nearby ready to calm and soothe your baby.

Your doula will not allow baby to cry or fuss.  She will be gentle, tender and comforting.  She will also help set baby up for better independent sleep without tears.  We don’t want you to feel like you need us forever.  We want to empower you and your baby to get through this stage on your own as well.

Your doula will also watch for hunger cues.  So many of the sounds that baby makes are not related to hunger, and your doula is trained to know what to look for if they are truly hungry.  When your baby is hungry, she will give baby a bottle if you are formula feeding or giving expressed milk.  

If you are nursing, she will bring your baby into your room, remind you of which side to start nursing on, and help you with getting the perfect latch (trust me, those middle of the night latches are so tricky when you’re half asleep) so that baby feeds effectively.  She will then chat quietly with you to help to keep you awake while also allowing your partner to rest, and to keep the atmosphere in the room calm so that you’re able to fall back asleep quickly.  

Once you have nursed your baby, you literally hand your baby back to your doula, roll over and go back to sleep.  Your doula will handle the nighttime diaper changes, the swaddling, swaying, shushing, soothing and getting baby back into his bassinet. She will also take notes on your baby’s night so that once you are refreshed in the morning, you can review it and look it over so that you know exactly how the evening went.  

If you are feeding expressed milk or formula from a bottle, your doula will also keep track of how many ounces they drank for each feeding and chart that as well.  If you are pumping, your doula will also bring in your pump parts, help get them all set up and sit with you while you pump so you have company.  You can then hand over that milk to her to store, as well as clean the pump parts so they are prepared for your next pump.

After ten hours of blissful rest since your doula arrived at your house, she will do her best to leave you with a baby who was recently fed and put back to sleep so you can get one more glorious stretch of sleep.

Mamas, here’s the truth.

We are better able in life to give something our “all” when we are well rested. You deserve this kind of care so that you can give more of yourself.  Not to mention, the risks of postpartum mood disorders decrease when you are sleeping.  This is a worthwhile way to support your entire family during these postpartum stages.

Here at Forever Doula, we have an amazing team that is ready to support you. Contact us today to learn more.