Frequently Asked Questions
What does overnight doula care look like?
Typically, especially in the beginning, overnight care begins with a chunk of time to get updates about how baby is doing and answer any questions about baby’s behavior or care. Then we send everyone off to bed and settle in for the night with your little one. If you are breastfeeding, we will bring him or her to you to feed as needed, and then perform all other care tasks (burping, diapering, swaddling) so that you can get right back to sleep! If we are giving baby a bottle with either breastmilk or formula, we may not see you until morning, when we bring baby back to mom or dad before heading home.
Will overnight doula care still be useful if I am breastfeeding?
Yes! Unfortunately, babies don’t typically just eat and fall right back to sleep! Babies usually need much more than food at night - they need to be burped, diapered, rocked and comforted, often multiple times each night. When your doula is there, baby will be brought to you to feed, and then whisked away to be lovingly cared for while you get right back to sleep.
What are the typical hours for overnight doula care?
Our shift minimum is 8 hours per shift, which typically goes from 10:00 pm until 6:00 am, although we have families who prefer a longer shift in order to get additional sleep - that is something we can tailor to meet your family’s needs.
How often and for how long do most families contract for care?
We require an 8-week minimum contract, and that can be for any frequency from twice per week to 7 nights per week, depending on our availability. We are typically booked months in advance so please get in touch as soon as you know you will want care so we can get you on our calendar!
How much does overnight doula care cost?
Our hourly fee ranges from $70 - $80 for overnight care. Most families book several nights per week of care for anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks, depending on their particular needs and care budget. We will help you figure out the right care plan for your family.
Will my overnight doula need a place to rest or sleep?
Yes. In order to keep our work sustainable, we do rest when baby rests and require a bed or comfortable resting surface next to baby to be able to do so.
What about household chores?
Overnight care is an extension of the family’s nighttime parenting and includes all infant care, and maternal and breastfeeding support. Overnight, the postpartum doula's main focus is on the baby and maintaining a peaceful nighttime environment in the home. This means that although we try to take care of washing any bottles or pump parts that are used throughout the night, we do not do any other household chores.
Are the doulas fully vaccinated?
Yes. As of February 2022, we are all both fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
Are additional safety precautions being taken in light of COVID-19?
Yes, very much so. We have communicated regularly with all of our postpartum clients in stages over time as we have learned more about the virus and how to most safely provide care to all of our families, and we feel confident that we have been able to do so. This goes hand in hand with requiring the families we work with to adhere to certain protocols in order for us to be able to provide care in their homes. The protocols are expected to continue to change over time, so more details will be provided when care for your family is scheduled to begin.