Hiring a Newborn Care Specialist
Are you an expecting parent, looking to build your postpartum dream-team, but are overwhelmed by search engine results for night nannies, night nurses, and doulas. Which one do you need, and what the heck even is a Newborn Care Specialist?!
We’re here to help answer all of your questions about overnight newborn care and support, the different titles of provider, and the various roles and services you might have come across.
Welcome!
We’re so happy you are here today. The Family Foundations Agency is a Nationwide team of Birth & Postpartum Doulas and Newborn Care Specialist. We connect growing families like yours with trusted providers in your community.
What’s the difference between a Night Nurse, Night Nanny, Doula, and Newborn Care Specialist?
We’re glad you asked, because we know it can be really confusing.
Night Nurse: A night nurse is historically someone hired to come in and tend to a newborn overnight so parents can get some sleep. But the term “night nurse” is actually outdated (it turns out you can't legally call yourself a nurse if you're not licensed). The modern-day title for this person is a Newborn Care Specialist (NCS). In the United States, only individuals licensed by a state's Board of Nursing can legally call themselves a nurse. This includes Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Who hires a Night Nurse? For some families, hiring a Night Nurse might actually be an essential. A true, licensed Night Nurse may be the best equipped provider for babies who were born as micro-premies, or babies who have medical conditions that need constant monitoring, or for those who need medication to be provided.
In SUMMARY, if the person you are considering hiring is not licensed as a nurse, they shouldn’t be calling themselves a night nurse.
Night Nanny: A Night Nanny is similar to a Daytime Nanny. While they can care for infants overnight and may offer similar services to a Newborn Care Specialist, this person may not have formal, or up-to-date training about infant care and current guidelines. This can be a good option for families with older babies, or those who have a strict budget to consider for overnight care.
Postpartum Doula: A Postpartum Doula is someone whose trainings have focused on the care of the whole family. At The Family Foundations Agency, we typically only assign Postpartum Doulas for daytime support, as their service offerings and responsibilities can include light housekeeping such as dishes and laundry/linens, extensive meal preparation, postpartum massage, and sibling care. In addition, they serve as a source for resources, education, and mental and emotional support.
We love the phrase “Mothering the mother” and we believe Postpartum Doulas can have the most impact by working during the day, and supporting the entire family.
Newborn Care Specialist: Your modern-day, up-to-date on guidelines, professionally trained infant specialists (or as we like to say, a real life Baby Whisperer). Choosing a Newborn Care Specialist to care for your infant overnight, means that your infant is at the center of receiving specialized care from a professional who is passionate about infant development, healthy sleep hygiene, adequate intake, and creating a trusted relationship with new parents.
So, who hires a Newborn Care Specialist? Families who value creating a strong foundation for their baby, and their family from the very beginning, with the guidance and support of a trained professional. You might just want a couple nights of rest, or you may want a full concierge style service — the options are endless, and the best part is, we can help you find the perfect provider!
What does a Newborn Care Specialist do?
Believe me, it’s more than just snuggling your precious baby — though, that is one of our favorite job perks!
What Does a Newborn Care Specialist Do During an Overnight Shift?
Bringing home a newborn is a beautiful, life-changing experience—but it’s also exhausting. Many families turn to a Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) to help them navigate those intense first few weeks and months, especially during the night. But what exactly does an NCS do while the rest of the household is sleeping?
Here’s a detailed look at what a Newborn Care Specialist typically does during an overnight shift, and how each task directly benefits both baby and parents.
Quiet Arrival and Check-In
When the NCS arrives for their shift, they may quietly check in with the parents if they're awake. This is the time to gather any updates or instructions—such as changes in feeding plans or how the baby’s day went.
Why it matters: A short check-in ensures consistency in care and gives parents peace of mind that their baby’s needs will be met through the night.
Feeding the Baby
Feeding may involve preparing and giving bottles of breastmilk or formula, or assisting the breastfeeding parent by bringing the baby to them and handling all the before- and aftercare. After each feeding, the NCS will burp the baby and help them settle back to sleep.
Why it matters: Overnight feeding support allows babies to stay nourished and comforted while giving parents a chance to rest more deeply.
Diaper Changes
The NCS handles all diapering overnight, including changes before or after each feed and whenever needed throughout the night.
Why it matters: Keeping the baby clean and dry prevents diaper rash and discomfort, which helps everyone get more restful sleep.
Soothing and Sleep Support
If the baby is fussy or has trouble falling back asleep, the NCS will use calming techniques like swaddling, rocking, white noise, or pacifiers to gently soothe them.
Why it matters: This consistent, expert care helps babies develop healthy sleep habits and reduces the frequency and length of night wakings over time.
Monitoring Baby’s Health and Comfort
Throughout the night, the NCS closely monitors the baby’s sleep, breathing, and overall comfort. They watch for signs of reflux, gas, congestion, or anything else that could impact the baby’s wellbeing.
Why it matters: Having a trained professional observing the baby allows any concerns to be noticed and addressed quickly, often before they escalate.
Logging Nighttime Activity
Many NCS professionals keep a detailed log of feedings, diaper changes, sleep stretches, and any other notable behaviors or milestones.
Why it matters: These logs give parents helpful insight into their baby’s rhythms and allow them to track growth, patterns, and possible concerns more effectively.
Cleaning and Sanitizing Bottles or Pump Parts
After each bottle feeding or pumping session, the NCS will thoroughly wash and sanitize any used bottles, nipples, or pump parts.
Why it matters: This relieves parents of an extra task during the day and ensures everything is clean and ready for the next use.
Light Baby Laundry (When Needed)
If burp cloths, swaddles, or onesies have been used and soiled during the night, the NCS may run a quick load of baby laundry and fold it neatly.
Why it matters: It’s one less chore for exhausted parents, and it helps maintain a clean, organized baby care space.
Maintaining a Safe Sleep Environment
The NCS ensures the baby’s sleep space stays safe and optimal throughout the night—clean, clutter-free, and conducive to rest.
Why it matters: Safe sleep practices reduce the risk of SIDS and support longer, more restful sleep for babies.
Morning Recap for Parents
Before the shift ends, the NCS will often provide a verbal or written summary of the night: how often the baby fed, how long they slept, any concerns, and anything else worth noting.
Why it matters: Parents wake up informed and confident, without having to piece together the night’s events themselves.
If you're considering overnight newborn care, know that it’s more than just getting a full night’s sleep—though that’s a wonderful perk. It’s about investing in your family’s wellbeing, creating a smoother transition into parenthood, and giving your baby the best start possible. Have questions about what overnight care might look like for your family? We’re here to help.
What else do I need to know about hiring a Newborn Care Specialist?
You have such good questions! Let’s dive in.
Every company, every team, and even each Newborn Care Specialist is different.
Different can be good, because it allows each family to choose the option that fits their families values and goals. Let us tell you about what makes The Family Foundations Agency special, and why we rave about our Doulas and Newborn Care Specialist.
There is no legal requirement for a Doula or Newborn Care Specialist to have completed formal training, but it is a requirement of any provider who is joining The Family Foundations Agency. We require our Newborn Care Specialists to complete training by a Newborn Care Specialist Association approved training course, such as Newborn Care Training Academy. We set this requirement so that we know each NCS joining our team has completed a foundational level of training, which includes current recommendations and guidelines set by the WHO and AAP.
Our team requires every provider to possess current CPR & First Aid, maintain a clear background check, follow the most up-to-date guidelines on safe feeding and sleep recommendations, to be aware of recalled products, and to receive on-going position feedback from each client they interact with.
During our interview process, we ensure every provider has a minimum of three years of relevant experience in childcare or healthcare positions. You’ll find that our team is collectively has prior experience as CNA’s, Respite Providers, Nannies, House Managers, and Administrative Roles in childcare or healthcare.
An authentic presence of passion, dedication, and love for supporting families, caring for infants, and inner growth.
When should I hire an overnight Newborn Care Specialist?
If you’re pregnant, you can hire! It doesn’t matter if you are 4 weeks or 24 weeks along. However, we recommend beginning your search in your first trimester, and being ready to secure your package + NCS by 16-20 weeks.
The longer you wait to reserve your favorite providers time, the less likely you are to book with them. Keep in mind, some providers book 6-8 months in advance, and have significantly less availability.
