Postpartum Doulas vs. Night Nurses: What They Do and Which Is Right for You

When preparing for life with a newborn, one of the biggest questions you may have is: Who will help me once the baby is here?

Sleepless nights, physical recovery, emotional swings, and constant care can make even the most prepared parents feel overwhelmed. While family support is wonderful, many parents are looking for professional help, someone trained to guide them through the foggy early weeks.

That’s when many parents start hearing about support roles, like postpartum doulas and night nurses. But what’s the difference between the two? And how do you know which kind of support is right for your family?

Let’s break it down.

What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?

A postpartum doula is trained to support the whole family, not just the baby. Their role includes providing physical, emotional, and practical support to the birthing parent, baby, and sometimes to partners and siblings as well.

What they do:

• Care for the newborn (diapering, soothing, feeding support)
• Help the birthing parent recover physically and emotionally
• Prepare nourishing meals and snacks
• Offer feeding guidance, whether that’s breast, chest, bottle, or combination feeding
• Help create rhythms and routines that fit your family’s goals
• Do light tidying or laundry so you can rest
• Provide education and reassurance during this major transition

Postpartum doulas bring a calm, grounding presence to your home—someone you can ask questions, lean on, and trust without pressure or judgment. Their presence provides a sense of relief and peace of mind, knowing that you have a knowledgeable and supportive guide during this challenging time.

What Does a Night Nurse Do?

A night nurse typically focuses on overnight newborn care only. While some may have nursing backgrounds, most are trained caregivers who specialize in tending to baby while you sleep.

What they do:

• Stay up with your baby overnight
• Handle feeds (if bottle-feeding) or bring baby to you if nursing
• Burp, change, and soothe the baby back to sleep
• Track nighttime patterns and report back to you in the morning

Night nurses focus on helping you get longer stretches of rest by taking over the night shift. They usually do not provide postpartum recovery guidance or support for the whole household.

How to Choose the Right Support for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few things to consider:

• Do you want someone to support you, not just the baby? A postpartum doula is likely the better fit.
• Is your main concern getting sleep at night without interruptions? A night nurse could be your priority.
• Do you want education and guidance, not just care? Postpartum doulas specialize in empowering families with hands-on teaching and evidence-based support.
• Are you hoping for someone who can help with meals, laundry, and mental load relief? That’s a postpartum doula’s strength.
• Are you just looking for a break from night feeds or baby soothing? A night nurse can help with that.

And if you’re somewhere in between? Many families work with both types of support or find postpartum doulas (like ours!) who provide daytime and overnight care as well.

How Bountiful Doulas Bridges the Gap

At Bountiful Doulas, our postpartum doulas are trained in newborn care, sleep coaching, perinatal nutrition, and emotional wellness. We provide daytime and overnight support, depending on your family's needs.

We’re not just here to hold the baby. We’re here to help you:

• Sleep more soundly
• Heal more fully
• Learn more confidently
• Feel more grounded

Whether you're navigating your first week home or deep in the 3 a.m. fog, our team meets you where you are with expert, judgment-free support that makes this season of life easier.

FAQ

Are night nurses licensed medical professionals?

Not always. Some may have newborn care training, but it’s important to ask about credentials.

Can a postpartum doula help even if I already have a partner or family helping?

Absolutely. A doula complements your support system. We take the pressure off your entire household so everyone can rest and adjust more smoothly.

Is one type of support better than the other?

It’s all about your needs. A night nurse may be best if you want uninterrupted sleep and someone to handle nighttime care. A postpartum doula is the right choice if you want holistic support for your recovery, baby care, and emotional well-being.

Still not sure what kind of support is right for you?

Book a free call with us to discuss your needs. Whether you choose overnight doula care, daytime visits, or a full postpartum support plan, we’re here to help you feel rested, capable, and cared for.