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Our Most Asked Questions
- Annie Ramey
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Is there a Difference Between a Postpartum Doula and a Nighttime Nanny?
Parents often ask whether there’s a real difference between a night nanny and a postpartum doula. The short answer? Not really—at least not in terms of overnight newborn care. But there are a few small distinctions that may help you choose the right kind of postpartum support for your family.
A night nanny primarily focuses on the baby—feeding, soothing, diaper changes, and helping your newborn establish healthy sleep habits.
A postpartum doula, however, supports the whole family, with special attention to postpartum recovery and the emotional well-being of the birthing parent. In addition to caring for your newborn overnight so you can sleep, a postpartum doula may:
Wash bottles and pump parts
Fold newborn laundry
Prepare simple meals and snacks
Provide emotional support
Offer newborn care education
Check in on the mother's healing
This type of postpartum care is designed to nurture the entire household during those early weeks.
Is Hiring a Postpartum Doula Worth It?
In our experience, yes—most families find postpartum doula support incredibly valuable. Rest, guidance, hands-on newborn care, and emotional support can make the transition to parenthood smoother and less overwhelming.
We also have a separate blog post that dives deeper into the benefits of hiring a postpartum doula if you want to learn more.
How Many Nights or Hours Should You Book a Postpartum Doula?
This often depends on your budget, your recovery, and whether you have additional support at home. However, most parents benefit from:
3–4 nights per week
For at least the first 6 weeks
Gradually tapering down as your baby becomes more predictable
Our most popular option is our 500-hour postpartum doula package, which gives families consistent, reliable overnight newborn care and support. You can send us an inquiry here for more info. https://www.richmondbirthandbaby.com/contact-us
Do We Offer Lactation Support?
Yes, we do! All of our doulas have basic breastfeeding training, and Richmond Birth and Baby proudly has both an IBCLCÂ and a CLSÂ on staff.
At our Richmond lactation office, we support families with:
Painful latch or nipple pain
Low milk supply
Possible tongue-tie concerns
Pumping and bottle-feeding guidance
Prenatal breastfeeding preparation
We are also in-network with several insurance companies, making professional lactation support more accessible.
Do We Offer Classes?
Absolutely! We offer a variety of prenatal and newborn classes designed to help families feel informed and confident.
Our most popular class is Baby Basics, ideal for first-time parents who want a solid understanding of what to expect in the first weeks with their newborn.
We also offer:
Childbirth Education (including a home birth option)
Grandparent Class
Lactation Classes
You can view the full class list and schedule on our website or click this link.
Our Mission at Richmond Birth and Baby
At Richmond Birth and Baby, our goal is to help every family begin their parenting journey with confidence, connection, and compassionate support.
Whether you join us through birth doula services, postpartum doula care, lactation consulting, or newborn education, we want you to know that:
👉 You are capable — and you don’t have to navigate this alone.
We would be honored to support your family during this special time. Contact us today to learn more about our postpartum and newborn care services.