A postpartum doula provides in‑home support after birth, focusing on your recovery, newborn care, emotional well‑being, and helping the whole family adjust. This can include baby care, feeding support, light household tasks, and resources for mental health and community support.

A nanny’s primary role is caring for the baby so parents can work or rest, while a postpartum doula supports both the baby and the birthing parent’s recovery and education. Night nurses or newborn care specialists focus mainly on overnight baby care and sleep, whereas doulas include emotional support, recovery education, and family adjustment.

Most families book during pregnancy so they can plan for visits in the first 6–12 weeks after birth, often called the “fourth trimester”. However, some doulas can start later or extend care up to several months postpartum, depending on availability.

A visit is tailored to your needs and may include debriefing your birth story, help with feeding, baby soothing, light chores, meal prep, and time for you to rest while the doula cares for your baby. Some doulas also offer holistic options like light yoga, mindfulness, or referrals to pelvic floor and mental health providers if needed.

Many postpartum doulas offer flexible packages (for example, blocks of hours or a set number of visits) that can be adjusted as needs change. Rates vary by location, experience, and services offered, and families often use baby registries, gifts, or health spending accounts where allowed to help cover support.