How to Choose the Right Doula or Nanny for Your Newborn?

Choosing the right Newborn Care can be Overwhelming- Here’s Where to Start

Welcoming a baby brings immense joy. But it also comes with sleepless nights, recovery, and new responsibilities. Many parents realize that they need some support. This is exactly where you think about hiring a professional. Doula and Nanny are two of those popular professional names that parents seek to hire.

While both offer incredible support, they differ in many ways. So if you’re wondering how to choose a doula or a good nanny? You're in the right place. In this blog, we will tell you about their roles, main differences, and how you can make a suitable choice for your family.

What Is a Doula and What Does a Doula Do?

A doula is a professional who is trained to offer the mother emotional, physical, and informational support. Besides, you can hire a doula before, during, as well as after the birth of your child.

There are mainly two types of doulas:

• Birth Doulas: They stay with you during labour
• Postpartum Doulas: They primarily offer support for mothers during recovery and can assist with early newborn care at home.

Now, what does a doula do? Here are some key roles-

• Proper Guide: During labor, birth doulas can guide your breathing and help you by teaching baby-soothing techniques. Usually, a certified doula completes training in childbirth and postpartum care. So, you can expect professional standards.
• Emotional Support: Pregnancy and postpartum are very emotional periods. So, a doula can listen to you with full compassion and help you and your partner to process emotions.
• Newborn Care Basics: Postpartum Doulas can assist with basic newborn tasks like diaper changes, bathing, and soothing techniques.

Why choose a doula? Because their experienced, continuous, personalized support can make childbirth and recovery less overwhelming and more manageable. Hence, a doula is perfect for reassurance and comfort.

How to Choose a Doula?

Finding the right doula often depends on whether you want birth support, postpartum help, or both. Ask for recommendations from your doctor, hospital, local doula directory, professional hiring agency, or visit Nestling.

When you have narrowed down to a few options, conduct some interviews to see who’s the right fit. Ask about their experience, training, and birth philosophy, and how they managed a challenging situation recently.

A certified doula has completed formal training. So, she can ensure quality care. Some parents also wonder if insurance covers doulas? Some Medicaid and commercial plans do.

What Is a Nanny, and What Do Nannies Do?

Unlike doulas, nannies are for long-term childcare, and some focus on newborn care. They often become a part of your family’s daily routine.

What do nannies do? Typically, a nanny can help you with:

• Feeding the baby
• Nap time
• School runs for toddlers
• Light household chores
• Diapering

A nanny’s main focus is your baby’s growth, safety, and well-being over months or years.

But what’s the difference between a nanny and a babysitter? Babysitters are there for the very short term, while nannies can become part-time or full-time caregivers. If you’re still unsure how to hire a nanny, don’t worry. Keep reading.

How to Choose a Good Nanny

Thinking about choosing a good nanny, take these steps:

• Start by exploring agencies, trusted referrals, or online platforms like Nestling
• Check for references
• Look at their experience with newborns
• Ensure that they have good parenting values

Interview them by asking questions about their approach to feeding, routines, and emergencies. It is best to have a trial day or week to see how suitable they are for your baby and your unique family needs.

Thinking about how to choose a good nanny? Focus on trust, structure, and how well they connect with your baby.

Doula vs. Nanny - Key Differences

Comparing what a doula does versus what a nanny does? You can think of it this way:

• Doula: Short-term and non-medical. Focused more on the mother’s recovery and emotional support.
• Nanny: Short-term or Long-term, and daily care. Focused mainly on the baby’s routine and development.

Both can help with baby care. But the main difference lies in their timing and focus. Doulas can step in around birth and help with early recovery. Nannies can become ongoing caregivers after birth.

How Much Does a Doula or Nanny Cost?

Cost can vary depending on your location and their experience. How much does a doula cost? Somewhere between $25 - $60 per hour, or $800 - $2500 for a full birth package.

How much doulas charge can also depend on whether they offer only labor support or extended postpartum help.

For nannies, you can expect between $15 - $30 per hour. How much a nanny costs also depends on duties like housekeeping or additional children.

FAQs

What is a certified doula?

She’s someone who has completed her formal training in birth and postpartum support.

How long do you need a nanny for a newborn?

Many families hire for the first 6 - 12 months, while some can hire for longer.

Can I hire both a nanny and a doula?

Yes, some parents do choose doulas for short-term and nannies for long-term support or specifically night nannies for nighttime support.

Are doulas only for first-time mums?

No, you can hire a doula again for their guidance and support.

What do nannies do in the first 3 months?

They can help with feeding, sleeping, and comforting the baby.

Empower Your Parenting With the Right Support

Choosing newborn help isn’t easy. But it's a valuable decision. A certified doula can offer you emotional support, while a nanny can provide daily care. So, making the right choice can ease your journey into parenting. Hence, take time to research and interview, and clear all your concerns. Most importantly, trust your instincts.

Once again, remember that whether you’re hiring a certified doula or finding the perfect nanny, the right choice can make early parenting less stressful, smoother, and more joyful.